The Nation Newspaper

Category: Commentaries

  • Ahmad Aliyu: Leading Sokoto with focus, empathy

    Ahmad Aliyu: Leading Sokoto with focus, empathy

    By Louis Achi

    In setting sail as the seventh democratically elected governor of Sokoto State, youthful Dr. Ahmad Aliyu apparently identified across-board infrastructure revamp, education renaissance, strict budgeting and circumspect development planning as ‘weapon-grade’ tools with which to change Sokoto’s development story.

    With a laser-sharp focus, he simply ‘weaponized’ these critical governance imperatives and this enabled him, within just two years on the saddle, to transform his state and send a very clear signal to both friends and foes that Sokoto State indeed means business.

    These dimensions of course closely synergise with his 9-point smart agenda which captured his compact with expectant folks of the Seat of the Caliphate. The elements of his 9-point smart agenda include – education, health, water, agriculture, security, youth empowerment, local government autonomy, religious affairs, and economy.

    And it must be noted at the outset that Governor Aliyu achieved these significant development milestones in Sokoto State – the focus of this essay – without borrowing a kobo.

    First, some clarifications. Whereas a development plan delivers a vision, a matching budget provides the operational framework for its realization. The transition from a plan to a budget involves the deployment of often complex control machinery. Interestingly, this is Governor Ahmad’s forte.

    In governance, budgeting guarantees orderly development. It’s no secret that governance without sound targeted budgeting will definitely translate into jumbled development – if there is any development at all.

    Like budgeting, planning is crucial to state, national and even organisational governance. Without good planning, development, assumed to be the ultimate goal of quality governance, becomes a mirage. The primary reason for planning is to take care of the future. In effect, planning is deciding in advance what to do, how to do it, when to do it, who is to do it, why do it, and how much resources are to be used.

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    In circumspectly executing these intricate governance gameplan, Governor Ahmad Aliyu stands head and shoulders above most of his peers – that is the governors’ class of 2023.

    Governor Aliyu correctly realized quite early that infrastructure is the backbone of economic growth. It improves access to basic services such as roads, bridges, clean water and electricity, creates jobs, boosts business and more. As he is wont, he embarked on very aggressive infrastructural development across board in the state.

    According to Hon. Isah Sadeeq Achida, the State APC Chairman, one of the most notable accomplishments of Governor Ahmad’s administration – what he described as “a remarkable and people-centered performance” that has positively impacted all sectors of the state – is the construction of an extensive network of roads across all the 23 local government areas of the state. He stated that both urban and rural communities have benefitted from new roads and the rehabilitation of existing ones, enhancing connectivity and promoting economic growth.

    Further according to a clearly elated Hon. Achida, “In just two years, Governor Ahmed Aliyu has ensured that no local government area is left behind. Our communities are now better connected, and the ease of movement has significantly improved for farmers, traders, and other residents.”

    In the health sector, the APC chairman noted that the administration has undertaken the construction and rehabilitation of numerous health facilities. These efforts, he said, have improved access to quality healthcare services, particularly in rural communities.

    Water supply also featured prominently in the governor’s development agenda. Hon. Achida revealed the government constructed modern water works in the headquarters of all 23 local government areas, explaining this has eased the burden of water scarcity and improved sanitation across the state.

    He also highlighted education and religious infrastructure were also highlighted in the scorecard, disclosing that several schools have been built or rehabilitated to provide a more conducive learning environment for students. In addition, congregational mosques in various parts of the state have received attention, which is in line with the administration’s commitment to promoting religious and moral values.

    It’s not disputable that Sokoto is a conservative society. Thinking out of the box in a highly conservative milieu surely presents its challenges but doing otherwise will surely diminish the best of Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s efforts. The youthful governor has taken up this challenge because he recognizes that the 21st Century can only align with progressive thinkers and not slackers.

    But while a happy Achida spoke in generalities, more specific data would serve to underlie the scope, sweep and depth of Governor Aliyu’s remarkable achievements just within two years of assuming executive office as the boss.

    It’s noteworthy that beyond Sokoto metropolis, Governor Aliyu’s administration has prioritized rural road connectivity quite aware that the majority of Sokoto State’s populace reside in rural areas. Strategic rural roads, such as the Huchi-Gidan Kamba-Lugu junction, Wurno-Kwargaba-Sabongari, and Goronyo-Kirare roads, have been rehabilitated to facilitate the movement of goods and services.

    In total, the Department of Rural Feeder Roads has constructed and rehabilitated approximately 101.65 kilometers of rural feeder roads across the state, including the 3.6-kilometer Tangaza-Zabarmawar Yahaya Town road and the 4-kilometer Dingyadi-Rumbuki road in Bodinga Local Government Area. These projects have improved access to markets, boosted agricultural productivity, and enhanced social interactions in rural communities.

    The perennial water scarcity in Sokoto was also a key focus area. Residents of the state were subjected to acute shortages and reliance on expensive, often unsafe, water sources. But Governor Aliyu would have none of that. His administration has so far made significant strides in addressing the challenge through a ₦14.1 billion water project aimed at reviving and completing six township water schemes.

    These were water schemes initiated by the administration of Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko but ignored between 2015 and 2023. The water schemes are located in Tamaje, Old Airport, Gagi, Mana, Runjin Sambo, and Ruga Liman and have a combined capacity of 40 million gallons of water per day.

    To the joy of the people, on June 23, Aliyu commissioned the Old Airport Water Scheme, which would guarantee some three million gallons of water daily. This marks a significant milestone in the governor’s determined efforts to end water scarcity in the state. Speaking at the commissioning, Governor Aliyu described the project as “promise fulfilled.”

