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  • Anambra’s Agunechemba: Slogans, outfits, and the failure to act

    Anambra’s Agunechemba: Slogans, outfits, and the failure to act

    By Pat Onukwuli

    Like many parts of Nigeria, Anambra State has been grappling with growing security challenges that have intensified over the past few years. While it remains one of Nigeria’s more economically vibrant states, Anambra has witnessed a significant rise in criminal activities, impacting the safety and well-being of its residents. The state’s experience with organised crime, political violence, armed robbery, kidnapping, cultism, and other criminal activities reflects broader security issues in Nigeria. Yet, despite the numerous security outfits, Anambra’s government seems stuck in a cycle of slogans and grand schemes rather than taking decisive action to tackle the root causes of insecurity.

    The Anambra State Homeland Security Law of 2025 was introduced to create Agunechemba, a new security outfit designed to restore order. It promises a safer environment where crime diminishes, and the public is protected. However, as this new framework is rolled out, it feels like a mirage, a grand vision without a solid foundation. Anambra’s security problems stem not from a lack of laws but from the government’s failure to enforce existing laws effectively. Unfortunately, it seems that the government of Governor Chukwuma Soludo is caught up in slogans and security outfits from Anambra State Joint Security Taskforce to Operation Udo Ga-Achi and now Agunechemba instead of confronting the state’s actual security challenges.

    The Anambra State Homeland Security Law offers a broad outline for creating Agunechemba but leaves critical details ambiguous. While its functions include crime prevention, arresting criminals, and maintaining order, there is little mention of how these tasks will be carried out or how abuses will be prevented. The law provides a blueprint without a map. It leaves the roles and powers of Agunechemba loosely defined, with vague mechanisms for accountability and oversight. Agunechemba could quickly transform into an unchecked force with far-reaching powers, from arresting individuals to setting up barricades in public spaces. Without clear guidelines to protect human rights, it risks becoming a behemoth trampling on civil liberties.

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    The law grants the governor sweeping powers over the security committees and Agunechemba, including the ability to dissolve committees and appoint or remove individuals at will (Section 12). While the need for swift action in times of crisis is understandable, this level of discretion is dangerous. With such vast control resting in the hands of one individual, there is a high risk of political manipulation. Rather than serving the people, Agunechemba could become an instrument for political expediency, further entrenching the governor’s hold over local governance. This concentration of power is not just inefficient; it opens a dangerous doorway to authoritarian rule.

    The law promises coordination between Agunechemba and security agencies like the police and military. However, the reality of this coordinated security effort is less clear. The law provides no detailed framework for how these agencies will collaborate. There is a significant risk that multiple forces operating in parallel could create friction and inefficiencies, as different agencies may have conflicting priorities or lack clear operational procedures. The absence of a cohesive structure makes the law appear more like a recipe for disorder than a solution to Anambra’s security issues.

    As the government of Soludo seeks to clamp down on insecurity, the law imposes burdensome and invasive requirements on landlords. Section 14 mandates that landlords collect personal details of tenants, including phone numbers, occupation, and place of work, and submit these to the town union. This not only violates the privacy of citizens but also transforms landlords into unwitting spies. Those who fail to comply face severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment. This is not just a matter of security; it is an invasion of privacy that could create fear and mistrust. Rather than uniting the community, the law risks sowing discord among residents and landlords, undermining trust in the government and its intentions.

    Another critical flaw is the law’s lack of clarity on funding. While it mandates the creation of a financial structure for Agunechemba, it provides little insight into how this system will be sustained. Security operations are expensive, and without a transparent financial model, there is a real risk of mismanagement or corruption. The absence of apparent financial oversight and auditing mechanisms exacerbates the concern. It’s as if the law has built a lavish mansion but has no plan to pay the workers or maintain the property.

    Its reliance on traditional rulers and town unions to recruit and manage Agunechemba risks politicising security efforts. By placing the responsibility for recruiting and overseeing security forces in the hands of local elites, the law inadvertently opens the door for political or group biases to impact security operations. This could lead to a situation where Agunechemba serves the interests of a few influential individuals rather than the broader public, ultimately turning a tool meant for public safety into a weapon for maintaining political control.

    Anambra’s insecurity is not the result of insufficient laws; it is the result of political inertia and a failure to act decisively with existing regulations. Anambra has seen numerous security agencies fail in their mandate due to weak coordination, political interference, and ineffective leadership. The introduction of Agunechemba merely adds another layer of bureaucracy to an already convoluted system. Instead of addressing the root causes of insecurity, this new law risks compounding the issue, further entangling the territory in a web of ineffective policies and uncoordinated efforts.

    The Anambra State Homeland Security Law of 2025 is an overly ambitious framework that is more likely to hinder than help. With its vague provisions, excessive concentration of power in the governor’s hands, lack of coordination among security agencies, and potential for abuse, the law threatens to become a bureaucratic nightmare rather than a solution to Anambra’s pressing security concerns.

    Rather than creating another layer of bureaucracy, the government should empower existing security agencies, improve coordination, and address the underlying governance and political will issues. Until the government acts decisively and with accountability, laws like these will remain little more than lofty ideas that fail to meet the people’s needs. Repealing this law and returning to a more focused, practical approach is the only path forward for Anambra’s security.

    Anambra’s security situation is complex and influenced by local, regional, and national factors. Addressing these challenges requires more than just enacting new laws; it demands the commitment of all levels of government, better resource allocation for law enforcement agencies, and coordinated efforts to tackle the root causes of insecurity, including poverty, unemployment, and corruption. Only then can Anambra rebuild trust and foster a safer environment for its citizens.

    •Onukwuli PhD writes from Bolton, UK.

  • Obasa versus Sanwo-Olu: Lessons in leadership

    Obasa versus Sanwo-Olu: Lessons in leadership

    By James Adelekan

    In the high-stakes arena of Nigerian politics, where tensions often escalate quickly, the ability to remain calm, collected, and mature under pressure is a rare but invaluable trait. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has consistently demonstrated such qualities, particularly in the face of challenges and provocations from various quarters.

    As a loyal party man and the leader of the party in the state, the governor had been managing the excesses of the ousted Speaker of Lagos Assembly since 2019 when he newly entered the saddle. The tension became more visible in July 2023, a few months into the second term of the governor. The Lagos state House of Assembly, in an unprecedented move, disqualified 17 of the 39 commissioner-nominees, submitted by the governor, including six key cabinet members who served as commissioners in the first term of the governor. The former commissioners are Gbenga Omotoso (Information and Strategy), Akin Abayomi (Health) and Sam Egube (Economic Planning and Budget). Others are Cecilia Dada (Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation), Olalere Odusote (Energy Resources) and Folashade Adefisayo (Education).

