When the Sun Becomes Our Generator: A William Z. Bozimo Reflection

Nigeria, the “giant of Africa,” has long been described as a nation where light is abundant in the sky, yet scarce in our homes. For decades, we have danced with darkness, our streets humming with the restless noise of diesel generators, our nights pierced by the flicker of candlelight, and our dreams throttled by the absence of stable power.

But now, something new is stirring. The sun, once taken for granted, is being rediscovered, not just as a symbol of hope, but as a practical source of survival. Across the nation, from dusty northern towns to bustling Lagos streets, solar panels are sprouting like silent witnesses to a quiet revolution. They stand on rooftops, in courtyards and on farmlands, catching light, and converting despair into resilience.

This surge in solar adoption is not just about technology. It is about necessity. Over 80 million Nigerians live without reliable electricity and most businesses bleed from high diesel costs. Families ration fuel for their “I better pass my neighbour” generators. Hospitals, schools, and markets function at the mercy of outages. Yet, the sun never fails to rise. In this simple truth, Nigerians have found an alternative lifeline.

Even the corridors of power are not immune to this national ordeal. The presidential villa in the Federal Capital Territory Abuja is reportedly turning towards solar, a symbolic gesture that speaks louder than any policy speech. If the Villa can shift its gaze upward to the skies, then perhaps the rest of the nation may follow with greater urgency. The irony is sharp: a petrostate, rich in oil and gas, now forced to embrace the energy of the sun to survive. 

But maybe this irony is also a gift. In the global push towards clean energy, Nigeria has an opportunity, not just to catch up, but to leapfrog. To move from being defined by oil spills and flares to being recognized for a solar renaissance. Still, queries remain. Solar panels are not cheap for the average family. Policies often lag behind ambition. The national grid is still unreliable, and depravity remains a shadow over progress. 

But as one looks at the glistening rooftops across Abuja, Lagos, Kano, and Port Harcourt, one simple truth becomes clear: the people are no longer waiting for the government to bring light. They are seizing any and every opportunity for themselves. The deeper lesson is that when any organization falter, the human spirit adapts. So when diesel fails, the sun remains faithful because innovation can be born from struggle.

So let the world know: Nigeria’s story is not only about oil pipelines and broken grids. It is also about people who turned their faces toward the sun and said, “If you will not give us light, we will take it ourselves.

✍🏽 William Z. Bozimo

Veteran Journalist | Columnist | National Memory Keeper

10million out for grap as Africa for peace sports festival holds November 15, in Delta, opens for interested participants registration

The Africa for Peace Sports Festival is set to kick off on November 15th, at Ugolo Africa for Peace Game Village, Okpe LGA, Delta State to commemorate the 2025 International Day for Tolerance and marking the begining of the 2nd edition

The event promises a diverse range of activities, including gym competition, Scrabble, snooker, Table tennis, and Mini football. 

Chess and Fuss-football will be demonstration games, with winning prizes for participants.

Former Nigeria super eagle international Edema Fuludu has been appointed Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) by Ambassador Mulade Sheriff, Ph.D the festival's initiator. 

Fuludu expressed gratitude for the appointment and pledged to collaborate with the team to ensure the event's success.

The Mini football competition will have two categories: Under 25-45 and 46 and above, with an emphasis on adhering strictly to the rules of the game. 

With about Ten Million Naira (10,000,000.00) up for grabs with consolidation prizes, the Africa for Peace Sports Festival is poised to be an unforgettable experience as registration is now open for all interested participants.

According to the Intiator and Chairman, Delta state mini football, Comrade Sheriff Mulade said the sport festival will create an opportunity for the Nigeria Mini Football Association scouting delegation to identify, attract and recruit talented players into the national team to represent Nigeria in forthcoming international events.

Kindly contact Ogo Clarkson, secretary Mini football Delta State on 080-26797191 or 080-63417901 and 080-80403030.

60 year old American woman dıes in lover’s home in Warri, Nigeria after flying miles to visit him from the U.S.A.

A trip that was supposed to be a happy reunion has ended in tragedy. Jacqueline Bolling Elton, a 60-year-old woman from the United States, flew thousands of miles to meet her 39-year-old Nigerian boyfriend, Alawode Olaide, but she sadly passed away at his home in Warri, Delta State.

