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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigns

Nurudeen AKEWUSHOLA  and  News Agency
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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer resigns

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his resignation as leader of the Labour Party after less than two years in office.

Speaking outside 10 Downing Street on Monday, June 22, an emotional Starmer said he had always acted in what he believed were the country’s best interests.

“Every decision I have taken has been about putting the country I love first. That is why I will resign as leader of the Labour Party,” he said.

Starmer said the Labour Party would begin the process of selecting a new leader in July and confirmed that he would remain Prime Minister until a successor is chosen before Parliament returns from its summer recess in September.

“I will remain in post as Prime Minister until the contest is complete, and I will do everything I can to ensure an orderly handover of power,” he added.

The announcement came after months of mounting pressure on Starmer’s leadership, fuelled by a series of scandals, high-profile resignations and growing dissatisfaction within the party. Until the weekend, he had insisted he would remain in office and fight off calls to step down.

Attention has now turned to veteran politician Andy Burnham, who returned to Parliament after winning a crucial by-election on Thursday, strengthening expectations that he could emerge as a leading contender for the Labour leadership.

Starmer’s departure means Britain is on course to have its seventh Prime Minister in a decade, underscoring a period of prolonged political instability that began after the 2016 Brexit referendum.

Although Starmer was credited with rebuilding Labour and leading the party to a decisive election victory in 2024, ending 14 years of Conservative rule, his government struggled to maintain public support.

His administration faced criticism over welfare reforms, defence spending plans and a controversial diplomatic appointment involving Peter Mandelson, which triggered calls for his removal earlier this year.

Starmer also faced increasing pressure from the rising popularity of the anti-immigration Reform UK party, which made significant gains in local elections in May.

In his farewell remarks, Starmer pledged his full support for his successor.

“I will also give my successor my full and unequivocal support, knowing that they will inherit a Britain that is far stronger and fairer than the one I inherited two years ago,” he said.

In 2024, Starmer won the biggest parliamentary majority for Labour since 1997 after 14 years of ‌Conservative-led government.

But opinion polls have shown the 63-year-old Labour Party leader and former lawyer is deeply unpopular with voters after a series of policy missteps and scandals.

This led to mounting pressure from his own Labour Party on him to quit following the decisive by-election win by his rival, Andy Burnham, to claim a parliamentary seat in North-West England.

AIJC opens entries for African Investigative Journalist of the Year Award

Blessing OTOIBHI
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AIJC opens entries for African Investigative Journalist of the Year Award

AFRICAN journalists and investigative journalists are invited to submit entries for the African Investigative Journalist of the Year (AIJY) Award, one of the continent’s leading honours recognising excellence in investigative journalism.

Organised by the Wits Centre for Journalism and the African Investigative Journalism Conference (AIJC), with support from Absa Africa, the award celebrates outstanding investigative stories that uncover hidden truths, hold powerful individuals and institutions accountable, and serve the public interest.

The award is open to journalists or teams working across all media platforms, including print, broadcast, and digital media. Eligible entries must be investigative stories focused on Africa and published or broadcast in African media outlets during the qualifying period specified by the organisers.

The overall winner will receive a cash prize of US$5,000. In addition, finalists will have their flights, accommodation, and conference fees covered to attend the African Investigative Journalism Conference, where the award ceremony takes place.

Entries will be assessed based on originality of the investigation and its revelations; quality, persistence, courage, and innovation demonstrated during the reporting process; and impact of the story and its contribution to public accountability and public interest.

Applicants are typically required to submit copies of the published or broadcast investigative work; a short biography and photograph of each entrant, and a publication or broadcaster logo.

Others are a brief motivation outlining the story’s background, impact, challenges, and investigative process, and additional materials, such as transcripts for broadcast entries, where applicable.

Interested journalists should review the official rules and submission guidelines before sending their entries through the designated application platform.

Applications are open to investigative journalists from across Africa who have produced impactful reporting that advances transparency, accountability, and public interest journalism.

The deadline for applications is July 10, 2026.

Interested applicants can apply here.

Police recover lifeless twins from drain in Onitsha, detain suspects 

News Agency
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Police recover lifeless twins from drain in Onitsha, detain suspects 

THE Anambra Police Command has recovered the lifeless bodies of a set of twins inside a drain in Okpoko, near Onitsha, Anambra State.

