The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • Gowon and the purveyors of fake news

    Gowon and the purveyors of fake news

    By Zayd Ibn Isah

    SIR: The nation recently found itself in a state of confusion when rumours of the sudden death of a former Head of State and a revered elder statesman, General Yakubu Gowon, started making the rounds on social media.

    Gowon’s false death news is just one example of the numerous false pieces of information in our public space. Over the years, fake news has become a thriving industry in Nigeria, largely due to the proliferation of media. Anyone, from Ruqayyah to Chidinma, Kemi, or Ojonugwa, can comfortably share information on social media, and before you say “Sam,” it becomes a hot topic of national discussion.

    This was the situation with former President Muhammadu Buhari, who went to London for routine medical check-up. News of his death started filtering in after some time, and it appeared we were about to witness another sad case of losing a sitting president. However, the death news turned out to be false as the president returned to the country after 104 days. But his detractors were not pleased. They started with the narrative of a body double, comparing his old pictures with the new ones and suggesting differences in his ears and nose. This led to the claim that this was not the real Buhari who was elected in 2015 but an imposter from Sudan named Jubril. Many, even the well-informed, bought into this narrative.

    Numerous factors fuel the fake news and rumour mills in Nigeria. In addition to the unfortunate gullibility of many Nigerians, emotions and dogma play significant roles. In this country, expressing a dissenting opinion from a widely held belief can lead to accusations and labels. This was vividly seen with former President Muhammadu Buhari. Northerners who insisted that the man in Aso Rock was the real Buhari faced accusations of blind regional support. Even Nigerians from other regions who attempted to be objective were accused of being influenced by bribes to distort the facts. As a nation, this environment is far from ideal for a healthy public discourse.

    Read Also: Adamawa offers incentives for dry season farming

    Successive Nigerian governments have made significant efforts to combat the rising tide of fake news. But, the battle against this scourge appears like a mountainous task with the increase of social media platforms. Section 24 of the Cybercrime Act of 2015 explicitly criminalizes the dissemination of false information. The Act states: “Any person who knowingly or intentionally sends a message or other material through computer systems or networks that is grossly offensive, pornographic, or of an indecent, obscene, or menacing nature, or causes any such message or material to be so transmitted, or he knows to be false, for the purpose of causing annoyance, inconvenience, danger, obstruction, insult, injury, criminal intimidation, enmity, hatred, ill will, or needless anxiety to another or causes such a message to be transmitted, commits an offense under this Act and is liable, upon conviction, to a fine of not more than N7,000,000.00 or imprisonment for a term of not more than 3 years or to both such fine and imprisonment.”

    Despite this legal provision, purveyors of fake news continue their trade. After all, man must survive, even if it is at the expense of the nation’s security interests.

    But we must persist in our efforts to fight this ugly scourge and those behind it. Besides ensuring that fake news merchants face the full wrath of the law, citizens should be educated about the importance of scrutinizing information before accepting it unquestionably. Fake news is a pernicious ailment that can spread faster than even the most virulent cancer on a wide scale. With that said, journalists have a significant role to play in the battle against misinformation. They should prioritize the nation’s interests over personal interests.

    I am relieved that our elder statesman is alive and has expressed his desire to continue living for many more years and contribute his quota to the growth and development of our dear nation.

    • Zayd Ibn Isah, lawcadet1@gmail.com

  • Israel and the siege on Gaza

    Israel and the siege on Gaza

    By Dr. Vitus Ozoke

    SIR: If conscienceless violence is a credible measure of evil, then I’m afraid the distinction between Benjamin Netanyahu’s regular army and Hamas terrorists is becoming less and less clear. The only difference I still see is the temporal order of cause and effect. Evil does not stop being evil simply because it is reactionary. We cannot canonize horrific evil because it is perpetrated in response to an earlier heinous evil. There are no equities in evil. If we have all established that the women and children of Palestine are not Hamas terrorists; if we have already agreed that the women and children of Palestine are as much victims of Hamas terrorism as are Israeli women and children, then we must also agree that the ongoing campaign of indiscriminate bombings and killings of women and children of Gaza is equally terroristic.