The story had captured a lot of attention on social media, with many seeing it as proof that love can bridge large distances and differences in age. But the outcome has turned everything into a sad and troubling mystery.

According to reports, Jacqueline became sick on Monday, September 29. At about 3:00 PM, she was rushed to a nearby private hospital in Otokutu. Doctors there immediately sent her to the Central Hospital in Warri. Tragically, she was confirmed dead shortly after arriving.

The police were quickly notified of the incident. Officers visited the scene and have started a full investigation into the cause of her death. Alawode Olaide, her boyfriend, has been taken into custody for questioning to help the police understand the events leading up to Jacqueline's passing. Her body has been taken to a mortuary for an autopsy, which will help determine the official cause of death.

For a couple that connected across continents, this is a heartbreaking end. The story is now a sad reminder of how life can be unpredictable and that joy can quickly turn into sorrow. What was once a promising love story is now a haunting tale tragically cut short.

Featured Article: Afrobeats, AfropowerBy: William Z. Bozimo

 

There was a time in history when Nigeria exported only oil, cocoa, and crude, while talent fled on one-way tickets. Today, our most striving export does not come from pipelines or plantations alone, it comes from sound. It is Afrobeats, a rhythm that dances across continents. The pulse of a nation that refuses to be lulled, and the soundtrack of a continent insisting on its place in history. 

Before the planet heard “Afrobeats,” Nigeria’s sound had already begun to travel through many rivers. And as the beats echoed, we remember that the world may own the stage, but Africa owns the rhythm. In the 1940s and 1950s, highlife hovered in from Ghana. It was then given an incredibly unique Nigerian twist by legends like Rex Lawson and Victor Olaiya, who used trumpets and guitars to sing of love and liberation. 

By the 60s and 70s, a restless new rhythm was born: Fela Anikulapo Kuti’s Afrobeat, a fiery fusion of jazz, funk, and African percussion, laced with political thunder. It was more than music; it was a revolution in sound and spirit into the 80s. An intentional drumbeat reminding the world that Africa will not be silent. In this paradox lies our power and the ability to convert pain into beauty, and scarcity into rhythm.

Afrobeats is more than escapism; it is Afropower. The likes of Ebenezer Obey, King Sunny Adé, Sir Shina Peters, Bright Chimezie, and Wasiu Ayinde were also trending in the 80s and 90s as they brought the modern era of highlife, juju and fuji music, using Yoruba and Igbo rhythms into national anthems of entertainment and delight. Shortly after, hip-hop and R&B touched down in the most clear and sentimental tune with local styles to create a new hybrid.

The voices of multi-talented singers like Plantashun Boiz, Remedies, and Styl-Plus carried youthful vibes into the new millennium where legends like 2 Face Innocent Idibia aka 2 Baba the “microphone general” and our own illustrious son Timi Dakolo, the great nation maestro were born. Out of all these rhythm layers, the Afrobeats era of the 2000s and 2010s sprang up big. This time around, they magically and neatly borrowed from highlife, infused and inherited from juju, remixed Fela’s Afrobeat, and added global hip-hop and dancehall to the mix.

What began in Lagos smoky studios is now shaking arenas like mass protest wrapped in melody, joy concealed as survival, and rebellion disguised as rhythm in the cities of London, New York, Paris and around the world, contesting the dominance of Western soundscapes. Afrobeats has become more than music. It is a tremendous language without borders. Decades of rhythms, each generation leaving its note, until the world had no other choice but to listen.

When artists like Davido, Burna Boy, Flavour, Tiwa Savage, Wizkid, Tems, and Simi, to mention a few, whisper truth, they are not just performing; they are also negotiating space for Africa in a world too eager to always stereotype her. Yet the absence of light in our homes becomes the spark for a lyric; the frustration of the street is transformed into a beat that forces even the oppressor’s child to dance. 

Afrobeat shifts culture. It creates a billion-dollar industry where governments failed to build. It empowers a new generation of African storytellers to say: we are not waiting for recognition; we are claiming it.

