General News
Nigeria ENDS Awards Winners For 2013
Every Nigerian Do Something [ENDS.ng] is proud to present the award winners for the year 2013. These people or entities represent the many Nigerians who DID SOMETHING, our mantra.
These individuals and entities stood out for patriotism, dignity, honesty, pride, revolutionary-spirit, moral superiority, bravery and the other better values of humanity.
We know that many more of us deserve this recognition. It is the good Lord that will abundantly appraise and reward you all for your efforts.
The ENDS Awards does not represent reward or compensation, it merely selects a few and presents their examples for us to associate with and feel proud of.
Valor and citizen bravery Award goes to the Civilian JTF
Otherwise known as the Borno Vigilance Youth Group (BVYG), the youth of Nigeria’s North East this year have made the nation proud beyond measure.
They have paid the ultimate sacrifice, many dying in their pursuit of Boko Haram terrorists and their sponsors. The drafting of Nigeria’s military to the region in May provided the opening for Muslim and Christian children and youth of all ages to stand-up to terror.
With raids, stop-and-search campaigns, road blocks and coordinated intelligence operations, these youth have been able to secure Maiduguri and its environs.
At last, this year, the annual Durbar (horse) festival was able to hold in Borno state thanks to these brave youth and the men and women of the Nigerian army. This award is well deserved.
May God continue to strengthen and protect them. May our Youth all over the nation, down to the creeks of the Niger Delta and across the world, likewise stand up and fight theft, terror and tyranny.
This Award also recognizes the great sacrifice and commitment of the Nigerian army who are carrying out a monumental service for a Nation whose government gives little for true patriotism and rewards only death bringing moral bankruptcy.
We share your concerns that as you make the ultimate sacrifice, till date, not a single political sponsor of Boko Haram has been arrested by the insensitive politicians in power. We the people pray for, appreciate and support you and your families. You are the last properly functioning vestiges of our nation.
Best Nigerian Documentary Award goes to Jide Olanrewaju‘s “Naij – A History of Nigeria”
Naij – A History of Nigeria; is a two and a half hour extraordinary piece of work that presents the story of Nigeria, pre-independence till current times, with chronological impartial, systematic delivery of the critical events in the nation’s history, narrated carefully and clearly by Jide Olanrewaju.
The ENDS 2013 award is granted to this documentary, which in comparison to other Nigerian film, movie and feature presentations, actually takes time, with hundreds of hours of work and research invested, to collect, compress, coalesce and process information, still and moving images and documents from Nigeria’s archives, for a perfect finish.
Nigeria is a country that has a very unique and great history, laced with challenges and turbulence, and this story is of most importance in understanding the current political dynamics of not just Nigeria, Africa’s largest nation, but the entire black and world history.
Jide presents this story in a way that is relevant and useful for Nigerians and foreigners who wish to appreciate the peculiarities, challenges, obstacles and prowesses in the building of a new nation.
An unbiased approach, devoid of criticism, the movie enables the viewer appreciate the ambitious and intelligent nature of the players and spectators in Nigeria’s history, both local and foreign. Jide Olanrewaju DID SOMETHING.
ENDS Award for Dignity Goes to Mr. Afolabi Olawole
In September this year, Mr. Afolabi Olawole (PDP) stood up and rejected a fake, rigged victory handed to him in Kwara councillorship elections conducted by KWASIEC.
Announcing his decision at an APC’s media briefing, Mr. Afolabi said he rejected such malicious cheating out of his veneration of God.
As Punch reported, KWASIEC had announced that PDP won the ward. But Mr. Olawole revealed that APC polled 1,213 to defeat PDP which he said had 568.
Regardless of party or other affiliation, the ability and decision to stand for truth and justice as against the perpetuation of fake victories with the robbing of the rights and true choices of the people is an attribute that is highly admirable.
Nigeria is proud to know of a man like Mr. Afolabi Olawole. Without reservations, he has earned the 2013 dignity Award. He DID SOMETHING!
ENDS Man against Terrorism Award goes to Sheikh Ahmad Abubakar Gumi
The war against Boko Haram terror would never be where it is today had Sheikh Gumi not given his many public vocals sermons in which he unambiguously condemned Boko Haram for subverting the message of Islam.
Propagated by SaharaReporters in a magical powerful collaboration, Sheikh Gumi was uniquely successful in spreading the message he believed as did other local scholars (like Sheikh Albani Zaria, Sheik Nasir Mohammed Nasir Kano, the Emir of Fika and Sheik Abdullahi Pakistan, Sheikh Jingir), that Boko Haram was not representative of Islam, the north or any other logical ideals.
In August of the year, there was an attempt on outspoken Sheikh Gumi’s life, but by divine intervention, it appears bees stung the bombers who accidentally blew themselves up on the cleric’s street.
