The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • Why Nigeria deserves UN Security Council Permanent seat

    Why Nigeria deserves UN Security Council Permanent seat

    By Tunde Rahman

    Nigeria has significantly contributed troops and police officers to the United Nations peacekeeping operations worldwide since 1960. That year, the Nigeria Police deployed the first-ever contingent of individual police officers to the UN Mission in the Congo. Assistant Commissioner of Police Louis Edet led the team at the time. In these operations, Nigeria resolutely committed herself to the onerous task of maintaining world peace and security. Some of the country’s gallant officers paid the supreme price, while many were injured and maimed for life. During the military era, particularly during the reign of General Ibrahim Babangida, under the auspices of the African Union and ECOWAS, there was the ECOWAS Monitoring Group, which intervened decisively in Liberia, paving the way for the restoration of civil rule in that country. Rebel leaders had turned Liberia into a theatre of war in their desperate battle for power. Nigeria’s troops were also the military backbone of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) from 2003-2018, restoring security throughout that country.

     Since then, Nigeria has been involved in peacekeeping operations in many African countries, including Cote d’Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Mali, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, Somalia, Rwanda and Burundi. The government has contributed a lot in finance, logistics and civilian experts to these missions. Beyond Africa, the country’s police force participated in operations in Western Sahara, Cambodia, Yugoslavia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, East Timor, Haiti, Kosovo and Afghanistan, to mention but a few.

     It is relevant to point out that Nigeria’s engagement is not only in peacekeeping or maintaining law and order across these nations; the country has helped stabilise and strengthen democracy in Africa. For instance, it’s on record that Nigeria’s former President Olusegun Obasanjo played a leading role in the international effort to restore democratic order in São Tomé and Principle when President Fradique de Menezes was toppled by the military in that country in July 2003 while visiting Nigeria. Obasanjo and other foreign leaders reined in the military junta that ousted Menezes. The former Nigerian president took Menezes in his plane, leading him back to power in the oil-rich island republic.

     In addition, Nigeria’s effort helped ferry former military leader Yahya Jammeh from The Gambia when he became a stumbling block to constitutional order.

     After losing the election his regime organised, Jammeh refused to concede defeat to Adama Baro, who won the poll. The private plane of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, now President Bola Tinubu, was deployed to evacuate the once-dreaded Jammeh out of The Gambia.

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     I can continue enumerating Nigeria’s efforts to help maintain peace and security worldwide.

     It is against this backdrop of the country’s considerable efforts in maintaining peace and deepening democracy in Africa and beyond that the recent demand for a permanent seat for Africa in the UN Security Council be considered. No country in Africa has contributed to global peace and security than Nigeria in terms of human and material resources. The request for a well-deserved permanent seat for the continent was the high point of Nigeria’s presentation at the just-ended 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA79) in the United States.

     Vice President Kashim Shettima led Nigeria’s delegation to that session and presented the country’s national statement on behalf of President Tinubu. The president stayed back at home to attend to pressing domestic issues. That decision, the first by any Nigerian president since 1999, deserves commendation.

     To say that Vice President Shettima ably represented the country is to state the obvious, particularly for those who watched the presentation live or on television. Resplendent in the country’s traditional white flowing babariga with a matching Borno cap, VP Shettima did an excellent job.

     Making a case for this all-important seat on the UN’s exalted podium, the vice president said: “Reform of the Security Council is critical if the UN is to strengthen its relevance and credibility in our rapidly changing world. Some permanent members of the United Nations Security Council have offered encouraging, if tentative, indications of support on the issue of reform of the Council. We welcome the change in tone and urge acceleration in momentum to the process.

    “The Security Council should be expanded, in the permanent and non-permanent member categories, to reflect the diversity and plurality of the world. We fully support the efforts of Secretary-General Guterres in this regard. Africa must be accorded the respect that it deserves in the Security Council. Our continent deserves a place in the permanent members category of the Security Council, with the same rights and responsibilities as other Permanent Members.”

    With a population of over 1.3 billion people and home to the most critical mineral resources that will power the global economy, a permanent seat for Africa in the UN Security Council will ensure inclusivity and a spirit of brotherhood. Given its strategic importance, Africa should join the council’s five permanent members. And more than any other country on the African continent, Nigeria truly merits this seat. It is an entitlement and a matter of right.

     First, the seat will serve as due compensation for Nigeria’s labour of service to the world. The country’s active participation in peacekeeping missions helped save countless lives and restore peace and stability to many countries. The UN has acknowledged this important work. In a publication of the world body in February 2019, the UN singled out Nigeria for praise for her service and sacrifice. However, the UN should do more than commendation. The world body should offer Nigeria this much-desired permanent seat to appreciate the country’s contribution.

