The Nation Newspaper

Author: The Nation

  • ‘War Against Corruption’: Former Malami’s associate vows tell-all book

    ‘War Against Corruption’: Former Malami’s associate vows tell-all book

    Former close associate of ex- Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN), Mr Okoi Obono-Obla, has vowed to unveil a tell-all book that gives detailed insights into how the Muhammadu Buhari administration’s anti-corruption agenda was implemented under intense intrigues.

    According to Obla, the book, which he is co-authoring with another lawyer, aims for public presentation in April this year, will include details of how he was handicapped in the course of duty, hounded and made to face threats to his life.

    Obla, who was Chairman of the Special Investigation Panel for the Recovery of Public Property (SIPRPP), was suspended and later removed from the position by Malami for allegedly ‘acting beyond his mandate,’ told The Nation on Sunday that he and  the Secretary, Association of Legislative Drafting and Advocacy Practitioners (ALDRAP),  Dr Tonye Clinton Jaja, have co-authored a groundbreaking book entitled: ‘An Analysis of Nigeria’s Anti-Corruption Laws – How We Survived the Menace Named Malami.’

     “It will also focus on a detailed analysis of the provisions and implementation of various anti-corruption laws, including the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 (ICPC Act); the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004, the Customs and Excise Management Act, Cap. C45 LFN 2004; the Immigration Act, 2015; and the National Security Agencies Act, Cap. N74 LFN 2004; as they relate to fighting economic and financial crimes, corruption, money laundering, and terrorism financing in Nigeria,” he added.

     Both authors served in different capacities during the tenure of the former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

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    They were also staff members of the special presidential panel on anti-corruption established under the Recovery of Public Properties Act, 1984.

    Significantly, both men played key roles in the early stages of Nigeria’s efforts to recover $370,000,000 of the Abacha loot from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Island of Jersey, United Kingdom, in 2018.

    Drawing on their collective first-hand experiences, the authors are aiming to provide documentary evidence of how Malami allegedly frustrated such recovery efforts and even re-looted portions of the Abacha funds.

    They are also aiming to present, in detail, disingenuous methods such as the payment of percentages of the recovered loot—disguised as professional fees to private lawyers—who in turn allegedly paid kickbacks.

    Obla further stated that the foreword is written by former Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba (SAN), while a commendation is provided by Hon. Prince Akiolu, Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Anti-Corruption.

    “The book also offers an in-depth analysis and commentary on Nigeria’s key anti-corruption laws, including: the Money Laundering Act, 2022, Terrorism Prevention and Prohibition Act, 2022, Proceeds of Crime (Management) Act, 2021, and the Witness Protection and Management Act, 2022 (Whistle-Blower’s Law) the book will be unveiled in the second week of April 2026,” Obla stated.

  • Falcon Corporation celebrates co-founder/ pioneer MD on retirement

    Falcon Corporation celebrates co-founder/ pioneer MD on retirement

    Falcon Corporation Limited, an indigenous gas company, celebrated the legacy, career, and leadership of its Co-Founder and Pioneer Managing Director, Professor Joseph Chukwurah Ezigbo, on his retirement after 31 years of distinguished service.

    The ceremony, held at Jewel Aieda, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, brought together leaders from the oil and gas and banking sectors, industry stakeholders, colleagues, former students, family, and friends to honour a career marked by academic excellence, visionary leadership, and national impact.

    Speaking at the event, Audrey Joe-Ezigbo, Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Falcon Corporation Limited, described Professor Ezigbo’s leadership as transformative. She noted that celebrating Ezigbo is “recognition of his years of service and the enduring standards he established — standards of excellence, accountability, and people-centred leadership that will continue to guide Falcon as it moves confidently into the next phase of our growth and transformation. His legacy is one that will remain a reference point for leadership within this organisation for years to come,” she said.

    Ambassador Ozo Nwobu, a retired Nigerian career diplomat and former Ambassador to Mozambique, paid tribute to Professor Ezigbo’s human-centred leadership. He described him as a rare blend of professionalism and genuine connection, adding that his career demonstrates that true leadership is measured by lives touched and relationships built. “Professor Ezigbo exemplifies leadership rooted in service, empathy, and integrity, leaving an imprint that extends far beyond titles and positions,” he said.

    Guests shared heartfelt tributes reflecting Professor Ezigbo’s mentorship and influence across sectors, praising his ethical leadership and lasting contributions to Nigeria’s energy industry. Beyond corporate and academic achievements, his philanthropy continues to create opportunities for young Nigerians.

    The ceremony was a celebration of tenacity, integrity, and purpose, underscoring the enduring impact of Professor Joseph Chukwurah Ezigbo’s work across academia, industry, and society. His legacy stands as a lasting testament to leadership, service, and nation-building.

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    Ezigbo, a former lecturer and professor at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, co-founded Falcon Corporation Limited with his wife in 1994.

    Under his leadership, the company evolved into a respected force in Nigeria’s gas sector, delivering energy solutions that power homes, industries, and businesses nationwide.

