The Nation Newspaper

Category: Friday

  • Another perspective on State Police

    Another perspective on State Police

    Two weeks ago, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu reiterated his commitment to the creation of State Police in Nigeria, due to our national security and geopolitical reality. Recall that Mr. President, had triggered the process of the creation of State Police on the 15th of February last year when he convened a meeting with the 36 state governors, also attended by the Vice President Kashim Shettima, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector General of Police, the Director General of the DSS, and some Ministers at the State house in Abuja.

    In my view, the creation of state police will provide a critical pillar of our national security architecture that has been lacking in Nigeria for a long time. In addition, the creation of state police is in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda to achieve true federalism and decentralization of power in Nigeria.

    As rightly stated by President Tinubu, the preponderance and efforts of the various civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) in various forms across the geopolitical zones and States, including state security outfits like Hisbah in Kano State, Amotekun across the South West States of Nigeria, and state security outfits in other States across Nigeria trying to curb insecurity, further reinforces the need for the creation of state police.

    I have been a proponent of the creation of State Police in Nigeria, and in the past 1 year, I have written twice on this topic in this Column (Part 1 on the 23rd February, 2024, and Part 2 on the 2nd May, 2025). However, in today’s episode, I will reiterate my positions and expand my contribution to this important national discourse. In addition, as the Group CEO of the Global Investment and Trade Company (GITC), where the services we provide include; policy strategy and advisory, legislative frameworks and legislation support, policy implementation etc. we will support the creation of state police by following through the legislative processes (from Executive to national Assembly) to ensure that we have a robust registration to ensure that state police is not just enacted or activated, but to support the legislative process and framework that will protect the citizens of these countries and their allies from potential abuse of state police by those governors who that would like to take advantage of state police for their vested interests. Because, as Mr. President stated last week, and I quote, “We can work with the National Assembly to design a framework that guarantees local ownership while ensuring political neutrality”.

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    The Need to Continue Building Capacity at the Federal Level

    The Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Military, which are fully in the war against the insecurity theater, are facing not just funding issues, but other material challenges. Today, we have about 300,000 men and officers of the Nigerian Police Force, with a ratio of about 1 to about 500 Policemen. Recall that last year, the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, raised this concern, requiring about 190,000 more boots on the ground to be recruited. In my opinion, they need more because we have about 250 million Nigerians that they are supposed to serve and protect. The Nigerian Military is facing the same man and material challenges. The entire Nigerian Armed Forces, i.e., Army, Air Force, Navy, Police, Immigration, Customs, Civil Defense, and the newly recruited Forest Guards, etc., are less than 800,000 active officers and men (boots on the ground). This is a really serious issue. 

    Therefore, there is an urgent need to continue improving the human capacity of the Nigerian armed forces at the federal level. Because, from a strategic perspective, while we refocus on state police, we must not lose sight of the criticality of the federal security architecture, which must be continuously and properly funded, equipped, and supported. Otherwise, we will be creating a bigger problem when we “lose guard” of our key security and territorial integrity flanks. It is only when the federal armed forces are solid, mobilized, mobile, lucid, efficient, and effective that state police will be relevant and successful. Even though the state police are crucial, they will have limitations.

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     Operations Model

    The lines of authority and accountability must be clearly defined between the state police and the federal police. Because even now, we sometimes witness face-offs between military and police or between security agencies. Therefore, the operations model should address the interplaying roles between state police and federal police. What will be the state of play when or where there are escalations? And what will be the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)? What are the engagement protocols between federal and state police? And what are the clear lines or boundaries of authority and accountability? We need to address that at the foundation level of formulating the state police legislation.

    Indeed, some powers will be taken from the federal security agencies, and they will be domiciled or shared with the state police. This will create new power blocks at the state level. Therefore, naturally, there will be a need for an adaptation process. Those are the things that will ensure that the federal police will all play their role in a way and manner that there are no frictions or there are no clashes. How we frame our laws will be key.

     Funding

    Funding and the framework that will support the funding are crucial. We currently have a situation where not all the states in Nigeria are struggling to pay the minimum wage of 70,000 Naira.

     Therefore, how will the Governors effectively fund State Police?  That is a crucial question that the governors need to answer and tell the citizens, from accountability and transparency perspectives. It’s not enough for a Governor to say he can crush insecurity within two months. How will he fund the state police in a sustainable manner? Because as citizens, we are not expecting governors to go to the federal government cap in hand to ask for money to fund state police, and if that will be the case, then I will withdraw my support for State Police.

     Concerns about the potential abuse of State Police by Governors

    I re-echo the concerns of many Nigerians and stakeholders that some state Governors will most likely use the state police as negative forces of coercion and abuse of office. The use of state police by overbearing and wicked Governors will certainly be a disaster, and, as citizens, we MUST not allow that to happen.

     But given our current insecurity situation and how we are evolving as a country, we cannot throw away the baby with the bathwater. Therefore, we should have state police. But we must have provisions within the constitution that will safeguard against the abuse of power, which will be catastrophic! 

     We should also ensure that thugs and touts are not converted by Governors to become State Police officers.

     Robust Legislation

    I use this opportunity to call on all well-meaning Nigerians, all subject matter experts, thought leaders, and stakeholders we should be part of the state police legislation, and give it the same attention that we gave the Tax Reforms Bill that was recently passed into law, to ensure that the enabling laws will be robust with the necessary safeguards to protect citizens, residents, and visitors of Nigeria.

     State Police will become a critical component of our democracy, and because we are creating something that is new, which could be subject to abuse, it is important that we pay attention. So that we do not hand over absolute power to state governors. Because absolute power corrupts absolutely!

    Concerns about Potential Abuse and Human Rights Violations

    We have cases of human rights violations and abuse of power by some security officials at the federal level. I cringe in my seat when I think of what will happen when the powers of state police are taken over by overbearing and narcissistic governors, whereby the state police are only accountable to the governors without any framework to neutralize such excesses if and when they happen.

     For instance, in February 2023, Justice Riman Fatun, of the Federal High Court Abakaliki, passed a judgment disbanding the Ebebeagu State security outfit in Ebonyi State, due to illegal arrests, extortions, possession of illegal firearms, human rights violations, etc. This instance underscores that the process of setting up state police should ensure that it will not be abused.

    Doctrine is a Critical Success Factor

    Doctrine guides thinking and the culture. And since we are creating a new entity called State Police, a new doctrine should drive the culture. Accordingly, if the existing federal armed forces have weaknesses that we are trying to address, imagine what some governors with this humongous new power of controlling state police will do, especially when the officers and men of the state police are not properly indoctrinated.

     If we don’t deal with the issues of doctrine (top to bottom and not bottom up!), we may create monsters that we cannot control as State Police, and the terrible consequences will be of broad ramifications.

  • Food for thought for Northern Nigeria

    Food for thought for Northern Nigeria

    “Woe betide a society whereby their dead leaders are better than their leaders that are alive” … Dr. Yusuf Maitama Sule CFR, the Late Dan Masanin Kano, and Former Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations

    For the record, I am from Northern Nigeria, a Muslim, and a patriot of Nigeria. I am currently not a member of any political party. However, I am worried that our narratives and posturing as northerners will not change our collective situation for good unless we tell ourselves the truth and take the necessary actions.

     By the way, while I am talking about northern Nigeria, the people from other regions in Nigeria should also take my message as a mirror for their regions, so that they can also make progress. Because we all have similar tendencies.

     The Crux of the Issues.

    It is proper and very important for interest groups of northern Nigeria, like other regional, ethnic, and religious groups in Nigeria, to continue advocating for good governance and pushing for more equitable leadership and representation at the federal level, while keeping the fee of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to fire.  

     However, in my view, the issues bedeviling northern Nigeria and the actual solutions will depend on how we, the northern elites and establishment, view the issues, our sincerity of purpose, and the actions that we take to address them. The root causes of most of the challenges facing Northern Nigeria are more regional and local than federal. Therefore, we must refocus, expand our vision, and change our mindsets if there is to be any hope of redemption, growth, and development. 

    Living in denial and blaming trade will only complicate and exacerbate our situations. The combined ticking time bombs of tribalism, ethnic jingoism, religious extremism, religious bigotry, hypocrisy, poverty, jealousy and envy, greed, hatred, erosion of our core values, corruption, etc., are part of the multi-dimensional issues that we must address as our realities. Indeed, we must also accept that the issues are mostly self-inflicted, either deliberately or inadvertently.

    Consequently, political grandstanding and gaslighting will not help us but only make our matters worse. The population growth rate of northern Nigeria, the preponderance of out-of-school children, rising unemployment, youth restiveness, rising social vices, insecurity, etc., in northern Nigeria reflect our dire situation, which calls for sincere and sober reflections. Without decisive actions to contain the ugly trends rather than blaming trade, we will be doomed.

     Some questions for all of us who are Nigerians from the northern region are as follows:

    Having produced the highest number of Presidents and Heads of State in Nigeria, and having been key stakeholders in the political evolution of this country, how many banks are owned by northern Nigerians? How many media houses are owned by northern Nigerians? How many manufacturing plants, or factories, are owned by northern Nigerians, apart from Alhaji Aliko Dangote, Alhaji Abdulsamad Isyaku Rabiu, and a few others? How many industries or factories in Nigeria are operated or managed by northern Nigerians? How many of the former State Governors of northern Nigeria have even a “pure water” factory where they have employed 10 people? How many of all former State governors of northern Nigeria, former and serving Senators, and Members of the House of Representatives are actually employing people or that actually have scholarship programs/systems whereby they are supporting children from their constituencies, with their own money, or the money they have taken from us? How many of us own or are managing (at top level) the insurance companies, and other private financial institutions, corporate organizations, apart from the Non-Executive Directorships that we are occasionally given, to give a semblance of national outlook for Companies that are owned majorly by southern Nigerians in which we have no real stake, etc.? These are the critical indicators that will tell us whether we are moving in the right direction or not. Today, most of the masses in northern Nigeria are “on their own”, with no help from the elites.

