Category: News

Patience Jonathan, wife of former President Goodluck Jonathan, has narrated what made her almost abandon her Doctor of Philosophy program at Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt, Rivers state.

According to the former first lady, the pressure from her lecturers was enormous.

Dame Patience was recently awarded a PhD in Psychology, Guidance and Counselling.

Expressing Joy and gratitude to God during a testimony time at Streams of Joy International Church, the ex-first lady recounted how her academic journey was marked by moments of frustration and self-doubt.

According to her, academic demands, such as repeated assignments and high expectations from lecturers, almost pushed her to abandon her educational pursuit.

“At times, my lecturer would get me angry and say, ‘Go and repeat this page.’

“Shey this man don’t know that I’m old.

“Very soon, I will leave this place and rest because what will I do with it? It’s just to keep the brain moving.

“But to God be the glory. That thing that seemed impossible, God made it possible, and I graduated,” she said.

Also she noted that she thought she won’t make it when she started the programme, having served as Nigeria’s First Lady.

“When I went to pick up my PhD form, I thought I would not make it.

“I said, I have finished my career. I have served as First Lady of Nigeria. What am I going to do with a PhD?

“But God told me to go there. He said, ‘If your children can make it, why can’t you?”

She said during the programme, she was not afraid to ask questions even though she was the oldest student in the classroom.

“I would go to class and sit on the bench with my children. I was the ‘Mama’ among them, and I wasn’t ashamed.

“The teacher would be teaching, I would raise my hand and ask questions because the younger ones would understand immediately, but, as a ‘Mama’, I had to ask questions three times before I understood one thing,” she said.

The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle has urged the Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal to feel free to declare his intention by formally joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Matawalle noted that there is no need for ambiguity or hesitation in political affiliation.

The minister who made the call while speaking at his residence in Maradun, Zamfara State,

said the APC remains a party built on humility, respect, and progressive ideals.

He extended an open invitation to Governor Lawal, encouraging him to join the APC through proper and transparent channels in the interest of the state’s development.

According to the Minister, there is no personal animosity between himself and the governor.

“We would be glad to welcome him into the fold of leaders committed to security, development, and peace,” Matawalle said.

In a statement via a former Commissioner for Information in Zamfara State, Ibrahim Dosara, Matawalle emphasized that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a leader focused on national development and unity, and welcomes all individuals interested in contributing to national progress.

“President Tinubu is a champion of peace and growth. He is always open to those who share his vision of a prosperous Nigeria,” the statement read.

Furthermore, Matawalle reiterated his commitment to the welfare of his supporters and urged them to continue supporting President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in areas such as security, agriculture, health, and economic development.

He also pointed out the administration’s ongoing efforts to curb insecurity in Zamfara and other parts of northern Nigeria.

“The President has directed security agencies to end the spate of insecurity before the end of the year, and both the Ministry of Defence and security agencies are working diligently to meet that goal,” Matawalle noted.

While acknowledging the federal government’s progress on security, Matawalle expressed concerns over what he described as a lack of effective coordination at the state level.

Reflecting on his tenure as governor, he noted that efforts were made to improve security and social welfare, and he called for more transparency and effective governance in the current administration.

“We managed the state with limited monthly allocations ranging between ₦3 billion to ₦4 billion,” Matawalle said.

“The current administration reportedly receives between ₦19 billion and ₦24 billion monthly. It is important for the government to provide clarity on how these resources are being utilized for the benefit of the people.”

He called on Governor Lawal to provide details on federal allocations and the state’s development spending, emphasizing the importance of accountability in public service.

Chaka Chukwumerije, commissioner for Lands and Housing and right hand man to the Abia State Governor, Alex Otti was on Sunday attacked by unknown gunmen.

The incident occurred while Chukwumerije, was returning from Okigwe to Umuahia.

Confirming the incidence in a statement on Monday, brother of the victim identified as Dike Chukwumerije explained that, “he was on his way from Okigwe to Umuahia, when the car behind him opened fire on his vehicle.”

“It was not his time to die. So, he and the three others with him escaped unscathed, even though the car was riddled with bullets,” he wrote.

Truthlive News reports that Chukwumerije, who is son of renowned Nigerian politician Uche Chukwumerije has served as a Commissioner under Governor Alex Otti for the past two years.

He was praised by his brother for his integrity and dedication to public service.

According to Dike, his brother had been a loyal supporter of Governor Otti for over a decade, standing by him through successive election cycles, even in defeat.

“No, we didn’t send him off with a wish list. All we asked of him was – do not bring us shame. Don’t take what is not yours. And use every resource within your power to help our society become a better place for us all,” Dike said.

He said: “Every election since, at least, 2015 he has poured his heart, soul, and resources into campaigns. And when his team did not win, even when they were clearly rigged out, he came back home and licked his wounds in quietness and dignity.”

He continued, “Where we come from, no matter how provoked, we tend to keep a civil tongue. So, he has always played the sort of politics that has sat well with my own conscience.”

Reflecting on Governor Otti’s leadership, Dike said he now understands his brother’s long-standing loyalty.

“In two years, Abia has turned around… I don’t praise politicians lightly… But he is doing the job, and doing it to a level that we have not seen in Abia in many, many years. And, today, I am proud to be Abian,” he said.

He lamented the danger faced by those committed to public service, blaming the country’s socio-political system for prioritizing mediocrity over merit.

The statement added: “Unfortunately, it is people like this—who are totally, selflessly committed to public service—that are too often the victims of our current socio-political order… Those who are comfortable with doing things anyhow-anyhow are safe and ascending. While those who are not, are not.”

Despite the attack, Dike remained resolute, expressing gratitude that his brother’s life was spared.