    Widely regarded as a ‘Gas Man to the Core,’ Professor Ezigbo has spent five decades excelling in both academia and business.

    He holds a BSc from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, a DIC and MSc from Imperial College London, and a PhD from the University of Salford, Manchester. He taught for 25 years at the University of Nigeria, mentoring generations of students and serving in key leadership roles.

    His contributions have earned him several honours, including Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year West Africa (2014) and Anambra Man of the Year (2025).

  • RDI trains journalists on planetary health diet reporting

    RDI trains journalists on planetary health diet reporting

    Journalists across traditional and digital platforms have been trained on reports that enlighten and galvanise the public and policy makers to action on planetary health diet, PHD.

    The one-day training which was held in Lagos, was organised by the Renevlyn Development Initiative, RDI, and Foodjustice.

     The training featured professionals and advocates from across the world as resource persons.

    While explaining the concept of PHD, and the need for the training in his welcome words, Philip Jakpor, Executive Director of RDI, said: “Planetary health diet, PHD, is a scientifically-backed dietary pattern designed to be healthy for individuals and sustainable for the planet, with emphasis on plant-based foods and reduction of consumption of red meat and processed foods.

    “It reflects the intersections between what we grow, the ecosystem under which they grow and the positive outcomes when we consume them.”

    Jakpor said illnesses, especially non-communicable diseases, that were unheard of in Africa before, now account for the huge death burden across the continent due to urbanisation, lifestyle changes, and socio-economic issues.

    “The task of addressing these challenges must start with proper understanding of the issues, backed with the readiness to embrace proven solutions that are science-based.

    “It is for this reason that the resource persons include a Nigerian pediatrician, an environmental health expert as well as experts from Mexico, Milan,” he added.

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    Dr. Andrea Arango Angarita of Mexican National Institute of Public Health, spoke on “Environmental Impact and Cost of Healthy and Sustainable Diets in Mexico”.

    She said seven healthy and sustainable diet scenarios were analysed for the environmental impact, cost, and nutritional adequacy, compared to the current Mexican diet.

    The results showed reduced land use impact, carbon emission, and biodiversity loss. Also, they cost less by 24.7% in vegan diets. However, although most scenarios met nutritional adequacies, Vitamin B12 was deficient in vegan and vegetarian diets, while Vitamin D was deficient across all scenarios.

    Dr. Percival Agordoh, University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ghana, introduced journalists to EAT-Lancet 2 in “An Introduction to the EAT-Lancet Commission 2.0”.

    Agordoh explained that the EAT-Lancet Commission 2.0 builds upon the original report that introduced PHD, addressing the interconnected challenges of human health and planetary sustainability.

    “This new report was prompted by significant global disruptions post-2019, including volatile food supplies, economic shifts, and increased inequities, which highlighted the unmet need for a ‘Great Food Transformation’.

    “The core aim of EAT-Lancet 2.0 is to secure a just transition to healthy, environmentally sustainable, and equitable food systems for all.

    “Key innovations include an evolution of the Planetary Health Diet into four distinct and adaptable dietary patterns (flexitarian, pescatarian, vegetarian, and vegan), which cater to diverse demographics and preferences while maintaining nutritional adequacy and sustainability.

    “A significant new aspect is the explicit integration of social justice and equity, focusing on fair access, distribution, and outcomes within the food system,” she explained.

    Others resource person were Dr. Makoyawo Olayinka, “Planetary Health Diet and Children”; environmental health scientist and planetary health educator, Dr Chioma Joy Okonkwo, “Mainstreaming Planetary Health Diet into Public Health Policies in Lagos”; “Sustainable, just and healthy school feeding”, Ottavia Pieretto of Milan Urban Food Policy Pact, MUFPP, Secretariat, Food Policy Department, Milan, Italy, who gave an existential example a deliberate government policy of feeding school children free and healthy meals

    Tope Oluwaleye, veteran journalist and media strategist, spoke at the event.

  • Tunji Olaopa, critical reforms and the Trump challenge (1)

    Tunji Olaopa, critical reforms and the Trump challenge (1)

    Ever since President Donald Trump sounded his alarm on the possibility of sending United States troops into Nigeria ‘guns-ablazing’ in response to alleged ‘Christian genocide’ in the country, this column has focused severally on what I have described as the mercurial American leader’s wake up call or challenge to Nigeria and Africa.

    In his seemingly unhidden disdain for weak, mostly poorly governed, inexcusably poverty-stricken and abysmally wretched African countries, Trump may not be the unbridled racist many perceive him to be after all. His may just be a normal reaction of the strong, mighty and wealthy of the world to an otherwise abundantly endowed continent that has no business with the kind of dehumanising poverty with which she is identified.