    He clarified his administration inherited a collapsed water supply system in the state powered by obsolete equipment and absence of treatment chemicals. To address these issues, Aliyu said that his government replaced outdated equipment, secured alternative power sources for the state water board, and ensured a steady supply of clean water to Sokoto and its environs. There is more.

    Sokoto State’s 2025 budget of “Transformation and Infrastructural Sustainability,” notching N526,882,142,484.39 is already consolidating achievements of the 2024 budget. The Sokoto State 2025 budget has a recurrent expenditure of N176,295,602,130.14 billion and a whopping N349,386,540,354.25 billion for capital expenditure, a 34:66 percent recurrent to capital ratio. As in the 2024 budget which gave education over 30 per cent, next year’s budget also unapologetically prioritises education.

    According to the Commissioner for Information and Orientation in the State, Hon. Sambo Bello Danchadi, “Some key areas of focus for the 2025 budget include: Education: with 25% allocation; devoting substantial portion of the state’s budget to education is a significant commitment to improving the sector. This move will help address infrastructural deficits, fund educational programs, and ensure the effective delivery of teaching and learning.

    “By surpassing UNESCO’s recommended benchmark of 15-20%, the administration is demonstrating its priority for education, which is critical to achieving sustainable development.”

    From the basic to tertiary levels in the state, the governor’s premium on education is obvious from the re-accreditation of several courses in its tertiary institutions and the massive construction of schools, renovation of dilapidated buildings, provision of furniture, and instructional materials, the prompt payment of examination fees for students writing the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) and National Examinations Council (NECO) examinations, and the payment of outstanding scholarships for students undergoing various degree programmes.

    Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s vision for educational transformation is mirrored in various specific interventions. His APC-led administration has prioritized education as a cornerstone of societal progress.

    A significant highlight of his tenure is the intervention for 88 Sokoto State medical students affected by the crisis in Sudan. Rather than allowing these future healthcare professionals to languish in uncertainty, his administration facilitated their transfer to Usmanu Danfodiyo University Medical College, ensuring their education remained uninterrupted. This bold initiative underscores his administration’s commitment to nurturing human capital and fostering resilience in the face of challenges.

    Moreover, the government has invested heavily in educational infrastructure and teacher training programmes. By creating enabling environment for both students and educators, the administration is building foundation for a more enlightened and competitive youth population in Sokoto State.

    It is no secret that over 800,000 children in the state have been enrolled into basic education schools, marking a drastic increase in the number of enrolments into public primary schools and attributes the increased enrolment to the efforts of the state governor to improve education infrastructure across the state.

    A deserving recipient of ‘The SUN Governor of the Year,” the newspaper’s Board of Editors succinctly summarized Governor Aliyu’s development trajectory: “You came to office as governor in 2023 with a 9-Point Smart Agenda designed to lift Sokoto to higher grounds. Your target was to install the right infrastructure that can spur visible and measurable improvements in the key social and economic areas, like education, healthcare, agriculture, water supply, security, youth empowerment, local government autonomy and religious affairs. In less than two years of your assumption of office, you have changed the narrative in Sokoto, having done much towards the transformation of the state.

    Indeed, Sokoto State means business guided by a leader who governs with focus and empathy.

  • Ribadu: Of progress and agents of distraction

    Ribadu: Of progress and agents of distraction

    By Khalid Mahmud

    For years, Nigeria’s security architecture was like an orchestra without a conductor—each agency playing its own tune, each refusing to follow a shared path. The military, police, DSS, and paramilitary outfits operated in silos, hoarding intelligence and guarding jurisdiction like jealous gatekeepers. It was a house with too many doors and no master key. The result was confusion, inefficiency, and too often, bloodshed. Terrorists thrived in this vacuum, kidnappers exploited the disjointed response mechanisms, and communities bore the brunt of institutional dysfunction.

    The turning point came in 2023. The appointment of Mallam Nuhu Ribadu as National Security Adviser marked the beginning of a subtle yet seismic shift in how Nigeria approached internal security. While others predicted political aspirations and conjured hypotheticals about 2027, Ribadu got to work. His style was not flamboyant; he didn’t dominate headlines.

    Ribadu’s history as former EFCC head gave him more than anti-corruption credentials—it earned him moral authority. This proved essential in restoring trust between rival agencies. His leadership was rooted in respect, not fear; in unity, not hierarchy. And the effect was immediate.

    Agencies that once refused to share intelligence began to collaborate. Military and police commands operated with mutual purpose. The DSS moved from the shadows into alignment with broader national efforts. Nigeria’s fragmented security architecture was being stitched back together—deliberately, strategically, and without ego.

    This shift wasn’t cosmetic. It translated into real-world victories that began to change the national narrative. Within the first 18 months of President Tinubu’s administration and Ribadu’s stewardship, over 13,500 terrorists and criminals were neutralized, while more than 17,000 suspects were arrested across various theaters.

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    In the Northeast, particularly Borno State, the heartland of Boko Haram, 102,000 insurgents and their families surrendered. This mass capitulation wasn’t accidental—it was the result of combined pressure, both military and psychological, backed by soft-power interventions. Over 11,000 weapons were recovered, significantly weakening insurgent capability and sending a clear message that the tide was turning.

    In the North-West—Zamfara, Kaduna, Katsina—states once gripped by kidnapping and banditry, more than 11,000 kidnapped victims were rescued through joint operations. These missions were no longer hampered by poor coordination. They were surgical, timely, and built on real-time intelligence sharing. Notably, the elimination of notorious bandit kingpin Ali Kachalla marked a psychological and tactical victory that had eluded security forces for years.

