The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • Insecurity and northern elites

    Insecurity and northern elites

    • By Kola Amzat

    Sir: Quite a number of well-meaning Nigerians, respected diplomats, as well as religious leaders have passionately appealed to President Bola Tinubu to replicate across Nigeria, the same decisiveness and spirit of urgency he deployed to abort recent coup in Republic of Benin, to tackle the challenges of insurgence, banditry and general unending insecurity across the country.

    With no shadow of doubt, the ruthlessness and breath-taking fashion of Nigerian troops in routing out Benin Republic coup plotters underscores what Nigeria armed forces are capable of doing…internally and externally, if the circumstances are right.

    For emphasis, Nigeria troops significantly contributed to the final collapse of apartheid in South Africa.   Nigerian troops were the military backbone of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) from 2003-2018, assisting to ultimately restore security and orderliness into the country that had been ravaged by brutal civil war.

    Militarily, Nigeria troops were towering and indomitable in peacekeeping efforts in Congo, Chad, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Darfur, as well as providing military assistance to Gambia and Tanzania. 

    How come it’s taking the same armed forces decades to neutralize the internal banditry, insurgency and criminality?

    How come there are discordant tunes amongst the military in the North, West, South and East of Nigeria, a challenge alien to the armed forces of that glorious time?

    For the avoidance of doubt, the problem of militating against this government is an internal challenge, rooted in the entrenched interest of the Northern group of elites.  

    In the North-west, North-east and North-central where there are preponderance of bandits, insurgents and criminals, the political leaders and traditional rulers have over decades paid little or no attention to the very powerful and stupendously wealthy men, as well as financiers of terrorists, who together hold the country by the jugular.

    Until the men in authority and power that be, in the northern regions collaborate and resolve to work in conjunction with the Tinubu government in its efforts to deal and completely neutralize the key figures and the so-called untouchables in the north who now control the bands of criminals and militias in the region, the criminals would continue to hold the nation to ransom.

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    Instructively, the identities of these men, funding terrorism were disclosed in 2017 when UAE authority arrested, prosecuted and convicted six Nigerians alongside other foreign terrorism sponsors.

    For the president and federal government to make significant headway in combating criminality, banditry and insurgency, northern authority must collaborate with the government in order to draw curtains on the activity of these agents of darkness.   

    It’s also important to emphasize the high level of frustration in the densely populated north, challenge necessitated by wide-scale poverty, low-level of education amongst the generality of citizenry, very poor health schemes, and generally non-exposure of millions of northern youths.

    With the diverse challenges highlighted above, the continually hungry teeming youths, with little or no care, coupled with scourge of illiteracy, are easily attracted and recruited into criminality and banditry.

    It’s indeed unfortunate that quite a number of northern stakeholders have continually been making reckless pronouncements drawing comparison between insurgents in the North and militants in the Niger Delta region, a deliberate attempt aimed at subjecting the government to pressure to adopt the same treatment for the two separate groups.

    The two groups are never the same. They don’t fight for the same cause! They’re obviously not driven by the same agenda!

    For Nigeria therefore to triumph in the battle against banditry and insurgency, the northern elites must arise and work in concert with the government.

    The north must dutifully accept that the region contributed to the unrest and general climate of insecurity in their region, and by extension, all over Nigeria.

    They must accept that the wide-scale insecurity in the north is what has overflown to other regions, causing breaking down of law and order.

    •Kola Amzat (FCA, FCIB),

    Lagos.

  • Still on indigenous languages as mode of instruction in schools

    Still on indigenous languages as mode of instruction in schools

    • By Chiedu Uche Okoye

    Sir: A man, who cannot speak his native language, is a cultural alien; and as such, he cannot be socialized into his people’s culture. Language, we know, belongs to the non-material aspect of culture. So, idioms and proverbs, which are inherent in a language, help to mould the personalities of young people within the cultural setting where the language is spoken.

    So, a man who cannot speak his native language is not moored to his people’s culture. He is an outsider in his own cultural milieu.

    A young person’s mastery of his native tongue will enhance his cognitive ability and his understanding of his immediate natural environment. Studies carried out by scholars show the advantages of teaching school children in their mother tongues during their formative years.

