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A Giant Falls: Dr. Pat Asadu Mourns Passing of Senator Okey Ezea
This Is a National Loss: Dr. Pat Asadu Mourns Senator Okey Ezea, ‘A Fearless Defender of Nsukka Land”
Distinguished Senator Okey Ezea, a stalwart champion of Nsukka land, has passed away, leaving a nation in mourning. Dr. Pat Asadu, a close associate, has led the tributes, describing Senator Ezea as a “fearless defender” and “authentic leader” who dedicated his life to serving his people.
Real Full statement;
This was, without a doubt, the most agonising news I received upon my return from a short trip. At first, I doubted it especially because not long before my trip, we had met at a function in Udi LGA. My hesitation also stemmed from the recent, unnecessary, and callous spread of false news about the death of highly placed individuals; too often, such reports turn out to be untrue.
But concern overcame disbelief. In prayerful hope that it was all a hoax, I reached out to some of our leaders and friends, only to have my worst fears painfully confirmed.
I am increasingly worried that many of our great men are dying early in their prime, just as the less privileged also succumb to the harsh realities of life. May the spirit of death hovering over Nigeria for some time now depart from us in Jesus’ name. Amen. Today, we mourn our dear brother, Distinguished Senator Okey Ezea, but not as unbelievers. We are comforted by the knowledge that he fulfilled his purpose.
Senator Okey Ezea, Esq., was Nsukka to the core an authentic leader, a true warrior, and a fearless voice for the marginalized and oppressed within the political spectrum. He fought countless battles for Nsukka land, often using his hard-earned resources and boundless personal energy.
He has indeed run a good race for our people and for humanity. We pray that history will remember Ideke for all his selfless and courageous efforts.
Painfully, just when it seemed he had begun to reap the fruits of his decades-long political struggles and enormous investments as our Senator, God called him home to rest. But beyond the span of time one spends on earth are the legacies one leaves behind and Okey Ezea left us with legacies of courage, truth, and unconditional devotion to justice.
As we mourn this great son of Nsukka, one of the most vocal field marshals of our liberation, we take solace in knowing that his Creator has only invited him home to rest. We dare not question God, for He alone gives and takes life at His appointed time. Yet make no mistake, this passing is a colossal loss in the prime of life of one of our finest leaders.
Nsukka Zone, Enugu State, and Nigeria have lost:
A great Iroko
A fearless warrior
A brutally frank man of affluence
A political Nzeogwu who spoke truth to power
A leader who never shied away from challenging forces bigger than himself
Even when he lost a battle, he would rise swiftly and continue pressing forward to correct the imbalance. Political correctness never swayed him, so long as the cause contributed to the transformation of Nsukka land.
You have fulfilled your part here on earth, Great Ideke.
Our prayers and deepest sympathies are with your family.
Goodnight, Ideke.
Adieu, the great Nzeogwu.
Sleep well, Distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic.
Until we meet again on resurrection morning, our fearless leader.
Rt. Hon. Dr. Pat Asadu & Family
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Former Aviation Minister Femi Fani-Kayode has confirmed his appointment as Nigeria’s Ambassador-Designate to South Africa, dismissing reports that Germany rejected his earlier diplomatic nomination.
Fani-Kayode explained that he personally requested a redeployment from Germany to South Africa for what he described as personal reasons. According to him, South Africa’s strategic relationship with Nigeria, its status as one of Africa’s leading economies, and his long-standing pan-African beliefs influenced his decision.
In a statement addressing the controversy, the former minister described reports alleging Germany rejected him as “a total fabrication” and “cheap gossip” intended to tarnish his image.
He insisted that German authorities never formally rejected his nomination and alleged that the reports were maliciously sponsored to damage his reputation.
Fani-Kayode further revealed that he has petitioned security agencies over the matter and instructed his legal team to initiate defamation proceedings against the online media platform responsible for publishing the claims.
The diplomatic reshuffle reportedly involved a mutual arrangement with Sam Enang, who is now expected to take up the Germany posting following the swap.
Fani-Kayode expressed appreciation to Bola Ahmed Tinubu and former Foreign Affairs Minister Yusuf Tuggar for approving the redeployment request.
He added that he looks forward to strengthening diplomatic ties between Nigeria and South Africa in his new role.
The development has continued to generate reactions online, with supporters praising the appointment while critics questioned the circumstances surrounding the diplomatic changes.
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Former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan on Wednesday received thousands of supporters, youth groups, and political stakeholders at his residence in Maitama, Abuja, as calls intensified for him to contest the 2027 presidential election.
The crowd, made up of supporters from different parts of the country, gathered at the former president’s residence carrying banners and chanting solidarity songs, urging Jonathan to return to active politics and seek another term in office.
Some of the groups also pledged to mobilise support and fund his potential presidential campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Addressing the crowd, Jonathan acknowledged their appeal and thanked them for the show of confidence in his leadership.
The former president, however, said he would consult widely before making any decision regarding the 2027 presidential race.
“I have heard your calls and I appreciate your confidence in me. I will continue to consult and reflect on the way forward,” Jonathan reportedly told the supporters.
