Former WBC cruiserweight champion Toney Bellew has predicted that the bout between Anthony Joshua and Daniel Dubois will be over inside two rounds.
The potential heavyweight fight is known to be in talks for September 21 at Wembley Stadium as part of the Riyadh Season Card being planned by Saudi boxing chiefs.
It’s not yet confirmed whether the fight will come to fruition, but former WBC world champ Bellew has already made a bold prediction.
When initially asked if Dubois possesses any attributes that could trouble Joshua, Bellew told Lucky Block Casino, “Of course, he can punch. But AJ’s technically better than him, more fluid than him, quicker than him, hits harder than him.
“Everything Dubois is good at, Joshua is a bit better at. And he also has a defence. Dubois is good at front-foot pressure, powerful, with reasonable speed for someone his size.
“AJ’s a freak. AJ’s the best athlete the heavyweight division’s probably ever had as an athletic specimen. If you put AJ in a 100m race (against the other heavyweights), lifting weights, how far he can jump, how high he can jump – I promise you he’d win the lot. It’s just getting all that package put into one.
“As for AJ vs Dubois, I think if that fight gets made it’s over inside two rounds. I think he won’t miss him. As long as Joshua goes in with the same attitude that he went in with against Francis Ngannou, it’s over in two rounds. I don’t see any other outcome.”
Joshua has rediscovered himself with four wins on the bounce, the most recent being his brutal second-round KO of former UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou.
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GODFREY GEORGE writes on how underage girls are lodged in hotels by men for illicit acts while hotel administrators look the other way
Shock was the reaction that greeted a now-viral video of a young boy who captured himself half-naked in a hotel in Lagos State with a girl his age.
Both kids were jumping on the bed at one point in the video, which has now been circulated widely on social media.
After the jumping, they both stood in front of the mirror in a sexually suggestive fashion and gave off romantic looks. Before the 26-second video came to an end, both teenagers locked lips and gave a wide grin on camera.
This outraged Nigerians who wondered how they got access to that level of privacy in a hotel facility in the country that is supposed to be reserved for adults. The age of adulthood in Nigeria is 18 and the kids in the video were barely teenagers.
In 2023, a similar video was circulated. This time, there were three young boys and a young girl who were almost unclad dancing to a popular Nigerian tune on camera.
They looked intoxicated, as all four of them were seen smoking from one stick of what looked like marijuana or cigarette. One of the boys held a red cup and sipped the content slowly, giving wild laughter after every sip.
The girl was seen beckoning on another person who was not visible in the video to come and help her, as, according to her, the boys were ‘killing her’.
“These boys are so bad. They want to kill me o,” she said and fell on the bed, laughing as she did.
The incident, our correspondent gathered, happened in a local hotel in Sagamu, Ogun State.
Residents of the area who spoke to our correspondent confirmed that it was a regular sight to see young people use the hotel for their parties.
A chief in the area, Mr Tunji Adekola, said he was the one who reported the hotel to the police in the area for playing loud music and disturbing the peace in the area, not knowing that something sinister went on behind the shadows.
He said, “It was after my report, that several people came forward to say some men in the area took some underage girls to the hotel where they perform their illicit acts. Girls not up to 16 are always seen in the area, skimpily dressed.”
Another resident, Mrs Chinasa Ochiko, said the place is nicknamed ‘Ibongi Bar’ because there were no restrictions to the illicit acts that go on there.
“Children of 15 years old and even below are seen in the area even at night. Although the place has been shut down by the authorities, other hotels in the area still allow young girls to lodge there with men old enough to be their fathers,” she said.
‘What did I do wrong?’
Another young girl, in 2024, was recorded in another viral video on TikTok in Eleme, Rivers State, coming out of a hotel room in a popular hotel in the area half-dressed. The hotel said to be owned by a politician, runs a nightclub, a strip bar and what they termed “ladies’ night”.
In the video, the young girl was asking, “What did I do wrong?” from the persons who questioned her for lodging in a hotel without her parents.
A voice from the background asked, “What are you doing here? Where are your parents? Don’t you have a home? See as you dey! A young girl like you! Spoiling yourself and your family name. If you don’t leave here now, we will call the police to take you and whoever you came here with.”
Another person in the background enquired about her room number and threatened to go drag the man she came with before the video came to an abrupt end.
Sources in the area said she went to the hotel to celebrate her 16th birthday the previous day and she lodged there with her boyfriend for the night to ‘seal the celebration’.
A resident in the area who spoke to our correspondent on condition of anonymity said parts of the hotel were uncompleted and lodgers may be required to come down and fetch water.
“It was when the girl came down to fetch water that she was captured. Some men who were there to drink accosted her and asked her how old she was and what she was doing in the hotel. They then realised she came there to celebrate her 16th birthday with her boyfriend who is 26 years old.
“Both of them were chased out of the hotel and the receptionist that booked them was sanctioned,” the source said.
Although the hotel owner denied the video was made in his hotel, several lodgers on social media confirmed that the hotel was notorious for its anyhowness.
“You will find children walking around the pool in pairs. I am talking of children who should be in secondary school. Some of them will wear swim trunks and their partners will accompany them. Whenever I see them there and I am with my partner, I go there and chase them out myself,” a lady on Facebook, Tumbari Leebam, wrote in a comment section.
Another Facebook user said the hotel was notorious in the area as a regular spot to get ‘fresh meat’ (underage girls).
“It is irritating but true that these fresh meat lurk around the hotel (name withheld) to look for men who pick them, use the rooms there for as many days as they like and the management turns a blind eye,” wrote Tuonimi Barida.
Another day, another video
A few months after the Rivers State incident, another video surfaced on social media. It was that of a young boy and a girl in a hotel room.
It stirred outrage on social media, causing many to bash hotel owners who allow these young people to use their facilities for these illicit acts.
The clip showed the minors alone in a hotel room, drinking and making romance.
The girl, who wore a crop top on blank pants, was filming herself in front of a mirror while her male partner showed off his meal.
As she got close to him, he swiftly dropped his food, got close to her and appeared to kiss her on the lips.
The 17-second clip was shared on Twitter by @_favorite_ada, who wondered where the parents of the kids were.
The video has caused a huge stir on the Internet, with many condemning the underage children for lodging in a hotel together.
Some others criticised the hotel management for allowing them to stay in their facility, while others blamed their parents for failing to instil good values in them.
An X user, Lola Okunrin, expressed disgust over the hotel clip and emphasised the importance of community parenting.
He said, “This is why I will forever love community parenting. Let’s say the parents of these two failed, what about the staff of the hotel? The moment they entered and asked for a key, an adult is holding their ears and twisting it while giving them brain resetting knock. A ti miss (sic).”
Another user, tweeting as @mr_time_smile, wrote, “There should be a law that says we must show our National ID before we can access some places in Nigeria. There must be verification of age in hotel facilities.”
@blessmich85, another user, wrote, “Community parenting helped reset my brain the day I followed gang enter canoe to another community because of inter-house sports. Before I got home, my ear and face collected slaps (sic).
“I can never forget the Part II beating my mother gave me. (sic)”
Man stops 15-year-old boy from lodging with teenage girls
Another video which trending in 2023 showed a man confronting a 15-year-old boy who attempted to book a hotel room with two teenage girls.
The man was seen in the video grilling the child who refused to speak up.
When the girls who had come with the boy saw that their objective had been disrupted, they walked away fast, ignoring requests from the man who demanded to know what they were planning to do in the hotel room.
The menace
The increasing trend of minors lodging in hotels unsupervised and engaging in illicit activities is becoming a significant concern in Nigeria.
Despite stringent legal frameworks and industry codes of conduct, some hoteliers neglect their responsibilities, facilitating an environment where minors can easily access rooms and partake in activities that jeopardize their safety and well-being. This issue not only threatens the minors involved but also tarnishes the reputation of Nigeria’s hospitality industry.
The Federal Government also warned hoteliers across the country not to harbour teenagers and underage girls in their facilities or risk being sanctioned.
The Minister of Women Affairs, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, read the riot acts on Saturday at the ‘Unlock Training and Grants’ ceremony in Abuja.
The programme, which saw 200 young entrepreneurs receive N100m, was organised by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Technical, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Education, Abiola Arogundade.
In January 2023, some students of Federal Government College in Ijanikin, Lagos, were caught absconding from school to lodge female classmates in hotels for sexual romp.
According Metro gathered that the students, all boarders, were said to have on different occasions scaled the school’s fence with their female counterparts and stayed out of school for days.
Findings revealed that the students involved in the act were between the ages of 14 and 17.
Similarly, in April 2022, a video clip of a 15-year-old boy who was accosted while trying to lodge two girls and another guy in a hotel room went viral on social media.
The teenage schoolgirls, however, took to their heels when the voice behind the camera attempted to probe them on their mission.
But Kennedy-Ohanenye vowed that it would no longer be business as usual.
To further depict the seriousness of the Federal Government, the minister disclosed that hoteliers, especially in the Federal Capital Territory, have been directed to mount a signpost outside their hotels warning prospective clients to lodge any underage girls in their premises.
She said, “Nigeria must be better. From 20th (June), we have directed hotels to put a sign outside from the Ministry of Women. No lodging of underage girls. (Otherwise) what happened in Niger State will be an understatement of what will happen in the FCT and I mean it.
“No more lodging of underage girls and no more bullying in schools.”
Continuing, the minister announced to journalists that the FG has commenced a probe into the distasteful viral clip of 10 Nigerian teenagers who were rescued from neighbòuring Ghana where they were trafficked for prostitution.
