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AMID her continued reign as Nollywood’s box office queen, Funke Akindele has laid bare the driving force behind her success, attributing her journey to God’s grace.
Speaking at the Media Independent Practitioners Association of Nigeria (MIPAN) 2025 event, the award-winning filmmaker made it clear that no individual can take credit for her stardom.
According to her, it was only by God’s will that she became the force she is today in Nollywood.
“I am who I am today because of God. Nobody made me a star, only God did. When I started, I had so many challenges, but I kept pushing. The idea for Jenifa came to me at a time when I needed to reinvent myself, and I trusted God’s direction. I wrote my scripts, put in the work, and kept believing that my time would come,” Akindele shared.
The actress further reflected on the obstacles she has had to overcome to maintain her relevance in the industry.
“This journey has not been easy, but I have learnt to stay focused and keep evolving. The audience changes, trends come and go, but I remain determined. I was told to keep milking the Jenifa brand, and yes, I did, but I also expanded my craft. God keeps giving me the strength to push through, and I will continue to do so.”
Beyond her personal journey, Akindele delved into the evolving landscape of audience engagement and content marketing in Nigeria, stressing the importance of adaptability in staying relevant in the competitive film industry.
Akindele also spoke about the importance of resilience and innovation in Nollywood, especially in a time when the entertainment industry is constantly evolving.
She noted that remaining at the top requires more than just talent—it takes discipline, consistency, and the ability to adapt to changing audience preferences.
According to her, filmmakers must be ready to embrace new storytelling techniques and market trends while staying true to their artistic vision.
Reflecting on her journey, the actress expressed gratitude for the support she has received over the years, acknowledging that success in the industry is not a solo effort. While she credited God for her rise, she also appreciated the fans who have stood by her and the colleagues who believed in her vision.
[Nigerian Tribune]
Reno Omokri, a former aide of ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, has narrated an unpleasant experience with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.
In a statement on Saturday, Omokri explained how an issue between him and an acquittance of Natasha triggered the allegation.
He said he was able to prove his innocence because of the evidence presented that he was not in Nigeria at the time which his accuser claimed that the incident happened.
“I have been inundated with calls from almost all major media outlets in Nigeria to interview me about the issues involving the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, and Senator Natasha Akpoti. These media organisations wanted my take, seeing that I was once accused by Senator Natasha Akpoti of the exact grave allegations that she is now accusing the Senate President of.”
“Against my will, I have been trending on various social media platforms, and for the sake of my family, it would be best to put this matter to rest. Rather than speak with multiple media outlets, perhaps I can ease the pressure on me by putting out this statement.’
“I do not know if what Senator Natasha Akpoti accused the Senate President of is true, as I was not physically present when the alleged events took place. However, I can testify that Senator Natasha Akpoti once had an altercation with me on social media over a post where a woman made advances at me and I rejected her and stated that my wife is a beauty queen and is more than enough for me.
“Apparently the woman is or was a friend of Senator Akpoti. And after I had scorned her friend’s advances, Senator Akpoti accused me of sexually harassing her at Aso Rock Presidential Villa, during a reception held for the visiting Kenyan President, Uhuru Kenyatta, when he visited Nigeria between May 4 and May 7 2014.
“Unfortunately for Senator Akpoti, during those dates, I was sent to the United States of America as President Jonathan’s special envoy. I met and was photographed with multiple U.S. officials, including State Department officials, in Washington, D.C.
“I then published a First Class British Airways ticket and my passport (which was a different class of passport from the regular Nigerian passport and requires a special kind of stamp), proving that I was not in Nigeria on the dates Senator Akpoti alleged I sexually harassed her.
“After I published that evidence, Miss Natasha Akpoti, as she then was, deleted every trace of her allegations against me and the video she had made insulting me, my wife and my newborn daughter.”
Omokri said he was contemplating on the next step to take as a result of the damage done to his person but there was an intervention that led to out-of-court settlement.
“As I was pondering the next steps to take, a very influential and respectable man from my ethnic nationality, reached out to a prominent Christian clergyman, who mediated between him and I. The gentleman greeted me in my mother tongue, Itsekiri, and was most gentlemanly and expressed regrets over the incident, and I was prevailed on by the clergyman to reach an out-of-court settlement.
“Thereafter, I dropped the matter since my name had been cleared, and the out-of-court settlement was adequate.
“That is the extent of my encounter with Senator Natasha Akpoti. I hope the media can now leave me alone, as I am reluctant to grant any interviews or get entangled in this matter, seeing as I have the highest respect for the man who reached out to me to settle the matter.
“As for the Senate, I have the highest respect and confidence in that institution and its leadership and believe that the right thing to do would be to institute a Senate investigation by the appropriate committee to determine the veracity of the present allegations.”
The development comes amid the sexual harassment allegation against Nigeria’s number three citizen by Natasha.
[DailyTrust]
Elon Musk, who is overseeing the President Donald Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency, DOGE, has accused California of encouraging influx of illegal immigrants.
The tech billionaire, who stated this in an interview with Joe Rogan, said healthcare services is free for illegals in California with a whooping $9 billion tax burden.
According to Musk, what happens in California “is that you simply have more patients than a doctor can possibly see”.
Musk described the healthcare policy in the state as “a gigantic magnet for more illegals” to come into the United States.
He claimed that the elite in California are doing fine because they can afford private doctors, “but your average citizen in California is not doing fine”.
“So then the average citizen in California suffers as a result. Now, the elite in California are fine ’cause they have private doctors, they can just pay, pay for the best doctors.
“The tax burden for healthcare for legals was supposed to be $3 billion. I think they now estimated it’s $9 billion. But that number will scale to infinity”, Musk added.
[DailyPost]
- Plans three-day retreat to review public hearing submissions
- ‘Rejigged bills to aid realisation of Tinubu’s $1trn economy’
Fresh from its conduct of public hearings on the Tax Reform Bills, the National Assembly now says the planned legislation will remove all the fears entertained about them in some parts of the country, and meet the aspirations of the different geo-political zones.
The Senate is already planning a three-day retreat to consider the inputs made during the two-day public hearings held last week.
Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, told The Nation that the National Assembly would leave no stone unturned in producing tax reform bills that can stand the test of time.
“We are going to work assiduously and we are going to consider every submission, every memorandum that has been given,” he said.
“The verbatim presentation that people have done, we have it on record.
“We are going to review everything. After this, we are going to go for a three-day retreat, and during the retreat, we are going to consult with experts.
“We are consulting also with the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation so that we see how we can present a law or an Act that is workable, that would not conflict with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“We are taking the advice of everyone that had made the presentation. We are going to consider everything on its own merit.
“We are not particularly looking at which organisation or which entity presents, but what is going to be acceptable to all Nigerians, what is going to be acceptable to all regions of this country, because what we are trying to do is to present a law that is workable.”
He also said the bills, when they become operational, would aid the realization of President Bola Tinubu’s planned $1 trillion economy for the country.
His words: “And when you look at advanced economies, Mr. President has said that he wants to see Nigeria having a $1 trillion economy, and this is the beginning of it.
“For us to do it, we must do it in a way that is not only during the time of Mr. President.
“Mr. President is only going to stay for likely eight years, and after eight years, there will be another government.
“So, we want a law that will outlive anybody that is there, even us that we are making the law, at the end of the day, we are going to be the ones also that will have to follow what we have led.
“So I think it’s not about who presents, it’s about what Nigerians will see as a true reflection of what it should be.”
Musa’s counterpart in the House of Representatives, Abiodun Faleke, described the public hearings as a veritable platform for stakeholders to make their inputs for a balanced legislation.
Faleke said: “The public have responded to us. We will now look at every detail to propose a bill; a bill that will now be passed into law, considered by the House, if the House agrees with all our suggestions.
“When we finish and we lay a report and it is discussed on the floor or debated and passed, we will compare it with that of the Senate. Any areas of differences, we will harmonise.”
Faleke said his Committee would scrutinise all the presentations by Nigerians with a view to bringing out the best in the overall all interest of Nigerians.
Executive Director of the Peering Advocacy and Advancement Centre in Africa, Ezenwa Nwagwu, emphasised that the proposed tax reforms must be pursued through a non-partisan approach to achieve their intended objectives.
Nwagwu stated that a stable and well-structured tax system would be of greater benefit to all Nigerians, regardless of political affiliations.
Expressing support for the proposed reforms, he described them as a step towards a fairer and more efficient tax system that would enhance revenue generation without placing undue burdens on businesses and individuals.
Addressing the proposed changes to the VAT sharing formula, he acknowledged concerns raised by some stakeholders regarding the derivation principle.
While this principle is expected to benefit states with higher economic activity, he noted that it might disadvantage less industrialised regions.
However, he argued that the tax reforms would incentivise other regions to boost economic activity, create jobs and generate more VAT revenue.
He also called for post-reform monitoring mechanisms to track progress, address challenges and ensure continuous improvement.
Speaking further, Nwagwu urged the government to ensure transparency and public accountability in implementing the reforms to build trust and encourage compliance among taxpayers.
The Tax Reform Bills, comprising the Nigeria Tax Bill, Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, Nigeria Tax Administration Bill and Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, were initiated by President Tinubu and transmitted to the National Assembly on October 3, 2024 for its consideration.
The Nigeria Tax Bill (the Bill) consolidates the legal frameworks relating to taxation within the purview of the federal government, which were previously administered under separate tax laws, into a single piece of legislation.
It proposes to repeal the Companies Income Tax Act, Personal Income Tax Act, Capital Gains Tax Act, Petroleum Profits Tax Act, Value Added Tax Act, and six other tax laws, as well as amend 13 additional tax laws.
Some parts of the bills, especially those relating to the Value Added Tax (VAT) and the formula for sharing it by the three tiers of government, had generated much controversy at the level of the 36 state governors and regional groups.
However, the contentious issues were later resolved with the governors proposing amendments.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) at a January meeting in Abuja with the Chairman of the Presidential Fiscal Policy and Tax Reforms Committee, Taiwo Oyedele, threw its weight behind the bills.
The forum proposed an equitable sharing formula for Value-Added Tax as follows: 50% based on equality, 30% based on derivation and 20% based on population.
The NGF agreed that “there should be no increase in the VAT rate or reduction in Corporate Income Tax (CIT) at this time to maintain economic stability.”
Besides, the governors ruled out a terminal clause for the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure and National Information Technology Development Agency in the sharing of development levies in the bills, and supported the continuation of the legislative process at the National Assembly that will culminate in the eventual passage of the tax reform bills.
They acknowledged the importance of modernising the tax system to enhance fiscal stability and align with global best practices.
Some retired generals have stated that the Nigerian military cannot prevent residents in some troubled areas from paying levies and ransoms to bandits, despite ongoing counterterrorism efforts.
The retired officers expressed doubts about the ability of the military to stop the residents from meeting the bandits’ demands amid fears of attacks.
Since banditry became an organised crime involving mass abductions, village raids, and extortion in northern Nigeria, residents of farming communities in the region have been forced to pay heavy levies, ransoms, and taxes to various bandit and terror groups.
The levies ranged from N20m to as high as N200m, with bandit kingpins threatening to attack and wreak havoc on farms and homes if their demands are not met.
Some of the affected states are Benue, Niger, Sokoto, Zamfara, Katsina, and Kaduna.
In July 2024, residents of the Toro community in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State were forced to sell their farm produce to raise N20m levy imposed on them by bandits. The people had to contribute N50,000 each to avoid being attacked.
The people of Moriki town in the Zurmi Local Government Area of Zamfara State also struggled to raise N30m levy imposed on them by the notorious bandit kingpin, Bello Turji, in September last year.
Earlier in January 2025, another notorious bandit leader, Dantsito, threatened to attack communities in the Tsafe LGA of Zamfara State if they failed to pay him N200m levy within two weeks.
Last week, a member of the Sokoto State House of Assembly representing Sabon Birni Constituency, Aminu Boza, said Turji imposed a N25m levy on some villages in the state.
According to the Gobir Development Association, a group of professionals in the local government, residents of the council areas had paid over N160bn in levies and ransom to bandits.
However, the Defence Headquarters has repeatedly urged northern residents not to succumb to bandits’ threats and financial demands.
