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Nollywood actress and Abia governorship candidate Doris Ogala hospitalized after collapsing
via Punch Nigeria1 min read
Nollywood actress and African Action Congress governorship candidate for Abia State in the 2027 elections, Doris Ogala, was hospitalized at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, after losing consciousness during a consultation. She later updated her Instagram followers, stating she was stabilized. While at the hospital, Ogala, who was in a wheelchair, interacted with patients and staff, engaging with them and offering prayers. Ogala recently became the AAC's candidate for the Abia governorship, aiming to unseat Governor Alex Otti in 2027, with a campaign focused on prioritizing the people, economic growth, and job creation. The incident has generated online attention, with reactions varying from praise for her generosity to skepticism, with many social media users viewing it as a publicity stunt related to her political ambitions. Others questioned her health and fitness for office, while some commended her support for patients.
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Singer Niniola Apata delivered an emotional tribute to her late husband, Michael Ndika, during a service of songs held before his burial. Dressed in white, Niniola described their marriage as a genuine love story, stating that Michael did everything for her and was the "engine" behind her success. She recalled how he brought her out of her reserved nature and helped her become a superstar, despite her initial desire to take a break from music. Niniola expressed the profound void left by his death, noting that he was the first and last person she saw daily. She thanked the Ndika family for Michael, acknowledging that his death came as a surprise to many fans who were unaware of her marriage. Niniola has consistently spoken about the difficulty of coping with the loss, referring to her late husband as her best friend, confidant, provider, and business partner.
Christian Shola, founder of Solution Family Church, has claimed that Nigeria's escalating insecurity is being manipulated by political factions aiming to destabilize President Bola Tinubu's government. Shola, a supporter of the President, stated that critics are unfairly blaming Tinubu for security issues that existed before his tenure. He urged Nigerians to focus on those perpetrating violence rather than criticizing the President, advocating for the Federal Government to confront armed groups responsible for crimes. Shola asserted that Tinubu inherited significant economic and security challenges and is committed to addressing them through reforms. He further alleged that some political actors are exploiting insecurity to weaken the administration due to discomfort with the current power distribution, particularly after a shift away from the North. Shola also called for increased vigilance in the South-West and recognized Sunday Adeyemo, known as Sunday Igboho, as important for safeguarding Yoruba interests. He reaffirmed his church's confidence in Tinubu's ability to overcome national challenges.
Nigerian lecturer Pelumi Folajimi presented his unpublished drama manuscript, "Terrorists Upon Us," at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, United States. The staged reading, held last Friday at the Students’ Union Building, addresses the activities of the Boko Haram terrorist group in Nigeria. Folajimi, a lecturer in Dramatic Arts at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, stated that the play, written in the summer of 2024, condemns religious extremism, internal terrorism, political corruption, and leadership failure, identifying these as factors contributing to insecurity in Nigeria. The event attracted several scholars, including Emeritus Professor Ketu Katrak of the University of California, Irvine; Emeritus Professor Dorothy Odartey-Wellington of the University of Guelph, Canada; Professor Modupe Olaogun of York University, Canada; and Dr Joy Wrolson of the University of Wisconsin–Madison.
Must ReadOpposition political parties in Nigeria have voiced strong concerns that escalating insecurity, including terrorist attacks, banditry, and kidnappings, could jeopardize the integrity of the 2027 general elections. Parties such as the Peoples Democratic Party, African Democratic Congress, New Nigeria Peoples Party, Allied Peoples Movement, and Labour Party, accuse President Bola Tinubu’s administration of failing to address the security crisis. They warn that continued violence could deter voters and disenfranchise those displaced from their communities. Despite these concerns, the parties unanimously reject any calls for postponing the elections, arguing that such a move would concede democratic space to violent groups. Bolaji Abdullahi, ADC National Publicity Secretary, emphasized the need for the Independent National Electoral Commission to plan for displaced voters. Ini Ememobong, PDP factional National Publicity Secretary, and Obiora Ifoh, LP National Publicity Secretary, both dismissed postponement, highlighting the constitutional timeline for elections. Dipo Olayokun, NNPP National Secretary, stated that seven months is sufficient for a serious government to improve security, while Yusuf Dantalle, APM National Chairman, warned that insecurity threatens Nigeria's survival beyond just the elections.