The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC)
yesterday disclosed that crude oil and condensate production for the month of September 2025 fell to an average of 1.581 million barrels per day, due to
the three-day industrial action by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN). Official statistics released
in Abuja by the upstream regulator stated that the 1.581 million bpd average production in September comprised 1.39 million bpd
of crude oil and 191,373 bpd of condensate.
The NUPRC attributed the development to the three-day industrial action by senior oil
workers, which resulted in the shutdown of some production and export facilities.
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
Following a backlash that greeted the clemency granted
Continued on page 5
Bala Mohammed: Defections Won’t Sink PDP, We’ll Return to Aso Villa in 2027
Says defection act of cowardice as Diri joins Mbah Insists PDP will weather the storm, hold November convention Court declines bid to stop party’s convention
The Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Governors’ Forum and Governor of Bauchi State, Senator Bala Mohammed, has declared that the gale of defections by the members of the party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) won’t sink the main opposition party, insisting that PDP will
remain strong and reclaim power in 2027.
Speaking to journalists yesterday in Abuja at the inauguration of the media sub-committee of the National Convention Organising Committee (NCOC), Mohammed, who also serves as Chairman of the PDP National Convention
Continued on page 5
VISITING PAPAL PALACE...
L-R: His
L-R: Communications Director, Qatar National Library, Mohammed Said; Minister of State for Education, Prof. Suwaiba Said Ahmad; First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu; Operations Director, Qatar National Library, Khalid Al Yazeedi; and Distinctive Collection Specialist, Qatar National Library, Iklas Shamiah, during the visit of the First Lady, Minister of State for Education and others to the facility in Doha…yesterday
Holiness, Pope Leo XIV; wife of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party in 2023 general election, Mrs. Margaret Obi; and her husband, Mr. Peter Obi, during their audience with the Pope at the Vatican City…recently
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
In a Sweeping Reform, CBN Gives Banks 48-hour Ultimatum to Refund Failed ATM Transactions
James Emejo in Abuja
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has directed Deposit Money Banks and other financial institutions to refund customers for failed Automated Teller Machine transactions within 48 hours, in a sweeping reform aimed at protecting consumers and restoring confidence in the banking system.
The directive is contained
Publicity and Communication Subcommittee, described the defection to APC as an act of cowardice as Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State joins his Enugu State counterpart, Governor Peter Mbah in moving to APC in the coming days.
While acknowledging his deep concern about some governors and lawmakers defecting to the APC, Mohammed insisted that the PDP would weather the storm and hold the scheduled November National Convention.
175 inmates and ex-convicts by President Bola Tinubu after last Thursday’s meeting of the National Council of States (NCS), the Presidency has risen in stout defence of the action, insisting that some beneficiaries had shown remorse and been of good conduct while others were pardoned due to old age, acquisition of new vocational skills or enrolment at the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, who released the full list of the
In a statement breaking down the production data for September, the Head of Media and Strategic Communication of the NUPRC, Eniola Akinkuotu, noted that two strategic facilities had scheduled turnaround maintenance, which led to a reduction in overall production.
In September, the NUPRC stated that the industry recorded total crude oil and condensate production of 47.43 million barrels, which reflected a modest 1.61 per cent year-on-year increase in average daily crude oil and condensate production year on year.
According to the upstream oil regulator, it was a slight improvement over the 1.55 million bpd recorded in the same month of 2024, an uptick that it said suggested
in a draft guideline released yesterday by the apex bank, titled “Exposure of the Draft Guidelines on the Operations of Automated Teller Machines in Nigeria.”
The document, signed by the Director of Payments System Policy Department, Musa I. Jimoh, was circulated to banks, payment service providers, card schemes, and independent ATM deployers, with a call for stakeholder
feedback by October 31, 2025.
Under the draft, failed “on-us” transactions, where customers use their own bank’s ATM, must be reversed instantly. If technical glitches prevent immediate reversal, the bank is required to manually refund the customer within 24 hours.
For “not-on-us” transactions, involving other banks’ ATMs, refunds must be processed within 48 hours.
“Customers must not be made to suffer for failed transactions caused by system errors or network failures,” the circular stressed.
In a significant shift, the CBN mandated banks and ATM acquirers to deploy technology that automatically reverses failed or partial transactions, removing the need for customers to lodge complaints.
DEFECTIONS WON’T SINK PDP, WE’LL RETURN TO ASO VILLA IN 2027
This is just as a Federal High Court in Abuja has declined to grant an interim order stopping the PDP from holding its planned meetings and national convention.
Mohammed accused the APC-led federal government of using coercive tactics to weaken the opposition, saying the ruling party was bent on turning Nigeria into a one-party state.
“You know the style of leadership of the APC-led federal government in trying to make this country a one-party state. They have the power of
beneficiaries in a statement issued yesterday, identified those granted clemency to include repentant drug offenders, illegal miners, white-collar convicts, and foreigners.
In the statement entitled "Details of The Presidential Pardon and Clemency", which was issued yesterday, the presidency listed the names of all the 175 inmates and ex-convicts granted amnesty, said: "Illegal miners, white-collar convicts, remorseful drug offenders, foreigners, Major General
coercion; they have the power of everything,” he said.
He insisted that the defections would not derail the PDP’s resurgence, stressing that most Nigerians at the grassroots remained loyal to the party.
“Even those who left are not finding it easier because most of the people at the grassroots level are PDP and are not happy with the defections. Sometimes it is done because of permutations and calculations. But I assure you, I am not going anywhere. I am in PDP, and my state has
Mamman Vatsa, Major Akubo, Professor Magaji Garba, capital offenders such as Maryam Sanda, Ken Saro Wiwa, and the other Ogoni Eight were among the 175 convicts and former convicts who received President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s mercy on Thursday.
"President Tinubu granted clemency to most of them based on the reports that the convicts had shown remorse and good conduct. He forgave some due to old age, the acquisition of new vocational skills, or
no element of division,” he explained.
Mohammed revealed that more defections could occur, including from lawmakers in his state, but insisted the PDP structure remained solid.
“Even today, I saw in the news that one of my senators is going. They are being controlled, they are being bought, but certainly, the state is PDP. Nigerians want change, and they believe they can get it through the PDP,” he stated.
Continued on page 13
enrolment in the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN).
"President Tinubu also corrected the historic injustice committed by British colonialists against Sir Herbert Macaulay, one of Nigeria's foremost nationalists.
"In all, the Presidential Advisory Committee on the Prerogative of Mercy, chaired by the Attorney-General and Justice Minister, Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, recommended pardon for two inmates, 15 former convicts, 11 of whom have died.
175 BENEFICIARIES OF
AND CLEMENCY
Pardoned
Nweke Francis Chibueze
Dr. Nwogu Peters
Mrs. Anastasia Daniel Nwaoba
Barr. Hussaini Alhaji Umar
Ayinla Saadu Alanamu
Hon. Farouk M. Lawan
Posthumous Pardon
Sir Herbert Macaulay
Major-General Mamman Jiya
Vatsa
Posthumous Pardon: The Ogoni
Nine
Ken Saro Wiwa
Saturday Dobee
Nordu Eawa
Daniel Gbooko
Paul Levera
Felix Nuate
Baribor Bera
Barinem Kiobel
John Kpuine
Victims of Ogoni Nine Honoured
Chief Albert Badey
Chief Edward Kobaru
Chief Samuel Orage
Chief Theophilus Orage
Presidential Clemency
Aluagwu Lawrence
Ben Friday
Oroke Micheal Chibueze
Kelvin Christopher Smith
Azubuike Jeremiah Emeka
Akinrinnade Akinwande Adebiyi
Ahmed Adeyemo
Seun Omirinde
Adesanya Olufemi Paul
Ife Yusuf, aged 37
Daniel Bodunwa
Fidelis Michael
Suru Akande
Safiyanu Umar
Dahiru Abdullahi
Hamza Abubakar
Rabiu Alhassan Dawaki
Mujibu Muhammad
Emmanuel Eze
Bala Azika Yahaya
Lina Kusum Wilson
Buhari Sani
Mohammed Musa
Muharazu Abubakar
Ibrahim Yusuf
Saad Ahmed Madaki
Ex-Corporal Michael Bawa
Richard Ayuba
Adam Abubakar
Emmanuel Yusuf
Edwin Nnazor
Chinedu Stanley
Joseph Nwanoka
Johnny Ntheru
John Omotiye
Husseni Sani
Suleiman Lawal
Yusuf Iliyasu
Sebiyu Aliyu
Shittu Aliyu
Sanusi Aminu
Isiaka Adamu
Mamman Ibrahim
Shuaibu Abdullahi
Sanusi Adamu
Sadi Musa
Haruna Isah
Abiodun Elemero
Maryam Sanda
List of Inmates Recommended for Reduced Term of Imprisonment
Yusuf Owolabi
Ifeanyi Eze
Malam Ibrahim Sulaiman
Shettima Maaji Arfo
Ajasper Benzeger
Ifenna Kennechukwu
Mgbeike Matthew
Patrick Mensah
Obi Edwin Chukwu
Tunde Balogun
Lima Pereira Erick Diego
Uchegbu Emeka Michael
Salawu Adebayo Samsudeen
Napolo Osariemen
Patricia Echoe Igninovia
Odeyemi Omolaram
Vera Daniel Ifork
Gabriel Juliet Chidimma
Dias Santos Marcia Christiana
Alh. Ibrahim Hameed
Alh. Nasiru Ogara Adinoyi
Chief Emeka Agbodike
Isaac Justina
Aishat Kehinde
Helen Solomon
Okoye Tochukwu
Ugwueze Paul Mutsapha Ahmed
Abubakar Mamman
Muhammed Bello Musa
Nnamdi Anene
Alh. Abubakar Tanko
Chisom Francis Wisdom
Innocent Brown Idiong
Iniobong Imaeyen Ntukidem
Ada Audu
Bukar Adamu
Kelvin Oniarah Ezigbe
Frank Azuekor
Chukwukelu Sunday Calisthus
Professor Magaji Garba
Markus Yusuf
Samson Ajayi Iyabo Binyoyo
Oladele Felix
Rakiya Beida
incremental progress.
However, when measured on a month-on-month basis, crude oil and condensate production slightly dropped by 3.09 per cent in September 2025, compared to the 1.63 million bpd recorded in August 2025, the NUPRC stated.
Despite the glitches experienced during the period, it explained that average crude oil production in September stood at 93 per cent of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) quota of 1.5 million bpd.
During the month under review, it pointed out that peak crude oil and condensate production hit 1.81 million bpd, while the lowest was 1.35 million bpd, underscoring the big difference in output before and during the strike.
The NUPRC stated that
the analysis of production by the top eight streams showed that Forcados Blend accounted for 15.86 per cent of total production, while Bonny Light accounted for 13.31 per cent of September production.
Qua Iboe, it stressed, was third, accounting for 9.88 per cent; Escravos Light contributed 8.96 per cent, while Bonga Crude delivered 6.83 per cent of production in the review period.
Besides, Agbami Condensate accounted for 4.94 per cent; ERHA Crude accounted for 4.55 per cent, while Amenam Blend accounted for 4.2 per cent of production.
Earlier, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) in a letter dated September 29, 2025, addressed to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream
Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), projected revenue losses from deferred production, missed lifting, and reduced gas sale as a result of the strike action.
In the letter, Chief Executive Officer of the NNPC, Bayo Ojulari, said the suspended strike led to 16 per cent oil production loss. He stated that within the first 24 hours of the strike, production deferments stood at approximately 283,000 bpd of oil, 1.7 bscfd of gas, and over 1,200MW of power generation impact.
“This equates to around 16 per cent of national oil output, 30 per cent of marketed gas, and 20 per cent of electricity generation,” he said.
Ojulari added that five planned critical maintenance activities during the period were affected.
Nsikat Edet Harry
Jonathan Asuquo
Prince Samuel Peters
Babangida Saliu
Adamu Sanni
Abdulkarem Salisu
Abdulaziz Lawal
Abdulrahman Babangida
Maharazu Alidu
Zaharadeen Baliue
Babangida Usman
Zayyanu Abdullahi
Bashir Garuba
Imam Suleman
Abbeh Amisu
Lawani Lurwanu
Yusuf Alhassan
Abdulahi Isah
Zayanu Bello
Habeeb Suleman
Jubrin Sahabi
Shefiu Umar
Seidu Abubakar
Haruna Abubakar
Rabiu Seidu
Macha Kuru
Zahradeen Aminu
Nazipi Musa
Abdullahi Musa
Habibu Safiu
Nriagu Augustine Ifeanyi
Chukwudi Destiny
Felix Rotimi Esemokhai
Major S.A. Akubo
John Ibiam
Omoka Aja
Chief Jonathan Alatoru
Umanah Ekaette Umanah
Utom Obong Thomson Udoaka
Jude Saka Ebaragha
Frank Insort Abaka
Shina Alolo
David Akinseye
Ahmed Toyin
Shobajo Saheed
Adamole Philip
Mathew Masi
Bright Agbedeyi
List of Inmates on Death Row Reduced to Life Imprisonment
Emmanuel Baba
Emmanuel Gladstone, Moses Ayodele Olurunfemi
Abubakar Usman
Khalifa Umar
Benjamin Ekeze
Mohammed Umar
Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road: Umahi Takes On Makinde, Challenges Him to Public Debate
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
Minister of Works, David Umahi, yesterday responded to recent remarks by the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, on the over N15 trillion Lagos-Calabar coastal highway, challenging him to a public debate on issues relating to civil engineering.
The minister also defended the cost of the ongoing Mararaba–Keffi road project, insisting that the cost per kilometre cannot be uniformly defined due to variations in construction desin and materials.
Umahi, who spoke during an inspection of the Mararaba–Keffi dual carriageway in Nasarawa State, alongside Governor Abdullahi Sule, was reacting
to comments by Makinde that it was essentially disingenuous not to be able to calculate the average cost per litre of the Lagos-Calabar highway.
But the former Ebonyi State Governor maintained his position that calculating the average of a project of that magnitude was impossible, reminding Nigerians that he remains an authority in the field of engineering.
“Average cost of definitive and estimated cost is a probable element. When I heard what somebody, my brother and friend, Governor Seyi Makinde, the Governor of Oyo State said, I don't want to join issues with him. I think he is an engineer, an electrician, they call it elect-elect, this is
road construction, elect elect no reach there.
“I am his senior in governance and his senior in engineering practice and so anything he doesn't understand, he should
call me and ask and I will not join issues because I have respect for our governors. I have respect for him as my friend and brother but, he should withdraw the word that ‘I
am dancing around’.
“I never danced around and if he insists, he should come for debate, that is very important. There is no ambiguity in cost per kilometre, but I am teaching
them that cost per kilometre could be divided into estimated cost, which has element of variance and average cost, which is definitive. That is what it is.
Nigeria’s total domestic debt service reached N1.707 trillion in the second quarter of 2025 (April–June), reflecting the federal government’s continued reliance on domestic borrowing to finance budgetary deficits.
The country’s external debt servicing bill also hit $932.1 million in the second quarter of 2025, underscoring the country’s mounting fiscal pressures amid rising global obligations and a weak revenue base.
The Debt Management Office (DMO) revealed the latest figures on its official website over the weekend.
The data showed that the country spent N1.686 trillion
on interest payments across multiple debt instruments and N20.14 billion on principal repayments, bringing the total to N1,707,087,151,475.90 for the three months.
Nigeria’s domestic debt service peaked in April 2025 at N805.31 billion, before dropping to N423.10 billion in May and slightly rising to N478.67 billion in June.
A breakdown of the figures indicates that Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) Bonds and Nigerian Treasury Bills (NTBs) accounted for the bulk of the debt service payments, reflecting the government’s continued reliance on domestic borrowing.
The DMO reported that Nigeria’s total domestic debt
US Threatens to Sanction Nations That Vote in Support of Carbon
Tax on UN Agency-backed Maritime Transportation
Eromosele Abiodun
The United States over the weekend threatened to impose sanctions and take other punitive action against any country that votes in favour of a carbon tax on maritime transportation to be implemented through a UN agency.
“We will fight hard
to protect our economic interests by imposing costs on countries if they support the Net Zero Framework, said a joint statement by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and his counterparts at the departments of energy and transportation.
Members of the Londonbased International Maritime Organisation (IMO) are set
to vote next week on the adoption of the Net Zero Framework (NZF) agreement aimed at reducing global carbon emissions from the shipping sector.
Washington, however, described the proposal as imposing “a global carbon tax on the world.”
Since returning to power in January, US President
Donald Trump has reversed Washington’s course on climate change, denouncing it as a “scam” and encouraging fossil fuel use by deregulation. In the statement, Rubio, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the Trump administration “unequivocally rejects” the NZF proposal.
stock has risen to N76.59 trillion as of mid-2025.
Meanwhile, Nigeria’s external debt servicing bill hit $932.1 million in the second quarter of 2025.
Fresh data from the DMO quoted by Nairametrics yesterday showed that the payments, covering the period between April and June 2025, went to multilateral, bilateral, and commercial creditors, with multilateral lenders taking the lion’s share.
According to the DMO’s report titled “Actual External Debt Service Payments for April – June 2025,” a total of $629.38 million, representing nearly 68 percent of the entire sum, went to multilateral creditors. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) alone
received $415.6 million in principal repayments, making it Nigeria’s single largest external creditor for the quarter.
Other major recipients under the multilateral category include the International Development Association (IDA), with $121.37 million; the African Development Bank (AfDB), at $43.75 million; and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), with $36.21 million. Payments were also made to the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the European Development Fund (EDF).
Under bilateral arrangements, Nigeria disbursed $41.18 million
to partners, including the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), China Development Bank (CDB), and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Commercial creditors, particularly Eurobond investors, received $261.55 million, comprising mostly interest payments. Of this, $260.07 million went to Eurobond holders, while Unicredit SPA received $1.47 million.
The DMO figures point to a growing debt service burden. Between January and April 2025, Nigeria spent over $2.01 billion on external debt payments—a jump of nearly 50 percent compared to the same period in 2024.
Earlier this year, the IMF
confirmed that Nigeria had fully repaid the $3.4 billion Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI) facility obtained in 2020 to cushion the economic shocks of the COVID-19 pandemic and the oil price collapse.
However, the Fund noted that Nigeria would continue to pay about $30 million annually in charges related to its Special Drawing Rights (SDR) allocations.
Domestically, the DMO disclosed that Nigeria’s total internal debt stock climbed to N76.59 trillion by mid-2025, with Federal Government Bonds dominating the portfolio at N60.65 trillion, representing more than 79 per cent of total domestic obligations.
Festus Akanbi
Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, presenting the proposed 2026 budget to the State House of Assembly, at the Assembly Complex, Ado-Ekiti ...Friday
THE
Bolaji Akinyemi:
Allegation of Christian Genocide Can Lead to Travel Bans, Visa Restrictions against Nigerians
NSCIA urges FG to expose those behind genocide allegation
A former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, has advised the federal government to treat the allegation of Christian genocide in Nigeria as a matter of national importance rather than a partisan dispute. He said the issue could
lead to travel bans and visa restrictions against Nigerians. This is just as the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has challenged the federal government to expose and hold accountable those allegedly behind what it described as a “false and treasonable campaign” portraying Nigeria as a country
conducting a genocidal war against Christians.
Akinyemi was reacting to claims of Christian persecution in Nigeria from prominent voices in the United States.
A US senator, Ted Cruz, recently proposed a bill that seeks to protect “persecuted” Christians in Nigeria.
A member of the US House
of Representatives, Riley Moore, had asked Secretary of State Marco Rubio to immediately take decisive diplomatic action against the Nigerian government over the “systematic persecution and slaughter of Christians” in the country.
A US comedian and talk show host, Bill Maher, had
Akpabio: Senate Won’t Be Held Hostage by ‘Disruptive Instincts’ of Any Lawmaker, Respect for Institutional Rules Remains Essential
Sunday Aborisade in Abuja
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, has declared that the National Assembly will not be held hostage by the “disruptive instincts” of any of its members, insisting that the Upper Chamber must uphold discipline and respect for its rules to preserve the sanctity of Nigeria’s democracy.
Akpabio made the remark yesterday in a statement issued by his media aide, Eseme
Death of
Eyiboh, titled “The Trials and Triumphs of a Resilient Nigeria’s 10th Senate.”
Akpabio said the legislature’s insistence on enforcing its rules was not about silencing dissent but about preserving order and the sanctity of democratic institutions.
Akpabio said: “The Senate cannot and will not be held hostage by the disruptive instincts of any of its members.
“Democracy thrives only when its institutions
ARISE NEWS
are respected and its rules upheld.”
Although the Senate President did not name any particular lawmaker, his comments came amid renewed tension surrounding the return of the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, from a six-month suspension.
Akpabio maintained that discipline in parliamentary conduct was the hallmark of every advanced democracy, noting that the Nigerian Senate
Anchor:
shared the same principles with legislatures in countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.
Akpabio said, “The discipline of parliamentary conduct is a universal marker of political civilisation.
“In the United Kingdom’s House of Commons, the authority of the Speaker is absolute and unchallenged. No member, regardless of party or popularity, may openly defy the Speaker’s ruling without consequences.”
Police Close in on Niger Republic Gunrunners, Parade 12 Suspects
Linus Aleke in Abuja
The Nigeria Police Force yesterday paraded the 12 suspects arrested in connection with armed robbery and the killing of a journalist with ARISE NEWS Channel, Somtochukwu Maduagwu, and a security guard, Barnabas Danlami, during a violent attack at Unique Apartments, Katampe Extension, Abuja, on September 29, 2025.
The police have also disclosed that they uncovered credible leads on the gun suppliers who armed the suspects allegedly responsible for the killing of the Arise News anchor.
Speaking at a press briefing at the FCT Police Command Headquarters, Garki, Abuja, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the arrests followed a
“coordinated, intelligencedriven investigation” launched immediately after the incident.
a.k.a. Musa Hassan (30), Sumayya Mohammed a.k.a. Baby (27), Isah Abdulrahman a.k.a. Abbati (25), and Musa Umar a.k.a. Small (31).
Recovered exhibits include one locally fabricated AK-47 rifle, one locally made pistol, one pump-action gun, 36 live rounds of 9 mm ammunition, two live cartridges, four mobile phones, two sharp knives, one cutlass, and two flashlights.
also alleged that Christians are being systematically exterminated in Nigeria by terror groups.
Speaking during a television interview at the weekend, Akinyemi said he was alarmed that Nigeria was being mentioned in the same breath as Israel regarding genocide accusations.
“The Nigerian government must take this issue seriously,” Akinyemi said.
“This is not an issue for just the Senate versus the Senate. At the highest level,
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Security Adviser should take it up directly with the United States.”
Akinyemi called on the National Security Adviser (NSA) to engage his counterpart in Washington and clarify Nigeria’s position. “Now that the NSA is saddled with internal and domestic security affairs, maybe he should take it up at that level with his colleague in the United States and explain matters clearly,” he added.
Security Officials Trying to Board Flight with $6m Arrested at Lagos Airport
Chinedu Eze
Security operatives attempting to board a flight with over $6.1 million in cash were intercepted and arrested yesterday at the domestic wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal 2 in Lagos.
The suspects, whose exact number was not disclosed, were reportedly caught during routine checks while trying to board an Aero Contractors flight.
Sources who pleaded anonymity to prevent official sanctions at the airport because they were not empowered to speak on the matter, confirm that the passengers were found with multiple boxes loaded with undeclared U.S dollars.
The personnel had initially passed through airport security units before they were apprehended at the foot of the aircraft after Aero Contractors security noticed the heavy luggage.
The matter was then escalated and was reported to Aviation Security, who later handed it over to the Department of State Services.
A senior FAAN official who spoke under the condition of anonymity said the Department of State Services later transferred the suspects to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), where they are currently being held for further investigation. Another airport said the suspects had claimed to be security agents escorting a suspect and exhibits, but failed to declare the cash or follow due procedures for transporting suspects on commercial flights.
Meanwhile, the source said this claim may have helped the suspects bypass the initial security screening. However, their activities raised suspicion at the boarding gate when AVSEC officers noticed the oversized boxes.
Chuks Okocha in Abuja
NEW SARDAUNAN OF ZAZZAU…
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani (right), congratulating former Vice President Namadi Sambo, before he was turbaned as the Sardaunan Zazzau in Zaria…yesterday
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
JOINT COMMITTEE ON ELECTORAL MATTERS
INVITATION TO PUBLIC HEARING
The Senate and House of Representatives Committees on Electoral Matters wishes to invite stakeholders and the general public to its Public Hearing on A Bill For An Act To Repeal The Electoral Act No. 13, 2022 And Enact The Electoral Act 2025
The Public Hearing is scheduled to hold as follows:
Date: Monday, 13th October 2025
Venue: Conference Room 231, Senate New Wing, National Assembly Complex, Abuja
Time: 10:00 am prompt
Individuals and organizations wishing to present memoranda are hereby requested to submit hard copies to the Clerks of the Committees at Room 66, White House Basement, Senate or Suite 4.86 House of Representatives, New Building Extension, National Assembly Complex, Abuja on or before Monday, 13th October, 2025.
A copy of the bill is available on the PLAC website: www.placng.org
For enquiries please call:
Betso Ishaya
Senate Committee Clerk on : 0809 901 9000 or 0902 121 5000 or Auwal Timta
House of Representatives Committee Clerk on 0803 501 6847
Special Guest of Honour Guest of Honour
Senator Godswill Obot Akpabio Rt. Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, PhD, GCON President of the Senate Speaker, House of Representatives
SIGNED
His Excellency, Dist. Sen. Simon Bako Lalong, CON Chairman, Senate Committee on Electoral Matters
Hon. (Prince) Adebayo Balogun Chairman, House of Representatives Committee on Electoral Matters
CONGRATULATIONS TO NEWLY-WEDS…
National Assembly will Give Nigerians a Working Constitution, Says Deputy Speaker, Kalu
Juliet Akoje in Abuja
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has stressed the need to have a Nigerian Constitution that works for all segments of society.
Speaking at a retreat of the House Committee on Constitution Review in Enugu at the weekend, Kalu, who is Chairman of the committee, said Nigerians want a Constitution that empowers local governments to deliver services, streamlines electoral justice, strengthens fiscal federalism, guarantees women’s full participation in governance, and enhances accountability at all levels. He said that as part of the resolve of the House to give Nigerians the Constitution
they deserve, it assembled a distinguished panel of constitutional lawyers, scholars, and policy analysts who will guide our deliberations, provide comparative perspectives, and help us navigate complex legal and political terrain.
He said: “The work we do here in Enugu over the next few days will define the trajectory of Nigeria’s democracy for the next generation. Will we be remembered as the Assembly that empowered local governments, thereby bringing governance closer to the people? Will we be remembered as the Assembly that shattered the glass ceiling and guaranteed women’s full participation in public life? Will we be remembered as
In Fresh Trade War, Trump Reignites Tensions with Beijing, Imposes New 100% Tariffs on China
US President, Mr. Donald Trump, has reignited tensions with Beijing, announcing a fresh round of 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese goods in what marks a new phase of the long-running US-China trade war.
Trump’s weekend announcement is in addition to the 30 per cent tariffs already in effect. It will start on November 1 or sooner.
The president’s decision was in response to China’s decision to place export controls on its critical rare earths.
China holds the largest reserve of rare earths, which are critical to manufacturing electronics, clean energy technologies, and the defence industry.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce on Thursday said
the export controls would safeguard national security and interests.
Trump described the measure as “extraordinarily aggressive” and “extremely hostile”.
“It is absolutely unheard of in international trade, and a moral disgrace in dealing with other nations,” he added.
“Based on the fact that China has taken this unprecedented position, and speaking only for the U.S.A., and not other nations who were similarly threatened, starting November 1, 2025 (or sooner, depending on any further actions or changes taken by China), the United States of America will impose a tariff of 100 per cent on China, over and above any tariff that they are currently paying.”
the Assembly that restored public confidence in our electoral system?
“These are not rhetorical questions. They are moral and political imperatives that demand our immediate and decisive action. Therefore, as we commence our deliberations, I urge us all to be guided by three
principles”.
He maintained that in discharging its responsibilities, the Committee must have a unity of purpose; legislative discipline and national interest as guiding principles, saying “we represent different constituencies, different parties, and different ideologies.
NELFUND Gives
“But on the issue of constitutional reform, we must speak with one voice. The amendments we propose must command broad, bipartisan support if they are to succeed. Let us focus on what unites us, not what divides us.
“Constitutional amendments are not ordinary
bills. They require meticulous drafting, rigorous scrutiny, and careful sequencing. We must resist the temptation to overload the amendment agenda with contentious or politically divisive proposals. Our focus must be on achievable, high-impact reforms that enjoy widespread public support.
Schools 48-hour Window to Complete Student Loan Verification for 2024/2025 Academic Year
Uche Nnaike
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has given tertiary institutions a final 48-hour window to complete student verification for the 2024/2025 academic year.
It warned that failure to meet the deadline would result in the exclusion of thousands of students from the current loan cycle.
In the statement signed by the Fund’s Director of Strategic Communications, Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, NELFUND stated that it
remained committed to promoting equitable access to higher education through efficient and inclusive management of the Nigerian Education Loan Scheme.
NELFUND had earlier announced that its application portal for the 2024/2025 academic session would close on September 30, 2025.
It, however, stated that the portal would be reopened as a last chance for institutions to ensure eligible students are captured and verified for the loan application process.
The portal would be accessible from 12:00 a.m. on Sunday, October 12, 2025, to 12:00 a.m. on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.
“This extension is intended to ensure that all eligible students are duly captured and verified by their respective institutions as part of the ongoing 2024/2025 NELFUND loan application process,” NELFUND noted.
NELFUND urged the institutions to utilise the opportunity, as failure to comply will result in their
exclusion from the current loan cycle, ultimately affecting their students.
It noted that a list of noncompliant institutions will be published for transparency and accountability.
“Failure to complete the verification process within the stipulated period will result in the affected institutions forfeiting participation in the current loan cycle, a situation that will, regrettably, disadvantage their students, who are the ultimate beneficiaries of the loan scheme,” it said.
