The President met with Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) yesterday while the protest was ongoing.

Nyesom Wike arrived at the Presidential Villa around 4pm in an SUV and briskly walked into the Presidential Office in what was said to be a meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

While the exact purpose of Wike’s visit was not disclosed, it comes amidst ongoing protests in the nation’s capital.

The FCT witnessed protests in some parts including around the Central Area, particularly the vicinities of the Eagle Square where protesters defied warnings from security agencies to vacate the area.

A court order had restricted protests in the FCT to the Moshood Abiola Stadium.

The protesters left the stadium a procession to the Eagle Square which the FCT had said was not approved.

Their movement caused disruptions to traffic and businesses in the Central Area.

It was learnt that the situation with the protest in the FCT might have warranted the minister’s meeting with the President.

[TheNation]

One of the domestic workers of Aribemchukwu, the slain daughter of Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, has owned up to being involved in the murder of her boss, a police source exclusively disclosed on Thursday.

PUNCH Metro reported that the deceased, popularly called Chuchu, was reportedly killed in her Parkview Estate residence in the Ikoyi area of Lagos State.

Although a family source said she was killed Tuesday night, her lifeless body was discovered on Wednesday morning outside the gate of her residence.

Her three domestic employees, which included the house help, a security guard, and a driver, were, however, arrested in connection to the murder.

Providing updates on the findings made so far, a police source who craved not to be mentioned as he was not authorised to speak on the matter said the house help confessed to the crime during interrogation.

The source also clarified that the deceased was murdered inside her room, and her body was thereafter dragged from the spot outside the gate where it was dumped.

According to the source, the suspects attempted to clean up the blood stains but missed some spots because the act was perpetrated at night.

“The deceased was killed in her room and her body was dragged to the front of the gate to make it look like she was killed on the spot. After that, all the blood stains were carefully cleaned but still, they missed some spots.  They did not clean it well because it happened at night.”

“The house help did not deny what happened. She said, ‘We do am, na we do am’, during an interrogation and everything she said tallied with the evidence on the ground.” the police source disclosed.

The suspects were also said to have immediately packed all the valuables of the deceased after killing their boss.

The source also confirmed that the three domestic workers were employed at the same time a week before the incident.

Until her death, the late Aribemchukwu was a doctor and had recently married.

When contacted, the state Police Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said investigations were still ongoing.

He said, “Investigations are still ongoing on the incident. We will provide updates as soon as there are more developments.”

[Punch]

BEFORE now, I have heard so much about Ola Makinwa, the iconic Professor of Dramatic Arts, a doyen of the film and theatre industry, world-class academic and author of many books, including his much-talked about compendium, Peace Culture. But I never met him.

Here is a man with over 76 celluloid film directing experience, 480 video movies and 163 television series in addition to attending over 450 seminars and conferences , including film, cultural, drama and music festivals, garnering over 300 awards and honours locally and internationally, and who remains one of the few heroes of the FESTAC ’77.

But these giant feats probably don’t define him as much as his quest for peace in Africa, a risky gambit which earned him death sentence in Liberia, does. It was the story of the death sentence that first caught my attention.

I had made futile attempts to meet with him all these years until last Saturday, a day after his 74th birthday in Abuja. The encounter was fortuitous and a story for another day.

But for his Soyinka-like grey hairs, you would hardly know that Prof Ola Makinwa is 74 years already. Gangling, sprightly and full of youthful, vibrant energy, he was engaging and intellectually alert.

Prof Makinwa is sad that most African countries are still badly governed, a veritable recipe for crisis. “I just discovered lately that Africa as a whole is having the same problem of bad governance with the attendant turmoil,” he lamented.

But he didn’t quite come to that realisation lately. Other than his passion for theatre which started from childhood, nothing has occupied Prof Makinwa in all his adult life more than the quest for peace in Africa, which sprouted from his ugly experience in Liberia in 1995.

The fascinating, yet blood-chilling story of his arrest, trial and death sentence can only be imagined. To appreciate why he became an African Peace ambassador, the story needs to be retold and he is not tired of telling it.

“In the mid-1990s,” he began, “I really wanted to know where Africa was headed and when I became the cultural ambassador for Britain, I left London for Germany to buy a caravan which I drove through the Sahara Desert enroute Nigeria. I drove from Morocco to Mali, crossed over to Burkina Faso and to Liberia. I just want to tell you how I came about the African Peace Project.”

When Prof Makinwa and his two subordinates, Kaka and Alaba Nwosu, got to the Liberian border with Burkina Faso, the Charles Taylor-led militia refused them entry on the excuse that the country was in the middle of a brutal war. That was in 1995.

But he didn’t budge, insisting that he was a cultural ambassador of Britain on a tour of African countries for exhibitions. The standoff lasted for about seven hours before they let them in. But shortly after, they were arrested and the nightmare ensued.

“As we were driving, these militia boys accosted us and said they were arresting us,” he explained. They were accused of being spies even after they produced their travel documents to prove otherwise. The arrest led to a 34-day detention. Then one day, when they thought they had been forgotten, they were hauled before a tribunal for trial.

Prof Makinwa still remembers vividly. “Charles Taylor headed the panel and he condemned us to death and they took us back to the cell to await execution. If you were a Liberian then, when you are arrested, they will chop off your two hands. The idea is to ensure that you won’t be able to carry guns again. But in our own case, because we were foreigners, they could not do that to us having seen our British documents. But what they did by condemning us to death by firing squad was even worse.

“We were in the cell for two months and I kept telling the guy who was bringing us food that we were not spies. I remember him telling us after one month that he was going to tell one of their senior officers to see me. When eventually the officer came, I once again pleaded our innocence, reminding him that we were fellow Africans on a cultural trip because of our love for the continent.

“So, I think he went back to re-present our case and after one month, they called us for a retrial and this time, Charles Taylor said because of the travel documents we had and because we were not living in the country and no arms were found on us, we should be allowed to go. He discharged and acquitted us.”

But rather than come back to Nigeria, Prof Ola Makinwa proceeded to Monrovia and on the road he had his Damascus experience that dramatically changed his entire worldview. Corpses, he still remembers, littered the entire stretch on both sides of the road.

He convinced himself on the need to seek audience with President Samuel Doe and convince him to end the brutal war by taking the asylum offered him by most Western countries. After three days in a government guest house in Monrovia, his request to see the President was granted.

In his own words: “At my request, President Doe’s Chief of Staff came and booked appointment for me to see him. I went with Alaba and as soon as we were ushered into his presence, I said: ‘Your Excellency, you will be one of the greatest African leaders if you can take the part of honour, accept the amnesty proposals and leave Liberia. I told him about the uncountable number of corpses that littered the roads on my way to Monrovia, some of them in their various stages of decomposition

“His words were not reassuring.”

