Hundreds of transgender federal prisoners face uncertainty and fear after President Donald Trump’s executive order mandating transfers to facilities based on biological sex rather than gender identity.

The move has sparked concerns, particularly from legal advocates who warn of the dangers these inmates may face in male prisons.

“It’s going to be incredibly dangerous,” said attorney Moira Meltzer-Cohen, who represents Donna Langan, a transgender woman serving a life sentence for bank robbery, as quoted by DailyMailUK.

Meltzer-Cohen fears a “bloodbath” if trans inmates are forced into male prisons.

The order, signed on Trump’s first day in office, states the government will recognise only two sexes and restrict “intimate spaces” like bathrooms and dorms to biological sex. Federal funding for transition-related healthcare has also been halted.

Sandra Gant, a federal public defender, revealed that her office was alerted after a trans client was segregated for transfer to a men’s prison. “She is terrified,” Gant shared, calling for legal strategies to challenge the policy.

Rhonda Fleming, a female inmate in Texas, welcomed the decision after her failed legal battle to exclude trans women from women’s prisons, citing fears for her safety. Fleming claimed some male inmates fake gender identities to serve sentences in women’s facilities.

The Bureau of Prisons, which oversees approximately 1,500 trans women and 750 trans men, has yet to decide on placements for inmates who have undergone gender-affirming surgeries, citing additional security concerns.

The executive order, part of Trump’s broader rollback of protections for transgender individuals, faces potential legal challenges from groups like the ACLU.

Emmanuel Adebayor, a former Togo striker, has spoken up about his departure from Arsenal.

Adebayor, speaking with Optus Sport, claimed the then-manager Arsene Wenger banished him from the training ground.

Wenger signed the striker from Monaco and he finished the 2007/08 season with 30 goals in all competitions.

However, the next summer, a bitter contract wrangle led to several top European clubs courting Adebayor.

And although he eventually put pen to paper on a new deal, his relationship with Wenger had been broken.

And the Frenchman asked Adebayor to leave, with Manchester City landing him from their Premier League rivals.

“I had a great season in 2008, I had everyone calling me,” Adebayor said.

“Milan, when Milan was great with Kaka, Gattuso, Maldini and Shevchenko, but I said I wasn’t going, I’m staying with Arsenal.

“I went on holiday but when I came back to the club I had a meeting with the boss, and he said ‘I don’t need you any more.’ And I was like ‘wow’, what am I going to do?

“I wanted a chance to fight for my place and he said no. He said if I stayed I’d not be in the squad for the league, not in the squad for the Champions League or the cup. I thought, ‘ok, this is harsh’.

“I decided to try and give it a chance to force my way back in, but I came back the next day to the training ground and they blocked the gate.

“I wasn’t allowed to enter the Arsenal training ground facility and that’s when I realised it was over.”

A heartwarming moment has captured the internet’s attention, as a video of Cameroonian football legend and President of the Cameroonian Football Federation, Samuel Eto’o, recognising a former teammate working as a security guard goes viral.

The encounter reportedly took place after an Ecobank Group seminar in Douala, Cameroon, according to a report shared on X by a news platform, ED HUB.

In the video, Eto’o, surrounded by fans and attendees, was leaving the venue when someone offscreen called out his name.

At first, he glanced back briefly before walking on, but then he stopped, turned again, and realised it was an old friend.

The man, dressed in a security uniform, walked into the frame, and Eto’o’s face lit up in recognition.

The former Barcelona star warmly shook hands with his old teammate, embraced him briefly, and exchanged pleasantries in Bassa’a, a Cameroonian dialect.

Eto’o was visibly moved, repeatedly patting his friend’s arm as they reminisced.

Turning to the crowd gathered around them, Eto’o introduced the man, saying, “He was my colleague. I played with him.”

The touching moment has drawn widespread admiration on social media, with many users praising Eto’o for his humility.

This heartfelt moment has however earned him praise among netizens.

Hendrïxx, tweeting as @Mr_humble87, wrote, “When life favors you, don’t ever think others are lazy. Bravo to Eto’o on acknowledging his old teammate.”

Another user,  @MrsLucyEssel, wrote, “Much respect to Etoo. Even if he doesn’t meet him again this man would forever remember this day.”

Dark Cookies, tweeting as @ayo30bg, speculated on how Eto’o recognised him, saying, “I think he called him a name his old friends or close family calls him and caught his attention very fast.”

Some users even translated parts of their conversation spoken in Bassa’a.

Keke, tweeting as @corenti67008438, explained, “He Said: we need to meetup, we can’t speak right now because I have meetings in 10 minutes but tell Christian (assistant of Eto’o and friends of both) to do everything we meetup we gonna speak my friend. I’m happy to see you.”

