FIRE IN SOWETO AS SOUTH AFRICANS CHASE OUT BLACK AFRICANS FROM THEIR COUNTRY

Thousands of people have marched in South Africa's main cities to demand that all undocumented migrants leave the country.

Police officers - backed by private security guards - have been deployed because of fears that protests could turn violent. Anti-migrant groups had set Tuesday as the deadline for undocumented migrants to leave.

Many foreigners have already fled to escape violence and intimidation. South African police say 25,000 have been repatriated so far. Most are from other African countries.

One undocumented Malawian told the BBC he was "happy to be going back" but "heartbroken" to be leaving behind four young children.

The Ministry of Police said the protests have largely been peaceful across the country, with isolated incidents of looting and attempted looting.

In Johannesburg, the financial capital, shops in the city centre were closed, while police visibility is high on major streets.

The military has been deployed in Hillbrow, a suburb in Johannesburg where many African migrants live, following reports of a teenager being shot and a car being torched, local media report.

Some protesters threw bricks, breaking the windows of some homes in Yeoville, another suburb where many African migrants live.

In a neighbourhood in Germiston, about 15km (nine miles) from Johannesburg, demonstrators went to homes, evicting residents they suspected were foreign nationals and handing them over to police officers, insisting they check their documentation, local media report.

Police said they had arrested five people for the alleged looting of a foreign-owned shop in Johannesburg's biggest township, Soweto.

About 10 people were also arrested for looting in KwaZulu-Natal province, while a woman was arrested for assaulting a police officer and a man for "intimidation" following reports of a foreign national being beaten up, police said.

Businesses in central Durban, the main city in the province, were also shut.

Protesters handed over a memorandum listing their demands to government officials in Durban and Johannesburg.

The leader of anti-migrant group March and March, Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, said they would protest every Thursday for the next six months to force the government to "get rid of" undocumented migrants who were still in South Africa.

A demonstrator - who is part of another anti-migrant group, Operation Dudula - told the BBC they would "push the police" to arrest foreigners who are not legally in the country.

President Cyril Ramaphosa met some of the protest leaders on the eve of Tuesday's marches to defuse tensions.

He has repeatedly warned demonstrators to act peacefully, while also accepting the need for immigration reforms.

OGBOJU ODE NINU IGBO IRUNMOLE

Fagunwa's first book was written in a bush, they thought he was a ghøst, his body was found with cap on his head 3 days after

A long interesting read👇

Daniel Olorunfemi Fagunwa wrote “Ogboju Ode ninu Igbo Irumole”, while serving as the Headmaster of St. Andrew’s Practising School, Oyo, from 1930 and 1939. In the course of writing the book, Fagunwa like a mystic, had to look for a bush path. He left Oyo town and moved towards Ibadan road and created a path, through a bush, to a very big tree, which was so huge, that one could not see sun-rays under the tree. He brought a small table, a chair and books underneath the tree, to begin writing his first novel.

He later realized that posite the bush path he created, there was a woman selling yam in a kiosk. He did not know that the woman was suspecting that he was not a human being. He used to come out of the bush to buy yam and returned there. The woman then contacted some hunters and villagers to search the bush. Fortunately, the period they came was when he had gone to buy yam, otherwise they would have searched the place and could have kïllēd him. He was returning to the bush after buying yam when those men stopped him.

They asked him where he was going and where he came from. He told them the story about himself. They asked: ”you say you are writing a book, is it in the bush that writers work?” They followed him inside the bush and behold, they saw a chair and table and books on the table. They asked him where he originated from, he told them that he was the Headmaster of St. Andrew’s Practicing School, Oyo, that was how they spared him.

When he finished writing the book and finding a publisher, he made £25 from which he prepared for the wedding to his first wife, bought a brand new bicycle, gramo phone with some records, iron bed, mattress and so many other things. He also hired a vehicle from Lagos, to bring him to Oyo with his luggage.

When he got to Oyo, his fiancée, surprised, asked him where he got money to buy these treasured items; and that was how the encouragement and inspiration to write further books started.

DEMISE

Fagunwa did not disappear as had been previously reported. He was returning from a business trip in Northern Nigeria, slept in Bida, and, the following morning, left because there was a river Wuya on the way, that had no bridge.

There, they had to take a ferry, conveying people and vehicles across the river. At the river bank, he told his driver, James, an Ibadan man, to wait, while he followed one path by the bank of the river. The driver shortly after Fagunwa left him, started hearing splashes of water, only to realize that Fagunwa had slipped by the river bank into the river.

Fagunwa’s body was discovered three days after. There was no scratch on his body when he was discovered the third day. He was found fresh, erect and was also still holding his eye glasses. His wrist watch and other accessories were intact. He still had his cap on his head. He still had his shoes on and also his complete agbada.

Fagunwa’s remains were buried at the cemetery of the St. Luke’s Anglican Church, Oke-Igbo- his home town on the 10th of December, 1963. His body did not disappear as was being speculated. He was from a Christian home.

Credit: Vanguard

THE EVIL OF MIKE OZHEKHOME

Mr Ozekhome was accused of forgery of documents including a passport and an irrevocable power of attorney to lay claim to to the London property.

He is also facing prosecuiton in Nigeria for forgery and other crimes regarding the scam.

In February, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) re-arraigned Mr Ozekhome and Mr Useni’s son, Ponfa Useni, regarding their roles in London property scandal.

