The Nation Newspaper

Category: Letters

2027: Thoughts on opposition machinations

By Tunde Rahman

Opposition politicians have revved up their engine again ahead of the 2027 election. They are busy meeting, engaging in visitations, regrouping, and strategising under various platforms.

And recently at a two-day event in Abuja themed “Strengthening Nigeria’s Democracy: Pathway to Good Governance and Political Integrity,” some of these opposition figures huffed and puffed, upbraiding the present government and disparaging President Bola Tinubu and the governing All Progressives Congress.

Some of them, like the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have taken advantage of various public speaking opportunities to condemn the government’s policy options and decisions but offered little or no alternative course of action.

This is dismaying. During the Second Republic when the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria leader, the late sage Chief Obafemi Awolowo, was the Leader of Opposition, he would dissect the policies of the National Party of Nigeria government of President Shehu Shagari, cut it down into granular details and offer clear, convincing and actionable alternatives.

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Awolowo’s interventions provided useful solutions that would have bolstered Nigeria’s economy and enriched our democracy, but unfortunately, that era lasted only four years and three months as the military struck.

President Tinubu has barely spent two years in office. Yet, political opponents have upped the ante in a desperate move to grab power in 2027. The latest move in this direction was the visit last week of the defeated Peoples Democratic Party candidate in the 2023 presidential election, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, to former President Olusegun Obasanjo at his Abeokuta, Ogun State hilltop residence.

Atiku was in company with former Sokoto State governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, former Cross River State governor Liyel Imoke and Senator Abdul Ningi from Bauchi State, all of the crisis-ridden PDP. The former vice president claimed the meeting had nothing to do with 2027. Anyone who believes him on that will believe anything. There was also New Nigeria People’s Party leader, Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwanso, who travelled all the way to Lagos from Kano to confer with former Osun State governor Rauf Aregbesola to discuss issues believed to be in connection with 2027. Ogbeni Aregbesola is leading the Omoluabi Group in Osun.

Three sets of opposition groups are discernible at the moment. One group comprises President Tinubu’s opponents in the 2023 election who have refused to see, and perhaps may never see, anything good in the present government, hard as the administration works to reverse the past mistakes and dwindling fortunes of the country.

These men contested the last election with the President and were roundly defeated both at the ballot and in court. However, they have continued to carry on as if the 2023 election cycle has not ended. In this group are former VP Atiku and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi. Their depleting rank of supporters, called the Atikulated and Obidents, are in league with them in this cantankerous behaviour.

The second group is made up of some erstwhile APC chieftains who claim to still belong in the party but have constituted themselves into opposition elements within. Bitter and vicious, they include former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi and some others who rightly or wrongly feel entitled to political appointmens and government patronage. Amaechi had detached himself from the APC since he lost out at the APC primaries in August 2022.

The last group is composed of former APC leaders who are completely out of the party but now vigorously working against the party’s interests. Ogbeni Aregbesola belongs in this group.

These three groups of opposition figures are working to take over power in 2027. They are aiming at forming a coalition to unseat APC. None has been consummated as of this time.

It is relevant to ask: why are opposition parties in our climes unduly fixated about taking over power? It may be argued that the zero-sum nature of our politics, the winner-takes-all syndrome, is a contributory factor. But then, the role of opposition parties in a democracy is much more crucial. It is critical in determining the level of accountability and acceptability of governing parties as well as the overall quality of a country’s democracy.

In his seminal work on the “Role of Opposition Parties in Developing Democracies” published in a journal by Democracy Works Foundation, Williams Gumede posits that,

“Opposition parties provide alternative visions, policies, and leaders to the governing party. They scrutinise government decisions, policies, and actions – and play oversight over the executive and the public administration. They defend the voters’ interests – not only their constituencies, but all the country’s voters.”

Indeed, opposition parties’ capacity to show the electorate they are credible alternatives is crucial to the credibility of the democratic system. The strength of the opposition in a democracy plays a key role in the quality of that democracy and, by extension, the effectiveness of the state.

Gumede adds that, “a democratic system is significantly undermined if the opposition does not offer any credible alternatives to the governing party, is invisible in the public debate or does not have a public profile beyond during elections.”

Although many will reckon that 2027 is still a long time and according to a Yoruba adage, the sun out there can still dry the clothes, nonetheless, it is doubtful if the opposition as currently constituted in Nigeria is capable of ousting the APC in 2027.