Speaking with Saturday PUNCH, a former Commandant of Army Signals and Chief of Defence Training and Planning, Gen. Ishola Williams (retd.), noted that the people’s deep-seated distrust in the military would continually push them to comply with bandits’ demands.
He said there was a need to restore the people’s confidence in the capacity of the military to protect residents.
“People don’t trust the military anymore. If the people knew that by refusing to pay the levy, the military would take action against those demanding it, no one would waste their money. So, it is an issue of trust.
“Secondly, there must be some people within the affected communities who are also benefiting from the levies and ransoms paid by the people to the bandits. That is why community policing is very important.”
Similarly, a former Commander of the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. John Sura (retd.), said residents of remote communities in the northern region would always struggle to heed the military’s advice of not paying levies due to a lack of consistent security presence to deter bandit attacks.
“If someone stronger than you threatens to kill you unless you give him something, you will typically have no choice but to comply,” he said.
Sura maintained that the military couldn’t be everywhere, saying, “Their presence is usually concentrated at local government headquarters or stationed at major road junctions leading into towns. But these villages are often far away—sometimes five to 10 kilometers. So how do you expect the military to respond swiftly?
“It is, therefore, expected that residents will seek ways to defend themselves, primarily through local security forces like the Forest Guard in Benue State. That was the approach some communities in Bauchi adopted. They inflicted such heavy losses on the bandits that they never returned.
“However, in the absence of such security measures, people have little choice but to pay ransoms and levies to ensure their survival and peace.”
Another retired general, who requested anonymity, cited the military’s inadequate manpower as a major factor contributing to their inability to provide adequate security.
He said, “The security agencies can make announcements and say, ‘Don’t fear them (bandits),’ but you know why you fear them—because they are right there on your streets. That’s how difficult this war is.
“Do you know the size of our military population? You can’t have such a limited number and expect the military to be everywhere. For instance, in Sokoto, where people pay such levies, the military isn’t there. They only come for operations and then leave. But the bandits remain with the people constantly.
“So, if the bandits are forcing people to pay levies, who do you think they will obey? Those who come and go, or the ones who stay, armed and in control?” It is the same with the police. Do you have policemen in every local government? You may have a police station in each one, but that doesn’t mean there are officers in all the villages.
“If criminals attack these villages and harass the people, the people will fear the criminals because they see them every day.”
[Punch]
…after S/Court setback •We’re watching developments — INC/PANDEF •Gov: It is not over yet
It is exactly 16 months since the political crisis broke out in Rivers State between Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. For one year and four months, Rivers, prided as the hub of West African oil and gas, has been embroiled in a war of attrition over the control of its political soul.
But last Friday’s Supreme Court verdicts gave what may change the political destiny of the state for a long time. The judgement hit the state like a thunderbolt, leaving in its wake silence and despair on one side, joy and jubilation on the other.
It was shocking that from Thursday, February 27, some allies of Wike were seen on social media celebrating ahead of the court judgment, which later went their way on Friday.
Before now, there were five consolidated cases at the Supreme Court, one was dismissed a fortnight ago while four were left. The four consolidated cases include SC/CV/1174/2024, between Rivers State House of Assembly and others against the Rivers State Government and nine others, and SC/CV/1175/2024, between Rivers State House of Assembly and others against the Rivers State Governor and nine others.
Others were SC/CV/1176/2024, between Rivers State House of Assembly and others against Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission, RSIEC, and nine others; SC/CV/1177/2024, between Rivers State House of Assembly and others against the Accountant General of Rivers State and nine others, and SC/CV/1071/2024, between Rivers State House of Assembly and others against the National Assembly and 16 others. (The last one has already been dismissed).
When the judgment was finally given by the apex court on the four consolidated cases, Fubara was literally stripped of his political structure as it invalidated the October 5, 2024, local government elections, his influence on the state legislature, and validated the suspension of federal allocations.
Succinctly, the reinstated 27 lawmakers loyal to Wike are returning to the status quo with a mindset of revenge having been denied the paraphernalia of their legislative office for many months and Wike, having had his ego dangerously bruised by Fubara’s audacious opposition to his (Wike’s) domineering posture on the state.
Impeachment
The greatest fear in the Fubara camp is that with the Supreme Court matter done and dusted, many think pro-Wike group would not hesitate to implement their initial plan. That is the impeachment of Fubara.
Several reliable sources confirmed this fear. They hinted that the process is not planned to take a long time to accomplish. Accordingly, the 27-assembly lawmakers, who are now likely to carry out the dictates of their master, may call for the head of the Attorney General after “the suspension of the 3-man Victor Oko-Jumbo Assembly”.
Wike set the ball rolling when he allegedly said: “All Fubara’s commissioners and his 3-member assembly are all gone. They are not commissioners, they never existed in the first place. I am sure his so-called Attorney-General will not go and say he is the Attorney-General of Rivers State again. He knows the consequences of saying that, he knows that he is gone”.
INC/PANDEF
President of Ijaw National Congress, INC, Professor Benjamin Okaba, reacting to the apex court’s judgment on Saturday, called for calm, saying the judgment was not the end of the matter.
“We are still studying the implications of the judgment. When we discovered that the issue of defection was not mentioned by the Supreme Court, it left us confused. For now, we want everybody to be at peace and go about their normal responsibilities”, Okaba said.
He noted that, as a pressure group, INC will continue to work within the confines of the law of the land. But “if injustice is seen to have taken an upper hand, we then will decide on what next to do”.
Also, Chief Anabs Sara-Igbe, a chieftain of pan-Niger Delta Elders Forum, PANDEF, said whatever must have been the outcome of the judgment “is not strange to us.”
He alleged that before now, Wike had been boasting that “the Supreme Court was in his pocket”.
Sara-Igbe said he was waiting to see how the Supreme Court would reverse itself by saying that Martin Amaewhule and the 26 other lawmakers who defected to the All Progressives Congress, APC, are members of the Assembly.
According to him, the suspension of the state’s allocation is a call for violence “so that they will declare a state of emergency in Rivers State. To suspend the revenue of a federating unit means that they are calling for a crisis. We pray this does not truncate our democracy”.