    The disturbing images streaming out of Gaza Strip are as shockingly horrifying as they are searingly traumatizing. Our already violated collective innocence is under further daily assault in Gaza. Our television boxes have become box offices of horror, except that this is no movie. This reel is real. The tragedy of TV in times like this is that it makes all of us complicit. TV denies us the luxury of plausible deniability and the defence of ignorance. We cannot claim we didn’t see it, because we did. We do.

    We are watching deadly violence in real time, not recorded playback. Yes, Hamas shocked and terrorized our conscience with grotesquely abominable evil on Black Saturday. Nobody can deny that. But Israel is re-victimizing us in real time. Telegraphing violence before it happens makes us all accomplices because of our failure to stop it and protect innocent victims. When it telegraphs its plan of violence, Israel puts us on notice, extorts our consent, and assumes our permission to evil.

    Read Also; Reps want FG to channel fuel subsidy savings to healthcare

    Israel has used TV to conscript the rest of us into this orgy of violence. Without knowing it, we are playing along. Sports events this weekend, from London to LA, began with one-minute silence for Israeli victims of Hamas terrorism. But more than twice Palestinian children have been blown up by Israeli rockets in the week that has followed. When will the world cure itself of this cataract of selective blindness? The blood of every innocent Palestinian child spilled in the kiosks of Gaza is as precious as the blood of every Israeli child shed in the kibbutz of Ashkelon. The only difference is that one child was murdered by an organized terrorist group and the other by an organized army.

    Yes, even in our general and generous grief and solidarity for Israel, we must pause to ask difficult and inconvenient questions. What is the endgame? You can’t root out Hamas by creating more Hamas. Every mother killed by Israeli bomb while her young boy watches and cries in helplessness is a Hamas recruited. Israel stated that its goal was to kill the last Hamas terrorist in Gaza. So far close to 3,000 Palestinians have been killed and 10,000 wounded. Israel has not told us how many of those numbers are Hamas terrorists. But it is the age of TV. We know, because we see. We see, because we watch TV. And what we watch, see, and know is that lifeless and limbless bodies of six months and six years could not have been those of Hamas terrorists. This siege of sacrilege must cease.

    If revenge and vengeance have driven Israel to counter-evil, enough of that has been exacted already. The world must now help Israel to regain rationality. Any war that rides exclusively on emotion will ultimately end in annihilation and extinction. Israel must heal. The world must assist Israel to heal. But effective healing for Israel cannot come from the collateral graves of innocent Palestinian children and women. Their innocent blood will impose guilt, not healing. It is time to regain our rationality. It is time to ask hard questions and give inconvenient answers.

    We must mourn the lives of innocent Israelis, including the 260 innocent young men and women butchered at a music festival by Hamas terrorists. But we cannot turn blind eyes to the sad fact that Israel is committing a genocidal orgy in Gaza and the world is eagerly watching. I’m afraid the last thing the world will remember when it is all over is the cemeterization and golgothaization of Gaza by Israel. Sadly, that is what Hamas terrorists want.

    • Dr. Vitus Ozoke, United States.

  • The siege on Gaza

    The siege on Gaza

    • Labaran Yusuf

    Sir: I write with a heavy heart as I watch in real-time the horrific and brutal actions being carried out by Israel in Gaza.

    Entire neighbourhoods are being destroyed, journalists are being killed, and ambulances and hospitals are being targeted. The number of innocent women and children who have been killed in Israeli bombings is increasing.

    Since the October 7 surprise attacks launched by Palestinian fighters on military bases and occupied settlements close to the Gaza strip that left many Israelis dead, Israel has launched indiscriminate attacks on Gaza as it prepares for a ground offensive. It has also cut off water, food and electricity supply to the blockaded territory.

    Read Also: Israel denies reports of ceasefire in Gaza Strip

    This is all happening while the international community sits back and watches. Instead of working to bring about peace, Western countries and media outlets have been supporting and defending Israel’s actions. They’re also parroting Israeli propaganda in what experts say is atrocity propaganda to justify Israel’s aggression.