    The Niger Delta, long plagued by oil theft and environmental degradation, saw one of the most aggressive anti-crude theft campaigns in decades. In just over a year, 1,978 illegal refineries were dismantled, along with 3,849 dug-out pits and more than 3,700 cooking ovens. This crackdown didn’t just secure infrastructure—it revived the economy.

    Nigeria’s daily crude oil production, which had plummeted to under one million barrels in 2022, surged to 1.8 million barrels by mid-2025. Oil operations in Ogoniland also resumed under this new, secure atmosphere.

    In the Southeast, where separatist agitators had declared disruptive “sit-at-home” orders. More than 50 police stations abandoned due to threats have been reopened. The population, long skeptical of state authority, is regaining faith in the institutions meant to protect them.

    All of this progress stems from one core change: unity. For the first time in over a decade, Nigeria’s security agencies are operating not only together, but as one. The previous era of turf wars and information hoarding is giving way to a culture of synergy. The NSA’s office has transformed from a passive observer into a dynamic coordination hub.

    This transformation did not happen by accident. It is the product of Ribadu’s strategic vision. He recognized early that Nigeria’s greatest security threat was not just the armed gunman in the bush but the bureaucratic silence between agencies. He understood that technology without trust would fail, and firepower without coordination would falter. His eight-pillar strategy, though not shouted from rooftops, touches all aspects of modern security—from intelligence sharing and joint operations to cyber forensics and institutional reform.

    Under Ribadu’s guidance, Nigeria has frozen dozens of cryptocurrency accounts linked to terror financing and begun developing one of the country’s most advanced cyber-forensics labs in Abuja. These moves signify a decisive leap from reactive counterterrorism to anticipatory governance.

    Yet, amid these gains, distractions persist. Rumors about Ribadu’s potential 2027 ambitions—gubernatorial or vice-presidential—have surfaced. These speculations, pushed by political actors and amplified by opportunistic commentators, are not only baseless but dangerous. They risk derailing momentum at a time when Nigeria can least afford it. Who benefits from a weakened NSA? Not the rural farmer in Zamfara or the schoolgirl in Borno. The real beneficiaries are the same elements that profited during the era of confusion—the enemies of a coherent security strategy.

    It is important, therefore, to separate noise from necessity. Ribadu is not running a political campaign. He is running a national security campaign. His mission is to dismantle silos, build bridges, and bring coherence to a system long teetering on dysfunction. While others speculate, he strategizes. While critics draft op-eds, he’s rebuilding trust between institutions that once refused to speak.

    To understand the magnitude of this achievement, one must remember how broken the system once was. Senior officers used to bypass one another, field commanders acted without clear mandates, and multiple agencies responded to the same incident without coordination. The result was not just inefficiency—it was carnage. Attacks that could have been averted with timely intelligence became mass tragedies. Communities became cemeteries of unlearned lessons.

    But that is changing. Slowly, yes. Imperfectly, of course. But undeniably. Today, there is communication across commands. Strategic alignment between the DSS and military. Police operations are no longer undermined by other agencies acting in parallel. The symphony is still tuning itself, but it is no longer noise—it is beginning to sound like music.

    In a country as complex as Nigeria, no security solution is perfect. Threats are evolving, and the road ahead is long. But for the first time in a long time, Nigeria is facing these challenges not with fragmentation, but with focus. Not with bravado, but with strategy.

    Ultimately, the true measure of Ribadu’s impact is not in media mentions or political forecasts. It is in the confidence of field officers who now know their intelligence will be acted on. It is in the relief of communities that can sleep without fear. It is in the quiet dignity of a government putting national interest above institutional ego.

    Critics will come. So will speculation. But Nigeria’s security architecture is finally learning to stand upright. Let us not tear it down just as it begins to hold.

    Mahmud writes from Jabi, Abuja

  • Of Aregbesola’s hypocritical musings and Tinubuphobia

    Of Aregbesola’s hypocritical musings and Tinubuphobia

    By Mobolaji Sanusi

    “A grateful dog is better than an ungrateful man” – Anonymous

    Finally, the cat of political treachery from far away Osun State has been let out of the bag. Speculation that has become reality stares us all in the face. Not a conjecture anymore that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, former Osun state governor and erstwhile Minister of Interior is no longer President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ally.

    Nigerians, irrespective of class stratification can associate with any political party of choice. This is because the constitution guarantees right to freedom of association.

    This is why the consolidated decamping to African Democratic Congress (ADC), by especially political bigwigs in the near comatose Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and other lightweight political parties’ leaders cannot be faulted. At least for the sake of constitutional democracy that allows for plurality of ideas.

    The roll call of these power disillusioned politicians, viewed on paper, is alluring, but when empirically scrutinized, is an association of strange bed fellows, out only to hoodwink the people into believing that they have something better than what the incumbent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is presently offering.

    Virtually all of these decamping politicians have been in power before with no remarkable achievements of what they did for states and nation. These are politicians that are bereft of no known ideological direction or inclination. From Atiku Abubakar, David Mark, Sule Lamido, Nasir el’Rufai to the rest of them, their attainments in life could not easily be attributed to any noticeable ideological inclinations. Few of them had glorious professional careers accentuated by sheer providence and nothing more. Their current posturing is nothing but sheer hypocrisy!

    This is where Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s acceptance speech at the recent meeting of ADC raises serious dusts akin to political deceits than genuine political motives. For instance, until Aregbesola met Tinubu, no known career paths or genuine ideological bents can be ascribed to him.

    He became Tinubu’s adherent simply because of his orchestral skill for political mobilization and subsequent loyalty in delivering extraneous assignments given him by the current president of Nigeria.

