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Return of the sun-mark: Young Igbo men are reclaiming the title of Ichie

For decades, the image of an Igbo Ichie was fixed: an elderly man with a silver beard, leaning on a walking stick, a repository of proverbs and dusty traditions.
But a quiet revolution is stirring in the heartland of Nigeria. Today, the men stepping into these sacred roles are just as likely to hold an MBA or a law degree as they are to carry an ivory tusk.
One of these men is Chief Jude Obiakor, known by the title Ichie Ebube Nnia. For him, accepting this mantle wasn’t about looking backwards; it was about finding his footing in a fast-moving world.
A mark of the soul, not the skin
Historically, to become an Ichie meant undergoing Igbu Ichi—the gruelling process of facial scarification. Deep, rhythmic incisions were carved from the forehead to the chin, representing the rays of the sun and a direct connection to Chukwu (God). These marks weren’t just for aesthetics; they were a “passport” of sorts. An Ichi-marked man was considered ritually pure, protected from slavery, and granted entry into the prestigious Nze na Ozo society.
“In the old days, the pain was the point,” Chief Jude explains. “It proved you had the strength to lead.”
Today, the knives have been put away, replaced by symbolic rituals that respect modern health and beauty standards. “The marks are no longer physical,” Jude says, “but the weight of them remains. It’s a sign that the boy of yesterday has finally come of age.”
A family torch
For Jude, the decision was deeply personal, a way to bridge the gap between the living and the ancestors. His father, Chief Felix Obiakor (Ichie Chinenyeze), wore the title with grace. When he passed, Jude’s elder brother, Emeka Obiakor, a lawyer, took up the mantle. Now, it is Jude’s turn.
In his hometown of Adazi-Nnukwu, the ceremony has evolved into a vibrant fusion of the old and the new. While the physical scarring is gone, the “initiation” remains a grand public spectacle. There is feasting, the rhythmic thumping of traditional drums, and the high-energy camaraderie of the Nze na Ozo society. It is a celebration of identity that Western education and Christianity once tried to erase.
Why now?
Why are young, cosmopolitan men flocking back to these ancient rites?
Perhaps it’s because, in a globalised world, “belonging” is the ultimate luxury. By becoming an Ichie, these young men aren’t rejecting modernity; they are anchoring it. They are choosing to be the custodians of a culture that refuses to die, proving that you can navigate the 21st Century perfectly well while wearing the “sun-marks” of your ancestors on your soul.
As Jude puts it: “Modernity has changed the way we do it, but it hasn’t changed why we do it. The Igbo pride is still there.”
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Police arrest Bayelsa sender of gun that led to killing of Mene Ogidi

Reports say Police have arrested two persons including the Bayelsa State sender of the barretta pistol and four rounds of ammunition that led to the killing of Oghenemine Ogidi by ASP Nuhu Usman in Effurun, Delta state.
A source said two suspects were moved into the Effurun Area Command under the Delta State Police Command Wednesday night, as investigations continues towards apprehending all persons connected with movement of the gun and bullets, and the death of 28 year old Mine.
While the Police authorities keep mum on the development, a source told Vanguard, “It’s confirmed. They just brought in two suspects Wednesday night.
“It’s not been announced who is who yet, but I can tell you for free that one of them is the person who sent the gun through a transport line from Yenagoa to Effurun, from where Mine picked it to send to a Sapele owner at the Effurun Motor Park where he was caught and extrajudicially killed by ASP Nuhu and accomplices.
“Like I sad, it’s not clear if the other person among the two could be the driver who brought the parcel from Yenagoa. But it’s clear that the sender is among the duo just apprehended. And the trail continues for the other suspects.”
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National Assembly makes U-turn on eight-year eligibility for presidency contest

The Senate has made a U-turn on its Tuesday’s decision as it has rescinded a controversial amendment that barred first-time senators from contesting presiding offices, reopening the 2027 race for Senate President and Deputy Senate President.
On Tuesday, the Senate amended its Standing Orders after a marathon executive session with the introduction of stricter eligibility criteria for the emergence of presiding officers in the 11th Senate, effectively limiting the contest for Senate President and other top leadership offices to returning ranking lawmakers of the current Assembly.
With the amendment on Tuesday, Senate leadership positions will follow a hierarchy beginning with former Senate Presidents, former Deputy Senate Presidents, former Principal Officers, senators who have completed at least one full term, lawmakers transitioning from the House of Representatives, and finally, first-time senators where no higher-ranking candidates emerge.
The amendment also stipulates that only Senators returning from the current 10th Assembly after re-election can contest for Senate President and other key leadership offices.
The reversal was adopted on Thursday through a motion sponsored by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele, APC, Ekiti Central and presided over by Deputy Senate President Jubril Barau.
On why the reversal matters, Bamidele said that with the rule gone, the leadership contest for the 11th National Assembly is now open to all elected senators regardless of tenure.
The backtrack also signals a shift within the ruling party towards a more competitive and inclusive process for selecting the next Senate leadership, rather than pre-determining it through tenure restrictions.
The motion is titled, Recession and Re-Committal of Order 2 (2) and Order 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2023, as amended.
Presenting the motion, Bamidele said, “the Senate recalls that the Senate Standing Orders were considered and amended on Tuesday, 5th May, 2026;
“Observes that upon further legislative and constitutional review, certain provisions introduced under Order 2(2) and Order 3(1) may give rise to constitutional inconsistencies and unintended tensions with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), particularly Section 52 thereof;
“Notes that it is necessary to ensure that the Standing Orders of the Senate remain fully consistent with constitutional provisions, established parliamentary conventions, and legislative practice;
“Further notes that the Senate possesses the inherent parliamentary authority to revisit, rescind, and recommit any matter previously decided upon in order to preserve the integrity of its proceedings and legislative framework;
“Accordingly resolves to: rescind its earlier decisions relating to the amendments made to Order 2(2) and Order 3(1) of the Senate Standing Orders, 2026.
” Rescission and Re-Committal of the National Identity Management Commission (Establishment) Bill, 2026 to the Committee of the Whole.
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Breaking News
Gunmen Abduct Eight Students in Midnight Raid Near Nasarawa State University

Suspected gunmen have abducted no fewer than eight students during a midnight attack on off-campus hostels near the Engineering Campus of Nasarawa State University in Gudi.
The incident occurred around 1:00 a.m. on Thursday, with armed attackers storming several student lodges and whisking victims away to an unknown location.
A source said students hid in fear throughout the operation, complaining about the absence of immediate security intervention. The attack has heightened tension as students are currently writing examinations. Calls have been made for security agencies to intensify rescue efforts.
Key Points:
Eight students were abducted from off-campus hostels near the university.
The attack happened around 1:00 a.m. on Thursday while students were writing exams.
No visible security response was present during the operation.
Students and residents are calling for urgent rescue and improved security.
Fear has spread across the university community.
Sources: PM News
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