News
Jonathan, Lawan Optimistic 2023’ll Be Rancour Free
The glamorous wedding reception of the daughter of Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed, Hauwa Bala Muhammad, and her groom, Muhammad Lawan, last Friday night, turned out to be a political rostrum where the prospects of fair polls and the country’s unity were called for by several high-brow attendees.
Among them were former Senate Presidents, Adolphus Wabara; and Anyim Pius Anyim; Governors Aminu Waziri Tambuwal of Sokoto; Godwin Obaseki of Edo; Douye Diri of Bayelsa; Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno; and Seyi Makinde of Oyo states, respectively.
Other dignitaries include some Deputy Governors, PDP NWC/BOT members led by the Chairman of PDP, Prince Uche Secondus; and Sen. Walid Jibril of the BOT, respectively.
Senators and members of the House of Representatives, serving and former state legislators were also in attendance.
Former first ladies, Dame Patience Jonathan; Hajiya Titi Atiku Abubakar; current and serving first ladies as well as socialite and philanthropist, Mrs Bola Shagaya; and the Minister of Women Affairs, Dame Paulin Tallen, graced the occasion along with traditional rulers, captains of industry, and others.
The venue of the reception, the International Conference Centre, Abuja, was made cosy with elaborate floral decoration, glittering lights and the serenading performance of Bayelsa-born superstar, Timi Dakolo, whose rendition heralded the grand entry of the bride and bridegroom.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan, who chaired the gathering, first threw the tack of brotherhood and unity of Nigerians ahead of the 2023 elections, by observing that despite their different political leanings and convictions, many of those that attended the wedding were together at the occasion “and not fighting over ballot boxes.
“It is a happy day for all as we celebrate our children,” the ex-President, who is a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), noted, while appreciating the presence of the star-studded guests.
He said it was an important occasion that signifies the importance of marriage and its role in uniting many people, politics or otherwise.
He urged all Nigerians to pray for God’s blessings upon the couple.
Taking a cue from Jonathan, the Senate President, Dr Ahmad Lawan, expressed confidence that despite the usual political party rivalry that characterizes the conduct of elections in the country, “in 2023, there will be no fighting over ballot boxes because Nigerians are now wiser.”
The ranking member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), added, “From here,” the rendezvous of the lavish soiree, “the sense of togetherness exhibited should continue to guide Nigerians and the leaders,” he offered.
He thanked God, and congratulated the couple, further praying that they get the best that marriage can offer, just as he reminded them that much was now expected from them.
The distinguished women at the occasion, wives of the governors of Sokoto State, Hajiya Maryam Aminu Waziri Tambuwal; and wife of Borno State governor, Hajiya Falmata Zulum, as well as others, led by the First Lady of Kaduna State, Hajiya Hadiza el-Rufa’i, said the Northern Governors’ Wives Forum doesn’t discriminate along party lines as they were collectively working for the good of the country.
In her capacity as the ‘Mother of the Day’, Mrs el-Rufa’i urged the couple who “are almost perfect,” contrary to the “pictures we have seen,” to be not just lovers but friends as well.
In his goodwill message, the ‘Father of the Day’, Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, also expressed happiness, saying, “I’m wearing agbada because I am happy. I hardly wear agbada. But I’m wearing one today because I’m happy.”
According to him, marriage was the beginning of a life-long journey in which the couple should allow their individual dreams to flourish.
“Both of you will change as time goes by. You should constantly keep calibrating the relationship. God and friendship will sustain you,” he prayed while congratulating and wishing them a happy married life.
Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, had lauded the courage and commitment of troops of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to the ongoing counter-insurgency operations in North East Nigeria.
Abubakar gave the commendation during a morale-boosting visit to the Air Component of Operation HADIN KAI in Maiduguri, Borno.
This is contained in a statement by the Director, Public Relations and Information, NAF, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, yesterday, in Abuja.
The CAS said their sacrifices were etched in the history of the nation, and in the hearts of millions of Nigerians who sleep safer because of the troops’ vigilance.
He emphasised that their bravery and resilience in the face of adversity have not gone unnoticed, saying his visit underscored the vital role airpower plays in neutralising threats and protecting communities.
Abubakar pledged continued investment in cutting-edge technology to empower frontline units.
According to him, the NAF remains steadfast in its mission, guided by leadership, strengthened by unity, and driven by the selfless service of its personnel.