Legal framework, ethical obligations
The Child Rights Act of 2003 explicitly defines a child as a person under the age of 18 and mandates their protection from exploitation, abuse, and neglect.
Section 11 of the Act states that every child has the right to protection from all forms of exploitation, which extends to their unsupervised lodging in hotels.
Furthermore, the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation enforces regulations that hotels must adhere to, ensuring the safety and well-being of all guests, including minors.
The NTDC Code of Conduct requires hotel operators to verify the age of their guests and prohibits lodging minors without appropriate supervision. However, many hotels fail to comply with these guidelines, resulting in minors gaining unsupervised access to hotel rooms.
The presence of unsupervised minors in hotels exposes them to various dangers, including sexual exploitation, drug abuse, and criminal activities. Several high-profile cases have highlighted the severity of this issue.
A group of teenagers, in December 2022, was caught in a hotel in Lagos, engaging in a late-night party involving alcohol and drugs. The hotel staff failed to verify the ages of the guests, leading to this incident. The case emphasized the need for stricter age verification processes.
In February 2023, a 16-year-old girl was found using a hotel room for prostitution. The hotel management claimed ignorance of her age. This incident sparked outrage and calls for better enforcement of regulations concerning the accommodation of minors in hotels.
A hotel in Enugu was, in March 2023, implicated when underage boys used the facility to plan and execute a robbery. The lack of proper guest verification allowed the minors to use the hotel as a base for their criminal activities.
In June 2023, a hotel in Delta was found to be a hotspot for underage prostitution. Multiple minors were rescued in a police raid, revealing the hotel’s complicity in allowing minors to use their rooms for sex work.
In August 2023, authorities in Edo State uncovered a network of hotels that facilitated the use of rooms by minors for drug-related activities.
The hotels failed to verify the ages of their guests, leading to a surge in illicit activities involving minors.
A hotel in Ogun State around October 2023 was shut down after it was discovered that minors were using the premises to conduct illicit activities.
The hotel’s management was found to be complicit in allowing these activities to take place without any form of supervision or verification.
A child rights advocate, Mercy Chepaka, commenting on the matter stated that the rising trend of minors engaging in illicit activities in Nigerian hotels was a serious issue that requires immediate attention.
She said, “Hoteliers must uphold their ethical and legal obligations to protect minors and ensure their facilities are not used for unlawful purposes.
“By adopting stringent age verification processes, training staff, and collaborating with law enforcement, Nigeria’s hospitality industry can create a safer environment for all guests. The implementation of these measures, along with robust enforcement, will go a long way in curbing this menace and restoring the integrity of the industry.
“Furthermore, the government and regulatory bodies must play a proactive role in ensuring compliance with existing laws and regulations. Regular inspections, severe penalties for non-compliance, and public awareness campaigns are essential components of a comprehensive strategy to address this issue. Only through a concerted effort can Nigeria safeguard its children and uphold the standards of its hospitality industry.”
Ogun hotel suspects Photo: Ogun Police Command
Clampdown
In August 2023, the Gender Unit of the Nigerian Police Force Criminal Investigation Department, Federal Capital Territory raided Ignobis Hotels, Gado Nasco Road in Kubwa, Abuja, for alleged abuse, and endangerment of minors.
The raid was led by Inspector Ossai Ojobo, an Investigation Police Officer, along with officials of the Social Development Secretarial, FCT Administration and representatives of a non-governmental organisation.
After the raid, the Hotel Manager, Mr Akbueze Chidi, and a restaurant operator in the hotel, Ms Priscilla Abuyah, were arrested and taken to the Force CID for questioning and further investigation.
The raid followed a petition by the Human Rights Agenda Network, an NGO, to the Social Welfare Department of the SDS, alleging that the hotel was harbouring minors and exposing them to sexual exploitation.
The SDS Officer in charge of the case, Mrs Joy Omokivie, told the News Agency of Nigeria, that the SDS channelled the petition to the Gender Unit of the Force CID to investigate the matter.
Omokivie added that the hotel was classified as a brothel by residents, where young girls, including underaged girls, were being brought in for sex.
She said that in the petition, HRAN had alleged that a 12-year-old minor and her younger brother, age four, were staying at the hotel with a woman, purported to be their mother.
She added that after some investigations, the 12-year-old girl was rescued and is currently in the custody of the Social Welfare Department, “while the young boy is still with the mother.”
According to her, the raid was part of an ongoing investigation to determine the veracity of the allegations and if found to be true, rescue the minors and prosecute the culprits.
HRAN had in the petition accused the woman, Mrs Immanuela Austyn-Araki, a Bolt driver of abandoning the children in the hotel in the morning, leaving them to fend for themselves.
The NGO claimed that the children eat mostly snacks and noodles until they return late at night or the following morning.
HRAN added that its investigation revealed that the woman lodged in the hotel with the children for more than two years, exposing them to all kinds of sexual conduct by other adults lodging in the hotel.
The group said that the girl was allowed access to the internet and accessing sites not suitable for underaged children, adding that the girl had an account on TikTok where she uploads adult-related content.
According to the group, men, including the hotel owner, pay regular visits to the room occupied by the minors and their mother, whenever the mother is not around.
HRAN also expressed suspicion that the woman may be involved in child trafficking, alleging that there were underage girls in the hotel premises working as commercial sex workers.
The NGO, thereafter, asked the police to investigate the matter to save the endangered child and bring the culprits to book.
However, after reading the petition at the Force CID, the manager of the hotel and the restaurant operator declined to make any response except in the presence of their lawyer.
Meanwhile, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Hotel, Mr Eze Obasi, refuted the allegation, saying, “I am a good Christian and a traditional title holder in my community.
“As such, I cannot be a party to sexual exploitation, abuse, or endangerment of underage girls in my hotel.
“All I know is that the woman in question was being maltreated by her husband and she came to the hotel with her children to seek refuge from her abusive husband.
“This complaint has been brought before me by four different groups and it has been settled.
“I do not understand why police officers will still come to the hotel to embarrass my clients in the name of police search for minors,” he said.
After the raid that ended around 8:30 p.m., the young minor and the mother were not found at the hotel.
Gomorrah extension in Anambra hotel
On June 13, the Anambra State Police Command uncovered a hotel named Gally Gally in Nkpor, allegedly involved in the exploitation of children aged 14 to 17 for sex slavery, prostitution, and operating as a baby factory.
DSP Ikenga Tochukwu, the spokesperson for the state police command, detailed in a statement that the operatives rescued 35 girls, with four of them discovered to be pregnant.
“The police have arrested three individuals connected to this operation: Mrs Ifeoma Uzo, aged 35, Chidiebere Alaka, aged 28, and Nweke Chidiebere. Alongside these arrests, the police seized three pump-action guns, seven cartridges, and a cash sum of eight hundred and seventy-seven thousand, five hundred naira (N877, 500),” the spokesperson said.
Tochukwu noted that the suspects are currently undergoing interrogation to gather more information about their involvement and to identify additional members of the gang. He further stated that the rescued victims will be handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons for their welfare and rehabilitation.
The statement concluded with Tochukwu affirming that all suspects will face charges in court once the investigation is complete.
Ogun case
On October 23, 2019, law enforcement uncovered a grim operation in Shimawa, a community on the Lagos-Ogun border, where a hotel was using underage girls for commercial sex work.
Detectives from the Federal Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Alagbon, Ikoyi, conducted the raid, arresting two men and rescuing 14 girls aged between 14 and 17.
Acting on intelligence reports about a suspected baby factory in Shimawa, the anti-trafficking team, led by Assistant Inspector General of Police, Usman Mani, moved quickly to the scene. Deputy Superintendent of Police, Cordelia Nwawe, provided details of the operation, which lasted from Tuesday night until 10 a.m. the following day.
“We needed to locate that particular baby factory where underage females are kept,” Nwawe explained.
The investigation revealed that the girls, hailing from Akwa Ibom, Kogi, Enugu, and Imo states, had been lured to the facility under pretences.
Trapped in a cycle of exploitation, they were forced to pay their boss N1,000 daily for accommodation while being coerced into sleeping with a minimum of four men daily, charging between N500 and N1,000 per client.
Disturbingly, the men in the establishment also subjected the girls to sexual exploitation at their will.
Several individuals were arrested during the raid, including the hotel owner, Gbenga Olayinka, his nephew, Adekunle Oshineye, and three adult sex workers—Happiness Daniel, Favour Nkume, and Glory Ewelike.
The nine underage girls gave their names as Chisom Onyekwere, Chinonso Okoro, Stella Emmanuel, Gift Wada, Chidinma Emmanuel, Tracy Favour, Success Onu, Comfort Francis, Njoku Divine, Destiny Chibuike, and Amanda Chima.
Olayinka denied knowing that some of the girls were underage, claiming they had independently rented the rooms.
“I charge the girls N1,000 daily. I do not control them on their customers, and I do not keep their money for them. Police have been coming there to search, but they have never found anything incriminating,” he said.
“My offence is that I kept these girls in my care to use them to work, and I am sorry about that. I know it is wrong. I am married with four kids, two girls, and two boys.”
Oshineye, who was arrested in the room of one of the girls he claimed was his lover, stated that he only helped his uncle at the brothel when he wasn’t busy with his building work.
The narratives of the rescued girls were harrowing.
One girl shared, “My boyfriend and I planned that I would stop prostitution by December because that is when I would complete my apprenticeship. I sleep with four or five men every day. It was my friend who brought me from the village. I do not enjoy it, but I do not have another option.”
Another girl, Okoro, confessed that her mother was unaware of her true occupation.
