Author: Lifestyle & Wellness Desk

Renowned author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie has said that Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi is not driven by ego or a desperate quest for power. Speaking during an interview on Channels Television’s Amazing Africans programme on Monday, Adichie praised Obi’s humility and consistency, even in the face of criticism and the outcome of the 2023 general elections. “Peter Obi doesn’t need to be president. He wants to be because he genuinely cares about Nigeria,” she said. “That distinction matters. There are people who are desperate to become president, not out of love for country, but to satisfy their own egos.” Adichie emphasized that Obi’s values continue to resonate with many Nigerians and that her support for him is deeply rooted in her love for the country. Reflecting on their longstanding relationship, she shared, “He is one of the simplest and most authentic individuals I’ve ever known. The man I met 15 years ago is still the same in terms of his values genuine and consistent.” She further commended Obi’s humility and sense of duty, saying he does not treat leadership as a favour to the people. “Peter Obi is not someone who expects to be thanked for doing his job. For him, serving the people is simply what leadership is about. That’s one of the key reasons I support him,” she said. “There is a strong sense of accountability in him. He doesn’t see leadership as an opportunity to dominate others but as a responsibility to serve with integrity.”

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, yesterday unveiled the #OneNigeria Unity Fabric, a symbolic initiative aimed at fostering national unity and celebrating the country’s cultural diversity. The winning fabric design was created by 25-year-old Mofinyinfoluwa Bamidele, a graduate of the University of Ibadan, who was awarded a cash prize of ₦25 million. Bamidele emerged the winner of a nationwide design competition organised by the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), which is chaired by the First Lady. Speaking during the unveiling ceremony at the State House Conference Centre in Abuja, Senator Tinubu shared the inspiration behind the initiative, revealing that the idea of a national unity fabric was conceived during her December 2023 visit to Zimbabwe. There, she encountered a similar concept tied to national identity and unity during the launch of the #WeAreEqual Unifying Campaign of the Organization of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD). Motivated by that experience, she launched the #OneNigeria/UnityFabric competition in February 2024, calling on Nigerian youth aged 15 to 25 to design a fabric that would embody the spirit of national unity. The competition attracted 111 entries, with the final selection made by a distinguished panel of judges, including fashion icon Princess Zainab Abba Folawiyo, international textile designer Banke Kuku, and other prominent supporters of the Renewed Hope Initiative. Commending the high quality of submissions and the credibility of the selection process, the First Lady expressed gratitude to the judges and the RHI Governing Board. In a statement issued by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi, Senator Tinubu said: “Today, my heart is filled with joy as we unveil the #OneNigeria Unity Fabric and present the winning prize. I extend heartfelt congratulations to Miss Mofinyinfoluwa Bamidele, whose creativity and vision captured the essence of national unity.” Reflecting on the broader significance of the initiative, the First Lady added: “This fabric represents more than just a design. It embodies our shared identity as Nigerians, transcending ethnic and tribal boundaries. It is a symbol of unity, pride, and hope values that bind us together as one nation.” The #OneNigeria Unity Fabric is expected to serve as a cultural emblem at national events, public institutions, and official occasions, reinforcing the message of peace and unity across the country.

Nigeria’s women’s basketball team, D’Tigress, have been crowned champions of the 2025 FIBA Women’s Afrobasket after a commanding victory over Mali in the final match held on Sunday at the Palais des Sports de Treichville in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. The triumph marks a historic achievement for Nigeria, becoming the first country to win five consecutive Women’s Afrobasket titles. It also extends D’Tigress’ remarkable unbeaten run in the tournament to a full decade their last loss dating back to October 2, 2015, against Cameroon. The championship game was a tightly contested affair in the first half. Mali edged ahead 26–21 in the opening quarter, but Nigeria rallied to tie the game at 41-41 by halftime. A dominant third-quarter performance saw D’Tigress pull away with a 61-56 lead, before tightening their defense in the final quarter to hold Mali to just eight points and secure a 14-point win. The victory follows a tense semi-final battle with Senegal, where Nigeria needed a determined fourth-quarter surge to emerge victorious. This latest win adds to the legacy of Head Coach Rena Wakama, who now boasts two Afrobasket titles in two appearances. Wakama made history in 2023 as the first woman to coach a team to Afrobasket glory, and she has once again guided D’Tigress to continental success.