Options For Fubara
With the major consolidated cases before the Supreme Court against him, it does appear that the only lifeline left for the governor is the case of the defection of the 27 lawmakers to the APC.
It is important to note that of all the five consolidated cases brought before the Supreme Court, defection was not one of them. This explains why the judgment was silent on the matter.
As they say in the legal system, the court cannot give you what you didn’t ask for. The Supreme Court did not rule on the defection of the 27 lawmakers because it was not brought to its table for determination.
While the defection case is still in the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt, it is not clear whether the pro-Wike House of Assembly would have the patience to allow Fubara enjoy the long process of following the case through up to the Supreme Court.
They know that the defection case is a bad one by every inch of the Constitution. So, what may follow is to quicken the process of getting the governor out of the way to naturally kill the case once and for all.
On the options open to the embattled governor, Sara-Igbe believes that as a strategist, Fubara will wait for the final determination of the defection matter. ”Fubara believes in God. And God will make his enemies fools”, he said. He said: “If Amaewhule and his co-travellers go ahead to impeach the governor, there will be resistance.”
Also speaking on the options, Okaba stated: “Fubara is a strategist. His options will depend on the interpretation of the judgment. There is no cause to panic. We have to wait and get the interpretation of the judgment”.
Also speaking, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a chieftain of APC in Rivers State, said the only option for Fubara “is prayer”. According to him, “ enemies of the state have taken over, the only thing left for the governor is to pray for God’s intervention.
Another possible option Fubara may undertake to save his neck from the political guillotine, according to a top Ogoni politician who prefers anonymity, is to decamp to the APC.
“Yes, there are various options open to him. One of that is a political solution to the crisis. In doing that, he would be given conditions to fulfill. One of that is to decamp to the APC to guarantee President Tinubu of 2027”, the source said.
Fubara had already created what could be a formidable platform for his political future when he directed all the 23 local government chairmen to contest the October 5 council election on the platform of the Actions Peoples Party, APP.
It’s not over –Fubara
Despite the turn of events, Fubara appears unruffled. A credible source close to the state government confided in Sunday Vanguard that “the governor was full of life when we spoke on phone. I called him to encourage him to stay strong. He told me it is not over yet.”
Another source argued that every impeachment has its own process. “Before things are concluded to get the governor out of the way, the defection case must have been concluded. That is the way he could wriggle himself out of the shame of possible impeachment,” he said.
The weeks ahead would be loaded with surprises. As things stand, Rivers people and the entire nation are waiting to see where the pendulum swings.
[Vanguard]
The International Football Association Board (IFAB), have unanimously approved a new law to curb time-wasting by goalkeepers.
Under the new law, goalkeepers will only be able to hold the ball for eight seconds.
Any goalkeeper that hold the ball for more than eight seconds will be punished with a corner for the opposition, starting this summer.
The new law was unanimously approved during IFAB annual general meeting in Northern Ireland on Saturday, and will be in place at FIFA’s Club World Cup, which takes place in the USA from 15 June to 13 July.
“We had the test and the test was very successful. The referees didn’t have to signal for a corner (often),” Mattias Grafstrom, FIFA secretary general said.
The IFAB also voted to continue offside trials in which the attacker will be ruled onside if his torso is level with the second to last defender.
Under the current law keepers should be punished if they hold the ball for more than six seconds, with the opposition being awarded an indirect free-kick.
But Noel Mooney, the CEO of the Football Association of Wales (FAW) said implementation of the six-second rule had “dissolved over time” and it is hoped that the new law will lead to a reduction in time wasting.
Already trialled in over 400 games in three different competitions, including the Premier League 2, referees will also warn the goalkeepers with a five-second countdown before they are penalised
[BusinessDay]
Biodun Olujimi, a former senator, has appealed to Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the senator representing Kogi central, to withdraw her suit against Godswill Akpabio.
Speaking in an interview on Arise TV on Saturday, Olujimi, a former senate minority leader, said she does not want women to “look emotionally unstable”.
On February 20, Akpabio, the senate president, and Akpoti-Uduaghan engaged in a heated debate during the plenary over a change in seating arrangements.
On February 25, the senate referred Akpoti-Uduaghan to the committee on ethics, privileges, and public petitions for disciplinary review.
However, the Kogi senator filed a N100 billion defamation suit against Akpabio over an alleged defamatory statement reportedly made by the senate president’s legislative aide.
Akpoti-Uduaghan later alleged that her trouble in the senate began after she rejected sexual advances from Akpabio.
Reacting to the development, Olujimi said a senator cannot speak outside the assigned seat according to the senate rule.
The former lawmaker said the request of the Kogi senator that her senate probe proceedings should be broadcast live is a “little overboard.”
She added that the clash between the senate president and Akpoti-Uduaghan should not have been escalated, noting that the change in seating arrangements is a normal phenomenon in the red chamber.
The former senate minority leader expressed support for the probe of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s “weighty” allegations against Akpabio.
She said Akpabio is someone who jokes a lot, adding that the senate president usually makes fun of everything.
“I want to say that in the 8th and 9th senate, we never had anything like that (referring to the allegations), and Senator Akpabio was one of us,” Olujimi said.
“They treated us (female senators) with decorum. We did not have anything like that, and I have not heard anything of such from any other of the remaining senators.
“It is tough for me to be able to take that without proper investigation. There should be an investigation.
“He (Akpabio) jokes a lot. He is fond of making little fun out of everything. He loves to make everything light; when you do that, you become very vulnerable.
“I saw all that they (referring to male senators) went through as men when I was there. They were all victimised by people from outside. I had to rescue them all of the time.
“The court case, I want to appeal to her to take the case out of court. We don’t want women to look like they are emotionally unstable.
“We need to also be strong enough to face the men. Going to court against a presiding officer is not on. I know she is hurt, but she needs to handle it in a better way. I think that should get out of court as fast as possible.”
