DR JUMOKE ODUWALE AT THE 2025 MINISTERIAL PRESS BRIEFING (VIDEO)

The event took place at the Radio House, Abuja on 4 March 2025

Taraba varsity lecturer writes Tinubu, calls for ban on open grazing - Punch reports

President Bola Tinubu

A lecturer at Taraba State University, Professor John Ajai, has called on President Bola Tinubu to urgently review Nigeria’s commitment to the ECOWAS Transhumance Protocol and fast-track the enactment of a national law banning open grazing across the country.

Punch reports that Ajai made the call in an open letter addressed to the President on Sunday, where he warned that the country was facing a “defining moment” that demands bold executive action to protect national sovereignty, security, and unity.

According to him, the ECOWAS Transhumance Protocol, which was originally intended to facilitate pastoral mobility across West Africa, has worsened insecurity, encouraged violent land occupation by armed groups, and undermined Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

Every bite of ultraprocessed food will increase your chance of an early death, major new study says

As you add more ultraprocessed foods to your diet, your risk of a premature death from any cause rises, according to a new meta-analysis of research involving more than 240,000 people.

“We looked at the risk of a person dying from eating more ultraprocessed foods between the ages of 30 and 69, a time when it would be premature to die,” said study coauthor Carlos Augusto Monteiro, emeritus professor of nutrition and public health in the School of Public Health at Brazil’s University of São Paulo.

“We found that for each 10% increase in total calories from ultraprocessed foods, the risk of dying prematurely rose by nearly 3%,” said Monteiro, who coined the term “ultraprocessed” in 2009 when he developed NOVA, a system of classifying foods into four groups by their level of processing.

Trump took the US economy to the brink of a crisis in just 100 days

Donald Trump spent his first 100 days back in the Oval Office driving an economy that the world envied to the brink of crisis, risking America’s reputation as a financial safe haven and fostering fear among voters who’ve lost confidence in his leadership.

Americans were desperate for relief from high grocery prices and bought into Trump’s promise to make America affordable again in November 2024, partly out of nostalgia for the pre-pandemic economy of his first term.

But the president deliberately and singlehandedly adopted policies that are almost certain to spike prices even more; that could lead to shortages; and that have CEOs and small businesses dealing with chaos and the possibility of a recession.

Women’s toilets not for transgenders, UK watchdog says

Photo: Shutterstock/baona

Britain’s equality watchdog has advised that trans women should not be allowed to use women’s toilets following a landmark ruling by the Supreme Court on the legal definition of a woman. 

The Equality and Human Rights Commission issued interim guidance for organisations in response to five judges ruling earlier this month that a woman is legally defined based on their sex at birth.

The decision was hailed by gender-critical campaigners and has been welcomed by the government as providing “clarity”, but transgender people have expressed concern that they will be discriminated against.

Trans women “should not be permitted to use the women’s facilities” in workplaces or public buildings such as shops and hospitals, the EHRC said.

TOP SNIPPETS | 260425

Understanding violence is the first step towards changing attitudes. Riccardo Cuppini

LAST week, I observed that the insecurity situation in the country is very bad. And it will remain that way as far as we can see into the future. This is because those whose duty it is to solve the problem are hardly doing anything worth talking about, beyond meetings, photo-ops and the regular platitudes that we are fed with. I am not surprised.

This is because the architects of the problem may have no solutions to proffer. That is also why, whenever a political strategy is devised, those who formulated the strategy more often than not do not pause to ponder the variables that will spin out of control. The insecurity we are bedevilled with at present is the fallout of a political strategy with variables that have gone out of control, as they would.

Some men don’t know they have children somewhere

Chukwuneta Oby

One of the stories that struck me recently was about a young girl who gained admission the university last year but had to abandon her studies a few months later because she got pregnant. When asked who was responsible for the pregnancy, she claimed she couldn’t say for certain, as two young men were involved, and it all happened on the night of the famous party usually organised on university campuses to welcome freshers.

According to her, the first young man seduced her before the party and had sex with her, while the second sexual encounter happened after the party.