    Those studies show that when school children are taught in their native languages, they will understand complex concepts and phenomena, easily. And the experiments carried out in Yorubaland by scholars in the area of education psychology have proved that kids taught in Yoruba language in the southwest performed exceedingly well. The results of those studies have fuelled the agitation for the adoption of the educational policy that stipulates that school children should be taught in their native tongues.

    But that policy- which is teaching school children in their native languages-has its disadvantages, too. Although it is being romanticized by advocates of the use of indigenous languages as mode of instruction in our schools, it has numerous downsides, which demand dispassionate evaluation and dissection.

    Are all Nigerian languages so developed that they have words for terms used in all specialized areas of learning? And do dialects in a language, such as Igbo, have a common orthography? The answers to these questions are categorical no.

    Therefore, imparting knowledge to school children, who speak different dialects of a language, will be a difficult task for a teacher, as the children will find the teacher’s teaching unintelligible. For example, some Igbo people cannot understand Igbo language dialects but their own dialect. So it can be seen that most of our native languages are inadequate as modes of transmission of knowledge to school children.

    Again, a public or private primary school located in a cosmopolitan city will have a population of pupils that is composed of pupils from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Such a school can be called a mini-Nigeria because most of our ethnic groups are represented there. Making a choice regarding the language that will be used to teach the school children in the school will pose an insurmountable problem to the school administrators.

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    More so, the school teachers require training in the indigenous languages to enhance their proficiency in the use of those languages for pedagogy. Giving them the fundamental training in native languages will cost our government a stupendous amount of money.

    So when the pros and cons of using indigenous languages as languages of instruction in our schools are juxtaposed side by side, it will be discovered that the disadvantages of that proposed educational policy far outweigh its advantages.

    Our clamour for the adoption of indigenous languages is predicated on the fear that the non-use of local languages in our schools will make them become extinct. But such fears are unfounded and baseless. Nigerians who live outside their ethnic groups speak their respective native languages. And surprisingly, some Nigerian youths who were born in foreign countries speak their native languages, fluently. Can a language that is used daily by its owners become extinct?

    Let us not sacrifice English language, our official language, on the altar of linguistic moonshine, which is canonized as the promotion of native tongues. From Australia to America, and from Ghana to London, English language is spoken by a great number of earth’s inhabitants. It is the language of diplomacy, the language of commerce, the language of law, the language of laity, and the language of science.

    To jettison English language as the language of instruction in our schools will impede the growth we are making in the area of education. We should not forget that education is the bedrock of national development. So it behoves us to board the vehicle that will take us to our destination in no time.

    •Chiedu Uche Okoye,

    Uruowulu-Obosi, Anambra State.

  • Jama’at-ul Islamiyya okays Tinubu’s tax policy

    Jama’at-ul Islamiyya okays Tinubu’s tax policy

    The President of Jama’at-ul Islamiyya of Nigeria, Alhaji Hashim Oyekan, has described the federal government’s proposed tax reforms as a welcome development.

    He made this known during a seminar organised by organization in Magodo, Lagos.

    Alhaji Oyekan, an engineer, stressed that Nigeria must move away from its sole reliance on volatile oil revenues.

    There is no fear about the new tax law, but there are rumours spread by people that all our accounts will be frozen, our children will not enjoy. That is why we decided to enlighten our people. To me, the proposed tax policy is a welcome development in the sense that governance is collective; it is not just for one sector, it is for everyone in the society.”

    Alhaji Oyekan argued that citizens must contribute financially to the society to reasonably expect the government to provide essential services, security and infrastructure.

    He highlighted the policy’s progressive nature, noting that low-income earners are often exempted, ensuring the burden is spread equitably.

    “If it is spread, the burden will not be too much on one group,” he affirmed.

    He also pointed out investment incentives, such as relief on start-up capital and pension arrangements, designed to encourage business registration and compliance.

    An Associate Professor of Law at the University of Ilorin, Dr. Dauda Ariyoosu, asserted that the payment of tax is as old as the government and recognised in both Islam and Christianity.

    “In Islam, Zakat is compulsory on certain amounts of income while in Christendom, tithe is as well compulsory,” he said.