    In addition, some Western countries have banned rallies in support of the Palestinian people, and Arab governments have not spoken out in support of the Palestinians. Overall, there has been a lack of action and open solidarity with the Palestinians unlike with Ukraine which also faces Russian aggression. 

    We need to stop applying double standards when it comes to condemning violence and aggression. The Palestinian people have been suffering for many decades, and we must speak up and demand an end to their oppression. 

    It is time to speak up. Those standing up for humanity must speak out now against Israel’s atrocities and impending genocide against the Palestinian people.

    • Labaran Yusuf, Jos, Plateau State.
  • Challenges before new post-master general

    Challenges before new post-master general

    • By: Babajide Fadoju


    Sir: In a ground-breaking appointment, Omotola Odeyemi assumed the role of the nation’s new Postmaster General bringing with her a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to public service.  With a career spanning the realms of technology, public policy, and governance, she is poised to usher in a new era of innovation and efficiency in Nigeria’s postal services. 

     Odeyemi has been at the forefront of implementing and regulating new technologies for the public good.  Her work has involved leveraging digital transformations to co-design innovative and inclusive public services, thereby bridging the digital divide that often plagues developing nations. 

     Before assuming her new role, she made significant contributions in the private sector. 

    She served as the Head of Government Affairs at Binance, the world’s largest block chain and cryptocurrency ecosystem in Sub-Saharan Africa.  

     In this capacity, she played a pivotal role in shaping critical conversations around block chain technology and cryptocurrency, facilitating constructive dialogues with governments across the continent.  

     Her stint at Uber Technologies as Head of Public Policy for West Africa was no less impactful.

      She collaborated with policymakers across francophone and Anglophone West Africa, fostering enduring partnerships with political and community stakeholders.  Odeyemi supported efforts in major cities across Nigeria, Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, and Senegal to transition towards smart mobility solutions. Her extensive experience in technology, public policy, and governance, both in the public and private sectors, positions her as a trailblazer in driving efficiency and inclusivity in the nation’s postal system.  

     NIPOST is equally faced with managing the NIPOST Property and Development Company, NIPOST Transport and Logistics Company, and NIPOST Micro Finance Bank, which was created by the former minister, Dr Isa Pantami  to help unbundle the agency while harnessing its fortunes. 

    Read Also: NIPOST chief applauds Tinubu for bridging age, gender gap in governance

     Now, Odeyemi is faced with a herculean and monumental task that has to be surmounted considering the current state and perception of NIPOST across Nigeria.  

     There are expectations that she would create a plan that establishes a path forward to help the agency right its financial ship and improve service to the Nigerian people and business customers. 

     With a focus on leveraging digital transformations and her unwavering commitment to public service, Odeyemi is set to make a lasting impact on Nigeria’s postal sector, paving the way for a brighter and more connected future. 

     She holds an undergraduate degree in Electrical Engineering from Morgan State University, Maryland, and a Master’s degree in Systems Engineering from George Washington University, Washington, DC.  

     In assuming the role of postmaster general, Odeyemi brings a visionary and innovative perspective to Nigeria’s postal services. Her appointment, coming on the back of a notable number of appointments of youth to parastarals and even at the federal cabinet comes as a double-pronged approach that promotes youth inclusion alongside gender equity. Kudos to the Renewed Hope vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

    • Babajide Fadoju, Abuja.
  • N-power: Motion without movement

    N-power: Motion without movement

    • By: Femi Oluwasanmi

    Sir: On October 7, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, announced an indefinite suspension of the N-power programme with a promise to conduct an investigation into the utilisation of funds disbursed since the inception of the scheme.

    N-power scheme is a subset of the National Social Investment Programme (NSIP) launched in 2016 as part of federal government’s efforts to reduce the level of poverty in Nigeria. It started with the enrolment of 200,000 participants in Batch A in 2016; 300,000 participants in Batch B, 2017; and 510,000 in Batch C1; and 490,000 in Batch C2 in 2021.

