The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Afe Babalola: A commitment to workers welfare

    Afe Babalola: A commitment to workers welfare

    •  By Tunde Olofintila

    Everywhere across all civilizations, people express their emotions by the opening of their mouths in songs of praise and appreciation and the opening of their lachrymose glands by sobbing and crying. Some others burst into an orgy of singing, sobbing and crying when they are riled.

     The former was the situation at Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, ABUAD, on Friday, January 23, 2026, when the University’s Founder & Chancellor, Aare Afe Babalola, OFR, CON, SAN, LL. D (London), Fellow, King’s College, London, FNAE, opened a bouquet of pleasant surprises of enhanced salaries, allowances and other mouth-watering perks for his staff.

     The early afternoon surprise by Babalola was a further affirmation of former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s position on his age-long friend who he described in March 2024 as “a man full of surprises, a man who had lived by surprises, a man who has lived from one surprise to another”.

     During Babalola’s surprise announcement that Friday afternoon, there were wild jubilation and spontaneous eruption of sonorous rendition of songs of appreciation by ABUAD Band, prime among which was: “Na our papa be dis oo, we no get another one, na our papa be dis oo”  

     As sartorial and dapper as ever, Babalola stressed his good news to his staff  was a fallout of what the Federal Government recently agreed to be paying the staff of Federal Universities.

     Even though Babalola, a two-term Pro Chancellor & Chairman of Council of the University of Lagos, UNILAG, made it clear from the beginning that the Staff Congress was called to thank the staff and appreciate them for their stellar contributions to the university, he ended up being praised, eulogized, and appreciated and applauded for his most unexpected New Year bounty to the staff of his university.

    Read Also: Tinubu, Obasanjo, Mimiko, Fasoranti, others bag Ondo golden jubilee awards

     Babalola profoundly acknowledged and thanked all categories of staff for their commitment and dedication over the years, which he said accounted for the bouquet of national, continental and global acknowledgments, endorsements and laurels which the university had continually won as a result of which it has become the toast of its peers, including those that are several decades older than the 16-year-old university.

     The combination of all these has always been part of the reasons the university had always paid higher salaries and allowances to its workers.

     His words: “You know as much as I do that structures alone and beautiful environment do not define a university. Rather a university properly-so-called consists of serene and decent environment, well-equipped laboratories, modern equipment, students who are disciplined, cultured and ready to learn, and quality faculty members”.

     He added: “We thank God through you and our students that we have been able to meet all these parameters. These have made us the clear leader in the comity of universities not only in Nigeria but worldwide. For your information, on June 18, last year in faraway Turkey, The Times Higher Education Impact Rankings (THEIRS) 2025 rated our University as No. 1 university in Nigeria for four consecutive years: 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025, No. 3 in Africa, and No. 84 globally.

     “This upward trajectory is the mark of excellence which was pursued with discipline and integrity and yielded measurable results. These were your collective efforts under the leadership of my Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, and the CMD of our Multi-System Hospital, Dr. Akinola Akinmade, and their commendable teams.

     “You all keyed into my vision and we are jointly accomplishing ABUAD’s mission. While acknowledging your immense contributions, I wish to reaffirm that ABUAD values and appreciates its staff, my supporters”.

     The elder statesman recalled that over the years, the university has introduced several welfare and incentive measures as tangible expressions of this appreciation. Such welfare and incentives include timely and regular salary payments since inception in 2010, annual staff awards and promotion for deserving staff, 40% tuition discount for staff and their children for academic pursuit at ABUAD, and sponsorship of academic staff for post-doctoral programmes within and outside Nigeria.

     Others are contribution of 7.5% of monthly staff salaries to the National Contributory Pension Scheme by the university, while staff also contribute 7.5% to the Pension Scheme, sponsorship for Staff to Seminars and Conferences within and outside Nigeria, 30% discount on staff hospital bills at the Afe Babalola Multisystem Hospital.

     Said he: “Recently the Federal Government released the reviewed remuneration package of academic staff of Federal Universities. In the same way, the Federal Government released the reviewed allowances for Health Professionals in Federal Public Service.

     “The good news now is that I have directed the University’s Bursary Department to immediately commence internal alignment processes in this regard with effect from this month, January 2026.

     Unlike the Non-Academic Staff who were not captured in the approved Government new salary for the Academic Staff of Nigerian universities, ABUAD Non-Academic Staff are not left out of Babalola’s New Year largesse.

     In his words: “In addition, I have also extended the gesture to the Non-Academic Staff of this university, which was not captured by the approved Government new salary for universities academic staff”.

