The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • Blending education with intellectual and leadership skills: The Jerry Chukwueke’s approach

    Blending education with intellectual and leadership skills: The Jerry Chukwueke’s approach

    • By Amby Uneze KSJI

    “The society today is full of divergent individuals with different upbringing and training. Some individuals acquire natural intelligence to move up in life, others get theirs through association and long period of copying and practicing, while a few are fortunate to go through education, where intelligence and leadership skills are taught and practiced. For the later category, they are not tired in going further to get the best in order to impart their knowledge to the overall benefit of the larger society.

    However, the few people that fall in that category are not easy to come by, that is why, good leadership remains the bane of some third world countries including Nigeria from developing. Sometimes though, such personalities who can be referred to as scholars and geniuses usually are not given the opportunity to manage the resources on behalf of their people. It is not rocket science that America, Europe, Canada and other developed economies are doing well because they put their best in the position of leadership. I believe that when someone invests resources to acquire the requisite skills of leadership through continuous education in ivy league and world acclaimed institutions coupled with wide experience in the successful management of corporate entities and human beings, such a person is well positioned to lead a society aright.

    In pursuit of acquiring these ingredients of quality leadership, Chief Jerry Chukwueke (Ohamadike Owerre) recently championed Global CEO-Africa Executive Leadership Programme at the Lagos Business School (LBS), where he actively participated as a lead scholar, alongside other Africa top chief executives  that drive their country’s economy and intra Africa trade. The essence of that executive leadership training was majorly to apply leadership skills to drive success in business, public entities, governance, etc, as well as schooled deeply in the principle of overcoming barriers in leadership challenges and providing solutions.

    Appreciating his experience at LBS, Jerry Chukwueke pondered “I’m very grateful to Lagos Business School. This is the first module for us and our cohort will move on to Yale University, USA in September and then to Strathmore Business School in Nairobi.” He described his sojourn as a great experience, adding that learning demands sharpening of ones leadership skills, knowledge and all other aspects of importance in achieving success.

    In continuation of that executive leadership module, Chief Jerry Chukwueke is currently under-studying the principle of leadership in corporate world, governance, world affairs, reaching out to expand his global network and  attract interest in potential foreign investment, building trust and confidence, and successfully overcoming challenges of under-development, etc.

    It is no wonder, Professor Jeffrey Sonnenfeld has this to say about one of his Nigerian students at Yale  School of Management, in US, CHIEF JERRY CHUKWUEKE (Ohamadike), in an autograph he signed, thus: “Gerald is a brilliant leader who is revered by colleagues and constituents.”

    This scheme is synonymous with JEFFREY SONNENFELD, Yale School of Management Professor, the President of Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute, Coordinating Chairman CEOs of America and an informal advisor to five US Presidents.

    Jerry Chukwueke’s colleagues in the executive training programme believe that the future no doubt belongs to those who made adequate preparations for it.

    To further appreciate the credentials of this American icon who has testified of the great potential inherent in Chief Jerry Chukwueke, Sonnenfeld had advised the White House, U.S. State Department, U.S. Treasury Department, and Council of Economic Advisers on Russian economic sanctions and business retreats and BusinessWeek listed him as one of the world’s 10 most influential business school professors and Directorship magazine has listed him among the 100 most influential figures in corporate governance. He is also the first academician to have rung the opening bells of both the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq Stock Exchange having done so ten times.

    Chief Jerry Chukwueke while answering questions on why he embarks on this journey for further studies on leadership and governance including establishing relationships with world leaders as such, he says “we need to access the opportunities out there for our people to overcome poverty through direct foreign investments, grants, even as we take  diplomatic advantage. Our target is to link up with people who can help the image of our country by way of contacts and potential foreign investment.

    “This is beyond the politics of our people, it is about getting the right foreign contacts  and demonstrating our own confidence to invest in our economy. When they know you by way of trust and you are involved in driving the seat of governance, they would be ready to overlook some political risks because of the confidence they have build on the person.”

    Honestly, in a normal setting, it is not out of place for those who want to engage in leadership and governance, be it in the corporate world, personal business or public office to learn the ropes and acquire the required credentials to man such positions. In Nigeria, we are used to the fire brigade approach where governance and leadership are given on the basis of man-know-man, god-fatherism, and financial backup (money politics). No wonder, someone who suddenly finds himself in the position of leadership and governance does whatever he likes without solving the immediate and longtime needs of the people.

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    Therefore, Chief Jerry Chukwueke has through his penchant for further learning on leadership and governance, building trust and confidence of the world leaders shown the way to go as a leader who is desirous to change the narrative of our situation. By equipping himself with these skills, he is good to go and definitely the relationship and trust he has built while engaging the likes of Professors Sonnenfeld and Benedict Orama, President/Chairman of Afreximbank would for sure make a way for him for the benefit of our people.

    Concisely, Chief Jerry Chukwueke is a key founder of the Lekki Mega City through his Germane Group (the fastest growing megacity in West Africa) alongside Chevron Nigeria and HFP (Victoria Garden City Developer). This outstanding personality was in 1984 voted the most likely to Succeed Student at Morgan State University, Boltimore Graduate School in USA. Also he emerged as top 100 black owned businesses in America in 1990 (Friendship Ford/Mercury), Culpeper Virginia, Black Enterprises Magazine, Founding Director of Food Concept Nigeria Limited (Owners of Chicken Republic, and Free Rang Farms). He is visionary, courageous, bold and transformative.

    Chief Jerry Chukwueke has strong political experience. In 2007, he was a concensus candidate for governor for Owerri zone,  the zone that is favoured by the Imo Charter of Equity to produce the Governor of Imo State by 2027. He was a Vice presidential candidate of APGA in 2019. Jerry Chukwueke is popularly called in Imo State “the Great Mobilizer.” He was also a Chief Technical Adviser on New Imo project in 2023 to the government of Imo State as well as a Director, Campaign Organization of Governor Hope Uzodimma re-election.