     Second, as indicated earlier, Nigeria contributed the most troops and police to UN missions among African nations. The Nigeria Police Force committed more men and materials to keep the peace in Africa and elsewhere. According to the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, Nigeria contributed to 41 peacekeeping missions globally and deployed over 200,000 troops to UN operations since her first deployment in the Congo. He spoke in New York at the summit of the Future Interactive Dialogue on the theme: “Enhancing Multilateralism for International Peace and Security.”

     The attendant cost to Nigeria’s engagement in these peacekeeping operations is enormous. For instance, official sources revealed that ECOMOG, a regional mediation force put together to end the protracted Liberian civil war, was operated at an estimated cost of $8 billion to the Nigerian government.

     Third, and more importantly, with its large population of young, energetic, and creative people and enormous resources, Nigeria can provide the required leadership for Africa at the UN Security Council.

     This is a role the country has been performing for many decades. It has the potential to perform this work even better. Nigeria will be the real giant of Africa if it rises to this eminent status.

     Former South African President, the highly revered Dr Nelson Mandela, was once reported to have said that the Black Race would not achieve its status until Nigeria sorted out itself.

     When President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s reform agenda fully manifests, Nigeria will sort itself out sooner, not later. Then, the country will take its rightful place as the true leader of Africa in the community of nations.

     -Rahman is a Senior Presidential Aide.

  • Making the housing sector a priority

    Making the housing sector a priority

    • By Mariet Avuedaoya Igiekhume

    Sir: Though not always recognized, the housing sector plays a very key role in a country’s welfare. You would agree with me that housing affects directly the performance of other sectors of the economy, and the well-being of the citizenry, for which reason adequate housing provision has since the early 1970s engaged the attention of most countries, especially the developing ones.

    One of the basic needs of man, housing impacts positively on productivity. Workers’ health, well-being, and growth are tied to decent housing. Not only that, housing is one of the indices for measuring the standard of living of people across societies. That is why governments of the developed nations in particular, have designed programmes of assistance to enhance adequate delivery of housing. Prominent in the list of the programmes are the ones around provision of infrastructure and finance, with more emphasis on finance, because housing provision requires huge capital outlay, which is often beyond the capacity of the medium income/low-income groups.

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    Mortgage financing is a major area of concern and one of the most formidable constraints in the housing sector. Governments of the countries of Europe and America have since addressed this issue, and have put in place structures which ensures efficient and sustainable credit delivery to the housing sector.

    One of the major challenges to housing provision in Nigeria is the absence of well-established and effective mortgage administration, and until this challenge is effectively resolved, the question of housing would remain begging for answer. I am of the opinion that government and the private sector should jointly drive the mortgage system. 

    There is the overall need to maintain the macro-economic variables via disciplined fiscal and monetary policies for stable growth and low inflation to support low interest rates.  Direct interventionist policy, to promote liquidity of the mortgage industry at single digit interest rates via the Nigeria Mortgage Refinance Corporation (NMRC) and Family Home Fund (FHF) is the way to go.   Key is that the private sector via mortgage banks retain the role of underwriting mortgages directly and will boost effective demand for homes, which I think is far lower than the often-touted 21 million housing shortfalls. 

    It is important to state again that the core focus of government should be on how to control inflation in the long run, to allow for single digit interest rates, rather than just intervention policies.

    •ESV Mariet Avuedaoya Igiekhume,

    Benin. 

  • Reviving Kano’s textile industry

    Reviving Kano’s textile industry

    • By Abdulrahman Liman Muhammad

    Sir: The once-vibrant textile industry of Kano, a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economic history, now sits in near ruins, a shadow of its former self. Once employing hundreds of thousands of people and contributing significantly to the national economy, the sector now struggles for survival. For many in Kano, the textile industry was not just a source of livelihood but a symbol of the city’s prominence in Africa’s industrial landscape. The decline of this vital industry has left many jobless and the economy of Kano, and by extension Nigeria, weakened. It’s time for the federal and Kano state governments to take decisive action.

    Kano’s textile industry has roots dating back to the pre-colonial era when it was a hub of trans-Saharan trade. As the centre of commerce for the northern region, its textiles were highly sought after across Africa and beyond. The introduction of modern textile mills in the 1950s and 60s only bolstered Kano’s standing, making it a key player in the Nigerian economy.

    By the 1980s, Kano’s textile mills were thriving, employing over 300,000 workers and contributing massively to Nigeria’s GDP. Today, however, only a handful of these mills remain operational, and the number of employees has dwindled to less than 30,000. The collapse of the industry has resulted in an economic downturn for Kano, increased poverty levels, and a growing number of unemployed youths.

