Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has revealed that his administration allocates over N1 billion monthly to support mission schools across the state.

He made this announcement during Nigeria’s 64th Independence Day Service at the Cathedral Church of St. Faith in Awka, the state capital, attended by a large gathering of celebrants.

“This expenditure helps the church moderate the fees charged in their schools. Additionally, we are working to ensure that 77 communities in Anambra lacking public schools will soon have access to them. We want to provide our children with educational choices similar to what was available in the 1970s,” Soludo stated.

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The governor emphasized the importance of the Independence Day Service, also known as the Interdenominational Church Service, which serves as an annual event for Nigerians of various faiths to come together in prayer for the nation.

Accompanied by his deputy, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, Chief Judge Justice Onochie Anyachebelu, Secretary to the State Government Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu, Chief of Staff Mr. Ernest Ezeajughi, and members of the State Executive Council, Soludo expressed gratitude to the event organizers and highlighted the need for ongoing prayers for Nigeria and its leadership.

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“Today’s service serves as a reminder that we are, first and foremost, citizens of Nigeria, each with a role to play in building a strong and prosperous nation. We must continue to pray for our leaders and for the country,” he remarked.

Soludo described the day as a time for Thanksgiving, celebrating Nigeria’s sovereignty, and noted, “I appreciate your message; it is very well received. We have important takeaways. You reminded us that we had a glorious past before crude oil came. The future of Nigeria depends on us. I bring a message of collective responsibility, as it seems that each year, Nigeria’s past is often perceived as more glorious than our present.”

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Quoting late musician Sunny Okosun, he urged the congregation, “Let’s save Nigeria, so Nigeria won’t die.”

He emphasized the need for proactive action rather than mere complaints, stating, “Living in an underdeveloped country requires multitasking—considering farming or other ventures.”

The governor called upon the clergy to use their influence to inspire collective action among the populace.

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“On this 64th anniversary, we must stress that as government representatives on Earth, we all have a duty to serve,” he asserted.

Soludo also highlighted his administration’s recent achievements, reaffirming his commitment to enhancing the lives of Anambra residents.

He recently announced the implementation of a free education policy for senior secondary students in public schools and the commencement of minimum wage payments starting in October.

“Last Thursday, we announced at the Dora Akunyili Women’s Development Centre that minimum wage payments will begin in Anambra in October. We also extended free, quality education to senior secondary students in public schools,” he said.

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“For too long, the government has neglected the poor. We are implementing changes to ensure no one is left behind, including continuing our subsidy for returned mission schools.”

Earlier, Archbishop Alexander Ibezim of the Ecclesiastical Province and Bishop of Awka Diocese reminded attendees of the significance of Nigeria’s Independence and the importance of unity and love, urging Nigerians to reject hatred, nepotism, and tribalism.

Nigerian crossdresser Idris Okuneye, popularly known as Bobrisky, has initiated a N1 billion lawsuit against Martins Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, over allegations of defamation.

VeryDarkMan recently released an audio recording in which Bobrisky purportedly claimed to have bribed officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) with N15 million to have money laundering charges against him dropped.

Bobrisky has vehemently dismissed the claims as an “AI-generated fabrication aimed at damaging his reputation.”

In a statement posted on Bobrisky’s Instagram account on Sunday, the lawsuit accused VeryDarkMan of exploiting Bobrisky’s name and image to gain attention on social media.

The viral audio and related commentary, the statement claimed, have caused significant harm to Bobrisky’s public image, brand, and personal life.

Bobrisky demanded that VeryDarkMan immediately retract the AI-generated audio along with all defamatory statements.

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Additionally, he called for a public apology to be published in two national newspapers and across all of VeryDarkMan’s social media channels.

He also seeks a written commitment to refrain from further defamatory publications and compensation of N1 billion for damages.

Bobrisky’s legal representatives, R.T. Omuvwie & Co., stated that failure to comply with these demands within 24 hours would result in further legal action.

