Crunch Times News

By Blessing Bature 

Rotary District 9127, in collaboration with the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), FCT, and the Rotary Club of Abuja Harmony, has trained 150 women and young girls in Abuja on menstrual hygiene and the production of reusable sanitary pads.

The training, held on Wednesday, was designed to promote proper menstrual health practices, reduce period poverty, and equip participants with practical skills for economic empowerment.

Speaking at the event, the Immediate Past District Governor of Rotary District 9127, Mike Ukachi, who is the initiator of the project with sponsorship from Frangrance Oil Int'l Manchester UK, said the initiative is part of a broader public health effort to raise awareness on menstrual hygiene practices, and build skill and knowledge on menstrual hygiene through the making of reusable pads.

He explained that the project originated from discussions in Manchester, United Kingdom, during his tenure as District Governor, where support was secured for 

community-based interventions. 

According to him, a similar programme was organised the last rotary year as the District Governor were 400 school girls were trained.

Ukachi disclosed that the next phase will see 3,000 girls trained in Jos over the coming months, after which the initiative will be extended to other states. 

He noted that the project was fully funded, with proceeds from the company's business reinvested into community development, adding that the focus remains on impact rather than recognition.

He urged participants to pass on the knowledge and skill gained to younger girls and other women, while also highlighting the availability of the sewing machines at the Rotary centre to support continued training and the donation of two sewing machines to POWA.

Also speaking, the Charter President of the Rotary Club of Abuja Harmony, Rtn. Francis Umeh, said the programme equips participants with practical skills that can be developed into sustainable businesses. He described reusable sanitary pads as cost-effective, chemical-free, and environmentally friendly.

Umeh noted that the initiative targets vulnerable groups, including widows within POWA, providing them with opportunities for economic empowerment. 

He also called for increased awareness to address the stigma surrounding menstruation.

In his remarks, the Assistant Governor of the Rotary Club of Abuja Harmony and Project Director RY2024-25, Oro-ghene Adia, said the initiative builds on previous interventions that trained 400 schoolgirls, adding that the current phase focuses on women to enhance knowledge abd skill transfer within families and communities.

He disclosed that the150 women were targeted for the training and stressed that empowering mothers would have a ripple effect on society, adding that the project promotes sustainability through the provision of sewing machines, including one donated to POWA.

Adia further revealed plans to expand the programme to include awareness on menopause and its management in future, noting the need to address gaps in information and support for women.

The immediate past Commissioner of Police FCT now AIG, Dantawaye Miller, assured that cases involving abuse or exploitation of girls are treated with seriousness and referred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for proper investigation.

He described the training as enlightening and encouraged participants to share the knowledge with others.

Similarly, the Chairperson of POWA in the FCT, Dr. Mrs. Bessie Dantawaye, described the initiative as timely, noting that many women cannot afford sanitary products and sometimes resort to unsafe alternatives.

She assured that participants would cascade the knowledge through step-down trainings and added that awareness on pre-menopause and menopause would be incorporated into future programmes.

Also speaking, the District Governor 9127, Rtn. Dame Princess Joy Nky Okoro, said the initiative would be expanded across Rotary clubs to reach more communities, emphasising that menstrual hygiene is a natural aspect of women’s health that must not be ignored.

Okoro added that the programme aligns with Rotary International’s focus areas, including water, sanitation and hygiene, maternal and child health, and environmental sustainability, reaffirming Rotary’s commitment to sustaining the initiative.

Actress Angela Okorie has publicly apologised to her colleague, Mercy Johnson, following a cybercrime-related incident that resulted in her arrest and detention.

In a video shared on her Instagram page, Okorie expressed deep remorse for her actions, admitting that she was influenced by negative information and gossip about Johnson. 

She acknowledged that her actions were wrong and said she regretted being misled.

Reports indicate that Okorie was arrested by operatives of the Nigeria Police Force Cybercrime Centre in Abuja at her Lagos residence and was later released from the Suleja Correctional Centre in Niger State.

Speaking in the video, Okorie said she has since reconciled with Mercy Johnson, who accepted her apology. 

She described Johnson as a kind and good-hearted person, contrary to the rumours she had earlier believed.