The defendants were re-arraigned on 12 charges of forgery and impersonation before the FCT High Court in Maitama, Abuja.

The re-arraignment followed an amendment of the charges initially filed against Mr Ozekhome as the sole defendant.

The amendment introduced Ponfa as the second defendant.

The LPPC, the body that confers the highly coveted SAN rank on accomplished lawyers, said Mr Ozekhome’s suspension from using the rank “is intended to safeguard the integrity, dignity, and prestige of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria while due consideration is given to the matters under review.”

It therefore directed Mr Ozekhome to refrain from parading himself, presenting himself, or otherwise holding himself out as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria pending the conclusion of the disciplinary proceedings.

The LPPC said it remains committed to upholding the highest standards of professional ethics, integrity and discipline within the legal profession.

It added that the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria must continue to command public confidence and respect.

The rank of SAN is the highest distinction conferred on legal practitioners in Nigeria. It is awarded annually to lawyers and academics who have distinguished themselves in legal practice, legal scholarship, and contributions to the development of the law.

The rank comes with a number of privileges, including a reserved seat in the “inner bar” of Nigerian courtrooms, priority attention to cases of the rank holder, special recognition during court sessions and formal events of the legal profession, and wearing of a special silk different from the regular gown of other lawyers.

The LPPC is the body responsible for the conferment of the SAN rank and the preservation of its dignity and integrity. The committee oversees the SAN selection process, considers petitions and complaints relating to the rank, and may suspend or withdraw the privilege in appropriate cases in accordance with its guidelines.

Background

The suspension comes amid ongoing disciplinary and criminal proceedings linked to a disputed property in London.

In September 2025, a UK property tribunal dismissed claims over a house at 79 Randall Avenue, North London, and found that the case before it was built on forged documents and impersonation. The tribunal rejected Mr Ozekhome’s claim that the property was transferred to him in 2021 by a man identified as Tali Shani.

Following the judgment, the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, announced that Nigerian authorities would examine the issues raised by the case.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission later opened an investigation, while criminal charges were subsequently filed against Mr Ozekhome over alleged forgery and use of false documents connected to the property dispute. Mr Ozekhome has denied wrongdoing.

PRESS RELEASE SUSPENSION OF CHIEF MIKE OZEKHOME FROM THE RANK OF | SENIOR ADVOCATE OF NIGERIA The Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC), at its 173rd General Meeting held on 23 June 2026, approved the suspension of Chief Mike Ozekhome, from the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria. This action was taken pursuant to Paragraph 26(6) of the Guidelines for the Conferment of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria and All Matters Pertaining to the Rank, pending the final determination of the disciplinary proceedings, presently before the Disciplinary and Ethics Sub-Committee of the LPPC and other proceedings. The suspension is intended to safeguard the integrity, dignity, and prestige of the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria while due consideration is given to the matters under review. Accordingly, Chief Mike Ozekhome, shall refrain from parading himself, presenting himself, or otherwise holding himself out as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria pending the final determination of the disciplinary proceedings. The LPPC remains committed to upholding the highest standards of professional ethics, integrity, and discipline within the legal profession and to ensuring that the Rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria continues to command public confidence and respect. j e a a of . an ; KABIR E. AKA +I, ESQ. Chief Registrar, Supreme Court of Nigeria Secretary, Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee.

On 23 August 2013, Ozekhome was kidnapped at the Ehor stretch of the Benin-Auchi Expressway, Nigeria, with his driver Chinedu. The abduction at Ehor led to the deaths of four policemen who attempted to intervene.

DID OBI ONYEJEKWE REALLY FATHER OLUSEGUN OBASANJO? A CRITICAL LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE

Every few years, the same claim returns to Nigerian social media:

"Olusegun Obasanjo is not truly Yoruba. 

He is the biological son of Obi Joseph Okwudili Onyejekwe of Onitsha."

The argument usually relies on photographs.

People point to similarities in facial structure, height, and appearance. 

Some even argue that the resemblance is too strong to be a coincidence.

But serious historical questions require more than photographs.

They require evidence.

Let's examine what we actually know.

FIRST: WHO WAS OBI JOSEPH OKWUDILI ONYEJEKWE?

Joseph Okwudili Onyejekwe was born in 1912 and later became Obi of Onitsha after a lengthy succession dispute that ended with his installation in 1962.

Before ascending the throne, he served in the colonial police service and was already a notable figure in Onitsha.

These facts are well documented.

SECOND: WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT OBASANJO'S FAMILY?

Olusegun Obasanjo was born in 1937 in Ogun State.

Historical accounts consistently identify his father as Amos Adigun Obasanjo Bankole, a member of the Owu community.

The Obasanjo family lineage, ancestral roots, and connections to Owu-Totoro have been publicly acknowledged for decades.

Importantly, no credible historical record, court proceeding, colonial document, family testimony, or academic publication has ever produced evidence linking Obi Onyejekwe to Obasanjo's birth.

Not one.

THIRD: WHAT EVIDENCE SUPPORTS THE RUMOR?

This is where the story becomes interesting.

Despite how widespread the claim is, the evidence presented is usually limited to:

Physical resemblance.

Social media speculation.

Unverified stories passed from one person to another.

There are no birth records.

There are no letters.

There are no official acknowledgments.