✍🏽 William Z. Bozimo

Veteran Journalist | Columnist | National Memory Keeper

Remembering a Legacy: A Reflection on the Life and Times of the late Chief DSP Alamieyeseigha(1952_10th Oct, 2015)

Born on 16th November 1952 in Amassoma, Southern Ijaw LGA of Bayelsa State, Chief Diepreye Solomon Peter Alamieyeseigha—fondly remembered as the Governor General of the Ijaw Nation—lived a life dedicated to service, leadership, and advocacy for his people.

He began his career in the Nigerian Air Force in 1974 after attending Bishop Dimeari Grammar School and the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). He served meritoriously in logistics and supply across various commands, rising to the rank of Squadron Leader before retiring in 1992.

Transitioning into civil service, he served as Sole Administrator of Pabod Supplies and later as Head of Budget, Planning, Research and Development at NAFCON.

In 1999, Alamieyeseigha made history as the first Executive Governor of Bayelsa State under the PDP and was re-elected in 2003. His administration was marked by bold infrastructure projects, educational development, healthcare expansion, and passionate advocacy for Resource Control and Fiscal Federalism, influencing the approval of the 13% derivation principle.

Despite facing legal battles that led to imprisonment, he was granted a state pardon in 2013 by President Goodluck Jonathan.

His legacy lives on through:

✅ Creation of 24 Rural Development Authorities (RDAs)

✅ Establishment of Niger Delta University (2001)

✅ Founding of BYCAS, School of Nursing (Tombia), School of Health Technology (Ogbia)

✅ Construction of major roads and the 500-bed hospital in Yenagoa

✅ Numerous scholarships and investments in human capital

✅ Advocacy that amplified the Ijaw voice on the national stage

He passed away on 10th October 2015 at the University of Port Harcourt Teaching.

Ikpeazu refutes reported death sentence report as false, acuses Gov. Otti behind the fabricted story

Former Governor of Abia State, Okezie Ikpeazu, has reacted to viral reports circulating on social media that he was sentenced to death by hanging for allegedly stealing N1 trillion during his tenure.

The news claimed that the former Abia Governor was sentenced to death by hanging by an Abia State High Court after money was found in his secret foreign account.

But speaking in an interview with ABN TV on Tuesday, Ikpeazu dismissed the claims as laughable and mischievous, insisting that the entire story was fabricated to mislead the public.

“This is not news, it is laughable,” Ikpeazu told ABN.

Also reacting to the report, former Commissioner for Information in Abia State, John Okiyi Kalu described it as hate speech and urged the DSS to fish out those behind it.

Okiyi Kalu also claimed that the fake news was a cyber crime committed by people working for “Otti”, adding that similar fake news was recently published against Ikpeazu and credited to a popular Nigerian music star.

But responding to the claims by John Okiyi Kalu, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity, Ferdinand distanced Governor Otti from the fake news, cautioning the former Commissioner against using the name of Governor Otti to gain financial favour from Ex-Governor Ikpeazu.

Ekeoma, who reacted through his official Facebook page, said that his principal could not have sponsored anyone to publish such a fake report.

“It is laughable to imagine that Governor Otti who played the most responsible and decent opposition politics in the history of Abia State would sponsor anyone to allege that the former Governor was sentenced to death for alleged corruption.

“What would Governor Otti stand to gain from such a rubbish report?” Ekeoma asked.

Opinion: Nigeria’s Qualification Struggles: A Mirror of the Nation_By: William Z. Bozimo Reflection

When a nation pins its pride on the bounce of a ball, it forgets that the true field is not in Cairo or Johannesburg, but in the villages where water no longer flows, and in the markets where rice mocks the poor man’s pocket. The Super Eagles falter, not for lack of talent, but because a tired land whispers into their boots. How can you run freely when the home behind you is shackled by darkness, fear, and thousands of unpaid wages?

We chase goals on foreign turf, while at home, we have not scored a light in sixty years. The world applauds our dribbles, but asks: Can a nation that cannot feed itself ever lift a cup? Other nations arrive at tournaments clothed in dignity, their homes steady, their people fed; while Nigeria comes with a fanfare louder than her wins. A giant with clay feet dancing on borrowed drums.

Once, we lifted cups with pride; from Atlanta ’96 to Tunis, from Enyimba’s roar to Okwaraji’s blood. But the past cannot be a trophy room forever. Nations that grow old on memory forget to build new dreams. Now, our qualification hangs on other people’s mercy, as though destiny itself is outsourced. Yet, we shout “Up Super Eagles!” forgetting that wings cannot fly in broken winds.