    It is another testament to the tragedy that is Africa that Uganda’s ruling strongman for over four decades, Yoweri Museveni, despite his advanced age, has just won another landslide electoral victory to lead his country for another seven years. In the emergent post-Trump global order, strength is might. Established rule-based behaviour based on decency, honour and civility has lost resonance. In the new world being born before our very eyes, democratic deficits in Africa and kleptocratic heists of governance leading to massive citizen impoverishment and disenchantment become existential threats to national sovereignty.

    The restoration of democratic credibility, ethical governance and economic progress that impacts millions positively among the Wretched of the earth, thus becomes the immediate imperative response in Africa to an essentially amoral ‘Trumpian’ philosophical outlook on global governance.

    Such a revolutionary transformation in the management ethos of the public sphere in Africa is indeed a necessary condition for black countries with the requisite wherewithal to acquire the deterrent lethal armoury that will make great powers with a Machiavellian eye on the continent’s rich trove of rare minerals and other resources to think twice before leaping on her like lethal carnivores even as they mouth pious declarations of ‘civilizing’ intent.

    Indeed, renowned political scientist and international relations scholar, Professor Bolaji Akinyemi, alongside another scholarly African legend, Professor Ali Mazrui, had made persuasive cases, long before Trump, for what has been widely called the ‘black bomb’ to better facilitate the emergence of a global deterrent racial balance of terror. This may not necessarily be as outlandish as some perceive it. Neither will it require superhuman feats of cerebral heroism. Indeed, the human resource base already exists for such a feat in Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt and many African countries.

    What is urgently needed is for a sufficient number of African societies to summon the organisational efficiency, leadership discipline, elite cohesion, and solidifying democratic culture and political stability needed to shoulder such a grave responsibility. Interestingly, while we tend to focus excessively on our flaws and negative traits, there is much, unfortunately imperceptible, good occurring in different spheres of our society in Nigeria, such as an appreciation and cultivation of merit that is a necessary condition for the nurturing of the technocratic culture that must be the basis for a nuclear-powered society.

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    For instance, in his 2016 Convocation Lecture at the University of Ibadan, in which he made a vigorous case for ‘Nigerian Exceptionalism’ in the country’s desired ‘Quest for World Leadership’, Professor Akinyemi referred to a commentary by the CNN on the launching by the National Space Research Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) of five satellites into space since 2003. The professor quotes CNN as reporting that “The NASRDA has launched five satellites since 2003, with three still in orbit delivering vital services. The most recent NigeriaSat-X was the first to be designed and constructed by NASRDA engineers, and more advanced models are in development”.

    And in the words of Professor Akinyemi, “NASRDA has close to 500 skilled and trained staff, some up to PhD level. The programme has ambitious goals. By 2018, it hopes to build Indigenous satellites, by 2025-2028, it hopes to build a national spaceport and develop an indigenous space launcher, and by 2030, it intends to put a Nigerian astronaut into space. These are lofty goals that have received international acclaim”.

    No less critical than charismatic and visionary political leadership at the commanding heights of societal governance are merit-recruited and driven technocrats at the driving seats of bureaucratic structures that propel scientific, technological, artistic, industrial, educational and other attainments to the level of genius that move polities forward at a geometric rate. In choosing Professor Tunji Olaopa as his pick to serve as Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), President Bola Tinubu demonstrated a commitment to merit as the underlying imperative for the fundamental reforms that are the defining essence of his administration.

    This meritocratic disposition of his leadership style is evident in the outstanding productivity of various agencies from General Buba Marwa’s NDLEA to Mr Tunji BELLO’s FCCPC to Professor Eghosa Osagie’s NIIA to Hafsat Bakarat’s NFIU to Yemi Cardoso’s CBN, Professor Oloyede’s JAMB or Dr Kayode Opeifa’s NRC, to name a few.

    An accomplished political scientist, Professor Olaopa obtained his MSc and PhD degrees in public administration and has gone on to establish his reputation as the leading scholar on public sector reforms in Nigeria and Africa. Rising to the apex position of Federal Permanent Secretary in the Federal Public Service, he has no less than two-score highly regarded scholarly books on different aspects of public service reforms in Africa.

    In a write-up to commemorate two years of Professor Olaopa in this demanding seat, another noted scholar who works with and observes him at close quarters, Dr Paul Onomuakpokpo, noted that “Under Olaopa, there is the overarching quest to bring the best and brightest to the civil service, without undermining the federal character principle. His credibility has invested his leadership with an imprimatur of believability. Through credible promotion examinations, the career progression of the most qualified civil servants is guaranteed. Civil servants are no longer apprehensive that they need to look for millions to bribe their way to rise to the top. Olaopa has demonstrated the courage to stop the promotion of those who do not merit it, no matter the pressure from different quarters. The avenues for questionable promotion examinations, such as leakage and sub-standard examination questions, have been blocked. This has saved the commission from wasting time, money and other resources on court cases”.

