The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • Industry-ready graduates

    Industry-ready graduates

    • Government’s new policy in this direction should turn things around   

    “We have adopted a policy that ensures our polytechnic graduates are industry-ready, innovative problem-solvers capable of driving national development,” Minister of Education Dr Maruf Alausa stated at a retreat for governing council chairmen, education commissioners, rectors, registrars, and bursars in Abuja.

    The gathering focused on “Transforming Polytechnic Education in Nigeria: Innovation, Good Governance and Sustainability for National Development.” It was organised by the Council of Heads of Polytechnics and Colleges of Technology in Nigeria (COHEADS).

    Alausa said polytechnics are “the crucibles where innovation meets practicality, where skills forge economic resilience, and where sustainable development becomes a lived reality.” He urged polytechnic administrators to prioritise entrepreneurship and research to “foster entrepreneurship centres, research hubs, and industry partnerships that turn ideas into prototypes, inventions into enterprises, which will graduate into job creators.”

    This is a commendable policy move that is long overdue. It recognises that national development is impossible without a skilled technical workforce. The lack of this alignment has contributed to high youth unemployment despite the thousands of students graduating every year.

    For decades, there has been a significant gap between what students learn in the classroom and what the labour market actually requires. Historically, polytechnic education was criticised for being too theoretical.

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    By focusing on “industry-ready” graduates, the policy shifts the curriculum toward Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET). This ensures that when students graduate, they don’t need two years of additional training to handle modern industrial machinery or software.

    Also, a policy that focuses on innovation and good governance helps elevate the prestige of polytechnics, proving that their graduates are not “secondary” but are actually the “engine room” of national development.

    Indeed, Nigeria’s movement toward a more diversified economy requires problem-solvers to fix infrastructure, innovators to drive the tech and manufacturing sectors, and entrepreneurs who can create jobs rather than just seeking them.

    The participation of rectors, registrars, and bursars in the retreat demonstrates the government’s focus on tackling the “sustainability” challenge. In the past, good policies failed because the people managing the money (bursars) or the administration (registrars) weren’t aligned with the academic goals.

    Notably, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), Prof. Idris Bugaje, highlighted an important aspect in his opening remarks. He said: “We have only 153 technical colleges as against over 15,000 senior secondary schools in Nigeria today,” adding, “We were really struggling to survive in this very unfriendly system.”

    In most developed economies, the ratio of technical education to general education is much higher. By having 100 times more secondary schools than technical colleges, Nigeria effectively created a “pipeline” that leads toward white-collar degrees rather than the technical skills needed for industrialisation. The figures suggest that technical education has likely been underfunded or overlooked in favour of traditional academic routes.

    Bugaje observed that despite its relevance, technical education suffered neglect after the country’s independence, particularly following the civil war, as universities received greater priority. He called for a renewed commitment to strengthening polytechnic and technical education in Nigeria, saying the situation has changed in the last two years, mainly due to reforms initiated by the current Minister of Education.

    The minister’s reference to “industry-ready” graduates means the policy is essentially trying to rehabilitate the secondary school stages of the country’s 6-3-3-4 education formula. The Junior Secondary level was supposed to be a “testing ground” where students were exposed to introductory technology and vocational crafts. Based on their performance, they would be “streamed” into either academic or technical senior secondary schools.

    However, the reality is that with only 153 technical colleges versus 15,000 regular schools, the “streaming” process became a one-way street toward academic subjects. The vocational side was effectively abandoned. This is the crux of the matter.

    The solution lies in integrating more practical work into the Junior Secondary level so interests are discovered early, while simultaneously closing the infrastructure gap between the 153 technical colleges and 15,000 regular schools.

  • Ifunanya’s unfortunate death from snake bite

    Ifunanya’s unfortunate death from snake bite

    • By Tochukwu Jimo Obi

    Sir: The death of Ifunanya Nwangene, a 25-year-old Abuja-based classical, jazz, RnB, and soul singer popularly known by her stage name, Nanyah, is not only unfortunate but deeply sad and clearly preventable. A young woman full of promise and talent has been lost, not because her condition was untreatable, but because the system failed her at the most critical moment.

    Ifunanya was reportedly bitten by a snake in her home in Abuja. In a desperate attempt to save her life, she took herself to two different hospitals within the nation’s capital. Shockingly, she was allegedly turned away by both facilities due to the absence of anti-snake venom. She later died on Saturday, a death that raises painful questions about the state of emergency care in Nigeria.

    This incident calls for an immediate and transparent investigation. How is it possible that two hospitals in Abuja could lack anti-snake venom, a basic and life-saving emergency drug? Who is responsible for ensuring its availability, and why was that responsibility neglected? These are questions that must not be brushed aside.

    Nigeria carries one of the highest snakebite burdens in Africa, yet the country lacks functional local production facilities for anti-venom. This is not a new problem, and the risks are well documented. Snakebite venom remains a public health threat, particularly in rural and farming communities, but increasingly even urban residents are not spared.