The actress added that she is now focused on her business and personal growth, and intends to stay away from controversy and drama. 

She also thanked her fans across the world for the overwhelming love and support she has received.

Isaiah Isaac 

A popular Nollywood actress Ajara Lasisi, fondly known as Aunty Ajara, has died after prolonged illness

By Blessing Bature 

Eighty-two worshippers abducted during a church service in Kurmin Wali village, Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, have regained their freedom following a coordinated rescue operation involving the Kaduna State Government, the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) and the Department of State Services (DSS).

Governor Uba Sani confirmed the development during a visit to the rescued victims at the Women and Children Shelter in Kaduna, where they are currently receiving medical care and psychosocial support.

The worshippers were kidnapped on January 18, 2026, when bandits invaded Kurmin Wali village during a church service. 

Reports had put the number of abducted persons at about 177.

Governor Sani sympathised with the victims and their families, describing the ordeal as traumatic, and assured the Kurmin Wali community that efforts were ongoing to secure the release of those still in captivity.

“No effort will be spared until all those still in captivity are rescued and reunited with their families,” he said.

The governor also commended the state’s security architecture, ONSA, DSS and other security agencies for what he described as a professional, intelligence-driven operation, while urging residents to continue supporting security agencies with timely information to help restore lasting peace in the state.

By Blessing Bature 

A coalition of women’s rights and democracy advocacy groups has called on the National Assembly and the Federal Government to urgently support and fast-track the passage of the Special Seats Bill, describing it as a democratic necessity rather than an advocacy demand.

Speaking on behalf of the consortium, Ebere Ifendu said the bill offers a constitutionally grounded and non-disruptive solution to Nigeria’s poor record on women’s political representation. 

She noted that Nigerian women continue to face political violence, the monetisation of politics, exclusion from party structures and a shrinking civic space, making affirmative legislative intervention inevitable.

“The Special Seats Bill has moved beyond advocacy, it is now a democratic necessity and a political win for Nigeria’s 10th Assembly and all its actors,” Ifendu said. 

“Nigeria cannot continue to conduct elections while systematically excluding half of its population from decision-making. Affirmative legislative intervention is no longer optional; it is the only realistic path to reversing Nigeria’s consistently abysmal record on women’s political representation.”

The groups, including the Women in Politics Forum (WIPF), 100 Women Lobby Group, Women in Media, Safe-Point and Care Initiative and other democratic advocacy organisations, also expressed grave concern over recent political developments which they said expose the widening gap between Nigeria’s democratic commitments and actual practice.

According to the coalition, three critical issues currently define Nigeria’s commitment to inclusion and democratic reform: the Special Seats Bill, the composition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Convention Committee, and the recently passed Electoral Act Amendment Bill by the Senate. 

They warned that taken together, these developments pose a defining test of the country’s sincerity on representation and reform.

While acknowledging the urgency shown by lawmakers in addressing electoral reforms, the groups expressed strong concern over provisions in the amended Electoral Act that weaken the mandatory electronic transmission of election results from polling units to the INEC Results Viewing (IReV) portal. 

They described electronic transmission as a key safeguard for transparency and public trust, warning that any rollback could encourage manipulation and increase post-election disputes.

“Electronic transmission has become one of the most important safeguards for electoral integrity,” the coalition said, urging the National Assembly to reverse the provision and fully restore mandatory electronic transmission as a non-negotiable requirement for credible elections.

The groups also lamented what they described as a culture of silence among women politicians across party lines amid ongoing political manoeuvring ahead of the 2027 general elections, calling on them to show greater political leadership.

The groups warned that Nigeria stands at a crossroads, stressing that democratic credibility cannot coexist with systemic exclusion while calling on political parties, the legislature and the executive to move beyond rhetoric and demonstrate commitment through concrete action.

“A democracy that excludes women is not merely incomplete it is unstable, unjust and unsustainable,” she stated. “Nigeria must choose inclusion, not convenience; reform, not retreat.”

By Blessing Okola 

The Amasiri Clan has accused security forces of subjecting its people to alleged military invasion and serious human rights abuses in Ebonyi State, saying the actions have left residents traumatised, livelihoods destroyed, and communities under siege.

