The Nation Newspaper

Category: Discourse

  • Insipid and hubris gang-up against Abiodun’s re-election

    Insipid and hubris gang-up against Abiodun’s re-election

    By Femi Ogbonnikan

    Due to the limitation of time left before the forthcoming general elections, there has been an expected increase in the tempo of campaign activities by the various political parties each trying to outwit the other. In our peculiar scenario here in Ogun State, electioneering by the opposition has been an extraordinary display of hubris by some of the state actors who have wittingly or unwittingly chosen lies, deceit, and blackmail as a means of achieving their goals. Of particular note is the frenetic energy with which immediate past former Governor Ibikunle Amosun has been promoting the governorship candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Biyi Otegbeye, against Governor Dapo Abiodun with malicious gusto.  

    Once again, he wants to lord it over the people just as he did in the 2019 general elections when he single-handedly propped up Hon Abdulkabir Adekunle Akinlade as his anointed candidate on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), while still claiming to be a member of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). For the same wrong reason, he is back again in the trenches, trying to play the old trick in the same old way. This time around, he is going about it more ferociously: lying, deceit, blackmailing, and outright disinformation.

    In his latest attempt to win the sympathy of the electorate for his candidate, he went beyond the call of duty, disparaging the image of incumbent Governor Abiodun for undoing some of the wrong things he had done while presiding over the affairs of the state. At the flag-off of the campaign rally of Otegbeye, he told the unsuspecting audience that the present administration renovated an abandoned Model School at Kobape built for N830m with N3b. But he did not tell them the reason he abandoned the project even having claimed that he had paid 100 percent for it. In trying to hoodwink the people, he maintained an undeserved silence on the benefits the youths had derived from converting the moribund school to a tech hub with a considerably far less amount than the false figure he quoted. 

    Before then, Otegbeye, in a similar deliberate mischief-making, had equally accused the Abiodun administration of expending N7 billion on building the Gateway City Centre contrary to the N350m committed to the project. 

    To put the records straight, however, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Kunle Somorin, in a quick rebuttal, clarified in a released statement that “the cost of converting that abandoned project is modest and not in billions despite the value it confers on the moribund school.”

    He dismissed the outburst as shameful, unfounded, and unguided. His words: “It is a shame that the former governor does not know the difference between converting an abandoned project to a socially desirable Tech Hub at this age and time.

    “Rather than applauding the ingenuity of Governor Abiodun for converting the moribund model school to a functional tech hub within three weeks of assuming office, Amosun is resorting to blackmail.

    “It should be noted that barely 24 hours to the mark of his 100 days in office, Gov. Abiodun launched the Ogun Tech hub in Abeokuta, the State capital.

    “The conversion of the model school to a Tech hub facility was in the interest of the Gateway State.

    “Gov. Abiodun will want to reiterate that his administration would complete all inherited projects capable of improving the fortunes of the people.”

    But for Somorin, who took it upon himself to respond appropriately to the tissues of lies being dished out to the public to confuse the electorate, on his part, Governor Abiodun doesn’t feel an inch perturbed by these ceaseless campaigns of calumny. As a man of honour and integrity, he has demonstrated immeasurable patience and forbearance in all manners of circumstances. In the face of all lies, deceit, and deliberate distortion of fact in a bid to smear his good image, he keeps an abiding faith in the social contract he entered into with the good people of Ogun State, refusing to succumb to any form of cheap blackmail or condescending to the level of engaging in a war of words with his political adversaries. Since the facts are open to the public, it is for the electorate to weigh the options available before them, and know where the truth lies.

    This is even more so that the administration runs an open, inclusive, transparent, and accountable government. It only behoves on those who see politics as a dirty game to rethink and do a possible review of their strategy for power acquisition. Politics itself is not dirty. What makes it looks like a dirty game is the way and manners the players go about pursuing their ambitions without a modicum of decency and decorum.

    In an election season like this, it is not unusual for politicians to do a review of strategic alliances for the mutual benefit of the parties concerned, while also remaining independent in certain spheres. With the ongoing alliance review in Ogun State, the future relevance of Senator Amosun in state and national politics is impressively on trial.

    Ordinarily, no one goes into an election to lose. But it is also a known fact that only one person will win an election into an elective position at a time. So, when two partners decide to go into an alliance it is usually with a conviction that the benefits derivable from the synergy will be greater than those from individual efforts. But the question here is: What is there for Amosun to benefit from his alliance with ADC and its candidate? Nothing.

    The truth of the matter is that Amosun is already at a crossroads in his political journey. He is inadvertently caught up in a delicate balance between the desire to be loyal to the Presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on one hand, with no less objective of promoting his preferred candidate in another party on the other hand. By so doing, he believes he can navigate through the political turbulence ahead of him to remain relevant in Ogun State politics. He got it all wrong.    

    For the latter option, the answer is predictable. Without necessarily pre-empting whatever may be the possible outcome of the governorship election coming up on March 11, it will be much easier for the proverbial camel to pass through the eye of the needle than for Otegbeye to unseat the incumbent governor.

    History is there to serve as a guide to political pundits who may want to hold a contrary view. But the problem is that people don’t learn from the lesson of history. Suffice it to say, however, that no matter how much you try to ignore history, history in all its alienating necessities will not ignore you. If in 2019, Amosun as a sitting governor with all the paraphernalia of office combined with the power of incumbency could not install his anointed candidate as his successor, how will he fight from outside now and win an election for his newfound friend? He doesn’t need a soothsayer to be told the home truth about the latest alliance which is already doomed to fail from the outset because nothing has changed in the power equations to turn the tide against Governor Abiodun. For all he cares, it will be rather delusional and presumptuous to think that the same electorate that rejected Akinlade, his anointed candidate in 2019, will now decide to embrace the same old antics of the power game and abandon the mandate freely given to the incumbent governor to serve the interest of the greater number of the good people of Ogun State.     

    By opting for Otegbeye, Amosun has completed the full circle of his political journey. For the benefit of hindsight, this same Biyi Otegbeye was the APC House of Representatives candidate in his constituency in 2019 that Amosun fought tooth and nail to defeat his ambition. Therefore, having run a full circle in all his trysts, the only alternative left to correct the error of judgment that led him into the current political wilderness is to retrace his steps and reunite with the APC family for the overall good of the state.

    Regrettably, with the gang-up and the desperation that has accounted for the sustained campaign of calumny against Governor Abiodun, it does appear that Amosun’s camp has learned nothing and forgotten nothing from the past. Because they have seen defeat stirring in the face ahead of the coming governorship election, they have continued to spin falsehood against the Abiodun administration. Such a strategy is doomed to fail as the people already know where the truth lies.

    In politics, as in conventional warfare, what matters is not your strategy but the strategy of the enemies. In this case, it is quite clear that the intention of the opposition for all the lies being told about the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun is to discredit the good work he is doing. But it is a road that leads to nowhere. It’s like building something on nothing. The strategy of concocting lies against the government cannot stand because the people’s eyes are open. In no time, every lie told about this government will come down like a pack of cards. One obvious thing is that every citizen of good conscience knows that the administration operates open, transparent, and accountable governance. That, primarily, is the essence of the government’s policy that makes the people part and parcel of the decision-making process to establish the necessary trust and confidence in the administration. And it is that confidence that forms the basis of the existing social capital between the government and the people. Social capital is a set of shared values or resources that allows individuals to work with the government to achieve a common purpose. In today’s increasingly democratizing world, evidence has shown that social cohesion is crucial for sustainable development. It is in keeping with that global trend that Governor Abiodun at the inception of his administration deliberately evolved the idea of citizen engagement through the concept of “Building of Our Future Together” which has now become a sing-song among the stakeholders in the state.