    The decline can be attributed to several factors, including a lack of investment in infrastructure, outdated equipment, and inconsistent government policies. Power supply remains a significant challenge, with factories having to rely heavily on costly diesel generators due to the unreliable national grid. This has made production expensive, diminishing the competitiveness of locally produced textiles against cheaper imports from China and other Asian countries.

    Another major issue is the influx of smuggled and counterfeit textiles into the Nigerian market. Despite bans and restrictions, smugglers have found ways to flood the market with substandard products, undercutting local manufacturers and forcing many to close their doors. Additionally, high import duties on raw materials have crippled the sector’s ability to source essential inputs, further driving up the cost of production.

    While the federal government has made some attempts to revive the textile sector—such as introducing policies to encourage local production and banning textile imports—these efforts have largely fallen short due to poor implementation and corruption. The Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Cotton, Textile, and Garment (CTG) intervention fund, designed to boost the industry, has had limited impact due to mismanagement and the failure of many textile mills to access these funds.

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    Reviving the textile industry in Kano will require a multi-faceted approach. First, both federal and state governments must prioritize investment in infrastructure, particularly in power supply. The introduction of dedicated industrial power plants or special economic zones with reliable electricity would significantly reduce the cost of production for textile companies.

    Second, the government must enforce stricter measures to curb smuggling and protect local manufacturers. Strengthening border security and imposing higher penalties for smuggling would help level the playing field for local industries. Additionally, reducing import duties on essential raw materials would lower production costs and increase the competitiveness of local textiles.

    Furthermore, the government should consider providing tax incentives and subsidies to encourage investment in modern textile machinery. This would help mills upgrade their equipment and become more efficient, making them better able to compete in the global market.

    The textile industry’s revival is not only an economic imperative but also a social one. For the people of Kano, the industry represents hope for a better future, one where jobs are plentiful, poverty is reduced, and the city regains its former glory. However, this vision can only be realized if both the federal and Kano state governments take swift and decisive action.

    The path to recovery may be long and challenging, but with the right policies, investments, and commitment, Kano’s textile industry can rise again. It is time for the government to listen to the cries of its people and make the necessary interventions to breathe new life into one of Nigeria’s most important industries. The future of Kano, and indeed Nigeria’s industrial sector, depends on it.

    •Abdulrahman Liman Muhammad,

     Borno State University, Maiduguri.

  • The joke called Kogi State House of Assembly

    The joke called Kogi State House of Assembly

    • By Tunde Nasiru

    Sir: Recently, there was a funny news report that should bother all men and women of goodwill. The Kogi State House of Assembly was reported to have called out the leadership of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for performing its constitutional duties.

    The House of Assembly which had been silent since the scandalous corruption allegations against the former governor, Yahaya Bello broke suddenly found its voice and instead of the lawmakers to intervene on the side of decency, the rule of law and justice, they went off track, dancing naked in the market square.

    For people who swore to Oath of Office and Oath of Allegiance to the Constitution and the Federal Republic of Nigeria and to defend the interest of the people of Kogi State, it was an antithesis of some sort to see them calling for the sack of the EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede.

    They hinged their ill-informed call on what they termed the invasion of the Kogi State Governor’s Lodge and an unfounded assassination attempt on the immediate past governor, Yahaya Bello.

    This action has added to the theatrics coming from Kogi State since the EFCC invited Yahaya Bello for questioning over an alleged N80 billion fraud. Hardly had the dust raised by the N80 billion fraud settled when the news broke again that a fresh court summon has been issued over another alleged N110 million fraud against the same Yahaya Bello.

    Now, imagine, if true, the number of healthcare centres, streets and roads that would have been fixed with over N190 billion!

    One would have thought that since Kogi State has been in the news for the wrong reasons on account of the refusal of Yahaya Bello to honour EFCC’s invitation and several court summons, the lawmakers would have urged him to save the state the bad press and needless embarrassment and turn himself in.

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    In saner climes, the lawmakers would have waded in on the side of decency, accountability, equity and justice; after all, it is said that he who seeks equity must do equity.

    The lawmakers cannot be calling out the EFCC without urging Yahaya Bello and Governor Usman Ododo to obey several court summons; after all, action and reaction are said to be equal and opposite.

    If Yahaya Bello does not have anything to hide, he should be more than willing to have his day in court and clear himself and his name; once and for all.

    It is incumbent on the lawmakers and his successor, Governor Ododo to encourage him (Bello) to turn himself in without further delay.

