Meet May Agbamuche-Mbu, the Newly Appointed Acting Chairman of INEC

May Agbamuche-Mbu is a seasoned legal practitioner with over three decades of experience working with diverse clients in both the public and private sector. She hails from Delta State, although she was born in Kano where she attended St. Louis Secondary School. 

She graduated from the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1984 with an LLB in Law.

After her call to the Bar in 1985, she attended the College of Law, London and qualified as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales.

May has an LLM with specialisation in Commercial and Corporate Law from Queen Mary and Westfield College, London and completed two postgraduate degree programmes in International Dispute Resolution and International Business Law respectively. 

May is also an expert in Alternative Dispute Resolution and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators of the United Kingdom Nigeria branch, where she served as Secretary to the Institute.

Between March 2010 and November 2011, May served on the Presidential Projects Assessment Committee (PPAC) as the sole solicitor, evaluating an extensive nationwide portfolio of major unfinished public projects in Nigeria and in March 2016, she was appointed a member of the Ministerial Committee set up to prepare The Road Map for the Solid Minerals Sector.

Before her appointment as a National Commissioner for INEC, May was the managing partner of her law firm in Lagos, Norfolk Partners and also the editor of THISDAY LAWYER, a weekly legal pullout in one of the nation’s most widely read newspapers. 

From January 2014 to September 2016, May published 120 legal editorials under her column LEGAL EAGLE. Her consistent exposure to public affairs/related projects put her in a unique position to build a reputable body of commentary and expert opinion in many specialized areas. 

Her work remains a source of public advocacy on many national and international issues.

Her new role now is acting Chairman of INEC.

Opinion: TITHES, JETS AND HOLY LIES –The Hyena in the Pulpit–

In my country,  

we have pastors whose Bible is like a big calculator.  

Every verse is about money.  

Their church is no longer a place for prayer.  

It is a holy marketplace for miracles.  

Faith is the basket.  

Tithe is the price tag.  

Every Sunday morning,  

men and women rush to church before the sun rises,  

like traders hurrying to Lagos market.  

Some eat nothing,  

but hold tight their tithe envelopes  

like tickets to heaven.  

Pastor warns them:  

“If you do not pay tithe,  

you will not prosper.  

Your blessings will expire.”  

And who wants an expired blessing?  

The church building shines with gold  

like the palace of a rich chief in a Nollywood film.  

Pastor’s Italian suit is so bright  

it blinds the eyes like Harmattan sun on new zinc.  

He catwalks to the pulpit with pride,  

Bible in one hand,  

spiritual ATM card in the other.  

Then the show begins.  

He shouts into the microphone:  

“My people! Sow your seed now!  

One tithe today brings seven blessings tomorrow!”  

Members say “Amen!” loudly,  

but their pockets are crying quietly.  

Even the poor must give.  

Pastor tells them 

“When you are poor, that is the time to give more.  

That is advanced faith.”  

Some sell their last chair to sow seed.  

Others drop their husband’s car keys on the altar  

for ‘kingdom investment’.  

Months later,  

Pastor drives a new luxury jeep  

with air colder than winter in London or Toronto,  

while his members trek home under a sun  

hotter than pepper soup fire.  

Pastor flies private jets,  

saying it is “mission work”,  

but mission work often ends in Dubai, London or Bahamas.  

He posts pictures beside the sea,  

wearing sunglasses and drinking coconut water:  

“Doing the Lord’s work.”  

Once, in the deep forest,  

there lived a hyena who called himself

"Messenger of the Sky"  

He told the other animals:  

“If you do not bring me meat every week,  

the sky god will stop the rain.  

Your rivers will dry,  

your children will starve,  

and your homes will fall.”  

The animals believed him.  

Each week,  

the goats brought grass,  

the antelopes brought fresh leaves,  

the hares brought sweet berries,  

and the monkeys brought ripe bananas.  

