Profiles International Human Rights Advocate

 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—...

 CHILDREN’S DAY REFLECTION: THE ALMAJIRI, ABANDONED SCOURGE, AND THE DESOLATION OF NORTHERN CHILDREN. As we join the world today, May 27th, in celebrating Children’s Day, it is essential to reflect on the plight of some of the most vulnerable and forgotten children in Nigeriaㅡthe Almajiri children of Northern Nigeria and abandoned children as the result of the insurgency. While many children are in school, surrounded by love and learning, millions of others roam our Northern streets, barefoot and hungry, their childhoods stolen by a system that has long lost its essence. The Almighty Allah has blessed me with two exceptional children who mean the whole world to me. I can lay down my life for them instantly because the hope of tomorrow lies in them. What I want for my children is what I desire for all Nigerian children, especially Northern Nigeria children, to be safe and protected. This is why it breaks my heart as a parent and as a human rights advocate whenever I see our childre...

 THE LEGEND AND LEGACY OF NIGERIA’S MOST DECORATED SUPERCOP, WHAT'S NEXT FOR ABBA KYARI. By Daniel Okonkwo The duties of a police officer encompass several crucial responsibilities, including enforcing laws, responding to emergencies, investigating crimes, maintaining public order, and protecting life and property. These responsibilities also involve responding to distress calls, dismantling criminal organizations, making arrests, and testifying in court. Supercop Abba Kyari embodied all these roles and more. The trial of suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Abba Kyari in the drug-related charges preferred against him and others by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) was stalled on Wednesday following the death of the daughter of Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu, SAN. During proceedings at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the prosecution counsel drew the court’s attention to an affidavit alleging that Kyari had undergone prostate surgery. However, a letter from the Gwagwal...

 Go Viral Massively: The Killer Strategies to Go Viral on Facebook By Daniel Okonkwo Published by Profile International Human Rights Advocate Feeling frustrated creating high-value content that doesn’t go viral? You’re not alone. As a journalist myself, I understand how important it is to see your content get the attention it deserves. Going viral is not just a dopamine boost—it’s a motivator, a reward, and often, the recognition we need for our work. If you've been struggling to break through the noise, don't worry—I’ve got you. Here are the powerful, field-tested strategies that can skyrocket your content on Facebook: What Does Going Viral on Facebook Mean? Going viral on Facebook means your post reaches massive audiences organically—thanks to high engagement through likes, shares, and comments. Whether it's a video, photo, or written post, viral content captures attention quickly and spreads rapidly through newsfeeds. Strategies to Go Viral on Facebook Know Your Target A...