This is why I surmise this way: the major opposition parties, the PDP, Labour Party, and of course NNPP are neck deep in crisis. They parade fragile leadership with seemingly unending court litigations.

Generally, the opposition seems too uncoordinated and lacks focus. Any alliance by such groups can only be fickle and fissiparous. These opposition politicians are being driven by personal ambition, and not the interest of the country.

Also, the matter of power rotation between the North and South over two terms is also an important factor that may work against the opposition. This factor and the machinations over 2027 may have prompted the Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George George Akume and APC National Chairman Abdullahi Ganduje to ask the North to wait till 2031 for another shot at power, arguing that President Muhammadu Buhari from the North had done eight years in office and that the South should be allowed to complete its eight years as well.

APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru spoke on this seeming emptiness of the disgruntled opposition groups. In an interview with the Nigerian Tribune published on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, he doubted if the opposition parties had what it takes to successfully cobble a merger or form a united front against the APC.

He declared: “The question is, for the economic policies of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, what are the alternatives that the opposition has brought out, beyond just planning for the 2027 election. If 2027 comes, what do they want to campaign with, and what alternatives are you giving the people. They don’t have any alternative. The so-called opposition groups are just power-mongers. The only job they have is that they want to access government power for personal aggrandizement without any program or policies for the Nigerian people. I’m not a soothsayer, but they will not be able to merge because all the leading opposition figures are driven by personal ambitions.”

Do I agree with the APC National Secretary? I think so.

– Rahman is Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Media, Publicity and Special Duties.

February 15, 2025
Who is Zacch Adedeji, the FIRS boss?

By Arabinrin Aderonke

I have worked in media, development, and journalism fields for almost two decades, and I can attest that genuine leadership is uncommon, particularly in a country like ours, Nigeria.

Titles and personal accomplishments are not important; what matters is the capacity to put in effort, motivate, and uplift others. A perfect example of this is Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

In terms of leadership, this man is a force to be reckoned with; his influence is felt not just by his words but also by his actions. He has distinguished himself in Nigeria’s tax sector in many ways.

The famous Dr. Martin Luther King once said, “The time is always right to do what is right.”

This quote captures the Tax Boss’s approach. He has taken responsibility for the whole tax system, not just his role.

Dr. Zacch has been spearheading some of the most innovative tax reforms in Nigeria’s history. These reforms were not just about improving tax collection; they were about ensuring a fair and transparent process for every Nigerian.

Dr. Zacch is not only concerned with his success but also invests in the growth of his team. Many people express gratitude for his role as a mentor. The workforce he leads doesn’t just work for him; they grow because of him.

The Tax Boss’s work ethic is something to emulate. If there’s one thing you can say about him, it’s that he is practical. He understands the weight of responsibility on his shoulders and approaches it with discipline.

FIRS has met and exceeded expectations, improving revenue generation in ways that many thought impossible. He has restored Nigeria’s faith in tax administration.

He listens, engages, and makes sure everyone understands their position at FIRS. This has enabled him to easily implement necessary changes in the agency.

There is no confusion or chaos. Everything runs like clockwork because the Tax Boss is constantly thinking ahead, anticipating needs, and addressing problems before they become issues.

Whether engaging with world-class economists or everyday Nigerians, he speaks with a clarity that makes complex issues understandable and solutions attainable.

It’s no surprise that he is widely respected and admired. Even Aliko Dangote, Africa’s richest man, once described him as a “smart guy.”

The Tax Boss is more than simply a leader; he is a mentor, a visionary, and someone who is transforming the way leadership is seen. He leads with heart, dedication, and, most importantly, a concern for others, which is becoming all too rare these days.

If you see a man who is ready to work, you will know. Dr Zacch’s actions speak louder than words. Congratulations to us all for having a leader who is all about making real change happen!

Arabinrin Aderonke Atoyebi is the Technical Assistant, Broadcast Media, to the Executive Chairman, Federal Inland Revenue Service

February 15, 2025
Foreign aid: Trump’s return and Nigeria’s future
- By Kunbi Adesokan
Sir: Donald Trump’s return to the White House has sent shockwaves across the global aid community, raising urgent concerns about the United States’ foreign assistance to Africa. With his administration already pushing aggressive “America First” policies, African nations, like Nigeria, face an uncertain future. If history repeats itself, Trump’s renewed cuts on international funding could unravel decades of progress in healthcare, security, education and economic development.

