Kaduna is quite tense due to the ongoing strike by the National Union of Electricity Employees (NUEE). The workers are protesting against various grievances, including the dismissal of a significant number of staff, non-payment of pensions, and poor working conditions. The strike has already caused widespread power outages in Kaduna and surrounding areas, with no clear resolution in sight.

The union’s insistence on the payment of workers’ entitlements before disengagement has added to the tensions, especially since the company reportedly agreed to withdraw the dismissal letters in a meeting but later reneged on that commitment. This disagreement between the union and management has further complicated matters. The support of the Senior Staff Association of Electricity and Allied Companies (SSAEAC) for the strike emphasizes how serious the issue is, particularly since it’s affecting people’s daily lives without an immediate end in sight.

On the other hand, Kaduna Electric’s response highlights their ongoing transformation process, but the lack of clarity around the workers’ concerns and how they will be addressed is fueling frustration. It’s clear that finding a resolution that balances the company’s needs with workers’ rights and customer satisfaction will be crucial in ending the crisis.

Dr. Nwamaka Lasebikan, the Director of Research and Innovation at the National Institute for Cancer Research and Treatment (NICRAT), has called for strategic investment in cancer care in Enugu State, Nigeria, during the 2025 World Cancer Day commemoration.

Highlighting the growing cancer incidence, with prevalent cases including breast, cervical, and prostate cancers, Lasebikan stressed the need for a focused approach to address the challenges faced by Enugu’s healthcare system. She pointed out that cancer care is not just a health necessity but also an economic opportunity for the state. Despite a functional cancer center at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), the region faces significant barriers, such as a shortage of skilled oncologists, inadequate infrastructure, and high treatment costs.

Lasebikan called for collaboration among the government, private sector, and diaspora investors to develop a comprehensive cancer care ecosystem that would include workforce development, improved infrastructure, and policy reforms. She particularly emphasized the acute shortage of oncologists in Nigeria, noting that the global standard is one oncologist per 250 cancer patients, but Nigeria currently has fewer than 80 specialists for around 120,000 cancer patients. In Enugu, this gap is even more pronounced, with only four specialist oncologists available for the population.

By integrating cancer care into the state’s healthcare reform agenda, Lasebikan believes that Enugu could not only improve survival rates but also boost economic opportunities, positioning the state as a leader in specialized healthcare services in Southeast Nigeria.

The Lagos State Special Offences Court in Ikeja has dismissed the forgery charges against former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani-Kayode, in a ruling delivered by Justice Olubunmi Abike-Fadipe. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had accused Fani-Kayode of forging a medical report to avoid prosecution in a money laundering case. The EFCC claimed he procured a fake medical report from a doctor, which was presented in court.

However, the court found that the EFCC failed to prove the charges, as the agency did not present key witnesses or sufficient evidence. Justice Abike-Fadipe ruled that the prosecution had not established a prima facie case, meaning there was no solid basis for Fani-Kayode to be required to defend himself. As a result, the court discharged and acquitted him of all charges.

This ruling follows a no-case submission made by Fani-Kayode’s defense, arguing that the prosecution’s case was weak and lacked sufficient evidence to warrant a trial. The decision has cleared him of the forgery allegations related to the medical report.

The situation in Esa Oke, Osun State, seems quite tense following a chieftaincy dispute that has resulted in violence in the community. The appointment of Prince Oluyemi Ajayi as the Olojudo of Ido Ajegunle has sparked significant unrest, with the Esa-Oke Central Union calling for it to be reversed. The group argues that Ajayi, who hails from Ilesha, has no historical or familial ties to the area and that his appointment has caused division and violence within the community.

Governor Ademola Adeleke visited the town and, while condemning the violence, pledged to set up a panel to investigate the incidents, which reportedly involved police forces and led to several deaths and injuries. He made it clear that he would not impose a curfew but emphasized the importance of peace and cooperation from the residents.

The governor also expressed his commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice, no matter their status. The Esa Oke Central Union, during a peace meeting, further urged the governor to reverse the controversial appointment and to ensure that those arrested without cause are released. The overall sentiment seems to be one of frustration over the growing tensions and a desire for resolution and unity within the community.

On February 4, 2025, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned 11 Chinese nationals before the Federal High Court in Lagos. The individuals face charges related to cyber fraud, identity theft, and attempts to destabilize Nigeria’s constitutional structure. These charges stem from an investigation and subsequent raid, called the “Eagle Flush Operation,” conducted on December 19, 2024, in Lagos. The defendants, some of whom were accused of recruiting Nigerian youths for fraudulent activities, all pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The accused include several individuals with aliases, and the charges cover a range of cyber-related crimes, such as cyberterrorism and possession of fraudulent documents. The EFCC also mentioned the involvement of a larger syndicate of 792 people, engaged in cryptocurrency fraud and romance scams. For example, one defendant, Liu Ke Fan, was specifically accused of impersonating a U.S. citizen in a romance scam operation.

The case is set to proceed with further hearings in February and March 2025, with the defendants remanded at the Ikoyi Correctional Centre in Lagos while awaiting trial.

Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, recently made private visits to two former military heads of state, Ibrahim Babangida and Abdulsalami Abubakar, in Minna, Niger State. During these visits, Oluremi reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to achieving economic growth, development, and stability.

While the visit was private, the First Lady took the opportunity to express gratitude to both former leaders for their support and fatherly role during the 2023 presidential election. She also acknowledged their efforts in helping Nigerians understand the importance of subsidy removal, which has been a key issue in the country’s economic discussions.