    Each time you engage with him you hear his favorite word ‘transformation, transformation, and transformation. Jerry Chukwueke is out to engage in the transformation of our economy, be it in the State or at the national level.

  • Lawmakers’ ‘paltry’ pay

    Lawmakers’ ‘paltry’ pay

    A senator of this federal republic draws a monthly wage of some N14million – if that is what generally applies – and it isn’t enough to pay their way. That much we now know courtesy of former Abia State Governor and lawmaker representing Abia North in the current Senate, Orji Uzor Kalu.

    The senator dismissed widespread notion that members of the National Assembly (NASS) live indulgently while most Nigerians stew in deprivation. Speaking recently on a Channels Television programme, he said: “I earn N14million in a month encompassing my salary, overhead and workers’ salaries. Let me be honest with you, do you know from this money I have to buy fuel to travel to my constituency? It’s not enough.”

    Speaking further, the former Senate Chief Whip denied that lawmakers got official vehicles individually, saying only committees of the NASS were given vehicles. “I am in the Senate and a lot of things are said about senators, and I sit there quietly and watch, and most of these things are not true. All I know is that committees get vehicles. No lawmaker is given any vehicle,” he said.

    Remunerations of Nigerian lawmakers have for long been a hot button in national conversation, with many believing they are among the highest paid in the world.  No one stoked the debate more than a member of the eighth Senate, Senator Shehu Sani, who said he earned a total pay of N13million monthly during his time but that members of the current 10th Senate earn N21million monthly. Former President Olusegun Obasanjo also always accused the federal lawmakers of fixing their own pay, to which the assembly rejoined that its members receive remunerations only as fixed by the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC).

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    Only that the commission itself didn’t help matters when it announced that each senator draws a total monthly wage of N1,063,860 while each member of the House of Representatives gets N794,086. Because following that disclosure, Senator Kawu Sumaila representing Kano South in the current Senate came up to say he draws N21million monthly as “running cost.” Now, Senator Kalu says it is N14million…

    Even the Abia senator’s claim about vehicle provisioning does not stand up to what is known. It was a hot national debate late last year when both chambers of NASS insisted they were procuring sports utility vehicles for their members that would remain NASS’s property until the expiration of its tenure in 2027 when the vehicles could then be offered the members to buy off for outstanding value and make payment to government coffers, after which the vehicles would become theirs. That was the official NASS narrative in defending the mass procurement, and such couldn’t possibly be referring to pool vehicles.

    Kalu’s intervention hoods lawmakers’ remuneration more than illuminate the issue.

  • Assessing Tinubu’s cabinet: Scoring Minister Lokpobiri

    Assessing Tinubu’s cabinet: Scoring Minister Lokpobiri

    By Wole Dotun

    These are not the best of times in Nigeria. Citizens are contending with the effects of several reforms initiated by the President Bola Tinubu government to place the country on the fast lane of development and raise her profile in the comity of nations.

    In exercise of his constitutional duties, Mr. President, over a year ago, appointed men and women to form the Federal Executive Council (FEC), and after over one year in office, Nigerians have been reflecting on the performances of the ministers. It is obvious some have done well, while others are seen more as liabilities rather than assets to the Tinubu administration.

    It is against this background that there have been increasing agitations across the country that Tinubu should rejig his cabinet to dispense with those who do not have what it takes to offer the much-needed quality advice and service delivery in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration.

    This informed Mr. President’s decision to effect minor cabinet reshuffle, a decision which fell below the expectations of Nigerians. Many saw the recent reshuffle as a normal ritual against the expectations that a major change would be effected with far reaching result to refocus the administration many regarded as struggling due to lack of creativity on the part of several ministers.

    This is where it has become imperative to take stock, beginning with the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri, who many thought would be weeded out based on his national scorecard. For instance, crude oil is the major foreign exchange earner for the country and the unavailability of refined products for local consumption is seen as the major source of the current economic hardship in the country.

    The question on the lips of many Nigerians is whether Minister Lokpobiri who is more or less the defacto Minister of Petroleum Resources in charge of oil is an asset or a liability to the Renewed Hope Agenda of the Tinubu administration.

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    Recently, the minister had a raw deal during an interview session on Arise TV, as the host of the programme, Dr. Reuben Abati, sarcastically queried the claim by the minister that Nigeria is expecting about $50 billion investment in the oil sector before December this year. Nigerians are still waiting for the minister to fulfil his promise of rehabilitating and putting back on stream, some of Nigeria’s comatose oil refineries which  he has failed   after several times of unfulfilled promises.

    Another area where Nigerians want to score the minister and assess him is the issue of oil theft. Rather than abating, it keeps increasing. It has gone worse that Nigeria now has barely about 1.3 million barrels per day to export out of the expected two million barrels. The loss is huge with a lot of bleeding impact on the nation’s economy.  National revenue loss due to oil theft has left a big hole in the purse of the country.

    Groups from within and outside the Niger Delta region have repeatedly called for the removal of Lokpobiri; that something needs to be done to stem the slide. Others even threatened to withdraw support for Tinubu if Lokpobiri continues to revel in the dereliction of his duties. One of such groups is the Ex-Agitators for Renewed Hope.

    In a statement issued by the chairman, Chief Oghenavo Akeruese, in Asaba recently, the group accused the minister of being busy with preparations for the 2027 governorship election in Bayelsa State rather than facing his job squarely.

    Also, the unending face-off between the minister and the management team of the Nigeria Content Monitoring and Development Board, NCDMB, is a sad tale in the mouth. The Content Board which had enjoyed absolute peace since it was established has unfortunately become a theatre of the absurd since Lokpobiri took over as the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil).

    The agency which was established by an Act of Parliament is essentially to promote the use of indigenous skills and competence without relying on expatriate skills in the oil and gas sector. For instance the current Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Ogbe had a running battle with Lokpobiri when the minister reversed normal administrative deployment of some staff, a function vested in the Executive Secretary.

