MIKE EJEAGHA BOWS OUT AT 95: THE GENTLE GIANT OF IGBO FOLK HIGHLIFE LEAVES BEHIND A TIMELESS LEGACY By Daniel Okonkwo Legendary highlife musician Mike Ejeagha has passed away at the age of 95, leaving behind a towering legacy in the world of folk music and Igbo cultural preservation. He died on Friday evening, June 7, 2025, at approximately 8 p.m. at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu after a prolonged illness. His death was confirmed by his eldest son, Emma Ejeagha, who expressed that the beloved patriarch had battled a long-standing ailment. Born on April 4, 1930, in Imezi Owa, Enugu State, Mike Ejeagha’s life and career became deeply interwoven with the soul of Eastern Nigeria. His journey into music began in the 1950s, but it was during the 1960s through the 1980s that he rose to national prominence with his unique brand of Igbo highlife and storytelling folk music. Timeless classics such as Omekagu, Uwa Mgbede Ka Mma, and Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche (Gwogwogwongwo) solidified his ...

 WHY BUYING A HOUSE IN NIGERIA IS A TRAP FOR THE UNINFORMED By Daniel Okonkwo There is a profound sense of relief and security that comes with owning a home. Unlike renting, homeownership offers numerous benefits—long-term financial stability, the ability to build equity, and the freedom to personalize your living space to your taste. While it comes with its responsibilities—such as property maintenance, taxes, and regulatory compliance—the advantages often far outweigh the costs. Property values generally appreciate over time, making real estate a reliable investment vehicle. Moreover, research has shown that owning a home contributes to a positive sense of well-being and personal fulfillment. However, for many Nigerians, the dream of homeownership can quickly become a nightmare—especially when falling into the hands of unscrupulous agents and realtors. These are desperate times, and unfortunately, some desperate individuals exploit the vulnerabilities of aspiring homeowners for p...

 GO PAY YOUR GROUND RENT OR LOSE YOUR PROPERTY: FCTA ISSUES 14-DAY ULTIMATUM – OVER 3,383 ABUJA PROPERTY OWNERS RISK LOSING LAND TITLES OVER UNPAID GROUND RENT By Daniel Okonkwo  Profile International Human Rights Advocate In a sweeping move aimed at boosting revenue and enforcing compliance, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has issued a 14-day ultimatum to 3,383 landowners in Abuja to pay outstanding ground rent arrears or face revocation of their land titles. This public warning, released by the Department of Land Administration, underscores a growing push by the FCTA to recover unpaid dues across prominent districts of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), including Asokoro, Maitama, Wuse, Guzape, Central Area, and Garki. Ground rent is an annual fee leaseholders must pay to the FCTA for the continued use of land on which their property stands. While leaseholders may own the buildings, the land remains under government ownership. Failure to pay ground rent...

 CONGRATULATIONS ARE NOT IN ORDER, MR. PRESIDENT — YOUR PEOPLE ARE SUFFERING: LEADERSHIP, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND THE NIGERIAN REALITY — YOUR TANGIBLE IMPACT, YOUR EXCELLENCY, IS NOT FELT. By Daniel Okonkwo Leadership, at its core, is the capacity to translate vision into reality. It is not merely about holding power; it is about empowering others, creating solutions, and ensuring that the impact of one's leadership outlasts their presence. As the renowned leadership expert John C. Maxwell put it, “The function of leadership is to produce more leaders, not more followers.” Yet, for over four decades, Nigerians have yearned for such transformative leadership—one that uplifts, delivers, and resonates with the people. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu marked his second year in office with a message of reform, progress, and hope. He insisted that his economic reforms were working, citing a narrowed fiscal deficit, improved revenue generation, and the rebasing of the inflation index. Yet, on the ...

 OVER 120 DEAD AS DEVASTATING FLOODS RAVAGE NIGER STATE — THIS TRAGEDY MUST NOT BE IGNORED! By Daniel Okonkwo  The devastating floods that swept through Mokwa in Niger State have once again laid bare the fragility of human security in the face of nature’s fury—and the systemic failure of governance structures meant to prevent such calamities. With at least 115 lives lost, thousands of homes destroyed, and many more missing, this disaster is not only a natural tragedy—it is a humanitarian crisis demanding urgent intervention, accountability, and long-term reform. According to officials from the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), the floodwaters came from distant origins and overwhelmed the market town before washing victims into the River Niger. Recovery teams continue their search, and the death toll is tragically expected to rise. This is not an isolated incident. Every year, Nigeria faces heavy rains and floods that lead to loss of life, property, and livelihood...

 REGULATORY OVERREACH OR STATE-BACKED EXTORTION? NAFDAC’S BRIDGEHEAD RAID AND THE INFAMOUS ₦700,000 "ACCESS FEE" SCANDAL By Daniel Okonkwo The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), mandated to ensure the safety and quality of medicines and consumables in Nigeria, recently launched sweeping enforcement operations across three major open drug markets—Idumota (Lagos), Ariaria (Aba), and Bridgehead (Onitsha). While the agency claims it was acting to safeguard public health, the nature, process, and consequences of the raids—particularly in Onitsha—raise grave concerns about transparency, fairness, and the rule of law. Between February and March 2025, NAFDAC conducted what it described as a comprehensive enforcement campaign targeting unregistered, expired, substandard, and falsified medicines, as well as violations of storage and distribution standards. According to a statement signed by the agency’s Director General, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, the r...

 NOLLYWOOD PLASTIC SURGERY: WHO'S WHO BETWEEN BEAUTY, PRESSURE, PERCEPTION AND DECEPTION By Daniel Okonkwo In recent years, plastic surgery has become a topic of increasing relevance and curiosity in Nigeria's entertainment industry, particularly within Nollywood. But what exactly is plastic surgery? In simple terms, plastic surgery encompasses a range of surgical procedures designed to restore, reconstruct, or alter the human body. These procedures fall broadly into two categories: reconstructive surgery, which seeks to correct functional impairments caused by injuries, birth defects, or disease; and cosmetic (aesthetic) surgery, which focuses on enhancing a person’s appearance. While the former addresses medical needs, the latter often responds to societal expectations and personal desires for beauty or youthfulness. Across the global entertainment industry, from Hollywood to Nollywood, plastic surgery has become an open secret. The pressure to maintain a flawless appearance—...