“’Do I tell you the truth?’ he asked and when I answered in the affirmative, he retorted: ‘This is my country and I am in charge and I am going nowhere.’”

When Prof Makinwa reiterated the horror he saw on the road, Doe confessed that he had also heard about it but insisted that Charles Taylor was to be blamed and not him, assuring his flustered guest that his then arch-enemy was just killing the people for nothing but cannot achieve anything.

Failing in his self-assigned peace mission having escaped death by the whiskers himself, Prof Makinwa left for Nigeria but what he saw in the war-torn country made him a peace advocate.

“We must work on peace for Africa, for the peaceful co-existence of the African people,” he says. Yet, he is the first to admit that “it is an extremely difficult task because some of these leaders you see are not even peaceful people. They are not interested in peace. They are oblivious of the fact that peace is a weapon that can foster unity.”

But that hasn’t deterred him. After setting up the African Peace Foundation, a custodial of intellectual heritage, he went visiting African leaders; first to Col. Muammar Gadhafi in Tripoli in 1996. The Libyan leader embraced the project and pledged $500,000, which they never collected, not because Gadhafi reneged but because of leadership intrigues in Africa and Western manipulation and interference. Nelson Mandela whom he visited in prison, not only welcomed the idea but offered, without any prompting, to be the grand patron now as President. That was also in 1996. Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia jumped at the idea and so did Jerry Rawlings of Ghana who said he was all for good governance. But Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe objected on the ground that it had Western support.

If all these leaders acquiesced, why has peace continued to elude the continent? At the heart of the conflicts in Africa is the lack of good governance, the reason why Nigerians are today plumbing the depths of misery under President Bola Tinubu’s watch.

On Tinubu, Prof Makinwa posits: “Tinubu’s administration is an eyesore. He might have good intention but what is the intention of those who surround him? Their own reason for being in government is to grab. As it is now, what is killing this country is corruption. We have ICPC and EFCC. In the last one year, what has the EFCC done? That shows you that corruption has eaten deep into the country’s fabric.”

If the economy is thriving and people are able to feed, the unemployed secure jobs, and there is quality education and good healthcare for all, there will be peace in Africa generally and Nigeria in particular, he asserts.

But as dispiriting as the situation is, he is undeterred in his advocacy. The product of his tenacity is the book, Peace Culture: A Monumental evidence for Global Co-existence, our topic for next week.

In February 2022, I interviewed Onyeka Owenu for The Africa Report, a foreign magazine. Onyeka died this week, so let me share that interview with you as a small tribute to a late great friend.

The last two lines, at the end, make me weep.

We are sipping Gold Blend Expresso coffee in Onyeka Onwenu’s apartment in Ikoyi, the most salubrious neighbourhood in Lagos. The décor is pleasingly minimalist.

Today is her 70th  birthday and she’s in an expansive mood.

In her early 20s, she was a tour guide at the United Nations headquarters in New York. In her early 60s, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan invited her to be Director-General of the National Centre for Women Development, NCWD, in Abuja.

In the 40 years that elapsed between these two international and domestic public service stints, Onwenu became an acclaimed TV journalist, composer, singer, actress, author, activist and politician.

“A Squandering of Riches”, a 1984 collaboration between the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, and the Nigerian Television Authority, NTA, was the project that transformed her into a star.

This documentary – in typical Renaissance Woman style, she not only researched, scripted and presented it but wrote and sang the theme song – provided global audiences with a vivid snapshot of Nigeria in the wake of the 1970s oil boom and highlighted the chronic dysfunctions that characterised the civilian government of Shehu Shagari, the then head of state.

“A Squandering of Riches” (accessible on YouTube) featured literary luminaries Chinua Achebe and J.P. Clark and was an instant hit.

It focused on corruption, economic mismanagement, infrastructural decay, poverty and angry Niger Deltan victims of the hydrocarbon industry. Onwenu counts it as the biggest triumph of her career.

“Ten years later, long after he had been ousted by the Buhari/Idiagbon military coup, I bumped into Shagari in South Africa, at Nelson Mandela’s inauguration; and he lost his temper and confronted me. I think my reply stunned him,” she says laughing.

“I told him that I stood by everything I had said in the documentary but regarded him as a good man surrounded by bad people.”

All was forgiven. Friendship ensued.

Onwenu’s eventful life has been a kaleidoscope of colourful encounters with extraordinary people, such as revered Afrobeat pioneer, Fela Anikulapo Kuti (who asked her to join his harem and shrugged philosophically when she politely declined his marriage proposal), and the even more iconic Winnie Mandela for whom she wrote a song.

“Winnie broke down in tears when she first heard it at a command performance in her husband’s honour in Nigeria, shortly after he was released from prison. Some journalists told me that it was the first time she had ever cried in public. I admired her so much.”

Then there are the controversies, the most striking of which revolved around her appearance at a concert linked to the nefarious “Million Man March” that was organised in 1998 to support General Sani Abacha, a hated military dictator who specialised in homicides.

Onwenu tells me how she was misled into participating.

In a nutshell, the concert was sold to her by a fellow musician as a fundraiser for the Super Eagles national football team. She provides more details about this toxic drama in her autobiography, titled My Father’s Daughter (published in 2020 and available on Amazon).

This book is a jolly good read and covers her early childhood as the adored daughter of a distinguished father, his premature death, her traumatic experiences as a teenage nursing aide during the Biafran Civil War, her time as a student in elite American colleges…her relationship with her feisty mother, how she became a queen of African pop and Nollywood, her clashes with various institutions, her refusal to tolerate nonsense from obnoxious individuals and numerous other personal and professional stories, including an account of years with an emotionally abusive spouse.

“I won’t because I am a very private person!” is her response when I request the name and occupation of the husband who caused her so much anguish, a man about whom very little is known, even to folks who have worked and socialised with Onwenu for decades.

Given that celebrities attract endless investigations, gossip and exposes, it is strange that someone so high-profile has been able to conceal the identity of the father of her two now adult sons – “my greatest personal achievements” is how she proudly describes them.

But she is at least willing to share the hell that the sadistic mystery man put her through before she finally realised that she’d never satisfy him, no matter how hard she tried to be a “good wife”.

So, she quit bending over backwards to placate him and divorced him to save herself from physical collapse and a mental breakdown.

“He chose to marry a famous woman, then punished me for being famous. He said that he felt belittled by my aura and assured me that nobody else would want me when he had finished with me.