    Though, the stipend attached to the programme is not attractive but some people applied in order to further contribute to the development of the country and escape the “sit at home syndrome” in anticipation to transit to a permanent jobs pool that was promised by President Buhari while campaigning in 2015.

    This hope was further raised by the vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo at several forums that the government will not allow the N-power volunteers to go back to the streets empty handed.

    This hope was however dashed in 2020 when they were disengaged from the programme without any exit package at a time when other countries around the world were giving palliatives to their people due to the hardship occasioned by the outbreak of COVID-19.

    This seems to be repeating itself with the indefinite suspension of the programme at a time when almost all the prices of goods and services have ascended by some 150%. Of recent, the World Bank stated that more than seven million people are likely to join those living below poverty lines in Nigeria if palliatives are not given to mollify the hardship caused by the removal of fuel subsidy. With the suspension of the N-power programme, it’s obvious that this numbers will increase.

    Read Also: N-Power: FG announces date for payment of nine months backlog allowance

    In trying to justify the reasons for the suspension of the programme, the minister, stated that the preliminary findings of her audit showed that some consultants are holding on to the beneficiaries’ funds disbursed to them long time ago even when their contract ended in March.

    Due to the diversion and delay in the payment of stipend, some of the participants have abandoned their places of primary assignment (PPA) while those that have other means to augment their stipends have turned to visitors. This has greatly affected the objectives set out at the beginning of the programme and contributed to the “firmament of frustration” across the country.

    In a society where policies are really designed to address poverty, the stipend would have been increased long time ago because of the realities on ground in Nigeria. For instance, in 2016, when the N30, 000 stipend was introduced, the value of a dollar to Naira was N350 but today it has jumped to N1000. Yet, the Minister is talking about an enlargement in the scope of the programme without any plan to increase the monthly stipend of the participants.

    Increasing the stipend will motivate the participants to be regular at their PPA while also increasing their service delivery. Most of the participants that were disengaged from the platform in 2020 would have become employers of labour if they were given start up packages after their service. This would have directly or indirectly accelerate the quest for self-sufficiency, reduce the numbers of people at the “colony of unemployment,” and tame the spread of insecurity.

    Most of the funds earmarked for the war against terrorism in the country would have been used to build schools, hospitals, constructs more road networks and others social amenities that are begging for attention in the country if the issues of unemployment and poverty are properly addressed.

    That is why the government needs to increase the monthly stipend of the N-Power volunteers, create an exit start up packages for them, and subject them to two or three weeks training at the end of  their service so that their business ideas can be fine-tuned to fit in the realities at the world of business.

    • Femi Oluwasanmi, Ibafo, Ogun State.
  • Oil theft: A plague on prosperity

    Oil theft: A plague on prosperity

    • By: John Amabolou Elekun

    Sir: The Niger Delta, a region known for its vast oil wealth, has become a battleground for a different kind of struggle. Contrary to common perceptions, the perpetrators of oil theft in this region are not the marginalized or economically disenfranchised; instead, it is the well-to-do who orchestrate this criminal enterprise. This phenomenon has far-reaching consequences, leaving the average child born in the region without the benefits one might expect from an oil-rich area.

    Unlike the stereotypical image of impoverished individuals siphoning oil from pipelines, the reality is far more insidious. The orchestrators of oil theft in the Niger Delta often hail from influential circles, leveraging their resources and networks to carry out large-scale operations. These individuals, shielded by their positions of power, contribute to the perpetuation of a cycle of corruption that undermines the potential for widespread prosperity in the region.

    The consequences of oil theft extend beyond economic losses. While these criminal activities yield immense profits for a select few, the average resident of the Niger Delta is left grappling with the environmental fallout. Water sources are contaminated, and fertile farming lands are rendered barren due to oil spills. This environmental degradation not only jeopardizes the livelihoods of the local population but also poses severe health risks.