    Few weeks after that ugly episode, the former Executive Secretary, Engr. Simbi Wabote, also raised some issues against the minister, regarding attempts the agency’s budget.

    The incessant trouble with the Board led to President Tinubu intervention by appointing the Minister of State for Petroleum in charge of Gas, Hon. Ekperikpe Ekpo as co-chairman of the Content Board to whittle down his overbearing influence in the day to day functions of the Content Board.

    This development was applauded widely by staffers as well as critical players in the oil and gas industry. Interestingly, the appointment of Ekpo was not an alternate chairman but a co-chairman for the purpose of checks and balances.

    Lokpobiri’s relationships with political leaders in Bayelsa State has not been good too. People recall how he fell out with the late former Governor, Diepreye Alamieyesigha, despite the latter’s singlehandedly making Heineken Lokpobiri a member and Speaker of the Bayelsa State House.of Assembly due to the governor’s closeness to his father Chief Elder October Lokpobiri. The same thing happened in his political journeys with Chief Timi Alaibe and Chief Timipre Sylva who were instrumental in making him a member of the Senate and later Minister of State for Agriculture, only to what people describe as biting the fingers that had fed him. His lack of support base and accusations of anti-party activities at home led to the leadership of APC in his LGA, Ekeremor, to suspend him from the party over a week ago.

    The damning verdict by his party’s faithful do not show his acceptability and having a strong support base. Every politics is local, if somebody is not acceptable to his own people, to who will he be acceptable? This is why critical political observers are unanimous that Mr. President needs to do further surgical operation in his cabinet to look at the perfunctory score of the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil).

  • Adede @ 70: The godfather with a good heart

    Adede @ 70: The godfather with a good heart

    By Louis Odion

    At first, a casual acquaintance might mistake him for a Capo di tuti, the Italian-style mafia boss of a Nigerian stock. With all snow-white hair, furtive eyes, feisty voice and square jaw, you would be forgiven for contemplating a lead character in Mario Puzo’s classic, The Godfather.

    One, his unique combination of deep affiliation with Nigeria’s ruling military caste of the 70s — 90s and a kinship with the surviving economic czars of that era can truly be confounding, if not mystifying.

    When he cracks a joke, the unacquainted might misconstrue it as a fight or offence.

    But wait until something amuses him and the essential Senator Musa Unim Adede is unmasked: a broad, gap-toothed smile radiating a markedly Rotarian spirit.

    To foster a good society, the Rotary principle, of course, poses the four great life questions: is it the truth? Is it beneficial to all concerned? Will it build goodwill and better friendship? Will it be helpful to all concerned?

    What then marks Senator Adede out is the fierce zeal he exhibits in living out these ideals. As anyone close enough will attest, SMA’s instinctive loyalty to friends or convictions — this daring spirit to take over other people’s battles, that sometimes reckless courage to speak his mind as bluntly as possible — has often landed him in big trouble a few times.

    And that, in a way, will define his politics in the past three decades and can also be said to have shaped his humanity in seventy years, the impact of which his family, friends and followers across countries and continent will gather to celebrate in the coming days.

    SMA’s accustomed loyalty to friendship earned him a close shave with death in the 90s in the dark days of Sani Abacha when Lawan Gwadabe, then one of the influential serving military officers, was arrested and arraigned as one of the “masterminds” of the 1995 “phantom coup”. The ensuing gale of arrests also swept the likes of Generals Olusegun Obasanjo and Musa Yar’Adua into Abacha’s gulag.

    Not one to forsake a long-time friend in the hour of need, then businessman Adede never muffled his voice against the coup allegation, which was popularly perceived as Abacha’s first significant attempt to purge the military and pacify the civil society for his fledgling dictatorship following the onslaught of NADECO. What SMA said about the alleged coup plot got to Abacha’s ears.

    It did not take long before Abacha and his hounds bundled Adede into the dreaded DMI’s detention at Apapa, Lagos, where “lunatic Colonel Omenka” held sway.

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    Abacha never lacked in manufacturing charges to arraign folks before his kangaroo panel. Adede’s offence was soon framed as a “conspiracy with a foreign government to overthrow the military administration”.

    But today, only a few perhaps know that the unspeakable indignity, the horrendous torture he had suffered at the hands of Abacha goons, left Adede with a bodily injury that required major surgery abroad decades later to ease the pains.

    Incidentally, my first encounter with SMA was shortly after his release from DMI’s detention in June 1998 as a young reporter following Abacha’s death. A few days after the new head of state, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, set the captives free, my bosses then at Concord Press (namely Messrs Dele Alake, Segun Babatope and Tunji Bello) decided to pay him a sympathy visit at his Victoria Island, Lagos home. They took me along.

    I can attest SMA is a connoisseur of good wine, folksy music and other things that accompany them. 

    In the coming years, as a media entrepreneur, I would realise why SMA is genuinely a journalist’s delight. Aside from iconic Chief Olusegun Osoba, I cannot think of anyone with a network as vast — traversing the military, politics, business, and the diplomatic community —like SMA’s, which becomes handy to help ascertain or verify facts in that delicate hour of editorial doubt. You could always count on him to deploy his vast contacts to help verify news leads or filter the truth from rumours.

    SMA’s extraordinary networking skills were certainly honed by a unique heritage. Sired by a Cross Rivers father, his umbilical cord was buried in Kaduna, where he grew up and attended elementary schools. His dad was an army officer, and he was raised in military barracks. So, he learned Hausa before he spoke his native Bette in Obudu, Cross River State.

    Growing up in the barracks afforded him contact with some officers who would shape Nigeria’s political destiny between the 70s and the 90s. Schooling in the United Kingdom in the 70s for his first degree and Master’s enabled him to make a coterie of great friends that would be immensely beneficial when he decided to go into international business after school.

    Marrying a lady (Aunty Yemisi) from the South-west added Yoruba to the language he understands. All of these no doubt helped him forge a cosmopolitan outlook and attitude.