Jonathan also used the opportunity to stress the importance of peaceful coexistence, credible elections, and active youth participation in Nigeria’s democratic process.
He expressed concern over Nigeria’s low voter turnout during elections, noting that the country still lags behind many democracies in terms of citizens’ participation in governance.
According to him, greater political involvement by young Nigerians is necessary to strengthen democracy and ensure accountable leadership.
The gathering has further fueled speculations about Jonathan’s possible political comeback, although the former president has yet to officially declare his intention for the 2027 election.
Jonathan served as Nigeria’s president between 2010 and 2015 and remains one of the country’s most influential political figures.
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The Senate of Nigeria has confirmed Joseph Tegbe as Nigeria’s new Minister of Power following his screening before lawmakers on Wednesday.
Tegbe’s confirmation comes at a critical time for Nigeria’s electricity sector, which continues to battle persistent grid collapses, inadequate power supply, transmission challenges, gas shortages, and mounting industry debts.
During the screening, Tegbe unveiled an ambitious reform agenda aimed at stabilising the national grid within his first 100 days in office. He also pledged to introduce a transparency dashboard to improve accountability across the sector and proposed tariff reforms designed to protect vulnerable households while ensuring sustainability in the power industry.
The new minister, a civil engineering graduate with decades of experience in consulting, regulatory reforms, and corporate governance, previously worked with KPMG and has been involved in several public sector transformation initiatives.
Tegbe replaces Adebayo Adelabu amid growing public concern over Nigeria’s electricity crisis. Despite an installed generation capacity estimated at over 13,000 megawatts, the country reportedly distributes less than 4,500 megawatts due to transmission bottlenecks and operational inefficiencies.
Lawmakers who participated in the screening urged the incoming minister to focus on long-term structural reforms rather than temporary fixes. Several senators commended Tegbe’s composure and depth of knowledge during the session but stressed that Nigerians would ultimately judge his performance by results.
Observers say his appointment will test the government’s commitment to resolving one of the country’s most pressing infrastructure challenges, as millions of Nigerians continue to grapple with unreliable electricity supply and rising energy costs.
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The Federal Government has officially banned recipients of honorary degrees from using the “Dr” title as a prefix to their names, in a move aimed at curbing the misuse and politicisation of academic honours.
The directive was announced on Wednesday by the Minister of Education, Tunji Alausa, following a Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Speaking to State House correspondents, Alausa expressed concern over what he described as the growing abuse of honorary doctorate awards across the country.
“The recent trend we’ve seen with the award of honorary degrees has revealed a growing abuse and politicisation of this academic privilege,” he said.
“We’ve seen awards being used for political patronage, for financial gain, as well as the conferral of awards on serving public officials, which, as part of the ethics of honorary degree awards, should not happen.”
New Directive Takes Effect
Under the new policy, individuals conferred with honorary doctorate degrees will no longer be allowed to use “Dr” as a prefix in any official, academic, or professional setting.
Instead, recipients are required to clearly state the full honorary designation after their names—for example, John Doe, Honorary Doctor of Letters (D.Litt)—rather than adopting the “Dr” title.
The government clarified that only individuals who have earned doctoral degrees through academic study or are certified medical practitioners will retain the legal and professional right to use the “Dr” prefix.
Move to Restore Academic Integrity
The decision is part of broader efforts by the Federal Government to restore credibility and integrity to Nigeria’s education system, particularly in the awarding of honorary degrees.
Education stakeholders have long raised concerns over the proliferation of honorary doctorate awards, with some institutions accused of granting such honours without strict academic or ethical standards.
Observers say the new regulation is expected to discourage the commercialisation of honorary degrees and reinforce the distinction between earned academic qualifications and ceremonial recognitions.
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A luxury Mercedes-Benz G-Class G63 AMG was involved in a late-night crash on a major highway in Abuja, killing six cows and sparking renewed concerns over road safety and enforcement of grazing laws in the Federal Capital Territory.
The incident occurred around 8 p.m. on Monday,
according to eyewitness accounts, when the high-speed SUV collided with a herd of cows that had reportedly strayed onto the roadway. A video circulating on social media shows the aftermath, with the white cows lying across the dark highway as traffic officials worked to manage the situation.
As of the time of filing this report, there were no confirmed injuries to the driver or any passengers in the vehicle. Unverified reports on social media suggested that the SUV sustained only minor damage despite the severity of the collision.
The accident has reignited debates over the continued presence of cattle on major roads in Abuja, despite the 2017 ban on open grazing introduced by the Federal Capital Territory Administration. The policy was designed to curb frequent clashes between herders and communities, as well as prevent traffic disruptions and accidents caused by roaming livestock.
Residents and road users have repeatedly raised concerns about the enforcement of the grazing ban, noting that cows are still often seen along highways and within urban areas of the capital. Monday night’s crash is the latest in a series of such incidents, highlighting ongoing gaps in regulation and compliance.
Authorities are yet to release an official statement on the crash or confirm whether any action will be taken regarding the presence of the cattle on the highway.
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