The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

  • As the world celebrates ‘Day of the Seafarer’

    As the world celebrates ‘Day of the Seafarer’

     Sir: June 25 as has become customary, the global maritime community comes together to celebrate the unsung heroes of global shipping, the seafarers, under the auspices of the “Day of the Seafarer”. The Day of the Seafarer is a vital reminder of the critical role these exceptional individuals play in ensuring the smooth and uninterrupted flow of global trade and essential goods. Without them, the seamless supply of valuables across borders would be nearly impossible.

    The Day of the Seafarer, an observance day recognized by the United Nations, was established in a resolution adopted by the 2010 Diplomatic Conference of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in Manila, Philippines to adopt the revised Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping (STCW) Convention. Its stated purpose is to recognize the unique contribution made by seafarers from all over the world to international seaborne trade and the world economy.

    This year, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has launched a compelling campaign aimed at eradicating bullying, harassment, and discrimination at sea. It is only fitting that the IMO has chosen this year’s theme—“My Harassment-Free Ship”—to reinforce the importance of safeguarding those who dedicate their lives to life at sea.

    The 2025 campaign brings to the forefront the urgent need to foster safe, respectful, and inclusive working environments on board vessels. According to the IMO, this year’s campaign aims to:

    •Raise awareness about the reality of harassment at sea.

    •Promote proactive industry action to implement zero-tolerance policies.

    •Encourage reporting and accountability through safe and accessible channels.

     •Equip seafarers with the resources and support necessary to combat harassment.

    This theme highlights the often-overlooked challenges faced by seafarers who work under isolated and hierarchical conditions at sea, far from the protections typically available on land. Unfortunately, the reality is that a significant number of seafarers—both women and men—have experienced bullying, discrimination, and abuse while on duty. These incidents have far-reaching effects on their mental health, job performance, and overall well-being.

    Read Also: Nigeria benefits from $50 million Malala Fund’s global girls’ education investment

    In a message to this year’s Day of the Seafarer, the IMO Secretary General, Arsenio Dominguez noted that to underscore the importance of a harassment-free shipping, the “IMO has taken a decisive step to amend the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for seafarers code, mandating training for all seafarers on preventing and addressing violence and harassment”.

    Seafarers are among the most vulnerable workers due to the demanding and high-risk nature of their jobs. They sacrifice time with their families, personal comfort, and sometimes even their lives, just to keep the wheel of global commerce moving. It is therefore unacceptable that such selfless service is repaid with harassment. The very least the world can offer them is a workplace where dignity and respect are non-negotiable.

    Unlike land-based workers, seafarers often lack accessible reporting mechanisms due to the remote nature of their work, strict on-board hierarchies, and fear of victimization. Many suffer in silence. The “My Harassment-Free Ship” campaign seeks to break this silence by promoting a culture of respect, accountability, and support. IMO’s focus on this issue is commendable and timely.

    Protecting seafarers requires a united front. Maritime nations must take a more proactive stance by establishing monitoring systems that ensure the safety and well-being of crew members at all times. The responsibility is collective, and so should be the actions.

    In Nigeria, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) continues to prioritize seafarer welfare. Complaints raised by seafarers regarding unfair treatment are often promptly addressed, with dedicated committees set up to mediate and resolve such issues. This is a clear indication of institutional commitment.

    In line with this year’s theme, NIMASA has already taken steps to establish real-time reporting channels, ensuring that seafarers have immediate access to support and intervention when needed.

    To sustain the future of maritime trade, efforts must be intensified to make the profession attractive and safe for the next generation. This includes implementing strong protective policies and enforcing strict penalties against perpetrators of harassment, particularly at sea. The acute shortage of seafaring personnel globally makes this point more important and even urgent.

    The world must continue to recognize the indispensable role of seafarers—not just in words, but in action. Their welfare should remain a top priority for every government and industry stakeholder.