    Continuing, he states that “Those who fail no longer bother to contest the grades they have been awarded as they rest assured that the system is now credible. Olaopa’s streak of firsts at the FCSC has received a boon with the introduction of the computer-based test ( CBT) mould for the conduct of recruitment and promotion examinations in the civil service. This novelty imposes on civil servants the salubrious necessity of computer-savviness that is reflective of technological developments in a world where those who have demurred at bracing for artificial intelligence and others are faced with the present danger of consignment to corporate and professional backwaters. It has also shrunk the space for the manipulation of examination results that impugn the credibility of the commission”.

    Remarkably, Olaopa has been able to put into practice his profuse theoretical adumbrations on the imperative of civil society reforms while maintaining harmonious relationships with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOCSF), Mrs Didi Esther Walson Jack (OON) and other leadership cadres of the Public Service, many of whom are change agents in their own right.

    A significant development under Olaopa’s leadership of the FCSC has been the resuscitation for two years running of the annual meetings of the National Council of Civil Service Commissions of the Federation; an exercise that had been in abeyance for over a decade. In the concluding part of this piece, we will look in detail at the deliberations of the last Council which held in Umuahia, in Abia State, its exhaustive communique and why its conclusions are germane to the emergence of Nigerian and African public services that can be the backbone of emergent flourishing, vibrant and virile African countries no more vulnerable to the bullying and hectoring of self-interested external self-proclaimed saviour -giants with feet of clay.

  • Pyrrhic victories

    Pyrrhic victories

    Nigerian sports administrators are experts in quick fixes rather than carving out deliberate and enduring structures that would churn out talents seamlessly. I watched the new African Cup of Nations champions, the Teranga Lions of Senegal’s matches and each time tears flowed down my cheeks. I had heavy loaded heart each time commentators reminded us during their games  of the advantages they have secured for the future, particularly their ages.

    May I humbly ask our administrators: ‘how old will these players be by 2030? Besides, there is the deafening noise from a few football lovers trying to sway others to regulate their tunnel vision of making sure that second rated Coach Eric Chelle remains on the coaching bench. If I know our administrators very well, the selection of new players into Super Eagles would be farfetched. If we retain Chelle because of his pyrrhic victories in Morocco, no disrespect to what he has done (somebody needs to tell me),then we would have tacitly embraced cabals which would support the coach’s  retention of certain players always playing our matches, except they are walking with walking sticks.

    A Pyrrhic victory is a win achieved at such a devastating cost that it feels like a loss, with the victor suffering immense casualties, resources, or damage; making the success ultimately hollow or unsustainable, like winning a battle but losing the war. The term comes from King Pyrrhus of Epirus, who famously said after defeating Romans at great expense, “One more victory over the Romans and we are completely done for!”.

    Indeed, the reason our soccer slid into the abyss was because many of us didn’t encourage new entrants into the Super Eagles after what our debutants at the USA ’94 World Cup in 1996 did withtheir what has now turned out to be pyrrhic victories. It got so bad that a sitting sports minister argued that he didn’t want that feat eclipsed by defeats from any country under the guise of playing friendly matches. The boys got so unruly that they plotted the sack of PhillipeTroussier, whose 3-5-2 formation had effectively removed the aging ones. It struck them so badly that it didn’t matter what Nigeria did at the France ’98 World Cup. Playing at the Mundial then was a birthright.

    Our administrators have unwittingly conceded their rights to guard certain tenets of NFF/Chelle contract as it affects Chelle telling the world that his contract isn’t in his hands, when he has a subsisting contract with Nigeria. What happened to the famous right of not divulging anything enshrined in the contract? Isn’t this a breach? What has happened to the infamous oath of secrecy which all the parties in the contract must uphold?

    “The coach was very emotional when he addressed the team after the quarter-final win over Algeria. He didn’t cry, but he was deeply moved. He told us that he has yet to be contacted by the NFF and so anything is possible as regards his future,” the team member told only SCORENigeria.

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    “Really he enjoys the support of the team and has made us one big, happy family. But we also know that several other countries are interested in working with him, with some of them offering him much more money than what he gets in Nigeria.”

    Isn’t this a time bomb waiting to explode in the coming years of Chelle’s tenure? Haven’t we tacitly emboldened the players to pick the coach they want to work with when the chips are down, going forward? These are players with the penchant for civil disobedience when fighting for their entitlement.

    Chelle has joined the league of journeymen that Nigeria has recruited who use our players’ innate skills during matches to enrich their Curriculum Vitae (CV) for future jobs across the globe.

    Former Super Eagles coach and captain, Sunday Olisehwas dumfounded with the ceremony after Nigeria clinched another bronze medal at the AFCON, our ninth in the competition’s history and rightly so. The flipside to Oliseh’s argument is that some of the players are debutant and would surely want to celebrate their first senior medal at AFCON.

    Oliseh submitted further that: “There was a time when the Super Eagles shed tears after finishing second, because to us, anything but the trophy was unacceptable.”

    “Celebrating third place builds a culture of mediocrity.”

    “I will give you an example of what I meant. Before the final in Rabat, a video went viral of the Super Eaglescelebrating winning third place against Egypt. At the media tribune where I sat, both African and European journalists mocked us; they couldn’t believe it,” Oliseh said.

