Chika Ike, the Nollywood actress, has denied rumours that Ned Nwoko, the billionaire businessman, is the father of her child.

The rumours, which circulated on social media, also claimed that Nwoko and Ike would be getting married soon.

The speculations gained traction after Ike announced that she was expecting her first child, but did not reveal the father’s identity.

The rumours sparked speculation about a potential crisis in Nwoko’s marriage to another actress Regina Daniels.

Nwoko dismissed the rumours on Monday, describing them as “malicious speculation”.

The politician stated that he was currently focused on a national assignment and had no time for distractions.

On Tuesday, the film star took to social media to state that the only reason she was addressing the rumours was that it was about her child.

The actress also stressed that she was not ready to be the seventh wife of the Delta lawmaker because “polygamy is not for me”.

“For years, there have been all sorts of lies peddled about me in the media, but I always treated them as what they are—rumours that needed no response,” she wrote.

“But this is different. This is about my child.

“Ned is not the father of my child, and whoever’s name you might come up with later is also false.

“Like I’ve said before, I’m not about to be anyone’s seventh wife. Polygamy isn’t for me.

“My privacy is my peace, and no one can unsettle me. I’m basking in the euphoria of my pregnancy, and that’s all that matters to me now.”

[TheCable]

Hon. Mojisola Meranda, the first female Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, has resigned from her position, effective February 17, 2025. This decision comes barely a month after she made history by becoming the first woman to hold the office, on January 13, 2025.

Meranda's resignation is seen as a selfless sacrifice to protect the institution amid the recent political turmoil threatening the cohesion of the House. In her resignation letter, she expressed gratitude to her colleagues for their support and collaboration during her tenure.

The resignation comes on the heels of a vote of confidence passed by the Lagos Assembly on Meranda, amidst rumours of her possible resignation. The assembly had also adjourned plenary indefinitely, following a motion by the Majority Leader, Temitope Adewale.

Here is the full text of Meranda's resignation letter:

The recent disciplinary action taken by Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) is a crucial step in addressing the growing indiscipline and moral decay in Nigeria’s university system. The expulsion of a student for assaulting a lecturer is not just about maintaining order within the institution—it is a bold statement that underscores the urgent need to restore discipline, respect, and ethical standards in the nation’s higher education sector.

Over the years, Nigerian universities have witnessed a worrisome nosedive in discipline and moral values, with cases of student misconduct, lecturer-student conflicts, examination malpractice, cultism, and administrative corruption becoming increasingly common. This decay reflects a broader societal issue where respect for authority, due process, and ethical behavior are being eroded.

The university, which should be a training ground for future leaders, has instead become a battleground for moral decadence, where many students feel emboldened to challenge institutional authority without consequences. Cases of students disrespecting lecturers, engaging in unruly behavior, and even physically attacking university staff highlight a disturbing trend that threatens the integrity of the education system.

At the heart of this crisis is a failure to enforce discipline. Many institutions have been slow to taking decisive actions against misconduct, either due to fear of backlash, external influences, or a culture of leniency that enables bad behavior. As a result, indiscipline festers, setting a dangerous precedent for future generations of students.

By swiftly investigating and expelling a student for physically assaulting a lecturer, UNIZIK has demonstrated that it will not tolerate acts of indiscipline that undermine the sanctity of the academic environment. This action is significant for several reasons:

1. Reaffirming Respect for Authority

The lecturer-student relationship is built on mutual respect. When a student assaults a lecturer, it is an attack on the very foundation of academic order. The university’s response sends a strong message that such acts will not go unpunished, thereby discouraging further occurrences of student misconduct.

2. Setting a Precedent for Other Institutions

Many universities have struggled to take bold disciplinary actions against erring students due to external pressures or bureaucratic delays. UNIZIK’s firm stance provides a model for other institutions to follow, proving that enforcing discipline is both necessary and achievable.

3. Restoring the Reputation of the University System

Incidents of indiscipline, especially those that go unpunished, tarnish the reputation of Nigeria’s education system. A zero-tolerance approach to misconduct restores public confidence in universities, ensuring that they remain places of learning and character-building.