The US has long been Africa’s most significant development partner. In 2021 alone, US aid to the continent reached $8bn, supporting critical programmes through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the President’s Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (PEPFAR), and the Millennium Challenge Corporation.

These funds have strengthened healthcare systems, fuelled economic empowerment and provided relief during humanitarian crises. Trump’s return mean a drastic rollback of these commitments. His reinstatement of the controversial “Mexico City Policy” (Global Gag Rule) has already restricted funding for reproductive health programmes, directly impacting maternal and child healthcare across Africa. Moreover, potential cuts to disease control programmes threaten to reverse progress in the fight against malaria, tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS.

Nigeria on the brink of aid shortfall   Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy, has relied on foreign aid to supplement critical sectors.

In 2022, the country received nearly $800m in US assistance, with the bulk directed towards health, education and humanitarian relief. The Presidential Emergency Plan for Aids Relief alone provided over $7bn since 2003, saving millions of lives.

Nigeria has implemented many home-grown social security programmes, but their scale remains limited. Initiatives like the National Social Investment Programme and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme aim to reduce poverty and boost entrepreneurship. However, inconsistent funding and mismanagement hindered their full potential.

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The private sector and philanthropists have supported development efforts, but their contributions remain fragmented. Unlike in countries where businesses play a strong role in national development, Nigerian corporate giving is largely unstructured, with Corporate Social Responsibility efforts lacking sustainability and scale.

With foreign aid in jeopardy, Nigeria must act swiftly to create sustainable, home-grown solutions.

This means empowering local NGOs; indigenous organisations with deep community ties must receive greater financial support to drive long-term impact. Nigerian businesses should scale up CSR initiatives to support healthcare, education and economic empowerment. Government and businesses must collaborate to fund large-scale development programmes.

The withdrawal of US aid presents both a crisis and a clarion call. While it threatens progress in crucial sectors, it also offers Nigeria a chance to redefine its development strategy. By prioritising local funding mechanisms, fostering stronger partnerships and strengthening community-driven initiatives, Nigeria can reduce its dependence on foreign aid and build a more resilient future.

The time to act is now!

•Kunbi Adesokan

Friends of the Environment, Lagos.
February 14, 2025
Out-of-school children: Yobe must wake up
- By Kasim Isa Muhammad
Sir: The rising number of out-of-school children in Yobe State is a ticking time bomb that demands urgent government intervention. Despite various education policies and interventions, the streets of Yobe remain flooded with children who are supposed to be in school. These children, often left to fend for themselves, become vulnerable to social vices, child labour, and other dangers that could hinder the state’s progress.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), over 427,230 children in Yobe State are out of school, representing 43 percent of the child population. This alarming figure raises serious concerns about the effectiveness of the state’s educational policies. If the government does not act swiftly, the future of these children—and by extension, the future of the state—will remain uncertain.

One key question is whether the Yobe State government is truly aware of the gravity of this crisis. In his 2019 inauguration speech, Governor Mai Mala Buni declared a state of emergency in the education sector, a move that was widely welcomed. However, five years down the line, the out-of-school crisis remains unresolved. Was the declaration merely a political statement, or was it meant to tackle the root causes of the problem?

One of the major contributors to this challenge is poverty. Many parents in Yobe State struggle to make ends meet and cannot afford to send their children to school. In some cases, even when education is free, families still find it difficult to provide basic school supplies, uniforms, and transportation for their children. This economic hardship forces many children to engage in street hawking and begging instead of sitting in classrooms.

Cultural and religious beliefs also play a role in the rising number of out-of-school children. In some communities, parents prioritise Islamic education over Western education, leading to a large number of Almajiri children roaming the streets. While Islamic education is important, there is a need for a balanced approach that ensures these children receive both religious and formal education.

The dilapidated state of many public schools in Yobe further worsens the situation. Reports have emerged that some boarding schools in the state are struggling with a lack of food, forcing students to leave school to find meals at home. If students in school are not properly fed, how can those still on the streets be encouraged to enrol?

Beyond infrastructure, there is also a serious shortage of qualified teachers in the state. For instance, in Nangere Local Government Area, schools such as Biriri, Dugum, and Amayi Primary Schools each have only one teacher controlling the entire school. How can one teacher effectively educate and manage an entire school? The situation is not only discouraging for pupils but also undermines any efforts to improve education quality in the state.

