Former Education Minister, Oby Ezekwesili has accused Senate President, Godswill Akpabio of dodging opportunities that would prove his innocence in the sexual harassment allegations leveled against him by suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

Ezekwesili said Akpabio and the Senate has continued to deny Natasha the right to a fair hearing and an impartial investigation.

The suspended Kogi Central Senator had accused Akpabio of sexual harassment.

She claimed that the Senate President denied her certain privileges for turning down his sexual advances even in the presence of her husband.

However, the former minister wondered why Akpabio was obstructing every opportunity for an impartial Senate inquiry into the sexual harassment allegations against him.

Posting on X, she wrote: “This morning, I again remembered the all-time quote of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan:

“This Injustice shall not be sustained.

“I agree. Societies that have kept sustaining injustice are the ones that are stuck in lowest economic growth, pernicious poverty and widespread inequality. So, we should all not agree for the injustice being inflicted on Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan to be sustained.

“Can the @NGRSenate and @Senator_Akpabio tell Nigerians why they have persisted in denying their courageous colleague, Senator @NatashaAkpoti, the right to fair hearing and impartial investigation of her Sexual Harassment petition against the Senate President?

“Why is Senator Akpabio obstructing every opportunity for an impartial Senate inquiry into this matter? Why is he dodging the opportunity that can help him prove his innocence of the serious allegation leveled by his female colleague?

“Why are Senator Akpabio’s colleagues in the Senate supporting such obstruction in gross violation of the same “Senate Rules” they used in illegally suspending Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan?

“The Senate cannot pretend to be “moving on” regarding this case. Not at all. This Injustice cannot be sustained at all.

“There’s no “moving on” possible without accountability, transparency and due process on this case of massive abuse of power by our country’s #3 top ranking public figure.

“Senator Natasha Akpoti Uduaghan is never walking alone on this case. Never.”

Tensions are on the rise in a gorgeous Pacific Northwest coastal enclave where locals have to drive through Canada to reach the US.

Residents in Port Roberts, Washington have been caught in the crossfire of the ongoing trade wars between the two countries ever since President Donald Trump threatened to implement hefty tariffs on a long list of goods imported from Canada.

Locals who live in the small exclave, or part of a state that is geographically separated from the mainland by another territory, are feeling the direct effects of the tariff mayhem – specifically at their three restaurants and singular grocery store.

The unique five-square-mile community in Whatcom County is surrounded by water on three sides and has only one land connection to Canada. 

Residents can either re-enter the US through one border crossing and about a 25 miles car ride to reach downtown Vancouver, British Columbia, or they can make their way through two border crossings and an approximate 25 mile car ride through Canada to then enter the US at Boundary Bay Border.

More than 70 percent of properties are owned by Canadians, and more than 50 percent of an estimated 1,200 residents have dual citizenship, Wayne Lyle, the President of Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce, told the Canadian Press. 

The few local businesses and popular tourist attractions, including beaches, hiking trails and a golf course, have been suffering economically as many Canadians have boycotted the area ever since Trump’s tariff threats and talks about making Canada the 51st state of the US.

Despite all their frustration, Americans said they don’t blame Canadians for feeling that way, but they are still suffering tremendously from the fallout.

Residents in Port Roberts, Washington (pictured) have been caught in the crossfire of the ongoing trade wars between the two countries ever since President Donald Trump threatened to implement hefty tariffs on a long list of goods imported from Canada

‘This was really devastating,’ Tamra Hansen (pictured), a longtime resident and business owner in the exclave, said. ‘If we don’t get the support from the Canadians, this town will die’

The unique five-square-mile community in Whatcom County is surrounded by water on three sides and has only one land connection to Canada. (Pictured: The Point Roberts border checkpoint)

‘This was really devastating,’ Tamra Hansen, a longtime resident and business owner in the exclave told the outlet. ‘If we don’t get the support from the Canadians, this town will die.’

Point Roberts Fire Chief Christopher Carleton echoed Hansen’s concerns, especially since many of his firefighters live across the border.

‘We need to take care of one another and have grace for one another and not allow people who don’t even know we exist to disrupt the relationships we currently have,’ Carleton said.

Meanwhile, Mark Nykolaichuk, who lives in the Vancouver, B.C. area, said he hopes he can help keep the community alive.

Nykolaichuk refuses to travel to the mainland US, but has made a special exception for Port Roberts because of its close ties to Canada.

He specifically frequents the sole grocery store on the exclave – the Point Roberts International Marketplace – to buy food for him to cook at his vacation home.

Because of US customs restrictions, raw meat is not permitted at the border, so Nykolaichuk has to purchase it in town.

‘Nobody wants to see this place shut down,’ he said. ‘If this place goes, where are the U.S. citizens going to eat? Where are they going to get their food from?’

More than 70 percent of properties are owned by Canadians, 50 percent of which are dual citizens, Wayne Lyle (pictured), the President of Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce, said

Management at the market recently reported that business is down 20 to 30 percent.

Similarly, a liquor store in the town, Larry’s Liquor Locker, has seen its sales tank by 40 percent in the last month.

The owner, Larry Musselwhite, 75, has been faced with a harsh reality that he blames on Trump.

‘This is because of our elected president, who really doesn’t care about the common man and the struggles that we have to go through,’ Musselwhite said.

‘It greatly affects how I live my life.’