“I told my mum I was working, but I did not tell her the job I was doing. I have been able to send only N7,000 to her since I started this work. I use protection each time to avoid getting infection,” she said.
International best practices
Countries like the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada enforce strict regulations on hotel operations to prevent such issues.
For instance, in the United States, the Hotel and Motel Fire Safety Act mandates that hotels maintain a registry of guests and verify the age of anyone booking a room. Similarly, the United Kingdom’s Hotel Proprietors Act imposes a duty of care on hotel owners to ensure the safety of all guests, including minors.
A hospitality expert based in Rivers State, Patience Hart, said Nigeria can adopt several measures to curb the menace of minors lodging unsupervised in hotels.
Hart who runs a hotel in the Port Harcourt area of the state said implementing mandatory age verification for all guests, ensuring that minors are not accommodated without adult supervision must be prioritised.
She said, “Train hotel staff to identify and report suspicious activities involving minors.
“Establish partnerships between hotels and law enforcement agencies to monitor and address any incidents involving minors. Educate parents and guardians about the dangers of allowing minors to lodge in hotels unsupervised through government and NGO-led campaigns.
“Technological tools should be utilized. The use of surveillance cameras, guest verification software, and biometric systems to monitor and control access to hotel premises should be encouraged.”
The administrator also said hotels must allocate specific areas within hotels for minors, providing supervised environments for their activities.
She added, “The unchecked presence of minors in hotels poses severe risks to their safety and well-being and undermines the credibility of the hospitality industry. The economic impact includes a potential decline in tourism and loss of trust among patrons, leading to reduced revenue and job losses.”
The law
Lodging underage girls in hotel rooms is a serious legal issue in Nigeria, governed by several statutes aimed at protecting children from exploitation and abuse.
For instance, the Child Rights Act, adopted in 2003, is the primary legislation protecting the rights of children in Nigeria. It defines a child as anyone under the age of 18 and outlines their rights and protections.
Section 11 of the Act proves that every child is entitled to protection from all forms of exploitation, including sexual exploitation.
Section 15 of the Act prohibits the abduction, removal, or transfer of a child unlawfully or without lawful authority.
Also, Section 16 protects child labour, which includes prohibiting children from being used in exploitative and hazardous environments, including hotels for illicit activities.
Also, the Criminal Code Act, applicable in Southern Nigeria, includes provisions against sexual exploitation and abuse of minors.
Section 218 clearly states that it is a felony to have unlawful carnal knowledge of an underage girl.
Section 22 outlines the offence of abduction of a girl under the age of 16 with intent to have unlawful carnal knowledge.
Meanwhile, the Penal Code Act applies to Northern Nigeria and contains similar provisions to the Criminal Code regarding the protection of minors.
Section 276 specifically criminalizes the abduction of females for illicit purposes.
Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation regulations
The NTDC is responsible for regulating the hospitality industry, and ensuring hotels comply with safety and ethical standards.
Under its key regulation, the NTDC stated that hotels must verify the age of guests and ensure minors are not lodged without appropriate adult supervision.
Failure to comply with these regulations can result in penalties, including fines and revocation of operating licenses.
A legal practitioner, Selena Onuoha, said the provisions of the law are clear on exploiting minors for any form of sexual gratification.
She, however, lamented that despite these robust legal frameworks, enforcement remains a challenge due to corruption, lack of awareness, and inadequate training of law enforcement officers.
“The hospitality industry must be vigilant and proactive in adhering to these laws to protect minors from exploitation.
“Protecting minors from exploitation in hotels is not just a legal obligation but a moral one. Ensuring that hotel operators adhere to laws and regulations will help safeguard children and maintain the integrity of Nigeria’s hospitality industry,” she added.
Ban laudable – Hotel owners
A legal practitioner and President, Hotel Owners Forum, Abuja, Mrs Funmi Kazeem, speaking to our correspondent on Friday, hailed FG’s ban on underage lodgers in hotels.
She commended the Federal Government and the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Uju Kennedy-Ohanenye, for taking a bold step towards safeguarding the well-being of our girl child and the vulnerable citizens.
She said, “The ban on lodging of underage girls in hotels is a laudable initiative that aligns with our industry’s values and commitment to ethical practices.
“As hoteliers, we recognize the importance of providing a safe and secure environment for all our guests and we are eager to cooperate with the government and the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development to ensure the successful implementation of this policy.
“By preventing the lodging of underage girls in hotels, we are not only curbing the scourge of prostitution but also protecting these vulnerable individuals from potential exploitation and harm.”
She added that the initiative was a clear testament to the Minister and government’s dedication to creating a sane and responsible society, and we are proud to be part of it.
She further urged the minister and government to consider the challenges facing the hotel industry, particularly in the current economic landscape.
She said, “The hoteliers are struggling with high operating costs which include exorbitant fuel and diesel prices, the high electricity tariff and multiple taxation.
“While we are ready to join the Hon. Minister and government to implement this new policy on underage lodging, we implore the government to provide support to this great industry by way of grants, tax exemptions, and waivers to enable us to continue to provide quality services that will contribute to the nation’s economic growth.”
In a world where stereotypes and societal pressures challenge interracial marriages, Nigerian individuals who love beyond borders often face scepticism and scrutiny. Accusations of ulterior motives question the authenticity of their unions, BABATUNDE TITILOLA writes
She is Swiss. He is Nigerian
It was one night during the summer of 2008, Janine Udogu was out with her friends in a popular club in her hometown in Zurich, Switzerland, to enjoy the night. She had no idea fate had a plan for her that night.
“While I often went there to dance and unwind with friends, I was not looking for a relationship at that time,” Udogu told our correspondent during an interview.
That night, she was having the fun of her life when a male figure approached her. She said she initially seemed uninterested but the calm demeanour of the gentleman soon weakened her defence.
Two days after their first encounter, the 38-year-old met with the mysterious man again, and the rest, as they say, became history.
This history, according to her, is a story she is always willing to share anytime and anywhere – the story of how she married a man from a different continent, culture, and who lived over 2,500 miles away.
Udogu said, “Ezenwa’s (my husband’s) sincerity and patience were what made me fall in love with him. He was direct and genuine from the start, never playing games, which built a strong foundation of trust. His clear intention and love for me convinced me that he was the one.
“He approached me respectfully, and a serendipitous encounter just two days later in a very unexpected place confirmed to me that he was truly special.”
Strangely, the book author said she was faced with pressures from her husband’s family who demanded reassurance that she was serious with their son. This demand came following their son’s previous experience with marrying a ‘white woman’ as the family wanted their son to marry within his culture in Anambra State.
She said, “Early in our marriage, the greatest challenge was reassuring my husband’s family of my suitability as his partner. Given his previous marriage to a white woman and his role as the eldest son, there was pressure for him to marry within his own culture and raise heirs in Nigeria.
“In Nigeria, interracial marriages still face significant prejudice, not just those between different races but also different tribes. People are always welcoming and supportive but deep inside them, I think they did not just believe it would be for the long run.
“We hardly ever got direct negative reactions but up to this day people are still surprised to see we are still together after 16 years, that we have four kids and that we bring them home to Nigeria regularly to learn the language and the culture. There are just not enough public role models of these kinds of relationships and the media is always quick to write about the failures rather than the success stories.”
Udogu and her husband married in a court in Switzerland on October 27, 2012, and on January 4, 2014, they travelled to Isuofia, Anambra State, to solidify their marriage with a church wedding.
According to Udogu, their story speaks of love’s power to transcend boundaries and defy expectations, resonating with the universal struggle for acceptance and understanding in an ever-diverse world.
Marrying for money, green card
In Nigeria, the announcement of any interracial marriage often triggers a continuous stream of negative reactions. Many comments suggest that the Nigerian partner is marrying the foreigner to obtain a Green Card or for the money.
This perception implies that the Nigerian is viewed as lazy and seeking a fast track to leave the country and benefit from the foreigner’s wealth.
A green card, also known as a Permanent Resident card, is issued by the United States government to foreign nationals who are granted permission to live and work in the country permanently.
In Nigeria, the term is also used to represent any document that Nigerian citizens obtain to secure permanent residency in another country (aside from the United States) through marriage.
Findings further showed that the severity of these criticisms intensifies when the public discovers that the foreign partner is older than the Nigerian.
For Udogu, she was well aware of the stereotypes but was willing to face them head-on.
She said, “I think the fact that my husband already had papers when we met helped us avoid many stereotypes. Some people think mixed marriages only happen for additional benefits (papers, money) and that they never last. But we are here to prove them wrong.
“Our love experience was enriched by our different cultural backgrounds. We approached our differences with curiosity and willingness to compromise, which is a significant advantage for intercultural couples. This made our dating period not just enjoyable but deeply enriching.”
Udogu’s diverse background further enabled her to tackle the challenges of intercultural marriage and raising children with blended traditions, all while staying connected to her roots. Technology also proved invaluable in bridging the distance when she couldn’t journey to Switzerland with her children.
She said, “Growing up with a Moroccan stepfather taught me the value of embracing different cultures, faiths, and backgrounds from an early age. I have learned that our similarities far outweigh our differences and that embracing diversity enriches our lives.
“Maintaining close relationships with both our families across continents has been facilitated by technology like WhatsApp, and by our commitment to regular visits. We make it a point to travel frequently, ensuring our children have strong bonds with all their relatives. This was also the main reason why we decided to relocate to Nigeria last year. Mixed kids need to be able to identify with the roots of both their parents.”
Udogu recently published a book titled ‘Ala Nnam: A Journey to Isuofia’, documenting her family’s experience in her husband’s village.