    So, it doesn’t matter the intention of those who prefer the option of bare-faced lies, subtle blackmail and outright misinformation to issue-based electioneering and constructive engagement, there will be a triumph of the light over darkness. As a people’s government, the records are there for public scrutiny.

    For the good people of Ogun State, a vote for Governor Abiodun is a vote for continuity. With the trust and confidence that currently exist between the administration and the people, there is no doubt that they will vote overwhelmingly for continuity because they have seen the good work Governor Abiodun is doing and will still do more with a renewed mandate. As they say, no one changes a winning team in the middle of the game.   

    Several times in the recent past, Amosun had been over-heard, boasting of his relevance and the power to dictate the shots in Ogun State. Without prejudice to the rights of the electorate to elect a candidate of their choice, all dynamics put together, the coming election is going to be a triumph of the truth over falsehood in the State. It doesn’t matter the gang-up, and all other forms of shenanigans exhibited by the opposition parties and their candidates, Abiodun’s victory is a sure deal, courtesy of the good people of conscience who have consistently continued to lend credence to the voice of reason and the imperative of power rotation after the second tenure of the present administration. Beyond the argument about good performance, the need to entrench the principle of justice, fairness, and equity in the system is another reason people must vote for the re-election of Governor Abiodun.

    • Ogbonnikan wrote from Abeokuta, Ogun State capital.

  • Between Ugochinyere and Onwuemeodo: The crux of the matter

    Between Ugochinyere and Onwuemeodo: The crux of the matter

    By Declan Emelumba

    Of late, Sam Onwuemeodo, the life Chief Press Secretary to the dynasty of former governor of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, has arrogated to himself the status of the guru and special adviser to the government on public relations, information management and public administration. Wired by this delusion, he proceeds to publicly present himself, even if fatuously, as the oracle of government image management. Even more silly, he dared to pontificate for Governor Hope Uzodimma and his government, how to manage information. Sadly, like a man estranged from history, particularly his own history, he is quick to draw comparisons on information management between the Okorocha era and the Uzodimma administration.

     Consequently, an Onwuemeodo, who did not only act deaf and dumb, but collaborated with Okorocha to embarrass everyone with many information management blunders, suddenly finds the effrontery to lecture the Uzodimma administration on the type of speech the governor should or should not present to an Editors’ Conference. He even went further to advise that the governor should be thrown into mourning when Ikenga Ugochinyere Imo’s house and vehicles were burnt. This is pitiable and is tantamount to someone struggling in futility to give what he obviously does not have.

    Is it not really pitiable that this self – acclaimed professor of public information management, for all his “grandmastery”, could neither filter nor remediate the grotesque utterances, policies, and missteps of that fatal Okorocha regime? Onwuemeodo could not mount his high horse when Okorocha proclaimed that he purchased his second term as governor (as opposed to being elected by the people), or when he upgraded the wanton disobedience of court orders into a state policy. “Professor” Onwuemeodo could not also lecture his pay master, Okorocha, when he denounced due process in governance or when he “proposed” and signed the abominable four-year rolling budget. He could not also find his voice when his boss berated pensioners for living too long, or when he chased civil servants into the bush in the name of compulsory farming. What was his response when he restricted  the attendance of civil servants to work to three days in a week.

     Indeed, the irony is obvious. A man who was part of the information management team of the Okorocha administration – which ended with the worst public image of a state government – draws from the same Okorocha information (mis)management strategy to pass his message. What a great pity!

     Now, while Ugochinyere and PDP rushed almost immediately to point accusing fingers at the government, Sam Onwuemeodo believes that officials of the state government, particularly Governor Uzodimma, ought to have shredded their robes in mourning to show empathy, as the father of the state. Because that did not happen, Onwuemeodo says the governor is insensitive, inexperienced, heartless and lacking in empathy. And this is coming from a man whose highest career point is serving as the Chief Press Secretary to a state governor.

    Let’s take aside the insults on the person and office of the governor by Onwuemeodo and interrogate the facts of the matter –  including the analogy of Rochas visiting Charly Boy when his father died.

     Before the unfortunate incident at Akokwa, Ugochinyere claimed that he had earlier escaped a similar attack by gunmen. Indeed, the first thing he did was to accuse the state government of complicity. The matter had not even been investigated. To the best of my knowledge, the alleged attack has not been formally reported to the security agencies. Yet Ugochinyere hastily concluded that it was the state government that was after him. The only “evidence” he presented was an audio recording wherein, according to him, he was threatened by an aide of the governor with whom he had a personal altercation.

     Assuming, but not conceding, that the said audio recording is genuine, when has it become a crime for a Nigerian citizen to express his disgust at insults on his person? But if there was not any premeditated motive to rope the state government in, could it not have made sense for Ugochinyere and his cohorts to wait for the police report before rushing to the public with that weighty and self -serving allegation?

     And just when Uzodimma was celebrating his third year in office, with Nigerians hailing him for the massive infrastructural revolution he has wrought in the state, the Akokwa attack surfaced to take away the attention from the successes of the administration. Part of the plan is to sustain the evil narrative of a state mired in insecurity. Again, the matter had not even been officially lodged with the security agencies when Ugochinyere and his PDP collaborators flew off the handle to accuse Governor Hope Uzodimma and his administration of culpability and responsibility for the attacks. Under that scenario, what was expected of the governor? To first clear his name or to sympathize with his traducer?

    Let us be real and practical here. If a man is attacked by armed robbers and he goes to the market square to accuse his father of being responsible for the attack, what should be the natural reaction of his innocent father? To sympathize  with him or to clear his name of the false accusation? That is the issue here.

    And as it is clear, in his foolery, Onwuemeodo who now postures as one who has acquired experience as both a governor and statesman, scolded Uzodimma for clearing his name. He went further to give the governor elementary lessons in governance and ethics by faulting the way he talked and reacted to the incident. To Onwuemeodo’s warped logic, Uzodimma, as a father of all, ought to have first sympathized with Ugochinyere, even when he stands falsely accused before the public.

     Yes, you sympathize with a son who acknowledges you as his father. You sympathize with even a prodigal child who comes to his senses and apologizes for his gross misdeeds. You welcome a repented son home and show him love, not a heady one, not a chronic hallucinator, who relentlessly accuses the said father of plotting his downfall. That is the crux of the matter

     Both the PDP and Onwuemeodo, as advocates for Ugochinyere, wanted the governor to have stopped the attacks. If their minds were not obfuscated by hatred, if they had taken time to assimilate and analyze the governor’s response, they would have allowed their befuddled brains to comprehend the fact that Uzodimma said the attack was as a result of disagreement among friends. Because they are not privy to the quantum of security reports available to the governor, they would never understand that what happened was a reaction to a breached agreement – the consequence of an action. What would have been the business of Uzodimma in meddling with their agreement? Every adult is responsible for his actions or inactions.

    At any rate, the Government has since urged the security agencies to do their job and to avail Imo people and indeed all Nigerians of their findings.

     Now, to the asinine analogy of Rochas visiting Charly Boy when his father died. What Okorocha did was expected of the sitting governor then. Justice Chukwudifu Oputa, apart from being a retired Justice of the Supreme Court, was also a former Chief Judge of the Imo State. Protocol demanded he should be accorded a state burial irrespective of the personal feelings of the sitting Governor. So what Rochas did was for the senior Oputa, and not the son. I presumed that since Onwuemeodo claims versatility in the art of governance and diplomacy, he ought to have known the difference.

     He also ought to know that it is illogical to assume that Uzodimma or any member of his administration is enjoying the spate of insecurity unleashed on the state by desperate and failed politicians who know themselves. It is inconceivable to even suggest as Onwuemeodo did that Uzodimma is using insecurity as a step towards achieving a second tenure. That is insane. And that is a wicked propaganda against an innocent man who has been in politics for 40 years and who has never been linked with any iota of violence. How then can he use the blood of Imo people as a stepping stone for power? What kind of power? This could be the strategy employed by Onwuemeodo and his master under their disastrous era. But Uzodimma, as a man of peace, prefers a peaceful state to enhance development and spread the dividends of democracy in the state.