    He reminded the audience of the Islamic injunction to obey Allah, His messenger and those in authority, which, he clarified, refers to the government.

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    He cited developed countries where tax collection serves as the primary revenue source, advising Nigerians to embrace the reforms for the numerous ensuing benefits.

    He, however, cautioned against witch-hunting by tax authorities and urged government parastatals to intensify efforts to educate the public on the mechanics of tax payment.

    A Past President of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN), Prince Rasak Kunle Qadri, reinforced the moral and divine obligation to pay taxes, warning that tax evasion is unacceptable and will inevitably be met with sanctions.

    He maintained that taxation remains the most sustainable way for a government to fund its operations and fulfil its mandate.

    “We should not see tax as a punishment because it’s something that you do in order for you to be able to ask questions. If you are a member of a community and you don’t pay subscription, you cannot talk. But once you start paying subscription, you can ask questions,” he said.

    He criticised what he called the Nigerian populace’s tendency to be too lazy and too dumb to actively monitor and question government spending, even after paying their dues.

    He appealed to the press to become a stronger voice for the unenlightened, consistently demanding proof of service delivery be it schools, hospitals or roads from the government.

  • Regular walk ll’ reduce healthcare costs, says don

    Regular walk ll’ reduce healthcare costs, says don

    A senior lecturer at the Department of Actuarial Science and Insurance, University of Lagos, Prof. Tajudeen Yusuf, has called on the Federal government to legislate mandatory walking for Nigerians, noting that it could significantly reduce the nation’s healthcare expenditure.

    He made the call on during the 2025 Walk for Life, Peace and Unity, an annual health awareness event organised by the Human Concern Foundation International (HCFI), aimed at promoting physical and mental well-being, unity, and peaceful coexistence.

    Prof. Yusuf described walking as a simple, yet powerful habit that boosts physical health, reduces economic strain, and contributes to national well-being.

    “If the Nigerian government can legislate mandatory walking for citizens, I assure you it will drastically cut down our budget on curative medicine. Prevention is better than cure. Walking helps prevent all kinds of illnesses,” Prof. Yusuf said.

    According to him, “Walking helps prevent avoidable diseases and cuts down on healthcare spending. Personally, walking is my lifestyle. I can’t remember the last time I visited a hospital or even used paracetamol.”

    The Don also highlighted its spiritual value of walking and regular exercise, explaining that it is embedded in Islamic acts of worship.

    The Convener and Executive Director of HCFI, Prof. Ibrahim Oreagba, called for harmony and national cohesion in Nigeria.

    “At this point in time in our country, we need peace and unity. We’ve come a long way as a nation, and we believe we all have a lot to benefit from one another when we work together in a peaceful environment,” he said.

    Prof. Oreagba noted that beyond the symbolic call for unity, the walk also aimed to raise public awareness about the health benefits of walking, which many people still overlook.

    “We use this event to sensitise the public on the significance of walking as a form of exercise. Walking for at least 30 minutes daily helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and stroke. It also supports mental wellness and can even reduce cancer risk,” he added.

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    The Muslim Congress Secretary General, Alhaji Taiwo Adesina, urged Nigerians to adopt walking as a consistent lifestyle practice.

    He said regular walking requires intentionality, especially for those who own vehicles and are accustomed to minimal physical activity.

    Alhaji Adesina noted that walking naturally boosts endorphin levels, promoting a sense of well-being that some seek through unhealthy means like substance abuse.

    He added that trekking also supports physical and even sensual strength, referencing its alignment with exercises like Kegels.

    Executive Secretary, Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) Nigeria, Kazeem Akindunbi extolled HCFI for organising the walk, describing it as a meaningful exercise that benefits every participant in powerful ways.

    Akindunbi said the walk was a timely push for many to restore their energy and reconnect with others.

    He said walking is one of the simplest habits with enormous health benefits, including reducing the risk of hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, obesity, and depression.

    “It strengthens the body, calms the mind, and creates space for reflection, helping build healthier and more balanced individuals ready to contribute positively to society,” he noted.

