Month: June 2025

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If U.S eventually bans Us from traveling to their country, We should also ban them too – Sen Sheu Sani

If U.S eventually bans Us from traveling to their country, We should also ban them too – Sen Sheu Sani

Amid rising diplomatic tensions following a U.S. travel ban targeting 12 countries, mostly in Africa and the Middle East, announced by President Donald Trump, Nigerian Senator Shehu Sani has called for national dignity over reliance on foreign acceptance. Though Nigeria is not currently included in the ban, Sani’s remarks on X have sparked a heated debate about the country’s global standing and the value of local life.

In a post at 08:59 UTC, Sani stated, “The US should not ban Nigerians from traveling to their country. There is no reason to do that. We don’t fall into the category of those countries they consider as threats.” He suggested a reciprocal ban if the U.S. proceeds, adding, “However, there are those of us who appreciate the peace and dignity of our villages and mud houses than going to live in places where we are not welcomed.”

See the screenshot of his post below:

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BREAKING NEWS: Saudi Arabian Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled has regained consciousness after spending over 20 years in a coma

BREAKING NEWS: Saudi Arabian Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled has regained consciousness after spending over 20 years in a coma. The prince suffered severe injuries and fractures in a car accident in 2005.

His family had been advised by doctors to remove life support, but they chose to hold onto hope for his recovery instead. Prince Al-Waleed bin Khaled celebrated his 36th birthday on April 18th this year while still in a coma.

The news of his awakening left his father, Prince Khaled bin Talal, speechless. This remarkable recovery underscores the importance of hope and perseverance.

Furthermore, it illustrates how financial resources can sometimes be instrumental in saving lives.

Follow @SaoLegend.com for more news updates

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World Bank Unleashes $40 Million for vulnerable Nigerians

World Bank Unleashes $40 Million Safety Net for Struggling Nigerians Amid Economic Crisis

The World Bank has allocated $40 million to expand financial protection for poor and vulnerable Nigerians through a new health-focused loan programme approved for the country.

According to Sunday PUNCH, the initiative—approved on September 26, 2024—includes a $500 million credit from the International Development Association (IDA) and a $70.01 million grant from the Global Financing Facility.

Titled Human Capital Opportunities for Prosperity and Equality – Health Programme-for-Results (HOPE-Health-PforR), the programme will run until June 30, 2029.

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The Notion of Democracy vs. Enslavement in Nigerian Governance

The Notion of Democracy vs. Enslavement in Nigerian Governance

The Nigerian political system has long been touted as a democracy, with all the trappings of democratic governance, including elections, a constitution, and institutions designed to represent the will of the people. However, a closer examination of the system reveals a stark contrast between the ideals of democracy and the harsh realities of governance.

In reality, the system practiced in Nigeria seems to be a government of the rich, by the rich, and for the rich. The wealthy and powerful wield significant influence over policy-making and resource allocation, often to the detriment of the masses. This has created a culture of dependency and patronage, where citizens are forced to rely on the benevolence of those in power rather than demanding their rights as citizens.

One of the most insidious aspects of this system is the use of token handouts and gestures to create an illusion of care and concern for the populace. Politicians often employ these tactics to garner support and maintain control, but they rarely translate into meaningful empowerment or systemic change. Instead, they serve to pacify the masses and maintain the status quo.

The token beneficiaries of these gestures are often co-opted into the system, becoming unwitting participants in their own oppression. They may be used to mobilize support for the ruling elite, suppress dissent, or legitimize policies that further entrench inequality. This creates a vicious cycle of dependency, where citizens are conditioned to rely on handouts rather than demanding their rights.

To break free from this cycle, Nigerians must demand more from their leaders. This includes pushing for policies that promote economic empowerment, social justice, and genuine citizen participation in governance. It also requires a shift in mindset, where citizens recognize their own agency and power to effect change.

Some potential solutions include:

  • Increased transparency and accountability in government spending and decision-making
  • Strengthening institutions that support democracy, such as an independent judiciary and free press
  • Promoting civic education and critical thinking to empower citizens
  • Encouraging citizen participation in governance through town hall meetings, public consultations, and other mechanisms
  • Fostering a culture of activism and advocacy for social justice and human rights

By working together to address these challenges, Nigerians can build a more just and equitable society that truly serves the needs of all its citizens.

The question remains, however, whether the current system can be reformed or if a more fundamental transformation is needed. Can the existing power structures be persuaded to relinquish their grip on power and resources, or will it take a grassroots movement to effect change? Whatever the answer, one thing is clear: the status quo is unsustainable, and Nigerians deserve better.

In conclusion, the Nigerian political system is a complex web of power dynamics, patronage, and tokenism. While it may masquerade as democracy, the reality is far from it. To create a truly democratic system, Nigerians must demand more from their leaders and work towards a more just and equitable society. The time for change is now.