The broadcast of Sheikh Gumi’s messages by SaharaReporters as well as the similar messages of other local scholars in the north and Muslim groups like Muslims Against Terror (MUSLIMAG) converted what was tending into a senseless full blown religious war into a defined battle by Nigerians of all creeds against the Boko Haram perverted terrorist miscreants.
His messages worked not only against Boko Haram, but on the entire attitude of Nigerians, Muslims and Christians, northerners and southerners to provocation, senseless riots and religious intolerance.
Sheikh Gumi DID SOMETHING and totally deserves this Award.
ENDS Award for Citizen Anti-Corruption Activism goes to Dino Melaye
In April this year, Dino Melaye reported that his car was shot at. Undeterred, Dino Melaye has been at the forefront in anti-corruption activism in Nigeria.
He has staged protests against government brazen subversion of public funds and taken these up to foreign embassies, soliciting foreign help in combating the Nigerian predicament.
In May this year, the Anti-corruption network took its protests to the US embassy, leading to its temporary shutdown, asking for visa bans on the president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, and some of his notorious ministers, Diezani Madukwe of Petroleum, Minister Of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, and Minister of the Niger Delta, Peter Godsday Orubebe, among others.
More recently, Dino Melaye led a protest against the Minister of Aviation, Princess Stella Oduah over the allegation that the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority, NCAA, purchased two BMW bulletproof cars worth N255 million for her. He was arrested and detained by the government security services.
Dino Melaye has invested and risked his life in the obligatory war against epic corruption that has brought Nigerians to their knees as the oil blessed nation withers in shameful poverty.
In 2013 Dino Melaye DID SOMETHING and he and the Anti-corruption network deserve this award and encouragement.
ENDS Award for Media Activism goes to SaharaReporters
SaharaReporters has stood out since 2006. The good governance media activism platform directed by Omoyele Sowore has been pivotal and quintessential in Nigeria’s battle against government wickedness without partiality from one regime to another.
Against all odds and denying ethnic or tribal partiality or patronage, SaharaReporters continue to fight one fight —against administration tyranny.
SaharaReporters continues to investigate and expose the most horrible diversions of national funds and practices of corruption, malgovernance, misappropriation and embezzlement within and outside Nigeria.
2013 was a year in which SaharaReporters sustained limitless attacks for its bravery and commitment to fight for the restoration of pride and progress to Nigeria.
The media battled and survived dangerous cyber attacks and threats from different participants in Nigeria’s governing regime, all the way up to the President who threatened to sue SaharaReporters.
ODUAHGATE, the scandal involving the Nigerian Minister of Aviation, Stella Oduah, who stands accused and recommended for dismissal over her misappropriation of N255 million used In connivance with Coscharis motors in the purchase of over-priced BMW bulletproof cars, was a hallmark of this media’s commitment and service in the protection of the rights of the common Nigerian.
With citizens’ support and the sacrifice and bravery of decent whistleblowers, SaharaReporters has continued to purify the nation of corruption. SaharaReporters DID SOMETHING and earned the ENDS 2013 anti-corruption activism media award.
The 2013 Revolutionary Nigerian Award goes to Governor Rotimi Amaechi
Before a strong political block came together as the APC, there was Amaechi. Rivers state governor, Rotimi Amaechi has broken every barrier that typically binds Nigerians. Deserting the ‘national cake’ distributing emperor, risking the venom of the serving president of the Nation, Rotimi Amaechi stood up against the president of Nigeria and contested, challenged and won the elections of the Nigerian Governors Forum.
Against punishment and against all odds, Governor Amaechi cut across typical regional, ethnic and religious boundaries to take the fight to a president from his very own region who he was disappointed in and rejected.
Risking losing all, the young Rivers state governor has since stood against tyranny and been disheveled by ethnic and tribal blackmail.
In a true revolutionary spirit, Governor Amaechi has since then told Nigerians the truth and canvassed their spirit of revolution, to all, like him, standup for their interests, stand up for what they believe, oppose those who feed them peanuts, regardless of favor, risk or affiliation and ‘stone the thieves.’
ENDS recognizes Governor Rotimi Amaechi for his honesty, his braveness, his dedication to the cause and his relentlessness in a true revolutionary spirit, leading and fighting the war against tyranny that the average Nigerian has been scared to recognize and wage.
He DID SOMETHING and fully deserves this year’s Award as Nigeria’s true revolutionary.
Every Nigerian deserves an Award this year, because we have all done our parts in words, actions, prayers and compassionate restraint in the face of abject suffering, brazen corruption, hate, robbery and reckless governance.
The year 2013 was marked with extreme bigotry and ethnocentrism in various facets of the public interactive sphere, but as the year ended, the masses came together and the Cabal, for the first time in recent history took over the battle, fighting themselves and exposing their dirty linen.
