Tinubu’s Early Return from Paris Signals Renewed Focus on Governance
President
Bola Ahmed Tinubu made an unexpected return to Abuja on the evening of Tuesday,
September 16, 2025, cutting short his scheduled working vacation in Paris,
France.
Initially slated to spend ten working days abroad, with plans to divide his time between France and the United Kingdom, the president’s early arrival has stirred speculation about a renewed urgency in domestic governance.
Rivers State Administrator , Vice Admiral (Rtd.)
Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas
Turbulence and Transition: Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas and the Emergency Rule in Rivers State
The
political terrain of Rivers State in 2025 was marked by deep fissures and
high-stakes maneuvering, culminating in a six-month emergency rule that
reshaped governance and ignited fierce debate across Nigeria.
At the heart of this upheaval stood Vice Admiral (Rtd.) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, appointed as Sole Administrator following President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s declaration of a state of emergency on March 18.
-Editorial Roundup-
Nigeria in Focus:
Governance, Crisis, and Global Engagement
Wednesday, September 17, 2025, unfolded
with a tapestry of events across Nigeria that painted a vivid picture of the
nation's political, social, and economic pulse.
President Bola Tinubu returned to Abuja ahead of schedule from his working vacation in Paris, signalling a renewed focus on governance. His early return was met with a warm reception by key political figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, underscoring the administration’s intent to resume official duties with vigor.
-SEB Editorial-
Confronting the Hydra - A Holistic Approach to Eradicating Corruption
Corruption
is not merely a moral failing or a breach of public trust, it is a systemic
cancer that eats away at the foundations of governance, development, and social
equity.
In
nations where corruption thrives, institutions falter, public confidence
erodes, and progress becomes a mirage. It is the silent saboteur of dreams, the
invisible hand that redirects resources from the many to the few.
To tackle corruption effectively, a nation must adopt a multi-dimensional strategy that goes beyond punitive measures and embraces structural transformation.
Governor Dauda Lawal of Zamfara State
Zamfara's Bold Educational Leap: 408,137 Teaching Materials Distributed Across Public Schools
In a landmark move to revitalize education in
Zamfara State, Governor Dauda Lawal has spearheaded the distribution of 408,137
teaching and learning materials to public schools, marking one of the most
significant investments in instructional resources in the state’s history.
The initiative, unveiled at the Teacher
Training and Development Centre in Gusau, is part of the administration’s
broader mission to rescue and rebuild the state through strategic educational
reform.
Governor Lawal emphasized that the distribution is not merely about handing out books but about laying the foundation for recovery, renewal, and progress.
-Towards 2027-
2027 Elections: Dino Melaye’s
Defiant Stand Against APC and the Future of Nigeria’s Opposition Politics
In a
charged and emotionally resonant interview on “2027 Elections Will Be Between
Nigerians And APC - Dino Melaye”, former Senator Dino Melaye delivers a
blistering critique of Nigeria’s current political landscape, casting the 2027
elections not as a contest between parties, but as a battle between the
Nigerian people and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
His rhetoric is fiery, his metaphors vivid, and his message unmistakably clear: the nation is in crisis, and only a new political awakening can rescue it.
Hilda Baci, Celebrity Cheff
Hilda Baci’s Monumental Jollof Feat: A Second Shot at Culinary Glory
In a dazzling display of culinary ambition
and national pride, Nigerian celebrity chef Hilda Baci has once again etched
her name into the annals of gastronomic history.
On September 13, 2025, she completed her
second Guinness World Record attempt, this time for cooking the largest pot of
jollof rice.
The event, held at Eko Hotels and Suites in Victoria Island, Lagos, drew thousands of spectators, celebrities, and government officials, all eager to witness the spectacle of Nigerian excellence in action.
-SPECIAL REPORT-
London’s
Largest Far-Right Rally in Decades: The “Unite the Kingdom” March
On September
13, 2025, central London witnessed one of the most significant far-right
demonstrations in recent British history.
Organized by controversial activist Tommy Robinson, the “Unite the Kingdom” rally drew an estimated 110,000 participants, transforming the heart of the capital into a sea of nationalist fervor, Union Jacks, and anti-immigration slogans.
INJUSTICE AT WORK PLACE
Restoring Equity: A
Blueprint for Tackling Injustice in Corporate Organisations
Injustice, when allowed to fester within the walls of a corporate organisation, corrodes trust, stifles innovation, and ultimately undermines the very foundation of productivity and purpose.
