In recent years, the long-standing institution of marriage has experienced numerous transformations, mirroring societal changes, economic conditions, and evolving values.

One particularly intriguing trend emerging in some communities is the concept of men requesting “marriage lists” from multiple women.

This practice, driven by a desire to evaluate potential marriage costs, raises several questions about tradition, love, and the commodification of relationships.

Marriage lists are essentially detailed accounts of the financial demands associated with a prospective marriage. These lists may include dowries, gifts, and other financial obligations that a groom or his family must meet. Traditionally, dowries were a way to secure the financial future of a bride and her family, but in contemporary settings, they can vary significantly based on cultural, regional, and individual factors.

Men requesting these lists from various women aims to assess which marriage would be the most economically feasible. This practice can stem from a combination of personal financial constraints, cultural expectations, and the desire to make informed decisions in an era where economic considerations are increasingly important.

In many cultures, marriage is not just a union of two individuals; it is a significant financial transaction involving families. While in some societies, love and companionship are the primary motivations for marriage, in others, financial considerations play a pivotal role. The practice of comparing marriage lists could be seen as a practical approach to ensuring financial stability, but it also risks reducing the complex institution of marriage to a mere transactional relationship.

The practice raises several ethical questions. First, is it fair to women to be evaluated based solely on financial demands? This approach can reinforce harmful stereotypes and perpetuate a culture where women’s worth is tied to monetary value. Additionally, it may lead to emotional detachment in relationships, prioritizing financial calculations over genuine compatibility and affection.

Moreover, this practice could create an environment of competition among women, fostering insecurities and undermining the foundational values of trust and love that are vital for a successful marriage.

On a practical level, the comparison of marriage costs can be influenced by economic realities. In times of financial uncertainty, individuals may feel compelled to prioritize financial security over emotional connection. This trend can also reflect broader societal changes, where economic factors increasingly dictate personal choices.

However, it’s essential to recognize that while financial considerations are valid, they should not overshadow the fundamental aspects of partnership—mutual respect, love, and shared goals.

While the practice of men requesting marriage lists from various women may appear to be a logical approach to navigating the complexities of modern relationships, it brings to light significant ethical, cultural, and emotional concerns. Marriage, at its core, is a partnership that thrives on connection and commitment, transcending financial considerations.

As society continues to evolve, it’s crucial to strike a balance between practical realities and the deeper values that define successful and fulfilling relationships. Ultimately, a marriage built on love and mutual respect will likely yield a more rewarding and lasting partnership than one anchored solely in economic calculations.

Some Nigerian police officers and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been caught on camera engaging in a fight.

It was gathered that the incident occurred during the week at Elizabeth Estate, Abere in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.

Nollywood actress, Olajumoke Amoke Olatunde George, popularly known as Jumoke George, has cited sexual demands and skin tone as reasons for her 14-year absence from the film industry.

The movie star, in a recent interview with Oyinmomo TV, said that movie directors often complained about her dark skin tone, suggesting she bleached her skin.

Jumoke, who returned to the entertainment scene a few years after a prolonged hiatus, recalled an incident where a director told her she was being blacklisted for refusing to sleep with them.

She said: “My skin tone was not the only setback I encountered in this business. The other reason why I did not get any roles or see the back of a lens for 14 years is because I refused to sleep around. Regarding my skin tone, they complained that I was too dark, and I would tell them to adjust the lighting to make me look lighter.

“You cannot push me into something I do not want to do. I will glow with this skin till old age, and don’t forget, black does not crack. I started having issues getting roles when the executives wanted a relationship in exchange for them. The pressure was immense, coming from more than 20 to 30 people.

“Another issue was that if you dated one of them, broke up, and moved on to someone else, they would discuss you among themselves. I told myself that as long as God exists, I would not find myself in such a space. I avoided it to prevent becoming passed around among them.

“I did not get any acting roles for about three years, and I did not understand what was happening. One day, I was at Feminar Cafe at LTV 8, and I met one of our directors—I won’t mention his name. I asked him why he wasn’t calling me for roles anymore, and he asked me, ‘Jummy, do you still want to feature in movies?’

“He then told me that their group of directors had decided not to give me roles. I asked why, and he said it was because I refused to sleep with them. He even asked what benefit I gained from refusing their advances. I just started crying, and he walked out. When I got home, I prayed to God to take control.”

The Senate, on Thursday, approved 15 per cent from the Consolidated Revenue Fund as source of funding for the newly created zonal development commissions by member-states.

The approval followed consideration and adoption of the report of the Senate Committee on Special Duties on the bills establishing the commissions.

Earlier, the lawmakers were divided over the source of funding for the newly created zonal development commissions.