    That same networking skill, this uncanny ability to make the “impossible possible”, was deployed for a rather “subversive” purpose at the most unthinkable location — Abacha’s gulag.

    Among SMA’s fellow inmates at DMI between 1995 and 1998 was Otunba Biyi Durojaiye, a NADECO chieftain whom sadistic Colonel Omenka reportedly asked on arrival to write out his full names to help the authorities “know what to write on your grave! Because if I had my way, I would line up all of you NADECO trouble-makers, waste you with my bullets and write on your mass graves: here lie the remains of those who disturbed the peace of their country.”

    It happened that Otunba Durojaiye turned 60 while in detention. On his birthday, whereas the political prisoner had accepted the harsh realities of solitary confinement in an environment engulfed by despondency and where detainees generally conversed in whispers out of fear of prowling torturers, SMA still managed to conjure — wait for it — a bottle of champagne and presented same to the celebrant to toast the milestone!

    This is how Durojaiye’s son, Babafemi, quoted his father telling him about having a mysterious bottle slipped in-between iron bars of the cell: “During this terrible and dark period, my father sat in his cell and was pondering life, existence and the meaning of it all when he heard,’Egbon!, Egbon !!’. Surprised, he asked, ‘Who is that?’ Only to hear, ‘This is your aburo Musa… I want to give you something (champagne)’”to mark his special day.

    (Well, SMA is yet to tell me how he managed to beat the supposedly water-tight security at DMI and wangled in champagne behind murderous Colonel Omenka, who was probably too absorbed by his smouldering big tobacco pipe to notice.)

    Later elected Senator to represent Cross Rivers senatorial district upon the restoration of democracy in 1999, Adede’s characteristic candour  inevitably soon pitched him in the camp at the Senate that constantly stood up to Obasanjo’s excesses as “imperial President”. Little wonder then that, in 2003, they went to Cross Rivers to lay ambush for him when he sought PDP’s nomination to return to the senate. He was denied a second term.

    At the senate, he played a pivotal role in the passage of the landmark Cabotage law in 2003.

    After the Senate, SMA has, of course, evolved into a higher office: a national statesman. Now the rallying point for Cross Rivers North senatorial district, he no longer views political choice from the partisan prism but conviction of “what is best for the community or country”.

    Here is wishing SMA a happy 70th birthday.

  • National security: Impact, prospects of IGP’s special intervention squad in renewed policing vision

    National security: Impact, prospects of IGP’s special intervention squad in renewed policing vision

    By Olumuyiwa Adejobi

    The trajectory of a nation’s development in all areas is linked and often directly proportional to the strength of its security architecture. Many scholars have viewed security not only as the absence of war but as the overall well-being of a nation’s citizenry. This broad perspective aligns with the principles and concept of the “New Security Agenda.” The components of this agenda include human security, environmental security, economic security, and political security — each interconnected and collectively contributing to a country’s overall resilience and stability.

    Globally, security is crucial to development. Nigeria has played a prominent role in global security matters, particularly in Africa, owing to its vast geographical size, large population, and abundant natural resources. Over time, however, Nigeria has faced significant security challenges, arising from various factors related to its human, material, and natural endowments. These challenges have kept the country’s institutions and departments on alert, constantly working to provide timely solutions.

    McNamara (1968) once said,

    “Security is not military hardware, though it may include it; security is not a military force, though it may involve it; security is not a traditional military activity, though it may encompass it. Security is development, and without development, there can be no security.”

    The role and mandate of a functional police institution, like the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), cannot be fully appreciated without the country experiencing rapid economic recovery, social integration, and overall development. The nexus between national development and a productive policing system is fundamental. This can be achieved through a police force that is professionally competent, service-driven, compliant with the rule of law, and people-friendly – principles enshrined in the IGP’s vision statement.

    This analogy accentuates the need to assess, review, and align with the New Security Agenda, which led the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Adeolu Egbetokun, upon assuming office as the 22nd indigenous IGP, to create a special squad to augment the existing security structure of the Force. This initiative is geared towards combatting crimes such as kidnapping, banditry, and other criminal activities plaguing various regions in Nigeria. The Special Intervention Squad (SIS), a core component of the IGP’s administration, was first launched in Jos, Plateau State, on 29th December 2023. This followed the IGP’s on-site assessment of the devastation caused by armed bandits who attacked Mangu, Bokkos, and Barkin Ladi Local Government Areas on Christmas Eve, 24th December 2024. The attack resulted in the loss of over 200 lives and significant property destruction. The SIS’s activities in Plateau State have led to the arrest of suspects directly involved in the attack, who have since confessed to their crimes. The IGP also ordered the deployment of the supervisory Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 4 Headquarters (comprising Nasarawa, Plateau and Benue States) to Plateau State to oversee the Squad’s operations and to ensure the maximum use of available assets and resources to make the state uninhabitable for criminal elements and restore normalcy.

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     To actualize his vision, the mathematical IGP in his wisdom, launched the Special Intervention Squad for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on 17th January 2024, under the supervision of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Ede Ayuba Ekpeji. The Squad commenced immediate operations in the FCT and its environs. The IGP emphasized the need to control the influx of armed criminals into the FCT, particularly in bordering communities connecting states like Niger, Kaduna, Nasarawa, Benue, and Kogi. These criminals leverage the proximity of the FCT to these states to perpetrate their activities. However, with the intervention of the Squad, these threats are being actively tackled.

     The Intervention Team, commanded by CP Benneth Igweh, mni (as he then was), conducted operations in areas such as Kawu, Kuchikau, Bwari, Nigerian Law School, Veritas University, Claretian Missionary Seminary, Zuma I, Zuma II, and Iguh – known hotspots for terrorist and bandit activities. They also extended their operations to Tafa, Gauraka, and Garam in Niger State and boundary areas in Kaduna State.

