New York City, wetin dey sup? It was a joy to commemorate 34 years of the Nigerian Day Parade alongside the many Nigerian New Yorkers who fill our city with life.
From the entrepreneurs whose businesses strengthen our neighborhoods, to the sounds of Afrobeats pouring out of graduation parties in Southeast Queens, and the aroma of Agege bread calling out to passersby in Brooklyn — the impact of Nigerian New Yorkers is felt across the five boroughs.
Our city is richer in culture, stronger in community, and more vibrant because of your contributions.
TRIBUTE TO OLU JACOBS
It is with sadness that I received the news of the passing of our veteran actor, Olu Jacobs, whose demise was announced by his family yesterday, 16th September, 2026.
Olu Jacobs represented the excellence of the Nigerian spirit. He exemplified this through his remarkable contributions to the film and creative industry, in a career spanning several decades across both Britain and Nigeria.
His passing is once again a reminder to all of us that our time here is limited. Whatever responsibility we are entrusted with, and whatever area we are called to contribute to society, we must give it our very best and ensure that society benefits from our genius, talent and competence.
This was what Olu Jacobs was renowned for. He lived a life that demonstrated the power of talent, discipline, professionalism and dedication to one’s craft.
As we remember his life, times and passion, my thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, colleagues and the entire Nigerian creative community.
I pray that the Almighty will grant his loved ones, and our nation, the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss.
May the good Lord grant our father, Olu Jacobs, and all the faithful departed eternal rest. Amen. -PO
“I keep imagining what it would feel like if Pete Edochie passed away before me. I feel so bad about what happened to Olu Jacobs. When Sam Loco passed, I cried like a baby because he was doing comedy with me. When Mr Ibu passed, it was the same.”💔
—Patience Ozokwor (Mama G)
Proud Nigerian father moment. 🇳🇬❤️
17-year-old Nigerian-American guard Ebuka Okorie was selected 17th overall in the 2026 NBA Draft, and his father showed up in full Igbo traditional attire to celebrate. 🏀🔥
@Prince_dc21_ The fact that you are only concerned about that is disgusting. Someone just lost their life from cancer and your only concern is that they didn’t have a wife and kids. May God have mercy on your soul. Your heart is bitter
Fellow Nigerians, good morning.
I woke up this morning after my church service with a deeply reflective heart, and despite every constraint, I felt compelled to share these thoughts with you.
Many people do not truly understand the silent pains some of us carry daily—the private struggles, emotional burdens, and quiet battles we face while trying to survive and serve sincerely in difficult circumstances.
We now live in an environment that has become increasingly toxic, where the very system that should protect and create opportunities for decent living often works against the people—a society where intimidation, insecurity, endless scrutiny, and discouragement have become normal.
More painful is when some of those you associate with, believing you would find understanding and solidarity among them, become part of the pressure you face. Some who publicly identify with you privately distance themselves or join in unfair criticism.
We live in a society where humility is mistaken for weakness, respect is seen as a lack of courage, and compassion is treated as foolishness—a system where treating people equally is questioned simply because you refuse to worship status, tribe, class, or power.
Personally, I have never looked down on anyone except to uplift them. I have never used privilege, position, or resources to oppress others, intimidate the weak, or make people feel small. To me, leadership has always been about service, sacrifice, and helping others rise.
Let me state clearly: my decision to leave the ADC is not because our highly respected Chairman, Senator David Mark, treated me badly, nor because my leader and elder brother, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, or any other respected leaders did anything personally wrong to me. I will continue to respect them.
However, the same Nigerian state and its agents that created unnecessary crises and hostility within the Labour Party that forced me to leave now appear to be finding their way into the ADC, with endless court cases, internal battles, suspicion, and division, instead of focusing on deeper national problems and playing politics built more on control and exclusion than on service and nation-building.
Even within spaces where one labours sincerely, one is sometimes treated like an outsider in one’s own home. You and your team become easy targets for every failure, frustration, or misunderstanding, as though honest contribution has become a favour being tolerated rather than appreciated.
And when you choose to leave so that those you are leaving can have peace, and you step out into the cold, you are still maligned and your character is questioned. Despite all your efforts to continue working for a better Nigeria and engaging people with sincerity and goodwill, those who do not wish you well continue to attack your character and question your intentions.
There are moments I ask God in prayer: Why is doing the right thing often misconstrued as wrongdoing in our country? Why is integrity not valued? Why is the prudent management of resources, especially when invested in critical areas like education and healthcare, wrongly labelled as stinginess? Why are humility and obedience to the rule of law often taken to be weakness rather than discipline?
Let me assure all that I am not desperate to be President, Vice President, or Senate President. I am desperate to see a society that can console a mother whose child has been kidnapped or killed while going to school or work. I am desperate to see a Nigeria where people will not live in IDP camps but in their homes. I am desperate for a country where Nigerian citizens do not go to bed hungry, not knowing where their next meal will come from.
Yet, despite everything, I remain resolute. I firmly believe that Nigeria can still become a country with competent leadership based on justice, compassion, and equal opportunity for all.
A new Nigeria is POssible. -PO