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September 5, 2025

2027 Presidency: Tambuwal Snubs Wike, Declares Loyalty To Atiku
News, Politics

2027 Presidency: Tambuwal Snubs Wike, Declares Loyalty To Atiku

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When Senator Aminu Tambuwal, former governor of Sokoto State, sat down for an interview on Politics Today, few expected him to ignite one of the most heated debates in the build-up to Nigeria’s 2027 elections. But his words landed like a thunderclap: “On matters of leadership, I will support Atiku Abubakar over Nyesom Wike.”

With that statement, Tambuwal didn’t just pick a side, he reopened old political wounds, tested the strength of alliances, and signaled where he believes Nigeria’s next leader should come from.

The Tambuwal Dilemma: Friendships vs. National Leadership

Tambuwal’s admission wasn’t casual. He acknowledged his personal relationship with Nyesom Wike, Nigeria’s FCT Minister, describing him as “a friend.” But friendship, he insisted, does not outweigh capacity when Nigeria’s future is on the line.

This is where the controversy thickens: Nigerians are asking, Should politics be about personal loyalty or national interest?

The Ghosts Of 2022

Tambuwal and Wike were once close allies within the PDP, but the cracks became visible in 2022 when Wike accused him of betraying a zoning pact in favor of Atiku.

Also Read: Fans Gush As Temi Otedola Drops Wedding Photos With Mr Eazi

The fallout left scars, and Tambuwal’s latest declaration only confirms what many suspected: reconciliation was never complete.

Now, by openly throwing his weight behind Atiku, Tambuwal has reminded everyone that in Nigerian politics, grudges rarely die, they simply wait for the right moment to resurface.

What This Means for 2027

As the countdown to 2027 continues, Tambuwal’s stance is more than an endorsement, it is a political warning shot that could reshape alignments, fracture friendships, and influence the PDP’s strategy.

For now, one thing is clear: Tambuwal has chosen Atiku, and Nigeria is watching Wike’s next move.

Temi Otedola Drops Family Name After Lavish Wedding With Mr Eazi
Entertainment, Lifestyle, News, Photo

Fans Gush As Temi Otedola Drops Wedding Photos With Mr Eazi

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Some weddings are private, some are lavish, and a few are cultural showcases. But Temi Otedola and Mr Eazi’s wedding wasn’t any of these alone, it was all of them, wrapped in a narrative so breathtaking it felt scripted by destiny itself.

From Monaco to Dubai to Iceland, the couple didn’t just exchange vows. They wrote a love story across continents, each chapter more dazzling than the last.

Monaco — A Whispered Beginning

On May 9, 2025, in the serene city of Monaco, Temi and Eazi stood before each other in quiet confidence. Temi, in a minimalist Wiederhoeft suit, looked every bit the modern bride. Eazi, decked in Louis Vuitton, carried himself with the calm of a man certain of forever.

Also Read: State Police: Northern Elders Warn Tinubu Against “Dangerous Experiment”

It was intimate, deliberate, and beautifully unpretentious, proof that even celebrity love can start with simplicity.

Dubai — Culture on Full Display

Weeks later, Dubai exploded with colour, music, and Yoruba tradition. Under the Otedola family’s roof, guests were transported into a carnival of heritage. Talking drums, gele crowns, and agbadas ruled the day.

Temi’s wardrobe alone told its own love story, Zac Posen, Lisa Folawiyo, and Miss Sohee, a blend of tradition and couture. And with King Sunny Adé serenading, the day felt less like a wedding and more like a cultural renaissance.

Iceland — A Fairytale Ending

The grand finale unfolded under the icy skies of Reykjavik, where the Northern Lights blessed their union. Temi’s ethereal Fendi Haute Couture gown shimmered against the snow, while the couple’s kiss under the historic Hallgrímskirkja Church turned the moment into legend.

Inside the glass tent reception, moss-covered tables and fog-filled aisles transformed the venue into a dreamscape. And when John Legend appeared to perform, the dream tipped over into surreal.