4. Preparing Students for the Real World

Universities are meant to prepare students in both character and learning, for life beyond academics. In the professional world, indiscipline and lack of character come with severe consequences. By instilling a culture of accountability, UNIZIK is equipping students with the right mindset for success in their careers and society at large.

5. Addressing the Broader Decay in Education

The decline in educational standards is not just about infrastructure or funding—it is also about values. A system where students believe they can act without consequences is bound to produce graduates who lack ethical grounding. By enforcing discipline, UNIZIK is taking a proactive step to correct this drift and bring the focus back to learning, respect, and personal development.

Since assuming office, as  Acting Vice Chancellor, Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu has demonstrated a firm commitment to repositioning UNIZIK as a disciplined and excellence-driven institution. His leadership has prioritized ethics, respect, and academic integrity, ensuring that both students and staff adhere to the highest standards of conduct.

The swift action taken in this case is not just about one student’s misconduct—it is a statement of principle, a stand against the broader culture of indiscipline that threatens the credibility of Nigerian universities. Prof. Ikechebelu’s administration is setting a new standard, one where excellence is pursued not just in academics but also in character.

While UNIZIK’s leadership has taken a bold step, the fight against indiscipline in universities requires the collective effort of all stakeholders—students, lecturers, administrators, and policymakers. To truly arrest the drift, institutions across the country must enforce strict disciplinary measures against acts of misconduct. 

It is also important to educate students on the importance of ethics, respect, and professionalism. While not overlooking the need to empower lecturers and university authorities to uphold academic discipline without fear or bias.

Importantly, be intentional about creating a culture where students understand that character is just as important as academic performance.

Given, Nigerians are mostly driven by emotions and excuses. But in this case, this decisive action, under the leadership of Prof. Joseph Ikechebelu, should serve as a wake-up call to other institutions: the time to arrest the drift of moral decay in education is now.

If Nigerian universities are to produce graduates who will lead with integrity, they must first ensure that the values of respect, accountability, and discipline are deeply ingrained within their walls. UNIZIK has taken the lead—will others follow?

Wilfred Toby is Executive Director, Citizens on Alert for Values and Accountability (CAVA).

The family of Prof. Ignatius Uduk, the University of Uyo professor of human kinetics convicted of electoral fraud last week, says they’ve been financially and emotionally exhausted by the five-year trial of their father. Unwana Willie, the eldest child and Barr. Ruth Uduk, the fifth of Prof Uduk’s six children spoke to me on the travails of the family arising from their father’s trial and convictions.

Their problems started even before the trial began. The university had stopped paying his father’s salary as soon as he was arraigned in 2019, and this threw the family into a severe financial crisis. ‘’We have been drained both financially and emotionally. We financed this case all by ourselves in the past five years; this is the worst affliction that has visited us since the death of my mother in 1989,’’ said Barr. Uduk.

Prof Uduk’s wife died 35 years ago and he has not remarried, preferring to devote time to bringing up his six children who are all grownups now, pursuing different careers. But Barr Uduk, 40, says she and her siblings would do everything possible to get him out of jail. ‘’He’s currently in prison in Uyo. We shall be filing an appeal against the conviction very soon; and even before then, we shall file for bail pending appeal,’’ says Barr. Uduk.

The case had also taken a toll on Prof Uduk himself. His health had deteriorated in the early years of the trial to the extent that he fainted in court in one occasion. She said that the summons were not served on her father personally as the law stipulates in criminal matters; rather it was the University of Uyo that was served; and because of this, her father did not hear of the matter until a bench warrant was issued. ‘’I was coming from work one day when I got a call that a bench warrant had been issued against my father. I rushed to the court and that’s when we learned of the case,’’ she said.

Since his conviction, Prof Uduk, 73, has become very ill, suffering from hypertension while his haemorrhoid condition has worsened. The eldest daughter, Mrs Unwana Willie, a civil servant, says her father has been bleeding in prison due to serious inflammation from haemorrhoid since February 5 when he was convicted. ‘’We don’t want our father to die in prison. Our father did not commit any crime’’, she cried.

