society
Nigeria’s $9 Million Image-Laundering Debacle: Misplaced Priorities, Diplomatic Failure and the Cost of Reputation Over Security
Nigeria’s $9 Million Image-Laundering Debacle: Misplaced Priorities, Diplomatic Failure and the Cost of Reputation Over Security.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
“Why Abuja’s Decision to Spend Millions on U.S. Lobbying Amid Deepening Insecurity and Economic Hardship Is a National Embarrassment.”
In a decision that has sparked domestic outrage and intensified global scrutiny, the Federal Government of Nigeria has entered into a $9 million (about ₦13.5 billion) lobbying contract with a Washington-based public affairs firm in a bid to shape the narrative over alleged “GENOCIDE” claims against Christians in the country. The contract, which was executed on December 17, 2025, was signed on behalf of the Nigerian government by Aster Legal, a Kaduna-based law firm and DCI Group, an American lobbying and public affairs company. The agreement mandates that DCI Group help communicate Nigeria’s actions to protect Christian communities and sustain U.S. support for counter-terrorism efforts.
Yet, this costly engagement abroad has provoked resounding condemnation from political parties, civil society organizations and policy analysts who argue that such an expenditure (at a time of worsening insecurity and economic hardship) reflects a distorted sense of national priority and diplomatic failure.
A $9 Million Contract Amid Crises at Home. Under the terms of the contract, Nigeria paid an upfront $4.5 million on December 12, 2025, covering the first six months of the lobbying engagement. The remaining amount is structured as a monthly retainer of $750,000, bringing the total value to $9 million over one year, with the initial period running until June 30, 2026, and subject to automatic renewal unless terminated by either party with a 60-day notice.
The ostensible objective, officials say, is to “assist the Nigerian government in communicating its actions to protect Nigerian Christian communities and maintaining U.S. support in countering West African jihadist groups and other destabilizing elements.”
On its face, this may seem like a legitimate diplomatic engagement. However, critics argue it is reductive, counterproductive and a glaring misallocation of public funds at a time when Nigerians are confronted with everyday threats and from rampant banditry and terrorism to crippling inflation and infrastructure decay.
Misplaced Priorities, According to Critics. Commentators and civil society leaders have condemned the contract as scandalous, indefensible and morally blind. The African Democratic Congress (ADC), for instance, described the expenditure as “OBSCENE,” saying no amount of paid lobbying would hide the government’s failure to protect lives and property at home. The party’s National Publicity Secretary said: “While the ADC recognizes the importance of representing Nigeria’s interests internationally, spending $9 million on image management at a time when millions of Nigerians cannot afford food, fuel, or basic healthcare is a clear case of misplaced priorities and moral blindness.”
Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) labeled the public relations contract “DEFECTIVE and DECEPTIVE,” questioning why a government with vacant ambassadorial positions would outsource core diplomatic functions to a private law firm and yet fail to articulate its record effectively through its own diplomatic corps.
Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) also weighed in, calling the move a “senseless waste of public funds” when those resources could have been deployed to address security gaps that have cost thousands of lives and displaced millions.
Diplomacy by Proxy: A Sign of Institutional Weakness?
The Nigerian government’s turn to paid lobbying in Washington exposes a deeper institutional weakness in Nigeria’s diplomatic architecture. Diplomats and foreign service professionals are meant to champion Nigeria’s interests abroad. Yet, the reliance on external firms suggests that the government views international image management as a technical exercise to be contracted rather than a fundamental part of statecraft to be pursued through capable, accountable institutions.
An experienced former foreign service officer, speaking anonymously, noted: “A government that has left key ambassadorial positions vacant now seeks to outsource diplomacy to lobbyists, further weakening Nigeria’s institutional credibility and reducing foreign policy to transactional propaganda.” This view echoes widespread concern that international perception cannot be effectively rebranded without genuine improvement in security and governance on the ground.
The Genocide Narrative and Its Complexity. The backdrop to this lobbying contract is a contentious narrative surrounding alleged violence against Christian communities in Nigeria. In 2025, influential U.S. political figures, including former President Donald Trump, characterized the violence as “GENOCIDE,” a designation the Nigerian government has firmly rejected. Nigerian authorities insist that insecurity affects all communities irrespective of religion, attributing violence to terrorism, banditry and criminality rather than systematic religious persecution.
