celebrity radar - gossips
Agbese: Linking Buratai, Matawalle to Terror Financing Is Illogical, Insulting to Nigeria’s Security History
*Agbese: Linking Buratai, Matawalle to Terror Financing Is Illogical, Insulting to Nigeria’s Security History*
Hon Philip Agbese, Deputy Spokesperson of the House of Representatives, has dismissed allegations linking former Chief of Army Staff and ex-Ambassador to Benin Republic, Lt-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, to terrorism financing, describing them as “reckless, fabricated and utterly unacceptable”.
Agbese, speaking to journalists in Abuja on Saturday, said the claims were not only false but an orchestrated attempt to malign two men who, according to him, have played pivotal roles in strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture.
He said it was “deeply unfortunate” that individuals who have made significant sacrifices for Nigeria were being targeted with allegations that contradict everything they have stood for throughout their public service careers.
Agbese particularly condemned the attempt to link Buratai to Boko Haram sponsorship, arguing that such claims were both illogical and insulting to Nigeria’s security history under the Buhari administration.
“General Buratai fought Boko Haram terrorists from the front. Anyone who followed Nigeria’s security trajectory from 2015 knows that before the Buhari administration took office, Boko Haram had bombed the Police Headquarters, the United Nations building, Banex Plaza, Nyanya Motor Park, and countless mosques, churches and markets. Entire communities across Borno, Yobe and Adamawa were under the absolute control of the insurgents,” the lawmaker said.
He said Buratai’s leadership as Army Chief led to the recovery of captured territories, stabilisation of the North-East and restoration of confidence across the country.
“Under his command, Boko Haram lost grip of territories they previously occupied. Basic governance returned to towns that had been abandoned for years. Abuja, which had faced repeated deadly bombings, became safe again. The scale of devastation Nigerians experienced between 2009 and 2014 reduced drastically because of his strategic leadership,” Agbese said.
The lawmaker added that Buratai’s efforts were not limited to the North-East, noting that other security threats also reduced significantly under his tenure.
“The de-escalation of violent criminal groups, including IPOB’s militant wing and various armed gangs across the country, was part of the broader national security gains recorded during his service. These were not accidental achievements but outcomes of coordinated security reforms he championed,” he said.
Agbese insisted that attempting to paint such a figure as a terrorism financier was not only contrary to the facts but a “grave injustice” that Nigerians must reject.
“This is a man whose career is defined by integrity, patriotism and sacrifice. To accuse him of supporting the same enemies he spent decades fighting is beyond absurd,” he said.
He said the former Army Chief deserved appreciation, not defamation, for his contributions.
“Buratai’s legacy remains one of honourable service. The Nigerian Army under him confronted terrorism with renewed vigour, and Nigerians today enjoy the safety dividends of those efforts,” he added.
Turning to the charges against Matawalle, Agbese said the allegations were equally baseless and crafted to undermine the minister’s commitment to securing the country.
“As governor of Zamfara State, Matawalle inherited a complex web of criminal gangs and terror groups operating across several parts of the state,” he said.
“Despite limited resources and a deeply entrenched security crisis, he took bold steps, both kinetic and non-kinetic, to weaken these networks, dismantle their logistics, and restore hope to citizens who had been completely abandoned.”
Agbese said Matawalle worked closely with security agencies, strengthened community-level intelligence structures, and pushed for federal collaboration long before assuming office as minister.
“Anyone familiar with the dynamics in Zamfara at the time knows the extent of the crisis he confronted. The suggestion that he supported these groups is false and malicious,” he said.
The deputy spokesperson urged Nigerians to disregard what he described as “sponsored propaganda designed to distract the public from ongoing reforms in the defence sector”.
The legislator warned that attempts to demoralise serving and retired security leaders would only embolden criminal elements and undermine national stability.
“Nigeria must never reward service with slander. We cannot allow individuals who risk their lives for this country to be casually defamed for clicks and traffic,” he said.
Agbese called on those behind the allegations to retract them and desist from further attempts to mislead the public.