    In Lagos state politics where he once thrived, Aregbesola was the de facto political leader and Tinubu, de jure. At that time, once anyone offend Aregbesola, that person automatically incurred Tinubu’s wrath. Nothing political is cast in stone or becomes final until Aregbesola told Tinubu so.

    To Aregbesola at that time, Tinubu can never go wrong: Not because of any known ideological leaning but simply because his bread is buttered by the current president.

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    Tinubu made Aregbesola something from nothing. He appointed him commissioner for works when he assumed office as governor of Lagos State; later he sent him to Osun state to contest for the governorship seat of that state-at a *huge financial cost*. When he went to Osun and out of trust in Aregbesola, Tinubu ensured no substantive works commissioner was appointed during former governor Babatunde Raji Fashola’s first term in office. Engr. Ganiyu Johnson, who was permanent secretary under Aregbesola as commissioner and by then retired was returned as Special Adviser, Works during that tenure. That was how powerful Tinubu made Aregbesola to be at that time.

    Also, while Aregbesola was serving as Osun state governor, he was still the political oracle nominating candidates for positions from outside Lagos. Public officers in the centre of excellence, appointed and elected travelled weekly to Osogbo to take instructions from Aregbesola. At that time, the only known ideology to Aregbesola was TINUBUISM.

    No wonder that any true omoluabi and right thinking people were consternated to see him talk about party ideology in his acceptance speech during his nomination as national scribe of ADC, far away from what Tinubu currently represents in the All Progressives Congress (APC).

    Curiously, Aregbesola has suddenly emerged as a prominent member of the National Opposition Coalition Group against his mentor and political benefactor, Tinubu. Where’s the omoluabi that Aregbesola espouses to epitomize so much?

    Aregbesola without any whiff of conscience deceptively told his ADC audience that “a political  party is not a platform for opportunism. It is not a mere vehicle to power for the few, nor a tool for personal ambition.” Yet, he took opportunistic advantage of Tinubu’s party/benevolence to become a commissioner, governor and later minister. He used Tinubu’s name and platform to achieve his personal ambition and yet could shamelessly be seen pontificating the contrary.

    According to him, “A political party, in its truest form, is a living institution built on values, guided by ideals, and accountable to the people it seeks to serve.” Aregbesola is known for having little or no regard for party values, ideals and accountability when his personal preference/interest is at stake. Conscientious people in the Lagos political circles can attest to this fact.

    He applauded South Africa’s 113 year old African National Congress (ANC) even when he has scant tolerance for what ANC stands for. For example, he highlights that ANC  “is impeccable in its credibility as a model of supremacy of party over its creation (government and popularly elected officials) have seen what a party grounded in ideology, principle, and people-centered struggle can achieve.” He noted that the ANC  was not perfect but “stands  for something….forged in resistance, sharpened by vision, and led by men and women who believe in justice, dignity, equality, inclusivity of all interests and true freedom….It has character. It has soul. It is therefore a true platform for the expression of their aspirations.” What a man of precept rather than example is this Aregbesola who was a political brute while holding sway in Lagos. With politicians like him masquerading as true democrats to the world, no political party in this country can attain ANC’s enviable heights.

    He also curiously declared: “Sadly, in Nigeria today, we cannot say the same about many of our political parties. Our political landscape is plagued by parties that lack ideological depth. They are empty shells, merging and splitting, not over policy or principle, but over power and personality. There is little regard for the people, and even less for the country. That is not the kind of party we must be. That is not the kind of party I will serve.”

    Again. It is doubtful if Aregbesola understands what political party justice, principle, fairness, ideological depth, soul and character mean because we still recollect that as a sturdy member of the Tinubu political dynasty, he was known for outright imposition of candidates without respect for internal democracy or other party members’ feelings. A lot of political bigwigs in Lagos got elected into positions, some secured appointments simply because they know Aregbesola and not Tinubu. That was how powerful he then was in Lagos politics. The man Aregbesola as de facto leader in his Bourdillon Heydays was a political law unto himself in the Tinubu political clan that he is laughably and futilely trying to bring down now.

    How can a man with Aregbesola’s opportunistic political background be saying that he now intends to “work to build a party that has a clear ideological compass; a party that is absolutely committed to the people, rooted in democratic values, rule of law, social justice, accountability, transparency and national development. A party that listens and works for the people, not only during elections, but every single day.” Isn’t this a ruse by a Tinubu over-pampered politician who having gotten to an enviable political heights now feels the best option for him to move forward is to denigrate his political roots and mentor.

    We know that Aregbesola is originally an hater of his now espoused virtues of: Internal democracy; transparent intra-party competition; effective party structure functioning and genuine inclusivity. His much touted exposure to political international best practices in party organization, administration, and ethics in his cited countries like South Africa, Sweden, Chile and Kenya did not reflect in the way he governed Osun state for eight years. Where’s the discipline, order, clarity of purpose, and effective service to the people of Osun when he governed them?

    So Aregbesola can speak of security and supports for real policies to keep our communities safe when as minister of interior, insecurity and chaos through kidnappings and killings reigned supreme. What new ideas does he have in this regard that his new found ADC can implement?

    Aregbesola has removed the garb of Omoluabi and now adorns that of ‘dansiki’ of mockery. No justification can explain his association with Tinubu’s political detractors except to confirm that he has discreetly been one of them for a long without notice.

    Aregbesola that benefitted a million fold from Tinubu can no longer claim to be an omoluabi. There are still so many ‘Aregbesolas’ milling round the president and masquerading as Tinubu’s friends today. The president needs to be careful.