     He reminded his staff that the vision of building a world-class university, one anchored on discipline, innovation, relevance, and global competitiveness, is no longer an aspiration. Rather, it is a living reality where they are active players.

     His parting words: “History will remember that when the future of university education in Nigeria was at stake, a committed community of Scholars, Professionals and Administrators rose to the occasion and chose excellence over convenience”.

     At the end of the Founder’s presentation, the capacity-filled Alfa Belgore Multi-Purpose Hall burst into songs of praises to God and appreciation to Babalola for his most altruistic gesture.

     When it was time for questions and comments from them, the staff chorused in unison: “Ko s’oro (meaning we don’t have any question or comment). The Founder has spoken; we don’t have anything to add except to continue to thank and appreciate him for his large-heartedness”.

     Responding on behalf of their colleagues, the Director of Drug Research, Prof. Olaposi Omotuyi, and the Director of Part-Time Studies, Dr. Ife Ajepe, thanked the Founder for always being mindful of the wellbeing and welfare of his staff, who he often refers to as his partners.

     Both Omotuyi and Ajepe acknowledged Babalola’s gesture as a call to more duty and a catalyst that will encourage all to do more in their collective resolve to ensure that ABUAD remains the clear leader in the comity of universities nationally and globally.

     •Olofintila is ABUAD’s Director, Corporate Affairs

  • Mind Builders School hosts Professional Apprenticeship Scheme

    Mind Builders School hosts Professional Apprenticeship Scheme

    Mind Builders High School has reaffirmed its position as a leader in innovative education with the successful hosting of its 2026 Professional Apprenticeship Scheme (PAS) presentation ceremony, a programme widely praised for preparing students for real-world leadership and career success.

    Delivering the keynote address, Executive Director of the University of Lagos Business School, Prof. Mike Adebamowo, described the students’ presentations as “highly resourceful and detailed, comparable to projects presented within the university system”.

    He lauded Mind Builders High School for boldly introducing structured industry exposure at the secondary school level, noting that the initiative reflects a clear understanding of the skills, character, and adaptability required for success in a rapidly changing world.

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    According to Prof. Adebamowo, the future belongs to young people who can apply knowledge, adapt to change, and consistently add value—qualities clearly demonstrated by the students of Mind Builders High School.

    The scheme bridges classroom learning with hands-on industry experience, equipping students with practical skills, strong work ethics, discipline, and career clarity.

    Industry partners who participated in the PAS include WEMA Bank Plc, Redington Hospital, New Horizons System Solution Limited, Bomaco Computer Alignment, and Gbenga Badejo & Co., underscoring the programme’s strong industry relevance and practical impact.

     Parents and stakeholders expressed pride and renewed confidence in the school’s vision, applauding its commitment to producing confident, disciplined, and purpose-driven students.

     The Education Director of Mind Builders School, Mrs. Bolajoko Falore, described PAS as a flagship initiative that reflects the school’s mission to deliver holistic education by combining academic excellence, character development and real-world exposure.

  • Breakthrough

    Breakthrough

    • Kudos to three professors for first Nigerian robotic surgery

    It is a breakthrough for Nigeria and West Africa, but it is a bang without a noise. Led by a Nigerian gynaecologist, Professor Kingsley Ekwueme, a robotic surgery gave a 30-year-old Nigerian woman a new lease of life.

    The team with two consultant gynaecologists, Professor Yusuf Oshodi and Professor Olaolu Aladade, removed two large ovarian tumours from the unnamed woman.

    Prof. Ekwueme first introduced the robot used for the procedure last year. The exercise was a cutting-edge onslaught away from the familiar open surgery with its complications.

    “Following our tradition of leading innovation in Nigeria and West Africa, we introduced the first surgical robot in the sub-region last year,” he said. “After focusing on men’s health and male-specific conditions, we are now transitioning fully into women’s surgeries. Today, we are proud to say that we have performed the first robotic gynaecological surgery in West Africa.”

    The woman had an ovarian tumour that caused pain, discomfort, and inability to live a normal life, Ekwueme explained. “With robotic surgery, we removed the tumours. She will go home today and return to work tomorrow.”

    “What people are used to is open surgery, where a patient may stay in hospital before surgery, spend five to seven days after surgery, and then require weeks of recovery at home,” Ekwueme said. “With robotic surgery, once vital signs are stable, within six hours the patient can eat and go home. Within 24 hours, she can return to normal daily activities.” Describing it as a “game-changer”, he said it saves women from suffering from gynaecological conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian tumours, uterine cancer, and selected cases of ectopic pregnancy.

