WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Ukrainian artillery attack kills three Russian journalists, regional head says

A Ukrainian artillery strike on Monday killed six people including three journalists in eastern Ukraine's Luhansk region, the region's Russia-installed governor said.

The media outlets concerned confirmed that their journalists had been killed in the attack. Another Russian official said the journalists had been targeted by the Ukrainian military.

There was no comment from Ukrainian officials.

The attack killed a journalist from Russia's Izvestia media outlet, Alexander Fedorchak, as well as camera operator Andrei Panov and driver Alexander Sirkeli working for Russian state television channel Zvezda, according to Leonid Pasechnik, the Russian-appointed governor of Luhansk region.

Zvezda said its correspondent, Nikita Goldin, had been seriously wounded in the attack, which it described as a strike on a civilian vehicle.

Alexander Miroshnik, an ambassador-at-large for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said there was evidence the journalists had been targeted.

"More and more details are emerging of the killing of these guys that point to the premeditated and terrorist nature of the strike on journalists and people alongside them," he wrote on Telegram.

Russian news agencies quoted security sources as saying the strike had been carried out by a HIMARS missile supplied to Ukraine by the United States.

Izvestia said Fedorchak had gone into Luhansk region after reporting from the Kupiansk area in neighbouring Kharkiv region, one of the areas where Russian forces have made advances in recent months.

A freelance reporter working for Izvestia was killed in Ukraine in January.

Data provided earlier in the war by the Committee to Protect Journalists counted at least 15 journalists killed since Russia's February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Nearly all of the Luhansk region has been captured by Russian forces in the more than three-year-old war pitting Moscow against Kyiv.

Russian forces have concentrated on capturing the eastern Donbas - made up of Luhansk and Donetsk regions - after their initial drive failed to reach the capital Kyiv in the early stages of the invasion.

Luhansk and Donetsk have been annexed and incorporated into Russia, along with two other regions partly held by Russia - Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Kiev attacks internationally-operated oil pipeline in Russia – Moscow

An armed Ukrainian drone was shot down overnight near an oil pumping station in Russia operated by an international company, the Russian Defense Ministry has said.

The interception reportedly occurred early Monday around 7km from the Kropotkinskaya facility, which is part of the energy link managed by the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC). The ministry stated that the station was the intended target of the drone, citing a prior attack against it in mid-February.

The CPC includes major US oil companies such as Chevron and ExxonMobil among its stakeholders and primarily facilitates the export of Kazakh oil through Russian territory.

Moscow characterized the incident as yet another violation of a US-mediated partial ceasefire, under which both Moscow and Kiev committed to refraining from strikes on energy infrastructure.

The agreement aims to pave the way for a broader truce, with indirect negotiations taking place this week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The discussions will also focus on maritime security in the Black Sea. The US is serving as a shuttle, with no direct discussions between Russia and Ukraine planned.

”The Kiev regime continues to plan, prepare, and execute attacks against energy infrastructure, including internationally-owned assets within Russia,” the ministry said.

Last week, the Russian military accused Kiev of conducting a kamikaze drone strike against an oil transfer station in Krasnodar Region, which services the CPC-operated pipeline. The incident occurred hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, approved the partial ceasefire. By the time the assault unfolded, Ukraine’s Vladimir Zelensky publicly endorsed the agreement.

Days later, Moscow reported that Ukrainian forces had demolished a border gas metering station in Kursk Region, with Kiev attributing the explosion to Russian actions. According to the Russian military, Ukrainian troops blew up the facility during their retreat after a months-long incursion.

Despite what the Defense Ministry labeled a “provocation,” it stated that it intends to maintain the partial ceasefire. The Foreign Ministry later warned, however, that Russia could withdraw from the deal if Kiev continues its violations.

Reuters/RT

As we celebrate five years of the impactful leadership of the Most Reverend Henry Chukudum Ndukuba at the helm of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), it is fitting to reflect on a remarkable tenure that has revitalized the Church and inspired countless lives across the nation and beyond.