     Most times, we, the elites, only speak out loudly when it comes to issues that directly affect us or our children, but not really for the common good. How did we allow our region to slide into the abyss of over 80 million out of over 133 million multi-dimensionally poor Nigerians? Are these issues entirely the fault of a President, i.e., President Olusegun Obasanjo, President Umar Musa Yar’Adua, President Goodluck Jonathan, President Muhammadu Buhari, or the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu? Why do we have to shout all the time about issues that we are also responsible for? For example, we have a situation whereby a former northern State governor, who was a governor maybe 15 years ago, has become a glorified personal assistant to a current state governor. This speaks volumes to how we are making progress as northern Nigerians, or as Nigeria in general, because, by the way, this is not just a northern Nigeria issue.

     Certainly, if we are able to speak truths to ourselves, we may start moving in the right direction. Most of our leaders block their ears, close their eyes when they are in power, whether as Presidents, Vice Presidents, State Governors, Deputy Governors, Federal and State legislators, Judges, Chief Executives, Civil Servants, etc., but they shamelessly become “latter-day activists” when they leave office, having failed to deliver good governance during their tenures. It is time that we, the people of Northern Nigeria, start calling out such leaders.

    For the past 65 years in Nigeria, from independence to date, in every administration, northern Nigerians have been given the opportunity to lead or to serve. Whether the number is enough or not is not the issue. Recently, the late President Muhammadu Buhari was the President for eight years. How did our northern leaders, who were given the opportunities, perform? How did they change the fortunes of northern Nigeria within those eight years? Not long ago, during the tenure of President Goodluck Jonathan, most of the top government officials who were found blameful or responsible for the diversion of the funds that were appropriated and disbursed for the procurement of weapons to fight terrorism were from Northern Nigeria. They were found to be in cahoots with misappropriating money that was meant to save/ protect their people, other Nigerians, and residents from being looted, kidnapped, raped, maimed, and killed daily in thousands. What This is the height of wickedness! Shame! What did the northern elders, elites, or citizens do, or what are they doing to stop these menaces and evil tendencies of self-service?

     Currently, the two Ministers of Defense, two Ministers of Agriculture, the Coordinating Minister of Health, Minister of Information, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Transport, the National Security Adviser, etc., are from northern Nigeria. It does not matter what political party is in power at the federal level; we always have a significant share of power and the highest number of representatives in the power dynamics of Nigeria.  Therefore, what should matter is how we perform and how we utilize the opportunities.

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    Self-Service OR Sincere Agitation?

    For instance, months into the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, there was agitation by the Northern elites that there was a plan by the administration to sack northerners from CBN, etc., when 70% of the children in the CBN are our children, i.e., children of the elites. What about the children of Shoe shiners or peasant farmers, etc? Are we addressing the issues of almost 70% of our public primary and secondary schools that are dilapidated, with our children that sit on bare floors, in open areas? How about the teeming Almajiris that we maltreat? Is that the responsibility of the federal government? We all know that the State governments are primarily responsible for primary and secondary schools’ education, and yet we have over 10 million children and youngsters out of school. How are we, the elites, also speaking truth to our state governors to ensure that they do the needful? So, these are the posers for us to address as Northern Nigerians.

     Moreover, 70% of the leaders from North and indeed from Southern Nigeria came from humble backgrounds. But most of them forget where they come from, only when they need their votes. The fact is that about 60 or 50 years ago, they were given opportunities by leaders like Sir Ahmadu Bello, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, etc., and yet most of them have abandoned their people. Most of them were like the Almajiris of today, and yet they were given those opportunities to excel and become leaders in their Country.  Now, all they think of is themselves and their children. Yet here we are blaming all our woes on any President who is in power.

    Therefore, I urge our political, religious, traditional leaders, top leaders, intellectuals, and the entire elites to have a moment of introspection.

    In the subsequent episode, I will continue expounding on the issues bedeviling northern Nigeria and how I think we should best address them.

  • Dear Muslim parents,

    Dear Muslim parents,

    Assalam alaykum wa Rahmatu Llah wa Barakatuhu!

    This is not a parents/teachers association meeting in which new school fees or new calendar year is often discussed. It is rather a meeting of positive and constructive minds over the most fundamental issue in the life of man. And it is to be moderated by the guideline divinely put in place in the name of ‘Al-Qur’an’ by the Almighty Allah.

    Your joys as parents are secret, so are your grief and fear. Hardly can you hide the one or openly express the other. Happy are those of you parents whose children are fortunate enough to tread the path of your divinely guided dream. And sorrow is the portion of those of you whose children are unfortunate to deviate from the rightly guided path. All of you will account either for what brings you joy or what pushes you into sorrow.

    Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had admonished on this when he said: “all of you (parents) are shepherds and all of you shall be asked to account for your herds”.

    Children are the most invaluable gift of Allah to man. They can neither be bought nor sold. Even adoption or exchange of children for money (otherwise called child slavery) is only a temporary act which will become a permanent question later. One day, the child will ask of his real parents or get to know that the foster parents who have been caring for him in life are not his biological parents. Then he will ask the permanent question: “whose child am I? This is why adoption of children in the Western sense is prohibited in Islam. You can only help to bring up abandoned or stranded children who are not biologically yours for humanitarian reason but not for the purpose of turning such children into your own.

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    As a parent, you may give your biological or adopted children your love and your ideas but surely not your thoughts. Because they (children) learn more and understand better from what they see than from what they hear. Children of today have their own thoughts which you may never be able to take away from them or even alter. You may clad them in the best attire and house them in the most comfortable residences. You may send them to the best schools and endear them to a world of unlimited affluence. But hardly will you ever be able to influence their thinking faculty in any way.

    While you are busy interacting closely with their physical beings today, you will discover that their thought dwell in the abode of tomorrow which you can neither see in your dream nor perceive in your imagination.

    Children are a bundle of joy. But they can also be a load of grief. At least, they form the source of both in the life of man. No man or woman becomes a parent without first being a child. What is perceived as experience in any human being today sprang from the childhood pranks of some years past. And the cycle continues.

    Manual of Life

    Everything in life has its own manual. For Muslims the general manual of life is the Qur’an; that anchor message of Allah leaves no stone unturned in the life of man. In chapter 31 verse 13 of that divine Book Allah relays to us how Prophet Luqman counselled his son. The verse goes thus: “And (remember) when Luqman admonished his son saying: ‘My son, associate none with Allah, for associating something with Him is a grievous iniquity’…. (Go and know that) Allah will bring all things to light, be they as small as a grain of mustard seed or hidden inside a rock or even in the earth. Allah is all-wise and all-knowing”.

    “My son! Be steadfast in offering Salat; enjoin justice and forbid evil. Endure with fortitude, whatever befalls you. That is a duty incumbent upon you. Do not scorn fellow human beings nor walk arrogantly on land; Allah does not love the arrogant and vainglorious ones. Be modest in your gait and lower your voice when talking because the harshest of voices is that of the braying of an ass….”

    The above verses of the Qur’an are a good example of how Allah wants us to rear good human beings in every society by bringing up our children in exemplary manner. Prophet Luqman and his son were just used symbolically. Nothing concrete can be achieved in this without the fear of Allah which every parent is expected to preach practically to his or her children from the very early age as did Prophet Luqman. And the only concrete substance in life is what forms the visa with which man is admitted into the hereafter. The evidence of that substance in any man or woman is contentment.

    Elite Parents

    It is however unfortunate that most Nigerian parents, especially in the elite class, do not see life as a queue which ought to be followed scrupulously. They rather believe that any queue, at all, is a fool’s route to success where short cut must always be available.

    Those are the parents who create special class for their children right from birth. They show those children how superior they are to other children and tell them the category of children with whom they should be friendly not on moral but on material grounds. They provide for them what those children do not need. They take them to schools in very expensive cars and create in  them the impression that money is not their problem. Thus, when occasionally, their children refuse to ride in old cars brought for them by their drivers, the parents quickly apologise and send new cars to convey them from the same schools attended by some children of paupers.

    These are children who have never worked for one kobo in their lives. All they know is that money is abundantly available and meant for them to spend. They cannot fathom where the money is coming from and how their parents acquire it. And here are parents whose main source of income is stealing directly either by the use of pen in their offices or indirectly by deceit. With such dirty money, they sponsor their children in the most expensive schools abroad or at home. They follow them to school to grease the palms of their teachers to ensure that their children secure the required marks for promotion into the next class or certificates that will be used as meal tickets in life.

    It does not matter much to them whether or not those children understand what they are taught in school. What matters to them is the short cut that will ensure the passage of those children through the University as early as 19 or 20 years of age so that by the age of 23, such children would have become Chief Executives of banks or multinational companies in which they (the parents) had fraudulently acquired major shares. And, with that, the cycle of corruption would continue unabated in the family.

    Now, why wouldn’t such a brazing desperation pave way for mass cheating in school examinations and eventual monumental corruption in the society as now being experienced in Nigeria? Are the children to blame? What else is expected of them when you parents are prepared to buy anything for them including live examination papers? And the children of the less privileged parents would also want to take advantage of the terrible rot to succeed in life. Where such advantage is denied, they become desperate and plan to stand in the way of those who deny them. That is how criminal tendencies escalate in the society.

    Some of you parents often forget that no amount of fraudulent spending can make any child rich except by the grace of Allah. Today, where are the children of yesteryears’ moneybags?

    For such shallow-thinking parents the Qur’an has the following admonition: “Are they the ones who apportion your Lord’s blessings? It is ‘WE’ (Allah) who apportion to them their livelihood in this world; He exalts some in ranks above others so that the ones can take the others into their service. Your Lord’s mercy is better than all their hoarded treasures”. (See Q. 43: 32).

    Today’s World

    The misfortune or calamity afflicting the world today, especially, that of Nigerian society, is caused by the elite parents. Right from infancy, most children of the elite, particularly the white-collar jobbers, have been given the impression that they are born to be masters. And they behave as such at every stage of their lives.