    Ironically, locally developed anti-venoms such as EchiTabG exist. However, they are neither widely produced nor readily available. This failure is largely due to inadequate government funding and a troubling lack of commitment by those entrusted with managing public health systems. The science exists; the political will does not.

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    Instead, government reportedly spends between $10 million and $12 million annually on imported anti-venom. Yet despite these huge allocations, public hospitals continue to lack these critical drugs. The question Nigerians must ask is: where does the money go, and why do patients still die from treatable conditions?

    If Ifunanya could die in Abuja, the seat of power and supposedly the best-served city in the country, one can only imagine how many silent deaths occur daily in rural communities. Many of these deaths go unreported, un-investigated, and unacknowledged, making the tragedy even more disturbing.

    Beyond the absence of anti-snake venom, most public hospitals lack basic facilities required for emergency response and resuscitation. Essential equipment, trained personnel, and functional systems are missing in many centres. This is unacceptable in a country of Nigeria’s size and resources.

    Ifunanya’s death once again reinforces the urgent need for a total overhaul of public health facilities and the declaration of a state of emergency in all public hospitals. The life of every Nigerian matters, and government at all levels must act with urgency to protect those lives. Enough of these avoidable deaths.

    •Tochukwu Jimo Obi,

    Obosi Anambra state.

  • Language as an instrument for cultural preservation

    Language as an instrument for cultural preservation

    • By Tolulope Sobiye

    Sir: Language is one’s identity. Language is one of the most important tools for keeping a person’s culture alive. It is through language that people express their beliefs, traditions, values and way of life. How can we ignore our language to promote the western language? How can we jettison our culture and call it barbaric? When a language disappears, much of the culture of the people who speak that language also disappears. In Nigeria, where there are different ethnic groups and languages, language plays a very strong role in preserving culture.

    Nigeria has more than 500 indigenous languages such as Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo, Tiv, Kanuri, Efik and many others. Each language represents the identity of its people. These languages carry stories about the past, explain customs and guide how people behave in their communities. Through language, cultural knowledge is passed from older generations to younger ones.

    One major way language preserves culture in Nigeria is through oral tradition. Before writing became common people used spoken words to pass on knowledge through folktales, myths, proverbs, songs and riddles which are told in local languages. These stories teach children good behaviour, respect for elders, honesty, hard work and cooperation. For example, Yoruba folktales often teach wisdom while Igbo proverbs express deep ideas about life and community. All these cultural lessons remain alive because the language is still spoken.

    Language is also very important in traditional ceremonies and festivals. Nigerian cultural festivals such as the New Yam Festival, the Durbar Festival, the Argungu Fishing Festival and the Osun-Osogbo Festival are carried out in local languages. During these events, people use traditional songs, prayers, greetings and chants. These expressions cannot be properly explained in English because they carry special cultural meanings. Using indigenous languages in these ceremonies helps people stay connected to their history and ancestors.

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     Language also preserves culture  in traditional leadership and social life. Traditional rulers like the Oba, Emir, Obi, Eze and Olu govern their communities using their native languages. Meetings, judgments, community rules and conflict settlement are mostly done in local languages. This keeps the traditional system alive and meaningful to the people.

    In modern Nigeria, language also helps preserve culture through literature, music and the media. Many Nigerian writers include indigenous expressions in their works to show Nigerian life and values. Wole Soyinka in “The Lion and the Jewel “ shows how culture must be preserved through language, a word like “Baale” was used in place of “chief”. Indigenous names and places like “ Sidi, Lakunle, Sadiku and Ilunjinle” were also mentioned to preserve Yoruba culture through language. Musicians sing in their local languages to tell stories, praise heroes and promote cultural pride. Radio and television programmes in Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and other local languages also help keep culture strong and visible in everyday life.

    However, Nigerian languages are now facing serious danger. Many young people prefer to speak only English. Some parents also discourage the use of local languages at home. Isn’t that funny ?As a result, many children cannot speak their mother tongue properly. It’s sad to discover that many parents are proud to see that their children cannot speak their mother tongue. Some see it as being classy. What is happening to our cultural heritage?When this happens, cultural knowledge begins to fade away. Aren’t we aiming at language death? Some Nigerian languages are even at risk of disappearing completely. What are we going to do when this happens?

    Meanwhile, we are still struggling with  English language that we claim to jettison our indigenous languages for. We forget that when we have a solid foundation and knowledge of our mother tongue, it will help in English language acquisition.

    To protect Nigerian culture, indigenous languages must be protected. Parents should speak their native languages at home with their children. Schools should teach Nigerian languages seriously and not treat them as less important than English. Government should support local languages through books, radio, television and cultural programmes. They should also make  indigenous languages core in secondary schools.  Communities should encourage young people to be proud of their language and culture. Speakers at events should also code mix and code switch between English and their mother tongue just to show how proud they are of their mother tongue.