The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ikioye Orutugu, disclosed this in a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, a superintendent of police.

Orutugu stated: “The police operatives attached to Okpoko Divisional Police Station, in the early hours of June 21, 2026, received the information about the discovery of the lifeless bodies of a set of twins abandoned in a drain along Cooperative Street, Nwokedi, Okpoko.

“Following the report, operatives immediately swung into action, secured the scene, gathered vital evidence, and commenced investigations. The preliminary investigation led to the identification and arrest of the biological parents of the infants, who are currently in police custody.”

He further stated that the suspects were assisting investigators in unravelling the circumstances surrounding the unfortunate incident.

He condemned the act in strong terms, noting that every child deserves protection, care, and the opportunity to live.

“This discovery of lifeless bodies of twin infants in a drain at Okpoko is a disturbing case of man’s inhumanity to man and a gross violation of the sanctity of human life,” he stated.

The police chief gave assurance that anyone found culpable in the incident would face the full weight of the law.

He added that investigation into the matter was ongoing and further developments would be communicated to the public, in due course.

Orutugu commended the operatives for their swift response and diligent investigative efforts that led to the arrest of the parents of the deceased babies soon after the incident was reported. (NAN)

Lassa fever deaths rise to 214 as fatality rate reaches 25% – NCDC

News Agency  and  Marcus FATUNMOLE
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Lassa fever deaths rise to 214 as fatality rate reaches 25% – NCDC

LASSA fever has claimed 214 lives in Nigeria, with the case fatality rate climbing to 25.0 per cent.

This was contained in the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention’s (NCDC) Lassa Fever Situation Report for Week 23 (June 1 to June 7).

This, the agency said is up sharply from 18.9 per cent during the same period in 2025. It said that both suspected and confirmed cases have also increased compared to 2025.

“New confirmed cases held steady in week 23, matching the count from week 22. Infections were reported in Edo, Ondo, Bauchi and Ebonyi.”

The NCDC explained that no new healthcare worker infections were reported during the week, adding that the outbreaks had spread across 23 states and 109 Local Government Areas since January 2026.

According to the organisation, five states account for 84 per cent of all confirmed cases.

“Ondo leads with 28 per cent, followed by Bauchi 25 per cent, Taraba 15 per cent, Edo 10 per cent, and Benue six per cent. The remaining 16 per cent of cases are spread across 18 other states with confirmed infections,” it said.

The Centre said young adults were most affected, and the predominant age group fell between 21-30 years, with cases ranging from one to 93 years and a median age of 30 years.

The National Lassa fever multi-partner – the multi-sectoral Incident Management System (IMS) – have remained activated and has been supporting response activities at federal, state and LGA levels, noted the NCDC.

The ICIR reports that Lassa fever kills scores of Nigerians yearly, with the Nigerian government often appearing helpless to contain the crisis.

Between January and June 29, 2025, Nigeria recorded 790 confirmed cases of Lassa fever and 148 deaths, according to a situation report by the (NCDC).

A situation report by the NCDC revealed that 806 cases of Lassa fever were recorded across the country in the first quarter of 2024.

Also, the NCDC report, analysed by The ICIR, showed that the virus killed 150 people within the period.

The Centre said Nigeria might have recorded the highest number of Lassa fever cases in 2023, with 8,542 suspected cases, 1,170 confirmed cases, and 200 deaths across 28 states.

The confirmed cases reported that year indicated a 9.7 per cent increase from those reported in 2022.

NCDC describes Lassa fever, which causes acute viral haemorrhagic fever, as a virus caused mostly by the type of rodents known as the multimammate rat or the African rat.

The disease can be spread through direct contact with urine, faeces, saliva, or the blood of infected rats or contaminated objects, faeces, saliva, or the blood of infected rats.

Person-to-person transmission can also occur through direct contact with an infected person’s blood, urine, faeces, vomitus, and other body fluids.

SERAP gives N’Assembly 7 days to refund N110bn vehicle allowance

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
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SERAP gives N’Assembly 7 days to refund N110bn vehicle allowance

THE Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has issued a seven-day ultimatum to Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, to refund N110 billion vehicle procurement and support allowances given to lawmakers to the nation’s treasury following a Federal High Court judgment declaring the scheme unlawful.