    Read Also: Tinubu, Obasanjo, Mimiko, Fasoranti, others bag Ondo golden jubilee awards

    “She is a 30-year-old woman who still intends to have children,” Oshodi said. “The tumour is benign, and the precision of robotic surgery allows us to remove only the affected tissue without compromising her fertility or damaging adjacent structures”, said Oshodi, a consultant gynaecologist at Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).

    According to Oshodi, this level of precision is critical in gynaecological surgery, where damage to surrounding organs can have lifelong consequences. “Many Nigerian women suffer silently from fibroids, endometriosis, ovarian tumours, and abnormal menstrual bleeding,” he said. “Fibroids are particularly common—affecting up to 70 per cent of women in some communities—although only about 10 to 20 per cent develop significant symptoms.”

    “Robotic and minimally invasive surgery offers us the opportunity to intervene early, treat precisely, preserve reproductive capacity, and allow women to return quickly to their normal lives,” he added.

    “With open surgery, you have more complications, longer recovery times, and potential reproductive issues,” he said. “With robotic surgery, patients recover faster, spend fewer days in hospital, return to work sooner, and experience better psychological outcomes. In advanced health systems, this is already standard practice. Seeing it firmly established in Nigeria is deeply encouraging,” said Aladade who is based in the United Kingdom.

    Aladade’s involvement shows how medical surgeries can be done in real time with a team comprising a doctor outside our shores. A lot has been said about our inadequate medical facilities. This gives a cheering comfort against the backdrop of the sad news about medical snafus recently like the deaths of the son of writer Chimamanda Adichie and a young woman Ifunaya Nwangene from snakebite.

    TPC has partnered with the Imo State Government to establish Nigeria’s first dedicated robotic surgery centre, currently under construction.

    The initiative, he said, is designed to drive innovation, research, and training, while reducing the country’s heavy reliance on overseas medical care.

    “This revolution has just started,” Ekwueme said. “When governments have the vision and will to form these kinds of partnerships, citizens benefit. It will drive innovation, create research opportunities, and help stem brain drain.”

    It is significant that TPC operated the woman at no cost as part of its corporate social responsibility. It is medicine with a conscience.

  • Reward on earth

    Reward on earth

    • 12 teachers receive prize for outstanding work

    Teachers are known for their work in moulding lives of young ones and building intellect. Last week, the Federal Government identified two educators from each of the six geo- political zones who were said to be dedicated to the task of lifting up the leaders of tomorrow.

    Each of the awardees was given N25 million, while the overall winner, Mr. Francis Taiwo Solanke, beamed with smiles as he was handed N50 million cheque, a two-bedroom apartment and a car.

    At the summit where the distinguished teachers were rewarded, the Federal Government insisted that teachers deserve much more than they have been given over the years and the present administration is determined to change the story.

    This is a good step as teachers shape development. Over the years, they have been relegated to the background in the country. This should be seen as a first step, others must follow immediately if teachers are to be motivated to offer their best to their students.

    In addition to such awards that should be more periodical and by the various tiers of government, there is the need to radically improve on the teaching environment. There are still states where pupils are taught under trees or given permission to stay away whenever it threatens to rain as the roofs leak badly. In others, there could be only two or three teachers in a whole school.

    When students and parents see that the condition and environment of service has improved, their respect for teachers would increase.

    In the order of professions in the country today, teachers occupy the shop floor, and this is unacceptable. This is responsible for the reluctance of students to look forward to joining the ranks, and most of those who enlist in the ranks today are those who are unable to secure other employments.

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    The least that should apply to teachers should be the conditions of service for other public servants. While Grade Level 17 officers in the civil service are accorded special treatment such as official cars and access to housing loans, this is not extended to those on the same level in the schools. While they are dubbed directors of education, many are still in the classrooms and staff rooms that are overcrowded, with no air-conditioning or befitting desks and chairs. This makes parents treat them disdainfully and thus, it affects their morale.

    It is good that some state governments supported this Federal Government initiative. Kebbi, Borno and Ogun states stood up to be counted in rewarding the overall winner. They should take a step further by ensuring that teachers in their states are accorded the pride of place that they deserve. Parents and corporate bodies should be encouraged to support the government as the task of nation- building is for all.

    The lawmakers at the federal and state levels that have the power of appropriation should budget sufficiently to improve on the state of the schools, laboratories, classrooms, staff rooms and offices, as well as libraries, with a view to improving on the general quality of education in public schools in the country. When this is done, the alarming rate at which Nigerian teachers drop the chalk and quit the schools for the industry or flee the country would be halted.

    There was a time when the Nigerian teacher was well respected, it is time to return to the era in the interest of our children, the teachers and the nation.

    Meanwhile, we congratulate the lucky 12 . This gesture should be extended to others.