    “We must remember that the decline of our dominance started when we became content with bronze. If we want to be Africa’s best again, wild celebrations for anything less than gold must stop immediately,” Oliseh concluded.

    Oliseh just reminded the younger generation of the Super Eagles that winning a third place isn’t worth it, not with the armada of stars we parade from across the globe. We have the players to win AFCON thrice on the trot, but a better coach who won’t look for amicable resolutions for high acts of indiscipline because it involves one of the big boys.

    What Chelle succeeded in reawakening in the Super Eagles was drill them to required playing weights.But they lacked tactics to dislodge below the line marking, as seen in the games against Morocco and Egypt, which dragged beyond the stipulated 90 minutes duration.

    Unfortunately, our football doesn’t have articulated nurseries whose curriculum comes from the football federation for the good of the game. The situation is so bad that the last expedition to Morocco by the Super Eagles was prosecuted by our Diaspora players who couldn’t sing our national anthem before the matches began. This writer cringed with envy listening to different commentators in the media reiterate the ages of the Senegalese players and how bright their future would be. Left in the lurch is the domestic game still pampers and unable to grow.

    Interestingly, civilised countries develop their sports through the neighbourhood system, where facilities are built to engage the youth and push them away from social vices. Nurseries serve as the bases for storing the data of those discovered. Such information helps to nurture and monitor the good ones to stardom. Besides, nurseries lay the foundation on which the athletes are taught the rudiments of the game. It is at such factories that playing styles and patterns unique to such countries are evolving.

    The countries that excel in sporting events have systems that guarantee enough funds for the sportsmen and sportswomen to compete with the best, such as tax rebates on sport-friendly firms, lotteries, and businesses owned by wealthy nationals who know what is in such a sponsorship and the benefits from the sitting government. Such financial taxes are spelled out to companies and wealthy citizens after agreements have been reached. These cast-in-stone policies are binding on all the parties to such an extent that breaches are adequately addressed to allow either of the parties to seek redress in court.

    ”Nigeria’s failure to qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup has carried a high financial cost, with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) missing out on a guaranteed minimum of USD 10.5 million following FIFA’s approval of a record USD 655 million prize money pool for the tournament. FIFA confirmed that every one of the 48 teams that qualified for the expanded World Cup in North America will receive USD 1.5 million in preparation funds, in addition to a minimum participation payout of USD 9 million for teams finishing between 33rd and 48th place.

    This ensures that each participating Member Association earns at least USD 10.5 million simply for qualifying.

    Nigeria’s absence from the tournament means the NFF will receive none of these funds, a significant blow at a time when many African federations rely heavily on FIFA competitions to support national team programmes, grassroots development and administrative costs.’’

  • Simi opens up on struggles behind new song ‘Where You Dey’

    Simi opens up on struggles behind new song ‘Where You Dey’

    Afrobeats singer Simi has shared the challenges she faced while working on latest track, ‘Where You Dey’, featuring Chike.

    The singer revealed she had wanted to release the song last year but struggled to complete it due to health issues.

    Detailing the experience on X, Simi said she was determined to make the song happen and Chike’s contribution exceeded her expectations.

    According to her, she also faced difficulties with mixing and mastering the track, eventually mastering it herself despite not enjoying the process.

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    She wrote: “I really, really, really wanted to drop this song last year. When I first put out the snippet, I was so excited – but it was hard to finish it on time because everything was a blur. I was sick and weak and nauseous and tired and my body just wouldn’t do what I wanted it to. Even in the snippet video, I wasn’t feeling great. I was just trying my best.

    “I adore Chike’s voice and I knew it was him that had to be on the song with me. When I asked him to give me a verse, he was so ready to go, but he was out of town. As soon as he came back, he came over to my studio the next day. I got a lotta respect for him. He didn’t know I was pregnant and suffering. Watching this video back now, I can’t even understand where the energy came from. When the song was done, I struggled to mix it. Even so, I decided to master it myself. I hate mastering, so I don’t know what I thinking.

    “I was so disappointed that I couldn’t meet the deadline. Everyone had fallen in love with the song and was asking me to put it out. I didn’t have the energy to make content. I don’t even remember them recording this video. Given how much I love this song, I’m a little bummed I couldn’t give it energy it deserves. But please, know that a lot of love and resilience went into this song. I hope that you can let less be more for this one. I hope you can give it the energy that I couldn’t. That I can’t”.

    She also addressed critics who stated that she gave up career for marriage, saying the song is a proof of dedication to her craft.

  • UPDATED: Yusuf, eight Reps members, 44 council chairmen, others resign from NNPP

    UPDATED: Yusuf, eight Reps members, 44 council chairmen, others resign from NNPP

    Kano Governor Abba Yusuf has pulled the plug on his New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) membership, a move that will significantly alter the political equation of the state.

    It was gathered Yusuf and his allies will be joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a ceremony in few days, having met with President Bola Tinubu at the presidential villa a few days ago.

