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Institution of Marriage Faces Extinction, Former Envoy Raises Alarm
Institution of Marriage Faces Extinction, Former Envoy Raises Alarm
By: Michael Mike
The institution of marriage is on its way to extinction while infantilism and criminal propensities are fast being accepted as the new normal, former Nigerian Ambassador to Mozambique, Albert Omotayo has lamented.
The former envoy, who In a bid to strengthen family ties in Nigeria and ensure nation building presented a book titled: “Fifty Reasons Why I Love You” to the public, decried that the rate of separation and divorce in the country is soaring, insisting that this could only be checked with true love and strong marriage institution.
Speaking at the presentation of the book in Abuja on Tuesday, Omotayo who was a Private Secretary to former President Olusegun Obasanjo when he was the Federal Commissioner for Works in the 1970s and later as the Head of State said the battle against marriage and the family is fierce and sustained, yet soft and elusive.
Ambassador Omotayo who also inaugurated Qoodrat Adebola Abeni Omotayo Literary Award (QAAOLA) in honour of his wife said: “The rate of separation and divorce is soaring everywhere, the socio-intellectual movements which articulate marriage to be bondage that must be broken are gaining more ground and their disciples are fast growing.
“The world is getting drowned deeper in the sea of consumerism and instant creation, the root of world-wide economic hardship and inter-personal intolerance which is in turn pushing our humanness to a dangerous limit and making ordinary relationships increasingly more difficult to maintain.”
The former envoy also lamented that values in all walks of life are being turned upside-down in a counter-cultural protest against “old culture and tradition.”
The retired diplomat said he wrote the book not only to promote good family value system in Nigeria, but to also appreciate his wife whom he noted staunchly believes in marriage institution and transparently lives it.
On why he inaugurated a non-profit organisation for his wife who is also an Author, and who turned 50 on Tuesday, Omotayo said “The NGO is a literary award because the crusade is not about laws, it is about the reorientation of human mind which can be challenged and move to change only through writings in all manners of genre”
In his remarks, a former Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Zubairu Dada commended Omotayo for coming up with a book that touches on love at the family level and advised Nigerians to read the book which he noted is capable of strengthening family ties and creating a better society.
Omotayo’s wife, Abeni who is a former Chairperson of Ekiti State Chapter of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), said she would continue to impact on lives and not relent in her efforts at promoting literary arts. She commended her husband for being a pillar of support.
A former National President of Association of Nigerian Authors, Denja Abdullahi, Chairman of the occasion, Professor Vicky Sylvester, the book reviewer, Miss Salamatu Sule, all commended Ambassador Omotayo for writing the book, and also described his wife as a virtuous woman.
Institution of Marriage Faces Extinction, Former Envoy Raises Alarm
NA CAT Week: Army Flags Off Free Medical Outreach in Kaduna Community
By Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army has commenced pre-event activities for its Combat Arms Training (CAT) Week 2026 with a free medical outreach for residents of Birnin Yaro community in Kaduna State.
Security sources said the outreach, which held on May 2, was flagged off by the Chief of Integrated Combat Arms, Maj.-Gen. G.M. Mutkut, as part of preparations for the CAT Week scheduled to take place at Jaji Military Cantonment from May 4 to May 8, 2026.
The sources disclosed that the programme provided free medical consultations and treatment for members of the host community, as well as personnel and their family members.
According to the sources, the initiative was designed to strengthen civil-military relations while improving access to basic healthcare services for underserved communities.
They added that senior officers, including the Principal Staff Officer from Headquarters Infantry Corps Centre and members of the Central Organising Committee for the CAT Week, were in attendance.
The sources noted that the event was conducted peacefully and without any incident.
NA CAT Week: Army Flags Off Free Medical Outreach in Kaduna Community
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists in Borno, Recover Phones and Charms
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested two suspected terrorists during a patrol operation in Ngamdu town, Kaga Local Government Area of Borno State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 5:35 p.m. on May 2 by troops of 154 Battalion while on routine patrol within the area.
The sources disclosed that the suspects were intercepted and arrested during the patrol.
According to the sources, items recovered from them include one mobile phone, one keypad phone, a power bank, charms and other sundry items.
They added that the suspects are currently in military custody for further interrogation and investigation.
The sources noted that further action will be taken after profiling, while patrols in the area have been intensified to maintain security dominance.
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists in Borno, Recover Phones and Charms
Four Killed, Three Injured in Attack on Illegal Mining Site in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Four persons have been killed and three others injured following an attack by unknown gunmen at an illegal mining site in Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 1:30 p.m. on May 2 at Mazat mining site, where the victims were reportedly engaged in unauthorised mining activities.
The sources disclosed that the assailants opened fire on the victims, killing four on the spot while three others sustained varying degrees of gunshot injuries.
According to the sources, the injured victims—two females and one male—were rushed to a nearby hospital for medical attention and are currently receiving treatment.
They added that the corpses of the deceased have been deposited at the hospital morgue for autopsy.
The sources further noted that security operatives were mobilised to the scene, while additional deployments have been made to track down the perpetrators.
They reiterated that night mining activities remain prohibited in the state, stressing that investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Four Killed, Three Injured in Attack on Illegal Mining Site in Plateau
NA CAT Week: Army Flags Off Free Medical Outreach in Kaduna Community
Troops Arrest Two Suspected Terrorists in Borno, Recover Phones and Charms
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