If the Buhari government was a failure, the Tinubu government in the last two years is a disastrous catastrophe - Former Minister of Police Affairs

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri, has strongly criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, describing it as a “total disaster” that has performed worse than the much-maligned government of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

In an interview with Trust Television, Waziri expressed deep concern over the state of governance in Nigeria, warning that the nation is slipping into deeper crises under Tinubu’s leadership.

“If the Buhari government was a failure, the Tinubu government in the last two years is a disastrous catastrophe,” he said, adding that, “It has failed in all ramifications, and the country has regressed.”

He pointed to rising insecurity, worsening economic hardship, and increased corruption as indicators of the administration’s failure. “The economy is collapsing, ethnocentrism is at an all-time high, and insecurity continues to ravage many states,” he added.

Waziri argued that Nigeria, under President Tinubu, has lost its sense of national purpose and become more fragile and polarised. He also questioned the sincerity of those who continue to publicly support the government, particularly individuals from regions grappling with severe violence.

“I am surprised that people whose local governments are under the control of bandits can appear on national television to endorse this government,” he said.

Calling for a more honest appraisal of the administration’s performance, Waziri urged citizens to look beyond media optics and orchestrated endorsements. According to him, “a government that has presided over national decline in every sector cannot credibly seek reelection.”

Verbal abuse can harm children as deeply as Physical abuse, New study finds

New research has found that verbal abuse in childhood may have just as damaging an impact on long-term mental health as physical abuse.

According to a study published Tuesday, August 5, in the journal BMJ Open, individuals who experienced verbal abuse as children were 60% more likely to report poor mental well-being as adults, compared to a 50% increase among those who experienced physical abuse.

The findings suggest that spoken harm — often minimized or overlooked — can have devastating and long-lasting effects on mental health.

The study also uncovered generational shifts in abuse trends. In England and Wales, the rate of physical abuse has halved — from 20% among those born between 1950–1979 to 10% among those born after 2000.

Conversely, verbal abuse is on the rise, signaling a new and pressing public health concern.

In the U.S., the 2021 CDC Youth Risk Behavior Survey reported that over 60% of participants had experienced emotional abuse — and 32% had experienced physical abuse. Though labeled "emotional," the survey measured similar behaviors to those classified as verbal abuse in the BMJ study.

The research analyzed data from more than 20,000 adults across seven long-term studies in England and Wales. Researchers assessed participants’ childhood experiences using the Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) tool and their adult well-being using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale.

Lead author Dr. Mark Bellis, professor of public health and behavioral sciences at Liverpool John Moores University, summarized the results bluntly:

“Verbal abuse in childhood can leave mental health scars as deep and long-lasting as those caused by physical abuse.”

Experts say verbal abuse includes more than just shouting. It can encompass blaming, insulting, belittling, humiliating, criticizing, or threatening children.

Examples include: “You’re stupid.” “You always mess things up.” “Why can’t you be more like your brother?” “You’ll never amount to anything.”

Dr. Andrea Danese, professor of child and adolescent psychiatry at King’s College London, explained:

“Verbal abuse can twist a young person’s understanding of who they are and their place in the world. It is often unintentional but can have profound effects.”

Children are literal thinkers, said Dr. Shanta Dube, professor of epidemiology at Wingate University.

“Harsh words are taken at face value. They can shape a child’s entire self-concept.”

While this was an observational study, meaning it cannot prove direct causation — the strength and consistency of the findings add weight to growing evidence that verbal abuse has lasting impacts on mental health.

Some may argue that those with current mental health challenges could remember childhood more negatively. But the large sample size and rigorous analysis bolster the study’s credibility.

Dr. Bellis emphasized that the global mental health crisis — especially among young people — makes it urgent to recognize all forms of harm.

“We’ve made significant progress in reducing physical abuse, in part through awareness campaigns and education. But now we must do the same for verbal abuse.”

Supporting this shift means equipping parents, teachers, and caregivers with tools to foster healthy emotional environments.

“Helping parents regulate their emotions, communicate better, and model respectful behavior can profoundly impact children’s development,” Bellis added.

“We’re not asking people to dramatize every negative comment they’ve ever made,” said Danese. “But we should be mindful — and when necessary, offer a sincere apology, clarification, or reassurance to the child.”

This cultural change includes promoting practices like gentle parenting, which combines warmth with boundaries to foster trust, emotional safety, and mutual respect.

And while parents are key, everyone who interacts with children — teachers, coaches, family members — needs to understand the power of their words.

Dube concluded:“Language has power. And when it comes to children, the way we speak to them can shape how they see themselves — for better or for worse.”

FBI and the Ghanaian government have seized singer Shatta Wale’s Lamborghini linked to $4.7m fraud case in US

Ghana’s Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), in collaboration with the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the US Justice Department, have seized a luxury vehicle,  a 2019 Lamborghini Urus from popular dancehall musician, Charles Nii Armah Mensah Jr., popularly known as Shatta Wale.

In a press release issued by EOCO’s acting Executive Director, Raymond Archer, the agency said the seizure was carried out following a 2023 request from US authorities. The operation took place at Shatta Wale’s residence in Trassaco Valley Phase 1, Accra.

“In June this year, the Economic and Organised Crime Office, acting on a 2023 request from the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) and the United States Justice Department, undertook an operation which led to a lawful search in a home at Trassaco Valley Phase 1, in Accra.