    Read Also: Ex-Niger Delta warlords unite against oil theft

    Perhaps the most tragic aspect of this scenario is the bleak future it paints for the next generation. Despite being born into an oil-rich region, the average child in the Niger Delta is denied the benefits that should naturally accompany such wealth. Instead, they inherit a landscape tainted by pollution, lacking the opportunities for education, healthcare, and overall well-being that should be inherent in an oil-producing region.

    Addressing the issue of oil theft in the Niger Delta requires a multi-faceted approach. Beyond law enforcement efforts to curb the criminal activities of oil theft, there is a pressing need for systemic changes. Transparency and accountability must be enforced in the oil industry, ensuring that the profits generated are reinvested into the local communities. Moreover, there should be a concerted effort to diversify the economy of the Niger Delta, providing alternative sources of livelihood that do not contribute to environmental degradation.

    The scourge of oil theft in the Niger Delta is a harsh reminder of how the exploitation of natural resources can lead to dire consequences for the very people who should benefit the most. Breaking free from this cycle demands a collective commitment to justice, environmental sustainability and the well-being of future generations. Only through concerted efforts to address the root causes of this issue can the Niger Delta hope to realize its true potential as a beacon of prosperity rather than a victim of exploitation.

    • John Amabolou Elekun, Iju-Auwon, Lagos.
  • Israeli/Palestinian conflict: The heart of the matter

    Israeli/Palestinian conflict: The heart of the matter

    By Sunday Onyemaechi Eze

    SIR: On October 7, the world woke up to a surprised and unprovoked attack on Israeli territory by the Palestinian led Hamas group resulting to death of scores and destruction of properties. Hamas was said to have launched over 5000 rocket propelled attacks on Israel lasting several hours. Aljazeera quoted Mohammed Deif, head of the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas as saying, “we announced the start of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and we announce that the first strike, which targeted enemy positions, airports and military fortifications exceeded 5,000 missiles and shells.”

    Israel does not take any affront to its sovereignty or territorial integrity lightly. Therefore, it has swiftly retaliated with blistering aerial attacks on Gaza preparatory for ground assault. Israel is angry and nobody knows when this onslaught on Gaza will end. Responding to the attacks, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed that, “Israel will take mighty vengeance against Hamas. This war will take time. It will be difficult.”

    Major General Ghassan Alian, a key Israeli Defence Force official said that Hamas had, “opened the gates of hell with its surprise attack and will bear the responsibility and pay for its deeds.”

    Read Also: BBC insists Tinubu’s CSU certificate not forged

    As Israeli offensive continues on Gaza, officials said “it has dropped 6,000 bombs weighing 4,000 tonnes in the past six days, killing more than 1,400 people.” The attack on Israel was a surprise to the global community after many thought the two neighbours are beginning to learn how to live in peace with each other.

    Why is it difficult for the world to find a lasting solution to this conflict? The unending Israeli/Palestinian conflict is fuelled by the bias and hypocrisy of the global community.

    There is an already existing global political alignment on matters related to Israel/Palestine. America has never hidden her support for Israel. The Islamic Republic of Iran has risen up as the big brother of Palestine/Hamas. It is ridiculous some religious leaders across both Christian and Islamic divides have made this to look like a religious war. Their followers have pitched tents with either side in complete ignorance of the crux of the matter.

    The crisis is a war to claim territory not on religion. Land as a resource and historical ancestral affinity to both Israel and Palestine is at the heart of this conflict. Both have laid claims to ancestral ownership of the land. Humanity does not support injustice and subjugation. Therefore, the right of the Palestinian people to life and home is paramount. Israel also needs protection and a place called their own. Hamas should have allowed the sleeping dog lie by avoiding any provocative actions that could deepen the already existing animosity and fragile situation. Israel should understand that the generality of Palestinian people are the underdog and it is not fair to kill a fly with a sledge hammer. Therefore, for calm and normalcy to return, the world should strongly impress it on both states to embrace peace and the United Nations prescribed 1947 two-nation states status.