Around 75 percent of Port Roberts residents voted for a presidential candidate other than Trump, according to 2024 election results.

Hansen, who owns two businesses in the area, said the political climate has severely impacted resident’s relationships with neighboring Canadians.

Management at Point Roberts International Market (pictured) – the only grocery store in town – recently reported that business is down 20-30 percent

A cash register at the Point Roberts International Marketplace has two trays for both Canadian and U.S. currencies

Other than imported goods, Port Roberts residents, like Brian Calder (pictured), are also fearful that Canada might impose tariffs on necessary utilities if tensions escalate

‘We’ve always gotten along and it’s just nonsensical because now the U.S. is going to suffer too,’ the dual citizen said.

‘I definitely feel for the Canadian people at this time because they’ve got their backs against the wall, really, and they have to retaliate.’

She runs a breakfast spot, Saltwater Cafe, and another restaurant called The Pier.

Hansen has 15 employees that she pays, but as of February, business has been down 55 percent, compared to last year. There have even been days when her businesses didn’t even make $100.

‘There are some businesses that are going out of business right now as we speak,’ she said.

‘It’s very emotional for me because I care about everybody that lives here.’

In response to Trump’s on again, off again tariff threats, Canada has promised retaliatory tariffs on the US.

Locals have also become increasingly frustrated with Trump starting and stopping the tariffs, leaving many with inconsistencies, especially in their businesses.

Hugh Wilson, a local real estate agent who manages multiple Airbnb locations in the community, said he’s been receiving a lot of cancellations lately.

Larry Musselwhite (pictured), 75, the owner of Larry’s Liquor Locker, has seen its sales tank by 40 percent in the last month

Hansen runs a breakfast spot, Saltwater Cafe, and another restaurant called The Pier (pictured). Hansen has 15 employees that she pays, but as of February, business has been down 55 percent, compared to last year

A bicyclist approaches the Nexus lane at the border crossing checkpoint into Delta, British Columbia in Point Roberts

‘Nobody is sure of the rules at any one day here. The border agents do the best they can to stay up to date and they relay that to us as normal people crossing the border,’ Wilson said.

Other than imported goods, Port Roberts residents are also fearful that Canada might impose tariffs on necessary utilities if tensions escalate.

‘If it gets more brutal, they can cut off the water just like that, or the power,’ Brian Calder, the former president of the Point Roberts Chamber of Commerce, said.

‘And it just depends how much more confrontation is fomented by Trump’s office.’

Calder is also in support of how Canadians are dealing with the massive shakeup and threats, calling Trump’s strategy ‘absolutely stupid and inhumane.’

‘And then on top of that, you threatened the integrity of Canada as a nation,’ Calder said of the president.

‘There’s no question that Canada will retaliate … they’ve got every right to.’

Lyle said the lack of Canadian visitors has not only impacted business across the exclave, but has created a ‘scary’ atmosphere.

‘The current political situation is darn right scary for our businesses there. Ninety per cent of our business is Canadian,’ Lyle explained.

Around 75 percent of Port Roberts residents voted for a presidential candidate other than Trump, according to 2024 election results. (Aerial view of Port Roberts)

He compared the situation to children going through the divorce of their parents, telling the Canadian Press: ‘I talked to someone last week, and they said they could best sum it up by saying Point Roberts is basically the children going through a divorce proceeding, the parents are the two countries, so we’re powerless.’

Calder and other residents are currently trying to find a solution to the issue by reaching out to the British Columbia premier, as well as the governor of Washington.

Jed Holmes, a spokesman for Whatcom County, told AP they are talking with Washington state’s congressional delegation in D.C. to specifically address the growing issues in Point Roberts amidst the deteriorating US-Canada relationship.

‘I understand that folks want us to do more, but it’s really challenging to identify what meaningful things a county government can do to change this dynamic at the international level,’ Holmes said.

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The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has started announcing the results of the H-1B visa lottery for the fiscal year 2026.

How to Check Your Status

Applicants can verify their selection status through their employer, legal representative, or the USCIS online portal.

Understanding Your Lottery Outcome

Selected: If your status is marked as “Selected,” you have passed the lottery stage. The next step involves submitting a strong petition, ensuring all documents are in order, and preparing for any potential requests for additional evidence from USCIS.

Submitted: If your status remains “Submitted,” your application is still in the lottery pool, and you must wait for further updates.

Not Selected: If your status does not change to “Selected” by April 1, 2025, it means you were not chosen in this round.

If you were not selected, you may consider alternative visa options, such as the O-1 visa for individuals with extraordinary abilities or the L-1 visa for intracompany transfers.

Key Dates and Updates

The H-1B registration period for FY 2026 was open from March 7 to March 24, 2025.

During this period, U.S. employers submitted electronic registrations for potential employees in specialized fields such as technology, healthcare, and engineering.

This year, the H-1B registration fee increased significantly from $10 to $215 per beneficiary to cover administrative costs and discourage non-serious applications.

USCIS has also introduced procedural changes to improve the selection process and enhance fairness in visa allocations.

Increase in Student Visa Rejections

Recent data from the U.S. State Department highlights a sharp rise in student visa denials. In the past fiscal year (October 2023–September 2024), 41% of international student visa applications were rejected—a significant jump compared to the 2014 fiscal year, when the rejection rate was nearly half of the current percentage.

Applicants awaiting H-1B lottery results should stay informed, as USCIS is releasing selection notifications in batches.