The hyena ate all of them.  

Soon his stomach grew round like a big drum,  

while the other animals became thin like dry sticks.  

One young antelope asked:  

"Messenger Hyena,

to whom do YOU give meat,  

before the sky god blesses you?”  

The hyena became angry.  

He roared and shouted:  

“Look at my fat belly!  

That is the proof of blessing!  

Do not ask foolish questions!”  

But the animals kept thinking.  

One by one, they understood  

that the hyena’s blessing  

was only their hard work in his stomach.  

So they stopped bringing him food,  

and walked away to another part of the forest.  

In Today's Nigeria,  

our pastors are the hyenas.  

They build mansions in Banana Island,  

buy Rolls Royce cars and armoured vehicles,  

and fly private jets.  

And I still ask:  

Who do these pastors pay tithe to  

before their own prosperity began?  

From which altar did they sow for their first private jet?  

Yet the followers believe poverty is proof  

that God is testing them.  

They believe pastor’s riches are proof  

that God has favoured him.  

But the truth is plain:  

The only account being credited is pastor’s bank account 

If all the tithe money was used for the people,  

we would have free schools, good hospitals,  

and jobs for the youth.  

But no --

it buys pastor fine suits,  

big houses, shiny cars,  

and fattens his accounts like a Christmas goat.  

One day, the people’s eyes will open.  

They will see that “Yahoo” is not only boys with laptops –  

some it is men with pulpits.  

And when that day comes,  

the church seats will be empty,  

the “holy bank” will be closed,  

and silence will fill pastor’s mansion.  

He will stand beside his dusty private jet and armoured car, asking:  

“Where have my people gone?”  

And from far away,  

a strong voice will answer:  

“We have gone to work.  

We have gone to save.  

Heaven is not for sale.”  

EBIKABOWEI KEDIKUMO - writes from Ayakoromo Town, Delta State

Vote Hon. Ebiakpo Ezebiri for Delta State APC Chairman, a Loyal, Trusted, Dedicated and Consistent Party Faithful

By divine providence, Delta South is positioned to produce the next Delta State APC Chairman to pilot the affairs of the Party in the State, and by divine providence too, HON. EBIAKPO EZEBRI, from Burutu LGA of Delta State, is a distinguished Chairmanship Hopeful, well qualified in all ramifications and fits into the leadership equation that will bring about cohesion in the Party and the State.

Hon. Ebiakpo Ezebri is a God-fearing individual, and has respect for the people and rule of law, and he will embrace every progressive opinion that will give the Party a good legacy. In all his life, he is a consistent person, accountable and loyal to the Party. He is a patronage that epitomizes the very essence of Party loyalty, dedication, consistency and leadership. These are the attributes that any one that will change the tide of the Party should possess.

Politics is an examination that one doesn't write for himself but requires the collaboration of stakeholders, and so, Hon. Ebiakpo Ezebri's candidacy will galvanize all Party members to achieve victory come 2027.

Let's support Hon. Ebiakpo Ezebri for the position of the State Chairman of our great Party and Delta State APC will not remain the same.

Leave Goodluck Jonathan Alone-Contesting in 2027 is Not a Crime That Will Soil His Integrity_By: Ebikabowei Kedikumo

Lately, I keep hearing all sorts of noise: “If Jonathan contests in 2027, his name will be dragged in the mud.”, he will tarnish his good name"" "those who want Jonathan to contest are enemies" blablabla.

Really? Since when did contesting an election become a crime? Since when did offering to serve your country turn into bad character or behaviour that stains a person’s reputation?  

 Jonathan is a Niger Delta man -- our brother.  As President, he carried himself with dignity. Out of power, he has carried himself with even greater dignity.  He left office peacefully, without any messy drama, and with a historic line that shook the world:  

“My ambition is not worth the blood of any Nigerian.”

Whether he wins or loses in 2027 will never erase the honour God has placed on his head.  