    To sum it up, language is more than just a way of speaking. It is the heart of culture and identity. It defines us.  The Nigerian example shows clearly that preserving language means preserving our culture and our dignity. If Nigerians protect their indigenous languages they are protecting their history, values and future.

    •Tolulope Sobiye,

     <favour0405@gmail.com>

  • Security issues in Okunland: Memo to two lawmakers

    Security issues in Okunland: Memo to two lawmakers

    • By Dr Jaiyeola Lewu

    Sir: I am Ambassador Jaiyeola Joseph Lewu from Kabba town in Okunland of Kogi State, a retired career ambassador of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, and a senior colleague of ambassadors Shola Enikanolaiye and Rotimi. Amb Kayode Shinkaiye from Odo-eri and I were colleagues in the Foreign Service as we joined the service when we graduated in 1972. 

    I have been following the great work and the philanthropic services that you have been rendering our people in Yagbaland in particular and in Okunland in general. I have not been fortunate enough to meet with you personally but I am availing myself the opportunity of sending this message to express my sincere appreciation for your consistent dedication to representing your constituency exceedingly well and for helping so many people to better their lives and lifting them up from poverty and despair.

    May God in His infinite mercy reward you.

    The insecurity problem in Okunland is enormous and I have been following the efforts which your good self and Distinguished Senator Karimi have been taking towards combatting the suffering of our people in the hands of terrorists/ bandits. I wish to doff my hat to you both. As the Kogi government seems to leave our people to their fate rather than tackling the issue headlong, I would like to suggest the following:

    First:  A collective approach is needed by your good self, Senator Karimi and all other Okun members of the national and state assemblies to approach both the Minister of Defence and the Chief of Army Staff to establish strong military outposts in each of the five Local Government Areas in Okunland to rid our land of the terrible terrorists/bandits.  Although two military posts are reported to have been established, one at Egbe and another one Olle or so in Bunuland, each local government area should have well-manned and equipped outposts due to the large areas of Okunland.

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    Second:  Prevail on the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to train and equip adequately youths in Okunland as effective vigilantes, rather than sending Fulani vigilantes to Okunland with AK47 assault rifles and who do not know our territory well but rely on our unarmed local youths to show them the hideouts of the terrorists/ bandits. Our youths, who are the locals on the spot, know the terrain better than strangers. So, let the NSA help in this regard.

    Third: Approach the Kogi State governor to complement your efforts and those of the federal government to ensure that Okunland is protected from terrorists/kidnappers who are invading our land from Niger and Kwara states. Our people are peaceful and have no arms to defend themselves; thus, they should not be left alone by the state government to fend for themselves.

    Fourth:  Encourage the youths, both men and women, at ward levels, to be courageous enough to act as community intelligence people who will be invaluable assets to our law enforcement agencies towards ridding Okunland of terrorism and kidnapping. When they see something unusual or suspicious, they should report it immediately.   The price of freedom, it has been said, is eternal vigilance.

    Finally, fifth:  Stage town hall meetings with our traditional leaders, local government chairmen and the people to encourage them to be vigilant and protect their communities. During this period of security emergency, let yourself and other assembly members and Senator Karimi focus on security projects as your main constituency objectives, particularly since there can be no development without security.

    •Dr Jaiyeola Lewu,

    Former, Nigeria’s Ambassador to Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia,

    Abuja.

  • Sim the Tragic

    Sim the Tragic

    Some historical monikers are sane.  Others, by contemporary temper, absolutely insane.

    Alexander the Great (256-323 BC), formally Alexander III, King of Macedonia, was not only the greatest warrior-king in Greek history.  He also counts among the greatest military strategists of all time.  At 30, he had carved out an empire, which stretched from Greece to the western part of India’s north.

    If ‘Alexander the Great’ made sense, William the Bastard (1028-1087) made little sense – or did it? William the Conqueror – as he was otherwise called – sure earned his stripes: from the Duke of Normandy and eventually, the first Norman King of England.

    But not even all his accomplishments, in war and in peace, could blot the sobriquet: William the Bastard. His parents, Robert I, Duke of Normandy, and Herleva of Falaise, both in France, were unmarried.  Medieval temper was much starker and far less filtered!

    If we pivot from ancient wars to the eternal war that is the Rivers’ present politics, how would you brand the leading dramatis personae?  Riled godfather, ex-governor, and now explosive Abuja Minister, Nyesom Wike: Ezenwo the Brash?

    Or foxy but extremely annoying godson, with a gubernatorial term of one day, one trouble, Siminalayi Fubara: Sim the Tragic?  He goes on dabbing himself with petrol, knowing full well the Wike camp won’t blink from lighting up the fire that could burn him to ashes!

    By the way, given the political straws now posturing with Fubara, in his meaningless, yet explosive grandstanding, the Rivers six-month emergency debacle seems to have taught the governor nothing.