While we are busy pulling the ears of the girl-child on the need to close her legs more, may we also extend the same energy to the boy-child, who still feels that dipping his ‘something’ into every available hole is his birthright.

The CBEX SCAM

We have as a people experience what we would call historic bitterness with Ponzi schemes. “Once bitten, twice shy,” they say. But at this point, we at SEB think it should rather be a situation of “forever shy”.

Recall the following:

MMM (Mavrodi Mundial Moneybox): Originating in Russia, it collapsed in the 1990s and resurfaced in various countries, including Nigeria, before crashing again.

Bernie Madoff's Scheme: One of the largest in history, it defrauded investors of billions before unraveling in 2008.

Bitclub Network: A cryptocurrency-based Ponzi scheme that operated globally before its collapse.

Spitzedersche Privatbank: A 19th-century scheme in Germany, promising high returns but ending in fraud.

Well , we came by this article captioned "CBEX scam: Folly of Greed", courtesy, Punch Newspapers, and we thought it wise to bring you up to speed with its submissions to perhaps, disabuse the minds of many about the Ponzi scheme menace in our society.

Two thirds of our communities under herdsmen’s control — Benue Royal Father

Attacks by armed herdsmen in Benue state date back to 2011 when they invaded communities in Gwer West Local Government Area, which has since spread to about 20 out of the 23 Local Government Areas of the state.

The incursions led to the sacking of several communities and the displacement of countless victims of the attacks. Presently, the dreaded armed marauders have succeeded in not only sacking these communities they have also occupied many of them while the locals are left languishing in Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camps spread across the state.

Inside Nigeria’s morgues where humans, rodents compete for body parts

A private morutary at Finija, Satelitte, Lagos. Photo: Chijioke Iremeka

For years, suspicions of ritualistic activities perpetrated by corrupt mortuary attendants have haunted grieving families whose loved ones were returned without vital body parts. But in a chilling twist that reads like a horror script, this investigation by CHIJIOKE IREMEKA uncovers a grotesque reality: in some poorly maintained mortuaries, alongside suspected human atrocities, ravenous rats feast on corpses, gnawing away at their dignity

What was meant to be a solemn farewell turned into a heartbreaking morning of chaos for the family of late Mrs Angela Nyam, whose remains were deposited in a morgue at the old site of the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau State.

Early in the morning, precisely at 7 a.m., a quiet crowd assembled at the hospital’s mortuary along Murtala Mohammed Way, preparing to accompany the late Nyam to her final resting place at the Evangelical Church Winning All, Rusau village.

The Benefits for Men of Having Female Friends

Did You Know? Having Female Friends as a Guy Comes With These 8 Massive Perks

By now, it’s clear that the age-old debate about whether men and women can be friends has been settled. Not only are guys perfectly capable of maintaining female friendships, but those friendships come with some serious perks you probably don’t want to miss out on.

If you don’t have many female friends, fret not — you’re definitely not alone. Lots of men feel discouraged from pursuing these friendships because they’re afraid of catching feelings, or they subconsciously believe that getting too close to women outside of a romantic context somehow threatens their masculinity.

“Culturally, many of us are taught that men and women can’t be ‘just friends,’ which creates this subtle pressure or assumption that attraction has to be part of the equation,” says Jenny Maenpaa, LCSW, a licensed therapist in private practice. “On top of that, some men may worry about how others will perceive the friendship — or even struggle with emotional vulnerability, which female friendships often invite in a very genuine way.”

Marketing Analytics Africa Set to Redefine the Future of Marketing in Africa

Marketing Analytics Africa Set to Redefine the Future of Marketing in Africa Source: Original 

Marketing Analytics Africa (MAA) is proud to announce the return of its annual marketing conference scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 24th, 2025, at the Landmark Events & Conference Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. This year’s conference, themed “Marketing in the New Economy: Data-Driven Success in Challenging Times”, reflects the urgent need for African marketers, businesses, and policy leaders to evolve with the digital era and economy and reshape Africa’s marketing future.