    It all starts with unwarranted lavish spending on children’s birthday which have virtually become the past-time of those parents,especially women. Sometimes millions of naira is spent by parents to celebrate the birthdays of their children in a society where many families can hardly afford one meal per day.

    The implication of this is that such spoilt children are being practically taught how to spend money without being taught how to make money. And by the time they grow up, they would have been fully used to easy money while the parents would have then forgotten how they initiated the innocent children into the world of corruption through stupendous extravagancy.

    Today, what used to be ordinary examination cheating in the primary and secondary schools has grown monstrously to become the national calamity called corruption even at the highest level of a government in power. We now have black market certificates issued in most of our higher institutions both at federal and state levels at the instance of naira. We also have criminal election rigging practically supervised by political vampires who wear the garb of umpires. There are law makers in our country who must take bribe before voting for or against any bill. There are law enforcers whose main source of income is nothing but audacious bribe. There are unrepentant civil servants who live like kings and queens while milking the society shamelessly without any regard for their pedigree. There are half-baked lawyers who are feeding fat on fraudulent opportunities while capitalising on the deliberate lapses created by our so-called constitution.

    In all these, who will curb the ever-rampantly growing monster called corruption in Nigeria? Is it the parents who are so desperate that they would do anything, including illicit sex, to see their children through? Or school principals, proprietors and lecturers who are the real architects of examination fraud and certificate rackets? Or the officials of the various examination bodies who often facilitate and help to perfect the act? Or the secret security agents whose orientation is to call a spade a hoe where money is involved?

    All of these and others not mentioned here are elite parents who can hardly come up with a clean hand on anything legitimate. How can they curb the largess from which they benefit so tremendously?

    Unfortunately, some of you Muslim parents, in defiance to Allah’s instruction, have joined this terrible cartel. You feel satisfied with your children’s fraudulent mundane lives even as you are evidently indifferent to the spiritual lives of those children. This has caused some temporal agony in certain lives and spiritual melancholy in others.

    An Elderly Parent’s Experience

    Yours sincerely was in an Islamic meeting with some other brothers in Lagos sometime in the mid 1990s. While we were about to reach a consensus on a vital matter, a septuagenarian parent of four grown up children suddenly burst into tears. He subbed painfully like a house wife who just lost her first child at the point of delivery. Surprised and embarrassed, we enquired from the old man what the matter was since the issue under discussion in that meeting had no sad angle. In his response after calming down, the man who was a former Nigerian Ambassador said he had lost his entire life. He narrated his pathetic story in a very sober mood and concluded that he had lived his entire life in vain.

    He told us how three of his children (all boys) had their secondary and university education in London. The fourth child who was a girl joined them immediately after she completed her secondary education. And after graduation, they all got juicy jobs and settled permanently in England. But by then, they had all crossed over to the other side of the spiritual bridge haven adapted to a non-Islamic life style.

    This was, however, not the cause of his regret. The real cause of his regret was the attitude of those children to his own religious life which he claimed to have cherished so much. First, the children never thought it right to pay him any visit in Nigeria, despite his old age. Secondly, whenever he visited them, in London, none of them would oblige him the chance to observe his daily Salat as they often told him that such was uncivilised. After all efforts to persuade them failed, he had to abandon them and live like a man without children.

    The old man’s most agonising point was in seeing the children of his friends who practised Islam very well in the same country (England) even as they were all doing fine in their various careers. The difference was that the parents of those other children had cared for their spiritual lives from the very beginning. That is the plight of a man who had the courage to voice it out after admitting his guilt. There are thousands of others like him who would prefer to lick their messy wound secretly till death comes to strike.

    If this can still happen in a Muslim home at this age, despite the Qur’anic lessons abundantly available for those who want to learn, what is the value of life? Why would any sane person want to lose his life and his life hereafter just to gain vanity? See what avarice is doing to some Muslim parents?

    It is only for the reason of avarice that most Muslim parents do not see any necessity in giving their children such qualitative Islamic education as they do in the Western way. But Allah has a wonderful way of doing things. Some of the children who could not be given formal secondary education some years past, because their parents were too poor, are professors in the universities or top professionals today in their own right and yet they remain solid Muslims. What else? Train your children in the way of Allah and leave what will become of those children to Allah alone who provides even for ants. Let your children know that the only antidote against greed and avarice is contentment which gives man absolute rest of mind and enables him to appreciate Allah’s endowment in his life. Anything else is sheer vanity that invariably fetches regret. It is only with contentment that any form of corruption can be eliminated. For you Muslims, there is a lesson in this to learn and disseminate to others.

  • By-elections and Uba Sani’s consolidation

    By-elections and Uba Sani’s consolidation

    “There is no ballot box on Twitter. There is no ballot box on Instagram or Facebook. Elections are won at the grassroots, not on social media.” … His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State

    The recently concluded by-elections across Nigeria, particularly in Kaduna State, are an attestation that the good people of Kaduna State are happy with the performance of His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani. The By-elections are a referendum by the people at the sub-national level, and they should be key performance indicators in the various states. While in some states, some incumbent political parties had to share the wins with opposition parties, the All Progressives Congress (APC) under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani won all the by-elections.

     While in some States, the opposition political parties are challenging the outcome of the by-elections, there is relative silence from the opposition political parties in Kaduna State.. Interestingly, leading up to the by-elections, some opposition political leaders were running about fomenting social media campaigns, especially around the Zaria constituency, claiming that they had the “mobilized” massive support of the people. One would have thought that by now they would be shouting that the election was rigged and that they were the ones who won! But alas! They have pocketed the loss in silence. The silence of those opposition figures in the face of defeat speaks volumes about the level of acceptance of the leadership of Governor Uba Sani in Kaduna State. Otherwise, their voices would have been very loud across all social media platforms, claiming what I call “audio victory”. Governor Uba Sani aptly captured the reality when he stated that, “There is no ballot box on Twitter. There is no ballot box on Instagram, or Facebook. Elections are won at the grassroots, not on social media”. I couldn’t agree more. 

    Furthermore, what is profound and worthy of note is that the APC won at the Chikun/ Kajuru federal constituency, a zone that had consistently voted for opposition parties for over two decades.  This signifies that the good people of Kaduna South are happy with the style of leadership of Governor Uba Sani. This is a breath of fresh air from the toxic air of uncertainty, insecurity, hatred, bitterness, and disrespect that pervaded Kaduna State in the eight years before his administration.

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    Therefore, I congratulate His Excellency Governor Uba Sani on the success of the by-elections in Kaduna state. It is a well-deserved victory.

    The resounding victory of the APC in Kaduna South has demonstrated Governor Uba Sani’s high level of political clout, emotional intelligence, bridge-building capacity, cultural diplomacy, and delivery of the dividends of democracy across Kaduna State, especially his special attention to rural development, which is a bedrock of development of any State. Governor Uba State is not only focusing on the right direction, but he is also delivering his campaign promises. Without a doubt, if Governor Uba Sani continues on this trajectory, then we can safely say that he will clinch a second term in office as the Governor of Kaduna State in 2027.

     In my opinion, Governor Uba Sani is one of the most proactive and impactful of the incumbent State Governors in Nigeria. He is also one of the shining leaders of northern Nigeria who has emerged. I believe that he will contribute significantly to changing the declining political and debilitating social and economic trajectories of northern Nigeria in particular and the overall progress of Nigeria in general.

    Governor Sani is not resting on his laurels. He is Consolidating

    As we proceed from midterm moving into the second phase of this administration, we look forward to the manifestation of a lot of the Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) and Public-private Partnerships (PPPs) that Governor Uba Sani have signed off thus far which align with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, at the state level in the areas of agriculture, rural development, education, youth empowerment, infrastructural development, solid minerals energy, renewable energy, etc.

    Governor Uba Sani’s focus and impacts so far, on education, youth empowerment, and social justice, amongst others is very impressive, especially at this time there is the need for northern leaders to move away from rhetoric to action, to deal with the issues of out-of-school children, dwindling education, unemployment, poverty, youth restiveness, the dangerous decline in the quality of our human capital, and insecurity in northern Nigeria.

    Moreover, what is true and clear is that Governor Uba Sani is continuously building bridges of peace and goodwill. He is continually assuaging the fears and building the trust and confidence of the good people of Kaduna State, residents, foreigners, investors, and other stakeholders, reassuring them that for the first time in a long time, Kaduna State is safe. Indeed, in the past two years since he became the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Kaduna State has returned to its pride of place in the political, social, and economic schemes of Nigeria. Kaduna State, being the one-time capital of the northern region, is a trailblazer and a home to all Nigerians and also foreigners.

     As a northern Nigerian, I have also been a friend and resident of Kaduna State, having worked in Kaduna State during the early years of my professional career circa 1994, when I was the project manager of the computerization of the New Nigerian Newspapers Headquarters, and from where I was also a project support for the computerization of the then Office of the Accountant General of Benue State, and the Ministry of Finance, amongst other projects. For over 30 years, I have also been conducting business in Kaduna State, particularly in areas of agriculture and commerce. As an indigene of Kano State, I have made Kaduna State my second home, and I have always loved the State and its good people. Hence, I was always heartbroken like many Nigerians when the peace, harmony, and peaceful co-existence of Kaduna State were disrupted, with devastating consequences, especially in the eight years before the administration of Governor Uba Sani.

     I am therefore delighted that Mr. Governor has restored peace, harmony, and prosperity to Kaduna State since he took the mantle of Governorship of Kaduna State.

    Second term projections

    Nigeria is a democracy. Therefore, opposing voices and opposing personalities will continue to have their say, and even in some cases, they could have their way.

    Currently, in the case of Kaduna State, I think that the opposition parties in Kaduna will be content with having their say in terms of electoral victory. Because, undeniably, they know that with the performance of Governor Uba Sani, it is highly unlikely for them to achieve electoral victory. 

