National
‘Natasha Was Wrong About Seating Arrangement, But She Once Told Me About Meeting Akpabio In Hotel’, Kingibe Reveals
The Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Ireti Kingibe, has stated that her Kogi Central counterpart, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, was wrong by not adhering to Senate rules about seating arrangement in the Red Chamber.
She, however, noted that before things went south between Natasha and Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Kogi Central Senator had enjoyed more privileges than other three female Senators in the Senate.
Elanza news reports that Natasha, who featured on Arise News breakfast programme, ‘The Morning Show’ on Friday morning, claimed that her continuous faceoffs with Akpabio began after she rejected his alleged sexual advances.
However, speaking in an interview on Arise News Friday afternoon, Senator Ireti Kingibe, who serves as the Senate Chairperson for Women Affairs Committee, remarked that the four female Senators share a close bond and that she considered Natasha as a daughter due to their age difference.
However, she criticised Natasha for not adhering to Senate rules, noting that seat changes have affected other lawmakers as well.
“The day in question, I was not in the Senate. When I came out, my driver told me there was a problem in the Senate. As soon as I heard her name, as I always do with everything that concerns her, I promptly called her,” Kingibe said.
“She tried to explain about seating, but she had not given me the proper explanation before she said she’d call me back. Till today, Senator Natasha has not called me. I have a smartphone; before I called Senator Natasha’s husband, I had called her twice without a response.
“He said she went to Singapore; maybe that’s why. And then I said to him, this is not the way things should happen.”
Kingibe explained that although the Senate was “not gender-friendly,” it has made significant improvements.
“The truth is that the Senate is not gender-friendly, but it has been improving—much better than when we first entered the Senate. I must say, when we make a fuss and draw the attention of the Senate President, he does correct it.
“Truly, the Senate can do better than it’s doing, but there’s hardly anything that has been done to us that’s not done to other men.
“It’s more appropriate to say that the Senate is not opposition-friendly.
“The truth is, Senator Natasha has gotten the most privileges among all four of us (female senators). The seat I sit on now has been moved four times.”
Kingibe also defended the silence of the other female Senators, explaining that they chose not to speak publicly against Natasha.
“The reason why you hear that the three (remaining) women in the Senate are being silent. yes, because silence is golden, especially when one of us is not following the rules. And as women, we did not want to come out publicly to say anything negative about her, and we were hoping all of this would blow over, as a lot of things do.”
On the allegations of sexual harassment, Kingibe distanced herself, stating that she is not close enough to Akpabio to discuss such matters.
“Whether there’s sexual harassment between them, they already had a personal relationship before they came to the Senate. Three of us had no relationship with Senator Akpabio before we came.
“I don’t have enough of a relationship with Senator Akpabio to discuss sexual harassment with him. When I go to the Senate and my neighbours or Senator Natasha are not there, I collect documents on their behalf.
“I collected documents for Senator Natasha. I called her, and she said she was home. I went to her house. I got there, and after offering a meal, she told me she was supposed to discuss something with him, and he said he would meet her in some hotel.
“I said to her, ‘You only meet the Senator in offices.”
A civil society organisation in Zamfara State has strongly criticised Governor Dauda Lawal, accusing him of gross incompetence and failure to secure the lives and property of the citizens under his watch.
In a scathing statement signed by the group’s Publicity Secretary, Dr Suleiman Ibrahim Usman, the organisation alleged that Governor Lawal has abandoned his responsibilities, choosing instead to blame his predecessor, Dr Bello Matawalle, for the state’s persistent security challenges.
“Governor Lawal has failed woefully in his primary duty of safeguarding the people of Zamfara,” the group said.
“Rather than tackle the escalating insecurity, he spends his time pointing fingers at his predecessor, all while living lavishly and ignoring the plight of his people.”
The group criticised what it described as the governor’s “luxurious lifestyle”, claiming that while communities in the state suffer from hunger, sickness, and fear of bandit attacks, Governor Lawal is busy acquiring exotic vehicles.
“It is disgraceful for a leader of a traumatised state to indulge in such extravagance,” the statement read.
The statement further accused the governor of mismanaging the state’s increased federal allocation and internal revenue, questioning what tangible security investments have been made since he assumed office.
“Under Governor Matawalle, despite limited funds, security agencies received over 200 Hilux vehicles and motorcycles. What has Governor Lawal done with the increased allocation?” the group queried.