    As the world mark this year’s Day of the Seafarer, let it go beyond symbolic optics into tangible commitments. The change we seek begins with collective accountability—from governments to shipping companies, crew members to the general public. It is the responsibility of all stakeholders to rise to the challenge of creating ships that are not only seaworthy but also safe, respectful spaces where every seafarer can thrive. Because truly, seafarers make the world go round.

     •Obiageli Chuma Ugbo, NIMASA, Lagos.

  • Mangu: A country without justice

    Mangu: A country without justice

    Sir: On their way to a wedding somewhere in Plateau State, a busload of passengers travelling all the way from Zaria was attacked in Mangu by armed men somewhere in Mangu. About a dozen passengers including women and children were killed and many others injured.

    There is no context that can justify such an iniquitous act of injustice, but Mangu, the hometown of Governor Caleb Mutfwang, and the local government where he was once chairman, has become a land flowing with cold blood. These attacks more than confirm an unfinished business of blood.

    In 2023, after particularly heated and close elections during which Caleb Mutfwang of the Peoples Democratic Party and Nentawe Yilwatda of the All Progressives Congress ran neck to neck, the PDP clinched a victory that was subsequently contested all the way to the Supreme Court.

    But even before the matter went to the election petition tribunal, the local government became the venue of many deadly attacks. The intensity and frequency of the attacks seemed to suggest that they were as much about insecurity as about politics.

    Although thr killings that came on the heels of the election quickly died down, but the deadly attacks which erupted out of nowhere against helpless, hapless and defenceless passengers exposed Mangu, Plateau State and Nigeria as a whole as a country without justice.

    Read Also: Startups, undergraduates to win $10,000 at Nigeria Stablecoin Summit

    In what sort of country do citizens feel so secure in their abominable criminality that they attack innocent travellers and set their vehicle ablaze with them in it? In what kind of country do people travel with their hearts in their mouths, painfully aware that any moment could be their last as a result of insecurity?

    It is incredible how many Nigerians have lost their lives in agonizing circumstances in the last few years, and just how lost the government appears to be in obtaining justice for them and finding a lasting solution to the killings.

    There is also a lot not going for Nigerians at the moment. If the country is falling at the hands of a challenged government, must citizens also turn on themselves and become killers of one another?

    When crimes are committed and there is no accountability leading to justice, it is usually only a matter of time before the criminals who have not been put away strike again. Injustice only ever breeds more injustice.

     As for those who kill because of politics, religion and ethnic affiliations, the shocking disdain they show for human life can never detract from the sanctity or inviolability of human life or from the fact that they will pay with as much in the near future.

    • Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com

  • Edun and Cardoso: Two good heads, one economic vision

    Edun and Cardoso: Two good heads, one economic vision

    Sir: The recent meeting between Nigeria’s Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Yemi Cardoso, may well be described by the popular African proverb: “When two good heads come together, success is inevitable.”

    More than just a symbolic handshake, their strategic engagement signals a critical phase in aligning Nigeria’s fiscal and monetary policies, with far-reaching implications for the nation’s economic trajectory.

    Coming at a time when inflation has eased to 22.97% in May, a notable retreat from the crisis levels witnessed earlier in the year, this high-level meeting underscores a shared commitment to consolidating recent gains, restoring investor confidence, and creating an enabling environment for sustainable, private sector-led growth.

    Under the current administration, the Central Bank has undertaken a series of reforms aimed at stabilising the macroeconomic environment. The bank, now redefined as pragmatic, forward-looking, and people-centric, has demonstrated clear intent to rebuild confidence in Nigeria’s financial system.

    Read Also: Hypertension: FG, experts alarmed as only 1 in 10 Nigerians receive care

    One key highlight was the May 13 launch of the Non-Resident Bank Verification Number (NRBVN) platform, a landmark digital initiative developed with NIBSS to allow Nigerians in the diaspora to register their BVN remotely. This innovation is not only enhancing financial inclusion but also holds promise for increasing remittance inflows and bolstering foreign exchange liquidity, a critical element in Nigeria’s economic puzzle.