  • On delayed passage of electoral bill

    On delayed passage of electoral bill

    By Austin Aigbe

    Sir: The delayed passage of the Electoral Bill is a crisis that must be addressed now. Such delays force INEC, parties, the judiciary, and civil society to scramble under impossible time constraints, heightening confusion and undermining legitimacy.

    The impact on institutions is stark. INEC, responsible for elections, needs time, clarity, and resources for effective reform. Late passage of the Electoral Act constrains planning, training, procurement, and voter education. Even sound reforms—such as new election technology—can cause controversy if not implemented early. Rushed changes risk failures and disputes, further undermining trust.

    Parties also suffer from delayed reform. Weak enforcement of party democracy and campaign finance rules enables elite capture. Candidate selection remains opaque and costly, side-lining women, youth, and reformers. When party regulatory reforms stall, parties lack accountability, which fuels pre-election litigation and internal crises.

    The judiciary is increasingly central to electoral politics. Ambiguous or outdated laws spur litigation, forcing courts to fill legislative gaps and making elections judicial rather than electoral contests. While courts are vital for dispute resolution, excessive litigation harms electoral legitimacy and pressures judges, exposing them to political attack and suspicion.

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    These delays have devastating consequences for Nigeria’s democratic future. Without prompt reform, democratic norms disintegrate, and anti-democratic practices become entrenched. Only immediate, credible reforms can restore hope, trust, and progress. Delay is not just costly—it is dangerous.

    The issue is not just technical. The delayed passage of the Electoral Bill stems from political economy challenges. Reforms threaten power networks and patronage, making change contentious rather than consensual. Without sustained pressure from citizens, civil society, media, and partners, momentum for reform fades once electoral crises subside.

    There are reasons for cautious optimism. Recent reforms show progress when broad coalitions back change. Civil society advocacy, court decisions, media scrutiny, and international inputs further reform. Debates on electronic results and early voting have entered public discourse, raising standards and expectations.

    Nigeria cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of delayed reform. Immediate, forward-looking action on electoral law-making is essential. Reforms must be completed before election cycles to allow institutions and voters to adapt. The National Assembly must act now, as a matter of national urgency, to rebuild trust through timely, transparent reform.

    Equally important is strengthening enforcement. Effective implementation and enforcement are essential to transforming legislative reforms into credible electoral practices and to building lasting public trust.

    The lesson is clear and cannot be ignored: democracy cannot survive on last-minute fixes. Action is imperative—and it is needed now. The National Assembly, particularly the Senate, must pass and transmit the Electoral Bill to the president for assent without further delay to secure Nigeria’s democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

    •Austin Aigbe,

    Abuja.

  • The price of illicit drug trafficking

    The price of illicit drug trafficking

    • By Aernan Lubem

    Sir: In Nigeria, we have heard powerful statements from public officials so many times that we no longer take them seriously. Big words are announced, headlines are made, and then we wait—for nothing. So when Brig. Gen. Buba Mohammed Marwa (rtd) said late last year that his second five-year tenure would be “hell for drug barons and cartels,” many of us simply nodded and moved on.

    But recent events make it hard to ignore that something different may be happening.

    The recent seizure of over 30 kilograms of heroin at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja is not just another drug bust; it is a statement. Drugs reportedly hidden in sealed packets of Brazilian coffee, worth more than N3 billion, intercepted before they could disappear into the streets. That alone should worry anyone who cares about the future of this country.

    Yet what truly linger in my mind are not the drugs, but the human story behind them.

    A 29-year-old woman, Ingrid Rosa Benevides, a Brazilian, reportedly gainfully employed, standing alone at the centre of a global criminal network. I find myself asking uncomfortable questions. What convinces a young woman with a job and a future to risk everything for a suitcase she does not own? Was it greed, pressure, desperation, or the false promise of easy money? Perhaps a mix of all.

    This is how international drug trafficking really works. The couriers are disposable. They are promised quick cash, reassured that “nothing will happen,” and sent off with smiles and instructions. Once caught, they are left to face the law alone, while those who organized everything quietly recruit another body.

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    And the law, when it comes, does not negotiate with emotions. With the quantity involved, Ms. Ingrid could spend the rest of her life behind bars. Not because she owned the drugs, not because she led the cartel—but because she was the easiest to sacrifice. Her ambitions, freedom, and future may now be the price she pays, while the real beneficiaries remain invisible and untouched.

    There is also an irony that is hard to ignore. Brazil is not a struggling economy gasping for survival. It is a country with vast agricultural strength, advanced manufacturing, and a GDP many times larger than Nigeria’s. One would assume opportunity exists. Yet even in such societies, the pull of fast money and criminal shortcuts still finds willing hands. This reminds us that drug trafficking is not just about poverty; it is about temptation, exploitation, and weak judgment.