Politics belongs to every Nigerian, not a closed club reserved for a select few or selected tribes.

Jonathan has the right to run. He has influence, experience, and global respect.  When he speaks, the entire political space pauses.  When he  coughs,, the ruling party gets nervous., political heavy weights from the North, East, South and West tremble.

That is the kind of voice Niger Delta needs in Abuja -- strong, respected, and listened to nationwide 

So why are we pushing discouraging him?  

Contesting is not stealing.  

It is not corruption.  

It is simply saying to the people: “Do you want me?"

If they say no, life goes on.  

If they say yes, he serves.  

It is that simple.  

Instead of chasing him from the race, we should be shouting: “Go ahead, Jonathan!”  

If one of our own can take a shot at the biggest seat in the land,

we should stand behind him, not hide him in a corner.  

Win or lose, Jonathan will remain respected worldwide.  But if we push him out with discouraging words, we send the wrong message -- that Niger Delta people don’t deserve the presidency.  That is a message I will never support.  

As for me, I’m clear: Jonathan should contest. When he does, I will stand beside him with 100% moral support and deep pride.  And I believe that everyone from the Niger Delta who values dignity, equity, and representation should do the same.  

Let us defend our own.  

Let us stop condemning his ambition.  

Because running for office is not a crime -- it is democracy in action.

EBIKABOWEI KEDIKUMO

Covenant of Peace Global Ministries Set to Hold Her End of Year Annual Thanksgiving/3rd Year Anniversary Oct 26, in Warri, lnvites General Public

According to the General Overseer and founder of the Covenant of Peace Global Ministries, Apst. Peter Sunday stated that the open heaven glorious prophetic manifestation harvest thanksgiving would hold on the last Sunday 26 October, 2025 at the church premises No, 5 Market road by the bridge, Ogbokone Community, Warri, Delta State.

He said the harvest will also marked the 3rd year anniversary and fund raising for the church land purchase for the cathedral building project towards salvation and winning souls for Christ.

This years Theme is tagged: 'IF IT IS NOT GOD' Psalm 124:1-8.

Time: 8:AM Prompt.

The statement further adds that a powerful God's servant, Bishop Dr. Apst. Efe would be the guest speaker to bless the children of God at the event 

The general public is hereby specially invited to come with their family, friends and loved ones to witness an amazing and unforgettable encounter with God on that day .

Featured Article: Between English and the Mother Tongue_By William Z. Bozimo

A child in Lagos recites the alphabet in flawless English, yet struggles to string a sentence in Yoruba. In Kano, a teenager greets in Hausa but answers exam questions in Queen’s English. In Delta, the laughter of the Urhobos and Isokos is fading gradually, drowned by the insistence of “proper English.” We are raising a generation fluent in the tongue of our colonisers while we are still stammering in the languages of our ancestors.

This is not just a question of language; it is an inquiry of identity. To lose a language is to lose a worldview. Every proverb, every idiom, every rhythm in Igbo, Tiv, Ibibio or Izon carries the doctrine of a people, how they see the sky, how they measure respect and interpret destiny. When we replace those idioms with borrowed phrases, we are not just speaking differently; we are also thinking differently.

We also risk becoming strangers to ourselves. The English language, no doubt, has given us bridges across tribes, borders, and oceans. It is the passport that makes our literature global, from Achebe to Adichie. But the danger of the bridge lies in its potential to replace the village square. If all our local dialects are dismissed and seen as being backward, and only what is foreign is praised as refined, then we are building our futures on borrowed soil.

The tragedy of our schools these days is that there is still punishment for speaking in one's mother tongue, a practice that lingers in recent times. A child fined for speaking Efik at break time learns shame, not fluency. A young boy scolded for slipping into Igala language in class learns silence, not pride. As we are constantly trying to “modernize” ourselves, we have turned our mother tongues into relics. However, all hope is not lost. 