    Mudashiru Obasa, the former Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, wielded significant political influence during his tenure. However, his tenure was not without controversy, marked by allegations of financial mismanagement and abuse of power. Despite these challenges, Sanwo-Olu maintained a cordial working relationship with the Assembly, emphasizing collaboration over conflict.

    The situation became tense when Obasa, known for his assertive political style, made remarks and decisions perceived as undermining the governor’s authority. The discord between the executive and legislative branches threatened to disrupt the smooth administration of Lagos State. Political observers feared a public clash between the governor and the Assembly, particularly given Obasa’s tendency to assert dominance in legislative matters.

    The development overheated the Lagos polity, forcing the apex leadership structure of the party, the Governance Advisory Council, GAC, to wade in before certain concessions were agreed to for some of the nominees  to scale the statutory legislative screening.   In all these, Sanwo-olu maintained the composure of the Omoluabi, following the dictates of the party, while extending an olive branch to the legislature.               

    The last straw that broke the camel’s back was the needless show of power when the governor appeared before the House to present the 2025 appropriation bill. The Speaker reportedly delayed the governor for hours at the legislative chamber. He embarrassed  the entire progressive establishment with his snide remarks targeted at the governor and the political leadership of Lagos.

    Sanwo-Olu’s handling of this episode reflects a statesmanlike demeanor that prioritizes governance and the welfare of Lagosians over personal or political grievances. His calm approach not only defused a potentially volatile situation but also showcased his commitment to upholding the values of democracy and leadership.

    Rather than responding with anger or public confrontation, Sanwo-Olu chose the path of diplomacy and restraint. His measured approach demonstrated his focus on governance rather than being distracted by political shenanigans.

    Sanwo-Olu refrained from making inflammatory statements or engaging in a war of words. By maintaining his silence on provocative issues, he avoided escalating tensions, preserving the dignity of his office and ensuring that governance remained the focus. This restraint was a strategic move, reflecting his understanding of the broader implications of a public feud.

    Amidst the discord, Sanwo-Olu remained steadfast in his commitment to delivering on his mandate. From infrastructural projects to social welfare programs, the governor ensured that the political turbulence did not derail the state’s progress. This focus reinforced his image as a leader dedicated to the welfare of Lagosians, regardless of political distractions.

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    Rather than personalising the conflict, Governor Sanwo-Olu upheld the principles of democracy and institutional integrity. He respected the autonomy of the House of Assembly, even when decisions from its leadership appeared contentious. His approach underscored the importance of maintaining a balance of power within the framework of governance.

    As a leader keen on stabilising the political environment, Sanwo-Olu engaged in quiet diplomacy to address the situation. Leveraging his relationships with political stakeholders, he worked behind the scenes to ensure that the rift did not escalate into a full-blown crisis. This behind-the-scenes approach highlights his preference for solutions over spectacle.

    Governor Sanwo-Olu’s handling of the situation offers several important lessons in political leadership

    In politics, restraint is often misconstrued as weakness. However, Sanwo-Olu demonstrated that restraint is a powerful tool for maintaining focus and avoiding unnecessary conflicts. By refusing to engage in a public showdown, he preserved the integrity of his office and prevented the situation from spiraling out of control.

    Secondly, Sanwo-Olu’s actions showed that true leadership prioritizes the people over personal or political interests. His commitment to governance ensured that Lagos State continued to thrive, despite the political undercurrents.

    Sanwo-Olu’s calm demeanor set a standard for political conduct. In a climate where leaders often respond to challenges with aggression, his maturity and composure serve as a model for others.

    The events surrounding Obasa’s impeachment also provide an opportunity to reflect on the maturity of Lagos State’s political system. The smooth transition in leadership within the Assembly, without prolonged crisis or public discord, is a testament to the strength of the state’s democratic institutions.

    Sanwo-Olu’s administration has played a role in fostering this environment, ensuring that governance in Lagos is characterized by stability and progress. His ability to remain focused amidst political turbulence reinforces his reputation as a leader committed to the collective good.

    The impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa and the subsequent leadership changes in the Lagos State House of Assembly were significant developments, but they were entirely a legislative affair. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s clear distance from the process reflects his respect for the autonomy of the legislative arm and his commitment to democratic principles.

    As Lagosians look to the future, the emphasis on collaboration, accountability, and good governance will remain critical. Sanwo-Olu’s focus on serving the people, coupled with his maturity in handling political challenges, sets a standard for leadership in Nigeria.

    This episode serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining the independence of democratic institutions and the value of leaders who prioritize progress over personal or political agendas. In Governor Sanwo-Olu, Lagos State has a leader who embodies these principles, ensuring that the state continues to thrive as a beacon of excellence in Nigeria.

    Sanwo-Olu’s response to the political slight from the impeached Speaker Mudashiru Obasa is a masterclass in leadership under pressure. His calmness, maturity, and focus on governance over politics underscore his commitment to the people of Lagos State.

    In a political landscape often characterized by conflict and drama, Sanwo-Olu’s approach serves as a reminder that true leadership lies in restraint, diplomacy, and an unwavering focus on service. His handling of the situation not only diffuse tensions but also reinforced his reputation as a leader of integrity and vision.

    For Lagosians, Governor Sanwo-Olu’s maturity is a source of reassurance, signaling that their state is in capable hands. For the broader political community, it is an example of the kind of leadership that Nigeria needs, the one that prioritizes progress over personal interests and unity over division.

    •Adelekan writes from Lagos.

  • Tinubu’s quest to overcome the power sector gridlock

    Tinubu’s quest to overcome the power sector gridlock

    • By Temitope Ajayi

    Angered by the appalling situation of electricity supply sector after several decades of doing the wrong things by successive governments with no remedy in sight, even after hundreds of billions of public funds had been expended, President Muhammadu Buhari in 2018 chose a different path that had worked in other jurisdictions.

    He reached out to the then German Chancellor Angela Merkel to help solve the protracted power gridlock. The discussion between the two leaders gave birth to the FG-Siemens Energy AG Presidential Power Initiative in 2019. Under the terms of the agreement of the Nigerian Electrification Roadmap, Siemens Energy would ramp up electricity generation in Nigeria to 25,000 megawatt in six years, in three phases, from an average of 4000 megawatts the country had been stuck with for decades.

    President Buhari was quite bullish about the project such that he put it under the direct supervision of his office with his Chief of Staff, late Abba Kyari, as the directing officer. The former president who didn’t want the project to be derailed by bureaucratic bottlenecks and red-tape made sure all man-made obstacles and deliberate obstructions were bulldozed with Abba Kyari in charge.

