By Mbet Samuel Etim “African Maradona” Esin was a footballer whose raw talent shook Nigeria. Long before social media, stadiums filled to capacity across the country just to watch him play. Many even believed he was more skillful and better than Austin JJ Okocha. He dazzled for Calabar Rovers and earned a place in Nigeria’s squad for the FIFA U-20 World Cup. But on a fateful night in camp, he broke curfew to go clubbing in Surulere, Lagos. On his way back, armed robbers attacked him and shot him in the thigh. His World Cup dreams—and his rising career—collapsed instantly.…
Author: Spade Nigeria
By Prince Charles Dickson Ph.D How many times can a nation rewrite its own ballot before its people stop believing in ink? How long can democracy survive on correction fluid and excuses disguised as reforms? These are not idle questions. They sit at the heart of Africa’s most populous country, a nation that keeps insisting on greatness but keeps rewarding mediocrity in its most important ritual: elections. In 2019, Malawi taught the continent an unforgettable lesson. A court; bold, unblinking, unafraid, nullified a presidential election after discovering that results sheets had been altered with ordinary Tipp-Ex. Yes, corrector fluid, the…
By Joy Victor Osazuwa Today I want us to look at a very interesting story in the Bible. Genesis chapter 38 tells us of a man named Judah. He had a wife and they had 3 sons. Judah was the fourth son of Jacob and Leah, a key patriarch who rose to prominence among his brothers and founded the influential Tribe of Judah. The names of his sons were: Er, Onan and Shelah. In verse 6, The Bible says that Judah got a wife for his first son Er, her name was Tamar. 7. Er was wicked in the sight…
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has urged athletes representing the state at the forthcoming Niger Delta Games to compete with determination. The Governor gave the charge while receiving the Niger Delta Torch of Unity at Government House, Asaba on Monday. Represented by his Deputy, Sir Monday Onyeme, Ph.D., he noted that the region remains peaceful and continues to provide opportunities for talented youths to flourish on national and international stages. The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s collective commitment to building a future where young people are empowered to reach their full potential. “I urge all participating athletes to compete…
A Clergy of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) and consummate educationist, Rev’d. Philip Ogagaoghene Emakpor, has been elected as the 10th Chairman of the Association of Primary School Head of Nigeria (AOPSHON) of the Ethiope West Local Government Area Branch. The Returning Officer of the Election, Mr. Sunday Osanebi, announced the result at a well attended 10th Quadrantal Delegates Conference of the Union, held at Uherevie Primary School, Oghara, headquarters of the council area, during the weekend. He said a total of 48 delegates were accredited for the elections and out of this figure, Rev’d Emakpor, serving as the…
Ward chairmen of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta North Senatorial District have called for an immediate suspension of the ongoing ward congress in the area, demanding a fresh and transparent process that clearly allocates positions between old and new party members. In a protest letter addressed to the Delta State APC chairman, Sobotie Omeni, the ward chairmen urged party leadership to halt the exercise and restart it under a framework they described as open and constitutionally compliant. According to them, the new process should spell out a clear sharing formula between longstanding party faithful and recent entrants. The…
It was a humiliating decision any man could take but Mazi Maduako had to do it for the wife he loved so much and also to get his mother off his neck. He was the only son and had resisted his mum’s pressure to taking another wife because of childlessness. Maduako had hinted Mazi Ọkpọnkụ that he was going to be visiting him in company of his wife later in the evening. He was so apprehensive. “What if he refuses and turns around to deride me in public?” he kept asking himself. Maduako and his wife arrived Mazi Ọkpọnkụ’s house…
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) will commence a ward-to-ward National Identity Number (NIN) registration exercise across the 25 Local Government Areas of Delta State beginning Monday, February 16, 2026. The exercise follows a directive by the Federal Government mandating NIMC to ensure that all eligible residents are given the opportunity to register for their NIN without delay. The registration exercise will run from February 16 to March 30, 2026, and will take place daily from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Director-General of the Delta State Bureau for Orientation and Communications, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, Esq., disclosed this in a…
Delta State Commissioner for Works (Rural Roads) and Public Information, Mr. Charles Aniagwu, has said the Oborevwori administration is intensifying efforts to open up rural communities and strengthen healthcare delivery through unprecedented budgetary allocations. Aniagwu, who spoke on The Morning Show on ARISE News on Sunday, disclosed that the state government has earmarked N7 billion for each of the 25 local government areas in the 2026 budget to address critical grassroots needs. According to him, the government initially set aside N3 billion per local government amounting to N75 billion, for the expansion of road networks across rural communities. However, Governor…
The Chief Judge of Delta State, Justice Tessy Diai, has sworn in Special Marshal (SM) Chief Kimashnor Tom Nwakalo-Imu as a Notary Public of Nigeria and a Justice of the Peace (JP) of Delta State. The ceremonies, held on February 6, 2026, marked another significant step in the state judiciary’s commitment to strengthening public trust, deepening access to justice, and adapting to evolving legal and technological realities. The appointments underscore the judiciary’s expanding role in safeguarding legal processes, enhancing revenue justice mechanisms, and reinforcing ethical standards within the justice system. As a Notary Public, Chief Nwakalo-Imu is empowered to authenticate…