It is not that we lack players of grit and grace, but we lack leaders who see beyond the stadium lights. For when governance is a penalty missed, the scoreboard of the nation will always read defeat. Some will say, “Football unites us, leave it alone.” But unity built on ninety minutes is fragile. What of the farmer in Benue, the trader in Aba, the student in Sokoto, who unite their daily struggle?

Perhaps, in truth, our football only mirrors us: a people with promise, undone by poor finishing. Dribbling past poverty, yet tripping over crime, cheered by the crowd, but empty at the final whistle. Nigeria must first qualify for herself, before she can qualify for the world. When water flows, when light endures, when justice is no stranger, then the cup will come to us, not as accident, but as reward.

The Super Eagles take to the pitch with the weight of a nation on their shoulders, yet their stumbles in qualification echo far beyond the football field. Every missed chance, every defensive lapse, mirrors a country brimming with talent yet shackled by inconsistency. The brilliance of gifted strikers dulled by disunity, the roar of the crowd tempered by frustration, the promise of victory too often postponed.

But even in the turbulence lies a stubborn hope. Just as the green-white-green flag refuses to fall, so too do the fans sing in faith of a better tomorrow. Our struggle for qualification is not just about a ticket to the next tournament, it is a reflection of Nigeria itself: resilient, restless, and still yearning to convert potential into triumph. God bless the Super Eagles and the Federal Republic of Nigeria 🇳🇬. We shall be great again in this lifetime.

 William Z. Bozimo

Veteran Journalist | Columnist | National Memory Keepe

PANDEF Salutes Nigeria at 65, Urges Government to Obey Rule of Law, Address lnsecurity, Poverty, Hunger, Under-development and Unemployment

The Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), on behalf of the peoples of the South-South zone, through a press statement warmly felicitates with the government and the entire people of Nigeria as we mark the sixty-fifth independence anniversary of our dear country, Africa’s largest democracy. We give thanks to Almighty God for the gift of this outstanding nation and the progress we have achieved despite some daunting challenges.

We extend our special salutations to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the responsibility of leadership entrusted on him at this pivotal moment in our history and acknowledge the efforts of his administration in addressing pressing various issues of national concern. We also commend the Governors of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Edo, and Rivers States for their sterling leadership and unwavering commitment to the development of their states and the entire South-South region.

This milestone anniversary offers us yet another opportunity to reflect on the journey of our nationhood. In that respect,  we urge governments at all levels to show greater determination and respect for rule of law in consolidating democracy, pursuing meaningful economic reforms, and confronting the challenges of insecurity, poverty, hunger and youth unemployment that continue to weigh heavily on our people.

Of particular importance is the urgent need to redress the worsening infrastructure decay in the Niger Delta, the region from which the nation’s wealth is derived. The lingering neglect of vital projects such as the East-West Road, the Benin–Auchi Road, the Benin–Warri Road, and the revitalization of the southern ports in Port Harcourt, Calabar, Onne, and Warri must be decisively addressed if Nigeria is to fully harness its economic potential.

PANDEF reaffirms its commitment to continue working with the Federal Government and the leadership of the Niger Delta states to ensure that our region and people play their rightful role in the affairs of the nation. So as Nigeria celebrates sixty-five years of independence, we call for sober reflection, renewed dedication, and bold action to build a stronger, united, and prosperous nation for our selves and future generations.

Ambassador Dr. Godknows Boladei Igali, OON, National Chairman.

Governor Oborevwori Donates Four Buses To Warri Wolves, Delta Queens Football Clubs

Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has boosted the morale of the state’s top football teams with the donation of four brand-new buses to Warri Wolves and Delta Queens Football Clubs.

 

The governor, while presenting the vehicles on Wednesday, at Government House Asaba, said the gesture was aimed at motivating the teams to perform better in their domestic and international competitions. Each club received a Toyota Coaster bus and a Toyota Hiace bus.

 

Oborevwori explained that the donation was prompted by recent challenges faced by the teams, including travel hitches due to old vehicles. 