His journey to the apex of the Church began on March 20, 2020, amid the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. What could have been a moment of despair turned into an opportunity for divine intervention as he assumed office in a low-key presentation service at the Cathedral Church of the Advent, Life Camp, Gwarinpa, Abuja—armed with faith and determination.

Ndukuba’s first television interview on Advent Cable Network Nigeria Television (ACNNTV) on May 1, 2020, set the stage for a revolutionary agenda he aptly titled “The Decade of the Rule of God.” This bold declaration was not just a slogan; it was a rallying cry for a renewed commitment to living out Christ’s teachings and transforming society. As he stepped out of the Cathedral that day, I, as one of the worshippers, could see a reinvigorated Ndukuba hitting the ground running.

In my published article on September 20, 2020, I emphasized how Ndukuba would lead the Church of Nigeria’s transformative evangelical revival over the next decade—an initiative designed to equip members to lead lives that not only please God but also actively engage with the world around them.

I further underscored his vision for a community of intentional disciples of Jesus Christ, empowered to combat social vices and embody the Gospel in every aspect of life.

I wrote:

“Primate Ndukuba’s passion for this mission is infectious. He recognizes that all Christians are called to action, yet many have settled into complacency, focusing solely on personal survival. During his inauguration, he boldly declared that his ten-year mandate would be ‘a decade of God’s reign,’ emphasizing the urgent need for a reawakening of faith, evangelism, and discipleship. His clarion call at the 11th Synod of the Diocese of Abuja in July resonated deeply: the Church must prepare for a revival that transforms families, communities, and every sector of national life.”

And truly, Ndukuba has not only talked the talk; he has walked the talk with energetic fervor, spearheading an unprecedented wave of gospel outreach that has ignited passion across every diocese in Nigeria. His accomplishments are not just statistics; they represent lives transformed and communities uplifted.

Key Achievements in Five Years

1. Youth Empowerment: The Joshua Generation International Youth Conference (JGIYC) has become a beacon of hope, reversing youth attrition from the Anglican Church. Initiatives like the Anglican Football Team, Music Team, Drama and Movie Team, and the National Youth Mission’s N5 Billion Investment Fund demonstrate a commitment to engaging and uplifting the next generation.

2. Church Growth and Evangelism: Ndukuba has prioritized evangelism, leading to remarkable growth. As Bishop of Gombe, he expanded the diocese from 18 to over 150 churches, a testament to his dedication to spreading the Gospel and nurturing faith communities.

3. Social Responsibility through ACADI: The Anglican Compassionate and Development Initiative (ACADI) has launched impactful projects such as NAWADA2, CHE, and GBV prevention, reflecting the Church’s commitment to addressing critical social issues.

4. Innovative Liturgical Resources: As chairman of the Liturgy and Spirituality Committee, Ndukuba has ensured the continuous production of vital church materials, fostering spiritual growth and enhancing worship experiences.

5. Inclusive Bible Translation: Through collaborations with organizations like the Nigeria Bible Translation Trust, he has worked to make the scriptures accessible to diverse linguistic groups, ensuring the Gospel reaches every corner of society.

6. Global Outreach through CONNAM: Under his leadership, the Church of Nigeria established the Church of Nigeria North American Mission (CONNAM), expanding its influence and strengthening the Anglican presence in the U.S. and Canada.

7. Advocacy for Good Governance: Primate Ndukuba has been a steadfast advocate for ethical leadership and social justice, addressing corruption and underdevelopment with boldness and conviction.

His unwavering commitment to evangelism was powerfully articulated during his recent address at the Biannual Standing Committee in Port Harcourt. He emphasized that living for God means “calling and walking with God,” challenging believers to embody Christ’s character and spread the Gospel globally.

A Vision for the Future

Ndukuba’s vision extends beyond evangelism to education and human development. The forthcoming Church of Nigeria Education Policy, spearheaded by Olugbemiro Jegede, aims to elevate educational standards. Meanwhile, the Church of Nigeria University of Technology in Kweita is set to launch within the next 18 months—a significant milestone in the Church’s commitment to education.