See images below:

Fans Gush As Temi Otedola Drops Wedding Photos With Mr Eazi Fans Gush As Temi Otedola Drops Wedding Photos With Mr Eazi Fans Gush As Temi Otedola Drops Wedding Photos With Mr Eazi Fans Gush As Temi Otedola Drops Wedding Photos With Mr Eazi Fans Gush As Temi Otedola Drops Wedding Photos With Mr Eazi

State Police: Northern Elders Warn Tinubu Against “Dangerous Experiment"
Uncategorized

State Police: Northern Elders Warn Tinubu Against “Dangerous Experiment”

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When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared that the creation of state police was no longer a matter of “if” but “when,” many Nigerians cheered. After all, insecurity has stalked the nation for decades, from bandits in the North-West to kidnappers on highways and cult groups in the South. On the surface, bringing policing closer to communities looks like common sense.

But not everyone is celebrating. The Northern Progressive Elders Group (NPEG) fired a chilling warning: State police won’t protect Nigerians, it will protect politicians. In their eyes, this move isn’t reform. It’s an invitation to chaos.

Why The Elders Are Ringing The Alarm

The elders argue that Nigeria’s political culture is too toxic, too partisan, and too vindictive for governors to control armed forces responsibly.

Today, we already see accusations of federal police being weaponized against opposition figures. Now, imagine 36 governors each with their own loyal police squads, funded from state coffers, answering to no one but the man in power.

To the elders, this isn’t decentralization. It’s legalized political thuggery.

Could Governors Become Warlords?

History offers reasons for fear. In states like Rivers, Kaduna, and Lagos, security has often been drawn into political rivalries.

Protests get suppressed, rallies get blocked, opponents complain of intimidation. If that’s happening under a national force with some (though imperfect) checks, what happens when governors hold the leash?

The nightmare scenario is simple: Nigeria doesn’t get state police, it gets state militias. Each one loyal, not to the people, but to the ruling elite of that state.

Reform Or Recipe For Anarchy?

Supporters of Tinubu’s plan insist that state police will bring faster responses, better intelligence, and accountability. They argue that insecurity is too local for Abuja to manage.

Also Read: Peter Obi Knocks President Tinubu Over Europe Vacation 

But the elders counter with a hard truth: security without justice is oppression. Unless Nigeria first fixes its rule of law, judicial independence, and oversight systems, decentralising policing won’t solve insecurity — it will only decentralise abuse.

A Crossroads Moment

The Northern elders’ caution is not a blanket rejection of reform. It’s a plea for patience, structure, and safeguards. Strengthen the judiciary, professionalise the federal police, and establish strong oversight first, then consider state policing.

President Tinubu calls state police “inevitable.” The elders call it “dangerous.” Between inevitability and danger lies Nigeria’s biggest question: will state police secure Nigerians, or secure politicians?

Peter Obi Knocks President Tinubu Over Europe Vacation 
News, Politics

Peter Obi Knocks President Tinubu Over Europe Vacation 

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President Bola Tinubu’s 10-day trip to Europe, framed by his media team as a routine annual leave, has now ignited one of the fiercest debates of his presidency. The trigger? A scathing rebuke from Peter Obi, former Labour Party presidential candidate, who declared that “no holiday is more important than the Nigerian lives you swore to protect.”

What was meant to be downtime has now snowballed into a test of leadership optics, empathy, and accountability in a nation grappling with grief and insecurity.

Obi vs. Tinubu: A War of Idea

Obi’s attack cut deep because it came against a backdrop of mounting tragedies, boat mishaps, mass abductions, and violent attacks that have left families shattered.

He questioned why a president would fly out of the country instead of standing with victims, providing immediate comfort, or even visiting communities struck by grief.

His words were more than criticism; they reframed Tinubu’s leave as a moral question: Can a president truly “switch off” when the nation is bleeding?