    The world should take side with humanity, stop alignment based on economic or political interest and discard spewing religious bigotry. The total population of Israel is 9.364m equivalent to the population of Kaduna State in Nigeria, occupying a land mass of 22,145sq.km, far less than Adamawa State of Nigeria with 36,917sq.km. Of the above population, 1.7m are Muslims representing 18% while Christians are just 185,000 equivalent to 1.9%. Jewish religion adherents have about 73.6% of the total population.

    From the above figures, it can be seen that Israeli Muslims are more than Israeli Christians while Jewish religious adherents takes the lead. The Israeli Defence Force has an army of 169,500 (active personnel). Of this number, only 150 are Christians while Muslims are 606, the rest are Jewish Adherents. Also, 40% of Jerusalem are Palestinians.

    Therefore, if you think the fight between Israel and Palestine is a Christian/Muslim war, you are dead wrong.

    As the war rages on, the world should bear in mind that the price of war is stewed with the blood of the innocent. In the end, it is the poor man, woman, children who bears the brunt. The global politics of war is nothing but a business devoid of morality. Iran which is allegedly said to sponsor Hamas has an interest to protect so also is America and the rest.

    • Sunday Onyemaechi Eze, sunnyeze02@yahoo.com

  • Empowering Nigeria with AI

    Empowering Nigeria with AI

    By Samuel Jekeli

    SIR: In the ever-evolving landscape of technology and innovation, Nigeria stands at a critical juncture. It’s a nation with a rich history in oil production, where “black gold” has been the backbone of its economy for decades. However, there’s a new player in town that’s poised to reshape the economic landscape: Artificial Intelligence (AI).

    AI represents a technological revolution that has the potential to transform various industries, drive economic growth, and address some of the country’s most pressing challenges. Some reasons why AI is gaining recognition as the “New Oil” include its economic transformation, data revolution, ability to solve complex problems, and global competitiveness.

     AI has the potential to diversify Nigeria’s economy and reduce dependence on oil. It can spawn new industries, such as AI development, data analytics, and machine learning applications, creating jobs and fostering economic growth.

    AI thrives on data, and Nigeria has a wealth of untapped data sources. This includes data from agriculture, healthcare, finance, and telecommunications. AI can leverage this data to drive informed decision-making and innovation.

    AI can be applied to solve complex societal problems in Nigeria, such as healthcare diagnostics, agriculture optimization, and urban planning. AI-powered solutions can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance the quality of services.

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    Embracing AI will position Nigeria on the global stage as a competitive player in technology and innovation. It opens doors to international collaborations and investments, further boosting the nation’s profile.

    AI encompasses a range of technologies and tools that have the potential to reshape Nigeria’s future. Some key AI technologies that are gaining prominence in the country are Machine Learning, Natural Language Processing (NLP), Computer Vision, Block Chain, Robotic Process Automation (RPA).

    AI’s influence in Nigeria extends across various sectors, offering transformative possibilities in agriculture, healthcare, education, finance, energy

    AI can optimize crop management, increase yields, and enhance soil quality. It can help small-scale farmers make data-driven decisions, improving their livelihoods.

    AI-driven telemedicine, disease diagnosis, and healthcare analytics have the potential to revolutionize healthcare in Nigeria, improving access to quality medical services.

    Personalized learning platforms powered by AI can cater to diverse learning needs, even in remote areas, enhancing the quality of education.

    AI-driven fraud detection, credit scoring, and investment advisory services can make the financial sector more secure and efficient.

    AI can improve energy efficiency and optimize power distribution, reducing waste and ensuring reliable access to electricity.

    While AI holds immense promise, Nigeria faces several challenges and considerations on the path to harnessing the full potential of AI some of which includes, data accessibility, skill gap, infrastructure, regulation and ethical concerns,  financial investment.

    Ensuring access to quality and diverse data sources is critical for AI’s success. Data privacy and security must also be addressed. A skilled workforce is necessary to develop, implement, and maintain AI systems. Training and education programs are essential to bridge the skills gap. Adequate technological infrastructure, including high-speed internet and cloud computing services, is crucial for AI development. Developing AI regulations that promote innovation while ensuring ethical use is a complex task. Ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI applications is essential. Significant investments are required to support AI research, development, and implementation in various sectors.