There are no contemporary witnesses whose claims have been independently verified.

In historical research, such evidence would not meet even the most basic standard of proof.

FOURTH: WHY DO PEOPLE BELIEVE IT?

Because human beings naturally search for patterns.

When two people share similar facial features, many assume there must be a family connection.

Yet history is full of unrelated individuals who look remarkably alike.

Physical resemblance alone has never been accepted as proof of parentage.

If it were, thousands of family histories around the world would have to be rewritten.

THE QUESTION CRITICAL THINKERS SHOULD ASK

If Obasanjo were truly the son of one of the most prominent royal figures associated with Onitsha, why has no verifiable evidence emerged after decades of public scrutiny?

Remember:

Obasanjo has been a military officer, Head of State, President, international diplomat, and one of the most studied political figures in Nigerian history.

His life has been examined by journalists, historians, political opponents, intelligence agencies, biographers, and researchers.

Yet no documented proof connecting him to Obi Onyejekwe has ever surfaced.

That does not automatically prove the rumor false.

But it does mean that extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.

And so far, the evidence simply does not exist.

THE VERDICT

A photograph can raise a question.

A rumor can spark curiosity.

But history is not built on resemblance.

History is built on records, documents, witnesses, and verifiable facts.

Until credible evidence appears, the claim remains what it has always been:

An interesting story but not an established historical fact.

What is your view? 

Should physical resemblance be considered evidence, or should history rely only on documented facts?

Source: Heart 2 Heart With Sammy

HOW TO COMMIT THE PERFECT CRIME.

Former Minister of Petroleum Resources Diezani Alison-Madueke stole at least $2.5 billion from the country. Whistleblower allegations from former officials suggest up to $20 billion in state oil revenues vanished under her management.

Breaking News: Diezani Alison-Madueke: A Long Walk Through Pain, Trial and Vindication

On 17 June 2026, after years of investigation, legal battles and intense public scrutiny, a jury at Southwark Crown Court in London returned verdicts of not guilty on all charges against former Nigerian Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke. The trial, which lasted several months and followed more than a decade of investigations, has finally come to an end. (Reuters⁠)

The case was heard at Southwark Crown Court, London. During the proceedings, the prosecution, acting on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service, alleged that Mrs. Alison-Madueke accepted benefits, gifts, luxury accommodation and other advantages from individuals connected to the oil and gas industry in exchange for influence over oil and gas contracts. She faced five counts of accepting bribes and one count of conspiracy to commit bribery. (London South East⁠)

Her lead defence counsel, Jonathan Laidlaw KC, vigorously challenged the allegations. He argued that Mrs. Alison-Madueke did not possess the unilateral authority to award contracts and was, in many instances, acting on official recommendations and established governmental procedures. He further argued that purchases made on her behalf were reimbursed and that Nigerian ministers were prohibited from maintaining foreign bank accounts. Most importantly, Mrs. Alison-Madueke consistently maintained before the court that she never asked for, sought, or accepted bribes of any kind. (London South East⁠)

The jury carefully considered the evidence over many months. After extensive deliberations, they found her not guilty on all charges. That verdict must be respected, whether one agrees with it or not. In every democratic society governed by the rule of law, the judgment of a competent court and jury deserves acceptance. (Reuters⁠)

Beyond the legal arguments lies a human story.

For more than ten years, Diezani Alison-Madueke lived under the shadow of criminal allegations. Her movements were severely restricted. She endured prolonged legal uncertainty, public criticism, and the emotional burden of defending her name in a foreign country. During this difficult period, she battled cancer and faced the pain of separation from family and loved ones. There were important family moments she could not attend and personal losses she could not properly mourn.

Regardless of where one stands on the politics surrounding her case, no fair-minded person can deny that ten years under investigation and legal restrictions is a heavy burden for any human being to bear.

Many Nigerians remember Diezani not only as a defendant in a courtroom but also as a public servant who occupied one of the most strategic offices in the country. Before entering government, she had a distinguished career in the oil industry, including senior executive responsibilities with Shell. As Minister of Petroleum Resources, she served during a period when Nigeria’s crude oil production exceeded two million barrels per day. She also became the first female President of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), representing Nigeria on the global stage and helping project the country’s influence in international energy affairs. The period also witnessed reforms that strengthened local participation in the petroleum sector and contributed to the growth of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).

History will continue to debate her tenure. That is the nature of public service. But history should also record that she devoted significant years of her life to the Nigerian petroleum industry and to Nigeria’s international standing.

I also wish to acknowledge President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for allowing the judicial process in the United Kingdom to run its course without interference. The independence of the courts is a cornerstone of democracy. The President neither sought to influence the proceedings nor prejudge the outcome. He allowed the legal system to do its work and respected the sovereignty of the British judicial process.

As Nigerians, we must now demonstrate the maturity to accept the verdict. The jury has spoken. The court has delivered its judgment. The rule of law demands respect for that outcome.

This is therefore a moment not for bitterness but for reflection. We should learn the lessons of this long and difficult chapter. We should recognize the human cost of prolonged legal battles. And we should allow healing to begin.

Diezani Alison-Madueke has endured a decade of scrutiny, restriction, illness, separation and uncertainty. In many respects, those years amounted to a punishment in themselves.

My appeal is simple: let us put aside hatred and division. Let us allow her to return home in peace. Let her heal from the wounds of the past decade. Let her reconnect with family and loved ones. Let her contribute, in whatever way she can, to the progress and development of Nigeria.

