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  • Being a celebrity affected my love life – Iyanya

    Being a celebrity affected my love life – Iyanya

    Afrobeats singer Iyanya has spoken about his difficulty committing to relationships, attributing it to negative past experiences and the demands of his music career.

    In an interview on the Afropolitan podcast, the 39-year-old revealed that previous relationships left a lasting impact, recalling instances where former partners allegedly threatened to harm his reputation during conflicts.

    He admitted that these experiences, combined with the pressures of life in the entertainment industry, have shaped his current reluctance to commit.

    Iyanya said he is not mentally prepared for a serious relationship or marriage at this stage, noting that he is focused on emotional healing and personal growth.

    “I’m not thinking of a serious relationship or marriage because I’m not mentally ready yet. If you are patient and stick around until I get to a convenient space, then we can do it.

    “But for now, to be committed is one of the hardest things for me to do. Because I have been committed several times as a celebrity, and each time, I got hurt.

    “You know, when you are famous, you always have girlfriends who can’t wait to go to the blogs when you have misunderstandings.

    “I’m human, too. It’s not possible for me to be in the music industry for 17 years, and all I have been doing is playing games with women.

    “Of course, I have emotions, so I’ve met people and fallen in love with them genuinely. But they always threatened me with going to the blogs whenever we have issues. That kind of made me develop commitment issues because it has happened several times,” he explained.

    Iyanya has also adopted celibacy but confessed that maintaining it consistently is a struggle. “My celibacy fluctuates; it goes up and down,” he said, acknowledging the difficulties of staying true to his decision.

  • FG, UK invest £19m to deliver 84 climate-resilient facilities in Kano, Jigawa

    FG, UK invest £19m to deliver 84 climate-resilient facilities in Kano, Jigawa

    The federal government, in partnership with the UK Government through UNICEF, has invested £19 million under the Climate Resilient for Basic Infrastructure (CRIBS) programme to deliver 84 climate-resilient health and education facilities across Kano and Jigawa states.

    The Chief of UNICEF Field Office, Kano, Mr. Rahama Rihood Mohammed Farah, disclosed this while speaking at a Media and Stakeholders’ Dialogue on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services in primary healthcare centres and schools in Kano and Jigawa States, held at Tashir Guest Palace.

    Farah said the facilities were inaugurated last year, adding that the success recorded in Kano and Jigawa had prompted the expansion of the initiative to other parts of the country.

    “Based on the successful implementation of the approach in Kano and Jigawa States, the initiative has been expanded this year to include Bauchi, Enugu, Gombe, Kaduna, and Katsina states,” he said.

    He stressed that while setting mutually acceptable service standards was crucial to achieving the social and health benefits that encourage investment, equal attention must be paid to sustainability.

    Read Also: President seeks global support to tackle climate-induced mobility

    According to him, duty bearers, stakeholders, and communities must take responsibility for the proper maintenance of WASH facilities in health facilities and schools to prevent deterioration and loss of impact.

    Farah underscored the critical role of the media in driving change through sustained advocacy, urging journalists to spotlight gaps identified by the WASH National Outcome Routine Mapping (WASHNORM) in Kano and Jigawa.

    He called on the media to demand transparency in state budgets, track allocations for boreholes, latrines, and soap in health and educational facilities, and hold governments at all levels accountable to their Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) commitments.

    “Media stories can amplify children’s voices, put pressure on decision-makers to prioritise WASH funding, and mobilise communities turning data into action for healthier futures,” he said.

    Farah urged stakeholders to work tirelessly to expose neglect and advocate for the provision of WASH facilities in every school and clinic, insisting that Nigerian children deserve nothing less.

  • AGN honours Junior Pope with Nollywood City project in Enugu

    AGN honours Junior Pope with Nollywood City project in Enugu

    The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), under the leadership of outgoing President Emeka Rollas, has launched a project to immortalise the late icon Junior Pope, who tragically passed away in April 2024 following a boat accident during a film shoot.

    In the announcement posted on Instagram, Rollas described the project as his “last legacy” before stepping down.

    The guild held the official groundbreaking ceremony for ‘Junior Pope Nollywood City’ in Ako Nike, Enugu State.

    This landmark development spans approximately 150 plots of land and is designed to honor Junior Pope’s memory while delivering real, lasting support to the Nollywood community and his family.

    As a gesture of support, three plots were also allocated to Junior Pope’s three sons (one each), presented to his wife during the event.