    The unfortunate demise of Kyari in 2020 arising from Covid-19 while in Germany rolled back the speedy implementation of what would have been a game-changer in Nigeria’s elusive quest for a stable and reliable power supply. True to his campaign promise to build on the achievements of his predecessor across all sectors and improve on governance performance in areas where it is required, President Tinubu, in demonstration of his unshaken believe in continuity, took on the FG-Siemens Power Project as part of his priority projects in the energy sector.

    It is necessary to state that this all-important power project had suffered undue delays since July, 29, 2020 when the Federal Executive Council approved the payment of €15.21m and N1.708bn as part of Nigeria’s counterpart funding for the offshore and onshore components of the project.

    In 2021, FGN Power Company, the Special Purpose Vehicle established by the Federal Government of Nigeria for the implementation of the PPI, announced the commencement of the grid network studies and power simulation training for technical experts in the Discos, TCN, NAPTIN and NERC, including provision of specialized power simulation software for TCN, NERC and all Discos. By December 2024, more than 100 experts across the sector have been trained on power systems simulation and network planning with skills to better manage the grid operations at various levels.

    On assumption of office, President Tinubu saw the need to continue with the project and how timely delivery can transform the power sector for a country that desperately needs a reliable power supply for industrialisation and grow its economy. The status of the project came up at a bilateral meeting between President Tinubu and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the latter’s working visit to Nigeria in August 2024 in Abuja. At a follow-up engagement in Dubai in December 2024 during COP28, the Nigerian Government and Siemens Energy AG signed an accelerated performance agreement aimed at expediting the implementation of the Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) to improve electricity supply in Nigeria. The agreement that was signed by Kenny Anuwe, Managing Director/CEO of FGN Power Company and Ms. Nadja Haakansson, Siemens Energy’s Senior Vice President and Managing Director for Africa, was witnessed by President Tinubu and Chancellor Scholz.

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    Under the accelerated performance agreement, Siemens Energy will see to the end-to-end modernization and expansion of Nigeria’s electric power transmission grid with the full supply, delivery, and installation of Siemens-manufactured equipment.

    Furthermore, the agreement will ensure project sustainability and maintenance with full technology transfer and training for Nigerian engineers at the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN).

    In a major demonstration of President Tinubu’s commitment to the power project and a positive shift towards execution, the president led the Federal Executive Council on December 16, 2024 to approve €161.3 million Euros for the execution of the contracts in the first batch of the Phase one of the projects across the country following earlier approval of the transaction by the Bureau of Public Procurement.

    The latest FEC approved scope of work includes upgrade of TCN substations in five locations of Abeokuta (330/132/33kV), Ayede (330/132/33kV), Offa (132/33kV), Onitsha (330/132/33kV) and Sokoto (132/33kV). These substations were carefully selected as Batch 1 of the brownfield scope of the Phase 1 projects to increase the wheeling capacity of the transmission network grid.

    In the same vein, FGN Power Company will implement assets upgrade and enhancement in the distribution networks, in collaboration with the Distribution Companies (Discos) to ensure last-mile delivery of the evacuated power to industrial customers and residential consumers. These locations are load centres that are currently underserved and require swift enhancements. The execution of the project will be fast tracked and completed under the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration.

    It’s important to state that the FGN Power Company has started working on other priority brownfield and Greenfield projects in target load centres across the country. Special attention is also being paid to the execution of systems and products to enhance grid resilience and stability to reduce the frequent occurrences of grid disturbances.

    In December 2024, Minister of Power Adelabu commissioned the mobile substation in Sapade, a suburb of Sagamu in Ogun State. This has enhanced power evacuation and delivery to industrial customers within the Sagamu hub. Similarly, another mobile substation was commissioned at the Ajibode area of the University of Ibadan to enhance power delivery to the university community and adjoining areas. Before then, mobile substations and power transformers have been commissioned and energized in Ajah Lagos, Mando Kano, Jebba Kwara State, Okene Kogi, Amukpe Delta, Potiskum Yobe, Apo Abuja and Ihovbor Edo.

    While the implementation of the Presidential Power Initiative is going on, President Tinubu has equally inaugurated the Presidential Metering Initiative, which aims to increase the rate of smart metering of all customers in a commercially sustainable manner. The roll-out of the metering solutions has started. It is expected that the combined impact of assets upgrade through Presidential Power Initiative (PPI) and metering through the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI), coupled with efforts of subnational electricity markets will bring lasting solutions to the challenges of electricity supply in Nigeria.

    With President Tinubu’s committed leadership, the parlous state of the power sector will be reversed, and Nigerians and the economy will experience a new lease of life with reliable electricity supply that will geometrically increase productive activities. Indeed, the president’s strategic approach to resolving the multifaceted challenges in the power sector is yielding visible results. The restructuring of the tariff regime, intervention in the commercial imbroglio on gas supply, additional investments in infrastructure through PPI, enactment of the new Electricity Act which provides legal framework for further decentralisation of the sector and devolution of more responsibilities to the subnational governments, are all part of the renewed hope agenda for the power sector to bring sustainable solutions.

    •Ajayi is Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Media and Publicity.

  • Suleja highway to hell

    Suleja highway to hell

    An Australian hard rock band, sang the ‘Highway to Hell’ to reflect the arduous nature of travelling continuously on the freeways. In the lyrics, they sang about ‘living easy, loving free, season ticket on a one way ride’ while Bon Scott, the lead singer croaked, ‘don’t stop me’. The 86 souls, and still counting, that roasted at the Dikko junction, in Suleja, Niger State, in a petrol tanker fire may never have heard the song. But surely, they rode the highway to hell.

    No doubt, poverty and ignorance are contributory factors to the grim reaper that petrol tanker explosions have become for Nigerians. According to the Minister of Information, Mohammed Idris, about 265 lives, have been lost to tanker explosion fires in the past five months. Ironically, a fallen tanker laden with fuel looks like free gift, in the midst of grinding poverty, and like bees attracted to honey, the poor and ignorant converge to scoop free fuel that could earn them some quick bucks, forgetting that every scoop, could become an excruciating death pang.

    Sadly, many of the next victims may never hear about the fate that befell the most recent victims, and even those before them. After all, ignorance is a bliss. I recall that a former governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, sometime in 2006, boasted that 95 percent of his subjects are illiterates and as such, he was not bothered by any negative media report. He told the gathering of journalists that he does not care what they write about his government.   