According to Victor Ojeakhena, the Co-Founder/CEO of Marketing Analytics Africa, the Africa Marketing Technology and E-commerce Conference (AMTEC) is an annual marketing event that brings together thought leaders, executives, marketing innovators, and data strategists from across Africa to explore the latest trends, tools and tactics in martech, e-commerce, data intelligence, and customer experience optimisation, all essential for thriving in today’s economic landscape.

Mfonobong Inyang: What Happened In Vegas? My Thoughts On Wrestlemania 41

Mfonobong Inyang

It’s said that whatever happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. But in reality, it can be difficult, if not impossible, to keep a secret about events in the entertainment capital of the world. WWE is one of those organisations that has used its in-ring characters to tell compelling stories, and WrestleMania, the grandest stage of all, is always an inflexion point where such storytelling is amplified. One thing I have learnt so far in life is that learning isn’t just a function of intelligence; it’s more of interest. For example, as much as I love sports, I have no idea how the game of cricket is being played, yet I understand why fans would go crazy whenever the West Indies is on. The same logic applies to the WWE. If you’re not interested in the multi-layered storytelling, it might just appear to you as some slugfest where wrestlers throw hands.

WAO! Love Chronicles: Dating in Lagos

When it comes to love and relationships, history and nature seem to have it that there is no one with a perfection of what is mostly considered today by many as "a game" of love. However, check out this piece of love story courtesy, Ynaija.

Whether you’re meeting someone through a dating app, at a lively nightclub, at a friend of a friend’s party, or on your street, dating in this city is an experience that’s as exciting as it is complicated.

The Journey of Modern Dating in Lagos

Gone are the days of awkwardly passing notes or meeting someone at a friend’s house party. These days, we use dating apps and social media DMs to meet the love of our lives. Technology has changed how we experience people, and whether it is the best method or not will be a conversation for another day. With a swipe or a DM, you can connect with someone across town or four streets away.

Sadly, connecting with people is not always as easy as it sounds. There are millions of people on social media and dating platforms, so finding “The One” might take a little longer and require a lot more effort than swiping left and right on profiles.

It is "World Intellectual Property Day"

source: tklglaw.com

Holidays are usually a form of unity and oneness in the affairs of mankind. So today, 26 April 2025, showcases its own instituted holidays to be observed by all concerned.

Holidays Calendar submits that "World Intellectual Property Day" is a holiday that’s observed every year on April 26th. It was first established in 2000 by the World Intellectual Property Organization to raise the public’s awareness of how trademarks, copyrights, and patents impact everyone’s daily lives.

They also created it to show the public the importance to artists and creators of ensuring their intellectual property remains safeguarded. Since intellectual property is important for innovation and creativity, this is a day that everyone should consider celebrating when it rolls around in April.

The History of World Intellectual Property Day

In September of 1998, this holiday was first proposed by the Director-General of the National Algerian Institute for Industrial Property. The following April, the institutionalization of the idea was proposed to the U.N. General Assembly.

In August of 1999, the Chinese delegation to the World Intellectual Property Organization also recommended the adoption of a World Intellectual Property Day. In October of that same year, WIPO’s General Assembly approved the adoption of this day, and in April of 2000, it was observed for the very first time.

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1999 ECOWAS protocol on cross border grazing origin of insecurity in Benue — Governor Alia

Hyacinth Alia, Benue State Governor

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has attributed the prolonged insecurity in the state to Nigeria’s adoption of the 1999 ECOWAS protocol on cross-border grazing, describing it as the bedrock of the crisis that has displaced thousands and upended agrarian livelihoods in the state. 

Speaking in a detailed interview with Vanguard, the Catholic priest-turned-politician lamented the consequences of the protocol, which allows pastoralists from neighbouring West African countries to move freely across borders for grazing purposes. According to him, this framework, which Nigeria formally adopted in 1998, drastically altered the dynamic between local communities and herders.

“In our growing years, we used to see herders come during the dry season and leave afterwards. There was order. But post-1999, what we began to see was entirely different. What is happening now is not traditional grazing — it is planned, coordinated, and militarised displacement,” Alia said.

So, What Happens After The Pope Dies?