The civil society group also criticised the ongoing road projects in the state, describing them as mere reconstructions of long-standing roads rather than the development of new infrastructure.
“These are not new roads; they are just politically motivated renovations focused mostly on his own local government area,” the statement alleged.
It condemned aides of the governor for attacking the current Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle, saying he had contributed to improved security in the state.
“Thanks to Matawalle’s interventions, many villages are now able to sleep with both eyes closed, and farming activities are gradually returning,” Dr Usman claimed.
“It is only hypocrites or those who have never stepped foot in Zamfara that would commend this administration. We challenge anyone to visit the state and see the suffering of the people firsthand.”
National
Enugu Ministers’ Roundtable To Equip Church Leaders for Spiritual Harvest, Says KARM Leader
The Kingdom Apostolic Revival Ministries (KARM) has unveiled plans for a significant gathering dubbed the Enugu Ministers’ Roundtable, aimed at equipping church leaders and workers for what its convener describes as an “imminent harvest of souls.”
The announcement was made on Tuesday by Apostle John Enelamah, leader of KARM, in a statement released to journalists,on Tuesday.
The conference, scheduled for 11-12 April 2025 at the Jesus the Way Gospel Mission Auditorium in New Era Layout, Akwunanu, Enugu, is expected to draw ministers and church workers from across Nigeria’s South East and South South regions.
Apostle Enelamah emphasised that the event would not only address the spiritual needs of attendees but also tackle their temporal concerns, while fostering discussions on expanding the reach of the Christian faith.
“The Ministers’ Roundtable is a forum where ministers and church workers will come together to fellowship and receive the Word of God, equipping them for the great work ahead,” Enelamah said.
“God’s move and revival are sweeping across the nations, and Nigeria has a pivotal role to play in these end times.”
Enelamah highlighted Enugu’s strategic importance in the South East as a key reason for hosting the event there, noting that the conference would serve as a springboard for further outreach in the region.
He also revealed plans for a future gathering, the Mission To West Africa (MTWA) Conference, set to take place in Umuahia in February 2026.
The Enugu Ministers’ Roundtable will feature prominent Christian leaders, including Archbishop Chris Ede of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Enugu Archdiocese; Bishop Obi Onubuogu of Rock Family Church; and Apostle Chuks Alozie of the Abia Apostolic Intercessory Team.
The event will be hosted by Rev John Uga, with sessions running from 9am to 4pm on 11 April and resuming at 9am on 12 April.
In his statement, Enelamah urged ministers “thirsty and hungry for greater exploits in their ministry” to attend, promising a spiritually enriching experience that would “build up our most holy faith.”
He added that KARM intends to collaborate closely with ministers in Enugu and other parts of southern Nigeria to strengthen the church’s mission.
The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers State Council, has issued a 14-day ultimatum to the Rivers State Police Command to tender an unreserved public apology over the assault on five journalists during a peaceful protest in Port Harcourt or risk a statewide media blackout.
In a statement jointly signed by the Council Chairman, Comrade Paul Bazia, and Secretary, Dr. Ijeoma Tubosia, the NUJ condemned the actions of police officers involved, demanding their immediate identification and prosecution.
“The NUJ, as a watchdog of society, will not sit idly by while media practitioners are subjected to barbarism and brutality. Enough is enough,” the statement warned, noting that any further attack on journalists in the state would be “vehemently resisted.”
The union described the incident as “unprovoked, barbaric, and inhuman,” saying it amounted to a gross violation of the rights of the affected journalists.
Those assaulted include Charles Opurum of Channels TV, Allwell Ene of Naija FM, Soibelemari Oruwari of Nigeria Info, Ikezam Godswill of AIT, and Femi Ogunkhilede of Super FM.
The journalists were tear-gassed while covering the protest, with Opurum beaten, and detained by security operatives.
Expressing deep regret over the incident, the NUJ lamented that an institution tasked with safeguarding lives and property has turned its weapons on citizens, particularly journalists performing their lawful duties.
Despite the provocation, the union reaffirmed its commitment to constructive engagement and partnership with the police in the interest of peace and national development.
It, however, cautioned the police not to jeopardise the existing relationship with the media.
The NUJ also urged its members to remain calm and law-abiding, expressing hope that the police authorities would take decisive steps to address the matter and ensure a more respectful working relationship with journalists in Rivers State.