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The issue of teacher welfare has further compounded the crisis. Recently, primary school teachers in the state protested over the government’s failure to implement the new minimum wage of N70,000. Many teachers have long endured poor salaries and delayed payments, making the teaching profession unattractive. The government must prioritise teachers’ welfare by ensuring timely salary payments, incentives, and better working conditions to retain and motivate educators.

The lingering effects of insurgency in the northeast have left many communities devastated, with schools destroyed and teachers displaced. While some progress has been made in restoring peace, there is still much work to be done in rebuilding schools and regaining public confidence in the safety of education.

The importance of community involvement in addressing this crisis cannot be overlooked. Parents, traditional rulers, and religious leaders must work together to sensitise communities on the value of education. Many parents who resist sending their children to school do so due to misconceptions about Western education. A well-coordinated awareness campaign could help change this mind-set.

The government must also strengthen its school feeding programme. Studies have shown that providing free meals in schools significantly increases enrolment and retention rates. If children are assured of at least one meal a day in school, more parents will be encouraged to enrol them. Proper monitoring and transparency in the distribution of school feeding resources are necessary to ensure the programme achieves its desired results.

Furthermore, policies that promote compulsory and free basic education must be strictly enforced. It is not enough to declare education free on paper; the government must ensure that all hidden costs are eliminated, and defaulters—whether parents or school administrators—are held accountable. A legal framework should be put in place to mandate school enrolment for all children within the school-age bracket.

The Yobe State government must take decisive action before the situation worsens. The future of the state depends on the education of its children. If nothing is done now, Yobe risks raising a generation of uneducated youths who may become a burden rather than a productive force in society.

•Kasim Isa Muhammad,

Potiskum, Yobe State.
February 14, 2025
Ajaero and remote governors
- By Ike Willie-Nwobu
Sir: For all its appetite to bicker over wages and welfare of Nigerian workers, the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) certainly had a point to make when it highlighted and tackled one issue that has been a source of great embarrassment and consternation to Nigerians.

According to NLC chairman Comrade Joe Ajaero, most governors in Nigeria’s 36 states now live permanently in Abuja, which is affecting governance in their states with the people they are supposed to govern plunging into more hardship by the day.

Ajaero stated this during a town hall meeting in Lokoja, the Kogi State aapital, during a visit to commission 10 Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) buses given to the state chapter of NLC to ease hardship. Accoding to Ajaero, the NLC had visited about five zones, and in all the zones, it was only in one state that they met the governor as the others were always away to Abuja.

Nigeria was always set up to be a federation, or at least a shadow of it. The modern evolution of the Nigerian federation comprises 36 states orbiting Abuja, the country’s seat of power. In 1991,the Ibrahim Babangida military supervised the relocation of Nigeria’s capital from Lagos to Abuja, where it has been ever since.

Since that momentous decision by the military junta led by Babangida who spent eight searing years in power during which he oversaw the annulment of the 1993 elections, Abuja has moved from a sleepy town of vast, empty land to a glamorous city of highrise buildings and luxury. The irresistible pull of government business also draws men and matters alike to the country’s capital like a magnet.

Looks can be deceptive though, and the rest of the country largely looks nothing like its glamorous capital. With power largely centralized and concentrated in Abuja, there is added emphasis on the provision of basic amenities and security in the capital. It was always going to be the case with the calibre of individuals that are drawn daily to the country’s capital like moths to light.

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As Abuja has grown in leaps and bounds to match its status as the Federal Capital Territory, many states rather than grow have shrunk into themselves. While some states have been luckier to have serious and fair-minded people as governors, many states have simply had a torrid time under governors who were too preoccupied with serving themselves and feathering their nests to deliver good governance.

Over time, this has come to mean that many states have not fulfilled their potentials. While this has happened, the men responsible prefer to live in the glitz and glamour of Abuja, far away from the people who voted them into office.

The question then is: how can any state governor effectively carry on the business of delivering good governance when they cannot even bear to live in their states? How can they appreciate first-hand what their people are going through when they don’t spend enough time in their state?

It is downright disgraceful that any state would prefer to live in Abuja rather than the state they govern. It is beyond embarrassing.

•Ike Willie-Nwobu,

Ikewilly9@gmail.com
February 14, 2025
Out of touch Reps’ and clamour for new states

Sir: The recent recommendation of the House of Representatives Constitutional Review Committee for the creation of 31 new states confirms the age-long fear of Nigerians that the country may not move at the desire pace with the crop of lawmakers presently holding sway at the lower chamber.

