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INEC Rejects Recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

By Prosper Mene 

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has officially rejected a petition seeking the recall of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, citing its failure to meet constitutional requirements.

 

In a statement released on Thursday, INEC disclosed that the petition, submitted by some constituents of Kogi Central, did not satisfy Section 69(a) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

This section mandates that a recall petition must be supported by signatures from more than half of the registered voters in the constituency. With Kogi Central having 474,554 registered voters, the petition required at least 237,278 valid signatures to proceed. However, after a thorough verification process, INEC confirmed only 208,132 signatures, equating to 43.86%—falling short by 29,146 signatures.

“The petition for the recall of the Senator representing the Kogi Central Senatorial District has not met the requirement of Section 69(a) of the Constitution. Therefore, no further action shall be taken on the matter,” INEC stated via its official X account, @INECNigeria.

The recall effort stemmed from controversy surrounding Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, who was suspended from the Senate on March 6, 2025, for alleged “gross misconduct” following a dispute with Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Some constituents, citing her suspension and dissatisfaction with her conduct, initiated the recall process, submitting the petition to INEC on March 24. The commission had initially acknowledged receipt of the petition, accompanied by six bags of documents purportedly containing over 250,000 signatures.

Despite the petitioners’ claims, INEC’s verification revealed discrepancies, including the cancellation of approximately 35,000 signatures during the administrative review. The constituents, led by spokesperson Salihu Habib, expressed frustration but vowed to persist, asserting that the validated 43.86% still reflected widespread discontent with the senator. “We will liaise with INEC within the full ambit of the constitution to demand transparency,” Habib said in a statement, hinting at potential further action.

Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, however, celebrated the decision as a victory for democracy. In a post on Social Media, she praised INEC, stating, “INEC Nigeria, you did well. Senator Natasha H Akpoti Uduaghan Proudly Kogi Central.” In a subsequent statement, she took a swipe at her detractors, including former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, claiming, “God has put to shame anti-democratic forces plotting my recall, including one of the most wanted persons by the EFCC.”

INEC emphasized that the review adhered to its 2024 Regulations and Guidelines for Recall, ensuring fairness and due process. Rotimi Oyekanmi, Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, defended the commission’s impartiality on Channels Television’s Politics Today, dismissing allegations of bias. “The petitioners failed to meet legal requirements. There’s no partisanship here,” he said.

The rejection marks the end of this recall attempt, though questions linger about whether the process could be reinitiated. Oyekanmi noted that the law does not explicitly limit repeat petitions, leaving room for speculation about future political maneuvers in Kogi Central.

 

 

 

 

 

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Nigerian Women Rally for Gender Equality Amid Tariff Concerns.

By Prosper Mene

As Nigeria goes through a shifting economic landscape with the looming implementation of new U.S. tariffs set to begin on April 5, women across the country are raising their voices to ensure their perspectives are not sidelined. Today, a coalition of women’s rights organizations gathered in Abuja to demand greater inclusion in economic policy discussions, highlighting how trade changes could disproportionately affect women-led businesses and households.

The rally, organized by groups such as Women Advocates for Economic Justice (WAEJ) and TechHerNG, comes just days before the U.S. is expected to impose a 10% tariff on Nigerian exports, with a specific 14% rate targeting Nigeria, according to recent reports. These tariffs, part of President Donald Trump’s trade policy, are anticipated to impact key sectors like agriculture and textiles—industries where women play a significant role as producers and entrepreneurs.

“We cannot afford to be silent when decisions that affect our livelihoods are being made,” said Amina Yusuf, a spokesperson for WAEJ. “Women make up a large portion of Nigeria’s informal economy, and these tariffs could push many families deeper into poverty. We need a seat at the table.”

The demonstration saw hundreds of women march peacefully through the capital, carrying placards with messages like “Protect Women’s Work” and “Equality in Trade.” Participants called on the Nigerian government to prioritize gender-sensitive policies as it prepares to send a delegation to Washington to negotiate against the trade measures, as announced by Lesotho’s Trade Minister earlier this week in a similar context.