    Nigeria, sadly, sits along major global drug routes connecting South America, Africa, and Europe. Traffickers know this. They adapt. When large shipments fail, they turn to human beings—because humans are easier to replace than cargo.

    This case should disturb us. Not just because drugs were seized, but because of what might have happened if they were not. Heroin does not just ruin users; it destroys families, fuels crime, and quietly eats away at society. Every successful trafficking attempt plants future chaos.

    Beyond enforcement, this is a moral warning—especially to young people. No amount of money is worth being used as a courier for substances you cannot pronounce, for people you will never meet, in a game where you are the first to be abandoned. Every “small favour,” every “quick delivery,” every “safe run” carries consequences that can last a lifetime.

    The truth is simple but brutal: drug trafficking always collects its debt. And when it does, it rarely knocks on the doors of the powerful—it comes first for the vulnerable.

    A word, indeed, should be enough for the wise.

    •Aernan Lubem,

    Makurdi, Benue State.

  • Tunji-Ojo as ambassador of Ondo @50

    Tunji-Ojo as ambassador of Ondo @50

    • By Femi Salako

    Sir: Ondo State at 50 offers a profound opportunity to reflect not only on the journey of the state since its creation but also on the calibre of men and women it continues to produce. The Golden Jubilee is a celebration of identity resilience and contribution to the Nigerian project. Central to this reflection are illustrious sons and daughters of the soil who in this present generation are projecting the state with dignity competence and honour at both national and international levels. Among this distinguished cohort stands the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji Ojo whose public service record and current national impact epitomise the enduring value of Ondo State to Nigeria.

    His foray into national politics as a member of the House of Representatives marked the beginning of a legislative career defined by intellectual depth, policy focus and people oriented representation. As a lawmaker, he was not content with mere presence but pursued substance, engaging robustly in debates advancing motions and supporting legislative interventions that addressed national development, economic inclusion, youth empowerment and institutional reform. In doing so he earned the respect of colleagues and observers alike and positioned himself as one of the most effective lawmakers of his generation.

    His legislative excellence naturally placed him in the national spotlight and when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu unveiled the Renewed Hope Agenda, he was among those considered capable of translating vision into action. Answering the call to serve as Minister of Interior, Tunji Ojo brought to the ministry a blend of academic rigour, technological insight, and administrative clarity that has since redefined its operations. His is a clear departure from business as usual as he prioritised efficiency accountability and service delivery across agencies under the ministry.

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    Under his leadership the Ministry of Interior has recorded notable improvements particularly in the administration of citizenship services. Long standing challenges associated with passport issuance delays and bureaucratic bottlenecks have been confronted through digitisation process reengineering and stricter oversight. These reforms have had far reaching effects especially for Nigerians in the diaspora who directly experience the outcomes of improved systems. Across Europe, North America, Asia and other parts of the world, Nigerians now speak positively of reforms linked to his tenure acknowledging the professionalism and responsiveness that have returned to critical services. This international affirmation has not only elevated Nigeria’s image but has also projected Ondo State as a source of visionary leadership.

    As Ondo State celebrates 50 years of existence, his achievements resonate as part of a larger narrative of excellence that defines the state. He stands as a reference point and inspiration to other Ondo State sons and daughters who are excelling across governance, law, medicine, academia, technology, entrepreneurship and the creative industries. Together they affirm that Ondo at 50 is better stronger and more relevant because of the quality of its human capital. Their collective impact underscores the truth that the greatness of a state is measured not only by its geography or resources but by the character competence and commitment of its people.

    Ondo State at 50 therefore is a celebration of legacy and promise. It is a reminder that from its towns villages and institutions continue to emerge leaders who shape national conversations and influence global perceptions. In celebrating Olubunmi Tunji Ojo, the state celebrates itself a land that produces thinkers, reformers and patriots who serve with distinction. As the Sunshine State steps into its next half century the example of leaders like him assures all that the future remains bright grounded in service excellence and an unyielding commitment to national progress.

    •Femi Salako,

    Lagos.

  • Preventing gridlock on Lagos-Ibadan expressway

    Preventing gridlock on Lagos-Ibadan expressway

    Anyone who frequently travels on the Lagos-Ibadan expressway which also leads to the northern states and which branches eastward to Benin and the eastern parts of the country to  Delta, Rivers and important cities like Port Harcourt,  Aba, Calabar, Enugu  etc. would know this is the arterial road that links the rest of Nigeria with Lagos.  This easy access is very important in the overall economy of Nigeria. This means that the road should not be seen in its importance to the southwest alone but to the geo-strategic significance of the road to Nigeria.