    Barely a week after that, during the 300th Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting, the CBN unanimously retained its key policy tools: the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) at 27.5%, Cash Reserve Ratios at 50% for Deposit Money Banks and 16% for Merchant Banks, and the Liquidity Ratio at 30%. These decisions reflect a clear resolve to maintain policy consistency and prevent backsliding, even as inflation shows early signs of moderation and external reserves begin to improve.

    Meanwhile, Edun and the fiscal authorities have focused on reducing wastage, driving revenue reform, and plugging leakages in public finance. The renewed coordination between the Ministry of Finance and the CBN seeks to build upon these efforts, ensuring that fiscal spending and monetary tightening are not working at cross-purposes but are instead aligned to stabilize prices, stimulate production, and reduce the cost of living.

    The significance of this collaboration cannot be overstated. In the past, poor coordination between fiscal and monetary authorities has created confusion in the market, discouraged investment, and stifled growth. But today, the two institutions are speaking with one voice, and that unity is already producing green shoots of recovery.

    Looking ahead, the road is still long. Nigeria faces structural challenges in energy, agriculture, and industrial productivity. Global commodity prices remain unpredictable, and external shocks can disrupt progress. Yet with steady coordination, a strong policy framework, and a shared sense of urgency, the country is better positioned to navigate these headwinds.

    This meeting is therefore more than a footnote in economic reporting, it is a turning point. When two good heads come together with a clear purpose, there is every reason to hope that the outcome will be not just progress, but prosperity.

    •Zekeri Idakwo Laruba,idakwozekeri93@gmail.com

  • Border fencing and national security

    Border fencing and national security

    Sir: I listened to General Christopher Musa, Nigeria’s Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), on June 3, during a security conference in Abuja, where he publicly advocated for the construction of fences along Nigeria’s borders with neighbouring countries such as Cameroon, Niger, Benin, and Chad.

    He informed the audience that Pakistan has constructed extensive border fencing along its frontier with Afghanistan as a decisive measure to curb cross-border terrorism and preserve territorial integrity. He further noted that Saudi Arabia has done the same with its border with Iraq, highlighting it as a strategic effort to safeguard national security and assert sovereign control over its frontiers.

    I align my thoughts with the critical initiative proposed by General Musa, to confront our national security challenges through a transformational leap. No doubt, our security situation has reached a decisive junction—an inflection point—where our strategic efforts must experience a strong and fundamental paradigm shift.

    We are all aware that our borders are extensively porous—northwest to northeast, southwest to southeast, and even through the north-central and south-south zones. These porous borders have become readily available conduits for terrorists, arms smugglers, human traffickers, illegal migrants, economic saboteurs, and all kinds of nefarious transnational criminals.

    Records indicate that Nigeria, with over 4,000 kilometres of land borders shared with Niger, Chad, Benin, and Cameroon, has more than 1,400 illegal routes, with only 114 approved control posts and merely 80 e-border technology deployments.

    If we are genuinely committed as a nation to confronting the security and economic vices facilitated through our porous borders, border fencing stands out as a critical option—one that can significantly complement the other efforts of government in reducing the security challenges tormenting Nigeria.

    The call by the CDS should not receive rhetorical responses but must be seen as a practical, implementable strategy. It has been successfully deployed in many countries to confront similar security threats. Beyond Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, as mentioned by the CDS, other examples include India, which constructed over 3,300 kilometres of fencing along its borders with Pakistan to counter terrorism and arms smuggling, Israel, which built high-tech fences along the Gaza Strip and the Sinai border with Egypt, resulting in a significant reduction in illegal entries and terrorist attacks and United States, which despite political outcry, undertook border fencing along parts of the U.S.–Mexico border, leading to a dramatic reduction in unauthorised crossings.

    Fencing signals state presence, authority, and intent, particularly in remote or disputed territories where governance is either weak or non-existent. It curbs smuggling and prevents economic leakages, where billions are lost annually through illicit trade, and facilitates structured migration management and related benefits.