[TheCable]
Urges Senate, Akpabio to treat his wife with respect, dignity
Saraki calls for transparent investigation
Let your husband defend himself, Natasha advises Senate president’s wife
Akpabio’s wife slams N250bn suit against Kogi senator
Chuks Okocha, Alex Enumah, Adedayo Akinwale in Abuja, and Wale Igbintade in Lagos
The verbal exchanges between the lawmaker representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, took a fresh turn yesterday as her husband, Chief Emmanuel Uduaghan, revealed that his wife had confided in him about her interactions with Akpabio.
Chief Uduaghan, who is the Alema of Warri Kingdom, also disclosed that despite meeting with Akpabio and reaching an agreement with him on an amicable settlement of the issue, his wife continued to express concerns about Akpabio’s harassment.
While urging the Senate and Akpabio to accord his wife the respect and dignity she deserves, Chief Uduaghan expressed his unwavering faith in his wife’s loyalty and full commitment to their marriage, which he described as being grounded in love, compassion, and mutual respect.
This is just as a former President of the Senate, Dr. Bukola Saraki, has called for a transparent investigation into the allegations levelled against the Senate president.
Meanwhile, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan has also called on the wife of the Senate President, Mrs. Unoma Akpabio, to stay out of the allegations and allow her husband to defend himself.
However, Mrs. Akpabio has filed multiple lawsuits at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, against Akpoti-Uduaghan, seeking N250 billion in damages for alleged defamation.
In a statement issued yesterday, Chief Uduaghan stated that he would never trade his wife for anything, adding that she is the greatest joy of his life.
“I have unwavering faith in my wife’s loyalty and am fully committed to our marriage, which is grounded in love, compassion, and mutual respect. I would never trade her for anything, as she is the greatest joy of my life,” he explained.
He added: “My wife is a devoted partner, and the bond we share is deep and unwavering. She has always remained truthful, even in the face of adversity.”
Chief Uduaghan stated that he had initially resolved to refrain from commenting on the ongoing dispute between his beloved wife, and the Senate president.
He, however, added that recent developments prompted him to issue a statement, stressing that certain sentiments were being unnecessarily stirred, distracting from the serious underlying issues, which should concern all individuals with strong family values.
Chief Uduaghan further revealed that his wife had confided in him about her interactions with the Senate president, whom he considered a family friend.
“I had initially resolved to refrain from commenting on the ongoing dispute between my beloved wife, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, and the Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio.
“However, recent developments have compelled me to issue this statement. It is clear that certain sentiments are being stirred up unnecessarily, distracting from the serious underlying allegations, which should concern every discerning individual with sound family values.
“Without prejudice to the ongoing legal proceedings, I wish to emphasise that my wife was duly elected by her people due to the immense love, respect, and confidence they have in her and she is committed to delivering quality representation to her district and the nation at large.
“She is a devoted wife, and the bond we share is deep and unwavering. She has always remained truthful, even in the face of adversity.
“My wife has confided in me about her interactions with the Senate President, whom I considered a family friend. In response, I approached the matter with the utmost maturity and responsibility, as it is my duty as a traditional leader who has immense respect for constituted authority and upholds core family values, fostering peace and harmony.
“I personally met with the Senate President and respectfully urged him to extend the courtesy and respect my wife deserves, while also honouring the friendship between us. We reached an understanding and agreed to resolve the issue amicably.
“However, despite this agreement, my wife continues to express concerns about the harassment she has endured from the Senate President,” Uduaghan explained.
He urged the Senate and Akpabio to treat his beloved wife with the respect and dignity she truly deserves “while the relevant authorities and the court determine the underlying issues.”
Saraki Calls for Transparent Investigation
Meanwhile, a former President of the Senate, Dr. Saraki, has called for a transparent investigation into the allegations made against Akpabio by the Kogi senator.
In a statement issued at the weekend, Saraki emphasised the importance of a fair and transparent inquiry to uncover the truth and safeguard the integrity of the Senate.
He warned that the Senate, as a vital institution, must be protected from any actions that could tarnish its reputation.
Saraki expressed his sadness over the negative impact it has had on the Senate’s image.
He called for all parties involved to carefully consider the consequences of their actions, ensuring that nothing undermines the institution’s credibility.
He also urged adherence to the Constitution, Senate rules, and parliamentary conventions in resolving the issue.
Saraki called on the Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions to conduct an open and transparent investigation, with both parties fully cooperating.
He recalled a similar situation during his time as Senate President when he faced allegations but allowed for a transparent investigation, which ultimately cleared his name.
“Let me make it clear without any ambiguity that I am neither stating that Akpabio is guilty of anything nor am I expressing the opinion that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan is right in her actions and claims. My position is that an investigation is needed to find out the truth and protect the integrity of the Senate,” Saraki added.
The dispute between Natasha and Akpabio began after she refused to sit in a designated seat during a Senate session, citing Order 10 of the Senate Standing Rules.
Tensions escalated further when she appeared on ARISE NEWS Channel on Friday, accusing Akpabio of blocking her motions, maligning her, and intimidating her after she allegedly rejected his sexual advances.
In response, Mrs. Akpabio held a press conference in Abuja and dismissed the allegations of sexual harassment leveled against her husband.
She asserted that both families had shared a cordial relationship for years, long before Natasha’s marriage, and suggested that the claims were baseless.
Let Your Husband Defend Himself, Natasha Advises Senate President’s Wife
However, in a letter dated March 1, 2025, addressed to Mrs. Akpabio through her lawyer, Mr. Victor Giwa, Natasha advised her to refrain from getting involved in the matter.
The letter stressed that the accusations were personal to the Senate President and that he should be left to defend himself.
The letter stated that she had enough evidence to back up her claims, urging the wife to allow her husband to defend himself for the sake of her sanity and family.
“Our client has concrete evidence to substantiate her allegations. We will suggest that you leave the defence of the allegations for the Senate President to maintain your sanity and that of your family.”
Akpabio’s Wife Slams N250bn Suit against Natasha
Meanwhile, Mrs. Akpabio has filed multiple lawsuits at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, against Natasha, claiming N250 billion in damages for what she described as “scandalous and salacious” comments.
In the suit, she claimed that the accusations have caused her and her children “emotional and psychological abuse.”
The court is being asked to issue a restraining order, preventing Natasha from making further “spiteful” statements that infringe on her fundamental human rights.
