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Gbandi Again!!!Re: Redeployment of Senator Victor Umeh, a necessary change for diaspora

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Gbandi Again!!!
Re: Redeployment of Senator Victor Umeh, a necessary change for diaspora


By: Emmy Ekong, Warri.

Barely 24 hours after the redeployment of Sen. Victor Umeh from the Senate Committee Chairman on Diaspora and Non-Govermental Organizations (NGOs), Hon. Kenneth Gbandi, a man renowned for not seeing anything good in Nigeria and Nigerians, has taken to town again in his usual stock in trade of running down achievers and compatriots as if he has no other job, which, in fairness, he does not. So, may be he has created an oversight function for himself to keep him busy, albeit a very mischievous one.

This time around, he took on Sen. Umeh, who has achieved greatness during his short tenure on
his last committee assignment as well as a Senator representing his people well.

It is obvious from his write up that he did not get the attention of Senator Umeh who refused to be dragged into petty, tribal politics.

It is worthy of note that most of the allegations labelled against him on the issue of diaspora voting is not correct. His view is that a lot needs to be put in place before subjecting the Diaspora to vote to avoid breach in any form whatsoever. To me, this is not a bad opinion, an opinion echoed by many.

As a Senator, he has his fundamental human rights to air his own opinion on any matter.

Similarly, regarding the condusive Investment Climate Policies, it is not the responsibility of the Senator to create that for the Diasporas beyond his legislative duties which he has performed creditable well. It is the duty of the Executive arm through its Ministries, Departments and Agencies. Such responsibilities are being handled by Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investment, as well as Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM). The Commission every November holds the annual Nigerian Diaspora Investment Summit, (NDIS), a platform where business owners and prospective investors meet and interacts for possible investment opportunities.

Sen. Umeh attended the past two events since inauguration of his Committee and had the opportunity to interact with the Diasporas in attendance. The Diaspora in the last five years have been investing massively in healthcare, good business, education, ICT, agriculture. And a lot more is on the way, with the Minister of Trade promising soon to be rolled out targeted incentives.

Am equally aware that , NiDCOM in collaboration with the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN) has the Diaspora Mortgage Housing Scheme Project, a project designed for the Diaspora to own their own properties in any part of the country without loosing funds
Senator Umeh’s legislative backing has been crucial
In a nutshell, it will be unfair for Gbandi and his cohorts to rubbish the achievements of the Distinguished Senator on the alter of opposition.

Umeh has in many occasions identified with the Dispora Communities and has been so acknowledged.

Encomiums still continue to pour in on his most recent robust engagements in Canada and South Africa, and his demand for intervention in cases of Nigerians in foreign Prisons.

On the issue of board for the Diaspora Commission, this is at the behest of Mr President and has nothing to do with the Senator, even though, the whole world knows that Gbandi is desperately lobbying for it since the establishment of NIDCOM, so as to turn it to be another sit-tight NIDO Europe where Gbandi refused to vacate the seat even after the expiration of his tenure. Thanks to Gbandhi and his handful of cohorts, NIDOe is now torn apart . And with the Oronsaye report which recommends NiDCOM to be an agency rather than a Commission ,the status of the board is unclear.

Let me use this opportunity to advise the newly appointed Chairman, Senate Committee on Diaspora and NGOs, Natasha Akpoti to be wary of slippery critics like Kenneth Gbandi and concentrate on her legislative duties geared towards achieving excellence for her Kogi constituencies as well as Nigerians in the Diaspora. Gbandi ’s criticism, in less than 24 hours of Senator Natasha’s appointment is just an attempt to lick her boots. She should consult widely and intelligently so that she will not fall prey to the likes of Gbandhi.

We wish Senator Umeh well in his new Chairmanship position but one thing is certain. The Diaspora community would miss his wealth of knowledge, words of encouragement and wisdom.

Gbandi Again!!!
Re: Redeployment of Senator Victor Umeh, a necessary change for diaspora

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Dignitaries Gather In Borno For APC Deputy National Chairman’s Children’s Wedding

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Dignitaries Gather In Borno For APC Deputy National Chairman’s Children’s Wedding

By: Our Reporter

Prominent Nigerians on Saturday converged in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to attend the wedding ceremony of three children of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Deputy National Chairman (North), Hon. Dr. Ali Bukar Dalori.

Gatekeepers News reports that there was heavy traffic in parts of Maiduguri as dignitaries from all works of life made frantic effort to access the residence of Dalori and the Al-Ansar Mosque, the two main venues of the wedding ceremony.

Among those in attendance were top government officials, party leaders, traditiona rulers, business moguls, and religious leaders from within and outside Borno State. The ceremony attracted a large crowd, reflecting Dr. Dalori’s political influence and wide network across the country.

Leading the array of dignitaries is the National Chairman of the APC Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, othe members of National Woking Committee of the APC and large numbers of States Chairmen of the party .