Additionally, the Church of Nigeria Conference Center, once completed, will serve as a hub for major conferences, further solidifying the Church’s role in faith and community engagement. The Church’s Health and Medical Mission is also being revitalized to ensure comprehensive healthcare for members, alongside a dedicated healing ministry.

Conclusion

The past five years under Primate Ndukuba’s visionary leadership have been nothing short of transformative. The Church of Nigeria is not merely surviving; it is thriving—spreading the Gospel with renewed vigor and making a profound impact on countless lives.

As we look ahead, let us unite in prayer and action, championing the mission of Christ and embracing the incredible journey before us. Together, we can ensure that this decade truly becomes a testament to the reign of God in our lives and communities.

I join many in prayer for our Primate and his wife, Angela, that they will complete their decade of primacy with excellence, in Jesus’ name.

** Folu Olamiti writes from Abuja.

Kloe Quill

The gut has long been linked to overall health, underscoring the importance of feeding it well.

A new study shows that eating citrus fruits, such as oranges, may lower the risk of depression by about 20% — and experts say it’s due to the way it interacts with the stomach.

The study, published in the journal Microbiome, found that the positive effects of citrus are linked to how the fruits impact the gut microbiome, which includes the bacteria living in the stomach.

The researchers analyzed data from the Nurses’ Health Study II (NHS2), which began in 1989 and tracked chronic diseases among 100,000 womenin the U.S., according to a press release.

The participants provided information about their lifestyle, diet, medication use and health. They also provided stool samples for DNA analysis.

"We found that regularly eating citrus may lead to more than a 20% reduction in future risk for depression," lead author Raaj Mehta, MD, an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School and physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, told Fox News Digital. 

"Eating citrus was linked to a greater abundance of F. prausnitzii, a gut bacteria that may make chemicals that boost production of serotonin and dopamine, which can help you feel happier."

Based on the abundance of this bacteria, researchers believe there may be a link between citrus fruits and improved mental health.

"When we look at people’s total fruit or vegetable consumption, or at other individual fruits such as apples or bananas, we don’t see any relationship between intake and risk of depression," Mehta noted.

The researcher said he was surprised by the finding.

"If you had asked me to name a ‘brain food’ before starting our study, I would not have said oranges. I probably would have told you that we would find a signal for salmon or nuts," he shared.

Citrus fruits aren't the only food that can boost gut health, experts agree.

Foods high in fiber like vegetables, legumes and whole grains are great for the gut, according to registered dietitian nutritionist Tanya Freirich, who is based in Charlotte, North Carolina.

"We know that complex carbohydrates are better for our gut health than refined carbohydrates and sugar, and that whole foods are more beneficial than processed foods," she told Fox News Digital.

Foods that contain probiotics are also beneficial for gut health, according to the expert. These can include yogurt, kombucha and other fermented foods.

Citrus can be incorporated into the diet in many ways, Freirich said.

"Eat an orange as a snack, add lemon or lime juice to marinate your fish or animal protein for dinner, or add grapefruit pieces into a salad," she suggested.

This doesn’t mean those already on mental health treatments should ditch their prescriptions for a grapefruit, however.

"It’s hard to compare the effectiveness of citrus to traditional antidepressants [such as SSRIs]," said Mehta.

"We’re talking about preventing depression, and those drugs are usually used to treat depression once a person is already experiencing it."

The study did have some limitations, the researcher acknowledged.

"Our study was only conducted among women, but there is no reason why this would not apply to men as well," he told Fox News Digital. "We found no evidence that age, diet and lifestyle meaningfully affect our findings."

While the results do not prove that eating citrus prevents depression, researchers observed that the greatest benefit is seen with about one serving of citrus per day — approximately one medium orange.

"Since eating fruits and vegetables is generally good for you, I happily enjoy my daily orange," he shared with Fox News Digital.