Two Suspects Arrested as NRC Raises the Alarm over Vandalism of Equipment Nationwide
Kasim Sumaina in Abuja
Two suspected vandals were arrested yesterday as the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) decried increasing incidents of vandalism of its electrical and signaling installations across Abuja, Lagos, Kaduna, and along Warri–Itakpe corridors.
In a statement signed by NRC's Chief Public Relations Officer, Callistus Unyimadu, the corporation described the attacks as a major threat
to safe and efficient train operations.
The suspects, Ibrahim Abdullahi (22 years) of Hayi, Rigasa, and Sani Ibrahim (24 years) of Layi Turaki, Rigasa, were apprehended by operatives of the Nigeria Police, Railway Command attached to the Abuja–Kaduna Train Service (AKTS).
They were arrested in Kaduna in connection with the recent vandalism of NRC equipment at the Rigasa Train Station area.
The arrest followed the discovery on Friday, at about 12:30 p.m., of the removal of a cable wire from one of the NRC’s cranes stationed within the Rigasa facility.
Acting on intelligence, the patrol team led by the Administrative Officer at Rigasa, ASP Abdullahi Bwajin, traced and arrested the suspects, according to the statement.
“During interrogation, the duo confessed to committing the crime and disclosed that
they sold the stolen cable to one Musa, popularly known as 'Musa Major,' for N90,000. Each suspect reportedly received ₦30,000 as his share, while another member of their syndicate, Abdulwahab Yakubu of Rigasa, is currently at large”, the statement read in part.
The NRC said efforts were ongoing by the Nigeria Police, Railway Command (AKTS), to apprehend the remaining suspect and recover the stolen materials.
L-R: Director, Ekulo Group of Companies, Lady Ngozi Okonkwo; Assistant Comptroller, Nigeria Customs Service and Groom, Mr. Ebuka Nnoruka; his wife, Chiamaka; and Chief Executive Officer, Ekulo Group of Companies, Chief Emma Bishop Okonkwo, at the wedding of the couple at Our Saviour’s Anglican Church, Tafawa Balewa, Lagos…recently
PROMOTING TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATIONS…
Fitch: CBN Broadly Committed to Reforms to Reduce Market Distortions, Strengthen Macroeconomic Stability
Affirms Nigeria's stable outlook, ‘B’ rating Foresees inflation dropping to 17% in 2027
Kayode Tokede
Fitch Ratings has stated that the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) appears committed to reforms to reduce market distortions and strengthen macroeconomic stability.
It affirmed Nigeria's longterm foreign-currency Issuer Default Rating (IDR) at 'B', with a Stable Outlook.
In a statement posted on its website over the weekend, the global rating agency stated that Nigeria's 'B' rating was supported by its large economy, a relatively developed and liquid domestic
debt market, large oil and gas reserves, and an improved monetary and exchange rate policy framework.
It, however, pointed out its latest rating on Nigeria was constrained by weak governance indicators, high hydrocarbon dependence, high inflation, security challenges, and structurally very low, although improving, non-oil revenue.
Fitch, which acknowledged that formalisation of Nigeria’s forex (FX) activity has improved the functioning of the FX market, resulting in higher FX liquidity and
relative naira stability.
“The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) appears broadly committed to reforms to reduce market distortions and strengthen macroeconomic stability, but data transparency and quality concerns complicate progress toward a more predictable and credible policy framework.
“The reforms and greater exchange rate stability have supported a disinflation trend since April 2025, but inflation remains far above rating peers, at 20 per cent in August 2025.
“We project inflation to fall
from an average of 33 percent in 2024, to 21 per cent in 2025 (though the lack of historical CPI data prevents a reliable assessment of inflation) and to 17 per cent in 2027, still far above the projected 'B' median of five per cent in 2027.
“With real policy rates turning more positive, the CBN cut the rate by 50 basis points, to 27 per cent, in September, the first cut since November 2020.
“We expect further cuts, although the central bank will move with caution to support the relative stability of the naira and sustain disinflation,
while aiming to strengthen policy transmission through the use of open market operations,” it stated.
Fitch noted that Nigeria's X reserves rose to $42 billion at end-September, and “we forecast a marginal decline to $40 billion at end-2026, equivalent to 5.8 months of current external payments, exceeding the projected 'B' median of 4.2 months.”
It added: “We project the current account surplus, which rose sharply to 6.8 per cent of GDP in 2024 (from 1.3per cent of GDP), to narrow in 2025-2026, averaging 4.6
BALA MOHAMMED: DEFECTIONS WON’T SINK PDP, WE’LL RETURN TO ASO VILLA IN 2027
Reacting to concerns over potential threats to next month’s national convention of the PDP, he said the party leadership was working to resolve internal disputes and litigation aimed at destabilising preparations.
“By the grace of God, no Jupiter will stop us. No dark forces will succeed over us. The dark forces — if they succeed over PDP, they have succeeded over Nigeria.
“We have to change the governance style of this country, and this is the beginning. This is the time to do it. We have never suffered as a country as we are suffering today under the APC. You have seen what is happening. We don’t have to go into deep melancholy and be crying as whipping boys or girls.
“We thank the convention committee for giving us the opportunity to do that,” he added.
Mohammed noted that while some individuals had approached the courts to stop the party’s convention, the PDP remained more organised than most opposition parties.
Responding to the reports of Governor Mbah’s rumoured defection from the PDP, Mohammed said Mbah had not formally declared any intention to leave and remained a respected colleague.
“Actually, Governor Mbah has not told us his position. It is a personal decision. We cannot remove his picture before he leaves. When he leaves, we will replace him with another person. Up till now, he has not told me he’s leaving,” he said.
He also dismissed speculation surrounding Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State, describing him as a loyal member of the PDP who had endured significant challenges in office.
On speculation about a possible 2027 involvement of former President Goodluck Jonathan in the 2027 presidential election, the Bauchi State governor said the PDP remained open to prominent figures who wished to return or associate with the party.
“People are still interested in this party, and these big
names being associated with us make us happy. As governors, we have resolved to put personal interests aside. We are united and will come up with leadership that will be the best choice for Nigerians to put in Aso Rock, inshallah,” he stated.
Governor Mohammed reaffirmed his commitment to the PDP and expressed optimism that new, visionary leaders would emerge from the party in 2027 to defeat what he called the APC’s ‘deceptive’ style of politics.
He tasked party members not to be deterred, stressing that it’s an act of cowardice to leave the party because of one or a few individuals.
“We are confident. Please, be emboldened. Don’t be disturbed by the defections, by the shenanigans, by all those doubting Thomases. Don’t be disturbed. You should be encouraged because staying back to fight is what makes a man or a woman. It’s an act of cowardice to leave because of one or two people. You are also men and women of strength
and integrity. We thank you most sincerely for coming on short notice to attend this inauguration meeting,” he said. Mohammed vowed not to defect from the party.
“I assure you, I am not going anywhere. I am in PDP and my state has no element of division,’’ he said.
Court Declines Bid to Stop Party’s Convention
Meanwhile, a Federal High Court in Abuja has declined to grant an interim order stopping the PDP from holding its planned meetings and national convention.
In a ruling delivered on Thursday, the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, refused the plaintiffs’ ex parte application seeking interim injunctions to restrain the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the PDP from proceeding with the party’s scheduled leadership meetings and convention.
The suit, marked FHC/ABJ/ CS/2120/2025, was filed by the PDP chairman in Imo
State, Austine Nwachukwu; Chairman of the Abia State chapter, Amah Abraham Nnanna; and the South-south Secretary of the party, Turnah George.
An online medium reported that the plaintiffs are believed to be allies of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, who has been opposing the planned PDP national convention.
In the suit, the plaintiffs asked the court to compel the INEC to ensure that the PDP does “not hold any meetings, congresses, or conventions unless proper notice has been given and a democratic process/platform has been put in place to conduct such gatherings”.
In particular, they are asking that the party’s national executive committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for October 18 and the national convention scheduled for November 15–16 be stopped or restrained until the main application is heard and determined.
The plaintiffs also prayed the court “to bar INEC from
per cent of GDP as modest growth in export receipts, strong remittances and gains from lower oil-related imports (reflecting higher domestic refining capacity) are offset by higher external interest payments and a recovery in non-oil imports (about 70 per cent of imports).
“Fitch forecasts the budget deficit will widen in 20252026, averaging 3.1 per cent of GDP due to higher expenditure, driven by higher wages, social and security expenses, debt servicing costs, and expenses ahead of the 2027 elections.
monitoring or taking part in any PDP leadership meetings, including its planned NEC, caucus, or NWC meetings, slated for October 15, or any later date,” until their substantive application for injunction is determined.
In addition to their request, the plaintiffs sought “to restrain the PDP and its key officials from holding any leadership or decision-making meetings, including the planned NEC and caucus meetings fixed for October 15, 2025, or conducting the national convention scheduled for November 15 and 16, 2025, in Ibadan, Oyo State, or anywhere else, until their main application is heard”. They asked the court to order all parties to maintain the status quo and refrain from taking any steps that could affect the pending application for an interlocutory injunction. However, in his ruling, the judge declined the request to grant the ex parte order.
“The motion ex parte for interim injunction is hereby refused,” he ruled.
L–R: Chief Executive Officer/Co-Founder, Optimus AI Labs, Mr. Lanre Basamta; Chief Executive Officer, NaijaNomads, Yejide Runsewe; President, Fintech Nigeria, Dr. Stanley Jacob; Managing Director/CEO, SANEF and GovCo Fintech Nigeria, Mrs. Uche Uzoebo; and Chief Technology Officer, Remita Payment Services Limited, Mujib Ishola, during the 2025 Nigeria Fintech Week, sponsored by Remita in Lagos…recently
A WARNING TO SENATOR TED CRUZ
Chief Femi Fani-Kayode
American Senator Ted Cruz is the joker of the century. He is the AIPACsponsored village idiot and asinine fool who says he wants to save Nigerian Christians from what he has described as ‘Christian genocide’ whilst three others, namely Congressman Riley Moore, Congressman Chris Smith and American Secretary of State Senator Marc Rubio, are his happy cheerleaders.
An Israel-loving, genocide-enabling, Muslimhating, Zionist-pampering and Gaza-slaughtering Yankee hill-billy who supports a cruel, leprous, lawless, racist, extremist, bigoted, arrogant, vile, land-grabbing, child-killing, rogue, pariah and deluded apartheid state with an all-conquering colonial mentality and who has nothing but contempt for Arabs, Asians and Africans, whether Christian or Muslim, is telling us that he will help to solve our problems and save the Christian population in Nigeria?
He alleges Christian genocide in a country where the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Navy Staff, the Chief of Defence Intelligence, the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the DSS, the Chairman of the EFCC, the Comptroller General of Immigration and so many more heads of our security and intelligence agencies are headed by Christians?
He alleges Christian genocide in a country whose President has a wife that is not only a Christian but also a Pastor?
He alleges Christian genocide in a country where every single Governor from the South and a good number of Governors from the North Central zone are Christian?
He alleges Christian genocide in a country where the Senate President, the Secretary to the Federal Government and the National Chairman of the ruling party are Christian?
He alleges Christian genocide in a country whose Federal Government on assumption of office two years ago removed the great injustice that existed for the previous 8 years in which every single head of our 17 security and intelligence agencies and every single operational head of our Armed Forces was a Northern Muslim?
He alleges Christian genocide in a country where the Federal Government, despite the fact that it has a Muslim President and a Muslim Vice President, has given 62% of all political appointments at the federal level to Christians whilst giving the Muslims 38%.
He alleges Christian genocide in a country where the Federal Government has done more to protect, further the interests and allay the fears and concerns of the Christian population in the North than any other in recent memory?
He alleges Christian genocide in a country where the Vice President went to the United Nations General Assembly, together with the Foreign Minister, and boldly condemned the holocaust of our time and unconciable genocide of the innocent and defenceless Christians and Muslims of Gaza by a psychopathic, cruel, genocidal and massmurdering Jewish supremacist state which Senator Cruz and his crusaders are so enamoured with and insisted on an immediate cessation of the ethnic and religious cleansing and the unconditional establishment of peace, equity, humanity and a two-state solution?
He alleges Christian genocide in a country in which the Governor of Kaduna State, in North Western Nigeria, has in just two years restored peace, harmony and love between the Christian and Muslim communities, built trust between the two more than any other Governor in recent history and has brought an end to the greatest carnage and persecution that Christians have ever faced in any state in our country which occurred under the watch of his predecessor in office for the previous eight years?
He alleges Christian genocide in predominately Muslim Northern states like Borno, Yobe, Zamfara, Kebbi, Kogi, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Niger, Nassarawa, Kebbi and Bauchi whose Muslim populations have suffered far more in terms of casualties at the hands of the terrorists than the Christians?
He alleges Christian genocide in predominantly Muslim states like Kaduna, Borno, Kwara and Yobe where the Governors have not only gone out of their way to allay the fears and address the challenges and concerns of Christians with
compassion, sensitivity and understanding but have also gone out of their way to bring peace and harmony between members of the two faiths, protect Christian communities and allow for the establishment, re-establishment, building and rebuilding of more Churches than at any time in their history?
Senator Ted Cruz and his Yankee crusaders will not know all this and neither do they care to find out because they are driven by a pathological hatred for Muslims, believe that all Muslims are terrorists and cannot conceive or abide a situation where Muslims and Christians can, generally speaking, abide in peaceful co-existence and skillfully manage their challenges and differences.
To Cruz the only good Muslim is one that is dead or does what he is told by the Americans and the only good Christian is one that goes running to Washington with his tale between his legs, asking for handouts and telling tall tales about how wicked and intolerant all Muslims in Nigeria supposedly are and how primitive and backward our country is meant to be.
That is the false narrative they applaud and wish to hear and these are the perfidious tales and infantile fables that bring joy to their hearts and that feed and justify their arrogance, condescending attitude, contempt and irrational hatred for and towards us.
It also provides them with a reason and plausible excuse to destabilise our nation in an insidious and desperate attempt to pillage our mineral resources, including our rare earth, our gems, our oil and our gold through their local surrogates and agents and eventually come in themselves to pick up whatever is left of us after we have torn ourselves to pieces. They did it in Libya, Iraq, Somalia, Lebanon, Congo, Syria and elsewhere and now it appears that their evil eye has been focused on us.
That is and has always been the plan and that is why most of the insurgent groups that kill, terrorise and displace our people, both Christian and Muslim, are covertly armed and supported by western intelligence agencies.
More can be read about this in my widely published article titled ‘The Fiction of Christian Genocide and the Conspiracy Against Nigeria’’ which I released
one week ago.
When one considers all the facts that I have listed above it is clear that under such circumstances the charge of “Christian genocide” and that Nigeria is “the most dangerous place in the world for Christians to live” seems hardly sustainable. As a matter of fact it sounds utterly absurd.
Who in our Armed Forces and security and intelligence agencies pulls the trigger on the Christians and who gives the orders for them to be singled out for genocide whilst the Muslims are left unscathed and untouched?
Is it the Christians that head most of those institutions that are doing so? I doubt it and neither has it happened.
Ironically, to my recollection, it was only on one occasion that the Nigerian Armed Forces specifically targeted and killed over 1000 Nigerians in one day simply because they blocked a road and on account of their faith and the victims were not Christians but rather Shia Muslims and members of the Islamic Movement of Nigeria (IMN).
This terrible incident occurred in Zaria, Kaduna State in December 2015 eight years before the inception of the Tinubu administration and under the watch of the previous Chief of Army Staff General Tukur Burutai.
In truth if any religious group in our country has the right and legitimate reason to complain to the world that they have been singled out for elimination by the state in the last twenty years it is the Shia Muslims who have suffered mass murder in the hands of both Muslim and Christian leaders.
This begs the following question: have Christians been targeted and massacred in Nigeria over the years and the answer is “yes” and a chilling and horrendous example is the massacre of Christians in four local Government areas in Southern Kaduna on December 25th 2016 in which no less than 808 Christians were targeted and killed in one day!
The difference here though is that firstly those massacres were perpetuated by non-state actors and savage ethnic militias and certainly not by our security agencies and secondly the same group
•Fani-Kayode
•United States President Donald Trump
•Senator Ted Cruz
of savages have consistently committed similar atrocities against Muslim communities too.
Both Muslims and Christians are still being massacred by those same non-state actors and savage ethnic militias today and our Armed Forces are engaging them in the field of battle and killing them in greater numbers than ever before.
Their attacks are not against Christians alone but against the Nigerian state and against men, women and children of all faiths.
That is the point that is lost on our Yankee crusaders and their supporters in Nigeria.
Thousands of Muslim scholars, teachers, Sheiks and Mallams were murdered in cold blood by these same terrorists simply for opposing and preaching against their beastly behaviour and barbarity. Two examples are that of Sheik Jafar Mahmoud Adam from Kano and Sheik Albani Zaria from Kaduna who were two of the most respected Islamic scholars of their time.
They were both murdered in cold blood, one whilst praying in the mosque and the other whilst in his car on the way home.
Those that escaped with their lives were few but my good friend Sheik (Professor) Isa Pantami from Gombe, the former Minister of Communication and Digital Economy, was one of them.
His “crime” was to have roundly defeated Mohammed Yusuf, the founder of Boko Haram, in a six hour public debate on western education and the place of violence in Islam where he argued that it was unIslamic to kill innocent people and to reject western education.
After Mohammed Yusuf was himself killed by security forces whilst in detention and Abubakar Shekau took over as the new leader of Boko Haram the first thing the latter did was to publicly announce that Pantami must be killed but thankfully, despite the fact that they tried to eliminate him no less than three times, he did not achieve his objective and the Sheik not only remains alive and well today but he has gone from strength to strength in his preaching, his academic achievements and his political career.
It was the same Sheik Isa Pantami that saved the lives of a number of Christians that had been attacked by a violent mob of criminals and terrorists a few years later in Bauchi.
To those that say Muslims are not targeted by Christians as well I challenge them to find out what happened in a mosque in Jos, Plateau State in 2012 when a mob of depraved so-called “Christian” youths not only attacked and killed the Muslims as they prayed and burnt down their mosque but also cut them to pieces and proceeded to cook and eat them! The videos can be found on YouTube till today.
I can also cite the example of a well-respected Muslim Senator from one of the North Eastern states who is the Chairman of a powerful committee in the Nigerian Senate today whose father was killed a number of years ago by a wild and blood-lusting so-called “Christian” mob before his very eyes a number of years ago.
It was in the same way that a Christian from Benue State by the name Gideon Akaluka was dragged out of a police cell and butchered by a wild, fanatical and crazed so-called “Muslim” mob in Kano 1996.
A similar atrocity occurred in Sokoto State in 2022 when a young lady called Deborah Samuel Yakubu was literally torn from limb to limb and then burnt alive by a group of utterly deranged and lawless
so-called “Muslims”.
There was also the case of Bridget Agbahime, a Pastors wife, who was killed by another crazed supposedly “Muslim” mob in Kano in 2016.
These killings and sectarian mob actions are a great tragedy, as is the case with the loss of any life, but that does not mean that Muslims or Christians are being subjected to genocide in Nigeria but rather that ALL Nigerians are being subjected to mass murder by demon-possessed, psychotic, cold-blooded killers and wild mobs that do not represent any faith, any cause or anything other than that which is evil.
There are many other examples of Christians being attacked and killed by so-called “Muslims” and Muslims being attacked and killed by so-called “Christians” and the cycle just goes on.
Criminals and drug-crazed, bloodthirsty mobs use these religious labels just to effect their evil purpose and none of them can legitimately describe themselves as members of a faith neither of which endorses or supports the genocide, ethnic cleansing and mass murder of innocents.
This is not Christian genocide, it is not Muslim genocide but rather it is genocide against all our people by depraved mobs of mindless killers from both sides of the religious divide and we as a people must resist them and dispatch them all to hell.
I am glad that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has rightly put a lie to the absurd and dangerous notion that what we are witnessing in our country is exclusively a “Christian genocide” and have finally laid the matter to rest.
In an additional statement signed by Bishop Okah, the President of CAN, they affirmed the fact that Christians were being targeted by nonstate actors, acknowledged the fact that the Federal Government is doing its best to address the issue after many years of neglect and they urged the security agencies to do even more than they have already done to put an end to the scourge.
There is nowhere in Bishop Okah’s statement where he alleged that the Federal Government or its security forces are subjecting Christians to genocide and neither did he allege or even insinuate that the horror that has been unleashed on our land by the barbarians affected only Christian communities.
There is also the aspect of a deadly and equally barbaric insurgency group and ethnic militia based in the South East called ESN which has been targeting and killing innocent Christians and Muslims from all over the country.
The members of this militia, just like Boko Haram, Ansaru and ISWAP who falsely claim to represent Islam, claim to represent Christianity and ethnic liberation but in actual fact they do not: they represent only satan, his fallen angels and the Angel of Death.
Given the fact that this militant cult of murderous vampires has targeted and killed as many Nigerian Christians as any other and are indeed interested in the total dismemberment of the Nigerian state, it is interesting that Senator Cruz and his crusaders did not express any concern about their activities and have instead insisted on focusing on only what is going on in the North.
Could this be because he, his AIPAC sponsors and his Zionist and Israeli friends are the ones bankrolling and encouraging them?
Is that why the de facto leader of the political wing of their militia covertly met with select
members of the American Republican caucus in Washington recently where and when they discussed events in Nigeria, the upcoming 2027 presidential election and finally came up with the battle cry of “Christian genocide” as a way of rallying Christians in and outside of the country, discrediting and destabilising our government and dividing our nation as a first step towards effecting regime change on or before the 2027 election?
These are questions that need to be answered by Senator Cruz and his cheerleaders. The truth is we do not need a misguided and mischievous whiteskinned religious zealot and deluded fake Messiah from Texas to save us.
In the name of God the Great, the Ancient of Days and the Lord of Hosts we shall save and deliver ourselves from the murderous psychopaths and homicidal barbarians that are butchering our people and that have afflicted our land and we shall protect both the Christians and Muslims in our country that are being slaughtered on a daily basis by the Janjaweed hordes from Mordor and the western-backed terrorists of ISWAP Ansaru and Boko Haram.
Whether Christian or Muslim we are first and foremost Nigerians and there is no division between us on religious lines.
Our common enemy are the terrorists and those that covertly empower, aid and support them from outside our shores and not one another and we shall fight them as one!
Senator Ted Cruz and his colleagues and compatriots including Rep. Chris Smith, who has called on President Donald Trump to “arm Christian communities in Nigeria and to bomb Muslim ones”, Rep. Riley Moore who has alleged that Nigeria is the “deadliest place on earth for Christians” and urged Trump to designate our nation as “a country of particular concern”, Senator Marco Rubio, who has been supporting all three in their nefarious endeavours and who has backed Moore strongly in his quest to ensure that our country is formally designated as one of concern and all the other members of the mischievous, misguided and misinformed cabal of Yankee crusaders and congress of fools, stand warned!
Your jaundiced and delusional perspective, which is rooted in a crass and vulgar display of ignorance and arrogance, defies logical and rational reasoning when it comes to the affairs of our nation and it must come to an end.
You are biting off more than you can chew and the consequences of your bullish and irresponsible behaviour and your mendacious categorisations and characterisations, if unchecked, will ultimately affect American vital and strategic interests not just in Nigeria but in the entire West African sub-region which remains our backyard and firmly under the sphere of our influence.
Stop misrepresenting our situation, leave our country alone and stop trying to provoke chaos and ignite a religious war.
You cannot love us more than we love ourselves! You are part of the problem and not the solution! It is true that Christians are being killed in large numbers in Nigeria but it is NOT true to say that Muslims are not being killed in equal numbers.
There are over 110 million Christians in Nigeria and there can be no denying the fact that they have suffered immensely over the years in the hands of terrorists.
They have been subjected to mass murder, ethnic cleansing, torture, persecution, vilification and
marginalisation for decades particularly in parts of the North.
I would not deny that and I have opposed it and spoken out against it for the better part of my adult life.
Where you have got it wrong though is that this does not translate into “Christian genocide” simply because the Muslims in Nigeria, who are also 110 million strong, are suffering precisely the same things at the hands of the same people.
They have also been subjected to mass murder, ethnic cleansing, torture, persecution, vilification, marginalisation and in some cases even cannibalism in some parts of the North.
That does not however translate to “Muslim genocide” because these terrible atrocities that are being unleashed are not limited to Muslims.
Both faiths have suffered immeasurably in Nigeria over the years and members of both faith have been subjected to genocide.
The terrorists that perpetuate this great evil make no distinction between their victims on religious grounds. They wipe out Christian communities, take their land, enslave their women and children and desecrate and burn down their Churches and they mete out precisely the same treatment to our Muslim compatriots, Muslim communities and Mosques as well.
I repeat for the purpose of emphasis that what we are witnessing in Nigeria is not a genocide against Muslims or a genocide against Christians but a genocide against us all.
To couch or describe it in any other way as a consequence of ignorance or mischief is most unhelpful and darn-right dangerous and could ignite a full scale religious war the likes of which the world has never witnessed.
We need to tread very carefully indeed and we need to scrutinise the motivations of the Americans and view with the utmost suspicion their new found love for our Christian population.
As they say, “beware of the Greeks, especially when they bring gifts!” Ancient Troy learnt that lesson the hard way with drastic and frightful consequences: let us hope that we don’t end up learning it the hard way as well!
To the Yankee crusaders I say the following. If you want to talk about genocide in Nigeria then talk about the genocide of ALL Nigerians, both Christians and Muslims, at the hands of a group of vile and unconciable terrorists who are thoroughly evil and who represent no faith.
To call it “Christian genocide” and not the “genocide of all Nigerians” betrays the fact that you have an evil agenda and sinister motive.
No matter how hard you try we shall not drink from your poisoned chalice and you shall not divide or destroy us.
You will not plunge us into a cataclysmic cycle of fratricidal butchery and a second civil war which will undoubtedly result in the massive bloodletting and carnage that you so desperately seek.
That is not our portion and God will not allow it.
•Chief Fani-Kayode is the Sadaukin Shinkafi, the Wakilin Doka Potiskum, the Otunba Joga Orile, the Ajagunle Otun Ekiti, a former Minister of Culture and Tourism, a former Minister of Aviation, a former Spokesman to President Olusegun Obasanjo and a lawyer
• Rep. Riley Moore
• Rep. Chris Smith
•Senator Marco Rubio
CAPITAL EXPRESS LIFE ASSURANCE AGM….
L-R: Company Secretary/Legal Adviser, Capital Express Life Assurance Limited, Mrs. Joy
during the company’s 24th Annual General Meeting in Lagos…recently
NULGE Seeks Enforcement of Autonomy for LGs, Conduct of Council Polls by INEC
Oghenevwede Ohwovoriole in Abuja
The National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) has called on President Bola Tinubu and the 36 state governors of the federation to implement the Supreme Court verdict on local government autonomy.
President-General of NULGE, Comrade Aliyu Haruna Kankara, who made the call at a dialogue in Abuja, also urged the National Assembly to give the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the power to conduct local government elections.
The forum with the theme, “Local Government Autonomy: Making it Work,” was organised by Dr. Cosmas Ilechukwu.
Kankara, who was represented by the Organising Secretary, NULGE, Olamisoji Tolulope said, “Get the issue
of local government autonomy solved today, and we can assure you that close to 100 per cent of the challenges facing the local government will be solved.”
On the issue of conducting local government elections, he called for “an independent body other than the state electoral bodies,” adding that “the position of the union is that an independent body or INEC should handle that matter.”
He appreciated President Tinubu, and the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, for the landmark judgement on local government autonomy and urged them to have the political will to implement it.
Also speaking, the convener of the dialogue, Ilechukwu said, “local government is one tier of government that touches everybody, the most basic, and the most fundamental of the tiers of government.”
The Benue State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has faulted the decision by the state House of Assembly to approve Governor Hyacinth Alia’s request to obtain a N100 billion loan to finance key infrastructural projects across the state.
The assembly had unanimously approved the request, urging the state government to apply the funds judiciously for the development and progress of the state.
The approval was granted during an emergency sitting of the assembly presided over by the Speaker, Alfred Emberga.
In a letter read to members by the Speaker, Governor Alia said the loan would be used to fund projects including the renovation and equipping of 23 general hospitals, the renovation and construction of science schools, the completion of ongoing
road and bridge projects, the building of skills acquisition centres, and the establishment of smart schools across all federal constituencies.
The loan will also fund the construction and equipping of the Benue State University of Agriculture, Science and Technology, Ihugh, among other projects.
However, the PDP in the state has faulted the approval, describing it as “reckless and insensitive” to the economic realities facing the people.
In a statement signed by its State Publicity Secretary, Tim Nyor, the PDP said the borrowing lacked transparency and accountability, warning that the move could plunge Benue into another cycle of unsustainable debt.
The party urged the assembly to “retrace its steps and act in the true spirit of checks and balances rather than as a rubber stamp of the executive.”
He added: “if we have it working well, things will be much better for us. So, we needed to talk about it. It’s easier to handle that and then build up from there to the topmost level, which is federal.”
He also noted that despite
the landmark judgement by the Supreme Court, states are yet to implement local government autonomy.
“You realise that part of the reason why it hasn’t been done is because of political will for the people in authority; the
people in the presidency and the people at the states to be able to make up their mind to let this be,” he said.
In his presentation, the keynote speaker, Dr. Sam Amadi said, “The Supreme Court’s decision on local
government autonomy has triggered a conversation, a national conversation around the autonomy of the local government and what local government means for economic and social development of the country.”
Tinubu Departs Abuja for Rome, to Attend Meeting on Security Crisis in West Africa
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
President Bola Tinubu will depart Abuja today, October 12, 2025 for Rome, the capital of Italy, to participate in the Aqaba Process Heads of State and Government Level Meeting, with special focus on the security crisis in West Africa.
According to a statement issued yesterday by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga,
the meeting, which will begin on October 14, will bring together Heads of State and Government, senior intelligence and military officials from African countries, and representatives of intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations to discuss the evolving security challenges in West Africa.
The Aqaba Process Meeting is a counter-terrorism initiative
launched by King Abdullah II of Jordan in 2015. It is co–chaired by the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan and the Italian Government.
