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Real reasons released Chibok Girls can’t be allowed to go home now – Femi Adeshina reveals

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9 years ago

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Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) to the president, Femi Adesina, spoke to Deputy Editor, LEON USIGBE, concerning the ongoing debate over President Muhammadu Buhari’s health and the delay in reuniting released Chibok school girls with their families.

Excerpts:

Is there any possibility that Nigerians will be told the actual health status of President Buhari?

It is only the president himself that can declare that. And when he came back from London on March 10, he said it that he had never been that sick in his life. That is a declaration of his health status.

There are demands that he should go the whole hog and talk about his actual ailment…

It is within his prerogative to do that. Nobody can do it for him. Not even the doctors treating him can do it for him. Under the Hippocratic Oath, nobody can do it except the patient. Nobody. Under the Hippocratic Oath, it says that even the doctor has no right to reveal the health status of his patient to anybody. So, it’s only Mr President that can say what exactly is wrong with him.
Don’t forget that in June last year, he went abroad to treat an ear problem. That ear problem had first been treated here in Nigeria and then, when he was going on vacation, he used that opportunity to also consult specialists in London. When he came back, he told the country that this was what was wrong with him. So, the prerogative is his own to disclose and if he wants to disclose, he will. But nobody should be asking him to do it. That would be an infringement on his right.

But how does he perceive the suspense his non-disclosure is putting Nigerians through?

Nobody should be in suspense in the real sense of the word. It’s like they say, you don’t have to use Panadol for another person’s headache. If anybody has put himself in suspense, he’s just doing it for himself because it’s not necessary. The law does not compel a president to reveal what is wrong with him. It does not.

The freed Chibok girls, when will they go home?

That question is not due yet. It’s not time for that question. Yes, no doubt they will go home because nobody can keep them forever. But now that they have just come, it is the responsibility of government to ensure that that are rehabilitated-spiritual rehabilitation, physical, mental, sociological, medical, all kinds rehabilitation. They need to be prepared for life in society again, having been in captivity for over three years. If government does not do it, the same people who are agitating that they should go home, will turn round and blame government of being reneged in its responsibility. So, government is doing what it should do for its citizens by ensuring that those girls are kept together in a safe location and given wholistic rehabilitation.
The president, while he was receiving them on Sunday, said going back to school is a priority, that they must finish their education. So, they must be assisted to return to school. Before returning to the larger society, there are other kinds of rehabilitation that should be done. And it is after all that is done that the question you have asked will become due for asking. But it does not mean that their parents will not see them in all that time. No. Parents and families will see them; in fact, those that returned last October, remember they spent Christmas with their families. So, that is the situation. Their people will have access to them, but government also will fulfill its obligations and responsibilities to them for some time to come before they are released to go back to the society.

October is a long time when the first 21 were released and, like you said, they were able to spend Christmas with their families. But why are they still being kept away from their families by government?

It depends on the programme of rehabilitation. I wish you would meet those in charge of rehabilitation so that they show you the programme. It’s when we know the programme of rehabilitation that we will know the time they are due to finally be with their families. And I can tell you this; even a lot of the families, Chibok parents, are glad. Parents of the 21 that came in October, they are glad that their daughters are going through this rehabilitation. A number of them have expressed delight and appreciation to government that government is taking them through this process of rehabilitation. So, I doubt if any of the parents is complaining. The parents are not complaining. They are even thankful to government.

Who is in charge of this rehabilitation? Where are the girls being held?

It’s between security and Women Affairs Ministry. So, it is between the office of the NSA (National Security Services), the office of the DG DSS (Department of State Security) and the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development.

In essence, what you are saying is that there is no hidden agenda; government is not holding them because it does not want the truth to be told.
That to me will be most ridiculous, unthinkable. Why would the government want to hide them? Government is just fulfilling its responsibility towards them.

