Why we want Natasha out of Senate – Kogi Central constituents
The Constituents of Kogi Central Senatorial District has explained why they want to recall Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, their representative in the Nigerian Senate back home.
“For us as Ebira people, we are determined to recall Akpoti-Uduaghan. While she is at home, she may learn the rudiments of representing her constituents better” the indigenes across the five Local Government Areas of the Senatorial district, under the aegis of Kogi Central Elites Forum (KCEF), said in a statement jointly signed by Alh. Ibrahim Abdulazeez Ibrahim (President) and Prince Akerejola Johnson (Secretary) in Lokoja.
The concerned indigenes, who are of Ebira extraction like the embattled senator, said they resolved to bring the embattled senator back home, given the alleged embarrassment she had caused the senatorial district internationally.
They condemned, in strong terms, insinuations that the recall process against the lawmaker representing Kogi Central in the National Assembly, was not endorsed by majority of the electorate in the area.
They urged Nigerians to disregard the deliberate mischief suggesting that people were deceived to come out for the recall exercise.
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“No one is sponsoring this recall. Our people are largely united on this cause. From the history of Ebiras, you know we cannot be deceived.
“Even some of us that supported Natasha on social media then are no longer with her. We cannot trade the integrity of the state and Nigeria.
“A matter as simple as not taking an assigned seat in the senate should not be one that would warrant a “sexual harassment” national embarrassment of this nature. This is not who we are as Ebiras.”
On the issue of INEC disclaiming the exercise, the constituents said the response was misconstrued.
“INEC has no official role until after this signature collection phase. We are the ones that are doing the recall, the petitioners. We have to ensure that the required threshold is met before formally presenting it for verification. This is where INEC comes in.”
They urged the public to disregard any mischievous interpretation of the recall process, saying some politicians would always release statements based on their leanings and interests.
“Ordinarily, we would never have allowed anyone to intimidate our daughter if she was on her right. But in this particular instance, she disrespected the senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which has clear rules and went on to introduce slants that have never been heard of in the history of the senate.
” This is not about content creation like many people have said.”
The national assembly has been hit by allegations of sexual harassment against the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, after Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan allegedly refused to respect the senate rules and was penalised.
(NAN)
Tragedy Strikes FMC: Medical Director Loses Two Daughters—A Doctor and a Pharmacist—Within 48 Hours
NGURU, YOBE STATE — The Federal Medical Centre (FMC) Nguru and the entire medical community in Yobe State have been thrown into deep mourning following the heartbreaking loss of two young medical professionals, who were both daughters of the hospital’s Medical Director, Professor Hadiza Abdullahi Usman.
The deceased, Dr. Hadiya Usman Abdullahi, a medical doctor, and Dr. Aidah Usman Abdullahi, a pharmacist, died within 48 hours of each other in a tragedy linked to sickle cell disease. Both sisters were in their twenties.
According to family sources and colleagues who spoke to NewsTrends, the tragic chain of events began on Friday, October 2, 2026, when Dr. Hadiya passed away after a severe sickle cell crisis. She had been admitted to FMC Nguru for about a week before her death.
Dr. Hadiya, who was undergoing her internship at FMC Nguru, was buried the same day according to Islamic rites at the Emir’s Palace in Nguru.
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The family had barely begun to grapple with that loss when tragedy struck again on Sunday, October 4. Dr. Aidah, a pharmacist at the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), who was also reportedly pregnant, had been receiving treatment at UMTH. She had reportedly recovered and was discharged in time to attend her sister’s burial.
However, after visiting Hadiya’s grave, Aidah suddenly collapsed. She was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
The news was made public by Fatima Kagu, a microbiologist, who announced on October 4, 2026, that the FMC Nguru Medical Director had lost two daughters. Kagu offered prayers for the repose of the sisters’ souls and for strength for their mother.
A Community in Shock
The loss of the two young women—one a doctor and the other a pharmacist—has sent shockwaves through the medical community in Yobe State and beyond. Colleagues described the deceased as brilliant, dedicated, and full of promise.