Economic analysts suggest that the tariffs could exacerbate existing challenges for Nigerian women, who already face limited access to credit, land ownership, and political representation. With Nigeria ranked 179th globally for women’s representation in parliament, according to the Inter-Parliamentary Union, advocates argue that the lack of female voices in decision-making amplifies these vulnerabilities.

The rally also spotlighted the resilience of Nigerian women amid adversity. Folake Adebayo, a textile trader from Lagos, shared her story: “I employ 15 women to weave and sell fabrics. If these tariffs raise costs or cut our exports, we’ll struggle to survive. The government must listen to us.”

In response, the Ministry of Women Affairs issued a statement acknowledging the concerns and promising to collaborate with trade officials to address gender impacts. However, activists remain skeptical, pointing to past unfulfilled commitments, including President Bola Tinubu’s unmet pledge to ensure 35% female representation in his cabinet.

As the April 5 deadline approaches, today’s rally is set on a broader call for empowerment and equity.

 

 

 

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Pregnant Woman’s Death in Lagos Hospital Sparks Anger Over High Fees.

By Prosper Mene 

A pregnant woman named Kemi died in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos State, after a private hospital reportedly refused to treat her because her family couldn’t pay a ₦500,000 deposit. The tragic story, first shared by Kemi’s husband, Akinbobola Folajimi, in February, went viral on April 2, 2025, after @Drweloveu posted about it on X, leading to widespread anger.

Folajimi said Kemi was in labor and needed urgent care, but the hospital demanded ₦500,000 upfront. Unable to pay, they were sent to a general hospital in Epe, but Kemi passed away on the way. A video shows Folajimi begging Kemi to stay awake, saying, “Kemi, look at me. Stay strong for our kids.” Official reports confirm the hospital’s deposit policy, though the full details of Kemi’s death are still being investigated, according to Tribune Online.

This incident has upset many people because Nigeria already has a high rate of maternal deaths, over 800 per 100,000 births, according to health data. Many women die from issues like bleeding or infections that can be treated if care is given on time. Users across social media platforms, have few opinions on how to avoid issues like this through insurance, users like @Ne0_0fficiall

said health insurance could have saved Kemi. “I used my insurance in Lagos and paid nothing for treatment,” they wrote. @Oyshia_oy

added that ₦54,750 can cover a pregnant woman for two years with insurance.

The story shows big problems in Nigeria’s healthcare system. Many hospitals lack enough staff or equipment, and a 2019 study showed that some healthcare workers aren’t well-trained for emergencies like Kemi’s. The government has a health insurance program to help, but many people don’t use it because they don’t know about it or it’s not working well.

People on X are calling for change. @Oluwamidunsin suggested pregnant women register at government hospitals for cheaper care. @Drpenking, a doctor, shared how he once paid for a patient’s treatment but wasn’t paid back, explaining why some hospitals ask for money first. @Drweloveu’s group, Love for Health, is asking for donations to help others in need, sharing a Zenith Bank account (1229255323).

Kemi’s death has made many Nigerians demand better healthcare so no more mothers die because they can’t pay hospital fees.

 

 

 

 

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We Live in Fear”: Women in Southern Nigeria Speak Out After Mob Violence Claims 16 Lives

By Prosper Mene

The smell of burning tires still lingers in the air of Uromi, a town in southern Nigeria’s Edo State, where a mob brutally killed 16 suspected kidnappers last week. For the women of this community, the horrific incident—where victims were beaten and some set ablaze—is not just a headline; it’s a stark reminder of the insecurity that shadows their daily lives.

“We heard the screams that night,” said Blessing Osagie, a 32-year-old mother of three who lives near the site of the attack. “I locked my doors and held my children close, praying it wouldn’t come to us. But the truth is, we’re never safe—not from kidnappers, not from mobs, not from anything.” Her voice trembled as she recounted the chaos that erupted after local security found weapons in a truck, sparking the deadly vigilante response.

The victims, reportedly northern Hausa hunters, were accused of being kidnappers, a charge that fueled the mob’s rage. While the incident wasn’t specifically about women, it amplifies a broader crisis that women in southern Nigeria say leaves them uniquely vulnerable. Kidnapping for ransom has surged in recent years, with women and girls often targeted for abduction, sexual violence, or forced labor. Yet, the rise of mob justice, as seen in Uromi, adds another layer of terror.