The trial is over.

The verdict has been delivered.

It is time for healing, reconciliation and national reflection.

THE ART OF A USELESS DEAL

The agreement between Iran and the US lays out the terms of the ceasefire between the bitter rivals, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, some financial relief for Iran and a reiteration from Tehran that it will never produce a nuclear weapon, according to a copy of the text obtained by CNN.

The 14-point memorandum of understanding has not yet been officially released but a copy of it was obtained by CNN from a US official. A diplomat who saw it at the G7 summit in France this week confirmed its contents, as did two other diplomatic sources with knowledge of negotiations.

Under the agreement, the US will allow Iran to sell its oil and petrochemical products, and Tehran may be able to tap into a $300 billion development fund if it meets commitments related to its nuclear program in further negotiations. The document does not include specifics on what will become of Iran’s highly enriched uranium.

The US official told CNN that the text reflects the agreement signed digitally by President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance and Iranian parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf on Sunday. However, given both the US and Iranians’ secrecy around the language, it remains unclear whether the draft text shared with CNN will reflect the exact wording of the final document due to be signed in person on Friday in Switzerland. Technical details are also being finalized so the wording could still shift.

Speaking to CNN, US officials have downplayed the significance of the memo itself, calling it a “political document” that does not reflect critical back-channel commitments Iran has made to the US, specifically on the future of Tehran’s nuclear program. The White House did not respond to a request for comment when presented with the draft obtained by CNN. The semi-official Iranian news agency Tasnim described leaked versions of the draft as inaccurate. Bloomberg earlier published a version of the draft.

The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States, together with their allies in the current war, declare upon the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding an immediate and permanent end to the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, and undertake that from now on they will not launch any hostile action against each other, and will refrain from the threat or use of force against each other. The final agreement will confirm the provisions of this Article and the remaining Articles.

The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States undertake to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to refrain from interfering in each other’s internal affairs.

The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States undertake to negotiate and reach a final agreement within a maximum period of 60 days, extendable by mutual consent.

Immediately upon the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, the United States lift the naval blockade and prevent any interference or obstruction against the Islamic Republic of Iran, and restore traffic within a maximum of 30 days to its full capacity; the traffic of ships shall be proportional to the pre-war volume of traffic on the part of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The United States also undertakes to withdraw its forces from the surrounding areas within 30 days after the final agreement.

Upon signing this Memorandum of Understanding, the Islamic Republic of Iran will immediately take steps to ensure that the movement of merchant ships from the Persian Gulf to the Sea of Oman and vice versa is resumed within 30 days to the pre-war volume, taking into account the need for the removal of technical obstacles and the neutralization of mines by Iran.

The United States undertakes, together with its regional partners, to create a comprehensive plan agreed upon by both parties for the rehabilitation and economic development of the Islamic Republic of Iran, while ensuring financing of at least $300 billion. The implementation mechanism of this plan, as part of the final agreement, will be formulated within 60 days.

The United States commits to ending, on a schedule to be agreed upon as part of the final agreement, all types of sanctions currently facing the Islamic Republic of Iran, including resolutions of the United Nations Security Council and the Board of Governors of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), and all unilateral U.S. sanctions, both primary and secondary.

The Islamic Republic of Iran reiterates that it will never produce nuclear weapons. The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States have agreed that the fate of enriched material and the fate of all other mutually agreed nuclear-related issues, including Iran’s nuclear needs, will be adequately addressed in a final agreement; the final agreement will confirm the provisions of this Article.

The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States agree that, pending a final agreement, they will maintain the status quo: Iran will maintain the status quo on its nuclear program, and the United States will not impose new sanctions on Iran or strengthen its forces in the region.

The United States undertakes that immediately after the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, and until the date of the lifting of sanctions, the United States Treasury Department will issue waivers for exports of Iranian crude oil, petrochemical products and their derivatives, and all related services, including banking, insurance, transportation, and the like.

The United States undertakes that, in light of the progress of negotiations towards a final agreement, frozen or restricted funds and assets of the Islamic Republic of Iran will be released and made fully available. These funds, whether held in the master account or transferred, will be used for any final beneficiary payment determined by the Central Bank of the Islamic Republic of Iran and will be fully available for use. The United States undertakes to issue all necessary permits and licenses on this basis.

The Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States agree that an implementation mechanism will be established to oversee the successful implementation of and future commitment to the Final Agreement.

Following the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding, and upon receipt of assurances regarding the commencement of implementation of Articles 4, 5, 10, and 11 of this Memorandum of Understanding, and the continued implementation of these steps, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the United States will enter into negotiations for a Final Agreement solely with respect to the remaining Articles.

The final agreement will be approved through a binding resolution of the UN Security Council.

AFRICAN ARCHERS DEFEAT OF EURASIANS

Archery in Africa played crucial roles in resistance against both internal and external threats. In Southern Africa, the Khoikhoi utilized composite bows to resist Dutch colonizers in the 17th century, employing ambush tactics to challenge colonial forces (Eloff, 2016). Similarly, Xhosa archers were instrumental during the Xhosa Wars of the 19th century, using their extensive knowledge of local terrain to delay British expansion (Davenport & Saunders, 2016). The Zulu Kingdom further integrated archery into its military tactics during the Anglo-Zulu War (1879). While renowned for the assegai, Zulu archers contributed significantly to their initial victories, particularly at Isandlwana, by leveraging mobility and surprise (Hamilton, 2020). The Ndebele Kingdom, led by King Mzilikazi, also featured proficient archers who employed ambush tactics to resist British encroachments despite eventual colonization (Khumalo, 2019).