“I am known to be a cultural blogger some would call a social media influencer, and less known as a painter and photographer.
“However, I am convinced the attitudes of people against interracial marriages will evolve within the next generations as such unions become more normalised in a globalised world,” she added.
Nigerian celebrities’ flair for foreign spouses
Despite the backlashes that often come against interracial marriages, findings by Saturday According revealed that Nigerian celebrities have continuously feasted on the idea of marrying from outside the country.
From international dating to tying the knot, interracial unions are common in the celebrity circuit.
A Nollywood actress, Ufuoma Ejenobor, married her Irish husband, Steven McDermott, in 2015 with the couple having two children as of September 2022.
In 2015, former Nigerian footballer, Mikel Obi, married a Russian model, Olga Diyachenko. The couple gave birth to twin girls that same year.
Like Obi, Nigerian actor, Ikechukwu Ogbonna, married a Columbia model, Sonia Morales, in 2015. However, the couple divorced later in 2019.
A Nollywood actress, Susan Peters, was previously married to Dutch national, Koen Croon, in a marriage ceremony that took place at the Ikoyi Registry in Lagos State in 2015 before the couple went their separate ways a few years later.
The winner of 2011’s edition of the Big Brother Africa show, Karen Igho, married a Czech Republic citizen, Yaroslav Rakos, in 2014 at a private event in Jos, Plateau State.
Similarly, the runner-up of the 2019 Big Brother Naija show, Mike Edwards, married a British athlete, Perri Shakes-Drayton, in 2018 after dating for several months.
What data says
Research has shown that the reception of the idea of interracial marriages has continued to increase in recent years despite negative comments downplaying its uniqueness.
For instance, a 2017 report by the Pew Research Centre on trends and patterns in intermarriage stated that the number of intermarried couples has increased significantly between 1980 and 2015.
The report said, “More than 670,000 newlyweds in 2015 had recently entered into a marriage with someone of a different race or ethnicity. The long-term annual growth in newlyweds marrying someone of a different race or ethnicity has led to dramatic increases in the overall number of people who are presently intermarried – including both those who recently married and those who did so years, or even decades, earlier.
“In 2015, that number stood at 11 million – 10 per cent of all married people. The share has tripled since 1980, when 3 per cent of married people – about 3 million altogether – had a spouse of a different race or ethnicity.”
Several reports have also noted that marriage looks different today in many ways than in years past due to the communion of couples from diverse races and cultures.
According to the United States Census Bureau’s Current Population Survey, in 2020, approximately 19 per cent of all newlyweds in the United States were in interracial or interethnic marriages.
According to the survey, the percentage has been steadily increasing over the years, indicating a rise in marriages between individuals from diverse racial and cultural backgrounds. The Census Bureau’s data highlights the growing trend of couples transcending traditional boundaries and embracing diversity in their relationships.
Like Udogu, many other foreigners have found love in the hearts of Nigerian men. Findings showed that these couples not only love themselves but also practice deep admiration for foreign cultures and practices.
A man identified as Chris, through his social media handles @authentic_traveling, had continuously made public his road to marrying a Nigerian Yoruba bride, identified as Adenike Daramola from Ogun State.
The American travel content creator, in a series of posts on Facebook and Instagram, indicated his deep admiration for the Yoruba marriage culture as he detailed every outing he had made in preparation for the wedding.
One of his earlier posts read, “This is everything you need to marry a Yoruba girl. Her father gave me a list of 39 items I had to gather before the wedding. In Yoruba culture, the practice of a dowry is more symbolic with each item having a purpose like the honey to ensure our marriage is sweet. Payment of the dowry items is the way the man proves his worth to marry their daughter. The items are split by the family members at the end.
“You can hire someone to get the items for you, but it was way more interesting and meaningful to do it myself. I need to purchase yam, cola nuts, alligator pepper, palm oil and even a live goat! And not just one yam or pepper – large quantities. The list is 39 items in total.
“I will be visiting the bulk food markets to gather everything I need to complete this list before the marriage. These items are symbolic like the bottle of honey meaning our marriage will forever be sweet, yam as a symbol of fertility and prosperity, and an umbrella signifying my role as a protector for my wife. It is a lot of things, but it is worth it for Adenike. She is Yoruba but all the tribes practice dowries though with different items and traditions around it.”
In a later post on June 3, the day of the introduction ceremony, Chris said, “The first part of a Nigerian (specifically Yoruba) wedding is the introduction ceremony. It is an opportunity for the two families to meet, introduce each other, and discuss the proposed marriage. The families might have never met before so this is an important step in the marriage process.
“Typically, it will be held in the bride’s family living room, but some people turn it into a big event as well. You might have a small exchange of gifts, Bible reading, singing, prayer, traditional music, and food and drinks.
“The groom would be escorted to the bride’s family home by his father and uncles to propose his case to the family to marry their daughter. In some cases, he would come with a drum procession.”
“This is what it’s like to attend a Nigerian wedding but the twist is it’s my wedding! Blessed to be marrying my best friend @dara_for_enjoyment_only. The wedding was so amazing and credit goes to my wife for her excellent planning skills,” he said after the ceremony.
‘Our marriages beyond money, green card’
Nigerians who have had relationship experience with foreigners confirmed to our correspondent that they were aware of the perks that could come with legalising the union through marriage.
However, a number of them said it was not about the money or permanent residency.
Udogu’s husband, Ezeanyi Ezenwa, while speaking with our correspondent said he knew what he was getting into when he approached Udogu for a relationship. Despite the lessons from his previous interracial marriage, he was willing to take the chance again. But this time around, he was certain that Udogu would not disrupt his life.
The businessman said, “My current wife was not my first foreign wife so I had some experience with intercultural marriages. I knew what I was getting myself into but this time around I had found a woman that was willing to give me enough room to be myself and did not feel the pressure of having to adapt. I married her because I was convinced that she would always be by my side.”
On the comments that interracial marriages are for the money, Ezenwa said, “I can’t blame them. It is happening every day and it is all over the media. But that is not the full story. There are mixed couples that are happily married for decades, but people do not talk about it. I think that the success of a marriage has absolutely nothing to do with skin colour. It is about two people committing to each other for the right reasons.
He said experiencing mixed cultures in a marriage could be an adventure as there would always be exposure to new things.
“I have five children and it is an absolute blessing to see them grow up with two cultures. They have so many opportunities I never had and I am grateful to have a wife that understands that both cultures are mutually important in their upbringing. I believe with love and understanding any difference in cultures can be overcome,” he added.
Another Nigerian husband who is married to a UK-born woman told Saturday According that he never would have thought of marrying a non-Nigerian. The 34-year-old marketing executive who did not want his name mentioned said a friend introduced him to his wife when he attended a hang-out in the friend’s house in 2022.
He said, “That was where I first met her. I was planning on coming back to Nigeria after the holidays in January 2022 and thought I would settle down with a Yoruba girl. However, after the introduction, we spent most of the night together talking about our different backgrounds. She was a very impressive woman. We exchanged contacts and from there, we started speaking and one thing led to another, we started dating. Sometimes, she would travel to Nigeria to see me and sometimes I would travel there to see her until we married in November 2023.”
When asked if he considered that the marriage would produce a permanent residency for him, he smirked before saying, “I thought about it but it was not the reason for the marriage. We met in the UK and before then, there was no plan for me to relocate. I only went there to spend the holidays. It was during dating that we discussed whether one of us had to relocate. So, it was not for that (permanent residency).
Backlash against interracial marriages unfair – Counsellors
A 65-year-old marriage educator, Modupe Ehirim, told Saturday According that the aversion against interracial marriages reflects their exposure, adding that “there are people who marry foreigners for money or accelerated path to citizenship of another country and there are others who go into such marriages solely because of genuine love and affection.”
She further explained, “Age is not just a number. On an individual level, you can marry whoever you want. However, you exist within a community. Like interracial marriage, marriage between a man who is much older than the woman he wants to marry and between a woman who is older than she wants to marry (particularly the latter) goes against commonly accepted expectations.
“When a person chooses to marry contrary to commonly accepted expectancy in the community they belong to and want to marry in, they should expect backlash from the members of the community. Their willingness to stand strong together, the acknowledgement that in marriage they are equal partners, and resilience in standing together in the face of the backlash is what will help them to succeed in their marriage. I have personal experience of being in an intertribal marriage for 38 years, with my husband being 12 years older than me.”
A marriage counsellor, Omowumi Ayeni-Oluwagbemiga, during an interview with our correspondent, said the age of an interracial spouse does not matter in the marriage, adding that interracial marriages can be a fulfilling experience contrary to the negative reactions from the public.
She said, “Age does not determine the success of a union. Instead of focusing on the age difference, prioritise building a connection based on shared values, open communication, mutual respect and love for God. Age can be a beautiful part of a relationship, offering diverse perspectives and experiences. By focusing on the things that truly matter, you can build a strong and lasting marriage, regardless of the age gap.
“Interracial relationships can be incredibly fulfilling, but it’s important to be aware of potential challenges, both during dating and in marriage. For instance, navigating different cultural expectations and traditions around holidays, celebrations, and family interactions can be tricky.
“Also, direct communication styles may differ from more indirect approaches. Openly discussing communication preferences can avoid misunderstandings. Religious differences can also be a source of tension. Discussing your beliefs and potential compromises regarding raising children is important. Partners grew up in different homes with different traditions, values etc. Open communication and support for each other is crucial to navigate this.”
The relationship coach explained that the negative comments on interracial marriages should not bother the couples. She however said they should be aware of Nigerian culture that supports parental blessings.