Many netizens reflected on the unexpected twists and turns of life.

Twiddle™, tweeting as @Boison__, wrote, “Life be someway o. May all the boys we roll with succeed and may we all meet at the top!”

Another user, @Phemmydeji, added, “Life is deep. Sometimes you really can’t understand the mystery.”

President Bola Tinubu has appointed the Chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje as the board chairman of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria.

Also appointed is the APC National Secretary, Senator Bashiru Ajibola as the board chairman of the National Sugar Development Council (NSDC).

The Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, announced the appointment in a statement on Friday.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed board chairpersons for 42 federal organisations and a secretary to the board of the Civil Defence, Immigration, and Prisons Services,” the statement read.

“The President has also appointed a new managing director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a director-general for the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).”

He said Tinubu appointed former deputy governor of Kebbi State, Sulaiman Argungu, as the Chairman, Nigeria Bulk Electricity Trading Company.

Similarly, a long time ally of the President and former Senator representing Rivers South-East, Magnus Abe, made the list as the Chairman, National Agency For Great Green Wall.

According to the presidential spokesman, Tinubu directed the “board chairpersons not to interfere with the management of the organisations, emphasising that their positions are non-executive.”

See the full statement below:

 STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

 

APPOINTMENT OF BOARD CHAIRPERSONS AND CEOS

ADVERTISEMENT

 

 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed board chairpersons for 42 federal organisations and a secretary to the board of the Civil Defence, Immigration, and Prisons Services.

 

The President has also appointed a new managing director for the Nigerian Railway Corporation and a director-general for the National Board for Technology Incubation (NBTI).

 

President Tinubu directs the board chairpersons not to interfere with the management of the organisations, emphasising that their positions are non-executive.

 

All the appointments take immediate effect.

 

1. NATIONAL YOUTH SERVICE CORPS, MINISTRY OF YOUTH DEVELOPMENT

– Hon. Hillard Eta Chairman (Cross River)

 

2. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

– Prof. Bolaji Akinyemi, Chairman (Lagos)

 

3. FEDERAL AIRPORT AUTHORITY OF NIGERIA, MINISTRY OF AVIATION

– H. E. Abdullahi U. Ganduje, Chairman (Kano)

 

4. NATIONAL SUGAR DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

– Sen. Surajudeen Bashiru Ajibola, Chairman (Osun)

 

5. NIGERIA BULK ELECTRICITY TRADING COMPANY

– H. E. Sulaiman Argungu, Chairman (Kebbi)

 

6. NATIONAL AGENCY FOR GREAT GREEN WALL

– Sen. Magnus Abe, Chairman (Rivers)

 

7. NATIONAL TEACHERS INSTITUTE

– Barr. Festus Fuanter, Chairman (Plateau)

 

8. NATIONAL BOARD FOR TECHNOLOGY INCUBATION (NBTI)

– Raji, Kazeem Kolawole, Director-General (Oyo)

 

9. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF EDUCATIONAL PLANNING AND ADMINISTRATION

– Chief Victor Tombari Giadom, Chairman (Rivers)

 

10. TEACHERS REGISTRATION COUNCIL OF NIGERIA

– Comrade Mustapha Salihu, Chairman (Adamawa)

 

11. INDUSTRIAL TRAINING FUND

– Hon. Hamma Adama Ali Kumo, Chairman (Gombe)

 

12. NIGERIAN INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY

– Donatus Enyinnah Nwankpa, Chairman (Abia)

 

13. SHEDA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COMPLEX

– Sen. Abubakar Maikafi, Chairman (Bauchi)

 

14. FEDERAL MORTGAGE BANK OF NIGERIA

– H. E. Nasiru Gawuna, Chairman (Kano)

 

15. NATIONAL OFFICE FOR TECHNOLOGY ACQUISITION AND PROMOTION

– Sen. Tokunbo Afikuyomi, Chairman (Lagos)

 

16. NIGERIAN POSTAL SERVICE

– Chief D. J. Kekemeke, Chairman (Ondo)

 

17. NATIONAL INLAND WATERWAYS AUTHORITY

– Hon. Musa Sarkin Adar, Chairman (Sokoto)

 

18. NATIONAL STEEL COUNCIL

– Prof. Abdulkarim Kana Abubakar, Chairman (Nasarawa)

 

19. NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS

ENFORCEMENT AGENCY

– Hon. Garba Datti Muhammad, Chairman (Kaduna)

 

20. NATIONAL BIO-SAFETY MANAGEMENT AGENCY

– Mu’azu Bawa Rijau, Chairman (Niger)

 