It recognises the complex security challenges confronting West Africa, including the expansion of terrorist networks, the growing crime-terror nexus and the increasing overlap between land-based terrorism in the Sahel
and the maritime piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
At the meeting, participants will exchange assessments of the current security landscape in West Africa and foster collaboration between regional and international partners to address cross-border security challenges. Participants will also develop strategies to counter the terror threat on land and the sea.
FLNG: We Work With Best Engineering Firms, Others to Deliver Project in 2029, Says Rone
Ejiofor Alike
The Group Managing Director/ CEO of UTM Offshore Limited, Dr. Julius Rone, has disclosed that the company works with top engineering companies and other partners to execute Nigeria’s first Floating Liquefied Natural Gas (FLNG) project.
He stated that the project, located offshore Akwa Ibom State, has made significant progress because of partnering with reputable companies like
Japan Gas Corporation (JGC), Technip Energies NV, and Kellogg, Brown & Root (KBR) to achieve this feat.
Speaking at the just-concluded African Energy Week in Cape Town, South Africa, Rone highlighted the importance of collaboration and securing gas supply for the project’s success.
Rone, said: “I believe that one of the things that we got right from the beginning is to have the best engineering companies in the world. We have been able
to get a consortium - Open Sea Technologies - as the team that is developing the Nigeria’s first FLNG project.
“We need to do a lot to cross the borders to get the Final Investment Decision (FID). First and foremost, we need to get hands together, be able to see the clear sign of gas for your project because supply is essential for the project.
“We need to make sure that we have all the segments in one piece, the upstream, the midstream, and the downstream. We need
to identify the gas that will give us a project on the upstream side, on the midstream, and on the downstream. So, we needed to partner with NNPC, who is in a joint venture with the international oil company.
“The asset identified from where we are going to form is a 60-40 split between the NNPC and the SEPLAT Energy. One thing that is great is that the gas currently being re-injected, has been declared as a stranded gas. For us, the upstream and the downstream are together.
Polaris Bank Wraps up 2025 Customer Service Week with Renewed Commitment to Customer Satisfaction
Polaris Bank has restated its dedication to delivering exceptional customer experience as it successfully concluded activities marking the 2025 edition of Customer Service Week themed “Mission: Possible.”
The week-long celebration, which ran from Monday, October 6 to Friday, October 10, was filled with engaging
customer appreciation activities and staff recognition initiatives across the bank’s branches and digital channels.
Throughout the week, Polaris Bank celebrated its customers with giveaways, appreciation messages, and interactive engagements across its touchpoints, reaffirming its commitment to continuously improving service delivery. Em-
ployees were also recognised for their outstanding contributions to service excellence, underscoring the Bank’s belief that exceptional service begins with an empowered and motivated team.
Speaking at the close of the celebration, the Managing Director/CEO of Polaris Bank, Kayode Lawal, thanked customers for their loyalty and trust, describing them
as the driving force behind the Bank’s commitment to excellence.
“Our customers are at the heart of everything we do. Their feedback, trust, and partnership inspire us to keep improving and delivering value every day. This week reaffirms that great service is not just a goal, it’s our way of life at Polaris Bank,” he said.
George Okoh in Makurdi
Sulucainan; Chairman, Otunba Ademola Adenuga; and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Mathew Ogwezhi,
Editor: Festus Akanbi
08038588469 Email:festus.akanbi@thisdaylive.com
The Strike That Shattered PENGASSAN’s Heroic Image
When the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria marched into its latest strike with the swagger of an old champion, it never imagined that the same Nigerians who once hailed its battles would now see it as the villain of the story, writes Festus Akanbi
When the Petroleumand Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) ordered a nationwide shutdown late last month, it did so with the swagger of an old warrior returning to a familiar battlefield. Oil wells went quiet, gas plants powered down, and refinery gates shut in unison. It was the kind of theatre the union had perfected over four decades, one that used to leave government trembling and the nation gasping.
But this time, the applause never came. Instead of fear or sympathy, what followed was irritation. Between September 29 and October 2, the once-revered oil workers’ union discovered that Nigeria had moved on, and its old methods had lost their magic.
The strike, targeted at the $20 billion Dangote Refinery, was meant to show strength. Instead, it exposed weakness. The disruption reportedly cost the country 600,000 barrels of crude and 7 billion cubic feet of gas, with petrol prices jumping to N905 per litre and cooking gas doubling to N2,000. Yet, instead of rallying behind the workers, Nigerians took to the streets in Kaduna, Kano, and Port Harcourt to defend Dangote. Their placards told the new story: “Protect Dangote, Crush the Cartel.”
For PENGASSAN, once the moral conscience of industrial labour, it was a stunning reversal, a union discovering, too late, that the world had rewritten its script.
When the Crowd Turned
To grasp the scale of the shift, one must recall what PENGASSAN once represented. For years, it was the steel backbone of Nigeria’s labour movement, the union that could paralyse a nation by locking a few valves. Back when the country imported almost all its fuel, every strike by PENGASSAN or its blue-collar cousin, NUPENG, meant chaos. Governments panicked before the first petrol station ran dry.
Those were the glory days, when shutting down the pipelines meant holding the economy hostage.
But 2025 is not 2016. The rise of local refining, led by Dangote’s 650,000-barrel-per-day refinery and the revived Port Harcourt plant, has broken
that monopoly. More than half of Nigeria’s petrol now comes from domestic refineries.
Every day those refineries operate, the union’s leverage erodes.
So when PENGASSAN took on Dangote over the dismissal of 800 workers, it misread the times.
The refinery wasn’t just another employer; it symbolised Nigeria’s long-cherished dream of self-sufficiency. For millions who once paid N1,200 for imported petrol, Dangote represented relief, not exploitation. To attack it was to attack hope itself.
So when the strike sent cooking gas soaring to N2,000, the public lost patience. On social media, memes renamed the union “Poverty Engineering and Gas Scarcity Association of Nigeria.” TikTok skits mocked ageing labour leaders still “fighting the ghosts of the 1980s.” The street had turned against its old champion.
A New Economic Reality
Today’s economy also plays by different rules. Since the economic reforms of May 2023, the removal of fuel subsidies, the naira float, and stricter fiscal controls, the government no longer has the political slush funds that once oiled industrial peace.
When the strike hit, the finance minister reportedly warned that each lost day cost the country $75 million. Vice-President Kashim Shettima bluntly framed the arithmetic: every valve shut was an act of economic sabotage. The government’s vocabulary is now IMF-style, debt ratios, fiscal cliffs, and productivity metrics. PENGASSAN, clinging to the protest playbook of 1998, found itself negotiating in a world that had moved to 2025.
Within its own ranks, the union is also ageing. The average branch chair is 54; only two of its national executives are under 45. Meanwhile, a new generation of refinery engineers speaks the language of automation, hydrogen blending, and carbon capture.
When Dangote replaced 200 contract engineers with 150 foreign-trained specialists in ultra-low-sulphur systems, PENGASSAN cried foul. But industry observers saw it as a global compliance move, not discrimination. The refinery cited clauses from the Petroleum Industry Act; the union quoted the 1974 Labour Act, an echo of how far apart both sides were.
For a union built on the illusion of indispensability, the moment was bruising.
The Street’s Verdict Nowhere was PENGASSAN’s fall from grace more visible than in Kaduna, where protesters, mostly under 30, poured into the streets, led by activist Igwe Ude-Umanta. They weren’t fighting for higher wages but defending their right to affordable fuel.
Citing IMF data, they argued that local refining could save Nigeria $8 billion in import costs annually, money that could fund 6,000 kilometres of dual carriageways. To them, PENGASSAN wasn’t a defender of workers but a shield for old import cartels threatened by reform.
Cracks in Labour’s House
Even the wider labour movement is fracturing. NUPENG publicly distanced itself from the strike. Within the Trade Union Congress (TUC), some leaders now question whether PENGASSAN President Festus Osifo should continue holding dual offices, citing “conflict of representation.”
In the Niger Delta, where militants once blocked flow stations in solidarity, community leaders now praise “the refining revolution” for promising jobs and cheaper diesel. The politics of scarcity no longer sells. People’s anger today is about the cost of bread, not the ownership of crude.
Lessons from the Debacle
The first lesson for PENGASSAN is humility. Dangote Refinery is not a mere private firm; it is a national symbol, financed by 28 global banks and insured under covenants that treat labour unrest as a “material default.”
A prolonged strike could have triggered $3.5 billion in loan freezes and a potential sovereign credit downgrade.
The union must decide what it wants to be: a professional lobby for oil workers or a disruptive economic force. It cannot be both.
The second lesson is adaptation. The dispute over the 800 dismissed workers ended not with reinstatement but redeployment, a subtle sign that the rules have changed. Negotiation in the new economy is not about headcount but about retraining.
Imagine a forward-looking PENGASSAN pushing for a $50 million annual skills fund jointly managed by Dangote, NNPC, and the Petroleum Technology Development Fund. Such a fund could train engineers in hydrogen refining, hydro-treating, and carbon capture, the technologies defining tomorrow’s industry. That’s the unionism Nigeria needs: strategic, data-driven, and globally literate.
Cleaning Its House
The union must also reform internally. The leaked memo dissolving its NGIC/NGML branch executives for “failing to cut off gas completely” exposed its archaic command culture. In an age of transparency, that was a public relations disaster.
A credible fix would be electronic balloting for all 12,000 members, with a 75% approval threshold before any nationwide strike. That would restore legitimacy and deprive the government of excuses to invoke national security laws.
Above all, PENGASSAN must understand what Shettima called “the new patriotism”, a civic order where national interest comes before sectional muscle. The government now treats disruptions in energy supply as economic sabotage, punishable by up to 25 years under the Terrorism (Prevention) Act.
The union can fight that interpretation in court, but it would be a costly and uncertain battle. The wiser path is cooperation, to become a stakeholder in national productivity, not a relic of resistance.
A Chance for Redemption
To its credit, PENGASSAN eventually suspended the strike “in the national interest.” Critics sneered, calling it a surrender, but it could mark the beginning of renewal. The union now has a brief window, before Dangote’s second 400,000-barrel-per-day line starts, to reinvent itself.
It can lead the conversation on green jobs, energy transition, and just-transition funding, ensuring Nigerian engineers remain relevant in the next energy age. Or it can cling to nostalgia and fade into irrelevance, remembered only for the chaos it once caused.
If it chooses the latter, the next shutdown may not end with a communique but a court order.
Protests against NUPENG and PENGASSAN
What’s the Future of Ajaokuta Steel?
can Nigeria’s long-stalled steel plant truly rise from decades of neglect, or will bold promises once again crumble against the stubborn realities of outdated technology, decaying infrastructure, and fierce global competition? asks Festus Akanbi
For nearly half a century, the Ajaokuta Steel company in Kogi State has hovered between promise and paralysis, a hulking metaphor for Nigeria’s ambitions gone astray.
conceived in the late 1970s as the flagship of an industrial revolution, the complex was meant to anchor shipbuilding, construction, transport, automotive, and manufacturing. Instead, it has become a cautionary tale of squandered billions, policy flip-flops, and rusting infrastructure.
Last week, the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, injected an uncomfortable dose of realism into a conversation usually dominated by political optimism. “Ajaokuta will never work,” Africa’s richest man said bluntly in a video that ricocheted across social media. He likened attempts to revive the plant to resurrecting a “dead person” to run a race, arguing that the facility’s Soviet-era design belongs in a different age. Comparing it to putting a long-abandoned Volkswagen Igala beside a modern Kia, he warned that Nigeria is clinging to a technological past that can no longer compete with the speed, efficiency, and environmental demands of today’s steel industry.
A Questionable Sense of Hope
Dangote’s remarks jarred against the upbeat assurances of Professor Andulsalam Naeem, the new managing director of Ajaokuta Steel company.
Naeem, who recently received a hero’s welcome in his home community of Ayegunle Gbede, insisted that the plant would roar back to life under President bola tinubu’s watch.
Backed by a “firm assurance” from the president, he has launched a technical audit aimed at diagnosing what must be rehabilitated and what can be replaced. to Naeem, resuscitating Ajaokuta is more than an industrial project; it is a national dream that promises thousands of jobs, a domestic supply chain for construction and machinery, and a symbolic leap towards self-reliance.
the federal government is reinforcing this optimism with a global investment drive. the Minister of Steel Development, Shuaibu Audu, recently led a delegation to china, wooing leading conglomerates such as baowu’s SinoSteel, Fangda Steel, and Jingye Group. the discussions focused on technical evaluations, operational models, and financing structures to put the dormant complex back to work. Officials say the talks align Nigeria’s ambitions
with china’s vast industrial know-how, raising hopes that the long-awaited turnaround might finally materialise.
Drain Pipe
Yet a sober reading of Ajaokuta’s chequered history tempers such enthusiasm. the plant was declared 98 per cent complete as far back as 1984, but it has never produced a single commercial sheet of steel. Instead, it has drained public coffers. Successive budgets allocate billions for salaries and pensions at a facility that produces nothing.
the 2025 appropriation earmarked another N6.21 billion for wages, underlining what critics call an absurd commitment to a failed enterprise. Over four decades, Nigeria has spent more than $8 billion on Ajaokuta, including a $495 million arbitration payout in 2022 to settle a dispute with an Indian concessionaire. While the buildings have stood, time has not been kind to the equipment. Installed in the 1980s under Soviet guidance, much of the machinery has corroded or become obsolete. blast furnaces, designed for an earlier era of energy and environmental constraints, now sit at odds with an industry that prizes efficiency, automation, recycling, and lower carbon footprints. even if the old lines were restarted, they would struggle against cheaper imports from Asia or newer mini-mills that use electric arc furnaces and flexible production methods. Modernisation on the scale required may cost as much as building an entirely new complex.
Infrastructure Weaknesses
Infrastructure weaknesses compound the challenge. Ajaokuta’s success depends on an integrated chain linking iron-ore beneficiation at Itakpe, transport by rail, steady power supply, and functional ports for imports and exports. the Itakpe plant remains underperforming, while the railway meant to connect it to Ajaokuta has suffered delays and partial completion. Power supply in Kogi is erratic and expensive, a crippling liability for an energy-hungry operation like steel-making. Analysts said that these gaps raise production costs and erode competitiveness before the first slab is cast. Governance has been another Achilles’ heel. Over the years, Ajaokuta has been buffeted by abrupt concessions, revocations, lawsuits, and opaque deals. each change of administration has brought new committees, memoranda, and pledges, but rarely the consistency needed for a heavy industrial project that thrives on long planning horizons. even promising moves,
such as the 2024 memorandum with russia’s tyazhpromexport, the original builders, risk fizzling out without sustained political will and clear legal frameworks.
Proponents of revival argue that these obstacles, though formidable, are not insurmountable. they point to the technical audit now underway and to potential Chinese financing as signs of seriousness. they cite success stories where privatisation and fresh capital turned around moribund assets: brazil’s companhia Siderúrgica Nacional became Latin America’s largest steel exporter after leaving state hands; South Korea’s POScO, once state-owned, now ranks among the world’s top producers.
Within Nigeria, the telecom revolution that followed the liberalisation of NIteL and Indorama’s transformation of eleme Petrochemicals proves that neglected assets can thrive when freed from government lethargy.
White Elephant Project
But Ajaokuta’s scale, age, and cost profile distinguish it from those examples. the sunk cost fallacy looms large: officials often double down because so much has already been invested, even when economic logic suggests a rethink. building a smaller, modern mill using compact strip production or electric arc technology could deliver more steel at lower cost than retrofitting hulking Soviet furnaces. Around the world, newer plants favour modularity and energy efficiency over monolithic giants conceived during the cold War. time is another adversary. the tinubu administration has signalled its intent to deliver results within its tenure, yet turning around decades of neglect is not a sprint. Negotiating and finalising partnerships, overhauling decayed infrastructure, training a skilled workforce, and installing modern environmental controls are multi-year undertakings. rushing risks half-measures that repeat the errors of past governments, leaving Nigeria saddled with yet another costly white elephant.
Dangote’s warning is simply not pessimism; it reflects an operator’s eye for cost and competitiveness. His own group runs some of Africa’s most sophisticated manufacturing plants, from cement to fertiliser, and he knows that industrial success depends on technology, supply chains, and price discipline as much as patriotic zeal. to him, Ajaokuta represents a structural mismatch between an outdated design and the realities of a global steel market that produced 1.89 billion tonnes last year, dominated by efficient Asian mills. that global context matters. egypt turns out
about 10.6 million tonnes of steel annually, South Africa around 4.9 million, while Japan, despite importing iron ore, produces nearly 90 million tonnes. Nigeria, sitting atop over three billion tonnes of iron ore, manages only about 2.2 million tonnes a year, mainly from scraps and imported billets. Ajaokuta’s theoretical capacity of 1.9 million tonnes, expandable to five million, could change that equation, but only if it operates competitively. Otherwise, it will remain a sentimental relic overshadowed by imports that meet builders’ needs more cheaply and reliably.
Privatisation Option
Some argue that privatisation offers the cleanest route out of the quagmire. Selling the complex transparently to a consortium with proven expertise and deep pockets could shift the risk away from taxpayers and inject efficiency. The federal government’s role would then focus on regulation, infrastructure, and incentives rather than daily operations. critics caution, however, that poorly structured sales, such as the ill-fated Indian concession, can backfire, leaving Nigeria to foot huge bills. Success hinges on openness, enforceable contracts, and an end to political interference. A clear-eyed path forward would begin with an honest assessment: is it cheaper and smarter to revive Ajaokuta as is, to radically redesign it, or to channel resources into newer, flexible mills closer to raw materials and energy sources? Policymakers must weigh social goals like job creation and regional development against fiscal prudence and market realities. romantic attachment to a 40-year-old vision cannot substitute for rigorous cost-benefit analysis.
For ordinary Nigerians, the debate is more than technical. It is about credibility and national self-respect. the steel mill has become shorthand for broken promises, a monument to the chasm between ambition and execution. every fresh announcement of committees or foreign talks evokes déjà vu among citizens weary of grand pronouncements unmoored from results.
If Ajaokuta is ever to rise, it will require more than presidential speeches or ceremonial receptions. It will demand a level of discipline, expertise, and follow-through rarely sustained in Nigeria’s public sector. It will require financing models that protect the treasury while attracting world-class partners, and governance strong enough to keep vested interests from hijacking the process.
Ajaokuta Steel Company
Can Benjamin Kalu’s Claims Hide
Otti’s Tangible Impacts in Abia?
Anyone who had been to any part of Abia State recently and listened to or read the claims being currently made by the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, about a phantom ‘poor governance’ in his home state, Abia, you will weep for unguarded Nigerian politicians who in their desperation to please some overlords in Abuja are remotely forced to do or say things unbecoming.
Unknown to such unwary politicians, such schemes, in most cases, are ironically designed to destroy the politicians’ blossoming careers in the interest of their callous overlords.
Such seems to be the case of Kalu, who last Sunday, told Nigerians, when he addressed members of his party, All Progressives Congress (APC) and members of Renewed Hope Partners (RHP) in Umuahia, Abia State, that Governor Alex Otti-led Abia State Government “has under performed,” considering the huge funds it currently receives monthly.
As the lawmaker puts it: “The state (Abia) received an average of N38billion monthly from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), Internally Generated Revenue (IGR), and various federal interventions, including flood relief and agricultural support funds.”
Accusing the Otti-led Abia State Government of focusing more on publicity than development, he said, “Abia has been bombarded with staged photo ops, documentaries, and well scripted speeches that celebrate imaginary achievements.
“Yet beyond the cameras, the reality of life in Abia remains grim. Schools are in shambles, hospitals lack essential facilities, roads are deteriorating and the economy is stagnant.”
He added: “The Alex Otti administration must stop chasing critics and start delivering results. With N38billion flowing into its coffers every month, multiple federal interventions and international loans at its disposal, Abia State has no excuse to remain in it’s state of decay.”
Coming from a top lawmaker, the claims Kalu raised here are weighty enough to attract full attention of any well meaning Abian or Nigerian.
But the first issue that must determine the people’s reaction here is whether or not the claims he made are true?
Has revenue in the hands of Abia State Government increased during Governor Otti’s government? The answer seems to be yes! Is the increased funds entirely due to federal monthly allocations and interventions? The answer is no!
Is it true as Kalu alleged that in spite of the increased funds, “the reality of life in Abia remains grim; that schools are in shambles; that roads are deteriorating; that Abia State economy is now stagnant and that Abia is today in a “state of decay?” Of course, the answer to these claims is no!
The truth of the matter is that Kalu may think he has been assigned a great job of demarketing an obviously performing governor in the South-east ahead of APC’s dream of hijacking Abia State and the South-east in the 2027 elections, but in my opinion, what he seems not to acknowledge is the fact that any political campaign anchored on lies is not likely to endure.
Will it not be a better campaign strategy for a more responsible opposition to first acknowledge the ongoing economic development revolution being led by Otti’s government before suggesting or perhaps, making promises of what APC hopes to do better if given the chance in 2027 to govern Abia State?
Unfortunately, Benjamin Kalu-led opposition party, APC, seems to lack the patience and humility to give credit to whom it is due. They prefer to tell Abians naked lies and half truths as if the people there are blind. Given his current plum position in the House of Representatives and the fact that he has faired relatively well in his Bende Federal Constituency, one will not blink
an eyelid before acknowledging that Kalu may be one of the likely personalities APC may anchor its 2027 campaigns in Abia State and some other South-east states.
But the question that must be asked is, must this great political task of capturing the South-east be achieved only by utterly destroying this young man’s credibility? Must he be urged to tell his people that what is, does not exist?
Why, if not to destroy him politically, will a bright young politician in the mould of Kalu, with so much promise, be urged by some ruthless overlords to embark on such a political suicide mission of selling obvious lies to a people that have seen the worst of governance anyone can think of?
No one, not to talk of a son of the soil like Kalu, needs to be told that Abia people, and indeed Aba people are currently witnessing, under Governor Alex Otti-led Abia State Government, the best governance they have witnessed, especially in the area of massive infrastructure development.
Notwithstanding that the construc-
tions are there to speak for themselves, it is a marvel that the cartel behind the current political campaign of calumny ahead of 2027, will successfully force Kalu of all people, to be the one that will look the people in the eyes and tell Aba people and Southeasterners that Otti has not fixed the once death trap now known as Aba-Port Harcourt Road or Ohanku road, etc?
Is it not a fact that in the tick darkness of the night, one may choose to lie about the colour of his cloth but once the day breaks and light shines, everyone can tell whether the cloth is actually white or blue.
In case Kalu and the APC leadership do not know, Abia State is no longer covered in darkness. With the coming of Otti’s government in 2023, the day has broken in God’s Own State; the light has come and so the people can now see and tell when a government is truly constructing the roads and bridges it claims to be constructing.
Take a walk to Ngwa Road Market area in Aba, and behold the wonder that is today’s Ohanku road before responding to Kalu’s criticism of Otti.
Just take out time today and drive from Umuahia through Uzuakoli, Akara, Alayi, Igbere and Item (the last three communities being part of the Bende Federal Constituency
that Hon Benjamin Kalu still represents at the House of Representatives.) This road, which stretches from Umuahia to Item, Igbere, Abiriba and Ohafia, and offers direct access to Uzuakoli, Akoli, Nkpa, Ozuitem, Isuikwuato, Akara, Alayi, Ugwueke, Igbere, Item, Nkporo, Abiriba, Edda, Ohafia, etc, is one of the major federal roads in Abia State long abandoned before the emergence of Alex Otti as governor. After the trip, any well meaning elder close to Benjamin Kalu will advise the young man to change tactics as lies and half truths may sound punchy and so attractive to a reckless politician but they certainly do not endure.
By grace, Kalu has emerged a blossoming political leader in Abia State and in Nigeria but considering his current actions and unbelievable utterances, it seems some ruthless overlords somewhere are out to force upon him some curious de-marketing assignments in his own political root, ahead of some planned 2027 power hijacks.
If this fear is true, it will be fair to immediately warn the Deputy Speaker that this route will not be in his political interest. This is because lies can only create temporary doubt and confusion, it cannot remove physical infrastructure development, which is there for everyone to see in broad daylight. Otti’s footprints are bold enough for all to see. To deny them, is to mock oneself and to diminish ones credibility.
Recently, the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Richard Mills, led some top US diplomats to Abia State on a working visit. While in God’s Own State, they saw tangible developments that Benjamin Kalu denies. Commenting on their visit and findings, US Ambassador Richard Mills said to Gov Otti: “Your leadership in Abia has brought real change here, positive change. Your focus on infrastructure, on security challenges, has really transformed the state. And we believe that it is a powerful example of how to improve governance, really, across the Southeast.”
Shortly before that US diplomat’s visit, European Union delegation, led by Ambassador Gautier Mignot, also visited Abia to assess Otti’s governance and development claims. Like the US delegation, Mignot-led European Union delegation also praised Otti. If Kalu fails to see the tangible progress which these foreign diplomats saw in Otti-led Abia, it can only be that he is beclouded by dirty Nigerian politics.
May I advise him here that there is no amount of negative propaganda that will change the fact that Dr Alex Otti-led Abia State Government has concretely impacted on Aba-Port Harcourt Road, Ohanku Road and the numerous others in Aba, Umuahia and others.
As a top lawmaker in Nigeria, Kalu’s interest and concern today should be how to protect legislature’s freedom in Nigeria, how to ensure peace and unity in his constituency, state, region and country; how to pass laws that will impact positively on his constituents; and how to help his state government to ensure real urban and grassroots development and the wellbeing of his people.
It should not be how to champion disunity and unnecessary political rancour in the name of opposition politics and craze for 2027 power hijack.
As the Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives at a time like this, it should be taken for granted that the Bende Federal Constituency, which he represents, his state, Abia, and his region, the Southeast, will naturally respect and look up to him to represent them boldly and truthfully at the federal seat of power in Abuja and to help attract federal interventions just like his colleagues at the two hallowed chambers at the National Assembly are also doing. Such quality representation certainly should not include deliberate de-marketing of the state government, marketing of outright lies and misrepresentation of facts to deceive the common people.
•Ikonne writes from Aba.
Francis Ikonne
Otti
Kalu
WHAT WE IGNORED IN THE NNAJI SAGA
Eshiorameh Sebastian argues that by voluntary resignation of Uche Nnaji as minister demonstrated a profound strength of character
It is a rare event in Nigerian politics that commands a unified silence, a moment that cuts through the cacophony of accusations and counter-accusations to present a simple, undeniable act.
The resignation of Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji from his position as the Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology was one such event. In the days leading to that decision, the Nigerian media space was utterly dominated by a single narrative: that of allegations of certificate forgery levelled against the minister. It was a storm of impressive ferocity, a drama that seemed to leave no room for any other perspective. Yet, in choosing to step aside, Chief Nnaji himself authored a different, more compelling narrative.
To understand the weight of his decision, one must first appreciate the tumultuous context in which it was made. The allegations themselves followed a convoluted path. In 2023, an investigation by The Gazette newspaper had looked into the minister’s academic credentials and he was cleared. The University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) had provided a letter confirming that he was not only admitted but had also graduated. This should have settled the matter.
However, the recent investigation by Premium Times introduced a new comple ity, claiming that fresh findings from the university suggested he had a pending course from his final year.
This conflicting information created a classic Nigerian political impasse: a “war of accusations,” as it was widely reported. The situation was further muddied by reports of deeper political undercurrents, including allegations of a struggle for influence over the political leadership of the very institution at the heart of the matter. Throughout this, the ordinary mechanisms of clarity seemed to falter. For the public watching from the sidelines, it was a confusing and messy affair, a tangled web where the truth appeared increasingly elusive. What changed between the clearance of 2023 and the doubts of 2025? This is a question that remains, rightly, for the judicial system to untangle.
It was into this maelstrom of uncertainty that Chief Nnaji delivered his resounding statement—not with a shout, but with a principled exit. His resignation letter, addressed to President Bola Tinubu, should be a required reading for every current and aspiring public servant in Nigeria. He stated that his decision came after deep reflection and was a response to an “orchestrated sustained campaign of falsehood.”
Crucially, he clarified that stepping aside was “not an admission of guilt, but rather a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process and to preserve the integrity of the judicial proceedings.”
This distinction is of profound importance. In a political culture where holding on to power is often equated with strength, Chief Nnaji redefined strength as the wisdom to let go. The typical, expected response would have been to bunker down, to use the considerable resources of office to fight a protracted battle in the media and the courts, all while the vital work of the Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology ground to a halt. He chose a different path. He recognised that the office of minister is far greater than the individual who occupies it. By resigning, he protected the dignity of the office and ensured that the government’s “Renewed Hope Agenda” would not be bogged down by a personal, and highly politicised, legal dispute.
This act demonstrates a quality desperately needed in our public life: institutional respect. Too often, we see
public office holders become so fused with their positions that they cannot separate their personal interests from the national interest. They fight for their chair as if the nation itself would collapse without them, often causing significant collateral damage in the process. Chief Nnaji’s action was a masterclass in putting the system first. He understood that for due process to work, it must be allowed to proceed without the shadow of executive influence or the distraction of daily media scandals. His resignation was, in essence, a vote of confidence in the very institutions— the judiciary, the civil service—that are meant to function independently.
What, then, should Nigeria’s public office holders learn from the minister?
First, they must learn that true leadership is about stewardship, not ownership. A ministerial portfolio is a temporary trust, not a personal fiefdom. Chief Nnaji’s departure underscores that the work of the ministry is more important than the title of the minister.
Second, they must learn that there is honour in prioritising due process. By stepping aside, Chief Nnaji did not show weakness; he demonstrated a profound strength of character. He showed that his personal reputation, built over “five decades,” was not so fragile that it needed to be defended from a government office. He trusted that the truth would eventually emerge through the proper legal channels, a belief that stands in stark contrast to those who seek to manipulate those very channels for personal survival. Finally, and perhaps most importantly, our leaders must learn that the court of public opinion, while loud, is not the ultimate arbiter of one’s legacy. In the immediate aftermath of the allegations, the court of public opinion was in full session, and its verdict was largely negative. Yet, with one decisive act, Chief Nnaji forced a recalibration. He reminded us that history’s judgement is often kinder to those who act with principle in moments of crisis than to those who simply cling to power.