“Everyone has a right to find love even in unexpected places. Family holds a significant place in Nigerian culture. Respecting their values and traditions will go a long way. Parental blessing is important in Nigerian culture. Having your partner’s parents’ blessing can be very meaningful. Perhaps your partner can explain your good intentions and commitment to their happiness,” she added.
Another marriage expert, Funmi Ovie-Daniels, during an interview with our correspondent, said the major challenge with interracial relationships includes cultural differences, and family disapproval while adding that in some cases, racism can be a major challenge as there is still institutionalized racism in some countries today. She said, in such a case, interracial couples can find themselves struggling with synergy and understanding.
On age, she said, “Age is not always just a number as context can be different. I have met men who have said they can never marry a lady who is older than them and at the same time I know men who married women much older than them and they are still happily married. So, it’s all about people’s personal beliefs and values. If you as a woman can be happy with a man younger than you and not have submission issues then it’s fine. What matters most is mutual love and respect.
“However, some have found themselves living peacefully and in harmony with a much older person e.g. Regina Daniels and her senator husband. As regards the green card issue, yes, some get married to older men or women from a different country to secure a future for themselves in that country. So far, the cases I have seen of men who got married to much older foreign women didn’t end well.
Ovie-Daniels added that despite the aversion, interracial marriages have helped cultures.
Registry reacts
The Federal Marriage Registry is the Registry under the Ministry of Interior that handles marriage registrations in Nigeria. According to the overview on the Ministry’s official website, the Marriage Act of 2004 empowers the Ministry to oversee statutory marriages in the country.
The overview read in part, “There are two types of marriages which are recognised under the Law. Ordinary Marriage which is a marriage between a Nigerian and a Nigerian, and Special Marriage which is a marriage between a Nigerian and Non-Nigerian or between a Non-Nigerian and a Non-Nigerian in Nigeria.”
Saturday According observed that this distinction reflects the cultural and legal complexities surrounding unions between individuals from different national and ethnic backgrounds. For many in Nigeria, such marriages offer opportunities for cross-cultural exchange and understanding, while also presenting unique challenges related to family dynamics, societal expectations, and legal considerations.
Findings showed there is a Federal Marriage Registry in each geo-political zone in Nigeria in addition to the Federal Capital Territory Division in Abuja, making a total of seven.
In an interview with our correspondent, the Registrar of the Marriage Registry in Kano State, Aminu Babangida, said Marriage Registries welcome all couples for registration regardless of their culture or race. He however noted that the only clause that may prevent registration is where the wife-to-be is below the age of 21.
He said, “We are usually concerned about the age of the bride. She should not be below 21 years old. If she’s below 21, then we will consider her as a minor. So, in that case, a letter of consent must be given to that bride either by her parents or her guidance stating that the bride is going into marriage and that they consent to the union. As for the man, he must be 18 years or above. It wouldn’t matter if they are from mixed cultures.”
Footballer Godwin Akpo discusses his unique career path, from growing up in Lagos to make his mark in Afghanistan, his future aspirations and more, in this interview with PETER AKINBO
Where did you grow up and how did you start football?
I grew up in Lagos and I started football from a very young age. I was the best player in my primary school and in my area people looked up to me even in my secondary school but definitely my father is a huge part in my career because he supported me with everything that I needed to become who I am today. He created time to take me to stadiums to watch live matches and registered me in a football academy where I continued to learnt more, even though I already had the talent from a very tender age.
When was your first professional contract?
My first professional contract was in 2016 in Sudan, though I spent just six months with them before coming back to Nigeria, then travelled to Benin to sign with Jeunesse De Sportive D’agonlin in 2017 in the Championnat National du Bénin.
You started at Gombe United in Nigeria, how was your experience there?
I was 23 years old when I signed for Gombe United from Wikki Tourist, my experience with Gombe was good in the sense that during my time there I brought my own experience to the team and made my mark. Most importantly, every team wants to remain in the topflight, so, I helped them to stay in the Premier League.
Your transfer to one of the most unlikeliest of places, Afghanistan, where you play for Attack Energy, raised eyebrows. Why did you chose the country?
I just got a call from a sports journalist, who told me he got my contact from a friend in Iran, who told him how good I was and he wrote a short story about me and the two biggest clubs in the country wanted my services. So, after several discussions with the presidents of both clubs, I made my own investigation and I decided to join Attack Energy because of their ambition.
How was the experience getting used to a new playing environment?
Coming to Afghanistan was never my plan but I was convinced to come because of the their ambition to play in the AFC Asia Cup and besides, I know I could adapt because I understand their language and can speak to a large extent since they and Iran speak the same language. So, it wasn’t really a hard decision to make because they gave me everything I needed to make me feel comfortable.
With the public opinion of life in Afghanistan, what convinced you to make that move?
Having made research about the club I found out that most of the players in the club had played for their national teams, so, having an offer from them, I believe they had the credibility and I entered the country in a legal way to play for a club with a huge fan base. I wasn’t scared of going to Afghanistan because Attack Energy are the biggest club in the country and same was said about me going to Iran. I saw a different picture, how beautiful the country is and how lovely and accommodating the people are. So, I wasn’t scared to make that move. What really convinced me to move to Afghanistan from the Nigeria Premier Football League was because of the goal of the club to compete in the AFC Asia Cup after they won the league because they wanted to become the first team to compete in AFC competitions from Afghanistan and I wanted to make history in helping them achieve that goal.
How is football there compared to Nigeria?
Football is not so competitive there like it is in Nigeria because it’s a small country but they aren’t really small in population because they are over 40 million people but in terms of football you can call them a small country which wants to grow their football.
As a Christian, have you ever been marginalised because of religion?
Not really because most countries I have been too are all Islamic countries and besides football is a language that brings people from different countries, religion and backgrounds together.
The area you live or play, have they ever been affected by the war?
The team I signed for are based in Herat, which is a state in Afghanistan, but all teams travel down to the capital Kabul to play the league. My experience there wasn’t bad.
Have you ever had to defend yourself?
It’s an Islamic country and definitely they have their rules. Once you respect their rules you can’t have issues with anybody and my main purpose was going there for football and nothing else.
How is football possible in these areas where people believe are war-torn?
Like I said football is a universal language which brings people of different ethnic groups or religions together, so, football brings love. The war era in the country is in the past and that is why they want to grow and develop the football in the country. Having been the first African to sign a contract in Afghanistan and with my talent and experience I brought to my team and the league, I know it will definitely pave ways for other African players to go there in the nearest future.
You won the Afghanistan Championship with your team some time ago, how did it feel?
My achievement so far is good in terms of my statistics. I helped my team win the league without any defeat and we didn’t concede a goal. I think that will be a record no team can beat again. It will be a record for a lifetime and I am happy I was part of that wonderful team. I played just seven games and scored seven goals and made three assists. With my contribution to the team, every other club is keen to add African players to their team for next season because they saw my contributions and they feel if they have one or two African players, they could also contest for the league next season.
What attracts you to countries where others are usually scared to play?
The hunger and drive to excel in my professional career is paramount. Football is my life. I love football
Where do you see your talent taking you to in the nearest future?
I know I am going to play at the highest level, hopefully go to Europe or play in a big team in Asia someday and by God’s grace, help my country at the World Cup.
Do you have any dream team in mind?
Yeah my dream team would be to play for Real Madrid or Arsenal, I will say Madrid because it’s the team I love and support. I also said Arsenal because my dad is a die-hard Arsenal fan and he always talks about how he will love to see me play in Arsenal someday, even though he is late now. I will be happy to make his dream come to pass.
You represented Benin at U-23 level. Why?
I believe my talent spoke for me because at that time I was in Wikki Tourists and the season was about to end and we had a very good team. I was doing well in the league, having just returned from Iran then. So, the coach watched my videos and deemed it fit to invite me and besides I played under him when he was the assistant coach in the Benin U-20 team, that was 2018. In all, it’s God that made everything possible.
Having played for Benin U-23 before, do you want to represent Nigeria or Benin at the senior level?
Having coming through the age grades of Benin U-20 and U-23, I feel it is right for me to continue in that line and I wish to get a senior invite soon, so, I can play my part in helping my country qualify for the World Cup thereby making history because they haven’t qualified for the World Cup before. I know that is the dream of every Beninoise fan to watch Benin Republic qualify for their first ever senior World Cup.
As the death toll from the latest cholera outbreak hits 40, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control says the country does not have enough vaccines. According to the Director General of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, Dr Jide Idris, Nigeria has placed an order for more cholera vaccines from donor agencies, even though the date of delivery is still unknown.
The NCDC boss stressed the need for the country to embrace the use of vaccines and other preventive measures to curb the spread of the acute diarrhoeal infection.
Cholera is a food and water-borne disease caused by the ingestion of the bacterium, Vibrio cholerae, in contaminated water and food.
Cholera kills 4,364 in four years
No fewer than 4,364 people have died out of the 139,730 Nigerians suspected to have been infected with the disease across the country in the last four years, an investigation by Saturday According has indicated. The incidence rate was derived from an analysis of the weekly cholera situation reports released by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control between 2021 and 2024.
Recall that the NCDC recently alerted the public to the increasing trend of cholera cases across the country as the rainy season intensifies. In a statement signed by Idris on Thursday, June 13, 2024, the agency said that from January 1 to June 11, 2024, a total of 1,141 suspected cases, 65 confirmed cases, and 30 deaths from cholera had been reported from 96 local government areas in 30 states of the federation.