Yet the issue has gained traction among foreign policymakers, think tanks and diaspora advocates who argue that ethno-religious violence in Nigeria is intensifying and requires urgent international attention. This has created a competitive narrative environment in Washington, with various lobbyists, including groups linked to pro-Biafra activism, vying to influence U.S. policy and perceptions. According to recent reporting, Nigeria may well be outspending these lobbyists in an effort to shape the narrative in its favour.
While the debate is complex and multifaceted, the government’s heavy investment in narrative management abroad raises a fundamental question: Why spend millions on perception management when realities on the ground cry out for sound governance and security solutions?
A Government Under Pressure. Nigeria’s diplomatic outreach comes at a time when its international standing is under pressure. Aside from allegations of targeted violence, the country grapples with allegations of human rights violations in various regions and concern over the effectiveness of its counter-terrorism strategies. Meanwhile, within Nigeria, citizens face deteriorating economic conditions, skyrocketing inflation and daily insecurity.
A respected international relations scholar, Professor Amina Yusuf, summed up the dilemma: “Reputation is a by-product of reality, not a substitute for it. A government cannot buy legitimacy abroad while legitimacy at home collapses.”
This insight is particularly poignant in a nation where tertiary education experts and economists have repeatedly argued that security and economic stability are prerequisites for a positive global image and not the other way around. Investing in robust public institutions and ensuring citizens’ safety should logically precede investment in public relations abroad.
Toward an Authentic National Narrative. If Nigeria is to defend its global image effectively, the starting point must be substantive improvements at home. International audiences (policymakers, investors and civil society) look beyond glossy talking points to concrete developments: declining rates of violence, improved access to justice, respect for human rights and economic progress.
A veteran diplomatic analyst, Ambassador (ret.) Chukwuemeka Okafor, stresses this point: “Diplomacy without results is propaganda, and propaganda without results is hypocrisy. Our ambassadors must be empowered to tell our story, grounded in progress, not spin.”
The current approach (outsourcing narrative management while core domestic issues fester) runs the risk of projecting desperation rather than confidence. It is akin to repainting a crumbling wall instead of repairing the foundation.
Summative Perspective: Rebuilding Trust Through Action. Nigeria’s $9 million image management deal with a U.S. lobbying firm lays bare a deeper crisis of governance. It exemplifies a decisions-over-delivery mindset, prioritizing perception over performance. At a time when millions of Nigerians face insecurity, economic hardship and eroding trust in state institutions, this contract underscores a leadership disconnected from the immediate needs of its people.
A government that truly cares about its global reputation must first ensure security, accountability and prosperity at home. Only then can international narratives shift, but not through paid lobbyists but through undeniable progress. As Professor Yusuf aptly concludes: “A nation’s reputation is earned in the field, not bought in the boardroom.”
This report was compiled with reference to multiple sources including Nigeria’s recent $9 million lobbying engagement to counter alleged genocide claims and critical analyses of the broader political responses.
news
Kalabari Kingdom Witnesses Historic Rite as King Dokubo- Asari Installs Son as Chief, rolls out a Boat Regatta
Kalabari Kingdom Witnesses Historic Rite as King Dokubo- Asari Installs Son as Chief, rolls out a Boat Regatta
By; Al Humphrey Onyanabo
The rich customs and time-honoured traditions of the ancient Kalabari kingdom came alive in Buguma, Rivers State today, February 28, 2026 as Da Amakiri Tubo, Alhaji Mujahid Abubakar Dokubo-Asari, Dabaye Amakiri 1, Amanyanabo of Elem Kalabari ( The Source) formally presented his son, Briebibo Dienyefa, to the Kalabari nation as a chief.
The ceremony marked the culmination of over two months of meticulous traditional processes — a demanding journey rooted in ancestry, honour and communal validation. In Kalabari land, chieftaincy is neither symbolic nor automatic. It is earned through a rigorous rite of passage that requires the candidate to be presented before chiefs of various houses and families with which he has paternal affiliation.
