By Onyeanya Ebere

Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has urged Nigerians to move beyond ethnic and religious sentiments in selecting leaders, stressing the importance of competence, capacity, character, and compassion.

In a statement posted Monday on X (formerly Twitter) titled “What Cannot Be Hidden in Leadership,” Obi said the results of leadership are always evident, whether in success or failure.

“There are critical areas of leadership that must exist for a nation to move forward; competence, capacity, character, and compassion. Without these, no magic can save us,” he said.

Obi reiterated that the country has suffered due to leadership choices driven by tribe and religion.

“We must stop voting based on tribal or religious lines and start choosing leaders with the right values,” he added.

He explained that competence is key to tackling complex national challenges, while capacity ensures the strength to lead effectively.

Character, he said, fosters public trust, and compassion ensures that leaders treat human lives with dignity.

Citing recent tragedies, Obi condemned the federal government’s silence and absence during national disasters.

“In Niger State, flooding claimed nearly 200 lives, yet there was no presidential visit. In Benue, over 200 people, including children and soldiers, were massacred again, no show of empathy,” he said.

He contrasted Nigeria’s leadership response with global examples, noting that leaders in India and South Africa have shown up personally at disaster sites to mourn with victims and take responsibility.

“That is leadership with compassion,” he said. “What we have normalised in Nigeria is leadership without empathy, accountability, or a human face.”

Obi concluded that Nigeria doesn’t just need another president but a true leader. “Until we elect leaders based on competence, capacity, character, and compassion, the cycle of pain will persist,” he said.

By Patrick Idowu
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly preparing to reinstate and expand his controversial travel ban to include Nigeria and 35 other countries, as part of a broader immigration crackdown.

According to an internal U.S. State Department memo obtained by The Washington Post, the proposed restrictions would target countries that fail to meet new U.S. immigration and security standards.

The memo, signed by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, gives the affected nations a 60-day deadline to comply or face full or partial visa bans.

Nigeria is listed among 25 African nations flagged in the document, alongside Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Cameroon, South Sudan, and others.

The list also includes Caribbean states like Saint Kitts and Nevis, Central Asian countries such as Kyrgyzstan, and several Pacific Island nations.

The new restrictions are linked to an earlier presidential proclamation issued on June 4, which imposed travel limits on citizens from Afghanistan, Iran, Myanmar, Somalia, and other countries.

The memo cites several concerns justifying the proposed action, including the absence of reliable central authorities to issue credible identity documents, widespread government fraud, and high rates of U.S. visa overstays.

Nigeria, in particular, has been identified for its historic visa overstay issues and could face penalties if it fails to improve documentation standards and cooperate on deportation procedures.

Other concerns raised include countries offering citizenship for cash without requiring residency and allegations of antisemitic or anti-American activity tied to individuals from some listed nations.

The communication, sent to U.S. embassies and consulates globally, requested that affected countries submit initial action plans by 8 a.m. Wednesday, detailing how they intend to meet the updated standards.

While the timeline for enforcing the restrictions remains unclear, the memo signals a return to Trump-era immigration policies marked by aggressive travel bans targeting Muslim-majority and African nations.

This is not the first time Nigeria has come under U.S. immigration scrutiny. During Trump’s first term, Nigeria was subjected to temporary restrictions on immigrant visas, citing national security and information-sharing lapses.

Although the Biden administration reversed those policies in 2021, Trump has continued to campaign on a promise to reinstate and expand them.

“It will be bigger than before,” Trump declared on the campaign trail.
The proposed expansion has drawn criticism from human rights advocates and political opponents, who view it as discriminatory.

“Blanket bans that disproportionately affect African and Caribbean nations reflect a troubling trend of xenophobia and racism,” a U.S.-based immigration lawyer said.

Trump’s original 2017 travel ban sparked global backlash and legal challenges before a revised version was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2018. Critics argue that such policies harm America’s international image and strain diplomatic relations.

Countries reportedly under consideration for the expanded ban include: Angola, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Gabon, Gambia, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Malawi, Mauritania, Niger, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Saint Lucia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Syria, Tonga, Tuvalu, Kyrgyzstan, South Sudan, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Vanuatu.

By Onilede Titi Faith

During the 2025 Democracy Day celebrations on June 12, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu released a list of national honorees recognized for their contributions to Nigeria’s development and democracy.

Among those honored were: Kudirat Abiola (CFR) ,Posthumously recognized for her pro-democracy activism.

Ken Saro-Wiwa (CON), Honored posthumously for his environmental advocacy.

Wole Soyinka (GCON), Celebrated for his literary and intellectual contributions.

While the list sparked public debate and speculation over possible recipients, activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, swiftly distanced himself from any potential association with the awards.

In a statement posted on his social media platforms, Sowore strongly rejected the idea of being linked to the Tinubu-led administration or any national honour it might confer on him.

He wrote: “If I were mistakenly included by Tinubu on his ‘National Award’ list, I would not only reject and denounce the award but also take definitive legal action for defamation.”

Sowore, a longtime critic of the Nigerian government and former presidential candidate, emphasized that he would never accept recognition from an administration he accuses of undermining democratic values.

His reaction reflects growing tensions between the government and outspoken civil society voices amid ongoing discussions about governance, transparency, and national recognition.