She stated that Suit No: CV/814/25 was brought pursuant to Section 34(1)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Articles 4 & 5 of The African Charter on Human And Peoples Rights (Ratification And Enforcement Act) Cap. A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004.
While demanding the sum of N1billion as punitive and exemplary damages, she is also seeking “an order mandating the defendant to issue a formal written retraction of the defamatory words and tender an unconditional apology to the claimant and her family, to be published in two nationally-read newspapers to wit: The Guardian and THISDAY Newspapers.
[ThisDay]
Joyce Wigwe accuses Aig-Imoukhuede of manipulating Will, suspects foul play over Herbert’s death
Admin
The controversy surrounding the estate of former Access Bank CEO, Herbert Wigwe, has taken a new turn as his sister, Joyce Wigwe, publicly accused his longtime associate, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, of attempting to “manipulate” Herbert Wigwe’s will and obstructing transparency in the legal proceedings.
Joyce has also raised suspicions of foul play regarding the circumstances leading to her brother’s tragic plane crash.
In an interview with TV360, Joyce detailed what she described as questionable actions by Aig-Imoukhuede in the handling of her brother’s estate, including an alleged lack of transparency in the reading of the will, unexplained discrepancies in legal filings, and undue influence over key family members.
Claims of a Secretive Will Reading
Joyce Wigwe claimed that the reading of Herbert Wigwe’s will was conducted under dubious circumstances, with key family members deliberately excluded.
“It later became clear that there had been ongoing discussions about Herbert’s will, but we were only informed in September that a will existed and was going to be read,” she said. “However, my father was deliberately sent abroad by Aig Imoukhuede just before the reading.”
- According to her, their 90-year-old father, who was receiving medical treatment in Austria, was caught off guard when he received a message from Aig-Imoukhuede stating, “We’re about to read the will.” The news came as a shock, as no other family member had been informed of the will’s existence before that moment.
- Joyce alleged that her father, already in a vulnerable state, immediately contacted Herbert’s younger brother, Emeka Wigwe, who was equally surprised. When Emeka questioned Aig-Imoukhuede about why he and Joyce had been excluded from the reading, he received no clear response.
Emeka, deeming their exclusion highly irregular, refused to participate believing that the family deserved proper representation. Despite these objections, the will was read in their absence.
What she explained
Upon finally obtaining a copy of the will through legal means, Joyce said the family was alarmed by numerous irregularities.
“The will was only three pages long—an extremely unusual length for an estate of this magnitude,” she said. “It referenced a trust but failed to list any trust assets, there was no detailed breakdown of beneficiaries, and no supporting documents were attached.”
- Another troubling discovery was the existence of an 18-page version of the will filed in Florida, while only a three-page version had been submitted in Nigeria.
“Why wasn’t the full document filed in Nigeria?” Joyce questioned.
- Further investigations revealed that a legal settlement had taken place in Florida, where Betty Blanco—originally named as a personal representative—was paid millions of dollars to step aside. The family, she said, had not been informed of this payout.
- When the document was later filed in Nigeria, Blanco’s name was removed, and another individual, Uche Wigwe, their cousin, was next in line instead.
“We also discovered that the document had been filed for probate in Lagos, raising further concerns about its authenticity and completeness. It became clear that there was an attempt to manipulate the estate process without proper disclosure to the entire family.
“Upon checking the records, we found that the will was dated sometime in 2013. To determine whether it had been officially lodged, we visited the Florida court. If Herbert had intended for the will to have general applicability, especially since his primary domicile was in Nigeria, he would have filed it in Lagos. However, it wasn’t lodged there.”
Her suspicion of foul play concerning Herbert’s death
In addition to concerns over the will, Joyce raised questions about the events leading up to Herbert Wigwe’s untimely death in a helicopter crash in the U.S. earlier this year.
“We also cannot ignore how all of this started. Herbert was not a major Super Bowl fan—he was more of a polo fan. What exactly made him take that trip? Who organized it? Why was a company that had previously been deemed negligent chosen for the travel arrangements?”
- According to Joyce, Aig-Imoukhuede was responsible for organizing the trip. She demanded to know why a company with a history of safety concerns had been selected, hinting at potential negligence or undisclosed motives.
“We understand that Aig ihmoukede was responsible for organizing the trip. Why did he select a company that had already been flagged for negligence?”
- One of the most contentious aspects of the dispute is the guardianship of Herbert Wigwe’s daughter, Tochi. Joyce expressed deep concerns about the decision to entrust the management of the estate to a 25-year-old, arguing that such a role requires significant legal and financial expertise.
Joyce further stated that Tochi needed permission to even speak to family members and asked why Aig-Imoukhuede, if he genuinely cared about the children, would prevent them from receiving the best possible advice and support.
What people are saying
Following Dr. Joyce Wigwe’s revelations, the interview sparked widespread discussion online, with many questioning the circumstances surrounding Herbert Wigwe’s estate and the guardianship of his children. Social media users expressed deep concerns over the alleged exclusion of immediate family members from critical proceedings and raised suspicions about the role of Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede in managing the late banker’s affairs.
- A user identified as @Uchekc remarked on what he perceived as manipulation, particularly regarding Herbert Wigwe’s daughter, Tochi:
“The Tochi of a girl is being manipulated against her family members. This interview is mind-blowing, and without even listening to it, I already knew something was fishy. Why are the minors being kept away from their immediate relatives? How could Aig go to Isiokpo without paying homage to Herbert’s parents? What are they hiding or trying to hide from his parents and siblings?”
- Another commenter, @judeumeh5390, echoed similar concerns, arguing that the Wigwe family, rather than external parties, should be entrusted with the management of Herbert Wigwe’s legacy:
“This woman and her parents are absolutely right. The family is more than capable of handling this situation better than any friend or outsider. This is purely a family matter, and as Herbert’s father, his rights should be respected. No one knows if he has been offering guidance all along, but it seems the advice is being ignored. Unfortunately, many wolves disguise themselves as sheep, and only time will reveal their true nature. Friends can betray even when someone is alive—what more when they are gone? Transparency is needed in this case.”