It
manifests in many forms, discrimination, favoritism, unequal pay, abuse of
power, and the silencing of dissent.
While policies and procedures may exist to address these issues, they often fall short when the culture itself is complicit. To truly tackle injustice, organisations must go beyond compliance and embrace a transformative approach rooted in empathy, transparency, and accountability.
The Gender Agenda: A South-South Call to Action for Women's Political Representation
In a
stirring episode of Gender Agenda aired
on AIT Live, the conversation centered around the urgent push for the passage
of the "Reserved Seats for Women" bill in Nigeria.
Hosted by Dr. Adora Sydney-Jack, the program brought together key female advocates from the South-South region to discuss the momentum, challenges, and aspirations surrounding this landmark legislative effort aimed at increasing women's representation in governance.
-SEB Editorial-
The Anambra Equation - A Candidate’s Vision and the State’s Crossroads
In a
riveting episode of This Morning, the spotlight turned to the upcoming 2025 Anambra
Governorship Election, with retired Army Colonel and Professor of Architecture,
Geoffrey O. Jabu, representing the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP), taking
center stage.
His appearance was more than a campaign pitch, it was a manifesto of identity, conviction, and a call for transformation.
Nigeria’s Economic Malaise and the Crisis of Political Vision: A Guest Reflection on Ardo’s Interview
In a compelling episode of Prime Time on
Arise News titled “Nigeria’s
Economy Has Been Dwindling; The Political Class Are Visionless and Corrupt”, Umar Ardo,
Convener of the Northern League of Democrats, delivers a scathing critique of
Nigeria’s political establishment.
His central opinion is stark: the Nigerian economy is in freefall, and the political class, entrusted with the nation’s future, is bereft of vision, mired in corruption, and incapable of steering the country toward meaningful development.
 |
Supporters of British far-right activist Tommy Robinson,
whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, walk with Union flags and St George's
cross and Welsh flags and Christian crosses through central London during a
'Free speech' march, on September 13, 2025. (Photo by CARLOS JASSO / AFP) |
A Surge in Nationalism: 110,000 Rally in London Under Far-Right Banner
On September 13, 2025, central London became
the epicenter of a massive political demonstration as approximately 110,000
people gathered for a rally organized by far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Branded as the “Unite the Kingdom” event, the march was promoted as a celebration of free speech and British heritage, but it also served as a platform for anti-immigration and nationalist sentiments that have been gaining traction across the United Kingdom.
Trump Confirms Arrest in Charlie Kirk Assassination: Nation Reels from Political Violence
In a
dramatic turn of events that has gripped the United States, President Donald
Trump confirmed on Friday, September 12, 2025, that the suspect in the fatal
shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk is now in custody.
The announcement came during a live interview on Fox & Friends, where Trump stated with “a high degree of certainty” that authorities had apprehended the individual believed responsible for the killing.
 |
| Turkish Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan |
Türkiye’s Diplomatic Pivot: Hakan Fidan Calls for Region-Led Conflict
Resolution Amid Global System Failures
In a bold
and pointed critique of the international order, Türkiye’s Foreign Minister
Hakan Fidan has condemned the global system’s persistent failure to resolve
regional conflicts, urging a shift toward region-led solutions that prioritize
local agency and contextual understanding.
Speaking at a high-level diplomatic forum in Istanbul on September 10, 2025, Fidan emphasized that the current global governance architecture, dominated by distant bureaucracies and geopolitical interests, has repeatedly proven ineffective in delivering peace and stability to conflict-ridden regions.
Assassination in Utah: The Killing of Charlie Kirk and Its Political Reverberations
The fatal
shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10, 2025, at Utah
Valley University has plunged the United States into a state of political
mourning and intensified concerns over the rising tide of ideological violence.
Kirk, 31, co-founder and president of Turning Point USA, was addressing a crowd of over 3,000 attendees during the kickoff of his “American Comeback Tour” when a single gunshot rang out, striking him in the neck. He was pronounced dead hours later at a local hospital, and the incident has since been classified by Utah Governor Spencer Cox as a “political assassination”.
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| Ma Yan Yuqing, Consul General of the Peoples Republic of China |
China’s Global Governance Initiative Gains Momentum Amid Global
Uncertainty
China’s
Global Governance Initiative (GGI), unveiled by President Xi Jinping at the
Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus Meeting in Tianjin on September 1, 2025,
is rapidly gaining traction across the international community, particularly
among nations in the Global South.