    Accordingly, if Mr. Governor continues with his current performance and achievements, God willing, he will ultimately win the 2027 Governorship election for a second term in office. This is because there is a nexus between performance, impacts on the people, and achieving another electoral victory for an incumbent political leader. I am very optimistic that Governor Uba Sani will get a second term in office. And I wish him well in that regard.

    Governor Uba Sani’s Democratic Credentials as a Success Factor

    Governor Uba Sani’s sterling democratic credentials as a democrat, and vanguard for the restoration of democracy in Nigeria from the shackles of Military juntas, risking his life along with other freedom fighters, is a testament to his pedigree, not as a freeloading onlooker, but as an active warrior for democracy who has earned his place in the annals of the political history of Nigeria. We will recall that he stood in the trenches fighting for the emancipation of Nigeria from the grip of brutal military dictatorship along with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and other brilliant, dogged heroes of democracy, some of whom paid the ultimate price with their lives, while others like President Bola Tinubu had to flee Nigeria and go into exile, as others like Governor Uba Sani were incarcerated and/ or convicted and sentenced to years in prison or death. The ordeals that vanguards, like Governor Uba Sani and his Comrades, were facing did not deter, demotivate, or stop them until, by Providence, Nigeria returned to democracy in 1999.

    Therefore, nobody can take away these sterling democratic credentials from Governor Uba Sani, which are marked with tears, scars, and blood. Unlike some other politicians who conveniently remained silent, collaborated or actively supported military juntas for their selfish interests, and only started speaking out or criticizing power when it was more convenient, fashionable, or even profitable.

    Conclusion

    The recently concluded by-elections in Kaduna State have left no one in doubt that Governor Uba Sani is now in charge of Kaduna State politics and leadership. It has also put lousy busybody politicians in their place. Politicians who are of the illusion that insults, toxic rhetoric, and political gallivanting will win elections will soon sober up, or they will soon get used to losing elections as they diminish into political oblivion.

  • Decentralisation of PPP approvals will catalyse development

    Decentralisation of PPP approvals will catalyse development

    Four (4) days ago (17th August, 2025), the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), released a new policy guideline to fast-track Public-Private Partnership (PPP) projects in Nigeria, thereby decentralizing approval powers, which will enable ministries to approve projects valued below N20 billion, while agencies and parastatals are authorized to handle projects under N10 billion. Accordingly, a project approval board will be established to oversee the process.

    The policy framework is issued in compliance with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive, which is in line with the statutory powers of the ICRC Act of 2005, and which is based on Mr. President’s objective of liberalizing the economy and unlocking private capital for infrastructure which are key to the delivery of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

     According to a Country Private Sector Diagnostic (CPSD) report released in June this year (2025) by the World Bank Group, “with the right reforms, Nigeria has the potential to become a leading engine of private sector–led growth and job creation in Africa”. Therefore, this new policy couldn’t have come at a better time. It is a welcome development, given the size, scale, and nature of PPPs as they are fast evolving across Nigeria.

     I am a proponent of PPPs, and also as the Group CEO of the Global Investment and Trade Company (GITC), where we undertake investment and trade facilitation, PPP strategy, modelling and transaction advisory, policy strategy, etc. with so far, an investment profile of over $500million; my team and I, are delighted with this development because we believe that from a policy strategy perspective, this is a strategic step in the right direction which will cut out “red tapism” and excessive bureaucracy, properly streamline our PPP initiatives on one hand and also enable efficient, successful, timely, impactful, and sustainable execution of PPP projects, in Nigeria going forward

     As a key enabler of infrastructural development and PPPs in Nigeria, the ICRC is a key fulcrum to the economic recovery and development strategy of President Bola Tinubu’s administration by unlocking Nigeria’s abundant human and other natural resources for social and economic recovery, growth, development, and sustainability.

     However, the fact that the ICRC will remain the clearing house for all PPPs at the federal and across all the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), from conceptualization to implementation, approvals, and regulation, is very important to ensure compliance with standards and achievement of impacts. The ICRC is already undertaking high-level stakeholders’ engagement with representatives of Ministries, Departments, and agencies (MDAs) involved in PPPs.

     With a current PPP profile of over 100 PPPs facilitated and/or being regulated by the ICRC in multiple sectors, that we at GITC estimate to value about $70 billion, out of which about $30billion (over N30 trillion) PPPs are being activated across various sectors within the first two of President Tinubu’s administration; the decentralization of approvals is the best approach to ensuring success and sustainability, if executed properly and implementation monitored and measured effectively.

     Indeed, over the years, as a key PPP practitioner and stakeholder, I have noticed that one of the banes of the success of PPPs in Nigeria is due to the omnibus nature of the operations of the ICRC vis-à-vis the political and socio-economic structure of the country. Indeed, the PPP model is still a nascent model in Nigeria. Hence, the timing of the decentralization of some of the PPP approvals of ICRC is apt, and it will add more value, make more impact.

     A case study that justifies approval

    decentralisation

    Part of lessons learnt as captured in an impact assessment report, published in 2016 and updated this year, by the Public – Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility (PPIAF), which is a World Bank funded organization; gives credence to this new policy of decentralizing PPP approvals, wherein the reported stated; “Clear lines of authority are fundamental to engage the private sector successfully, as demonstrated by the Nigerian Ports Authority singularly resolving concession issues. Thus, the federal government needs a more coherent and cohesive PPP regulatory framework with clear lines of authority.”

     Governance framework

    The fact that a project approval board will be established to oversee the process further gives credibility to the process and will strengthen project governance, accountability, mitigate risks, and assure effective project initiation, development, and implementation in line with the PPP objectives, agreements, and extant regulations and laws of Nigeria.

     Furthermore, the new guidelines for decentralization also detail requirements for preparing outline business cases (OBCs), full business cases (FBCs), financial models, procurement routes, and compliance steps.

     It is important that the Director General of the ICRC, Dr. Jobson Oseodion Ewalefoh, has stated that the ICRC will continue to “promote, guide, facilitate and regulate the PPP ecosystem in Nigeria in collaboration with relevant MDAs, i.e., the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Bureau of Public Enterprise (BPE).” This is a very important part of the governance framework of the policy. The Director ICRC has also stated that there will be zero tolerance for non-compliance

     Some key points to note/ reiterate:

    I posit that some critical success factors should be noted/ reiterated/ reinforced as the new policy is activated. I am of the view that more attention should be focused on them so that we learn from past experiences, so as to guard against pitfalls and risks.

     •Integrity and transparency of the process

    The PPP approval decentralization will reduce the opacity of running PPPs and increase transparency and accountability in the entire process and operations of the PPPs, so as to avoid failures or complications to Nigeria’s economy. Defective PPPs could transmute into another form of debt, which will further have negative consequences on the economy.  Therefore, I expect that the decentralization of the PPP processes should ensure successes and socio-economic impacts at national and subnational levels during this administration.

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     •Stakeholder engagement and interagency collaboration

    A robust stakeholder engagement and interagency collaboration with a transparent dashboard to show all concerned and indeed Nigerians the progress of the investments/ project on a need-to-know basis. I noted that the ICRC has already fully engaged in this regard, which is commendable.

    •Investment, business and operational modelling

    We need to be sure that the decentralized PPP models we are adopting are the correct models for the overall socio-economic interests of Nigeria. For instance, what we have heard with regard to Air Nigeria during the immediate past administration of the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development should guide our thoughts. In my humble view, some of the issues started from the PPP modeling of how Ethiopian Airlines was given a chunk of stake, the distorted local content value, etc.

     The PPP model is very important in all economic sectors because the model will determine factors like ownership structure, shareholding, Return on Investment (ROI), socio-economic benefits, etc. Hence, we should be thorough in considering and deciding which model to adopt depending on the investment portfolio and the sector, i.e. the model of the transaction, operational model, financial modelling, and the entire framework of the project; and in doing so we need to involve all the critical stakeholders to ensure that we carefully think through the options. With the ongoing reforms, I am optimistic that new win-win deal-making models that will ensure responsible critical national assets management will continue to evolve.

    • Legal framework

    About one (1) year ago, it was all over the mainstream media that one Mr. Pramod Mitta, the younger brother of the Billionaire Concessionaire that is behind the Ajaokuta Steel Mill PPP project, Mr. Lakshmi Mittal was able to leverage a legal loophole in the legal framework of the PPP to access about $500million to service a debt that he incurred in another country. Given that the PPP was signed many years before the administration of President Bola Tinubu, it remains a redundant legacy project for Nigeria, which I am happy to hear Mr. President is determined to deliver. This is a good example of how a lack of proper planning and efficient legal framework and support system for our strategic and operational engagements with our foreign investors/ partners could significantly negatively impact Nigeria in the short, mid, to long terms.

     Consequently, I advocate for the continuous full involvement of subject matter experts, all relevant government agencies, and stakeholders to x-ray the PPP models, agreements, and other relevant documentation to ensure that all the provisions in the legal frameworks protect all the interests of Nigeria before we proceed. Essentially, the outcome of the legal framework should be a win-win for Nigeria and for the investors. To also ensure that in the long run, Nigerians are not subjugated to foreign investors/ nations with no value to Nigerians. 

    •Project management and Execution Quotient

    The project management framework should be very robust, and the execution quotient of operating the PPPs should be high, with zero tolerance for laxity or slippages. This is so that the terms and conditions, as well as the deliverables of operationalizing the PPPs, especially the EPCC (Engineering, Procurement, Construction, and Commissioning) module, are delivered timely and qualitatively with full value for money and impacts. This will ensure that people will not come under the guise of investing in our critical infrastructure and end up short-changing Nigeria.

     This will also safeguard our PPPs from becoming white elephant projects.

     In closing, I look forward to faster, efficient, and impactful infrastructural development in Nigeria. God Bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • How muslims write will

    How muslims write will

    One of the obligatory Islamic duties which most Muslims take for granted is the writing of will. For every Muslim adult, male or female, writing a will is not a matter of choice. It is statutorily obligatory. But not many Muslims know this.