President Buhari said the release of the girls is a good anniversary gift. Could it have therefore been timed to coincide with the anniversary?
Anytime is a good time for somebody who has been in captivity to regain freedom. Anytime. He who feels it knows it. It is those who have been in captivity for over three years that can know the joy and happiness of liberty which they have now. So, you don’t begin to trifle with things like that. You don’t begin to play politics with things like that. If government of the past played politics with Chibok girls, this government will not.

Some people believe that the Boko Haram commanders released in exchange for the girls are too dangerous to be let back into the society. What’s the motivation of government in doing this?

Don’t forget that the president has always said he would bend over backwards to get the Chibok girls. Bending over backwards means doing a prisoners’ swap and that is what has been done. The president even said at a point that if it means paying, ‘I will pay.’ So, that shows you the extent to which the president is ready to get the girls back. And if some prisoners’ swap had to be done to get 82 girls, I think it’s well worth it. All over the world, prisoners’ swaps are done.

Anything else you want to add?

I just want to add, as the president said in the statement we issued when he was traveling, to thank Nigerians who have shown understanding; to thank those who are praying’ to thank men and women of goodwill; to thank all those who are desiring to see the president hale and hearty, healthy and strong and doing the good work for which he has been elected. I want to thank them and I want to believe God that God will answer all the prayers being said for the president and the president will bounce back to full health and fulfill the purpose for which God had brought him up to lead this country and the purpose for which Nigerians have elected him will also be fulfilled.

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Sahara weekly online is published by First Sahara weekly international. contact [email protected]

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ADVAN Wins Global Honour at WFA Awards for “Project Freedom” Initiative

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3 days ago

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April 25, 2026

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ADVAN Earns Global Recognition As WFA President’s Award Winner For “Project Freedom”

 

 

The Advertisers Association of Nigeria (ADVAN) has been recognised on the global stage as a recipient of the prestigious WFA President’s Award, presented by the World Federation of Advertisers during its Global Marketer Week in Stockholm. The recognition places ADVAN among a select group of leading industry associations worldwide acknowledged for driving meaningful impact in marketing and society.

 

The WFA President’s Awards, established in 2010, celebrate national industry associations whose initiatives advance the marketer’s agenda and contribute to positive change. This year’s honours were awarded following a rigorous selection process involving 38 submissions from associations across the WFA’s global network, with winners chosen for their measurable impact and potential for replication across markets.

 

ADVAN’s recognition comes through its advocacy initiative, Project Freedom, a bold and strategic effort focused on addressing the challenges of stifling, non–data-driven regulations affecting businesses in Nigeria and across Africa. The initiative underscores the importance of evidence-based policymaking while championing the constitutional right to freedom of commerce.

 

Through Project Freedom, ADVAN has taken a proactive leadership role in engaging key stakeholders and shaping conversations around fair, balanced, and transparent regulation. The initiative reflects a shift toward constructive dialogue and collaboration, ensuring that regulatory frameworks support innovation, protect consumer interests, and enable sustainable business growth.

 

By earning this global recognition, ADVAN reinforces the growing influence of African marketing institutions in shaping international discourse. Its work highlights how local advocacy, when rooted in data and guided by clear principles, can deliver impact not just within national borders but across the global marketing ecosystem.

 

The award also affirms ADVAN’s commitment to strengthening self-regulation within the industry, fostering accountability, and promoting standards that align with global best practices while remaining relevant to local realities.

 

As the marketing landscape continues to evolve, ADVAN’s recognition by the World Federation of Advertisers signals a strong endorsement of its leadership and vision. It positions the association as a key voice in advancing responsible marketing, advocating for enabling policies, and ensuring that businesses can operate in an environment that supports both innovation and economic freedom.

 

ADVAN Wins Global Honour at WFA Awards for “Project Freedom” Initiative

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PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status 

Published

4 days ago

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April 24, 2026

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PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status 

*PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status 

 

To prevent any misunderstanding regarding our affiliation with the United Nations, we hereby provide a formal clarification on the status and identity of the United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC), formerly known as IPGC.

