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Govs Preach Love, Peace And Unity As Christians Celebrate Easter
As Christians in Nigerian join their counterparts around the globe to mark this year’s Easter celebration, most governors in Nigeria have enjoined them to imbibe love and other virtues that will engender peace and unity in the country.
Easter Sunday marks the resurrection of Jesus Christ and is the culmination of Holy Week, which is preceded by Lent, a 40-day period of fasting.
In his Easter message, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, called on the people of the State to, in the spirit of Easter, emulate the virtues of Jesus Christ by living in love and promoting peace, and unity.
The message signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Nelson Chukwudi, the governor noted that the Easter celebration signals an assurance of a new beginning, not only to Christians but for the entire State.
He, however, emphasised that all the measures taken so far by his Administration were in the best interest of the State and for the general good of the people.
“As a Government, our conscience is clear. We mean well for Rivers people. We came prepared for seamless, people-oriented service to the State. And we intend no harm whatsoever to anybody in the course of providing good governance.
“Let me thank you for your support and cooperation, even as we continue to work collectively to keep our dear Rivers State safe and secure for every resident and visitor.
“So, as you celebrate Easter, remember the reason for the season. Also remember to continue to put our Government in your prayers at this time and always, so that collectively, we can achieve the goals we have set for ourselves in efforts to deliver on our mandate,” he added.
The Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, in his own message, called on Cross Riverians to reflect deeply on the selfless life of Jesus Christ, who laid down his life for the redemption of mankind.
In the Easter message issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Linus Obogo, Otu maintained that it was only through selflessness and sacrifice that Cross River State and indeed, Nigeria can attain the desired economic progress.
He said: “Today represents a very significant moment in our lives as Christians. Significant in the sense that it is sobering that someone, whom no fault was found in him, sacrificed his life on the cross that we may live.
“His death on the cross and resurrection remind us all about selflessness, the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, love and compassion over hate. These were the cardinal planks of Christ’s teachings before his crucifixion.”
The Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki, urged Christians to reflect on the lessons of Easter celebration, charging them not to lose hope amid the economic headwinds.
Obaseki said, “Easter is a time for reflection, love, sacrifice, renewal and hope. I urge that we use this opportunity to ponder on the lessons and purpose of the celebration and renew our resolve towards achieving a more progressive and prosperous Nigeria.
“As a people, we may have been stretched beyond limits occasioned by the high cost of living and other economic headwinds, but we must not lose hope. Working together in unity, we can overcome these challenges and place our country on the path of sustainable growth and development.
“We must remain resilient and use the period of the celebration to seek the face of God, share our joy with neighbours and work towards a peaceful and progressive nation.”
In an Easter broadcast on Sunday, Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State used the occasion to restate his sincere commitment to make life more meaningful for the people in the face of the current economic realities.
He therefore solicited the people’s continued support and prayers for the success of his administration.
In a message titled “HE AROSE THAT WE MAY ARISE” ,he noted that “Easter is an important event in Christendom. It signifies the trial of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, the pain and suffering he experienced leading to His crucifixion, and His ultimate victory over death through resurrection, which has brought salvation and redemption to mankind.”
While using his Easter message to reiterate that his government is committed to getting the people out of sufferings, hardship, and misery within the shortest time possible, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State also urged the people to use this period to pray for peace, social cohesion, progress, and healings in all areas of our national life.
“As a season of deep contrition and sober reflections, we have reflected on all those who are suffering from violence and grief, social isolation, illness, poverty, deprivation, and other hardships. As a responsive government, we keep propounding approaches towards getting our people out of every misery within the shortest possible time.”
“Therefore, I urge you to always remember the sacrifices of our Lord Jesus Christ and recommit yourselves to love God with all your heart, embracing His call to treat one another with compassion, as I call on you to use this period to pray for peace, social cohesion, progress and healing in all areas of our national life,” the governor said.