    Rollas praised the unity and vision of the AGN Enugu State chapter, the Enugu State Government, the Ako Nike community, and development partners for making the initiative possible.

    He stressed that the project transcends mere land and buildings; it’s about dignity, unity, and securing a brighter future for Nigerian actors.

    Rollas wrote: “My last legacy before handover: Yesterday, in Ako Nike, Enugu State, we officially had the ground-breaking ceremony for Junior Pope Nollywoodwood City, a legacy project established in honour of our late colleague and friend, Junior Pope Odowodudu.

    Read Also: Junior Pope’s wife remembers late actor on 11th wedding anniversary

    “This initiative reflects the strong commitment of the Actors Guild of Nigeria to the welfare of its members and to the sustainable growth of Nollywood as a key part of Nigeria’s creative economy.

    “Junior Pope Nollywood City will provide affordable land for Nollywood practitioners and will also host the Junior Pope Creative Hub as well as the AGN Zonal and Enugu State Secretariat, creating a permanent home for creativity, training, and administration in Enugu State.

    “The three sons of our brother already have three plots of land, as you can see in the picture during the presentation to the wife of our late colleague. Also, I presented papers for five plots of land to the AGN Enugu state chapter chairman, Prince Brown Ene, and the vice President state, South East Mr Anigbo Clement AB Cowboy, for the proposed AGN Enugu secretariat and South East zonal offices.

    “I commend the leadership and members of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Enugu State Chapter, for this vision, unity, and determination in bringing this project to life. I also appreciate the Enugu State Government, the Ako Nike Community, and our development partners, young minds and cool brains, and real estate management, for their support and cooperation.

    “This project is not just about land and buildings; it is about dignity, unity, and the future of the Nigerian actor.

    “Expression of interest begins on 5th February 2026 and ends on 20th February 2026. Please note that allocation starts on 27th February 2026. Terms and conditions apply.

    “May the memory of Junior Pope Odowodudu continue to inspire us to build lasting legacies.”

  • JUST IN: Court nullifies Ibadan convention, sacks Turaki-led NWC

    JUST IN: Court nullifies Ibadan convention, sacks Turaki-led NWC

    Justice Uche Agomoh of the Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan on Friday nullified the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15th and 16th 2025.

    The court also barred a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Taminu Turaki, and others who emerged as National Working Committee (NWC) members from parading themselves as national officers of the PDP.

    Also, the court ruled that the caretaker committee led by Abdulrahman and Senator Samuel Anyanwu is the only recognised NWC of the PDP pending the conduct of a valid National Convention.

    The Nation reports that the Kabiru Turaki faction of the PDP had filed Suit Number FHC/IB/CS/121/2025, seeking recognition of the convention held in Ibadan, Oyo State, on November 15, 2025, and validation of the NWC that emerged at the convention

    In a judgment by Justice Agomoh, the court held that the Convention was conducted in flagrant disobedience to two subsisting judgments of the same court, adding that returning to seek judicial approval for actions taken in defiance of court orders was an exercise in futility.

    Consequently, all decisions taken at the convention were set aside by the court.

    The suit: FHC/IB/CS/121/2025: is Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Versus Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and six others, came up for judgment on Friday.

    All the parties to the suit were present in court on Friday.

    Mr E. Y. Ajayi appears for the Applicant, holding brief for Musibau Adetumbi SAN.

    For the first respondent, O. A. Adeyemi appears for the 1st Respondent (INEC) with F. O. Ajiboye Esq.

    Also, Chief. Ferdinand O. Orbih, SAN, Dr. J.Y. Musa, SAN, and Dike Udenna represented the 2nd to 4th Respondents, while 5th Mr A. P. Igbayilola appeared for the 5th to 7th Respondents.

    Delivering the judgment in the open court, the court described the suit as a brazen attempt by the Applicant to legitimize its illegalities done in violation of subsisting court orders, stressing that it cannot allow that or sit on appeal over those judgments.

    Read Also: Court awards N30m to ex-NIMASA chief over link to soldiers’ killings

    The court said the application failed and thereby dismissed.

    “I hold that the caretaker committee is the only lawful governing body of PDP that INEC should recognize and relate with.

    “This suit is a brazen attempt by the Applicant to legitimize its illegalities done in violation of subsisting court orders. I cannot allow that or sit on appeal over those judgments.