In East Africa, the Kingdom of Aksum demonstrated effective archery against invasions from the Persian Empire around the 4th century AD, utilizing archery tactics that allowed them to successfully repel these threats (Hassan, 2021). During the Battle of Adwa in 1896, Ethiopian forces under Emperor Menelik II achieved a historic victory against Italian colonial forces. While infantry and cavalry strategies garnered attention, Ethiopian archers were critical in executing hit-and-run tactics that helped maintain sovereignty (Kassaye, 2018). The Kingdom of Buganda, in modern Uganda, also resisted British colonization in the late 19th century through skilled archers who employed guerrilla tactics against colonial forces (Mamdani, 2018). Central Africa saw similar dynamics, as the Luba Kingdom utilized archery effectively against colonial forces, employing ambush techniques to fend off initial incursions (Vansina, 2022). The Ashanti Empire in contemporary Ghana showcased resistance during the Ashanti Wars, where skilled archers played pivotal roles, particularly at the Battle of Nsamankow in 1874 (Rivkin, 2019).

In West Africa, Oyo Empire, a powerful Yoruba state, effectively employed archery in military campaigns and hunting, with horse-mounted archers executing swift tactical strikes (Akintoye, 2020). The Dahomey Kingdom, notable for its female warriors, the Amazons, also featured skilled archers who played key roles in resisting French colonization through effective ambush tactics during the Battle of Dahomey in 1892 (Adovelande, 2016). Similarly, the Mandinke peoples utilized archery in the 19th-century resistance against French expansion, employing hit-and-run tactics to challenge colonial forces (Blyden, 2017). In North Africa, Nubian archers from ancient Sudan were notable for their exceptional defensive capabilities against Roman and Arab invasions, particularly during the Battle of Dongola in 652 AD, inflicting heavy casualties (El-Tobgi, 2021). The Kushite Queen Amanirenas successfully led her forces against Roman advances in the 1st century BC, employing archers to exploit the Nile Valley's terrain for ambushes (Kemet, 2023).

References

El-Tobgi, M. (2021). Nubian Archers: Defensive Capability against Roman and Arab Invasions. Journal of Ancient African History, 19(1), 60-73.

Hamilton, J. (2020). The Zulu Kingdom and the Anglo-Zulu War: The Role of Archery in Military Strategy. Military History Journal, 15(3), 45-63.

Rivkin, G. (2019). The Ashanti Wars: Archery in Defense of the Empire. Ghanaian History Review, 20(3), 123-138.

Blyden, E. (2017). The Mandinke Resistance: Archery Tactics against French Colonial Expansion. Journal of African Studies, 14(2), 32-47.

Adovelande, A. (2016). The Dahomey Kingdom's Amazons: Female Warriors and Archery. West African History Review, 23(1), 88-102.

#Africa #BlackHistory #African #World

TEXT OF PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU’S DEMOCRACY DAY ADDRESS ON FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2026

The generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity.

Fellow Nigerians

Today, we celebrate democracy and the enduring Nigerian spirit. For 27 unbroken years, since May 29, 1999, Nigerians have chosen their leaders through the ballot, witnessed peaceful transitions of power, and resolved disagreements in courtrooms and legislative chambers—not through violence. We have experienced the longest stretch of civilian rule in our history. Our democracy is not perfect, but it is ours, and we must continue to defend and strengthen it.

In the coming days, Ekiti and Osun States will hold elections. I urge INEC, security agencies, and all parties to ensure these polls are peaceful and credible. Democracy fails when citizens doubt the process. To our National Assembly, Judiciary, the Press, and Civil Society: you are the guardrails of our republic. Criticise me, disagree with me, but never stop believing in Nigeria.

To our young people: Nigeria is your home and your future. Build here, code here, work here, and vote here. Every great nation was built by those who stayed to solve problems, not by those who abandoned ship.

To our armed forces, police, and intelligence services: Nigeria salutes your sacrifice. To our traditional rulers, faith leaders, and community heads: thank you for your support of peace and reconciliation. The government cannot do it alone.

Today, we honour the resilience of Nigerians who refused to surrender their faith in freedom, and the courage of those who stood firm against intimidation. We pay tribute to patriots who endured persecution, imprisonment, exile, and even death so that future generations could enjoy democracy. I salute labour leaders, journalists, activists, students, women, professionals, political leaders, and soldiers—both those who have passed and those still with us—for their patriotic contributions.

Though this year’s mood is dampened by the abduction of our children in Oyo and Borno, we remain hopeful for their safe return. Democracy without security is not solid enough. That is why this administration declared a security emergency and approved the recruitment of more than 50,000 new police officers and thousands of military recruits. Our 2026 budget commits N5.41 trillion—our largest ever—to defence and security. Our administration is ever ready to do much more to secure our people.

We have moved from training with our allies, the United States, France and other European countries,  to precision targeting. In Arege, Borno State, we degraded ISWAP’s command centre. Terror-related deaths are down by 81% since 2015. Over 13,000 terrorists have been neutralised in the past year. But we also keep the door of surrender open. Over 124,000 fighters and dependents have laid down their arms since 2023 through Operation Safe Corridor.