 

UNIPGC is an independent Civil Society Organization and Non-Governmental Organization with continental chapters registered in the United States, Germany, Canada, and several countries across Africa. The organization is committed to promoting the values and principles of the United Nations, particularly in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), as well as advocating for good governance globally.

 

In furtherance of its mandate, UNIPGC has established partnerships with reputable diplomatic civil society organizations, including the United Nations Association of Nigeria and the United Nations Association of Ghana. These collaborations are aimed at strengthening its engagement with initiatives aligned with United Nations ideals.

 

Additionally, UNIPGC has entered into diplomatic relations with the International Organization for Economic Development (IOED), an Intergovernmental Organization (IGO), to enhance its capacity for international cooperation and diplomatic engagement.

PUBLIC NOTICE*: Revalidation of UNIPGC Organizational Status 

We wish to clearly state that UNIPGC is **not** an entity, agency, or organ of the United Nations.

 

Members of the public and media practitioners are respectfully advised to refer to the organization by its full and correct name: **United International Peace and Governance Council (UNIPGC)**, and not as the United Nations.

 

Thank you.

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Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour

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4 days ago

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April 24, 2026

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Laffmattazz Announces Strategic Partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for 2026 International Tour

 

 

 

Laffmattazz, one of Nigeria’s foremost comedy and live entertainment brands, is pleased to announce its official partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited for the highly anticipated Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour, themed “Next Chapter: A New Season of Laughter.”

 

Now in its 15th year, Laffmattazz—the brainchild of renowned Nigerian comedian Gbenga Adeyinka (Gbenga Adeyinka 1st)—has evolved into a cultural phenomenon, celebrated for its seamless fusion of comedy, music, and live stage performances.

 

The 2026 tour, which kicked off on Easter Sunday, April 5th, 2026 at the Jogor Centre, Ibadan, marks a significant milestone in the brand’s journey. Building on over a decade of success across Nigeria, this year’s edition signals a bold expansion into the international market, with a multi-city run in Canada, alongside major stops in Akure, Abeokuta, and Lagos.

 

This strategic partnership with First Bank of Nigeria Limited underscores a shared commitment to excellence and innovation. It is also aligned with FirstBank’s First@Arts initiative—a significant and ongoing program dedicated to supporting the creative arts, entertainment, and cultural sectors. Through this initiative, FirstBank provides financing, advisory services, and actively fosters a sustainable value chain for artists and creative entrepreneurs, while supporting key industry platforms such as the Nigerian Entertainment Conference.

 

Speaking on the collaboration, the Laffmattazz team stated:

 

“We are delighted to welcome First Bank of Nigeria Limited as a strategic partner for the Laffmattazz 2026 International Tour. As we mark 15 remarkable years of Laffmattazz, this partnership reinforces our vision to take premium Nigerian entertainment beyond borders, while delivering even bigger, better, and more memorable experiences for our audiences.”

 

As a key partner, First Bank will enrich the tour through innovative customer engagement initiatives, experiential activations, and exclusive fan experiences across all tour locations.

 

With its distinctive blend of humor, culture, and live entertainment, the Laffmattazz 2026 Tour is poised to connect audiences across cities and continents, bringing laughter to thousands of fans worldwide.

 

⸻

 

About Laffmattazz

 

Laffmattazz is a premier Nigerian comedy and entertainment brand, now in its 15th year, renowned for its vibrant live shows and nationwide tours. Founded by Gbenga Adeyinka 1st, the brand continues to deliver high-quality experiences that celebrate creativity, culture, and laughter.

 

About First Bank of Nigeria Limited

 

First Bank of Nigeria Limited is Nigeria’s oldest financial institution, widely respected for its legacy of trust, innovation, and customer-centric financial solutions that support economic growth and development. Through its First@Arts initiative, the Bank continues to play a pivotal role in empowering the creative industry and driving sustainable growth across the sector.

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