“Men might join the mob or fight back, but what can we do?” asked Chioma Eze, a 45-year-old trader in Uromi’s bustling market. “If kidnappers come, we’re the ones they take. If a mob forms, we’re the ones hiding, afraid of being caught in the crossfire or accused of something we didn’t do.” Eze pointed to the growing distrust in police and government, which she says pushes communities to take matters into their own hands—often with devastating consequences.

Amnesty International reports that at least 13 women have been victims of mob violence in Nigeria over the past decade, often accused of witchcraft or petty crimes in southern regions like Edo. For women like Eze, the Uromi killings are a grim echo of this trend. “They say it’s justice, but it’s just more violence,” she said. “And it’s us—women, mothers, daughters—who pay the price when everything falls apart.”

The Edo State government has condemned the killings, with Governor Monday Okpebholo vowing to prosecute those responsible. Four arrests have been made, but for women here, official promises ring hollow. “The police can’t stop kidnappers, and they can’t stop mobs,” said Fatima Yusuf, a 28-year-old nurse. “We’re left to fend for ourselves, but how? I can’t sleep at night, wondering if my clinic will be next—or if I’ll be dragged out for helping the wrong person.”

The incident has reignited calls from women’s groups for better security and an end to vigilante justice. “We need protection, not more bloodshed,” said Mercy Igbinosa, a local activist with the South-South Women’s Network. “Women are raising families in this chaos, and we’re tired of being collateral damage. The government must act—more police, more patrols, more trust—so we don’t have to live like this.”

For the women of southern Nigeria, the mob’s actions last week were not a solution but a symptom of a deeper wound. “We want peace,” Osagie whispered, clutching her youngest child. “But peace feels so far away when every day is a fight to survive.”

 

 

 

 

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Nigerian Chess Master Tunde Onakoya Pledges to Fund Education of Young Girl in Ikoyi Child Labor Case.

 

By Prosper Mene

Tunde Onakoya, the renowned Nigerian chess champion and founder of Chess in Slums Africa, has stepped forward with a heartfelt promise to sponsor the education of an 11-year-old girl whose story recently captured national attention. The girl, seen sweeping the streets of Ikoyi alongside her mother, sparked widespread debate after her mother faced criticism for involving her in what many labeled as child labor. Onakoya’s gesture has since turned the spotlight from controversy to hope, offering the young girl a transformative opportunity.

The incident unfolded when a video of the girl working with her mother, a street sweeper in the affluent Ikoyi neighborhood, went viral. While some condemned the mother for exposing her daughter to labor instead of ensuring her education, others highlighted the harsh realities of poverty that often leave families with little choice. Amid the polarized reactions, Onakoya, known for his commitment to uplifting underprivileged children, saw a chance to make a difference.

“I believe every child deserves a shot at a better future, no matter their circumstances,” Onakoya said in a statement. “This young girl’s story moved me, and I’m honored to step in and support her education. It’s not just about one child, it’s about showing what’s possible when we invest in our youth.

Onakoya, who made history in 2024 by breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon to raise funds for children’s education, has pledged to cover the girl’s schooling costs through his nonprofit organization, Chess in Slums Africa. The initiative, which uses chess as a tool to teach critical thinking and life skills, has already impacted thousands of children across the continent.

Details of the sponsorship are still being finalized, but sources close to Onakoya indicate it will include tuition, books, and other essentials to ensure the girl can attend school without financial burden. The move has been met with widespread praise, with many lauding Onakoya as a beacon of compassion and action in a country grappling with educational disparities.

The girl’s mother, whose identity remains private, reportedly expressed gratitude for the offer, noting that her intention was never to exploit her daughter but to survive in the face of economic hardship. “I just wanted to teach her hard work,” she said, according to a local report. “Now she has a chance I could never give her.”

