In October 2017 the government of Imo State, in south-eastern Nigeria, unveiled a larger-than-life statue of Jacob Zuma, then President of South Africa. The monument, placed on a landscaped roundabout in the state capital Owerri, quickly became one of the most talked-about public artworks in Nigeria—less for its artistry than for the storm of debate it provoked.
A Governor’s Diplomatic Gesture
The statue was commissioned during the tenure of Governor Rochas Okorocha, who hosted Zuma on an official visit.
Alongside the unveiling, a major road was named Jacob Zuma Road, and local traditional leaders conferred on the South African president a chieftaincy title.
Okorocha said the gestures were meant to honour Zuma for what he described as “his contributions to African unity” and to strengthen ties between Nigeria and South Africa.
He portrayed the statue as a symbol of pan-African solidarity and an investment in international friendship.
Public Outcry and Controversy
Almost immediately, the tribute drew fierce criticism across Nigeria.
Commentators and civic groups questioned why a Nigerian state should immortalise a foreign leader—particularly one who, at the time, was facing ongoing corruption allegations in South Africa.
Social media filled with satire and outrage.
Newspapers such as Premium Times and Vanguard reported that the statue allegedly cost several hundred million naira, though the Imo State government did not release any official figures, leaving the exact expense disputed.
Many saw the project as a misplaced priority in a state struggling with basic infrastructure and salary arrears.
Material and Design
Press photographs show a towering likeness of Zuma in suit and tie, but reports differ on whether the structure is bronze or fibreglass.
Given the absence of definitive technical documentation, most accounts simply describe it as a “large statue”.
Legacy of a Divisive Monument
Years later the Jacob Zuma statue still stands in Owerri as both a landmark and a lightning rod.
For supporters of Okorocha’s vision it represents a bold, if unconventional, gesture of pan-African diplomacy.
For critics it remains a cautionary tale about how political symbolism and public spending can collide.
Whether viewed as a celebration of African unity or as political grandstanding, the monument has become part of Nigeria’s contemporary political history—illustrating how a single work of public art can ignite a national conversation about leadership, accountability and the meaning of honour.
Source
BBC News. “Nigeria’s Imo State unveils Jacob Zuma statue.” 16 October 2017.
Nollywood icon Genevieve Nnaji has fired off a sharp response after a man on X (formerly Twitter) advised Igbo men to stop marrying Igbo women and instead seek wives from other African countries.
The controversy began after a photo of a Rwandan woman said to be engaged to an Anambra man went viral.
Resharing the image, the user wrote, “Dear Igbo men, instead of marrying an Igbo woman who’ll falsely accuse you of r4ping your daughter, better look outside for a wife.
“Go to East Africa, especially Rwanda, and pick a damsel. They’re all over social media, and you can link up with them.”
Genevieve, who rarely comments on online drama, responded, “In other words, instead of checking yourself and taking accountability, go for the unsuspecting and carry on with your evil. Got it.”
Another user attempted to challenge her, claiming the original tweet was aimed at “false rape accusers” and that Genevieve was avoiding the real issue.
“His tweet was clearly against false rape accusers, but instead of holding the evil women accountable and demanding change, you chose to tweet this?”
But the actress hit back with equal clarity: “The same way a woman can’t tell an abusive man apart from a good one is the same way you shouldn’t say avoid all Igbo women. ‘Not all women’.”
Reality TV star Phyna has offered words of encouragement to fellow Big Brother Naija winner Imisi amid a family feud between the latter and her mother.
In an X post on Monday, Phyna wrote,”To Imisi, @imisiofficial and to anyone walking through the same fire… I’m praying for your strength.
“My own experience broke me, but I’m slowly rising.
“And I’m rooting for you with everything in me, don’t handle it like I did, build strong and focus on you baby girl.”
The post comes against the backdrop of a family dispute in which Imisi’s mother accused her daughter of hatred and revealed the poor condition of the home where she currently lives, despite Imisi winning N150 million after her Big Brother victory.
Imisi replied in Yoruba,”This is why Aunty Debola said you should not show your face to the world. I can’t be saying all that now, you are in the midst of people. Just overlook everything and leave social media.
“Don’t worry, I will send you money to rent a new house. I am tired of all this drama. I am still recovering from the stress of Big Brother.
“Should I be facing another stress now? Please forgive me, I am your daughter.”
Recall Imisi’s mother has publicly expressed frustration on social media, saying she does not need her daughter’s money after being sidelined following the win.
She also blamed Imisi for recounting her childhood experiences, which she claims involve untrue allegations of parental neglect and sexual assault.
In a video, she showed the old house she currently resides in, saying she is content with her situation, a revelation that sparked online controversy.
In 2023, after Phyna’s BBNaija win, her father, Felix Otabor, revealed in an interview that he was distressed by his daughter’s actions following her BBNaija win.
Otabor said Phyna had asked him to stop working as a hearse driver and requested that he sell his cars, promising to improve the family’s life.
He said he later struggled financially after selling the vehicles, losing his business momentum and community position, and has not seen his daughter since her victory.
He described feeling sidelined while she enjoyed her wealth.
Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels, has opened up about her marriage to her estranged husband, Senator Ned Nwoko.
It was reports that the embattled wife revealed why their seven-year relationship remained faithful despite his polygamous lifestyle.
In a reply to a comment on her Instagram page, Daniels said that during their years together, Nwoko never slept with other women outside their home because she held him well in the other room.
She wrote: “Yes i think he loved me but a toxic one! Because tell me why a polygamous man forgot what it meant to be in polygamy, except for the media.
“Just because it boosted his ego of being seen with multiple women which is easy by me because anyone that sees a man as an odogwu sees the wife as what? He basically had to beg that he share days at ours and other days with his other wives because they begged for his attention.
“Y’all should pls forget this yeye social media comparison because my ex man never slept outside one day in our 7 years of marriage. You know why? Because as a delta babe, I hold am well for the other room ladies use your skills that’s all men want actually!”