A landmark pro-Palestinian protest took place on Sunday as tens of thousands of demonstrators marched across the Sydney Harbour Bridge, despite heavy rainfall and initial resistance from authorities. The “March for Humanity,” described by organisers as a historic event, went ahead following a Supreme Court ruling just one day prior granting last-minute authorisation. The bridge was closed to vehicular traffic for the first time since 2023, when it hosted 50,000 participants during World Pride celebrations. Participants carried signs calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and urging stronger political action. Chants of “Shame, shame Israel! Shame, shame USA!” and “What do we want? Ceasefire! When do we want it? Now!” echoed across the bridge. Among the attendees were prominent figures such as WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, federal MP Ed Husic, and former New South Wales Premier Bob Carr. Families, many with small children, joined the peaceful protest, flanked by a significant police presence, including officers from the riot squad. “This affects us all,” said Alec Beville, holding his three-year-old son Frankie. “We could be doing much more in terms of aid.” “Our government hasn’t taken any meaningful action no sanctions, nothing,” added protester Zara Williams, carrying her infant in a sling. “We can’t remain silent while a population is starved.” Police Intervention Mid-March Roughly two hours into the demonstration, participants received a mass text message from NSW Police instructing them to stop marching north and begin returning toward the city in a controlled manner due to public safety concerns. Authorities have yet to release an official crowd estimate. Transport for NSW had earlier urged motorists to avoid the CBD, warning of significant delays and disruptions across road and public transport networks. Legal Battle Over Protest Rights The event followed a week of legal wrangling. The Palestine Action Group, which organised the march, submitted a notice of intention to protest last Sunday. NSW Police initially denied the request, citing inadequate time to develop a traffic management plan and raising concerns about potential crowd crushes and public safety. NSW Premier Chris Minns supported the police decision, saying authorities could not endorse a protest of such scale and nature, warning it could throw Sydney into “chaos.” However, the NSW Supreme Court rejected a police application to prohibit the march just 24 hours before the event. In her ruling, Justice Belinda Rigg acknowledged the validity of safety concerns but found no evidence that banning the march would improve public safety. She noted that the organiser, Josh Lees of the Palestine Action Group, had presented a compelling case for urgent action in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Justice Rigg ordered the closure of the bridge to traffic and surrounding roads for the protest. Her ruling also ensured participants would be protected under the Summary Offences Act, shielding them from charges typically associated with unlawful public assemblies, such as obstructing traffic. Reactions and Diplomatic Context In response to the Supreme Court’s ruling, the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies issued a statement expressing disappointment at the authorisation of the protest. The demonstration adds to growing political pressure on Australia to formally recognise Palestinian statehood. Countries such as France, Canada, and the UK have all indicated they may support recognition at the upcoming UN General Assembly in September, subject to specific conditions. Speaking on ABC’s 7.30 programme, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese stated that Australia would not be rushed into recognising a Palestinian state. He emphasised the need for conditions that ensure Israel’s long-term security before any such move is made.

Detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a ₦60 billion lawsuit against social commentator Reno Omokri for alleged defamation and prejudicial public statements. The suit, filed on 31 July 2025 at the Enugu State High Court, was brought by Mr. Kanu on behalf of himself and the proscribed IPOB. Mr. Omokri is named as the sole defendant. According to court filings, Kanu alleges that Mr. Omokri made false and damaging statements on his social media account (X platform) on 6 July 2025. The posts allegedly accused Kanu and IPOB of involvement in the killing of security personnel, acts of terrorism, and links to violent activities attributed to so-called “unknown gunmen” in the South-East region. Kanu, who is currently facing terrorism charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja, argued that the statements were not only defamatory but also prejudicial to his ongoing trial. He insisted that as of the time of the statements, no competent court in Nigeria had convicted him of any crime related to terrorism or the killing of security officials. Pre-Litigation Notice Ignored The IPOB leader stated that he had issued a pre-action notice to Mr. Omokri on 10 July 2025 through his lawyer, P.N. Agazie. The notice demanded a public apology, retraction of the alleged defamatory content in two national newspapers, and a written undertaking to desist from further defamatory publications. However, Kanu said the defendant failed to comply, prompting the initiation of legal action. Reliefs Sought In the suit, Kanu is asking the court to: Award ₦50 billion as general damages for reputational harm, emotional distress, and prejudicial impact on his ongoing trial. Grant ₦10 billion as aggravated damages for what he describes as reckless and malicious conduct. Order Mr. Omokri to publish a retraction and public apology in two national newspapers and on his X (Twitter) account within seven days of the judgment. Issue a perpetual injunction restraining Mr. Omokri, his agents, or affiliates from further publishing defamatory statements about him. Kanu also accused Mr. Omokri of violating his constitutional right to a fair hearing and the presumption of innocence, referencing Section 36(5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). Court Yet to Fix Hearing Date As of the time of this report, the Enugu State High Court has not scheduled a hearing for the suit. Background Nnamdi Kanu has been in detention since his controversial repatriation from Kenya in June 2021. He is currently on trial for terrorism-related charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja. IPOB, the group he leads, has been accused by security agencies of being behind a series of deadly attacks across the South-East and South-South regions. The group has repeatedly denied involvement in the violence and continues to advocate for the creation of an independent state of Biafra. Security operatives and government officials have frequently been targeted in attacks linked to separatist agitation in the region. Allegations have also surfaced linking IPOB’s paramilitary wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN), to some of the incidents claims the group has consistently rejected.