    But like his colleagues, he forgot that an uneducated population suffers other disabilities and not ability to read about his poor governance. He did not know or he cares not that illiteracy is a highway to poverty. In 2023, the World Bank estimated that about 104 million Nigerians, which approximated to 46 percent of Nigerians lived in poverty. The figure is still high, despite governmental programs, as the World Bank estimate that 40.7% Nigerians, are still below poverty line as at the end of 2024.

    According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), deprivation of education, contributed 35.6% to the cause of Multidimensional Poverty Index, in Nigeria as at 2021. And as at 2023, the illiteracy rate in Nigeria is estimated at 31%. The theme of the 2023 edition of the International Literacy Day: ‘Promoting Literacy for a World in Transition: Building the Foundation for Sustainable and Peaceful Societies’ captures the challenges of the country. Without doubt, illiteracy engenders poverty, insecurity and other socio-economic challenges.

    Unfortunately, instead of investing in education, some states waste scarce resources on white elephant projects, most recently, on airports. According to the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), only three out of the 22 airports, under its management are profitable, yet a state like Zamfara, which finds it difficult to meet its recurrent obligations, is building an airport. After wasting scarce state resources to build underutilized airports, the burden of maintenance is shifted to the federal agency, FAAN, to bear the brunt of a wretched economic decision.    

    So, Nigerians stymied in crass poverty, see a fallen tanker, laden with scarce petroleum product, fuel, as God-given opportunity to earn some quick money, for free. To further compound the state of anomie, state governments do not place any premium on a functional and modern Fire Service. Obviously, very few states have invested resources in buying modern fire fighting vehicles, equipment and accessories, which could come handy, when faced with a special type of fire, as happened in Suleja. Sadly, the Federal Fire Service may just be a little better. 

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    For this writer, the negligence and lack of capacity by the federal and state fire service bears substantial responsibility for the tragedy at the Dikko junction in Suleja, Niger State. If either the federal or state fire service were well equipped, with the manpower and the specialized chemicals to fight fuel-fire, the scene of the accident would have been cordoned off, and neutralized within few minutes of the incident. But most states don’t even have a functional Fire Service, and some Federal Fire Service in states, don’t have functional firefighting trucks, not to talk of specialized kits and materials.

    The Nigerian Living Standards Survey (NLSS) indicates that 52% of Nigerians are living below the poverty line, which translates to over 105 million people living on less than $1 per day. There is no indication whether a community having access to basic safety measures like fire fighting equipment is a factor in determining the living standard index. But there is no reason why it should not be, considering the challenge posed by fire in the lives of the people in a community.

    One wonders what will be the fate of Nigerians should a fraction of the fire incident that has engulfed parts of California and Los Angeles, recently, happen in our dear country. Despite the massive fire-fighting capacity, both in the air and on the ground by the counties, states and even the US government, towns and lives have been razed. Interestingly, the Fire Department of New York City’s budget of $2.68 billion when converted at N1,500, is about N4 trillion, which is the budget of several states in Nigeria, added together.

    So, while not advocating for the entire resources of each state in Nigeria to be appropriated to the Fire Service, it is saddening that while state government engage in several white elephant projects, basic necessities like a functional fire service is neglected. This writer witnessed a fire incident more than five years ago, in Satellite Town, a suburb of Lagos. Both the federal and state fire services were called about the same time. Interestingly, the state fire service arrived within five minutes, well kitted and able to put out the fire.

    Sadly, the federal fire service never showed up. The embarrassing incident was reported to a top official at the headquarters in Abuja and if I recall properly, it was a subject of intervention on this column. Of note, the government of the President Muhammaudu Buhari made a lot of investment in the Federal Fire Service, which may have translated to efficiency. Hopefully, the latest incident will attract the attention for a comprehensive review of safety measures, with regards to the movement of highly inflammable gasoline products, across the country.

    While deeply commiserating with the families and victims of the latest incident, relevant state and federal agencies should establish a standard protocol on how to deal with petrol tanker accidents. With Fire Service in the forefront, there should a multi-agency protocol, involving the security agencies on the immediate steps to take when such incident happens. The embarrassing screamer across the world media, that 70 or more Nigerians were consumed by an avoidable fire incident de-markets the country. Poor Nigerians, must not be allowed to rock the highway to hell.

  • Why is Mbah admired?

    Why is Mbah admired?

    President Bola Tinubu’s visit to Enugu State a couple of weeks ago was unique; unique because since he assumed office 19 months ago, he has not yet formed the habit of visiting states. It is also possible that most of the states have not done big projects in the last 19 months that could be of presidential excitement to warrant their inviting the president for commissioning. The Enugu trip of the president is also unique because Enugu State is run by an opposition party, the PDP. At the national level, the PDP has made it an interesting duty to bad-mouth the ruling party, APC, on every imaginable issue, big or small, fair or foul as its opposition strategy. It might be either its own view of how an opposition party must conduct its affairs or it might be a way of diverting public attention from its own housekeeping problems or both.

    But it is interesting that the Enugu State government decided to invite the president to come and commission projects in Enugu. It is even more interesting that the president graciously decided to honour the invitation from a government that is run by an opposing party. The invitation and its acceptance demonstrate maturity and civilised behaviour from both sides. That is how politics without bitterness should be played.

    During the visit, Tinubu commissioned some urban roads, many schools, 150 Artificial Intelligence-embedded patrol vehicles, some primary health centres and an international conference centre. At the end of the commissioning Tinubu who was decked, along with Governor Peter Mbah in a flowery Igbo attire complete with a red cap, made a moving speech to a hall that was filled to almost over-flowing. He praised Mbah for his achievements and his visionary leadership. He said that Mbah was his friend and that he liked him even if he did not care about his party, the PDP. At the end of his speech he received an applause, not a plastic applause, a real applause and a standing ovation.

    His remarks must have been in accord with the mood and murmurings of the people of the state for the achievements that their governor had made within 19 months of stepping into office. As he spoke, the two of them seemed to be joined at the hip. They seemed to share the vision for a better country, a rejuvenation of what Nigeria was in the 70s when we had the oil boom and didn’t seem to know what to do with the money. That is when we had the cement armada, then the rice armada. Today, we are dreaming about the possibility of a gold standard performance in the states and the centre.

    Tinubu’s speech was a strong validation and commendation of Mbah’s performance particularly because both the president and the governor come from different religions, different parties, different states and different ethnic groups. The whole atmosphere was a reflection of admirable bi-partisanship and comradeship.

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    In the last 19 months Mbah has shown evidence of visionary leadership. He has facilitated and presented 20 bills to the state House of Assembly, 15 of which have been passed into law. He has promulgated five Executive Orders and has turned the state into a veritable construction site, with machines humming daily as the landscape is receiving a face-lift.