Prof Uduk was prosecuted on three charges: announcement of false election results; publication of false results and perjury pertaining to the 2019 state house of assembly election in Akwa Ibom state. He was the returning officer for the Essien Udim state constituency election – Senator Godswill Akpabio’s state constituency. In June 2021, another university lecturer, Prof Peter Ogban of the Soil Science Department, University of Calabar, was sentenced to three years in prison for fraudulent manipulation of election results; publishing and announcing false results during the 2019 senatorial election which was contested by Senator Godswill Akpabio (APC) and Chris Ekpenyong (PDP).

The then resident electoral commissioner in Akwa Ibom state, Mike Igini, had claimed that Akpabio and his party, APC had engaged in electoral fraud and vowed to prosecute the two professors who served as returning officers in the two elections. Although Senator Akpabio was not charged, the conviction of Uduk last week spawned widespread discussions in Akwa Ibom state, with many claiming that the two professors were sympathetic to Akpabio and that the senate president ought to reach out to the families of the two professors and extend a hand of compassion to them.

I raised this with Barr. Uduk and she contemplated the question for a moment before answering: ‘’My father did not work for Akpabio, and so that question does not arise; my father worked for INEC; we have not heard from anybody. We have been struggling on our own to fight this case,’’ she said in an emotion-laden voice.

Barr. Uduk says her father did not commit any crime. ‘’My father is only a victim of circumstance; caught in the crossfire between Mike Igini and some politicians. But it shall not stand.’’ Prof. Uduk’s eldest daughter, Unwana Willie, said her father is an upright man who had never been found wanting in all his work as an academic. Both daughters, however, confided in me that they too have been subjected to several indignities and humiliation because of this case. But they will never abandon their father to his fate.

Seplat Energy Plc, an indigenous oil and gas producer, is settling down to business in Akwa Ibom State with its successful acquisition of the assets and liabilities of ExxonMobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited last year. It was one of the protracted corporate purchases in Nigeria’s oil industry lasting well over five years. ExxonMobil had operated in the state for over 50 years (It started as Mobil and in November 1999, merged with Exxon to form ExxonMobil) and had become an important part of Akwa Ibom community until it was bought last year for $1.3 billion by Seplat. To make its presence easily felt in the state, Seplat appointed an eminent Akwa Ibom son, Senator Udoma Udo Udoma as its Board chairman. Early this year, the chairman led the company on a visit to Governor Umo Eno. I congratulate Senator Udoma on his appointment and I welcome Seplat to Akwa Ibom the state. But I have a few words of advice to the company.

During the visit to the Government House, Senator Udoma told the governor that the company is willing to partner with the government for sustainable development and would ‘’support the socioeconomic development of Akwa Ibom State’’ and improve the wellbeing of the host communities. He said Exxonmobil was acquired by a subsidiary of Seplat known as Seplat Energy Offshore Limited, and clarified that the new entity will now be known as Seplat Energy Producing Nigeria Unlimited (SEPNU) and that all assets and liabilities of the previous company would be retained. Gov. Eno welcomed the company and promised cooperation of the government.

The specific roles and contributions of oil companies to the host communities are well spelt out in the Petroleum Industry Act and I am sure that SEPNU will do well to adhere to the provisions of this law and establish healthy relationships with its host communities in particular and Akwa Ibom State as a whole. But there are other items that I wish to bring to the notice of the company in terms of its relationship with Akwa Ibom State. First, ExxonMobil was a very responsible corporate citizen and through its conducts; it endeared itself to the people and the government. It had a lot of Akwa Ibom people in its senior management cadre. My good friend, Udom Inoyo, who is also well known to Senator Udoma, rose from a junior executive position hired in 1989 to the position of Executive Vice chairman from where he retired a few ago. There were many other Akwa Ibom sons and daughters in senior positions as geophysicists; engineers; lawyers; HR; finance; communications and IT specialists, etc.