“He tormented me in so many different ways and didn’t contribute financially or appreciate my efforts, even when I begged influential contacts to help him when he got into trouble with the authorities.

“But the thing that hurts me most is that he was truly evil to our innocent children and coldly rejected their loving attempts to relate to their Dad,” she tells me, visibly shaken by painful memories.

Onwenu is, at the end of the day, an indomitable diva of substance and not one to rest on her lush laurels or take the view that surrender is the best policy when old age is creeping up on you.

Despite having tried and failed to become a local council chairperson in her ancestral terrain, her appetite for positive change remains undimmed and she continues to be vocal and politically active.

She swears that she will not vote in the 2023 presidential election if a candidate from her marginalised Igbo ethnic group – a business-focused tribe from Nigeria’s South-East region – is not on the ballot.

Nowadays, she is a National Treasure par excellence. So much so that President Buhari penned a 70th  birthday tribute to her, despite her overt disappointment in his regime (“the situation in this country has worsened so much since he took over from Jonathan in 2015!”).

Meanwhile, she is still an immensely popular entertainer.

A TV series based on her book is planned.

It ain’t over till the slim lady sings.

No fewer than 14 protesters, including a policeman, yesterday lost their lives on the first day of the protest against hardship in the country.

Those killed included six at Suleja in Niger State; four in Maiduguri, Borno State; three in Kaduna State; and one in Kebbi State.

Aside from those killed during the protest, a curfew was also declared in Borno and Kaduna states, as the protests, which started on a peaceful note, turned violent later.

Clashes between the police and protesters were equally recorded in Abuja, Delta and Bayelsa states but the protest was largely peaceful in Lagos, Oyo and Osun states.

At Suleja, where dozens of protesters also sustained injuries, victims were said to have been killed while security operatives were struggling to dislodge a group of protesters who mounted barricades on a section of Abuja-Kaduna highway, entrapping hundreds of passengers and motorists for hours.

Some policemen who were around the barricade, could not control the youths who outnumbered them.
However, a reinforcement team was said to have been sent to the scene where pandemonium occurred.
Among those killed was said to be Yahaya Nda Isah, a resident of Hassan Dalatu Road, Suleja, who was hit by a stray bullet.

The bullet reportedly hit Isa on his bike in front of Suleja Police ‘A’ division where protesters had assembled.

A nephew of the deceased said his uncle was on his bike when the bullet fired to disperse protesters hit him on his chest and he died on the spot.

“He was my uncle, he was not even protesting. He was passing in front of the Police ‘A’ division where some people were protesting when a stray bullet hit him on his chest and he died. As I speak with you, I am in his house, alongside other mourners. It’s unfortunate,” he said.

Another victim, simply identified as Mallam Abu, also died on the spot, having been hit by stray bullets.

One of the residents, who did not want his name in print, said three other people were shot at the same scene, while two others were shot at the Suleja Junction on Abuja-Kaduna road but could not confirm if other victims were dead.

Another resident, who said his shop was not far from the Suleja Police “A” Division, said he closed his shop and ran for his life.

“We heard people shouting and gunshots were heard for about 20 minutes at Emir Roundabout. The situation in Suleja is ugly,” said Bala Abdullahi, another resident.

Protesters burnt down Tafa local government secretariat, Sabon Wuse, along Kaduna-Abuja expressway at about 9:30 am.

Besides setting the secretariat ablaze, two cars were also burnt down, while two others were vandalized and valuables looted in the secretariat.

The development, it was gathered, created a traffic logjam along the ever-busy expressway before a combination of security agencies mobilized to the area and dispersed the miscreants.

Police Public Relations Officer of the state, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, who confirmed the development, said eleven persons had already been arrested and that the highway was now free for traffic.

The PPRO said in a statement: “Some miscreants of Tafa area of Kagarko LGA of Kaduna State and that of Hayin-Diko Gurara LGA of Niger State mobilized and stormed Tafa LGA Secretariat of Niger State located along Abuja-Kaduna expressway, Sabon-Wuse Niger State.

“The hoodlums vandalized the secretariat, partly set it ablaze, two cars were also burnt and two other others vandalized.

“They further looted valuables there-in, while the police and other security agencies responded to the scene and arrested eleven violent miscreants with different dangerous weapons, including firearms as others were dispersed from the scene and some of the looted items recovered.’’

4 killed at Kime filling station in Maiduguri

In Maiduguri, Borno State, four persons said to be staff of Kime filling station around Bolori junction of the metropolis, lost their lives to the protest.

At press time yesterday, the victims were still in the pool of their blood, even as video of the killings were viral on social media.

Already, Police authorities have imposed a 24-hour curfew on the state, citing violence that escalated in the nationwide protests and the bomb blast that took place in Kawuri village of Konduga Local Government Area of the state which left 20 people dead and 16 injured less than 24 hours before commencement of the protest.

Unconfirmed reports indicated that the victims/workers of the filling station died from stray bullets, while another version revealed that there was no sign of bullets/gunshots on the victims.

Speaking to one of the filling station attendants, Baba Musa, in a telephone interview, said: “It was an explosion that took place and killed four persons instantly, while I managed to escape unhurt.”

Chairman of Independent Markerters Association of Nigeria, IPMAN, Borno State branch, Alhaji Mohammed Kuluwu, confirmed the killing of four persons at Kime filling station in the afternoon, noting he had been been making contact with the Director of the affected station, but couldn’t get his phone line to ascertain details of what led to the killing of the victims.

But, some other witnesses insisted the victims were felled by stray bullets fired at protesters whose protest against hardship in the country had turned violent.

Protest turns violent in Kaduna, 3 feared killed, many injured, taken to hospitals

Similarly, the otherwise peaceful protest against bad governance in the country also turned violent in Kaduna, leaving no fewer than three youths dead and many other protesters injured.

An eyewitness said the number of protesters, mostly youths and the unemployed, which had outnumbered security operatives, marched from the Rigasa area and from the Abakwa end, towards the Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, the official residence and office of the state governor.

A surviving protester, who craved anonymity, said: “We were marching peacefully and no one was carrying any offensive weapon.

“I think the security operatives near Government House were threatened by our large number. Suddenly, a vehicle they use to spray hot water on protesters came speeding towards us from the Government House axis and sprayed us with hot water, then another security vehicle came on speed from the 44 Reference Hospital end.

“In the confusion that ensued and as we scampered to save ourselves from being hit by the security vehicles, three peaceful protesters were hit and they died. No one carried any weapon, we were just carrying placards and chanted slogans against bad governance.’’