The 82 Division of the Nigerian Army has graduated 120 personnel from a rigorous special Company Strength Training programme designed to prepare them for high-risk intervention missions. The graduation ceremony was held Saturday at the Division’s Shooting Range in Udi, near Enugu. Major-General Oluyemi Olatoye, General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 82 Division and Commander of Joint Task Force South-East (Operation UDO KA), commended the personnel for their resilience and dedication throughout the intensive eight-week training. The training, he explained, is part of a broader initiative by the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant-General Olufemi Oluyede, and aligns with the COAS Command Philosophy aimed at transforming the Nigerian Army into a highly motivated, combat-ready force capable of fulfilling its constitutional duties. “This training strengthens the Army’s commitment to professionalism, leadership, and operational readiness across all theatres of operation,” said Maj-Gen. Olatoye. He urged the graduating soldiers to apply their new skills with discipline and excellence in future assignments. Earlier, Brigadier-General MJ Abubakar, the Division Training Officer, praised the trainees for their exceptional endurance, teamwork, and fighting spirit. He highlighted that the training simulated real-world combat scenarios, with emphasis on jungle warfare, counter-insurgency operations, and internal security tactics. “These soldiers are now equipped with specialised capabilities to support strategic national security objectives and are scheduled for deployment to special intervention missions,” Brig-Gen. Abubakar stated. The graduation ceremony included demonstrations in rifle stripping and reassembly, armed combat drills, and the formal presentation of certificates to the graduating personnel. The event underscores the Nigerian Army’s continued investment in human capacity development to meet the complex security challenges facing the country.

Nigerian music star Paul Okoye, also known as Rudeboy, has openly criticized emerging artists for glamorizing smoking particularly weed during their music video shoots. Taking to his Instagram Story and writing in Pidgin English, Paul expressed frustration at the growing trend of new acts lighting up joints even before their music videos begin. “Dear new acts. Abeg, who tell una say whenever una dey shoot visualizer video, say una must dey smoke Igbo for camera? 20 seconds, music never start, you still dey light up,” he wrote. While acknowledging that smoking is a personal choice, he advised that those who choose to smoke heavily should at least maintain a healthy diet. “Make sure you dey eat well. At least, dey chop better food. Don’t tell me it’s swag or trying to look fly,” he added, warning that many already “look sick.” He further ridiculed the contradiction of spending so much on weed while struggling to afford basic meals. “You dey smoke around 50k, dey battle Indomie of 1k without egg. Under pressure,” he wrote. Paul emphasized that smoking is not a sign of style or success, calling on the new generation of artists to rethink what they portray as “cool” or “swag.” This isn’t the first time the veteran artist has shared blunt opinions online. In a separate post last year, he gave his own sarcastic approach to dealing with online trolls. Advising followers to initially show kindness, he added: “When they send their account number, insult their papa and block them!” Paul’s comments have sparked conversations about the influence of celebrities and artists on youth culture, particularly in the age of social media where image often overshadows substance.

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday evening held a private meeting with leading industrialist Alhaji Aliko Dangote at the State House in Abuja, focusing on challenges within Nigeria’s energy sector. Though the discussions were brief and details undisclosed, the meeting signals the Federal Government’s continued commitment to private-sector-driven growth in the oil and gas industry. The engagement follows President Tinubu’s recent visit in June to the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals complex in Lagos, which has a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. Earlier in the day, the President welcomed participants to the West African Refined Fuel Conference through a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, where he emphasized the need for Africa to assert a stronger role in global energy markets. “Africa can no longer be a price taker. We must set transparent benchmarks that reflect our true value and protect our economies,” Tinubu wrote. He also announced that Nigeria is working with regional partners to establish a unified African energy market. “From refining to regulation and trade flows, we’re building a market that rewards production and secures energy for our people,” the President added. Speaking at the same conference, Aliko Dangote addressed structural issues hindering refinery development across the continent. In his presentation, titled “Building an African Refinery Hub: Prospects and Challenges,” Dangote highlighted entrenched problems in the sector. “Beyond poor infrastructure, our biggest challenge is rent-seeking behavior embedded throughout the petroleum value chain in Africa,” he said. Dangote warned that corruption and vested interests continue to undermine progress in the sector, adding, “When a refinery disrupts this setup, it confronts powerful forces determined to maintain the status quo.” NAN