Across the diaspora, Nigerian parents are now rediscovering the urgency of teaching their children their local dialect like Yoruba lullabies and Igbo greetings. Technology is opening new doors like the introduction of podcasts in Hausa, apps teaching Tiv, and social media skit makers reviving Pidgin as the people’s parliament. The mother tongue may be bruised, but it has not been silenced. The task before us is simple but urgent: let English remain our bridge, but let our “local dialect” remain our roots. For a tree without its roots cannot stand, and a nation without memory cannot endure. 

Between the English language and our mother tongue, we must learn balance; so that when our children speak to the world, they do not forget how to also speak to their ancestors.

✍🏽 William Z. Bozimo

Veteran Journalist | Columnist | National Memory Keeper

SHOPPING BASKET IN UNIFORM-(The Hungry Goats of the Checkpoint)_By: Ebi Kedikumo

The men in uniform do not eat bullets.  

They eat money ,

soft, warm, fresh-from-your-pocket money.  

They stand by the roadside,  

like vultures waiting for a tired cow to fall.  

They say “bail is free,”  

and yes, it is free,

until your wallet decides otherwise.  

Freedom now has a price,

They will call it small settlement  

but small settlement is the mother of big settlement.  

Receipts are written in whispers.

Before your case is heard,

Your cash must speak first 

Even mosquitoes show you mercy at night,  

but these ones bite you in broad daylight.  

Checkpoints grow on our roads 

Like stubborn weeds after rain.

They do not grow to stop thieves,

but to harvest small notes from tired drivers 

You think they stand there to catch robbers?  

No -- except the robber is you,  

driving with innocent face.  

Police stations do not smell of justice,  

they smell of negotiation.  

Before your matter reaches the court,  

the money has already reached the pot.  

And oh, they cook it well ,

no receipts, just long throat and short conscience.  

Sometimes they smile,  

sometimes they frown,  

but the ending is the same   

your cash is the missing praise song in their daily devotion.  

Protection is sold here,  

by kilo, like smoked fish at Ogbe-Ijaw market.

What was built to protect,

now prowls like a hungry goat in the yam barn.

In my country,  

the uniform is not just cloth,  

it is a shopping basket.  

They shop in your pockets,  

they cart away your peace.  

And until the day the uniform stops eating like a hungry goat in a yam barn,  

the police will keep firing their favourite weapon ...

their stomachs. 

Until the day the uniform stops trading,

It will be a force,

not for the law,

but for the pocket.

EBIKABOWEI KEDIKUMO - writes from Ayakoromo Town, Delta State

INC 2026 ELECTION: A Clear and Compelling Choice: High Chief (Dr.) Nengi James, OON for INC President_By: Pereke Warefa

For the Ijaw National Congress (INC), the body that speaks for the Ijaw people, the 2026 presidential election is a chance to pick a leader with a proven record of service, national influence, and deep love for the Ijaw nation. High Chief (Dr) Se-Alabor Nengi James, OON, stands out as that clear and compelling choice.

His long history of dedication and his excellent credentials show he is ready to take on the top job. High Chief (Dr) Nengi James for I N C President  is not just a community figure; he is a national asset. The prestigious national award of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) is proof of his selfless service to Nigeria. This kind of honor is given to those whose actions go beyond their personal interests and truly serve the public good.

His work is seen not only in his own community, but in other communities as well. As the founder and Executive Director of the Nengi James Foundation and Talent Search and Advancement Initiative, he is not waiting for others to solve problems. He is actively working to help the Ijaw people by:

*Doing good deeds (Philanthropy): Giving back to the community. Lifting the Ijaw People through His Foundation.

* Finding and growing talent: Helping young Ijaw people find their skills and grow them.

* Teaching business skills: Showing people how to start and run their own businesses.

This hands-on work shows a strong commitment to the well-being and future of the Ijaw people.