“The operation which was undertaken by the Surveillance And Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) of EOCO led to the discovery and seizure of a 2019 Lamborghini Urus which the FBI and the Justice Department have tied to the proceeds of the criminal enterprise of one Nana Kwabena Amuah who is currently serving an 86-month sentence for several financial crimes in the US,” the statement partly read.

EOCO revealed that the luxury vehicle was found in Shatta Wale’s possession. He was allowed to surrender it voluntarily to avoid a public scene.

“The car was seized from one Charles Nii Armah, aka Shatta Wale. The officers were professional and civil, and the search and seizure occurred without incident. Nii Armah had pleaded with officers that he did not want the seizure to be made public because the vehicle was a big part of his brand, and that if his supporters saw the vehicle being driven away in the company of EOCO, it would destroy his brand. Nii Armah was allowed to surrender the vehicle himself, which is currently in the possession of EOCO,” the statement explained.

The agency clarified that SARU officers were armed during the operation as a routine safety measure.

“It is a standard safety protocol practice for officers of the Surveillance and Asset Recovery Unit (SARU) to carry weapons whilst on operation for the safety of officers,” the statement added.

According to EOCO, the Lamborghini is linked to criminal proceeds from Nana Kwabena Amuah, who owes $4.74 million in restitution to US authorities. The vehicle is expected to be repatriated to the United States as part of that recovery effort.

“The FBI and the Justice Department intend to send a formal Mutual Legal Assistance (MLA) to the Government of Ghana to return the car to the United States as part of Nana Kwabena Amuah’s $4,743,443 restitution. Charles Nii Armah, aka Shatta Wale and a former senior officer of the National Signal Bureau (NSB), have been assessed as persons of interest and will be invited by EOCO to assist in further ongoing investigations in the coming days.”

EOCO also confirmed it may share its final investigation report with US authorities as part of continued cooperation.

“EOCO may share the final investigations report to the FBI and the Justice Department as part of our ongoing cooperation,” the statement concluded.

Peter Obi doesn’t need to be president, he wants to be because he cares about Nigeria - Chimamanda Adichie

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, award-winning novelist and renowned public intellectual, has said her support for Peter Obi, former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), is based on his humility, values, and deep commitment to Nigeria.

Speaking in an interview on Channels Television, Adichie drew a sharp contrast between Obi and other politicians, emphasizing that he is motivated by service rather than personal ambition.

“He doesn’t need to be president; he wants to be because he cares about Nigeria, but he doesn’t need to be. That is a very important distinction,” she said.

“There are people who are desperate to become president, not because they have any good intentions for the country, but because of their egos.”

Adichie explained that her endorsement of Obi is “rooted in my love for this country” and a belief that with the right leadership, Nigeria can move in a better direction. She praised Obi’s approach to leadership, saying his sense of responsibility and humility distinguish him from his peers.

“Peter Obi is not a person who expects you to thank him for doing his job as a leader, because to him it’s his job,” she said. “There’s a sense, I think, in Peter Obi that he’s accountable to the people. He doesn’t think that somehow, he will lord it over people.”

Describing the former Anambra State governor as “one of the simplest men I have ever known,” Adichie said his values have remained consistent over the past 15 years.

“The person I knew 15 years ago is still the same in terms of his values,” she said. “He is genuine, consistent, and curious — qualities that I believe are essential in a leader.”

When asked how she would feel if Obi is not on the ballot in the 2027 elections, Adichie declined to comment.

During the 2023 presidential election, Adichie was one of Obi’s most prominent supporters. She expressed her backing through various public channels, including social media posts, a heartfelt birthday tribute, and an official campaign video.

In 2022, she publicly referred to Obi as “my big bro” and said she believed in his vision for the country. After the election, which resulted in the victory of President Bola Tinubu, Adichie penned an open letter to then U.S. President Joe Biden, questioning the credibility of the polls. In the letter, she alleged that the election was marred by discrepancies and irregularities overlooked by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

She also appeared at the presidential election tribunal in Abuja to show solidarity with Obi as he challenged the results.

2027: The North deserves more than being used as a political ladder - Bashir Ahmad kicks against plans to present GEJ as a presidential candidate

 

Ahead of the 2027 election, former Presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, has kicked against plans to present GEJ as a presidential candidate. 

According to him, some political elements are planning to present GEJ as a presidential candidate because they feel he will be easy to market in the North.

According to him, it is a bad precedence as the North deserves to be treated better than being used as a political ladder.

 

A great percentage of these Nigerian Americans making us proud abroad are Igbos - Hadiza, wife of former gov, Nasir El-Rufai, says

Hadiza, one of the wives of former Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has sparked off a debate online after gave her opinion about the Igbos. 

In a post she shared on X, Mrs El-Rufai wrote

‘’A great percentage of these Nigerian Americans making us proud abroad are Igbos. There’s always two sides to every story.

#SayNoToBigotry''

Her post elicited reactions with some Nigerians accusing her and her family of trying so hard to curry favor from the Igbos ahead of the 2027 general elections. The El-Rufais have kicked against this government and are working had to remove the Tinubu government from office.

After seeing some of the backlash she received, Mrs El-Rufai shared another post in which she said no one can take away her right to free speech. She asked Nigerians to stop politicizing everything.