    The government is planning to build 260 smart schools in the state’s 260 wards. Its budget for education is very impressive at 33% which is 7% higher than the UNESCO prescription of 26%. This is evidence that the governor regards education as the catalyst for development, the cure-all for poverty and illiteracy and the equipment for lifting the living standard of the people.

    The government has created specialized courts such as Small Claims Courts whereby claims of one million naira or less can be settled so as to reduce congestion in the regular courts. The other courts created are Probate & Family Courts, Land Courts and Commercial Courts for the resolution of land, contract and commercial cases. The government has also reactivated its dormant Citizens Rights & Mediation Centre as an alternative dispute resolution centre. This will take care of long delays in the regular courts as well as costly litigation especially for the rural populace. This facility will lead to the easy and peaceful resolution of most of the cases. In the Ministry of Justice, the government has established a Witness Support Unit. This unit is expected to take care of the counselling, protection and logistical needs of all witnesses so as to improve justice delivery which will ultimately have a multiplier effect on the security of lives and property.

    The success so far recorded by Mbah has painted a canvass of possibilities in the Nigerian governance universe. All Nigerian politicians are in the pageant of promises whenever it is time for elections. When the elections are lost and won, the people are thrown into the abyss of grief because the bulk of the promises are forgotten. They are forgotten because they were not made sincerely in the first place. Or they were made without adequate knowledge of the situation on the ground. Mbah’s case is different. Apart from his good education – two Masters degrees and a couple of diplomas from reputable institutions – he worked in both the public and private sectors where he gathered considerable experience. He was a Commissioner for Finance and Economic Development under Dr Chimaroke Nnamani. He was also a member of the Federal Accounts Allocation Committee, chairman of the Board of Directors for the Enugu State Finance and Investment Company. In fact, Newswatch magazine profiled him at the turn of the 21st century as one of the 10 most outstanding state commissioners in the country.

    During the last governorship election in the country, a prominent citizen of Enugu State told me that Enugu State has been in a holding period for a number of years now. He feels that the state has lost its lustre and that most of the facilities that made it tick have vanished and are in need of revival. He said that the only candidate he thought could do it was in the PDP not in his own party, APC. He said the PDP man was the person he would back because he had the credentials that will produce a good governor for the state. He said that he didn’t mind taking the risk of pushing for Mbah who belonged to a different party from his APC. And when Mbah won he said that day was his happiest day on earth. With the achievements made so far by Mbah within 19 months it is easy to see why my friend backed him and kept saying “He is the right man for the job.”

    Success in governance does not come by happenstance. It comes through education, experience and commitment not only by the politician and his party but also by his followers and by the public generally. If you vote a person into power you must support him to do the heavy lifting, to do the right thing and to keep his eyes on the ball so that he does not go astray.

    Mbah has earned the blaze and dazzle of popularity from the people of Enugu State because he has exhibited exemplary, and visionary leadership which is giving a new lease of life now to Enugu, a state that was the envy of many states in the past before it lost its lustre.

  • Naira abuse and sacred cows

    Naira abuse and sacred cows

    George Orwell in his satirical work, Animal Farm, espoused the famous doctrine about all animals being equal, but some being more equal than others. It is a doctrine you find playing out, if to varying degrees and in different shades, in all human societies including Orwell’s own Western society, not just the old communist Soviet society about which he wrote. It is no different in our societal context.

    When the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) bared its fangs last year to tackle naira abuse, you would think doomsday had dawned for all naira abusers. Welding Section 21 of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act 2007, the agency early in April arrested cross-dresser and social media celebrity Bobrisky (real name Idris Okuneye) for defacing naira notes by spraying the currency at a party. Although Okuneye tendered an apology for his indiscretion, he was dragged before a Lagos court that convicted and jailed him for six months without an option of fine.

    On the heels of Okuneye’s apprehension – same April 2004 – a wealthy socialite and businessman, Cubana Chief Priest (real name Pascal Okechukwu) got in EFCC’s crosshairs and was also dragged before a federal high court in Lagos on charges of having abused the naira. The socialite plied his case differently from Okuneye’s and secured a 10 million naira bail from the court, following which he eventually sorted out his case with EFCC without facing the indignity of a court sentence,

    Of course, there were less notable persons that EFCC took upon over naira abuse, including actress Oluwadarasimi Omoseyin who was sentenced in February to six months in prison for spraying and stepping on naira notes. Only none of them posed examples towards deterrence like Bobrisky and Cubana Chief Priest. The agency at some point said several celebrities were being investigated for abusing the naira, and many of them had made “useful statements” to investigators. It added that some 200 people faced prosecution nationwide, with some having already been convicted.

    Now, the anti-graft agency has two new suspects to deal with who pose a strong test of its capacity for even-handed application of justice, namely the Okoya boys. Wahab and Raheem Okoya, children of influential Lagos billionaire tycoon, Razaq Okoya, were shown in a video clip that trended online recently flaunting and spraying bundles of one thousand naira notes. In the video, Raheem, a fledgling musician, and Wahab his brother, both dressed in white traditional attire, gyrated to  a tune as a mobile police officer stood alongside them, holding bales of crisp naira notes that they picked off him and flung in the air. The video was touted as a promotional clip for Raheem’s new song, “Credit Alert.”

    Following public criticism of the vanity show, the police announced it had identified its personnel seen in the video and detained him for disciplinary action. Force Public Relations Officer Olumuyiwa Adejobi, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), said in a statement: “The policeman captured in the recent viral video shared by the sons of the Lagos businessman, Chief Okoya, where they were abusing the naira has been identified and detained for disciplinary action. The involvement of the policeman has been condemned, as it is unethical. We will always strive hard to uphold the sanctity, credibility, and core values of the police.” If you asked why it was the policeman, a mere accomplice, that was being pulled in for sanction and not the principal actors themselves, Adejobi was reported saying the officer had the duty to prevent a crime being committed, or at least not participate in it.

    Nothing was said initially about liability on the part of the Okoya boys, leaving many people wondering openly if they were above the law to which the policeman was being held accountable. The arrest of the police officer while the Okoya boys were walking free rankled with Nigerians, many of whom vented outrage on social media over the discriminatory application of justice. “Why detain the policeman when you could have easily picked Chief Okoya’s sons? This is all shades of wrong,” @SamuelI10540458 posted on X among many others.

    Faced with the backlash, Raheem tendered a public apology, pleading that he acted in naivety and meant no harm. In a post on X, he said: “To Nigerian people, my actions were not to cause any trouble or harm. My intentions were pure and naive. I ask for your forgiveness and support in this situation as I had no intention to raise such an alarm. I wasn’t fully aware of the consequences of my action.” He spoke for himself and it is left to guesswork whether Wahab shared the same contrition.