The experience that makes High Chief (Dr) Nengi James  truly ready for the INC Presidency is his role as a National Director for the South-South region of the National Civil Society Council of Nigeria.

This is a big job. It means he has been a national leader who must:

* Bring groups together: Coordinate many different civil society organizations.

* Fight for rights: Speak up strongly for human rights.

* Watch the government: Keep an eye on government and private companies to ensure they are fair and transparent.

His time in this role shows his ability to lead at a national level. He knows how to work with

different people and groups to push for transparency, accountability, and good governance.

This experience is a perfect fit for the INC Presidency. The INC’s main work is to speak for the Ijaw people and talk with state and federal governments. Dr. Nengi James’s background in civil society has given him a deep understanding of politics and the best ways to bring about real, positive change.

High Chief (Dr) Nengi James’s qualifications are not just words on paper. They are a direct result of his strong dedication to the Ijaw people. From his national award to his foundation’s work and his leadership in civil society, his whole career points to a man who is fully prepared to serve.

His belief, “With your support and God we will make Ijaw Nation Greater,” is more than just a catchy phrase. It is a clear goal supported by a lifetime of dedication and a proven record of success.

For the sake of a stronger, more united, and more prosperous Ijaw nation, High Chief (Dr) Nengi James is the obvious and right choice for INC President come 2026.

THE ENEMY OF THE LAST DAYS: Narcissism in Romantic Relationships_By: Prof Wole Soyinka

When I was 35 Years Old, I Dated A Woman Who Was 45 Years old

She was divorced too but my reason for choosing an older and divorced woman was simple and straight to the point; I am at a point in my life that I needed less drama and more focus on putting my life to order. 

I was creating my business and I needed to focus, so it was not a time to date a younger, foolish and entitled girl. I felt that experience would have helped an older woman to become mature and have lesser drama compared to these younger folks. 

I did not want to be arguing about trivial matters as the following, which are common among younger girls. 

Why I did not call 25 times a day. 

Why I considered my business more important than her.

Why she was not the first I talked to when I woke up from bed. 

Why I posted on my status before responding to her messages.  

Why I did not answer the call the first time she called.

Why I had to talk to other women that I knew and did not ask out before I met her. 

I considered dealing with all of these and many more, a waste of time - I  am a business man at heart and at hand; it was at a time that I was creating one of my most important business ideas so I needed calmness, not spending time bickering over multitude of trivialities. 

This woman came good in the first few months, but as time went on, everything changed. She started defeating the same reason I chose her over the younger women who wanted me - mental infantry (Narcissism). 

I always told her that the reason I chose her over the younger girls, most of which obviously wanted me was mental maturity. At that age, I did not care about body shape, completion, age and all those things - I only wanted a peaceful companionship with maximum focus for productivity. 

As time went on, she started to give the same kind of drama I avoided in younger women and left me wondering why I chose her over them. She ended the relationship three times in a year, usually after every disagreement caused by her drama. She would return again until she was too ashamed to keep returning. 

When we talked about why it all ended recently, she said said she wanted a man who was commanding and would not be pushed around. She said she wanted an intelligent and ambitious man. That was me she was describing; the relationship ended because of  those qualities she said she wanted. I had all of them and more. 

She said one of the reasons she left was that I was too mature for her and I wanted her to be mature all the time. I expected that to be coming from a younger woman, not one 10 years older than me. It was at that time I realized again that women never grow up regardless of their age. 

This woman left her husband because he lacked ambition but was very homely, she said she did not want a homely man. She found me, a super ambitious and intelligent and one who does not apologize for being a man. Guess one of her reasons for ending the relationship? I was not homely. 

She left her husband for not having ambition, met a man with ambition and left him for not being homely. And trust me, till tomorrow, the problems are the men in her life. She's still looking for an ambitious man who is homely, yet she's not looking for a perfect man. 

