Some Nigerians have queried the lawmaker representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, who pleaded with the Senate to allow the widow of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah to replace him as the representative of Anambra South Senatorial District.

Recall that Ndume had argued that it is necessary to preserve Ubah’s legacy and aspirations through his family.

Ndume made the appeal during the Valedictory session held on Tuesday in honour of the late senator.

Citing historical precedents, Ndume argued that such a move would honour the late senator’s contributions to the Senate and ensure continuity in representing his constituency.

However, Ndume’s suggestion earned him criticism from Nigerians, questioning if political offices are hereditary or family property.

@chimm_di wrote: “I don’t understand… succeed him as per? His property or family inheritance? This country sev”

@orefolayan wrote: “Is the Senate seat a Monarchy? Which one be “succeed him”?”

@kelvin_hartz wrote: “A widow that should be m0urning her husband.”

@adumaadand6 wrote: “So we are now practicing a hereditary monarchical system of government in the Senate? Is it a family heirloom that needs to be inherited? What exactly is going on in this country? Who deemed her worthy to decide our fate in this country? Are we using sentiments now? Why can’t she go through the same process other senate went through? Be voted for. Did the people she wants to represent them say they want her? I’ve so many questions cos this is just something else”

@101fred wrote: “Naija de turn family business small small . People now inherit government positions… hmmm”

@innocent wrote: “That you guys in the North and soon Lagos are now treating elected political positions as family inheritance which is why El rufai and so on have their families and kids in Federal Political offices. It does not mean South East tolerates such. Keep your monarchy system of government up there to yourselves.”

@augustine_vivian wrote: “So politics in Nigeria has suddenly becomes family HERITAGE”

@meyer7xxx wrote: “It’s not a thing of competence, it’s a family business and they are no longer bothered dishing it out in our faces”

City news

The Senator representing Taraba Central Senatorial District Manu Haruna has embarked on massive training of students across his constituency in Taraba State.

Recall that before this training, Senator Manu had embarked on similar training in his constituency where over 1000 students benefitted with starter packs.

In this on going program put together by Senator Manu Haruna and the Centre for National Productivity started on Wednesday and is expected to end on Thursday, where the trainees will collect their starter packs consisting of computers and other necessary gadgets.

The program is on going in five local governments namely: Gassol LGA
Sardauna LGA Bali LGA Kurmi LGA
Gashaka LGA.

While declaring the program open, representative of Senator Manu Haruna Director General of his Campaign, Hon Simon Dogari, who also led other members council to the event said:

“This is not the first of its kind that our iconic leader Senator has organized, in the past he had organized similar training programs where over 3,000 students benefitted across our Senatorial District.

He said: ” This particular program will sharpen the skills of all participants to prepare them for the new world order of internet surfing.

“I plead with you all to attend to to your lectures with all seriousness as at the end of this program you will get starter packs consisting of a laptop.

Others who represented Senator Manu at the event include:
Hon Alhassan Hamman Gassol
Alh. Shaibu Ishaka Kurmi
Hon. Abbas Kaura
Hon. Dr Abdullahi Jugulde
Hon. Hassan Bako
Hon. Somalia Sule
Alh. Falalu Manu
Alh. Alhassan Doro
Hon. Mohammed Nagogo
Prof. Yushua Ahmed Bali
Hon. Muslim Aruwa Commissioner for science and Technology Taraba State

***Says, action shameful disastrous

By Francesca Hangeior

Pope Francis marked 1,000 days since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine Wednesday, calling it a “shameful disaster for humanity” at an audience attended by First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska.

“Yesterday marked 1,000 days since the invasion of Ukraine. A tragic anniversary for the victims and the destruction it has caused,” the Argentine pope said at the end of his weekly general audience at the Vatican.

“But at the same time, (it is) a shameful disaster for all humanity,” he added in front of the thousands of faithful gathered in St. Peter’s Square, where Zelenska sat with the first ladies of Armenia, Lithuania and Serbia.

He expressed his closeness to the “martyred Ukrainian people” and called for efforts “so that weapons give way to dialogue”.

Francis then read a letter addressed to him by a Ukrainian student in which he describes the war and how people are suffering.

Russia launched its full-scale attack on Ukraine in February 2022 and since then, the pope has frequently called for an end to the conflict.