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    One is Daniel Bwala, a Tinubu loyalist from Borno State, North East – until the issue of a Muslim-Muslim ticket.  Pronto, he bailed from the winning boat, in a blind splash to the losers’ camp – whatever the northern Christian minority fears, which pushed the sheer panic of his jump.  But later, he would pivot back from the failed Atiku Abubakar camp, landing the visible sinecure of the presidential special adviser on Policy Communication.

    Does Bwala think his posturing, on Fubara’s account, would weigh more with the president – who seeks a second term – when the chips are down?  Bwala, who bailed out at the first hint of ticket danger, would weigh more than Wike – hate him or love him – who grinded everything out, when the danger was red-hot, though he belonged to the rival PDP?

    What hubris!  Folks who enjoy the grace of second chances should learn to be humble!

    The other is Ajibola Basiru, PhD, eminent lawyer and a former senator to boot, from Osun, South West!  Did former Senator Basiru think national visibility, as APC national scribe, equate a full grasp and control of local politics?

    Well, if he did, he has learnt nothing from his predecessor, Iyiola Omisore! Once-upon-a-time, Omisore enjoyed that exact klieg light.  But it proved utterly useless when issues returned to the realpolitik of Osun politics.  Pray, how did national secretary-emeritus help Omisore’s umpteenth bid for Osun governor 2026?

    Just as well Basiru is walking back his talk!  He and Bwala ought to have been far more circumspect.  If they cannot ease their principal’s bid for a second term, they should avoid empty noise that could make it tougher.

    But back to Rivers emergency rule and its plus-and-minus for embattled Governor Fubara.  Yes, it could have been worse: that emergency shunted him aside for six months. But it also preserved his battered office.  Had emergency rule not come as some contrived wonder-machine, which froze his looming impeachment, he would probably have been history by now.

    True, no one could have predicted the political thunder to follow that interregnum, including the Armageddon his famed “Ijaw youths” could have unleashed in the creeks.  But no meltdown could have restored him to office, except the courts fault his impeachment processes.  It’s the grim beauty of the rule of law!

    That is why it is tragic that the governor seems to have forgotten the baleful, shrieking, if impotent, voices that last pushed him to the brink, while he committed impeachable offences that would have made his political guillotining a breeze.  He seems repeating the same mistake, post-emergency.  Sad!

    Between Wike (warts and all) and Fubara (all guile, little gumption), is a huge study in contrasts.

    Wike’s politics, no matter its rough exterior, shows a sure-footed mastery of his environment, mastering the push before they come to the shove.  Outside politics qua politics, he has also proved a brilliant policy boss.  That is clear from his records, both as Rivers two-term governor, and as sitting FCT minister. 

    That’s why it’s such a laugh: the clearly sponsored media hysteria, calling for his sack – for what exactly?  For showing, so far, a near-complete mastery of his Rivers political environment: morphing from a strict PDP partisan to cobbling together a cross-party ensemble he dubs the Rivers Renewed Hope Ambassadors, for Tinubu’s reelection in 2027?  Or: for brilliantly delivering on his FCT ministerial mandate?

    Put Fubara on a similar podium and what do you see?  A 21st century Greek, Icarus, in the thunder of Rivers politics!  Daedalius had warned his son, Icarius, not to fly too close to the sun, lest the heat melt the wax that grafted his wings!  But in the euphoria of the moment, Icarus soared too high, got his wax melted, and plunged into the sea!

    The classic making of Sim the Tragic: this running, gripping, all-riveting tale of self-doom?  Yet, with a tad of political gumption, it just might have been doom avoidable!

    Still, is Wike’s own politics all that immaculate?  Hardly!  Wike seems deaf to the wails of the drum he beats, ever so violently.  As the drum wails, he beats it even more.  That the drum might tear hardly ever occurs to him! Wike’s hamartia? He never knows when to stop!  But until that drum tears, he holds the ace!

    Let Fubara change tack, if it’s not already too late.  He should renounce any pretence to a second term.  He has made enough bungle of his gubernatorial tour of thorns.

  • Supporting Nigeria’s future nation builders

    Supporting Nigeria’s future nation builders

    • By Nick Vaughan-Williams

    With one of the world’s youngest populations, Nigeria faces both a profound challenge and an extraordinary opportunity. Over 60% of Nigerians are under 30 and, with recent estimates suggesting that nearly 80 million young Nigerians are unemployed, this skills and employment gap threatens national productivity, social cohesion, and long-term economic resilience. 

    Yet it is precisely here that universities—both within Nigeria and internationally—can play a more ambitious, targeted role. As provost of the University of Birmingham, I have witnessed how strategic partnerships, innovative pedagogy, and industry-aligned learning can transform prospects for young people and societies at-large. 

    Universities are not simply places of knowledge generation; they are engines of economic renewal. My own institution contributes £4.4 billion every year to the UK economy. For Nigeria, this means building ecosystems that bridge the gap between education and employment at scale.

    Since the 1980s, access to education has grown the global economy by 50%, led to increased income for 70% of the world’s poorest 20% of people, and reduced extreme poverty by 40%. Higher education equips young people with the technical, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills that economies need, whilst driving innovation to forge our global future.