    Finally, my reading through Aregbesola’s acceptance epistle as ADC’s protem national secretary is riddled with embedded and unpardonable espousal of hypocritical cliches and downrightly disgusting self glorification that diminishes Tinubu’s role in who he has become today. There’s no doubt that Ogbeni Aregbesola is ungrateful to Tinubu’s sacrifice and tireless efforts on him.

    • Sanusi is Managing Partner at AMS Reliable Solicitors, Ikeja. Lagos State.

  • Middle East: When will the wars end?

    Middle East: When will the wars end?

    The Middle East has been a hotbed of conflict for decades, with wars and skirmishes erupting over issues like land, borders and rights. Over the decades, the region has become a complex web of alliances, rivalries, and power struggles, with global powers like the United States, the UK, France, China and Russia pursuing their own interests and agendas. Regional players like Qatar and Turkey have also been vying for influence, with some making efforts to broker peace deals.

    The recent escalation between Israel and Iran has only brought the region to a boiling point, again drawing in global powers. In this volatile landscape, the question of when the wars will end is complex; it is rooted in deep-seated historical and cultural tensions shaped by colonialism, imperialism and arbitrary borders drawn by Western powers.

    To understand the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, it’s essential to examine their historical origins. A historical analysis is necessary to contextualize the multitude of conflicts plaguing the region today and determine the factors perpetuating this cycle of violence. The region’s complex politics have roots stretching back centuries, predating the Ottoman Empire and the fall of Constantinople, which marked significant turning points.

    Right now, and, unlike the era of the Egyptian President Abdel Gamal Nasser, when pan-Arabism fostered regional unity, the Middle East today is characterized by fragmentation. The potent Sheikhs and Emirs, who give priority to their grip on power and strategic alliances with the US, view Iran as a threat to their interests. As such, they are unlikely to support their neighbour, which exemplifies the enduring relevance of the divide-and-rule framework in contemporary Middle Eastern geopolitics.

    The Iranian issue lays bare the West’s hypocrisy and duplicity. Put bluntly, the roots of today’s conflicts can be traced back to the August 19, 1953 coup that ousted Prime Minister Mohammed Mossadegh, who championed national sovereignty and resource control. Ironically, his efforts to reclaim control over Iran’s resources could be seen as an earlier iteration of ‘Make Iran Great Again,’ long before the phrase became a catchphrase in a different context. With Mossadegh successfully ousted from power, the US subsequently initiated Iran’s nuclear programme under the Shah’s puppet regime.

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    Given this history, the US and its allies’ calls for the dismantling of Iran’s nuclear programme ring hollow. The critical question to ask is: who started it in the first place? Nonetheless, the enduring nature of these conflicts is tied to unresolved issues, particularly resource control and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which requires a two-state solution. As Dwight D. Eisenhower presciently warned in his January 17, 1961 farewell address as the 34th president of the United States, perpetual conflict serves the interests of the military-industrial complex. Of course, it highlights the need for a more nuanced approach to geopolitics.

    The Arab-Israeli War (1948)! The Suez Crisis (1956)! The Six-Day War (1967)! The Yom Kippur War (1973)! The Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988)! The Gulf War (1990-1991)! The Iraq War (2003-2011)! The Syrian Civil War (2011-present)! The Yemen Civil War (2015-present)! The recurring Israeli-Gaza conflicts! The Israel-Iran conflict, which has seen periods of escalation and ceasefire! But when will the wars end and when will the Middle East heave a sigh of relief?

    Again – and realistically, too – lasting peace in the Middle East seems as elusive as a mirage in the desert. The conflicts are as complex as the region’s geopolitics, and quick fixes are about as effective as a Band-Aid on a bullet wound. Diplomatic efforts, like the latest ceasefire brokered by the US, offer temporary reprieves, but it’s like putting a lid on a boiling pot. The pressure is still there!

    A durable peace requires more than just diplomatic Band-Aids; it demands a deep understanding of the region’s tangled history, politics and cultures. Until the powers-that-be give precedence to dialogue, cooperation, and mutual understanding over their own interests, the Middle East will remain a perpetual battleground, fuelling the military-industrial complex’s eternal hunger for conflict.

    The Israel-Iran conflict offers valuable lessons for Africa and Nigeria. One key takeaway is the importance of handling complex geopolitical relationships and maintaining strategic alliances. Africa and Nigeria can learn from Israel’s experience in building strong alliances and leveraging diplomatic relationships to advance national interests.

    The conflict also highlights the need for national security and investment in security infrastructure to protect against external threats. Furthermore, economic resilience and diversification are crucial for stability and prosperity. Israel’s thriving economy, built despite significant security challenges, is a testament to the importance of innovation and investment in human capital.

    Diplomacy and dialogue are essential in resolving disputes, as demonstrated by various diplomatic efforts to address the conflict. Africa and Nigeria can benefit from prioritizing diplomatic engagement and regional cooperation to address security and economic challenges. Moreover, regional stability and cooperation are vital for promoting economic development and combating terrorism, as evident from the impact of the conflict on the Middle East.

    To conclude, the conflict’s global implications stress the need for African nations to manage global power dynamics effectively and build strategic partnerships to advance national interests. In this context, it is noteworthy that both the US War Powers Resolution and Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution (Section 5(4)) provide checks and balances on executive power, promoting accountability and responsible decision-making in matters of war and national security.

  • Tola Adeniyi: A life of words and wisdom

    Tola Adeniyi: A life of words and wisdom

    “Wisdom is the supreme virtue, for it is the source of all other virtues.” – Epicurus.