Do you know why women behave this way? The answer is simple  -   they suffer from narcissism. Narcissism is the sickness of the undeveloped people. Most women are never developed. They want to be treated like babies all their lives. I call it mental infancy. 

Like a suckling, they want something, yet they don't want it; they want the man in their lives to know what they want and yet do not want. This narcissistic behavior is amiable and forgivable in babies, but disgusting in adults. Women need to know this! Adults should not be given a baby's treatment.

Grown women (women from age 18 and above) wanting baby treatment are simply looking for excuses to continue to  be narcissistic and not be held accountable for it. This destroys their relationships. Narcissism makes them believe that while they may be adding no value to a man's live, they must be at the center of everything he does if he is dating them. 

They overrate their input because they feel they should not be doing  it at all. This is why when a woman helps a man financially for a short time, she feels she's unfortunate, starts looking for another man and begins to disrespect him. This happens because she feels she should not be helping a man financially at all. 

It is hard living with a Narcissistic woman, but nearly all women are narcissistic. This is making me reconsider my decision to  get married. I cannot spend my entire life trying to make sense to a woman who does not even know what she wants; a woman who is unwilling to grow and wants me to spend most of my life pleasing her. I will be too busy for that. 

If you are a woman and this describes you, the worst thing you can do is to begin to defend it. Kindly just grab my book titled THE ENEMY OF THE LAST DAYS, and read it. Concentrate on the chapter on Narcissism in Romantic Relationships, and you may understand why most of your relationships ended badly🎊🎊🎊

To get the book kindly click on this link:- https://selar.com/p/nqln?affiliate=7wu13o7if9

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Opinion: Pastor, Politician and Yahoo Boy: Three Brothers Called Greed_By: Ebikabowei Kedikumo

They say in Nigeria,  

three brothers were born from the same mother 

Greed.  

One became a politician,  

one became a Yahoo boy,  

and the last became a man of God.  

Different uniforms,  

same heart, same stomach,  

same long spoon for eating.  

The politician will kneel and say,  

“My people, I am here to serve you.”  

But the only serving he does  

is serving himself extra meat from the pot.  

The Yahoo boy will call you “baby”  

and write you poems sweeter than honey,  

until your wallet becomes as empty as a dry river in December.  

The pastor will call you “dear child of God”  

and read you scriptures with a voice  

soft like fresh bread,  

then ask you to sow your seed   

because, according to him,  

God’s bank account is running low.  

I remember the old story of the tortoise,  

the clever trickster of the forest.  

He told the birds, “Let’s feast!”  

and changed his name to “All of You.”  

When the feast came,  

and the food was given to “All of You,”  

he ate and ate until his belly looked pregnant.  

Now the tortoise wears suits,  

sits in air-conditioned offices,  

preaches from pulpits,  

hacks on laptops,  

or waves from the door of a big convoy.  

Same tortoise.  

Only the shell has changed.  

A pastor will say, “My God loves a cheerful giver,”  

but his own face looks cheerful only  

when your money enters his offering basket.  

He will warn you that without your tithe,  

your life will be tighter than new shoes.  

A politician will say, “Your votes count,”  

but what really counts is the way  

your taxes feed his fridge.  

A Yahoo boy will say, “I will make you queen,”  

and by queen, he means queen of debt.  

Still, the people clap.  

They kneel for Papa,  

smile for Mama,  

wave at Honourable,  

and cheer “Baba for the boys!”  

Even when the rice in their pot  

can only feed the shadow of a rat.  

If you speak the truth,  

they will jump on you like okro soup boiling over,  

because in their mind,  

Papa is God’s cousin,  

Honourable is the saviour,  

and Yahoo boy is just “hustling.” 

In the great Nigerian market,  

the politician sells promises,  

the Yahoo boy sells fake love,  

the man of God sells Heaven’s entrance ticket.  

Different stalls,  

different salesman clothes,  

but every price tag reads:  

Your life savings, please.

Greed is the river they all drink from.  