It also accused the governor of the state, Francis Nwiaifiru of political witchhunt over what it has alleged as dissatisfacton over zero support during past elections.

The group demanded the immediate withdrawal of military forces from Amasiri, an independent investigation into alleged killings, arrests and property destruction, restoration of schools, markets and economic activities, reversal of collective sanctions and equal protection under the law.

Addressing the international media on Thursday in Abuja, Omagha Idam, former Assistant Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, speaking on behalf of the Amasiri Clan, said the situation escalated from an uninvestigated allegation into what he called a full-scale military invasion marked by collective punishment, political repression, economic shutdown and grave violations of fundamental human rights.

Amasiri Clan, which comprises three autonomous communities and is the northernmost community in Afikpo Local Government Area (formerly Afikpo North LGA), described itself as a law-abiding farming population now facing militarisation, displacement and what it termed “institutional erasure.”

According to the group, Nigerian armed forces carried out what it described as an unprovoked and disproportionate operation in the area, resulting in mass arrests of unarmed men and youths, destruction of homes, prolonged gunfire, forced displacement of villages and reported loss of lives. 

The clan stressed that Amasiri is a civilian farming community and not a conflict zone.

The group further alleged that directives attributed to the Ebonyi State Government led to the closure of all public and private primary and secondary schools in Amasiri, as well as markets, churches, shops and other social activities. Farming, trading and worship were reportedly halted, creating widespread hardship. 

Amasiri indigenes residing in Abakaliki were allegedly ordered to vacate the city, while civil servants of Amasiri origin were said to have received verbal termination notices. Students of Amasiri origin in tertiary institutions in Abakaliki were also reportedly asked to identify themselves.

In addition, the clan claimed that legislative actions removed Amasiri from the list of development centres, detached it from Afikpo LGA and placed it under a joint administrative arrangement involving four local government areas. It also alleged that the governor publicly stated that “within three weeks, there will be nobody in the community.”

The Amasiri Clan said the actions were justified by an unverified allegation linking the community to a murder in Oso community, Edda Local Government Area. While condemning the killing and sympathising with the affected family, the clan rejected what it described as collective blame without investigation, insisting that no suspects were identified and no fair hearing was granted before punitive measures were imposed on the entire population, including women, children and the elderly.

Providing background, the group recalled longstanding boundary issues between Amasiri and Oso communities, noting that a government White Paper gazetted in 2003 resolved the dispute and that both parties reaffirmed commitment to its implementation in 2023. It added that a peace agreement was signed in December 2025 to allow boundary demarcation, but alleged that implementation was repeatedly stalled by government ministries despite Amasiri’s compliance.

The clan also alleged that on 30 January 2026, the military carried out mass arrests of civilians, while the governor dissolved the political and traditional leadership of Amasiri, including traditional rulers, town union executives, village heads and government appointees, without investigation or court order. It said this left the community politically and administratively defenceless.

Amasiri leaders further claimed that several facts contradict the allegations against the community, including that it was observing sacred burial rites during the period of the alleged incident, when movement and external engagements are culturally restricted.

They also accused authorities of selective silence over previous attacks on Amasiri indigenes, including alleged abductions and killings along the Afikpo–Okigwe highway and the abduction of farmers and other residents, which they said were reported without resulting arrests or prosecutions.

The group alleged political bias, citing statements attributed to the governor expressing dissatisfaction with Amasiri and Afikpo LGA over electoral support. It argued that actions taken against the community violate constitutional provisions, including collective punishment, denial of education, forced identification based on origin and removal from local government administration.

The clan further asserted historical ownership of the disputed Okporo-Ụjo land, describing Oso settlers as former tenants, and rejected what it called attempts to dispossess Amasiri of ancestral land.

The clan also alleged discriminatory actions affecting access to education, including claims that Amasiri pupils were barred from registering for the 2026 Common Entrance examination and that students were subjected to additional identification requirements.

“The people of Amasiri are not enemies of the state,” Idam said, adding that the community is entitled to life, dignity, security, justice and historical truth, while expressing concern that some community leaders remain in detention.