At each stage, Briebibo Dienyefa was introduced,scrutinised and affirmed. The chiefs examined not only his lineage but also his character, reputation and conduct. In keeping with tradition, he had to be accepted as worthy and without blemish — fit to lead, represent and uphold the dignity of his people.
With the traditional requirements satisfied, he was formally put forward by his father, the Amanyanabo of Elem Kalabari, to sit on his personal stool as Dokubo-Asari II — a title that carries both heritage and responsibility.
The presentation ceremony drew traditional rulers, chiefs, elders and well-wishers from across Kalabari land, underscoring the cultural weight of the moment. It was not merely a family milestone but a reaffirmation of Kalabari’s enduring governance structure — one that blends ancestry, moral authority and communal consensus.
The chieftaincy journey of Alabo Briebibo Dienyefa Dokubo-Asari began on January 17, 2026, with a colourful outing in Buguma.(He is taking over the personal chieftaincy stool initiated by his father since 2004).
On that day, he was formally presented to the Edi Polo family at the Edi Polo Memorial Hall, marking the first step in a process deeply rooted in Kalabari custom.
A week later, on January 24, 2026, the second stage — Polo Diye, the traditional compound presentation — took place at the Omubo Birinaomoni Memorial Hall. Close to one hundred chiefs were in attendance, underscoring the seriousness of the rite and the weight of communal endorsement required for the path he had chosen.
On Saturday, February 27, 2026, he advanced further in consolidating his chieftaincy as he was presented at the Kariboye-Abi Princewill Memorial Hall, Buguma. The day carried historic significance. His father, the Amanyanabo of Elem Kalabari, was also presented to the Abi Royal Family in fulfilment of custom ahead of his coronation — a reminder that in Kalabari land, even a king must submit to ancestral protocol.
Early morning showers that Friday were interpreted by many as a sign of divine alignment with the solemnity of the moment.
This weekend stands as a defining chapter for Da Amakiri Tubo, The Amanyanabo of Elem Kalabari. Father and son move through tradition side by side — one affirming his kingship rites, the other stepping fully into chieftaincy responsibility.
The royal convoy reflected the stature of the occasion. The Amanyanabo rode in a cream Rolls-Royce, followed by a 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser VXR and a Mercedes-Benz Brabus 800. The Amama Soldiers maintained tight security throughout the proceedings.
Today, at the King Kariboye-Abu Princewill Amachree Memorial Hall in Buguma, both father and son are being formally presented to the Abi Family chiefs, as tradition demands. The Abi Royal Family — custodians of ancestral legitimacy — play a central role in affirming both the king and the chief.
Proceedings are being overseen by the Regent of the Kalabari Kingdom, Chief Charles Numbere.
In keeping with Kalabari tradition, no coronation as Amanyanabo is complete without this presentation to the Abi Royal Family. It is a reaffirmation that authority flows not merely from title, but from lineage, acceptance and adherence to sacred custom.
After the opening speech of the Regent, The Amanyanabo’s hand was raised by Chief Basoene Abiyesuku raised the hand of the monarch and presented him to the Regent of the Kalabari Kingdom.
Thereafter it was the turn of King Dokubo-Asari to present his son Breibibo Dienboye formally to his kinsmen of the Kariboye Abi Royal family. That accomplished, step out into the afternoon sun,
The crowd accompanying us had ballooned. We move to the King Amachree town hall where a massive crowd waited at about 12 noon.
The Presentation ceremony is simple. The Regent of the Kalabari Kingdom, Chief Charles Numbere is running the show. There is a quiz to test the fidelity of the new chief. First he is asked to identify two items, a canoon ball and a tuber of yam on the table in front of the Regent and to choose one between both, afterwards he is asked what action he will take if he learns of an insurgency against the king.
Thereafter, A family chief raises his hand and presents him to the Regent. After the successful presentation of any chief, Cannon balls are fired.
There were about ten chiefs who came to show themselves today like the son of Amanyanabo of the Source but beyond doubt, the King stood out. Musical Entertainment outside was provided by the Ogele cultural troupe of the Amanyanabo and the members of the Alhaji Mujahid Abubarkr Dokubo-Asari Cultural Centre. Each tried to outdo each other. They sang and danced in the scorching son for other two hours non stop in honour of their patron. Today was payback day.