Meanwhile, reports indicated that the office of the Kaduna State Traffic Agency, KASTLEA, was touched by the protesters.

Major streets in the state capital were deserted, while markets and shops were closed due to fears the protest might be hijacked by hoodlums.

Combat-ready policemen and other security operatives were stationed at potential flashpoints to forestall any eventuality.

Citizens, majority of who embarked on panic buying of foodstuffs and other essentials the previous day, had remained indoors and monitored happenings on local radio and television.

Schools and other vocational training institutions, also remained closed.

Spokesperson of the Kaduna State Police Command, ASP Mansir Hassan, accused members of the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, also known as Shi’ites, of turning the peaceful protest violent.

He said they attacked a Police Armoured Personnel Carrier and some of their operatives, warning that the police would not allow hoodlums break law and order in Kaduna State.

He also clarified that the number of personnel deployed for the protest in the state was 2,500 and not 25,000 earlier reported, saying the command has arrested 25 suspects involved in attacking state-owned agencies.

Meanwhile, a former lawmaker, Shehu Sani, called on protesters to shun violence and be law-abiding.
He said: “The images and clips of the looting in Kano are unfortunate and condemnable. All efforts must be put in place to secure people’s lives and properties.

“The protesters have the right to protest but they should not allow hoodlums and criminals to hijack the protest and start looting.

“I totally condemn the looting in Kano. And the security should live up to expectation by ensuring law and order.’’

Businessman killed in Kebbi

In Kebbi, a businessman lost his life in the protest in Yauri local government area, having been hit in his shop where he sold plastics.

An eyewitness, Malam Umar Yelwa, who confirmed the incident, said the protest became violent when protesters blocked the federal highway to traffic coming into Yauri town.

He said while marine police engaged the protesters to disperse them, they allegedly fired bullets at the protesters, one of which killed the innocent plastic dealer in his shop.

However, efforts to get the reaction of the police in the state at press time were unsuccessful as the police image maker, SP Nafiu Abubakar, didn’t answer calls made to his line.

He also didn’t reply text messages sent to his mobile phone.

The situation in the state capital, Birnin Kebbi, remained calm after the protracted protest in some parts of the state.

Yobe govt imposes curfew

To prevent the protest from turning violent, Yobe State government yesterday imposed a 24-hour curfew on Potiskum, Gashua and Nguru areas of the state after some hoodlums reportedly cashed in on the harship protest to loot government property.

Special Adviser to the Governor on Security matters, Brig. Gen Dahiru Abdussallam, retd, in a statement yesterday, said the curfew would be fully enforced.

“Yobe State Government has considered the security situation in Potiskum, Gashua, and Nguru towns where some hoodlums are taking advantage of the protest to vandalize and loot government and private properties.

“In view of the above, therefore, the state government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on Potiskum, Gashua and Nguru. The public is hereby advised to abide by the curfew and stay at home for peace to reign in these areas and the state at large.

“Security agencies have been directed to ensure enforcement and full compliance of the curfew,” the statement read.

Violence, looting spree as Gov. Yusuf declares 24hrs curfew in Kano

In Kano, the situation turned violent as protesters embarked on a looting spree, which compelled Governor Abba Yusuf to declare a 24-hour curfew with immediate effect.

The governor, who announced the curfew while addressing newsmen at Government House, said the action became imperative to ensure full protection of lives and property in the state as hoodlums and thugs hijacked the process.

He said the decision was taken after an emergency state security council meeting and directed all security agencies to ensure full and immediate compliance.

The governor said: “It is with a heavy heart that I address you today regarding the unfortunate events that transpired during the recent peaceful protest.

“You may recall that on July 31, 2024 we organized a town hall meeting with stakeholders, religious leaders, leaders of business community, traditional leaders, academia, technocrats, youth and women’s groups and civil society organizations.

‘’During the meeting, I acknowledged that the protest is a constitutional right. However, I urged the protesters to conduct themselves in a peaceful and orderly manner and I expressed my intention to receive their complaint and assured them that their grievances would be forwarded to Mr. President and Commander-in-Chief for possible attention.

“Our goal was to facilitate a constructive dialogue and address the issues raised by our fellow citizens. Similarly, this morning (yesterday), we received the representatives of the peaceful protesters where they submitted their demand in writing which I promised to deliver to Mr. President.

“While I commend the vast majority of peaceful protesters who stated their concerns responsibly, it is however, regrettable to say that the whole protest that was meant to be a demonstration of democratic right to voice our concerns was hijacked by thugs and hoodlums who embarked on looting of business premises, government properties and maiming of innocent citizens.

“Such miscreants have become persistent in wanton destruction of private and public properties aided by enemies of the state who have been reported to the security agencies a few days back.

“After exhaustive deliberations during emergency state security council meeting, it was collectively decided that 24-hour curfew should be put in place to prevent further looting and vandalism of shops, including indiscriminate killing and maiming of innocent citizens.’’

Bonfire, teargas in front of Kano Govt House

Angry protesters had set ablaze tyres in front of Government House to express their displeasure over bad governance.

The protesters also pelted security agents stationed in the area with stones, and it took the interventions of security agencies who shot tear gas into the air to disperse the angry protesters.

Looting spree

The hoodlums, wielding dangerous weapons, hijacked and took advantage of the protest to loot facilities and properties, such as Nigerian Communication Commission, NCC, office located in Audu Bako Secretariat, Kano Printing Press, shops, banks and street lights and foods, among others.

Journalists escape attack in Kano

Not fewer than 11 journalists covering the protest narrowly escaped attack by the hoodlums who hijacked the protest in the state.

Meanwhile, unconfirmed reports have it that two persons were feared killed, with several others sustaining injuries during the protest.

Although the governor confirmed that there were indiscriminate killing and mayhem on innocent citizens, he did not, however, give the number of those killed, while the Kano State police command was, at press time, yet to officially confirm the number of casualties and arrest made in the state.

Military takes over Abuja-Kubwa highway as protesters turned violent, extort motorists, others

In Abuja, the military was forced by violent protesters to take over the popular AYA-Kubwa highway, which provides access to the biggest housing estate in Africa, Gwarimpa, and leads to other parts of Northern Nigeria.

Although the protesters started their demonstration peacefully in the morning, they later became violent and exploitative as the protest gathered momentum later in the day.

The unruly protesters, made up mostly of street urchins and criminals, started by blocking the road and molesting motorists on service lanes of the ten-lane highway, and subsequently extended their heinous trade to the centre of the road, blocking it and making bonfires, to stop motorists and extort money from them.

They also brazenly ignored the presence of policemen and civil defence operatives, attacking motorists and passers-by who did not pay them what they requested.