“This is a devastating loss, not just for the family, but for the entire health sector. To lose two young professionals who were already contributing to the system is a huge blow,” a senior colleague at FMC Nguru told NewsTrends, requesting anonymity.
The tragedy has also reignited conversations about sickle cell disease, a genetic blood disorder that affects millions of Nigerians. Health advocates in the region have renewed calls for mandatory genotype screening before marriage to reduce the prevalence of the disease.
“This is a painful reminder of why we must continue to advocate for genotype testing. Sickle cell is a preventable tragedy if we make informed choices,” said a public health official in Damaturu.
Burial and Condolences
Both sisters have been buried according to Islamic rites. The medical community in Yobe State has expressed profound grief, with many taking to social media to offer condolences to Professor Usman and her family.
NewsTrends extends its deepest condolences to the family of Professor Hadiza Abdullahi Usman and the entire FMC Nguru community. May the souls of Dr. Hadiya and Dr. Aidah rest in perfect peace.
Grand Chief Imam of Oyoland Urges Rabitah 1964 to Regulate ‘Yorubaland’ Islamic Titles
The Grand Chief Imam of Oyoland, Fodhilatu Shaykh Bilaal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, has called on the League of Imams and Alfas in Yorubaland (Rabitah 1964) to establish a unified position on the conferment of Islamic titles and honours bearing the name “Yorubaland.”
Akeugberu made the call in a letter dated Monday, October 5, 2026, addressed to the Chairman and National Executive Council of Rabitah 1964 through the league’s Secretary-General.
In the letter, titled “The Need for Caution Regarding Titles and Honours Conferred in the Name of Yorubaland,” the Grand Chief Imam expressed concern over what he described as the increasing practice by societies, organisations and groups to confer titles associated with Yorubaland without reference to a recognised central Islamic authority.
He said while such conferments might be well-intentioned, their increasing and uncoordinated nature could diminish the significance of established Islamic titles and make it difficult to distinguish genuine scholarship and service from honours that may be too easily conferred.
According to him, a title that carries the name of the entire Yorubaland has implications beyond the organisation or society that awards it and should therefore be treated as a matter of collective interest.
The Grand Chief Imam said the proliferation of such titles without adequate coordination, verification or consultation with recognised Islamic leadership could weaken the meaning attached to them and affect the integrity of Islamic scholarship and service in the region.
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He urged Rabitah 1964 to consider developing clear principles governing the conferment of titles and honours bearing “Yorubaland”, while leaving the details of the proposed mechanism and the body or process that should administer it to the league’s deliberation.
Akeugberu anchored his appeal on several verses of the Qur’an, including Surah An-Nisa, verse 83, which he said underscores the importance of referring matters of collective consequence to those vested with authority and knowledge.
He quoted the verse:
وَإِذَا جَاءَهُمْ أَمْرٌ مِّنَ الْأَمْنِ أَوِ الْخَوْفِ أَذَاعُوا بِهِ وَلَوْ رَدُّوهُ إِلَى الرَّسُولِ وَإِلَىٰ أُولِي الْأَمْرِ مِنْهُمْ لَعَلِمَهُ الَّذِينَ يَسْتَنبِطُونَهُ مِنْهُمْ وَلَوْلَا فَضْلُ اللَّهِ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَتُهُ لَاتَّبَعْتُمُ الشَّيْطَانَ إِلَّا قَلِيلًا
He also cited Surah An-Nahl, verse 116:
وَلَا تَقُولُوا۟ لِمَا تَصِفُ أَلْسِنَتُكُمُ ٱلْكَذِبَ هَـٰذَا حَلَـٰلٌ وَهَـٰذَا حَرَامٌ لِّتَفْتَرُوا۟ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ ۚ إِنَّ ٱلَّذِينَ يَفْتَرُونَ عَلَى ٱللَّهِ ٱلْكَذِبَ لَا يُفْلِحُونَ
The letter further quoted Surah Al-Isra, verse 36:
وَلَا تَقْفُ مَا لَيْسَ لَكَ بِهِ عِلْمٌ ۚ إِنَّ السَّمْعَ وَالْبَصَرَ وَالْفُؤَادَ كُلُّ أُولَـٰئِكَ كَانَ عَنْهُ مَسْئُولًا
Akeugberu said the verses collectively provide a basis for caution, knowledge, consultation and responsibility when dealing with matters affecting the wider Muslim community.