    It is shameful that Governor Ododo is lending the weight and paraphernalia of his office and position to frustrate the institutions of state from doing their constitutionally guaranteed roles.

    The lawmakers should look inwards, retrace their steps and prevail on the ex-governor to be man enough to turn himself in, obey the court summons and have his day in court. This is the only way the Kogi State House of Assembly can redeem itself from the joke that it has become.

    •Tunde Nasiru,

    Abuja.

  • Restructuring – to which end?

    Restructuring – to which end?

    On July 11 came glorious legalism, from the Supreme Court,  on the local government “autonomy” front.  The Federal Government won.  The state governments lost. 

    The party is over: for states that fiddle local governments’ monies; and governors that whimsically sack elected council chair(wo)men, and impose “caretaker” councils.

    Problems comprehensively solved?  Hardly.  Just a case lost and won.  But that could well be solving one problem, but creating 10 others.

    So, you hardly can blame the Tinubu order for pushing hard the propaganda value of the win.  Flipped, the opposition would have gone no less ga-ga.  Why, Bayo Onanuga, presidential adviser on Information and Strategy, called out the ever-wailing Peter Obi, for losing his voice — using Atiku Abubakar, who hailed the judgment, as exemplar.

    In the euphoria of the moment, Bode George too, the Lagos PDP chieftain, has latched on the “autonomy” to rapidly push for total “restructuring”.  But this is where it gets interesting: restructuring — towards what end?

    By approving a direct shovelling of funds to the so-called “third tier”, the Supreme Court has well-nigh made the local government Abuja’s business.  That act “tears” the councils from the states where they are rooted — both by geography and by the federal ethos.  Grotesque? 

    By its “purposive and teleological” interpretation of Section 162 of the 1999 Constitution, might the apex court then be — teleologically — tearing off the federal clause, from a supposed federal Constitution that in practice runs as a unitary one, no thanks to the humongous powers of the central government?

    So, towards which end is Bode George’s “restructuring”, using local government “autonomy” as push — federal or unitary?  That verdict sure pushes the balance near unitary than federal!  Is the old soldier in the Lagos politician craving just that?

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    Enter, the other tested combatants over restructuring — the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission and old warhorse, Ayo Adebanjo, though the old man pushed his ideas through Afenifere, which he no longer leads.

    Both have nailed — and brilliantly too — the Supreme Court judgment.  Though they condemn state governors pinching council funds and their wayward sacking of elected councillors, they insist a “third tier” has no place in a federal state, which conceptually recognizes two partners: the central government and the federating units, the local governments being the exclusive business of the sub-nationals.

    So, which way, “restructuring”? 

    The Supreme Court verdict may have scored the short-term — and hardly ignoble — goal of securing local government funding.  That, other things being equal, should ensure better municipal and grassroots services nationwide. 

    But is it an “own goal”: creating sundry confusion on the path to re-federalization, the ultimate goal of “restructuring”?  What’s next — a “restructuring” civil war?

    Interesting times!

    •This article was first published on July 15, 2024

  • Ladoja and Obj’s seeping dregs

    Ladoja and Obj’s seeping dregs

    “See finish” — that’s the brutal lingo for it in pidgin English.  The Yoruba — and that concept isn’t exclusive to them — also quip: lies may travel for eons. But the truth zips past fibs only in a jiffy.

    So stands former President Olusegun’s penchant to bathe his public rot in a sacred halo; and only whine and brag about injustices done him — like ending up in Sani Abacha’s gulag for a phantom coup.  That was unfortunate, to be sure.

    But as the Yoruba also say: the stabber can forget — not the victim that nursed the gash, and lives with the scar ever after. So, it is for former Oyo Governor, Oba Rashidi Ladoja as he recalled, at 80, savage gashes Obasanjo dealt him.

    Speaking at a radio interview, Oba Ladoja said many claimed the late Lamidi Adedibu, the political “Alaafin Molete”, Ibadan, impeached him.  If you recall, Adedibu was Obasanjo’s garrison commander of Oyo politics.  He decreed elected Governor Ladoja must bow and worship at his shrine.  That was classic Obasanjo democratic feudalism.

    But Ladoja said Adedibu didn’t.  Nor did the late Adebayo Alao-Akala, Ladoja’s deputy but Adedibu’s mole.  Still, don’t be too hard on the dead — or on the living for that matter.  Both Ladoja and Akala were Adedibu’s magical picks, in the 2003 magical poll that “captured” the South West and sacked the defunct Alliance for Democracy (AD).