21. NIGERIAN BUILDING AND ROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE

– Hon. Durosimi Meseko, Chairman (Kogi)

 

22. FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, GOMBE

– Hajia Zainab A. Ibrahim, Chairman (Taraba)

 

23. NIGERIAN RAILWAY CORPORATION

– Dr.Kayode Isiak Opeifa, Managing Director (Lagos)

 

24. FEDERAL TEACHING HOSPITAL, IDO-EKITI

– Aare (Hon.) Durotolu Oyebode Bankole, Chairman (Ogun)

 

25. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ABEOKUTA

– Mr Abdullahi Dayo Israel, Chairman (Lagos)

 

26. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, ASABA

– Dr. Mrs. Mary Alile Idele, Chairman (Edo)

 

27. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, LOKOJA

– Nze Chidi Duru (OON), Chairman (Anambra)

 

28. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, OWERRI

– Hon. Emma Eneukwu, Chairman (Enugu)

 

29. CIVIL DEFENCE, IMMIGRATION AND PRISONS SERVICES BOARD

– Major Gen. Jubril Abdulmalik Rtd, Secretary (Kano)

 

30. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, UMUAHIA

– Mr. Uguru Mathew Ofoke, Chairman (Ebonyi)

 

31. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YENAGOA

– Barr. Felix Chukwumenoye Morka, Chairman (Delta)

 

32. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE, YOLA

– Alh. Bashir Usman Gumel, Chairman (Jigawa)

 

33. DAVID UMAHI FEDERAL UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, UBUHU, EBONYI STATE

– Dr. Ijeoma Arodiogbu, Chairman (Imo)

 

34. NATIONAL OIL SPILL DETECTION AND RESPONSE AGENCY

– Chief Edward Omo-Erewa, Chairman (Edo)

 

35. NIGERIAN MARITIME ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY AGENCY (NIMASA)

– Yusuf Hamisu Abubakar, Chairman (Kaduna)

 

36. NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, NNEWI, ANAMBRA STATE

– Hon. Ali Bukar Dalori, Chairman (Borno)

 

37. AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL, SHIKA, ZARIA,

KADUNA STATE

– Hon. Lawal M. Liman (Chairman)

 

38. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE KATSINA

– Dr. Abubakar Isa Maiha (Chairman)

 

39. RAW MATERIALS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL (RMRDC)

– Isa Sadiq Achida, Chairman (Sokoto)

 

40. FEDERAL MEDICAL CENTRE BIRNIN KUDU

– Dr. Mohammed Gusau Hassan, Chairman Zamfara

 

41. NATIONAL BUILDING AND ROAD RESEARCH INSTITUTE

– Hon. Yahuza Ado Inuwa, Chairman (Nasarawa)

 

42. SOKOTO-RIMA RIVER BASIN DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

– Amb. Abubakar Shehu Wurno, Chairman (Sokoto)

 

43. AMINU KANO TEACHING HOSPITAL

– Augustine Chukwu Umahi, Chairman (Ebonyi)

 

44. FEDERAL SCHOLARSHIP BOARD

– Engr. Babatunde Fakoyede, Chairman (Ekiti)

 

45. NIGERIAN SOCIAL INSURANCE TRUST FUND

– Hon. Shola Olofin, Chairman (Ekiti)

 

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

January 23, 2025

US President Donald Trump said Thursday his administration would appeal a federal judge’s ruling that temporarily blocks his attempt to restrict birthright citizenship.

“Obviously we will appeal it,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office when asked about the ruling by Washington state District Judge John Coughenour, who said the president’s order was “blatantly unconstitutional.”

A federal judge on Thursday put a temporary block on Trump’s attempt to restrict birthright citizenship.

The ruling imposes a 14-day stay on the enforcement of one of the most controversial executive orders Trump signed in the hours after he was sworn into office for a second term.

“This is a blatantly unconstitutional order,” US District Judge John Coughenour was reported as saying during the hearing in Washington state.

“I’ve been on the bench for over four decades, I can’t remember another case where the question presented is as clear as this one is,” said Coughenour, who was appointed by a Republican president, Ronald Reagan.

Trump told reporters his administration would “obviously” appeal the ruling, while the Department of Justice said it would defend the executive order, which a spokesman said “correctly interprets” the US Constitution.

“We look forward to presenting a full merits argument to the Court and to the American people, who are desperate to see our Nation’s laws enforced,” the spokesman said.

Birthright citizenship is enshrined in the US Constitution under the 14th Amendment which decrees that anyone born on US soil is a citizen.

It says, in part: “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

Trump’s order was premised on the idea that anyone in the US illegally, or on a visa, was not “subject to the jurisdiction” of the country, and therefore excluded from this category.