The disagreement emerged during the clause-by-clause consideration of the South-South Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024, which serves as the structural template for other zonal commissions.

Central to the debate was the Senate Committee on Special Duties’ recommendation that 15 per cent of statutory allocations from member states be directed towards funding these commissions.

Several lawmakers, including Yahaya Abdullahi (PDP, Kebbi North), Wasiu Eshinlokun (APC, Lagos East), and Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), voiced concerns over the proposed funding model.

Abdullahi warned that the provision could lead to legal challenges from state governments, as no state would willingly allow its statutory allocation to be reduced.

“Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, the 15 per cent of statutory allocations of member states recommended for funding their zonal development commissions would be litigated against by some state governments,” Abdullahi said.

Seeking to clarify the matter, the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, quickly intervened.

He explained that the 15 per cent allocation would not involve a direct deduction from the states’ funds.

He said, “Mr President, distinguished colleagues, the 15 per cent of statutory allocation of member states, recommended for funding of zonal development commissions by the Federal Government, is not about deduction at all.

“What is recommended as contained in the report presented to us by the committee on special duties and being considered by the Senate now is that 15 per cent of statutory allocation of member states in a zonal development commission would, by way of calculation by the Federal Government, used to fund the commission from the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

“Each state has a monthly statutory allocation, 15 per cent of which, as contained in this report being considered, will be calculated by the Federal Government and removed from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for funding of their development commission.”

Despite Barau’s explanation, several senators remained unconvinced and expressed their desire to contribute to the debate.

However, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, stepped in, asserting that the provision was constitutionally sound.

“We don’t need to debate whether 15 per cent of statutory allocations from member states in a commission would be deducted,” Akpabio said, citing Section 162(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which grants the National Assembly the authority to appropriate funds from either the Consolidated Revenue Fund or the Federation Account.

“Fifteen per cent of the statutory allocation has been recommended by the Senate and, by extension, the National Assembly, for funding these zonal development commissions. Anyone who wishes to challenge that in court is free to do so,” he added.

Akpabio then called for a voice vote, and the majority voted in favour of the provision.

In his remarks following the passage of the consolidated bills, Akpabio expressed gratitude to the senators for their efforts in finalising the zonal development commissions.

He noted that these commissions would provide a foundation for the newly created Ministry of Regional Development.

The bills passed include the South-South Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024, the North West Development Commission Act (Amendment) Bill 2024, and the South-East Development Commission Act (Amendment) Bill 2024.

The South West Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024 and North Central Development Commission Establishment Bill 2024 were previously passed.

The Confederation of African Football, CAF, has published the list of nominees for the 2024 awards.

The event will be held December 16, 2024, in Marrakech, Morocco.

In a statement from CAF, the period under review is January 2024 and October 2024.

There are 10 players nominated in each category.

South Africa goalkeeper, Ronwen Williams is nominated in all three categories: Player of the Year, CAF Goalkeeper of the Year and CAF Interclub Player of the Year.

The winners will be determined through votes from a diverse panel, which includes the CAF Technical Committee, media professionals, and the Head Coaches and Captains of Member Associations, as well as clubs participating in the group stages of interclub competitions.

The list of nominees for the women’s categories will be announced shortly.

Full List of Nominees:

PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Amine Gouiri (Algeria / Rennes)

Edmond Tapsoba (Burkina Faso / Bayer Leverkusen)

Simon Adingra (Cote d’Ivoire / Brighton & Hove Albion)

Chancel Mbemba (DR Congo / Olympique Marseille)

Serhou Guirassy (Guinea / Borussia Dortmund)

Achraf Hakimi (Morocco / Paris Saint-Germain)

Soufiane Rahimi (Morocco / Al Ain)

Ademola Lookman (Nigeria / Atalanta)

William Troost Ekong (Nigeria / Al Kholood)

Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)

GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Oussama Benbot (Algeria / USM Alger)

Andre Onana (Cameroon / Manchester United)

Yahia Fofana (Cote d’Ivoire / Angers SCO)

Lionel Mpasi (DR Congo / Rodez AF)

Mostafa Shobeir (Egypt / Al Ahly)

Djigui Diarra (Mali / Young Africans)

Munir El Kajoui (Morocco / RS Berkane)

Stanley Nwabali (Nigeria / Chippa United)

Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)

Amanallah Memmiche (Tunisia / Esperance Sportive de Tunis)

INTERCLUB PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Oussama Benbot (Algeria / USM Alger)

Issoufou Dayo (Burkina Faso / RS Berkane)

Ahmed Sayed ‘Zizo’ (Egypt / Zamalek)

Hussein El Shahat (Egypt / Al Ahly)

Mostafa Shobeir (Egypt / Al Ahly)

Abdul Aziz Issah (Ghana / Dreams FC)