    Obasanjo — yes, as then sitting president, drunk with arrogant power — did.  And why?  Because Governor Ladoja told President Obasanjo to shun the illegal third term he badly ogled.  Baba Iyabo had always claimed he never wanted — or attempted — a third term.  In the face of Oba Ladoja’s latest expose, he can tell that to the marines!

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    Obasanjo lugs the worst democracy record by any 4th Republic president since 1999.  If he was wasn’t organizing hellish elections (witness 2023, which only was mere dress rehearsal for 2007: he dubbed it “do-or-die”; and ensured 2007 lived up to that evil billing in blind steal), he was organizing phoney impeachments for governors whose faces he didn’t like, just because he could as imperial president.

    Obasanjo’s most potent tool for this presidential outlawry was his beloved “simple minority” — legal provisions for impeachment be damned!

    Sweet double irony, though: Governor Ladoja was the first to successfully challenge that era of  jungle impeachments.  He got reinstated by the courts.  But he never won a second term.  At 80 too, in all of his post-politics glory, Oba Ladoja pulled a double to tell an ugly truth Obasanjo would rather bury in his immaculate robe of eternal hypocrisy.

    At 80, Oba Ladoja has gifted the polity an invaluable present: Obasanjo-era seeping dregs and stench.  It’s a ugly window into the PDP power years, when Obasanjo laid all the bad examples and created needless problems for his successors.  Yet after, and he kids himself he’s Nigeria’s sacred political godhead, akin only to Christians and their Christ Jesus; and Muslims and their Holy Prophet Mohammed!  What hubris!

    Still, it’s the futility of playing God.  Thank God Baba Iyabo is still alive to see himself in the unflattering mirror of Oba Ladoja.

  • Setting record straight on Akwa Ibom First Lady saga

    Setting record straight on Akwa Ibom First Lady saga

    By Paul Ini

    The perilous times are indeed here. The drama that  ensued shortly after the painful passing of Mrs. Patience Eno, the wife of the Executive Governor of Akwa-Ibom State could best describe the vile  and bile in the hearts of men. While the governor was yet to recover from mourning the wife of his youth, the agents of destabilisation in Akwa-Ibom, and their pliable media machinery went to town to misinform the public on who is taking over the office of the First Lady of the State.

    The governor was accused of appointing his daughter as the First Lady of the state following the tragic passing of his wife, Mrs. Patience Eno. These claims, however, are not only unfounded but also reflect a misunderstanding of the circumstances surrounding the issue. It is important to dispel these misconceptions and provide clarity on the role that his daughter, alongside other family members, has played since the beginning of the administration of the governor in 2023.

    Despite the unfortunate development, Governor Eno has navigated this period of grief with remarkable strength and dignity, showing his resilience as a leader while still honouring the memory of his late wife. However, the duties of governance do not stop, and as the governor, he has had to continue leading the state through its development goals.

    In his measured response to the raging misconception, the governor who appeared not perturbed by the antics of his detractors, explained that her daughter, Mrs Helen Obareki, was only appointed as the Coordinator of the Office of the First Lady.

    He said, “Appointing our daughter, who had worked closely with her late mother, as the coordinator is not an appointment as First Lady. You don’t appoint a First Lady. The Office of the First Lady has responsibilities to the women of this state, and my wife had programs she was running—the GIFA, the support for the elderly, and other programs.

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    “As long as I remain governor, those programs will not die. There must be a coordinator, and it must be someone I see on a daily basis, someone who can walk into my room and brief me, not a distant person”.

    What should be stressed further is that , contrary to the claims that the Governor “appointed” his daughter as the First Lady, it is important to emphasise that no formal or official title of “First Lady” has been conferred upon her. What has occurred is a natural and necessary shift in familial responsibilities, where the governor’s children, including his daughter, have stepped in to support their father in various ways following the loss of their mother.

    It is common in many societies, particularly in Africa, where family institutions provide a support system for one another. Therefore in the case of the Enos, it is not out of place for the children or close family members to provide emotional and logistical support to a parent who has lost a spouse, especially in cases where the parent holds a demanding public office. This support can take the form of continuing charitable work initiated by the deceased spouse. In the case of Pastor Umo Eno, his daughter has only taken on a supportive role to help her father, by sustaining the lofty legacies of his late mother, thereby maintaining a sense of continuity in fulfilling the commitments of the governor to the people, particularly as it concerns women and other marginalised members of the society.

    The role of the First Lady in Nigeria is not a constitutionally defined office but rather a traditional one, where the spouse of the sitting governor (or president) assumes the position of a public figure dedicated to social causes. The position often involves spearheading humanitarian and developmental projects, with a focus on women, children, and vulnerable groups.