An incredulous Coughenour chided Justice Department attorney Brett Shumate over his assertion that Trump’s order was constitutional.

“Frankly, I have difficulty understanding how a member of the bar could state unequivocally that this is a constitutional order,” Coughenour said.

“It just boggles my mind.”

– ‘On a whim’ –

The ruling comes after a flurry of lawsuits filed by 22 states, two cities and numerous civil rights groups.

It was hailed by states that took part in the legal actions.

“No president can change the constitution on a whim and today’s decision affirms that,” Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes said.

The ruling is “the first of many wins to come as my office fights instances of executive overreach and any illegal actions the new administration may take.”

Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said Trump’s order was “un-American.”

“Birthright citizenship makes clear that citizenship cannot be conditioned on one’s race, ethnicity or where their parents came from,” he said after the ruling.

“It’s the law of our nation, recognized by generations of jurists, lawmakers and presidents, until President Trump’s illegal action.”

The legal challenge was no surprise, and Trump had acknowledged it was likely when he signed the order.

He has repeatedly — and wrongly — asserted that the United States is the only country in the world with birthright citizenship; in fact more than 30 others also have it, including Canada and Mexico.

Trump’s opponents have argued that the 14th Amendment, which was ratified in 1868 as the United States sought to knit itself back together after the Civil War, has been settled law for over a century.

They have cited an 1898 US Supreme Court ruling in the case of a San Francisco-born Chinese American man called Wong Kim Ark.

Wong was denied entry back into the United States after visiting relatives in China on the grounds that he was not a citizen.

The court affirmed that children born in the United States, including those born to immigrants, could not be denied citizenship.

Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court  Abuja has proscribed the Lakurawa sect, classifying it as a terrorist organisation.

The prescription order followed an ex-parte application filed by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN).

In a ruling, Justice Omotosho, equally proscribed similar groups operating in Nigeria, especially in the North West and North Central regions of the country.

“It is hereby ordered as follows: That an order is hereby made declaring the activities of the Lakurawa Sect and other similar groups In any part of Nigeria, especially in the North West and North Central Regions of Nigeria as acts of terrorism and illegality.

“That an order is hereby made proscribing the existence of the Lakurawa and other similar groups in any part of Nigeria, especially In the North West and North Central Regions of Nigeria either in groups or as Individuals by whatsoever names they are called and publishing same in the Official Gazette and two (2) National Dailies.

“That an order is hereby made proscribing any person or group of persons from participating in any manner whatsoever in any form of activities evolving or concerning the prosecution of the collective intention or otherwise of the Lakurawa under any other name or platform however called or described.

“That an order is hereby made proscribing ali other groups in Nigeria by whatever name called with similar objectives as the Lakurawa which Include but not limited to banditry, kidnapping for ransom, kidnapping for marriage, mass abduction of school children and other citizens, cattle rustling, enslavement, imprisonment, severe deprivation of physical liberty, torture, rape, sexual slavery, enforced prostitution, forced pregnancy, other forms of sexual violence, attacks and killings n communities, commuters and wanton destruction of lives and properties in Nigeria,” the court held.

FG had in the ex-parte application, prayed the court for four orders.

An Assistant Director in the Federal Ministry of Justice, mister David Kaswe, moved the motion that was initially filed on January 14 by the Director of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), Mr Mohammed Abubakar.

In a supporting affidavit that was deposed to by Mr Michael Akawu, a litigation officer in the Department of Public Prosecutions of the Federation (DPPF), the federal government told the court that the Lakurawa sect/group had been involved in acts of terrorism, including cattle rustling, kidnapping for ransom, hostage taking, attack on top government officials, attack on security personnel, propagation of their ideology to the local communities, encouraging the locals to disregard constituted authorities, within Nigeria.

The FG maintained that it had reasonable grounds to believe that the Lakurawa sect met the criteria to be proscribed as a terrorist group under the Terrorism (Prevent and Prohibition) Act.

It told the court that it would be in the overall interest of justice, peace and security of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to proscribe the sect.

Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has lost his elder brother, Sunday Makinde.

He was aged 65 years.

He died on Friday, January 24, 2025.

Announcing the passing in a message, a brother of the deceased, who is also the Bada Olubadan of Ibadanland and Head of the Aigbofa Family of Oja’ba, Ibadan, Chief Olumuyiwa Makinde, wrote, “With a heavy heart, I announce the passage of my older brother, Engr Sunday Makinde, to eternal glory today, Friday, 24th of January, 2025.”

“His sudden death occurred in his Ibadan residence at 3:20 am today, Friday, 24th January 2025.”

“He is survived by siblings, among whom is the executive governor of Oyo State, His Excellency, Engr. Seyi Makinde, children, and grandchildren.”