SERAP stated this in a statement urging the National Assembly to ensure that all senators and members of the House of Representatives return “every kobo received under the controversial scheme.”

“We urged Mr Akpabio, Mr Abbas and the National Assembly to immediately establish effective mechanisms to ensure that all future procurements and expenditure of public funds comply strictly with due process requirements and are guided by the principles of transparency, accountability and value for money,” the statement read.

The ICIR reported that a landmark judgment delivered by Justice Yellim Bogoro of the Federal High Court, Lagos, in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/1606/2023 held that the expenditure violated Nigeria’s procurement laws, constitutional provisions, and public trust.

According to the judgment, the National Assembly spent N40 billion to procure 465 vehicles for lawmakers, and approved an additional N70 billion support allowances for newly elected members without complying with statutory procurement requirements.

Describing the court’s decision as a watershed moment for accountability in public finance, SERAP argued that the ruling leaves no room for lawmakers to retain benefits obtained through what the court declared unlawful spending.

“Flowing from Justice Bogoro’s judgment, there must be consequences and full restitution for the lawmakers’ failure to comply with their constitutional and statutory obligations, particularly in relation to the unlawful expenditure of the N110 billion, as found by the Court,” the statement added.

The accountability organisation warned that allowing legislators to retain vehicles, allowances or any benefits arising from the transaction would amount to endorsing impunity and weaken public confidence in democratic institutions.

It maintained that public officials should not be permitted to profit from actions that have been judicially declared unconstitutional, calling for sweeping reforms in the National Assembly’s budgeting and procurement processes.

“Restitution is necessary to uphold the rule of law, restore public trust, and ensure accountability for violations of constitutional and statutory duties,” it stated.

The organisation urged Akpabio, Abbas and the leadership of both chambers to institutionalise public hearings on the National Assembly’s budget during every budget cycle and insisted on the proactive publication of detailed budgetary allocations and expenditure records to enable greater public scrutiny and participation.

The demands come amid growing calls for transparency over the National Assembly’s finances and renewed public debate about the cost of governance, with advocates arguing that compliance with procurement laws is essential to restoring confidence in public institutions and ensuring accountability in the management of taxpayers’ funds.

APC dominates five of six bye-elections as PDP retains Rivers senate seat

Mustapha USMAN
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APC dominates five of six bye-elections as PDP retains Rivers senate seat

THE All Progressives Congress (APC) recorded a sweeping victory in five of the six bye-elections conducted across several parts of the country on Saturday, June 20, while the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secured the Rivers South-East Senatorial District seat.

The bye-elections, organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), were held to fill vacancies created by deaths and appointments that left legislative seats vacant in Nasarawa, Enugu, Ondo, Kano, Kebbi and Rivers states.

The outcomes of the election in five of the six states further strengthened the APC’s legislative presence across the country, with the ruling party winning four senatorial seats, one House of Representatives seat and a state assembly seat.

Faduyile reclaims Ondo South for APC

In Ondo State, APC candidate Dayo Faduyile won the Ondo South Senatorial District bye-election with 68,474 votes.

The election was conducted to replace former senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who was appointed Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations.

INEC Returning Officer, Gbenga Solomon-Ibileye, announced the result in Okitipupa on Sunday, June 21, declaring Faduyile the winner after polling the highest number of votes. His closest challenger, Adeolu Akinwunmi of the Allied People’s Movement (APM), garnered 1,411 votes, while candidates of the Action People’s Party (APP) and Boot Party (BP) secured 213 and 70 votes, respectively.

The election was held across Okitipupa, Ilaje, Ese-Odo, Irele, Odigbo and Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo local government areas.

Envulu-Anza defeats rivals in Nasarawa North

In Nasarawa State, APC candidate Danladi Envulu-Anza emerged victorious in the Nasarawa North Senatorial District bye-election, polling 45,362 votes.

The seat became vacant following the death of Senator Godiya Akwashiki from a prolonged illness.

Declaring the result in Akwanga, Returning Officer Aminu Ali said Labour Party candidate and former Information Minister Labaran Maku scored 12,931 votes, while PDP candidate Emmanuel David Ombugadu secured 11,570 votes.