In its appeal, the Amasiri Clan called on the National Security Adviser, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the commandant of Nkwegu Military Cantonment, the National Human Rights Commission, Amnesty International and the international community to intervene.

By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja 

By Blessing Bature 

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the killing of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and four other persons during a fresh attack by gunmen on Abande community in Kwande Local Government Area of the state.

The ASP, attached to the 13 Police Mobile Force, Makurdi, was said to be on special assignment in the community when the attack occurred. The remaining victims were residents of Abande.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Edet Udeme, said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Jato-Aka received a distress call on February 3 reporting that suspected armed bandits had attacked police personnel deployed to the area as well as civilians.

According to Udeme, the officer sustained fatal injuries during the assault, while four civilians also lost their lives.

She said security operatives have since been deployed to the community to prevent further violence and restore calm.

“Following the incident, combined teams of police operatives and other security agencies have been mobilised to the area to secure the community, carry out a comprehensive search, and forestall any further breakdown of law and order.

“The deceased persons have been recovered and deposited at the mortuary,” she stated.

Udeme added that the Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Mr Ifeanyi Emenari, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to take immediate control of the situation in Jato-Aka.

According to her, the Deputy Commissioner has been instructed to deploy additional mobile police personnel and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to intensify operations, track down the attackers, and ensure their arrest.

She said the Benue State Police Command sympathised with the families of the deceased and the Abande community, assuring residents that decisive steps are being taken to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore peace to the area.

By Otobong Gabriel, Abuja 

By Otobong Gabriel,  Abuja 

A Catholic parish in Glasgow has formally petitioned the Vatican over what members describe as unfair and heavy-handed restructuring decisions by the city’s Archbishop, sparking fresh debate about parish closures and mergers across Scotland.

Members of St Albert the Great Parish, located on Glasgow’s south side, submitted an official complaint to church authorities in Rome, accusing Archbishop William Nolan of mishandling changes that have deeply affected their worship and community life.

At the heart of the dispute is the withdrawal of regular Sunday Mass services at the parish and proposals to merge or restructure the congregation with a neighboring church. Parishioners argue that the move goes beyond administrative adjustments and effectively strips the parish of its identity and spiritual foundation.

Church members say they were given little opportunity for meaningful consultation before the decisions were made. According to them, the process lacked transparency and pastoral sensitivity, leaving many feeling excluded from choices that directly affect their faith life.

Tensions reportedly grew after the final scheduled Sunday Mass was conducted without the Archbishop present. Instead, a visiting priest unfamiliar with the congregation presided over the service — a situation some parishioners interpreted as a sign that their concerns were not being taken seriously.

The complaint also questions certain administrative decisions, including the handling of parish finances and the transfer of funds, with members seeking clearer explanations about how resources are being managed during the restructuring.

The situation at St Albert’s reflects broader unease within parts of the Glasgow archdiocese, where several churches are facing closures, mergers, or reduced services. Other congregations have also begun organizing petitions and appeals, fearing that similar measures could weaken long-standing parish communities.

Archdiocesan officials have defended the changes, explaining that they are responding to practical challenges such as a shortage of priests and shifting demographics. They say consolidating parishes is intended to ensure that clergy and resources are used more effectively, even though such decisions can be difficult for local communities.

Despite these assurances, many at St Albert’s remain determined to pursue their appeal, hoping the Vatican will review the situation and reconsider actions they believe threaten the future of their parish.

Police authorities in Osun State have detained four individuals over the killing of a mosque worshipper, as investigations begin into the circumstances surrounding the deadly attack.

The Osun State Police Command confirmed the arrest of 4 persons in connection with the death of a mosque worshipper, Hameed Najeem, in Osogbo, the state capital.

The deceased, identified as a car painter, reportedly died following an altercation that occurred after the early morning (Fajr) prayer at the Ummu Haani Adigun Memorial Central Mosque in the Ogo Oluwa area of the city.

According to report, Najeem had taken part in the morning congregational prayer before an argument reportedly ensued between him and the mosque’s Imam during a sermon.

An eyewitness said the Imam left the prayer ground as the situation became tense, while other worshippers attempted to restrain the deceased.

Another source explained that the confrontation later moved outside the mosque premises, where Najeem was reportedly overpowered during the struggle.