  • The Uzodimma effect: Globalisation of Imo Economic Summit

    The Uzodimma effect: Globalisation of Imo Economic Summit

    By Chekwube Nzomiwu

    In a long while, I have not seen any event in Nigeria that witnessed a convergence of high-caliber global political and business leaders like the just concluded Imo Economic Summit 2025, held at Concorde Boulevard, Owerri. The summit which launched Imo State to global horizon had in attendance notable international figures, such as the former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon and former British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson.

    African political leaders in attendance at the two-day event included President Joseph Boakai of Liberia, President Amina Akim of Mauritius and the Prime Minister of Sao Tome and Principe, Americo Ramos. Vice President of Nigeria, Kashim Shettima GCON, declared the summit open on behalf of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR.  Lest I forget, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Chief Wale Edun, physically attended the event that attracted several Nigerian state governors.  

    The roll call of the global business leaders at the summit included the richest man in Africa and founder of the multi-billion dollar Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, immediate past President of Afreximbank, Professor Benedit Oramah, Managing Directors and Chief Executive Officers of leading commercial banks in the country, and other industry leaders. The premium event was hosted by Imo State Governor, His Excellency Hope Uzodinma.

    Themed: “Unlocking Imo’s Economic Potential: Partnership, Investment and Innovation,” Governor Uzodinma used the opportunity to announce the entrance of Imo State into a new era of economic transformation, driven by strategic reforms, massive infrastructure expansion and a pro-business environment designed to attract and protect investment.”

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    The Uzodinma effect:

    Recall that since assuming office on January 15, 2020, Governor Uzodimma has painstakingly pursued his vision of transforming Imo State into a premier economic hub, leveraging its oil and gas reserves, agriculture, strategic location and improved infrastructure. Aligned with national reforms, his vision is geared towards achieving a $1 trillion economy for the state and creating jobs, with focus on energy, digital economy, infrastructure development, agriculture and value chains, as well as security and governance.

    Globalisation of Imo Economic Summit:

    The Oxford Dictionary defines globalization as “the process by which businesses or other organisations develop international influence or start operating on an international scale.” Judging by this definition, the just concluded Imo Economic Summit 2025, the first of its kind in Eastern Nigeria, exemplifies a strong “consolidated” global platform for political and business leaders to brainstorm on how to take advantage of the massive transformative opportunities in Imo State to engender economic growth and sustainable development in the state and by extension, Nigeria and the African continent.

    It is interesting to note that the discussions at the summit did not just centre on how to harness the economic potential of Imo State, but extended to issues of global concern, including climate change and sustainable development. The quest for Artificial Intelligence (AI) driven secure clean and sustainable power for Imo State and the entire Nigeria, Nigeria’s deep historic and cultural ties with Britain, Nigeria’s security, desire for peace, democracy and good governance in Africa, economic roadmap, both for Imo, Nigeria and Africa, and investment opportunities were equally discussed. 

    For instance, Ban Ki-moon reiterated that Africa holds the solutions to resolving many of the world’s pending challenges, particularly climate change and sustainable development, which the UN Sustainable Goals (SDGs) envisions. The South Korean politician and diplomat, however, made it clear that the world cannot achieve true sustainability without first addressing the unique challenges of the African continent.

    Describing the climate crisis as already a lived reality, the former UN scribe urged nations to uphold the Paris Agreement despite recent setbacks. Zeroing in on the African continent, Banki-moon highlighted the injustice faced by African nations, saying “although 54 African countries contribute only four percent of global emissions, they remain among the worst affected by climate disasters.”

    In a keynote address, Boris Johnson praised Governor Uzodinma for his push to provide 24-hour electricity in Imo State as part of efforts to drive economic growth. The former British Prime Minister suggested that Artificial Intelligence (AI), being the future, would play a critical role in helping the governor realise his plan to secure clean and sustainable power for Imo State and the entire Nigeria.

    Johnson recalled that Nigeria and Britain share deep historic and cultural ties, strengthened by continuous exchanges of skilled professionals. Contrary to widespread security concerns about Nigeria, including the latest UK travel advisory, urging Britons to reconsider their need to visit Nigeria, Johnson declared that he felt perfectly safe in the course of his visit.