Shortly before the declaration, Labour Party officials staged a walkout from the collation centre, alleging irregularities in the collation process. Maku had earlier raised concerns over BVAS malfunctions and ballot-related issues in some polling units across the senatorial district.

APC records landslide victory in Enugu North

The APC also secured a commanding victory in Enugu North Senatorial District, where Ikeje Asogwa polled 162,360 votes to defeat PDP candidate Nestor Ezeme, who garnered 9,299 votes.

The bye-election was conducted to replace Senator Okey Ezea, who died in November 2025.

Announcing the result in Nsukka, Returning Officer Christian Ezeibe said Asogwa scored the highest number of lawful votes cast and satisfied all constitutional requirements.

According to INEC, 184,094 voters were accredited out of the 727,340 registered voters in the district.

In his acceptance speech, Asogwa pledged to provide quality representation to the people of the six local government areas that make up the senatorial zone.

Shuaibu wins Dawakin Kudu/Warawa federal constituency poll

In Kano State, APC candidate Rabiu Shuaibu won the Dawakin Kudu/Warawa Federal Constituency bye-election with 35,356 votes.

INEC Returning Officer Umar Sani announced the result, noting that Lawan Garba Haruna of the APM polled 268 votes, while Labour Party candidate Abubakar Yahaya Mohammed secured 98 votes.

The bye-election was conducted following the death of the constituency’s former representative.

INEC officials described the exercise as peaceful and orderly, although voter turnout was relatively low. Major opposition parties in Kano, including the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and the PDP, did not participate in the contest.

Security personnel deployed under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security monitored the process across polling units.

Aiki wins Zuru assembly bye-election

In Kebbi State, APC candidate Rabiu Garba Aiki emerged victorious in the Zuru State Constituency bye-election for the State House of Assembly.

According to INEC, Aiki polled 4,871 votes to defeat Labour Party candidate Aliyu Muhammad, who secured 168 votes.

The election was held to fill the vacancy created by the death of former Speaker of the Kebbi State House of Assembly, Muhammad Usman Zuru.

INEC said 5,156 voters were accredited out of 109,385 registered voters, while 95 votes were rejected and 5,055 valid votes were recorded.

The election witnessed generally low voter turnout across the constituency’s 10 wards, with the APC maintaining a clear lead throughout the collation process.

Nwogu gives PDP sole victory in Saturday’s polls

The PDP’s only success came in Rivers State, where Olaka Nwogu won the Rivers South-East Senatorial District bye-election.

Nwogu polled 46,961 votes to defeat APC candidate Osarokaka Ebenezer Erewari, who secured 1,647 votes. Douglas Fabeke of the Action Alliance scored 1,175 votes, while Labour Party candidate Sam Kinani garnered 367 votes.

The election was conducted to replace Senator Barry Mpigi, who died in February.

Declaring the result in Bori, Returning Officer Rosemary Ogu said Nwogu satisfied all constitutional requirements and was duly returned elected.

Although INEC acknowledged reports of technical glitches involving the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in some polling units, the commission said backup devices were deployed, and technical teams promptly resolved the issues.

The ICIR reports that the bye-elections were held alongside the Ekiti State governorship election, where Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the APC secured a second term in office, further boosting the party’s performance ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Less than 40% of registered voters participated in Ekiti governorship poll- YIAGA Africa

Marcus FATUNMOLE
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Less than 40% of registered voters participated in Ekiti governorship poll- YIAGA Africa

LESS than 40 per cent of the more than one million registered voters participated in Saturday’s governorship election for Ekiti State, according to YIAGA Africa, a leading Nigerian civic society and election observer group. 

The governorship election, conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and observed by local and international observers as well as the media, had 1,059,360 registered voters.

Briefing journalists on the outcome of the exercise, which saw the re-election of incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Chairperson, YIAGA Africa Observation Group for the Ekiti Election, Aisha Abdullahi, said estimated voter turnout for the election was between 34.1 per cent and 38.2 per cent adding that the data tallied with INEC’s official turnout figure estimated at 38.7 per cent.

She said the organisation deployed 250 observers, 22 mobile observers and 16 results collation observers across the state’s 16 Local Government Areas (LGAS).