    In a statement by his spokesman Sunusi Bature, the Governor announced his resignation from Friday, 23 January 2026.

    Yusuf cited persistent internal crises and deepening divisions within the NNPP that have left it fractured and in court battles as reasons for dumping the party on whose platform he was elected in 2023.

    His planned defection has also caused his relationship with benefactor Rabiu Kwankwaso frosty.

    The Governor on Friday said his decision to defect followed a careful reflection, after being guided by public interest considerations.

    He thanked NNPP for providing the platform and support for him since 2022 but said he was leaving in good faith, without bitterness and in the broader interest of the state.

    “After careful reflection, and without prejudice to the party’s capacity to resolve its internal challenges, I have come to the conclusion that my resignation is in the best interest of the people of Kano State,” Yusuf.wrote.

    He left the NNPP with 21 Assembly members, eighth House of Representatives members and 44 local government chairmen in Kano.

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    “I write with a deep sense of gratitude to formally notify the leadership of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) of my decision to resign my membership of the party, with effect from Friday 23rd January 2026.

    “In recent times, the party has been confronted with persistent internal challenges arising from leadership disagreements and ongoing legal processes, many of which are presently before the courts for judicial determination.

    “The growing disenfranchisement among party members has created deep divisions within the party structure, resulting in cracks that appear increasingly irreconcilable and have generated uncertainty at both state and national levels,” Yusuf’s letter to the party reads in parts.

    Hon. Kabiru Zubairu, the party’s secretary of Diso-Chiranchi Ward, where Yusuf comes from, acknowledged the Governor’s resignation, praising his infrastructure, health, education, and economic projects.

    The NNPP scribe admitted the party’s ongoing crisis, saying “we have no option but to accept the departure of our most performing governor.”

    Yusuf’s resignation from NNPP on Friday is expected to trigger a major shake-up that could reshape Kano’s political landscape ahead of upcoming elections.

    His resignation comes after the party gave him the greenlight to do so a few days ago.

    NNPP factional chairman in the state, Senator Mas’ud Eljibril, had urged the Governor to formally notify the “legally recognised” NNPP in writing before he joins the APC.

    “If the Governor decides to leave the NNPP, it’s his choice but he has to do that according to the rules and regulations to the party. Ignoring this requirement will have future legal consequences,” Eljibril advised.

  • Govt to Judiciary: rest assured of continued support

    Govt to Judiciary: rest assured of continued support

    • Fagbemi speaks on prompt justice delivery
    • CJN, Fashola, others: reforms, tech adoption vital

    The Federal Government has restarted its commitment to continually support the Judiciary to perform its constitutional duty.

    The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, who stated this, tasked officials of the nation’s court system to ensure financial accountability and systemic reforms.

    Fagbemi spoke yesterday in Abuja at this year’s strategic retreat for chief registrars of courts, organised by The Committee of Chief Registrars of Nigeria and with the theme: “Strengthening court administration, financial accountability and staff well-being for a more effective Judiciary in Nigeria.”

    Fagbemi, who was the event’s chairman, said: “On behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, I reaffirm the commitment of the executive arm of this government to working closely with leadership of the Judiciary to advance adequate and sustainable budgetary provisions, promote the review of court rules to establish clearer and more robust frameworks for the authority of Chief Registrars, and foster strategic partnerships aimed at continuous capacity building.

    “I further assure you of our full support for reforms designed to strengthen service delivery and enhance the effective administration of justice.”

    The AGF stressed importance of enhanced accountability in courts’ management and need to ensure adoption of more technical innovations.

    He said transparent and lawful management of revenue is a constitutional obligation, adding future constitutional amendments may introduce clearer provisions on the responsibilities and accountability of chief registrars.

    Fagbemi hailed the gathering, which he said was holding at a time Nigerians demand greater accountability, quick dispensation of justice, and a Judiciary that embodies integrity, efficiency, and modern governance.

    The AGF stressed that registrars are essential to the court system, saying they stand at the intersection where constitutional provisions meet practical reality for Nigerians seeking justice.

    He added: “The credibility of the Judiciary rests not only on judgments delivered but on the integrity and efficiency of its administration.

    “As the first point of contact, you directly shape whether justice is accessible or obstructed; whether the system inspires confidence or frustration.

    “You are essential officers whose work enables the functioning of our judicial system.

    “Let me state this with clarity and conviction: the ultimate measure of our success will be the tangible improvements felt by ordinary Nigerians seeking justice at your filing counters,” Fagbemi said.

    Declaring the retreat open, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, described court administration as “governance in action”.

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    The CJN averred that weak administration leads to delayed justice, eroded public confidence, and reduced institutional effectiveness.

    She said the judiciary’s credibility depends not only on sound judgments but also on transparent processes, prudent financial management, and the well-being of judicial workers.

    “Our courts are the heartbeat of the justice system. Where accountability is absent, public confidence erodes; and where the well-being of judicial staff is neglected, institutional effectiveness is compromised,” she said.