    The UK Government’s recently published International Education Strategy aims to make the UK the global partner of choice at every stage of learning. A blueprint for continued change, the strategy looks to grow the UK’s leadership in transnational education (TNE) — expanding access to high‑quality UK study programmes overseas. The strategy also maintains focus on Nigeria as one of several key partner countries for ongoing TNE development. 

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    Aligning curricula with labour market demands

    A key driver of unemployment in Nigeria is the mismatch between the skills that employers need and those that students acquire. Many graduates leave university without the practical or digital capabilities required for today’s job market, particularly in rapidly evolving fields such as technology, renewable energy, logistics, and health sciences. We also know that, for many employers, graduates need more support to be work-place ready. This can be addressed by integrating experiential learning—internships, placements, apprenticeships, simulations, and problem-based learning—into core degree pathways. Expanding digital skills training, from basic data literacy to advanced AI, cybersecurity, and software development will also provide vital support.

    With global technological shifts displacing some job categories while creating millions more, Nigeria’s young people will need to equip themselves for roles in the emergent digital economy. The World Economic Forum projects that 97 million new roles may emerge globally due to AI and automation—and Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind. 

    Expanding university–industry partnerships

    Employability thrives when universities and employers work together. In the UK, universities like Birmingham have pioneered co-created programmes with industries that not only shape curriculum but provide direct employment pipelines.

    For Nigeria, scalable impact requires sector specific advisory boards made up of employers co-guiding university teaching and research priorities. Companies hosting students for paid placements will help to grow the country’s skills and experience base. Industry sponsored innovation hubs — especially in agriculture, fintech, health technology, manufacturing, and the creative industries – will help to future-proof the nation’s skills. 

    Supporting entrepreneurship and job creation

    A sizeable proportion of youth unemployment in Nigeria is driven by the economy’s ability to integrate new people or capital into its workforce or market without causing instability, such as increased unemployment, poverty, or reduced wages. There are 1.7 million graduates entering the Nigerian labour market annually, but too few jobs to match. Universities thus have a responsibility not only to prepare students for existing jobs but also to empower them to create new pathways to decent work and lead inclusive growth. 

    Strengthening research capacity to drive national development

    Universities are uniquely positioned to generate the research and innovation that fuels long-term economic transformation. Nigeria’s strategic priorities—from food security to healthcare improvements, from digital transformation to climate resilience—require evidence-based solutions and skilled researchers. By investing in research talent, Nigeria can grow high value labour markets while reducing reliance on foreign expertise.

    Broadening access to Higher Education and skills training

    Despite progress, many young people in Nigeria—particularly women, rural populations, and those in marginalised regions—face barriers to accessing high-quality higher education. Studies highlight continuing regional and gender disparities in youth unemployment. 

    Universities can expand inclusivity through flexible and hybrid learning models, allowing students to study while working or managing family responsibilities. Micro credentials and short professional programmes can help to ensure fast and affordable pathways into employment. Targeted scholarships— especially in STEM, digital skills, and sectors experiencing talent shortages—can help to create a more inclusive education system leads to stronger national outcomes and social stability.

    Global institutions have a responsibility to collaboratively support Nigeria’s strategic development goals. At the University of Birmingham, we have strengthened our existing strategic partnership with the University of Lagos — signing a new agreement to explore the expansion of high-quality transnational education and research collaboration in Nigeria. We will now work closely with Nigeria’s Ministry of Education to develop fully scoped proposals for a Transnational Education Unit, based in Lagos, with the ambition to begin programme delivery from 2027.

    Nigeria’s youth are the nation’s greatest asset—and universities are critical to unlocking their potential. By aligning curricula with market needs, expanding industry partnerships, supporting entrepreneurship, strengthening research, widening access, and deepening international collaboration, universities including Lagos and Birmingham will play an indispensable role in advancing Nigeria’s economic and social aspirations.

    •Prof Vaughan-Williams is provost and vice-principal, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom.

  • IPOB: Not again

    IPOB: Not again

    A rump of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has threatened to resume the enforcement of the Monday sit-at-home which was started over four years ago as a way to force the federal government to heed the call for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, then detained by the government of late President Muhammadu Buhari. IPOB grew out, from the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB). IPOB has itself mutated, even though the mutants have no new name, known to the public.

    The recent threat is a reaction to the effort by the governor of Anambra State, Chukwuma Soludo, to stop the wasteful sit-at-home on Mondays which IPOB used to draw attention to the trial of Nnamdi Kanu who has now been jailed for terrorism related charges. The group initially enforced the order on the days Kanu went to court, but eventually included every Monday, to push their campaign. According to Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s lawyer, his principal had since ordered a stop of the sit-at-home, but some of his followers remained defiant.