ENDS Awards recognizes every Nigerian who worked in the interest of life in 2013. This movement, otherwise known as the March 18th movement evolved after the deadly bombing of the bus stop at Sabo in Kano on March 18th of 2013. We are apolitical. Our interests in Nigeria, united, regional or disintegrated is only as concerns the preservation of Life along with its sanctity. ENDS puts the life, safety and wellbeing of the Nigerian above anything else.
We advocate, support, sponsor and promote Every Nigerian who DOES SOMETHING in the interests of Peace, Progress and Safety and Sanctity of the Life of the Nigerian.
CONGRATULATIONS NIGERIA!
HAPPY 2014!
Dr. Peregrino Brimah for
http://ENDS.ng [Every Nigerian Do Something]
Email: [email protected] Twitter: @EveryNigerian
Nnimmo Bassey, environmental activist and food sovereignty advocate has raised concerns over the growing influence of junk food culture and global food politics on Nigeria’s food systems.
Nnimmo Bassey, environmental activist
Bassey warned that the increasing consumption of highly processed foods poses serious risks to public health, cultural identity, and national food security.
He made these remarks on Thursday while speaking at the Sustain-Ability Academy lecture on Food, Power and the Politics of Hunger, organised by the Health of Mother Earth Foundation in collaboration with the University of Port Harcourt.
“Food is not just for sustenance; it is central to our identity, our relationships, and our traditions,” he said.
He explained that traditional diets reflect the diversity of Nigeria’s ethnic groups and have historically fostered unity within communities.
Bassey traced the evolution of food systems in Nigeria, highlighting how colonialism, commerce, and conflict have reshaped local diets.
He referenced the Nigerian Civil War as a turning point when food was weaponized, leading to widespread malnutrition and long-term dietary changes, particularly in the Eastern region.
The activist criticized the rapid rise of fast food consumption, describing it as a product of modern society’s demand for instant gratification.
According to him, fast food outlets use sensory stimulation, bright lighting, loud music, and constant visual entertainment to distract consumers from questioning the nutritional value of what they eat.
“People leave with more than just a full stomach, they carry heavy metals, artificial colourings, and harmful substances in their bodies,” he said.
Bassey also expressed alarm over the increasing presence of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in Nigeria’s food system.
He argued that such products, often introduced without sufficient scrutiny, could have long-term health and environmental consequences.
He further cautioned against the role of political leaders in normalizing unhealthy consumption patterns.
“When top politicians publicly consume junk food and sugary drinks, they send a dangerous message that such habits are acceptable or even desirable,” he said.
At the heart of his argument is what he described as “food colonialism” a system driven by global power dynamics, where economic pressures, debt, and cultural influence shape local food choices to benefit multinational corporations at the expense of local farmers.
Bassey called for a “decolonization” of food systems across Africa, urging governments and citizens to prioritize indigenous foods, protect seed-sharing traditions, and resist policies that undermine local agricultural practices.
He also challenged prevailing narratives around hunger, questioning whether food insecurity is truly a result of low productivity.
“In countries like Nigeria, nearly half of all food produced goes to waste. The issue is not just production, but distribution, policy, and power,” he explained.
The session concluded with a call for urgent reforms to ensure fairness, resilience, and sustainability in food systems, with a focus on supporting smallholder farmers and addressing the structural causes of hunger.
At least 80% of governments will deploy artificial intelligence (AI) agents to automate routine decision-making, enhancing efficiency and service delivery by 2028.
This is according to market research firm Gartner, which highlights a growing shift toward digital governance, where AI-powered systems will increasingly handle repetitive administrative tasks, such as processing applications, managing public records and responding to citizen queries.
“Government chief information officers are under growing pressure to embed AI into decision-making capabilities rapidly and responsibly,” says Daniel Nieto, senior director analyst at Gartner. “The rise of multimodal AI, alongside conversational and agentic systems, has expanded what public organisations can automate, understand and anticipate.”
The Gartner report comes as South Africa is moving to embed AI into public administration, with early use cases emerging across service delivery, disaster response and internal operations, even as full-scale deployment of autonomous “AI agents” remains some years away.
The country’s National AI Policy Framework, released in 2024, has set the direction for adoption, with a comprehensive national policy expected by 2027.
Implementation is likely to follow from 2027 onwards, positioning the country for a more structured and regulated rollout of advanced AI systems across departments.
While South Africa has yet to deploy AI agents at scale, government and research initiatives indicate that agent-like systems are already taking shape.
Global use cases
Globally, governments are rapidly deploying AI agents to automate public services and internal operations, shifting from simple chatbots to systems that can execute tasks and coordinate workflows.
In the US, federal and city agencies are using AI agents to handle citizen queries, draft documents and manage call centres, while in China, autonomous systems are being integrated into administrative processes and urban management.