    Indeed, with the call by PDP for the Federal Government to declare a state of emergency in Imo State as a result of insecurity, we don’t need to look further for the sponsors of insecurity in the state. They had vowed to make the state ungovernable for Uzodimma. Seeing that their devilish plans are not working, they have come out openly to attempt to topple the governor through a state of emergency. But like all their plots, this latest shenanigan will also fail.

    That is why Onwuemeodo’s insolent and rambling tirade against the governor will be treated as mere burden of leadership which has to be tolerated. The illogicalities can be dismissed as the ranting of one enslaved to self delusion, who consequently deludes himself into thinking that a bat can ever be classified as an animal. Or that elementary knowledge  or and limited regional exposure, can earn someone automatic professorship.

    More importantly, the legacies of looting, tyranny, debauchery, nepotism, and institutional paralysis which characterized their reign of terror has rightly occupied cupious inglorious pages of our history books.Those indelible pages of history will continue to haunt the perpetrators.

     Now, for the records and in sharp contrast: Uzodimma has achieved in three years what that inglorious government could not achieve in eight years. The difference between the two administrations is like that between day and night. Incidentally, Imo people are enjoying the light of day. Their votes alone, with the grace of God, will determine Uzodimma’s fate, and not the bile of minions who think they can play God with no pedigree to show. As Abraham Lincoln one said, “You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time”.

    • Emelumba is the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Imo State

  • Prof. David David: A scholar and advocate for change

    Prof. David David: A scholar and advocate for change

    Prof. David David, a prominent Nigerian researcher and educator, has become a significant figure in both academic and social spheres, influencing perceptions of Nigeria and advocating for the rights of children. 

    Born on December 26, 1984, in Akai Ubium, Nsit-Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, he attended Salvation Army Schools for his primary and secondary education before advancing to higher studies abroad. He holds a Ph.D. from Shield of Faith Bible College in California, USA.

    Prof. David’s academic career has been characterized by a commitment to comparative literature and creative writing. Currently, he serves as a professor at the School of Postgraduate Studies at El ROI London University in the UK and is a visiting professor at Weldios University of Management and Technology. 

    His literary contributions span multiple genres, including fiction and nonfiction, and he has become a notable advocate for African literature. His works aim to attract a new generation of readers to the richness of African narratives.

    In addition to his academic pursuits, Prof. David is the convener of the Nigerian Image Revolution (NIR), a coalition aimed at improving Nigeria’s international reputation. This initiative brings together pro-democracy groups and individuals who share a common goal: to launder Nigeria’s image by celebrating its achievements and encouraging political engagement among citizens. Prof. David’s leadership in this coalition reflects his commitment to reforming not only Nigeria’s image but also the broader perception of black identity.

    His efforts have resonated beyond Nigeria. As a Special Board Adviser at YYCI Global Leaders in the UK, he engages in discussions and collaborations that seek to promote governance and social justice on an international scale. His work emphasizes the importance of political knowledge and citizen participation in governance, which he believes are crucial for the development of Nigeria and other nations.

    Prof. David is also the Founder and CEO of READS Campaign Africa, which stands for Record Breakers Educational Series. This initiative targets the issue of child molestation and advocates for children’s rights through educational literature. The campaign produces short novels, plays, and poetry that address societal issues affecting children, particularly young girls and young adults. 

    Through the READS Campaign, over 20 titles have been published, aimed at sensitizing society to the challenges faced by children and emphasizing their right to education. By promoting these works, Prof. David hopes to raise awareness and encourage communities to take action in getting children off the streets and into classrooms. His efforts have been instrumental in creating a culture of literacy and education among Nigeria’s youth.

    Prof. David’s impact is also evident in the establishment of Nigerian Books of Record (NBR), which serves as a reference material for students and lecturers across Nigerian universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education. The NBR has grown into a global brand, inspiring the publication of the 36 Nigerian States Books of Record. This initiative aims to promote Nigerian achievements and foster a sense of national pride while providing valuable educational resources.

    His commitment to research is further exemplified by his role as the Founder and CEO of the Nigerian Books of Record Research Center. Prof. David is the sole researcher for the NBR, which seeks to collect and preserve indigenous records that highlight Nigeria’s history and accomplishments. His work in this area has been recognized internationally, earning him numerous awards, including honorary professorial titles and doctorate degrees from institutions in the United States, Croatia, India, and Nigeria.

    Prof. David’s contributions to academia and social advocacy have not gone unnoticed. In 2022, he received four honorary professorial awards and ten honorary doctorate degrees from various institutions worldwide, alongside eight ambassadorial awards from credible organizations. These honors were largely attributed to his nbrnationaltour, during which he traveled across Nigeria and beyond to exhibit his research collections and foster collaborations in indigenous research.

    His status as a Fellow of several professional bodies and his role as a country representative for the World Organisation for Human Rights and Peace further underline his commitment to both academic excellence and social justice. Through these platforms, he has been able to amplify the voices of those advocating for human rights and equitable governance.

    Prof. David’s philosophy centers around the belief that education and awareness are fundamental to societal change. He advocates for a new Nigeria that embraces its rich cultural heritage while addressing contemporary challenges. His vision includes fostering a sense of responsibility among citizens to participate actively in governance and societal development.

    Looking ahead, Prof. David aims to expand the reach of the READS Campaign and NBR initiatives, ensuring that they impact more communities and contribute to the global discourse on education and children’s rights. He also seeks to strengthen collaborations with international organizations to further promote Nigeria’s achievements and address pressing social issues.

    Prof. David David stands out as a multifaceted scholar and advocate whose work transcends borders, influencing both Nigeria and the global community. Through his extensive contributions to literature, education, and social advocacy, he is not only reshaping the narrative around Nigeria but also championing the rights of vulnerable populations, particularly children. 

    His unwavering commitment to promoting education, preserving cultural heritage, and fostering civic engagement positions him as a notable figure in contemporary discourse on governance and social justice. As he continues his efforts, Prof. David’s impact is likely to resonate for years to come, inspiring future generations to engage in the pursuit of knowledge and the betterment of society.

  • Why no state can catch up with Lagos economically

    Why no state can catch up with Lagos economically

    By Gbenga Adeoye

    Recently, I got an SMS in Lagos saying I have been penalised for driving with expired vehicle licence and the papers was actually renewed that same day after it was brought from a workshop where repairs and upgrade were carried out.

    How did they get to know, this was the first question I asked. Through traffic cameras, probably at Ikoyi, was the answer from a brother who understands auto database management.

    Of course, the only error was that the system has time lag between the renewal of papers and the database to which camera pictures were synchronised.

    They understand that they may not be right all times and so there is room for you to contest or object to the bill if you can prove the basis was wrong, and they will delete the fine.

    Payment option was also there with card. I objected because my papers were renewed that same day when the car were brought out of workshop.

    What a wonderful state moving towards United States and United Kingdom in billing and traffic offence management.

    Beyond this experience, there are two major factors and one of them had 13 reasons why no other state can catch up with Lagos State.

    Factors:

    A. Lagos as the capital of Nigeria in the past. Deliberate development programmes.

    The fact that Lagos was a former capital of Nigeria is an advantage that will continue to work for the state.

    That has made it the commercial capital of Nigeria to the extent that even when the capital was moved to Abuja, Lagos remains a centre of excellence.

    Apapa Sea port and the airport at Ikeja could be regarded as part of key projects that put Lagos at an advantage.