According to him, providing reliable and comfortable vehicles is part of his administration’s commitment to sports development in the State.

 

“Delta State is doing very well in sports across Nigeria. But we must continue to motivate our players to do even better,” the governor said. 

“I was told recently that one of the teams had issues with their vehicle on the road because the vehicle is old. I immediately directed the procurement of two Coaster buses and two Hiace buses, one set for Warri Wolves and the other for Delta Queens.”

 

He charged the players and officials to remain focused and committed, noting that the state government always rewards excellence. 

“This is to motivate you. When you win matches and medals, we pay your bonuses promptly. We want you to keep striving, keep winning, and keep making Delta proud,” Oborevwori added.

 

Head Coach of Delta Queens, Samson Keshi, and Team Captain, Owoeye Temitope, who spoke on behalf of the team, lauded the governor for what they described as an unprecedented gesture. 

They said the gesture was a great feat, adding that they have not received such support before and assured that they would strive harder to win laurels for Delta state.

 

With both teams currently competing in the nation’s top leagues, the donation is expected to enhance their logistics, boost their morale, and overall performance as Delta continues to consolidate its reputation as the sporting capital of Nigeria.

Nigeria Rising Beyond the Cracks: Why the World Still Believes in Us_By William Z. Bozimo

Independence is not just a ribbon cut on October 1st, 1960. It is a covenant renewed each dawn, and a reminder that Nigeria is more than its wounds, stumbles, and cracks in its gigantic frame. Sixty-five years may come across like a heartbeat in the lifetime of nations, yet for Nigerians, every moment has thundered with struggle, song, and survival. Sixty-five years on, and the world still turns its eyes toward us, not out of pity, but with a meticulous astonishment; because even in our chaos, we still shine.

We were born in the euphoria of 1960, a green eagle stretching its wings toward promise. Our anthem was hope, our rhythm was unity, and our dream was boundless possibility. And yes, we are a nation of contradictions. Our politics often limps, our promises sometimes evaporate in the midday sun, and our executives wrestle with shadows instead of ideas. But beneath these collisions lies a heartbeat that refuses to be silenced. 

The markets still hum, the artists still sing, the farmers still sow, and the youths still dream. From the market in Aba to the studios of Lagos, from the oil fields of Delta to the farmlands of Jos; our story is being rewritten by a people determined to match promise with reality. And just like Afrobeats: messy, magnetic, and uncontainable; Nigeria refuses to fade into quietness. 

The decades have tested us in various aspects like civil strife, coups, crimes, corruption, and the uneasy dance of democracy. Still, the Nigerian spirit has never bowed its head. We have beaten back despair with strength, creativity, and faith. When global eyes look at us, they do not see only the scars of a troubled giant. They also see individuals who turn adversity into originality, hunger into hustle, and brokenness into brilliance.

Independence is not a date on the calendar; it is a state of mind. It is also a daily declaration that no matter how heavy the night was, the morning will still find us standing. Nigeria is not perfect, far from it. But Nigeria is still alive. Nigeria is becoming. Nigeria is us; and the world still believes in us. The question now is: do we believe in ourselves? Our story is not finished. It is still being written in the laughter of children under village skies, visions of tech hubs in Yaba, the beat of dancers in Benue, and in the prayers of people who still believe in Nigeria.

The cracks may remain, but so does the courage. Let the flags wave as the green reminds us of abundance yet to be harnessed, and the white, of peace yet to be perfected. Nonetheless, we are still writing the song of our nation, verse by verse, era by era; because independence is not just about the past; it is also about the will to shape the future. Happy Independence Day, Nigeria. May your eagle not just rise, but soar. God Bless Our Great Nation.

They see the green and white flag fluttering not as mere fabric, but as a stubborn statement: we are still here, and we are still rising.

So today as always, let us raise our heads, not in denial of our struggles, but in defiance of despair.

William Z. Bozimo

Veteran Journalist | Columnist | National Memory Keeper

Just-ln: Nigerian court adopts chinese justice system as fmr Abia Governor sentenced to death by hanging over N1Trillion fraud

In a landmark ruling that has stunned the nation, the Abia State High Court has sentenced former Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to death by hangin after investigators traced ₦1 trillion to his secret foreign account in Australia.