In the future, citrus consumption could be explored as part of larger strategies for managing depression, but more research is needed before drawing such a conclusion, according to Mehta.

"If comfort foods make you feel happy in the short term, why can’t healthy foods like citrus - ‘mood foods’ - make you feel happier in the long term?"

Fox News

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Professor Wale Are Olaitan, who departed this life today March 24, 2025, after a prolonged illness that began in 2020.

Born in September 1964 in Ijebu Igbo, Ijebu North LGA of Ogun State, Professor Olaitan was a distinguished scholar, a passionate educator, and a relentless advocate for social justice.

His academic journey began at Molusi College, Ijebu-Igbo, after which he worked briefly as a secondary school teacher before gaining admission to the Political Science Department of Ogun State University (now Olabisi Onabanjo University), Ago-Iwoye, as part of its pioneering class in 1982. He graduated in 1986 as the Overall Best Student, delivering the university’s first-ever valedictory speech. Recognizing his brilliance and exemplary conduct, the university immediately appointed him as a Graduate Assistant and sponsored his postgraduate studies at the University of Ibadan, where he earned a doctorate in Political Science.

A renowned expert in Political Theory and State-Society Relations, Olaitan authored and co-authored over 40 books and academic papers published in local and international journals. His contributions to academia and governance were profound, serving in various capacities at the university, including Head of the Political Science Department, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences, Deputy Vice-Chancellor, and ultimately, as the first alumnus to become Vice-Chancellor.

Beyond academia, Professor Olaitan was a prolific public intellectual. He maintained a widely respected weekly column, “Discourse,” in the Nigerian Tribune, where he passionately engaged with national and global issues. He syndicated the same column in NewsScroll, an online newspaper on which board he served as Editorial Advisor. Throughout his career, he stood firmly with the marginalized, using his voice to champion the cause of ordinary Nigerians, the poor, and the oppressed.

Professor Olaitan is survived by his wife, Kemi, and two cherished children, Alanu and Judge.

His legacy of scholarship, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to justice will continue to inspire generations to come. He’ll be sorely missed.

An explosion has been reported at Soku gas pipeline along the Soku-Elok (Abua)-Rumuji-Bonny export terminal in Rivers state.

Confirming the development, Christian Otiasah, an environmental manager in Soku community, said the explosion triggered a fire that began late Saturday night.

Although the cause of the explosion remains unknown at the time of reporting, Otiasah said the incident occurred between 10 pm and 11 pm on March 22.

“There was an explosion and there was an attendant fire. The fire has been put off. It was put off because the Soku gas plant is automated such that depending on the impact, it can shut down itself,” he said.

“In other words, it can also isolate affected lines and starve off that line. If you starve the source of oxygen, the fire will naturally go off.

“The explosion actually occurred along the delivery gas line, not in the gas plant.”

The incident comes almost a week after an explosion ruptured a segment of the Trans-Niger Pipeline (TNP) in Bodo community, Gokana local government area (LGA) of the state.

The TNP, a critical federal oil transport line, feeds crude to the Bonny export terminal in Rivers.

Now under the control of Renaissance, the TNP was formerly operated by the Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC).

The explosion had led to a temporary shutdown and raised concerns about potential environmental damage and oil supply disruption from the facility.

On March 19, Tony Okonedo, Renaissance Group’s spokesperson, told TheCable that operations have resumed at the facility following a “third-party intervention”.

The Cable

Former Sokoto State governor and currently a senator, Aminu Tambuwal, has picked holes in the declaration of state of emergency in Rivers State by President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu declared state of emergency in Rivers and suspended Governor Siminalayi Fubara, his Deputy, Ngozi Odu, the Rivers Assembly for six months and appointed a retired Naval chief, Ibok-Ete Ibas, as the state’s sole administrator.

Following the development, many Nigerians, including politicians, civil society organisations and other groups have expressed different views on the legality or otherwise of such action.