The matter of Chief Nnaji s certificate is now rightfully before the courts, and we must allow that process to reach its conclusion without prejudice. But on the separate question of political conduct, he has already provided a definitive answer. In the face of a media firestorm and complex political machinations, he chose a path of dignity, principle, and respect for the institutions of state. We have spent so much energy dissecting the allegations against the minister that we have risked missing the powerful lesson his response offers. For the sake of Nigeria’s political future, that is a side of the story we can no longer afford to ignore.
Taiwan is an inalienable part of China, contends YU DUNHAI
FALLACIES ON THE TAIWAN QUESTION
The 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly recently concluded successfully. This was a session of special significance, as it marks the 80thanniversary of the victory in the global anti-fascist war and the establishment of the United Nations. Over the past 80 years, the UN has become the most universal, representative and authoritative intergovernmental international organization, with the UN-centered international system widely supported by the international community.
Eighty years ago, defeated Japan returned Taiwan to China, which was an indisputable outcome of the global anti-fascist war and a crucial part of the post-war international order. Currently, the Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) authorities stubbornly adopt a separatist policy seeking “Taiwan independence” , while a small number of countries claim that China’s sovereignty over Taiwan has not been established, openly challenging the authority of the UN and the post-war international order. To clarify the facts and set the record straight, I feel obligated to address several common fallacies on the Taiwan Question.
Fallacy 1: “The two sides of the Taiwan Strait are not subordinate to each other.”
Taiwan has belonged to China since ancient times, with clear historical and legal foundations. Numerous historical records and documents detail the early development of Taiwan by the Chinese people. As early as the 12th century, the Chinese government established administrative institutions and exercised jurisdiction in Taiwan.
In 1895, Japan forced the Qing government to cede Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to Japan through war. In 1943, the Cairo Declaration issued by China, the United States and the United Kingdom stipulated that all the territories seized by Japan including Taiwan must be returned to China. In 1945, the Potsdam Proclamation issued by China, the United States, the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union reaffirmed that the terms of the Cairo Declaration must be implemented. In August of that year, Japan accepted the Potsdam Proclamation and signed the Instrument of Surrender in September, pledging to “faithfully fulfill the obligations laid down in the Potsdam Proclamation.”
Through a series of internationally legally binding documents, China recovered Taiwan both legally and in fact. Although the two sides of the Taiwan Strait have not yet achieved complete reunification, the fact that both the mainland of China and Taiwan belong to one China and that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China has never changed and cannot be changed. This is the true status quo of the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan has never been a country, nor will it ever be in the future.
Fallacy 2: “China’s sovereignty over Taiwan has not been established.”
Shortly after the victory in the War of Resistance Against Japan in 1945, the Nationalist government led by Chiang Kai-shek launched a civil war. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people won the civil war, ultimately overthrowing the “Republic of China” government led by Chiang Kai-shek. Some members of the Nationalist regime retreated to Taiwan, and with interference from external forces, the two sides of the Taiwan Strait entered a prolonged state of political confrontation.
On October 1, 1949, the Central People’s Government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) was established, and the PRC government became the sole legitimate government of China. This was a change of government within the same international legal entity of China, with no change to China’s sovereignty or inherent territory.
The PRC government naturally enjoys and exercises China’s sovereignty in full, including sovereignty over Taiwan.
Fallacy 3: “UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 does not establish the OneChina principle.”
Resolution 2758 fully embodies the One-China principle. On August 20, 1971, before the resolution was put to a vote, the Chinese government issued a statement emphasizing: “There are not two Chinas in the world; there is only one China, the People’s Republic of China. Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory and a province of China, which was returned to the motherland at the end of World War II. This is an indisputable fact.”
On October 25, 1971, the 26th session of the UN General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758, which decided to “restore all the rights of the People’s Republic of China, recognize the representatives of its government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organizations related to it.”
Resolution 2758 politically affirmed and consolidated the One-China principle: there is only one China in the world, Taiwan is a part of China, and the PRC government is the sole legitimate government representing all of China. Following the resolution’s adoption, UN official documents consistently refer to Taiwan as “Taiwan, Province of China.”These facts are indisputable and unchallengeable.
Fallacy 4: “UN General Assembly Resolution 2758 does not determine Taiwan’s status.”
Resolution 2758 and the One-China principle that the Resolution embodies impose universal binding force on all subjects of the international community through the UN Charter, bilateral diplomatic treaties, and fundamental principles of international law.
In diplomatic practice, the resolution’s authority is reflected in the correct Taiwanrelated positions, policies, and actions of the UN General Assembly, UN specialized agencies and many UN member states. These collectively form an important international legal and moral foundation for handling Taiwan-related questions. The OneChina principle, framework, consensus and related institutional arrangements supported by the resolution have become principles and common knowledge followed by all countries, as well as a solemn commitment by countries with diplomatic relations to respect China’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The claim by a few countries that “Taiwan’s status is undetermined”challenges the authority of the UN, defies the post-war international order, and is an absurd and dangerous attempt to reverse history.
Dunhai is Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria
Sebastian writes from Abuja
Editor, Editorial Page PETER ISHAKA
Email peter.ishaka@thisdaylive.com
INEC AND THE MAHMOOD YAKUBU YEARS
In spite of some shortcomings, Yakubu’s INEC symbolises hope
At a brief ceremony during a regular consultative meeting with Resident Electoral Commissioners (RECs) at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Abuja last Tuesday, Mahmood Yakubu handed over to the most senior National Commissioner, May Agbamuche-Mbu, as the commission’s acting chairman. Right on cue, President Bola Tinubu nominated a Professor of Law, Joash Amupitan, SAN, to step into Yakubu’s shoes as chairman of the electoral body, a decision that has been approved by the National Council of State (NCS). All that is left for Amupitan is the stamp of approval from the Senate, which is expected. While Nigerians await the incoming era at INEC, it is important to reflect the one that has just ended.
Appointed in October 2015 by the late President Muhammadu Buhari, and reappointed in 2020, Yakubu has perhaps remained the most consequential chairman of the electoral body since inception. The first chairman from Nigeria’s Northeast zone, he served the maximum twoterm tenure of 10 years, a feat in the commission’s history. During the period, along with dozens of national commissioners and RECs, Yakubu presided over the 2019 and 2023 general elections, numerous off-cycle governorship elections, and hundreds of other re-run and bye-elections. “Together, we innovated and managed the commission’s enormous responsibilities,” noted the Professor of Political History and International Studies in self-appraisal, “sometimes on the verge of breaking down.’’
But to be fair, these issues must also be contextualised. Elections in Nigeria are more often fought like war. And those defeated in the course of the battle must blame it on something. More importantly, some of the issues are beyond the brief of INEC. In most other climes, politicians don’t procure arms and other instruments of war for elections. Nor is it normal that citizens should lose their lives when performing their civic duties. Election management officials are also not under threat as they are in Nigeria. But there have also been institutionalised positives in recent years. Under Yakubu, ballot papers and result sheets are now produced locally, saving the country some hard-earned foreign exchange. Election dates are firmed and regularised, while the creation of additional polling units has impacted on the ease of the voting population.
The deployment of technology for voter registration, voter accreditation, voting at an election and the transmission of results has added tremendous credibility to the electoral process
SUNDAY NEWSPAPER
editor DAviDSoN iriekpeN
deputy editors FeStUS AkANbi eJioFor ALike
Managing director eNioLA beLLo
deputy Managing director iSrAeL iwegbU
chairMan editorial Board oLUSegUN ADeNiYi
Mindful of the costly mistakes of the past - where politicians and their sympathisers thumbprinted ballot papers at will, and declared results with impunity, Yakubu’s INEC embraced the use of technology. Even though it has not ended all discrepancies, it has considerably curtailed the disorder in the system. The Electoral Act 2022, championed by Yakubu, gave INEC greater oversight on political party primaries for improved internal democracy, while also putting pressure on those in government to vacate office if they want to contest elections. Besides, the Act prescribes early primaries for political parties to ensure adequate time for campaign, thus providing a more level playing field for opposition parties.
Expectedly, some critics have dismissed the Yakubu years as adding little to buoying public confidence in the country’s electoral system. Some of what they say is right. Within these years, there were some inexcusable logistical problems - in form of late arrival of ballot boxes to polling booths in some areas, ballot snatching, violence, vote buying and delay in the transmission of election results. The February/March 2019 election was marred by unprecedented violence that claimed no few than 600 lives. A repeat performance of violence took place in the November 2019 Bayelsa and Kogi States gubernatorial election. During the 2023 general election, Yakubu overpromised on the use of technology for the transmission of results but underdelivered at the end of the day.
editor nation s capital iYoboSA UwUgiAreN the oMBudsMan kAYoDe koMoLAFe
THISDAY NEWSPAPERS LIMITED
editor-in-chief/chairMan NDUkA obAigbeNA
group executive directors eNioLA beLLo, kAYoDe koMoLAFe, iSrAeL iwegbU divisional directors SHAkA MoMoDU, peter iwegbU ANtHoNY ogeDeNgbe deputy divisional director oJogUN victor DANboYi snr. associate director eric oJeH associate director pAtrick eiMiUHi controllers AbiMboLA tAiwo UcHeNNA DibiAgwU, NDUkA MoSeri director, printing production cHUkS oNwUDiNJo to send eMail: first name.surname@thisdaylive.com
Meanwhile, the deployment of technology for voter registration, voter accreditation, voting at an election and the transmission of results has added tremendous credibility to the electoral process. These include the registration and authentication of eligible voters using the INEC Voter Enrolment Device (IVED) for both fingerprint and facial recognition, use of the INEC Biometric Voter Accreditation Device (BVAS) for voter accreditation and the uploading of scanned copies of the polling unit results to the INEC Result Viewing (IReV) Portal for public view. To be sure, some of the reforms initiated by Yakubu have not always delivered expected outcomes. But they represent significant progress which should be sustained.
Now that the Yakubu era has ended, it is left for the incoming chairman of INEC to improve on his records.
Letters in response to specific publications in tHiSDAY should be brief(150-200 words) and straight to the point. interested readers may send such letters along with their contact details to opinion@thisdaylive.com. we also welcome comments and opinions on topical local, national and international issues provided they are well-written and should also not be longer than (950- 1000 words). they should be sent to opinion@thisdaylive. com along with the email address and phone numbers of the writer
LETTERS
NIGERIA’S LOOMING FOOD INSECURITY
Nigeria is gradually slipping into a food crisis that threatens not just its economic stability but the very survival of millions of its citizens. The warning signs have been evident for years—declining agricultural productivity, rising insecurity in farming communities, inadequate storage facilities, and heavy dependence on food imports. Yet, little has been done to address the situation comprehensively. Today, the country finds itself at a crossroads where hunger is no longer a distant fear but a daily reality for many households.
One of the primary drivers of this looming crisis is insecurity. Vast farmlands in the country’s food-producing regions, particularly in the North, have been abandoned due to banditry, kidnapping, and clashes between farmers and herders. Farmers in states such as Borno, Zamfara, Benue, and Kaduna live in constant fear of attacks, making it nearly impossible to
cultivate crops. This disruption has led to a sharp reduction in the supply of essential food items, driving up prices in markets nationwide. For the average Nigerian family, feeding three times a day has become a luxury.
Beyond insecurity, climate change has worsened the situation. Erratic rainfall, prolonged dry spells, and devastating floods have all contributed to the reduction of crop yields. For instance, the 2022 floods destroyed farmlands in over 30 states, leading to severe shortages of staples such as rice, maize, and yams. Despite repeated warnings from environmental experts, government responses have remained reactive rather than proactive. Investments in irrigation, drought-resistant crops, and flood control infrastructure remain far below what is required to safeguard food production.
Another major concern is the collapse of Nigeria’s once-thriving agricultural value
chain. Poor road networks mean that farmers who manage to produce crops struggle to transport them to urban markets. Postharvest losses account for up to 40% of total production, as perishable goods rot away due to lack of storage facilities and processing industries. This inefficiency not only affects food availability but also discourages farmers who receive little to no reward for their hard work.
The rising cost of living is further compounding the crisis. Inflation, particularly food inflation, has been on a steep upward trend, making even the most basic food items unaffordable. Families that once could afford a balanced diet are now forced to settle for less, leading to widespread malnutrition. For children, this poses a long-term danger as poor nutrition affects growth, learning capacity, and overall health. The situation is even more alarming in rural communities and among internally displaced persons who
rely heavily on humanitarian aid. Addressing this quiet crisis requires urgent and deliberate action. First, the government must restore security in farming communities to allow farmers to return to their fields without fear. Second, there must be renewed investment in modern agricultural practices, including mechanization, irrigation, and access to improved seedlings. Third, building storage and processing facilities will reduce post-harvest losses and create jobs for young people. Finally, Nigeria must reduce its dependence on food imports by strengthening local production and supporting smallholder farmers, who make up the backbone of the agricultural sector.
Muhammad Samaila Muhammad, Dept of Mass Communication, University of Maiduguri
BBNaija S10: Of Friendship, Feud and Fame
With its mix of drama, laughter and heartfelt moments, the tenth season of Big Brother Naija, which crowned Opeyemi “Imisi” Ayanwale, reminded viewers why the reality show remains a cultural juggernaut. Vanessa Obioha recaps the raw emotions, unexpected friendships, fiery confrontations, and moments of genuine humanity that turned the house into both a battleground and a family.
Nothing about the 10/10 Big Brother Naija season was unentertaining. Ask the millions of viewers who watched the show for 10 weeks across Africa, and you’ll hear glowing remarks about its tenth edition. From the housemates to the tasks, to the bursts of laughter and drama, it lived up to its 10/10 tag and reminded audiences why they keep returning each year.
That verdict played out again on Tuesday at the prize presentation event to the winner of the season Opeyemi ‘Imisi’ Ayanwale. Dressed in a red short dress, Imisi was surrounded by fans who wanted a selfie or even just a smile from the 23-yearold actor and fashion designer. Fans stretched their hands for selfies, some simply hoping for a smile, others lingering beside the gleaming white IVM SUV that formed part of her winnings. A swarm of photojournalists clicked away, chasing every smile, every wave, every flicker of joy. It took the MultiChoice team a while to clear the excited fans, but who could blame them?
For many of the young people gathered there, winning Big Brother Naija is aspirational. It is a dream within reach yet still far enough to feel magical. It’s not only the prizes that appeal, but the promise of transformation. That possibility of stepping out of obscurity into stardom.
Imisi is still processing that transformation.
“I’m new to fame. I would need some guidance from people who have expertise in that field,” she said during a chat.
Imisi confessed that she did not see her win coming. For all she knew, she was just being herself on the show. Her vulnerability, she believes, endeared her to her fans.
From Oyo State, Imisi was one of 29 housemates who entered the house in July to vie for the N150 million grand prize — the biggest in the show’s history. The season opened with double launch nights, introducing male and female contestants separately.
On stage at the season’s launch, Imisi described herself as a lone star determined to fight for herself. And she did. She was bold, outspoken, fiercely authentic; the kind of personality that drew admiration and criticism in equal measure. She didn’t cower in confrontations and refused to be bullied or silenced. Yet behind that fearless spirit was a softness that revealed itself in the most unexpected places.
That softness showed most clearly in her relationship with fellow housemate Kola. What began as casual banter slowly blossomed into a sibling-like bond that tugged at viewers’ hearts. She took it upon herself to feed him, coax him into eating when he didn’t want to, and tease him into trying spicy food.
“I can eat any spicy food now. I can take the heat,” he said during an interview.
Their connection became one of the show’s most endearing storylines. When Kola was emotionally down, Imisi offered quiet reassurance. The feeling was requited. At moments when Imisi engaged in confrontations with other housemates, Kola never judged her; rather, he steered her from the situations. He was her voice of reasoning. Yet, even siblings quarrel. When a misunderstanding came between them, it hurt. Imisi wore her emotions openly, her eyes giving her away when her heart couldn’t. But when they made peace, it was as if the fight never existed. Their connection was so pure that on the finale night, when Kola was evicted among the top nine, Imisi’s disappointment couldn’t be hidden.
“I would have loved Kola to win if I hadn’t won,’ she gladly said, while also clarifying that her love for him was simply familial and platonic.
Now a millionaire and national sweetheart, Imisi is still figuring out her next steps. With N80 million in cash and other prizes, she’s considering furthering her education but hinted that she might move from her family home in Ebute Metta to somewhere more fitting for a Big Brother Naija winner.
But the story of this season wasn’t hers alone. Every housemate brought something unique to the house — quirks, flaws, and moments that stitched together the emotional tapestry of the 10/10 season. From Sabrina, who left the show due to health reasons, to Rooboy, Thelma Lawson, Dede (runner-up), Ivatar, Zita, Kuture, Jason Jae, Joanna, Isabella, and Koyin, each brought a distinct flavour to the house.
Perhaps, the secret sauce for this season was these housemates. Their diversity and vulnerability made them shine in their own way. For instance, who can forget Jason Jae’s calm demeanour but competitive spirit? He was the one housemate who emerged as the first and last Head of House. And on the dancefloor, he was a delight to watch alongside Joanna, another dance queen. There were also Rooboy’s loud commentary, Kuture’s street charisma, and Zita’s mischievous streak that kept fans talking.
For Sultana, every day was a revelation. From being so smitten by Jason Jae to becoming a woman of her own showed personal growth.
Koyin and Dede were the FBI agents in the house — very observant but quiet. Dede was particularly admired for her beauty and discipline. She remained clear on what she wanted and when she faltered, she picked herself back up and moved on.
Faith, one of the most beloved housemates, and a strong contender for the title, was disqualified after a physical altercation with Sultana. The incident shocked many fans, as Faith had been widely admired for his intelligence throughout the season. As a social experiment, the house was an emotional roller
coaster with laughter, tears, rivalries, and rare moments of stillness. On days when the housemates won their weekly presentations, the joy was palpable. The house turned into a happy place where they relaxed, laughed, and played games to keep the mood alive.
The reverse was the case whenever they lost their wager. The solemn faces and bouts of bickering were enough to make viewers wonder if they would ever recover, but they always did.
Even on days when the house seemed to get the best of them, some housemates found solace in one another, unafraid to let tears fall and to be comforted by a friend. After all, they were only human. Big Brother was also there. Sometimes with words of comfort and wisdom, other times with a well-timed joke to lift their spirits.
Beyond the housemates themselves, the season also drew appeal from the sponsored tasks and games, which brought out the contestants’ competitive side. Each challenge saw them pushing harder, determined to walk out of the arena victorious
Outside the emotional drama, the show dazzled with inventive twists. The Red Envelope Search replaced traditional nominations, adding suspense as housemates scrambled for hidden envelopes containing the word Immunity. The Tree
of Trinkets gave Heads of House new powers — to save multiple housemates or even cancel evictions entirely. And then there was the Red Telephone, where an unexpected ring could mean a prank eviction or, in Kaybobo’s case, the chance to “buy” a spot in the finale through accumulated weekly earnings.
With ten seasons behind it, Big Brother Naija continues to evolve. It is an ever-shifting mirror of youth culture, ambition, and identity. It has become more than just a TV show; a social experiment that captures how Nigerians dream, argue, love, and rebuild. More importantly, it has become a launchpad for careers. Think of past winners like Miracle, who continues to pursue his aviation dreams. Or Mercy Eke, the first female winner whose entrepreneurial footprints continue to expand. Even those who didn’t win, like Bisola Aiyeola, remain fixtures in entertainment. She is always on our screens. Whether she is acting, hosting a show or simply advertising a product or service to us. And there lies the magic of Big Brother Naija: it doesn’t just create winners but stars. That magic was the spirit of the 10/10 season. Whether they left early or stood till the end, every housemate walked away a winner, carrying a piece of the Big Brother Naija story in their hearts.
A surprised Imisi when she was announced winner.
Imisi and her mother at the prize presentation
Gerontocracy and Underdevelopment in Cameroon: Does It Not Ridicule Unconstitutional Change of Government?
Africa’s future does not have the potential to be bright if African scholars do not wake up on a more serious note to address obstacles militating against a greater Africa. It was in 1972 that Walter Rodney gave an exegesis of the exploitation of Africa. The exegesis is contained in his book, How Europe underdeveloped Africa. He not only traced the exploitation to European Slave Trade as a basic factor and to the coming of imperialism and colonialism, but also noted the contributions of Africa to the development of European capitalism. Put differently, it was partly, if not largely, thanks to the exploitation of Africa, that European capitalism came into being.
It has become a desideratum for all seasoned scholars in Africa to engage in a more critical thinking on how Africa is underdeveloped by Africans themselves. If colonialism and imperialism are major dynamics of underdevelopment of Africa, how do we explain the recidivist character of the non-development as of today? Without doubt, Walter Rodney gave his own understanding of what we should mean by development and under-development. As he put it, ‘development in human society is a many-sided process. At the level of the individual, it implies increased skill and capacity, greater freedom, creativity, self-discipline, responsibility, and material well-being.’ As for under-development, it is ‘not absence of development, because every people have developed in one way or another and to a greater or lesser extent. Underdevelopment makes sense only as a means of comparing levels of development. It is very much tied to the fact that human social development has been uneven and from a strictly economic viewpoint some human groups have advanced further by producing more and becoming more wealthy.’
In this regard and comparatively, why is it that Africa has not been able to compete well internationally in terms of economic development? Walter Rodney did not talk about the underdevelopment of Africa by Africans. If he did not, what prevents the African academics from doing so? In an attempt to identify some rationales, we attempt to inquire using the Cameroonian presidential gerontocracy as a first level of analysis. This is done within the context of non-acceptability of unconstitutional change of government in Africa.
Gerontocracy and Unconstitutional Changes of Government Africa’s policy attitude towards unconstitutional change of government is noteworthy in three ways. First, it marks a departure from the policies of non-interference and non-intervention in the exclusive domestic affairs of Member States. Under the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), emphasis was placed on non-interference. With the transformation of the OAU to the African Union (AU) in 2002, the principle of non-interference was jettisoned. Secondly, unlike the principle of non-interference under the OAU, which was almost religiously adhered to, the alleged zero tolerance for unconstitutional change of government under the AU has not been so religiously complied with. Thirdly, and perhaps more importantly, a legal background was given to the zero tolerance policy. For instance, there was the Lomé Convention done in 2000 which addressed the challenge of unconstitutional changes of government. So was there the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG), which was done in 2007 and which identified military coups, mercenary or rebel interventions, refusal of incumbent leaders to relinquish power after losing elections, as well as undemocratic constitutional or legal amendments to extend tenure and retain power. The AU Peace and Security Council is given the mandate to enforce this regulation by either suspending any Member found guilty of the infraction from AU activities, or impose punitive politico-economic sanctions, or deny diplomatic recognition of such an unconstitutional government. What is particularly interesting about these measures is that the AU has been aiding and abetting unconstitutional changes of government by its inconsistent policy attitude. AU kept mute many times and some other times, the AU condemns but has no teeth to bark. For instance, in 2024, President Faure Gnassingbe reviewed the
: 0807-688-2846 e-mail: bolyttag@yahoo.com
Constitution of Togo to remove the term barriers in the Constitution. This was the pattern adopted by Cameroon’s Paul Biya. He came to power in 1982 following the resignation of President Amadou Ahidjo. In April 2008, Paul Biya got the Parliament to also remove the barrier of term limit in the mania of Togo. The AU could not do anything to change the situational reality. The same ineptitude of the AU was what occurred when the Chadian constitution was disregarded when the President of the country, Idriss Déby, was killed in the battle field and his son, Mahamat, was made to replace him on 20 April, 2021. The Chadian Constitution requires that in the event of absence of the president or when a presidential vacuum is created by force of necessity, the President of the National Assembly should organise an election within 60 days for purposes of replacement. The Constitution was simply set aside. All the proponents of zero tolerance at home and abroad, and particularly France, all kept quiet.
President Biya has been in power since November 6, 1982 and is seeking re-election for the eighth time, meaning that, with his current age of 92 this year, he may still be in power until 1999 in the absence of death. Cameroon still maintains the 7-year presidential term borrowed from France who had cut her own term to only five years. President Biya was the 5th Prime Minister of Cameroon, from 1975 to 1982, and the second President of the country before President Ahmadou Ahidjo died on November 30, 1989.
Why does President Biya want to be in power at 99 years of age
In essence, we do not have qualms with Gerontocracy as a form of government. Our concern is about the manipulation of the Constitution to enable prolongation of tenure of the incumbent president. When a zero policy for unconstitutional changes of government is declared, it is to enable an elected president to complete his or her tenure. It is to promote democracy and sustain neo-liberalism, which is generating new concerns in Nigeria. Without whiff of doubt, the more one lives is also the more he or she learns. In this regard, how does gerontocracy apply to intolerance of unconstitutional changes of government in Africa? What is the structure of gerontocracy? Who are the Cameroonians being specifically trained to succeed the current leaders? How do they interact with their peers in other African countries? In final submission, every re-election of President Paul Biya is a resultant from the fraudulent use of law in 2008 to remove the tenure barriers in the constitution. Even if there are old people elsewhere, invited to come back to power to help rebuild their nations, the truth remains that such more elderly people were invited. They do not commit any infraction in order to return or stay in power. The manoeuvre-driven gerontocracy in Cameroon is not helpful to national development and cannot but continue to have the potential of promoting unconstitutional changes of government. Paul Biya’s visible good-health deficit and inability to perform in public functions, while still struggling to remain in power is not only an abuse of power but a major mockery of black dignity. It is ridiculous.He should go and rest.
or still be President at 100 years? This question arises in light of the fact that he has not always been appearing in public functions. Several Cameroonians have been raising many concerns about this and have insinuated that his health has become very fragile. When public outcries appeared to be hitting him hard, President Biya banned in 2024 any public discussion on his non-appearance in public activities. This is dictatorship per excellence. By banning public discussions on his non-appearance, does that make him healthier? Does that mean not performing his official functions by himself? Cameroon has many critical problems that President Biya has not been able to meaningfully address. The cost of living has become very exorbitant, especially the cost of food. Youth unemployment rate is very high. It is important to note here that Cameroon has a population of about 30 million, 60 percent of whom are 25 years of age and below. What future have the youth in light of the system of gerontocracy in Cameroon? Apart from this, the northern part of Cameroon is still faced with armed banditry and secession struggle in the southern Anglophone region.
For over forty years in power, none of these problems has been given any acceptable solution. Of the 30 million people in Cameroon, 8.2 million aged 20 and more are eligible to vote. Most unfortunately, however, voter apathy has been on the increase over the years for obvious reasons: no matter what, Biya is always scheduled to win any presidential election in Cameroon. One good point for reflection is the fact that, today, 12 October, 2025 the presidential election is taking place and he is expected to win. It was only on October 7, 2025, that is, less than a week that President Biya launched his campaigns for re-election. If he was not sure that he would not be re-elected, he would surely have been compelled to flag off his campaigns earlier on.
There is also the fact of a weakened opposition. During the 2018 presidential election, the main challenger then, Maurice Kamto, was disqualified while the other contenders could not agree on a candidate of unity. President Biya simply took advantage of the situation. He won the election with massive votes. Besides, the domestic environment in Cameroon has not substantially changed. Socio-political instability and agitation by the Anglophone Cameroonians for separate identity has not been resolved. The Cameroon and Africa of yesterday are still the same as of today. Which factors are responsible for this situation? In which way can it be posited that Africa is no longer under foreign exploitation in different ramifications as of today? Why is it difficult to do away with the colonial virus injected into the African blood? Why is Africa a problem unto itself? Why are African eyes no longer seeing clearly? Have African youths any brighter future if we consider the gerontocracy style of government in Cameroon? Why is Africa not looking at the scenarios of when there will be no more resources to be exported to Europe and America, and by implication, when Europe and America would have taken advantage of Africa’s resources to develop and there would not be anything left for Africa’s own development?
Gerontocracy as a Ridicule in Cameroon
The system of government in Cameroon, gerontocracy, is the government of people by old people. For instance, Paul Biya will be 92 years old on February 13, 2026. As noted by Akanni Dorcas in her “Meet Africa’s 11 Oldest Leaders Aged over 70, and published in the Vanguardngr.com, Paul Biya, ‘at 91, holds the distinction of being the second-longest ruling president in Africa and longest consecutively serving non-royal leaders in the world. If he was born in 1933 and he became the President of Cameroon in 1982, that means he attained power at the age of 49.
More importantly, if he served for the first two terms of 7 years each, there is nothing to suggest that he ever had any new or fresh creative ideas to govern Cameroon by 2014. If he could not do his best in the first seven years, which is almost the equivalent of a two four-year term in several democracies, every other subsequent term cannot but be a waste of time as all his development strategies would have been exhausted. The exhaustion of old ideas and fraudulent, as well as forceful efforts to remain in power necessarily prevent fresh and younger people to participate in the political governance of Cameroon. This is most ridiculous.
What is it that President Biya wants to achieve as a nonagenarian when as a septuagenarian and octogenarian, he could not perform any better? His Senate President, Marcel Niat Njifenji, is 90 years old. He was elected Senate President following the creation of an Upper House of Parliament by constitutional amendment in 1996 which only came into effect in April 2013. He has always been re-elected since then. His last re-election was in March 2025. The President of the National Assembly of Cameroon is Cavayé Yéguié Djibril and he is 85 years old. He has been occupying the position since March 31, 1992. The Minister of State and Minister of Justice, as well as the Keeper of the Seal, is Laurent Esso. He is 83 years old. He was appointed Minister of Justice on September 19, 1996. The President of the Constitutional Court is Clement Atangana. He is 84 years old and has not only been serving in that capacity since February 07, 2018, but has also approved the eligibility of President Biya to contest today’s presidential election. The oldest of them all, is the National Police General, Martin Mbarga Nguelé, who is 93 years old. He is older than the President. He was appointed on September 1, 2010 following a security shake-up. His retirement age has always been extended. Being a Delegate General, he has a ministerial ranking.
Read full
•Biya
Marketing A Greener Lagos TiTiLAyo oshodi
Once a marketing maven and mixologist, Titilayo Oshodi is now one of Lagos State’s loudest voices for sustainability. As the Special Adviser to the Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy, she continues to reinvent herself with every season, channelling her trademark drive into a greener, more sustainable future. Vanessa Obioha writes
Marketing a Greener Lagos
Since the E1 Lagos Grand Prix wrapped up last weekend, Titilayo Oshodi has barely caught her breath. Between meetings, briefings, and followups, the Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor on Climate Change and Circular Economy hardly had a moment to pause. But she isn’t complaining. For Oshodi, idleness makes her fidgety. While people may call her a workaholic, being productive is what makes her tick.