    One of the leaders of the mutants, Simeon Ekpa, has been jailed in Finland for terrorism. This writer was particularly irked about Ekpa’s style of making light the consequences of his messages in the region. In one video, he was dancing and said he was enjoying himself, while his detractors were claiming he was under detention, which showed the so-called fight for Biafra was a joke for him. The cavalier manner he treated the grave issue of the deaths and mayhem in the southeast resulting from his actions showed he didn’t care a hoot about the so-called struggle.

    Before they were jailed, Ekpa had openly defied Kanu over the latter’s order to end the sit-at-home. With Kanu in detention, Ekpa had assumed leadership even while pretending to be acting in the interest of the Kanu. Of course, there appears to be cells operating independently of the leadership, dishing out instructions and countermanding orders from the IPOB leadership. The results have been killing of the ordinary persons, by what came to be regarded as the unknown gunmen.

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    At the height of his confrontation with the Nigerian state, Kanu with tremendous gift of garb, framed the fight as one between the quest for an independent republic of Biafra, and the hegemonic powers that ruled Nigeria. A bombastic fellow, Kanu held his followers captive, with eloquent denunciation of the challenges bedeviling Nigeria. Courted and cult-ed, he became a folk hero, amongst the downtrodden and disposessed, in the region. Soon, some members of the intelligentsia and the business class also warmed up to him and that made him more daring.

    Like Ralph Uwazurike of MASSOB, to tantalize his supporters, Kanu began to make promises he had no way of keeping. He gave dates and events that will culminate into the birth of Biafra republic. As if in a conspiracy, the government of late President Muhammad Buhari, in rhetoric and in action, gave the impression that Igbos of southeast were dispensable in determining the future of Nigeria. And as if in concert, terrorism by herdsmen under Buhari, added a new dimension to the Nigerian fault lines.

    Those who hitherto were dismissive of a purported ethnic/religious agenda, under the government began to believe that something was really afoot. In remote villages across the southeast, and of course other parts of Nigeria, herdsmen clutching AK47 rifles, became the symbol that Armageddon was near the gate. So, when Kanu said that there are plans for the Fulani ethnic group to take over other parts of the country by force, even the doubters believed. Like a prophet whose last prediction came to pass, Kanu was emboldened to make more predictions and issue more threats.

    With Kanu’s image getting far larger than those elected to govern at the federal and the state levels in the southeast, it was definite, as the pre-eminent Tatalo Alamu, of this newspaper would say, that something had to give. There are several conspiracy theories as to how Kanu was rendered back to Nigeria from Kenya by the Buhari regime. There are many political leaders in the region, who have been smeared with the tag of saboteur, for allegedly rendering Kanu back to Nigeria.

    The Buhari regime despite its best efforts could not bring the trial of Kanu at the Federal High Court Abuja, to an end. Kanu was able to outfox the regime for about four years, with all manner of legal gymnastics, as some have called it. He changed his lawyers many times, defended himself a few times, and forced changes of judges at other times. While that was going on, the economy of the southeast was haemorrhaging profusely. The economic loss is projected in several billions of naira, the loss of life in monumental proportions, and the dislocation of social life, very substantial.

    With the Buhari regime and its concomitant idiosyncrasies ending in 2023, many thought the challenges associated with the crisis would dissipate. Leaders of the southeast tried to outdo each other, to position to claim credit, believing that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu would release Kanu from the gulag. Kanu even toned down his rhetoric, in the earnest hope that the new regime’s renewed hope agenda would grant him freedom. Instead of a political solution, the courts went for a legal solution as Justice James Omotosho ignored all legal mischiefs, and went ahead to conclude the trial and jail Kanu, for life. 

    With a mischievous obiter dictum that Kanu should be jailed in any prison that pleases the powers that be, he was sent to the Sokoto Correctional Centre, the seat of the Caliphate that he had been lampooning in his rise to prominence. In a tinge of irony, like a youth corps member, it seems he was sent to learn the ways and means of Fulani, so he can become a better pan-Nigerian. With Kanu put away in faraway, Sokoto, many have been wondering whether IPOB would continue to dissipate and eventually disappear.

    But the ever loquacious spirit-man, Emma Powerful, the spokesman of IPOB, seems to have a different agenda. He is giving the impression that IPOB is a phoenix. He has called for renewal of the sit-at-home agenda, which has never augured well for the region. This writer urges those pushing for the sit-at-home order to continue to please abandon a strategy that has hurt the southeast more that it has benefited it and hope that President Tinubu would release Kanu and help the region to recuperate. The southeast has suffered enough, from the Buhari-era crisis.    

    Of course, while the southeast was haemorrhaging, the national economy was bleeding.  Governor Soludo, who made the contested order, has threatened traders with grave consequences if they fail to resume on Mondays. This column hopes he has put plans in place to secure those willing to work on Mondays from criminals masquerading as liberation fighters.

  • There is a governor in Lagos

    There is a governor in Lagos

    • By Tunji Bamishigbin

    There has been one man, one governor in Lagos State, who has done greater things with immeasurable boldness, despite his simple nature and calm demeanour. That man is Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the current governor of Lagos State. When it comes to embarking on daring projects, he stands taller.