     On 18th January 2024, at about 0010HRS, the squad while carrying out a covert operation, intercepted a grey Toyota Hilux van with registration number RBC90DC Abuja, carrying four passengers, including the driver. Upon sighting the police, one of the kidnappers opened fire in an attempt to escape, but the squad’s superior firepower led to the rescue of one Segun Akinyemi, who had been kidnapped in Abuja and was being taken to Kano. One Chinaza Philip from Life Camp, Abuja, was arrested, and the squad recovered two G17 model pistols, one Beretta pistol, ten 9mm P.A.K rounds of ammunition, and five 9mm special rounds. Efforts are ongoing to arrest the fleeing members of the gang, who escaped in a white Mercedes Benz.

     In collaboration with the Force Intelligence Department – Intelligence Response Team (FID-IRT), the FCT Command Anti-Violent Crimes Section, Anti-kidnapping Section, and neighbouring state commands, as well as the Nigerian Army, the SIS in a rigorous, well-calculated rescue operation successfully rescued victims of the 2nd January 2024 kidnapping in the Zuma 1 Area of Bwari Area Council. The victims were found in Kajuru Forest, Kaduna State, on 20th January 2024, at around 11:30 pm, and were reunited with their families.

     Additionally, the SIS has rescued four other kidnap victims within the FCT. Suleiman Sabo was rescued in Sauka along Airport Road, with the arrest of his kidnapper, Muhammed Abel, who was found in possession of one MK1 rifle and ten rounds of live ammunition. Two victims, abducted from the residence of Barr. Cyprian Adikwu at Army Post Service Housing Estate, Phase 2 Extension, Hilltop Kurudu on 18th January, 2024, and one Gideon Nanjul reportedly abducted on 19th January, 2024, were rescued on 20th January 2024, following tireless efforts by police operatives, vigilante groups, and hunters arounf Kurudu and Azhata Village. They have also been reunited with their families.

    On 20th January 2024, at about 2200hrs, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Tafa Division, Kaduna State, acting on credible intelligence, led a patrol team to Easy Way Hotel, where they arrested one Bello Muhammed, aged 28, from Zamfara State, in possession of a cash sum of N2,025,000 (Two Million, twenty-five Thousand Naira). Upon interrogation, he confessed to being a kidnapper, and a picture of him holding an AK-47 rifle in the bush was found on his phone.

    To eliminate any ambiguity, it is important to highlight that the Special Intervention Squad has been instrumental in various operations nationwide, including the neutralization of eight (8) Eastern Security Network (ESN) terrorists in Owerri, Imo State, on 1st August 2024, and the rescue of twenty (20) kidnapped individuals on 14th September 2024, and neutralized two armed robbers while recovering two AK47 rifles in Mangu LGA, Plateau State. The squad has significantly contributed to reducing crime across the country and has been involved in several joint operations in various states.

    The SIS has also played a pivotal role in ensuring election security in Edo State and in recovering arms and ammunition in the FCT, Niger, and Kaduna States, in collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser. These remarkable feats highlight the Squad’s effectiveness and the indispensable nature of its operations.

    Nigeria’s embrace of the New Security Agenda is not just a choice as it is crucial for its stability, development, and the well-being of its citizens. The interconnected nature of security challenges demands an integrated, intelligence-driven approach, which the IGP is spearheading to reposition the NPF and restore its primacy in internal security. The fight against insecurity is a collective responsibility, and the establishment of the SIS marks a significant step toward achieving a safer, more prosperous Nigeria.

    The journey towards a more secure Nigeria calls for sustained efforts, collaboration among security operatives, and solidarity in combating crime. As Nigeria navigates complex global realities, our new security agenda must reflect a commitment to adaptability, collaboration, and foresight. The path ahead is challenging, but with determination and a united effort, Nigeria will overcome these challenges and secure a safer and more prosperous future for its citizens and the global community.

     Nigeria is embarking on a new security agenda that addresses these complex challenges, which require a drastic approach, such as the creation of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) by the IGP. The primary duty of the SIS is to take the fight directly to the criminals, completely flushing them out of the FCT and its environs. Similar operations will be launched in other states across Nigeria. The fight against insecurity in Nigeria is our collective responsibility.

    •Adejobi, is a public relations practitioner, security expert and member Society for Peace Studies and Practice, wrote from Abuja.Email: princemoye@gmail.com

  • Still on Tinubu’s economic tax reform

    Still on Tinubu’s economic tax reform

    Nigeria’s tax reform is underway with four Executive Bills currently before the National Assembly. These bills are the ‘Nigeria Tax Bill’, which replaces existing tax law with a modern framework; the ‘Nigeria Tax Administration Act Amendment Bill’, which seeks to strengthen the enforcement powers of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS); the ‘Nigeria Revenue Service Bill’, establishing an independent revenue service; and the ‘Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill’, for the purpose of fostering inter-agency collaboration.

    According to Zacch Adedeji, the FIRS Executive Chairman, the reform focuses on reducing the number of taxes paid by Nigerians. This significant transformation under President Bola Tinubu’s administration also seeks to promote transparency and accountability, aligning with international tax standards and encouraging voluntary compliance. The ultimate goal is to increase simplicity and efficiency in tax administration, broadening the tax base and improving government savings.

    The FIRS chairman emphasized that the reform is designed to “tax fruits, not seeds, returns, not investments.” It is meant to focus on prosperity rather than poverty. Its mission is to prioritize economic growth, job creation and poverty reduction. The implementation timeline for this reform includes the passage of Executive Bills and the rollout of digital tax filing systems in the short term (2023-2024), streamlining tax regulations and broadening the tax base in the medium term (2025-2026), and evaluation and refinement of tax reform policies in the long term (2027-2030). The success of the reform hinges on effective implementation, stakeholder engagement and continuous monitoring.

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    Nigeria’s economic diversification and industrialization efforts include key initiatives like the Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan (2014), Economic Recovery and Growth Plan (2017-2020) and Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC). Sector-specific programs include Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (oil and gas), Bank of Industry (SME financing) and Nigerian Export Promotion Council (non-oil exports), collectively driving growth, diversification and sustainability.