    Bringing the discussion home, President Boakai noted that Imo and Liberia have a lot more in common, beyond occupying geographical space in West Africa, adding that they share a history of resilience, desire for peace, commitment to good governance and the belief that Africa can rise on its terms, through its own efforts. While highlighting Liberia’s recent elevation to a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council as an honour for Africa, Boakai looked forward to a fruitful collaboration between Imo and Liberia through regional alliances, focused on development and democratic governance. He expressed confidence that innovation could become the engine that drives the transformation of Imo State.

    President Akim of Mauritius and Prime Minister Ramos of Sao Tome and Principe, also acknowledged the promise of Africa as the beacon of hope for the world, urging deeper collaboration to harness the potential of Imo, Nigeria and the African continent at large.

    Instant results:

    Unlike other economic summits that end in elocutions, the Imo Economic Summit started yielding instant results, with Aliko Dangote challenging Governor Uzodinma to show him where to invest and forget the rest. The President of Dangote Group expressed the readiness of his conglomerate to become the biggest investor in Imo. Dangote urged the Governor to identify priority areas, assuring that his group would make commitments once directed. 

    Earlier, Vice President Shettima who represented President Tinubu, reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the federal government to the economic development of Imo State and highlighted the summit’s role in fostering and attracting investments through various initiatives.

    Conclusion:

    By all indications, the Imo Economic Summit yielded the desired benefits. Quoting the Commissioner for Finance and Coordinating Economy in Imo State, Dr. Chuck Chuckuemeka: “Imo State has risen but people do not know it. The summit was an opportunity for people to see the quantum of transformation, innovation and investments that occurred here in the last few years, as clearly articulated in the Governor’s speech. And frankly, the level of investments inquiries in the last few days has been unabated in all sectors, anchored on the post-summit activities and strategies.”

    I cannot end without applauding Governor Uzodinma for his foresight in organising the Imo Economic Summit. Section 14 (2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) makes security and welfare of the citizens the primary duty of government. The welfare of the citizens can only be guaranteed by a viable economy.  Taking a cue from the Imo State Government, the states can do a lot in this regard. It is important to note that security and welfare go hand in hand. It is difficult to have either of them without the other.

    • Nzomiwu Ph.D, MNIPR is the Director of Media and Publicity, Development Communication Research Association of Nigeria (DECRAN). Reactions to this article are welcome via chekmma@yahoo.com and 08037752672 (WhatsApp only)

  • Labour blows hot again

    Labour blows hot again

    ‘Battle’ is its undeclared name, and so you never find the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) chilling for too long without calling a fight. Sometimes, though, you wonder if the fight being called makes sense in the circumstance.

    The congress has announced plans to stage a nationwide protest on Wednesday, December 17, over insecurity in the country. In a communiqué last Monday at the end of its national executive council meeting in Lagos, it deplored heightened level of insecurity across the land, including the recent abduction of 24 schoolgirls in Kebbi that it described as alarming.

    The communiqué signed by NLC President, Joe Ajaero, and Acting General Secretary, Benson Upah, condemned the abductions and killing of school staff during the incident and criticised reported withdrawal of security personnel from the affected school just before the attack. It called on government to secure all schools, particularly those in remote and vulnerable areas, and demanded immediate investigation and prosecution of those responsible for the security lapses.

    Among other things, the congress warned that failure by government to address insecurity and other pressing national issues could lead to escalated industrial actions across various sectors, including health and education. It made clear that workers’ safety and welfare remained a top priority in NLC’s advocacy, promising that the planned protest would be peaceful but resolute and aimed at compelling the government to act decisively. The congress also urged state governments and security agencies to intensify measures to protect vulnerable communities, particularly schools and students, warning that continued neglect could undermine national stability.

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    At the opening of the NEC meeting penultimate Thursday, Ajaero argued that Nigerians had endured enough, and it was time to put a stop to killings by criminal bandits and terrorists. “We are going to declare nationwide protests of mourning to demand an end to the killings. We will also demand to know who ordered the withdrawal of soldiers before the Kebbi school children were abducted,” he said.