    Rather than getting distracted with non-issues, it is important to once again bring into public consciousness the pedigree of Governor Umo Eno, and the remarkable achievements he has recorded in little over a year he assumed office as the Executive Governor of Akwa-Ibom State.

     He has continuously maintained his posture as a man of integrity, compassion and a strong commitment to the development of the people.

    As a pastor and also a seasoned public servant, his values are rooted in faith, service to others, and humility. His leadership has always been about creating opportunities for the people of Akwa Ibom and addressing their needs, particularly in the areas of education, healthcare, and economic development.

    Since assuming office, Governor Eno has continued the work of transforming Akwa Ibom State into a beacon of progress and prosperity. His focus on infrastructure, industrialization, and social welfare has been evident in the policies and programs he has implemented. His vision for the state transcends personal or familial ambitions, and any claims that he is using his position to promote his daughter are inconsistent with his established track record of selfless service.

    Under his watch, Akwa Ibom is experiencing significant growth in all the sectors. The Governor is deeply committed to fostering unity, peace, and development across Akwa Ibom. His administration has prioritized policies that empower the youth, provide better healthcare, and improve infrastructure, all aimed at enhancing the quality of life for the people.

    He has further expanded the frontiers of development he inherited from his predecessor. In education, health, environment, human capital development and food security, the governor is leading the charge, and galvanising the people to follow the path of socio-economic development in the state,

    The people of Akwa Ibom should not be distracted by the detractors of the governor. Rather, they should stand behind their governor, recognizing the sacrifices he has made and continues to make for the greater good of the state. Distracting from these accomplishments with baseless accusations does not serve the interests of the people. Instead, it is vital to appreciate the work Governor Eno is doing, while also allowing him the grace to navigate his personal challenges.

    • Ini writes from Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State

  • Kyari’s NNPCL: A story of resilience, accountability, growth

    Kyari’s NNPCL: A story of resilience, accountability, growth

    By Kunle Akinlami

    He is perhaps the most vilified Chief Executive that ever headed the nation’s oil corporation, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, Mallam Mele Kyari is indeed a cat with nine lives. He has miraculously survived high-powered machnations from entrenched powerful interests that are milking the nation dry through many fraudulent schemes in the oil sector. Unmitigated media smear campaigns were unleashed on him with the purpose of frustrating him out of the system so that business as usual will continue, at the collective detriment of the Nigerian people. He remained unperturbed, focusing on the herculean task of repositioning the nation’s oil corporation for greater efficiency and profitability and also ensuring energy security for the nation.

    Despite facing significant criticism,  he keeps his eye on the ball, and continues to deliver on the RenewedHope mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration with regard to oil sector reforms and energy availability and security.  Under the leadership of Mele Kyari, NNPCL,  has made impressive strides in revitalising Nigeria’s oil sector.

    Since his assumption into office  as the  Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL in 2019, Kyari has led a transformation that has improved crude oil production, enhanced transparency, and addressed long-standing inefficiencies within the corporation.

    One of Kyari’s most notable achievements is the substantial increase in Nigeria’s daily crude oil production. For instance,  in the last quarter of 2022, Nigeria’s oil output had plummeted to as low as 900,000 barrels per day (bpd), a sharp decline from its OPEC quota. However, by July 2024, under Kyari’s leadership, the country boosted its production to 1.53 million bpd, including condensates. This achievement represents a significant recovery for Nigeria’s oil sector and further underscores the efforts by Kyari to ensure the country meets its production goals, thereby increasing the foreign earnings for NIgeria.

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    It is imperative to also recall that when Kyari took over the reins at NNPCL, the corporation faced serious challenges. Nigeria’s oil production was suffering due to rampant oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and declining investments in oil infrastructure. The country was not only struggling to meet its OPEC quota but also losing revenue that could be used for national development.

    Kyari quickly took action to reverse the situation. By implementing security measures to curb pipeline vandalism and tackling oil theft head-on, the NNPCL made significant progress in addressing these challenges. One of the key successes during this period was the discovery of a four-kilometer illegal pipeline connected to the Forcados Terminal, which had been siphoning oil into the sea for nearly nine years. This illegal operation, once uncovered, was shut down, contributing to the overall increase in oil production.

    Through these targeted actions, Kyari’s leadership has succeeded in stabilizing and gradually increasing Nigeria’s daily production. By mid-2024, the country had regained its position as Africa’s leading oil producer, surpassing Angola and Algeria.

