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IJAW NATIONAL CONGRESS WARNS: Stop Divisive Statements That Threaten Rivers State's Unity!

The attention of the Ijaw National Congress (INC) Worldwide has been drawn to a publication in News Week Nigeria Online dated January 12, 2025, with the breaking news headline: “Media Personality Declares Rivers State as the 6th Igbo State.” The report was attributed to one “General Show,” an Ikwerre by tribe and a self-styled “Media Personality,” who ignorantly declared Rivers State as the “6th Igbo State” in Nigeria. This claim was allegedly based on the fact that a factional Ohanaeze Ndigbo President is from the Ikwerre ethnic group. Ordinarily, the INC would not have responded to such a report. However, given the potential of such publications to mislead the public and cause ethnic tensions, we find it necessary to respond. For the benefit of our people and the general public, the INC categorically states that Rivers State cannot be referred to as an Igbo State. The Ijaw population in Rivers State constitutes over 50% of its inhabitants. Furthermore, Rivers State is home to other e...
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THE DEMONS WE CREATE: A Reflection On Leadership And Accountability In Nigeria

The ease with which Nigerian leaders are vilified and reduced to mere "demons" in the minds of the masses is striking. This phenomenon transcends mere frustration; it is rooted in the systemic failure of leadership—a failure characterized by broken promises, mismanagement of resources, and a widening disconnect between leaders and the electorate. In Nigeria, the relationship between the people and their leaders is fraught with tension. The notion that "leaders are the demons we create" reflects an uncomfortable truth: Nigerian leaders, for all their perceived flaws, are not born into power. Rather, they are products of a system that allows them to ascend. This system is sustained by voter apathy, electoral malpractice, and a deeply ingrained culture of corruption. The electorate plays a pivotal role in this dynamic. Nigerian leaders often rise to power through a mix of patronage, promises of change, and the manipulation of public sentiment. Yet, once in office, many...
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DELTA PDP REFUTES DEFECTION RUMOURS, REAFFIRMS GOVERNOR OBOREVWORI'S COMMITMENT TO GOOD GOVERNANCE

The Delta State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has categorically dismissed rumours circulating on social media that the Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, is planning to decamp to the All Progressives Congress (APC). In a strongly worded statement issued by the State Chairman, Chief Solomon Arenyeka JP, the party described the rumors as “mischievous, sinister, and baseless,” emphasizing that such claims are designed to mislead the public and create unnecessary tension. The statement labeled the allegations as the handiwork of "jobless political hirelings" and "failed agents of destabilization and treachery" acting on behalf of their sponsors. Chief Arenyeka condemned the individuals behind the rumors, describing them as impostors who lack credibility and are not genuine members of the PDP. He stated unequivocally that Governor Oborevwori remains a loyal and dedicated member of the PDP and that the baseless rumors are...
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POSITIVE REFLECTIONS OF A FOREIGN VISITOR ON NIGERIA: Food, Finance, and Afrobeats

In a nation of contrasts, where citizens often lament their country's challenges, Dr. Yusuf Bangura, a foreigner, aptly captured Nigeria's resilience, evident in its thriving food industry, burgeoning cashless economy, and the global rise of Afrobeats. After a two-week visit to Nigeria—the first in 14 years—I was struck by three remarkable transformations that are reshaping the country: the rise of a thriving local food processing industry, the rapid adoption of a cashless economy, and the overwhelming dominance of afrobeats in public spaces. Thriving Local Food Processing Industry Nigeria’s food processing sector has experienced a remarkable evolution. Foods once sold informally and in unprocessed forms are now available in supermarkets, beautifully packaged and ready for consumption. From processed grains like amala and fufu to innovative ready-to-eat meals like moi moi mix and pepper soup, local manufacturers are adding value to Nigeria's abundant natural resources. This...
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UNDERSTANDING KẸMI BADENOCH'S HERITAGE AND THE YORUBA IDENTITY

Kemi Badenoch’s identification of her heritage as “Yoruba, not Nigerian” is a profound assertion that challenges the imposed narratives of African identity shaped by colonial constructs. Her statement underscores a broader truth about the complexities of African identity and the arbitrary nature of colonial boundaries that fragmented cohesive ethnic groups into incompatible political entities. Colonial Constructs and Gerrymandered Nations The creation of countries like Nigeria was not grounded in cultural or historical realities but rather in the economic and political interests of colonial powers. For example, the Hausa people, whose cultural and linguistic influence extends across Niger, Chad, and the Sahel, represent a cohesive unit. Yet, they were divided into separate nations alongside other ethnic groups, diluting their historical and cultural identity. This artificial segmentation of African peoples into "complete packages" such as Nigeria was based on the erroneous as...
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IT IS 2025: GODOT WILL NOT COME—BUILD YOUR PARTY OR PERISH. - By Hon. (Barr.) ‘Tonye Timi, Ph.D.

As 2025 unfolds, it becomes increasingly clear that political salvations will not come through passive expectations. The proverbial "Godot" as written in 1953 play by Samuel Beckett will not arrive to fix our political system. Instead, the responsibility falls on individuals and parties to organize, strategize, and act. This realization is especially urgent for the Delta State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), a party in opposition that seems lost in chaos, acrimony, and disunity. Rather than focusing on strategic planning to challenge the well-entrenched People’s Democratic Party (PDP), the Delta APC platforms are plagued by bitterness and infighting. This internal dysfunction betrays a lack of understanding of the essential principles that define the purpose, functions, and roles of political parties. What is a Political Party? A political party is an organized entity that seeks to gain and wield political power through elections. Members of a party are united...
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THE DILEMMA OF NIGERIAN IDENTITY AND THE STRUGGLES OF NATIONAL PRIDE

There was a time when being Nigerian was synonymous with pride, resilience, and ingenuity. Unfortunately, that pride is increasingly being overshadowed by a harsh reality: Nigerians may not be as smart, brave, or capable as we often portray ourselves to be. Our historical and contemporary experiences seem to suggest a troubling dependency on external supervision to thrive. Nigeria flourished under colonial administration, not because of its imposed nature but due to the structured systems the colonial masters left behind. Today, we find success abroad under the structured governance of foreign lands, but we fail to replicate this success in our homeland. This discrepancy raises uncomfortable questions about our national character and capability. The phenomenon of "japa," the mass emigration of Nigerians seeking greener pastures abroad, is often celebrated as an act of ambition. Yet, upon closer scrutiny, it reveals itself as an act of cowardice and resignation. It symbolizes ...
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