No conversation to assassinate Natasha
The Kogi State government went on the defensive immediately after Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan played a fast one on it by arriving at her hometown welcoming reception by helicopter. Nearly everyone anticipated she would do the traditional vehicular convoy.
Natasha upped the ante by throwing fresh accusations:
Senate President Godswill Akpabio connived with the Kogi State Governor to kill her during the homecoming rally. “The second thing he said was that he should try and kill me. I didn’t make this public, but I have written to the IG of the Police.
“Akpabio told Yahaya Bello that he should make sure that killing me does not happen in Abuja, that it should happen here so that it will look as if it was the people that killed me here”.
Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, denied the assassination allegation. Fanwo asserted that Kogi Governor Usman Ododo and Senate President Godswill Akpabio never discussed it.
Multiple Reports to the Police
Multiple reports to the Nigerian Police are some of the fallouts of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s sensational Ihima homecoming event. The suspended senator aid she filed reports to the Police about the alleged assassination plot. The Kogi State Government also reported her to the Nigerian Police, alleging a breach of its public order against a rally.
I’m not a lawbreaker. I appreciate the Governor’s orders. We came by helicopter and not by road. No convoy, we are not in the streets, we didn’t break the law. – Sen Natasha
Letter: How to bring Nigerian film to a wider audience From Holly Miller, Director, Percy & Warren, London W1, UK
I was encouraged to read Wilfred Okiche’s article on Nollywood (“Welcome to Nollywood, the Lagos-born movie universe”, FT Globetrotter, March 15). As a UK-based film PR company specialising in international cinema and TV, it is easy to see that Nigerian film has immense potential to expand its influence further.
However, meaningful collaboration between Nigerian filmmakers and international partners remains held back. One reason is the volatility of exchange rates and financial constraints more generally that create challenges in financing film and TV series, for example by securing international co-productions and distribution deals. We need better financial alignment between Nigerian and African markets and the international industry. Dedicated funds that mitigate currency risk and promote investment would be a significant step forward. Additionally, more structured partnerships between Nigerian studios and global producers, distributors and streaming platforms would unlock opportunities for both sides.
Additionally, establishing co-production treaties between Nigeria and European film industries and the UK and North America would create mutually beneficial frameworks for financing and distributing content. Developing clearer intellectual property protections and improving distribution pipelines would also help bring Nollywood’s compelling storytelling to a wider audience. Nigerian film producers don’t feel their success depends on being validated by how they are received in the global marketplace. Instead, they provide a beacon for the proliferation of local film markets. They feel local talent should be running next to other global strongholds of international content sales — like Spain, South Korea and Japan — while ensuring authentic and accurate storytelling. Nollywood’s distinct narratives resonate far beyond Africa, offering universal themes wrapped in rich cultural detail.
By bolstering financial models and fostering international partnerships, Nigeria’s film industry can gain the global recognition it deserves.
-Holly Miller Director, Percy & Warren, London W1, UK.
Here is the original article from March 15. https://on.ft.com/41UAJfA
The South questions the official Uromi narrative
The Uromi narrative continues to draw attention in social media. There are more reports of arrests of Northern hunters loaded with ammunition and questions about fairness in the treatment of similar incidents.
Something Is Not Adding Up Here,
(1) I never knew Nigerians could travel from Kano to Port Harcourt just for hunting. If I may ask, which animals are they intending to kill?
(2) I never knew that hunters in Nigeria could freely carry AK-47s and Kalashnikovs. I am going to start hunting soon.
3) I never knew that hunters in Nigeria made a lot of money; millions of Naira and thousands of dollars were found in their lorry. I beg, which market in Port Harcourt do they usually sell their prey? I want to know beforehand so that I know the best market to sell my catch when I start hunting.
4) Where do they buy the AKs and the Kalash, and which designated authorities in Naija register them for hunting purposes? I am from Delta State.
I have checked the State and Federal Secretariat in Asaba and can’t find the office.
5) I thought hunters from Kano travelling to the four corners of Nigeria should carry some form of hunters’ ID card to prove they are professional hunters. People are not allowed to carry guns around.
As Governor Sim Fubara addresses Muslim leaders.