     Given these critical imperatives, the federal government should urgently constitute a Presidential Task Force on Strategic Border Fencing with full presidential mandate and authority to undertake a national border security risk survey, identifying and prioritising vulnerable corridors prone to transnational crimes, design a phased national border fencing masterplan—a scalable fencing blueprint informed by threat indices and regional strategic importance, recommend the most effective and efficient fencing models (physical and technology-driven), and propose funding mechanisms, including budgetary allocations, public-private partnerships, international security grants, multilateral development assistance, and other innovative sources.

    Read Also: Cardtonic Launches Upskill 3.0 to Give Out Free MacBooks to 20 Young Nigerians 

    The task force must enforce transparent financial governance and implement strict expenditure tracking to ensure value for money and zero tolerance for corruption.

    Border fencing is not merely a physical barrier but a strategic redefinition of Nigeria’s security architecture. It represents an integrated national security framework designed to defend our territorial integrity, promote economic stability, and secure long-term development.

    Therefore, I make a passionate appeal to Mr President—renowned for his bold vision, legacy-driven leadership, and strategic foresight—to elevate border fencing to a presidential priority. It must not be approached as an optional policy direction but as a legacy-defining national project, vital to the structural recalibration of Nigeria’s security.

    •Prof. Sunday Ayodele Enikanselu, Baruwa, Lagos.

  • Youth and inordinate pursuit of wealth

    Youth and inordinate pursuit of wealth

    Sir: In today’s fast-paced society, the pursuit of wealth has become more intense than ever. Young people are under growing pressure to succeed quickly and visibly. Social media has made it worse, constantly showing luxury lifestyles, expensive cars, designer clothes, and dream vacations. Everywhere you look, there is someone showing off something new, and this has created a culture where being rich is seen as the only proof of success. With this kind of pressure, it is not surprising that many are tempted to look for shortcuts to riches.

    Some youth turn to legal avenues such as starting businesses, learning digital skills, or investing in trades. These are commendable paths that require time, discipline, and consistency. However, others begin to lean toward illegal or dishonest means. Internet fraud, online scams, money rituals, and other shady activities have unfortunately become attractive options for those who want to make it overnight. These choices are dangerous and often come with serious consequences that people do not fully think through until it is too late.

    The reality is that there is always a price to pay for fast money, especially when it comes through illegal means. Aside from the risk of arrest, prosecution, and jail time, there is also the emotional burden and shame that follow. Getting caught in criminal activity can destroy the future. It closes doors to real opportunities, stains the reputation, and breaks the trust of family and community.

    It is important to understand that real wealth takes time to build. There is nothing wrong with starting small. Many successful people started with little, but they stayed consistent. Whether learning a skill, starting a side hustle, or working one’s way through school or a job, what matters is growth. Progress may be slow, but it is real, and over time, it adds up. That kind of wealth gives confidence and freedom because it was earned the right way.

    Read Also: Cardtonic Launches Upskill 3.0 to Give Out Free MacBooks to 20 Young Nigerians 

    Young people need to hear this often. There is no shame in taking one’s time. Not everyone will blow in their twenties, and that is okay. Social media has created false timelines that make people feel like failures if they have not made it early. But life is not a race. The future should not be built on lies or shortcuts. Let it be built on purpose and effort.

    Money comes and goes, but values, peace of mind, and name should remain intact. Do not trade your future for temporary pleasure. Stay focused, stay clean, and remember that true success is not just about how much you have but how you earned it.

    •Muhammad Umar Shehu,Gombe.

  • Nigeria’s youth in a fragile economy

    Nigeria’s youth in a fragile economy

    • By Muhammad Umar Shehu

    Sir: Nigeria’s youth are growing up in a country weighed down by economic instability, rising inflation, political uncertainty, and widespread insecurity. Yet despite these harsh realities, they continue to push back, refusing to be buried under the weight of a system that has repeatedly failed them.