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The statement reads, “Our client has informed us that in your quest for social media stardom, you have continued to exploit his name, personality, and social media influence to create media buzz for your personal gains.

“Recently, you alleged in one of your trending videos on various social media platforms that various Deputy Inspectors General of the Nigeria Police Force, lawmakers, senators, and politicians generally were in the habit of having sexual intercourse with our client, yet you have not provided any proof of these claims to date.”

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“You have persisted in making reckless and unfounded statements, including hearsay that you cannot prove against our client, disregarding his mental health, general wellbeing, right to privacy, right to freedom of thought, right to life, and other fundamental constitutional rights.

“One would expect that after such attempts against our client, you would exercise some level of caution or restraint, considering the safety and wellbeing of our client. However, your goals are personal and self-serving, and thus you have made it a lifelong task to fulfil them by any means, regardless of the negative effects on our client and others caught in your unfounded attacks.”

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“Our client has become aware that you recently published an AI-generated audio call, claiming it was between an unnamed individual and our client. For the record, our client has never had any audio conversation with this individual, and your act of defamation and blackmail should be retracted within 24 hours of the service of this letter of demand via social media platforms.”

“Your AI-generated audio conversation is the result of you and any other individuals who collaborated with you to create it. Therefore, we warn you that you must remove our client’s name from the said recording or anything that may connect our client to the alleged recording. For the record, our client had no knowledge of such a telephone conversation with you or anyone else.

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“Our client has suffered immense damage since the publication of the defamatory content by you, leading to several damaging reviews of his persona, brand, and everything he holds dear. This is akin to what you threatened in a video published on Tuesday, 24th September 2024, where you stated that if our client failed to pay the demanded sum, you would publish a damaging video, which would cause him to lose friends. You have not only created a defamatory recording to put our client in a bad light for your purposes of blackmail but, astonishingly, you continued to publish false information about our client even after payment, revealing your ulterior motives against him.”

“Our client, by this letter, demands strict proof regarding the authenticity of the said audio recording, affirming that he never had a phone conversation with you or anyone you represent. It is shocking that you would publish an AI-generated audio recording to damage our client’s social standing and place his life in jeopardy solely for your selfish personal goals.

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“You and anyone collaborating with you owe the authorities, security agencies, and respected legal and human rights advocates an explanation regarding how you created the audio recording and the defamatory words used, including your confident defamatory commentary before and after the AI audio recording.

“For the record, our client has not alleged any agency or person of bribery or wrongdoing; thus, the burden lies with you to prove your allegations to the authorities and the respected personalities you have defamed. It is laughable that anyone would believe your AI audio recording stating otherwise, given that our client served his prison time within a correctional facility in Lagos State.

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“As it relates to our client, we demand that you immediately remove the said AI-generated audio recording published as a video by you, along with your defamatory commentary voiceover, which you recklessly and dangerously attributed to our client. None of this material is a product of our client; thus, any name, description, or attribution to our client in the process of publishing the said defamatory material is false.

“We, therefore, demand, on behalf of our client, a written apology published in two national daily newspapers, a video recording of your apology to our client shared on all your social media platforms, a commitment to refrain from reporting or publishing defamatory content against our client, and the payment of ₦1,000,000,000 in damages within 24 hours of this letter via social media or any other means.

“Take notice: should you fail to take advantage of the alternative dispute resolution mechanism introduced in paragraphs 10 and 11 of this demand notice, we shall seek legal redress in a court of competent jurisdiction immediately without any further notice to you. We hope this matter can be resolved within the next 24 hours.”

Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume, representing Borno South in the National Assembly, has expressed grave concerns regarding the pervasive corruption in Nigeria, highlighting how those involved in corrupt practices are often celebrated rather than penalized.

During a press briefing in Kano on Sunday, Ndume stated, “Our major challenge in this country is corruption. As of now, we lack effective laws that can proactively or reactively tackle corruption.”

