Personality in Focus
Miners Beware: Parks No Go Area
By Frank Meke
It was like interpreting a war movie script. Across the country, well armed and technology backed intelligent criminal gangs have zeroed attention on invading Nigeria’s protected areas in search of minerals resources and willing to eliminate and destroy anything or persons at sight irrespective perceived resistance.
Nigerian National Parks, seventeen in number, holds in trust for generations unborn, critical, and unique flora and fauna resources, including several minerals resources, assets vital to national socioeconomic development and advancement in science, agriculture , fisheries, green tourism , hydrology, pharmacology and climate change.
The laboratory values of Nigeria’s conserved biosphere ecosystem are intrinsic and, over time, have become the destructive destination of illegal loggers, and now, illegal mining agents , armed to the teeth and ready to spill blood.
These earth rapers suspected to be special units of the gestapo and rampaging army of insurgents from Zamfara and Niger states operate in coordinated and clandestine militarism, ready to pull triggers at anyone or groups that may stop them from their illegal mining activities.
Recently, at the rich biosphere space of old OYO National Park, the criminals in connivance with strange cattle breeders also suspected as cross-border cow minders invaded the Park and when confronted by the Eagle eyed team of Park Rangers, resisted arrest and subsequently pulled out their hidden arsenal of sophisticated guns and wasted two gallant Rangers.
Unfortunately for the criminals, the two Rangers before being gunned down had called for reinforcement , which speedily ambushed their gateway from the scene of crime and arrested thirty-seven of them who were now guests of the Nigerian police. No doubt they have a date with the courts soon for murder and wilful and deliberate damage to earth resources under protection.
In Niger state, the Park Rangers at Kainji Lake National Park, in collaboration with the Nigerian military, have made life unbearable for the invading army of nature criminal elements , determined to exploit resources under protection to fund their insurgency and purchase ammunition.
In Cross River National Park, Park Rangers in swift response, proactively engaged heavily armed illegal Miners at ifumpa axis of the Akamkpa sector of the Park, neutralising their effort and arraigned them in court.
It was a red flag operation, a critical warning call-out signal by the National Park Service under Dr Ibrahim Goni, the Conservator General of the Federation, to all illegal loggers, miners , grazers and poachers of fauna and flora resources, that enough is enough, indicative of the grave consequences which awaits unwanted visitors to Nigeria’s protected green. environment
Justice Okokon Essisen, the presiding judge of the magistrate Court in Akamkpa, clamped the nature terrorists to six months imprisonment, though with an option of two hundred thousand naira each.
Justice okokon stated that the activities of the illegal miners in Park contravened section 31 (1) (p) on illegal mining and also on illegal entry as captured under section 30(1)[O] of the National Park Service laws.
The convicted miners languishing at the calabar facilities of Nigerian correctional service were unable to meet up their options of jail conditions as provided by section, 37(1) 37(2) [c] 37(1) (2) [b] respectively.
Lamenting the renewed interest by illegal mining agents in the Parks across the country, the Conservator General disclosed that all unit parks have been put on red alert to arrest, demobilise all strange and illegal visitors in the protected areas, adding that Park Rangers have paid the supreme price to ensure that the covers Nigerian green biospheres were no longer busstops for illegalities and market places for insurgents.
Consoling families of the two gallant Rangers who lost their lives in the not too recent old OYO debacle, in persons of late Deputy Conservator of Park, A. P Ayemboba and Chief Park Inspector, A. Adedokun, the CG, praised the commitment and patriotic dedication of Nigerian Park Rangers, adding that the late officers did not die in vain and would not be forgotten in the history of conservation management in Nigeria.
He warned that national parks management will do everything in its power and in accordance with the laws, to bring to justice any persons and groups that may want to turn Nigeria’s protected areas to endposts of illegal natural resources exploitation and destruction.
Nigeria, Dr Goni added, is troubled by enemies of its socioeconomic and political development in recent times, who have vowed to stop and kill security agencies from frustrating their rebellious activities, noting that NPS is ever determined to keep away nature criminals away protected areas ecosystem, particularly as the world is battling with effects of climate change hazards, driven by extremely misplaced aggression by illegal activities of mankind, particularly daring rouges prospecting and speculating on earth resources for selfish reasons.
Co-convener of BringBackOurGirls Movement, Aisha Yesufu, has declared her readiness to become a card-carrying member of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
The activist said this on Wednesday, hours after Peter Obi defected from the Labour Party to the ADC in Enugu.
She called on well-meaning Nigerians to come together in unity to salvage the country come 2027 general elections.
“I have never been a card-carrying member of any political party, but I will be a card-carrying member of the ADC.