Reacting to the deployment of the Bimodal Voters Accreditation System (BVAS) for the election, Yiaga Africa said the devices functioned properly in 87 per cent of polling units and malfunctioned in 13 per cent of the polling units, but were later fixed. Abdullahi said in 10 per cent of polling units, some voters were refused accreditation because the BVAS did not verify their PVC’s or authenticate their fingerprints or facial biometrics.

“In 14 per cent of polling units, voters who presented what looked like a printed slip that contained their details were accredited by the BVAS and allowed to vote without a PVC. At 17 per cent of polling units, it was possible to see how a voter’s ballot paper was marked when it was put in the ballot box at some point throughout the day. Voters crowded the polling officials in 11 per cent of polling units,” the NGO noted.

The organisation reported its findings on the vote counting, noting that at 98 percent of polling units, officials displayed each marked ballot paper to everyone present. “At 89 per cent of polling units, the official results were posted for the public to see. At 88 per cent of polling units, presiding officers used the BVAS to scan/take a snapshot of the Result Form EC8A; A and transmit to the IREV.”

She further said 90 per cent of polling units transferred the results from validated Form EC8A to the e-EC8A on the BVAS.

 

 

 

 

 

Maku rejects Nasarawa North bye-election, demands cancellation over ‘irregularities’ 

News Agency
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Maku rejects Nasarawa North bye-election, demands cancellation over ‘irregularities’ 

LABOUR Party (LP) senatorial candidate, Labaran Maku, has called for the cancellation of the Nasarawa North bye-election over alleged widespread irregularities.

Maku, a former Minister of Information, made the call on Sunday during a press briefing at his country home in Wakama, Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area.
He said the called became necessary in view of the non-adherence to electoral laws by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) during the exercise.
Maku alleged that the Returning Officer for the election failed to address issues of fraud and manipulation of the election as raised by agents of the Labour Party.
“I have observed that what took place in the bye-election in Nasarawa was a sham – a complete sham. I consulted with my party. We decided that the best option is to pull out of the election.
“And we ask INEC to honourably cancel this election and conduct a free and fair election for the senatorial district,” he pleaded.
The LP senatorial candidate said he had earlier raised the alarm over plans by the state government to rig the election.
“Gentlemen of the press, you will notice that prior to this election, I continued to alert the public about plans to disrupt it and to rig the election by the state government. I did so continuously. Now, the evidence is before the public. This election was run by the state government and its officials.
“INEC simply provided the platform for the government to allocate votes. For your information, on the eve of the election, one or two presiding officers came and reported that appointees of government warned them that the state government could not be disgraced,” he alleged further.
Maku also claimed that election did not take place in Nassarawa Eggon/Alizaga, Umme Ward, and Alushi Wards in Nasarawa Eggon LGA, but only thumb-printing occurred and BVAS was not used.
He also mentioned Agyaga and Ningo-Bohar electoral wards and Gudi polling units in Akwanga LGA where figures were allegedly manipulated.
“In Wamba, we have cases of thumb-printing in Mama and quite a number of polling units in Wamba LGA,” he said.
Maku also alleged that in Akun Development Area, his area, there were cases of malfunctioning of BVAS which disenfranchised many of his people.
The senatorial candidate, therefore, called on the Federal Government to investigate the election and INEC over non-compliance with electoral laws.
“This matter calls for proper investigation because this is a national embarrassment,” he said.
On their part, Benjamin Ango, a doctorate holder and the LP returning officer for the election; Alidzi Godwin; Jacob Odobi; and Stephen Habila, LP collation agents for Nasarawa Eggon, Akwanga, and Wamba LGAs respectively, averred that there were widespread irregularities.
They said they had evidence of thumb-printing, non-usage of BVAS, and INEC’s failure to adhere to electoral laws.
 (NAN)

#EkitiDecides2026: YIAGA Africa lauds INEC, highlight gaps in poll

Marcus FATUNMOLE
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#EkitiDecides2026: YIAGA Africa lauds INEC, highlight gaps in poll

YIAGA Africa, a non-profit civic hub dedicated to promoting democratic governance, human rights, and civic participation across Africa, has lauded the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the conduct of the Ekiti State governorship poll.