The NCDC listed the 10 states that contributed 90 per cent to the burden of cholera as Bayelsa, Zamfara, Abia, Cross River, Bauchi, Delta, Katsina, Imo, Nasarawa, and Lagos. As of then, the Lagos State Ministry of Health said it had recorded 350 suspected cases of the disease in 29 wards across multiple LGAs with 17 confirmed cases and 15 fatalities attributed to severe dehydration caused by delayed presentation.
However, on Friday, the state Commissioner for Health, Prof Akin Abayomi, said the cholera incidence rate in the state had risen to 417 suspected cases, and 35 confirmed cases, with 24 deaths.
In a post made on his Instagram handle on Friday afternoon, Abayomi said, “The situation report as of June 19, 2024, indicated 417 suspected cases, 35 confirmed cases, and 24 recorded deaths.”
“Let’s adhere strictly to personal and environmental hygiene. Let’s stay safe #ForAGreaterLagos.”
He said the cases were reported from the Agege, Badagry, Ikeja, Mushin, Ajeromi-Ifelodun, Epe, Ikorodu, Ojo, Alimosho, and Eti-Osa areas of the state.
Others he mentioned include Kosofe, Oshodi-Isolo, Amuwo-Odofin, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos Island, Shomolu, Apapa, Ifako-Ijaiye, Lagos Mainland, and Surulere.
Also, the Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Tomi Coker, told our correspondent on Thursday that the state had recorded one death and 14 cases.
This implies that in the last 12 days, the incidence rate of the disease in the country for this year had hit 1,222 suspected cases, 88 confirmed cases, and 40 fatalities.
The NCDC, however, stated that a multi-sectoral National Cholera Technical Working Group, led by the centre and comprising the Federal Ministries of Environment and Water Resources, the National Primary Health Care Development Agency, the World Health Organisation, the United Nations Children’s Fund, and other partners, had been providing support to the affected states.
With the latest incidence rate from Ogun and Lagos, investigations by Saturday According showed that a total of 4,364 deaths had been recorded out of the 139,730 people suspected to have been infected by the disease across the country since 2021.
Going by one of the NCDC’s cholera situation reports for week 52, there were a total of 111,062 suspected cases of the disease with 3,604 deaths across 435 local government areas in 34 states of the federation in 2021.
Another Cholera Week 52 report published by the NCDC and analysed by our correspondent revealed that in 2022, the country recorded 23,763 suspected cases with 592 deaths across 271 LGs in 33 states of the federation.
In 2023, there was a reduction in the incidence rate of the disease as the country recorded 3,683 suspected cases with 128 deaths across 166 LGs in 31 states of the country.
The prevalence rate of the disease further went down in 2024 with 1,141 suspected cases and 30 deaths recorded across 84 LGs in 30 states of the federation.
There were 473,000 cholera cases reported to the World Health Organisation in 2022, which was a 100 per cent increase compared to the rate reported to the global health organisation in 2021.
More so, a further increase in cases by 700,000 was estimated in 2023, while the latest data from the WHO showed that a cumulative total of 145,900 cholera cases and 1,766 deaths had been reported from 24 countries across five WHO regions.
In the latest global rate, Africa recorded the highest numbers, followed by the Eastern Mediterranean region, the region of the Americas, the South-East Asia region, and the European region.
However, speaking with Saturday According, the NCDC boss said while it is the National Primary Health Care Development Agency that is dealing with the issue of cholera vaccines, he is aware that the health minister has requested more vaccines from donor agencies.
“I know that the minister has requested more vaccines. But, I don’t know when they will come, because other countries also make requests internationally. I know that when they come, NPHCDA will decide how to distribute or use them.
“We don’t have enough to prevent an outbreak, because we need to give these things before that time. The problem is that to get vaccines, we need to plan ahead, and we don’t have the funds. Most countries plan ahead. When it comes to health security, we are supposed to stockpile some things in anticipation of an emergency.
“We don’t manufacture vaccines. We get them from donor agencies, just like any other country does. Whatever they supply will not be enough for us to use and in any case, it doesn’t give long-lasting immunity, so it has to be a combination of all control measures.
“The minister has requested support for these vaccines. He told me that last week. When they will come, I don’t know. However, we don’t necessarily have to rely on all those things if we can adopt other control measures,” the NCDC boss said.
Dr Idris also noted that the demand for cholera vaccines outpaces supply, adding that to consistently have adequate vaccines to curb diseases, the nation must plan ahead. He also stressed that Nigeria must embrace a combination of preventive measures to curb cholera outbreak, noting that cholera vaccines are not long-lasting.
“Cholera vaccine demand is far ahead of supply so most people who need them place orders and plan ahead. It is the same thing with all vaccines, not just cholera.
“We also know that cholera vaccines are not long-lasting. They only work for some time, so a combination of vaccines where necessary and all other preventive measures are the mainstay of the effort to curb the infection.
“The mainstay is to treat people if they are dehydrated, so they can replace lost fluids, maintain personal, environmental and sanitary hygiene, etc. We talk about boiling water before eating, washing hands after using the toilet, and before and after preparing food. If anybody suspects contamination, they should boil water before drinking and using it. It is a combination of all these preventive measures that will go a long way in helping to curb the outbreak,” Idris said.
Also speaking during a recent programme on Channels Television, the NCDC Director General had said that prevention was key in fighting the disease in Nigeria.
Idris noted that as the rainy season intensified, there were possibilities of increasing cases of cholera in the country. He said, “The Nigerian Meteorological Agency has said that the rains this year are going to be heavier, and when you have rains, you’re going to have floods, and this leads to contamination of our water sources. So, the chances are that cholera cases will increase.”
The DG, who blamed the outbreak of the infection on poor sanitation, personal and environmental hygiene, and lack of access to clean water, noted that the agency was conducting a risk assessment, and had alerted all the states about the outbreak. He said the state governments must ensure access to clean water and toilets for their citizens.
Cholera vaccine can help – Experts
Meanwhile, public health expert, Prof Tanimola Akande; and consultant physician, Kenechukwu Igwegbe, have urged Nigerians to consider taking the cholera vaccine as preventive vaccination to provide cover against the acute diarrhoeal disease.
The medical experts said cholera vaccines were not as popular as other vaccines, because they were often given to targeted populations, such as travellers to countries that have active transmission of cholera or given during cholera outbreaks, or to some populations that are at risk.
Due to the yearly recurring outbreaks, Prof Akande suggested that “preventive vaccination could be done in anticipation of cholera outbreaks.”
The World Health Organisation identified three WHO-prequalified oral cholera vaccines as Dukoral®, Shanchol™, and Euvichol-Plus®. All three vaccines require two2 doses for full protection.
But, Akande added that each of them conferred different levels of protection. “The protection varies from 65 per cent to about 89 per cent, depending on the type of vaccine. Most of the vaccines give protection for two years. There is however a type of cholera vaccine that gives protection of over five years when given in two doses,” he said.
Igwegbe noted that cholera vaccines were uncommon, because they were considered special vaccines that are paid for to obtain.
He however encouraged people to take the vaccine even with the outbreak. “Even now there is an outbreak, if a person tests and is negative, they can get the vaccine. When there is no outbreak, people can still take it.”
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has said that it has traced the latest cholera outbreak in the state to an unregistered tiger nut drink.
Speaking with our correspondent, Dr Kemi Ogunyemi, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Health, said the officials of the Environmental Health Services from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Environment, were able to trace the cholera outbreak in the Eti=Osa Local Government Area to a particular brand of unregistered tiger nut drink.
“When we noticed an increase in cases in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of Lagos specifically, we went there to investigate. We carried out a survey and found that the common denominator, which was one of the deadly factors, was a tiger nut drink. People who came to the hospitals all identified that they had drunk tiger nut drink.
“We couldn’t just take their word for it, so we had to take that drink and test it to see what was in it. We immediately sent people out to look for those selling it, so we could take a sample. We found empty bottles with a name on them, but we discovered that it wasn’t even registered with the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, the regulatory body that ensures the safety of consumables,” she said.
NCoS preventive efforts
Meanwhile, in a decisive move to safeguard the health of inmates and staff, the Nigerian Correctional Service has intensified its efforts to prevent a cholera outbreak across its facilities.
The proactive stance came amidst rising health concerns.
The spokesperson for the NCoS, Abubakar Umar, who spoke to our correspondent on Friday highlighted the service’s rigorous measures.
“Our primary mandate includes the secure and humane custody of inmates, ensuring their welfare in all aspects, including health,” Abubakar stated.
He emphasised that due to proactive measures, there had been no cholera outbreaks or similar epidemics in any NCoS facilities.
“Due to our proactiveness, we have not recorded any outbreak of cholera or any such epidemic in any of our custodial centres. Therefore, no inmate or staff is affected,” he added.
Abubakar outlined the comprehensive healthcare system in place, which included a variety of medical professionals and consistent medical supplies.
For severe cases, inmates were referred to government hospitals.
Cholera vaccine not routinely available – NPHCDA
Also speaking with Saturday According, a source in the NPHCDA who spoke anonymously because he was not authorised to speak said the cholera vaccine was not routinely available in Nigeria.
“Cholera vaccine is not one of our routine vaccines. So, it is not routinely available. But, there are global stocks from which any country could draw in the event of outbreaks.
“Previous attempts at stockpiling cholera vaccine have led to expiry of the stock due to improved hygiene practices. But, it makes sense to have a stockpile of the vaccine for rapid response before applying for global support during an outbreak. We have done that, and will continue to do it,” he said.