As the hoodlums blocked the highway and extorted motorists, they also beat up those who refused to part with cash.

The information immediately spread to the military authorities, which immediately dispatched troops and armoured trucks to take over the highway.

As the military forces arrived, they cut off the highway at Katampe roundabout with an armoured truck to check incoming and outgoing movements.

The military placed similar armoured trucks and personnel at different and strategic locations to push the mob away.

But the troops could not immediately clear the road of the huge stones, tree trunks and burnt tyres as well as other impediments which the hoodlums erected to stall free movement before the military arrived.

The protesters, led by the convener of the Take it Back Movement, Deji Adeyanju, had earlier stormed the Moshood Abiola Stadium which the court order secured by the federal government less than 24 hours to the protest restricted, wielding placards with varied inscriptions.

Soon after they got to the stadium, pro-government protesters, conveyed in at least 12 Toyota Coaster buses arrived in the area, this set off a confrontation not only between the pro and anti-hunger protesters but also with the police.

The protesters soon moved into the streets, with the police firing teargas at them, thus setting off a clash that made the protest violent.

We’re ready for dialogue —FCT Minister

Reacting to the protest in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, again called on those protesting against President Bola Tinubu’s government to come for dialogue, saying the government was ready to listen to them and also walk them through some governance issues they might not have been privy to.

He spoke while presenting staff of office to the four newly appointed graded chiefs of Karu, Kwali, Pai and Yaba in the territory.

Commending protesters in the FCT for being non-violent, Wike urged them to continue to resist those who would want to destroy the nation.

He said: “Let me take this opportunity to commend the people, the youths of Abuja for not being violent. We have said severally that it is better to dialogue with the government and keep the peace. He who makes peace will at the end of the day enjoy the dividends of peace.

‘’I still want to talk to our people that we are still ready to sit down and dialogue with them and let them know things that they may not know because information is power. I commend the protesters in Abuja who have refused to be violent.’’

In Lagos, the protest was generally peaceful as security agents, led by the police, led the protesters in a process from Ikeja to Ojota, the venue designated by a court order two days earlier.

The protesters put forward what they described as a non-negotiable 15-point demand before the government for the protest to be called off.

The demands include:

•Scrap the 1999 Constitution and replace it with a people-made constitution for the Federal Republic of Nigeria through a Sovereign National Conference.

•Toss the Senate arm of the Nigerian Legislative System, keep the House of Representatives (HoR), and make lawmaking a part-time endeavour.

•Pay Nigerian workers a minimum wage of nothing less than N250,000 monthly.

•Invest heavily in education and give Nigerian students grants, not loans. Aggressively pursue free and compulsory education for children across Nigeria.

•Release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu unconditionally and demilitarise the South-East. All EndSARS and political detainees must also be released and should be compensated.

•Renationalise all public-owned enterprises sold to government officials and cronies.

•Reinstate a corruption-free subsidy regime to reduce hunger, starvation and multidimensional poverty.

•Probe past and present Nigerian leaders who have looted the treasury, recovered their loot, and deposited it in a special account to fund education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

•Restructuring of Nigeria to accommodate Nigeria’s diversity, resource control, decentralization and regional development.

•End banditry, terrorism, and violent crimes; Reforms of security agencies to stop continuous human rights violations and duplication of security agencies and enhance the physical security of Nigerian citizens.

•Establish a Special Energy Fund immediately to drive massive, corruption-free power sector development.

•Immediate reconstitution of the Nigerian Electoral Body @inecnigeria to remove corrupt individuals and partisan-backed appointments to manipulate elections.

•Massive investment in public works and industrialization will help employ Nigeria’s teeming youths.

•Massive shake-up in the Nigerian judiciary to remove cabals of corrupt generations of judges and judicial officers that continue denying everyday citizens across to real justice.

•Diaspora voting.

Tinubu, Wike meet in Aso Rock amid protests

Meanwhile, amid the protest yesterday, President Bola Tinubu met with the Minister of the FCT, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Wike, dressed in a white suit, drove into the State House, Abuja, in a Prado SUV for the meeting with President Tinubu at about 4 pm.

Although the agenda of the meeting was not made public at the time of sending this report, it may be in connection with the ongoing protests in the nation’s capital which turned violent in some areas.

The protest which the organisers had said would be peaceful, turned violent in some areas at the seat of power.

Miscreants also had a field day in some parts of the FCT as they harassed and extorted motorists and passersby, especially in Kubwa expressway axis.

Heart surgeon, Masoud Pezeshkian, was sworn-in as President of Iran on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. His primary concern seemed to be about lifting the unilateral sanctions the United States, US, had imposed on his country. Reviving the economy is fundamental for the citizenry and the sure way of winning their hearts.

However, he would have been forced to have a change of heart within 24 hours. The first major challenge he is faced with now is how to react to Israel’s assassination of Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh. The latter had accepted Iran’s invitation to attend his swearing-in ceremony. At the occasion, Haniyeh who had been well received, flashed the victory sign. But the very next day, Israel assassinated him in Tehran.

Unless Israel makes propitiation, President Pezeshkian would have no choice but to order a retaliation. Haniyeh had been his guest and he had the duty to protect him. Also, Israel by the assassination, had violated Iran’s sovereignty. On both scores, Iran seems duty-bound to defend its honour.

A similar scenario had played out after Israel attacked the Iranian Embassy in Damascus on April 1, 2024. It killed 16 persons, including Iranian Generals Mohammed Reza Zahedi and Mohammed Hadi Rahimi. On April 13 and 14, Iran sent armed drones, ballistic and cruise missiles into Israel. On that occasion, it deliberately used slow missiles that got to Israel in five hours, thereby giving the latter and its allies, enough time to shoot almost all of them down. This time, it remains to be seen whether Iran would adopt a similar method, or use its hypersonic missile which can hit Israel within 17 minutes.

Also, by killing Haniyeh, Israel has deliberately wrecked the peace process in Gaza. The US, Israel’s chief guarantor, rather than be sympathetic, told the United Nations Security Council it was not sure about Haniyeh’s assassination, but that the killing would not stop the peace process.

But the reality is that the assassination would hinder the peace process and make it much more difficult. This is partly because Haniyeh was not an armed combatant nor was he given to the idea of destroying Israel. I had wondered how he was able to survive in the Hamas leadership given the fact that he did not hide his preference for a two-state solution in which Israel and Palestine would live peacefully within secured borders. Despite his parents having been expelled from their ancestral homes by Israel, his being born and growing up in the Shati refugee camp, his imprisonment thrice by Israel and expulsion to Lebanon, he still held to the basic principles of peace for all in the Middle East. This year, three of his sons and three grandchildren were killed in Gaza in an Israeli air-strike. Despite his travails and personal tragedies, he insisted that negotiations and reconciliation were the proper route to take in the Middle East. The murder of such a moderate can only give rise to more militant figures in the region.