    As we reflect on the life and legacy of Tola Adeniyi, a man whose words have inspired and challenged generations, we are reminded of the power of journalism and literature to shape our understanding of the world and our place within it. On the occasion of his 80th birthday, we honour not only his remarkable life but also the enduring impact of his work on our collective consciousness.

    Adeniyi’s life story, if adapted into a biopic, would be a blockbuster. His journey as a proven professional encapsulates and reflects the social history of Nigerian journalism’s evolution from rudimentary beginnings to a sophisticated analytical framework.

    Complimenting this development, any history of the transformation of journalism in Nigeria must focus on the intervention of people like Tola Adeniyi. His analysis enthused tens of thousands and became a must-read. The Akogun I of Ijebuland and Jagun Oodua Adimula II of Ile-Ife actively enlightened many minds and played a fundamental role in elevating the discussion to a new level. This was quite an achievement and represents a major breakthrough.

    Given the international acclaim of Nigeria’s media today, it’s fitting to acknowledge the contributions of pioneers like Tola Adeniyi, whose analytical content and illuminating style have set a high standard. No doubt, their interventions have elevated standards, changed media perception, and contributed to the overall good. Indeed, they’ve played a crucial role in promoting democratic values.

    In an article titled ‘Tola Adeniyi is a brand’, I wrote that his most remarkable trait is his extraordinary and legendary brilliance. I still stand by this assessment. If we’re to imagine a parallel universe where facts and fiction blur, Tola Adeniyi would undoubtedly be a king, ruling with the class and elegance that has defined his career.

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    On a day like this, the best birthday gift for Tola Adeniyi would be to put together that blockbuster biopic.

    May the wisdom of the ages continue to guide him, and may his pen remain mightier than the sword, inspiring generations to come!

    May his legacy be a testimony to the power of knowledge, courage and conviction, and may his life’s work continue to illuminate the path for others!

    Happy Birthday to a decisive figure in our contemporary social history!

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

  • Criminality in the name of culture

    Criminality in the name of culture

    • By Ike Willie-Nwobu

    Sir: In a disturbing incident in Enugu State, some masquerades supposedly celebrating the Oriokpa masquerade inflicted bodily harm on some members of the public. Also, a couple of weeks ago, some masquerade traditionalists invaded the home of an Imam  and a mosque in Oke Agbe, Akoko North Local Government Area of Edo State. They beat up his wives and children.

    The government must move in to stop a repeat, as such unsightly incidents cannot be allowed to reoccur in the name of adherence to culture. Those who hide under dirty masks and costumes to perpetrate terror are not representative of any culture. They are criminals. It is as simple as that. Those who hide behind dirty disguises to terrorize other citizens do not stand for what culture and tradition mean. They are criminals and must be stopped. It is people like them who give culture and tradition a bad name , hastening in the process the loss of what is otherwise invaluable to society.

    The government must step In and firm up the regulations. There should be control and most importantly, there should be accountability from those who wear the regalia of culture.

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    It is unfortunate that these days, culture, and tradition have become synonymous with criminality, no, thanks to the activities of some unscrupulous individuals. Ritual killers now hang on to the coattails of culture to take life in incredibly cruel ways; those who mint and print blood money somehow draw their paint from culture. Kidnappers and bandits also appear to have found some justification and fortification in culture and tradition, forcing the government in a state like Anambra to take charge and clamp down, further giving culture a bad name. The move has not been very popular, but many consider it necessary, even inevitable.

    Culture is not bad in itself. There is nothing shameful or abhorrent in upholding culture. A people’s way of life is often among their most prized assets because in it is ingrained their identity and the very sense of history and prosperity.  It is worth preserving. But not at the expense of peace, tolerance, law, and order which foreground every civilized society.

    It is important that Nigerians cling to their culture. But it is even more important that the rights of others are respected while doing so. Respect for culture and tradition must exist alongside the overwhelming realization  and recognition that culture can only thrive in a society where there is law and order

    Nigerians must also endeavor to do away with those cultures of death that diminish life, oppress women and leave behind the ugly marks of marginalization and brutalization.

    •Ike Willie-Nwobu,

    Ikewilly9@gmail.com

  • Ganduje: Gazing into the crystal ball

    Ganduje: Gazing into the crystal ball

    • By Gboyega Amoboye

    Sir: Politics is said to be a game of abracadabra. Magicians would say the more you look, the less you see. Political scientists would say no permanent enemy or friend but permanent interest. If in heaven, the brightest angel could fall, the fall of Abddullahi Ganduje from the chair of the APC should not be a surprise. Give it to him he is a committed loyalist of President Bola Tinubu. His unwavering loyalty must have earned him the chairman of the APC despite his controversial image and zone.

    But as politics is already in top gear for 2027, the political chess board has called for the sacrifice of the pawn and therefore Ganduje must go to strategize for victory.

     If Benue is the food basket of the country, Kano, Lagos and Rivers are the vote baskets. A kingmaker without political base is like a voter without voter’s card. There is no sentimentality in politics. Yesterday’s man must give way to today’s man. The massive votes normally put on the table in every presidential election by Kano cannot be taken for granted. One should therefore watch out for Rabiu Kwankwaso’s foot steps into the APC. The political siren of Kano is no longer blowing for Ganduje but Kwankwaso.

    When recently the Northeast APC endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term but was silent on Vice President Kashim Shettima, there was a protest by his supporters who could read the hand writing on the wall. It was skilfully explained that only the president could nominate his running mate and at the National Convention.

    The question may be asked that why the sudden change in music that has warranted a change in footsteps? To political observers, the gathering storm in the coalition group of Atiku/El- Rufai/ Rotimi Amaechi cannot be taken for granted though many of the gang exist in names only.