The Presidency’s Defence

Tinubu’s aides maintain that the trip is legitimate, planned, and partly a working vacation, with potential diplomatic and economic benefits.

Supporters argue that presidents worldwide take annual leave and that governance continues under delegated authority.

But perception, in politics, often trumps process. And in a country where many citizens feel abandoned, the image of their leader abroad resonates more like neglect than strategy.

Nigerians React

On social media, the reactions are polarizing. Some echo Obi’s anger, insisting the president should have toured affected states before leaving. Others argue that governance is bigger than photo-ops — and that what matters is the long-term delivery of security and relief.

Also Read: Sujimoto: “I’m Not a Thief,” Says Lagos Developer Declared Wanted by EFCC

But in the age of instant outrage, optics is reality. And right now, the optics are brutal.

The Bigger Picture

This controversy is not just about a 10-day holiday. It is about the fragile contract between Nigerian leaders and the people. When leaders appear absent in moments of national pain, citizens feel unprotected, and opposition voices gain moral high ground.

Whether Tinubu’s leave yields diplomatic wins or not, the political cost of being seen as absent may be far greater than any deal struck abroad.

The National Storm

Obi’s rebuke has turned a personal holiday into a national storm. And while Tinubu’s aides try to control the narrative, the question lingers in the minds of many Nigerians: if the president can leave when the people are crying, who really carries their pain?

FIFA Stuns Nigeria: Gabonese Referees to Decide Super Eagles’ Fate Against Bafana Bafana
News, Sports

FIFA Stuns Nigeria: Gabonese Referees to Decide Super Eagles’ Fate Against Bafana Bafana

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The Super Eagles’ road to the 2026 World Cup has taken another twist, and this time, it’s not about goals or tactics. FIFA has appointed Gabonese referee Pierre Ghislain Atcho and his team to oversee the do-or-die clash between Nigeria and South Africa in Bloemfontein.

For a match that could decide whether Nigeria’s World Cup dreams live or die, every whistle, every card, every minute of stoppage time will be scrutinized. In a game of thin margins, the officials have suddenly become as important as the strikers.

Meet The “Whistle Crew”

* Pierre Ghislain Atcho (Gabon) – Center Referee
* Boris Marlaise Ditsoga (Gabon) – Assistant Referee I
* Amos Abeigne Ndong (Gabon) – Assistant Referee II
* Cregue Fleury Moukagni (Gabon) – Fourth Official
* Olivier Safari Kabene (DR Congo) – Referee Assessor
* Mike Letti (Uganda) – Match Commissioner

With four Gabonese officials at the helm, the spotlight is now fixed on how neutral, or decisive, their presence will be when emotions flare on the pitch.

Nigeria’s High-Wire Act

Nigeria sits 4th in their group, far from comfortable, with only one win in six matches. Now, the Eagles must beat Rwanda at home and South Africa away to stay alive. But the Bafana Bafana clash isn’t just about three points — it’s about pride, pressure, and survival.

Also Read: FirstBank Digital Banking Disruption: Alternative Channels Customers Can Explore

For South Africa, a win would cement their authority and tilt the group dynamics in their favor. The stakes are continental, the emotions global.

Final Whistle

With FIFA’s Gabonese crew stepping in, the Nigeria vs. South Africa match has become more than just a World Cup qualifier, it’s a story of power, perception, and precision.

In Bloemfontein, the Super Eagles won’t just be playing against Bafana Bafana; they’ll be playing against the clock, the whistle, and the weight of history.

The question now is simple: will the referees let football decide, or will their whistle write the script?

FirstBank Digital Banking Disruption: Alternative Channels Customers Can Explore
Feature, Trending

FirstBank Digital Banking Disruption: Alternative Channels Customers Can Explore

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It’s 7:42 a.m. and Amina is late for work, but worse, she can’t pay her child’s school fees. Her FirstMobile app keeps spinning. She dials *894# and gets nothing. The vendor is fidgeting. Around the city, other customers see the same thing: failed transfers, spinning wheels, and mounting anxiety.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The First Bank of Nigeria (FirstBank) acknowledged a temporary service disruption affecting its digital channels, including its mobile app and USSD, and warned customers some transactions to other banks could be delayed or declined.