    Regardless of the capital advantage of Lagos, there are deliberate and intentional projects that set Lagos apart.

    Since the time of Baba Jakande, Lagos has been so deliberate in its development.

    From 1999, here are the list of deliberate projects; completed, ongoing or about to start.

    Lekki Free Trade Zone

    Most manufacturing that aimed at solving our import dependence problem are at Lekki Free Trade Zone. No state can compare with Lagos on this.

    Lekki Deep Sea Port

    One major asset any nation require for international business is sea but sea can only be useful if the port is well-developed.

    New Lekki Deep Sea Port is a Lagos State idea and it’s one key project unique in Africa.

    Dangote Refinery

    If anyone is in doubt about the impact of Dangote Refinery, the person just needs to wait a little and see how Nigeria will stop importation of finished petroleum products. In addition, fuel scarcity and heavy demand for forex to import fuel will end with Dangote Refinery.

    Again, kudos to Lagos. Even though I am jealous of Lagos because I was expecting that project at Olokola in Ogun State, Lagos and Ogun are two states difficult to separate and as such we rejoice with Lagos. It is our collective gain and glory.

    Ikoyi Link Bridge and Lekki Epe Expressway.

    These two projects are wonderful. Those who link ikoyi from Admiralty Way in Lekki Phase 1 understands better. The kind of traffic people use to experience before that bridge was hell.

    When the road from Victoria Island is fully completed to Epe, driving around Lagos Island will be as easy as eating pap and bean cake and everyone can testify these projects are not cheap and, in my view, the toll fee compared to reliefs for Lagosians is not excessive. Nevertheless, today is not a day to discuss desirability or otherwise of tollgate but one Yoruba proverb says: “A good and sweet soup, it is money that cooks it.”

    Lekki Airport.

    There is no doubt the population in Lagos requires more than one airport.

    When the airport at Lekki is fully completed by Lagos State since there is a Federal Government approval to do same. The economic impact is so huge that it will be difficult to project the positive impact now. No state can match that as well.

    The new Blue Rail Line

    Soon, moving around Lagos will be so easy as most cars will be off the road, once traffic is reduced, productivity will increase.

    Rail Transportation is one thing that set London apart. China is doing all that can be done to have rail lines and stations that beat western designs.

    The Tax Collection System.

     Lagos tax system is super.

    If you pay tax in any bank in Lagos, they will issue you the coloured receipt instantly. In some states, you may not get receipt for one month. In Lagos, there are some dedicated taxpayers; they are so pleasant on the phone while reminding tax payers to pay. The system is really working in Lagos. Other state should go and learn from Lagos.

    BRT Lanes and Buses.

    This is one project that is unique and it will complement the metro rail. No state can match it.

    Lagos Judicial System.

    Lagos has fast track courts, small claims courts and a lot of uncommon innovations in the administration of Justice. God bless Prof. Yemi Osinbajo for his role when he was attorney general and commissioner for Justice but in addition, kudos to those who came after him and continued to improve on those foundations. Lagos can also be regarded as the capital of commercial legal practice.

    Most law firms in Lagos are of international standard. Even Lagos campus of Nigerian Law School is said to be the most tedious for students.

    I can testify to that having passed through that campus, but for me, it is positively tedious.

    Entertainment and Social Gatherings.

    There is no state with the kind of social life as Lagos, we call it Eko for Show, may be because Ijebu and Egba people are plenty in Lagos, because when it comes to social gathering, you cannot beat the Egba and the Ijebu.

    In fact, may be Egba and Ijebu can say in Yoruba that Awa laleko, meaning, we own Lagos. There is no need to prove this, it is just a mere expression of demography or their percentage in Lagos social gatherings)

    Except Abeokuta Club, Lisabi Day and and some Regberegbe associations and clubs in Ijebuland with the Ojude Oba Day ; where in Nigeria can you find the kind of men at Ikoyi Club, Metropolitan Club, Polo Club, Yoruba Tennis Club, Boat Club and so on?

    Lagos is unique. Everyone wants to be in Lagos. One interesting thing is members of these clubs  are not necessarily Lagosians by birth. The network of these men and women is beyond normal.

    Even young people for their NYSC, want to be in Lagos. Many still want to live in Lagos despite the traffic   

    Churches and Church Leaders are more in Lagos.

    Although many argued that churches should have been factories, God’s factor in history has been instrumental to the greatness of Israel and some other countries founded on the foundation of righteousness. America started like that, till today, you still hear, God bless America.

    RCCG model parishes in Lagos are unique places of worship, House on the Rock, Winners Chapel, CMS Church, Ikoyi Baptist, Methodist, Foursquare, MFM, Trinity Church in VI, Deeper life, Citadel formerly Latter Rain, Apostolic Church, Covenant Christian Centre, Day Star Christian Centre, The Shepherds Flock, among others, are wonderful places of worship.

    The fact that Pastor Kumuyi and Pastor Adeboye are touching the soil of Lagos regularly is like Elisha & Elijah dwelling in a given land.

    Ogun State shares in the unique blessings of having RCCG camp, MFM, Canaan Land and Deeper Life Camp too but more importantly having the first church in Nigeria (The St. Peters Cathedral in Ake at Abeokuta) is not in vain.

    Eko Atlantic City in Victoria Island

    United States Embassy has laid the foundation of their embassy which has the office and residence of staff.

    The project is unique, one that attracted investors from the world. No such anywhere in Nigeria.

    The giant of it all is the Fourth Mainland Bridge which has a four-year completion time. The kind of business impact along that bridge is beyond explanation and imagination.

    The bridge will traverse Abraham Adesanya to Badore and then on the lagoon to Ikorodu, and it will burst out on Lagos Ibadan Expressway Way around sparklight. This is more than a miracle because it means anyone going to Lekki from Abeokuta or Sagamu have no business to drive to Berger and Alapere nor Iyana Oworo but just join the Fourth Mainlamd Bridge from the express.

    Channels Television will become CNN indeed as access to Channels TV from Lekki will be so straight and direct to Isheri. It will also ease their reporting.

    The impact on real estate for offices, residential, and cottage industries will be phenomenal.

    If any state wants development, they should attend a school in Lagos to learn strategic development and I am recommending to Lagos Business School to start an Executive MBA Programme, titled: “Lagos Strategic Development Model (MBA-LSDM).”

    I recommend that governors should send five directors & five commissioners from their key ministries as students for this course. Comprehensive for 90 days. If they pay N20 million per student, it will be worth the benefit and development gains.

    Practical nexus between development, increase in IGR and those projects will show clearly why no state in Nigeria can catch up with Lagos. Some will even say, Lagos can stand as a country, and they may not be wrong.

    • Dr.Gbenga Adeoye, a lawyer and a chartered accountant, can be reached via dga@gbengaadeoye.com

  • Lucy Anthony Akwawa: Advancing ethical AI and accountability in age of machine learning

    Lucy Anthony Akwawa: Advancing ethical AI and accountability in age of machine learning

    In today’s increasingly algorithm-driven world, where artificial intelligence (AI) is shaping decisions in hiring, healthcare, policing, education, and credit scoring, the question of ethics is no longer optional—it is essential. At the heart of this critical conversation is Lucy Anthony Akwawa, a rising voice in AI ethics and responsible data science. Through her pioneering research and academic engagement, Lucy is making significant strides in ensuring that AI systems uphold fairness, equity, and human dignity.