    “The Application fails and is dismissed”, the Judge said.

    Reacting to the judgment, counsel to the PDP Caretaker Committee, Chief Ferdinand Oshioke Orbih, SAN, described the ruling as a boost for Nigeria’s democracy.

    According to him, the claimants had sought judicial endorsement of what he described as an illegal convention, but the court firmly rejected the move.

    He said the judgment affirmed that the rule of law must prevail over political expediency, stressing that all actions and structures arising from the convention had been completely nullified.

    Orbih added that the court’s decision underscored the inevitability of the caretaker committee taking charge of the party’s affairs until a valid convention is conducted in line with the law.

    He noted that the ruling sends a strong message to political actors on the importance of obeying court judgments, warning that disregard for the rule of law could lead to chaos.

    The judgment follows a protracted crisis within the PDP, which held a contentious national elective convention in Ibadan in November 2025 despite existing court orders.

    Earlier, a Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice Peter Lifu, had ordered the suspension of the PDP convention in a suit filed by former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido.

    Lamido had challenged the process, alleging that he was denied the opportunity to purchase a nomination form to contest for the party’s chairmanship, in violation of the PDP constitution and guidelines.

  • Police rescue suspected ‘one chance’ robbers from mob attack

    Police rescue suspected ‘one chance’ robbers from mob attack

    • …frowns at jungle justice
    • …urge residents to promptly report suspicious incidents

    Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has rescued two male suspects, identified as Kefas Akaye and Uya Ugwowere, from a mob attack.

    Preliminary investigations, the police said, revealed that the rescued suspects are members of a four-man gang involved in “one chance” robbery operations within the FCT.

    Further investigations revealed that they come into the FCT from Uke, Nasarawa State, to perpetrate their criminal activities.

    Two other members of the gang, identified simply as Mary and Aisha (surnames yet to be confirmed), the police said, had escaped the scene during the commotion.

    A statement issued on Friday by the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, said, “On 29th January 2026, at approximately 11:00 AM, Utako Police Division received a distress call reporting that an irate mob had apprehended and was assaulting two suspected criminals.

    Read Also: Insecurity: Afenifere asks Tinubu to fast-track state police, strengthen Amotekun in south-west

    “Acting swiftly on the report, police operatives from Utako Division immediately dispatched to the scene, where two male suspects identified as Kefas Akaye and Uya Ugwowere were rescued from the crowd.

    “While investigations are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing gang members, the FCT Police Command strongly condemns all acts of jungle justice and mob violence. The Command emphasizes that the assault or lynching of suspects not only endangers innocent lives but also compromises investigations by destroying critical evidence and hindering the identification and arrest of accomplices. Such unlawful actions ultimately undermine the justice process and deny victims and society the benefits of lawful prosecution and possible restitution of stolen property.

    “Members of the public are enjoined to exercise restraint and promptly report suspected criminal activities to the nearest police formation or contact the FCT Police Command through the following emergency lines: 08032003913 and 08028940883”.

  • Buni commissions multi-billion naira research centre to tackle rising kidney disease in Yobe

    Buni commissions multi-billion naira research centre to tackle rising kidney disease in Yobe

    • …award scholarship and cash gifts to teen girls

    Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, has commissioned the permanent site of the Biomedical Science Research and Training Centre (BioRTC) at Yobe State University, Damaturu, describing the facility as a strategic response to the rising burden of chronic kidney disease across the state.

    Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Thursday, January 29, 2026, Buni said the centre was established to develop sustainable, science-based solutions to the high incidence of kidney disease, particularly among communities located along the River Yobe.

    He noted that the disease has, over the years, claimed many lives, imposed heavy financial pressure on families, and placed significant strain on the state’s healthcare system.

    “This centre represents our resolve to confront kidney disease through evidence-based research rather than assumptions,” the governor said, adding that BioRTC will generate locally relevant data to uncover the root causes of the condition and guide effective policy decisions.

    Buni disclosed that the state government invested more than ₦800 million in constructing the permanent facility as part of a broader effort to strengthen health research capacity and enhance disease surveillance.

    He revealed that preliminary findings from ongoing research at the centre are already indicating a possible remote cause of kidney disease in the state, raising optimism for targeted prevention and treatment interventions.

    The governor commended Professor Mahmoud Bukar Maina for leading the centre’s kidney disease research initiatives, noting that the professor donated laboratory equipment valued at over ₦10 billion to support advanced scientific investigations.

