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MRS BEATRICE EKWEREMADU RETURNS TO NIGERIA AFTER PRISON SENTENCE

Mrs Beatrice Ekweremadu, wife of former Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has returned to Nigeria, according to a competent source. Her return was disclosed on Wednesday, and it is understood that she arrived in the country on Tuesday. This development comes after Mrs Ekweremadu, her husband, and Dr Obinna Obeta were sentenced to prison by a UK court for their involvement in organ harvesting. Senator Ekweremadu received a 10-year sentence, while his wife was sentenced to six years. The news of Mrs Ekweremadu’s return is being celebrated across Enugu State, with many residents expressing their joy and praying for the speedy return of Senator Ekweremadu. “We are happy to hear that Mrs Ekweremadu is back home,” said one resident. “We are now praying and hoping that Senator Ekweremadu will also return soon.” Senator Ekweremadu’s constituents have been rallying around him, describing him as a hero and a champion of development in their area. “In their town and LGA, they are heroes,” said another resident. “Too many completed projects there. The man picked the place up and turned it to a developed area.” The return of Mrs Ekweremadu has brought renewed hope to the people of Enugu State, who are now eagerly awaiting the return of Senator Ekweremadu.

FORMER PRESIDENT OLUSEGUN OBASANJO REFLECTS ON PRISON EXPERIENCE AND LEADERSHIP

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has opened up about his prison experience under the military junta of General Sanni Abacha in 1995. Speaking at an interactive session with 15 young African leaders at his presidential library, Obasanjo attributed his imprisonment to his inability to remain silent on national and international issues. “I refuse to keep quiet. For me, if there is anything to comment on, I did comment on them, and so, I landed in prison, and that is a challenge,” Obasanjo said. He also shared that his time in prison was a turning point that led him to seek the presidency in 1999, driven by a desire to save Nigeria from disintegration. Obasanjo, who had previously settled into agriculture after his military service, emphasized the importance of leadership and encouraged the young leaders to take on positive roles in shaping Africa’s future. “Go and be African leaders of tomorrow; you have even said it is leaders of today and not tomorrow. It is no longer tomorrow but today with positive disruptive action,” he urged. The former president also expressed concern about Africa’s debt, citing cases of reckless borrowing and corruption. “Most of the debts cannot be explained. Some outright corruption,” he noted. The interactive session was part of the Future Africa Leaders Foundation’s program, which brought together young leaders from various African countries. Obasanjo commended the foundation’s founder, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, for his efforts in nurturing young leaders. “What Pastor Chris Oyakhilome has been doing since 2013 is marvelous… I am very pleased and satisfied with him on this project,” he said.

MOZAMBIQUE PRISON RIOT LEAVES 33 DEAD, 15 INJURED AMID CIVIL UNREST

A prison riot in Mozambique’s capital Maputo has resulted in 33 deaths and 15 injuries, according to the country’s police general commander Bernardino Rafael. The riot occurred amidst ongoing civil unrest linked to October’s disputed election, which saw the long-ruling party Frelimo’s victory confirmed by the top court on Monday. The confirmation of Frelimo’s victory has sparked fresh nationwide protests by opposition groups and their supporters, who claim the vote was rigged. Rafael attributed the riot to protests outside the prison, stating “The confrontations after that resulted in 33 deaths and 15 injured in the vicinity of the jail”. However, Justice Minister Helena Kida countered that the unrest began inside the prison and was unrelated to the external protests. Approximately 1,534 prisoners escaped during the incident, with 150 recaptured so far. Rafael warned of a potential rise in crime within the next 48 hours, expressing concern for the country’s security forces and citizens. Mozambique’s interior minister reported that at least 21 people were killed in unrest following the top court’s decision. Prior to Tuesday, civil society monitoring group Plataforma Decide estimated that at least 130 people had been killed in clashes with police since the unrest began. Credit: Reuters