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He emphasized that in Nigeria, it seems common for individuals who embezzle funds to operate without fear of repercussions, noting, “If you find someone in our political or governmental system who is not corrupt, that person is either exceptionally lucky or God-fearing.”

He criticized the societal acceptance of corruption, saying, “People in these positions are often lobbied and revered, even when it’s clear that their wealth is ill-gotten. It is not uncommon for someone who was financially struggling last week to suddenly flaunt wealth, buying luxury cars and jets, with family members celebrating as if they have been divinely blessed.”

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Ndume revealed that he has made multiple attempts to introduce legislation targeting unexplained wealth in Nigeria, but these efforts have repeatedly failed to gain traction.

He recounted his efforts to seek support from a former head of state for an executive bill addressing this issue, which was ultimately declined.

“To date, there is still no law on unexplained wealth in Nigeria, nor any Executive Order addressing it,” Ndume lamented.

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The senator also highlighted the pressing issue of hunger in Nigeria, advocating for increased agricultural production to combat food scarcity.

“There is hunger in the land, and we have yet to cultivate even five percent of our arable land. Nigeria is endowed with vast fertile land that remains largely untapped,” he asserted.

Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has publicly ridiculed supporters of Governor Siminalayi Fubara who have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Peoples Party (APP) in anticipation of the upcoming local government elections on October 5.

Following a recent congress that solidified Wike’s influence within the PDP in Rivers State, Fubara reportedly directed his loyalists to contest the forthcoming elections under the APP banner.

At a reception hosted by the Ijaw Peoples Assembly in Port Harcourt, Wike expressed disbelief at the defections from his party.

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He declared, “It’s surprising to see PDP members contemplating joining APP. This isn’t about money; it’s about capacity. You can have all the resources in the world, but without the capability, you won’t succeed.”

Wike continued, emphasizing his past victories against opponents: “We have defeated them multiple times, and if the opportunity arises again, we will do so once more. We have not even begun to engage in politics yet. When the time comes, we will show them how it’s done. They should keep their party ready; we are prepared to teach them what real politics is.”

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Addressing claims that the Ijaw people were in conflict with him, Wike dismissed such notions, attributing the unrest to a small number of ungrateful individuals within the community.

He asserted, “I am too significant to be diminished by a few people. Anyone who fails to recognize my stature is simply misguided. Together, my opponents cannot withstand me.”

Boma Iyaye, the Director of Finance and Administration at the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), also spoke at the event, apologizing on behalf of the Ijaw community and urging Wike to overlook the negative behavior of certain individuals.

He encouraged Wike to maintain his relationship with the Ijaw people.

The reception was attended by notable figures, including the Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri, Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri, and former governors from the G5, including Samuel Ortom of Benue, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu, and Okezie Ikpeazu, among others.

The Enugu State chapters of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Young Progressives Party (YPP) have distanced themselves from an endorsement made by Obioma Nnamani, the state chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council, and Dr. Afam Ani, the Secretary, regarding the credibility of the just-concluded Local Government elections in Enugu State.

Hon. Obioma Nnamani and Dr. Afam Ani serve as the state chairman of the Boot Party (BP) and the Action Peoples Party (APP), respectively.

In a statement made available to DAILY GAZETTE on Sunday, APGA State Chairman, Ekene Uzodinma described the endorsement as “misleading and unrepresentative of the true state of affairs” concerning the elections.

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According to Uzodinma, APGA, as a party that actively participated in the elections, witnessed numerous irregularities and electoral malpractices that undermined the integrity of the whole process.

“While their endorsement of the election’s credibility is concerning, it contradicts APGA’s values and commitment to free and transparent democratic processes,” Uzodinma remarked.

He expressed disappointment that the Boot Party and APP, which, according to him, did not participate in the council elections, issued such a statement, given the concerns raised by political parties that actively contested the polls.