    Comparing the development of the road in the manner of Apapa gridlock should give palpitation to the planners of the development economics of Nigeria. Apapa is the major entrepôt of Nigeria in the sense that 90 percent of the goods coming to Nigeria come in through the port. This in itself is due to bad planning and lack of bold imagination of Nigeria’s leaders since independence.

    I am not going to blame the British, our colonial masters who left this place 66 years ago. This is long in time for us as inheritors of bad colonial planning to help ourselves and not blame those who came for their own reasons and after having finished with us, left us alone when our leaders pushed them out perhaps because the nature of imperialism in this part of the world did not require physical presence before their economic rewards could still be realized.

    I think I have made my point that power in the hands of innovative and imaginative leadership would have seen us make hop step and jump to what is required in these days of knowledge economy.

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    From Lagos up to Sagamu and onward to Iperu in Ogun State on both sides of the so-called express road are to be found industries haphazardly located on both sides of the road. This development definitely makes the government of Ogun State happy and other Nigerians in other states of the federation probably envy Ogun State for attracting this bevy of industries which must be good for the internal revenue of Ogun State and the federation as a whole. But at what expense?

    Now this express road where millions pass through daily is being turned into parking place like Apapa port. In this place, long articulated trucks turn anyhow against the run of traffic and many escape head-on collision through the grace and mercy of God.  Admittedly, we have not reached the situation of Apapa where for lack of movement drivers spread mats under their vehicles and sleep their time away! This need not happen if we plan very well before action.

    We should always factor into whatever action we take the sociology of the Nigerian people. Our people do not think about others when they drive on the roads. This is why slow moving trucks drive on the inner side of the road for fast driving leaving the outside part of the road for wrongful overtaking. Could it be our drivers get driving licences without test? In any case, many of the trailer drivers are absolute illiterates. 

    I honestly believe that the whole country needs to be taught the ordinary ideas of civics. Perhaps thieves in government need to be taught that stealing is not only bad but it is also a corrosion of the society. Why should a single person in society build a house for a single family at the cost of billions of naira and declare it open for poor people to gawk and look at while religious leaders are invited to pray for further prosperity of the owner knowing as we all do, that the mansion is a manifestation of the stealing going on in the oil industry while the people in the oil producing areas languishing in want and poverty?

    I congratulate the president of this difficult country, Nigeria for having the vision to embark on the Lagos – Calabar road; he should also at the same time focus on the Badagry – Sokoto road which is equally important. Whenever these two roads are finished, whether in our times or not, history will celebrate those who execute a vision that many of us egg heads have had for a long time.

    The Lagos – Ibadan express road linking the port city with the rest of the country remains in my own estimate, a scandal to forward planning and imagination. I shudder to think about what happens to our economy if the bridges over Ogun River were to collapse thereby cutting the road off from Lagos. If we plan for the above scenario, we should have put the road to Abeokuta and Ibadan to excellent and ready state and perhaps the Epe-Lagos alternative road in a state of readiness through federal government take-over of any of the sections of these roads not presently under federal jurisdiction.

    I remember when I was in Germany as ambassador of our potentially great country, the German Chancellor Herr  Helmut Kohl created what he called “the ministry of the future “and put it under a young lawyer to dream about the future and what would be needed to cope with it. I will like this innovative approach be made to the future development of Nigeria. For defence purposes we need easily motorable roads for the defence of Lagos in case of enemy seizure of the city and its ports. The Lagos – Abeokuta to Ibadan express easily recommends itself and so does the Lagos – Epe – Ibadan branching off in Ijebu-Ode to link the Benin and the eastern provinces of Nigeria. This is the way to plan for a future scenario that goes beyond our expectations that what we have now will always be up to the mark of securing the country against possible enemies. The way we do things now take life too leisurely. We must begin to think out of the box as they say.

    To come back to where we began, efforts must be made to prevent the gridlock of Apapa being repeated on the Lagos – Ibadan road because of our search for local and external investment. We must prevent this by all means why we begin serious planning to having alternative link roads to the hinterland of Nigeria from Lagos and not put all our eggs in the fragile Lagos – Ibadan  express way.

  • Otu: The day academia and media spoke with one voice

    Otu: The day academia and media spoke with one voice

    • By Linus Obogo

    In a rare and radiant alignment of honour, symbolism and renewed purpose, Cross River governor, Prince Bassey Edet Otu, recently found himself robed in a double garland of national affirmation, one woven by the contemplative hands of academia and the other forged by the vigilant lens of the media. It was a moment where thought and testimony, reflection and reportage, converged to speak with one voice about leadership that has chosen substance over spectacle and service over self.