Today, Saturday February 28 is the grand finale, King Dokubo-Asari is championing the Se Diye( Presentation to the Kalabari nation) of his son, Alabo Briebibo Dienboye Dokubo-Asari.
To commemorate the installation, the kingdom staged a colourful boat regatta — a vibrant maritime display deeply woven into Kalabari cultural identity. The spectacle of decorated boats gliding across the waters, accompanied by music, chants and traditional pageantry, symbolised continuity, celebration and the living spirit of a riverine people.
For the Kalabari nation, the event stood as both a preservation of heritage and a declaration of succession — ensuring that the traditions of leadership remain intact, respected and passed from one generation to the next.
This afternoon, King Amachree Memorial Hall in Buguma is filled to capacity.
Influential chiefs and figures from every stratum of the Kalabari Kingdom — including members of the diaspora and invited friends — are present for the historic gathering.
Inside and around the hall, traditional drums thunder without pause. Dancers move in tight formations, voices rise in rhythmic chants, and the tempo of celebration has reached a fevered intensity.
The atmosphere is electric, and the crowd’s exuberance leaves no doubt that this is a moment of collective pride and cultural. Today, five chiefs from the Edi Compound — also headed by King Asari-Dokubo have advanced to the final and most prestigious stage of their chieftaincy journey: the Se Diye.
Those being presented
are: Alabo West Oburulele,
Alabo Seliman of Sama,
Alabo Dr Ebi Robinson Braide, Alabo Obiobra Pankin Braide, Alabo Briebibo Dienyefa Dokubo-Asari,
and Alabo Tubidikiba Braide.
The Se Diye — the formal presentation to the Kalabari nation — represents the highest level of chieftaincy installation in the Kalabari Kingdom. It comes only after a chief has successfully passed through the preceding stages of scrutiny and family endorsements.
By the time a candidate reaches this point, he has already been examined by his compound and lineage.
The Se Diye extends that validation to the entire Kalabari nation.
It is an undertaking of immense cultural and financial weight. The cost is substantial, but more importantly, the responsibility it confers is profound. The Se Diye is similar to the Ama Diye but to a wider audience.
At this stage, the chief (known in Kalabari as Alabo) publicly presents himself before fellow chiefs from across Kalabari land — men who have themselves undergone the same rites. It is both introduction and affirmation: a declaration that he stands as a full Kalabari chief, recognised by tradition and accepted by his peers.
For the Kalabari people, the Se Diye is not a mere ceremony; it is institutional continuity. It ensures that leadership remains rooted in ancestry, accountability and communal consent.
With its completion, Alabo Briebibo Dienyefa Dokubo-Asari steps fully into the privileges and symbolism of his office. He may now wear the Don attire — the distinctive regalia of Kalabari chiefs — anywhere in the kingdom. The walking stick with added swagger, is no longer ornamental. It signifies authority earned through process and endurance.
And truth be told, he has earned it. Today, he stands affirmed.
Congratulations, Alabo Briebibo Dienyefa Dokubo-Asari, (Dokubo-Asari 11). Continue to soar.
By: Al Humphrey Onyanabo,
The Storyteller,
society
How President Donald Trump ignored Primate Ayodele’s Warnings Against Attacking Iran (VIDEO)
*How President Donald Trump ignored Primate Ayodele’s Warnings Against Attacking Iran (VIDEO)*
The world has been thrown into confusion following retaliatory attacks from Iran after the USA and Israel launched attacks against the country.
The U.S. and Israel announced a major military operation against Iran early Saturday, after President Trump threatened the Iranian regime for weeks to make a new deal to rein in its nuclear program, and before that, threatened it over its violent crackdown on protesters in January.
In a video posted on Truth Social, Mr. Trump said the U.S. was “undertaking a massive and ongoing operation to prevent this very wicked, radical dictatorship from threatening America and our core national security interests.” The U.S. military dubbed the assault “Operation Epic Fury.”
Iran has responded to a wave of US strikes by launching missile attacks on multiple countries hosting some of the tens of thousands of American troops deployed across the Middle East.