Speaking to the Sunday Sun in Abuja, Tambuwal, also a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, said the action fell short of the provision of the constitution as the Senate did not garner the constitutional two-thirds majority of members required to approve it.

He said, “I will be speaking to you from the point of view of being a lawyer, a member of the Body of Benchers and a life Bencher for that matter and not necessarily as a lawmaker who is a member of the 10th Senate. And, in addition to that, possibly my experience as a former presiding officer, former Speaker of the House of Representatives who presided over a matter such as this in 2013.

“Section 305 of the Constitution is very clear. It is unambiguous, the language is very plain, of the Constitution as to first, how the president can declare a state of emergency and what is required of the legislature, the two chambers – both the Senate and the House of Representatives before passing such a resolution.

“What is required is that you must obtain and have two-thirds of all the members, of either of the two chambers, in support of the resolution.

“In the case of what happened in the Senate, where I belong, I don’t know whether members of your team, who are members of the press corps, had the privilege of checking the (Senate) register to see whether there were up to 72, 73 senators on the floor. From what I saw, there was no such number on the floor on that day.

“So, if you juxtapose that to the requirement of the Constitution which says that the Senate must have two-thirds of its members, all of its members to pass that resolution, in support of it, not just present and voting. No! Supporting it. It means that what was done fell short of the provision of the Constitution.”

The former Speaker further added that the parliament was supposed to be guided by the Constitution, its rules and its precedents.

He also recalled how the National Assembly had to garner quorum before state of emergency was declared in Plateau, Borno, Adamawa and Yobe States under President Obasanjo and Jonathan.

“State of emergency was declared under President (Olusegun) Obasanjo…two thirds had to be garnered, in the Senate and the House of Representatives.

“State of emergency was declared during the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan in 2013, in Borno State. Also in Adamawa and Yobe. We had to garner two thirds.

“So, what stops the current National Assembly from making reference to its own precedents that are domiciled within its own library, within its own records? I can’t understand that. So, it’s part of the problem,” he added.

Daily Trust

Tragedy struck in Anka Local Government Area of Zamfara State as six operatives of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards popularly known as Askarawa, and four local vigilantes were killed in an ambush by bandits.

The attack occurred on Saturday following a successful joint security operation led by the Nigerian Army against criminal elements in Sunke Forest.

Governor Dauda Lawal disclosed in a Facebook post on Sunday that security forces, including the CPG operatives and Nigerian Army personnel, raided the hideouts of the bandits in Sunke Forest.

The operation resulted in the neutralization of several bandits and the recovery of their weapons.

However, as the team was making its way back, it was ambushed by gunmen around the Bagega axis.

The assailants opened fire on the returning security operatives, leading to the tragic loss of ten lives.

Among the deceased were six members of the Community Protection Guards and four local vigilantes, also known as ‘Yan Sakai.’

Additionally, three individuals remain missing—two CPG operatives and one vigilante.

Punch

Israeli strike at Gaza hospital kills Hamas official and aide

An Israeli air strike on a hospital in Gaza killed a senior Hamas leader and an aide on Sunday evening, a Hamas official told the BBC.

Ismail Barhoum, the head of the group's financial affairs, was killed in the strike on Nasser Hospital, the main medical facility in Khan Younis.

He was receiving treatment at the hospital after being wounded in an air strike four days ago, the official said.

Israel's military said it had struck a key Hamas member operating inside the hospital compound following "an extensive intelligence-gathering process" and said that "precise munitions" had been used to mitigate harm.

The Hamas-run health ministry said "many others", including medical personnel, were injured.

The hospital department hit was evacuated after a large portion was destroyed, the ministry said.

Footage verified by the BBC showed people attempting to extinguish a fire after the strike.

Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of using hospitals as hiding places for weapons and command centres, which the group denies.

Another Hamas leader, Salah al-Bardaweel, was killed by a separate Israeli air strike in Khan Younis on Sunday, an official told the BBC.

At least 30 people were killed in Khan Younis and Rafah as of Sunday morning, before the strike on the hospital in the evening, the health ministry said.

