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Children of 86-Year-old Blind Udi Monarch Begs Gov Mbah over Detention of  Father

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Children of the traditional ruler of Akpakume, at Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, Igwe Ekwueme Odenigbo, have appealed to Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State to release their 86-year-old blind father and brother, Solomon, from prison custody in Enugu.

The Vanguard reports that they also made a “Save-Our-Soul” call on the Senator Representing Enugu West Senatorial Zone,  Osita Ngwu and the Chairman of Udi local government council, Engr. Hyginus Agu, over the continued incarceration of their 86-year-old blind monarch,  Igwe Odenigbo by the Enugu State Police Command.

Igwe Odenigbo, 86 and one of his sons, Solomon Ekwueme, were detained in Enugu Correctional Service Centre, Enugu since January 9, 2025 following a petition written against them by a prominent citizen of the community, Mr. Livinus Okolo, aka Zion.

They said: “It is truly heartbreaking for us to be called back to Enugu with the news that our aged and blind father, a retired elder in the Redeemed Christian Church of God and the King of an entire community has been locked up by the Nigerian Police and charged to a Magistrate court and subsequently sent to the Prison at the behest of a man that has been nothing short of a terror to the entire people of Akpakwume community, Mr Livinus Okolom, Alias Zion”.

Odenigbo’s children posited that trouble began on December 23, 2024 when Mr. Livinus Okolo, allegedly invaded their father’s  palace with about 20 boys, armed with guns, axe and matchets and beat their parents mercilessly and took away his staff of office and other valuables claiming that Igwe Odenigbo had been dethroned and he, Okolo is now the acting Igwe because Igwe was involved in illegal mining and government decided to unseat him.

They pointed out that following Okolo’s attack on their father, irate youths in the community went and destroyed some part of Okolo’s house.

Igwe Odenigbo had on December 24, petitioned the police over the attack on his palace but no arrest was made because Okolo was said to be highly connected and has the backing of Gov. Mbah and the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Okey Ogbodo.

They went further to explain that when the youths destroyed Okolo’s house over his alleged attack on their Igwe, Okolo petitioned the police and got the traditional prime minister elect, Onowu-elect, Chief Marius Ezeanyanwu, arrested claiming that it was he that instigated the destruction of his house.

They went further to explain that when the youths destroyed Okolo’s house over his alleged attack on their Igwe, Okolo petitioned the police and got the traditional prime minister elect, Onowu-elect, Chief Marius Ezeanyanwu, arrested claiming that it was he that instigated the destruction of his house.

As a result of the arrest of Chief Ezeanyanwu, the youths were said to have been angered the more and went and burnt down his house completely, the Igwe’s children pointed out.

Based on the arson on Okolo’s house, he was said to have petitioned the police who on January 9, 2025  who invited their brother, Solomon and their father for questioning but detained them afterwards.

Having detained them, on January 13, 2025, a magistrate court at Enugu North tried them and sent them to prison custody and ever since, they have been languishing in the Correctional Service Centre, Enugu.

Therefore, touched by the plight of their aged father, Igwe Odenigbo and brother Solomon, they begged the governor to intervene forthwith.

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Amb Egbosiuba’s Virtuous Widows Int’l Foundation Wins Most Impactful NGO of the Year Award , courtesy of AFLCA

Ifenyinwa Bernice Egbosiuba is a visionary humanitarian, reform advocate, and the Founder & President of the Virtuous Widows International Foundation (VWIF) — a transformative organisation dedicated to empowering widows, advancing human dignity, and promoting social justice across Africa.

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Ambassador Ifenyinwa Bernice Egbosiuba,the Founder & President of the Virtuous Widows International Foundation (VWIF) has been named the recipient of the Most Impactful NGO of the Year Award, courtesy of Africa Future Leadership and Conference Awards (AFLCA).

The Africa Future Leadership Conference and Awards is an annual summit organized by Africa Future Leadership Magazine.

In a statement on Monday, AFLCA said that the award will be conferred on her during the 10th edition of the event, scheduled for Saturday, 25th October 2025 Maryland, Lagos.The statement reads: “Amb.