    While Labour’s concern is perfectly legitimate, you would wonder what value a nationwide protest at this time would add to national quest for a remedy. As of now, the Kebbi schoolgirls referenced by the congress are out of the abductors’ hold and other abductees are also being gotten out, although by installments. There have been changes made in the security hierarchy, with a new Minister of Defence just settling to work. Ideally, he needs some space to get to grips with expectations. Besides, since the designation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Personal Concern’ by United States President Donald Trump, there has been heightened attention to security matters as makes any extraneous effort to call attention to the same issue totally superfluous.

    NLC, with its protest, will be making some noise just for the sake of it. There’s no end it will be serving that the Trump effect hasn’t more than served.

  • Nasir El-Rufai’s hypocrisy and manufactured northern victimhood

    Nasir El-Rufai’s hypocrisy and manufactured northern victimhood

    Sir: Former Kaduna governor, Nasir El-Rufai is at it again weaponising religion, inflaming northern emotions, and inventing conspiracies just because he is no longer the one sitting close to the corridors of power.

    He shared Bello Doka’s article alleging that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is “waging a quiet war against the Muslim North.” Coming from a man whose politics has been built on religious division, the propaganda is painfully predictable.

    But let us tell ourselves the truth: Politics of religion is dead. Competence has taken centre stage. The North will not be dragged backwards by one man’s bitterness. El-Rufai’s Problem Is Not the North His problem is that Tinubu is not using him.

    This sudden defence of “Muslim North” did not exist during Buhari’s government. Where was this righteous energy when Buhari filled every important office with northern Muslims?

    Chief of Army Staff – Muslim, North; Chief of Air Staff – Muslim, North; Defence Minister – Muslim, North.

    What happened?

    Banditry exploded. Kaduna burned. Zamfara collapsed. Katsina was bleeding. Farms became graveyards and schools were turned to kidnap markets.

    So let’s ask El-Rufai: If Muslim appointments automatically bring security, why did your own Kaduna become the epicentre of killings under a Muslim – Muslim government?

    The hypocrisy is loud. When Buhari filled Nigeria with northerners, El-Rufai said: “Appointments should be based on competence.”

    Today Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu balances appointments and suddenly competence no longer matters, only religion matters?

    Where did this sudden “love” for northern Muslims come from?

    El-Rufai, the same man who said Kaduna South complaints against Muslim – Muslim ticket were childish, is now crying religion?

    The hypocrisy is disgusting.

    The North must stop allowing political manipulators to play saviour

    The same El-Rufai who silenced clergy in Kaduna is now pretending to defend Islam? The same man who divided Kaduna by religion for eight years now wants to preach religious fairness?

    Nigeria knows him, Kaduna knows him, and history knows him.

    Whenever Nigeria begins to unite, El-Rufai appears with matches and kerosene.

    Religion is his political oxygen.

    Division is his comfort zone.

    Chaos is his political career.

    Tinubu owes you competence, not sectarian appointments. The entire idea that “Northern Muslims are being removed” collapses when placed beside reality: Middle Belt finally has representation; Northerners are still in key offices, and Christian Northerners are finally considered human beings.

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    Appointments are no longer a religious monopoly.

    Is that war? Or sanity?

    A northerner is not defined by religion

    El-Rufai’s logic is clear: If you are not a Muslim, even if you are from Northern Nigeria, you don’t belong.

    So Plateau, Benue, Southern Kaduna and Taraba should become foreign countries?

    This is exactly why Middle Belt shunned northern politics under Buhari. Tinubu is correcting decades of marginalisation inside the North itself.

    Tinubu is doing what El-Rufai never had the courage to do: Balancing the system, uniting the country, reducing ethnic monopoly and restraining religious dominance.

    And that is what truly frightens him.

    Nigerians are tired of religious merchants. We want roads. We want electricity. We want better security. We want working economy. We want competent appointees

    Not loud emotional blackmail from political middlemen searching for relevance.

    If Northern Muslims like Buratai, Sadiq, Monguno, Badaru and others could not secure Nigeria when they controlled everything, then the problem is not religion.

    The problem is that incompetent people were recycled because they were Northerners and Muslims, not because they could deliver.

    Tinubu is ending that rubbish. El-Rufai, the game is over.

    The era of religious extortion is gone. The North is wiser. Nigeria is tired and the Muslim North you are trying to provoke has suffered enough under the same system you defended for eight years.