Haniyeh lived in Qatar, a tiny, rich and quite sensible country that has been at the heart of the on-going peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas. It was a clearly frustrated Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani who in reaction to Haniyeh’s assassination wrote: “Political assassinations and continued targeting of civilians in Gaza while talks continue, lead us to ask, how can mediation succeed when one party assassinates the negotiator on the other side?”

The assassination is coming just days after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned from a triumphant visit to the US. There, the American Congress opened its hallowed chambers to him. As American parliamentarians lousily applauded every sentence of Netanyahu, sometimes even when he was midway, I wondered if they realised that they disgraced their country and demeaned its democratic credentials by opening their parliamentary doors to controversial Netanyahu.

In an escalation, the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights in Syria has also been attacked allegedly by Hamas. Earlier, on July 19, 2024, a drone by the Houthis in Yemen struck Tel Aviv killing a man. Next day, Israel attacked the Yemeni port of Hodeida allegedly causing over a $20 million damage.

Now, the stage is set for a regional war in the Middle East. On the eve of the assassination, the US and the United Kingdom were rushing troops to the region. On that day, three US ships, USS Wasp, USS Oak Hill and USS New York were streaming towards Lebanon with 2,200 soldiers on board. US Defence Secretary, Lloyd Austin, in knowledging that his country was sending those ships said: “If Israel is attacked, yes, we will help Israel defend itself. We’ve been clear about that from the very beginning.” On its part, the UK already has its Royal Navy and Royal Air Force operating in the region. Perhaps, buoyed by these actions and steps, Israel, that day, attacked Beirut, the Lebanese capital.

If these actions escalate, there is likely to be a regional war in the Middle East. One that will pitch Israel and its European and American partners against Iran and its allies. Such war will immediately suck in the Iranian Revolutionary Guards, the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, the Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Anwar Allah –Houthis in Yemen, the Syrian military, Hamas and possibly, Fattah in the Palestine.

However, there is the question whether Europe on whose soil the War in Ukraine is being fought, would want to open a second front in the Middle East. Except for mercenaries, they do not have boots on the ground in Ukraine, would they send troops to fight on the side of Israel? I doubt it.

The US since its military defeat in Vietnam has been careful about committing its citizens to battle. Its involvement in the Libyan War, was from the air. Yes, it had troops in the Iraqi and Afghan wars, but these might have seemed to be easy wars. Despite this, it relied heavily on the use of mercenaries, especially of the Blackwater company which due to its atrocities against civilian populations, changed its name, first to Xe, and now, Academi.

One country that thought it could start a war because it had American and NATO backing, was Georgia. But neither the US nor Europe was willing to commit their troops to fighting the Russians, so the Georgian War which began on August 7, 2008 lasted just nine days. I doubt if they would ever send troops to fight in the Ukrainian War as French President Emmanuel Macron once canvassed.

Israel might just find that in the event of a regional war, NATO would not send troops to fight on its side. Israel is like an animal skin drum, beating too loudly; it may just go burst.

The job of a presidential spokesperson is a tedious one. It is not for the faint heart. It could be catastrophic when your statement is quoted out of context. Even when you did brilliantly in strategic engagement, you are rarely applauded. Most times, banana peels seem deliberately thrown on your path so you can slip on them. This is the life of a presidential spokesperson, which is daunting in this era of social media. This is aside from the intricacies inherent in the job, especially when the citizens do not align with the policy direction and statements of the president. The incumbent, Ajuri Ngelale, started the job on a fast note. And a very turbulent one.

The appointment of Ngelale as the presidential spokesperson on July 31 2023, indeed jolted many. Who the hell is he, and how did that happen when it is a known fact that the “Lagos boys” control the media? They wondered what magic he would bring to the table, considering the enormity of the task. Some questioned his age. (he is the youngest to hold that office in our recent history). Some also questioned his accent. (That is the hilarious part). They also mentioned his trajectory in the media space against the backdrop of his previous journalistic practice being solely in the electronic media. The print media is generally accepted as much more rigorous than the electronic segment. So, so much is invested in conceiving, rationalising, researching and communicating that news feature, opinion article, essay, or column which aims to fill an entire page or half of a newspaper. His ability to engage the virile Nigerian press was equally interrogated. (he is their darling now).

Ajuri Ngelale reminds me of John Dewey, the renowned American philosopher and advocate for education, politics, and ethics. He asserted that complete democracy was to be obtained by extending voting rights and ensuring a fully formed public opinion, accomplished by communication among citizens, experts, and politicians. This is what Ajuri Ngelale has done in one year. He radically departed from the perception that presidential spokespersons are meant to be attack dogs. His preference for a genteel approach has paid off, saving the president some bullets through his pragmatism.

I have followed Ajuri Ngelale closely since his appointment. At some point, I feared for him for obvious reasons, with due consideration for the enormity of the task at hand. The conversations around the removal of fuel subsidy was the litmus test.

I recall that his press statements were philosophical. An attribute that is not associated with previous presidential spokespersons. Instead of a straight statement defending the president’s decision, he availed any analysis that encouraged critical thoughts on the president’s decision. For example, he stated, “Tinubu was the “implementer” of the subsidy removal, but the plan was already in place before he assumed office.” In a recent interview he granted, he stated, “I raised that because many people are of the understanding that the president on his own said it’s gone, and it was just his policy.

Yes, he is the implementer, but it was envisaged before he got there, so there was a deadline on which the payment for the subsidy would be removed by June 1, 2024. Mr. President made the pronouncement on May 29, 2024. As of June 1, he is now in the seat and getting the report. I think, to some extent, that maybe he wouldn’t get it as a president-elect. However, now he is getting the full rush of it.”

This response pattern takes us back to John Dawey’s analysis that “complete democracy can be achieved when there is a fully formed public opinion, accomplished by communication among citizens, experts, and politicians.” You can question several attributes of Ajuri Ngelale. But it would be best if you respected his competency and grasp of fundamentals in strategic communications. I think he engages rather than informs. He puts the conversation in perspective for progressive education, emphasising understanding and action as learning goals instead of rote knowledge. Rote knowledge is the process of memorising information based on repetition. That was the trend.