    Read Also: Buni heads APC panel to tackle internal crises ahead 2027 polls

    Buni explained that BioRTC’s research framework is tailored to Yobe State’s specific environmental, genetic, and lifestyle factors, stressing that dependence on foreign medical research has often failed to adequately address Africa’s unique health challenges.

    He recalled that in 2023, the state government engaged international partners in the United Kingdom to strengthen the centre’s nephrology research capacity, attracting support from global experts in epidemiology and kidney medicine.

    According to the governor, BioRTC has since gained international recognition, with scientists from the Janelia Research Campus in the United States describing the centre as a model for building research capacity in underserved regions.

    To complement research efforts, the governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to improving access to treatment for kidney disease patients, disclosing that the state currently provides free dialysis support and will establish an additional dialysis centre in Gashua this year to reduce travel-related hardship for patients.

    He also appealed to the Federal Government to establish a Federal Kidney Disease Centre in Yobe State, citing the scale and persistence of the health challenge.

    Beyond research and treatment, Governor Buni said BioRTC is also developing low-cost diagnostic tools that can support early detection of kidney-related complications at the community level, particularly in rural areas.

    He urged the Federal Ministry of Health to partner with the centre to scale up open, low-cost diagnostic innovations, noting that early diagnosis remains a major gap in the management of kidney disease in northern Nigeria.

    The governor further disclosed that over 1,000 health professionals, researchers, and students from Yobe State and across Africa have been trained through BioRTC’s capacity-building programmes, strengthening the local workforce needed to sustain kidney disease research and care.

    Governor Buni also called on the Federal Ministry of Education and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) to recognise BioRTC as a national research and training centre, which would enable expanded funding for kidney disease studies and specialist training.

    He stressed that tackling kidney disease requires long-term investment in research, policy, and human capital, noting that BioRTC provides a platform to integrate all three.

    The commissioning ceremony also featured the celebration of three Yobe State students: Nafisa Abdullahi, Hadiza Kashim Kalli, and Rukayya Mohammed Fema who won the 2025 TeenEagle World Championship in London. Governor Buni described their achievement as evidence that sustained investment in education and science can produce global results.

    He announced full government scholarships up to tertiary level and a cash award of ₦10 million each for the students, reaffirming the administration’s commitment to human capital development as a foundation for addressing health challenges.

    Governor Buni concluded by reiterating that the fight against kidney disease in Yobe State will remain a top priority of his administration, pledging continued support for BioRTC as a hub for research, innovation, and life-saving interventions.

  • Four beheaded in renewed Ebonyi boundary clash

    Four beheaded in renewed Ebonyi boundary clash

    Four persons have been killed in Okporojo-Oso Edda in Edda Local Government Area in a renewed boundary dispute between the community and neighboring Amasiri in Afikpo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

    Several houses were also razed by the assailants in the attack which took place on Thursday night.

    The two communities have been at war since decades over land with many lives lost and property worth billions destroyed.

    Efforts have been made by previous administrations in the State and the present government to end the war to no avail.

    Sources in the area alleged that the assailants in the latest attack came from the Amasiri axis.

    A video recording of the aftermath of the attack showing the bodies of the  dead victims without their heads lying in the pool of their own blood have since gone viral on social media.

    In the video, many houses set ablaze by the assailants were still burning.

    Sources in the community alleged that the heads of the victims were taken away while two persons remain missing.

    The incident has thrown the community into mourning and renewed concerns over the persistent failure to permanently resolve the decades-old land dispute between the two neighbouring communities.

    Ebonyi Commissioner for Internal Security, Etta Uka Ude, confirmed the incident in an interview in Abakaliki, the State capital on Friday.

    Read Also: Ebonyi community, mining company sign ₦2bn five-year agreement

    He said he received reports of the killings by the evening of the incident, describing the act as “barbaric, unlawful and totally unacceptable.”

    According to the commissioner, the location where the killings occurred is not even the exact area under land dispute, making the attack more disturbing.

    “By 5 p.m. yesterday, I was informed that some hoodlums went into one of the villages and massacred almost four persons to death. I was trying to understand the actual problem because the land dispute area is far away from the town,” he said.

    Ude explained that upon receiving the report, the State Government moved swiftly to prevent escalation.

    He said he immediately contacted the chairmen of the affected local government areas, the Commissioner of Police, the Deputy Governor, and the Army, including the Women Battalion Commander, who had just resumed duty.