Before the committee made recommendation of the 31 new states, did they bother to ask themselves the pertinent questions?

How many of the new states being recommended have capacity of self-sustenance? Are the committee members equally aware of the fact that some of the existing states can’t really survive without bail-outs from the federal government?

Have they also asked themselves whether the country’s resources can accommodate the existing states not to talk of the new states they’ve proposed? Are the lawmakers aware of humongous resources that those 31 states will require to take off, particularly the new capitals to bring them to the pedestal befitting of a state?

The committee’s recommendation of three additional states from present Kogi, three from existing Benue, two from present Kano state, two from existing Kaduna and two from present Oyo is an eloquently testimony that they’re oblivious of the essence of state creation.

It’s apparent that the members of lower chamber, in recommending the unwieldy 31 new states, are not on the same page with the president, who has been unwavering and uncompromising in his determination in ensuring that the plethora of on-going reforms accomplish their purposes.

Even the prosperous, wealthy and prodigiously blessed America, the bastion of democracy has 50 states. And, there exists no plan both now and in the nearest future to create additional states; how much more Nigeria, that is gradually coming out of economic challenges and infrastructural decay largely inherited from successive administrations.

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The crux of this piece is that, by their activities and contributions to governance over years, members of lower chamber have not significantly justified why the country has to continue to commit to two legislative chambers at the federal level. They’ve not sufficiently proved that they’re indeed partners-in-progress with the executive, to ensure and drive purposeful, result-oriented and people-centric governance.

It therefore behoves on the federal government to start planning on how to tinker with 1999 Constitution with the aim of putting in place a unicameral legislative structure.

Besides, having a manageable legislative membership, this model is also assured of legislative members that would be imbued with maturity, discerning minds and patriotic zeal to work in concert with the president.

•Kola Amzat (FCA, FCIB)Lagos.

February 13, 2025
A rash of development commissions

Sir: Each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones wanted a development commission, pushed for one, and got the same to leave Nigeria with more commissions with no real commission or cognizance among Nigeria’s poorest and most vulnerable people.

In 2000, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was formed. Whoever told the government that curing the injustice in the Niger Delta region would take a commission clearly exaggerated their counsel because the government of President Olusegun Obasanjo approved the commission, and it was created to serve a region ripped apart by oil exploration.

Despite some feats here and there, the commission has largely been hit-and-miss. What it has however not failed to do is participate in Nigeria’s corruption bazaar. In fact, Nigerians have been treated to some frightening levels of graft at the commission such that it would amount to wildly sweetening the pudding to say that the commission has been a staggering success.

The clear struggles of the flagship regional development commission did not, however, prevent other regions for angling for same. It could not have. After all, many such projects in Nigeria are all about getting logged in to the national treasury and nothing more.

For years, the North, particularly the Northeast and Northwest, have been a cauldron of terrorist attacks and heart-breaking suffering for families, especially women and children. For more than a decade now, the devastation has been utter and complete. Schools, homes, and public buildings have been repeatedly razed across the region, plunging a region that did not have much to begin with, into new levels of despair and destitution. It therefore came as a little surprise that the good people of the region wanted a development commission too.

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Since then, the Southeast, North-central and Southwest have got their development commissions to complete the merry-go-round of development commissions. The last to be approved a few weeks ago was the North-central development commission.

With each of Nigeria’s six geopolitical regions now a proud owner of a development commission, is it simply a case of what is sauce for the goose being sauce for the gander, or do the development commissions have any roles to play in the regions?

More to the point: will the commissions serve the interests of the neediest in the respective regions, or will they be yet more conduits for frittering away public funds? The NDDC experiment lends a disturbing indication that at the end of the day, the development commissions would exist only to service a narrow strip of select interests across Nigeria.

Unfortunately for Nigerians and most disappointingly for Nigeria’s founding fathers, Nigeria’s set up as a federation has never really worked. Stripped of autonomy and confidence by the federal government’s extreme greed for power, the federating units which barely contribute anything at the end of the day prefer to bite and bicker at each other like a bunch of spoilt children. They often insist that whatever goes to one region must go to others and when this does not happen at all or quickly enough, it becomes a point of divisive disagreement.

The South-south region now wants a development commission to rival what other regions have. It conveniently ignores the fact that the Niger Delta Development Commission covers almost all the states in the region.

This proliferation of development commissions doesn’t just appear patronizing but also perfidious.