    With over 70% of the population under the age of 30, the Nigerian youth are not just a demographic fact. They are a force. But this force operates in a country where job opportunities are scarce, education is underfunded, and the cost of living keeps rising. Many graduates roam the streets for years without employment. Even those with jobs often earn salaries that barely cover transportation and food, let alone rent or savings.

    In response to these struggles, many young people are turning to alternative paths. The digital economy has become a lifeline, and platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and X are being used for work, advocacy, education, and influence. Self-taught developers, content creators, and freelancers are building new careers from scratch, often with little to no support from the government or traditional institutions.

    At the same time, there’s a growing political awareness. Across social media, campuses, and community spaces, young Nigerians are organizing, speaking out, and demanding better governance. They are increasingly asking tough questions, mobilizing around issues that affect their daily lives, and refusing to be silenced by fear or frustration.

    Read Also: We’ll reshape economic diplomacy to build a progressive West Africa – Tinubu

    Still, the journey is tough. Youth-led initiatives often face resistance, intimidation, and a lack of institutional support. Many of the country’s leaders remain disconnected from the realities of young people. But that hasn’t stopped this generation from getting involved in politics, leading social change, and creating their own opportunities to make an impact.

    From small business owners in rural areas to young creatives and tech enthusiasts in urban centres, Nigerian youth are showing resilience, courage, and a strong desire to reshape their country. They are not waiting for handouts or hoping for miracles. They are building, learning, and leading with what little they have.

    The economy may be fragile and the leadership uncertain, but the determination of Nigeria’s youth remains strong. And in that, there is still hope for the kind of change that can move the country forward.

    •Muhammad Umar Shehu,

    Gombe.

  • Iran’s nuclear sites: What the U.S. broke

    Iran’s nuclear sites: What the U.S. broke

    • By Lekan Olayiwola

    Sir: On June 21,  the United States launched coordinated airstrikes on three of Iran’s most sensitive nuclear facilities—Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan—marking a dramatic escalation in a conflict that had already been simmering between Israel and Iran for over a week. President Trump declared the operation a “spectacular military success,” while Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu hailed it as a “bold decision that will change history.”

    But history may not be so easily rewritten.

    Beyond the immediate tactical impact, the strikes have triggered a cascade of strategic consequences that threaten to unravel decades of nuclear diplomacy, destabilize the region, and fracture the already fragile architecture of global non-proliferation. The Iranian foreign minister echoed this when he said “the United States betrayed diplomacy.”

    For years, the U.S. maintained a posture of calibrated deterrence toward Iran’s nuclear program, pressuring through sanctions, cyber operations, and diplomatic isolation, but stopping short of direct military engagement. That posture is now over. By targeting declared nuclear sites under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) monitoring, the U.S. has crossed a threshold that Iran’s leadership has long warned would be interpreted as an act of war.

    Tehran has responded with threats of “everlasting consequences” and has already launched retaliatory missile strikes toward Israel. But the deeper shift is doctrinal: Iran’s calculus on nuclear deterrence may now tilt toward acceleration, not restraint.

    Meanwhile, in the shadow of these strikes, Iranian civilians in Isfahan and Natanz, many of whom live within kilometres of the targeted facilities, have taken to social media to express fear, confusion, and grief. Hospitals in nearby towns reported surges in trauma-related admissions, not from physical injury, but from psychological shock. These are not collateral voices. They are the human barometers of escalation.

    The 2025 strikes may be remembered not for what they destroyed, but for what they dismantled: the credibility of the global non-proliferation regime. The IAEA confirmed that the targeted sites were under inspection and had shown no signs of diversion toward weaponisation. By attacking them anyway, the U.S. has sent a chilling message to other states with the effect that compliance with international norms offers no protection from force.

    This precedent could embolden nuclear aspirants and weaken the moral authority of the West in future negotiations—from North Korea to Saudi Arabia. The Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), already strained, now faces a legitimacy crisis.

    Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi called the strikes “a betrayal of diplomacy.” But what remains unspoken is the betrayal felt by Iranian scientists who had worked under IAEA protocols, only to see their facilities bombed. One technician, writing anonymously on Telegram, said: “We followed the rules. They bombed us anyway.” That sentence may echo longer than any missile.