That restless energy has long defined her. Years ago, when her husband’s frequent travels left her with long stretches of time alone, Oshodi began channeling her curiosity into new pursuits.
“I remember during COVID, it was very difficult for me to be idle. So I got three certifications online from Harvard Business School,” she told me at a recent meeting at the Lagos Jetski Riders Club in Ikoyi.
Her diligence paid off when one of her online courses was sponsored, a stroke of luck that would eventually lead her to the Lagos State Office of Climate Change and Circular Economy (OCCE). She admits she initially knew little about the field, but today, she speaks about sustainability with the clarity of a scholar and the conviction of a convert. At the Grand Prix, her depth of understanding earned glowing remarks from Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu. It’s hard to believe that just a few years ago, climate change was nowhere on her radar.
Oshodi’s versatility has always been her superpower. Before public service, she cut her
through her side passion: training and development. During one of her corporate training sessions, she met Sanwo-Olu, who, at the time, had not yet become governor. Some years later, while Oshodi was at her bistro one evening, he called to ask if she would manage his campaign office. She accepted without hesitation. By the time he won the elections, she was invited to be his Senior Special Adviser on Administrative Matters.
“I was seconded to the Office of the Chief of Staff.”
Working in the public sector was a new terrain. “It was tough at first,” she admitted. “Coming from the private sector, where there are structures, performance indices, key indicators that you work with.”
Oshodi had to make some adjustments to fit into her new space.
“I learned a lot about public service, interpersonal relationships, negotiations, balancing and trade-offs. I have to understand the nuance and culture, because the nuance and culture in a place like the secretariat is a totally different kettle of fish. They are very hierarchical and structure-based.” Still eager to learn, Oshodi continued to build her skills, immersing herself in public communication and development strategy. When the opportunity came to head the OCCE, she hesitated.
With developed countries seeking new markets to offset carbon taxes, Africa, in her view, stands as the next investment frontier.
“Africa is the next destination to mitigate the carbon tax,” she stressed. “Because they (developed countries) are looking for what to invest their money in, Africa must begin to create projects and pipeline projects such as different pillars of climate action projects, for instance, waste management. We are one of the biggest underutilised countries in waste management.”
For Oshodi, one of the state’s biggest challenges — and opportunities — lies in waste management. “Lagos generates about 13,000 tonnes of waste daily, and only nine per cent is utilised,” she notes with concern. “That’s alarming.”
With a population of over 20 million, the reason for this is not far-fetched. She identified poor climate literacy as one of the bottlenecks of waste management.
“If, for instance, in Lagos, we have collection centres, where people know that they can go and drop their waste, whether PET bottles, cartons, textiles or electronics and they can make money, because there will be people who aggregate all of that in the value chain, they will do so.”
Other contributing factors include a lack of infrastructure and an altruistic mindset.
teeth in marketing communications — first as a Mary Kay Cosmetics marketer, and later as a business development manager at the experiential marketing agency Towncriers Limited. It was there that her interest in consumer behaviour was piqued.
“I realised that when we went for these activations, the communication and the purpose, the vision for driving events, was totally different from what everybody else was saying,” she recalled. “It was easy for me to look at an event as a drawing board or as a canvas. Every person, every supplier or every process, every item, was specially curated to achieve the communication objective of that event. So it was a joy for me to see how we could curate concepts to get people to buy caller tunes, to see how we could induce people to port from one network to another. We could study consumers and create competition such that on impulse, they commit themselves to what we want.”
That knack for understanding people’s impulses would later shape her entrepreneurial streak. When she left paid employment to raise her son, Oshodi launched a mobile bartending outfit called The Nook Café. She hired a mixologist to create cocktails for events, but one day, just before a major gig, he demanded higher pay. Cornered, she conceded but decided it would never happen again. True to her word, she flew to Las Vegas to study the art and science of mixology. By the time she returned, she was running her own bistro and confidently crafting cocktails behind the counter. Business was thriving until the pandemic hit, forcing her to shut down operations.
As fate would have it, her pivot came
“There were some industries that I was particularly interested in, but climate change was not one of them. I was interested in orientation, communication, strategy and development, sort of mind shaping, because when the campaign started for the second term, I developed a PR vehicle to shape the minds of young people about Lagos and the government. So I was willing to go into things like civic engagement but the governor believed that OCCE was the right place for me.”
Her husband couldn’t agree more. Such was the confidence in her performance that Oshodi was left with no choice but to embrace the opportunity with both arms.
Oshodi has since embraced the role fully, and even fashionably. Her signature green-rimmed glasses are not just an accessory but a statement of identity. “We live and breathe climate change,” she said. “We must make decisions guided by the tenets, the fundamentals, because the ideology is very amorphous. There’s no industry that is not affected by the change in our climate.”
She is quick to connect the global to the local, referencing the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement as she explains how Nigeria fits into the worldwide effort to reduce carbon emissions. While Oshodi does not yet see a climate change apocalypse she warned that: “If we do not make concerted efforts to look for alternative options in reducing the emission of carbon, we will be on the precipice of a disaster.”
But the good thing is that she sees a lot of economic opportunities to do things differently. These opportunities, she explained, span energy efficiency, aquaculture, green technology, and climate-smart agriculture and healthcare.
However, through initiatives such as Eco Circulate, the OCCE is turning that challenge into community empowerment. The programme rewards residents with phone credits, healthcare discounts, or transport vouchers in exchange for recyclable materials.
The programme has so far been implemented in eight communities including Badagry, Ayobo and Trade Fair.
“These are places that are densely populated for us to test the readiness or the preparedness, or the interest indicators you know from these community members, and also institute a collaboration between ministries, departments and agencies of Lagos state to help them achieve their mandates.” By doing so, Oshodi is not only teaching people how they can exchange their waste for value, but also how they can begin to be more learned. Waste today, according to her, has become a measure of exchange for value for a better, sustainable life.
Oshodi believes there is a high level of awareness of the circular economy in Lagos today because the strategy she and her team have adopted is to work with communities, but through business entities.
“Because if a business entity sees an opportunity for profits, you don’t have to teach that business to continue in it.”
Already, the OCCE’s Economy Business Network has linked over 700 environmentally conscious enterprises, helping them access markets, funding, and technical support. She pointed to a group of informal waste aggregators or “urban miners” who now earn up to N500,000 monthly from gathering and reselling recyclables to companies.
A graduate of economics, Oshodi views climate change through a marketer’s lens. Climate literacy, she believes, is everything, and cuts across all strata from households to businesses to government. Their understanding of climate change is vital in achieving sustainability.
Her communication background has also helped her to see the bigger picture. “What climate change has taught me as a marketer is to see it as a new market and drive it into the mainstream,” she concluded.
Oshodi
HighLife
Trepidation Envelops Kwara
Elites Amid Security Concerns
In the beginning, it was all whispers in Ilorin, with people lowering their voices when talk turned to roads. But for months now, violence has swaggered from Kwara’s southern flank, accompanied by bandits in the forests, kidnappers on the highways, and frightened villagers streaming north. And since the tone of conversation has shifted from sympathy to apprehension among people of means, safe to conclude that the fear has arrived home.
Since early this year, attacks have cut through at least nine of the state’s sixteen local governments. Oke-Ode saw a massacre in September; Patigi lost a village head just last week. The Nigerian Air Force now flies sorties over Kwara’s borders, and the Army has moved men into the forests. Yet, like stubborn smoke after a large fire, the unease lingers.
Even the privileged no longer feel beyond reach. The Ilorin elite, once certain that the crisis was a distant headline, now speak of “contingency plans.” Children are allegedly being sent abroad. Estates are reportedly hiring private guards. Social events are ending earlier than normal. All in all, it is a quiet panic—dignified, polite, but real.
In Abuja, the Senate has called for a permanent military base in Kwara South. Senator Oyelola Ashiru insists the response must move from episodic to permanent. His colleagues nod gravely. They speak of “foreign elements,” “ungoverned spaces,” and the familiar promise that this time, something will change.
But those who live closest to the threat no longer wait for the cavalry. In Isin, Ekiti, and Ifelodun, young men still form vigilante lines, guarding roads at dusk. They know the state’s reach is limited. They also know that life, somehow, must continue: markets must stay open, children must be taught, and farms must be tended.
If it has not done anything else, Kwara’s crisis should remind all and sundry that fear travels fast and far. It might start in the bush, but given enough room, it would settle into even boardrooms. And when even the safe are afraid, things must change for the better.
with KAYoDe ALFreD 08116759807, E-mail: kayflex2@yahoo.com
...Amazing lifestyles of Nigeria’s rich and famous
Adebayo Adelabu and Gospel of His Turn
Every election season births a sermon. This year, the pulpit belongs to Adebayo Adelabu, who says heaven has marked him out as the next governor of Oyo State. His proof? Two defeats, worn like badges of prophecy, and a conviction that persistence equals divine endorsement.
At a meeting with party faithful in Ibadan, the Minister of Power declared that “it is my turn” to succeed Governor Seyi Makinde in 2027. The phrase, borrowed from his political principal, rippled through the crowd in Yoruba: “Àwálòkàn!” He reminded them he had lost twice, to the same man, and insisted those losses were down payments on destiny.
Adelabu’s career hardly lacks pedigree. A former deputy governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, he boasts a first-class degree in accounting, a résumé polished by Harvard and Wharton, and
a grandfather whose name still rings in Ibadan politics. His hotels glitter across the city. His ambition, like his suits, is pressed and ready.
In 2019, he ran under the All Progressives Congress (APC) and lost. In 2023, he tried again under the Accord Party, another loss. Then came a ministerial lifeline from President Tinubu, who returned him to the APC fold as Nigeria’s power czar. For many, the new post should have cooled his political appetite. It did the opposite.
Oyo’s voters, pragmatic and unpredictable, have heard such claims before. “God has shown it’s my turn,” he told supporters, echoing the old slogan that once electrified Lagos. Yet politics, like power supply, obeys no prophecy. It flickers according to public mood, and Ibadan’s current runs through Makinde’s steady network of loyalists.
Still, Adelabu moves with the confidence of someone who thinks destiny has a timetable. He promises house-to-house campaigns and late-night persuasion tours. Perhaps he believes repetition itself bends fate. Or perhaps he simply enjoys the chase, the rhythm of trying again.
If faith truly moves mountains, 2027 will reveal whether it can also light Oyo’s path to Agodi.
Adebayo Ogunlesi: Recharting His Path Home
a meeting in Abuja with President Bola Tinubu, he signalled his intent to invest in his homeland’s infrastructure, aviation, and energy. He said little, but what he said is enough to make markets listen.
In that meeting, Ogunlesi told reporters he and his team are exploring opportunities across energy, ports, and aviation within Nigeria. He confessed his companies now manage ports abroad, Lomé and Cotonou, but none on Nigerian soil, and that is changing. His comment: “Watch this space.”
This is a pivot with ballast behind it. Ogunlesi co-founded Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) after years at Credit Suisse, steering it into airports, power, transport, and energy domains. Now, with GIP under BlackRock ownership, he remains on the board and has the freedom to direct new chapters of investment to Africa.
He spoke of Nigeria as “a huge gas province,” pointing to its untapped reserves. In his remarks, renewable energy also featured
Opeyemi Bamidele: The Senate Leader Who Ticks All Boxes
He walks into the chamber with a lawyer’s precision and a reformer’s patience. There is no grandstanding in his gait, no need for the theatrics that usually fill the red chamber. Yet, when Senator Opeyemi Bamidele speaks, the room stills. Even his pauses seem to carry an argument.
In an age of political noise, the Senate Leader from Ekiti Central has become the legislature’s quiet metronome. His rhythm is steady, his record striking. According to a new productivity barometer unveiled in Abuja, Bamidele emerged as the most active senator in the 10th National Assembly’s first session, with 92 substantive interventions, which is 6.42 per cent of all recorded deliberations. The data, drawn from every motion, debate, and committee report, crowns him as the upper chamber’s most industrious voice.
The report, the first of its kind by ERGAFAfrica, does more than flatter. It dissects performance into measurable proof: attendance,
debates, petitions, bills, and committee work. On that grid, Bamidele towers. The findings paint him as a legislator who treats the Senate floor like a workbench, shaping ideas rather than trading rhetoric.
His focus has always been deliberate. From pushing for judicial reform to steering debates on national security, he works with the patience of one who knows lawmaking is not a sport. And while most politicians chase visibility, Bamidele seems content with impact. Perhaps that is why, when the Democracy Heroes Award Africa selected its 2025 honorees, his name sat easily among them.
Those who know him trace the discipline back to his days as a lawyer and human rights advocate. The habit of rigour never left. Even colleagues, prone to cynicism, admit his attention to detail and his refusal to treat leadership as theatre. In a Senate still learning to value substance, he represents something close to old-fashioned merit.
prominently. His vision is not provincial but export-led: Nigeria supplying energy, transport, and trade to the region and beyond.
At 71, Ogunlesi bridges two worlds. His education spans Oxford and Harvard, his career flows from courts to boardrooms, and his personal narrative carries the weight of a homecoming: investing not because he must, but because he can. His statement about seeking forgiveness and bringing the port capital home carries both humility and audacity.
Critics may say that many have floated promises of grand infrastructure, yet few deliver. Ogunlesi’s advantage is that he comes from a world where deals survive scrutiny, where risk is measured, and execution is expected. His name alone carries global credibility.
So if in the coming months cranes rise in Lagos, terminals expand in Calabar, or aviation hubs shimmer in Abuja, keep an eye on one name. Ogunlesi may not just be an investor returning; he may be the force that helps turn Nigeria’s latent promise into operational reality.
Bamidele may never shout his achievements from the rooftops, but his record speaks in full sentences. It does give credence to the argument that, sometimes, the quietest man in the room writes the loudest part of the story.
Natasha Eats Humble Pie, Returns to the Senate
In politics, there are few sights rarer than a quiet return. On Tuesday, October 7, Senator Natasha AkpotiUduaghan slipped back into the red chamber after six months in the wilderness. No theatrics, no grandstanding, just the steady grace of someone who has weathered a storm and, hopefully, learned its rhythm.
The senator from Kogi Central had been suspended in March for alleged misconduct after protesting the reassignment of her seat. What began as a dispute over seating spiralled into a courtroom drama.
The Senate seemed to have taken the first step. They locked her office, cut her off from pay, and urged her
to apologise to Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Natasha responded by refusing fiercely. Six months passed. As the Senate reconvened from its ten-week recess, Natasha returned to her desk. Her office, sealed since spring, was unbolted on September 23.
Standing inside Suite 2.05 again, she smiled and said she never stopped representing her people. Perhaps that is her quiet defiance, serving even when silenced. For all the friction, her comeback carried an air of restraint, a kind of discipline that speaks louder than outrage.
The same morning, Akpabio addressed his colleagues, urging “accountability,
discipline, and purposeful governance.” His sermon found unintended symmetry in Natasha’s presence. The Senate, after all, has a way of staging moral theatre. One moment, it scolds. The next, it forgives. Somewhere in between lies the unspoken truth: power humbles everyone eventually.
As some observers have mentioned, Natasha’s return does not close her story; it only resets it. The chamber she reenters is still lined with rivalries and memories that refuse to fade. Yet in reclaiming her seat, she has done something harder than fighting—she has endured. And in Abuja’s choreography of pride and politics, endurance may be the only form of victory that still feels honest.
He once built airports; now he eyes ports. Billionaire investor Adebayo Ogunlesi is stirring whispers in Nigeria again. After
Adelabu
Akpoti-Uduaghan
Abdulrazaq
ogunlesi
Bamidele
The water gleamed like polished steel, and Lagos held its breath. When the RaceBirds sliced through the lagoon at the weekend, it was more than sport; it was spectacle, symbolism, and a shot of history in motion.
For three days, the city became the newest port of call on the E1 calendar, the world’s first all-electric powerboat championship.
Gov Adeleke
Sanwo-Olu Etches His Name in Gold with Africa’s First E1 Race
It joined Monaco, Venice, and London in hosting a futuristic sport where speed meets sustainability. The Victoria Island Lagoon turned into a playground for hydrofoil vessels that flew over water at 50 knots, powered not by fuel but ambition.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu stood at the centre of it all, smiling like a man who knew he had just etched his name in gold. Lagos, under his watch, had become Africa’s first host of the E1 Series, a milestone in clean energy and blueeconomy innovation. “We are bold, resilient, and ready to take our place on the global stage,” he said.
The race began with a boat regatta that painted the lagoon in colour and music, Lagosians crowding the waterfront in easy celebration. By Saturday, the serious business began: qualifying trials that sent boats skimming across the water with surgical precision. Team Rafa, owned by tennis legend Rafael Nadal,
took pole position, while Tom Brady’s crew followed close behind.
From Ikoyi to Marina, the city hummed. President Bola Tinubu sent his goodwill message, praising Lagos for leading the continent toward a cleaner, more sustainable future. Billionaire Femi Otedola called it “history made,” hailing Sanwo-Olu’s boldness in placing Lagos at the centre of a global conversation about innovation and green growth.
But beyond the glitz lay something quieter: the sense that Lagos had turned a page. Once known for traffic and grit, it now told a different story: one of water, technology, and confidence.
When the final spray of the race settled over the lagoon, the crowd still lingered, reluctant to leave. Perhaps they knew that history, once written, does not wash away.
Jittery as Omisore Throws His Hat into the Ring
There is a new rhythm in Osun politics, and it does not sound like ‘Buga.’ It sounds like a quiet but deliberate movement as Iyiola Omisore, the political mathematician from IleIfe, slips back into the arena.
Recently, the former APC national secretary declared his ambition to contest the 2026 Osun governorship election, launching what he called the “Osun Rescue Mission.” Within minutes, the state’s political air thickened. Supporters in Ife hailed his return. Party elders whispered strategy. And somewhere in Ede, Governor Ademola Adeleke might have felt the first real tremor of 2026.
Omisore, who once served as deputy governor and later as senator, promised to restore structure and confidence to Osun’s governance.
“APC’s chance in 2026 is 100 per cent,” he said, a claim equal parts arithmetic and audacity. His loyalists insist he is the one candidate who can wrest power from Adeleke’s dance floor. It is a bold bet and a familiar rivalry.
In 2018, Omisore’s last-minute endorsement of the APC helped Gboyega
Some birthdays slip quietly by. Others shimmer with meaning, like a well-earned pause in a long, purposeful journey. For Dr. Muiz Banire, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, this year’s birthday feels like that kind of moment, a soft celebration of a life spent wrestling with justice and shaping how it’s understood in
Oyetola edge out Adeleke in a contentious rerun. That wound never quite healed. The memory of it resurfaced when Davido, Adeleke’s famous nephew, posted a cryptic “BEFORE 12 pm” moments after Omisore’s declaration, an online wink that set tongues wagging.
The exchange drew chuckles, memes, and quick math on social media. Some saw it as a sign of confidence, others as nervous humour. But few missed the subtext: the same forces that once decided Osun’s fate may again be drawing battle lines.
For Adeleke, who came to power in 2022 on a wave of populist energy, this is a different tempo. The man who danced his way into Government House may soon need new choreography, something sturdier than rhythm, something closer to strategy.
Politics in Osun has never lacked drama. Yet this one feels more personal, like a rematch set to a familiar beat. And as the drums start to roll, only one truth rings clear: in this state, history never leaves the dance floor.
The World Celebrates Muiz Banire … As He Adds Another Beautiful Year
Nigeria.
Born on October 6, 1966, in Olowogbowo, Lagos Island, and raised in Mushin, Banire’s story began in a neighbourhood that prized grit over glamour. He grew up with a restless mind, the sort that devoured textbooks and memorised Arabic verses for sport. That early mental discipline would later find expression in law, his chosen tool for fairness in a country that often forgets what fairness feels like. By 1989, he was called to the Bar. A few years later, he founded his own firm, M.A. Banire & Associates, balancing courtroom advocacy with two decades of teaching at the University of Lagos.
Banire’s blend of intellect and idealism caught notice. First, by Lagos’ reform-minded governors who made him Commissioner for Special Duties, then for Transport, and later for Environment. Each role turned policy into practice: LASTMA, the BRT system, and the very rhythm of Lagos traffic bear his imprint.
Twice As Nice Boss, Waheed Shonibare is Dead
He began with shirts in a car trunk and turned them into a fashion empire. Now, the man behind Nigeria’s beloved Twice As Nice brand, Waheed Shonibare, is gone. His death, confirmed by family sources last week, has left a quiet ache in the country’s fashion scene. The cause remains undisclosed.
Shonibare’s story was one of reinvention. A Pharmacy graduate of Ogun State University, he swapped test tubes for textiles, chasing the art of dressing well. In 2000, he opened a small shop at Kolex Hotels in Fola Agoro, Lagos. From that modest space grew a chain of nearly 30 outlets across Nigeria and Ghana, each a shrine to polished masculinity.
He built Twice As Nice on British tailoring: shirts by T.M. Lewin, Hawes & Curtis, Fred Thomas. Then he paired them with local flair. The boutiques spoke of quiet luxury, attracting upwardly mobile professionals who saw dressing as both
armour and art. “We build trust in what we do,” he once said, describing his secret as a mix of quality, service, and charm.
Shonibare’s success was also a personal rebellion. Friends recall a young man determined to carve his own path rather than live off his late father’s wealth. He started small, selling shirts from his car while doubters whispered that fashion was a gamble for dreamers. His triumph silenced them, turning Twice As Nice into a household name for tasteful dressing.
Beyond commerce, he served on the Lagos State Pilgrims Welfare Board, a reminder that he moved easily between faith and fashion, business and service. Those who knew him speak of humility stitched into ambition, the rare combination that makes success feel deserved.
Now, his passing leaves a void lined with elegance and unfinished dreams. Twice As Nice remains open, its windows filled with
In 2015, he earned the rank of Senior Advocate, then a seat on the National Judicial Council. By 2018, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him Chairman of AMCON, where he applied his signature mix of diligence and quiet reform. Yet through every office, Banire stayed fiercely independent, declining ministerial appointments and insisting that leadership includes knowing when to step aside.Outside government, he founded the United Action for Change, a civic think tank for justice, rights, and accountability. He often says society thrives only when the law serves the people, a conviction that has outlasted every title he has held.
So, as the world salutes Barrister Banire at 59, here is something extra to celebrate: being calm, firm, and unfinished, the man’s life reads less like a résumé and more like an argument well made.
folded shirts and soft light. Somewhere in those displays lives his ethos: that style, at its best, is a kind of grace.
No fanfare trails him through the corridors of Alausa, yet his fingerprints are everywhere, starting from the quiet hum of servers processing tax filings and extending to the renewed confidence of Lagos businesses that finally see order in the chaos. Ayodele Subair, Executive Chairman of the Lagos Internal Revenue Service (LIRS), has become the calm conductor of the state’s fiscal orchestra.
When Subair stepped up in 2016, Lagos was already Nigeria’s economic heart, but its tax machinery creaked like an overused generator. He oiled it. Digitised it. Then rebuilt the rhythm altogether. Now, in 2025, as Nigeria overhauls its tax laws, Lagos stands ready.
Experienced eyes recognise this to be a readiness by design rather than luck. At a recent Lagos Chamber of Commerce forum, Subair’s composure told the story: the city is prepared to lead, again.
The four new tax laws signed by President Bola Tinubu mark a turning point for the country’s fiscal identity. They promise simpler rules, digital filing, whistleblower protection, and a faster appeal system. Yet behind those broad promises lies the more delicate task of making people believe in the system. That, Subair knows, is the real work.
His office has already begun the dance of transition of training staff, updating digital portals, and holding open forums to explain new compliance rules. He calls it “building trust through transparency,” a mantra he has lived by since launching Lagos’s first Whistleblower Initiative, an experiment that turned scrutiny into collaboration. Even civil society groups applauded.
Inside the LIRS, Subair’s leadership style is less whip, more quiet compass. He once raised salaries by 70 per cent for junior staff, insisting that “a motivated workforce multiplies revenue faster than fear ever will.” Promotions follow merit, not patronage. In Lagos, that feels almost radical.
Today, as new national reforms loom, Subair’s Lagos stands like a test case for Nigeria’s ambitions. Clearly, here is a place where tax is less about punishment and more about partnership. The quiet accountant at the top may never court headlines, but he is proof that governance, when done right, hums louder than applause.
Sanwo-Olu
Subair
Adeleke
Shonibare
Banire
Dave Umahi: A Tale of the e lephant and Ant
I don’t know which one is the elephant and which one is the ant in this matter o. The other day, the Minister of Work, Hon. Dave Umahi and the very influential and decidedly stubborn TV personality, Rufai Oseni went at each other. Shocking language was used on live TV. Thankfully, it was not a physical discussion; otherwise, someone would have been thrown in the air, and the other would have found himself either naked or his clothes half-torn. It appears that both had things on their shoulders against each other as Dave set out from the bell with powerful and stingy blows at Rufai. Rufai, not one to back out of a fight, started shouting: “Hon, Minister, keep quiet, Hon. Minister, sit down, Hon. Minister, if you will let me.” Hon. Minister sef no gree: “Rufai, keep quiet. Rufai, you are too little for me to report you. Rufai, this is nonsensical. Rufai, I will blow you ooo.”
Well, I wrote a piece on the matter, which Rufai did
BovI: THAT ASABA or wHIcH ASABA?
During the week, Nigerians marked the 58th anniversary of that heinous act carried out on the Asaba people during the Civil War. It is said that about 1,000 people wearing white and carrying green leaves to welcome the troops were mowed down and buried just like that. I watched this celebrated comedian go through the harrowing story on Instagram and burst out in tears. He described how the people trooped out in merriment and how what they met was bullets and carnage. The most painful part of his story was that those who survived were now asked to bury the dead, and one man saw his brother in the hole still alive and begging him not to bury him alive. The soldier told him pointblank, “You bury him or you die” - and that was it. Too many stories, too gory to be recapped, so I will leave it at that. For now, my thinking is for us to push vigorously, truth and reconciliation. The Asaba people have been asking for this all of these years, and I think the
not find funny, and he gave me a piece of his mind. Rufai was not the only one who did not like the piece. A lot of our mutual friends called in to say, “Ohhh, he is your friend, why go at him in public? You should have spoken to him privately.”
The spat was in public, and I have a public voice, so me too I jumped into the matter in public. My position is clear, both sides were wrong by the way they attacked each other, because they cost us the opportunity to get the facts about that ‘miracle road’ that we really need to know.
Shouting and being abusive cannot be in the tenets of any profession except the motor park touts, and if you like, come and beat me. The truth is that both were “motor parkish” in that programme – agbero’s in suits. Sorry, na one person wear suit. I no even know wetin that minister wear that day with his stomach pushing at the buttons. Shameful, if you ask me. Thanks.
federal government should come out and take a categorical stance on this matter so we get true closure. Thanks.
omoYele Sowore: I HAD A BAD DreAm
I had a very bad dream about this activist recently. Yes, I dreamt that he lost his life in the struggle. The dream was gory and sad. I woke up in tears and in sorrow. I tried to reach him, but could not. He has shouted out about his fear for his life in this struggle for Nigeria. Nigeria has never been short of martyrs. The sad thing is that those sacrifices really have not led to any fundamental change. See Ken Saro-Wiwa and crew. The things they fought for are still very prevalent, if not more today. If MKO Abiola woke up today and saw the democracy he fought for, he would beg for his life back. So throwing yourself up to be possibly martyred is something that I will really think twice about in our country. We need serious prayers as we plod on in this country. It is not a struggle for only one man; it is
so bad that even the President is complaining. Everybody is complaining, even those who seem to be enjoying the lucre are also complaining. Processes, order and institutionality have been weakened to the point that we are getting very close to –every man for himself. I don’t even know what else can be done. We have talked, cried, railed and prayed, but things seem to be still going down the drain. Every election cycle throws up the same thread of discontent amongst the people. Poverty is ravaging, despondency is plenty, and it is very, very difficult to keep an optimistic face when it comes to Nigeria. For my brother Sowore, all I can do is to pray really hard for you. God will give you the strength to keep standing, but what you really need is the wisdom to navigate these perilous times. God be with you, my brother. Thanks.
ADe ADefeko: HIS vISA, oUr pAIN Ade is the consul of an African country in Nigeria. He is a well-travelled bogeyman who
is very powerful in international talk circuits. As I was scanning through reports seeking content for this column, I stumbled on a clip of him speaking in one of the many international conferences that he so often attends. He spoke o, but what caught my attention was when he said that he used N480,000 to travel to Abuja to get a visa that cost him N78,000. He was shut down by the moderator, who felt he was going out of context, but knowing Ade very well, he pushed back and reclaimed the spotlight and finished his treatise by calling for one passport for all Africans so that we can travel easily and trade easily.
Mbok, Ade, no go do the one that they will now come and be pursuing you o. Remember that was what Gaddafi called for, and na for gutter we pick his eyes and another gutter we see his right toe.
For me, the ongoing pushback by the international community on not only Nigerians but others from such “despoiled” states should be seen as a wake-up call. We should now push to stay back and redirect the huge resources
Umahi
Jonathan
oborevwori
Nnaji
we spend on travel, tourism, health, and education abroad to rebuilding our nation. We humiliate ourselves too much by rushing to these countries. Nothing is so humiliating as standing at the immigration desk of a foreign airport and person wey never bath will be asking you mumu questions because you are holding a Nigerian Passport.
For me, if we build this country, people will be fighting to come – like Detty December and we would be begged to come to their country, not this one that we sneak in and they will be pursuing us up and down on their streets and deporting us like disused sanitary towels. Ade’s dilemma is the dilemma of a country that has lost its place of pride, sure and simple, and we can only get this back if and when we decide to heed the call of nationhood. Thank you.