    It was in the aftermath of that public apology that EFCC made known it had invited the two Okoya sons for questioning over alleged naira abuse. EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, was reported confirming the invitation, saying the duo were expected to report at the agency’s Lagos office the following Monday (13th January). “Yes, they have been invited. The two children, Wahab and Raheem Okoya, are expected to report to the commission’s Lagos office on Monday for questioning,” he told journalists, adding that: “They are to report to the Head, Special Operations Team, at the 15A Awolowo Road Office of the commission by 10a.m. on Monday.”

    Notice that unlike Bobrisky, the Okoya boys were nicely invited by the anti-graft agency and not arrested and pulled in for questioning. In any event, it is one week on now and there has been no update as to whether the young men honoured the EFCC invitation, much less whether there is any consequential action proceeding from it. For all you know, it could well be the scheduled rendezvous between EFCC agents and the Okoya boys did not even take place; and  that the reported invitation only served to project an appearance that there is a case to be plied against the principal suspects of an alleged breach of law when no case is really being pursued.

    My personal view is that the Okoya boys deserve compassionate consideration if they’re genuinely contrite over their misadventure. It would appear that deep pockets fight a strong temptation against showing off their endowment at vanity fairs, especially as the value of our national currency make their reservoir self-oppressive and begging for room to be created for some fresh air. The capacity to fight that temptation apparently varies with those concerned. That must be why offenders show up every now and then – and note: often from that class of society. What these people need, especially where the money is proven to be legitimately made, is guidance on how to apply their financial endowment to society’s benefit and not to ego trip. If this should be done through hefty fines that would relieve them somewhat of the suffocating supplies they contend with, so be it.

    Read Also: ‘How AI can drive industrial growth in Nigeria’

    But if the Okoya sons are getting off the hook, there is no reason in the world to hold the policeman seen with them in the video liable. In justifying why he had to be recalled and punished, Adejobi was reported saying he was never attached to the young men and was supposed to be on guard duty at the Okoya family business, namely Eleganza Industries. The Force spokesman has a point that the policeman should have had enough sense not to frontline in the silly show if he couldn’t stop it. That was grossly unprofessional on his part.

    It is drawing the demarcating line of duty too thin, however, to expect that a policeman assigned on security duty at a private establishment would not be posted to even more private chores like providing personal services to members of the business owning family. This is more so when the business establishment also engages the services of private sector firms to provide security needs that the police officer couldn’t provide by virtue of his reassignment to personal services. But this isn’t just happening. We have seen many instances of police personnel on special protection duty performing chores like personal staff of persons to who they are attached. And the Force hasn’t been able to do much towards changing that.

    Sauce for the goose, as they say, is sauce for the gander. If government agencies like the police and EFCC can’t apply justice regarding naira abuse with equity, better to refrain from scapegoating less privileged suspects.

    New Trump era begins

    Donald Trump today takes oath as the 47th President of the United States (POTUS). The 78-year-old, who was the 45th president, is taking the helm amidst indications that the world has yet to see a more disruptive force in global politics. Belt up!

    •Please join me on kayodeidowu.blogspot.be for conversation.

  • The second coming of Donald Trump

    The second coming of Donald Trump

    By Olabode Lucas

    Historical records showed that the world was never the same again immediately after Adolf Hitler took charge of the affairs of Germany in 1934 as Fuhrer.  As the leader of Germany, Hitler repudiated the harsh treaty of Versailles which severely punished the defeated Germany at the First World War He rearmed Germany and became a threat to many countries in Europe

    Many countries in Europe did everything to avoid going to war with Germany because of the bad economic situations in Europe during this period and so many configured their policies to appease Germany. The most infamous of these appeasements was the one initiated by Neville Chamberlain, the British prime minister. The British policy under Chamberlain in 1935 allowed Hitler to expand German territory unchecked and in 1938 there was a Munich Agreement signed by Britain, France, Germany and Italy to allow Hitler’s annexation of Austria and Sudetenland which was part of the former Czechoslovakia. All these did not satisfy Hitler and on September 1, 1939, he invaded Poland, and this action led to the debilitating Second World War with attendant horrendous loss of lives. The war consumed more than 50 million lives which included six million Jews lost in the Holocaust perpetrated by Nazi Germany.

    Almost 80 years ago, the Second World War that blighted the world ended, but this did not bring an end to conflicts in the world. At present, there are major conflicts in Ukraine, Gaza, Syria, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and in other flashpoints dotted on the globe. However, many people believe that another megalomania who could further heighten the tension in the world as Hitler did in the thirties has arrived on the world scene. The man with this dubious characteristic is Donald John Trump who became the 45th President of the United States of America in 2017 and who is poised to be its 47th President today, Monday January 20.

    With his swearing in for the second time today, the whole world is anticipating a turbulent four years under his presidency. Already he has left nobody in doubt about the direction of his new administration. On international scene, he promised that he would impose tariffs on goods coming to US from countries like China, Canada, Mexico and Western European countries. This action of Donald Trump if carried out will no doubt trigger off trade war between USA and those countries which would no doubt have negative effect on world trade. Other actions promise by Trump that would have destabilising effect on the world order includes his plan to take over Greenland which is presently a semi-autonomous territory under the control of Denmark. Trump wants this vast mostly snow-covered territory because of its large mineral deposit and its strategic military value. The inhabitants of Greenland have told Trump that much as they like cooperation with USA, their territory is not for annexation by USA. Trump in one of his expansive moods has also suggested that Canada which is USA’s northern neighbour should be a State of USA because according to him, Canada presently depends mostly on USA for its economic survival. The outgoing prime minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau has described Trump’s suggestion as laughable.

    Read Also: ‘How AI can drive industrial growth in Nigeria’

    One future action of Trump that would destabilise the peace of Latin America is his plan to take back Panama Canal which was given back to Panama in 1978 by late President Jimmy Carter.  Trump is annoyed that despite the fact that the Panama Canal was built by USA money, China is now controlling the canal to the disadvantage of USA. Still on his policy on Latin America, Trump while luxuriating in pseudo patriotism has promised to change the age-long name of Gulf of Mexico to Gulf of America. It is difficult to decipher what the change will bring to the prestige of USA.