Below is a practical, safety-first guide you can use now: why the outage happened (briefly), the confirmed facts, reliable alternatives you can use immediately, and precise steps to recover money or correct failed transactions.

The Warning

* FirstBank publicly confirmed downtime affecting its mobile banking platforms and USSD services — customers were warned of delayed or declined transactions.
* The bank advised customers to use alternative channels for urgent transactions while it worked to restore services.
* FirstBank later posted that services were restored after the disruption. If things still look wrong on your account, follow the steps below.

(Those are the core, verifiable facts. Everything that follows is practical help based on bank guidance, Central Bank/NIBSS rules on reversals, and agent-channel operations.)

Fast Alternatives You Can Use Right Now

1. ATM (card) withdrawals and transfers — Use your debit card at a FirstBank ATM or another bank’s ATM. On-us ATM reversals are usually instant; cross-bank ATM reversal timelines are covered by the CBN rules.

If a card transaction fails but money leaves your account, keep the debit alert and get a transaction reference.

2. POS (merchant) payments — Many shops and petrol stations accept card/POS payments. If the merchant accepts POS, paying by card avoids the bank app altogether.

3. Firstmonie agent banking — FirstBank’s agent network (Firstmonie) lets you deposit, withdraw and transfer cash via local agents — useful in areas with poor internet access or during outages. Ask for an official receipt.

4. Branch visits for critical transactions — For urgent or high-value matters (school fees, rent, payroll), go to a branch and complete the transaction in person. Bring ID and transaction details.

5. Third-party mobile wallets and fintechs — If you have money in a reputable wallet (e.g., a licensed mobile money or payments app), you can pay merchants or move cash through interoperable channels. Be mindful of fees and transfer limits.

6. Card-on-file / Merchant transfers — If a biller (school, utility) accepts card payments on their website or payment link, use your debit/credit card there rather than the bank app.

If Your Money Was Debited But The Transfer Failed — Do This

1. Wait up to 24 hours for instant reversal — many banks and the CBN timelines provide for automatic reversals within hours; some failed cross-bank reversals may take longer but should be resolved promptly.
2. Capture proof — save screenshots of debit alerts, failed transaction screens, and timestamps. These are vital for escalation.
3. Check your balance — confirm whether the debit actually reduced your available balance.
4. Use FirstBank complaints channels — open a complaint via the FirstBank complaints portal, email, or call FirstContact (numbers and complaint form are on the bank’s site). Put dates, amounts, beneficiary details and attach screenshots. FirstBank’s complaints pages list phone numbers and an online complaints form.
5. Escalate to IDRS/NIBSS if needed — where cross-bank switching delays persist, NIBSS/IDRS can be engaged to accelerate reversals. Keep your complaint ticket number.
6. If unresolved after a reasonable time, involve the CBN — the Central Bank and its consumer protection mechanisms can be approached if banks don’t meet reversal timelines or resolution policies. The CBN has published reversal timelines for failed transactions.

Also Read: WAEC Mandates 250 Laptops, CCTV and Generators for Schools Ahead of 2026 CBT Exams

Digital banking outages aren’t just annoying — they expose systemic risk in economies that rely on instant payments. The CBN has clear rules on failed transaction reversals precisely because outages can cause real economic harm to households and small businesses.

Banks are expected to resolve reversal issues quickly and provide clear complaint paths; you can use those obligations if you need to escalate.

What FirstBank Customers Should Expect Next

* Status updates: FirstBank typically posts updates on its official social accounts and customer circulars while engineering teams work. Check the bank’s verified X/Twitter or official website for “we are back” posts. (FirstBank posted service restoration after a recent outage.)
* Transaction reconciliation: If you were affected, keep your proofs and lodge a complaint — banks log and investigate, and many reversals are automatic once systems stabilise.