    Beyond increasing production, Kyari’s leadership has had a profound impact on indigenous oil operators in Nigeria. A clear example of this is the support provided to First E&P, a Nigerian oil company that was on the brink of collapse. First E&P had acquired the Anyala and Madu oil fields, located offshore in the Niger Delta, from Chevron but faced a significant financial shortfall when its multinational partner withdrew from the project.

    At this critical juncture, NNPCL stepped in to save the project. Kyari’s team reviewed the company’s development plan and committed to funding 100% of the required $725 million for the fields’ development. This bold move not only saved First E&P but also helped bring an additional 60,000 barrels of oil per day into Nigeria’s overall production.

    This intervention highlights NNPCL’s new role under Kyari as not just a national oil company but as a critical partner for indigenous oil operators. By providing both financial backing and operational flexibility, NNPCL has enabled Nigerian companies to thrive and contribute to the country’s oil production.

    One of Kyari’s most transformative initiatives at NNPCL has been the introduction of the Transparency, Accountability, and Performance Excellence (TAPE) agenda. Launched shortly after he assumed office, the TAPE agenda represents a bold commitment to opening up NNPCL’s operations to public scrutiny and improving its overall performance.

    Under the TAPE agenda, NNPCL made history by publishing its audited financial statements for the first time in 44 years. This unprecedented move has increased public trust in the corporation, as stakeholders and Nigerians alike can now access detailed financial and operational reports. Furthermore, NNPCL began releasing monthly financial and operations reports, further enhancing transparency and allowing for real-time assessment of the corporation’s performance.

    Kyari’s dedication to transparency has not only improved NNPCL’s public image but has also led to significant financial gains. In 2020, NNPCL reported its first profit in over four decades, recording a profit of N287 billion. This success continued in 2021, with the company announcing an even higher profit of N674.1 billion. By 2023, the company’s financial performance had skyrocketed, with a reported profit of N2.5 trillion for the 16-month period ending in December 2022.

    These achievements reflect Kyari’s vision of transforming NNPCL into a profitable and efficient national oil company that delivers value to the Nigerian people. His leadership has demonstrated that transparency and accountability can drive both financial success and operational efficiency.

    Despite challenges facing the sector, which could be traced to years of neglect of global best practices in the oil sector, inadequate critical infrastructure, security threats to oil pipelines and significant disruption being experienced by the global oil industry, which is reflected in the oil prices fluctuations,  to the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Mele Kyari’s tenure as GCEO of NNPCL has been marked by remarkable achievements in increasing oil production, supporting indigenous oil companies, and improving transparency and accountability. His leadership has brought stability to a sector that was previously mired in inefficiency, oil theft, and opaqueness.

    Under his guidance, NNPCL has transformed into a more transparent, profitable, and performance-driven organization. The TAPE agenda has set new standards for corporate governance within the company, while Kyari’s commitment to supporting indigenous oil operators has boosted Nigeria’s overall production capacity.

    Kyari’s leadership has laid the foundation for a more resilient and successful oil sector in Nigeria. His efforts are not just about increasing production; they represent a broader vision of ensuring that Nigeria’s oil resources are managed in a way that benefits all Nigerians and contributes to the country’s long-term economic stability.

    In appreciation of his giant strides at reforming the sector,  a group, focused on tackling rising cases of oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the oil rich Niger Delta region,   the Niger Delta Anti-Pipeline Vandalization and Oil Theft Task Force Group (NAVOTTFG) commended the NNPCL and its subsidiaries for stabilising the sector, through enablement of thriving operational environment.

    • Akinlami writes from Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory

  • Why divorce cases are on the rise

    Why divorce cases are on the rise

    Sir: Nigeria happens to be among the countries with the highest divorce rates, according to recent statistics from Divorce.com – a United States website that provides a platform for couples navigating life before or after divorce. The website placed Nigeria 11th on its list of 26 countries with high divorce rates, stating that Nigeria’s divorce rate reached 2.9 percent in 2023. This translates to 1.8 divorces per 1,000 people in the same year.

    What’s even more troubling is that this high divorce rate exists despite the fact that both Islam and Christianity strongly frown on divorce. Divorce.com also noted that in a country like Nigeria, the stability of a marriage primarily depends on factors like religion, extended family ties, and cultural values. Marriage is highly valued, and the stigmatization of divorce helps sustain the intense social pressure to maintain marriages, even in the face of difficulties.

    However, times are changing. For one, conservative Christians, who have long frowned on divorce and encouraged couples to seek reconciliation, now increasingly see it as a better option than domestic violence and infidelity. Additionally, Divorce.com mentioned that in some parts of Nigeria, if a marriage requires paying a substantial amount of money—commonly known as the “bride price”—to the bride’s family, maternal relatives will try to keep the union from falling apart to avoid returning the bride price.