•Ike Willie-Nwobu,Ikewilly9@gmail.com

February 13, 2025
Youths, activism and reckless speeches

Sir: I’m a Nigerian youth, and like many aggrieved others, deeply frustrated by the failures of our leaders from 1960 till date. I’ve watched my country, blessed with resources and potential, run aground by a system that thrives on corruption, incompetence, and impunity. I’ve seen how those in power manipulate the system to enrich themselves while the masses struggle with unemployment, insecurity, and a regular failing economy.

Yet, despite my bitterness toward bad governance, I’ve also learned that leadership is not just about complaining or shouting from the rooftops. It’s about responsibility, strategy, and discipline. Criticizing the government is not a crime, but there is a way to do it effectively. Unfortunately, many young Nigerians have confused activism with reckless behaviour, believing that hurling insults at leaders is the same as demanding accountability.

The question is no longer whether Nigerian youths deserve a chance to lead. The real question is: Are we ready?

Imagine wasting months of your life in prison, not for fighting against oppression or advocating for change, but because you called someone a derogatory name on social media. Many of these young people seem unaware of the power of communication. They fail to realize that activism is not about who can insult the most but about who can articulate their demands in a way that commands respect and forces change.

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The recent controversy surrounding TikToker Olumide ‘Sea King’ Ogunsanwo is a perfect example of this issue. Sea King was arrested and rearrested over allegations of cyberbullying against Pastor Enoch Adeboye and for previous videos where he allegedly insulted President Bola Tinubu and Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

While one could argue about free speech and the excesses of the government in clamping down on dissent, it’s also important to examine the approach many young people take when engaging in national issues. Sea King’s case is not about political activism; it’s about a young man who believed that insulting public figures on social media was a legitimate way to engage in governance discourse.

Today, many so-called influencers, “activists” and social commentators have made a career out of peddling false narratives and stirring unnecessary controversies. Instead of educating the youth on governance, policy, and leadership, they encourage them to see everything through the lens of tribalism, sensationalism, and personal attacks.

History offers a stark contrast between past and present generations of young leaders. Many of Nigeria’s founding fathers assumed leadership in their youth, but they did so with discipline, intelligence, and a clear vision for the nation.

Yakubu Gowon became Nigeria’s Head of State at 31 during a time of crisis, handling a civil war with diplomacy and military strategy. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Obafemi Awolowo were already shaping Nigeria’s political landscape in their late 20s and early 30s through intellectual discourse and political organization. Anthony Enahoro moved a motion for Nigeria’s independence at just 30 years old, not by making derogatory statements but by engaging in national discourse with wisdom and purpose.

These leaders were not perfect, but they understood that leadership required more than just outrage; it required strategy, tact, and responsibility. If today’s youth truly want to take over Nigeria, they must adopt the same approach.

No serious country hands over power to people who have not proven their capacity to handle it. The older generation did not just wake up and assume leadership; they fought for it through education, political engagement, and well-thought-out strategies. In contrast, many young Nigerians today think leadership is about X rants, TikTok insults, and reactionary activism.

One of the biggest problems with Nigerian youths is that even those we consider potential leaders are falling daily, compromising their values once they get a taste of power. We have seen young activists who built their reputations on criticizing the government suddenly switch sides when given appointments.

If we cannot even trust our own generation to remain steadfast, how can we trust them with leadership? This is why it is important to question the motives behind people’s criticism. Are they truly fighting for change, or are they just positioning themselves for political favour?

If Nigerian youth truly want to lead, they must start by proving they are worthy of leadership. Waking up to insult elders is not leadership. Recklessly posting defamatory statements online is not activism. If we want power, we must earn it the right way.

•Ogungbile Emmanuel Oludotun,thedreamchaser65@gmail.com

February 13, 2025
Need for citizens advocacy against drug trafficking

Sir: I am writing to express my concerns about the alarming desperation by drug traffickers and the lengths to which individuals go in their attempts to accumulate wealth, even resorting to the life-threatening method of ingesting illicit substances to evade arrest. This disturbing trend has sparked widespread concern in the past two weeks due to recent arrests by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at airports during which wraps of ingested cocaine and heroin were excreted.