To bandits, kidnappers, and sponsors of terror: Surrender or face the full force of the Nigerian State. These windows of surrender will not remain open forever. No mercy will be shown to those who trade in the blood of Nigerians.

At a time like this, let us not assign blame or point fingers. Crime has no ethnicity. We must stand united and be assured that the enemies of our nation shall soon be history. We will triumph over terror and continue to build a more prosperous nation.

June 12 occupies a sacred place in our national memory. It represents more than an election; it is a defining chapter in our story. We remember Chief M.K.O. Abiola, who won a pan-Nigerian mandate transcending ethnicity and religion. We remember Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.

We also remember Chief Gani Fawehinmi, Chief Bola Ige, Chief Alfred Rewane, Pa Abraham Adesanya, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Alhaji Balarabe Musa, Commodore Dan Suleiman, Dr Beko Ransome-Kuti, Frank Kokori, Arthur Nwankwo, Chima Ubani, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, and the many other heroes and heroines of democracy whose sacrifices helped secure the freedoms we enjoy today.

As beneficiaries of their struggle, we have a duty to strengthen and deepen the democratic institutions for which they fought. The greatest tribute we can pay is to build a Nigeria where freedom is protected, justice is upheld, opportunity is expanded, and government is accountable.

June 12, 1993, revealed the possibility of a true Nigerian nation. The heroes of June 12 secured political freedom. Our challenge is to secure economic freedom. Democracy must be felt in the quality of people’s lives—in opportunities for youth, in prosperous farmers, successful entrepreneurs, and the dignity of our workers.

The reforms we are undertaking were not chosen for ease, but for necessity. Three years ago, our public finances were under severe strain, investment was discouraged, and economic uncertainty threatened our future. We chose to act, embracing reforms to advance Nigeria’s economic freedom.

Since 2023, our reforms have restored stability and credibility to economic management. Federation revenues have risen, providing states and local governments with more resources for infrastructure, education, healthcare, and security. Fiscal transparency has improved, leakage has been reduced, and public funds are better directed to national priorities. Investor confidence has returned, with investments in agriculture, energy, manufacturing, technology, mining, transportation, and the creative industries growing.

Domestic refining capacity has increased, strengthening energy security and reducing our reliance on imported petroleum products.

By 2023, when we came on board, the electricity sector was characterised by chronic generation shortfalls, an unreliable gas supply, and transmission infrastructure so fragile that it could not evacuate available power. Distribution companies were burdened by massive losses and a metering deficit of over four million. Worst of all, the value chain was drowning in legacy debt. The result was a sector that generated less than the 13,500 Megawatts installed capacity, a sector that transmitted less than it generated, distributed less than it transmitted and collected revenue far below what it needed to sustain itself.

To address the problems besetting the sector, I signed the Electricity Act, which grants states authority to generate, transmit, and distribute power. The Presidential Power Sector Task Force is working hard to reduce the metering deficit. It has also been authorised to raise N4 trillion bond to settle verified legacy debts. The Rural Electrification Agency, supported by the World Bank and the African Development Bank, has deployed off-grid and mini-grid power to underserved communities, universities, markets, and hospitals. Electricity is a democratic dividend we owe every Nigerian. We intend to deliver it.

Across the country, infrastructure projects are connecting producers to markets and creating opportunities for enterprise and employment. The National Agricultural Development Fund is deploying 10,000 tractors over five years. Over 1,000 SMEs have been certified for export. Non-oil exports grew by 21% last year.

Yet, many Nigerians still face economic hardship. We remain focused on reducing inflation, expanding food production, creating jobs, improving living standards, rebuilding confidence in our economy, and creating conditions for sustainable prosperity.

We are moving from uncertainty to stability. The next phase is about accelerating growth and ensuring the benefits are felt in every home, every community, and every region. We believe that Democracy must be felt in the pocket.

Recognising that democracy is undermined when people do not feel its impact, my administration has sought financial autonomy for our 774 local councils. A fundamental challenge to our nation’s advancement has been ineffective local government administration. The insecurity we are addressing is partly due to the collapse of grassroots governance. The Renewed Hope Agenda is about ensuring that all Nigerians benefit from governance.

Every generation has a defining responsibility. The generation of our founding fathers secured independence—the generation of June 12 secured democracy. Our generation must secure prosperity.

Let us move forward together—rejecting division, cynicism, and despair; embracing unity, hope, and confidence. Let us build a Nigeria united by a common purpose, strengthened by diversity, where justice is accessible, liberty is secure, and opportunity is abundant.

Among the architects of modern democratic Nigeria, we honour General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua for his vision of national partnership. In recognition of his contributions, the Federal Government has approved the revitalisation and renaming of the completed Institute of Petroleum Studies, Kaduna, as the General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua University of Geological Sciences and Engineering Technology.

I am also pleased to announce national awards to the following Nigerians, who suffered persecution, endured indignities, exile, incarceration, and, at times, solitary confinement, so that we have democracy today.