UcHe NNAjI Fell THroUgH THe crAckS
This one has resigned. How they even have the mind to do these things continues to baffle me. You did not complete school, and you went ahead to forge a degree and NYSC certificate when all you needed was just primary six. Why not go to school part-time or online and finish the damn thing, even as a minister? Would that not have sent a more powerful statement than this one that you have been labelled a forger? Was it not Obasanjo who went to NOUN after he left office? Did Gowon not go back to school after it all? What is this craze for academic excellence without doing the work?
Now everybody is a Dr., even someone who did not pass primary six is parading himself as Dr. Everywhere you go is Dr. this and Dr. that. If you ask what discipline, they will say honorary. It is so bad that those who actually worked for their doctorates are now finding it very difficult to confidently wear that toga because of all the Nnajis of this world going around and calling themselves Dr. Don’t let me even talk about the screening processes. Shebi it is just to bow down and go, and Akpabio will shout, ‘The Ayes have it.” That is how simple it was for this Nnaji person to pass through the screening to be named, of all things, Minister of Science and Technology. A man who did not complete school and who faked himself to glory. Thankfully, he has been ousted and an example has been made of him, and for once, I agree with Atiku, he should be prosecuted. Simple.
IS gooDlUck joNATHAN reAllY rUNNINg?
Wait o. It is looking like as we progress, this baba’s ambitions are getting real. Former President Goodluck Jonathan is looking like, against all common sense, he will be throwing his hat in the ring.
Not that I think that there is anybody who can defeat Tinubu today in Nigeria, his candidacy
would most likely block any real, robust threat to Tinubu’s second term, as it will divide votes, throw in rancour and distract us from the main challenge that we need to give Tinubu.
I think Jonathan is believing the hype of the hypocrites around him, or what else can one say? Which voting bloc does he control- is it South-west or South-east? Or is it North-west?
Can he defeat Wike in Rivers, or can he take out Akpabio in Uyo? The only thing going for him is facial recognition as a former president and his bowler hat. That is all. He has no feet on the ground, nothing from his administration to hold as a bragging right. Not an orator and not a strong personality. What exactly he is selling beats me, and the whole
FolASHADe ojo-TINUbU:
THe IYAlojA AND THe obA
I have never commented on this personality. Not even when I see her attend events and is received as the President of our country, complete with coat of arms and national anthem. I had decided very early not to carry my wahala to her side and have been minding my business.
Well, the motorcade has reached the ancient town of Benin, where the Oba has stood stoutly on the main road and said, “No road here.”
It has been reported that an Iya loja of all Benin Kingdom had been appointed, and Mummy had moved in with all pomp and pageantry to inaugurate and felicitate with her. Things were going smoothly, although with some slight murmuring, until it got to the palace of the highly revered Oba of Benin. The Oba of Benin, who is not human and
is not expected to fear humans, no matter how much power they wield, cleared his throat and poured water on the charade.
The Benin culture does not recognise such a title, and the title is for each market, a cultural one and not a political one. He was said to have told the Iya Oloja in council. Well, I don’t know how mummy took it or what she replied or who she slapped in her team for such embarrassment, all I can say at this point is that there are limits to some things na. Let’s not get too carried away with this four-year or at best 8 years interregnum and be doing things anyhow. There are places and things you do not touch, even if you are Emilokan’s daughter, and the Benin heritage is one of such places. A word is enough for the wise. Thanks.
thing is making me believe what some analysts are saying that he is being thrown up by Tinubu to shore up opposition and if this is true, then that would be humiliatingly sad.
IS IT reAllY ADebAYo ADelAbU’S TUrN?
Copycat Power Minister has declared that it is his turn, and who will blame him? In a polity where issues are never factored in during political considerations, it is the mantra “my turn” that holds sway. Shebi aburo has watched his egbon do it at the federal level and emerge victorious; it would then be too foolhardy for him to go on the road to discuss his plans for the long-suffering people of Oyo State, especially in critical areas of health care delivery and the rest.
To be taken seriously, he must toe the pathway of “emilokan”; otherwise, the people will just hiss and walk away.
The sad thing about this mantra is the message it connotes to rightthinking people. For me, it says, “Look, others have come and done their thing; it is my turn because I have either been watching them or helping them, and I am tired of doing that. As such, by compulsion, you guys must put me there whether I deserve it or not.”
That is the real explanation behind that mantra, and Nigerians were left with no choice but to obey that command; otherwise, we will “lu le.”
Today, Oyo people are faced with the same dilemma – either vote for a poor-performing power minister or vote for Bayo Adelabu. Either way, they will be done for, because it is his turn.
I wish Oyo people well and sincerely do wish their emilokan candidate all the grace he thinks he deserves in this race. Crap.
wAlIYAH AbIolA STole THe SHow As you all know, I am in London for my show on Chief MKO Abiola. Please don’t vex o, let me just say one thing about the show.
After the show, the very beautiful Waliyah Abiola came on stage and delivered a very powerful homily in tears. She talked about unity, sacrifice and all those great things that make a serious nation. She mentioned that she lived those days with her father in Lagos and witnessed all that happened and prayed that Nigeria should never go through the stress like that again. She was given a standing ovation after her speech as the audience welled up in tears. The irony of it all was that Rear Admiral Augustus Aikhomu, who was number two in the regime that played a key role in the annulment, also had his child and grandchildren in the hall. Legacy is very key. Our leaders must always think about legacy in all they do; otherwise, history will bite them.
Imagine being an Aikhomu’s descendant in that hall that day. Just imagine.
Folashade ojo-Tinubu:
Who Will Settle Abiodun, Daniel’s War?
Across political platforms in Ogun State, one of the issues that has gained traction is the running battle between the state’s governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun and a former governor, Otunba Gbenga Daniel, who is currently representing Ogun East Senatorial District in the Senate.
Until recently, their feud was discussed in hushed tones. It has now become a fullblown political duel, exposing the deep fault lines in the Ogun All Progressives Congress (APC).
Initially, both political gladiators had publicly denied plotting against each other, but the political undercurrents and a flurry of recent confrontations suggest otherwise. The trigger, according to insiders, is the Ogun East Senatorial seat currently held by Daniel, which Abiodun is reportedly eyeing, as his tenure ends in 2027.
The first visible crack came in 2023, when DATKEM Plaza, a multi-storey complex in Ijebu Ode belonging to Daniel’s wife, was demolished by the Abiodun administration on allegations of planning violations, even while litigation was ongoing. The senator has since faced a string of contravention notices and quit orders on other properties, including his residence and hospitality ventures in Sagamu and Ijebu Ode.
e xemplary b usinessman, Sir Kessington Adebutu, Hits 90
For some days now, Iperu in Ogun State has been witnessing a flurry of frenetic activities, making it even livelier. Several major roads, as well as strategic locations across the town, famous for its limestone deposits used in cement production, are adorned with beautifully imposing billboards featuring images of Chief Kessington Adebutu.
The respected billionaire businessman is not seeking any elective post, so it cannot be said that his political allies or party members are behind the widespread advertisements. Neither is he about to be conferred with any chieftaincy title — he has received several of those already — so it’s inaccurate to suggest that his family and loved ones have invested time, energy, and resources in these outdoor congratulatory displays for that reason.
Instead, the buzz which has caught the attention of many both within and outside the country is tied to the forthcoming 90th birthday celebration of the businessmancum-philanthropist.
Reliable sources disclosed that while the birthday festivities will commence at his palatial home in Iperu, the grand celebration
will be held later at the prestigious Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, where the legendary Juju musician and King of World Beats, King Sunny Ade, is expected to entertain an elite gathering.
Without a doubt, the Odoole of Yorubaland is one of the few born under the proverbial lucky star. He had a humble beginning, starting at Cable and Wireless Limited (now NITEL) as an operations clerk in 1956. A few years later, he resigned to establish his own business, which has since diversified into several sectors, including agriculture, petroleum, hospitality, manufacturing, entertainment, and real estate, among others.
Today, the visionary Adebutu is regarded as the father of the lottery business in Nigeria, having registered his Premier Lotto company in 2001. A firm believer in vision, determination, and teamwork, Adebutu has consistently championed Africa’s right to chart its own course by harnessing its abundant resources for the benefit of its people.
Indeed, he has been showered with grace, favour, as well as Providence in abundance. He is not only celebrated for economically
To say that Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Adewale Akanbi, loves controversy is putting it mildly. The monarch is the true definition of a controversial personality. It is difficult, if not impossible, to recall a
Again, o luwo
empowering many Nigerians but also for endearing himself to the public through his uncommon philanthropic gestures.
of Iwo Stirs the Hornet’s Nest
particular positive story about him since he became monarch of the ancient town of Iwo in Osun State a decade ago, as he has consistently rolled in the mud of controversy. Already, some of his actions and comical displays in public are reportedly becoming a grave concern for his subjects.
A few days ago, in his usual character, he stirred a hornet’s nest when he decided to call out the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Adeyeye Ogunwusi, whom he has been feuding with.
On social media, he alleged that the Ooni conspired with his former wife to assassinate him, but he was lucky to escape the assassination attempt. Rather than dignifying him with a response, the Ooni chose to ignore him as usual. However, Chanel, his former wife and mother of his first son, Prince Oduduwa, wouldn’t have any of it as she responded to his accusations,
“My attention has been drawn to recent
Kola Karim’s wondrous Donation to Olubadan
allegations circulating in the media and public space, purportedly involving His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife,” she wrote on social media. “I wish to categorically state that such statements are venomously untrue, misleading, and highly damaging to the sacred institution of culture and traditional affairs in Yorubaland.
“For the avoidance of doubt: I was introduced to Mr Akanbi by a popular Lagos monarch at a party in Ikeja, not by His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife. During my time as Olori Oluwo, I respectfully regarded this Lagos monarch as my royal father and continue to hold him in that regard to this day. At no time did this monarch introduce me to Mr Akanbi to unalive him or with any malicious intent.” She also disclosed that the Oluwo has not been involved in the life of his son, Prince Oduduwa, emotionally or financially for over five years.
It was alleged that the demolition drive is less about urban planning and more about political cleansing, a bid to weaken Daniel’s grassroots influence across Ogun East. Sources close to both camps say the battle for structures, projects, and visibility has intensified, with Daniel accusing the state government of sabotaging his constituency projects, even as Abiodun insists on regulatory compliance.
Abiodun, who hails from Iperu Remo in the same senatorial district, is said to be eyeing the Senate seat to remain politically relevant after 2027. Daniel, on the other hand, sees Ogun East as his long-nurtured political base and is unwilling to yield ground. The rivalry has spilt over into the APC family, with Daniel recently being suspended by his ward over alleged antiparty activities.
This move, according to his loyalists, was part of a broader persecution plot.
Political observers maintain that the Abiodun–Daniel feud is about who defines Ogun’s next chapter and not just about the coming elections in 2027.
Daniel, a two-term governor with old PDP roots, commands deep respect among the Remo and Ijebu blocs. Abiodun, a technocrat-turned-politician, seeks to stamp his own legacy and succession plan without the shadow of his predecessor. While Abiodun has the instruments of power, Daniel still wields grassroots loyalty, with an awe-inspiring structure built over the years.
This, no doubt, may set up Ogun East as one of Nigeria’s fiercest intra-party battlegrounds ahead of the next general election.
There is no gainsaying in repeating the fact that energy tycoon, the Agbaoye of Ibadanland and Managing Director/CEO Shoreline Energy International, Kola Karim, is a quintessential entrepreneur whose success story in energy and other sectors of the economy is worth studying. Though he started his trade on a shoestring budget, he has today grown in leaps and bounds.
With his entrepreneurial skills and, of course, a full dose of providence, he has been able to turn the small business into a multi-milliondollar investment and a world-class brand. This incredible spurt in the size of his personal fortune has earned him recognition and awards.
As the Agbaoye of Ibadanland, he has not been found wanting in contributing to the development of the ancient city. Many still recall when he stepped into the shoes of the late Harry
Akande, the former Agbaoye of Ibadanland. Akande’s passing on December 5, 2020, set off a tortuous search by the Olubadan and the chiefs to find another worthy “son of the soil” who could step into the large shoes of the city’s highest honorary chieftaincy title. This was hardly unexpected, considering his towering status in life.
For more than a month, the seemingly circuitous search for a fitting replacement—one who had to be wealthy, powerful, influential, and well-connected—dragged on.
Eventually, after wide consultations, Karim, a world-class business magnate with vast wealth and multiple enterprises, was unanimously chosen for the distinguished title. His emergence was well received by all, for he embodies the class and social eminence that have long been associated with the age-old honorary title.
Since he became Agbaoye, those who
According to the late President of the United States, Calvin Coolidge, “No person was ever honoured for what he received. Honour has been the reward for what he gave.
When the Managing Director of Eleganza Industrial City Limited, Chief (Mrs) Folashade Okoya, MON, left the University of Lagos many years ago as a graduate, she never shut her heart out of the tertiary institution. Rather, the beautiful woman has continued to contribute her quota to the school that helped in moulding her.
The industrialist, alongside her billionaire husband, Chief Razak, became one of the top philanthropists giving back to the school without blinking. Not that they expect anything in return, but simply for their love and passion for humanity.
Today, her contributions have not gone unnoticed, as she will be honoured among the distinguished ambassadors and accomplished
selected him have never had any reason to regret their decision, as he has contributed in no small measure to the growth of his fatherland.
alumni of the university — individuals who have excelled in government, academia, and the corporate world. According to information gathered, the awardees will converge on the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Friday, October 17, 2025, where they will be conferred with the Distinguished Alumni Awards during the 55th Anniversary Awards and Recognition Dinner organised by the University of Lagos Alumni Association.
It was further revealed that Vice President Kashim Shettima is expected to grace the occasion as Special Guest of Honour, while renowned medical practitioner and Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland, Olor’ogun Dr. Sonny Kuku, will serve as Chairman. The President Worldwide of the University of Lagos Alumni Association, Engr. Ifeoluwa Ayodele will host the event as Chief Host.
Adebutu
Daniel Dapo
Karim
A publicAtion
No Redeemer in Sight, Yet Onyema Offoedu-Okeke Makes the Spectacle Sing
In his ongoing Lagos exhibition, onyema offoedu-okeke distils Nigeria’s turbulent narrative into a visually arresting, thought-provoking meditation that demands both attention and reckoning. okechukwu Uwaezuoke reports
Perhaps it helps, when encountering Onyema
Offoedu-Okeke’s ongoing solo exhibition
Time of Redeemer at Liquid Hub Prive — a private club tucked away in the leafy, upmarket enclave of Ikoyi, Lagos — to imagine the nation itself as a theatre of restless allegories. Take his canvases: they stage not merely art, but a full-blown political opera. Horses blaze across boulevards; oligarchs barrel through barricades in gleaming Rolls Royces; women toss sleepless in fields of oppressive whiteness; and a young boy balances a bicycle on his head like Atlas bearing his globe. Elsewhere, Handel’s Messiah drifts through painted air like incense. Curated by Juwon Olusanya, the exhibition is less a collection of paintings than a reckoning — a mirror held up to Nigeria’s postcolonial fugue state, by turns searing and absurd, sardonic and luminous.
Offoedu-Okeke belongs to one of the rarest breeds in Nigerian art — artist, critic, architect, polemicist — the kind of polymath who moves seamlessly between brushstroke and broadside. His career has unfolded as a sequence of well-aimed disruptions: in London, with the Barclays-backed shows of 2003; in Athens, at the so-called “Olympics of Art”; in Miami, with a solo revelation; and in Artists of Nigeria, the monograph that remains the closest thing to scripture in local art circles. But here in Ikoyi, his double act — painter and provocateur — collapses into a single, blunt thesis: that art, not punditry or data dashboards, remains the most incisive instrument for vivisecting a nation’s failures. It’s a grand claim, perhaps — but then, Offoedu-Okeke has never been one to think small.
The viewer is drawn into the grease-streaked world of “Technocracy” (Automobile-Mechanic), a workshop bathed in shafts of light, with a lone mechanic at its center. The scene feels at once ordinary and sanctified — a space where skill becomes devotion and competence, a form of prayer. Offoedu-Okeke seems to suggest that if Nigeria’s leaders approached their duties with the same meticulous care as this engineer with his spanner, the nation’s journey might be less Sisyphean. Light spills into the workshop like revelation, consecrating technical mastery in a country too often enthralled by improvisation.
But soon, the steeds burst onto the scene. In Wind of Change and Fire of Change, they thunder across the canvas with messianic intensity — less gallop than prophecy. They embody economic upheaval in motion, revolution personified, history charging forward whether the powers that be approve or not. Evoking, if faintly, the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse, these equine apparitions are both electrifying and unnerving — the raw energy of progress when harnessed, the wildfire of revolt when ignored. Offoedu-Okeke’s brushwork is grand and unflinching, his horses not merely subjects but emblems: metaphors, harbingers, avatars of a nation that refuses to stay broken.
If the horses embody flux, the Rolls Royces embody stasis — gleaming monuments to inertia. In “Trial of Oligarchy”, their chrome arrogance bulldozes through protest placards, impervious to the chants of the marginalised, as though silence were the only soundtrack they recognise.
“Persistence of Oligarchy” doubles down on the satire: even after the revolution’s dust has settled, the elites remain, lounge-lizard-like, in their Rolls Royces — leather seats unscathed, champagne still chilling, classism as rigid as the glass that separates them from the street. OffoeduOkeke’s fury here is laced with wit and acid, his brush biting where sermons would falter. Nigeria’s oligarchs, like his painted Rolls, glide through every conflagration
with engines purring — history reduced to their private joyride, with not a speed bump in sight.
Sections of the show seethe with social commentary — a scathing indictment of a system long in disarray. In “Stand Dey Looku-Looku”, the passivity of the masses curdles into complicity, a damning portrait of a populace numbed into acquiescence while corruption metastasises unchecked. “Standoffs and Stalemates” orchestrates an operatic deadlock — brass cannons frozen mid-blast, ideologies cancelling each other out in a haze of smoke and mirrors that obscures the deus ex machina of peace that might yet save them all. In “Passengers of Fate”, a rickety vehicle hurtles through history, its passengers lashed together by what the artist — like many Nigerians — views as colonial happenstance, strapped in for the ride whether they like it or not.
Meanwhile, “Locomotive Ideation” (Bicycle Headload) delivers a wry parody of the “japa” dream: a boy balancing precariously on a bicycle, transportation rendered both escape route and high-wire act. Onyema’s fury softens into compassion in “Sleepless” (Women in Whitish Space), where anxiety seeps into women’s bodies like ink — their cultural ornamentation both badge of honour and camouflage. In “Fashionable Scars”, he skewers the chic stoicism of the Nigerian condition, where suffering is worn like couture and hardship is rebranded as resilience — pain as performance art.
And yet, hope flickers — stubborn, perverse, incandescent. “Epiphany in Black” envisions faceless masses bursting forth like fireflies in a darkened forest, a thousand tiny illuminations of defiance. “Free Your Mind” doubles as both warning and rallying cry, urging an electorate to cultivate a healthy suspicion of its redeemers. “Time of Redeemer” itself offers a paradoxical vision of salvation: a horseman arriving not in triumph but in humility — all dust, hooves, and grace. And in “Driver of Dreams”, hope is distilled into the fragile, outstretched hand of a child. Through it all hovers Handel’s refrain — “I Know My Redeemer Lives” — oscillating between faith and delusion, a stubborn refusal to surrender belief in a nation perpetually teetering between collapse and resurrection.
The exhibition shifts gears, traversing a range of symbolic terrains — from the marketplace grids of “Trade Concourse” and “Umbrella Concourse”, where the constitutional veins of commerce pulse with life, to the softly illuminated tomes of “Entrance of the Word Brings Light”. These canvases may speak in quieter tones, yet they hum with resonance, reminding viewers that economy, law, scripture, and introspection all form part of Nigeria’s restless bloodstream. In “A New Day Is Here”, the streets erupt into a cacophony of highlife and juju — a carnivalesque storm that briefly sweeps away the fog of conspiracy and despair. If Nigeria’s national narrative ever needed an epigraph, it might well be this: a theatre of the absurd in perpetual dress rehearsal for salvation.
Offoedu-Okeke’s brushstrokes are indeed both caustic and compassionate — painting potholes as metaphors, Rolls Royces as cartoonish villains, bicycles as parables of precariousness. He dissects a nation gridlocked yet perpetually convinced that the messiah is just around the corner. His canvases seethe with indignation but also shimmer with absurd humour — a tragicomedy that feels unmistakably Nigerian: suffering and smiling, groaning and dancing, despairing and hoping in the same breath.
The redeemer may never arrive, but in this solo exhibition — a collaborative feat by Truview Arts, Frames Gallery, The Romulus Group, and Liquid Hub Prive, running from
Yet another view of the exhibition hall
October 1 to 31 — the theatre of expectation becomes an artwork in itself: a volatile symphony of frailty, fervour, futility, and faith. And if redemption never comes, the spectacle will still shimmer on — heartbreaking yet exquisite. After all, in Nigeria’s grand narrative of endurance, even despair knows how to strike a pose: resilient, unbowed, and lit from within.
A view of the exhibition hall
Another view of the exhibition hall
Reviving Fela’s Spirit in “Afrobeat Rebellion”Exhibition
Stories by Yinka Olatunbosun
An ambitious new exhibition exploring the life, music, and enduring legacy of Afrobeat pioneer, panAfricanist, and activist Fela Anikulapo-Kuti is set to open in Lagos. titled Afrobeat rebellion, the exhibition will run from October 12 to December 28, 2025, marking the first time the celebrated project will be shown on African soil.
Originally conceived and presented by the Philharmonie de Paris, Fela Anikulapo Kuti: Afrobeat rebellion captivated audiences in France between October 2022 and June 2023. the Lagos edition—reimagined by the AWhitespace creative Arts (AWcA) Foundation with support from the French embassy in Nigeria and the Kuti family—brings the experience home, transforming the ecobank Pan African centre (EPAC) into an immersive journey through Fela’s life, music, and radical vision.
In Paris, the exhibition drew global audiences into the world of the Afrobeat legend, showcasing his stage costumes, unpublished photographs, rare recordings, and personal effects. Each display traced Fela’s evolution as a revolutionary musician and political activist whose influence continues to shape global music and inspire generations of artists.
EXHIBITION
“Supporting the Afrobeat rebellion in Lagos reflects our belief that culture is a bridge,” said Laurent Favier, consul-General of France. “It’s a natural and welcome continuation of the successful Paris edition—a celebration of Franco-Nigerian collaboration and a cultural gift honouring Fela’s legacy, who was deeply appreciated in France, while strengthening dialogue between our two nations.”
Launching with a VIP opening on October 12, the Lagos edition expands on the Paris model with a vibrant cultural programme designed to connect multiple generations—those who lived through Fela’s era, young Nigerians discovering his impact, and international visitors drawn to his activism through music. Supported by the French embassy in Nigeria, ecobank, and other partners, the exhibition underscores Fela’s dual legacy as both a musical icon and an uncompromising political visionary. reinterpreted by AWcA Foundation and curated by June creative Art Advisory (JcAA), the Lagos showcase will feature multimedia installations and key programmes, including a Live Music experience curated by Lanre Masha. Since music was both Fela’s weapon and his witness, live performances will punctuate the exhibition’s run—from opening-night sets featuring ezra collective and Seun Kuti,
to special appearances by Femi and Made Kuti, and collaborative sessions with contemporary artists such as Sodi Marciszewer, chike, A, YKb, and Vaedar. the goal is to ignite a spirit of experimentation among young artists inspired by Fela’s Afrobeat revolution.
Another highlight, the talks, will convene thought leaders such as Yeni Kuti, Prof. Oyeronke Oyewumi, Falana, Ade bantu, Minna Salami, and Kadaria Ahmed for in-depth discussions on Fela’s ethos, political activism, and cultural impact. these sessions will span the exhibition period, complemented by Kalakuta Cinema—a film series curated by S16 Collective. Named after Fela’s fabled “Kalakuta Republic,” the screenings will feature seven films including Music Is a Weapon, the Lost Okoroshi, Mami Wata, timbuktu, and Finding Fela. each film reflects Fela’s philosophies of resistance, political consciousness, and African identity, inviting audiences into dialogue around art and activism.
For younger visitors, Young rebels’ corner offers a dynamic creative space for children aged 6 to 15. Running alongside the main exhibition, it will host school groups, families, and individual visitors for hands-on activities—such as the rebel Scrapbook, Jam Station, and Anikulapo Design Workshop—aimed at nurturing a new generation of creative thinkers who understand art as a tool of empowerment.
the broader programming will include interactive sessions engaging artists, writers,
and curators across disciplines. Featured events include Karatu book readings (with works like Kalakuta republic by chimurenga, Dis Fela Sef! by Benson Idonije, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, and Arrest the Music by Tejumola Olaniyan), the Manifesto: the Weapon of the Future showcase, the Òrò Abamì Spoken Word competition, and Dance for Freedom, a movement workshop led by the Mud Art company.
read full Article online - www.thisdaylive.com
Nigeria to Chronicle 8,000 Years of Art in Landmark Heritage Project
In a historic move to reclaim and celebrate Nigeria’s cultural heritage, the National commission for Museums and Monuments (NcMM) recently signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with crimson Fusion curators to document over 8,000 years of Nigerian art and creativity.
The project, titled “A Window into the Soul of a People: 8,000 Years of Art in Nigeria,” aims to trace the nation’s artistic journey from prehistoric times to the present day. It will chronicle artefacts such as the 8,000-yearold Dufuna canoe, the Nok terracottas, Ife bronzes, and benin plaques, alongside the works of contemporary Nigerian artists who are redefining global art narratives.
Expected to span more than 750 pages, the publication is being described as one of the most ambitious visual and scholarly archives of Nigerian art ever undertaken.
“this initiative will go a long way in dispelling the misconception that we are primitive or incapable of creating enduring masterpieces,” said Olugbile Holloway, Director-General of the NcMM, during the signing ceremony. “even when the Ife
MUSEUMS
heads and Benin bronzes first stunned the world, deliberate efforts were made to deny Nigerians full credit. this partnership is about reclaiming that narrative and present-
ing our heritage as it deserves to be seen.”
For Oriiz U. Onuwaje, Chief Curator of Crimson Fusion Curators, the project is not merely documentation—it is a matter of cultural survival. “Our art must be properly recorded and presented because documentation is not a luxury—it is cultural survival,” he said. “When we strengthen our claim to it, we unlock its economic potential and assert our identity as the art superpower we truly are.”
Onuwaje, who created and edited The benin Monarchy: An Anthology of benin History—popularly known as the benin red book—described the MoU as the continuation of a lifelong commitment to heritage storytelling. “In over 35 years in this business, I have not seen an art economy truly blossom in Nigeria—the simple reason is a critical lack of documentation,” he added.
The project also builds on the curatorial team’s experience with the Intersecting Worlds of climate change, the Mangroves and Art, a 2025 exhibition that fused environmental consciousness with creative expression. that initiative underscored the power of art as both identity and activism— a theme the new documentation seeks to
amplify.
crimson Fusion has assembled a team of leading experts to drive the project. Professor Frank Ugiomoh, serving as chief technical consultant, pledged to help elevate Nigerian art to global prominence. “When Nigerians take ownership of their narratives, they tell their stories with the highest level of authority and authenticity,” he said. Other consultants include Prince Olaseinde Odimayo, who will advise on traditional and contemporary art, and Solomon Ikhioda, who will oversee design and strategy. the collaboration between the NcMM and crimson Fusion curators merges institutional authority with curatorial expertise, signalling a new approach to cultural preservation. beyond archiving history, the project seeks to position Nigerian art as a driver of tourism, education, and national renewal.
“When complete, A Window into the Soul of a People will not only document centuries of creative expression but also reaffirm Nigeria’s place as a powerhouse of artistic innovation,” Holloway said. “Our heritage is not just memory—it’s momentum.”
How One Teen Turned Rejection Into Resilience
At just 17, Edu Muyyassir, a freshman at Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos State, studying information science and media studies, has turned personal adversity into an inspiring message of hope, determination, and resilience.
His debut book, titled the comeback code, serves as a practical guide to overcoming life’s challenges. the book is gaining attention as a timely resource for young Nigerians and readers elsewhere, offering clear strategies and insights for navigating setbacks with strength and purpose.
An indigene of epe Local Government Area in Lagos State, edu grew up in a family of six. He graduated from Loyola Jesuit College, Abuja, where he described himself as an average student who later discovered his passion for writing, coding, and chess.
“I have a passion for writing, playing chess, and coding for software development. I can also design websites,” he said.
His interest in technology led him to develop an app designed to help people struggling with addiction, though he must wait until he turns 18 before publishing it on Google Play.
Edu’s journey into writing began with a major
setback.
“After securing a flight ticket to pursue my education in the United States, my student visa was denied because of restrictions under President Donald Trump’s administration,” he recalled. “The rejection left me in tears and on the edge of depression. It broke me, and I lost my joy.”
rather than remain discouraged, edu channelled his emotions into writing a book that speaks to anyone facing personal trials such as unemployment, addiction, grief, or illness. the book also addresses mental health issues, offering readers encouragement to rediscover purpose and build inner strength.
“this book can help anybody—students, workers, artisans,” he explained. “It’s written in simple chapters that encourage readers to take charge of their growth, start over again, believe again, and win again.”
edu also explores themes of parental and spiritual resilience.
“there’s a chapter on parenting in this generation, where social media influences young people in many ways,” he said. “Another chapter focuses on spiritual
resilience, reminding readers that there’s always light at the end of the tunnel and that struggle can be part of one’s journey to success.” toward the end of the comeback code, readers will find a section containing materials and exercises designed to help them begin their rebuilding process. currently available on Gumroad, and soon to be launched on edu’s personal website, the book is aimed particularly at young Nigerians grappling with the realities of a difficult socio-economic climate. edu said his goal is to guide secondary and tertiary
students toward success without resorting to drugs, crime, or violence.
“this book doesn’t promise to solve everyone’s problems,” he noted. “But it offers hope, encourages resilience, and helps readers develop a strategy for success. It also discusses resilience in academics and the workplace, helping young people clarify their goals and the steps needed to achieve them.”