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    The passage of time has brought paradigm shifts. The reduction of stigma surrounding divorce and the growing financial independence of women have made a difference. Many women no longer see domestic violence as something to be endured, especially when it occurs frequently and places them at risk of significant physical injury, mental and emotional trauma, and, in some extreme cases, the loss of their own lives. As such, more women now find it easier to seek divorce as a measure of finality rather than as a last resort.

    Perhaps marriages fail because, as human beings, we fail to see just how much work goes into sustaining a good home. Conflict is inevitable in any relationship, but resolution is never impossible. Of course, domestic violence and abuse are inexcusable. Anyone who is constantly being abused within a marriage should be encouraged to leave for their own good, whether children are involved or not.

    There are couples who have been together for decades and are still going strong. If we ask these couples how they managed to stay together despite the odds, their invaluable answers might not be all that surprising.

    •Zayd Ibn Isah,lawcadet1@gmail.com

  • Still on Nigeria at 64

    Still on Nigeria at 64

    By Abdullateef Isa

    Sir: Last week, Nigeria celebrated its 64th independence anniversary, and the question on the lips of many was: where is the country headed? Those who witnessed the events that led to the country’s independence remembered the events with nostalgia, and wondered what exactly should be celebrated 64 years later.

    A 64th independence anniversary that ought to be marked with all the fanfare it deserves turned into an occasion for deep sober reflection among concerned citizens. Instead of jubilation, many Nigerians found themselves thinking about the rot that had happened and is still happening to the country, the so-called giant of Africa.

    When independence was achieved on October 1, 1960, the people were filled with euphoria. Sadly, the reverse is the case today. In the last paragraph of the October 1, 1963 editorial of the Daily Times, the charge was, “Roll out the drums, blow the trumpets, let the fanfare echo to the four corners of the world. Africa’s most populous State, strides out with renewed faith this glorious morning”.

    Could anyone make such a charge today?

    In its October 1, 1969 editorial, the Daily Times remarked, “The surviving generation of Nigerians who have managed to live through 40 years of the nationalist struggle for freedom, must be disappointed that the dream of a greater Nigeria in which millions permitted themselves to revel on October 1, 1960—that the transfer of political power from foreigners to indigenes would usher in an era of peace and orderly government—has remained as elusive as ever before independence”. Sadly, it seems the Daily Times was remarking about present-day Nigeria. Most of the issues raised then persist today and there has been little development in every considered sector. It feels as if Nigeria is a snail, crawling along.

    The most shocking thing, however, is how Nigerian leaders live large while the citizens suffer. Only the leaders appear happy, and all evidence suggests they are unwilling or not working towards making the people too happy. Funds meant for developmental projects are often swindled and stored in personal reserves.

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    Despite its abundant natural and human resources, Nigeria remains in disarray. These resources are often mismanaged, underutilized, or better still, wasted. Brains that ought to be efficiently used for individual and societal development are pushed to the walls by harsh economic realities. Many brilliant Nigerian brains have deserted Nigeria and left for where they can better their lives. ‘Japa’ is on a geometric rise.

    Nigerian leaders must rise to the occasion and see to the nation’s pressing issues. A person’s sire-land should not feel like a burden. Leaders should strive to take the people to where they ought to be, and not punish them for offences they did not commit. Issues that concern the people must be promptly addressed the way the national anthem was swiftly switched. Restructuring is imminent at this point in time, and leaders must stop paying lip service to it.

    It is disheartening to note that many Nigerian youths are indifferent to their country. The reason for this is not far-fetched. It stems from the actions and inactions of the leaders. Youths wonder what country exactly they would be loyal to; a country that cares less about them and their well-being? Patriotism cannot be built when leaders are not exemplary.

    The citizens, too, must do better. Leaders emerge from among the people, and Nigerians need to start cultivating leadership skills from a tender age. The mentality of “I will take my share when I get there” must be buried and buried for good. If this trend continues, no one will be safe. Positive change must begin with each Nigerian.

    Student leaders in educational institutions must start leading by example, demonstrating to current leaders that things can be done better. Intellectual student unionism should be revitalized, bringing back the kind of days when Nigerian students actively and orderly engaged in public interest matters.

    Nigerians, individually and collectively, must display a patriotic interest in the leadership recruitment process. They must seek out leaders who will be responsive to their needs. At the same time, they must begin to look at what they can offer the country, and not just what the country can offer them. They must note that for lasting change to occur, it must occur from the inside out. And hopefully, with all necessary things done, Nigeria at 65 will be better for all.

    • Abdullateef Isa, University of Ibadan.