Uzodinma accused Nnamani and Ani of being compromised, rather than fulfilling their roles as Chairman and Secretary of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), respectively.

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He noted that their affirmation of the election’s credibility, despite the evident issues, called into question their impartiality and credibility.

Uzodinma urged the people of Enugu State and the public to disregard the statement made by Nnamani and Ani and reassured APGA supporters that the party remains committed to upholding democratic principles.

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He emphasized that APGA would continue to advocate for free, fair, and transparent elections in Enugu State.

On his part, the Chairman of the Young Progressives Party in Enugu State, Engr. Tony Udeani, said the statement issued by Nnamani and Ani, who serve as IPAC Chairman and Secretary, was particularly troubling.

“Neither of their parties participated in the LG election. So, they have no moral right to endorse the election process without consulting parties that were directly involved,” Udeani said.

“IPAC is an umbrella body consisting of 19 political parties, including the Boot Party and APP, but many of the parties that took part in the election have since expressed concern over the irregularities,” Udeani added.

Udeani alleged that the election was marred by the absence of result sheets in many polling units and a lack of elections in several areas.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has confidently stated that no one, including his political opponents, can defeat him, asserting that he is too powerful for anyone to challenge.

Speaking at a civic reception held in his honor by the Rivers Ijaw People’s Congress in Port Harcourt, Wike dismissed claims that the Ijaw people were against him in the ongoing political dispute involving Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

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Wike clarified that the Ijaw nation remains firmly behind him, despite contrary reports.

He explained that although some Ijaw individuals had opposed his decision to name Fubara as his successor in 2023, the broader Ijaw community supports him.

“It is not true that the Ijaw people are fighting me,” Wike said.

“A father may have 12 children, and one may go astray, but it doesn’t mean the entire family is in conflict. Those attacking me on television were absent when we made an Ijaw man governor.”

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Wike went on to boast about his political strength, saying, “I am too big for anyone to fight. All my opponents, put together, cannot defeat me.”

He also warned politicians from other states to stay away from Rivers State politics, emphasizing that the state is “very special” to him.

Addressing concerns about violence, Wike claimed that an attempt had been made to sabotage the reception event by sending individuals with dynamite to bomb the venue.

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“They were arrested by the police. We will not tolerate crime or violence in Rivers State,” Wike said, stressing that such actions were harmful to the state’s reputation and investor confidence.

He also spoke about his ongoing projects, highlighting the ring road project he initiated in Rivers State, criticizing those who now take credit for it, saying, “Go to Abuja, I am repeating what I did in Rivers State.” Wike stated that he had no intention of turning away investors due to political violence.

Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, Chairman of the PDP Elders Council in Rivers, also praised Wike, calling him the “most celebrated Rivers politician on the national stage.”

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Wike was joined at the reception by key members of the G-5, also known as the integrity group, including former Governors Samuel Ortom of Benue State, Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia, and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state.

Other notable attendees included Adamawa State Governor Umaru Fintiri and Minister of State for Petroleum, Heineken Lokpobiri.

Despite a boycott by other parties, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has cleared all chairmanship and councilorship seats in the Anambra State Local Government Election held on Saturday.

The results, officially announced by the state’s Independent Electoral Commission (ANSIEC), revealed that APGA candidates swept through all 21 local government areas in the state.

APGA, a dominant force in Anambra State politics for years, secured victories in both rural and urban areas, defying predictions of a more competitive contest.

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DAILY GAZETTE reports that the election witnessed low voter turnout, as several parties in the state chose to boycott the election.

Some residents expressed their support for APGA candidates, citing improved governance and development under Governor Soludo’s administration.

The voting exercise, which commenced late at many polling units across the state due to the late arrival of ANSIEC ad-hoc staff and election materials, was predominantly conducted by APGA members.

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This indicated an obvious boycott by members of other political parties, some of which are currently in various courts challenging the validity of the council polls.