Now, these people are retiring, and I want to advise that SEPNU should replace them with other Akwa Ibom people who are qualified to hold these positions. SEPNU should not make the mistake of replacing them with people from other places with the hackneyed excuse that ‘’there’s no qualified Akwa Ibom person for the job’’. I have heard such silly excuses from other companies, and I believe that with Senator Udoma as Chairman, Seplat will not insult our people with a similar justification. In fact, SEPNU may have to draw up an affirmative action to ensure the employment of our people in all cadres; with at least two Akwa Ibom people in executive positions. There are many qualified Akwa Ibom persons and they are capable of competing for any position in the company. Akwa Ibom people will resist every attempt at cleansing out our people who were hired, trained and groomed by ExxonMobil from SEPNU.

ExxonMobil had also built and maintained a large pool of competent contractors and service providers from Akwa Ibom State. I will imagine that SEPNU will continue to use them and add more to the list in future. In fact, it would be cost effective for SEPNU to encourage service providers to be located close to QIT instead of mobilizing them from Warri, Lagos or Port Harcourt to its shallow water platforms. In terms of educational intervention, SEPNU should also offer generous scholarships to Akwa Ibom students at various educational institutions. ExxonMobil was also very good at this. The technical training center built by ExxonMobil in Eket which served as a training facility for the technical staffs will have to be upgraded to a full-fledged engineering center. ExxonMobil had planned to establish an engineering center at the University of Uyo, but unfortunately, the plan was not fully realized before it exited the State. An engineering center is relevant for the Nigerian oil industry as a training facility for the core professionals in civil, mechanical, petroleum and alternative energy engineering. SEPNU may wish to go ahead and either upgrade the training center to an engineering centre or complete the one ExxonMobil was planning to build at UniUyo as well as continue with the trauma center it was planning for University of Uyo Teaching Hospital.

The location of ExxonMobil’s corporate headquarters in Lagos was a major concern to Akwa Ibom people and the state government. The company resisted pressures from successive governors to relocate to Akwa Ibom despite the incentives and conducive business environment the state offers. As a renowned corporate lawyer, Senator Udoma understands the intricacies of oil politics and he’s in a position to guide Seplat on the issue of headquarter location. Seplat will do well to respect the people; interests and cultures of our people and work to establish mutually beneficial relationships with the people and their government.

I have a word for the host communities and the state government. Undoubtedly, they have their respective roles in making a success of Seplat’s entry to the state. While the PIA authorizes oil companies to pay royalties directly to the host communities, it is the responsibility of the host communities to manage these funds efficiently, transparently and develop the communities. The monies are not to be shared among community leaders.

The state government is expected to deploy tax revenues and contributions from the oil company to create enabling environment for the growth of business. I recall that in 2011, ExxonMobil paid N8 billion to Akwa Ibom government when Godswill Akpabio was governor as its contribution to the repairs and expansion of Eket-Ibeno Road. But quite curiously, the Udom Emmanuel administration that succeeded Akpabio later denied that the money was paid. The denial created quite a furore and resulted in an unfortunate and needless controversy which embarrassed our people, including Akwa Ibom executives in the company. It was enough to discourage future CSR initiatives from the company. The government has a responsibility to manage its resources responsibly and transparently to earn the confidence of the citizens and investors.

I’m pleased at the appointment of Senator Udoma as the Chairman of Seplat. In 2021, I put him and 12 other persons on the cover of my book on the struggle for the abrogation of the onshore-offshore oil dichotomy. As a senator between 1999 and 2007, he fought hard to ensure the abrogation of the obnoxious dichotomy and with that, Akwa Ibom has been receiving billions every month in oil revenues. Senator Udoma is one of the most upright; decent and honest Nigerians. I’m sure that he will protect our interest.

On 14 November 2022, hope bloomed in Port Harcourt with the commissioning of the Dr. Peter Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centre. Constructed by Julius Berger at a staggering cost of N29 billion, this state-of-the-art facility promised to revolutionize healthcare in Rivers State, offering advanced treatment for cancer and heart disease, and potentially becoming a hub for medical tourism in Nigeria.

But today, a chilling silence hangs over the center, raising a crucial question: Is this massive investment being left to rot?

Imagine a hospital designed to offer a lifeline to those battling life-threatening illnesses, boasting cutting-edge technology and specialized care.