    According to her, financial accountability is both a statutory and moral obligation essential to safeguarding judicial independence.

    Justice Kekere-Ekun noted that chief registrars occupy a position of profound responsibility as custodians of records and stewards of judicial resources.

    The CJN called for greater adoption of technology, including digital tools and judicial automation, to improve efficiency, transparency and access to justice.

    She noted that technology, when properly deployed, should be seen not as a disruption but as an enabler of judicial excellence.

    In a keynote address, former Works and Housing Minister Babatunde Fashola (SAN) said a fundamental reform of the nation’s justice delivery system was expedient.

    The former minister identified the key modifications required to realise this.

    He said the adoption of technology is crucial to courts’ operations, stressing the need for continuous training and collaboration among courts’ managers and support staff.

    The Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court and Chairman of the Committee of Chief Registrars of Nigeria, Kabir Akanbi, said the two-day retreat marked the revival of the group that had been inactive for some time.

    Akanbi explained that the “retreat offers us an opportunity to reflect, to refine, and to realign. It is not a ceremonial gathering; it is a commitment to the Judiciary envisioned by our Constitution: strong, independent, accountable, and people-centred”.

    The chief registrar said the many objectives of the gathering included the creation of standardised administrative practices that promote fairness, efficiency, and national uniformity, and to deepen financial integrity and procurement transparency, reinforcing public trust in our stewardship of judicial resources.

    Kabir added: “Our deliberations at this retreat are anchored on a growing consensus among Nigeria’s foremost judicial and legal leaders: justice cannot thrive without effective court administration.”

  • ‘We’ll give graduates industry-ready skills’

    ‘We’ll give graduates industry-ready skills’

    • Polytechnic engineering depts to get special TETFund intervention

    The Federal Government has expressed its readiness to equip graduates with practical, industry-ready skills.

    The Minister of Education, Dr. Maruf Alausa, stated this at a retreat for the governing council chairmen/commissioners of education, rectors, registrars, and bursars yesterday in Abuja.

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

    Alausa also announced a special tertiary education trust fund (TETFund) intervention to upgrade polytechnic engineering departments with state-of-the-art equipment, following similar interventions in medical colleges last year.

    The minister said this was why the Federal Ministry of Education was focused on revitalising Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET).

    “We have adopted a policy that ensures our Polytechnic graduates are industry-ready, innovative problem-solvers capable of driving national development,” he stated.

    Alausa called for a comprehensive transformation of Nigeria’s polytechnic education, emphasising innovation, good governance, and sustainability as key drivers for national development.

    “Polytechnics are not mere institutions; they are the crucibles where innovation meets practicality, where skills forge economic resilience, and where sustainable development becomes a lived reality,”Alausa said

    He urged polytechnics leaders to prioritise entrepreneurship and research initiatives.

    “Innovation must be the heartbeat of our polytechnics. I urge you to foster entrepreneurship centres, research hubs, and industry partnerships that turn ideas into prototypes, inventions into enterprises, which will graduate into job creators,” Alausa said.

    The minister also listed some priority sectors, including renewable energy, agricultural technology, digital manufacturing, and climate-resilient solutions, which the government was focusing on.

    He called for transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership in polytechnics.

    Alausa said: “Governing councils and management must uphold transparency, accountability, and ethical leadership.

    “Avoid conflicts of interest, ensure prudent resource management, and prioritise merit in appointments and promotions.

    “The era of impunity in our institutions is over; we demand fiscal discipline, timely audits, and zero tolerance for corruption to build public trust and attract investment.”

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    The minister stressed the need for higher institutions to ensure sustainable funding models through internally generated revenue (IGR) and reduced import dependence.

    Acknowledging some prevailing challenges across schools, such as funding gaps, outdated facilities, and societal biases favouring university degrees over technical skills, Alausa expressed confidence in government’s support.

    “Under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, we are committed to supporting you with policy reforms, infrastructure upgrades, and partnerships,” he said.

    The minister urged participants to implement these principles upon returning to their institutions.

    Also, the Chairman of COHEADS, Dr. Sani Tunga, said the gathering was both timely and necessary, given the role of polytechnic education in Nigeria’s development.

    Tunga said the theme reflected the current realities facing polytechnics and colleges of technology, which he described as critical institutions for producing skilled and entrepreneurial manpower.

    He said: “Our polytechnics and colleges of technology stand at the forefront of producing skilled, innovative, and entrepreneurial manpower needed to drive Nigeria’s diversification agenda, reduce unemployment, and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.”

    Tunga acknowledged challenges, such as inadequate funding, outdated infrastructure, changing industry demands, governance gaps and sustainability concerns.

    He also drew attention to recurring conflicts within the system, particularly between governing councils and management, and between management and staff unions.

    “Among these challenges are the recurring conflicts and tensions that sometimes arise between Governing Councils and Management, as well as between Management and staff unions; such as ASUP, SSANIP, NASU and other critical stakeholders,” he stated.