    Let me break it down.

    Recently, as I drove by Alausa, Ikeja, I saw the state government’s Secretariat extension building opposite the Lands Bureau, and the Ministry of the Environment. That building was meant to house some of the state MDAs’ offices that are spread across the state in rented buildings.

    The project has passed through God knows the number of administrations in the state, and I always wonder who was responsible for the delay in completing that single project. It is hoped that the building will be put into use and afford the state huge savings from the annual rents it has been expending yearly.

    There is also the Oko Baba Log Market by the Ebute-Meta Waterfront. This is a community that has existed for over a century. The Log Market has been a stain on the beauty of the waterfront from the Third Mainland Bridge. No administration in the past was bold enough to tackle the menace, military or civilian.

    When I first heard about the governor’s intention to evacuate the market to Ejirin in his speech at the inauguration of the Epe film village, where I sat in the hall near my friend and colleague, Tade Ogidan, I remember whispering to him that the governor’s proclamation was a mere political statement and doubted how he could achieve that.

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    Behold, the day I saw the location from the Third Mainland Bridge, sometime mid last year or thereabout, and saw that the park was already evacuated, I had to park for a proper view of the site. No doubt, it takes some guts to achieve that, especially when it is realised that the previous administrations (military and civilian) could not work it out. For me, perhaps, what makes the feat rather amazing was how it was done without noise.

    Pelewura Market

    If I could recollect quite well, the Pelewura Market was built on a site that used to be a dumpsite by the Lagoon on Adeniji Adele, long before the 3rd Mainland Bridge was constructed. It used to be another version of Owode Onirin, where scraps were traded, particularly by Ijebu traders, who were the original motor spare parts traders before the advent of the eastern traders after the civil war.

    I cannot remember the administration that later acquired the site and constructed lock-up shops on it, which were sold to individuals. However, rather than the shops being used for trading, many were converted to accommodation that was let to many undocumented characters who fled the state within and outside the country. This made it gradually to become unkempt, thereby making it attractive to criminals. Many administrations had watched this site unattended before now.

    It was on the same day I saw the Oko Baba evacuation that I witnessed the demolition of Pelewura Market by the Sanwo-Olu administration. It is the same daring approach being witnessed at Makoko now that the government deployed to tackle the market issue.

    It should be stressed that the previous administrations saw the need to remove the illegal residents and traders along the corridor, but they never had the political will to deal with it.

    These people built their homes on makeshift stuff, with the attendant danger and serious environmental degradation, thereby endangering their lives as well as those of others. This is also in addition to destroying the aesthetics of the waterway. It is to the credit of the current administration that it decided to do the right thing despite the predictable backlash and threat from NGO groups, who had turned the undue activism into a money-spinning venture.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu stands taller for taking bold steps to achieve difficult results that will ultimately benefit the state. The icing is the fact that the governor deploys his quiet and simple demeanour to achieve his goals without unnecessarily being loud and noisy.

    However, I need to stress that his administration needs to improve on the maintenance of public infrastructure across the state, as well as the strict enforcement of law and order. This is one weakness that I have observed with the administration.

    Oshodi was cleaned up by the Fashola administration, and discipline was introduced in the running of the place by the NURTW. The Ambode administration also gave the corridor a facelift, with the construction of the high-tech terminal, but today Oshodi appears to be going back to the previous times. The terminal is underutilized and not in a good state.

    Another example is the activities of the iterant street boys, called bolar boys. My last check on the Lateef Jakande Road, Agidingbi, Ikeja, revealed how these boys have gradually removed the strong iron protection railings at the bus stop from the one by LTV, opposite Coca-Cola, Agidingbi, and the one at Agidingbi Primary School Bus Stop.

    The same goes for the one at Agidigbi Grammar School and the one by Mega Chicken, Agidingbi. To think that this is a location close to the government office, and some guys are employed as Business District Police, but choose to engage in vehicular assignment, needs to be looked into.

    Lastly, the governor, as part of his unique endeavours in breaking the ice that others were not able to dare, should add Oba Akran Road, Ikeja, and its adjacent roads that hold industries. The road needs reconstruction as done in Apapa, Eric Moore, and another industrial location in the state.

    I am aware of the two major impediments on that road: the overhead mini high tension electric cables and the underground gas pipe. These, I believe, are surmountable, going by the daring nature of the governor in infrastructural development.

    The unique achievement this will be is the first transformation of the first main road that held the very first industrial estate in Nigeria by the colonial administration and developed by the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, administration in the First Republic. Surely, Baba Awo will be glad in heaven.

     • Bamishigbin is a veteran movie director, actor, and producer.

  • Ondo at 50: River Basin chief lauds Aiyedatiwa’s dedication to state

    Ondo at 50: River Basin chief lauds Aiyedatiwa’s dedication to state

    Managing Director of Benin-Owena River Basin Development Authority, Femi Adekanmbi, has lauded Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his leadership as Ondo State marks its 50th anniversary.