    The conferment of a Doctor of Humanities (Honoris Causa) by Modibbo Adama University, Yola, alongside The Sun Newspaper Governor of the Year Award, did not merely celebrate achievement; it consecrated a leadership journey defined by conscience, compassion and consequence. In the choreography of national recognition, the coincidence of these two honours carried a resonance too deliberate to be dismissed as mere happenstance. It was, in every sense, a national endorsement delivered through two of society’s most discerning institutions.

    The honorary doctorate, bestowed during the university’s combined 29th and 30th convocation ceremonies, shimmered with profound symbolism. Within the sanctum of scholarship, where ideas are interrogated, values refined, and nations intellectually midwifed, Governor Otu was affirmed as a leader whose public life harmonises authority with humanity.

    Universities do not merely confer degrees; they pronounce judgments on character, legacy, and the intellectual and moral footprint of leadership. In that solemn academic space, Cross River’s governor was celebrated not for transient political victories, but for a governance philosophy that recognises human dignity as the soul of development.

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    The university’s decision stood as an academic benediction on a career marked by inclusion, institutional strengthening, ethical restraint and humane governance. It was a declaration that leadership, when guided by integrity and empathy, transcends administrative routine to become a moral enterprise worthy of scholarly reverence. In honouring Governor Otu, Modibbo Adama University spoke not only to the present, but to posterity, signalling that governance anchored in values deserves to be archived, studied and emulated.

    Almost in poetic succession, the media’s own laurel followed. At the glittering Eko Hotels and Event Centre in Lagos, under the klieg lights of national attention, The Sun newspaper crowned Otu its Governor of the Year. This was the media, Nigeria’s relentless chronicler of governance and guardian of public accountability, projecting his stewardship onto the national canvas.

    Unlike academia, which reflects in quiet contemplation, the media speaks in the language of immediacy and impact. Its verdict is forged from observation, public sentiment, policy outcomes and the lived experiences of the people. That The Sun chose Governor Otu was therefore not incidental; it was an editorial affirmation that the direction of governance in Cross River State has begun to register palpably in the national consciousness.

    This second honour echoed the first, reinforcing a compelling narrative: that the quiet, deliberate work unfolding in Cross River State is resonating far beyond its borders, drawing commendation from platforms that both document and shape the national conscience. It affirmed that steady governance, often unaccompanied by noise—can still command attention when anchored in results and restraint.

    Yet, in a moment ripe for personal exaltation, Governor Otu chose the higher ground of collective gratitude. With disarming humility, he dedicated both honours to the people of Cross River State, those at home and in the diaspora, whose faith, patience and resilience continue to animate the government’s reform agenda. He acknowledged the contributions of traditional institutions, the legislature, the judiciary, members of the executive council, public servants and development partners whose collaboration has helped steady the ship of progress.

    In his words and bearing, the awards were transformed from personal laurels into shared victories, mirrors reflecting the collective labour and communal hope of an entire people. This posture of gratitude revealed a defining trait of his leadership: an instinct to decentralise glory and distribute ownership of progress.

    More significantly, the governor framed the twin recognitions not as destinations, but as renewed summons, solemn charges to labour harder, serve deeper and lead with heightened sensitivity to the human condition. It was an implicit acknowledgment that honours elevate responsibility, and that public affirmation increases the moral burden of leadership. In doing so, he redefined the moment from celebration to consecration.

    The symbolism was unmistakable. Academia and the media, twin sentinels of truth, values and accountability, had converged to affirm a leadership philosophy anchored in service rather than spectacle, impact rather than rhetoric. Their convergence sent a subtle but powerful message: that governance rooted in ethical clarity and people-centred policy still commands respect in an age often distracted by theatrics.

    As eminent Cross River indigenes, captains of industry, public intellectuals and national figures gathered in solidarity across both ceremonies, the atmosphere swelled with pride and promise. The moment glowed not merely with celebration, but with resolve. It spoke of trust earned through consistency, of momentum sustained by purpose, and of a leadership newly energised by affirmation.

    Beyond the ceremonies and citations, these twin honours etched a deeper truth into the public narrative of Governor Otu’s stewardship—that true greatness in public office is not measured by the titles that adorn one’s name, but by the lives one uplifts, the institutions one strengthens, and the hope one restores.

    They affirmed that governance, at its noblest, is an act of stewardship—temporary in tenure, but enduring in impact.

    In this glittering convergence of recognition, service found its echo, and leadership, guided by conscience, took another confident step toward legacy. The day academia and the media spoke with one voice will be remembered not merely as a moment of honour, but as a milestone in the evolving story of a governor whose quiet resolve continues to inspire national attention.