    The chairman explained that such disagreements, often linked to policy interpretation, resource allocation and welfare issues, could undermine harmony and delay progress.

    He stressed the importance of collective dialogue among council chairmen, commissioners, rectors, registrars and bursars to address these issues constructively.

    According to the COHEADS chairman, the retreat was designed to explore innovative approaches to curriculum development, research and industry partnerships, strengthen governance and accountability, improve financial sustainability, and deliberately address the root causes of conflicts among stakeholders.

    He linked the success of the polytechnic sector directly to national development, saying, “The transformation we seek is not merely institutional; it is national.

    He added: “A vibrant Polytechnic sector will empower our youths, boost local content in industry, foster self-reliance, and contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s emergence as a technological and economic powerhouse.”

    Tunga urged participants to use the retreat as an opportunity to reduce conflicts and build stronger working relationships across the system.

    In his opening remarks, the Executive Secretary of the National Board for Technical Education, NBTE, Prof. Idris Bugaje, called for a renewed commitment to strengthening polytechnic and technical education in Nigeria, describing recent reforms as a turning point for the sector after decades of neglect.

    He traced the origins of technical and polytechnic education in Nigeria, noting that it predates university education in the country.

    Bugaje stated that, despite its early start and relevance, technical education suffered neglect after independence, particularly following the civil war, as universities received greater priority.

    He highlighted the disparity in numbers, stating: “We have only 153 technical colleges as against over 15,000 senior secondary schools in Nigeria today. We were really struggling to survive in this very unfriendly system.”

    According to him, the situation has started to change in the last two years, largely due to reforms initiated by the current Minister of Education.

    He said: “Until the last two years, or even a little bit less than two years, we have started seeing light at the end of the tunnel. NBTE is being reinvented, re-engineered, and re-created in Nigeria, courtesy of the effort of Dr. Maruf Alausa.”

  • Enugu recovers N1.28b from Sujimoto, vows to get balance

    Enugu recovers N1.28b from Sujimoto, vows to get balance

    The Enugu State government has said it had recovered N1.27 billion from the Chief Executive Officer of Sujimoto Luxury Construction Limited, Mr. Olasijibomi Ogundele.

    This followed investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) into the alleged diversion of funds meant for the construction of Smart Green Schools in the state.

    The recovered sum, which was a part of the money paid to the company for projects that were ostensibly abandoned or substantially unexecuted, was formally handed over to the state government yesterday at the EFCC Enugu Zonal Office through a series of bank drafts and cheques.

    Presenting the cheques, the EFCC Zonal Director in Enugu, Daniel Ise, said the recovery was in line with the agency’s statutory mandate to trace, recover, and restitute public funds lost through economic and financial crimes.

    The zonal director announced that the recovery followed a petition submitted by the Enugu State Government, which prompted the Commission to commence investigations.

    “As of today, we have been able to recover drafts to the tune of N1,234,350,000 and an additional N50,000,000, bringing the total to N1,284,350,000 for the benefit of the Enugu State government,” Ise said.

    The zonal director attributed the progress made by the commission in its investigations to the diligence and professionalism of the officers handling the case.

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    He stressed that the handover did not mark the end of the investigation, assuring that the EFCC would continue to examine all aspects of the petition to ensure that every kobo unaccounted for is traced and recovered.

    According to him, where evidence of criminality is established, the EFCC will proceed with prosecution, in line with the law.

    “This does not mark the end of the case. We will look at every facet of the petition to ensure that every kobo belonging to the Enugu State Government that is not accounted for is tracked and recovered,” he said.

    Ise urged contractors to adhere strictly to extant laws, particularly the Procurement Act.

    The EFCC also reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with governments at all levels to safeguard public resources, warning that accountability in the execution of public contracts remained non-negotiable.

    Receiving the cheques and drafts on behalf of the state government, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, expressed appreciation to the EFCC for what he called its professionalism, focus, and resilience, despite “distractions and noise in the public space” surrounding the matter.

    Onyia said the recovery underscored the Enugu State administration’s commitment to transparency, traceability, and accountability, principles he said are central to the governance philosophy of Governor Peter Mbah.

    The SSG assured the residents that the recovered funds would be reinvested in infrastructure projects to improve the quality of life of the people of the state.

    “When there was a misalignment between our intent to use taxpayers’ money for development and what we saw in terms of delivery, we approached the EFCC to help us recover the funds,” he said.

    “Today marks the beginning of that recovery process, and we are pleased with the outcome so far.”

    Onyia announced that the state government had instituted legal action against the contractor and petitioned the EFCC, allowing due process to run its full course to avoid complications or future litigation.

    The SSG said investigations were still ongoing, as he declined to pre-empt their outcome.

    He reiterated the government’s resolve to hold all contractors accountable for projects awarded to them.

    Onyia added that any contractor who fails to deliver value for public funds would face appropriate legal consequences based on the advice of the state’s legal authorities.