    In a statement to mark the Golden Jubilee, he described the governor’s commitment to improving lives of residents as unparalleled, underscoring Aiyedatiwa’s resolve to drive the state toward progress and prosperity.

    He said the achievements in infrastructure, education, and healthcare sectors have enhanced residents’ quality of life and boosted investor confidence in the state.

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    Dr. Adekanmbi described the governor’s vision and purposeful leadership as a demonstration of his capability, positioning Ondo as a beacon of development and sustained growth.

    The APC stalwart urged the people to rally behind the administration, assuring them that continued support would enable the governor to deliver even more impactful results in the years ahead.

    He hoped that with this track record, Ondo State is on course to become one of Nigeria’s leading states, harnessing its potential for a more prosperous and united future.

  • Engineers seek climate-resilient infrastructure, reforms to protect city

    Engineers seek climate-resilient infrastructure, reforms to protect city

    Environmental engineers and sanitation experts have called for investment in climate-resilient, technology-driven infrastructure and comprehensive sanitation reforms to safeguard Lagos against flooding, pollution and impacts of climate change.

    They spoke yesterday at a professional lecture: “The Environment Sector in Lagos: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow”, to mark the 70th birthday of veteran engineer, Babatunde Adeyemi Oshodi, at Nigerian Society of Engineers Secretariat, Agege, Lagos.

    Delivering the keynote address, Adedapo Ajadi, Director Drainage Construction and Dredging, Office of Draining Services, Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources Lagos state, warned that Lagos, a fastest-growing megacity, faces mounting pressure from urbanisation, coastal vulnerability, rising sea levels and increasingly intense rainfall.

    Ajadi said environmental management in Lagos was characterised by poor drainage networks, weak enforcement of environmental laws, manual waste handling and low public awareness, which worsened flooding and environmental degradation.

    But he noted that the state had recorded improvements through stronger Lagos Waste Management Authority, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency and Office of Drainage Services, with expanded drainage infrastructure, routine desilting, removal of illegal structures and data-driven planning using hydrological studies and GIS mapping.

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    “Climate change has altered the rules,” Ajadi said, stressing that future environmental planning must prioritise climate-smart infrastructure, real-time flood monitoring systems, digital asset management and stronger public-private partnerships.

    He added that environmental considerations must be integrated into road, housing and transport development.

    The engineer warned that continued neglect of environmental systems would undermine food security and economic growth, citing desertification and environmental degradation in the country.

    He said Sahara Desert had expanded in the past century, threatening livelihoods.

    Ajadi also raised concerns about declining professional standards, urging engineers to return to ethical practice, rigorous training and mentorship.

    According to him, “a society that accepts average as good enough will inevitably lose value.”

    The lecture paid tribute to Engr. Oshodi, describing him as a mentor, leader and institution builder whose career helped shape Lagos’ environmental and public works systems.

    Earlier, Director of LASEPA, Engr. Sesan Odukoya, said the professional lecture was organised to celebrate Oshodi’s legacy of mentorship and service.

    He described the celebrant as a leader who nurtured generations of engineers and strengthened environmental governance in the state.

    “Many of us sitting here today were shaped by his leadership. He created systems, empowered people and laid foundations that we are still building on,” Odukoya said.

    Speaking on the sidelines of the event, the celebrant, Engr. Oshodi, expressed gratitude for reaching the milestone age of 70, attributing his life and career to divine grace.

    “When you are young, you think 70 is very far. Today, I am here only by the grace of God. Many classmates and friends are no longer alive,” he said.

    The event lecture titled “Future-Ready Professionals for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 and Beyond” was delivered by the General Manager of the Lagos State Public Works Corporation, Engr. Tokunbo Ajanaku.

    Ajanaku traced Nigeria’s development journey from the Millennium Development Goals to the SDGs, stressing that the ultimate measure of development is the well-being and quality of life of the people.

    He explained that the SDGs are built on three pillars, social, economic and environmental, and warned that environmental degradation now threatens progress in the other two pillars.

    “Our forests are disappearing, our water bodies are polluted and food security is under threat. If we fail to fix the environment, economic growth and social well-being will collapse,” he said.

    He criticised the declining quality of professional training, warning against what he described as a “microwave generation” of professionals lacking practical competence and ethical grounding.

    “Future-ready professionals must be properly trained, not just academically, but in character, capacity and competence,” Ajanaku said.

    Sanitation challenges also took centre stage at a panel session themed “Faecal Sludge Management in Lagos State: Challenges, Innovations and Prospects.”

    Panelists, including Odukoya; Director, Urban Policy and Research Department, Office of Urban Development, Mr. Ayodeji Awolesi; Managing Partner, TUSNAH Consulting, Mr. Olufemi Ogunleye; and General Manager, Lagos State Wastewater Management Office (LSWMO), Engr. Femi Afolayan, raised concerns over persistent gaps in faecal sludge management (FSM).