    Currently based at Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan, where she focuses on Information Systems – Business Analytics, Lucy co-authored a groundbreaking peer-reviewed article titled “Ethical AI: Addressing Bias in Machine Learning Models and Software Applications,” published in the prestigious Computer Science & IT Research Journal in December 2022. This influential paper explores the deeply embedded biases in AI technologies and presents a call to action for researchers, developers, policymakers, and institutions to prioritize ethical principles when building and deploying intelligent systems

    In contributing to this work, Lucy has demonstrated not only technical knowledge but also a profound sense of social responsibility. “We wanted to go beyond merely identifying the problem of bias,” she says. “Our goal was to propose actionable strategies that developers and decision-makers could adopt to mitigate the harmful effects of biased AI models.” That sense of urgency and clarity permeates the paper, which Lucy co-authored alongside Oyekunle Claudius Oyeniran, Adebunmi Okechukwu Adewusi, Adams Gbolahan Adeleke, and Chidimma Francisca Azubuko.

    As a researcher and practitioner, Lucy is particularly concerned about the real-world implications of algorithmic bias. AI systems—though often assumed to be neutral—can reflect and even magnify the inequalities and prejudices present in their training data, algorithms, or human developers. These systems have been shown to disproportionately disadvantage people of color, women, individuals from lower-income backgrounds, and other marginalized populations. “When machine learning systems make decisions that reinforce discrimination or perpetuate social inequality, we cannot just blame the data,” Lucy explains. “We have to examine the entire lifecycle of the AI system—from data collection to model deployment—and be accountable at every stage.”

    In the paper, Lucy and her co-authors rigorously categorized different forms of bias, including data bias, algorithmic bias, and human-induced bias. They illustrated these categories with real-world examples, such as facial recognition tools that fail to identify darker-skinned individuals, hiring algorithms that favor male resumes, and medical AI tools that misdiagnose patients from underrepresented populations. What makes this work particularly impactful is its practical orientation—Lucy and her team didn’t stop at the problem. They explored strategies like fairness-aware algorithm design, transparent model evaluation, ethical auditing processes, and interdisciplinary collaboration as means of mitigating bias in AI.

    Read Also: Nigerian Scientist, Dr. Arome Odiba, wins prestigious ASEAN talented young scientist fellowship

    “We emphasized that data quality matters, but fairness is not just a data issue—it’s a design issue, a process issue, and ultimately a human issue,” Lucy says. Drawing from case studies of major tech companies like Microsoft, Google, IBM, and Amazon, the paper highlights how organizations are beginning to institutionalize fairness principles. Yet Lucy notes that these efforts remain uneven and often lack the rigor and accountability needed to truly eliminate bias. “There’s a big difference between checking a fairness box and embedding fairness into your development pipeline,” she adds.

    One of the most powerful aspects of Lucy’s work is its interdisciplinary relevance. As someone grounded in business analytics, she understands how AI tools are being integrated into decision-making processes across industries. “Ethics and profitability are not mutually exclusive,” Lucy argues. “Companies that invest in ethical AI not only build more trustworthy systems but also gain a competitive edge by avoiding regulatory pitfalls and reputational risks.” For Lucy, ethical AI is a business imperative as much as a moral one.

    But her mission doesn’t end in the lab or the journal. Lucy is committed to public engagement, education, and policy dialogue. She believes that AI literacy must extend beyond the technical community to include policymakers, educators, activists, and everyday users. “We all interact with AI systems, whether we realize it or not,” she points out. “We deserve to know how these systems work, what values are embedded in them, and who is accountable when things go wrong.” Her work advocates for the inclusion of affected communities in AI development and for mechanisms to ensure transparency, redress, and participatory governance.

    Importantly, Lucy’s research also addresses the global dimension of AI ethics. She reminds us that biases in technology are not limited to any one country. “AI is being exported and applied across borders, often without local context or cultural sensitivity,” she explains. “We need to decolonize AI by incorporating global perspectives, especially from the Global South, where the impact of biased technologies can be even more severe.” Her own collaborative work reflects this commitment, bringing together scholars and practitioners from the United States, the United Kingdom, and Nigeria.

    As AI systems continue to grow in complexity and influence, Lucy is determined to stay at the forefront of ethical innovation. She’s currently exploring how bias mitigation techniques can be scaled for enterprise use, how fairness audits can be standardized, and how educational curricula can equip future technologists with ethical design principles. Her academic future is anchored in the belief that AI must be both intelligent and just.

    “I see my work as part of a broader movement,” Lucy reflects. “We’re not just talking about fixing broken algorithms—we’re talking about building a more just and inclusive digital society. That takes courage, collaboration, and constant vigilance.” Through her research, advocacy, and leadership, Lucy Anthony Akwawa is not just responding to the ethical challenges of AI—she’s helping to define the future of responsible technology.

    In a time when trust in AI is fragile and the consequences of inaction are severe, Lucy offers a powerful reminder: Ethics is not an afterthought—it’s the foundation. Her voice is one that the world urgently needs to hear, and her work stands as a beacon for those committed to building AI that serves everyone, not just the privileged few.

  • Predictable budget cycle: Great legacy of Ninth National Assembly

    Predictable budget cycle: Great legacy of Ninth National Assembly

    Shortly after his emergence in 2019 as the 14th President of the Senate and Chairman of the Ninth National Assembly, Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan promised to ensure the 2020 Appropriation Bill was passed and signed into law by the President before the end of that year. That promise would have sounded outlandish in many ears and many would have dismissed it outright as a flight of fancy induced by Lawan’s euphoria of electoral victory.

     Going by precedent under the Fourth Republic, there were valid reasons for such scepticism.

     By 2019, it had become normal for the Appropriation Bill to come into law not earlier than the first quarter or even in the middle of the budget year. This was in spite of the apparent injury the delay was delivering to government’s annual spending plans and the economy.

    How to reset the budget cycle or financial year to run from January to December as was the case in distant past had confounded and beaten the previous National Assemblies. But that was not for lack of efforts on this part of the federal lawmakers. Session after session, they visibly worked to instal a steady, reliable and predictable January to December budget cycle. That just didn’t happen, for many reasons.

     However, with great determination,  strategic thinking and multipartisan cooperation in the Chambers, under a new milieu of effective collaboration amongst the Arm of Government, the Ninth National Assembly achieved the feat on first attempt in December 2019!

     The impacts of timeous passage of Appropriation Bills on budgetary performance,  governance and the general economy have been severally articulated by economic experts.

      Even at the best of times, the Nigerian economy has needed every positive effort it can get for revamping it. The COVID-19 pandemic, the Russia/Ukraine war and sundry local challenges make such efforts even more imperative now. Imagine, some of the advanced economies are already reeling in or tottering at the edge of recession.

     Of course the Nigerian economy too slid into recession twice in recent past. But on each occasion, it quickly pulled out. The quick recovery was significantly enhanced by the effective collaboration and proactive interventions of the NationalAssembly.

      It is on record that the performance of the budget has improved under the new stable cycle to such extent that the performance numbers are now almost hundred percent.  

    This is one of the achievements for which the Ninth Assembly has not been granted the deserved credit.

     Instead, the doubting Thomases and mocking birds did not immediately stop laughing. Even while some acknowledged the feat, they doubted it could be sustained.

     However, it has.  In 2020 and 2021. And now again, the Appropriation Bill 2023 was passed by the Assembly on 28th December, 2022.

      According to the Senate President, it would have been passed even earlier, before the lawmakers went on Christmas recess, but for some problems that emanated from the Executive in the process of preparing the Appropriation Bill. Those problems, later resolved through collaborative efforts, delayed but did not frustrate timeous passage of the Bill.

     Therefore, President Muhammadu Buhari signing the Appropriation Bill 2023 into law on Tuesday 3rd January, 2023, which was the first work day in 2023, is historic. Not just for the National Assembly but for the country at large.

     Yet, it is particularly historic for the Ninth Assembly because that is its last Appropriation Bill as its tenure ends in June this year.