The Niger State Police Command has arrested 24 suspected criminals during a coordinated sting operation targeting thuggery and armed robbery in Maitumbi, a suburb of Minna, the state capital. The operation was carried out in the early hours of Tuesday between 3:00 a.m. and 5:30 a.m. by operatives of the State Criminal Investigation Department’s Anti-Thuggery Unit. They were supported by personnel from the Maitumbi and Central Police Divisions, alongside local vigilante groups. According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, the raid was prompted by a spike in criminal activities, including youth violence, armed robbery, and gang clashes in areas such as Angwan-Roka, Kwari-Berger, Flamingo, and Tudun within the Maitumbi district. Among those arrested were Abubakar Nura (23), Auwal Mohammed (20), Suleiman Hassan (21), and Alhassan Mohammed (19), all residents of Angwan-Roka. The suspects were apprehended at a known hideout allegedly linked to Saidu Namaska, a suspected gang leader currently on the run. A search of the premises yielded an automatic pump-action rifle, two live cartridges, a bolt cutter, cutlasses, scissors, shisha equipment, and suspected illegal substances. In a separate location linked to another gang leader known as Sudaise, additional arrests were made. Those taken into custody include Usman Abubakar Bahago (18), Abubakar Bahago (24), and Mubarak Abubakar (18). Also arrested were Jemilu Ibrahim (23) and Jemilu Ilyasu (16), both of Kwari-Berger, who were found hiding in a shop. The duo allegedly attempted to resist arrest by brandishing knives and fleeing through the roof. Several weapons, including knives and cutlasses, were recovered from the location. Additional suspects arrested include Shafiu Chukuli (30), Daniel Joseph (16), Saidu Babayi (25), and Mustapha Mohammed (25). This group was found in a residence previously identified as a gang base and allegedly linked to the 2024 killing of a local vigilante member. DSP Abiodun confirmed that 11 other suspects were apprehended across different parts of Maitumbi during the same operation, bringing the total number of arrests to 24. Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, reiterated the Command’s commitment to sustained operations against criminal networks. He also appealed to the public to continue providing credible information that could aid law enforcement efforts. The latest crackdown comes amid rising concerns over the activities of violent youth gangs, locally known as “Yan Daba,” which have contributed to worsening security conditions in Minna and other urban centres across Niger State.  

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced a 25% tariff on goods imported from India, set to take effect this Friday. The move is part of a broader series of tariff hikes aimed at reshaping global trade dynamics and tightening pressure on countries maintaining close ties with Russia. Trump also revealed that India would face an additional, unspecified penalty due to its continued purchase of Russian weapons and energy, citing concerns over the ongoing war in Ukraine. The penalties are intended to underscore Washington’s disapproval of countries perceived to be enabling Moscow’s war efforts through trade. While the new tariff is slightly below the initial rate proposed in April, it remains higher than those imposed on several other Asian nations currently negotiating trade deals with the U.S. India had entered trade discussions with the Trump administration earlier this year, but talks have stalled due to Washington’s sweeping demands and New Delhi’s hesitancy to open up sensitive sectors like agriculture and dairy. “India may be a friend, but their tariffs remain among the highest in the world, and their trade barriers are extremely restrictive,” Trump said in a statement. He also criticized India’s defense and energy ties with Moscow, calling it Russia’s biggest energy customer alongside China. Trump’s broader trade agenda includes secondary tariffs targeting countries that maintain strong economic links with Russia, as part of his strategy to cut off Moscow’s access to global markets. He has given Russian President Vladimir Putin a ten-day deadline to change course on Ukraine or face further consequences, which may include punitive trade measures against Moscow’s remaining allies. In parallel, Trump continues to push for renegotiated trade agreements globally. Talks with China resumed this week in Stockholm, focusing on extending a temporary tariff truce ahead of an August 12 deadline. While no deal has been reached, discussions are ongoing. Trump has also threatened Brazil with steep tariffs, reportedly as part of a wider effort to pressure the country over its handling of domestic political trials involving former President Jair Bolsonaro. Much of Trump’s trade offensive has relied on emergency executive powers, which are now the subject of multiple legal challenges in U.S. courts.