Sujimoto: “I’m Not a Thief,” Says Lagos Developer Declared Wanted by EFCC
Business, News

Sujimoto: “I’m Not a Thief,” Says Lagos Developer Declared Wanted by EFCC

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has turned its searchlight on one of Nigeria’s most flamboyant real estate moguls, Olasijibomi Ogundele—popularly known as Sujimoto.

The anti-graft agency has declared the developer wanted over allegations of fraud and money laundering, sending shockwaves through both Nigeria’s luxury property market and social media timelines.

For years, Sujimoto’s name has been synonymous with opulence. From the glass-and-steel Lucrezia towers on Banana Island to audacious plans for record-breaking skyscrapers, Ogundele built an image that was larger than life.

His story—from the dusty streets of Agege to the glossy boardrooms of Ikoyi—was the kind of rags-to-riches tale Nigerians love to tell. But today, that fairy tale is being tested.

“I Am Not a Thief” – Sujimoto Speaks Out

Hours after the EFCC’s notice went viral, Sujimoto released a video statement. Looking weary but defiant, he insisted the allegations stemmed from a soured contractual deal, particularly with the Enugu State Government.

“I am not a thief. I am not a fugitive. I will walk into the EFCC myself and clear my name,” he declared, his voice shaking between conviction and desperation.

Did You Miss? WAEC Mandates 250 Laptops, CCTV and Generators for Schools Ahead of 2026 CBT Exams

The clip, now circulating widely on Instagram and X, has divided Nigerians. Some see a man genuinely fighting for his reputation. Others dismiss it as a well-rehearsed act designed to save face and calm jittery investors.

The Rise of Sujimoto: From Agege to Banana Island

Before this scandal, Ogundele was celebrated as a visionary who dared to dream beyond Nigeria’s chaotic real estate landscape. He styled himself as a disruptor—building projects where marble, glass, and exclusivity were the selling points. Buyers didn’t just purchase apartments; they bought into a lifestyle curated by the Sujimoto brand.

But with EFCC’s announcement, the once-reliable formula of prestige and spectacle now risks crumbling. When your image is your business, allegations of fraud strike at the very foundation of your empire.

What Comes Next?

For now, the spotlight is firmly on Sujimoto. Will he make good on his vow to face the EFCC? Will charges follow, or will this crisis fizzle out as a commercial dispute? Either way, the scandal has put Nigeria’s high-end real estate industry under an uncomfortable microscope.

And for a man who built his empire on visibility, the irony is cruel: the brighter the lights, the harsher the shadows.

WAEC Mandates 250 Laptops, CCTV and Generators for Schools Ahead of 2026 CBT Exams
Education, News

WAEC Mandates 250 Laptops, CCTV and Generators for Schools Ahead of 2026 CBT Exams

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When the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) announced that from 2026 every school-based WAEC exam would go fully computer-based, the declaration landed like thunder. It wasn’t just a policy memo; it was a challenge to Nigeria’s fragile education system.

Imagine a rural secondary school where the only “computer” sits in the principal’s office, covered with dust, used mostly for typing letters. Now, WAEC says: “Get 250 functioning laptops, CCTV cameras, a powerful server, 24-hour electricity with a 40kVA generator, full air conditioning, and a holding room, or forget hosting WASSCE.”

For some elite schools in Lagos or Abuja, this is doable. For thousands of others, it’s a nightmare.

WAEC’s New Exam Rules: The Non-Negotiables

At a sensitisation meeting in Port Harcourt, WAEC made its demands clear. Schools must now provide:

* 250 laptops or desktops (with 10% backups).
* A central server capable of supporting 250 simultaneous users.
* CCTV cameras to monitor every corner of the exam hall.
* Stable power supply, with a minimum 40kVA generator for backup.
* Full air conditioning and proper lighting.
* A Local Area Network (LAN) to link all systems.
* Reception/holding areas for candidates.