     It is noteworthy that the virus of late passage of Appropriation Bills year in year out had infected even state Houses of Assembly. But with the action of the Ninth Assembly setting good example at the national level, the trickle down effect has encouraged a turn around in the process in the states too. Many state governments have embraced this new culture at the national level and those that were not doing well before in that regard have taken the new cue from Abuja.We have seeing virtually all state Governors signing Appropriation Bills before the end of the year.

     There is yet another innovation that has been entrenched in the country’s financial system by the Ninth Assembly. This has to do with the practice of approving the Finance Bill side by side the Appropriation Bill. The Finance Act provides the support base for an effective implementation of the Appropriation Act through some major reforms in fiscal policies of the government.

     For instance, the 2022 Finance Act, which was passed same day shortly before the 2023 Appropriation Bill was passed, is to facilitate amendment to some fiscal laws as the Capital Gains Tax, Company Income Tax, Customs Excise Act, Federal Inland Revenue Service Act, Personnel Income Tax and Stamp Duty Act.

     The Ninth Assembly has made it a tradition to pass this piece of legislation alongside the Appropriation Bill and this is another legacy that the succeeding Assemblies must sustain. All these feats are made possible by the effective and efficient collaboration between the National Assembly and the Executive arm of government.

    Also, through this cordiality, the Ninth National Assembly has accomplished all the items in its Legislative Agenda months ahead of the expiration of its tenure in June. It may also be difficult for some people to believe, but this Assembly has passed more Bills than any other before it.  The Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, noted recently at a public gathering that President Buhari has signed more Bills into law that were passed by this Assembly than any of his predecessors had done under any Assembly.

    The tenure of the Ninth Assembly under Ahmad Lawan’s watch has less than six months to run out.

    However, its legacy and work rate guide us to expect more accomplishments from it until its last day. 

    •Awoniyi is Media Adviser to Senate President

  • How Nigerian economy can improve in 2023

    How Nigerian economy can improve in 2023

    By Dr Gbenga Adeoye

    Usually, when a car is to break down, certain signs will be seen by the owner and over time it gets worse if repairs are not carried out on time.

     For Nigeria, there are some signs of danger. Students who paid school fees and have been debited are now being deported because the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) could not fund the settlement.

     Big manufacturers who largely depend on imported materials are in serious need of forex, but after their naira have been taken by commercial banks and sent to CBN, for months, they are not getting their money.

     Most Letters of Credit (LC) applications and forex bids are just mere papers resting on the table in banks. Most bank workers in LC foreign operations will be laid off in 2023.

     In a short while, if you need anything overseas, you will have to go get your dollar outside the banks and to avoid a problem, you will now have to carry your dollar cash and enter the aircraft with it or else your money will not get to the recipient because CBN may not be able to honour the settlement.

     Most brilliant young men and women have migrated, from doctors to nurses to IT guys and now teachers will join them. Estate valuers, accountants, lawyers and several professionals are migrating in large numbers. This is very dangerous.

    Commercial banks no longer get forex for Form A. Students are now going to be deported because their payments did not get to their schools. Medical treatments and indeed all those essential needs are no more beneficiaries of forex. What a terrible situation. CBN, where is our dollar? Nothing in foreign reserve to settle obligations?

    What is most surprising is that the new notes are not available in banks. Customers still get paid with old notes even after December 15. Something is wrong somewhere. Stamp duty money is said to have disappeared into some pockets. Different stories every day.

     Somehow, you almost want to put a bet on it that such news is untrue, because how do you explain that Nigeria’s five-year budget has gone to the hands of a few guys? How did we get here? This a big question yet without an immediate answer.

    Solutions

    Only what is produced in Nigeria will eventually be available. We must then work out those skills that will enable us to do almost everything here as China did. We may suffer for, maybe, a decade like Cuba and continue to ride old cars and so on but over time, things will improve.

     Billionaires in naira may not even be able to import things through banks as the dollar will not be available in 2023. Dollar demand in the parallel market will go to the roof as almost every importation will depend on the black market. The dollar may go to N1,000 in January, later to N1,500.

     The tax compliance drive will be stronger than ever before in 2023, but the FIRS must be careful to avoid too much pressure on those paying already and rather work hard to widen the tax net.

     Exception from tax based on less than the N25 million threshold turnover will likely end as we may be losing a lot more from small companies in view of the fact that many big manufacturers will face tough times with difficulty in getting forex to buy imported raw materials, and they may begin to close certain lines and relocate them to more stable forex arena in Africa.

     Most airlines will stop their Nigerian route as many have stopped already because they could not get forex to take back their proceeds.

     It means a time will come when you will need foreign exchange to even buy a ticket. As I heard, some airlines no longer accept the naira. Another boom for those in the forex market. This is dangerous as the dollar will keep rising as predicted above.

    Recommendations

    We need all professionals to sit together to solve our problems. As one of my elder brothers said: “When elections are contested and won, the government belongs to everybody.”

     To that extent, I will recommend a government of national unity from all seven major parties: APC, PDP, LABOUR, NNPP, SDP, ADC & APGA. We must join hands to work together to find a solution to our problems. This year requires patriotism and not political fights.

     Some guys that have been in government since 1999 have information about where our dollars are kept and those who stole them. They even know where the accounts are.

     We don’t need to spend money on litigation. All we need to do is to begin to take over that money and bring them back to our foreign reserve account, so we can at least have a new Nigeria. The kind of money in the hands of some people is so much that if they wage war against Nigeria; they may win. 

    Some people have enough money in dollars and pounds kept offshore that is enough to even rebuild all our schools and set up a national carrier.

     Yes, we need all those dollars. There is no need stressing our judges and prison budget. All we need to do is to get as much as we can get to kick the country going and get it back on track.

    We must speed up our development in the areas of roads, rail lines, hospitals, technical schools, universities, and ICT, and reduce the number of subjects in primary and secondary school with a focus on career paths. We must end the lending rate of 35 per cent and have an interest rate to be a maximum of 15 per cent if we want real sector growth.

     Divine intervention in my view also implied that men and women with integrity, character and intelligence will join hands together under God to work for the good of the country: men who understand that they do not need billions to have food and raiment; men who place value on hard work than pleasure.

     We must all join the next cabinet regardless of whoever wins the election and whichever party we belong to. Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo and indeed all tribes and ethnic nationalities must come together to deliver our country from the danger ahead.

    We all know the seven parties and we know the three strong ones and so it must not be personal or party interest anymore but rather national Interest. God bless Nigeria and may God raise men that will fight for the country economically in 2023.

    Dr. Adeoye is a lawyer and chartered accountant. He can be reached via dga@gbengaadeoye.com

  • Tinubu: Gbajabiamila comes hard on traducers

    Tinubu: Gbajabiamila comes hard on traducers

    By Tajudeen Onikoyi

    The campaign train berth at his domain. Surulere, Nigeria’s sports capital, boasts of two gigantic stadiums, the National Stadium and the State owned stadium, Teslim Balogun Stadium. The Presidential and Lagos gubernatorial campaign flagoff held last Saturday at the Stadium, which is the constituency of the Rt Hon Olufemi Hakeem Gbajabiamila, the Speaker, House of Representatives.

    As early as 7 am, party members and  supporters had started streaming into the arena in Central Lagos for the mother of all rallies. By 10.am , the official start time, the campaign ground was ecstatic in anticipation of the APC Presidential flag bearer, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the builder of modern Lagos who laid the foundation for the many successes and sustained development trajectory in Lagos.

    It was a clear demonstration of love for a man who is the pathfinder and avatar. Lagos stood still for Asiwaju and many leaders in his entourage that accompanied him to the stadium. Gbajabiamila was among top chieftains of the ruling party that rode with Tinubu  triumphantly  into the venue arena. They journeyed from Marina in an open roof double decker bus acknowledging cheers from teeming party members, supporters and Lagosians who trooped out on the streets in solidarity for the ruling party and the candidates.

