By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse In a significant move to support his constituents ahead of Ramadan, Senator Babangida Hussaini, representing Jigawa Northwest Senatorial District, has empowered 400 women and disbursed food items worth over N300 million across the district. Speaking at the flag-off ceremony, Senator Hussaini emphasized his commitment to improving the lives of his people, stating that the initiative is part of his ongoing economic support and Ramadan welfare program for the needy in the 12 local government areas of the district. “To ensure families have the necessary support during this sacred period, I am pleased to distribute three trailers…
Author: National Update
***Demands Respect for Wife Amidst Akpabio Dispute In a dramatic turn of events, High Chief Emmanuel Oritsejolomi Uduaghan, the Alema of Warri Kingdom, has publicly defended his wife, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, amid her ongoing dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Breaking his initial silence, Chief Uduaghan condemned the distractions surrounding the issue, emphasizing that the real concerns at stake should not be overlooked. He described his wife as a woman of integrity, a committed public servant, and a victim of undue harassment. “Natasha was elected because of the overwhelming trust and respect of her people. She remains steadfast in her…
Subject: Leasing Senator Solomon Olamilekan Adeola (YAYI) to Ogun Central for Infrastructural Development Your Excellency Sir We hope this letter finds you in a good spirit. Let’s start the letter with a popular Yoruba maxim, “A kì í bínú orí ká fi fìlà dé ìbàdí.” Meaning: The disdain we have for the human head does not justify placing a cap meant for it on the wrong place. Let us also remind your excellency that democracy is defined as “government of the people, by the people, and for the people.” Sadly, this seems to be slipping away in Egba Land, particularly…
By Lemmy Ughegbe, Ph.D In Nigeria’s political landscape, allegations of sexual harassment are often met with a predictable sequence of events—denial, counter-accusations, legal threats, and ultimately, the silencing of the accuser. The latest accusation by Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan against Senate President Godswill Akpabio follows this script. She claims that Akpabio harassed and victimised her for rejecting his advances—an allegation he has categorically denied. In a dramatic turn, Akpabio’s wife, Unoma Akpabio, has now escalated the controversy by filing a N250 billion defamation lawsuit against Akpoti-Uduaghan, branding the claims as malicious and demanding damages for what she describes as a calculated…
The legal representatives of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan have disassociated themselves from a controversial letter circulating on social media, purportedly written by ‘Indemnity Partners’ regarding the senator and her husband, Chief Uduaghan. The letter, dated November 4, 2022, alleged business discrepancies between the couple and made several damaging claims. However, Akpoti-Uduaghan’s solicitors have categorically dismissed the document as fake and inauthentic. A statement issued by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) B.C. Igwilo urged the public to disregard the letter in its entirety. “Our attention has been drawn to a letter trending on social media purporting to have been issued from our…
Kogi State Governor, Ahmed Usman Ododo, has called on Muslims to embrace patience, sacrifice, and compassion for the less privileged as they observe this year’s Ramadan fasting. In his Ramadan message, Governor Ododo described the holy month as a sacred period for deep reflection, devotion to worship, and self-discipline. Special Adviser on Media to the Governor, Ismaila Isah in a statement quoted him to have emphasized the importance of fostering generosity and unity, urging citizens to support one another regardless of religious differences. “Ramadan is a sacred time of reflection, devotion, and self-discipline. It reminds us of the virtues of…
By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse The Jigawa State Pilgrims Welfare Board has extended the deadline for the 2025 Hajj fare payment to March 7, 2025, granting more time for intending pilgrims who were unable to pay by the previous February 15 deadline. This extension follows a directive from the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), as stated in a press release issued by the board’s Public Relations Officer, Malam Habibu Yusuf Babura, in Dutse, the state capital. According to the statement, “The payment window has now been extended until March 7, 2025, to accommodate intending pilgrims who have not yet made…
Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan has written to Mrs. Unoma Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, advising her to stay out of the ongoing allegations of sexual harassment and intimidation against her husband. In a letter dated March 1, 2025, and signed by her lawyer, Victor Giwa, Akpoti-Uduaghan insisted that the allegations were personal to the Senate President and that he should be the one to defend himself. The letter, titled “Stay Away from Sen. Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sexual Harassment and Intimidation Allegation Against Sen. President Godswill Akpabio; To Safeguard Your Sanity and That of Your Family,” urged Mrs. Akpabio to refrain…
ActionAid Nigeria has condemned the recent allegations of sexual harassment in the National Assembly, as it has called for an independent and transparent investigation to ensure justice and accountability. In a statement, ActionAid Nigeria’s Country Director, Andrew Mamedu, stressed the urgency of addressing the allegations, stating that failure to act would reinforce a culture of impunity and undermine public confidence in the legislature. “The National Assembly must uphold a zero-tolerance policy on harassment. This is not about politics; it’s about justice and human dignity. A thorough investigation must be conducted to determine the facts, hold perpetrators accountable, and strengthen institutional…
Journalists in Niger State have criticized Governor Mohammed Umar Bago and Minister of Information Mohammed Idris for failing to redeem financial pledges made over a year ago during the launch of the NUJ Press Week magazine. During a recent NUJ Congress, members were informed that despite repeated follow-ups, the governor’s ₦5 million pledge—announced through the Secretary to the State Government, Usman Abubakar—and the minister’s ₦1 million promise—made via the Director General of the Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Baba Ndace—remain unfulfilled. Frustrated journalists expressed disappointment, particularly with Minister Idris, noting that as a media professional, his reluctance to honor such a…