    Congratulations, Your Excellency, as the echoes of your governance heroics continue to inspire, reassure and resonate across Nigeria.

    •Obogo is Chief Press Secretary and Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Governor Otu.

  • By their fruits

    By their fruits

    Before they became politicians, they were the people’s nemesis. It was themselves first and everything centred around them. The good things of life must be for them and their family members only. They have lived on the state for eons and are not ready to let go. These days, they parade themseoves as lovers of the people, the same people they oppressed and suppressed in the eighties.

    Now in the political era that started in 1999, these mean men masquerading as the best things to happen to the country since the return to democracy over 26 years ago have come to see themselves as social crusaders. Can you imagine the tormentors of yesterday becoming the crusaders of today? Do not be deceived. Their crusading is all for power.

    They desperately want power. It is not that they were never in power before. They wielded power not too long ago, but did nothing to improve the lot of the same people that they claim are now “hungry”. Some of them even say they too are “hungry”, even after being in power for 24 years at a go! If the masses are indeed “hungry” to borrow their word, these fat and well-fed ‘hungry’ politicians should search themselves and come up with the truth of when the ‘hunger’ started.

    The masses of Nigerians have been hungery for years. Hungry for the good things of life, such as well-equipped schools, hospitals, decent homes and companies where they can work and make a living to take care of themselves and their families. Oh! May be the people were not hungry when David Mark, then a military officer and Minister of Communications, said ‘telephone is not for the poor’. Since he joined politics, he has tried to rephrase the statement. He claimed he never meant it that way. So, how did he mean it?

    Why did he not make the denial then in the eighties? Why wait till the return of democracy to correct his Freudian slip? The people cannot be deceived. They can see through his gimmick to sweeten things now in order to get them to his side. He now heads the lowly fancied, African Democratic Congress (ADC), a coalition of spent politicians, who are never tired of trying their luck for power in every election year. Mark was Senate president for eight years under the now disintegrated Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). His eight years in office was half of the 16 that PDP held power. The party had vowed to rule for 60 years before it was brought down to earth in 2015.

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    Since then, the party has been comatose, with many members like Mark; its presidential candidate in 2023, Atiku Abubakar, and his Labour Party (LP) counterpart, Peter Obi, seeking solace in ADC. With them in their new home is John Odigie-Oyegun, a former governor of Edo State, who hit the limelight in the famous 1984 case of Saidu Garba versus the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) when he on several occasions disobeyed the orders of Justice Yahya Jinadu of the Lagos High Court.

    Jinadu was no ordinary judge. He was courageous and bold  as they come. He brooked no nonsense and was not ready to allow any person no matter how powerful to trample upon his court. Oyegun was then the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. His ministry oversaw the fire service. Garba was divisional fire officer at Onikan, Lagos when the nearby 32-storey Nigeria External Telecommunications (NET) building went up in flames on January 24, 1983.

    He was interdicted over the incident. His interdiction ended up in Jinadu’s court. The judge ordered Garba’s reinstatement. Oyegun flatly refused to obey the order.Oyegun’s lawyer from the Federal Ministry of Justice, who also later became a judge, indulged him.

    Jinadu was shocked to his marrows. He wonderd at the lawyer’s attitude, and disrobed him not once,  but twice in open court. Sadly, in the end, ‘big manism’ won, as Oyegun disobeyed all the court orders. Though, Jinadu’s orders were set aside on appeal  by 2-1, the judge laughed last at the Supreme Court where the verdict was unanimously (5-0) restored. But, before the victory, he had been forced out of work. His six-month notice of resignation to allow him conclude part-heard cases was rejected by the Buhari junta which directed him to go immediately.

    It is quite interesting to see the same Oyegun and his ilk today calling themselves respecters and upholders of the rule of the law. How can anybody be that if they do not obey court orders? What kind of manifesto and policy will someone like Oyegun who is the chairman of his party’s committee of the same name fashion for the association? The morning, it is said, shows the day. If you were once a disrespecter of court orders, you will always be one. Democracy cannot change that. How can it change an innate attribute mastered as an art as a top civil servant?

    The combination of  Oyegun and Mark at the top echelon of ADC is unholy. It is forged in chicanery and it cannot get the party anywhere. Oyegun might have gotten away with disobeying court orders some 42 years ago, but he and his party are unlikely to escape the people’s wrath at the polls in 2027 for past indiscretions. What have they got to offer than their legacies of disobedience of court orders and telephone is not for the poor? Voters are waiting at the polls to remind them of those legacies.