    Read Also: ADA won’t stop Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 — APC Chieftain Okechukwu

    Prior to the strikes, there were backchannel efforts reportedly involving Oman and Switzerland to broker a regional de-escalation framework. Those efforts are now in tatters. Iran’s foreign ministry has declared diplomacy “betrayed,” and the likelihood of any near-term return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) an Iran nuclear deal reached in July 2015 with a group of world powers known as the P5+1 (U.S., U.K., France, Russia, China, and Germany along with the European Union) is now vanishingly small.

    Moreover, the strikes have complicated U.S. relations with European allies, many of whom were not consulted and now face the prospect of refugee flows, energy shocks, and retaliatory cyberattacks. The EU’s foreign ministers are scrambling to convene an emergency session, but the damage to transatlantic unity may already be done.

    What’s missing from this diplomatic collapse is any symbolic gesture of repair. No U.S. official has acknowledged the IAEA’s prior clearance of the sites. No apology has been offered to the international inspectors whose work was rendered moot. In terms narrative equilibrium, this is a rupture not just of policy but of relational trust.

    The Middle East is now on a knife’s edge. Iraq, caught between its U.S. security ties and Iranian religious-political affinities, has condemned the strikes and warned of militia reprisals. The Houthis in Yemen have declared solidarity with Tehran. Hezbollah has hinted at “regional coordination.” And Iran’s missile arsenal remains intact.

    In short, the U.S. may have won a tactical round but at the cost of igniting a multi-front escalation that could engulf the region. The U.S. may have obliterated three nuclear sites. But unless it rebuilds the scaffolding of global trust, it may have also detonated the last fragile hopes for a negotiated peace.

    •Lekan Olayiwola,

     lekanolayiwola@gmail.com

  • On Oyo Government House renovation plan

    On Oyo Government House renovation plan

    • By Adisa Atolagbe

    Sir: Governor Seyi Makinde’s proposed N63.4 billion renovation of the Oyo State Government House has ignited a wave of public backlash and provoked intense scrutiny of governance priorities. Coming into government in 2019 and projecting itself as a progressive administration committed to people-centered policies, Makinde’s administration, already faced with land grabbing allegations, now confronts accusations of misplaced priorities and governance detachment.

    Oyo State, with its rich cultural legacy and strategic geographical position, remains stifled by systemic underdevelopment. A significant portion of its rural and peri-urban populations live without access to quality education, potable water, functional healthcare, or reliable infrastructure. The road networks in agrarian zones like Ibarapa and Oke Ogun and Ibadan, less city local government areas are dilapidated, cutting off farmers from markets and stifling economic activities. Primary healthcare centers are often under-resourced, and public schools remain decrepit, overcrowded and underfunded.

    Despite these deficits, the state possesses considerable economic potential. A logical policy approach would allocate state resources toward scalable, grassroots initiatives to increase food production, stimulate agro-allied industry to reduce rural employment, including providing basic amenities. Instead, the N63.4 billion allocated for executive luxury risks widening existing disparities.

    Read Also: We’ll reshape economic diplomacy to build a progressive West Africa – Tinubu

    The scale of the proposed renovation—not merely its cost—is emblematic of administrative tone-deafness. Oyo State’s poverty incidence surpasses 40%, and basic public services are in disrepair. The allocation of N63.4 billion to a largely symbolic structure is indefensible under such conditions. It is estimated that this amount could fund 640 well-equipped primary health centers or provide vocational training and grants to tens of thousands of youths and women.

    Comparatively, the figure overshadows several years’ worth of education and healthcare budgets, underscoring the disproportionality of the proposed spending. There has been no public disclosure of structural deficiencies that justify this scale of renovation. If renovation of government house will cost N63.4 billion, how much will constructing a new one cost? Thus, the project not only appears extravagant and wasteful but fundamentally disconnected from the lived realities of the state’s population.