The situation reportedly became tense later in the day when individuals identified as relatives of the deceased visited the mosque, accusing the Imam and some worshippers of involvement in Najeem’s death.

The Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the development during a telephone interview to daily post reporter on Friday, saying four suspects are currently in the police custody in connection with the incident,” Ojelabi said.

He disclosed that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ibrahim Gotan, had ordered a discreet and thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death.

“The Commissioner of Police has taken interest in the case and directed that a high-level, discreet investigation be carried out,” the police spokesman added.

Ojelabi further stated that the matter had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department for further handling.

“The case has been transferred to the State CID. The suspects took the law into their hands,” he said.

The federal government is set to revolutionize cooperative societies through digitalization, aiming to modernize operations, ensure transparent financial reporting, maintain accurate member/asset records, and improve governance across more than 30,000 registered cooperatives.

The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen.Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, who announced this initiative on Friday in a statement through the Head, Department of Information, Ezeaja Ikemefuna in Abuja said the Stakeholders' Meeting on the Review of the Nigerian Cooperative Societies Act, Cap N98 LFN 2004, highlighted that digitalization would bring efficiency, integrity, inclusion, and sustainable growth to the sector.

He explained, "digitalization will strengthen cooperative institutions, increase trust, improve service delivery, reduce fraud, and unlock new opportunities across the cooperative economy," Dr. Abdullahi stated.

He revealed that cooperatives would become a vital instrument for achieving capital mobilization, inclusive growth, and shared wealth creation when properly structured and supported.

As the driver of the Renewed Hope Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme (RH-CRRP), Dr. Abdullahi emphasised that the programme aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's vision to mobilize all sectors of the economy towards building a One Trillion Dollar Economy by 2030.

The Minister described the RH-CRRP as a bold and transformational national framework designed to position cooperatives as a tool for community wealth creation, poverty eradication, and inclusive growth.

He noted that key areas of focus include digital registration, national cooperative database, digital membership identification system, electronic documentation, administration of cooperative societies, filings, and reporting.

Dr. Abdullahi maintained that "Cooperatives must no longer be treated as a side activity. They are strategic institutions capable of mobilizing capital, empowering citizens, creating jobs, driving agricultural productivity, and strengthening the national economy."

He acknowledged the efforts of CFN and International IDEA but emphasized that, by mandate and structure, this initiative should be led by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS), the supervising Ministry responsible for cooperative development in Nigeria.

He revealed that "the Ministry has fixed a date for a broader harmonization process, consolidating the reviewed output from the Stakeholders'Meeting and the Ministry's parallel work into a final national document"

According to him, "This document will align with the International Cooperative Alliance – Africa Model Cooperative Law and the Africa Ministerial Declaration and Action Plan, which Nigeria co-signed with other African Ministers in Kenya during the 14th Africa Ministerial Cooperative Conference (AMCCO) in October 2025".

He further revealed that the IDEA will join the Coalition of the Willing (CoW), a group of credible partners supporting the Renewed Hope Cooperative Reform and Revamp Programme (RH-CRRP).

He lauded the efforts of the critical stakeholders and the Federal Department of Cooperatives 

In her remarks, the President Cooperative Federation of Nigeria (CFN), Mrs. Hannatu Mershak stated that "Digitization is not just innovation for innovation’s sake. It is for 

efficiency, for integrity, for inclusion, and for sustainable growth. " 

She added that the initiative would strengthen cooperative institutions, increase trust, improve service delivery, reduce fraud, as well as unlock new opportunities across the cooperative ecosystem.

By Blessing Bature 

 

President Bola Tinubu has requested the backing of the House of Representatives to implement major reforms in the judiciary and health sectors, aimed at strengthening institutional efficiency and improving service delivery. 

The proposed reforms, conveyed in a formal request to lawmakers, are expected to address longstanding structural challenges, enhance access to justice and healthcare, and align both sectors with the administration’s broader governance and development agenda.

In the correspondence to lawmakers, President Tinubu also requested the House to urgently consider and pass the Federal High Court (Amendment) Bill, 2025, which proposes increase the statutory number of judges of the Federal High Court from 70 to 90.