Ifenyinwa Bernice Egbosiuba is a visionary humanitarian, reform advocate, and the Founder & President of the Virtuous Widows International Foundation (VWIF) — a transformative organisation dedicated to empowering widows, advancing human dignity, and promoting social justice across Africa.

Having journeyed through personal loss and recovery, she turned her pain into purpose — building a movement that restores hope, skills, and independence to widows through shelter, food, vocational training, and financial empowerment programs.“Talent exists everywhere, but opportunity does not. Widows deserve dignity, not pity.” — Amb. Ifenyinwa Bernice Egbosiuba.

Beyond widowhood advocacy, she is also a global voice against xenophobia and discrimination, calling on African leaders to build unity, compassion, and equality across borders.

Her work — featured in The Sun Nigeria, AllAfrica.com, and other major platforms — continues to inspire women, youth, and reformers to lead with empathy, courage, and conviction.

Ambassador Egbosiuba’s story reflects the heartbeat of AFLCA — leadership that heals, empowers, and transforms Africa’s future. “

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Osinbajo leads ECOWAS team to monitor Côte d’Ivoire poll

In statement from ECOWAS, the election is scheduled to be held on October 25, 2025, while the observation mission will be deployed from October 19 to 29, 2025, in accordance with the provisions of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

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Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) appointed Nigeria’s former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, to head its Election Observation Mission for the presidential election in Côte d’Ivoire this week.

In statement from ECOWAS, the election is scheduled to be held on October 25, 2025, while the observation mission will be deployed from October 19 to 29, 2025, in accordance with the provisions of the ECOWAS Supplementary Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance.

“As Head of Mission, Osinbajo will lead a delegation of eminent West Africans who will engage with key national stakeholders to encourage a peaceful and credible electoral process,” the statement said.

“The team will also collaborate with international and domestic observer groups to assess the conduct of the polls.”

The regional body said the deployment of the mission underscores ECOWAS’ commitment to promoting peace, stability, and credible elections across West Africa.

The Côte d’Ivoire election comes at a critical time for the region, where several member states are preparing for key national polls amid efforts to consolidate democratic governance

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CPPE Calculates Negative Effects of Presidential Pardons on the Economy and Investment

Dr Muda Yusuf, Director/CEO of CPPE, expressed concerns about the inclusion of individuals convicted of corruption, financial crimes, murder, drug trafficking, and illegal mining.

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The Centre for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE) is urging the Federal Government to urgently review and rationalise the list of individuals granted the prerogative of mercy by President Bola Tinubu, which includes both living and deceased Nigerians.

In a policy brief made available to our editor on Sunday, the CPPE asserted that while the prerogative of mercy is a legitimate constitutional tool, its application to serious economic and financial offences, as well as other criminal acts, requires utmost discretion, transparency, and alignment with Nigeria’s commitments to anti-corruption, drug control, and the sanctity of human life.

Dr Muda Yusuf, Director/CEO of CPPE, expressed concerns about the inclusion of individuals convicted of corruption, financial crimes, murder, drug trafficking, and illegal mining.

He stated, “Extending clemency and pardons to persons convicted of corruption, financial fraud, illegal mining, murder, and drug-related crimes has far-reaching economic and social consequences.”

He highlighted the following issues:

– Illegal Mining: It undermines legitimate enterprises, depletes national revenue, and fuels insecurity in mining communities.

– Corruption and Financial Crimes: These distort markets, weaken institutions, and discourage fair competition.

– Drug Trafficking: This tarnishes Nigeria’s global image, exacerbates insecurity, and imposes significant social costs.

Leniency toward financial and economic crimes erodes deterrence, weakens enforcement, and signals a tolerance for misconduct.

A lenient approach undermines respect for the law and the credibility of governance.

Damage to Investor Confidence

Investor confidence thrives on predictability, fairness, and justice. When individuals convicted of economic or financial crimes are pardoned, it raises concerns about policy consistency, the sanctity of contracts, and investment security, thereby discouraging both domestic and foreign investors.

Reputational and Governance Risks

Excessive clemency could reverse gains in governance credibility and reinforce perceptions of institutional weakness.

Such perceptions can negatively impact sovereign risk ratings, capital inflows, and the overall attractiveness of Nigeria’s investment climate.”

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