    The general thinking is that writing a will is only for old people who are close to death or those who are very rich. This does not only contradict the concept of Islam about death, it also contravenes the principle laid down in Islam about will writing. No one knows when death will come. An octogenarian may continue to live while a man or woman of twenties or thirties may die. The healthy may die while the sick lives.

    The circumstances of life in this age of technology which cause death are very unpredictable. Thus, death may come to anybody at any time.

    One of the advantages of Tafsir in the sacred month of Ramadan is to disseminate knowledge especially on sensitive but fundamental issues often over-sighted by most Muslims. Writing a will is one of such issues. Will in Islam is called wasiyyah. It is a very significant means of providing a flexible instrument of transferring estate or a fraction of it to those who not heirs.

    Wassiyyah basically means a bequest of assets and debts to others after one’s death. It depicts the differences between gift given out personally and one’s behave. Unlike hibah which means a gift in one’s life time, wasiyyah is a gift delivered to the beneficiary after the death of the giver.

    In Islam, writing a will is not about bequeathal of wealth per se. It is rather more about the explanation of certain things in the life of the will writer which were not known to his or her family members, relatives and close associates. For instance, if the concerned will writer did not pay Zakah when he was able to pay it, or he was indebted but did not disclose it to his relatives or if something is entrusted to him in confidence or even if he made a promise to someone without the knowledge of his relatives, it is incumbent upon him to include such matters in his will. This is to clear any possible ambiguity or doubt about his relationship with other people while alive.

    Writing of will by Muslims is ordained by the Almighty Allah in Q.2:180 thus:

    “It is decreed that when death approaches, those of you that leave wealth shall bequeath it equitably to parents and kindred. This is a duty incumbent upon the righteous. He that alters that (the will) after hearing it shall be accountable for his crime. Allah is all-Hearing, all-knowing.”

     Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was also reported by Bukhari and Muslim as saying that “Any Muslim who has something to bequest should not pass two nights without writing his will”. And Ibn Majah also reported a narration from Jabir quoting the Prophet as saying those who die leaving will behind died in the path truth and righteousness and they shall receive the forgiveness of Allah” 

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    Ordinarily, in Islam, a Muslim has no right to share his property among his off springs or relatives by his own whim. The Islamic way of bequeathing inheritance has been divinely spelt out clearly in the Qur’an. And that is a different topic entirely not to be lumped with the issue of writing will.

    Who should write a will and how?

     If a will must be written according to Islamic prescription then the writer of such a will must be a Muslim. He must have attained the age of maturity. He must be sane. He must use an understandable language and clearly identify himself in his will. He must also append his signature and date to every page of such will. There must be witnesses to the writing of the will and those witnesses must also identify themselves clearly and duly sign the space left for them in the will.

    But if the will is to be orally recorded, the voice of the will recorder must be very audible with understandable language. The executors as well as the trustees of the will must be clearly named and if necessary, described to avoid any confusion that may arise from similarity of names. In the case writing, four original copies must be produced. And one each must be given to the four appointed executors. No one of the executors must know another and no photocopy should be produced for any reason. This is to prevent any possible leakage or connivance that may lead to betrayal of trust. Every appointed executor must be an acknowledged trustworthy person of integrity.

     Contents of the will

     An Islamic will should contain the following facts as a matter of necessity:

    •Listing the all assets

    •Listing all liabilities including debts, unpaid Zakah, promises made but not yet fulfilled, entrusted property, illegal acquisition in the possession of the bequether. 

    •Listing the wives, the children and other legitimate beneficiaries including the parents and siblings. All these must be clearly spelt out without mentioning the amount or share due to each beneficiary. 

    •Listing of special bequest and testamentary transfer and endowment as well as the names of the beneficiaries. All these must be clearly spelt out.

    •Appointing a guardian or trustee for minor children until such children attain maturity

    •specific sections of the will may be addressed to the wife/wives and children

    •The will must be updated from time to time and each latest copy must be given to the trustees and the old ones withdrawn for destruction.

    •The executors must not know the trustees. And the trustees must not take part in the execution of the will. Their duty is to ensure that the executors comply with the letters of the will.

     Outside the will

     Some facts not to be included in the inheritance aspect of the will of a Muslim are as follows:

    A non-Muslim child of a Muslim will-maker or an illegitimate child or a murderer (one who kills his parent) should not be included in the list of those to inherit because they are not qualified to inherit a Muslim parent under Islamic law. If, however, the will maker feels strongly about giving his non-Muslim child something from his estate, this may be contained in the aspect concerning testamentary transfer. Ditto the non-Muslim wife and illegitimate child. But the total aggregate of what a Muslim can will out to those not qualified for inheritance should not exceed one third of the entire estate after the deduction of debts.

    The idea of one third came about from a conversation between Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and Sa’d bn Abi Waqqas. The latter had sought the Prophet’s permission to bequest his entire estate to certain people and groups.

    The Prophet said ‘NO’. He, (Waqqas), then said what of half? And the Prophet said ‘NO’. Then he said what of half? The Prophet at that stage reluctantly gave a go ahead indicating that even the one third was too much concluding that “it is better to leave your heirs rich than poor”. Thus, the final approval became a Prophetic tradition which Muslim must abide by. This means that one third is the maximum a Muslim can bequest to anybody in his will outside the inheritance bracket. 

    Islam does not allow Muslims to write bequest or make will for those who are legitimately eligible as heirs.

    Therefore, anybody who is qualified to inherit cannot be included in the will for any gift.

    The copies of the will may be given to banks or any other corporate institutions like courts for safe keeping without the knowledge of the beneficiaries. But there must be witnesses to the keeping of such document in bank or court. A Muslim must not wait until death approaches before he writes his will. Neither should he wait until he becomes rich before doing same. Writing a will for a Muslim must begin as soon as he marries. And what is applicable to men in this case is equally applicable to women.

  • Nigeria’s value addition bill targets N2.3trillion GDP

    Nigeria’s value addition bill targets N2.3trillion GDP

    “Today it’s fashionable to talk about the New Economy, or the Information Economy, or the Knowledge Economy. But when I think about the imperatives of this market, I view today’s economy as the Value Economy. Adding value has become more than just a sound business principle; it is both the common denominator and the competitive edge.” … Arthur Levitt Jr., a former Chairman of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is targeting a 17% year-on-year growth in real output, thereby pursuing an increase in real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to N23.2 trillion by implementing a new Bill mandating 30% value addition to raw materials before export.

     One of the premises of this target is that, according to the Nigerian National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria’s real GDP in 2024 averaged N19.83 trillion, when Quarter-on-Quarter performance stood at N18.28 trillion, N18.29 trillion, N20.12 trillion, and N22.61trillion for Q1 to Q4 of the preceding year. Therefore, an increase of 17% in the average real output would push GDP to N23.2 trillion. It is an ambitious target, but achievable if the foundation and strategic pillars are properly set; and if the process of legislation is appropriate, and the consequent policy is well implemented, end-to-end. In my view, this is a very important step in the right direction. I am therefore in support of the Bill.

     As the engine room of incubation and development of innovation and materials and in Nigeria; the Raw Materials Research and Development Council (RMRDC), will play a key “focal point” role to upscale the value of our production, industrial growth to international standards and more importantly to make our products to be effectively competitive, sellable and acceptable. This will surely add value to our export earnings, enable the achievement of the “Nigeria First” policy of President Bola Tinubu, and consequently significantly upscale our GDP by ensuring sustainability.

     Accordingly, on July 2, 2025, the Nigerian Senate approved an amendment to the Raw Materials Research and Development Council Act, 2022, which will mandate that exporters must process at least 30% of raw materials locally before exporting.

     As the bill undergoes legislation, I advise on some key points to note.

     The Value Addition Policy and Nigeria’s Competitiveness in the Global Market

    According to a Global Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum, Nigeria scored 48.33 points out of 100 (48.33%) in 2019.  Before then, the Competitiveness Index in Nigeria averaged 13.81 Points from 2007 until 2019, reaching an all-time high of 48.33 Points in 2019 and a record low of 3.37 Points in 2011. These are key indications of how important the value addition policy will be to upscaling the competitiveness of Nigeria’s products and services in the continental and global arena.

     If the value addition policy is successful, our products and services will be more competitive in the international market. For example, in the agriculture sector, fruits, vegetables, and even flowers from Kenya, Morocco, South Africa, India, etc., are very competitive in the international market. But Nigerian exporters are not competitive due to value addition, post-harvest/ post-production challenges like poor storage, poor logistics and supply chain infrastructure and systems, use of some pesticides during planting or post-harvest, etc. Consequently, a lot of Nigerian products and services are rejected or underpriced. Therefore, the value addition is a welcome development if properly formulated. More importantly, if the policy is well implemented.

    Reversing Trade Deficits to become a Trade Surplus

    Essentially, Nigeria cannot achieve its socio-economic objectives by just exporting raw materials, products, and services without value addition. I also strongly believe that the value addition policy, if properly implemented, will significantly change our trade deficits to become trade surpluses, putting us at a better advantage in international trade and investment to rein in more foreign direct investments.

     Technology Transfer and Job Creation

    In addition, the value addition policy will anchor foreign investors to situate their industries within Nigeria, thereby ensuring employment for our teeming youth, ensuring technology transfer and achieving economic values within the country and exports with concomitant effect on our economy, while also ensuring sustainability.

     Standardisation

    In my view, during the process of Legislation, some germane questions should be addressed as stakeholders distill the “30%” value addition within the framework of the Bill. For example, what are the standards? What makes up 30% value addition, in terms of the products? What are the standards for that 30% value addition? Because, in my view, value addition should also encompass storage, logistics and supply chain, infrastructure, facilities, and systems, etc. This is, because value addition will be useless if, for example, in the case of agri-products, by the time you move the products to the seaport or airport for export, having added the value, the products have degraded in quality, and therefore will not be competitive or will not even be sellable or acceptable in the global market.