The Sallah visit of Muslim leaders to Governor Sim Fubara of Rivers State could be more significant than both parties realise. Fubara is on suspension from the office of governor.
During the April 1, 2025, visit, Fubara vowed to resist “political saboteurs” seeking to destabilise the state. He compared the crisis to the biblical story of Noah’s Ark, urging patience and unity among residents.
Fubara emphasised his commitment to constitutional order, asserting that his administration prioritised security, paid salaries, and executed projects despite the political stalemate.
Rivers State presents a perplexing situation following the appointment of a sole administrator and the suspension of the executive and legislature. Fubara is in government but lacks actual power. What is the status of the sole administrator?
Civil society groups have been relentless and uncooperative with the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (rtd). They questioned his authority to spend the state’s funds without proper appropriation and legislative approval.
The Supreme Court’s February 2025 ruling nullified local government elections conducted under Fubara and halted federal allocations to Rivers State, exacerbating financial strains.
The federal government overturned the Supreme Court’s decision by releasing the withheld funds to Ibok-Ete Eekwe Ibas (rtd). The sole administrator promptly paid the state’s workers.
The appointment of a sole administrator has not resolved the crisis in Rivers State. Instead, it appears to have exacerbated it, intensifying political instability. The interplay of judicial rulings, federal intervention, and grassroots mobilisation (e.g., support from Muslim leaders for Fubara) will influence Rivers State’s trajectory in the coming weeks.
The Kelvin Alaneme saga
Social media is buzzing with discussions about the Kelvin Alaneme saga. Facebook influencer Chioma Ifeanyi-Eze raised a question regarding those defending Dr. Alaneme after the BBC investigation into his misconduct against fellow Nigerians on April 3, generating significant buzz. Alaneme even participated in his defence.
Kelvin Uzoma Alaneme (born 20 August 1987) is a Nigerian entrepreneur, medical doctor, and musician. He earned a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 2011 and a master’s in public health from Glasgow Caledonian University in 2021.
Beyond medicine, he founded CareerEdu in 2020 during Nigeria’s #EndSARS protests. CareerEdu is a platform that helps Nigerians find educational and employment opportunities abroad, particularly in the UK, Canada, and Australia. CareerEdu claims to have served over 38,000 individuals.
Allegations and BBC Investigation
In March 2025, a BBC Africa Eye documentary exposed Alaneme’s alleged involvement in a UK immigration scam targeting Nigerians seeking work visas. Key findings include:
Fraudulent Job Sales: Alaneme and associates were accused of illegally selling non-existent UK care sector jobs, charging candidates up to £10,000 for fake Certificates of Sponsorship.
Fake Payroll Schemes: Agents created false payroll systems to deceive UK authorities, masking the absence of real jobs.
Exploitation of Visa Loopholes: Alaneme allegedly shifted operations to sectors like construction after UK care visa rules tightened, offering CoS for £42,000 for three workers.
A victim, Praise, paid over £10,000 for a job at “Efficiency for Care,” only to discover the role didn’t exist upon arriving in the UK.
Response and Fallout
Alaneme’s Defense: He denied wrongdoing, claiming CareerEdu only provided legitimate services and that clients’ payments were for “transport, accommodation, and training.”
Regulatory Action: The UK Home Office revoked the licenses of implicated companies, including Efficiency for Care, which had issued 1,234 CoS despite employing only 16–152 workers annually.
Public Reaction: Nigerian commentators condemned the scams, with victims lamenting financial ruin and exploitation.
Business Ventures
Alaneme is linked to several UK-registered companies:
Career and Educational Services Limited (active since 2021)
PAYHOSPI LIMITED (active healthcare firm.
ALAMS Healthcare Limited (dissolved in 2020).
Legacy and Criticism
While CareerEdu initially aimed to empower Nigerians amid domestic instability, its alleged pivot to fraud has overshadowed its mission. Critics argue systemic issues—such as the UK’s sponsorship system, which grants employers disproportionate power—enable such scams39.
Ongoing Developments
As of April 2025, the UK government has tightened visa rules, prioritising local recruitment for care jobs. Legal challenges from Efficiency for Care and Alaneme’s unresolved case remain ongoing.