Between 2023 and 2024, these Nigerians have shattered records and achieved extraordinary milestones across various sports, showcasing their talents on the global stage. From football and athletics to boxing and chess, these athletes have made history and brought pride to the nation with their remarkable performances, PETER AKINBO writes
Lookman – Hat-trick in European Cup Final
Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman etched his name into European football history by becoming the first player ever to score a hat-trick in a Europa League final. Lookman’s phenomenal performance propelled Atalanta to a resounding 3-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen, securing their first major trophy in 61 years. His hat-trick was also the first by an African player in any European competition final.
Victor Osimhen – Serie A Top Scorer Award
Victor Osimhen made history by becoming the first African footballer to win the Serie A top scorer award, netting 26 league goals in the 2022/23 season. His goals helped Napoli secure the 2022/23 title, ending their 33-year wait for a league trophy.
Osimhen surpassed George Weah’s goal record to become the highest-scoring African in Serie A and he is now on 65 goals. The 24-year-old also won the Italian Footballers’ Association Player of the Year award and the African Player of The Year award, becoming the first Nigerian to win the latter since 1999.
Tobi Amusan – Diamond League Treble
Tobi Amusan faced a challenging 2023 season, dealing with doping allegations that nearly sidelined her from the World Athletics Championships. Cleared just three days before the competition, she finished sixth in the women’s 100m hurdles final.
However, Amusan redeemed herself by claiming her third consecutive Diamond League title later in the year. The 27-year-old had previously won the Diamond League trophy in 2021 and 2022, solidifying her status as one of the world’s top hurdlers.
Tunde Onakoya – Guinness Chess Record
Nigerian chess master Tunde Onakoya set a new Guinness World Record for the longest marathon chess session at Times Square, New York. Onakoya played chess for 60 hours, surpassing the previous record of 56 hours, nine minutes, and 37 seconds. His marathon session aimed to raise $1 million for underprivileged children’s education across Africa.
D’Tigress – Four Successive AfroBasket Titles
Nigeria’s national women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, continued their dominance by winning their fourth consecutive AfroBasket title in 2023. This remarkable achievement underscores their superiority in African women’s basketball and their growing influence on the global stage.
Rena Wakama also became the first female coach to win the competition since its inception in 1966.
Asisat Oshoala – Six CAF Awards
Super Falcons striker Asisat Oshoala was crowned the 2023 CAF Women’s Player of the Year, marking her sixth time winning the prestigious award. Oshoala’s latest triumph cemented her status as the most decorated African footballer in history, with previous wins in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2022.
Elizabeth Oshoba – First Nigerian Female World-Title Holder
Elizabeth Oshoba made history by becoming the first female Nigerian boxer to win a world title. The 24-year-old claimed the World Boxing Council silver featherweight championship by knocking out Italy’s Michela Braga in the 10th round of their bout in Copenhagen, Denmark.
This victory solidified her perfect professional record and marked a significant milestone for Nigerian boxing.
Victor Boniface – Five Bundesliga Rookie of The Month Awards
Nigerian forward Victor Boniface has been a revelation in the Bundesliga, winning the Rookie of The Month award for five consecutive months from August to December last season.
His consistent performances have made him one of the standout young talents in German football as he also scooped the Rookie of The Season award as Leverkusen claimed the Bundeliga and German Cup titles.
Favour Ashe – First Nigerian to Run Sub-10 Five Times
Nigerian sprinter Favour Ashe became the first Nigerian to run sub-10 seconds in the 100m five times, achieving this feat in three consecutive years. Ashe’s latest record came at the NCAA East Prelims in the United States, where he clocked a personal best of 9.94 seconds. This performance is the fastest in the NCAA this year and the second fastest in the world.
The 22-year-old now has the highest sub-10 clockings in history by a Nigerian, having done it five times in his career, surpassing all-time greats like Davidson Ezinwa, Olapade Adeniken, Divine Oduduru, Deji Aliu and Olusoji Fasuba.
Taiwo Awoniyi – EPL Scoring Streak
Lasr season Taiwo Awoniyi became the first Nottingham Forest player to score in seven straight Premier League games, joining Mohammed Salah and Emmanuel Adebayor as the only Africans to achieve this feat.
His scoring streak is the longest by any Nigerian player in the English top-flight, surpassing Osaze Odemwingie’s record of five consecutive games.
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi – Shot Put Dominance
Chukwuebuka Enekwechi secured his fourth consecutive national shot put title in 2024 with a mark of 21.37m. Enekwechi achieved this impressive feat in just three attempts, reinforcing his dominance in the event.
Ronke Akanbi – 1500m Sensation
Ronke Akanbi, an SS3 student at Egbado College in Ilaro, delivered a stunning performance to win the women’s 1500m title at the 2024 National Olympic Trials. Her personal best time of 4:19.49 is the second fastest ever by a Nigerian woman, showcasing her potential as a future star in middle-distance running.
Super Eagles forward, Taiwo Awoniyi, has signed a four-year agreement with the organisers of the Kwara Kiddies League which will see him become the major sponsor of the tournament from the third season which begins on Saturday (today), According Sports Extra reports.
Organised by the Youth Elite Group in Ilorin, Kwara State, the Kwara Kiddies League kicked off in 2022 with an U-12 league for academies in the state.
The Nottingham Forest star’s football academy, Unicorn Football Academy, will also join in the league which has now advanced to the U-14 category in the 2024/25 season.
At a brief signing ceremony in Ilorin on Friday, Awoniyi expressed optimism about the anticipated results of the partnership.
“One of the big benefits for the league is to produce a lot of talents. This platform, we are it up to let them know the steps that will lead them to their dreams and I think this is one of the easiest steps for us,” Awoniyi told journalists during the event.
“One of the things I’m trying to do is to bring the connections that I’ve made into Kwara State and for me to bring them, I must show them what I am doing and this is one of them. The financial aspect for me is to sponsor the league with a figure each year throughout the four years and I believe there are more to what we will achieve before and after this period.”
Chief Operating Officer of the league, Ibrahim Jatto also said the sponsorship of the Super Eagles striker is in tandem with the blueprint of YEG.
“We started this in 2022 with an U-12 league and a five-year plan that will see the players graduate every year till they reach U-17, with the hope that they would have played at least 400 matches during the period.
“We have over 600 players in the league and we have all their data on our website,” Jatto added.
For this season, 14 teams will compete for the title with winners of the last two editions, Kwara Football Academy pitted against Koller in the curtain raiser.
DENNIS NAKU writes on the fresh political crisis in Rivers State emanating from the tenure of local government chairmen and traces the beginning of the feud between godfather and godson
One thing in the minds of many keen watchers of political events in Rivers State is how the festering crisis between the state Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and his predecessor and estranged political godfather, Nyesom Wike will end. One question political observers will ask is who will laugh last?
Little did anyone know that the disagreement between them would degenerate into the current complex state of tension and uncertainty.
The nomination of the chairmen and members to serve as the caretaker committee for the 23 local government areas of the state by the governor and their subsequent screening and confirmation by the Victor Oko-Jumbo-led Assembly loyal to him following the expiration of the tenure of the then-serving chairmen on June 17, 2024, set the stage for the showdown,
Before now, the Martin Amaewhule-led 27 lawmakers elected when the current Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, held sway as the governor had vetoed the incumbent governor to amend the State Local Government Law which major provision was the extension of the tenure of the local government chairmen for six months over the failure of Fubara to conduct LG elections.
But the governor had called their bluff, refusing to utter a word over the action of the pro-Wike state lawmakers, keeping his plans to his chest and waiting to strike when the iron was hot
By Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the governor had sworn in the CTC chairmen, who in turn inaugurated their members after the state House of Assembly loyal to him (Fubara) gave them a clean bill of health ahead of Wednesday’s resumption of work after the two-day Eid-el-Kabir holidays where they would be expected to take over the various councils.
This was as 21 of the 23 local government chairmen elected under Wike, vowed not to vacate office, citing the amended local government law made by the Amaewhule-led Assembly which extended their tenure for six months.
Most of the council chairmen as it were under the aegis of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria made good their vows and proceeded to their council headquarters, but little did they anticipate the level of resistance they met on Tuesday, July 18.
Not only had hundreds of Fubara’s supporters and sympathisers alike occupied the facility, but they also chased the outgone chairmen who dared to put up appearance with temerity, just as some of them escaped being attacked by the whisker.
One of the hotbeds of the melee was the Port Harcourt City Local Government Area where the chairman, Allwell Ihunda, as he then was, who doubles as the State Chairman of Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, was chased by angry protesters, including members of the Ijaw Youths Congress, who hoisted the body’s flag at the entrance of the council secretariat, protesting the tenure elongation while he tried to make his way into the council premises.
It took the intervention of his security details who fired gunshots into the air to pave the way for his escape through Bank Road towards the regional CBN office in Port Harcourt. However, operatives from nearby State Police Command arrived shortly afterward, shooting live bullets and tear gas to scare away the youths, who insisted that they were there on a peaceful protest and to execute the directives of the governor for the newly sworn-in CTC chairmen to take over the affairs of the council.
Also, in Obio/Akpor, the local government of the FCT Minister, the crowd of protesting youths who made their way into the council headquarters in Rumuduomaya was overwhelming. The then LG boss, George Ariolu, was lucky as he was nowhere to be found the tension there tripled as they unleashed the anger that welled in them on one of his cars found inside the premises, smashing the windscreen and damaging other parts.
While the protest assumed a fever pitch, a group of protesters reached for a statue of the former Rivers State Governor inside the council secretariat, dragged and pulled it down, destroying it into debris.
While the youths also chased out ALGON members who they describe as stubborn from assessing the secretariat in Eleme, Ahoada East, Tai, Khana, and other LGs, the situation was extreme in Eberi-Omuma in Omuma LG of the state, as a clash between supporters of both camps turned bloody and left a policeman and member of a local vigilante group dead after they were shot.