    If you have a presidential candidate for 2027, bring him. Tell Nigerians his achievements. Tell us what he did. Tell us where he succeeded.

    But don’t hide behind Islam. We are not buying that trick again.

    Nigeria is moving forward. With or without the tears of expired politicians.

    •Sa’adiyyah Adebisi Hassan,Kaduna.

  • Will the system allow General Musa to work?

    Will the system allow General Musa to work?

    Sir: Across religion, tribe, region, and political persuasion, Nigerians have lifted General Christopher Gwabin Musa on a wave of goodwill as he assumes office as Minister of Defence. It is a moment heavy with hope, supported by the growing sense that the system can work if given the right leadership.

    Musa’s record as Chief of Defence Staff earned him a credibility that neither propaganda nor political choreography could manufacture. He was respected in the barracks and appreciated by citizens who watched a man who communicated to Nigerians clearly, acted decisively, and understood the gravity of Nigeria’s security crisis.

    But as CDS, Musa was at the centre of Nigeria’s security storms with limited room to operate. His influence was bounded by entrenched interests and the political machinery surrounding the armed forces. He pushed the military as far as the system allowed, yet the deeper engines of decision-making remained outside his reach. He could direct operations but not redesign the architecture that produced those operations. He neutralized criminals, but could not neutralize the competing interests of powerful figures who hold opposing philosophies on how terrorists should be engaged. He could respond to crises, but not restructure the institutions that continually generated them. His role demanded results in an environment where major security decisions were shaped by political calculations.

    Now, as Minister of Defence, Musa is at the nexus where policy, procurement, doctrine, inter-agency coordination. In this office, he can set tempo, direction, standards, and expectations. It is understandable why Nigerians; exhausted by years of insecurity; have placed their hopes on his shoulders.

    But Nigeria’s defence architecture is not a technical institution; it is a political battlefield populated by entrenched interests. There are politicians who profit from insecurity. There are officials who enable bandit networks. There are influential religious figures whose rhetoric softens the ground for criminality. There are state governors who prefer negotiations, ransom payments, and accommodation over decisive action. There are appointees who resist reforms because it threatens the channels through which billions are siphoned. There are intelligence officers who hoard information or divert it to criminals. These forces do not evaporate simply because a competent man has been appointed. They form the landscape Musa must confront as Minister of Defence.

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    In truth, Musa’s toughest challenges may not come from bandits, terrorists, or herdsmen, but from within the corridors of power. There will be tensions with officials who favour negotiation over strength strategy. There will be clashes in doctrine with those who treat hardened criminals as stakeholders rather than threats to the state. There will be frictions with established power centres, from clerics advocating dialogue with armed groups to political players invested in the status quo. The influence of figures like Sheikh Gumi will continue to hover over public discourse, pushing for concessions at moments when Musa insists on firmness. Some northern elites and state officials who view decisive force as politically inconvenient will find themselves at odds with a minister whose instinct is to enforce law, not bargain with those who break it.

    Musa enters this office as a man who understands the system intimately. He has seen the rot, noted the loopholes, witnessed the sabotage, and felt the institutional resistance. He is not naïve about the terrain. That experience, combined with the rare national goodwill he enjoys, gives him a fighting chance. But goodwill is not the same as political will. The real responsibility falls with the Commander-in-Chief: whether he will provide the backing required to suppress terrorism, fund the defence sector without hesitation, and allow him to clean the house without fear or favour.

    General Musa has the competence, understanding, and courage to steer Nigeria toward a new security order. But competence has never been enough in a system addicted to dysfunction. The question is no longer about his capacity; it is about the country’s sincerity. It is about whether the politicians are ready to stop playing truth-or-dare with the lives of ordinary Nigerians. It is about whether the government is prepared to confront terrorism sponsors, demolish vested interests, and prioritize national security over political comfort.

    •Bright Okuta, <brightokuta@gmail.com>

  • On Bauchi’s planned recruitment of 10,000 workers

    On Bauchi’s planned recruitment of 10,000 workers

    Sir: It is now exactly six months since the Bauchi State government, under the esteemed leadership Senator Bala Muhammad Abdulkadir, announced the recruitment of 10,000 workers across the state. This initiative was widely welcomed as a strategic effort to reduce unemployment and provide opportunities for the growing number of graduates in Bauchi. However, since the announcement, there has been no official update on the progress of the exercise, despite the high expectations of many candidates who are eagerly waiting to be absorbed into the state payroll.