    The occasion provided a good opportunity to address certain cheap and lazy propaganda conjured by Tinubu’s detractors. Gbajabiamila dismissed Tinubu’s opponents and those asking about his age, educational background, and other information on Tinubu. “ Tinubu is the age his mother said he is”, Gbaja declared at the rally.

    He continued, “We are here today to energize the base (Lagos). This is not the real campaign. Everybody here is BATified so we are here to showcase ourselves. There is a very small group outside, they are called the undecided voters, now I want to talk to those ones through you. They will ask you a lot of questions, I want to tell you what to tell them. They will ask you, Who is Tinubu? tell them, I, Femi Gbajabiamila, the speaker of the House said Tinubu is the greatest politician in modern-day Nigerian politics.

    “They will ask you how old he is, what is his age, tell them, I, Femi Gbajabiamila, said he is the age his mother said he is and If they doubt his age, they should go and meet his mother to reconfirm. They will tell you, but they said he did not go to school, tell them that I said he is more educated than all the contestants put together.

    “They will say, but they said, they want him in America, tell them America has said repeatedly that they do not know what they are talking about. But they said he is corrupt, tell them he is the most investigated presidential candidate in the history of Nigeria and nothing has been found on him. When they ask about a Muslim Vice President, tell them that God is moving mysteriously in ways that they cannot understand. If they ask you what has he done to develop Nigeria, tell them he has developed men and women who in turn have developed Nigeria.”

    The declaration of Gbaja reverberated at the rally and across Nigeria. Gbajabiamila elevated conversation on Asiwaju beyond the inanities that many are dwelling on. Now, on the issue of age, Asiwaju Tinubu is 70 years old and his records indicate the same. Why the hullabaloo on the subject of his age? If his opponents believe he is too old, they should be reminded that  the current serving President of the United States, Joe Biden, is 80 years old!

    Maturity matters in managing diverse complexities of Nigerian states, experience garnered over the years in human and material resources management should be a plus and not a burden. And that is what Asiwaju is bringing to the fore in his mission to rescue the nation from the cliff.

    Gbajabiamila also declared that Tinubu is the greatest politician in modern history. That is a statement of fact backed up by historical records. Asiwaju Tinubu started out with Lagos State in 1999, and through political sophistry, he was able to extend the territory beyond Lagos to many other South west states and beyond. He forged an alliance with North and extended courtesies to other parts of the country to gain an inroad to the centre.

    He broke through in 2015 and the party he joined to form with others defeated the then ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, that had boasted to rule the country for 60 years! The long years rule plan was abruptly truncated to 16 years. That was not a small political feat in Africa. He strategically built structures and political networks that are unrivalled in the country.  As proclaimed by the Speaker, Tinubu is the de facto Nigeria’s greatest politician in recent history.

    The academic accomplishments of the Presidential Candidate is not contestable. Richard Daley College and Chicago State University attested that Tinubu is one their illustrious alumni. And after school, he worked in reputable organisations including Mobil.

    Today, Tinubu is surrounded by political proteges he mentored into national prominence. Gbajabiamila alluded to the fact that his political advancement is on the strength of Tinubu’s support and mentorship. Gbajabiamila has been with the Leader since 2003 in the days of the defunct Alliance of Democracy, AD.

    Nigeria’s minister of Works and Housing, Mr Babajide Raji Fashola, is also a proud member of the Asiwaju school of leadership. He discovered Fashola as a suitable successor against all opposition from political associates. His leadership dexterity and ability to discover performers were validated by the outstanding achievements of Fashola for eight years he served as the governor of Lagos State.

    Nigerians need to look at the quality of people Tinubu has produced and how they are making Nigeria proud in the discharge of their respective assignments. As echoed by Gbajabiamila, Asiwaju Tinubu deserves the crown. Hope beckons !

     

    • Onikoyi writes from Lagos
  • For Lagos, 2023 budget is continuity of the good times

    For Lagos, 2023 budget is continuity of the good times

    As 2022 inches out to reveal 2023, the ritual of preparing for a new year is on. Many individuals, organizations, and even governments are involved in the annual exercise of preparing budgets to act as guide to achieving their goals. To this end, Lagos State has drawn up its own.

    Christened ‘the Budget of Continuity’ Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, presented the 2023 Appropriation Bill of N1,692 trillion to the Lagos State House of Assembly on Thursday, October 29.

    On how to spend it, Lagos has allocated 20.06 per cent of the budget or N339 billion to infrastructure. Surely, with massive construction all across the state, this sum would go a long way to completing some, initiating others as well as maintaining the rest. Amid various ongoing projects across the state, Lagos would begin its metro operation next year, with the Red and Blue lines from Agbada to CMS and Okokomaiko to CMS routes. With the ability to move half a million passengers daily, the metro would be a game changer to the particularly chaotic transportation scenario in the state.

    “I am delighted to announce that we are on the cusp of successfully birthing a fully functional light rail system in the metropolis,” said a stoked Sanwo-Olu as presented the budget to the Lagos State Assembly

    “This is the first project of its kind, fully funded, by a sub-national government, anywhere in the world. The Lagos Blue and Red lines are scheduled to commence commercial operations next year. The combination of both rail lines will reduce the daily commute time of millions of Lagosians from 2.5hrs to 30 mins, significantly enhancing productivity and improving quality of life.”

    It should be noted that Lagos facilitated more than $600m in investment into the recently commissioned Lekki Deep Sea Port, which has thrice the capacity of Apapa Port. Recently, the state also got federal government approval for the development of the Badagry Deep Sea Port.

    To cater for healthcare and the environment, the budget has allocated N191 billion, representing 11.29 per cent. The talk that health is wealth is a truism. And it should come as relief that with this figure, it is projected that government hospitals and health centers as well as medical staff can continue to provide the qualitative healthcare services to all residents from the 26 registered General Hospitals and 256 public healthcare centers across Lagos. To say Lagos delivers the best healthcare system among all the states in the country would be repeating the obvious.

    Lagos also plans to spend 9.07 per cent of the budget or N153.5 billion on education. This is to consolidate on the gains of previous investments in the educational sector. It should be remembered that students in the state achieved an 82 per cent pass rate in the 2022 West African Senior School Certificate Examination, a staggering increase from 39 per cent in 2019 when the Sanwo-Olu administration came onboard. While this is still a far cry from the UN recommended budgetary allocation to education, it is commendable that Lagos is not resting on its laurels.

    Read Also; N1.39t Lagos budget for 2022

    For its social housing programme and provision of amenities across the state, the state has earmarked 3.98 per cent of the budget or N67.4 billion to that effect. And to ensure that Lagos which is relatively safe compared to other parts of the country becomes safer, Sanwo-Olu’s administration is raising the budgetary allocation to public order and safety to 4.78 per cent. This would ensure safety of lives and property.

    Touted as the Centre of Excellence, Lagos has continually grappled with attracting other Nigerians via rural urban migration drift. What is the implication of this? No matter how much it plans, chances of having more residents in the state increases with each passing year. This translates to a yearly burden of projecting provisions regarding housing, education, healthcare, transportation, security, social welfare, entertainment and other public goods and services for an ever increasing population.

    Already, experts have lauded the budget especially its commitment to devoting a larger half to capital projects. It is interesting to note that 55 per cent or N932.7 billion of the Lagos State 2023 Appropriation Bill is dedicated to capital expenditure while 45 per cent or N759.96 billion is slated to be recurrent expenditure. To those not too familiar with the jargons, it simply means Lagos is doing more investing on capital projects. For the over 20 million residents of the state, this can be nothing but good news.

    It is impressive that Sanwo-Olu has performed very well to the point where even some members of opposition parties support him. But he is not resting on his oars. According to the governor, good governance would be scaled up through the T.H.E.M.E.S Agenda.