Onakoya’s heartfelt help comes at the right time, a time when child labor remains a pressing issue in Nigeria, with millions of children out of school due to poverty, conflict, and systemic challenges. His promise not only offers a lifeline to one family but also reignites conversations about the need for broader solutions to ensure education for all.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Lagos Woman Accused of Child Labor After Early Morning Sweeping in Ikoyi Sparks Outrage.

 

By Prosper Mene 

A routine early morning in Ikoyi turned into a public spectacle this week when a Lagos woman, known locally as Mama Bose, was confronted by another woman over allegations of child labor. The incident, captured on video and widely circulated online, occurred around 4:30-5:00 AM on Monday, March 31, as Mama Bose and her 11-year-old daughter were seen sweeping a residential compound in the upscale neighborhood.

The accuser, identified on social media only as Toun, a concerned passerby, challenged Mama Bose for bringing her young daughter along on the daily trek from Iyana Oworo, a mainland suburb, to Ikoyi to perform cleaning work. “This is purely child labor,” Toun declared in the video, which has since garnered thousands of views on social media platforms. “She wakes this child up by 4 AM to sweep—how can this be right?” Toun’s outrage resonated with some onlookers and online commentators who argued that the grueling schedule endangered the girl’s well-being and education.

Mama Bose, a widowed mother of three who relies on odd jobs to survive, defended herself amid the confrontation. “We come from Iyana Oworo every day because this is how I feed my family,” she explained, her voice trembling. “My daughter helps me, and then she goes to school. I don’t have a choice.” Witnesses reported that the girl appeared tired but unharmed, clutching a broom nearly as tall as she was.

The video, first posted by X user @shegzedon

on March 31 ignited a firestorm of reactions. Some, like @iam_polainoe, echoed Toun’s concerns, noting the strain of waking a child so early for labor before school. “Many of you are supporting her, but this is wrong,” the user wrote. Others criticized Toun’s approach, accusing her of insensitivity. @GlamTspecial22 remarked, “She sounds so rude—just cares about embarrassing the woman! If she really cared, she’d talk to her without a camera.” Similarly, @sholawa condemned Toun for shaming Mama Bose publicly: “Is it joy to her, coming from the mainland to sweep at 4 AM?”

Child labor is a contentious issue in Nigeria, where economic hardship often forces families into difficult choices. While the Child’s Right Act prohibits exploitative work for children under 18, enforcement remains weak, especially in informal sectors like domestic cleaning. A December 2024 AP News report on child labor in Nigeria’s lithium mines highlighted the broader challenge, though urban cases like this one rarely make headlines.

The Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development has not commented on the incident, and no formal complaint has been reported to the police as of April 1. However, the viral video has prompted calls for intervention. “In some countries, this wouldn’t be tolerated,” X user @urch_cenation posted, urging authorities to investigate.

For now, Mama Bose continues her dawn routine, caught between survival and scrutiny. The clash has left Lagosians divided: Is this a case of exploitation or a mother’s desperate bid to provide? As the debate rages online, the story unveils the harsh realities many face in Nigeria’s economic capital—and the complex line between necessity and neglect.

 

 

 

 

 

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Lagos Markets See Post-Mother’s Day Boom from Last-Minute Gifts.

 

By Prosper Mene 

The hustle and bustle of Mother’s Day on March 30, 2025, has left a lasting mark on Lagos markets, with traders reporting a significant economic boost today, March 31, driven by last-minute shoppers honoring their moms. From Balogun Market to Oshodi, families flocked yesterday to snatch up Ankara fabrics, glittering jewelry, and vibrant flower bouquets, ensuring mothers across the city were celebrated in style.

Amina Yusuf, a fabric seller in Balogun Market, described the scene yesterday as “absolute chaos—in the best way.” She noted that latecomers, desperate to find the perfect gift, fueled a 20% sales spike compared to a typical Sunday.

 

“Everyone wanted something special—lace, Aso-Oke, anything to make their mothers shine,” Yusuf told reporters today, her stall still busy with customers exchanging Mother’s Day stories.

The surge underscores Nigerian mothers’ cultural prominence, particularly during Mothering Sunday, a tradition tied to the fourth Sunday of Lent and widely celebrated in Lagos’ churches and homes. Shoppers like Tunde Adebayo, 34, admitted to procrastinating until the final hours. “I got my mom a red Ankara wrapper and a necklace just before the market closed yesterday—she loved it,” he said, grinning outside Idumota Market this morning.