    The prolonged silence has created tension and uncertainty in the minds of thousands of less privileged applicants, who now question whether the selection process will truly be based on merit. Many fear that the delay, now approaching seven months, may benefit only those with privileged backgrounds. This concern is further deepened by circulating rumours that the selection process is being conducted secretly through unofficial channels, with allegations that certain individuals are acquiring appointment letters at very high prices.

    Some unconfirmed reports suggest that some unscrupulous elements within the system may be selling positions for amounts ranging from N900,000, N800,000, and N600,000, depending on the candidate’s qualifications.

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    In view of these troubling allegations, we call on the state government, to launch a thorough investigation to verify the authenticity of these claims. Additionally, we urge the government to expedite the recruitment process and ensure that the entire exercise is transparent, merit-based, and fair to all applicants, especially those who are genuinely qualified and deserving of the opportunity.

    Going so will not only restore public confidence in the recruitment process but will also strengthen the integrity of governance and demonstrate the administration’s commitment to justice, fairness, and equal opportunity. The people of Bauchi State hold high expectations for this government and continue to believe in its dedication to positive change and inclusive development.

    In conclusion, the ongoing recruitment exercise represents a rare opportunity for the Bauchi State government to reaffirm its commitment to transparency and meritocracy. By ensuring that every appointment is earned through competence rather than privilege, the governor has the chance to inspire renewed trust among citizens and set a strong precedent for future governance.

    The hopes and aspirations of thousands of young people rest on the integrity of this process. We are confident that the, administration will rise to the challenge, with decisive action, clear communication, and a firm stance against job racketeering, so that Bauchi can stand as a model of fairness and equitable opportunity for all.

    •Ukasha Rabiu Magama, Magama Toro Bauchi state,

  • Narrow nets

    Narrow nets

    According to a new World Bank report, poor Nigerians who need government-funded safety-net schemes the most are not benefiting from them, despite billions of naira spent on poverty alleviation. The bank’s November 2025 report, titled “The State of Social Safety Nets in Nigeria,” says poor households receive only 44 percent of the total benefits from such programmes.

    The report, which examines the country’s spending on social safety nets and evaluates their coverage and efficiency, attributes the failure to reach the neediest to poor targeting, weak funding, and fragmented implementation. 

    “Many programmes implemented by the federal, state, and local levels, as well as safety net programmes implemented by religious bodies, fail to reach the neediest,” the bank observed. It described the impacts of extant safety nets on the overall poverty headcount rate in the country as “negligible.”

    It also said the poverty impacts of safety net programmes in the country “are much lower” than in most other low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), adding that “The range of poverty impacts in Nigeria is even lower than the average among not just the LMICs, but also low-income countries with lower incomes and a higher extent of poverty.”

    In 2022, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) had released a report that said 133 million Nigerians were multidimensionally poor. This figure represented 63 percent of the country’s population of more than 200 million. Three out of five Nigerians lived in poverty, according to the NBS report.

    The data from the Monetary Poverty Measurement (MPM) and Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) had called into question the anti-poverty efforts of the Federal Government and the seriousness of state and local governments in the fight against poverty.

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    Ironically, the findings had suggested that poverty in the country was governance-driven, with high deprivations nationally in healthcare, food security, and housing, among others.

    Poverty remains a big issue in the country, and anti-poverty solutions must be governance-driven.

    The United Nations (UN) defines extreme poverty as “a condition characterised by severe deprivation of basic human needs, including food, safe drinking water, sanitation facilities, health, shelter, education and information. It depends not only on income but also on access to services.”

    This definition captures not only monetary poverty but also multidimensional poverty, showing how “deprivations in basic amenities” are used to assess poverty.

    The World Bank’s critical findings demand action from the Nigerian authorities. They must ensure that the social safety nets are spread wide enough to cushion the neediest citizens.

    • First published on November 14, 2025. Show trimmed content