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Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has been posthumously inducted into the 2025 Grammy Hall of Fame for his politically charged 1976 album, Zombie.

Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti has been posthumously inducted into the 2025 Grammy Hall of Fame for his politically charged 1976 album, Zombie.

With the recognition coming nearly 30 years after his death, he becomes the first Nigerian artiste to achieve the feat.

The announcement was made by organisers of the Grammy Awards, the Recording Academy, as part of this year’s Hall of Fame inductees.

The award differs from regular Grammy categories by honouring recordings that are at least 25 years old and have “lasting qualitative or historical significance.”

In a statement announcing the 2025 selections, the Academy said Zombie was selected “for its fearless critique of oppression, cultural impact, and enduring relevance to political resistance and African musical heritage.”

Reacting to the news, Fela’s eldest son and singer, Femi Kuti, on Wednesday shared the family’s excitement on X (formerly Twitter), writing:

“Our father’s legacy lives on. We are honoured to accept this Grammy Hall of Fame award on behalf of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
His music continues to inspire & unite people across the world #Grammy.”

Originally released in Nigeria in 1976 under Coconut Records and later in the UK by Creole Records in 1977, Zombie is widely regarded as one of Fela’s most incendiary and impactful albums.

Featuring tracks like Zombie, Mister Follow Follow, Observation Is No Crime, and Mistake (recorded live at the Berlin Jazz Festival in 1978), the album was a satire of the Nigerian military, likening soldiers to mindless “zombies” who blindly follow orders without question.

Its massive commercial success ignited outrage within the ruling military regime, eventually provoking a violent state-backed assault on Fela’s Lagos commune, Kalakuta Republic.

Reacting to the news, Fela’s eldest son and singer, Femi Kuti, on Wednesday shared the family’s excitement on X (formerly Twitter), writing:

“Our father’s legacy lives on. We are honoured to accept this Grammy Hall of Fame award on behalf of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
His music continues to inspire & unite people across the world #Grammy.”

Originally released in Nigeria in 1976 under Coconut Records and later in the UK by Creole Records in 1977, Zombie is widely regarded as one of Fela’s most incendiary and impactful albums

That attack, which was widely condemned by human rights groups, deepened Fela’s reputation as a fearless musical dissenter and became a historic moment in Nigerian sociopolitical consciousness.

Fela’s induction places Zombie alongside other legendary works previously admitted into the Hall of Fame, including albums from Michael Jackson, Jay-Z, Cat Stevens, and Santana.

Music scholars and fans alike have described the Grammy recognition as a long-overdue global acknowledgment of Fela’s influence on world music and political thought.

Fela, who died in 1997, is widely credited with creating Afrobeat; a genre that fused jazz, highlife, and traditional African rhythms with searing political commentary.

His music inspired generations of activists and artists, from Seun Kuti and Burna Boy to global figures like Questlove and Beyoncé.

The Grammy Hall of Fame nod adds to a growing list of posthumous accolades for the late icon, who has already been the subject of multiple documentaries, biographies, and the Broadway musical Fela!

Born in 1938, Fela was a saxophonist, composer, and bandleader whose music consistently tackled corruption, colonialism, and authoritarianism.

Despite repeated arrests, beatings, and the destruction of his properties by successive military governments, Fela never compromised his art or message.

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Democracy Day: President Tinubu to grant presidential pardon to Ibori, Farouk Lawan and others

Democracy Day: President Tinubu to grant presidential pardon to Ibori, Farouk Lawan and others

THERE are strong yet unconfirmed reports doing the rounds in and around the premises of the National Assembly that President Bola Tinubu may take the opportunity of the Democracy Day celebration on Thursday, June 12, 2025, to grant presidential pardon to some ex-convicts who are political gladiators.

Two names that have so far been mentioned are former Delta State governor, Chief James Onanefe Ibori and a former member of the House of Representatives, Farouk Lawan [Shanono Federal Constituency of Kano State].

The announcement of the grant of presidential pardon may form one of the major highlights of President Tinubu’s address to the joint sitting of the National Assembly tomorrow, Thursday.

The decision by the President to deploy the platform of the Legislature in consummating his Democracy Day speech is not unconnected with the acceptance of the place of the legislature in the tripartite classification of powers as a constitutional imperative.

The legislature, in the trinity of the arms of governmental powers, is the bulwark upon which constitutional democracy rests. Sans the legislature, democratic governance takes a flight and yields its place for other forms of government.

Another highlight of President Tinubu’s speech at the joint sitting, which had already been confirmed, is the conferment of national honours on a select group of federal lawmakers.