Beyond fabrics and trinkets, florists like Chidinma Okeke in Yaba reported selling out of roses and lilies by noon on March 30, with some customers doubling back today to grab leftovers for belated tributes. “Mothers are queens here—people don’t hold back,” Okeke said, estimating her sales tripled compared to last week.

Economists see this post-Mother’s Day boom as a microcosm of Lagos’ vibrant informal economy, where cultural events often drive commerce. Dr. Femi Aluko, a market analyst at Lagos State University, noted today that such spikes—while temporary—offer a lifeline to traders still reeling from inflation, which hit 32.7% in February 2025 (per Nigeria Bureau of Statistics). “It’s not just about gifts; it’s about affirming family values,” he said.

Yet, not all reactions were celebratory. On X today, some Lagosians grumbled about inflated prices during the rush, with user @NaijaMomma

tweeting, “Ankara that was N5,000 last week became N7,000 yesterday—traders know how to cash in!” Still, for most, the expense was worth it to see mothers draped in tradition, their smiles lighting up homes and church pews.

 

This economic ripple effect from Mother’s Day shows both the resilience of Lagos’ markets and the deep-rooted reverence for Nigerian mothers.

 

 

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Post-Mother’s Day Push: Activists Target Nigeria’s Skin-Lightening Crisis.

 

By Prosper Mene 

Mother’s Day on March 30, 2025, in Port Harcourt was more than a celebration of maternal love—it became a launchpad for a growing movement against Nigeria’s skin-lightening crisis. Today, March 31, activists report their efforts are gaining momentum, spurred by a women’s group that seized yesterday’s festivities to distribute “Love Your Skin” pamphlets, urging mothers to reject bleaching creams used by 77% of Nigerian women, according to World Health Organization data.

At a Mother’s Day event hosted by the Rivers Women Empowerment Network (RWEN) in the city’s Mile 1 district yesterday, volunteers handed out hundreds of flyers amid the singing of “Sweet Mother” and gift exchanges. The message was clear: embrace natural skin tones and protect the next generation from a practice linked to severe health risks like kidney damage and mercury poisoning. “Mothers shape our values—why not start with loving ourselves as we are?” said RWEN coordinator Blessing Amadi, speaking to reporters today..

The campaign struck a chord. By this morning, March 31, a viral video testimony from Chioma Nwankwo, a 39-year-old mother of three, had racked up over 50,000 views on Instagram. In the clip, recorded at yesterday’s event, Nwankwo shared how she quit bleaching creams two years ago after her daughters began asking why she “didn’t like her skin.” “I stopped for them—to show them beauty isn’t light skin,” she said, tearing up as the crowd cheered. Her story, hashtagged #LoveYourSkin, has since inspired local schools in Port Harcourt to schedule workshops for April, targeting both mothers and teens.

The skin-lightening crisis, declared a national health emergency by Nigeria’s drug agency in 2023, remains stubbornly entrenched, driven by cultural beauty standards favoring lighter complexions. The WHO’s 77% usage statistic—Africa’s highest—underscores the scale, with a 2025 BMJ study estimating thousands suffer from related health issues annually. Yesterday’s Mother’s Day push tapped into this urgency, framing mothers as key to breaking the cycle.

Today, RWEN reports that five secondary schools, including Government Girls’ Secondary School in Diobu, have committed to hosting “Love Your Skin” sessions, with plans to distribute educational kits funded by donations collected at the Mother’s Day event. “We raised N250,000 yesterday—enough to start,” Amadi said, noting the group aims to reach 1,000 students by mid-year.

For activists, Mother’s Day offered a rare spotlight. “Yesterday was about honoring moms—today, it’s about empowering them to change Nigeria,” Amadi said. As the campaign rolls forward, this post-Mother’s Day push could mark a turning point in the battle against a pervasive health and cultural crisis.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Nigerian Women Turn to Prostitution Amid Economic Crisis.