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     So, I hope that there will be clear definitions and boundaries of standards with regard to value addition. It is also crucial that almost all our national policies key into an overarching national development strategy, in terms of industrialization, trade, and investment, etc. This is very important, so that there will be policy coordination and policy coherence as the Bill undergoes legislation, such that when enacted into law, the policy will not be in conflict with other Bills or policies that are already in place, and if so, for a realignment or streamlining to be done to ensure success.

     Policy Consultation and Strategy

    We need a robust Bill that is successful. Hence, I am calling for coherence in our policy formulation and reforms. Meanwhile, while contemplating this Bill, the following questions should also guide our thoughts: What is Nigeria’s trade policy? What is our Trade Policy? What are the key drivers of our strategies? The correct answers to those questions will ensure the achievement of the targeted 17% year-on-year growth in GDP through this new Bill.

     Appropriately, in formulating this policy, we should be very deliberate and visionary in our target setting in strategy. I believe this is achievable if we do the right things at the right time and have the right people doing them.

     There should be policy consultation so that we are well coordinated to achieve the desirable objective(s), i.e., economic recovery, economic growth, and sustainable economic development. 

    Infrastructure

    Infrastructure is crucial to the achievement of this very laudable bill. Particularly, logistics and supply chain platforms and systems (land, sea, and air), intermodal transportation networks, storage, etc., are also key to the success of the value addition policy. As an illustration, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has stated that over 50% of the agricultural products we produce in Nigeria get wasted from the farmland to the market or even to the dining table. Therefore, value addition and bridging the infrastructure deficit are crucial to our national economic diversification strategy, achieving the N2.3 trillion GDP, and also achieving the $1 trillion economy target set by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. So, I hope that the foundation laying and the strategic pillars setting will key into an overarching national strategy, so that we are moving lockstep in the right direction, to achieve successful legislation and passage of this laudable Bill, and effective implementation.

     Power/ Energy as a Sine Qua Non

    Earlier on, I stated that value addition cannot be achieved without infrastructure in terms of power. Nigeria is lagging far behind in terms of meeting its power/energy requirements for any meaningful economic turnaround, growth, and development.

     I am very happy that President Tinubu, early in his administration in 2025, as one of the first set of laws he signed into law, passed the law that enables all the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory in Nigeria, to generate, transmit, and distribute their power/energy capacities to drive socio-economic development. Thus, I want to see value innovation by the State Governors. I also expect decisiveness by the federal and state governments in result-oriented moves to ensure that we have enough power/ energy that will recover and sustain our industrial sector, and the Micro-Small-and-Medium scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in the short to mid-term, even if it is in a phased fashion. Our expectation is that between now and the end of the 2nd quarter to next year, governments at the federal and state levels are able to generate, distribute, transmit, and more power/energy for industries.

     Infrastructure Connectivity and Interlinks

    Furthermore, as stated earlier, the other critical infrastructure, i.e., intermodal transportation, rural feeder roads and bridges, logistics and supply chain, are critical to the success of the value addition policy. When production/ processing/value addition is completed, the efficient and safe movement of products from production location to the market, whether domestic or international, is also critical in the value chain. Therefore, the qualities and standard of the road network, and airports (passenger and cargo) we build, should fit into our short to long-term socio-economic visions and strategies to support and sustain the economy.  It is very important for us to also have effective interlinks between land, air, and sea transportation systems so that we are able to succeed in a timely and coordinated manner.

     This administration has a target of another two years until the 2027 general election. If we modularize our strategy, we will be able to achieve a lot before 2027.

  • Uba Sani’s example in Kaduna state

    Uba Sani’s example in Kaduna state

    Purposeful vision

    Two years into his administration as the Executive Governor of Kaduna State in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency, Governor Uba Sani, hit the ground running and has so far built the critical momentum of properly re-directing the political and socio-economic vision and trajectories of Kaduna State. He has restored relative security, peace, and harmony while he is grappling with what I call “the Burden of inherited complications of debt, toxic ethno-religious tensions, and insecurity”. Indeed, so far so good, despite the daunting challenges, Kaduna State is fast reclaiming its pride of place in Nigeria under the leadership of Governor Uba Sani.

     Restoring relative Security, Peace, and Harmony in Kaduna State

    In the past two years, Governor Uba Sani has demonstrated a clear understanding of his mandate. By applying a high level of emotional intelligence, bridge building, and his understanding of the political and socio-economic dynamics of Kaduna State, he has been able to significantly dilute the insecurity, toxic ethno-tribal, and religious tensions, and consequently scale down the animosities and communal clashes. We observed with admiration, as he constructively engaged the critical stakeholders in Kaduna across political, religious, ethnic, and divides, including; former Governors of Kaduna State, political leaders, traditional leaders, religious leaders, business leaders, academics, professionals, and from all walks of life at grassroot levels to ensure that the root causes of the issues are addressed from top to bottom and across the strata in all the Local Government Areas and hinterlands of Kaduna State.

     The governor has been measured, respectful, and statesmanly in his rhetoric, utterances, engagements, and behaviors, because he understands the importance of those virtues as a Governor of a State that is diverse, and has been polarized with scars of mutual suspicion, concerns of marginalization, and the attendant insecurities. We are all witnesses of the significant reduction of breakdown of law and order due to ethnic and religious battles, which have threatened the existence of such a beautiful, peaceful, hospitable, highly resourceful, strategic, and one of the most diverse States in Nigeria.

     Where there were issues, for example, the unfortunate incident that occurred in Tudun Biri, Governor Uba Sani did not escalate the situation with vile rhetoric or impulsive political self-preservation activities. He responded like a strategic leader by directly engaging the victims, not with blame or threats, but with empathy and a sense of responsibility. He also sought the support of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the leader of the Country, and he engaged all the critical stakeholders like the National Security Advisor, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Armed Forces, traditional, religious and community leaders etc. to ensure that the people at Tudun Biri were provided all the necessary support at that sensitive and crucial time. Truly, that was one of the defining moments of Governor Uba Sani’s administration – a true test of his leadership qualities. In my opinion, he did well, given the circumstances, especially with his follow-ups of keeping tabs on communities that were affected by conflicts or disasters across Kaduna State. Indeed, authenticity and consistency define the character of a leader.

     Looking back at where we are coming from, I am very happy, along with other teeming Nigerians, that Kaduna State is more peaceful than it was 10 years before Governor Uba Sani took over the leadership of the State. What a relief! So far, so good.

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     Fighting Insecurity

    The challenge of insecurity has been a lingering national issue in Nigeria for over 16 years, which is one of the critical challenges inherited by the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and State Governors across Nigeria. Therefore, Federal, State, and Local Governments all have roles to play to tackle insecurity at all levels. Prior to the administration of Governor Uba Sani, we were all aware of the escalating level of insecurity in terms of kidnappings, banditry, religious extremism, and other forms of terrorism in and around Kaduna State. 

     Despite the multi-dimensional challenges, upon resumption in office, Governor Uba Sani proceeded with the agility, commitment, and passion to deliver the people’s mandate. He proceeded to formulate a strategy to sidestep all the booby traps and has so far been effectively delivering his mandate. It is evident that the level of insecurity in the State has significantly reduced, with the rescue of kidnapped people, elimination of terrorists, reclaiming of communities and farmlands hitherto taken over by criminals and terrorists, and recent surrender of some of the bandits. Citizens and residents are gradually returning to their communities. All these are due to effective stakeholder management, people’s skills, and relationship management by Governor Uba Sani.

     Dealing with The Burden of Inherited Debt

    Despite the debt burden of $587m,  and N85bn Debts, as well as 115 Contract Liabilities, based on which N7 Billion out of the N10 billion Federal Allocation for the state in the month of March was being deducted to service the state’s debt; Mr. Governor, has crafted a strategy of how to avoid the booby trap of debt to continue building infrastructure, investing in human capital development, providing interventions in times of conflicts and disasters, alleviating poverty, paying salaries, pensions and welfare of workers in Kaduna State including the increased minimum wage. Kaduna State is one of the States in Nigeria that pays the minimum wage. Therefore, it is important to note the prudence with which Mr. Governor is delivering such critical projects.

     Economic Recovery and Development

    Infrastructural Development

    Infrastructure is the backbone of economic and social development, and Governor Uba Sani clearly understands that. This is why he immediately embarked on critical infrastructure development across all 23 local government areas of Kaduna State, while also completing some of the ongoing projects started by his predecessor. New constructions and rehabilitations of major township roads, while placing priority on rural development with roads connecting local governments and communities, and feeder roads, all spanning over 1,000 Kilometers; construction and rehabilitation of schools, hospitals, provision of clean water, etc. are all ongoing, to ensure that no part or people of Kaduna State are left behind.

     Economic Diversification Initiatives

    Understanding that economic diversification is a critical success factor for economic recovery and growth. Governor Uba Sani has undertaken various economic diversification initiatives, and some milestones and impacts have been achieved so far, which include the following:

    Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ): In April (4 months ago), Kaduna was the first State in Nigeria to key into the $510 billion Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones initiative by the African Development Bank. The objective of this project is to transform Nigeria’s rural areas into thriving economies, ensure improved food security, boost the agriculture value chain in production, processing, value addition, and build export capacity, while creating jobs for millions of Nigerians

    Large Budget for Agriculture: Mr. Governor demonstrates the premium he places of Agriculture as a fulcrum of economic diversification by significantly increasing the budgetary provision in agriculture, from N1.4 billion when he took over as Governor of Kaduna to N74 billion for this year. The investment difference is clear, as the impacts will certainly be huge.

     Moreover, His Excellency has secured Foreign and Local investment commitments in Manufacturing, Solid Minerals, and Power, which will catalyze the productive sector of the economy of Kaduna State to reawaken the glory days of Kaduna as a manufacturing hub in Nigeria, which will also support national economic recovery.