“Nigerians stand firmly with Buratai and Matawalle. Their records speak for them. No amount of blackmail will erase their contributions to national security,” he added.
celebrity radar - gossips
ENOUGH OF FALSEHOODS”: Group Slams Sahara Reporters Over ‘Baseless’ Terrorism Claims
“ENOUGH OF FALSEHOODS”: Group Slams Sahara Reporters Over ‘Baseless’ Terrorism Claims
celebrity radar - gossips
Lagos plays host to the premiere of “The Reverse” movie by popular actress, Age Anthony
Lagos plays host to the premiere of “The Reverse” movie by popular actress, Age Anthony.
… Nollywood veterans storm Ballons and Boardrooms for the official movie premiere
~By Oluwaseun Fabiyi
The Reverse movie premiere was a truly remarkable event held at Ballons and Boardrooms, IOC, Ladoke Akintola, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos, on Wednesday, 26th November 2025.
The Reverse movie premiere drew a large and distinguished crowd of dignitaries, friends, family, and colleagues from across the continent, commencing with a spectacular red-carpet event featuring elegantly attired individuals for the paparazzi, followed by an opening prayer led by a prominent pastor before the official premiere.
Nollywood actress and producer, Anthony Age, is a beautiful woman who hails from Kogi State and holds a BSc in Marketing from Lagos State University.
She has held the position of 2nd runner-up at the Daily Times Miss Nigeria pageant and subsequently established herself as a professional model, featuring in numerous TV commercials, calendars, magazines, and billboards over the years
Age, held in high esteem by those who know her, remains a prominent figure in the fashion industry as both a runway model and an instructor
Following a prolonged break, she resumed her career in the movie industry in 2002. Her outstanding performances in various television series have earned her numerous awards, further adding to her accolades. She is currently thriving, having successfully crossed over into the Nigerian film industry, and appears in both English and Yoruba language movies
Anthony Age received accolades for the Nollywood Cross Over Actress of the Year 2018 award, and her profile has been bolstered by several other awards.
Age has bolstered her professional reputation as a leading party content creator by developing content that compellingly resonates with the general public and her followers, fostering a practical viewpoint.
Her newly released film on YouTube, ‘The Reverse’, is exceptional, with thousands of viewers tuning in across the continent to her YouTube channel. In essence, she is a serene, carefree, and courteous woman.
Age Anthony, a talented entertainer well-known for her creativity both on-screen and in the fashion world, surprised her fans with her new movie.
The Reverse movie is a compelling watch, scheduled for release in cinemas and other viewing platforms; it will also be downloadable and available on her personal YouTube and other channels.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLHqTkBpEr6JoeWJX0Fk0eg Apata etc.
Friends, family, colleagues, and fans were thrilled for her new movie premiere, which featured an impressive array of sophisticated drinks and assorted delicacies, creating an atmosphere of grandeur.
The gifted Nollywood actress, Age Anthony, has reaffirmed her exceptional talent, thrilling her fans and the global audience with her new movie ‘The Reverse’, which has garnered widespread attention and generated public discourse on social media platforms
Her family, friends, fans and colleagues in the Nollywood industry have taken to social media to congratulate her on this new great job, as she was commended in diverse ways for her exceptional wisdom and brilliance
Once more, the Reverse movie is highly recommended viewing.
NIGERIA: THE UNBREAKABLE GIANT RISING THROUGH STORMS
By Tukur Buratai
In a world quick to predict national failure, few countries have endured more scrutiny than Nigeria. From think-tank forecasts to global risk assessments, the country is often portrayed as teetering on the edge. Yet, beneath these narratives lies a deeper truth—Nigeria’s extraordinary resilience.
In a recent reflection posted on his Facebook page, former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd.), argues that the idea of Nigeria as a potential failed state is not only inaccurate but a fundamental misunderstanding of its history and its destiny. For Buratai, Nigeria is not crumbling—it is rising.
A Nation Shaped by Giants
Buratai begins by invoking the spirit of Nigeria’s founding fathers—Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Sir Ahmadu Bello, and Chief Obafemi Awolowo—leaders whose vision helped carve a nation out of colonial rule. Their legacy, he notes, created a foundation that no crisis has ever completely shaken.