The civic society organisation, however, identified several gaps in the election, saying INEC must strengthen its quality assurance, transparency and consistency ahead of future polls.

Briefing journalists on the outcome of the exercise, which saw the re-election of the incumbent Governor Biodun Oyebanji, the Chairperson, YIAGA Observation Group for the Ekiti Election, Aisha Abdullahi, said the organisation employed the Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) methodology and deployed 250 observers and 22 mobile observers, as well as 16 results collation observers across the 16 Local Government Areas (LGAS) of the state.

Abdullahi said Yiaga Africa’s final assessment of the 2026 Ekiti governorship election highlighted notable improvements in election day administration, particularly in the early deployment of officials and materials, the timely commencement of accreditation and voting, and the overall peaceful conduct of the process.

“Security agencies, particularly the Nigerian Police, also maintained a commendable level of professionalism during the election,” she said.

The Chairperson, however, said the election exposed critical gaps in the results management, voter turnout computation, the consistency of sensitive materials, and public communication of late administrative and judicial changes affecting the election.

“In addition, widespread reports of vote-buying and voter inducement undermined the integrity of voter choice and remain a serious threat to credible elections,” she said.

While urging INEC to strengthen its quality assurance, transparency and consistency in the implementation of the Electoral Act 2026 ahead of future polls, Yiaga Africa called on security agencies to combat vote buying through proactive intelligence, enforcement, and the arrest and prosecution of offenders.

 

 

 

Father’s Day: Foundation urges government to create ministry for men’s affairs

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Father’s Day: Foundation urges government to create ministry for men’s affairs

A MENTAL health advocate organisation, the Life Abuse Foundation (LAAF), has called on tiers of government in Nigeria to create a ministry that will promote men’s affairs, including their health.

Underscoring the psychological weight that modern men carry, LAAF’s executive director, Halima Layeni, said a severe mental health crisis, driven by relentless societal pressures and economic challenges, was quietly ravaging Nigerian fathers.

Layeni made the call and observation while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) to commemorate 2026 Father’s Day.

NAN reports that the 2026 Father’s Day is commemorated on Sunday, June 21. It is an annual observance marked on the third Sunday of June.

She presented a grim overview of key issues confronting men across the country, including underemployment, financial inadequacy, and alarming rates of unreported domestic violence against men.

To cushion this crisis, Layeni advocated for the urgent establishment of a Federal Ministry of Men Affairs to ensure men receive the structural protection and psychological support necessary for their well-being.

“The establishment of the Ministry of Men Affairs is of immense importance. The ministry will provide focused attention on men’s unique issues, improve health outcomes through targeted campaigns, and create economic opportunities that enhance stability and reduce poverty among men,” she said.

Corroborating the advocate’s position, a civil servant, Ferdinand Okoji, noted that the pressure to fulfill traditional roles as primary providers without receiving corresponding domestic appreciation induced severe psychological stress in men.

“Fathers toil day and night to ensure they put food on the table, take care of the family, provide, and make sure that everybody is happy. However, most women take it for granted.

“This comes with a lot of stress on men trying to meet up with daily obligations,” Okoji stated.

He added that instead of finding their homes to be peaceful sanctuaries to unwind from economic anxieties, many men faced hostile and cold environments.

“When these men come back home, instead of their wives to calm the stress level the men have gone through, they put more fire. It is unfortunate, and the challenge continues as the economic situation of the country continues to batter men,” he stated.

Also contributing, a 60-year-old father, Papa Ejima, decried how macro-economic hardships like inflation, unemployment, terrorism, and kidnapping directly impacted paternal mental well-being, especially when children project societal failures to their fathers.

Ejima lamented that the current hardship had triggered a massive youth migration (japa) wave, leaving aging parents, especially fathers isolated and anxious about their future care.

According to him, the mothers would usually join their children especially when it was time for ‘omugwo’.

“I have a daughter that graduated from the university two years ago and she has not been employed.

“Each day, my daughter puts the blame on me because of the hardship in the land, demanding that she wants to migrate to another country to secure a job.

“So, the challenge now is, who will take care of me at old age if all of them decide to travel out of the country or out of my base in search of greener pastures?” he asked. (NAN)

 

 

 

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