    The Nigerian government is also said to be proposing a 5% tax on telecommunications as part of a broader bill to overhaul the country’s tax framework and boost non-oil revenue. According to sources, this tax will apply to postpaid and prepaid services regulated by the Nigerian Communications Commission, as well as gaming, gambling, betting and lottery services. The goal is to widen the revenue base, especially considering the rapid growth in the telecoms and betting sectors.

    As Nigeria seeks to diversify its revenue streams and address fiscal challenges, the tax implications for telecom companies and consumers remain a concern. Already, telecom operators have been complaining about multiple taxes and levies, which they claim are affecting their profitability. So, the additional 5% tax may lead to higher tariffs for consumers and reduce investment in infrastructure expansion and modernization. As a matter of fact, telecom companies like MTN have been seeking approval for a tariff increase to offset costs.

    In all, Tinubu’s latest reform aligns with the principle of progressive taxation which has become the norm globally. To this end, the position should be supported. Unfortunately in Nigeria, the least enabled have always borne the burden of taxation; and we cannot build a competitive economy on that basis, for it only means that the least enabled will not have the disposable income to purchase goods and services which is a serious disadvantage. It has nothing to do with morality. Taxation must be progressive. By good fortune, this reform is being handled by the All Progressives Congress-led government.

    From time immemorial, those who earn more pay more because, after paying, they still ‘enjoy’ proportionately. After all, it is they who need more services like security and infrastructural networks than the less well-off. So, we have to take a holistic view of the entire tax framework in Nigeria. The taxation burden on the mass of the people is proportionately high. Very dangerous! It’s going to non-state revenue collectors, which reflects the fact that Nigeria’s not just a weak but also a fragile state.

    As Nigeria embarks on this transformative journey, it is crucial that all stakeholders – policymakers, businesses and citizens – work together to ensure the tax reform policies achieve their intended objectives and propel the country towards sustainable economic growth and development. In contrast with Nigeria’s tax-centric approach, countries like South Korea and Singapore achieved rapid industrialization through targeted investments. Successful progressive tax systems, like Sweden’s, also combine high tax rates with robust social welfare and infrastructure investments. Ghana is following suit with its ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ agenda. The country is transitioning to production-driven growth to boost expansion, reduce tax reliance and create jobs, mirroring successes in innovation, export-led growth and manufacturing. Rwanda’s transformation from taxation to production-driven growth also offers valuable lessons.

    Tinubu’s economic tax reform requires strategic communication, incentives, expanded social services and clear assurances to succeed. Effective public relations will mitigate resistance. To overcome opposition, the administration must build trust through transparency, stakeholder engagement and consistent messaging. This will address concerns, foster support and minimize resistance. FIRS should address corruption and loopholes via the Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU).

     Coincidentally, the president’s tax reform is coming within the backdrop of the award of the 2024 Nobel Prize for Economics to James Robinson, Simon Johnson and Daron Acemoglu. Obviously, it is the most important Nobel Prize awarded in decades. Robinson, Johnson and Acemoglu’s research shows that no country can develop without strong institutions. Nigeria has very weak institutions and that’s the key source of its underachievement. The taxation system is a revelation of its fragile state. Even by the time of the birth of Jesus Christ centuries ago, the issue of tax was a critical factor throughout the Roman Empire. There were tax disputes, inducing revolutionary fervour in Judea. Any modern state must have a strong tax framework to keep the trajectory of the social contract.

    The trio, whose diligent research won them the Nobel Prize, conclusively showed that a strong tax collecting system, enabled by strong institutions such as the Judiciary as well as a vibrant Civil Society is the ingredient for success in the race for development. They also showed that most of Nigeria’s institutions such as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) are just pantomimes. Most importantly, they argued that democracy is a better model for achieving sustainable development than autocracy. India, for example, may eventually outperform China because of this; and, in many ways, it’s already doing so! What are we saying? Democracy makes a country more innovative and vibrant but we must have strong, independent institutions of the state in order to sustain and deepen the democracy. 

    Again, Tinubu’s tax reform should be supported because it’ll not only deepen the country’s democracy but also deepen the awareness about the social contract. Since it’s a progressive taxation, it’d lead to a better social cohesion and stability of the sort that’d attract long-term investments at home and abroad which will lead to sustainable development and ‘life more abundant for all’, as the Action Group (AG) stated in its 1951 Manifesto. 

    AG’s achievements are best illustrated by the tax revolt of 1961 when scores of people were arrested in the Western Region for protesting against an attempt by the regional government to reduce taxes. Instead of cheering the respective reduction in taxes as was to be expected, they saw it as inadvertently leading to a limitation on their access to health and education, which shows that they understood the ethos of the social contract. It should have built upon such enlightened self-interest and ‘better late than never’. Tinubu should reignite this framework. If he does, the verdict history will portray him as the fulcrum of a path-breaking, game-changing administration.

    May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria!

  • Work template for livestock development minister

    Work template for livestock development minister

    SIR: Nigeria boasts one of the largest cattle populations in Africa, ranking among the top on the continent. There are over 20 million cattle, primarily concentrated in the northern regions, including states such as Adamawa, Borno, Kaduna, and Kano.

    The new Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Muktar Maiha, faces a difficult and tasking job in three key ways, so to speak. First, the Ministry of Livestock Development is newly established, and expectations from Nigerians are high. The ministry is tasked with overseeing and developing livestock policies, managing animal health and disease, improving breeds and genetic resources, enhancing husbandry and production systems, supporting rural livelihoods, and modernizing livestock marketing and trade.

    From an informal perspective, expectations will focus on how the minister will transform the lives of nomadic cattle herders from being uneducated and nomadic to leading more settled, normal lives, while also addressing the farmer-herder conflict, as well as the notorious practices of cattle rustling, banditry, and kidnapping for ransom, which are prevalent among some cattle herders.