The money, according to court documents, was originally earmarked for the ambitious Abia International Airport project and a light rail system that promised to change the face of the state. Instead, prosecutors revealed it was siphoned off and hidden abroad.

Delivering the verdict, Justice Chukwuemeka Nwogu said:

 “The evidence before this court is overwhelming. This was not just theft — it was the betrayal of millions of Abians who were denied progress and hope. Such crimes against humanity must carry the highest penalty.”

He added:

“With ₦1 trillion, Abia could have had two airports, a modern rail line, and stable electricity. Instead, the state was left in decay. This sentence is not just punishment, but a message that no one is above the law.”

The courtroom fell silent as the sentence was pronounced, with gasps breaking out among observers. Outside the court, reactions were divided — some residents celebrated the judgment as “historic justice,” while others said they were shocked by both the scale of the corruption and the severity of the ruling.

Security agencies confirmed that Ikpeazu has been placed under heavy guard as arrangements for the execution move forward. Efforts are also underway to repatriate the stolen funds.

The Pathway to corruption free Nigeria if this Chinese model of justice system is adapted in Nigeria Totally.

Urhobo Historical Society (UHS) Mourn the Sudden Passage of the Scion of the lbru Dynasty, Olorogun Oskar Ibru

29th September, 2025

The Editorial and Management Committee of the Urhobo Historical Society (UHS) and the members of the society are saddened by the news of the death of a distinguished Urhobo son, Olorogun Oskar Eyovbire Ibru, the Chairman of the Ibru Organisation.

Olorogun Oskar Ibru was the eldest surviving son of Olorogun Michael Ibru. Olorogun Micheal Ibru, his father, had set a new standard in business, investment, and enterprise in Nigeria between the 1960s and the year 2000. 

During the period, he established over 25 companies with operations in Africa, Europe, and the United States of America. He was at a time among the wealthiest and biggest employers of labour in Nigeria.

In 1999, Professor Peter Ekeh founded the Urhobo Historical Society (UHS) in New York, USA, as an intellectual organization to document Urhobo history and culture, and to generate a road map for the political, economic, and social renaissance of the Urhobo Nation.  Senator David Dafinone and Olorogun Micheal Ibru were among the early benefactors of the Society and the vision of UHS.

It was into these big shoes in business, character, and a deep appreciation of the human family that Olorogun Oskar Eyovbire Ibru had to step when his father died in 2016 at the age of 86. Even the most optimistic among close observers probably had reservations about the ability of the then 58-year-old to faithfully discharge the duties and the obligations which he had inherited. But in 9 years, Olorogun Oskar demonstrated that he was indeed “a chip off the old block”, as he validated, by his actions, the Urhobo saying _"eban vwie erhoo-n"_ (a big fish does not birth a smaller species).

Olorogun Oskar not only sustained the Ibru Organisation, he innovated and expanded into new areas in tourism, hospitality, and the blue economy. He demonstrated that the Urhobo saying "a big tree sprouts from the same location where a previous one had fallen", had a basis in fact and in lived experience. 

The Urhobo Historical Society salutes Olorogun Oskar Ibru for his fealty to the Urhobo values of industry, enterprise, creativity, humility, and human kindness. He learnt these values from his father Micheal, and his uncles Felix, Alex, and Goodie, and has now passed them faithfully to his successors. 

He ran the Ibru Foundation that provided grants and scholarships to indigent students, and welfare to the needy all across Nigeria and Africa. Olorogun Oskar also donated generously and often to Urhobo causes including the recent victims of the Okuama crisis who were housed in the IDP Camp in Eghwu community.

At age 67, Olorogun Oskar Ibru may have gone on to join the ancestors rather early, but the Urhobo Historical Society holds the view that in his sojourn  here on earth, he played his role well and fulfilled his assignment as the scion of the Ibru Dynasty. 

We wish him eternal rest. Akpokedefa!!!

Dr. Aruegodore Oyiborhoro

_President_

Dr. Emmanuel Ojameruaye

_Secretary_

President Goodluck Jonathan and the Momentum of 2027_By: Steve Azaiki

The name of Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR—President of Nigeria from 2010 to 2015—continues to generate conversations across Nigeria and in the diaspora. Today, when Dr. Hassan called me from Vancouver, Canada, he spoke not as a partisan but as a Nigerian with objectivity and reason. His reflections centered on the possibilities and implications of President Jonathan running for the 2027 presidential election.