And as long as that river flows,  

politicians will campaign,  

Yahoo boys will inbox,  

pastors will prophesy  

and the people, smiling in hunger,  

will still call them brothers. 

In the forest of Nigeria,  

three clever hunters roam 

one carries a Bible,  

one carries a ballot box,  

one carries a shiny laptop.  

They chase the same animal:  

your trust.  

And until the day the people  

stop dancing to their drums,  

these hunters will keep feasting,  

while the village keeps getting  

smaller, poorer,  

and strangely,  

more cheerful in its chains.

EBIKABOWEI KEDIKUMO - writes from Ayakoromo Town, Delta State

Ogbe-ljoh Warri Kingdom Appreciates Gov. Oborevwori, Diri, Tompolo, Tonlagha, Pondi, Otuaro, South-South Monarchs, Others on Successful 10th Coronation Anniversary

ROYAL  APPRECIATION

The 10th Coronation Anniversary Planning Committee of His Royal Majesty, The Pere Amakosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom

With hearts filled with gratitude and joy, the 10th Coronation Anniversary Planning Committee of His Royal Majesty, the Pere Amakosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, on behalf of His Royal Majesty, the Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Traditional Council, and the entire people of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, wishes to return all glory, honour, and adoration to Almighty God, the Author and Finisher of our faith, for the success of the just-concluded 10th Coronation Anniversary Celebration of our revered Monarch.

We extend our deepest appreciation to everyone who identified with and honoured the good people of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom during this historic milestone. Your presence, goodwill, and support added immeasurable colour, grace, and dignity to the celebrations.

We specially thank His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Elder Sheriff Francis O. Oborevwori, Executive Governor of Delta State, ably represented by Rt. Hon. Emomotimi Dennis Guwor, Speaker, Delta State House of Assembly; His Excellency, Sen. Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, ably represented by Hon. Lucky Youbowa, leader of the Bayelsa delegation; Chief (Dr.) Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo; ENGR. Matthew Tonlagha, Chief (Dr.) Dennis Burutu Otuaro, Presidential Adviser/Coordinator, Presidential Amnesty Programme; Chief (Engr.) Kestin Pondi, Managing Director, Tantita Security Services; Hon. Julius Pondi, Member representing Burutu Federal Constituency, National Assembly; Members of the Delta State House of Assembly who turned up in large numbers; Chief Promise Lawuru (Ozigizaga); the Management and Staff of Julius Berger Services Ltd, Warri Port, led by Chief Rainer Jench; the Management and Staff of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), led by Mr. Oladakpo, Head of Statistics, Lagos Office; as well as the Management and Staff of Gradient, Crown Flour Mill, and other companies operating within the Delta Ports for their remarkable presence and support.

Special appreciation also goes to Chief Sylvester Oromoni, Chairman, Warri South-west LGA; Chief Dr. Julius Takeme, Chairman Burutu LGA, and Chief Vincent Oyibode, Chairman Udu LGA.

We also express our heartfelt gratitude to the distinguished Traditional Rulers who graced the occasion with their royal presence, wisdom, and solidarity.