He maintained that the conferment of titles bearing the name of an entire people, region or Islamic tradition should not be left entirely to individual organisations acting independently.
The Grand Chief Imam therefore urged Rabitah 1964, which he described as the recognised league of Imams and Alfas across Yorubaland, to deliberate on the issue in accordance with the league’s founding statutes and the Islamic principle of Shura, or consultation.
He said a collective framework would help preserve the dignity of Islamic leadership and ensure that titles associated with Yorubaland retain their significance.
Akeugberu also cautioned against making the conferment of honours dependent on sectarian, ideological or jurisprudential differences.
In his concluding remarks, he said deserving Muslim men and women should be recognised without allowing sectarian preferences, ideological affiliations or jurisprudential inclinations to determine who qualifies for such honours.
He expressed confidence that Rabitah 1964 would approach the matter with the seriousness required and develop a position that would protect the sanctity of Islamic titles while promoting unity among Muslims across Yorubaland.
The Grand Chief Imam concluded the letter by praying for continued divine guidance for the national leadership of Rabitah 1964 and success in its service to the Muslim community in Yorubaland.
Transporters Urge IGP Disu to Arrest Illegal Highway Tax Collectors
Transport operators have urged Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu to deploy personnel to enforce a Federal High Court order directing the removal of illegal roadblocks and revenue-collection points on federal highways across Nigeria.
The Heavy Duty Haulage and Transporters Welfare Association of Nigeria made the appeal in a letter to the IGP, requesting police action against individuals and groups allegedly operating unauthorised tax and levy collection points on major highways.
The association specifically requested the deployment of 20 police personnel to enforce the court order and arrest persons found collecting taxes, levies or other charges through illegal roadblocks.
The request followed a Federal High Court judgment delivered in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, directing the police and relevant revenue authorities to remove roadblocks, checkpoints, barriers and other obstructions mounted on federal highways for the purpose of revenue collection.
Justice Hillary I. O. Oshomah, in the judgment delivered on July 13, 2026, ordered the authorities to supervise or ensure the immediate dismantling of unauthorised revenue-collection points on federal highways, expressways and roads.
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The court also directed the police to arrest, detain, investigate and prosecute persons, groups or authorities found to have erected or operated such roadblocks in violation of relevant tax laws.
The transporters said enforcement of the order would help address what they described as illegal taxation, extortion and harassment of road users, particularly commercial transport operators.
National Chairman of the association, Oraka Nnaemeka, and Secretary-General, Ayobami Makinde, said unauthorised collections along highways had placed additional financial pressure on truckers and other transport operators.
According to the association, the proliferation of roadside levies increases the cost of transporting goods and could ultimately contribute to higher prices for consumers.
The group therefore called on the Nigeria Police Force to implement the court order and protect legitimate transport operators from unauthorised revenue collectors and other individuals obstructing the movement of goods.
The association also argued that removing illegal checkpoints would improve the efficiency of the nation’s road transportation system and reduce delays faced by trucks travelling between states.
The court case involved Ayobami Makinde, Musamad Nigeria Limited and the Incorporated Trustees of Heavy Duty Haulage and Transporters Welfare Association, Bwari, Abuja, against the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army and the Joint Revenue Board.
The demand comes amid longstanding complaints from transport operators about multiple taxation and illegal levies imposed on commercial vehicles travelling across Nigeria.
The transporters are now seeking immediate police enforcement of the court order, particularly on federal highways where unauthorised revenue collection remains a concern for operators moving goods across the country.
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