While reading the letter at the plenary, the Speaker House of Representatives, Hon  Tajudeen Abbas expressed optimism that the President request will be accorded the urgent attention it deserved by the lawmakers.

In the President correspondence to the green chamber, president Tinubu observed that the courts is currently handling serious growing number of complex cases, including terrorism, transnational organised crimes as well as  other matters relating to national security.

He informed lawmakers that the proposed increases would contribute positively by improving  judge-to-case ratio for the purpose of enhancing prompt, speedy and quality of adjudication and access to justice for the purpose of strengthening public confidence in the judiciary system across Nigeria.

Tinubu, therefore urged the House to give the bills expeditious consideration in order to strengthen the institutional capacity, efficiency and effectiveness of the country’s judicial system.

In another letter, the President explained that the proposed amendment is seeking to increase the number of Court of Appeal justices from 70 to 110 as well as clarify judicial structure and seniority including the establishment of an Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre to handle cases that can be settled outside the conventional  courtroom.

Meanwhile another communication in a letter from the President to the lawmakers focused  on the transmission of 24 health sector bills carefully designed to reform existing health laws and to streamline what was described as the over-bloated membership of governing councils within the health sector.

By Blessing Okola

The Federal Government on Thursday welcomed the First Baby of 2026 in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as Nigeria ushered in the new year with a renewed commitment to maternal, newborn, and child wellbeing. 

The reception at the Federal medical centre jabi, on Thursday, led by the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, highlighted the administration’s resolve to strengthen healthcare services for women and children while promoting safe delivery, child survival, and family wellbeing across the country.

The First Baby of the Year Reception is an annual initiative of the Office of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, organised in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Women Affairs and supported by the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA). 

Speaking during the reception, the First Lady expressed gratitude to God for the gift of life and for seeing Nigerians through to the new year despite challenges and losses recorded in the previous year. 

She revealed that she welcomed a total of five babies during the exercise, the Baby of the Year, a baby girl; a set of triplets born to a mother who waited 13 years for conception; and another baby boy.

“We thank God for His mercy. Many things happened that we should not even think about, but we are grateful that we made it into this year. We pray that it will be a blessed year for all of us,” she said.

She added that the wife of the Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, as well as the Minister of Women Affairs, were also visiting other hospitals across the FCT to welcome newborns, distribute gift boxes, and extend goodwill messages to mothers and health workers.

Addressing Nigerian women as the new year begins, Senator Tinubu declared 2026 a “year of generosity,” urging citizens to be intentional in giving, especially to the less privileged.

“Whatever you sow, you will receive. Be generous. This is a year of generosity, and we must give with purpose,” she advised.

The Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Hajiya Imaan Suleiman-Ibrahim while congratulating the mothers and babies, thanked the First Lady for her leadership and consistent advocacy for women, children, and vulnerable groups. 

She also commended health workers, social workers, and medical practitioners for their dedication, noting that the hospital visited was clean and well-maintained, earning commendation from the First Lady.

She encouraged Nigerian women to embrace unity, courage, and shared purpose in the new year, adding that with collective effort and a common voice, national goals for women, children, and families can be achieved.

The father of the First Baby of the Year, Mr. Celestine Adakole Akeme, expressed joy and gratitude over the unexpected honour, describing the birth as a remarkable way to begin the new year.

“I didn’t expect this at all, but there is no better way to start a new year than welcoming my first child on the very first day of the year and as the First Baby of the Year. It feels fantastic. I’m excited and deeply honoured, especially to meet the First Lady,” he said.

Mr. Akeme disclosed that his wife delivered the baby girl exactly at 12:00 a.m. on January 1, 2026. 

He praised the medical team for their professionalism, noting that the delivery was smooth and complication-free. “The hospital did extremely well. Everything went fine. In fact, I didn’t even realise when the baby was delivered until they informed me. She was strong, healthy, and fit,” he added.

Revealing the baby’s name, Mr. Akeme said she is called Zion Enekole Adakole. He explained that Zion is a biblical name, symbolising the daughter of Zion, while Enekole is an Idoma name from Benue State, meaning “mother of the house,” reflecting her position as the first child and a future pillar of the family.