     Foreign Investments: Two days ago, the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) stated that the Federal Capital Territory (Abuja has overtaken Lagos in terms of Foreign Direct Investments Destinations in Nigeria. Interestingly, Kaduna State is listed as one of the only 5 out of 36   States and the FCT in Nigeria that attracted Foreign Direct Investments in the Q1 of this year. They are: Federal Capital Territory attracted $3.04bn, Lagos attracted $2.54bn, Ogun State with $7.95m, Oyo with $7.81m, and Kaduna with $4.06m. This achievement is also indicative of a secure, peaceful, and conducive environment for living and business.  Kudos to Governor Uba Sani.

     Human Capital Development and Youth Empowerment:

    Four days ago, Mr. Governor signed a $25.35 million concessionary loan secured by the Federal Government from the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development as part of President Tinubu’s youth empowerment and social development strategy to take our teeming out-of-school children back to school. This is one of the most important focus areas of Governor Uba Sani, given that northern Nigeria has over 10million out-of-school children and youth, with the attendant, horrible socio-economic consequences.

    Additionally, Governor Uba Sani has made massive investments in upgrading public primary and secondary schools, ensuring that every child in Kaduna has equal opportunity for a better life.

    Conclusion

    This episode is not enough for me to espouse the achievements so far made by Governor Uba Sani midway into his administration. Suffice it to say that from a dashboard view, it is clear that Governor Uba Sani is one of the few performing and outstanding State Governors in Nigeria, at a time that we are calling for more good governance, not only at the federal level but also at the State levels, as rightly stated by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. That is why I find it necessary to also encourage the governors that are doing well so that they can be motivated do more.

  • Former President Buhari’s 12 million votes gone with him

    Former President Buhari’s 12 million votes gone with him

    From my experience as a political apparatchik, as a strategist, and as a Nigerian who has witnessed and been part of different phases of the political evolution of Nigeria and other Countries, the truth is that the 12 million votes of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari (May His Soul Rest in Peace) died with him. There are no more Buhari’s block votes to share. All the politicians who were hanging around late President Buhari were actually leeching on his political capital to win elections at the state and federal levels, and Buhari knew that. That is why President Buhari was not loyal to any of them.

     To contextualise this reality, in northern Nigeria, where the chunk of Buhari’s “12million votes” came from in 2003, 2007, 2011, and 2015, there was a political phenomenon called “SAK”. SAK is a colloquial Hausa word that means “uniformity”. The SAK concept started in the north, especially in Kano State. So, if Buhari was in a political party, politicians leaned on Buhari’s so-called “integrity” political capital to join him as “underdogs” to win the elections. For instance, Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau became governor of Kano State in 2003 riding on the SAK phenomenon, when General Muhammadu Buhari entered into Nigeria’s politics as a Presidential candidate on the platform of the then All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP), state and national assembly members also emerged. Subsequently, politicians like Senator Umar Tanko Al-Makura became governor of Nasarawa State under the Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) in 2011, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai became the Governor of Kaduna in 2015 under the All Progressives Congress (APC), including Senators and members of the House of federal and state representatives. Prior to their emergence, most of those politicians did not have valuable/significant political capital. And most of them never made serious efforts to build political structures, and now former President Muhammadu Buhari is dead with his votes!

     Former President Buhari knew that those politicians were all leaning on him to achieve political relevance and prominence. That is why Buhari stated the mantra, “I am for everybody, I am for nobody”, during his inauguration as the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015. Therefore, all those people that we are posturing about claiming political relevance will now have to earn their political relevance, going forward.

     Some Strategic Considerations

    Buhari’s demise has technically reset the voting pattern, which will only manifest during the 2027 elections. It is instructive to note that the Buhari factor was crucial to the APC winning the Presidential and Gubernatorial elections in 2015. In 2023, the Buhari factor, although highly eroded by 2023, still played a significant role in the APC’s victory. But his demise has now opened a new vista for the APC. The hatred of the APC by some citizens is not only due to the perception of poor governance, but also of the perception of a lack of “enough” dividend of democracy given that the core north (North West and North East) who gave President Tinubu and he APC enough numbers to win the Presidency and State governments in the region.

     However, the key performance deliverables of Governors at the States in the northern states are seen by most citizens as the job of Mr. President. Therefore, the non-performance of Governors (where applicable), if not properly communicated, will continue to rub negatively on the image of President Tinubu’s administration, as we approach the 2027 elections. Consequently, the handlers and political leaders holding key positions in the administration of President Bola Tinubu have the responsibility not just to deliver their mandates, but also to communicate clearly and effectively to their fellow citizens at the federal, state levels as well as at their constituencies. Moreover, the sense of entitlement and disdain with which some of the APC leaders behave at the local levels could backfire on the APC. Indeed, Mr. President is doing the best he can at his level, but a “tree does not make a forest”. The APC team should not allow complacency to creep into their psyche or seep into their ranks, because the opposition parties are in disarray. My caution is that it is early days yet to rest on your laurels and allow Mr. President to do all the work! To whom much is given, much is expected!

     Complacency and Simmering Internal Party Concerns

    In my view, the current biggest challenge for APC now is not the opposition political parties;  the biggest challenge that APC will have is the APC itself. That is the issue of managing success, and that is “complacency.” APC is simmering underneath because there is disenchantment and frustration among some of its members.

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     Therefore, If the power of incumbency intoxicates the APC to the extent that they don’t take care of their own within the party structure, whether it is the CPC block, the ACN block, the ANPP block and others that feel that they have been abandoned, as we have seen them moving away or they grumble to us behind the scenes, they will play the game of opposition politics or sabotage under the radar; and the North are masters of playing that game. And that is what we call in places like Kano and other parts of the north in Hausa, “Wake da Shinkafa” (Rice and Beans) method, whereby we will vote for a Governor to emerge in a political party, but we are against the President during the Presidential election or vice-versa. Nothing should be left to chance.

    Situational Awareness and Delivery of Good Governance

    Essentially, situational awareness and the delivery of good governance in reality are critical success factors for the APC, i.e., dealing with insecurity, cost of governance, and dealing with the mandate as it were, beyond the political narratives. Because, like I said, the Buhari factor is gone, and most of the self-acclaimed or so-called political godsons of late Muhammadu Buhari, be them the ones that are with President Bola Tinubu today, or those that are currently gallivanting across political parties, do not have the political capital they are claiming to have. While some are selling dummies to President Tinubu so that they remain relevant, others who are malingering in other political parties are also selling dummies and living in a virtual reality, except for a few authentic political leaders. I am sure that President Bola Tinubu is aware of these dynamics, albeit not to the full extent, down to the grassroots in the north. I reckon that is why President Tinubu is making some political moves to reposition the APC. One of such moves is the removal of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje as the National Chairman of the APC and zoning the national chairmanship to North Central. This is a good development for the APC, because in my opinion, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has since outlived his relevance as the national chairman of the APC.

     Hence, basically, the death of former President Muhammad Buhari has reset or will reset the voting pattern in the North in 2027.  It takes time and a lot of work, credibility, and other political assets to muster 12 million votes in 2027, given the level of voter apathy we have witnessed in 2015 in 2019, and 2023. However, I reckon that there would be more voters who would turn out in 2027 because Nigerians will see the reason why they really need to come out to vote and decide who leads them at the national and state levels.

     Focus on State Governors

    What I will say here is that the focus on the state level should be key for citizens to ensure the delivery of good governance in Nigeria going forward. 60% of our lack of performance or the progress of Nigeria can be directly aligned to the non-performance of our state governors.

     Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as the new APC National Chairman

    The emergence of Professor Nentawe Yilwatda as the National Chairman of the APC was the right strategic move by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The agitation of the North Central geopolitical zone with regard to the position of the National Chairmanship of the APC has been finally addressed by Mr. President. I commend Mr. President for this selection that brought about a “dark horse” at a time when there are a lot of contending powerful and relevant forces that Mr. President cannot ignore, e.g. Senator Umar Tanko Al-Makura, Senator Sani Musa, and others that are highly qualified aspirants, but whose selection could rock the already rocking boat of the Middle Belt APC. Thus, the emergence of Professor Yilwatda, not just as a “dark horse”, but also a Christian, is a deft move, and also partly addresses the Muslim-Muslim Presidential ticket issue that has remained a burning political issue. 

     Furthermore, selecting a national chairman from Plateau State, where the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) is reigning at the gubernatorial level, is another suave move to ensure that either before or during the 2027 election, Plateau State becomes an APC state. What remains to be seen is how Yulwata is going to apply strategy, political dexterity, and emotional intelligence to uniting the party and addressing the foundational issues of the power blocks that formed the APC in 2015, which I believe should not be treated with levity.

  • Challenges to peace-building

    Challenges to peace-building

    Sultan

    The words of elders are words of wisdom. If they do not materialise in the morning they will surely materialise in the evening”.

    The above quotation is a Yoruba axiom that can only be faulted at one’s own peril. Now that reasoning seems to be finding its wayback to Nigeria’s base of power especially in respect of insecurity problem and its possible solution, it becomes necessary to take a realistic recourse to that adage.

    The news that President Goodluck Jonathan belatedly met with former President Olusegun Obasanjo in Abuja last Wednesday to discuss the way out of the Boko Haram insurgency problem is a confirmation of that adage. Hitherto, sheer ego and whim of powerhad prevented that meeting even when sensible advice and suggestions were offered to the government by well-meaning

    Nigerians. Among such advice was that of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar the Sultan of Sokoto.

    Voice of Reason

    As far back as October 3, 2011, the Sultan of Sokoto and President- General, Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), had delivered a lecture entitled ‘Islam and Peace Building in West Africa’ at Harvard University. When the lecture was published in this column a few weeks thereafter, it was re-entitled ‘A Voice from Harvard’. In the 33 page lecture, His Eminence enumerated the

    causes and effects of violent crises in the West African sub region with particular reference to Nigeria. He blamed such crises on three major issues: (1) political struggle for supremacy between the elite and the poor masses (2) bad governance on the part of the ruling class and (3) primordial ethno-religious sentiments. The most prominent of these three issues is bad governance which engenders corruption, joblessness, poverty, exploitation, suspicion and general

    bitterness in the land. Three years after that lecture, Nigeria is still in rigmarole searching for a possible oasis in a self-inflicted wilddesert.