Those who can’t meet these standards will have to bus their students to designated CBT centres.

The Dream: A Modern, Secure WAEC

On paper, this looks brilliant. Digital exams cut the cost of printing and transporting millions of papers, reduce leakage scandals, and deliver faster results. They could even bring Nigerian assessments closer to global standards.

WAEC insists this is not a bluff. The Council has tested CBT with private candidates and believes it is the only way forward.

The Reality: Power Cuts, Empty Labs, and Unequal Schools

But Nigeria’s reality doesn’t read like WAEC’s brochure. Rural schools barely keep chalkboards running, let alone computer labs with 250 functional laptops. Even urban schools face epileptic power supply, erratic internet, and staff with limited ICT training.

What happens when a student’s exam crashes mid-test because the generator sputtered? Who takes responsibility when a server freezes and wipes out answers?

And perhaps most importantly: does this digital leap risk widening the gap between the rich and poor?

Inequality in the Making

In Lagos, parents are already boasting about schools upgrading labs, installing CCTV, and striking deals with tech companies. In Kano or Ebonyi, some schools are just trying to keep classrooms from flooding when it rains.

Also Read: Fuel Crisis Brews As Tanker Drivers Lock Horns With Dangote

Without government subsidies or intervention, CBT may simply privilege the few schools that can afford the upgrades, while public schools, especially in rural areas, are sidelined.

This raises a bigger question: is WAEC modernizing education, or institutionalizing inequality?

The Funding Puzzle

At the Port Harcourt event, vendors like HP and Lenovo showcased their gadgets, while the Bank of Industry (BOI) hinted at possible loans for schools. But loans are not a silver bullet. Maintenance, training, and constant fuel or diesel costs will pile up.

A 40kVA generator isn’t a one-time investment, it’s an endless fuel bill.

The Future of Exams in Nigeria

If done right, WAEC’s digital gamble could revolutionize assessment in West Africa. But if rushed, it risks turning into another headline about “good policies killed by poor execution.”

For now, the countdown to 2026 has begun. The laptops will either arrive, or students will be left behind. And in a country where education is already a shaky ladder, this CBT revolution could be the rung that breaks, or the rung that finally lifts students higher.

Fuel Crisis Brews as Tanker Drivers Lock Horns with Dangote
Business, News

Fuel Crisis Brews As Tanker Drivers Lock Horns With Dangote

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Nigeria may once again be staring into the abyss of another fuel crisis, a nightmare that has crippled the nation time and again. The clouds of scarcity are gathering, not because of global oil prices or OPEC quotas, but due to a battle brewing at home: tanker drivers, under the directive of the Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), have been ordered to boycott Dangote depots.

The warning shot has already been fired. If enforced, this boycott could choke the very arteries of Nigeria’s fuel supply chain, threatening to bring businesses, transport systems, and everyday life to a standstill.

The Power Struggle Behind the Pumps

At the heart of this storm lies Aliko Dangote, the man whose refinery was hailed as Nigeria’s saving grace from decades of dependency on imported fuel. Yet today, he finds himself at the center of a brewing revolt.

Tanker drivers accuse his operations of unfair practices, alleging exploitation and unfavorable conditions that have pushed them to the brink.

It is not just about fuel anymore, it’s about power, dignity, and who really controls Nigeria’s lifeline.

What Scarcity Really Means for Nigerians

For the ordinary Nigerian, the word “scarcity” is not abstract. It means endless queues at filling stations, skyrocketing transport fares, generators falling silent, and food prices shooting up in markets. It means waking up at 4 a.m. to fight for a spot in a fuel line that might stretch for kilometers.

Every drop of petrol in Nigeria is political. Every delay in supply has the power to reshape daily survival.

A Crisis That Exposes Deeper Fault Lines

This looming face-off between NUPENG tanker drivers and Dangote is more than an industrial dispute—it is a mirror reflecting Nigeria’s fragile system.