Also in attendance were the Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, his Deputy, Hon Umar Kadafur , three Senators from the state- Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno, Senator Mohammed Ndume Senator Kaka Shehu Lawan and members of the House of Representatives from Borno State

Others are the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen, Abubakar Kyari, Speaker, Deputy Speaker and members of Borno State House of Assembly , former Nigeria Ambassador to China, Ambassador Baba Ahmed Jidda, Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Alh. Ibrahim Bunu, Ibrahim , Former Deputy Governors of Borno State- Ali Jatau and Adamu Dibal .

The Deputy National Chairman of the APC was full of gratitude to his guests who left their various confort zones to attend wedding of his children- Usman, Falmata and Aisha .

” I’m immensely grateful our National Chairman of APC Professor Nentawe, our amiable Governor of Borno State Prof Babagana Zulum, the Deputy Governor Umar Kadafur and the too many important personalities who came from far and near to honour my invitation, may Allah (SAW) bless you all ” Dalori said .

The wedding rites were conducted in accordance with Islamic injunctions, featuring special prayers for the couples, their families,. The atmosphere was marked by joy, unity, and cultural splendour, as guests exchanged pleasantries and goodwill messages with the host and his family

Security operatives were deployed in large numbers around the venues to maintain law and order and ensure the smooth flow of activities. Traffic control officers were also on ground to manage the influx of vehicles and guests, while emergency and protocol teams worked tirelessly to coordinate movements and logistics.

The wedding ceremony came to a successful end with a reception that featured traditional music, refreshments, and continued interactions among guests, bringing together leaders and citizens in a rare atmosphere of celebration and solidarity.

Dignitaries Gather In Borno For APC Deputy National Chairman’s Children’s Wedding

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JUST IN: Boko Haram terrorists demand N423m ransom to release Borno ex-LGA vice chairman

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JUST IN: Boko Haram terrorists demand N423m ransom to release Borno ex-LGA vice chairman

By: Our Reporter

A new video has emerged showing two men, allegedly abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP terrorists in Borno State, pleading for help.

One of the victims, Hon. Hassan Biu Miringa, a former Vice Chairman of Biu Local Government Area, is seen in the video appealing for rescue.

The two men were taken hostage on December 17, 2025, while traveling from Miringa to Maiduguri.

In the video, the abductees said the terrorists are demanding a ransom of $150,000 per person, totaling $300,000, for their release.

‘We were abducted on our way from Miringa to Maiduguri around 2:30. Alhamdulillah, we are alive,’ one of the victims said. ‘We are calling on the government and individuals to come to our rescue.’

The victims specifically appealed to Deputy Governor Umar Usman Kadafur, Hon. Mukhtar Betara Aliyu, Hon. Sule Ali Rimi, Hon. Yakubu Gambo Kimba, and Alhaji Musa Dogo Biu to intervene and help secure their freedom.

‘We are pleading with them to come to our rescue. We are their sons,” the victim said. ‘They said we must provide $150,000 each. For the two of us, it is $300,000. We want to be reunited with our families.’

JUST IN: Boko Haram terrorists demand N423m ransom to release Borno ex-LGA vice chairman

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Nigerian Solidarity Groups Mourn Cubans Killed in Venezuela, Condemn U.S. Actions

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Nigerian Solidarity Groups Mourn Cubans Killed in Venezuela, Condemn U.S. Actions

By: Michael Mike

The Nigeria Movement of Solidarity with Cuba (NMSC) has expressed deep condolences to the government and people of Cuba following the killing of 32 Cuban internationalists in Venezuela.

In a press statement issued in Abuja on Saturday, the pro-people coalition, which includes labour unions, civil society organisations and intellectuals, alleged that the Cuban nationals were killed during an attack in Caracas on January 3, 2026, while protecting Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, his wife, Cilia Flores, and what it described as the sovereignty of Venezuela.

The group said the Cubans chose to resist despite being overwhelmed, describing their actions as a demonstration of courage, honour and commitment to international solidarity.

NMSC drew parallels between the incident and past historical events where Cuban nationals were involved in overseas struggles, including the 1983 U.S.-led invasion of Grenada and Cuba’s military support for African liberation movements in Angola, Namibia and South Africa during the fight against apartheid.

According to the organisation, thousands of Cuban youths lost their lives in Africa while contributing to the dismantling of apartheid systems backed by Western powers. The group noted that Cuba’s internationalism has not been limited to armed conflicts, citing the country’s long-standing medical outreach to developing nations, including Nigeria.

The statement also recalled Cuba’s response during the COVID-19 pandemic, when it dispatched medical teams to dozens of countries and received hundreds of stranded cruise ship passengers at a time many nations had closed their borders.

NMSC extended its sympathy to the families of those killed in Venezuela and called on the United States government to respect international law, halt what it described as foreign military interventions, and lift sanctions imposed on Cuba, Venezuela and other countries.

The group further aligned itself with repeated resolutions of the United Nations General Assembly calling for the end to the decades-long U.S. embargo against Cuba, insisting that global peace and development require cooperation rather than conflict.

The statement was signed by veteran labour activist and writer, Owei Lakemfa, on behalf of the Nigeria Movement of Solidarity with Cuba

Nigerian Solidarity Groups Mourn Cubans Killed in Venezuela, Condemn U.S. Actions

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