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Headline
Ondo female student forced into sex-for-grades by HOD — NANS
The National Association of Nigerian Students has alleged that a female student of a tertiary institution in Ondo State was coerced into a sex-for-grades ordeal by her Head of Department after repeatedly failing a compulsory course needed for her graduation.
The President of NANS, Akinteye Babatunde, disclosed this in a statement on Friday titled, “Our Female Students Deserve Safety, Dignity, and Justice.”
According to Akinteye, the student had only one outstanding course preventing her from graduating with her colleagues and returned to the institution to retake the examination.
He said the student was informed that she had failed the course again and subsequently approached the lecturer, who also served as the Head of Department, to seek clarification on why she was unable to pass.
According to the NANS president, the student alleged that the lecturer told her she could never pass the course and, after several encounters, demanded a sexual favour in exchange for awarding her a passing grade.
“She further alleged that, after several encounters, the lecturer demanded that she perform a sexual act on him in his office in exchange for a passing grade,” the statement partly read
Akinteye said the student claimed she felt trapped and believed she had no option if she wanted to graduate.
“Feeling trapped and believing she had no other option if she wanted to graduate, she said she complied and she gave the him BLOW JOB as demanded by him,” he stated.
According to him, the student believed the incident would end there, but the lecturer allegedly continued contacting her about a week later.
He alleged that the lecturer repeatedly called the student and invited her to his residence, implying that she would have to continue the sexual relationship before she could finally be cleared.
“Disturbed and afraid, she reached out to me for help,” Akinteye said.
The NANS president explained that although he initially intended to escalate the matter publicly, the student pleaded with him not to do so because she feared further victimisation and only wanted to graduate without additional harassment.
He said he subsequently contacted relevant authorities within the institution and was informed within three hours that the student had been cleared.
“While I am relieved that she was able to complete her academic process, I am deeply saddened that she was too afraid to publicly identify herself or the lecturer involved.
“This reflects the fear, intimidation and stigma that many female students face when confronted with sexual harassment,” he said.
Akinteye described the incident as part of a wider problem of sexual exploitation in tertiary institutions, noting that many similar cases remain unreported because victims fear retaliation, embarrassment and victimisation.
“No student should ever be forced to exchange sexual favours for academic success. Our campuses must be places of learning, not environments where students are exploited by those entrusted with their education,” he added.
He urged female students experiencing sexual harassment, intimidation or exploitation to report such incidents to the National Director of Gender of NANS, assuring them that complaints would be handled professionally, confidentially and with the seriousness they deserve.
“We are committed to handling such complaints professionally, confidentially, and with the seriousness they deserve. Together, we must build campuses where every student can pursue an education free from fear, harassment, and abuse,” he said.
The NANS president, however, did not disclose the name of the institution, the lecturer or the student involved.
Efforts to obtain the reaction of the institution were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report, as NANS did not identify the school in its statement.
Credit: Punch
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Headline
Lagos queries LAGESC officer caught on camera collecting ₦20,000 bribe
The Lagos State Government has issued a query to an officer of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps over allegations of corruption after a viral video purportedly showed him receiving a ₦20,000 bribe from a suspected environmental offender.
The Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, disclosed this in a post on X on Friday, describing the officer’s alleged conduct as unacceptable and contrary to the ethics and core values of the agency.
According to Wahab, the officer has been formally queried, while a Personnel Management Board will be constituted to investigate the incident in line with the Lagos State Civil Service Rules and Regulations.
“My attention has been drawn to a viral video allegedly showing an officer of the Lagos State Environmental Sanitation Corps receiving a bribe from a lawbreaker. Such conduct is unacceptable and runs contrary to the rules, ethics, and core values of the Agency,” Wahab wrote.
“Consequently, we have immediately issued the officer a query, and this will be followed by the constitution of a Personnel Management Board (PMB) to investigate the matter in accordance with the provisions of the Lagos State Civil Service Rules and Regulations.”
The commissioner reiterated the state’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption, warning that any officer found guilty of misconduct would face appropriate disciplinary measures.