Over the past months, more than thirty prominent Nigerians have, at one time or another, raised this same issue. Unfortunately, many of these discussions are often filtered through the familiar lenses of party,  tribe and religion. Yet, as Dr. Hassan and Professor Ifedayo have emphasized, the real question is not about sectional sentiments but about leadership, vision, and Nigeria’s future.

Because of the growing pressure from objective voices such as theirs, I intend, upon my return to Nigeria, to meet with President Jonathan himself. I hope to ask him directly whether he is indeed considering a return to the presidency in 2027. Only then will I be able to give my friends and colleagues some clarity.

Whatever the answer, one thing is certain: the momentum around President Jonathan’s name is a reflection of his enduring relevance in Nigeria’s political landscape.

Opinion: CORRUPTION: THE ROYAL ROBE OF ROTTENNESS IN NIGERIA_By: Ebikabowei Kedikumo

Corruption no longer hides in the shadows,  

it walks proudly in bright sunlight,  

wearing an agbada stitched with threads  

spun from stolen gold.  

It rides in long convoys,  

sirens screaming for traffic to move aside,  

while everyday people sweat in buses  

that cough smoke like dying goats.  

It eats under chandeliers  

paid for with money meant to fix leaking roofs  

in schools where children write on their knees.  

It wears perfume from London and Dubai,  

sweet as mango,  

while drains outside government offices  

smell like forgotten corpses of promises.  

Corruption is in road contracts  

reborn in budgets year after year ...

tenth time a charm!  

Yet the road remains  

a brown river of potholes  

where trucks drown,  

school buses crawl like sick snails,  

and ambulances collapse halfway to hope.  

It hides in “security votes” worth billions  

that vanish faster than sugar in tea,  

while soldiers in the North East  

borrow boots from one another.  

It waves from police stations  

where patrol cars sleep without fuel,  

and police commissioners  

sign papers richer than the stations themselves.  

Corruption clinks champagne glasses in VIP lounges  

while patients die waiting for oxygen.  

It pats ministers on the back,  

those who build new hospitals on paper,  

then call doctors abroad  

when their chests refuse to breathe.  

It laughs with governors  

who give school repair contracts to cousins,  

while children learn under mango trees  

with blackboards balanced on bricks.  

We see politicians promise light to every home,  

while generator sellers -- their fat friends,

smile behind them,  

knowing darkness pays better.  

We watch them swear oaths on the constitution  

with the right hand  

and hold bundles of bribes with the left.  

We watch them kneel in holy places,  

praying for “wisdom to serve”  

as their foreign bank accounts  

grow fatter than hippos in rainy season.  

Corruption eats deep,  

like termites chewing the bones of the nation.  

It sits in hospitals with unpaid doctors,  

in universities on strike,  

in exam halls where answers are sold in envelopes,  

and on highways where “security checkpoints”  

are cash collection points.  

It whispers in land offices,  

in immigration rooms,  

at borders where smugglers  

walk past smiling inspectors.  

Worst of all, corruption is now a culture ... 

a glittering crown  

passed from one ruler to the next.  

Its jewels are polished lies,  

its gold the stolen future of our children.  

Every year, the crown grows heavier,  

bowing Nigeria’s neck lower and lower  

like a plant bending under locusts.  

This crown will not fall by itself.  

If we do not break it ..  

with our votes,  

with fair laws,  

with the courage to tell thieves “no” ...

the same potholes will be here  

when our children grow grey hair.  

The same speeches will be repeated,  

only the faces will change.  

If we delay,  

the rot will reach the heart,  

and Nigeria will not limp ...  

she will collapse.  

Silence will feed the sickness,  

and it will eat us whole.  

Politicians will keep stealing,  

judges will keep freeing thieves,  

police will collect small bribes  

and ignore big ones,  

and citizens will keep saying,  

“Na their business, not mine.”  

But it is everybody’s business now —  

the farmer in the village,  

the trader in the market,  

the student in class,  

the driver on the road,  

the officer in uniform,  

the worker in the court.  

We must all say: enough.  