For decades, successive governments have promised stable fuel supply, yet Nigerians continue to live at the mercy of strikes, depot boycotts, and policy failures.

The question is simple: how can Africa’s biggest oil producer still be gasping for fuel?

What Happens Next?

If the boycott holds, major cities like Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt could feel the heat within days.

Black marketers will resurface. Prices will spike beyond the reach of the average worker. The government, already under pressure, will be forced into frantic negotiations.

But one truth remains clear—this crisis is not just about fuel. It’s about trust. And Nigerians are running out of patience.

Niger Boat Accident: Dozens Dead As FG Scrambles for Answers
News

Niger Boat Accident: Dozens Dead As FG Scrambles for Answers

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It happened again. Another overloaded boat, another swollen river, another community wailing by the banks of the Niger. By midday Friday, the waters near Borgu Local Government in Niger State had claimed dozens of lives — men, women, and children — whose only crime was boarding a wooden boat to attend a condolence visit. What began as a simple river crossing ended as another mass burial at sea.

Rescuers dragged lifeless bodies from the water while survivors clung to planks and ropes, their screams carrying across the river. Officials said at least 30 bodies were recovered, scores rescued, and many more missing.

Some reports put the toll closer to 60, but the truth is that numbers rarely capture the full grief of river tragedies in Nigeria.

Death By Routine

The most haunting part? This wasn’t an adventure or an illicit journey — it was a routine trip, the kind riverine Nigerians take every day to trade, work, or visit relatives.

For many, boats are not luxury; they are lifelines. Yet, in a country where roads are crumbling and bridges scarce, these lifelines are too often death traps.

The ill-fated vessel was said to be carrying far more than it should — a floating coffin of desperation, without lifejackets, without regulation, and without the slightest safety net. When it struck a submerged tree stump, the outcome was inevitable: chaos, panic, drowning.

FG Reacts — But Nigerians Ask: How Many More?

The Federal Government quickly issued a statement, mourning the victims and promising a renewed safety campaign. Condolences came from ministries, politicians, and civic leaders. But for families in Borgu, the rhetoric is exhausting.

Because this is not the first time. Nor the tenth. Nigeria has become a nation where boat accidents make the news with chilling regularity, yet little changes. Each time the script is the same: condolences, committees, campaigns — then silence, until the next disaster.

The uncomfortable question Nigerians are now asking is: *how many more bodies must the Niger swallow before leaders act?*

Floating Coffins: A Crisis of Neglect

Experts have called these boats “floating coffins” — fragile wooden vessels built for river trade, now overloaded with passengers and hope. Safety rules exist on paper: manifests, lifejackets, licensed operators. In practice, enforcement is weak or non-existent.

Blame is shared: boat owners eager for profit, regulators too stretched (or too indifferent) to inspect, and government agencies caught in a cycle of reaction instead of prevention. Meanwhile, communities with no bridges or affordable ferries have no choice but to risk it.

This tragedy isn’t just an “accident”, it is the predictable result of decades of neglect, corruption, and misplaced priorities.

Who Takes Responsibility?

Here’s the controversy: every time a plane crashes in Nigeria, there are probes, panels, compensation packages, and policy debates. But when a boat capsizes — killing just as many — the victims are often poor villagers whose deaths barely shift the national conversation.

People Also Read: Condolences Pour In As Joke Silva Loses Brother

This double standard exposes a brutal truth: Nigeria values some lives more than others. If elites traveled these rivers daily, safety enforcement would have been solved long ago.

The River Remembers

As funerals begin in Borgu, families will bury their dead quickly, as custom requires. The Niger River, however, will not forget. It has become a graveyard of broken promises, swallowing the poor while the powerful send condolences from Abuja.

Until Nigeria decides that every life — rich or poor, rural or urban — matters, these waters will keep demanding a blood price. And the headlines will keep writing themselves: another boat, another capsize, another mass burial.

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