 

By Prosper Mene 

In a corner of Lagos’ bustling streets, Aisha, a 24-year-old single mother, adjusts her makeup under the flicker of a streetlamp. Once a petty trader selling vegetables in Oshodi market, she now stands among a growing number of Nigerian women compelled to trade their bodies for survival. “I didn’t choose this,” she says, her voice heavy with resignation. “But when inflation eats your profits and your child is hungry, what choice do you have?”

Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, is reeling from its worst cost-of-living crisis in decades. With inflation soaring to 34.6% in November 2024 and food prices climbing beyond 40%, according to government data, millions of households are buckling under economic strain. For women like Aisha, the fallout is not just financial—it’s personal, pushing them into desperate measures as traditional livelihoods collapse under the weight of a devalued naira and dwindling opportunities.

A Crisis Driving Choices

The economic turmoil began intensifying in 2023 when President Bola Tinubu removed fuel subsidies and liberalized foreign exchange rates reforms aimed at revitalizing the economy but leaving ordinary Nigerians in their wake. The naira has since plummeted, losing over 70% of its value against the dollar, while the cost of basics like rice, beans, and cooking gas has tripled. For women, who often bear the burden of feeding families and managing households, the impact is profound.

“Before, I could make 5,000 naira a day selling vegetables,” Aisha recalls. “Now, I’m lucky to break even after transport and market fees. My son needs school fees, food, medicine, I couldn’t keep up.” Last month, she joined the ranks of women engaging in what’s locally dubbed “hookup”—a discreet form of prostitution facilitated by social media and apps, offering quick cash in a crumbling economy.

The United Nations World Food Programme projects that 33.1 million Nigerians will face acute food insecurity in 2025, a 7 million increase from last year. Women, particularly in urban centers like Lagos and Kano, are among the hardest hit. A 2023 report by the Council on Foreign Relations noted that Nigeria’s GDP could rise by 23% if women were equally engaged in the economy, yet cultural norms and economic exclusion continue to marginalize them, leaving prostitution as a last resort.

From Markets to Streets

Across Nigeria, stories like Aisha’s echo a trend. In Benin City, Edo State—long a hub for trafficking, Blessing, 19, abandoned her tailoring apprenticeship when customers stopped coming. “Thread and fabric prices doubled, and people couldn’t afford my work,” she says. A friend introduced her to a “madam” who promised fast money through clients in Lagos. “I send half home to my mother. She doesn’t ask where it comes from.”

The rise of “hookup” culture, distinct from traditional brothel-based prostitution, has exploded in cities, fueled by anonymity and smartphones. Young women, including university students and unemployed graduates, connect with clients online, charging anywhere from 10,000 to 50,000 naira per encounter—sums that dwarf the 33,000 naira monthly minimum wage for public servants like NYSC members. “It’s not pride,” says Tolu, a 21-year-old student in Ibadan. “It’s survival. Books don’t pay rent.”

A Legacy of Exploitation

Nigeria’s prostitution crisis isn’t new, but the economic downturn has amplified it. Since the 1980s, trafficking networks have funneled women from Edo State to Europe, particularly Italy, where an estimated 21,000 Nigerian women and girls have been trafficked since 2015, according to the UN. Today, the same desperation driving international trafficking is turning inward, with local sex work surging. The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) reported rescuing 1,266 women from trafficking in 2021 alone, yet the agency struggles to keep pace with the domestic shift.

In northern Kano, where Sharia law bans prostitution, economic pressures are quietly eroding taboos. Fatima, 28, a widow with three children, began meeting clients in secret after her roadside tea stall folded. “Bandits took our farms, and prices took my business,” she says. “I’d rather sin than watch my kids starve.”

Society’s Blind Eye

The stigma surrounding prostitution remains fierce, yet economic necessity is softening judgment in some quarters. “People whisper, but they know why we do it,” Tolu says. Families, too, often turn a blind eye when remittances arrive. In Benin City, activists note a troubling normalization: parents once pressured daughters to migrate for sex work abroad; now, they tacitly accept it at home.

Government response has been patchy. Tinubu’s administration has rolled out cash transfers and grain handouts, but critics say they’re inadequate. “We’re treating symptoms, not the disease,” argues Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise. “Without jobs and security, women will keep falling through the cracks.”