- Dr. Joyce Wigwe’s advocacy also found support from @drtrishmd, who commended her for speaking out:
“Thank you for shedding light on this issue. It has been a truly difficult experience, but Dr. Joyce has handled herself remarkably well. She is asking the right questions and should naturally be on the same side as her niece. However, the other side has strategically turned her into a pawn. May truth prevail.”
- Meanwhile, @Bori-e4t questioned the apparent shift in Tochi’s relationship with her grandparents, implying that external influences may be at play:
“Why would a child suddenly turn away from her grandparents? The way Aig is handling this situation is highly suspicious.”
Some context
The family initially requested that legal proceedings surrounding the estate remain private to protect the children from public scrutiny. However, their request was denied, with the opposing party insisting on making the proceedings public.
Joyce Wigwe insists that the family is not trying to take anything from Tochi but merely wants transparency and accountability. She argues that, given the scale of Herbert Wigwe’s estate and the financial complexities involved, a more structured and informed approach is necessary to protect the best interests of his children.
What we know
Earlier reports suggested that Pastor Shyngle Wigwe, the father of the late Herbert Wigwe, had become embroiled in a legal battle over a share of his son’s estate.
It was alleged that he had filed a caveat at the Probate Registry, seeking to challenge the distribution of Herbert’s wealth, which had been exclusively designated for his children. However, this recent interview by Joyce Wigwe strongly refuted these claims, stating that her father’s priority has always been to ensure fairness and transparency in handling Herbert’s estate.
In light of these unfolding events, former Access Bank CEO Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede—who has been accused of tampering with Herbert’s will and withholding vital information from the family—is yet to release an official statement addressing the allegations.
Backstory
Herbert Wigwe, the former CEO of Access Bank, tragically passed away in a helicopter crash on February 9, 2024, at 57 years old. The fatal accident occurred near Halloran Springs, California, killing him, his wife, Chizoba, their son, Chizi, and business associate, Abimbola Ogunbanjo, former chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group (NGX).
The helicopter, identified as an Airbus EC130, was en route from Palm Springs, California, to Boulder City, Nevada, when it crashed under mysterious circumstances. Reports initially suggested that the poor weather conditions and pilot error might have contributed to the crash.
[Nairametrics]
More...
Veteran Nollywood actress, Ayo Adesanya, has opened up on how her abusive marriage negatively affected her.
Speaking in an interview with Chude Jideonwo, the thespian disclosed that the abuse she experienced in her crashed marriage turned her into an alcoholic.
Adesanya narrated how her ex-husband stopped her from acting and threatened to pluck out her eyes with a knife.
The actress said she was abused for 10 years and could not leave because of the shame of people saying she couldn’t keep a man.
She said, “Anywhere my ex-husband saw me, he would beat me.
“He beat me so much that I became an alcoholic. But I couldn’t leave because of the shame of people saying I couldn’t keep a man.”
Meanwhile, Nigerian media personality, Daddy Freeze, has defended Nigerian singer, Damini Ogulu, professionally known as Burna Boy, over the ongoing Lamborghini saga with popular socialite, Sophia Egbueje.
Naija News reports that Sophia, in a leaked audio online, called out Burna Boy for failing to fulfil his promise after sleeping with her.
She claimed that the Grammy award-wining singer promised her a Lamborghini in exchange for sex.
Amid the controversy the issue had generated online, Burna Boy released a mocking video, questioning why a certain individual is angry over his failure to buy a Lamborghini.
However, reacting to the drama in a video via his Instagram page on Friday, Daddy Freeze backed Burna Boy for scoping Sophia to get intimate with her.
He advised women to stop selling their bodies in exchange for a Lamborghini.
He said, “Women, please stop selling your body for a Lamborghini. And please, men, una no get action? Una no fit talk to women? Which one is Lamborghini?”
“Una wan sleep with a woman and she’s requesting a Lamborghini in exchange. Burna Boy, correct guy, you try. Burst them. The government needs to look into this. It cannot be okay for a girl to believe that she can get a car or a house by sleeping with a guy.”
Captioning the video, he wrote: “Lambo Lamba. Burna did well. Never press money when you can scope. The government needs to step in and stop this sex-for-Lambo-style drama.”
[NaijaNews]
Lagos Assembly Crisis: Lawmakers Lack Absolute Powers To Remove Or Install Their Leaders – GAC
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Chairman, Governance Advisory Council (GAC) in Lagos State, Prince Tajudeen Olusi, has opened up on the controversy in the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Speaking for the first time since the removal of Mudashiru Obasa as Speaker and election of Mojisola Meranda on January 13, 2025, the APC leader stated that whereas the lawmakers have no absolute powers to remove or install their leaders, neither the GAC nor the party was consulted.
Daily Trust reports that both Obasa and Meranda are now laying claim to the Speakership of the House of Assembly.
The GAC is the highest decision making organ of the APC which has held series of meetings with the aggrieved lawmakers since the crisis started.
Speaking with newsmen, Olusi said, “Members of the GAC are not members of the Lagos State House of Assembly to allegedly be behind the removal of Obasa. It can’t be true.
“We read it also that morning. The lawmakers carried it out without consulting the party and those of us in the GAC. That is our position.
“We invited all of them and insisted that all of them are products of the party. They lodged their complaints and we listened to them.
“I blamed them for one thing and that is for not lodging the complaints earlier before the party. It is for the party to decide, they (lawmakers) have no absolute power to remove and install their leaders.
“Nobody can become a member of the House of Assembly unless sponsored by a political party and the sponsors are the inspectors.”
He however added that discussions were ongoing to resolve the crisis.
“The problem is the speaker (Obasa) and his colleagues which had led to his removal. It is a disputer among them.
“Currently, there is a high powered committee of the party led by Chief Bisi Akande and members, including Aremo Olusegun Osoba, and former APC National Vice Chairman, South-west, Chief Pius Akinyelure and others,
“They are working and making efforts to resolve the matter. I know they are in consultation with the House of Assembly, Obasa and the other Speaker, Mrs Mojisola Lasbat Meranda.
“Those of us in the GAC and the Chairman of the Party, Pastor Cornelius Ojelabi are doing all within our power to assist the committee,” he added.