    Mukhtar’s second challenge lies in his background; he has spent most of his career as a technocrat at NNPC. Whether he is aware of it or not, he will inevitably experience the bitter-sweet realities of politics. Once appointed as a minister, one automatically assumes a political role. Mukhtar will need to navigate this transition, deciding whether to embrace full-time politics or attempt to balance his technocratic expertise with his political responsibilities.

    Furthermore, few people in Adamawa know him, despite his former role as Managing Director of the Kaduna Refinery, a Petrochemical Company (KPRC). As a result, many may perceive him as elitist and aloof, particularly in a position that is inherently people-centred.

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    Mukhtar’s third challenge stems from the performances of his two predecessors from Adamawa, Mohammed Musa Bello and Prof Mamman Tahir, which many Adamawa people view as less than stellar. Their tenures have left a mixed legacy, leading to scepticism among the populace about Mukhtar’s ability to bring about something new and different. To distinguish himself, Mukhtar will need to work diligently to carve out his own identity and establish a positive track record. This task is particularly crucial, as he shares several traits with both former ministers, which could lead to assumptions about his capabilities and approach. By demonstrating effective leadership and addressing the needs of the people, Mukhtar can overcome this challenge and build a reputation that sets him apart.

    With an impressive CV as a technocrat, along with practical knowledge of livestock management, Mukhtar’s Zaidi Farm stands out as a well-integrated enterprise that applies world-class best practices in animal husbandry. Given this background, we expect him to introduce innovative approaches to livestock management by benchmarking against countries renowned for their success in this field, such as New Zealand, Australia, the Netherlands, Denmark, Brazil, Ireland, and the United States. These nations have excelled in implementing efficient and sustainable livestock practices, utilizing advanced genetic research and technology to enhance productivity. However, Mukhtar’s journey will be both sweet and bitter, largely depending on his approach to leadership, public relationships and policy implementation. By embracing collaboration and leveraging global best practices, he has the potential to make significant strides in transforming the livestock sector.

    • Zayyad I. Muhammad, Abuja.
  • Tackling the cybercrime plague

    Tackling the cybercrime plague

    SIR: Nigeria’s drastic descent down the moral and economic ladder has thrown its teeming young people into an impossible spin, forcing them to take a draining decision between hunger and holiness, vice and virtue.

    According to the EFCC, Nigeria lost $500 million in 2022 alone to cybercrime. Nigeria may have all sorts of challenges with sourcing, sorting and saving data, but the fact is that any figure close to the calculation of the country’s losses as a result of cybercrime should send alarm bells whirring.

    Amidst the unprecedented opportunities offered by technology, especially information and communication technology, and the tremendous challenge posed by biting hunger and bristling unemployment, many young Nigerians have taken to cybercrime. The road they take is as rusty as it is riveting.

     Over the internet, while using as many aliases as they can invent, they hunt foreigners, especially Europeans and South Americans, who are on a quest to love and be loved, and have a few quid to give. Using all manner of subterfuge, these Nigerians succeed in getting their foreign ‘lovers’ to part with considerable sums of money.

    Given how catastrophic the exchange rate has become for Nigeria, these monies, meagre in the hands of their original owners, become a little fortune once they cross international finance lines. For many of the boys involved, it is like winning a jackpot; a considerable cash-out; a veritable payday.

    These days, it is not uncommon to see primary school pupils declare that they want to be ‘yahoo boys’ in the nearest future, or secondary school students who are unapologetic about what they do. As for many students of tertiary institutions, pride is all they take in their lifestyle.

     The society has been caught in this tailspin of quick money with very little pain. In the face of these ‘emergency millionaires’, the moral structure of the society is running the risk of collapsing. Many parents basking in the new-found wealth of their children consider it an aberration to question what they do for a living. Some of them even flaunt their children’s wealth while mocking parents whose children are yet to ‘make it.’ Not made it.

     In the face of this surge of cybercrime and its ill-gotten proceeds, what are the relevant Nigerian authorities doing? There is always the usual pontification about the need to be good citizens of the country and shun crime by those who are hardly model citizens themselves. There is also the occasional prosecution and incarceration of suspects, including raids on so-called ‘yahoo academies.’ But a country haunted by its inability to provide for its young people is one likely to be hamstrung in questioning their crimes of survival.

    But beyond what the relevant authorities are doing to curb cybercrime is what they are not doing to check the rampaging menace that is corroding the moral fibre of young children even before they are strong enough to know their right from their left.

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    It is common knowledge that some men of Nigeria’s security agencies have turned some of these yahoo boys into cash cows thereby aiding and abetting their crimes. These unscrupulous personnel who have become suspiciously wealthy themselves feign raiding these boys occasionally, extort considerable sums from them and let them go to continue their illicit enterprise of deceiving unsuspecting foreigners.

    With the impossible expansion of the cyberspace, crime has become as numerous as opportunities. Both are growing rapidly. What is Nigeria’s choice in it all?

    Nigeria must choose combat rather than collusion in cybercrime. It must confront the menace headlong. A key part of its fight must be giving Nigeria’s youth options that can at least match the fleeting comforts of cybercrime. However, in a country strangled by the cost of living crisis and soaring unemployment, the fear is real that Nigeria lacks the weapons to contend with what the EFCC chairman himself has described as the third-largest GDP in the world.

     Unless Nigeria takes drastic measures, the pull of cybercrime will not only push Nigeria’s young over the precipice but would pulverize the entire country.

    • Ike Willie-Nwobu, Ikewilly9@gmail.com
  • Education: Experts, not prescriptions needed

    Education: Experts, not prescriptions needed

    SIR: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed a physician, Dr Morufu Olatunji Alausa, who previously served as the Minister of State for Health, to lead the affairs of the education ministry. Dr. Alausa is a US board-certified nephrologist.  Although he may be a competent professional in the medical field, the challenges facing the education sector demand someone with a deep understanding of educational policies, administration, and reform. At a time Nigeria’s education system is grappling with issues of infrastructure decay, underfunding, and a persistent brain drain, this decision seems ill-conceived and the crisis is more urgent than ever.