    Good governance is characterized by transparency, responsiveness, and the ethical deployment of public resources. A central ethical concern in this case is the prioritization of luxury for a political elite over public welfare. There is no public evidence of stakeholder consultations, feasibility studies, or community needs assessments to support the project.

    Furthermore, the decision raises critical ethical questions about empathy and accountability in public leadership. A government house is primarily a symbol of executive power—not a developmental necessity. In a democracy, optics matter. Renovating an already functional Government House amid widespread poverty sends a message of elite insularity and administrative hubris.

    This controversy may mark a turning point in Makinde’s political legacy. Unless reversed, the renovation could define his administration as a government that loves to indulge in fiscal indulgence.

    The proposed N63.4 billion Government House renovation stands as a cautionary tale of how political symbolism can eclipse developmental urgency. It exposes the chasm between executive choices and the existential struggles of citizens. Governor Makinde’s reputation is at risk of forever being eclipsed by this decision and some recent ones that, by many metrics, symbolizes elite detachment and administrative myopia.

    True governance legacy lies not in architectural grandeur but in measurable improvements in human capital, welfare, and opportunity. A redirection of the N63.4 billion toward education, healthcare, agriculture, and infrastructure would produce ripple effects of development and restore public confidence in governance.

    The administration should halt the renovation project or at the very least scale it down considerably and prioritize the welfare of the people rather than cosmetic projects that have no public value. Citizens should have a say in how their resources are allocated. By listening to the people, the government can rediscover its moral compass—and perhaps, its mandate.

    •Adisa Atolagbe,

     Ibadan, Oyo State.

  • On invitation of AES to West African Economic Summit

    On invitation of AES to West African Economic Summit

    • By Bishir Dauda Sabuwar

    Sir: Why should the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) countries of Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger be invited to participate in the maiden edition of West African Economic Summit to be hosted by Nigeria?

    This is the question on the lips of discerning public affairs commentators. Is it another form of “diplomacy” or what?

    More surprising is that Nigeria and the regional body, ECOWAS have stopped putting any pressure on the juntas ruling those countries, in spite of the deterioration of human rights, including illegal detention of journalists and activists, closing of the civic space and rising insecurity not only in AES countries but in the West African region as a whole.

    What is obvious now is that Nigeria and ECOWAS have abandoned any efforts to safeguard democracy in West Africa. Instead, they seem to be fascinated, to the point of even surrendering to the ruling juntas of AES countries.

    On the other hand, the AES countries have repeatedly made it abundantly clear that they are not interested in anything that has to do with ECOWAS. Niger Republic for instance has taken many measures aimed at undermining Nigeria’s security and socio-economic interests. Niger Republic has banned export of beans to Nigeria. Also, just when eid el Kabir was approaching, the ruling junta in Niger also banned the export of livestock to Nigeria.

    To spread further mischief, of recent, the head of the ruling junta in Niger Republic, AbdulRahman Tchiani hosted a press conference in which he accused Nigeria of terrorism financing to destabilize his country. These attacks occurred not long time ago, when Nigeria’s minister of foreign affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar led a high-level delegation to Niger.

    Read Also: Ibas defends N1.85trn Rivers 2025 budget in closed session

    It is baffling that Nigeria, the largest democracy in Africa, is seen to be desperate to appease those despotic regimes.

    Here is a country that restored democracy and constitutional order in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Gambia, etc., now seen to be embracing illegitimate military rulers.

    No doubt, ECOWAS’s partners will be right to see naked hypocrisy here. After all, many had anticipated that Nigeria and ECOWAS will continue to put pressure on the AES juntas to return their countries to civil rule, release political prisoners like Muhammad Bazoum, activists and detained journalists, not inviting and begging them to attend economic summit.

    One begins to wonder whether Nigeria and ECOWAS truly appreciate the consequences of tolerating coup d’état? With this attitude in the name of diplomacy, they are putting every democratically elected head of state in West Africa at risk.