[Daily Trust]
The battle between the Abia State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP,band the National Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has taken a legal dimension as the Abia State High Court sitting at Obehie, Ukwa West LGA, has stopped the enforcement of the suspension of the former Senate President as BoT Chairman.
Justice L.T.C. Eruba, who presided over the matter between Adolphus Wabara and Abraham Amah, restrained Abraham Amah from laying claims to the Abia State chairmanship of the PDP and also restrained him from enforcing the said suspension of Wabara.
In the suit marked HUK/8/2025, Wabara is seeking the order of the court to restrain the defendant from enforcing the purported suspension.
Granting the prayers of the claimant, the court ordered: “The defendant is restrained from enforcing the suspension of the claimant/applicant from the Peoples Democratic Party, or in any way affecting his position as the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the PDP till the motion on notice is determined.”
Amah, while announcing Wabara’s suspension, accused the BoT Chairman of anti-party activities, citing praises for Governor Alex Otti’s performance as one of Wabara’s alleged sins.
Meanwhile, a group, PDP Frontiers for Change and Progress, has denied the claims made by a former Commissioner for Information, Abia State, John Okiyi Kalu, where Okiyi alleged that Adolphus Wabara held a secret meeting with Governor Alex Otti in London to discuss Otti’s possible defection to the PDP.
The National Coordinator of the PDP pro-group, Mr Emeka Yellow Ikpegbu, challenged the former commissioner to provide evidence of the alleged Wabara-Otti London meeting.
The H-1B visa programme plays a key role in the U.S. job market, enabling companies to address labour shortages in specialized fields requiring foreign workers.
It was created to help tech firms in the United States address labor shortages, allowing them to temporarily hire nonimmigrant workers to fill roles related to areas like computer programming or engineering.
Today, the nation’s largest companies continue to use the H-1B visa program, gathering some of their employees from other countries to curate a workforce that matches their needs.
Here is a list of top U.S. companies that sponsored H-1B visas:
1. Amazon
As a leader in e-commerce and cloud computing, Amazon continues to expand its workforce globally. The company emphasizes diversity and inclusion, operating 11 employee resource groups and making significant contributions to social justice organizations. In 2024, Amazon had 9,265 H-1B visas approved.
2. Infosys
With a workforce of over 323,000, Infosys remains a dominant player in digital services and IT consulting. The company promotes cross-cultural collaboration through initiatives like Culture Chat. Infosys secured 8,140 H-1B visa approvals in 2024.
3. Cognizant
A major force in digital solutions, Cognizant employs over 340,000 professionals worldwide. Due to its global presence, the company has a strong history of H-1B sponsorship, receiving 6,321 approvals in 2024.
4. Google
As a tech giant with employees across six continents, Google continuously strengthens its diversity and inclusion efforts. In 2024, the company had 5,364 H-1B visa applications approved.
5. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
With over 601,000 employees worldwide, TCS is a global IT powerhouse. The company actively promotes inclusive hiring practices, particularly in Latin America, and had 5,274 H-1B visa approvals in 2024.
6. Meta
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, continues to attract global talent. In 2024, Meta had 4,844 H-1B visas approved.
7. Microsoft
A leader in software and cloud computing, Microsoft has been enhancing its diversity initiatives over the past decade. The company secured 4,725 H-1B visa approvals in 2024.
8. Apple
Apple has ramped up its diversity efforts, launching the $100 million Racial Equity and Justice Initiative. The company had 3,873 H-1B visa approvals in 2024.
9. HCL Technologies
With offices in 60 countries and over 220,000 employees, HCL Technologies is a strong advocate for workplace inclusion. In 2024, HCL America had 2,953 H-1B visa approvals.
10. IBM
As one of the oldest names in tech, IBM continues to foster international talent. The company employs professionals from various global regions and had 2,906 H-1B visa approvals in 2024.
11. Cisco
A Silicon Valley staple, Cisco operates on a global scale, with over 90,000 employees worldwide. The company had 1,330 H-1B visa approvals in 2024.
12. Capgemini
A Paris-based IT leader with a strong global footprint, Capgemini employs more than 300,000 people across 50+ countries. In 2024, the company secured 2,795 H-1B visa approvals.
13. Accenture
Serving clients in over 120 countries, Accenture is a key player in IT consulting. The company had 2,157 H-1B visa approvals in 2024, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
14. Ernst & Young (EY)
A global consulting and auditing firm, EY is a champion of diversity and inclusion, earning international recognition for its efforts. The firm continues to support global hiring initiatives through H-1B visa sponsorship.
15. MobilityWare
A mobile gaming company known for its card and puzzle games, MobilityWare employs professionals across various fields and regularly sponsors H-1B visas for its workforce.
16. Oracle
Since its inception during the 1970s, cloud technology provider Oracle has become an international household name. Presenting an employee base that exceeds 160,000, the company hosts a range of diversity and inclusion initiatives and focuses on strengthening its international standing. Oracle is one of many tech powerhouses that sponsors H-1B visas, and received approval for 2,070 H-1B visas in 2024.
17. Capgemini
IT innovator Capgemini may not be a Silicon Valley original, but the Paris-based company has undoubtedly made an impact on the world’s tech scene. The company boasts over 300,000 employees across more than 50 countries, making it a global tech leader. In 2024, the company had 2,795 H-1B visas approved.
18. Qualcomm
Networking business Qualcomm has earned a reputation as one of the tech world’s most impactful companies. With over 170 offices in almost 30 countries, the company has begun amplifying its diversity and inclusion initiatives and has even established a Diversity Task Force to keep track of these measures. It received approval for 1,122 H-1B visas in 2024.
19. Accenture
IT services company Accenture has broadened its global reach since its founding in 1989. The company serves clients in more than 120 countries, making it a truly international organization. Accenture has a history of sponsoring H-1B visas, winning approvals for 2,157 visas in 2024, according to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
20. JPMorganChase
JPMorganChase serves clients in areas like investment banking, wealth management and financial technology. With a workforce covering 65 countries, JPMorganChase touts that 49 percent of global new hires are women and 58 percent of U.S. new hires are racially or ethnically diverse. The company supports its workforce with programs dedicated to employees who are Black, Hispanic or Latino, military veterans and living with disabilities.
[TheNation]