Israel resumed its military campaign in Gaza on 18 March, ending a ceasefire that lasted almost two months. Hundreds of people have been killed in strikes since then.

Israel blamed Hamas for rejecting a new US proposal to extend the truce. Hamas, in turn, accused Israel of abandoning the original deal agreed in January.

The war was triggered by Hamas's attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, in which about 1,200 people, mainly civilians, were killed and 251 others taken hostage.

Israel responded to the 7 October attack with a military offensive in Gaza to destroy Hamas, which has killed more than 50,000 people, the Hamas-run health ministry said.

BBC

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Ukraine, US teams hold talks in Saudi Arabia, US envoy hopeful on ending war

Ukrainian and U.S. delegations discussed on Sunday proposals to protect energy facilities and critical infrastructure, Ukraine's defence minister said, part of a diplomatic push by U.S. President Donald Trump to end three years of war.

The meeting in Saudi Arabia, which precedes talks on Monday between the U.S. and Russian delegations, came as U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoffexpressed optimism about the chances for ending Europe's deadliest conflict since World War Two.

"I feel that (Russian President Vladimir Putin) wants peace," Witkoff told Fox News on Sunday.

"I think that you're going to see in Saudi Arabia on Monday some real progress, particularly as it affects a Black Sea ceasefire on ships between both countries. And from that, you'll naturally gravitate into a full-on shooting ceasefire."

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said his country's delegation to Sunday's talks was working in "a completely constructive manner", adding: "The conversation is quite useful, the work of the delegations is continuing.

"But no matter what we say to our partners today, we need to get Putin to give a real order to stop the strikes," Zelenskiy said in a televised statement.

Ukraine's delegation was headed by Defence Minister Rustem Umerov, who said the aim of such contacts was helping to "bring a just peace closer and to strengthen security", though Zelenskiy also said Sunday's talks were essentially "technical".

Putin agreed last week to Trump's proposal for Russia and Ukraine to stop attacks on each other's energy infrastructure for 30 days, but that narrowly defined ceasefire was soon cast into doubt, with both sides reporting continued strikes.

A large-scale Russian drone attack on Kyiv overnight killed at least three people, causing fires in high-rise apartment buildings and damage throughout the capital, Ukrainian officials said on Sunday.

Meanwhile Russian authorities said on Sunday that their air defences had destroyed 59 Ukrainian drones targeting the country's southwestern regions, adding that the strikes had killed one person in Rostov.

Zelenskiy, facing continued advances by Russian troops in eastern Ukraine, has backed Trump's call for a blanket 30-day ceasefire.

'SOMEWHAT UNDER CONTROL'

Trump said on Saturday that efforts to stop further escalation in the Ukraine-Russia war were "somewhat under control". The U.S. hopes to reach a broad ceasefire within weeks, targeting a truce agreement by April 20, Bloomberg News reported on Sunday, citing people familiar with the planning.

White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz said on Sunday the United States was talking through a range of confidence-building measures aimed at ending the war, including on the future of Ukrainian children taken into Russia.

Asked about the goals for the broader negotiations, Waltz said that after a Black Sea ceasefire was agreed, "we'll talk the line of control, which is the actual front lines".

"And that gets into the details of verification mechanisms, peacekeeping, freezing the lines where they are," Waltz said. "And then of course, the broader and permanent peace."

Trump's contacts with Putin - two publicly announced phone calls but possibly other exchanges too - have spooked European leaders who fear Washington could be turning its back on Europe in the hope of striking a peace deal with Russia as part of some broader grand bargain encompassing oil prices, the Middle East and competition with China.

Britain and France are leading European efforts to beef up military and logistical support for Ukraine, and a number of countries have announced plans to increase defence spending as they try to reduce their reliance on the United States.

However, Witkoff on Sunday played down concerns among Washington's European NATO allies that Putin might be emboldened by any peace deal in Ukraine to invade other neighbours.

"I just don't see that he wants to take all of Europe. This is a much different situation than it was in World War Two," Witkoff said.