Barrister Ayoka Lawani

Tunde Fagbenle

Oladele Alake

Olatunji Bello

Louis Odion

Segun Babatope

Sam Omatseye

Sir Ademola Osinubi

Bola Bolawole

Lade Bonuola

Femi Kusa

Debo Adeniran

Chief Ayo Opadokun

Chief Ralph Obiora

Ose Osayande

Barrister Osa Director

Prof. Sylvester Odion-Akhaine

Dr Arthur Nwankwo (Posthumous)

Dr Osagie Obayuwana

Dr Joe Okei-Odumakin

Barrister Titus Mann

Joe Igbokwe

Richard Akinnola

Ben Charles-Obi (Posthumous)

George Mbah

Dr Niran Malaolu

Major-General Ishola Williams (rtd)

Femi Aborisade

Jenkins Alumona

Gbemiga Ogunleye

Muyiwa Adekeye

Babajide Kolade-Otitoju

Ike Okonta

We also recognise the soldier-democrats of the June 12 struggle:

Major General MA Garba

Brigadier General Lawal Jaafaru Isa

Col Umar Farouk Ahmed;

Col Sambo Dasuki;

Col Lawan Gwadabe;

Brigadier Jonathan Ndam Temlong

Col Musa Shehu;

Major General Chris Eze;

Major General Harris Dzarma;

Col Isa Jibrin;

Maj. General Joseph Oshanupin;

Col Olusegun Oloruntoba, Olugbede of Gbede Kingdom)

Lieutenant Colonel Happy Kefas Bulus

Col J Okai;

Col Emmanuel Ndubueze;

Lt Col Yakubu Muazu

Brigadier Yahaya Abubakar, the Current Etsu Nupe, who is already the holder of the CFR title.

The honours list will be released in the next few days.

Fellow Nigerians, 27 years ago, many doubted democracy would survive here because of our diversity. Today, our diversity sustains our democracy. The road ahead is steep. But June 12 reminds us: Nigerians do not break. We bend, we bleed, but we do not break.

Let us renew our covenant: That the labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain, and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from this land.

May God bless the heroes of our democracy. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May God continue to bless us all.

Happy Democracy Day.

BOLA AHMED TINUBU, GCFR

President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces

Federal Republic of Nigeria

🚨 NIGERIA IS BLEEDING!

NSCDC Mining Marshals Commander Accuses Police FID of Plotting to Eliminate Him Over Crackdown on Illegal Chinese Miners!

If you want to know why Nigeria is stuck in a cycle of poverty despite being sitting on trillions of dollars in mineral wealth, LOOK NO FURTHER.

The absolute rot, institutional betrayal, and shameless corruption in our security agencies have just been blown wide open, and it will make your blood boil.

In a shocking, high-stakes showdown that reads like a political thriller, the Commander of the elite NSCDC Mining Marshals, Attah John Onoja, has thrown down a massive gauntlet. He has officially petitioned Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Rilwan Disu, accusing a rogue unit within the Nigeria Police Force Intelligence Department (FID) — specifically "Team N" led by CSP Abdulmajeed Abisoye Oyewumi — of launching a malicious campaign to cripple his unit, arrest his management team, and cover up for foreign illegal miners!

This is not a joke. This is our national commonwealth being stolen while security agencies are allegedly fighting a proxy war on behalf of cartels.

The Allegation: Sponsoring Police to Attack Nigerian Officers?

According to explosive reports, Commander Onoja didn’t mince words. He openly alleged that foreign nationals (specifically Chinese miners) whose massive illegal operations were shut down in Nasarawa State are actively bankrolling police elements to destroy the Mining Marshals!  

"We have it on good authority that the Chinese men whose illegal mining site was shut down in Nasarawa State are the ones bankrolling CSP Abdulmajeed Abisoye Oyewumi for this blackmail," Onoja revealed. "The real players in the background... are the foreign nationals that are united as common enemies against the Mining Marshals." 

Think about that for a second. While young, patriotic Nigerians are putting their lives on the line to protect our lithium, gold, and solid minerals, foreign syndicates are allegedly using our own police force to hunt them down.

The "₦2 Billion" Smear Campaign Exposed

The clash reached a boiling point after the tragic death of a Mining Marshal operative, Guard Commander Agada Levi, who was killed in the line of duty.  

Instead of helping find the real killers, the Police FID allegedly hijacked the tragedy. A viral report suddenly surfaced claiming the police arrested three NSCDC officers and traced over ₦2 Billion to a suspect's bank account.

But Commander Onoja just pulled the receipts and completely humiliated the narrative.

Onoja released the actual Zenith Bank statement of the accused officer, Jibrin Labaran. The total amount in the account? Less than ₦1 million (₦760,457.25 to be exact)—which is just his official salary!  

The police allegedly fabricated a ₦2 billion lie out of thin air just to brand the anti-illegal mining unit as corrupt, turn the public against them, and justify arresting their top leadership.

Armed Clashes: Police vs. Civil Defence

This isn't just a war of words; it has been physical and violent:

April 2025: FID police operatives allegedly clashed violently with Mining Marshals at a site in Nasarawa.  

February 2026: Another violent confrontation broke out between the two agencies in Ondo State.  

The Ultimate Disgrace: Commander Onoja revealed that police officers actually accompanied Chinese miners to a residential estate to try and arrest the Mining Marshals' lead prosecution lawyer! It took local soldiers standing guard at the estate to block the police and their foreign handlers from abducting the lawyer. 