From post-independence turbulence to military incursion and back to democracy, Nigeria has repeatedly pulled back from the brink. Military leaders like Gen. Yakubu Gowon and Gen. Murtala Mohammed steered the country through nation-defining moments, while Chief Olusegun Obasanjo twice restored political stability—first in 1979 and again in 1999.
Today, Buratai observes, Nigeria is seeing the rise of a new generation of leaders—young, connected, innovative, and more accountable to citizens who are vocal and increasingly conscious of their power. Their commitment to unity and national progress, he insists, makes the idea of a collapsing Nigeria “inconceivable.”
Economy: Hardship, Yes — but Also Immense Opportunity
Buratai acknowledges the economic turbulence facing the nation, but he cautions against interpreting temporary difficulty as long-term decline. Since independence, Nigeria has transformed from a primarily agrarian society to Africa’s largest economy.
He highlights several underutilized strengths:
Human capital—a youthful population and a highly skilled diaspora
Agricultural capacity—enough arable land to feed West Africa
Solid mineral wealth—from gold to lithium and iron ore
Renewable energy potential—sunlight strong enough to power industries
Creative and digital innovation—Nollywood, Afrobeats, and a booming tech sector
For Buratai, these assets guarantee that Nigeria’s economic future remains bright. The ongoing diversification away from oil, though slow and painful, is laying the groundwork for a knowledge-driven and resilient economy.
—
Security and Infrastructure: A Nation in Transition
Nigeria’s security challenges—Boko Haram, ISWAP, banditry, and separatist agitations—remain a national concern. But Buratai argues that these struggles represent a phase of renewal, not collapse.
He notes that Boko Haram, once feared for its territorial control, has been significantly degraded from its peak in 2014–2015 due to years of tactical and strategic adjustments. The armed forces, he insists, are more retooled and revitalized than many acknowledge.
On infrastructure, Buratai highlights what he calls “quiet revolutions”—railway revival projects, major road expansions, airport modernization programs, and the massive Dangote Refinery, now the largest single-train refinery on earth. These developments, he suggests, point to a nation investing aggressively in its long-term foundations.
The Real Strength: The Nigerian Spirit
Beyond institutions, policies, and economics, Buratai identifies the Nigerian people as the country’s most powerful engine of survival.
He recounts moments that tested the nation’s soul:
The civil war of 1967–1970
Structural Adjustment hardships of the 1980s
Pro-democracy struggles that ended military rule
The #EndSARS youth movement demanding transparency
And today’s economic trials
Despite everything, Nigerians continue to innovate, hustle, survive, and support one another through communal systems like esusu and grassroots solidarity.
“This social capital,” Buratai writes, “is the bedrock upon which the nation’s future is secured.”
A Message to the West: Stop Predicting Collapse—Start Building Partnerships
Buratai’s feature sharply criticizes international observers who constantly forecast Nigeria’s doom. He warns that such narratives distract from the opportunities Nigeria presents and risk undermining global cooperation.
He calls for:
1. Technology Transfer—especially in green energy and digital infrastructure
2. Investment, Not Aid—to unlock Nigeria’s private sector potential
3. Collaborative Security—rooted in respect for Nigeria’s sovereignty
The West, he argues, must stop preparing for Nigeria’s collapse and start preparing for Nigeria’s rise.
—
Recommendations for a Stronger Nigeria and a Stronger Africa
Buratai outlines a three-level plan:
For Nigeria
Forge a new patriotism focused on merit and national service
Deepen economic diversification with targeted investment funds
Expand community-based security under national coordination
For Developed Nations
Shift to partnership-based engagement
Reform global financial institutions
Elevate Nigerian creativity and innovation on global platforms
For Africa
Strengthen AfCFTA to build continental self-reliance
Share security and anti-corruption practices
Assert collective power in global negotiations
Conclusion: A Nation Destined to Rise
Buratai concludes with conviction: Nigeria will not fail—not now, not ever.
“Our current trials,” he writes, “are the furnace in which a stronger, more united, and self-reliant nation is being forged.”
For him, the world must begin to see Nigeria not as a volatile experiment but as a rising global force whose trajectory is upward.
And in his final words, he echoes a sentiment shared by millions across the country:
“We will not fail. We are rising.”
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19hajU51Yq/
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