The casualty no doubt necessitated the police takeover of LG secretariats and the subsequent directive by the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, that the police barricade would remain until a court of competent jurisdiction rules on the matter of the council chairman which was already a subject of litigation.
The litigated matters are that there is a subsisting May 2024 judgment of the Rivers State High Court presided over by Justice Daketima Kio which made any move to elongate the tenure of the council chairmen illegal after the declaring of the Local Government Amendment Law made by the 27 lawmakers as inconsequential with the provisions of the constitution.
Recall that a three-man Appeal Court panel had adjourned the case of the LG chairmen to June after hearing arguments from the parties.
The appellate court presided over Justice B.B Aliyu delivered the ruling after the Chairman of Opobo-Nkoro LG, Enyiada Cookey-Gam, and six others dragged Fubara and others to court. The Appellants had queried the amendment made by the Martin Amaewhule-led 27 pro-Wike lawmakers.
Also, Justice Dakatima Kio of the Rivers State High Court nullified the six-month tenure elongation for the local government chairmen granted by the Martin Amaewhule-led state legislature.
Justice Kio had on May 21 declared the local government law No. 2 of 2024 which provision extends the tenure of the local government chairmen invalid.
Looking back, the disagreement between the FCT minister and Fubara, a former Accountant General of the state, which has now spiraled to the local governments, began from the state House of Assembly following an alleged attempt to replace the Amaewhule-led leadership of the Assembly and replace same with a Speaker that will be loyal to the governor, to enable him gradually build his political structure, a move that opened the floodgates of violence.
An elder statesman and pioneer spokesperson for the Pan Niger Delta Forum, High Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, during one of his media outings, said, “Do you know that the governor almost resigned because of the overbearing influence of the FCT minister; but for the intervention of some critical stakeholders, Governor Fubara would have left.”
“It is unfortunate, and we must tell the minister to concentrate on his job in Abuja and allow the governor to govern the state,” Sara-Igbe, who is also an activist, added.
As the cordial relationship between Wike and his godson began to sour, the Martin Amaewhule-led majority lawmakers tried to outsmart their counterparts by plotting to remove Edison Ehie, who was then the leader of the House and staunch supporter of the governor by way of suspension. They (pro-Wike lawmakers) also appointed another leader to pave the way for them to commence the impeachment process on the state chief executive.
Prior to that time, Governor Fubara had started pursuing his destiny, frolicking with perceived foes of his predecessor, namely Governor Godwin Obaseki of Edo State and his Bayelsa state counterpart, Senator Douye Diri, and the latter’s predecessor, Seriake Dickson, amongst others.
On October 30, 2023, the State House of Assembly located along Moscow Road was bombed, leaving the hallowed chamber destroyed, and the mace; the symbol of legislative authority, was carted away.
The day after, the pro-Wike lawmakers made their way into the Assembly, which was already under lock and key and manned by armed policemen. They held a plenary in one of the halls inside the complex and commenced an impeachment of the governor who they accused of incompetence and gross misconduct.
Amidst heavy security presence and barricades, the pro-Wike lawmakers afterward left the complex the same way they had entered in a long white bus escorted by armed operatives.
About an hour later, the governor, accompanied by the House Leader, Edison Ehie, some aides, and some youths walking towards the Assembly complex from the state secretariat axis were accosted by the security operatives who fired several shots into the air.
The police sprayed water on the governor but the youths that accompanied him kept shouting ‘He is the Governor of Rivers State’, just as Fubara advanced towards the complex, the youths forced the gate open, and the governor inspected the bombed facility and thereafter addressed the press. He queried the reason the 27 lawmakers wanted to impeach him.
With water dripping from his clothes, the governor even confronted a senior police officer who he alleged fired straight in his direction. A few days later, the state government ordered the demolition of the Assembly citing structural defects as a result of the explosion, even as the facility has remained shut ever since.
Following the imbroglio, the pro-Wike lawmakers during plenary at the Assembly quarters located along Aba Road, announced the suspension of Ehie as House leader and replaced him with Major Jack.
The 27 lawmakers during one of its sittings announced their defection from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress, even as the House became factionalized. Ehie, on his part, told newsmen that 24 of his colleagues had elected him as the new Speaker after a sitting inside the Government House in Port Harcourt, while he announced the suspension of Amaewhule and other few other colleagues.
Later, during plenary, Ehie, presiding as factional speaker, declared the seats of the 27 defected lawmakers vacant for dumping the party under which platform they were elected into the House, saying the House would write to INEC to conduct bye-elections to fill the vacant seats.
At the peak of the crisis, President Bola Tinubu intervened and invited the feuding parties to Abuja, a development that led to an eight-point peace agreement where Wike and Fubara agreed to sheathe their swords and implement the agreements.
But a few months down the line, the peace brokered by President Tinubu broke down and both parties returned to the trenches with renewed hostilities.
With the likes of the former acting national chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, former Transport Minister, Dr Abiye Sekibo, and Senator Lee Maeba, joining forces with Fubara against their known political foe, the crisis assumed a new twist of realignment.
At the centre of the impasse is the control of the political structure, and by a logical extension, control of the state which clearly explains why the battle has shifted to the local government areas.
Fubara, having survived an impeachment which was gathered, followed an earlier attempt by the governor to change the leadership of the state Assembly with those who would be loyal to him rather than dining with known enemies.
Meanwhile, the governor while swearing in the CTC chairmen said they could operate from anywhere for now if they encounter any challenge, even as he urged them to maintain peace at all times.
Commenting on the takeover of the LG headquarters by the police, the President of Ijaw National Congress, Prof. Benjamin Okaba, disagreed with the position of the IG that policemen would continue to man the LG secretariats.
This came as the Caretaker Committee Chairman of the APC in the State, Chief Tony Okocha, called for the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, citing the violence that greeted the tenure of the LG chairmen.
Okocha while expressing worry over the loss of lives said, “So the Federal Government should do what they should do to ensure that this state of anarchy we are heading to, does not degenerate for us to be seeing fire everywhere.
Continuing, the INC boss, Prof. Okaba said, “The IG directive that the police should be there, maybe from one point of view, you could say that the police have no business barricading the place particularly now that the governor has put in place a caretaker committee, which, though not in the constitution, is almost a norm in Nigeria; other states have done the same thing as an interim measure before elections are conducted into councils.
“Again, this is why we have been talking about the independence of the police. The constitution says the governor is the Chief Security Officer of the place. The Commissioner of Police should have taken orders from the governor. Now he is taking orders from the IG which again defines the kind of democracy and separation of powers we operate in this country.
“So, in all, it is a misnomer, which is almost becoming a norm in the country we find ourselves in. I feel we should be very careful with what is going on.
“It is very provocative if not properly managed can lead to bloodshed and all of that, and those are the things I have warned against. So, it is now left for stakeholders at the state, and federal levels to sit down together and look for a way out of all of this mess. I call it a very messy situation,” he said, even as he called on the President to intervene in the crisis rocking the state.
On his part, the Chairman of the Rivers State Civil Society Organisation, Enefaa Georgewill, said the stance of the IG showed that “the police have already put themselves in the arena by trying to be an interpreter of court judgments.”
He said, “We would want to warn that the police shouldn’t create situations where civil organizations like ours and other interest groups would have to move into the streets to demand that the police remove themselves from the political arena of Rivers state and obey a subsisting court judgment and equally respect our constitution that says that every local government chairman is supposed to stay for three years. Anything outside this, we will be left with no choice than to begin to mobilise our affiliates and other interest groups and to move to the streets of Port Harcourt and Abuja.”
Similarly, the River State chapter of the National Union of Local Government Employees said it had issued a four-day ultimatum for the police to vacate the LGA secretariats, saying its members would be forced to take to the streets afterward.
The state NULGE President, Clifford Paul, who spoke to Saturday According on the telephone, said, “We have made a statement asking the Rivers State Police Command to reopen the gates for the workers because after the dissolution of the LG councils by the executive governor of the state, since then, all the gates of the 23 LG councils have been and there is no way my workers will be outside or will be absenting themselves from work.
“So, we are requesting that the needful has to be done. They should vacate the gates so that we can access our premises. We are giving them a four-day ultimatum, and after the four days, as a union, I will reserve that comment.”
It was in a foreign land! I didn’t know my way around. And there was the language barrier. A loved one had surgery on the leg and that necessitated a special kind of wear for him. I had been directed to a market district where I could buy such wear and I went but found
The Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities has said the Federal Government has yet to reach out to the union following the issuance of its fresh threat of strike.
The Joint Action Committee of the Non-Academic Staff Union of Educational and Associated Institutions and the Senior Staff Association of Nigerian Universities had on June 19, 2024, given the Federal Government two weeks to pay the four months withheld salaries.
The JAC had also threatened to shut down universities and inter-university centres if the government failed to pay the withheld salaries at the expiration of the ultimatum.
The two non-teaching staff unions, in a letter to the Minister of Education, Prof Tahir Mamman, accused the government of neglect and insincerity.
In the letter titled, ‘Re- Four (4) months withheld salaries: Demand for immediate payment’, which was signed by the NASU General Secretary, Prince Peters Adeyemi and SSANU President, Mohammed Ibrahim, the two unions said they could no longer guarantee industrial harmony in the universities.
Speaking to Saturday According in Abuja on Friday, SSANU’s National President, Muhammed Ibrahim, noted that the unions had not received any response from the letter it sent to the minister on the status of the withheld salaries.
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