    On the home front, Donald Trump has promised that immediately he becomes the president, one of his first actions would be to bring up an Executive Order that would halt the unbridled inflow of illegal immigrants to USA through his country’s southern border. This is an action he promised during the campaign, and which contributed largely to his winning the Presidency. Trump has also promised that immediately he takes the mantle of power, he would pardon those convicted for January 6 insurrection. The January 6 storming of the Capitol Hill to prevent the certification of Biden’s election was a blight on USA democracy and the proposed pardon of the hoodlums responsible for this infamy is clear evidence that Donald Trump instigated the riot of that day.  In addition to this bewildering promise of Donald Trump, he has also promised to punish those involved in prosecuting him for his criminal acts in and out of office. One of the Special Prosecutors, Jack Smith who prosecuted him in federal criminal cases has just resigned from the Department of Justice because of Trump’s threats. In fact, there is a call that Joe Biden should give people involved in Trump cases retroactive pardon in order to forestall the vindictiveness of Donald Trump. The threats from Trump to punish his political opponents are not different from those of dictators spread all over the globe.

    Donald Trump won the 2024 presidential election squarely and has the right to rule according to his election promises. However, from his previous actions as the president coupled with his recent utterances, the world has cause to be jittery on the effect his presidency would have on world peace and order. At present, his chief adviser is another megalomania, the billionaire Elon Musk who is currently encouraging right wing parties to take over power in countries in Western Europe and Latin America. We know that the combination of the right-wing Nazi party of Hitler in Germany and the Black Shirt movement of the Mussolini Fascist party in Italy plunged Europe into the bloody Second World War. With Donald Trump in the White House with his extreme views, coupled with ascendancy of virulent right-wing parties in Europe, the peace and stability of the world is now threatened as never before. One can only hope that Donald Trump would tone down his extreme rhetoric once he gets to power this time around. There is a glimmer of hope from the role he played even before taking over as president, in getting Israel to agree on a ceasefire with the Hamas in Gaza, that he may still be a force for good in world affairs. Like Trump now, Ronald Reagan was perceived as a war monger in 1980, but on becoming the president, he performed well to become one of the most consequential USA presidents. It is possible that Donald Trump may be another Reagan.

    •Prof Lucas writes from Old Bodija, Ibadan.

  • Trends shaping public service future, its reforms and discourse

    Trends shaping public service future, its reforms and discourse

    • By Tunji Olaopa

    This piece is one of the technical notes that I used in some seminal conversations before now, one of many others that I consider should be shared, in spite of its seminal tone, for the benefit of public managers¬-learners who are spread all over the nooks and crannies of Nigeria and beyond, and for public education, In penning this contribution, I am interested in a sort of agenda setting that has the capacity to generate discourse around public cum civil service institutional reformulation and its framework of relevance especially in a postcolonial context like Nigeria. All across the world, public administration serves the purpose of outlining and concretizing the administrative agenda that allows the state intervene positively in the lives of the citizenry. This therefore places a huge responsibility on the public service—and the public administration scholarship and communities of service and practice—to get up to speed in outlining a pathway that will transform the professional endeavor into a sturdy representative of state activities and responsibilities to the people. Like every other endeavor, public administration must necessarily respond to the multiplicity of events, circumstances and occurrences that have come to define the world in the twenty-first century. 

    Public administration has come a long way since its first documented formation, with the rudimentary but fundamental beginning in the ancient pharaonic Egypt through to the high political intrigues and engineering feats of the Roman society to the exigencies of the industrial revolution of the nineteen century. In the twenty-first century, and all across the world, public administration is even more challenged by current circumstances shaping not only national administrative imagination but also international and global relations. In the first place, public administration is today immersed in what has been called a VUCA environment. This implies that public administration and its processes, procedures and institutional operations must be factored into an environment that is volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous. The VUCA world implies the myriad degrees of shocks, threats, cynicism, turbulence and challenges that governments all across the world must have to respond to in order to design and formulate policies that will resonate with the yearnings of an increasingly politically sophisticated citizenry. The VUCA environment is aggravated by what has come to be called a polycrisis, a fundamentally complex situation as a result of many crises, conflicts and complex issues reinforcing and complicating one another in sequences that aggravate any existing circumstances that humans and states find themselves. In such a situation of a polycrisis, the overall consequences and impacts of the complex crisis is greater than the sum of all the variables making it up. For example, poverty in the world today is now a function of climate change, economic recession, natural disasters, bad governance and political instability. 

    Within a VUCA environment, policies and their trajectories and dynamics cannot be considered as simplistic and linear endeavors. This is compounded by the fact that the status and role of the public manager, as the administrative and policy craftsman, has kept changing: (a) the ‘I am directed’ rule-oriented bureaucrat (public manager 1.0), (b) business-oriented and performance-focused manager (2.0), and (c) networking and relations-focused collaborator (3.0). This transition reflects the transformation of thinking about public administration and the public service from Max Weber to Woodrow Wilson and from the new public management (NPM) to the idea of new governance. The VUCA environment within which the twenty-first century public manager is expected to effectively and efficiently function is further complicated when it is considered from the perspectives of a postcolonial context like Nigeria. Africa is often considered as the most difficult administrative context in the world. And that is essentially because the organic maturation of public administration had been disrupted not only by colonial rule but also postcolonial consequences of a logic of extraction. This therefore implies that public administration and the public manager in Africa must not only anticipate and preempt current and recurrent challenges that ails governance on the continent, but must also be conversant with emerging trends and paradigms shifts that are determining the trajectory and possible directions that public administration is taking in the evolving fourth revolution and knowledge society mediated by digital and destructive technologies, from the blockchain and robotics to enterprise resource planning and big data.

    Trend analysis therefore becomes a necessary and inevitable tool for prospecting for patterns, scenarios and variances in order to determine future prospects and achieve strategic decision-making. Trend analysis rely essentially on empirical and historical data and evidences to determine, monitor and forecast short- or long-term institutional changes that could constitute downtrends or uptrends for any particular endeavor. In public administration, it involves gathering historical and current data on emerging trends that could get the public managers to make decisive and evidence-based strategic decisions that would get the public service to perform more effectively and efficiently for better service delivery. This serves the purpose of empowering the public managers and public administration scholars and experts to gather valuable insights on how far public administration practices have come, the emerging developments that are shaping the practices, and the future prospects in the profession. It also enables public managers to generate crucial understanding of performance metrics that could keep pushing the boundaries of the operational functionality of the public service for optimal performance and productivity.

    The most recent source of polycrisis all over the world was the COVID-19 pandemic that decimated millions of lives across the globe and facilitated in its wake what is now called the “new normal” in terms of human social relations, societal dynamics and structural cum institutional realignments. Humans have been forced to reassess normal patterns of doing things at some professional levels. We now work from home, adapted to a blended educational schedule, attend conferences and symposia virtually, and so on. In economic, social, political and even spiritual terms, there are now dramatic transformations that were instigated by the precarious developments of the COVID-19 pandemic. The new normal is enabled by digital and other new technologies and the new information dispensation to disrupt the usual dynamics of social, cultural and professional lives. The pandemic triggered a deluge of challenging situations for public administration and the public service to deal with. This can be likened in a sense to the administrative challenges that the Nigerian Civil War posed to Nigeria’s public service and those we now call the “super permanent secretaries.”