The visit comes at a critical moment, reinforcing the importance of public support for military operations and spotlighting the human element at the heart of national defence.
Nigeria’s soft drinks and beverage market continues to show strong growth potential, making it the leading consumer of soft drinks in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to the German Mechanical Engineering Industry Association.
A statement by the VDMA disclosed during a press conference held in Lagos ahead of drinktec 2025, that Nigeria consumed over 53 billion litres of soft drinks in 2024, placing it well ahead of other African countries such as Ghana and South Africa.
Despite challenges such as inflation and a weakening naira, Nigeria’s growing population, rising urbanisation, and expanding middle class are key factors driving demand in the beverage sector.
Bottled water led the segment with 48.7 billion litres sold in 2024, a figure projected to rise by 27% to 62 billion litres by 2028.
Carbonated soft drinks followed with 3.4 billion litres, expected to reach 4.4 billion litres by 2028, while energy drinks are forecasted to grow by 30% over the same period. Juices, though relatively small, are also on an upward trajectory.
“The Nigerian beverage market is expanding quickly due to increasing accessibility and affordability,” VDMA stated, citing data from Euromonitor International.
Set to take place in Munich from 15 to 19 September 2025, drinktec is the world’s leading trade fair for the beverage and liquid food industry.
VDMA, a key exhibitor and technical partner for the event, revealed that Nigerian participation is expected to be strong, especially as the country anticipates economic recovery.
Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, has condemned the recent ban placed on a song by Nigerian musician, Eedris Abdulkareem, describing the development as a return to the culture of censorship and a threat to the right to free expression.
Abdulkareem had waxed a song titled “Tell Your Papa” which criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement issued from New York University, Abu Dhabi, yesterday, Soyinka criticised the action and its wider implications, saying it echoed past attempts to stifle artistic and socio-political commentary in Nigeria.
“Courtesy of an artist operating in a different genre – the cartoon – who sent me his recent graphic comment on the event, I learnt recently of a return to the culture of censorship with the banning of the product of a music artist, Eedris Abdulkareem,” Soyinka said in the piece posted on PM news.
He expressed irony in suggesting that the ban did not go far enough, stating, “It is not only the allegedly offensive record that should be banned – the musician himself should be proscribed. Next, PMAN, or whatever musical association of which Abdulkareem is member, should also go under the hammer.”
Soyinka noted that he had not listened to the banned song but stressed that the issue transcends content and concerns a fundamental democratic principle.
“It cannot be flouted. That, surely is basic. This is why I feel that we should look on the bright side of any picture and thus recommend the Aleshinloye cartoon – and others in allied vein – as an easy-to-apprehend, easy-to-digest summation of the wisdom of attempting to stifle unpalatable works of art or socio-political commentary,” he said.
He also pointed out the irony that censorship often benefits the targeted artist.
The ban is a boost to the artist’s nest egg, thanks to free governmental promotion. Mr. Abdulkareem must be currently warbling his merry way all the way to the bank. I envy him,” he added.
The literary icon warned that such censorship was not only counterproductive but also dangerous to democratic development.
“We have been through this before, over and over again, ad nauseum. We know where it all ends. It is boring, time-wasting, diversionary but most essential of all, subversive of all seizures of the fundamental right of free expression,” Soyinka said.
He warned that the ban creates “a permissive atmosphere of trickle-down power,” where state authorities feel emboldened to clamp down on dissent.
Soyinka’s statement also touched on broader issues of impunity and mob violence in Nigeria, lamenting the recent lynching of 19 youths in Edo State.
“My heart goes out to friends, colleagues and families of victims and traumatised survivors of this senseless slaughter. Our thirst for justice must remain unslaked,” he said.
Referencing the 2022 killing of Deborah Samuel in Sokoto, Soyinka criticised the culture of impunity, saying, “Identified killers were set free to gloat, and paste their photos on the Social Media… in full daylight glare, in the presence of both citizen voyeurs and security forces.”
He called for accountability, warning that “as long as the culture of impunity is given the sheerest strain of legitimacy in any given cause, such gruesome assaults on our common humanity will continue to prevail.”
Soyinka concluded by urging the relevant regulatory body to reverse what he described as a “petulant irrationality,” warning that any government that only tolerates praise-singers “has already commenced a downhill slide into the abyss.”