The presence of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), and Emmanuel Agim, a judge of the supreme court, at the convocation ceremony of the University of Calabar (UNICAL), has stirred controversy.

On Saturday, UNICAL held its 50th anniversary and 37th convocation ceremony.

Pictures from the event that appeared on social media show Wike sitting in the front row alongside Agim and Ekaette Akpabio, wife of Senate President Godswill Akpabio.

The pictures have generated reactions from social media users considering that Agim was the judge who read the supreme court judgment pertaining to the Rivers political crisis.

On February 28, the supreme court affirmed the judgment of a federal high court that barred the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the accountant-general of the federation from releasing statutory monthly allocations to Rivers state.

The apex court had ordered the CBN to withhold Rivers’ financial allocations until Siminalayi Fubara, governor of the state, presented the state appropriation bill to the Martin Amaewhule-led faction of the assembly.

The supreme court also nullified the local government election held in Rivers state on October 5, 2024.

The judgment of the supreme court had given advantage to the Amaewhule-led faction, which is loyal to Wike.

The political crisis in Rivers had snowballed into a declaration of state of emergency in the state by President Bola Tinubu and suspension of the Fubara and the state assembly for six months.

During the convocation ceremony, the university’s authorities honoured Wike with an honorary doctorate degree in law.

In a statement on Monday, Akande Festus, the director of information and public relations at the supreme court, said the comment that Agim accompanied Wike to the ceremony was “misleading and false”.

Festus said the participation of the supreme court judge at the ceremony was independent, noting that Agim was an esteemed honouree and an alumnus of the institution.

“Hon. Justice Agim attended the convocation as an esteemed honouree and an alumnus of the institution, whom the governing council had found worthy to be conferred with an Honorary Doctorate Degree in Law (Doctor Honoris Causa),” the statement reads.

“He was recognized for his significant contributions to the legal profession, which is a reflection of his commitment to justice, integrity, and the rule of law, serving as a model for aspiring legal professionals and students alike.

“Hon. Justice Agim was scheduled to attend the burial ceremony of Hon. Justice Stanley Alagoa alongside other Hon. Justices of the Supreme Court in Bayelsa State but sought permission to go for the convocation ceremony.

“We wish to emphasize that Justice Emmanuel Agim’s participation at the ceremony was independent and not as an official representative of any government ministry or department, let alone accompanying any serving or retired government official.

“Any insinuation to the contrary is not only inaccurate but undermines the judicial independence that is crucial to our democracy.”

Some constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District have submitted a petition to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), for the recall of Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan, the suspended lawmaker representing the district in the National Assembly.

The petition, presented by Charity Ijese, on behalf of the constituents, was received at the INEC headquarters, by the Commission’s Secretary, Rose Anthony, on Monday, March 24, 2025.

The petition was titled, ‘Constituents’ Petition for the Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Grounds of Loss of Confidence’.

The constituents said, “In particular, this petition for the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan is brought pursuant to Section 69 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), as well as INEC’s Regulations and Guidelines for Recall Petitions.”

They affirmed that Akpoti-Uduaghan emerged by virtue of an Appeal Court decision in October 2023 but said the petition arose as a result of their loss of confidence in her representation.

“This petition arises from our loss of confidence in the Senator on the grounds of gross misconduct, abuse of office, evasion of due process, and a pattern of deceitful behaviour that has not only embarrassed the people of Kogi Central but has also tarnished the integrity of the Nigerian Senate and our nation’s democratic institutions.

“By this petition, which we have made sure is signed by more than half of the registered voters in Kogi Central, we hereby demand that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) immediately commence the constitutional and procedural process of recall to remove Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan from office and declare her seat vacant,” the constituents said.

The female federal lawmaker was involved in a seat arrangement dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. The lawmaker accused Akpabio of sexual harassment and abuse of office. The Senate subsequently suspended her for six months for misconduct.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched the Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA) to tackle the country’s growing unemployment rate.

Tinubu, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, said the initiative reaffirms his administration’s commitment to equipping Nigerian youths with the skills needed to compete globally.

He noted that the academy would train millions of young Nigerians over the next two years, helping them build the knowledge and skills necessary for international success.

“Through world-class training in digital literacy, technical skills, entrepreneurship, and the creative industries, we will ensure that our youth are equipped to compete on the global stage,” Tinubu said.

“Initiatives like the Youth Investment Fund and the Presidential Initiative for Youth Enterprise Clusters will provide financial support, mentorship, and resources to young entrepreneurs, while the establishment of a National Youth Development Bank will ensure access to the capital needed to turn ideas into thriving businesses.

“We are investing in our youth because they are the future of this nation. NiYA represents a real opportunity to change the narrative of youth unemployment and learning poverty in our country.”

Ayodele Olawande, the minister for youth development, who urged youths to take full advantage of the opportunities the academy offers, noted that the initiative will bridge the skills gap in Nigeria’s job market.

“NiYA represents President Tinubu’s commitment to building a better future for Nigerian youths,” Olawande said.

“This is a platform where they can acquire skills, create businesses, and improve their lives and the lives of their families.”

The programme, which offers training in education and skills development, economic empowerment, and leadership, aims to create pathways for Nigerian youths to engage in the global economy.

The launch also featured a presentation of N1 million start-up packages to six beneficiaries from each geopolitical zone.