Stop selling your vote for rice or coins.  

Police — stop taking roadside money,  

catch the real looters.  

Judges — stop hiding behind long grammar,  

jail the big names who rob the people.  

We fight this rot together,  

or we sink together.  

The potholes will not care who you are.  

The bad hospitals will not ask your tribe.  

The power cuts will visit rich and poor alike,  

like mosquitoes at night.  

The time is now.  

Stand.  

Speak.  

Refuse the bribe.  

Vote with clean hands.  

Judge with a straight face.  

Break this crown —  

or wear it  

until it crushes the breath  

out of every one of us.  

EBIKABOWEI KEDIKUMO - writes from Ayakoromo Town, ,Delta State

Ogbe-ljoh Monarch Gives Thanks to God, Appreciates ljaw Nation on Successful 10Th Coronation Anniversary Celebration

Francis Tayor

The Pere Ama-okosu of Ogbe-ljoh Warri Kingdom in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State, His Royal Majesty, Pere Couple Mackson Oromoni, Monbene lll, has expressed gratitude to God Almighty and deeply appreciated ljaw nation for the successful celebration of his Ten-year coronation anniversary on the throne.

The thanksgiving service took place on Sunday 28th September, 2025 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Ogbe-ljoh Town under the Catholic Diocese of Warri.

Recall that the great people of the ancient Ogbe-ljoh Warri Kingdom marked a week long 10th coronation anniversary of their revered King Monbene lll on the throne last week 22nd-26th September, 2025 whereby the entire ljaw nation and South-South region traditional rulers stormed Ogbe-ljoh Town for the historic event.

In his thanksgiving message, King Couple Oromoni appreciated Ogbe-ljoh Warri Kingdom traditional council of chiefs and the good people of Ogbe-ljoh Warri Kingdom for their unity in giving a befitting ten years coronation anniversary celebration.

Expressing his feelings, Pere Ama-okosu of Ogbe-ljoh Warri Kingdom noted that he was overwhelmed with joy for the first time since he accended the throne to see the entire kingdom coming together in love and unity to celebrate with him. He stressed that the 10th coronation anniversary was celebrated all over the globe including America, Canada, UK etc. 

Meanwhile, King Monbene lll boldly stated that Warri is owned by Ogbe-ljoh kingdom, citing example of the ancient Ogbe-ljoh market Warri as the most famous internationally recognized market in Warri Kingdom. Pere Ama-okosu admonished his subjects to be humble, God fearing and love one another, adding that is the only way God will bless and uplift them to a greater height in life. He pray for peace, fruitfulness, wealth, progress and development for Ogbe-ljoh Warri Kingdom.

However, the Pere Ama-okosu of Ogbe-ljoh Warri Kingdom was accompanied by his beautiful Queen, Her Royal Majesty Ethel Oromoni, the Princes and Princesses, traditional council of chiefs, especially Chief. Favour lzoukumo, the Fiyeowei of Ogbe-ljoh Warri Kingdom, Chief. John Ajemitolu, Chief. Paul Yeinanagbegha, Chief. Manager Seigha, the Isonmowene-owei of Ogbe-ljoh Warri Kingdom, Chief. Sylvester Tiebebedigha, the Doumien-owei of Ogbe-ljoh Warri Kingdom, Chief. Francis Oyimi, Chief. Bello Baotu, Chief. Joel Ogbona, Chief. John Omgbu, Chief. Hitler Korobigha, Chief. Vero Eselemo, Chief. Jolomi among others at St. Anthony Catholic Church, Ogbe-ljoh Town for the thanksgiving service.

The brief remark by the presiding Catholic priest at St. Anthony Catholic Church Ogbe-ljoh was love, peace, patience, gentleness and fear of God in our actions.

He said once God blesses an individual with wealth, God equally gives you responsibility to spend it by helping the needy in the society. 

The presiding Reverend father made christians to understand that thanking God is a means of commiting God to shower more blessings on you. He cited the story of the rich man and Lazarus in the bible, thereby urging believers to do good at all times by rendering helping hands to the vulnerable in the society, adding that is the only means for one to inherit the kingdom of God.

He pray God to bless His Royal Majesty with more fruitful years to celebrate and peace in Ogbe-ljoh Warri Kingdom.