Welcome To Egungwu Chukwuka Benjamin's Journalism Archive

BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN ✓ Rivers: President Tinubu's State Of Emergency Declaration Sparks Controversy March has been a chaotic month with very dramatic news stories. The feud between FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the suspended Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, appears to be a complex one. Following the feud, on 18th March, 2025, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended the state governor, his deputy, and members of the state assembly for six months. He appointed Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas, a retired Chief Naval Officer, as the sole administrator of the state. The federal government's decision was hinged on Section 305 of the Nigerian Constitution, claiming that the prolonged political instability, constitutional breaches, and security threats were reasons for taking the extraordinary decision to address the crisis between the two parties concerned. The above action by the federal government raised concerns about ...

  A s we approach the rainy season, residents and users of Lagos state roads get ready for the familiar situation of flooded roads in different locations within the state. However, I feel more concerned about the usual flooding in Kunsela Road, Ikate Elegushi, Lekki, during raining seasons due to my daily commute to work. I was triggered after remembering how difficult it is for users ( motorist and pedestrians) to apply the road. As a pedestrians we found it very difficult to walk through the flooded roads, with water rising above our knees, Sometimes to the waist. We risk being electrocuted by any exposed wire, contracting diseases, and also losing our valuables to the flood. A few weeks ago, I observed tractors clearing the gutters (drainage) along Kusenla Road. However, it’s very clear that the gutters are not deep enough to accommodate the heavy rainfall, which leads to the road being flooded. After the exercise sands were heaped by the sides, which I guess will make the road ...

  ✓ Babangida's Admission: June 12 Election Summarized O n Thursday, 20th February, 2025, former Nigerian leader, General Ibrahim Babangida, finally affirmed to the majority opinion that Late Chief, Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, won the presidential election in 1993. The revelation was made at the launch of his autobiography, titled "A Journey In Service", at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja, with many dignitaries in attendance, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo, former President of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, former Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, Labour party's 2023 presidential election candidate, Peter Obi, Atiku Abubakar et-al. In the occasion, former Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, who reviewed the book, stated that the author, General Ibrahim Babangida, admitted that late MKO Abiola actually won the June 12, 1993, general election.  In some of his words; "....General Ibrahim Babangida also answers ...

  BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN ✓ Tinubu’s Legacy Projects: Right Or Wrong? T he recent naming and renaming of projects after President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu has triggered mixed reactions by Nigerians online and offline. Even Arise TV Anchors, Reuben Abati, Rufai Oseni, and Ayo Mairo-Ese, on Friday, 24th January, weighed on the issue, airing their diverse opinions. On Thursday, 23rd January, President Bola Tinubu commissioned a newly built army barracks in Abuja, named after him. The project is located in the Asokoro area, with the purpose of providing accommodation for Nigerian Army personnel. The project features various facilities, including worship centers, sports centers, a power house with a good road network. Before the commissioning of the project, on 21st January 2025, it was reported on national dailies that the federal government had approved the establishment of a federal polytechnic in Abuja, named after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This was affirmed by the current Minist...

  BY- EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN ✓Alleged Multi-dating: Gospel Singer Arrested With Severed Corp Member’s Head T he internet was thrown into shock as viral news/report by many news outlets and national dailies revealed on 14th January, 2025, how a self-proclaimed gospel singer, Timilehin Ajayi, was nabbed by the Nasarawa State Police Command for murdering and dismembering his twenty-four-year-old girlfriend’s, Salome Enejo. Enejo was undergoing her mandatory one-year National Youth Service (NYSC) and was attached to Nicon Insurance in Abuja as her Primary Place of Assignment (PPA). While addressing the incident, the state police command spokesperson, Ramhan Nansel, revealed that the horrific crime was unraveled on Sunday, 12th January, 2025. As the suspect, Timilehin Ajayi, was caught transporting the victim’s head on a commercial motorcycle in the New Karu local government area of Nasarawa State to an undisclosed location. The police rushed to the scene and rescued the suspect from...

  BY – EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN   ✓ Freedom Of Speech VS Defamation: Farotimi’s Arrest Ignites Firestorm   On Tuesday, December 3rd, National newspapers reported about the shocking arrest of renowned Nigerian legal partisioner and activist, Dele Farotimi by police officers from the Ekiti State Police Command. The officers traveled to Lagos to apprehend Farotimi, who was taken down to Ekiti state and held in custody until his court appearance. According to reports, Farotimi was arrested and detained following a petition filed by Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Chief Afe Babalola. This triggered online chaos, as many condemned the arrest and referred to it as an abuse of power. It led to call for his release with the hashtag #FreeDeleFarotimiNow by netizens on X (formerly Twitter), and many notable individuals, including Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), the 2023 Labour Party’s presidential candidate Peter Obi, and non-profit associations like the Yoruba socio-cultural organization, Afen...

BY – EGUNGWU CHUKWUKA BENJAMIN ✓ Emefiele Embroiled In Corruption Scandal   First week of December, a shocking revelation erupted, as former central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele was linked to a massive estate with 753 duplexes and apartments in Lokogoma, Abuja. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seized the property, and the news sent shockwaves across the country, with alot of buzz on online and offline. The EFCC’s investigation alleged that Emefiele and his associates acquired the properties with proceeds from forex kickbacks. The estate which covers 150,462.86 square meters, was abandoned after Emefiele’s arrest in June 2023. On Tuesday, 3rd December, The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), secured final forfeiture of the duplexes in Abuja, but stated that no individual or organisation accepted ownership of the properties. Though in the court papers, they claimed that they discovered the property while investigating the former CBN govern...

  By Egungwu Chukwuka Benjamin O ur Nation has been plagued by poverty for decades. Despite having vast natural resources, the country is termed one of the poorest in the world. Poverty in Nigeria is not just a result of economic mismanagement; it is also a deliberate tool used by the leaders in the country to subjugate or bring down its citizens. Let us have an overview of what poverty entails. Poverty is often thought to be just the lack of money, but it is more than that. It goes beyond just physical or material needs. According to the World Bank Organisation, “Poverty is hunger. Poverty is lack of shelter. Poverty is limited access to education and healthcare. Poverty is vulnerability to violence and exploitation. Poverty is feeling voiceless and powerless to change one’s circumstances.” The Nigerian government has consistently failed to address the country’s poverty crisis, instead, they focus on trivia issues such as; changing the national anthem, renovating properties, build...