Among them were: HRM Pere S.P. Luke Kalanama VIII, Pere of Akugbene-Mein Kingdom, 1st Vice Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, and Secretary, Traditional Rulers Forum South-South; HRM Capt. (Dr.) Joseph Timiyan, Ph.D (JP), Ebenanawei of Ogulagha Kingdom and Chairman, Delta State Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum; HRM Oboro Gbaraun II (Aketekpe, Agadagba), Pere of Gbaramatu Kingdom; HRM Bosu Dio JP (Ayamabulor I), Ebenanaowei of Iduwini Kingdom; HRM Barr. P.S. Erebulu (Aduwo III, Okru Pere Agbe), Pere of Kabowei Kingdom and Secretary, Delta Ijaw Traditional Rulers Forum; HRM Dr. Jackson Angalabiri, Ph.D (Egbain II), Ebenanaowei of Kumbowei Kingdom; HRM Johnbull Polokowei-Apirarogun, Pere of Ogbolobiri-mein Kingdom; HRM Dr. Danladi Owuopele, Ph.D (Angulu I), Ebenanaowei of Tarakiri Kingdom; HRM Dr. Oweiagbe John Ekioemi (Gbesa I), Ebenanaowei of Oporomor Kingdom; HRM Ogbopere Isoun VI, Pere of Isaba Kingdom; HRM Pere Samuel Fuludu (Ogiogio II), Pere of Ngbelebiri-mein Kingdom; HRM Justice F.F. Tabai, JSC (Rtd) (Esuku I), Ebenanaowei of Tuomo Kingdom; HRM Godwin Ogunibo (Alagbabinifa III), Pere of Olodiama Kingdom; HRM Capt. Frank Okiakpe (Egbesuwei Gbanraun X), Agadagba of Gbanraun Kingdom; HRM Ogonikara (Eseimekumor I, Ogriyeke Ogrimini), Pere of Tubutoru Kingdom; HRM Ekiyorsegha Bohan (Atunkporkubu XIII), Pere of Furupa Kingdom; and HRM Steven Ebikeme Oyabebefa (Perekere VII), Pere of Oporomo Kingdom.

We also recognize the Urhobo Traditional Rulers Forum, led by HRM Dr. Emmanuel Sideso (OON), Abe I, Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, alongside other distinguished Monarchs: HRM Ogheneochuko Morris Ogbogboyen (Owhotemu II), Orosuen of Okere-Urhobo Warri Kingdom; HRM Kingsley Emakpo Orereh (Ataneru Igbi II), Ovie of Agbarha Warri Kingdom; HRM Dr. Matthew Ediri Egbi (Owawha II), Okobaro of Ughievwen Kingdom; HRM Solomon Okukwren II, Ovie of Arhavwarien Kingdom; HRM Dr. Othuke Murphy Urugbezi (Ogwara I), Ovie of Ellu Kingdom; HRM Felix Agbabe Omavuewere (Ekpolo II), Ovie of Okpe-Isoko Kingdom; HRM Barr. Anthony Ogbogboyen (Ibuka I), Ovie of Ozoro Kingdom; HRM Joseph Isike, Odionlogbo of Olomoro Kingdom; HRM Uku Odjevworo Akpomeyoma (Majoroh Ojeta II), Ovie of Oruarivie-Abraka Kingdom; HRM King O.M. Whisky, Ph.D (Udurhie I), Ovie of Idjere Kingdom; HRM Noble Eshemitan (Orefe III), Ovie of Oghara Kingdom; HRM Patrick Okpomor (Agre I), Ovie of Igbide Kingdom; and HRM Obi Chukwuka Daniel Ogbudo (JP), Obi of Atuma-Iga Kingdom.

Our appreciation also goes to Waffi TV and other media houses, C.A.N. Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom, led by Apst. Preye Koremene and Ijaw Ministers Forum led by Rev. Godwin Souraghaye, the musicians, comedians, cultural troupes, football teams, wrestlers, essay and quiz competitors, and all performers whose artistry and enthusiasm made the week-long celebration a grand success.

We deeply commend the leadership of all six quarters and villages in Ogbe-Ijoh, alongside their various community organs, for their unity, participation, and tireless contributions toward the success of this memorable event.

May Almighty God richly bless you all for standing with us and with the Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom as we celebrate a decade of purposeful and peaceful reign of our illustrious Monarch, His Royal Majesty, the Pere Amakosu of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom.

Signed:

High Chief Boro Matthew Opudu,

The Olotu of Ogbe-Ijoh Warri Kingdom ,

Chairman, 10th Coronation Anniversary Planning Committee

Chief M. Keme

Secretary, 10th Coronation Anniversary Planning Committee.

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