As the world grapples with rising geopolitical tensions, economic fragmentation, and governance deficits, the GGI has emerged as a timely blueprint for reforming the global order and promoting inclusive multilateralism.
Nigeria Customs Service Advances Over 286,000 Candidates in Landmark Recruitment Drive
In a
sweeping move that underscores Nigeria’s push toward transparency and
modernization in public sector hiring, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has
announced that 286,697 candidates have successfully advanced to the next stage
of its ongoing recruitment exercise.
This development marks a significant milestone in one of the country’s largest and most competitive federal recruitment processes in recent years.
Justice Delivered: Mahmud Muhammad Usman Sentenced to 15 Years for Terror Financing Through Illegal Mining
In a
landmark ruling that underscores Nigeria’s intensifying crackdown on terrorism
financing, the Federal High Court in Abuja has sentenced Mahmud Muhammad Usman,
the presumed leader of the jihadist group Ansaru, to 15 years in prison for
engaging in illegal mining activities.
The conviction marks a significant milestone in the government’s efforts to dismantle the financial networks that sustain extremist violence across the country.
 |
| John Mikel Obi, Former Nigeria's Super Eagle's Captain |
Mikel Obi’s Ultimatum: Disband the NFF if Nigeria Misses the 2026 World Cup
In a
scathing rebuke of Nigeria’s football administration, former Super Eagles
captain John Mikel Obi has called for the complete dissolution of the Nigeria
Football Federation (NFF) should the national team fail to qualify for the 2026
FIFA World Cup.
Speaking candidly on his Obi One Podcast, the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations winner expressed deep frustration over the Super Eagles’ faltering qualification campaign, which has left the team six points adrift of Group C leaders South Africa with only two matches remaining.
In a move
that signals Nigeria’s growing assertiveness on the global stage, the Federal
Government has formally endorsed China’s newly launched Global Governance
Initiative (GGI), positioning itself as a key partner in the reimagining of
international cooperation.
The
endorsement came during the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Plus meeting held
in Tianjin, China, on September 1, 2025, ahead of the 80th anniversary of the
United Nations.
The GGI, unveiled by President Xi Jinping, builds upon China’s earlier frameworks, the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), and aims to address pressing challenges in global governance, including climate change, digital inequality, representation, and the regulation of emerging technologies.
Betrayal at Home: Daughter Deceives Elderly Mother and Claims Her House
In a
deeply unsettling case of familial betrayal, an elderly woman from Entumbane,
Zimbabwe, found herself evicted from her own home after her daughter allegedly
tricked her into signing away ownership.
The woman, Ms. Siphiwe Moyo, had purchased her property from the Bulawayo City Council in 1998, securing legal rights to the house through a formal memorandum of agreement.
Twisted Acts and Legal Fallout: The Case of Paige Reaney and Graham Marshall
In a
deeply disturbing case that has shocked the UK, Paige Reaney, a 33-year-old
woman from Sheffield, admitted to engaging in sexual acts with her pet dog, a
pug named Charlie, on four separate occasions.
These acts, which occurred between August 2019 and December 2022, were reportedly carried out at the behest of her partner, Graham Marshall, 38, who has also faced serious charges in connection with the abuse.
The Violent End of a Fugitive Father Who Hid His Children from the World
For
nearly four years, Tom Phillips eluded authorities in New Zealand, vanishing
into the dense wilderness of the Waikato region with his three young children, Jayda,
Maverick, and Ember, following a custody dispute with their mother.
What began as a mysterious disappearance in December 2021 evolved into one of the country’s most gripping manhunts, marked by sporadic sightings, criminal activity, and growing concern for the children's welfare.
-Editorial Roundup-
Nigeria and the World at a Crossroads at this time
In
Nigeria, the week has been marked by a mix of judicial reckoning, diplomatic
alignment, and sporting frustration.
A major development came with the sentencing of Mahmud Muhammad Usman, the presumed leader of the jihadist group Ansaru, to 15 years in prison for illegal mining activities. This conviction, though focused on economic crimes, is deeply entwined with terrorism financing, as Usman allegedly used proceeds from mining to fund attacks and procure weapons. His group, a splinter faction of Boko Haram now aligned with al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, has been implicated in high-profile kidnappings, prison breaks, and railway bombings. The trial for his broader terrorism charges is set for October, and the outcome could signal Nigeria’s resolve in dismantling insurgent networks.