Muyyassir
Fela
Oriiz U. Onuwaje with the DG, NCMM Olugbile Holloway
SMS: 08066066268
IN THE ARENA
Task Before INEC’s New Chairman, Amupitan
How the new Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN), combines his background in academia, legal reform, and institutional governance in his new assignment will determine whether his tenure will bring stability, discipline, and reform-minded leadership capable of restoring voter confidence and strengthening the credibility of Nigerian elections, Davidson Iriekpen writes
With the exit of professor Mahmood Yakubu from the Independent National electoral Commission (INeC) after serving the maximum two terms of 10 years, president Bola Tinubu, last Thursday, appointed professor Joash Ojo Amupitan (SAN) as the new chairman of the commission.
Before the announcement, president Tinubu had nominated Amupitan to the National Council of State for approval, whom the Council members unanimously endorsed.
In line with constitutional requirements, the president will also forward Amupitan’s name to the Senate for screening.
Amupitan, 58, hails from Ayetoro Gbede in Ijumu Local Government Area (LGA) of Kogi State. He is a professor of Law at the University of Jos, plateau State, and also an alumnus of the institution. He specialises in Company Law, Law of evidence, Corporate Governance, and privatisation Law. He was elevated to the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) in September 2014.
After completing his primary and secondary education, he attended Kwara State polytechnic, Ilorin, from 1982 to 1984, and proceeded to the University of Jos from 1984 to 1987. He was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1988.
He obtained an LLM from the University of Jos in 1993 and a phD in 2007, building an academic career that began in 1989 following his National Youth Service at the Bauchi State publishing Corporation, Bauchi, from 1988 to 1989.
Before his appointment, Amupitan served as the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Administration) at the University of Jos, a position he held concurrently with his role as the pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of Joseph Ayo Babalola University, Osun State.
Among the academic positions he held at UNIJOS were: Chairman of the Committee of Deans and Directors (2012-2014); Dean of the Faculty of Law (2008-2014); and Head of public Law (2006-2008).
Outside of academics, Amupitan served as a board member of Integrated Dairies Limited in Vom, a member of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Governing Council, and a member of the Council of Legal education (2008-2014), among other roles. He was a board member of riss Oil Limited, Abuja (1996-2004).
He is the author of many books on law, such as Corporate Governance: Models and principles (2008); Documentary evidence in Nigeria (2008); evidence Law: Theory and practice in Nigeria (2013), principles of Company Law (2013), and an Introduction to the Law of Trust in Nigeria (2014).
By the time he resumes office, Amupitan would be the first from the North-central zone to head the commission.
As Yakubu’s tenure drew to a close, speculations arose over who would succeed him, given that the next INeC chairman will play a pivotal role in determining the credibility of the 2027 elections.
The stakes are even higher as president Tinubu is expected to seek re-election, making public perception of INeC’s neutrality crucial to the legitimacy and integrity of Nigeria’s democracy.
All the elections conducted since 1999, when the country returned to democracy, have faced criticisms. The 2023 general election was not an exception.
The failure of critical election technologies, along with logistical delays, prompted allegations of bias, compromise, and incompetence.
By introducing the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the result Viewing portal (IreV), which promised real-time accreditation and transmission of results, Yakubu had raised expectations of credibility. Many Nigerians believed the 2023 general election would finally be different - a digital firewall against rigging and manipulation.
For this reason, they trooped out in hope, only to watch their dream shattered on collation night like a cheap glass. The failure of real-time
result uploads became a scar that refused to heal. Trust, the lifeblood of any democracy, was drained away in a matter of hours.
If the general election was messy, off-season polls under the outgoing INeC boss were a carnival of malpractices. From Anambra to Kogi, Bayelsa, Imo, to edo states, a dark pattern emerged: Logistics nightmares haunted every cycle like a bad spirit. Vote-buying became the currency of power. Collusion between politicians and compromised INeC officials turned the electoral process into a farce.
Last month’s off-season elections were also marred by confusion and violence in about 16 constituencies across 12 states, with security officers arresting officials of the commission and 288 thugs in Ogun, Kano, and Kaduna states, as well as widespread allegations of vote-buying.
Though Yakubu promised zero tolerance for malpractices, these irregularities thrived. On many occasions, many accused him of bending under pressure. His insistence on sticking to timelines in 2023, even when logistics and technical readiness were in doubt, backfired.
In Ghana, Dr. Kwadwo Afari-Gyan became a continental symbol of electoral integrity by insisting on transparency and accountability, even under immense political pressure.
So was South Africa, where the Independent electoral Commission earned global admiration for
FG Must end ASUU’s Incessant
After the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) had threatened to proceed on industrial action beginning fromthisweek,thegovernmentlastTuesdayquicklyreconstitutedandinauguratedanothercommitteeto‘accelerate ongoingdiscussions’withtertiaryinstitutions-basedunions, including ASUU.
The new committee, called ‘Federal Government Tertiary Institutions Expanded Negotiation Committee’, is to be headed by the Pro-Chancellor of the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
The Minister of Education, Dr.Tunji Alausa, who said the committee’s inaugural meeting would commence, urged all academic and non-academic unions to cooperate fully and respond promptly to the committee’s engagements.
its role in stabilising democracy after apartheid.
Also, in India, the world’s largest democracy, election commissions deploy cutting-edge technology and ruthless enforcement of electoral laws, ensuring near-zero tolerance for malpractice.
In contrast, technology was introduced in Nigeria but allowed to fail at the most critical hour.
It is for this reason that many were looking forward to seeing a credible, independent figure and someone with the spine of steel to resist the temptations and terrors of Nigerian politics. After all, democracy is not all about casting ballots; it also includes those who manage the process, their level of credibility, and integrity.
Democracy generally thrives when arbiters remain neutral, courageous, and consistent in the face of political pressure. Nigeria’s democratic future and socio-economic development depend on bold and unbiased decisions.
restoring the credibility of INeC begins with leadership that is independent of partisan influence. Nigeria needs an individual with an unblemished character as the national chairman of the electoral body.
This is why the appointment of Amupitan is critical, as it is coming at a time of heightened scrutiny; a time when the commission is facing demands for more transparent processes, improved technology, and timely delivery of elections. How he combined his background in academia, legal reform, and institutional governance will tell if these would be able to bring stability, discipline, and reform-minded leadership to the commission.
From day one in the seat, Nigerians expect him to disassociate himself from political affiliation and be courageous to do the lawful thing, no matter whose ox is gored. He must not just be a technocrat; he must be a reformer, an activist for transparency, a relentless enemy of electoral fraud.
As INeC chairman, many are anxious to see how Amupitan will restore voter confidence, strengthen the credibility of the voter register, and ensure that technology enhances rather than hinders elections. He must also balance political pressures with the commission’s independence, a recurring challenge in Nigeria’s democracy.
Those who know Amupitan closely say his life has been a symbol of service, integrity, incorruptibility, excellence, and unwavering commitment to the rule of law and participatory democracy. They are confident that with such a towering legacy, INeC under his leadership will experience a new dawn of credibility, transparency, and efficiency. How all these will strengthen Nigeria’s electoral system, restore public confidence, and uphold the sanctity of the people’s will, values he has always championed with conviction, the days ahead will tell.
ASUU and the federal government have been at loggerheads for more than a decade over a series of issues borderingonthewelfareofacademics,fundingandautonomy for the universities, all of which are contained in the 2009 agreement.
Penultimate week, the union had issued a two-week ultimatum for the government to address its demands. LastMonday,itsaidtherehadbeennoprogresssevendays intotheultimatum.It,therefore,askeditsmemberstogear up for a strike.
ThePresidentofASUU,ProfessorChristopherPiwuna, had warned that it should not be held responsible for any industrial disharmony that arises from the government’s failure to seize the new opportunity it offered to nip the looming crisis in the bud. He noted that the government’s
failure to fully implement the demands has continued to exacerbate crises in public universities.
But the education ministry said it is moving to ensure the conclusion of renegotiations with ASUU and other workers’ unions in universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
while the federal government should be commended foravertinganotherstrikebytheacademicunion,itshould ensurethattheissuesresponsiblefortheunion’sincessant industrial actions are permanently put to rest.
Each time there is a strike in the universities and other tertiaryinstitutions,thestudentssufferbecauseitprolongs their stay in school.With the current state of the economy, anything strike should not be allowed in our schools.
Critical stakeholders in the education sector must join handstofindalastingsolutiontotheproblemsonceandforall.
Amupitan
Alausa
BRIEFING NOTES
Uche Nnaji ‘s Sudden Fall
The allegations of certificate forgery against the former Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Uche Nnaji and his subsequent resignation may have dealt a fatal blow to his political career, despite his dismissal of the allegations and his insistence that he duly graduated from the University of Nigeria, e jiofor Alike reports
The camp of the former Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, Mr. Geoffrey Uche Nnaji in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State was thrown into mourning last Tuesday when news filtered in that President Bola Tinubu had accepted his resignation, following allegations of multiple certificate forgery against him.
Nnaji had been in the eye of the storm, over alleged inconsistencies with his firstdegree certificate from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), which he tendered for screening by the National Assembly as a ministerial nominee when Tinubu appointed him in August 2023.
He was alleged not to have completed his university education as both his Bachelor’s degree and NYSC certificates were forged, The Premium Times report showed.
Before Nnaji threw in the towel, his supporters had blamed his travails on the Enugu State Government, which they accused of sponsoring the allegations of certificate forgery against him.
Nnaji and the Enugu State Governor, Mr. Peter Mbah, hail from the same Enugu East Senatorial district.
While the former minister hails from Nkanu West Local Government Area (LGA), the governor hails from Nkanu East LGA.
However, there is no love lost between these two great sons of Nkanu since the 2023 general election when they contested the governorship election on the platforms of different political parties – Nnaji, on the APC platform, and Mbah, on the PDP platform.
Nnaji demonstrated that he was not a threat to the governor’s political ambition when he came a distant fourth with 14,575 votes, trailing behind Mr. Frank Nweke of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), who scored 17,983 votes, Chijioke Edeoga of the Labour Party (LP), who polled 157,552 votes, and Mbah, who emerged victorious with 160,895 votes.
However, Nnaji’s political profile rose when he was appointed minister and he became a thorn in the flesh of the governor in a supremacy battle for the control of both Enugu East Senatorial zone and the entire state.
There were speculations that Mbah’s alleged plan to defect to the APC was frustrated by Nnaji who allegedly feared that the governor’s emergence as the APC leader in the state would render him politically impotent.
His appointment as minister also failed to improve the fortunes of his own party, the APC, in the state as he was also linked to
the protracted intra-party crisis, which led to the resignation of the former Chairman of the APC in the state, Dr. Ben Nwoye, from the party in April this year.
With Nnaji out of the way, the APC has moved to return peace to the party in the state.
Barely two days after he resigned, the ruling party, in its 179th National Working Committee (NWC) meeting last Thursday in Abuja, dissolved the State Working Committee of the party led by Mr. Ugo Agballah, an ally of the former minister, and set up a seven-member caretaker committee headed by Nwoye.
There were speculations that the sack of Nnaji’s loyalists was preparatory to Mbah’s defection to the APC.
With the cat and mouse relationship between the governor and the former minister, it was not surprising that when The Premium Times report cited a letter dated October 2, 2025 by the Vice-Chancellor of UNN, Prof. Simon Ortuanya, indicating that the former minister did not graduate from the university in 1985 as he claimed, Nnaji’s supporters alleged that the state government instigated the vice chancellor.
Mbah was believed to have played a key role in the appointment of Ortuanya, a distinguished
legal scholar, as the 16th Vice-Chancellor of the institution in August 2025.
Reacting to the allegations of sponsoring or instigating the allegations of certificate forgery against the former minister, the Enugu State Government had urged him to “carry his cross” and personally clear his name before Nigerians.
A statement issued by the Director of Information in the state Ministry of Information and Communication, Chukwuemeka Nebo, said the state government had no involvement whatsoever in the controversies surrounding his academic record.
The news of Nnaji’s resignation apparently exonerated the Enugu State government with Mbah’s supporters describing it as an admission of guilt.
But the former minister insisted that the decision to step aside was a personal choice and not an admission of guilt.
In a statement he personally signed after leaving office, Nnaji said his resignation was borne out of a principled decision to respect the sanctity of due process and to preserve the integrity of the judicial proceedings currently before the court.
Earlier in the resignation letter, he had
also insisted that he had been the target of blackmail by political opponents.
Shortly before he threw in the towel, fresh evidence had emerged confirming that the academic credentials with which he secured his appointment in 2023 could not have been genuine.
A Premium Times investigative report revealed that while he gained admission into UNN in 1981 to study Microbiology/ Biochemistry, he dropped out without completing his studies.
But he claimed to have graduated from the institution with Second-Class Honours, Lower Division, in July 1985.
An October 2, 2025 letter by the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ortuanya, in response to Premium Times’ Freedom of Information request, showed that Nnaji did not return to complete his university education.
With his reputation badly damaged and his political opponents now in charge of the APC in Enugu State, Nnaji’s resignation and the allegations against him may have sounded the death knell for his political career.
His current travails may also be worsened by the growing calls for the investigation of the allegations and his prosecution.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) have all urged the federal government to launch a thorough investigation into allegations against him.
The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, who has hailed his resignation, describing the alleged offence as a criminal one, had earlier called for stronger rules and punishment for public officials who use fake certificates.
President of NBA, Afam Osigwe (SAN) described the allegations as “grave” and urged law enforcement agencies to act without delay.
On his part, Atiku, who berated the Tinubu-led federal government for allegedly deploying corruption and forgery as state policy, also called for investigations into the allegations against Nnaji.
On its part, the ADC also tackled Tinubu for accepting his resignation “instead of taking a tougher stance gives the unfortunate impression that the President is sympathetic to such behaviour.”
In a statement, ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, said a government that upholds integrity cannot afford to treat criminal conduct like a personal matter.
With these stringent calls for his investigation, it is believed that Nnaji will have his days in court in the coming months.
Iyaloja: Oba ewuare Defend edo Tradition, Culture
What was the daughter of President Bola Tinubu and Iyaloja-General, Mrs. Folashade Tinubu-Ojo thinking when she wanted to install Iyaloja in Edo?
Was she thinking that Edo State is part of Lagos or the South-west?
These were some of the questions that some persons asked penultimate week when Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, visited the palace of the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II to inform the monarch that she was in the state to inaugurate Pastor Josephine Ivbazebule as Iyaloja of all markets in the state.
Though the revered monarch took time to explain to her, the cultural role of market leaders in Benin Kingdom, he bluntly rejected the idea of introducing the Iyaloja title into
Edo markets.
Oba Ewuare stressed that Benin culture recognises the Iyeki as the authentic market leader, not Iyaloja. He noted that the Iyeki’s role goes beyond coordinating traders and includes important cultural duties tied to the palace. According to him, “Iyaloja is alien to us here in Benin. In Benin, you are in the home of culture, we have our culture here. I have discussed this matter with my chiefs and those that are knowledgeable. Do you know the role of Iyeki in Benin culture? Every Iyeki has a special relationship with the palace. Are you aware of that? Do you know that every Iyeki has a cultural role to perform inside every market?”
No doubt since Tinubu was elected president
in 2023, Tinubu-Ojo has been spreading her influence.
First, he christened herself ‘Iyaloja-General of Nigeria – that is the godmother of Nigerian open-air markets.
She was also said to have updated her Twitter bio with the title, “First Daughter of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (FRN)”.
She, thereafter, sent tongues wagging when a viral video where she positioned herself in what looked like a national broadcast, with Nigerian flags flying behind her, went viral. Days after the Oba rejected the move, a section of the market was said to have caught fire. This has to be thoroughly investigated to unravel the perpetrators. They should be arrested and face the full wrath of the law.
Nnaji
Oba ewuare
Odili’s Tips to Reduce Medical Brain Drain
At the two-day induction and oathtaking ceremonies of PAMO University’s graduates in Port Harcourt, former Rivers State governor, Dr. Peter Odili, called for urgent measures to curb the mass migration of medical professionals, Blessing Ibunge writes
Aveteran medical practitioner and former governor of Rivers State, Dr. Peter Odili, last week gave some tips to the federal government on how to reduce the ‘japa’ syndrome in Nigeria.
Odili, who is the founder of the PAMO University of Medical Sciences in Port Harcourt, said upward salary review would stem the mass exodus of medical doctors. He also gave another tip, urging states to emulate Rivers State by embarking on mass training of medical doctors through scholarship schemes, saying it would reduce the ‘japa’ effect by replacing those who leave the Speakingcountry. at the ‘Induction/Oath-taking’ of 65 newly graduated medical doctors from the university, the former governor who is also the Pro-Chancellor as well as Chairman of the university’s council, stated that the university has so far produced over 330 healthcare professionals in less than eight years of existence.
He added that if other institutions across the country could move at the same pace, the country would have enough medical practitioners and would not be affected by an unprecedented exodus abroad for greener pastures.
He inferred that the country does not have the power to stop workers from moving beyond borders but suggested attractive salaries and fast reproduction of medical doctors could be a better option.
The former governor also commended President Bola Tinubu for bold steps in the health sector, saying: “We congratulate him (Tinubu) and we urge him to pay very special attention to the training of health professionals because they hold the key to national health. A healthy nation is a wealthy nation.
“We must be healthy first before wealth. So, I congratulate him (Tinubu) and urge the federal government to invest more and also look at the review of the remuneration of health workers. That way, we would be killing two birds with one stone,” Odili added.
Odili similarly thanked the state government, particularly Governor Siminalayi Fubara, for the initiative and sustenance of the scholarships for indigenous students.
The Registrar/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), Professor Fatima Kyari, while inducting the graduates into MDCN, charged
them to be good ambassadors of the institution and the council.
Kyari advised them to see their field of career as a calling and not a profession, warning that any person who indulges in any unwholesome practice would be sanctioned accordingly by the council.
She further warned the inductees not to build their practice on the trending artificial intelligence (A.I.), but on empathy with human feelings, which she said connects doctors with their patients.
She commended Odili for giving women the competitive edge in the institution, noting that “At PAMO University, the span has grown from strength to strength”.
Two days earlier, the university had also graduated students from the Departments of Medical Laboratory Science, Nursing Science and Radiography and Radiation Science where Odili donated a total sum of N2.8 million and automatic employment to the graduates.
The 28 graduates, which included 18 from the Department of Nursing Science, seven from Medical Laboratory Science and three from the Department of Radiography and Radiation Science, would receive N100,000 each.
Odili, who announced the donation at a joint induction/oath-taking ceremony of the graduates of the institution, also announced automatic employment for three graduates from the Department of Radiography and Radiation Science, at the PAMO Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt.
The former governor assured the medical laboratory science and nursing science graduates that the governing council of the institution would do all it could to
ensure they get job placements. He appealed to them to remain worthy ambassadors of the institution, just as their predecessors.
He also commended the state government for its commitment to ensuring citizens of Rivers State have standard education, especially in medical sciences.
In his welcome address, the Acting Vice Chancellor of PUMS, Professor Smith Jaja, reminded the graduates that the pledge they made during the induction and oath-taking exercise would live with them forever.
The joint induction/oath-taking ceremony was administered to the graduates from the three departments by the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria (NMCN) and the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN).
PAMO University is Nigeria’s first private institution dedicated only to medical sciences. The institution is well-equipped and furnished to world-class standards and situated in a serene environment in Port Harcourt.
The university currently has three faculties: Faculty of Clinical Sciences, the Faculty of Basic Medical Sciences and the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences. Courses in the school are all fully accredited by medical and health professional bodies, including the NUC, MDCN, the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nigeria, Medical Laboratory Council, among others.
Hinged on maintaining its standards and policies, admission into the school is strictly based on merit with all the students taken in as residents on campus. It also has absolute zero tolerance for cultism and other related vices for both staff and students.
For students to fully concentrate on their studies and not show off affluence, they are not allowed to use private cars on campus, and are not allowed to loiter. Even visitors, parents and guardians are not allowed to have unscheduled visits.
Furthermore, the institution has some roles to foster modesty. It frowns at indecent dressing, as students are not allowed to wear revealing or provocative clothes. The school has a dress code for lectures and official functions for both students and officials.
PUMS boasts of conducive classrooms, halls, laboratories and library facilities and a home-away-from home hostel facility. Each room has two students. All the rooms are en suite with constant water supply and water heater. There is a 24-hour power supply policy.
One of the greatest strengths of the university is that it has an existing teaching hospital established by its founder, who is a renowned medical doctor, established in the 1980s called PAMO Clinics and Hospitals Group. This is in addition to the memorandum of understanding it has with the Rivers State government and the state University Teaching Hospital where its students have their clinical.
Currently, the management of the school has since unveiled PAMO University Hospital, a 250-bed integrated, purposebuilt multi-specialty, tertiary-care private hospital. It also offers patient care services across a range of medical and surgical specialties and accessible healthcare to communities in Rivers, neighbouring states and Nigeria at large.
The hospital also provides high-quality medical treatment in the area of internal medicine, family medicine, surgery, obstetrics, gynaecology and paediatrics to individuals, families and corporate organisations.
Unlike other universities where students are not exposed to hospital experience until they are in the 400 level, PAMO varsity ensures hands-on experience for the students at the hospitals.
This means that from takeoff, the hospitals would aid students right from early stages in order to have a full medical knowledge and experience.
Odili
When economists and market experts talk about economic stability, they are not saying danger is over or everybody is fine. It is like when you rush an accident victim to the hospital. The first thing the doctors want to do is keep the patient breathing, stop the bleeding and make sure the vitals — such as oxygen saturation and blood pressure — are within control. When the patient is no longer deteriorating and the vitals are within the reference range, doctors will tell you the patient is “stable”. It does not mean the wounds are healed or the fractures are gone. It does not mean the patient can start jumping. It means the patient is… stable. Keep it going and there could be recovery.
“Stability” to the person on the streets means something else. In practical terms, it should mean the cost of living is going down and the standard of living is going up. It should mean they can now afford food without tears. It should mean they can now buy their drugs and cater for their dependants without much agony. It should mean they can now go for a day without having to beg a relative or friend for money to meet a routine need. In other words, Nigerians on the streets are saying you cannot claim that the GDP is growing and inflation is coming down while they are struggling to survive and thrive. It means something is not connecting between the GDP data and the facts of life.
The topsy-turvy story of the Nigerian economy is well documented. We have been going through boom-bust cycles since the oil windfall era of the 1970s. Ironically, many view this as our golden era, when the government introduced fuel and meal subsidies, multiplied salaries and benefits and paid in arrears, set up airlines and shipping lines, and embarked on white elephant projects that gulped stupendous resources. We became overly dependent on imports. We set ourselves up for an appetite we could not sustain. When oil prices nose-dived, we went into severe pains, accumulating massive debts, failing to fund public utilities, and becoming drenched in neglect and poverty.
CHAIRING INEC
President Bola Tinubu has nominated Prof Joash Ojo Amupitan as the next chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), subject to senate confirmation. According to reports, Amupitan’s nomination was unanimously approved by the Council of State, of which all governors and former heads of state are members. There is a debate as to why the president, as an interested party, should be appointing the electoral chief. It is not new, but it is worth examining as we continue this democratic journey. But for as long as this constitutional provision is retained, we must keep whoever is appointed under scrutiny and engage with them constructively. Imperative.
But while we used to come out of despondency whenever there was a resurgence in oil prices, we woke up one day to realise that, like Samson in the Bible, our power was gone. Our head had been shaved. High oil prices were no longer enough to get us back to life. The quantity of the oil had gone down dramatically while our population had gone up astronomically. That is, “water don pass garri”. Our population was growing faster than our economic productivity. Yet, we kept deceiving ourselves that we were rich. We continued to subsidise petrol with unearned money, even pledging future oil production. We continued to subsidise the naira when we were not producing or exporting much.
Perhaps, tough measures should have been applied by President Goodluck Jonathan in 2014 when things started going down. Reforms would probably have been less painful at that stage. But there was an election the following year and Jonathan was not going to set himself up for defeat. If he had been re-elected, he might have been more courageous in correcting course. President Muhammadu Buhari came in, pitied the patient and opted for minimally invasive procedure. Neither the symptoms nor the ailments disappeared. Tinubu came and took the brutal decision but this dealt deadly blows on Nigerians, with the poor bearing most of the burden and the middle class running out of gas.
Speaking of which I was at the London Business School (LBS) on Friday evening where Mr Olayemi Cardoso, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), was hosted to a conversation on the monetary reforms. It was anchored by Hélène Rey, the Lord Bagri professor of economics at the LBS and a former professor of economics and international affairs at the Princeton University. A succinct introduction by Dr Nkiru Balonwu, the governor’s adviser on communications and stakeholder management, was followed by an overview of the reforms by Mr Mayokun Ajibade, former MD for Standard Chartered Bank in West and Southern Africa and now an
adviser to the CBN governor. Cardoso took the floor and answered questions from Rey and the diverse audience on the state of the Nigerian economy. He spoke largely on the theme of stability, recounting the issues that had often bedevilled the macro-economic environment — in lay language: inflation, interest, and foreign exchange rates, also referred to as the key rates. Whereas Nigerians often experience the economy in terms of the micro, which is the frontend — how it affects the person on the street — the backend, the macro, significantly shapes the micro. Of what use is the money in your pocket if inflation has turned it into a paperweight? What is economic growth if it does not add weight to your well-being?
The CBN governor, who was appointed two years ago, said the bank had to return to “orthodoxy” — doing monetary policy the traditional or “normal” way — in order to create transparency and credibility, and restore confidence to the financial markets. He spoke about how multiple exchange rates had damaged the economy, created opacity and uncertainty in the markets, discouraged forex inflows, fed and bred arbitrage, and culminated in unfulfilled obligations that backlogged up to $7 billion. The massive devaluation, he admitted, was painful and hurtful but that was the only way to reset the system and rebuild confidence. It was like amputating an accident victim to save his life.
“The devaluation looked draconian at the beginning but we are now seeing the results,” Cardoso said. “The naira has become stable. The gap between official and parallel markets that used to be up to 60 percent is now down to 1 to 4 percent. Scepticism has reduced. With the transparent system that is now in place, people no longer need to frontload their forex demands, which were usually borne out of uncertainty. The system now allows you to see who is buying and who is selling. The results are showing: more inflows, growing reserves, portfolio investment on the rise, trade surplus… all these developments have contributed to the
And Four Other Things…
FAKE FORETASTE
I remember telling my colleagues at TheCable a few months ago that the 2027 general election will witness the biggest deluge of misinformation and disinformation in our history. I advised them to be prepared. On Friday, Nigerians got a taste of what is to come with the wide circulation of the fake news that Prof Amupitan, the INEC chair nominee, was one of the lawyers that represented Tinubu at the election petition tribunal in 2023. Those who cooked up the story knew what they were doing — and people easily fall for misinformation and disinformation when it aligns with their prejudices and biases. Even AI will be manipulated to confirm fake news. We are in serious trouble. Terrifying!
MAKING REFORMS COUNT FOR MOST NIGERIANS
welfare is inadequate at all times, but especially when policy interventions have led to widespread immiseration. When it comes down to it, the only yardstick that a majority of Nigerians will use to appraise the administration is the personal, as no one pays bills with GDP and related figures. Therefore, the urgent task before the managers of the economy is to create a convergence between macro gains and micro benefits or at least to narrow the yawning gap. This will involve some deliberate actions that will be potentially more difficult to execute and measure than the first generation of economic reforms. The World Bank, through its latest
Nigeria Development Update (NDU), has conducted another timely health check on the Nigerian economy and offered some actionable prescriptions. Presented at a well-attended ceremony in Abuja midweek, the October 2025 NDU is appropriately titled: “From Policy to People—Bringing the Reform Gains Home.”
Indeed, policies have to be primarily about people’s welfare to make sense. The best argument for painful reforms is that the needed adjustments would eventually lead to marked reliefs for citizens. That is also the best insurance for such reforms. But when the reliefs fail to materialise or the pains linger, both the argument and the
RIP, CHRIS KOLADE
When I interviewed Dr Christopher Kolade in 1998, I instantly became one of his foremost admirers. I asked him if it was true he had committed his future earnings to his foundation to support girls’ education and leadership development, he replied: “I am not planning to build another house or marry another wife, so what do I need all the money for?” That ignited something in me. The retired broadcaster, mentor and business leader was a role model for me, with his sound Christian values and principles, nation-building worldview and philanthropy. The other person I similarly admired was Mr Gamaliel Onosode, who died in 2015 aged 82. Kolade has died 10 years later, aged 92. Adieu!
insurance become suspect.
In two sentences, the October 2025 NDU succinctly captured the duality and precarity of the country’s current economic reality: “Nigeria has made substantial progress on macroeconomic stabilisation… However, stabilisation gains have yet to substantially improve Nigerians’ livelihoods.” There you have it. As I have submitted previously, these two realities sit cheek-by-jowl, and there is no point denying either.
Many things caught my eye in the World Bank report, but I will dwell on just three that coincide with some of the points some of us have been making.
easing of inflation, although I admit it is still high.”
Cardoso spoke about how inflation is responding well to the monetary policies and how, for the first time in a long time, the GDP is growing faster than the population — a development that, if sustained, should translate the theoretical data into better life for ordinary Nigerians. He spoke on the recapitalisation of banks. This, he hopes, would lead to the redefinition of niche among the banks. No bank will lose its licence, he said. Those who do not have the capital base to operate at the highest level will have their licences downgraded, and if this goes well they will be expected to strengthen their activities at the lower levels to accommodate small and medium scale businesses.
As I sat in the audience and watched Cardoso speak, it dawned on me on how difficult the job is. He was honest enough to admit CBN’s limitations — after all, it only manages monetary policies. The political authorities manage the fiscal and spending side. If there is fiscal rascality — especially in a federation of independent states and local government areas which cannot be dictated to by the monetary authorities — the CBN will be left to manage the resultant mess. Handshakes between monetary and fiscal authorities are vital to the overall health of the economy, but while the central bank does a technical job, the fiscal authorities, being political, have their constituents to please. As we approach the 2027 general election, political risk can derail the reforms. Those familiar with Nigeria know that the economy is always flooded with cash in election years. The CBN has its work well cut out. When politicians pump free cash — money not backed by productivity — into the economy, it is an open invitation to inflation. More cash ends up purchasing fewer goods and chasing forex. You know what usually happens next. It will then be left to the CBN to solve the problem. Above all, what if there is a change of government in 2027 and the new president decides to restore petrol and forex subsidies in order to “protect the poor”? The reforms will simply end up in the mud.