    “This Budget of Continuity will propel Lagos to the next fiscal level and economic growth,” Sanwo-Olu said to the lawmakers.

    “Another significant moment beckons in the life of our administration; it is the culmination of a tenure dedicated to achieving a Greater Lagos, and the start of a new one dedicated to unlocking a higher level of growth and prosperity for our people. Next year, we will aggressively focus on completing ongoing projects, while also expanding our social intervention programs and support for citizens, and for micro and small businesses. The budget will offer us an opportunity to consolidate on all we have been doing towards satisfying the yearnings and aspirations of the people.”

    Well said. But discerning individuals understand the sort of challenges Lagos faces, especially regarding revenue generation. According to the budget, the state would get N1.343 trillion from Internally Generated Revenues and federal transfers, while it would source the remaining N350 billion from external loans and bonds.

    While some critics have faulted the borrowing, it should be known that Lagos grapples with many unforeseen contingencies being the state hardest hit by rural-urban migration. For this, it needs all the revenue it can get. Truth be told,  creating more revenue is germane to the survival of an economy like Lagos. And Governor Sanwo-Olu reminded the lawmakers of that fact, restating his demand that Lagos be accorded a special status.

    “Lagos continues to experience increased pressure on social services due to unhindered migration from other parts of the country,” he said to the lawmakers.

    “It is for this reason that I always sought and I will still continue to reiterate the need for Lagos to be accorded a special status as a national asset.

    “Lagos is too big for this country to allow it to fail. Lagos is too strategic for us not to see it that the wholesome of Lagos is the wholesome of this country, that the benefits of Lagos transcend one region, one part or one scope of this country.

    “As a microsome of the entire country, Lagos deserves all the support it can get at the national level.”

    Till Lagos gets the special recognition it rightly deserves, every resident must step in to play their part.

    How can we support Lagos to become better? We can be good citizens by respecting laws and orders, paying our taxes and striving to do the right things all the time. Together, Lagos will be greater.

    • Agbekorede, a social commentator, highlights the goodnews Lagosians should expect from next year’s budget

  • Youth and State Actors: No nation kills its future

    Youth and State Actors: No nation kills its future

    By David Lawal

    Prior to the 2020 ENDSARS protest, at least 7 out of 10 Nigerian Youth aged between 17 and 35, would have faced one form of brutality, a wanton violation of human rights and or a total disdain for the rule of law from state actors, and the protest was the last straw that broke the camel’s back. Intended to be the first in the series of good governance demands from the Youth, it was not only slain, but several Nigerian Youth were also murdered in their prime. The few that survived, fled the country for safety, hence the now popular migration parlance, Japa. Japa is a combination of two Yoruba expressions, já | pa, meaning “to flee”. However, it’s more than an expression for migration as it reflects the desperations, hopelessness, and fears of the Youth. Better put, japa means to “flee to safety”.

    From pre-colonial era, protests have continued to be a significant aspect of our civil life with different movements and groups addressing inflations, bad governance, unemployment, and insecurity in Nigeria. In 1929, a protest was staged by women in Southeastern Nigeria Abia State labelled Aba women riot against several colonial administration policies. 

    Many years after in 2017, the Nigerian Army clashed with Youth in Abia State after setting up an operation code-named Operation Python Dance ll (Egwu Eke ll) in five states of the Southeastern region. Typical of state actors, actions don’t often march intentions. The military said the operation was to address kidnapping, armed robbery, among other crises in the region. Unfortunately, it only delivered anguish and gnashing of teeth to the people of Abia state.

    This goes to prove to the international community that the ENDSARS protest of 2020 was not the first time state actors are violating human rights and frustrating the Youth. A writer, Ademolawa Michael Adedipe, in his Play published by Research Gate in 2021 had put it better. Adedipe said; “Python Dance was a brutal Military mission against those they were supposed to protect”. The situation in Nigeria is very scary as participating in any protest against the government is almost tantamount to a criminal offence for which some protesters have spent years in prison, tortured, maimed, killed or forced into exile, especially Youth leaders, protest sponsors or human rights activists.

    After the blood birth experienced during the ENDSARS protest to address police brutality proved to be a decisive factor, many young Nigerians are giving up on the vision of a “Better Nigeria”. Their desire to leave the country crystallized into action. Leaders had disregarded their criticisms, and, for some youth, it seemed futile to continue struggling for a Nation that seeks to destroy them. Consequently, we have seen a significant increase in the number of young Nigerians departing the shores of the country for safer and saner climes.

    According to a study published by UNESCO in 2021, several young Nigerians, aged between 15 and 35, are desperate to migrate despite the myriad of migration challenges that they may encounter. Especially after seeing that neither the United Nations, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, nor Transparency International seems capable to demand justice from Nigerian Government on human rights violations.

    Godfrey Ibe, who was on his compulsory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Abia state at the time recounted how he was yet to recover from the happenstance. “I had only just arrived for my youth service year and was enjoying the peaceful atmosphere in Aba when it happened. I could not stay to complete my NYSC after the incident because my parents ensured that I was redeployed to Lagos State. When the military invaded the state Capital of Umuahia, it was like a Hollywood movie for me. They were shooting at young people and carrying the bodies. Having witnessed the Python Dance in Abia, I was afraid to join ENDSARS. This experience made me think it is a crime to be a Youth in Nigeria.”

    Expressing his fears, Victor Nwaeze, the Youth leader from Afara Ibeku to Ohuhu in Abia State said; “I don’t feel safe in Nigeria any longer, and I definitely don’t want my children to experience this terror”. Reliving his experience as a Youth Leader in Umuahia during Operation Python Dance, Nwaeze described the military operation as a terrible experience for the entire people of Abia State and a blatant violation of human rights. Nwaeze who is being hunted alongside others by security forces for defending the Youth of his community said: “They started labelling us as fighters of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to justify the unwarranted assault and I had to relocate to another state because the military started picking up youth leaders and youths randomly. Today many of them cannot be accounted for. I clearly remember how surprised I was when a friend, Godday, called me to say that the military had unleashed terror on the youths of Afara. A few months after, my mum died from the shock of my sudden disappearance thinking I had been killed or taken by the military,” teary-eyed Nwaeze recounted.

    Anthony Ukanwa, a businessman in Cameroon narrated how the operation stole the stability and peace previously enjoyed in Abia and neighbouring Eastern states. Recounting the incident that made him relocate to the Central Africa country, Ukanwa said: “The last 5 years has indeed been one filled with feelings of trauma and fear. I am happy to hear that the current governor is handling the situation well and restoring peace, but truth be told, I can’t return home again. You know many youths that survived the carnage like me had to leave home for fear of the military and their Python dance. We consider it a politically motivated move in disguise to destabilize the eastern region. Umuahia was like a ghost town for a long time.”In conclusion, protests in Nigeria won’t stop because it is a medium for the masses to draw attention from the government. Sadly, responding with the military signals a military regime in democratic camouflage. Not in 1929 and not in 2020. 

    Thus, state actors need to do better in addressing Youth restiveness or civil movements and groups who come together to place civil demands on the government. This underscores the essence of democracy and the rights of the people to free expressions. This is particularly important because many young Nigerians no longer think it is safe to remain in Nigeria, which further exacerbates the brain drain challenge that the country is grappling with.Rather than using forces, addressing the root causes of youth discontent through dialogue, economic opportunities, and inclusive governance is crucial for sustainable peace and development. It is essential for state actors to respect human rights and engage in peaceful conflict resolution strategies to prevent further aggravation of youth restiveness. 

    From one disappointing administration from a minority South-southern State to another in the North, let’s keep fingers crossed and see how many more years before another decisive protest breaks or movement against bad governance, since no government has succeeded in making Nigerians proud since democracy.