General News
SENATOR NED NWOKO ALLEGES SYNDICATE EXPLOITING MARITAL ISSUES TO TARNISH REPUTATION
Senator Ned Nwoko, representing Delta North Senatorial District, has alleged that a “syndicate of pull-down-Ned” group is exploiting his marital issues with his wife, Nollywood actress Regina Daniels, to damage his reputation.
He claims these individuals are using her condition to criminalize him before the international community. In a statement from his office, Nwoko described the situation as a “coordinated gang-up,” asserting that he has been targeted for years.
He emphasized that discussions about his acquiring land in his hometown are false, clarifying that the land was allocated for the University of Sports. Nwoko maintains that he made a legitimate payment to establish the university, which serves the community.
He lamented that progress-seekers are often attacked by their own people, contrasting this with other ethnic groups. He accused certain individuals of manipulating Regina, who he asserts has a history of substance use, to settle old scores against him. Nwoko stated that anyone making defamatory claims will eventually have to prove them.
The senator asserted that Regina has admitted to using drugs and has a documented history of substance use. He claims that her former schoolmates have testified about her drug-related issues.
Addressing the controversy surrounding their marriage timeline, Nwoko clarified that Regina was born on October 10, 2000, meaning she was 19 at the time of their marriage, not 17. He defended the legitimacy of their union, citing cultural practices. Regina Daniels has responded to Nwoko’s claims, asserting that he is using her past struggles against her.
She insists that the allegations are a form of control and manipulation. The situation has also seen the involvement of Regina’s brother, who was reportedly arrested, and accusations against others for introducing her to drugs. Nwoko expressed his dismay at the ongoing smear campaign, asserting that his marriage is being twisted into a political weapon against him.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has introduced an urgent, coordinated strategy to safeguard food security across West Africa and the Sahel, as global economic disruptions and rising oil prices continue to threaten agricultural production.
The decision followed an extraordinary virtual meeting of ECOWAS Ministers of Agriculture held on March 23, 2026, where regional leaders assessed the growing risks to food systems.
The high-level meeting, convened by the ECOWAS Commission through its Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture under Commissioner Kalilou Sylla, brought together key regional institutions, development partners, and financial stakeholders.
Participants—including representatives from the West African Economic and Monetary Union and the Permanent Inter-State Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel—reviewed the impact of rising fertiliser costs, driven by global market volatility and increasing energy prices, on agricultural productivity across the region.
Deliberations resulted in the adoption of a medium- to long-term operational framework aimed at strengthening food sovereignty and building resilience within regional food systems.
Key measures outlined in the plan include the immediate establishment of regional agreements to secure strategic fertiliser supplies, as well as the creation of emergency reserves to cushion the effects of future price shocks.
The ministers also approved the introduction of liquidity swap mechanisms through central banks to address foreign exchange constraints faced by importers—an intervention expected to improve access to critical agricultural inputs.
“Our collective response underscores the urgency of safeguarding food security in the face of external shocks,” Sylla said, noting that enhanced regional coordination and targeted interventions would help sustain agricultural production and protect vulnerable populations.
The initiative highlights ECOWAS’ commitment to deepening regional cooperation and implementing sustainable solutions to emerging threats to food security across West Africa and the Sahel.
President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, on Monday paid a Sallah homage to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos.
The visit formed part of activities marking the Sallah celebrations, as top government officials and political leaders paid courtesy calls to the President.
During the meeting, President Tinubu also received members of the Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council, a key political body in Lagos State.
Lagos State Governor’s Advisory Council
The engagements provided an opportunity for discussions on national issues and strengthened ties between the executive and legislative arms of government.
The Sallah homage is a long-standing tradition in Nigeria, where political leaders and stakeholders visit the President and other top officials during major Islamic festivities.
Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has expressed concern over the reported arrest of a Kaduna-based Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Tijjani Umar, describing the development as a threat to Nigeria’s democratic principles.
In a statement issued on Monday, Obi said he was informed that the cleric was arrested by authorities shortly after hosting him in Kaduna on Sunday. He described the situation as “deeply troubling,” warning that it reflects a growing pattern of intimidation and suppression of dissenting voices in the country.
Obi noted that such actions, if confirmed, undermine fundamental rights, including freedom of speech and movement, which he said are essential pillars of any democratic society.
He further stressed that harassment or persecution of citizens based on perceived political affiliations must not be tolerated, urging the government to uphold the rule of law in its dealings with Nigerians.
“This country must defend freedom and free speech, which are the hallmarks of every democratic society,” Obi stated, adding that suppression and intimidation of dissent have no place in a functioning democracy.
The former Anambra State governor called on authorities and all relevant actors to refrain from actions capable of weakening the nation’s already fragile democratic system.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official confirmation from security agencies regarding the alleged arrest.