Grassroots groups like Girls’ Power Initiative (GPI) in Edo State offer vocational training and counseling, but resources are stretched thin. “We’re seeing younger girls every day,” says Grace Osakue of GPI. “Poverty doesn’t wait for empowerment programs.”

A Future in Question

For Aisha, Blessing, and countless others, prostitution isn’t a career—it’s a stopgap. “I pray every night for a way out,” Aisha says, glancing at her son’s photo on her phone. Yet, with 33 million Nigerians projected to face food insecurity and inflation showing no signs of slowing, that way out feels distant.

As morning comes in Lagos, Aisha heads home with 15,000 naira in her pocket—enough for a week’s worth of food. “This isn’t who I am,” she insists. “But until Nigeria gives us something better, it’s what I have to do.” For now, the economic crisis holds her—and millions of Nigerian women—in its grip, a stark reminder of the human cost of a nation’s struggle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Eldest Daughter of Late Oyo Governor, Bisola Ajimobi Kola-Daisi, Passes Away in UK at 42.

 

By Prosper Mene 

The family of the late former Oyo State Governor, Senator Abiola Ajimobi, is mourning the loss of his eldest daughter, Bisola Ajimobi Kola-Daisi, who passed away in the early hours of Thursday, March 27, 2025, in the United Kingdom. She was 42 years old.

Bisola, a prominent figure in Nigeria’s public and private sectors, reportedly succumbed to a brief illness. Until her untimely death, she served as the Special Adviser to Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Planning, Atiku Bagudu, under President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Her passing marks another significant loss for the Ajimobi family, coming five years after the death of her father in 2020.

A statement from Bolaji Tunji, a former aide to the late Governor Ajimobi, confirmed the tragic news. “Yes, it has been confirmed,” Tunji told journalists in Ibadan, though further details surrounding her death remain undisclosed at this time.

Bisola was married to Kolapo Kola-Daisi, a respected Ibadan-born politician and bank executive, since 2010. The couple, who celebrated their engagement and wedding in grand ceremonies in Ibadan, Nigeria, on November 5 and 6, 2010, respectively, are survived by their three children. In a heartfelt social media post, Kolapo expressed his grief, writing, “The world has lost a shining star. Bisola was not just my wife; she was my partner in everything. Her spirit will live on in our children.”

Known for her contributions to governance, business, and philanthropy, Bisola carved a notable legacy in Nigeria. She served as the Managing Director of Grandex Nigeria Ltd., a leading retail and wholesale chain established in 1984, and founded Florence H., a luxury boutique that solidified her presence in the fashion and retail industry. Additionally, she supported her mother Florence Ajimobi’s ABC Foundation, a charitable initiative focused on uplifting disadvantaged communities in Ibadan.

The news of Bisola’s passing has elicited an outpouring of condolences from across Nigeria. Senator Sharafadeen Alli, representing Oyo South Senatorial District, described her as “a woman of grace, intellect, and dedication, who upheld the values of excellence and service.” He extended his sympathies to her husband, mother, Chief (Mrs) Florence Ajimobi, and the broader Kola-Daisi and Ajimobi families, praying for strength to bear the loss.

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Oyo State chapter, also expressed shock and sadness, noting Bisola’s connection to their matron, Florence Ajimobi. “Her daughter was a shining example of her mother’s values and legacy,” the group said in a statement. “We pray that God grants the Ajimobi family the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”

Bisola’s death has reverberated through Nigeria’s social and political spheres, with many reflecting on her vibrant life and sudden departure. A close friend of American reality stars Khloe Kardashian and Malika Haqq, she was also known for her luxurious lifestyle and strong presence in Nigeria’s high society.

As of now, the Kola-Daisi and Ajimobi families have not released an official statement regarding funeral arrangements. Nigerians, both at home and abroad, continue to mourn the loss of a woman whose life exemplified service, entrepreneurship, and familial devotion.

Bisola Ajimobi Kola-Daisi’s legacy is expected to endure through her contributions to her community and the lives she touched. May her soul rest in peace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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