The commemorative event – special joint sitting – is scheduled to be held in the more expansive House of Representatives Chamber.

Proceedings will commence at 11:00 a.m., while President Tinubu is expected to arrive at 12:00 noon to deliver a presidential address as the Special Guest of Honour.

Chairman of the House Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Hon. Akin Rotimi, had confirmed the development in a statement last Sunday.

the announcement of the presidential pardon for politicians who are ex- convicts may either feature in the president’s speech at the joint sitting or his speech to Nigerians via a nationwide broadcast. There is also a possibility that it may be communicated in a statement by the Presidency.

Ibori is a leader in the Niger Delta region, in addition to being a national figure in Nigeria.

This news medium recalls that in 2012, Ibori was sentenced to 13 years in prison for money laundering in the United Kingdom

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Democracy or Enslavement: The Nigerian Paradox”- Comr. Sulaiman A. O.

“Nigerian politician often adopt an enslavement system of governance, masquerading it under the guise of democracy.

True democracy is a government of the people, by the people, and for the people. In contrast, the system practiced here seems to be a government of the rich, by the rich, and for the rich. These politicians might offer token handouts to certain citizens, creating an illusion of care and concern.

However, this façade crumbles when one tries to bridge the gap between the empowered and the powerful. The token beneficiaries are often used to mobilize support and suppress dissent, rather than genuinely uplifting the masses.”

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Young African inventor from Namibia, built a revolutionary SIM-free phone that operates without airtime

Simon Petrus, a young African inventor from Namibia, made headlines when he built a revolutionary SIM-free phone that operates without airtime or traditional mobile networks. Using radio frequency technology, his device enables calls without a SIM card, making communication 100% free.

The self-taught engineer spent two years constructing his wireless phone using spare parts from TVs and mobile devices. His invention, which also functions as

a TV, radio, fan, and phone charger, earned him first place in a national tech competition.

Despite his groundbreaking invention, Petrus struggled with financial support and career opportunities. He later graduated with a degree in electronics engineering, yet remains unemployed, searching for ways to further develop his projects.

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Kwara Youth Development Ministry Partners with Handskill Entrepreneurship for World Youth Skills Day

“A delegation from Handskill Entrepreneurship Initiative for Community Development paid a courtesy visit to Hon. Amb. Ndanusa Usman Shehu, Kwara State Commissioner for Youth Development, on June 11, 2025, to seek the ministry’s partnership for the upcoming “World Youth Skills Day 2025” event. The organization’s president, Comr. Sulaiman Andulfatai, explained that the event aims to celebrate talented youths and highlight the importance of skills and youth empowerment, marking a pioneering effort in the state and Nigeria.

The Director of Youth Development, Mr. Akeem, praised the organization for its contributions to youth development and encouraged them to continue their good work. The Commissioner expressed appreciation for the organization’s efforts and pledged the ministry’s support, noting that such initiatives align with the ministry’s mandate and the governor’s vision. He urged the delegation to sustain their activities and directed them to collaborate with Kwara Youth Technical Committee to achieve better results.”

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My Husband Didn’t Steal Nigeria Money

Maryam Abacha, widow of former military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, has dismissed longstanding allegations that her late husband looted billions of dollars during his time in office.

Mrs. Abacha demanded concrete proof that her husband stashed public funds in foreign accounts. “Who is the witness of the monies that were being stashed? Did you see the signature or the evidence of any monies stashed abroad?” she asked.

Mrs Abacha further claimed that the funds her husband reportedly secured for Nigeria “vanished” shortly after his death.

“And the monies that my husband kept for Nigeria, in a few months, the monies vanished. People are not talking about that,” she told TVC in a recent interview, implying mismanagement by subsequent administrations.

Questioning the motivations behind the continued focus on her husband’s legacy, she said, “Why are you blaming somebody? Is that tribalism or a religious problem or what is the problem with Nigerians?

“I pray for Nigerians. I pray for all of us. I pray that we should have goodness in our hearts. We should stop telling lies and blaming people.

“Why are we so bad towards each other? Because somebody is a northerner or a southerner, somebody is a Muslim or a Christian, or somebody is nice or… It’s not fair.”

Mrs. Abacha also criticised the media, urging journalists to “educate the people” rather than “bastardise people.”

She added, “People are not that bad. Twenty-seven years ago and you are still talking about Abacha. He must be very powerful and loved by Nigerians. We thank God for that.”

Responding to a remark about the relatively stable economy during her husband’s regime, marked by rising foreign reserves and lower external debt, she reiterated her denial of any wrongdoing, urging critics to present verifiable evidence.

“So, where did he steal the money from? So where would he have stolen the money from?” She asked. “And because Nigerians are fools, they listen to everything.”