But Ajuri Ngelale changed the rule, and the president is pleased with his efforts so far, culminating in his subsequent appointment as the Special Presidential Envoy on Climate Action. In the annals of your democratic experimentation, this is the first time a presidential spokesperson holds a strategic portfolio alongside his portfolio. The expectations of Nigerians from presidential spokespersons have been limited to information dissemination alone.

However, more emphasis should be placed on public engagement and enlightenment. This is what Ajuri Ngelale has done differently.

It has been a year of turbulence for Ajuri Ngelale as the presidential spokesperson. But he has carried on with the job calmly and decorously. There has been no established confrontation in his public engagements since his appointment. He has proceeded with finesse, avoiding distractions and controversies. But for a few instances, however. The reason is simple. It also takes us back to John Dawey’s philosophy. This informs us that “Communication is consummatory as well as instrumental. It is a means of establishing cooperation, domination and order. This is a sublime strategy that any presidential spokesperson should resonate with. Ajuri Ngelale took a first in this regard, and it is commendable.

There are takeaways from Ajuri Ngelale’s one year as the president’s spokesperson. Presidential spokespersons are not mediums for information dissemination alone. They are also a medium for strategic engagement with the public on behalf of the president. As such, they must understand the issues beyond word values to sustain the conversation. The overarching objective is to sensitise and not inform. This has been the turbulence of Ajuri Ngelale as the presidential spokesperson in the past year.

It takes much effort to weather the storm. It is a terrain that requires brilliance and mastery. I congratulate Ajuri Ngelale for holding the aces thus far.

Ocheja, a military historian and doctoral researcher, is an alumnus of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), says security agencies have identified a senator who sponsored protests in the nation’s capital.

On Thursday, a youth-led nationwide protest against the rising cost of living kicked off.

Speaking after a security council meeting in Abuja, Wike said the unnamed senator provided food for the protesters.

“We also have information that a senator had to invite some security agencies to lead some of them to go and provide food for the protesters,” the minister said.

“That is sponsorship. A senator providing food for protesters.

“At the appropriate time, security agencies will invite the senator and find out how you will be sponsoring this kind of thing against the government of the day.”

Wike said there is intelligence suggesting that protesters want to destroy public property on Friday.

“You saw what happened today where some people tried to move into Eagle Square,” he said.

“Miscreants may not have succeeded in what they wanted to do, but we have intelligence that they are coming out tomorrow to destroy property that will lead to loss of lives.

“The security agencies will not allow that. Every protester, please, go to the MKO Abiola stadium and do your protest. That is what the court said.

“See what happened in some of the states today. Now, look at the loss of lives. If such a thing happens in the FCT, what do you think people would say? Here we have the international community carrying out their businesses.”

The protest is expected to continue on Friday.

[TheCable]

One year, two months in office,  Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Emilokan’ Presidency faces its toughest challenge with the planned nationwide youth hunger protest scheduled to begin Thursday, August 1, 2024.  It is planned to last 10 days, through August 10, 2024.

The hashtags for the protests include - #Endhunger, #Endbadgovernance, #DaysofRage and #Revolutionnow.

The youth-led action against the hardship ravaging the country is giving the presidency the jitters, considering the morbid fear of assumptive possibility that youthful exuberance can go into overdrive, resulting in precipitate violence.

There is also the potent possibility that overzealous police officers and other security agents, may attack peaceful protesters to provoke violent resistance with a view to achieving a predetermined  end. The orchestrated scenario, by various security agencies, of the inevitability of the protests turning violent is suspect.

If intelligence indicates to the security agencies possible breach of peace during the protests, is it not their responsibility to pre-empt it and as well develop contingency plans against its eventuality?

Fearmongering is least expected from security agencies. One wonders why security agencies should be preoccupied with truncating the right of the people to protest, a right even acknowledged by the Presidency.

If the protests hold and the security agencies fail to contain any possible violence, then their leaderships should be held accountable.

There is a lesson to learn from the recent resignation of the head of the U.S. Secret Service for its failure to prevent the assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, the presidential candidate of the Republican party.

The security agencies have had enough notice of the protests. Perhaps attempting to scare the protesters is part of the multiple strategies being adopted by a scared Presidency to ward off this public demonstration of anger over hunger in the land.

The  EMILOKAN ENSEMBLE  has been striving, mightily, to deploy all the tools of propaganda to abort the protests. There is the political dimension that adopted a demonisation of the opposition, particularly the Labour Party (LP) and Peter Obi, its presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, as sponsors of the protests to destabilise the government. This is a cheap blackmail and  a product of infantile reasoning.

First, it is Tinubu, who destabilised his own government with his mouth on May 29, 2023, day one of his assumption of office with his ill-thought out, cavalier declaration: “subsidy is gone“.  

He has been flailing, unsuccessfully, for damage control from the consequent fallout of that flippancy, till today.

Secondly, conflict is an integral component of democracy and the duty of the opposition is to exploit the failure of the party in government with a view of selling itself to the people as a better alternative for their vote in the next election and to form the government.

It is, therefore, legitimate, whether or not LP and Peter Obi are sponsors of the protests. Did they put those three potent words in Tinubu’s mouth?  

Is the opposition responsible for his policy decisions, actions and somersaults which have only aggravated the damage of May 29, 2023 that heralded hardship in the land?

What has emerged before the public is an over hyped Tinubu Presidency that is bereft of ideas on how to get out of the morass it has sunk itself.  

In recent days, the president has been engaging groups and all manner of people at the Presidential Villa for advice and for them to make a plea to their constituencies not to embark on the protests.

The group of traditional rulers  at the Villa, in various esoteric regalia, some looking like clowns or masquerades, provided a hilarious relief!  Not that politicians have regard for them, though, as some governors wont blink an eye to suspend or depose a traditional ruler.

There is also the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, the tempestuous former governor of Rivers state who, in the guttural voice of Lagos hoodlums, was belching hell fire banning protesters in his Abuja fiefdom.

Of course, it was an over-reach as he has no authority to make or enforce such redundant declaration. But then, Wike has to play lickspittle to ingratiate himself with President Tinubu for federal might protection so as not to be buried, politically, in Rivers state by a young Governor Sim Fubara.  

Among the disparate groups seeking the president’s attention to be counted as part of Stop The Protest Brigade is the National Ethnic Nationalities Youth Leaders Council Worldwide ( NENYLCW ). Two of its leaders, Aare Oladotun Hassan, President and Mazi Okwu Nnabuike, General Secretary, were featured on Arise TV’s The Morning Show programme on Monday, May 29,  2024.

It was obvious their TV appearance was a strategy of angling for the president’s attention so as to be invited to the  Presidential Villa  and for  possible largesse from such visit. However, they could not establish the number of ethnic youth groups in the organisation they claim to represent!