Less than two weeks ago, reports emerged of a 59-year-old businessman, Chijeoke Nnanna Igbokwe, who was arrested at Murtala Muhammed International Airport Ikeja Lagos with a staggering 81 pellets of cocaine in his stomach. He could have died but for a life-saving surgery that helped expel 57 of the pellets. Just a week later, two more suspects were caught in the same act. Onyekwonike Elochukwu Sylvanus, also known as Kargbo Mohamed Foday, was arrested at Port Harcourt International Airport and excreted 62 wraps of cocaine weighing 1.348 kg. Meanwhile, James Herbert Chinoso, detained at Murtala Muhammed International Airport, excreted 63 wraps of the drug, weighing 909 grammes. Both cited the usual excuse of ‘business failures’ as their rationale for engaging in drug trafficking.

What is perhaps most concerning about these cases is the ease with which individuals—whether driven by financial hardship or personal ambition—rationalise this nefarious act, deluding themselves into believing they can engage in drug trafficking as a shortcut to success.

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The good news is that the NDLEA has consistently been a formidable force against such criminal-minded individuals. The agency has performed exceptionally well in its mandate to curb the trafficking of illicit drugs into and out of the country. Credit must be given to the officers of the NDLEA under the leadership of Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd).

The NDLEA’s vigilance at major airports, seaports, and land border crossings, combined with rigorous law enforcement, serves as a powerful deterrent to drug traffickers and those contemplating such illegal activities.

However, it should concern every well-meaning citizen that, despite the NDLEA’s efforts, some of our compatriots still fail to heed the warning. This indicates a loophole that must be addressed—one that cannot be tackled by the NDLEA alone. There is an urgent need for the reorientation of the citizenry. The NDLEA has been actively engaged in this effort through its War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) advocacy campaign. However, society must complement the agency’s work.

If such efforts are sustained over a reasonable period, we will certainly witness a shift in the mind-set of those who cling to the dangerous delusion that drug trafficking is a viable shortcut to wealth.

•Sini Kwaji, Jimeta, Yola, Adamawa State.

February 12, 2025
Ending female genital mutilation

Sir: For the first time in a long, long time, Nigerians well and truly have a mother in Oluremi Tinubu, Nigeria’s First Lady and Wife to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. As First Lady, she has been available and accessible to Nigerians of all shades and stripes. So far, she has embarked on numerous projects to make life better for Nigerians intervening again and again through the Renewed Hope Initiative to soften the blows for Nigerians as they navigate what is their toughest transition yet since democracy returned to the country in 1999.

The First Lady has distributed packages to families across Nigeria to strengthen social security. When devastating floods ripped through Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, reducing lives to wreckage, the First Lady was at hand to donate hundreds of millions to affected Nigerians.

She has a particularly soft spot for vulnerable groups in Nigeria who would otherwise be relegated to the shadows. This is most clearly seen in yearly outreach to older Nigerians. During the just concluded yuletide, the First Lady distributed about N1.9 billion to older persons across the country.

Now, the First Lady is on a mission to end one of the most harmful and harrowing practices known to man — female genital mutilation. According to the World Health Organization, female genital mutilation comprises all the processes of all the procedures that involve total or partial removal of the external female genitalia or other injuries to the female genital organs for nonmedical reasons.

The WHO further reveals that more than 230 million girls and women alive today have undergone female genital mutilation (FGM) in 30 countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia where FGM is predominantly practiced. FGM is mostly carried out on young girls between infancy and age 15 and is is a violation of the human rights of girls and women.

According to the WHO, treatment of the health complications of FGM is estimated to cost health systems US$ 1.4 billion per year, a number expected to rise unless urgent action is taken towards its abandonment.

Apparently, the First Lady has made tackling FGM a goal close to her heart. She was at hand to reiterate this in a statement commemorating the International Day of Zero Tolerance for Female Genital Mutilation, which was held on February 6.

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As harmful and as harrowing as FGM is, it is heartbreaking to see that many girls continue to experience it. Left at the mercy of families and communities steeped in dangerous superstition, these girls are often left with no option but to submit to a life-threatening practice with proven life-long physiological and psychological consequences. This can simply not be allowed to continue.

If Nigeria is to proceed on the path of development, women, and girls must be protected and provided opportunities to thrive. Giving women and girls opportunities to thrive necessarily means discouraging and discontinuing every practice that puts them in grave danger.

At a time when women and girls in many countries of the world are taking the lead in breaking new grounds and putting those countries on the path to prosperity, it speaks volumes that some countries are still grappling with extending full protection and recognition to the rights of women and girls.

•Kene Obiezu,keneobiezu@gmail.com

February 12, 2025