    “Everybody was on hand to make sure the situation did not escalate further. Unfortunately, before the arrival of security agencies, the damage had already been done,” he stated.

    The commissioner noted that although calm has been largely restored with the deployment of tactical police teams and military personnel, the government has ordered for investigation and possible arrest of the perpetrators for prosecution.

    > “Nobody is greater than the government. Thosw involved must be fished out and prosecuted so we can know the root cause of this problem. Whoever is involved must be brought to book. We are not encouraging violence in any form,” he stressed.

    Ude also condemned the beheading of victims, describing it as alien to the culture of Ebonyi people.

    “To behead someone and carry the head away is barbaric. Even our customs do not agree with that. It is very bad and very unlawful,” he said.

    While sympathizing with the families of the victims, the commissioner urged residents of both communities to remain calm and allow security agencies to do their work, warning against blocking major roads and disrupting public movement.

    Police spokesperson, Joshua Ukandu said he was with a police team heading to the affected area.

    “I will issue a statement after we have assessed the situation”, he said. 

    The Chairman Edda Local Government Area, Chima Ekumamkama also confirmed the incident in a telephone interview on Friday.

    He described it as barbaric, act of wickedness and man inhumanity to man

    He noted  that security personnel has been mobilized to the area following the quick intervention of the Governor.

    “This is sad and disheartening. This is barbaric, how can human beings behave like animals. How can people invade a community, behead people and take the heads away.

    “Are they using it for rituals or what? The perpetrators must be fished out and prosecuted.”The situation is unthinkable. 

    “In a modern world when we are meant to live together as brothers, people will have the mind to invade and attack a community beheading them. Again, it’s quite painful. My prayer is for God’s quick intervention, so that this thing will stop,” Ekumankama said. 

  • Police Kill four bandits in shootout in Benue

    Police Kill four bandits in shootout in Benue

     The Police Command in Benue on Friday confirmed the killing of four armed bandits by operatives of the Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF).

    The Command’s spokesperson, DSP Edet Udeme, confirmed  the development  in a statement in Makurdi.
    Udeme said the bandits were neutralised in a gun duel with the Police at a checkpoint in Orakam, Ogbadibo Local Area of the state.

    She said the officers while on duty on Thursday stopped a black Golf  vehicle but occupants of the vehicle tried to stop them from performing their job.

    “In a desperate attempt to evade arrest, two of the suspects removed AK-47 rifles and opened fire on the personnel.
    “As a result of the engagement, four armed bandits were neutralised, while one armed suspect fled into a nearby bush,” she said.

    Read Also: Comedian Dee One invited by police for routine interview

    Udeme also said they recovered one AK-47 rifle, a magazine containing 15 rounds of live ammunition, the vehicle and assorted charms.

    She said efforts were ongoing to track and arrest the fleeing armed suspect.

    She said the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ifeanyi Emenari, has commended the bravery and operational efficiency of the officers and reassured the public of the Command’s commitment to safeguard lives and property across the state.

    (NAN) 

  • Public school enrolment hits 300,000 in 1 year – Otti

    Public school enrolment hits 300,000 in 1 year – Otti

    Gov. Alex Otti of Abia says enrolment in public primary and secondary schools in the state has increased by more than 100 per cent, from about 117,000 to over 300,000 within one year.

    Otti disclosed this during his monthly media parley with newsmen at the Government House, Umuahia on Thursday night.

    He attributed the growth to reforms by his administration that were aimed at making education accessible and affordable.

    “We will continue with our push to make education available and affordable to every Nigerian living here.

    “The positive results coming out from the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education show that enrolment has moved from about 117,000 people a year ago, to over 300,000 as at the end of last month.

    “That is exactly the kind of result we expect. It is good news,” the governor said.

    He further said that the government had intensified reconstruction and renovation works in Abia State University (ABSU), Uturu; Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu; and Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba, and other state-owned tertiary institutions.

    Otti said that hostels, offices and academic facilities were being renovated and rebuilt in the institutions, with construction ongoing at both the temporary and permanent sites of the Ogbonnaya Onu Polytechnic, Aba and Osisioma, respectively.

    According to him, some renovated hostels at ABSU are already in use.

    He also said that the ongoing recruitment of 4,000 additional teachers by the government formed part of its efforts to strengthen the education sector.