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Ukrainian armed forces lost over 190 soldiers in Kursk direction in 24 hours

Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian armed forces have lost over 190 soldiers, three combat armored vehicles, and a multiple launch rocket system launcher in the Kursk area, the Russian Defense Ministry reported.

"Over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian armed forces have lost over 190 soldiers, three combat armored vehicles, 16 vehicles, five artillery pieces, six mortars, a multiple launch rocket system launcher, and two ammunition depots were destroyed," the ministry reported.

The Russian Defense Ministry added that units of the Battlegroup North inflicted losses on formations of a mechanized, airborne assault brigade, a marine brigade and three territorial defense brigades of the Ukrainian armed forces in the areas of the settlements of Gogolevka, Gornal, Guevo and Oleshnya during offensive operations. Four enemy counterattacks were repelled.

Reuters/Tass

In Nigeria, history tends to repeat itself with unerring accuracy and in tiresome syntax. When he wrote his Report on the Amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria and Administration in 1919, Frederick Lugard described Nigeria as an “anomaly…. of a country with aggregate revenue practically equal to its needs, but divided into two by an arbitrary line of latitude.” While one portion was fiscally viable, he suggested, the other “was dependent on a grant paid by the British taxpayer.” Through the Amalgamation in 1914, Lugard created a Customs Union in which extraction could be sustained by administering mechanisms of fiscal compensation to smooth over these disparities.

From the get-go, the invention of Nigeria was about the exploitation of resources and property. Rivers State is at the centre of these resources. Towards this goal, the powers of government have historically been mobilised. More than 111 years after the Amalgamation, this raison d’êtreof the Nigerian estate remains resilient. It is both evident and explicit in the machinations that have now eventuated in the declaration of a state of emergency over Rivers State.

When he addressed the country on 18 March to proclaim a state of emergency in Rivers State, Bola Tinubu, Nigeria’s president, claimed that he acted on “security reports made available to [him]” showing “disturbing incidents of vandalisation of pipelines by some militant without the governor taking any action to curtail them.” Importantly, he had not bothered to speak to the State governor to hear his own side of the story, nor did he indicate that any humans had been injured or killed.

Security reports in such situations are provided by the State Security Service, (SSS). It is currently headed as Director-General by Oluwatosin Ajayi, whose stint as State Director of Security (SDS) in Rivers State coincided with the tenure as governor of Nyesom Wike, a principal belligerent in the political conflict in the state.

As a result, the president continued, “no good and responsible president will standby and allow the grave situation to continue without taking remedial steps prescribed by the Constitution to address the situation in the state, which no doubt requires extraordinary measures to restore good governance, peace, order and security.”

These words were not new. When he moved the motion in the federal parliament on 29 May 1962 for the declaration of a state of emergency in the old Western Region, Prime Minister, Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa uttered the original version of the same sentence. After rendering his version of the events in the regional parliament in Ibadan the previous week, the prime minister declared: “No responsible Government of the Federation could allow an explosive situation such as that which now exists in Western Nigeria to continue without taking adequate measures to ensure that there is an early return to the Region of peace, order and good Government.”

Then in the Western Region, as today in Rivers State, there was a political dispute between a predecessor and his successor, both of them of the same party. The predecessor was Obafemi Awolowo, leader of the Action Group, who had transitioned from the office of regional premier to being leader of the Opposition in the federal parliament. His successor as premier was Ladoke Akintola. Although both lawyers, these men had fundamental differences of both provenance and ideology. Awolowo was Ijebu from the south of Yorubaland. Akintola, who grew up in Northern Nigeria, was from Ogbomosho in the north of Yorubaland. Ideologically, Akintola’s politics tended towards conservative populism; Awolowo was more towards democratic socialism.