NO COMMENT
Mr Uche Nnaji resigned as minister of innovation, science and technology after he was accused of being too innovative with his certificates by Premium Times, the investigative newspaper. Nnaji allegedly forged his degree and NYSC certificates. Although he continues to deny the allegation despite resigning, the fact remains that there is a certificate forgery epidemic in the country and it will continue to thrive until the culprits are decisively brought to book. A former speaker once told me how the house of reps wanted to constitute committees and asked everyone to show their certificates. The assemblage of forged certificates, he said, was beyond imagination. Nigeria!
The first point is the indisputable fact that Federation revenue has ballooned on account of the Tinubu reforms. According to the World Bank, the gross Federation revenue for the first eight months of the year grew from N10.24 trillion in 2023 to N26.98 trillion in 2025. Despite a dip in oil prices, the Federation earned more than two and a half of the size of its revenue of just two years ago. This is not surprising. Petrol subsidy removal and Naira depreciation alone should bring more money to the table for the three tiers of government.
Oyin Olugbile Wins $100,000 NLNG’s Prize for Literature in 2025
Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja
The author of Sanya, Oyin Olugbil,e has emerged the 2025 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Literature, clinching one of Africa’s most prestigious literary honours valued at $100,000.
The announcement was made at the weekend at the Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) Grand Award Night in Lagos by the Chairman of the Advisory Board for the Prize, Prof. Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo, who revealed
the winner out of 252 novels submitted for the NLNG-sponsored Prize.
The NLNG disclosed this in a statement by its General Manager, External Relations and Sustainable Development, Sophia Horsfall.
According to Adimora-Ezeigbo, Olugbile’s mythology retelling approach was distinct and daring for casting Sango as a female and for the projection of Yoruba mythology through a story that captivates and meanders into a fantastical world. She stated that Olugbile achieved this through
This buoyancy has rubbed off positively on fiscal deficit (4.2% of GDP in 2023 to projected 2.6% in 2025), debt-to-GDP (projected to decline from 49.2% in 2024 to 39.8% in 2025), debt service to revenue (projected to fall from above 80% in 2023 to slightly above 40% in 2025). In plain language, governments across tiers have had more money to play with and a greater fiscal headspace. The extra cash, the report adds, has made it easier for the governments to accommodate the extra spending necessitated by increase in minimum wage, interest payments by the Federal Government, and capital spending by the states.
But the picture is more nuanced. FG’s interest expense is projected to grow from 2.2% of GDP in 2024 to 2.9% in 2025, which might be an intimation of a worsening relationship between FG’s revenue and debt service. It is also noteworthy that deductions from gross FAAC revenue have been growing in both absolute and percentage terms. The report shows that FAAC deductions in the first eight months grew from N3.31 trillion in 2023 to N11.22 trillion in 2025, representing 32% and 42% of gross revenue respectively. The bulk of these deductions go to states as refunds and interventions. However, a substantial portion also goes to a few federal agencies as collection costs and earmarks, a point we will return to shortly.
The states are in the best fiscal position that they
The new Olubadan has a solid pedigree and a rich academic and professional background. A true son of the soil, Ladoja hails from Gambari Village in Ibadan. He graduated with a B.Sc. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Liège in Belgium and spent 13 years working at Mobil before venturing into business.
Oba Ladoja is in a class of his own. That said, there have been other well-lettered monarchs in Ibadan’s history, such as the 42nd Olubadan, Senator Lekan Balogun, who held a doctorate.
Oba Ladoja is among the few in this country who have headed a government before ascending the throne. His story is similar to that of Alfred DieteSpiff, who was the first military governor of Rivers State—created from the old Eastern Region—before becoming the Amayanabo of Twon-Brass in Bayelsa State. Ladoja was elected governor of Oyo State in 2003. Earlier, in 1992, he served as a senator representing the Oyo Central District.
As governor, he ran a people-oriented administration
lucid and straightforward language, making for easy reading.
“We were impressed by the quality of the shortlisted books written by three writers with diverse backgrounds and experiences. The books, Sanya by Oyin Olugbile; The Road to the Country by Chigozie Obioma, both published by Masobe Books; and This Motherless Land by Nikki May, published by Narrative Landscape, indicate an improvement in the quality of local publishing.
“After much careful assessments and deliberations, we concluded that very little separates the novels and each is a potential winner of the award. However, Oyin Olugbile’s Sanya slightly takes the edge and is therefore our pick as the winner of the 2025 The Nigeria Prize for Literature,” she stated.
She further announced Okwudiri Anasiudu as the winning entry for The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism.
Anasiudu won for his submissions titled Afropolitan Identity and Afrodiasporic Otherness in Selected African Novels; Allegorical Conjectures in Helon Habila’s Measuring Time; and Mimetic designs in Helon Habila’s Oil on Water. The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism comes with a $10,000 prize money.
In his opening remarks, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of NLNG, Philip Mshelbila, highlighted the enduring influence of literature, describing The Nigeria Prize for Literature as “a reminder of the power of words to shape identity and deepen understanding.”
“Winning the Prize is recognition of scaling the highest heights of literature. All the shortlisted books this evening are works of the highest calibre,” he said.
He also revealed that The Nigeria Prize for Science will be renamed “The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation.” He said
the new name reflected NLNG’s belief that progress depends as much on creativity and fresh thinking as on technology and infrastructure.
In another revelation, Mshelbila announced that NLNG would be resting The Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism and introducing a new Prize category The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, with focus on documentary film.
He stressed that the new prize would inspire a new generation of storytellers to inform, challenge, and connect Nigerians more deeply to who they are as a nation and who they can become.
On energy, he stated that according to the International Energy Agency (IEA), Africa requires over $200 billion annually in energy investments to achieve its climate and development goals.
He added that Nigeria has the capacity and responsibility to lead this effort. He stressed
that every kilometre of pipeline, every processing plant, and every household gas cylinder represents opportunities.
He emphasised that NLNG takes pride in what it produces and enables, adding that Train 7, now over 80 per cent complete, is a $10 billion demonstration of what happens when policy, planning, investment and execution align.
“It is proof that investment yields results. A clear example of Nigerian content development at work. And it is a signal that Nigeria can remain competitive in the global LNG market if we stay focused, coordinated and ambitious,” he stated.
During his speech, Mshelbila unveiled a new book “Voices of Our Leaders,” a commemorative book on NLNG’s history and progress over three decades. He noted that the book captures the voices of some of those who have guided NLNG’s journey from dream to reality.
In Rome, Peter Obi Offers Prayers for Unity, Peace, Responsible Leadership in Nigeria
The former presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Mr. Peter Obi, has called on Nigerians to remain steadfast in faith and shared responsibility as the nation grapples with political, social, and economic challenges.
Obi, in a statement after his recent trip to the United States and Rome, said he used the opportunity to “take Nigeria’s situation to God,” offering prayers for unity, peace, and responsible leadership. He addressed the Friendship
Club in the U.S., and spoke at the first Ubuntu African Youth Assembly in Washington the following day before departing for Rome to join his wife.
According to him, the pilgrimage coincided with the ongoing Jubilee Year — a sacred celebration held every 25 years in the Catholic Church. He said they dedicated their prayers to Nigeria’s healing and renewal.
“With hearts full of gratitude, we thanked God that, despite our differences and the many
Making Reforms Count for Most Nigerians
have ever been. A report by Agora Policy in July this year showed that the states overtook the FG as recipients of allocations from FAAC in 2024, with the states getting 37% of the distributable revenue against FG’s share of 35%. This has never happened before. But this is not the full picture, as the actual gap between FG and states is bigger. A re-allocation of the deductions to their ultimate beneficiaries by Agora Policy shows that in May 2025 the states received 50% of gross FAAC revenue compared to FG’s 35%. The paper explained how and why this happened.
The World Bank indicates that states are splurging their improved revenue on infrastructure, which ordinarily is not a bad thing (just that this could be at the expense of spending on health, education and poverty alleviation—areas that directly impact on citizens’ welfare). States’ capital spending is projected to rise to 2.7% of GDP in 2025 up from 1.2% in 2023. This is impressive. But it is worthy of note that, until last month, states were receiving N250 billion monthly as part of FAAC deductions. This is categorised as interventions to states for infrastructure and security, which is balanced with an equal amount received as interventions by the FG for security (N150 billion for non-regular allowances and N100 billion for the military). On account of our federal structure and the sensitive nature of security, oversight over these interventions is likely to be thin. It is conceivable
that prioritised education, agriculture, housing, and water projects. However, he faced serious challenges from his political godfather, the late Alhaji Lamidi Adedibu, over control of state resources. The conflict led to Ladoja’s sensational impeachment in January 2006, which was later declared null and void by the court. He successfully challenged his removal in court, returning to office in December 2006 to complete his tenure. His determination to overturn the illegality reveals another facet of the new monarch: his faith in constitutional processes and his confidence in the courts as a means of redress.
Last week, at his residence in Bodija, Ibadan, Oba Ladoja recounted the story of his illegal impeachment to this writer and a few friends who visited to pay homage. He spoke of how those who orchestrated his removal as governor did so without the constitutionally-required number in the state assembly. He also recalled the invaluable support of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu during those challenging times and how he ultimately regained his mandate.
challenges faced over sixty-five years of independence, He has kept us together as one nation,” Obi said.
During the pilgrimage, the couple visited the four major Papal Basilicas in Rome — St. Mary Major, St. Paul Outside the Walls, St. John Lateran, and St. Peter’s Basilica — passing through each Holy Door and praying for divine mercy upon Nigeria.
At the Basilica of St. Paul Outside the Walls, they were received by Cardinal James Harvey, who
that the World Bank depended on data from states’ budget implementation reports for capital spending at the subnational level. This is fair enough, but may mask the real reasons for the spike in states’ capex.
In any case, the extra revenue and spending across the board have not made a positive dent on the poverty numbers. The contrary has happened: poverty has worsened. In 2025, the percentage of Nigerians living in poverty is projected to increase to 139 million (or 61% of the population) from 81 million (or 40% of the population) in 2019. (By the way, this is the income poverty data, not the one on multi-dimensional poverty that was put at 133 million people in 2022.) The jump in income poverty is attributed to previous policy missteps and internal and global shocks, but accentuated by recent adjustments. There is also a marked increase in the number and percentage of the ultra-poor, defined as those “unable to meet basic caloric needs even if all income is spent on food.” The dissonance of rising poverty in the midst of historically high revenue and expenditure should keep policymakers up all night.
The data on poverty has crept under the skin of some government officials. But it makes perfect sense that more people would have been dragged into poverty on account of the massive depreciation of the Naira and high inflation, especially food inflation. Getting unduly defensive is of little utility here. The productive thing to do is to take the appropriate
“(President) Tinubu arranged for me to move quickly to Lagos after the incident. He put me in a place that was comfortable, safe, and hidden. Even before I arrived, he had assembled a team of legal luminaries to handle my case against the removal. It was such a solid team. We eventually won in court, and I regained my office.”
Given their close relationship and the significance of the Olubadan throne in Yorubaland, it was no surprise that President Tinubu graced Ladoja’s inauguration.
The President’s presence not only added glamour to the event, but his speech also resonated deeply with the people of Ibadan. Tinubu spoke of his connection with Oba Ladoja, their time together in the Senate, and the impeachment saga.
He recounted his campaign visit to Ibadan, during which he canvassed for votes, and the people of the state supported him massively. Part of his speech, delivered mainly in Yoruba,
guided them through the Holy Door and shared insights on the significance of the Jubilee Year. Obi capped the journey with his wife by attending the Papal General Audience at St. Peter’s Basilica, where they listened to the catechesis of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, on hope, perseverance, and faith in adversity. Later, they were received in a private audience by the Pope, to whom Obi appealed for prayers for Nigeria.
lesson: that there is serious and urgent work to be done.
The NDU rightly devotes ample space to the issue of high food prices, and this is my second key takeaway from the report. Food inflation is a major pain-point for most Nigerians, especially the poor, whose tribe is rapidly expanding. High food inflation should be the deepest source of worry for our policymakers. It puts the reforms, the administration and the country at serious risk. Having a growing army of people struggling to feed themselves is a tinderbox, awaiting a spark. We need to do whatever is necessary to make food available and affordable to most Nigerians. In fact, we need to have a national consensus that no Nigerian should ever go to bed hungry, then follow up with the appropriate and diligently executed policy measures.
We mouth commitment to food security often, but our food and fiscal policies have either been inadequate or totally wrongheaded, especially the ones devoted to prioritising farmers’ welfare over consumers’ welfare. In the name of incentivising local production, we ban importation of or put high tariffs on food items that we don’t produce enough of or have no comparative advantage in.
can be translated thus: “When I came to Ibadan during the campaign and spoke at this same Mapo Hall, urging that you vote for me—that it was my turn to be president—you voted massively for me. I appreciate your support. I’m most grateful.”
Oba Ladoja boasts a rich network of friends and associates. In attendance at his inauguration, besides President Tinubu, were governors, former governors (some from the Class of 1999 and 2003), past and present National Assembly members, ministers, members of the diplomatic community, captains of industry, and many other dignitaries. His friends in the opposition who were unable to attend the inauguration visited him in the days that followed.
Rahman
ENGAGEMENTS
Return to the Barber’s Shop I
Drought of inspiration and content is the occasional affliction of every writer. Every newspaper columnist, creative writer or content provider experiences that moment of drought when you can think of nothing in particular to dwell on. You do not feel like writing or creating anything. It is either that the reality around you has become so overwhelming that you feel a powerlessness in words or ideas. It might be that the reality of the society unfolding before your eyes is so commonplace that you risk repeating yourself on issues of common concern. At such moments, the creative energy of those who have gone before evaporates into the futility of words when only transformative action will do. Why waste our time with words? Maybe, the recourse to words is the fall back of the weak, those who have surrendered to the crushing weight of a reality they cannot change. Talkatives are perhaps the most despicable of cowards. In times of emptiness and creative drought, the reality of experience evaporates into a nagging anger with the self. Yet there are many out there who derive daily energy and awakening from the few words that we string together once a week. Our power derives from that sporadic inspiration which we lend to the many who have come to see us as spokespersons of history in motion. Over time, people crown us in inflated titles: ‘renowned writer’, ‘leading columnist’. And we begin to see ourselves as bearers of power and partakers in a realm of power. In reality, we do little for anyone other than our ego. We may even be deceiving ourselves with the illusion that anyone out there is listening to us. In reality, we may be a squad of nattering nuisance. Ayi Kwei Armah calls us “communicators doomed to silence”.
Nigeria can kill creativity. It can drain life out of creative energy. Our land can drain the spirit of even the most fecund imagination. Nigeria can also be fertilizer for arid minds. Its negativity can feed you content. The same things keep happening over and over. People assume high office with Oluwole certificates. Empty people assume positions of incredible power and authority and dress themselves in fancy titles and accolades. A less than mediocre person who insists on being called “Your Excellency”! They actually get sworn in by a judge with either a Bible or a Koran. They invite guests including officiating clergy to eulogize them and say flowery prayers about their ascendancy to Mount Zion. ‘And the ubiquitous traditional rulers are in attendance always. They invoke the spirit of illustrious ancestors to bear witness to a drama of emptiness, fraud and falsehood. No one knows exactly how much their royal eminences are paid as consultancy fees. But believe me, they are paid transport fare, return business class air ticket, two nights accommodation in a five star hotel, rented limousine for ground transportation. No one knows what else accompanies the generosity of such ancestral hospitality. Those who act on behalf of ancestors must speak in whispers.
This is not exactly about traditional rulers and ambassadors of our ancestors. It is about a nation consumed by the fetish of power and superstition. It is also about a writer lost in the maze of finding meaning in a wilderness when the days are empty when the muse takes flight and you feel like phoning the Editor to fill the page with something else. I call them hungry
days.
On such days, I have devised two means of filling my column and finding readers who, like me, are thinking of nothing in particular. It is either I reflect on the state of the nation in my periodic “How Country?” pieces or I head for the Barber’s shop at the street junction in Ikeja. In the Barber’s shop, you never run out of content. Forget the anachronism of a seventy something year old man without much hair left heading into the Barber’s shop all the time. He is either out to mock himself or the Barber! Either way, the Barber gets paid for his “services”. The Barber’s shop down the road is strategically located at the junction that leads nowhere and everywhere. You get your direction to wherever you want from the shop. It leads to the market, the garage, the airport, the jail house, the police station, the army cantonment from where they used to truck innocent men to the Bar Beach to be executed for doing exactly what they cannot remember.
Most importantly, the Barber’s shop is everything. It is a parliament of the unelected, a library of illiterate walking encyclopedia, a Wikipedia with 24-hour on duty staffers, human mines of extant information. Most times, a good half of the occupants do not need a barber. I understand they pay for their “seats” to spend the day as information warehouses. Some of these men have travelled all over the world
in pursuit of careers as diverse as you know what: stewards on ships from Burma to Gold Coast, soldiers in the West African Frontier force, ex cooks for colonial officers, valets for politicians, laundry men for the underpants of politicians’ whores. There were men here who had worked on boats that travelled regularly from Liverpool to Bombay. There were soldiers and sea farers, policemen retired because they had become useless at the checkpoint because the tolls they collected were no longer enough to make returns to their bosses. Just people. One man used to be armed with a week old newspaper under his armpit from which he reeled off stories that mixed fiction with rumour and speculation. At the Barber’s shop, you listen with your ears to the ground. The current stories are mixed with anecdotes from long ago. One minister has just been asked to resign his lucrative post for presenting the President with university degree certificates that he bought at Oluwole in Lagos and paid with counterfeit dollars! Someone interjected that the matter of bad certificates is not strange in these parts and times. Someone once showed up here to ask if the Big Man himself has shown us his certificates. No one even knows the schools he attended. All the schools he is said to have attended have all denied him. He even flew in a ‘former class mate whom he introduced with fanfare. One crack head proved with figures that the classmate was a fraud. No one knows how the man left town and never showed up again.
Another minister was sacked for not
even having the decency of dignifying the government with any credentials. When the time comes, we shall all line up for a certificate pageant! After all, one big man swore to an affidavit that his old NEPA bill was a school certificate issued by a Sunday school even though the big man himself was a devout Muslim. What fake certificates will do in Nigeria is wearing a fez cap! Once upon a time, one fine woman became a minister in this land. No certificate. No referrals. No work experience. She was escorted into the Senate chambers for hearings. “What is the first line of the National Anthem?”: ‘Arise O Computerite; Nigeria we hail thee…” They asked her to take a bow and be seated! She was “Minister for End of Poverty.” Three months later, news broke that the poverty she alleviated was only hers! She paid all the money meant for the poor into her friend’s private account. They asked her to go quietly after a courtesy call at the EFCC !
We live in exciting times. It is the age of anonymity. The President is a ghost. No one knows or has seen a photograph of his father. The woman he calls ‘mother’ is not around to tell her own story. No one knows his school mates, class mates, university mates… In this age, ignorance is bliss and peace of mind. If you seek knowledge, go to court!
w hen I arrived the Barber’s shop, there was excitement. Some new gist must follow. In times of excitement, the Barber’s shop graduated into an emergency beer parlour. Booze for all !!! was my way of announcing my return after a long absence.
•Tinubu
Edited by: Duro Ikhazuagbe
email:duro.Ikhazuagbe@thisdaylive.com
Eagles Stranded in Angola after Aircraft’s Cracked Windshield Forces Emergency Landing
Duro Ikhazuagbe
Super eagles’ return journey to Nigeria from Polokwane, South Africa after Friday’s 2026 World c up qualifier against Lesotho has suffered delay after the chartered ValueJet aircraft conveying players and officials to Uyo had a cracked windshield mid-air.
According to the Media Officer of the team, Promise efoghe, the aircraft took off from Luanda, Angola on Saturday afternoon after routine stop to refuel. but few minutes after take off, the experienced pilot who noticed the cracked windshield, skillfully guided the aircraft back to Luanda, ensuring the safety of all passengers on board.
“ t he aircraft taking Nigeria’s Super e agles from Polokwane, South Africa to Uyo, Akwa Ibom state for their final World c up qualifier has made an emergency landing in Luanda Angola. the Value Jet aircraft had made an initial stop in Luanda to refuel before embarking on the trip to Uyo.
“ b ut twenty-five minutes into the flight, the pilot made a U-turn into Luanda after a heavy crack on the aircraft’s windshield
wOrLD CUp QUALIFIer
distorted what had started as a smooth flight.
“ t he players, officials and government delegates onboard have since disembarked the aircraft and await the airline operator’s swift response to the situation,” observed the team’s Media Officer from Luanda last night.
It was the same aircraft that flew part of the Nigerian delegation to Polokwane on t hursday night ahead of Friday’s crucial qualifier against Lesotho without any issue.
t he aircraft last month handled Super e agles previous trips to and from bloemfontein where Nige- ria battled host South Africa to a 1-1 draw.
All the players and officials were stranded in Luanda as at press time last night while a top National Sports commission (NSc) source told t HISDAY that arrangements were ongoing to fly the delegation straight to Uyo by all means.
t he source however did not disclose if a plane from the Presidential fleet or the Nigerian Air Force will be assigned the task of flying the stranded players and officials back to Nigeria.
b oth Super e agles and
b enin r epublic were due to fly into Uyo last night. While Nigeria defeated Lesotho 2-1 to go third on 14 points, benin cheetahs snatched a late 1-0 away victory against r wanda in Kigali to maintain their leadership of Group c on 17 points. South Africa who were held goalless by Zimbabwe in Durban are second on 15 points.
tuesday ‘s last Match-day 10 fixtures will decide the lone direct qualified team for the 2026 World c up from the Group c while the runner up slot for the four best second teams of all the nine groups will go for intercontinental playoffs.
Goals by captain William e kong (from the penalty spot) and debutant Jerome Akor Adams earned Nigeria the three points at the Peter Mokaba Stadium, and the Super eagles, 2024 AFcON runners-up, now need a two-goal win over the neighbours to the west (plus South Africa failing to beat rwanda in Nelspruit on the same day) to bag the only automatic ticket from Group c to North America.
t he ambitious b enin c heetahs, now on 17 points, are coached by Franco-German tactician
Gernot rohr, who qualified and led Nigeria at the 2018 FIFA World c up finals in r ussia.
Haaland’s Hat trick Moves
Norway
erling Haaland scored a hat-trick as Norway took a significant step towards qualifying for their first World cup since 1998 with an emphatic 5-0 win against Israel.
Israel goalkeeper Daniel Peretz twice denied Manchester city forward Haaland from the penalty spot in the opening five minutes, saving initially and then stopping again when a retake was ordered for encroachment. but the hosts did not have to wait long to take the lead, as Israeli midfielder Anan Khalaili headed into his own net from an Alexander Sorloth cross.
Haaland, Norway’s re- cord scorer, doubled his side’s advantage with a neat right-footed finish.
It was the 10th game in a row for club and country in which Haaland has scored, and he has found the net in all but one of his 12 appearances for city and Norway this season.
Norway scored a come-
Closer to World Cup
Meanwhile, e gyptian official Amin Mohamed Omar will be referee for tuesday’s explosive battle between Nigeria and benin republic, with his compatriots Mahmoud Abouelregal, Ahmed tawfik Ali and Mahmoud Moustafa e lbana in the roles of assistant referee 1, assistant referee 2 and fourth official. Jason Joseph Damoo from Seychelles will serve as referee assessor; Ghanaian Prosper Harrison Addo will be the commissioner and; Xolile Vilakati from eSwatini will work as security officer.
NPFL: Bayelsa Utd Take on Rivers Utd in Niger Delta Derby
the rivalry in the SouthSouth will take centre stage this Sunday when rivers United play hosts to bayelsa United in another chapter of the Niger Delta that promises to produce sparks at theAdokiye Amiesimaka Stadium in Port Harcourt.
Katsina Utd v remo
2000 and their first World cup since 1998. they have a nine-point lead over second-placed Italy, although Gennaro Gattuso’s side have two matches in hand.
Group winners qualify automatically for the 2026 finals, which take place in canada, Mexico and the United States.
Erling Haaland...scores hat trick as Norway pummeled Israel 5-0 dic third one minute later when Peretz’s clearance rebounded into his own net off defender Idan Nachmias. Haaland scored his second with a towering header, before completing his treble by nodding in Antonio Nusa’s cross at the back post. the hat-trick - his sixth for Norway - takes Haaland’s tally to 51 goals in 46 ap- pearances for his country.
Victory leaves Norway in a commanding position in Group I as they look to qualify for their first international tournament since
Norway continue their campaign at home against estonia on 13 November, before their final group match against Italy three days later.
Wikki tourists v Kwara Utd
Kano Pillars v Shooting Kun Khalifat Fc v enyimba Nasarawa v rangers Ikorodu city v Insurance
rivers United under the coaching management of former Super eagles star, Finidi George, will start this matchweek unbeaten and will be buoyed by that strong start to the season as well as be eager to make their strong advantage at their home ground count.
On the other hand, bayelsa United will be aiming to end their frustrating run of form in which they have now gone five games without a win, a spell that has left them under pressure to respond and reignite their brilliant start to the season when they won their first two matches against Shooting Stars Sports club (3Sc) and barau
Fc without conceding. bayelsa United’s run has since teetered between draws and defeats, leaving them two points above the drop zone this early moments of the the campaign. However, their recent meetings with rivers United have been impressive as they have won all three past head-to-heads. but that could count for nothing this Sunday considering rivers United’s strength in depth and dominance at their AdokiyeAmiesimaka Stadium, where they have won all of their past 11 home matches in the NPFL.
For bayelsa United to thrive or take something away from the Garden City, the keys lie in finding sharper finishing in attack and cutting down errors at the back. their forwards must take responsibility in front of goal, while the midfield will need to impose control to disrupt rivers United’s rhythm. the Prosperity boys defeated the Pride of rivers both home and away last season and with pride, points, and will feel they can re-enact that again.
Super Eagles players disembarking from the ValueJet aircraft in Luanda, Angola after it was forced to do emergency landing following the cracked windshield
No, I am not talking politics. I am aware that sixteen months to the next general election, the political atmosphere is already fully charged as if we are going to the polls tomorrow. I am tempted to say I have never seen anything like this in my life, but that would be an unacceptable exaggeration. In reality, Nigerians were created for politics. We live, eat, drink and smoke politics 24/7. As I always say, nothing excites us more
than playing politics and doing electoral permutations. Some pundits have already
POSTSCRIPT
sat down in their houses and allocated states, geo-political zones, and regions to one presidential candidate or the other. We get our kicks from politics and politicking. That is who we are.
But I am here to discuss the economy. After a dizzying turbulence that looked like we were headed for a crash in 2023, our flight seems to have stabilised — with economic indices appearing to show that we can now unfasten our seatbelts and stretch our legs. The word “stability”, however, means different
things to different people. When Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, director general of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Nigeria’s former minister of finance, said recently that the economy had stabilised, she got an instant backlash from her fan base which never expected her to say anything positive about the Bola Tinubu administration. But she was talking economics, not politics.
Continued on page 60
Making Reforms Count for Most Nigerians WAZIRI ADIO
It is still hard for most Nigerians to accept that the economy is in a better place. This is understandable. The economic reforms initiated by the President Bola Tinubu administration have decimated the purchasing power of a sizeable number of Nigerians. Even when prices are stabilising, and falling in a few instances, most basic items still cost double or triple what they went for just
a little over two years ago. Expecting all Nigerians to start celebrating about emerging macro-economic stability may amount to urging them to deny the raw evidence from their everyday lives. That will not only be unrealistic but also unreasonable. Yet two things can be true simultaneously. There is evidence that the necessary but painful reforms have started to yield some fruits at the macro level. These gains are
manifesting in terms of growth in GDP rate, external reserves, trade surplus and government revenues; reduced volatility of exchange rates; and decline in fiscal deficit and inflation rate. Foreign portfolio investors and some Nigerians, especially the well-heeled, are also making a killing from the stock market and other investment vehicles. But the gains are not manifesting yet, or quickly enough, in the lives of most
TUNDE RAHMAN
Nigerians, who are still going through the concentrated pains of adjustment. The onus is on the government to ensure that growth and stability are more durable and, more importantly, that they translate to improved living conditions for most Nigerians. Economic growth without widespread improvement in
Senator Ladoja: The Uncommon Olubadan
The emergence of Senator Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland on Friday, September 26, at the ancient Mapo Hall in the heart of Ibadan, is uncannily symbolic in many respects. The symbolism lies not just in the rare recurrence of the number 44 in his life’s journey—as seen in his year of birth and his position in the lineage of Olubadans—but also in several other
significant ways, which I will explore in this piece.
Ladoja was born on September 25, 1944. He emerged as the 44th Olubadan in September 2025. This is more than mere coincidence; it feels like the affirmation of a future foretold. And, like a man destined and prepared for the high position he now occupies, Ladoja was inaugurated in a blaze of elegance and glory. He rode to Mapo Hill, the site of the
historic Mapo Hall, in a gleaming white Rolls-Royce, resplendent in white traditional Aso Oke, with his wives in tow.
Mapo Hill was a sight to behold that day. The people of Ibadan trooped out en masse, swarming the venue, while many others lined the streets leading to Mapo in a bid to catch a glimpse of the spectacle. Indeed, Ibadan rose up for him.
Oba Ladoja is, indeed, an uncommon Olubadan. To label him another “Koseleri”
in the Ibadan landscape would be most fitting. He is in the mould of the late Senator Abiola Ajimobi, who made history as the first governor of Oyo State to break the second-term jinx. However, this is not about political office or term limits—traditional rulers hold their positions for life. It is about the rare peculiarities of Ladoja’s kingship.
Cardoso
L–R: Registrar/Chief Executive of Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, Ms. Oluwatoyin Naiwo; Vice President of CIPM, Mrs. Chidinma Obiejesi; Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Muhammad Maigari Dingyadi; Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Dr. Salihu A. Usman; and Elected Council Member of CIPM, Mrs. Sa’adatu Faruk, during the CIPM courtesy visit to the Federal Ministry of Labour and Employment in Abuja, Nigeria…recently