It is a season of playing smart, joining the bandwagon. But Arise TV’s anchor, Dr.  Reuben Abati, could not resist a pun at the duo: “With your bear(d), you say you are youth, but the United Nations has an age definition of youth. Anyway, you are as young as you think you are,” the two guests laughed it off, sheepishly!

Rallying these disparate groups to dissuade the protesters is a manifestation of the desperation of the Presidency to abort the protests. It is a lot of comedown for the Emperor of Lagos to be literally on his knees, begging and praying, that this cup might pass him by.

The City Boy swagger is gone, at least, for now. He had to eat the humble pie. Even if the protests get suspended, turn out a yawn and fizzle out, the point has been made, and made emphatically, about the reality of hunger ravaging the land.

In addition to hunger, there is also unanimity about the insecurity devastating the country. It is no excuse that Tinubu inherited insecurity. His job is to alleviate it, not for it to worsen.

Anyway, wasn’t his party, the All Progressives Party ( APC ) and President Muhammdu Buhari, that he foisted on the nation, who allowed insecurity to escalate nationwide?  

All the groups trotted out by the Presidency, including the traditional rulers, were only pleading for patience from the people for more time to allow the president to get his act together, to tackle the twin evils bedevilling the nation.

Various groups and prominent individuals have made similar pleas before. For instance, former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon and two-time governor of Ogun State, Aremo Segun Osoba, had much earlier pleaded with the nation to give the Tinubu Presidency up to one year to tackle the punishing high cost of living and  insecurity which have  turned Nigeria into a killing field.

We have since passed the one year mark, yet no respite. For the Tinubu Presidency, it is like the Yoruba saying: Kaka ko san lara iya aje, obirin lo nbi, eiye npelu eiye (There is no appropriate English translation, but it can be improvised as: rather than things getting better, they are getting worse). 

That is the sad reality of Nigeria under Tinubu Presidency. It is a numbing paradox that Bola Ahmed Tinubu fought a  triumphant political war to clinch  the presidency only to turn out, so far, as  an unmitigated disaster in managing victory.

Dr. Bisi  Olawunmi,  a Senior Lecturer at Adeleke University, Ede, Osun State is a former Washington Correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) and Fellow, Nigerian Guild of Editors. Phone (SMS ONLY)  08033647571 Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Though somehow a painful exit yet, celebrating the Life and Legacy of the Elegant Stallion, Onyeka Onwenu (1952-2024)

Nigeria mourns the loss of a music legend, actress, politician, and human rights icon, Onyeka Onwenu, who passed away on July 30, 2024, at the age of 72. Fondly known as the "Elegant Stallion," was a trailblazer in the Nigerian music industry, with a career spanning over four decades. She was a talented singer, songwriter, and performer, known for her powerful voice, captivating stage presence, and iconic hits that continue to inspire new generations. Onyeka's exit from this world left an indelible mark on the Nigerian entertainment industry and beyond. Her sudden departure has left a void in the hearts of her fans, colleagues, and the nation.

Born on January 31, 1952, in Arondizuogu, Imo State, Nigeria, Onyeka was the youngest daughter of Nigerian educationist and politician D.K. Onwenu. She was raised in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, after her father's untimely death when she was just four years old. Onyeka's mother, Hope, played a significant role in shaping her early life and nurturing her talents.

The music superstar holds a BA in International Relations and Communication from Wellesley College, Massachusetts, and an MA in Media Studies from The New School for Social Research, New York. Her academic background laid the foundation for her future endeavors in music, television, and politics.

Her music career began in 1981 with the release of her debut album, "For the Love of You." She went on to release several critically acclaimed albums, including "Endless Life," "In the Morning Light," "One Love," and "Dancing in the Sun." Her music was a unique blend of traditional Nigerian sounds and modern styles, earning her numerous awards and accolades.

Onyeka's acting career spanned over two decades, with notable roles in films like "Nightmare," "Widow's Cot," "Rising Moon," "Half of a Yellow Sun," and "Lion Heart." She won the Africa Movie Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her performance in "Widow's Cot."

Onyeka worked as a newsreader and reporter for the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) before transitioning to presenting her own shows, "Contact" and "Who's On?" She also served as a judge on the reality TV show "X Factor Nigeria."

Onyeka was a member of the People's Democratic Party and contested twice for the position of Local Council Chairman of Ideato North Local Government Area. She was appointed Chairperson of the Imo State Council for Arts and Culture and later served as the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Centre for Women Development.

The legendary Onyeka was a dedicated human rights activist, advocating for women's rights, children's welfare, and social justice. She protested against her former employer, NTA, over their refusal to pay royalties on her songs, leading to a hunger strike outside the station's premises.

Onyeka Onwenu's legacy extends far beyond her impressive resume. She was a trailblazer, paving the way for future generations of female artists and politicians. Her music, acting, and advocacy continue to inspire and uplift people around the world.

The Elegant Stallion, Onyeka Onwenu's final performance was at the 80th birthday party of Mrs. Stella Chinyelu Okoli, a renowned Nigerian pharmacist, philanthropist, and entrepreneur. Mrs. Okoli is the founder and current CEO of Emzor, a pharmaceutical company she started in 1977. The event was a celebration of Mrs. Okoli's life and legacy, and Onyeka Onwenu's performance was a testament to their friendship and mutual respect.

After her performance, the Nigerian music legend, actress, politician, and human rights icon, Onyeka Onwenu passed away in the very late hours of July 30, 2024, at the age of 72. Her sudden departure has left a void in the entertainment industry and beyond. The renowned Nigerian singer, Elegant Stallion, Onyeka Onwenu was reported to have slumped after performing at the 80th birthday party of Mrs. Stella Chinyelu, and multiple reports confirm that she was immediately taken to Reddington Hospital in Lagos. Despite the efforts of medical professionals, she could not be revived. The exact cause of her sudden illness and passing is yet to be confirmed.

Onwenu notably keeps her personal life private and has often refused to disclose private information regarding her ex-husband, a Yoruba Muslim. She is the mother of two children; Tijani Charles and Abraham

As news of her passing spread like the speed of light, tributes and condolences have been pouring in from fans, colleagues, industry leaders, and political figures, celebrating Onyeka Onwenu's life, legacy, achievements, and contributions to the entertainment industry, human rights, and Nigerian society. Her impact on Nigerian music, culture, and society will be remembered for generations to come. Onyeka Onwenu may be gone, but her voice, spirit, and legacy will continue to inspire and uplift generations, and never be silenced. Rest in peace, Elegant Stallion.