While bandits, terrorists, and kidnappers are making life a living hell for Nigerians, a heavily armed police unit is allegedly spending its time escorting illegal foreign miners to harass Nigerian government lawyers. Let that sink in.

TIME TO SOUND OFF: LET THE RAGE LOOSE IN THE COMMENTS! 

This is a national embarrassment of the highest order. Our resources are being pillaged, and our institutions are fighting each other for the crumbs dropped by foreign cartels.

We want to hear from you. Do not hold back:

How does it make you feel to see the Nigeria Police Force being accused of acting as a "security guard" and hit-squad for illegal Chinese miners against fellow Nigerian officers?

Where is the President? If President Tinubu’s "Renewed Hope" agenda is real, why are rogue elements allowed to sabotage the Ministry of Solid Minerals like this?

What should be the punishment for any security official found guilty of selling out Nigeria’s economic survival to foreign looters?

This topic affects your future, your economy, and your country. Drop your comments below and share this everywhere until the authorities act!

The Governor Who Told The President: "You Are Not Welcome Here."

Nigeria's Second Republic.

1980.

President Shehu Shagari — leader of the most powerful civilian government Nigeria had seen boarded his presidential jet and flew to Bendel State on an official visit.

He landed at Benin Airport.

And found — nothing.

The Governor had declared a public holiday and asked everybody to stay indoors. Shagari arrived to an empty airport and empty streets — and asked rhetorically: "Where are my people?"  

His people were not there.

Because the Governor of Bendel State had sent them home.

That governor was Professor Ambrose Folorunso Alli.

And this is his story.

Who Was Ambrose Alli?

Born September 22, 1929 in Idoani, Ondo State. A Nigerian medical professor. The first civilian Executive Governor of Bendel State — now divided into Edo and Delta States.

He was not a career politician.

He was a professor of morbid anatomy.

A head of department at the University of Benin.

A man who believed that education could transform a people.

He was also a member of the constituent assembly that drafted the 1978 Nigerian Constitution.  

When he ran for governor in 1979 on the platform of Awolowo's Unity Party of Nigeria, he made promises most Nigerian politicians would never dare to make.

He promised citizens free education at all levels, free medical services, full employment and rural development.  

And then — remarkably he tried to keep them.

What He Built

After he was sworn in as governor, Alli declared education free for primary and secondary schools in Bendel State. Children received free books, biros, mathematical sets and special pencils. At every independence celebration and children's day, every child in Bendel State had a free meal of rice and stew with meat. 

He established over 600 new secondary schools and abolished secondary school fees. 

He established colleges of education in Ekiadolor, Agbor, Warri and Ozoro. Three polytechnics. Four teachers training colleges. And abolished charges for services and drugs at state-owned hospitals.  

And at the crown of it all, Bendel State University, Ekpoma.

Founded in 1981.

Later renamed, Ambrose Alli University — in his honour.

A governor who wore sandals to work because he was too busy governing to shop for shoes.

History recorded that detail.

It tells you everything about the man.

But There Was A Problem.

To build all of this — Alli needed money.

And the money was being held by the federal government.

Governor, Alli challenged President Shagari's federal government to declare openly the revenue generated in the Federation Account and how it was being shared. He took the federal government to court on the matter.

This was radical. Dangerous. Unprecedented.

An opposition governor, from an oil-producing state dragging the president to the Supreme Court over money that belonged to his people.

And one of the most remarkable things that happened was that the Governor of Rivers State, Melford Okilo, who belonged to Shagari's own ruling NPN party — joined Alli's case against his own president.  

Because when it came to Niger Delta oil money, party loyalty had its limits.

And Then Came The Presidential Visit.

Alli announced publicly that the President was not welcome in Bendel State. The police barricaded the airport doors preventing crowds from reaching the presidential jet.  

The Governor declared a public holiday. Asked everyone to stay indoors. Shagari arrived to empty streets and an empty airport and asked: "Where are my people?" 

In the end after the initial standoff — Shagari calmly sat in dignity, smiling and waving to his supporters. He proceeded to Government House where Governor Alli was waiting to receive him. 

Two powerful men.

One federal government.

One state government.

One explosive meeting.

The End And The Injustice That Followed

On December 31, 1983 — the military ended Nigeria's Second Republic.

Alli was arrested.

He was sentenced to 100 years in prison by a military tribunal for allegedly misappropriating ₦983,000 meant for a road project. 

The man who built 600 schools.

Who fed every child on independence day.

Who took the president to court for his people's money.

Sentenced to 100 years.

He was eventually released. But the damage was done.

Professor Ambrose Folorunso Alli died on September 22, 1989, his own 60th birthday at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital.  

He died on the same day he was born.

As if life itself chose the date.

Decades after his death, he was granted a presidential pardon.

His family rejected it.

"He was never guilty of anything," his son Andrew said.

"Other than giving his all to improve the lot of the people."

Professor Ambrose Folorunso Alli.

September 22, 1929 — September 22, 1989.

He told a sitting president he was not welcome.

He built 600 schools.

He fed children on independence day.

He wore sandals to Government House.

He died on his birthday.

And Nigeria sentenced him to 100 years for it.

This is the Nigeria Untold story.

The men who gave everything and got injustice in return.

Have you heard of Professor Ambrose Alli before today? What does his story tell us about Nigeria's treatment of its best leaders? Drop your thoughts below. 

Share this because His name deserves to be in every Nigerian history book.