    Nasir El Rufai may be nobody in the South but could not be written off in the north where his weapon is religion.

     The former vice president, Atiku Abubakar though waning in political influence remains formidable in the Northeast where the vice president comes from. In the Southeast, Peter Obi, hitherto an ally of Atiku would remain a dark horse especially in the East and among some groups of youths and in religious circle. That accounted for his victory In Lagos, Abuja and middle belt in 2023. He could therefore not be underrated despite the mass defection from his political stronghold to the APC.

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     His undoing however might be pairing with Atiku who is becoming a political liability especially in the South. The mistake of Atiku and Obi in 2023 was to have run as individuals. But that is history. According to an ancient war strategist, Sun Izu, ‘one’s victories in battle cannot be repeated…’ so Atiku and Obi may not be able to win today’s election with an old strategy where Tinubu is already in top grand strategy. President Tinubu with the power of incumbency has been busy consolidating nationwide. The Anambra State governor, Charles Soludo who might see himself as a potential presidential candidate or vice in 2031 has vowed not to support Obi in 2027. Do not blame him. Doing so would block his dream. Of course, he has openly declared support for the president who he may need in 2031.

    Going forward and in the language of the great Dr. KO Mbadiwe there is need for APC to ‘zone to unzone’.

     Therefore, what is showing on the APC political crystal ball is a possibility of zoning the national chairman to the Northeast and the vice president to the Northwest where President Bola Tinubu got the highest number votes in 2023. He needs to do so fast to check mate El Rufai and more importantly, reassure the zone of the APC Presidential ticket in 2031as a bargain for massive support.

    That his kinsman and deputy national chairman of the APC (North), Ali Bukar Dalori from Borno has been appointed acting national chairman may be confirmation of the shifting sands under the feet of the vice president.

    Nevertheless, it may be too early to say good night to him as in politics also, the godfathers never sleep.

    •Gboyega Amoboye,

    Lagos. 

  • How Nigerian politicians deceive the people

    How Nigerian politicians deceive the people

    • By Prof. Leonard Karshima Shilgba

    Sir: Every four years, a peculiar drama unfolds across Nigeria. The same actors—tainted, tested, and often found wanting—return to the stage draped in new costumes, mouthing old lies with fresher accents. The tragedy? The audience applauds them, gets excited, and joins the queue of deception. Again and again. This is not democracy—it is deception ritualized. And it must stop!

    How do politicians who plunder our hope and waste their mandates keep finding their way back into our hearts, ballots, and parliaments? Simple: They reinvent failure, market it as experience, and prey on a people battered into forgetfulness.

    So, he has held various political offices, and garnered experience. But of what practical purpose is an experience in failure? Nevertheless, Nigerians repeatedly fall for experienced politicians and public officials who have made them experience a worsening standard of living. Are Nigerian voters stupid?

    The average Nigerian voter is not stupid. But he is tired. Tired of choosing between devils and darkness. Tired of hoping for change that never comes. Tired of a system that teaches him to trade his vote for a cup of rice rather than demand a future for his children.

    Our democracy has become a recycling plant of impunity. A man may wreck a state, loot it dry, and walk into the Senate wearing agbada stitched with stolen dreams. Another may abandon promises made in the glare of TV cameras and return four years later with rebranded posters and rented praise singers—untouched by shame, untroubled by conscience.

    How is this possible?

    It happens because we have normalized betrayal. Because we allow identity—ethnic, religious, regional—to triumph over integrity. Because we treat memory like garbage: disposable and inconvenient. Because we have been conditioned to believe that every thief is better than the last, as long as he’s “our thief.”

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    Nigeria’s political culture is not broken by accident. It has been carefully sabotaged—by parties with no ideology, institutions with no teeth, and elites with no shame. In their Nigeria, power is not service; it is spoils. Elections are not choices; they are auctions. And voters are not citizens; they are pawns.

    But it doesn’t have to remain this way.

    We must end the ritual of political necromancy—resurrecting the failures of yesterday to lead us tomorrow. We must reject the politics of poverty that hands out cash in the dark and steals destiny in the daylight. We must bury the dangerous idea that leadership is a tribal inheritance or a religious reward.

    A politician who has failed in office has no business asking for a second chance without confession and restitution. A people who do not demand accountability will continue to dine on disappointment.

    This is a call to moral and electoral reformation.

    Let us remember that every recycled rogue is enabled by a forgetful voter. That the ballot is not just paper—it is prophecy. And that if we do not rise to break the cycle, we are not just victims—we are accomplices. We must pressure the executive and legislative governments at the centre to urgently take practical executive and legislative steps to bring down inflation by lowering energy and borrowing costs, ending insecurity which has worsened food inflation, and to strengthen the naira to at most triple digit exchange rate against the US dollar by practically patronizing local enterprise through deliberate indiscriminate import substitution.

    The masks must fall. The music must change. Let the next election be not a coronation of the shameless but a revolution of the awake.

    •Prof. Leonard Karshima Shilgba,

    <shilgba@gmail.com>

  • Shettima: a needless front

    Shettima: a needless front

    The ruling APC could well be parting itself on the back, given a sweet elite re-pacting that has near-turned the once vibrant PDP into a pitiable sight, teeming with sorry politically displaced people (PDP)!

    Indeed, it seems a new PDP (nPDP), that repeats the tragedy and farce of the old nPDP: that plotting disloyal band that, by stealth, shot Bukola Saraki into Pyrrhic victory as willy-nilly president of the Senate, only to vanish as new PDP (that nPDP quip again!) in his native Kwara, routed from the political fiefdom his father, Baba Oloye, the late Dr. Olusola Saraki, had left him, after the 2019 polls!