    For the benefit of those who did not read it at that time the lecture is being brought here again because of its relevance and the possible solution it may proffer to the multifaceted problems confronting Nigeria. An excerpt from the lecture is as follows: Impression

    “….Many people (outside our country) consider Nigeria as a theatre of absurd conflicts and interminable crises.  They may be justified in holding this view; with the Jos crises festering for years, with post-election violence and suicide – bombings, it is difficult to think otherwise.  When we consider Nigeria’s population of more than 150 million, half the population of West Africa, its over 250 ethnic and language groups, its regional and geo-political configurations, its landmass and its diversity in religion and culture, we may be constrained to reach different conclusions. Nigeria may, after all, be a paragon of stability which, as God Almighty has willed, shall undergo all the trials allotted it early enough in its national history.

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    But in all fairness, systemic ethno-political and religious crises, like the ones we witnessed in recent years or are witnessing currently, do not have a long history in Nigeria.  They all began in the late 1980s, following the intense competition for power and influence especially among the western educated elite; the Kafanchan crisis of 1987, in Southern Kaduna, was quickly followed by the Zangon Kataf and other crises; all in the same vicinity.  The democratic dispensation, which began in 1999 also came with its own set of problems, the most visible being the Shari’ah crisis and the first Jos crisis which led to the declaration of state of emergency in Plateau State.

    Primacy of Politics But these crises, varied as they were, reveal the multi-dimensional

    nature of Nigeria as a political entity. We witness the primacy of politics in almost all these conflicts.  In the struggle for power and

    political supremacy as politicians exercise no restraint in aggravating the socio-religious and ethnic cleavages, which characterise the geo-politics of the Nigerian state.  It should not be forgotten that the second Jos crisis of November 2008 was also ignited by a botched Chairmanship election in Jos North Local Government.

    The second dimension to these crises, especially in Kaduna and Plateau States, is the indigene/settler dichotomy, which is yet to be

    addressed properly by the Nigerian state.  Many ethnic groups in these conflict areas see the other ethnic groups as foreigners who should not enjoy the full rights of bona fide residents.  Most of these disenfranchised Nigerians also happen to be Muslims.  However, those who oppose this dichotomy argue that these so-called settlers had spent more than two hundred years in the areas they reside. 

    Moreover, as Nigerian citizens, they have the full right to reside wherever they wish and pursue their legitimate business without let or hindrance.

    After all, they cannot be settlers in their own country.

    The third dimension of Nigeria’s ethno-religious crises is their potential to become a systematic national crisis.  When a person is

    killed in any of the areas of conflict, his co-religionists, especially in the cities react violently and begin to kill anyone they think is

    related to the killer(s).  This often triggers further reprisals from other parts of the country where victims come from.  It took a lot of

    effort by the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) which I co-chair, and other state authorities, to treat each crisis independently

    and reduce the risk of systemic reprisals.

    The fourth dimension of Nigeria’s crises is poor leadership and the bad governance usually associated with its management.  Many of those charged with authority in the states where these conflicts occur are also parties to the crises.  They make feeble efforts to control the violence and do so only when much of the damage has been done…

    “….The issue of poor leadership and bad governance also explains how the Boko Haram movement has been able to transform itself from a small Hijrah group in Yobe State, escaping from the uncertainties and contradictions of the Nigerian state, to a militant movement able to wreak havoc and destruction once provoked. 

    Those in authority were prepared to court the leaders of this group when it suited them and to trample on them like flies when they

    were no longer useful…However, the recent bombing of the United Nations Office in Abuja has introduced an international dimension to terrorist’s activities, a development, which is hitherto entirely new to Nigeria.

    The promise of dialogue “….When I became the Sultan of Sokoto in November 2006, some of the major problems I found on ground were the after-effects of the riots, especially in Kaduna, Jos and some parts of the North East as well as a disturbing atmosphere of mistrust, fear and hostility, especially between the leaderships of Nigeria’s two major religions: Islam and Christianity.

    To resolve these knotty issues, we chose the

    path of positive engagement, which we thought would engender

    meaningful discourse, improve communication and understanding

    and change the dynamics of our operating environment to that of

    trust and confidence…

    Role of NIREC

    “….The Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) provided the

    right platform for this engagement. The Council, itself a product of

    Nigeria’s ethno-religious crises, was composed of 25 members each

    from the two religions and co-chaired by myself, in my capacity as

    the President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council of Islamic

    Affairs, and the President of the Christian Association of Nigeria

    (CAN). The approach of NIREC was simple and practical. Firstly,

    we affirmed the sanctity of human life, Muslim and Christian, and

    insisted that anybody who takes the law into his hands, regardless of

    the circumstances, must bear the full legal consequences of his

    action.

    You cannot believe it, but despite the frequency of these

    disturbances, only a few people have ever been punished for

    perpetrating any act of violence. The masterminds go scot-free.

    Secondly, while appreciating the fact that we are required to look

    after the interest of our co-religionists, we must pay attention to the

    other dimensions of our conflicts. As many were preparing to

    declare a religious war in Jos, for example, we laboured hard to

    draw attention to the other dimensions of the crisis. It was a conflict

    between Muslims and Christians quite alright, but it was not a

    conflict between Islam and Christianity. When Nigeria’s President

    called for a parley among stakeholders, we made bold to declare the

    Jos crisis a political crisis. Thirdly, we adopted a tactical approach

    to conflict resolution. Whenever, there is a break-out of violence, we

    work together to restore law and order and ask the quarrelsome

    questions later. We take this approach to minimise loss of life and to

    ensure that the crisis is contained in the primary area it occurred.

    Also, we devised a quarterly meeting schedule that took us to all

    parts of the country. It was heartening to many to see us working

    together and preaching peaceful co-existence and religious harmony

    even in areas, which never registered an ethno-religious conflict.

    Recommendation

    I must point out that it was also our view that inter-faith action

    should transcend conflict resolution. For it to be effective, it must

    affect the life of the common man. NIREC floated the Nigeria Inter-

    Faith Action Association (NIFAA) to take up this challenge and

    NIFAA has been very active in the control of the dreaded tropical

    disease: Malaria. We also find that we must act together to address

    issues related to electoral reform, good governance and anti-

    corruption. I am also glad to state that the goodwill and

    understanding which these activities were able to generate, have

    given impetus to the development of inter-faith dialogue to a new

    level. I always remember, with happiness, the seminar organised by

    the CAN in April 2010, on ‘Knowing Your Muslim Neighbour’,

    where I presented a paper on the topic. The Nigerian Supreme

    Council of Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) gracefully reciprocated by

    inviting CAN members to its formal meeting in Kaduna, where the

    CAN representative gave a lecture on Islam in the eyes of a

    Christian and both Muslim and Christian scholars, gave inspiring

    responses on the scriptural basis of mutual co-existence. Despite

    serious setbacks in recent months, many of us remain committed to

    this positive engagement and to the promise that dialogue offers the

    resolution to Nigeria’s ethno-religious crises.

    Looking ahead

    ‘’…Understanding the multifarious nature of Nigeria’s ethno-

    religious crises should strengthen our resolve and determination to

    deploy all the energies and resources at our disposal to see to their

    resolution.  Our inability and reluctance to take meaningful action

    go to challenge not only our common humanity but also our self-

    worth.  It is, therefore, important for us to appreciate, first and

    foremost, the importance of consensus building within the polity,

    with a view to ameliorating the current state of political polarization

    in it.  The Nigerian political class must be able to speak and

    understand one another as well as to develop a minimum national

    agenda to chart the way forward.  The political class must also be

    able to open dialogue on a variety of national issues, including the

    perennial problem of power rotation and willingly enter into

    agreements that they can honour with dignity….

    Governance

    “….Also, governance, at all levels, must translate into tangible

    benefits for all Nigerians, regardless of their ethnic and religious

    affiliation.  Nigeria has the resources to make life more pleasant for

    its people.  It is equally imperative to address the poverty problem

    as well as the needs of the youth population both in all the geo-

    political areas of the country.  In a situation where over 50 per cent

    of our population is jobless at less than 19 years of age, we are

    definitely sitting on a time bomb much deadlier than that of Boko

    Haram unless we take urgent action to defuse it….

    “….Furthermore, there should be renewed determination to address

    both the Jos and Boko Haram sectarian crises.  The Federal

    Government must take seriously its security responsibilities and

    effectively contain these crises.  But beyond that, a genuine dialogue

    must be initiated, to begin healing festering wounds and to bring

    genuine understanding and reconciliation amongst the entire people

    of Plateau State and beyond.  The social dimension of the Boko

    Haram cannot also be resolved by the mere use of force.  This is the

    reason why I have consistently suggested dialogue and education to

    counteract its message, especially those aspects dealing with modern

    education.

    Millions of Muslim pupils are already outside the school system.

    Millions more will definitely follow if urgent intervention is not

    undertaken to enlighten the younger generations.  And the question

    I have always asked is What kind of society can we build in the

    21st century when our youth turn their back on science and

    technology and are unable to produce the next generation of

    doctors, engineers and other specialisations necessary for sustaining

    the socio-economic development of the society?….

    Conclusion

    “….Finally, we should not neglect the impact of the international

    environment on Nigeria’s ethno-religious crises.  Happenings in the

    United States, Iraq, Afghanistan, Norway, Netherlands, the United

    Kingdom and France are as current and relevant as events in Jos,

    Maiduguri and Abuja. We must preach international tolerance and

    moderation. The fight against extremist groups should never be

    perverted to become a fight against Islam and its doctrines.  We

    should all remember that in the final analysis, it is not what the

    perpetrators of violence do that really counts.  It is the actions we

    take, individually and collectively, that would (eventually) shape the

    fate of humanity….”

    Now, with this new development, in which a volunteer for

    negotiation is being granted governmental authority, the hope of

    redeeming Nigeria from impending disintegration may be rekindled if

    the motive is not political especially with the 2015 elections becoming

    fast-approaching.