Iranian forces say they have struck a US naval base in Bahrain, as Iran launched strikes across the region in retaliation for a “massive” and ongoing attack against it by the US and Israel.
Huge plumes of black smoke were seen rising from an area near the headquarters of the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet in Manama, Bahrain. The extent of any damage is unclear and the US has not commented.
Elsewhere across the region, the UAE, Qatar, Jordan and Kuwait – all home to US military bases – said they have intercepted missiles fired towards them.
In Doha, Qatar’s defence ministry said it had intercepted several missiles apparently targeting the al-Udeid air base, the largest US base in the region.
Although this is still on, and several nations could still be affected with a lot of lives waiting to be lost. Sadly, this could have been avoided if the US listened to the voice of God through his servant, Primate Elijah Ayodele of INRI Evangelical Spiritual Church when he warned that an attack on Iran would be escalated.
The prophet sounded the warning in a video, calling on President Donald Trump to think it twice before carrying out attacks on the country.
“In Iran, the steps that America want to take in the country, I don’t see them getting it right. If they strike in Iran, it will cause a lot of problems. Let them sit down and think it twice.”
@primateayodele
Meanwhile, he had revealed in his 2026 prophecies released on December 20, 2025 that there will be an attack in Iran.
“I foresee external military aggression against Iran”…..the current situation is a huge military aggression against the country.
At the moment, several countries are running helter-skelter due to the war, and the end doesn’t seem to be near as it continues to get larger.
society
2027 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: PROF. MUHAMMAD OMOLAJA SUBMITTED EXPRESSION OF INTEREST TO SOUTHWEST ADP LEADERSHIP
2027 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION: PROF. MUHAMMAD OMOLAJA SUBMITTED EXPRESSION OF INTEREST TO SOUTHWEST ADP LEADERSHIP
Thursday, February 27, 2026 was a special day in the life of the Action Democratic Party (ADP) in the southwest of Nigeria. This was the day one of the outstanding academician cum politician and Presidential Aspirant of the Party during the 2023 general election from the Obe Royal family of Ayetoro City, the headquarters of Yewa North Local Government in Ogun State part of the region – Prof. Muhammad Ayinla Omolaja (MAO) – formally submitted his Expression of Interest to contest for the Nigerian President during the forthcoming presidential election slated to take place on January 16, 2027, by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The occasion was well attended by the six State Chairmen of the Party from the region together with other notable southwest leaders.
The National Liberation Patriots (NLP) team of which Prof. Muhammad Omolaja is the National Chairman was lead to the occasion by their National Political Adviser (South) covering the 17 States of the Southern Part of Nigeria – Alhaji (Chief, Dr.) Moshood Alao Adegboyega – from Oyo State accompanied by other leaders of the political family.
The six ADP State Chairmen that attended the crucial meeting were Hon. Toye Ola of Osun State who doubles as the Southwest Chairman, Barrister (Dr.) Nasir Adewale Bolaji of Lagos State, Hon. (Chief, Amb., Dr.) Olufunke Modupeola Olanrewaju of Ogun State, His Excellency Ojo Ayodeji Tope of Ekiti State who is also the ADP governorship candidate for the forthcoming 2026 Ekiti State gubernatorial election, Hon. (Apostle) Oludare Ojo of Oyo State, and Hon. (Apostle) Oluwafemi Oladejo of Ondo State.
Also at the meeting were the ADP Governorship candidate for the forthcoming 2026 Osun State gubernatorial election – Her Excellency (Hon.) Yemisi Adeagbo-Opawoye, His Excellency (Dr.) Kazeem Olanrewaju Shokunbi – the Ogun State ADP Governorship Aspirant and his Deputy Governorship Aspirant – Her Excellency (Dr.) Oluronke Morenikeji Oseni.
The presidential hopeful, Prof. Muhammad Omolaja, used the opportunity to convince the Party leaders that if given the mandate to represent them as the Party’s flag bearer during the 2027 general election, he will make them proud and make Nigeria greater! He then handed over three copies of his Expression of Interest letter with its concomitant profile of him for the race. The three copies were duly signed and received while two copies were returned to him for further action upward to the National Chairman of the Party, Engineer Yusuf Yabagi, at the National Secretariat in Abuja – the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria.
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