Incase you wondering on what NEXT after the passing of the Pope, well wonder no more because Vanguard reports that the death of Pope Francis on Monday sets in motion centuries-old traditions which will culminate in the election by cardinals of a new pontiff — but with a few changes.

According to the report here is how the process unfolds:

– Sede Vacante –

The Catholic Church enters a period known as “Sede Vacante” (Vacant See) during which a senior cardinal takes over day-to-day affairs until a new pope is elected.

The cardinal, referred to as the “camerlengo” (“chamberlain”), in this case will be Irish-American Kevin Farrell, appointed to the role by Francis in February 2019.

He is the only top official in the Church hierarchy to remain in post, with all others required to resign following the death of the pope.

Brand New Night Club Berths In Lagos

 

Lagos, the centre of excellence not only witnesses but now houses a brand new night club.

According to its owner, a Businessman and Chairman of Jampat Hotel and Suites, James Ojo, has said the new club— Rock 9ite— is redefining nightlife in the Ikotun area of Lagos, “with a bold blend of luxury, top-tier music, and vibrant energy, offering a memorable experience for party lovers and nightlife enthusiasts alike”.

Pope Francis dies at age 88

21 June 2018, Geneva, Switzerland: On 21 June 2018, the World Council of Churches receives a visit from Pope Francis of the Roman Catholic Church. Held under the theme of “Ecumenical Pilgrimage - Walking, Praying and Working Together”, the landmark visit is a centrepiece of the ecumenical commemoration of the WCC's 70th anniversary. The visit is only the third by a pope, and the first time that such an occasion was dedicated to visiting the WCC. Here, an ecumenical prayer service with religious leaders from all over the world. Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC

Death, it is said is inevitable to mankind and so, Pope Francis, ecumenical prophet of mercy dies at age 88.

According to World of Council of Churches report, the world today learned of the death of Pope Francis, the bishop of Rome and leader of the world’s 1.37 billion Catholics.

Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay, general secretary of the World Council of Churches (WCC) said, “Pope Francis’s passing will be mourned around the world, not least among his many allies and admirers in the ecumenical movement and in the worldwide fellowship of the WCC. His papacy has been a great gift to the ecumenical movement, and he has been a dedicated collaborator in our efforts toward Christian unity and reconciliation and a prophetic voice for peace, the environment, and justice everywhere.”

Why I Married My Husband Despite 20 Years Age Gap – Joke Silva

 

Veteran Nollywood Actor Joke Silva unravels the age factor about her marital union with fellow actor Olu Jacobs.

According to Daily Post, Veteran Nollywood actress Joke Silva, 62, has revealed why she married her husband, actor Olu Jacobs, 82, despite the almost 20 years age gap between them.

She stated that she acted out of love for her husband, whom she described as a “gorgeous person.” 

Silva featured in a recent episode of the Leadership podcast hosted by Stephen Akintayo.

She shared that her dad was initially against them getting married because of the huge age gap.

A JOURNEY IN SERVICE | An Autobiography | IBRAHIM BABANGIDA (FULL VIDEO | UNEDITED)

 

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Exclusive Interview With Nigeria’s First Female Accountant-General | Oluwatoyin Shakirat Madein

DR. OLUWATOYIN SHAKIRAT MADEIN

Xclusive Interactive (literary edition) curtesy of BellaNaija, brings you an interesting interview with Nigeria’s first female Accountant General of the Federation, Dr. Oluwatoyin Shakirat Madein.

In 2023, Oluwatoyin Shakirat Madein was appointed as the Accountant-General of the Federation by former President Muhammadu Buhari. She made history as the first woman to fully occupy this position. Prior to her appointment, she served as an Executive Officer (Accounts) at the Ogun State Property and Investment Corporation (OPIC) in Abeokuta, Ogun State, and was the Director of Finance and Accounts at the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation.

On the 10th of March, Oluwatoyin retired from the public service. We sat down with her to reflect on her time at the office, what it means to be the first female Accountant-General of the Federation and advice for young women aspiring for leadership positions in the country.

Enjoy the conversation!

Hello Dr Oluwatoyin. How are you today?

I am very well. Thank you for asking.