The Odili Centre was intended to be precisely that. Equipped with 72 beds, including a specialized ICU ward for vulnerable patients, a fully equipped pathology lab, advanced radiology department, two operating theaters, a cutting-edge Cath lab for diagnosing and treating cardiovascular ailments, a 13-chair chemotherapy department, and eight consultation rooms, the facility was poised to deliver comprehensive chronic disease care to the region.

Yet, nearly three years after its grand opening, the center remains largely dormant, its high-tech equipment gathering dust. The reason for this unexpected closure has been attributed to the challenges in running a comprehensive cancer center, as well as infrastructural issues leading to delays in curative radiotherapy, according to a source.

While initial plans included outsourcing management to foreign partners, those plans appear to have stalled, leaving the center in a state of limbo.

The consequences of this inaction are far-reaching. Beyond the obvious financial loss of a multi-billion naira investment, the possible dereliction of the center will rob the people of Rivers State, and indeed the entire region, of access to potentially life-saving medical care.

In a country where cancer treatment options are limited, the Odili Centre represented a beacon of hope. Now, that hope is fading.

"The non-functionality of the center is a colossal waste of scarce resources and deprives cancer patients of needed treatment,"

This stark reality underscores the urgent need for action. The Rivers State government must prioritize the reactivation of the Odili Centre. This requires addressing the infrastructural challenges, securing qualified personnel, and ensuring sustainable management practices.

The words of the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, ring with particular urgency. He had urged the incoming administration to ensure the facility is well-equipped and maintained to global standards. This is not merely a matter of fulfilling a promise, but a moral imperative to provide access to quality healthcare and prevent further loss of life.

The Odili Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Diagnostic and Treatment Centre represents more than just a building; it embodies the hopes and aspirations of a community yearning for a healthier future. To allow it to remain unused is not only a waste of resources but a betrayal of the very people it was intended to serve.

The time for action is now.

Will the Rivers State government seize the opportunity to transform this empty promise into a life-saving reality? The health and well-being of countless individuals depend on it.

The African Union (AU) has endorsed Nigeria as the Digital Trade Champion for the continent under the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) Digital Trade protocol, following the impressive record of the Federal Government in promoting digital enterprise and innovation.

The 38th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government, which concluded on Sunday in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, recognised Nigeria's proactive role in advancing the implementation of the digital trade protocol adopted in February 2024.

The protocol features an agenda to develop eight annexes covering critical areas, including rules of origin, digital identities, cross-border data transfers, legitimate and legal public interest reasons for disclosing source code, online safety and security, emerging and advanced technologies, and financial technology.

In his annual report on the progress of the AfCFTA's digital trade protocol, former president of Niger Republic and AU AfCFTA champion Mahamadou Issoufou lauded Nigeria's leadership for convening the Digital Economy Roundtable in January.

He noted that the gathering was pivotal in driving the digital trade agenda forward.

''No organisation, region, or continent has negotiated or adopted such a comprehensive legal instrument on digital trade, positioning the African continent to benefit from the digital economy for innovation and job creation,'' former President Issoufou said.

The former Nigerien leader observed that young Africans are leaders in digital innovation, particularly in mobile banking and other digitally enabled services.

''The AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade will establish a conducive environment for these young people to fully participate in Africa's digital economy,'' he added.

Reflecting on the Digital Economy Roundtable in Abuja, Issoufou commended President Bola Tinubu and his administration for convening the event and inviting the AfCFTA Secretariat to participate.

''The Roundtable was attended by young pioneers in Fintech, mobile banking and other areas of the digital economy.

''It was evident from the discussions that young people are eager to take advantage of Africa's digital economy through the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade,'' the former Niger president said in his progress report to the 38th Assembly.

On the significance of the AU endorsement of Nigeria, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr Jumoke Oduwole, told the summit:

"Africa has demonstrated global leadership by pioneering the first-of-its-kind AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade—establishing a comprehensive regulatory framework.

"The Assembly of Heads of State and Government has officially designated Nigeria as AfCFTA Digital Trade Champion. The AfCFTA Digital Trade Protocol is a game changer in advancing Africa's economic development. It is set to create millions of jobs for Africa's growing, tech-savvy youth, contribute billions to the continent's GDP and attract substantial investments for public digital infrastructure across African nations."

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)