    •Comrade Bishir Dauda Sabuwar,

     Unguwa Katsina.

  • Beyond forex: A blueprint for sustainable youth employment

    Beyond forex: A blueprint for sustainable youth employment

    • By Seyi Adedokun

    Sir: Recently, Nigeria’s Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande, announced a new program to train youths in forex trading as part of a youth‑empowerment strategy. On the surface, it may seem appealing—a gateway to entrepreneurship or independent income. However, this approach raises significant concerns: for many participants, forex markets are volatile and high‑risk, with the majority of inexperienced traders suffering losses. Furthermore, the initiative offers little in terms of transferable skills—most participants won’t end up building tech, agribusiness, or vocational careers. Given that only a small fraction of graduates hold formal jobs and many remain under‑ or unemployed, reliance on speculative trading offers, at best, a fragile, individualistic solution.

    A more sustainable strategy emerged with the rollout of the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme in October 2023. Coordinated by the Ministry of Communications and NITDA, this initiative aspires to train three million Nigerians in digital and technical skills by 2027. Phase 1 (Dec 2023–Mar 2024) trained 30,000 fellows—participants completed a hybrid learning model combining online modules and applied‑learning sessions focused on areas like AI, software development, cybersecurity, and data analysis  . Phase 2 launched in February 2024, aiming for 270,000 additional trainees in three cohorts. Evidence suggests strong demand: over 1.7 million applicants for Phase 1 alone.

    On-the-ground results are encouraging. In Rivers State alone, more than 5,000 trainees completed their programs by December 2024, with some securing international employment in AI and software development. Accredited learning centres like Steamledge have produced cohorts specializing in QA, cybersecurity, DevOps, and ML—a testament to the breadth and depth of training. Yet, the program isn’t without issues: dropout rates in regions like Katsina have been high—with only about 400 of 1,400 enrolled completing the course—largely due to low digital literacy and misconceptions among participants. Funding and logistics have also been cited as concerns. Despite setbacks, the programme reaches all 774 local governments and works with 120+ training providers.

    Read Also: Kaduna has no reason to vote against Tinubu in 2027 – Speaker Abbas

    While tech holds promise, agribusiness remains a powerful and inclusive employer—especially in rural Nigeria. The Ondo State Wealth Creation Agency (WECA) has pioneered Agro Business Cities since 2009, creating incubators and training centres across areas such as Ore, Epe, and Auga. By 2014, WECA had engaged over 100,000 youths in aquaculture, livestock, arable farming, beekeeping, silk production, and palm plantations. Participants receive stipends and full support—land, accommodation, inputs—and learn across the agricultural value chain, eventually retaining profits from their products under the Profarmers & Agropreneurs Scheme. The African Development Bank praised WECA’s efforts in 2016, noting their success in promoting agribusiness entrepreneurship.

    Similarly, EdoJobs, founded in 2016, took aim at Edo State’s 35 % unemployment rate. Working under public–private partnerships and international linkages—with AWS, First Bank, Interswitch, and GIZ among its collaborators—EdoJobs built innovation and agribusiness hubs, soap-making workshops, SME clusters, and career‑kick-start schemes. By 2020, Edo had achieved the lowest unemployment rate in the South‑South region, dropping to 19 %. Such integrated, skills‑plus‑placement models underscore the power of regional tailoring.

    Forex training may offer a quick-fix for some, but Nigeria needs broad-based programs that empower millions.

    Nigeria’s youth face a challenging labour landscape characterized by episodic unemployment and underemployment among graduates. Minister Olawande’s forex‑training plan, while well-intentioned, falls short of addressing systemic issues in employment creation. Instead, a proven combination of digital upskilling, agripreneurship, and public–private collaboration can form a powerful foundation. To be effective, these strategies must be fully funded, regionally tailored, and complemented by formal employment pathways. This kind of national, structural investment—not speculative training—can deliver lasting, widespread opportunities for Nigeria’s next generation.

    •Seyi Adedokun,

    <adedokunseyi6@gmail.com>