    Now, Saraki is in the PDP rut — an old nPDP saving a new nPDP: an old politically displaced person trying to rescue a new band of politically displaced people!  The irony never gets more savage or piquant!

    Which must have lulled some power-hungry APC blokes to open a putative self-destruct campaign at the expense of Vice President Kashim Shettima.  That’s absolutely unwise.

    That trick book is hardly new, though. Deify the president. Nullify the Vice President, though the only one in the cabinet with a shared mandate with the President.  Then, assume you can go for broke! 

    Again, that seldom ends well.  Events since 1999 are living proof.

    Olusegun Obasanjo’s henchmen felt they could — for whatever reasons — shoo off Atiku Abubakar from his constitutional due.  That marked the beginning of the end for PDP as a potent power force. 

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    The illicit enforcers of the Umaru Yar’Adua era ended up eating crow.  Goodluck Jonathan became President, despite their horrid plots, and the plotters’ sun set at high  noon.  For PDP, however, it was a premature end, even if Jonathan was fall guy.

    Even if all those are too “far” in the past — Nigeria is notorious for poor institutional memory — what of the ridicule-turned-glory, virtually yesterday, of the pair of Edo and Ondo deputy governors that some misguided players felt they could bump off.  The one is in the victorious Edo gubernatorial camp, after helping to dismantle the Obaseki regime and reclaiming his deputy governor office by law.  The other is sitting governor of Ondo State.

    The logic is simple: you can’t sell off a constitutional mandate on the altar of cheap or convenient politics.  The President and Vice President share an elective mandate.  One is incomplete without the other.

    Besides, the Bayelsa APC tragedy of 2019 is galling reminder: a false accusation of David Lyon’s running mate of “name forgeries” turned the governor-elect’s victory into defeat. That joint ticket is incomplete without the integrated partners.

    Until we respect that fine constitutionalism, this democracy won’t come of age.  That is basic principle: beyond temporary occupiers of seats. If you respect the President or Governor, honour too their deputies. 

    Those playing reckless 2027 politics with the office of the Vice President had better cautioned themselves.  If constitutional decorum doesn’t wash, stark electoral stats should.  Of all the North East, only Borno delivered in the 2023 presidential poll.

    Let the president be wary of these flock of flatterers.  After the elite re-pacting in the South, the president can’t afford an avoidable crisis in the North.

  • Cleric advises parents to instil values on youths

    Cleric advises parents to instil values on youths

    Clerics and educators have called on parents to take responsibility for the growing moral, social, and spiritual decline among Muslim youths, urging them to provide proper guidance, instill Islamic values, and serve as role models in their homes.

    They gave the charge at the 12th edition of the Eid-il-Adha Children Get-Together organised by the Lagos Secretariat Community Central Mosque (LSCCM) and Shamsi Adisa Thomas (SAT) Central Mosque, held at the LSCCM premises, Alausa, Lagos.

    Speaking at the event, Women Affairs Secretary of the Lagos Secretariat Mosque, Hajia Rahmatallahi Lawal-Ajayi, said the gathering was a deliberate move to counter the negative social, moral, and spiritual influences affecting today’s youth.

    “Our youths are being carried away socially, spiritually, and morally in the negative way. This programme is aimed at reclaiming their souls and showing them that Islam speaks to every aspect of life—social, spiritual, and economic. Islam teaches humanity. It is not just about dos and don’ts; it is a complete way of life”, she said.

    Hajia Lawal-Ajayi urged youths to remain steadfast on Islamic principles.

    “We advise the youth to stay by the principles of Islam, imbibe it, learn it and live Islam life. That’s how they could earn the pleasure of Allah and the only way they can have a successful sojourn in life,” she added.

    The Treasurer of the mosque, Lawal Hassan Adebayo, said this year’s programme was specially tailored to help young Muslims understand how to protect their modesty and identity amidst increasing external pressure.

    “Our programmes are tailored to orientate youths from not being carried away by the ugly things happening in the society. It is a porous environment. Muslims must instill Islamic identity in their children from tender age,” he said.

    Education expert and Chief Education Officer at the Lagos State Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education, Mrs Adetutu Ogunkoya-Jaji, described the event as timely and critical in addressing the many challenges faced by Muslim youths in contemporary society.

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    According to her, many young Muslims are unable to clearly articulate who they are due to poor self-awareness and low self-esteem, making them vulnerable to external pressures.

    She said: “The truth is that, what our Muslim youths are passing through nowadays is enormous. They need the support of parents or every stakeholder to be with them, guide them against temptations. These temptations range from peer pressure, the social media, a lot of influence here and there and you also have a challenge of absentee parents. Another challenge that they have is identity crisis, where a Muslim child cannot truly say who exactly he or she is and it’s actually a huge one of them when they do not have self-esteem.”

    She lauded the organisers for their efforts and prayed that more children would be able to benefit from such initiatives in future.

    A lecturer at the Lagos State University of Education (LASUED) Dr. Munirudeen Salaudeen Ariyady, identified internal, external, and spiritual temptations as key factors undermining the moral and psychological stability of Muslim youths.

    Dr Salaudeen, the Proprietor of Zamzam College of Islamic and Arabic Studies, said internal temptations can be attributed to a weak connection with Allah, while external pressures such as materialism and social media influence often mislead youths into abandoning their values. He also decried the lack of spiritual grounding in many homes, urging parents to model Islamic principles through their actions. He said: “To build resilient youths and to reclaim our children, we should look at our homes. We pay attention to gadgets, furnishing our houses, we don’t pay attention to a sound environment will produce a sound generation. So our parents must serve as exemplary personalities for their children.”