European governments are piloting AI-driven tools in policing and public service delivery, and in emerging markets, agentic platforms are being used to improve disaster response, financial inclusion and digital identity systems.
However, Gartner notes that fragmentation is one of the most persistent barriers to AI value in government.
According to a Gartner survey of 138 respondents from government organisations worldwide between July and September 2025, 41% of respondents cited siloed strategies and 31% cited legacy systems as key challenges to adopting and implementing digital solutions.
“Technology modernisation alone has not resolved these issues,” says Nieto.
The market analyst firm says as AI transitions from experimentation to being deeply embedded in decision-making, governance approaches must also evolve. It points out that traditionally, AI governance has centred on managing models, data and algorithms.
However, it states that decision intelligence (DI) shifts this focus towards the governance of decisions themselves; for example, on how they are designed, executed, monitored and audited. This shift in governance is especially critical in government, where public legitimacy relies on transparency and fairness, the firm explains.
Measurable impact
The Gartner survey found that 39% of respondents cited improved service and citizen satisfaction as primary reasons to invest in building citizen trust.
The firm notes that DI offers a structural foundation for operationalising this trust by making decision pathways explicit and auditable.
“By governing decisions, rather than just isolated AI components, governments can better balance automation with human judgement, particularly in high-stakes or rights-impacting contexts,” says Nieto. “Regulated industries and governments cannot rely on opaque ‘black box’ systems for consequential decisions. DI elevates explainability from a technical requirement to a governance imperative.”
Because of the need for transparency in decision-making, Gartner predicts that by 2029, 70% of government agencies will require explainable AI (XAI) and human-in-the-loop (HITL) mechanisms for all automated decisions that impact citizen service delivery.
Gartner explains that XAI and HITL designs are foundational to public-sector DI. These mechanisms ensure decision logic can be inspected, explained and challenged. Because of XAI and HITL, humans also retain authority over exceptions, appeals and high-risk cases, and accountability is preserved even as automation increases, it adds.
While efficiency remains important, Gartner says citizen trust in government’s ability to provide effective services is becoming a key driver of digital transformation. Fifty percent of government respondents cited improved citizen experience as one of their top three priorities.
“As AI and decision intelligence increasingly automate and streamline service delivery, the traditional notion of ‘citizen experience’ evolves,” says Nieto.
“When citizens receive what they need from the government automatically, direct interactions may decrease, making trust in the system’s reliability, fairness and transparency even more critical. Because trust is so imperative in these situations, the predictive capacity to anticipate potential needs could reshape how government digital services are delivered.”
Telegram has unleashed its most sweeping enforcement campaign yet in 2026, deleting millions of illicit channels and groups while boosting daily takedowns from 10,000 to 140,000—with peaks surging past 500,000 in a single day—yet cybercriminal ecosystems remain stubbornly resilient, rapidly reorganising and exploiting the platform’s scale to sustain operations undeterred.
Telegram
The paradox is stark: despite blocking over 43.5 million channels in 2025 alone and achieving record transparency in moderation reports, the threat landscape shows no contraction, as fraudsters deploy sophisticated evasion tactics like pre-built backup channels, “Request to Join” gating to thwart bots, bio disclaimers tagging Telegram leadership for plausible deniability, and floods of forwarded messages that preserve criminal knowledge even after originals vanish.
Check Point Exposure Management data reveals 20 percent of removals targeted business-impacting crimes—carding, Fullz trading, hacking services—with communities often reloading audiences instantly from preloaded backups, ensuring operational continuity amid the friction.
For Nigeria, home to Africa’s largest Telegram user base of eight million aged 16-64 per Statista, the stakes are acute: the platform dominates crypto trading, mining schemes, online betting, and gambling hubs, leaving traders, youth, and startups vulnerable to scams that evolve faster than platform defenses.
Kingsley Oseghale, Check Point Software Technologies’ West Africa country manager, warns that “enforcement is real and growing, but criminals adapt quicker—security teams must hunt entire networks, not just channels, via continuous exposure management to dismantle operations at the root.”
Migration to rivals like Discord (just 6% of underground invite links), Signal, SimpleX, or Matrix remains negligible—3 million Telegram invites circulated underground in three months alone—proving its 800 million users, speed, anonymity, and network effects keep it the premier broadcast, recruitment, and marketplace layer, even as high-profile groups like AKULA tested alternatives before reverting.
Spikes in forwarded content during February-April 2025 peaks extended fraud data lifecycles, mirroring broader cybercrime redundancy where attackers assume disruption and build in failover.
This persistence demands proactive vigilance: SOC teams ignoring Telegram risk blind spots in brand protection and threat detection, as evasion now standardises across underground forums—underscoring that while Telegram’s crackdown marks progress, true eradication hinges on intelligence beyond takedowns.
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