In May 1962, the National Executive Committee of the Action group resolved to request Akintola to resign as both deputy leader to Awolowo in the party and as premier of the Western Region. Rival factions emerged in the party claiming a majority in the regional parliament. Akintola sought to have the parliament convened for the purpose of procuring a vote of confidence on his government. Both the regional governor and the speaker of the parliament rebuffed his overtures. Instead, outside the parliament, some party officials led by Bola Ige secured the signatures of a majority of elected members withdrawing support from Akintola’s administration.

The party presented these signatures to the governor, Oba Adesoji Aderemi, then the Ooni of Ife, who thereafter invited Dauda Adegbenro to form a new government as regional premier. Attempts to re-convene the regional parliament ended in fracas. As recalled by Awolowo, “one Mr. Oke, a supporter of Akintola, a Member from Ogbomoso, jumped on the desk and was running about on the desk and then lifted a chair and struck somebody on the head. That is how it started, and then thereafter one Mr. Ebubedike, the Member for Badagry, who lives in Ajeromi, took the Mace and then in an attempt to strike the Speaker with the Mace, the Mace struck the table and broke into two.”

On receiving notification of the governor’s decision removing him and designating Adegbenro as regional premier on 21 May 1962, Akintola began proceedings at the High Court of the Western Region. The Chief Justice of the Region – they were called Chief Justice then –Samuel Okai Quashie-Idun, had acted as Chief Justice of Ghana under the government of Kwame Nkrumah. He headed to Nigeria after resigning from Ghana’s judiciary in 1958 over disagreements with the Nkrumah government in the first flush of post-colonial authoritarianism. In 1960, Quashie-Idun became chief justice of the Western Region in succession to Robert Yorke Hedges. As chief justice, he was said to enjoy the support and patronage of Premier Akintola.

The expectation of Akintola was reportedly that the chief justice would afford him expedited hearing and a favourable verdict, handing him under colour of law the boost he needed in this battle of his political life. Instead, Chief Justice Quashie-Idun decided to distil the legal issues and, rather than rule on them, transmitted those to the then Federal Supreme Court for decision. The case eventually traveled up to the Privy Council, where Akintola lost the legal dispute. It is said that a disappointed Akintola withdrew patronage from Quashie-Idun and their relationship never recovered. The following year, Quashie-Idun left the judiciary of the Western Region to East Africa, becoming the president of the East African Court of Appeal, where he died in 1966.

It is thought that Quashie-Idun tried, albeit unsuccessfully, to recover the relationship. In June 1963, he dismissed the action by Adegbenro of the Action Group, seeking to invalidate the appointment of Odeleye Fadahunsi as regional governor, and denied Adegbenro leave to appeal to the Federal Supreme Court. 

The disagreement between Quashie-Idun and Akintola was in reality unbridgeable. As chief justice, he saw a legal dispute which deserved judicial dispassion. For Akintola, it was a political dispute in which the role of the judiciary was to serve as his instrument. In 1962, Quashie-Idun chose to stick with his judicial brief. Today in Nigeria, judges at the highest levels have chosen to discard judicial robes and purchase sides in the political dispute in Rivers State, becoming shamefully complicit in instrumentalising the highest courts for a proverbial mess of political pottage.

When he addressed the country this past week, therefore, the president was not content with merely plagiarising Tafawa-Balewa; he found comfort in the partisanship of a wilful judiciary.

On 28 February, the Supreme Court restrained the Central Bank from releasing the federal allocations of Rivers State until the State House of Assembly had passed a lawful budget. In his address declaring the state of emergency, the president said his newly appointed military administrator in Rivers State would not be able to make any laws. In effect, he could not pass a budget to implement the Supreme Court judgment.

Yet, the day after he was installed, the Central Bank released the withheld allocation to the military administrator. On the same day, the National Assembly approved the emergency proclamation on an unlikely voice vote, after what was reported to be a splurge of money to sweeten that outcome. If the statutory allocation of Rivers State was used to purchase an emergency proclamation over the state, it is entirely in keeping with the project originated by Frederick Lugard to preserve Nigeria as a proposition in extractive anomaly.

Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, a professor of law, teaches at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy and can be reached through This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..