John Antwi (Ghana / Dreams FC)

Amanallah Memmiche (Tunisia / Esperance Sportive de Tunis)

Yassine Merriah (Tunisia / Esperance Sportive de Tunis)

Ronwen Williams (South Africa / Mamelodi Sundowns)

COACH OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Pedro Goncalves (Angola)

Brahima Traore (Burkina Faso)

Emerse Fae (Cote d’Ivoire)

Sebastien Desabre (DR Congo)

Jose Gomes (Zamalek)

Marcel Koller (Al Ahly)

Chiquinho Conde (Mozambique)

Hugo Broos (South Africa)

Florent Ibenge (Al Hilal)

Kwesi Appiah (Sudan)

YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Carlos Baleba (Cameroon / Brighton & Hove Albion)

Karim Konate (Cote d’Ivoire / Salzburg)

Oumar Diakite (Cote d’Ivoire / Reims)

Yankuba Minteh (Gambia / Brighton & Hove Albion)

Abdul Aziz Issah (Ghana / Dreams FC / Barcelona)

Bilal El Khannouss (Morocco / Leicester City)

Eliesse Ben Seghir (Morocco / AS Monaco)

El Hadji Malick Diouf (Senegal / Slavia Prague)

Lamine Camara (Senegal / AS Monaco)

Amanallah Memmiche (Tunisia / Esperance Sportive de Tunis)

CLUB OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Petro Atletico (Angola)

TP Mazembe (DR Congo)

Al Ahly (Egypt)

Zamalek (Egypt)

Dreams FC (Ghana)

RS Berkane (Morocco)

Mamelodi Sundowns (South Africa)

Simba (Tanzania)

Young Africans (Tanzania)

Esperance Sportive de Tunis (Tunisia)

NATIONAL TEAM OF THE YEAR (MEN)

Angola

Burkina Faso

Cote d’Ivoire

DR Congo

Morocco

Mozambique

Nigeria

South Africa

Sudan

Uganda.

Abia South Senator, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has accused President Bola Tinubu of showing the Southeast “renewed shege.”

Abaribe faulted the cabinet reshuffling, which saw the appointment of Bianca Ojukwu as the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs.

Tinubu had removed five ministers while appointing seven and reassigning 10 to new portfolios.

The president relieved Uju-Ken Ohanenye, the Minister of Women Affairs, from her duties.

Reacting, Abaribe said relieving a Southeast Minister and replacing with another “doesn’t feel like progress.”

Speaking with Arise TV, Abaribe said, “For my constituents, nothing has changed. They don’t refer to it as ‘Renewed Hope’ but rather as ‘Renewed Shege (Suffering).’

“The South East, in particular, is questioning the supposed changes. Removing one South East minister only to replace them doesn’t feel like progress.”

The lawmaker accused Tinubu of breaching the constitution, stressing that the reshuffled cabinet did not reflect Federal character.

Abaribe added: “The president has breached it for the last 18 months. We thought that with these changes, maybe there will be some adjustments that will also put some balm on what is going on in the minds of people from the South East.

“I want to tell everyone that the Igbos want fairness and equity, which are in the constitution. Treat us as you are treating everybody else.”

He further lamented that, despite the South East’s calls for equity and fairness, Tinubu’s actions continue to overlook the region.

Gov Abbir Yusuf of Kano State has appointed Super Eagles captain, Ahmed Musa as the state's ambassador of sports.

The governor stated that his decision to appoint Musa as the sports ambassador was because of his professional competence, track record of excellent performance, vast experience, dedication to the development of sporting activities and provision of humanitarian services in the State.

The appointment was confirmed via a statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Baffa Bichi PhD on Wednesday titled “NOTIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT AS KANO STATE SPORT AMBASSADOR”.

The statement reads in full: “It is my singular honour to formally convey to you that His Excellency, Governor Abba K. Yusuf of Kano State has approved your appointment as Kano State Sports Ambassador with effect from 24th July, 2024.

The decision to appoint you into this exalted position of trust and confidence was predicated upon your professional competence, track record of excellent performance, vast experience, dedication to the development of sporting activities and provision of humanitarian services in the State. It is hoped that you will bring these sterling qualities to bear on your new assignment.

It is my ardent prayer that your appointment as Kano State Sports Ambassador will assist the Government significantly in attaining the objective of promoting the overall sporting activities especially as it relates to our home based clubs and players.

While congratulating you over this well-deserved appointment, it is my sincere hope that you will live above board and justify the confidence reposed in you by the Government. I pray that God in His infinite mercy accord you the wisdom and determination to execute the assignment diligently and to the expectation of the administration. Accept my sincere congratulations on this well-deserved appointment and prayers of good will.

Best wishes.”