“The Lagos State Government maintains a zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and any form of misconduct within its public service. Any officer found culpable will be subjected to the appropriate disciplinary measures as stipulated by the relevant regulations,” he said.
Wahab also warned members of the public against attempting to bribe government officials, stressing that both giving and receiving bribes are criminal offences.
“I also wish to remind Lagosians that offering a bribe is as unlawful as receiving one. We urge everyone to obey the law and refrain from attempting to compromise enforcement officers.
“Together, we can uphold integrity, strengthen public trust, and build a more accountable and responsible society,” he added.
In the query letter attached to the commissioner’s post, the officer was accused of collecting ₦20,000 from an offender, an act that was allegedly captured on video and circulated on social media.
The letter, referenced MOE/LAGESC/431/56 and dated July 10, 2026, stated that the footage was viewed by the Lagos State Governor.
“You were alleged to have collected the sum of Twenty Thousand Naira (₦20,000) from an offender. This act was recorded and posted on social media, where it was viewed by His Excellency, the Governor of Lagos State,” the letter read.
It described the alleged conduct as corruption and extortion, adding that it constituted serious misconduct under the Public Service Rules.
The officer was directed to submit a written explanation within 48 hours stating why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.
“Your representation (if any) must reach the undersigned officer within 48 hours of receipt of this letter. Failure to submit your response within the stipulated time limit will result in disciplinary action being taken against you,” the letter added.
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Headline
Obi Deserves Protection From Federal Government, Not Ridicule — Kwankwaso
The vice-presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Rabiu Kwankwaso, on Thursday criticised the federal government’s handling of concerns raised by the party’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as well as the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, urging the authorities to uphold justice, fairness and the rule of law.
In a statement issued on Thursday,
Kwankwaso said Obi deserved state protection after expressing fears about his safety, while El-Rufai should be accorded due process and a fair trial in line with the provisions of the Constitution.
Reacting to Obi’s recent interview with Chude Jideonwo, in which the former Anambra State governor expressed concerns about his safety and alleged that his role as an opposition leader had negatively affected his businesses, Kwankwaso faulted the federal government’s response.
“Let me state clearly: like every Nigerian, our presidential candidate and all of us deserve the full protection of the state, not ridicule for raising legitimate concerns,” he said.
He added, “A government entrusted with protecting citizens should not dismiss or mock credible calls for help from any individual, including Mr. Peter Obi.”
Kwankwaso also expressed concern over the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, saying he was disturbed after watching the former governor’s wives publicly speak about the family’s ordeal.
“Regardless of political affiliation, Malam El-Rufai, like every Nigerian, is entitled to due process and the presumption of innocence until proven guilty by a competent court,” he said.
He argued that the delay in granting El-Rufai bail under what he described as “stringent and unreasonable conditions” was troubling, insisting that, as an unconvicted citizen, the former governor deserved “a fair and expeditious trial” while his health and that of his family should be protected.
Kwankwaso urged the federal government to handle both matters with “transparency, accountability and justice,” warning against using state institutions to settle political scores.
“These issues must not be weaponised to settle political scores. For our democracy to truly thrive, every citizen, young or old, regardless of ethnicity, religion or political persuasion, must receive equal and equitable treatment under the law from the government that exists to protect us all,” he stated.
Obi had, during an interview on With Chude, alleged that the current administration was frustrating his activities and expressed fears that he might not be alive to contest the 2027 presidential election. He also claimed that his businesses had suffered because of his role in the opposition.
His remarks drew a sharp response from the All Progressives Congress (APC), which dismissed the claims as “hallucination” and suggested that the former presidential candidate should undergo a psychiatric evaluation.
Kwankwaso’s statement also comes amid growing concerns over El-Rufai’s detention. On Wednesday, one of the former governor’s wives, Asiya El-Rufai, alleged during an interview on ARISE News that the arrest of El-Rufai’s longtime physician, Professor Bello Abubakar, amounted to the “weaponisation” of healthcare, warning that such actions could discourage medical professionals from carrying out their duties without fear.
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