    On infrastructure, Otti said that over 30 road projects were presently undergoing construction or rehabilitation, with many nearing completion.

    He said that the legendary Omenuko Bridge and the Abam–Okobo–Amuvi–Arochukwu Road would be inaugurated on Feb. 13.

    He said that the Uratta Road and the Old Express Road would soon be commissioned for reconstruction, as part of the government’s efforts to fully restore Aba.

    In the housing sector, the governor said the state had moved beyond the planning stage and that the Pocket Layout Housing Scheme for civil servants would soon be launched.

    Read Also: Otti approves employment of 649 new medical health workers in Abia

    He said that other housing projects in Mbaisii, Mgbarakuma and Ubakala would soon take off.

    On tourism and hospitality, he said that the state had entered into partnership with Amena Tourism and Hospitality Ltd., to digitally grade and rate hotels and hospitality facilities across Abia, using GPS and globally accepted standards.

    The governor also announced the launch of a pilot biogas project at the Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, aimed at converting waste to renewable energy.

    He further said that the State Electricity Regulation Authority took over regulatory control of electricity distribution from the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission on Dec. 24.

    He described the development as part of government’s efforts to achieve energy sufficiency, particularly through the planned acquisition of the Umuahia Ringed Fence Area.

    Otti spoke on government’s health programmes, saying that the Project Ekwueme Phase One, covering 200 Primary Healthcare Centres, had been completed, with many already functional.

    He also said that over 600 healthcare professionals had been recruited and were being deployed across the facilities.

    The governor said that a new General Hospital was under construction in Ndoki, Ukwa East LGA, following the donation of land by the General Overseer of Omega Power Ministries.

    He said that the hospital would be completed before the end of the year.

    He said that reconstruction works were ongoing at the Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Aba; Abia Specialist Hospital, Amachara; and the tertiary health facility at Umunneato.

    On water supply, he said that the CKC Water Project in Aba was nearing completion, alongside similar projects in Ariaria and parts of Umuahia.

    Otti said that the water project at Abia State College of Education (Technical), Arochukwu, had reached over 90 per cent completion and would serve the surrounding communities.

    He expressed gratitude to Abia residents and security agencies for ensuring a peaceful festive period in the state.

    He said that feedbacks from visitors and residents had been largely positive.

    (NAN)

  • Pass special seat bill for women, group appeals to NASS

    Pass special seat bill for women, group appeals to NASS

    A pro-gender equality group, Male Feminists Network (MFN),  has appealed to the National Assembly to pass the special seat bill for women in the legislative arm ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

    Project Director for the network, Dr. Otive Igbuzor made the appeal in Abuja during a two-day capacity-building programme for women’s rights organisations on engaging male allies.

    The human development expert lamented that the country has one of the global worst records of women participation in politics, stressing that the lawmakers have a patriotic role to play in changing the narratives.

    Igbuzor noted that African countries with increased women participation in politics did it through constitutional provisions. 

    He advised the National Assembly to do the needful and pass the bill.

    According to the Male Feminist enthusiast: “The 10th National Assembly would be writing its name in gold if they pass the special seat bill for women in order to boost women participation in politics and in decision making.”

    Highlighting the efforts of the network at curbing gender-based violence (GBV) and promote gender equality across the country, Igbuzor said no fewer than 3,200 Nigerian men have been trained and certified as feminist allies under the MFN project.

    He said the two-year national project (2025–2027) implemented by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy & Development (Centre LSD) has been executed through six zonal partners covering Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones.

    He added that the initiative was created to address a long-standing gap in gender justice advocacy—mobilising men to take responsibility for dismantling patriarchy rather than remaining silent beneficiaries of unequal systems.

    According to him: “Patriarchy is produced, enforced, and defended within male-dominated systems. It cannot be dismantled without men changing their beliefs, behaviours, and use of power,” he said.

    To actualise the initiative, Igbuzor said 52 master trainers nationwide were trained, adding that they cascaded the training to over 500 additional trainers across the six geopolitical zones of the country

    He added that the project has also the launch of the world’s first online course dedicated exclusively to Male Feminism and GBV prevention. 

    According to him: “Since its introduction, the platform has attracted 8,552 participants, with 3,150 Nigerians successfully completing the course and earning certification.

    “These men are not just learning; they are taking action—leading conversations in their communities, challenging harmful gender norms, and supporting women’s rights initiatives,” Igbuzor noted.