    The journey toward embracing AI comes with challenges, but the rewards are well worth the effort. Nigeria stands at the threshold of a technological revolution, and it’s time to step up and seize the limitless possibilities of Artificial Intelligence. With the right investments, policies, and a motivated workforce, Nigeria can harness the power of AI to transform itself into a global technology hub, setting the stage for a brighter, more innovative future.

    • Samuel Jekeli, Centre for Social Justice, Abuja.

  • Fintiri’s superhighway

    Fintiri’s superhighway

    By Zayyad I. Muhammad

    SIR: The Adamawa State government, under the leadership of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri, has commenced the construction of a 20.8 kilometre superhighway in Yola, the state capital.

    The superhighway, starting from the Yola City Gate and ending at AA Lawan Junction inside the city of Yola, will open up a new corridor in the Jimeta-Yola metropolitan area as the superhighway is passing through virgin land, though there is massive building activity along the way—new housing estates, including the 2000 housing units constructed by the Fintiri government for civil servants and other citizens of the state. Other activities along the corridor are industries, farmhouses, schools, and commercial activities.

    Some critics have accused state governors of neglecting basic needs while constructing big roads and flyovers, but Governor Fintiri is different—he has struck a balance between human development and infrastructure, rural needs and urban development, community engagement, and political engagement. Fintiri has built cottage hospitals and rehabilitated general and specialist hospitals throughout the state. He had built new schools and improved the existing ones, including the payment for WAEC and NECO for all Adamawa State students.

    Read Also: BBC insists Tinubu’s CSU certificate not forged

    In the just-released 2023 NECO Results, Adamawa State recorded the highest number of candidates with five credits, including English and Mathematics. Recently, Governor Fintiri launched the Adamawa Human Development Council to drive Adamawa’s human development initiatives and oversee all human development issues in the state. Furthermore, Adamawa State has one of the most well-structured and sustainable poverty alleviation and wealth creation agencies in the northeast: the Adamawa Poverty Alleviation and Wealth Creation Agency (PAWECA). The agency trains and develops skills for youth and women; it’s doing well in that its core mandate.

    Like any other huge construction project, superhighways have their challenges, but the importance and the need for the 20.8-kilometre superhighway along that corridor overshadow its challenges.

    City expansion, urban congestion, population growth, and modernization necessitate the need for better roadways on a global scale. Superhighways in towns and cities bring efficiency to businesses that depend on transportation, reduce commuter time, and are designed to enhance road safety while reducing accidents. Their economic impact is substantial, improving connectivity between different sections of the city, reducing congestion, and diverting long-distance traffic away from the inner town’s roads. Governor Fintiri’s 20.8km superhighway stretching from the Welcome Yola City Gate to AA Lawan Junction inside the city, which will be the first in any state capital in the Northeast, will offer these benefits, including opening a new corridor in the Jimeta-Yola capital city.

    • Zayyad I. Muhammad, Abuja.

  • Makinde: SOS on Odo Oba township roads

    Makinde: SOS on Odo Oba township roads

    Sir: Obada which is generally known as ODO OBA is the largest community in Ogo Oluwa Local Government Area of Oyo State. It is also the commercial hub of the local government; the LGA rakes more than 75 percent of its internally generated revenue therefrom.

    But all the township roads in the community have become impassable. The crux of it all is that the town is the headquarters of Ogo Oluwa West Local Council Development Area.

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    Erosion has done more damage to the roads in the last four years and neither grading not tarring was done during this period.

    It is on this premise that we call on Governor Seyi Makinde to empower both Ogo Oluwa Local Government Area and Ogo Oluwa Local Council Development Area for the rehabilitation of Odo Oba township roads in particular and others in the nooks and crannies of the ‘Pace Setter’ state

    • Adelani Olawuyi, Obada/Odo Oba, Ogo Oluwa LGA, Oyo State.