    The education sector has been in crisis for decades, punctuated by frequent strikes from the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). These strikes, which have caused massive disruptions to academic calendars, stem from systemic issues: inadequate funding, poor working conditions for staff, outdated facilities, and unresolved negotiations between the government and ASUU.  The repeated standoff between ASUU and the government shows a failure to invest in long-term solutions that could stabilize the system.

    The education sector urgently requires transformative leadership with an in-depth understanding of pedagogical practices, teacher training, curriculum development, and educational infrastructure. It also needs someone who understands the socio-political dynamics surrounding student and faculty welfare, an area where long-standing agreements with unions like ASUU have been repeatedly neglected. The need for transformative leadership is more pressing than ever.

    Read Also: NANS hails Tinubu over redeployment of Alausa as Education Minister

    Moreover, there is an urgent need for solid investments in Nigeria’s education system. For years, budgetary allocations to education have fallen below international standards. Nigeria spends less than 10% of its national budget on education, far below the 15-20% recommended by UNESCO. This has led to crumbling classrooms, outdated teaching materials, and an overburdened faculty. The poor state of education has also driven many of Nigeria’s best minds abroad, contributing to the country’s deepening brain drain.

    It is high time the government realized that appointing professionals with expertise in education is the first step toward reversing the damage inflicted on the sector. Countries that have made substantial progress in education reform, such as Finland and Singapore, did so by placing experienced educators and policymakers in charge of their education ministries. Nigeria must follow this example.

    Education is the bedrock of any nation’s development. Without a strong, visionary leader at the helm of the Ministry of Education, Nigeria’s youth will continue to suffer, and the nation’s future will remain uncertain.

    • Jacob Sule, Washington, DC, United States.
  • Netzence targets UN’s Net Zero 2050 goal

    Netzence targets UN’s Net Zero 2050 goal

    Netzence Sustainability (Netzence), a sustainability technology and management company, has said it is focused on achieving United Nations’ goal of net zero emissions by 2050.

    Netzence said the world was grappling with climate change. The firm stressed that its CloseCarbon technology promotes sustainable practice that align with United Nations SDGs.

    The statement reads: “Organisations are stepping up to meet these challenges. Netzence CloseCarbon technology stands out for its commitment to reducing carbon emissions and promoting sustainable practice, aligning with objectives of Global Africa Business Initiative (GABI) 2024, which held in New York, United States. By investing in cutting-edge technologies and innovative environmental strategies, Netzence CloseCarbon drives goals set forth by GABI.

    “At the core of Netzence CloseCarbon mission is carbon footprint reduction, a fundamental aspect supported by GABI 2024. The organisation dedicates resources to renewable energy projects, energy efficiency initiatives, and reforestation. This focus not only contributes to UN’s goal of net zero emissions by 2050 but also positions Africa to tackle its carbon footprint effectively. By prioritising investment in sustainable energy solutions, Netzence CloseCarbon helps create a cleaner environment and facilitates the transition to a low-carbon economy.

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    ‘‘Netzence CloseCarbon promotes sustainable practice that align with UN SDGs. Each initiative the organisation undertakes reinforces importance of economic growth through sustainability. By fostering clean energy practice and introducing programmes to enhance environmental well-being, Netzence CloseCarbon aids in achieving SDGs, creating benefits for communities in Africa and beyond. This commitment mirrors GABI 2024’s objectives by ensuring development is inclusive and environmentally responsible…’’

    The impacts of climate change—rising global temperatures, severe weather conditions, and unpredictable natural disasters—are some pressing issues faced globally. CloseCarbon’s initiatives to lower carbon emissions address these concerns, mitigating adverse climate effects. The organisation’s focus on innovative climate solutions complements GABI 2024’s emphasis on energy access and transitions, creating a pathway for Africa to address climate challenges while fostering economic development.

    In partnership with Environmental Health Council of Nigeria (EHCON), engaging with local communities is integral to Netzence CloseCarbon philosophy. By raising awareness about climate change and promoting sustainable practice, the organisation inspires individual and collective action. This grassroots approach empowers communities to take ownership of environmental stewardship, creating a ripple effect that aligns with GABI 2024’s goals. Real change happens at community level, and by equipping individuals with knowledge and resources, Netzence CloseCarbon enhances the initiative’s impact in Africa.

    Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Netzence, Dr Sadiq Sani’s presence at GABI 2024 highlights the role of collaboration and knowledge-sharing in tackling climate challenges. By participating in global dialogue, organisations like Netzence, can coordinate efforts, align resources, and implement best practice in sustainability. This spirit fosters innovation and encourages exchange of ideas, crucial for transformative changes in business, trade, and investment on the continent.

    With a commitment to reshaping Africa’s narrative, GABI 2024 focuses on amplifying the continent’s business, trade, and investment opportunities. The initiative highlights key objectives: Energy Access and Energy Transitions; Promoting sustainable energy solutions; Inclusive Growth and Trade; Enhancing economic growth and fostering global trade connections; Digital Transformation; Encouraging Africa to become a producer of technology and digital content; Aligning with Africa’s Agenda 2063 and SDGs for inclusive progress.

    “By working toward these objectives, GABI 2024 positions Africa as a destination for global business, trade, and investment, ultimately driving prosperity on the continent…’’

    “Netzence CloseCarbon exemplifies how organisations can leverage innovative strategies to not only combat climate change but also contribute meaningfully to larger initiatives like GABI 2024. By prioritising carbon footprint reduction, sustainable development, community engagement, and collaboration, Netzence CloseCarbon is set to make a significant impact on Africa’s journey towards a sustainable future. As the continent navigates the complexities of economic growth and environmental stewardship, partnerships with organisations like Netzence will be integral in realising the broader objectives of GABI 2024. Together, they can create a greener, more sustainable, and economically vibrant Africa for generations to come.”