Oluremi was accompanied by the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, and other senior government officials. In response, Abdulsalami Abubakar thanked the First Lady for the visit and reaffirmed his commitment to supporting the country’s development.

The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has strongly criticized the handling of security issues in Ebonyi State, particularly in relation to attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen. In a statement, the OYC alleged that it had warned Governor Francis Nwifuru about the rising threat four days before the deadly attack on Amegu Nkalaha community in the Ishielu Local Government Area, which occurred on February 2, 2025. The attack resulted in multiple fatalities and the destruction of property worth millions.

The OYC expressed concern that Fulani herdsmen were expanding their presence in the state, potentially leading to more violence. They accused Governor Nwifuru of not taking sufficient action to address the growing insecurity in the region, criticizing his perceived lack of response to the increasing frequency of killings, kidnappings, and other criminal activities in the South-East.

The statement further condemned a press release from the Ebonyi State chapter of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, which voiced support for the governor’s administration. The OYC claimed that this release was more of a defense for Nwifuru, rather than a stance from the state’s socio-cultural body, and that such political alignment undermined the role of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in advocating for the Igbo people.

The OYC urged Ndigbo leaders, particularly the new President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Sen. John Azuta Mbata, to address what it called a failure of leadership from some state representatives, warning against compromising the collective interest of the Igbo community for political gain.

Ultimately, the Ohanaeze Youth Council called for a stronger, more proactive response to the ongoing security crisis in the region, emphasizing the need for urgent action to prevent further loss of life and property.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, commended lawmakers for their dedication during the 2025 budget defence sessions, highlighting their crucial role in shaping the country’s financial outlook. His praise came after the Senate resumed on Tuesday following a two-week break.

In his remarks, Akpabio also noted that the Senate had made some adjustments, particularly with the establishment of regional development commissions. These changes included the appointment of new leaders for the committees overseeing these commissions:

• Senator Babangida Hussaini and Senator Muntari Dandutse were named Chairman and Deputy Chairman for the North West Development Commission.
• Senator Orji Uzor Kalu and Senator Kenneth Eze were appointed for the South East Development Commission.
• Senator Titus Zam and Senator Isa Jibrin were assigned to the North Central Development Commission.

In addition to these appointments, the Senate reshuffled some of its standing committees. For instance, Senator Abdul Ningi was moved from the Population Committee to lead the Senate Committee on FERMA, while Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan took charge of the Committee on Diaspora and Non-Governmental Organisations, after previously heading the Local Content Committee.

Further reshuffles saw Senator Garba Maidoki appointed as Chairman of the Committee on Sports Development, and Senator Joel Thomas as the new Chairman of the Committee on Local Content. Victor Umeh, formerly leading the Diaspora Committee, will now head the Senate Committee on National Population and NIMC.

The Senate also extended its condolences to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, following the passing of former Deputy Majority Whip, Oriyomi Onanuga, on January 15. Akpabio led the Senate in observing a minute of silence to honor Onanuga before adjourning the plenary.

The Kano State Government has vowed to investigate the alleged killing of protesters during a demolition operation at Rimin Zakara, on the outskirts of Kano’s capital, on Sunday. Eyewitnesses claimed that security forces opened fire on demonstrators, resulting in four deaths and several injuries. However, the state’s Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Comrade Ibrahim Wayya, stated that official government records, based on security reports, confirmed three fatalities instead of four.

The demolition was part of an operation conducted at the request of Bayero University, Kano (BUK), which is reportedly the rightful owner of the land in question. The dispute over the land has persisted for about 40 years, with BUK’s previous attempts to remove illegal structures proving unsuccessful. Despite eviction notices being issued, some illegal occupants resisted, allegedly engaging hoodlums who injured security agents during the operation.

Wayya assured the public that the government would thoroughly investigate the incident, not only to determine the exact number of casualties but also to understand the underlying causes of the violence.

the Ukrainian-Russian conflict is continuing to escalate, with significant casualties and equipment losses reported on both sides. The Ukrainian armed forces have sustained notable losses in the Kursk region, with the Russian Defence Ministry stating that they have lost 345 soldiers and substantial military equipment, including tanks, armored vehicles, and anti-aircraft systems.

At the same time, Ukraine continues to strike deep into Russian territory, including energy facilities in southern Russia, which resulted in fires and flight disruptions. Russia has reported that its air defenses intercepted numerous Ukrainian drones over various regions, highlighting the ongoing aerial conflict.

This tit-for-tat escalation is likely to have profound impacts on both military and civilian infrastructure, and it also raises concerns over the broader geopolitical situation, particularly regarding the involvement of Western nations in supporting Ukraine with weapons and intelligence.

What do you think about the direction of the conflict based on these updates?

Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is expressing concern over recent attacks on Southeast villages, claiming that his detention has created an environment where enemies of the Igbo people feel emboldened to carry out violent acts without fear of retribution.

The statement highlights a specific attack in Amegu Nkalaha Community, where residents accused the Nigerian military and police of complicity, pointing out that they were warned to stay in their homes, only to be attacked the next day. The attackers killed 16 people, and 25 houses were destroyed. After the attack, soldiers reportedly seized phones from the villagers to prevent them from documenting the violence or alerting others.

Kanu seems to suggest that if he were free, such attacks would not have occurred, referencing an Igbo adage that conveys the idea of strength and leadership protecting a community from harm. The implication is that his leadership would have deterred these kinds of assaults on his people.