“Enough is enough. There’s no more time for us to keep shedding tears. We have cried too much.
“From this moment going forward, we will fight for Nigeria. We will have a great nation.
“ADC will take Nigeria to a point where the son-of-a-nobody can become somebody without knowing anybody,” she said.
The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has officially wed Queen Zaynab Ngohemba, the former wife of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi.
The announcement was made public on Friday by a facebook user and member of the Dajoh family, Abraham Double-d Dajoh, via a celebratory social media post.
He confirmed the union between the high-ranking government official and the former Olori of the Ife Kingdom.
The Dajoh family described the union as “beautiful” and “uncommon,” as they formally welcomed her into their fold in Benue State.
In a statement that quickly went viral, the Dajoh family expressed their collective joy, signalling a significant chapter for the SGF’s household.
“We, the entire Dajoh Family, happily join our daddy, uncle and brother, His Excellency, The Secretary To The Government Of The Federation, Sen. George Akume Jugu Dajoh in welcoming his new and uncommon wife, Queen Zaynab Ngohemba-George Akume Dajoh, into the Dajoh family,” the post read.
The family further extended their appreciation to the political associates and supporters of the SGF, urging them to remain steadfast in their loyalty to him as he embarks on this personal journey.
“We appreciate and thank the fans and supporters of Sen. Akume for always standing by him. We enjoin every one of you to continue to support his Excellency even in this beautiful union with Queen Zaynab,” the post further read.
Queen Zaynab, who was previously known as Olori Wuraola during her 17-month marriage to the Ooni of Ife (which ended in 2017), was ushered into her new home with deep cultural reverence.
The Dajoh family emphasised the importance of their ancestral roots in Mbakor and the wider Benue State.
“Welcome to Benue State, the Food Basket of the Nation, welcome to Mbakor, the seat of leadership of the Tiv nation and welcome to the Dajoh family, the home of your darling husband. Welcome home, Queen Zaynab,” the statement concluded.
The announcement coincided with the festive period, as the family used the opportunity to wish Nigerians a happy holiday season.
“We wish you all a happy Christmas Celebration and a Prosperous New Year,” the post read.
Akume, a former Governor of Benue State and a politician, currently serves as a key figure in the President Bola Tinubu administration.
The news of his marriage to Queen Zaynab—a prominent humanitarian and former royal—has become a major talking point across the country’s social and political circles.
When contacted on the telephone on Friday, Akume’s spokesman, Yomi Odunuga, confirmed the marriage.
He, however, said contrary to reports that the wedding was held on December 24, the marriage is over a year old.
“I can confirm the marriage. However, contrary to the rumour that the marriage was concretised in Gboko on Christmas eve when the couple appeared together at an event to celebrate Christmas, it was actually a marriage that is over a year old,” Odunuga said.
Source: The Punch
The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), has appointed a renowned novelist, Chimamanda Adichie, isiting professor as part of the drive to reposition the institution on the global academic stage.
Also appointed visiting professors are African Development Bank (AfDB) executive, Prof Kevin Urama, and Prof James Robinson of the University of Chicago.
The appointments were announced through official letters dated December 18, 2025 and signed by the Vice-Chancellor, Prof Simon Ortuanya.
Among the roles expected of the trio, according to the letters, included teaching engagements, research collaboration, mentorship, and strategic academic interactions.
Adichie, it was gathered, was appointed based on her outstanding contributions to literature, creative writing, and global intellectual discourse.
According to the university, Adichie’s visiting professorial would enrich the arts and humanities of the institution through lectures, scholarly engagements, and mentorship of students and young academics.
Prof Urama, a renowned development economist and senior official at the African Development Bank, was appointed because of his “versatile expertise in development economics, climate policy, and evidence-based policymaking”.
“His engagement is expected to strengthen teaching, research, and policy-oriented programmes, particularly in economics, development studies, and related disciplines,” UNN said.
On Prof James Robinson, a political economist at the University of Chicago, UNN said his appointment was intended to deepen academic collaboration, advance research, and expose students and lecturers “to cutting-edge global scholarship in political economy and development studies”.
The acting Public Relations Officer of the institution, Inya Agha Egwu, said that the appointments align with the commitment of “the vice-chancellor to attracting eminent global scholars and industry leaders to UNN, in line with the vision of its founding fathers”.
He said: “The University of Nigeria was founded to be a globally competitive institution; the latest appointments represent a significant step towards reclaiming that legacy and enhancing its global relevance.”
Inya said the visiting professorships are designed to promote knowledge exchange, strengthen international linkages, and bridge the gap between theory, policy, and practice, adding that the latest appointments “bring the number to four visiting professors appointed by the vice-chancellor in December 2025”.