    Read Also: Varsity teachers taken out of public service payroll system

    The COVID-19 pandemic struck most governments and their public administration dynamics at this critical service delivery point. And the tragedy of the pandemic is that it caught the entire world at varying administrative stages and phases of the normal. This is even worse for the third world countries, and Africa especially. Before the COVID-19 lockdown, the Nigerian public service system had been afflicted by a bureau-pathological protocol defined by a collusion between what we all know as the “Nigerian factor” and some damaging systemic debilities. The tragedy of the pandemic and of Nigeria’s unpreparedness for it has presented the public service system with a unique opportunity to reflect on and rethink its governance and administrative policies. And so, with the sudden transformation of the way we look at work and the workplace dynamics, the public service had to forcefully embrace what used to be the staple of administrative conferences and forecasting.

    The transformation of the workplace, as part of the key reform for preparing public administration to manage the fourth industrial revolution especially in Africa, demands the deployment of human resource management to achieve performance and productivity. The transformation of the workplace and work ethics gives the public service the capacity to recruit a global workforce and create incentives that increase employee loyalty and commitment, and collaborations that generate productivity. This gives room for the achievement of a better work-life balance deriving from freer time and flexibility to work. It also crucially facilitates the acquisition of “twenty-first century literacies”: (a) interpersonal skills: facilitation, empathy, political skills; (b) synthesising skills: sorting evidence, analysis, making judgements, offering critique and being creative; (c) organising skills: group work, collaboration and peer review; and (d) communication skills: better use of new media and multi-media resources. The smart public manager must also factor into the mix the unique cultural and sociological demands that the emergence of the Gen Z, Gen Alpha and Gen Beta are bringing or will bring into the constitution of the workplace as a technology-enables space with its own peculiar generational dynamics. No conscious public manager will ignore the demands of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) in making the workplace more broad-based and strategic.  

    Apart from the immediate need for flexible and remote work protocols that transformed the workplace and its dynamics, the imperative of open government suddenly got a new lease on life. Since the emergence of the new public management and the managerial revolution that drove it, the objective has been to achieve a government that is FAST—flatter, agile, streamlined and technology-enabled. And one way to do this is not only to install a performance management system, but to also facilitate an open government framework that allows for the co-creation of values through citizen engagement. For instance, a flat government demands that the distance between government and the citizens be decreased through the deployment of digital technologies and the social media and mobile technologies that increase the participation of citizens in administrative and decision-making processes. Open government therefore increase transparency and accountability in government decision making, remove red tape and hierarchies, and enable cross-sectoral collaborations.

    The open government initiative also makes possible an open data platform that governments across the world are deploying to further facilitate citizens engagement and interactions with the policies of government. Through emerging communication and information technologies, governments make available data and information that the citizens can use. Tracking and mapping systems also help the citizens to interrogate government’s expenditures and decision dynamics. Open government and the open data initiatives are made possible by the right to information legislation that makes it imperative for the government, through its MDAs, to share critical information about its processes and procedures with its citizens. the open government partnership plays a crucial role in grounding the significance of the public-private partnership. This is achieved through a networked dynamic that open government and its deployment of communication and digital technologies make possible. The government can now draw the private sector into a governance space for tackling challenging administrative and governance issues that the government or the private sector could never tackle on its own.

    The idea of open government and its potentials for making public administration more effective inevitably raises the specter of cybersecurity with regard to the value of big data, data sovereignty and how this could be compromised.

    For example, data sovereignty gives a government the control over sensitive information and data that its public administrative institutions and processes require to function effectively. It also prevents these data and information from unauthorized access or information mining and misuse that could compromise the significance and values of these data and information. Hence, governments need to manage the circumferences of its data sovereignty by monitoring and anticipating data breach and vulnerability. Public managers will therefore be tasked with the imperative of thinking more strategically about the critical relationship between open government, open access to big data, administrative efficiency and the threat of data breach through cyber-attacks. This inevitably demands the significant role of cybersecurity professionals who can anticipate and deal with cyber-threats as they emerge.

    The reforms that will shape public administration of the future will be determined significantly by the capacity of public services across the world to leverage digital, communication and information technologies to both create strategies and be strategic. Creating a strategy, on the one hand, is a process of translating a plan into a set of results. On the other hand, however, being strategic is a competence that involves critical thinking. The two point at the urgent need for the public service to generate strategic thinking required for the change management that will move the institution forward into more optimal functionality and productivity. Both must be channeled institutionally to the most central process of strategic decision making. Creating strategies and being strategic in administrative decision-making demands the deployment of new thinking and developments in decision science.

    Decision science has become a critical field that has integrated cognate developments from artificial intelligence, organisational psychology, systems thinking, machine learning, probabilistic modeling, scenario analysis, big data analytics, and many more to become a key area that the public service must buy into to push forward its policy intelligence that strengthen decision-making. Modern policy making that has taken cognizance of decision science will most likely possess nine fundamental features: (i) forward-looking; (ii) outward-looking; (iii) innovative, flexible and creative; (iv) evidence-based; (v) evaluation; (vi) review; (vii) joined-up; (viii) inclusive; and (ix) learned lessons.

    Artificial intelligence plays a critical role in decision science and strategic decision-making for the public administration of the future. AI possesses a huge significance for the objective of making the public service an efficient institution for democratic service delivery that optimize democratic governance. AI not only makes possible the digitization of crucial data and information, it simplifies routine and tedious tasks, and fast tracks data analysis. It is also inevitable in facilitating the open government and open data aspiration that transform public administration. However, in deploying AI in public administration, the public manager must factor the multiple ethical and legal concerns, especially in terms of human rights issues that links AI to labour issues and industrial relations.

    The last fundamental trend that public administration must factor into its reform is the emergence of a flexible, updated and up-to-date curriculum that benefits from the contemporary discourses on public administration, current administrative practices, and also feeds administrative education and training. The curriculum will feature syllabi on artificial intelligence and its critical significance, the role of new technologies in public service efficiency, human resource management and the new workplace, the imperatives of open government, etc. The curriculum, for example will explore the relationship between the public service and commercial/market tools, analysis, techniques and models for gathering commercial data that will enhance the effectiveness of the public service in terms of project management, asset and facility management, outsourcing, contract awards, and so on.      

  • Kestin Pondi: A legacy of selfless philanthropy

    Kestin Pondi: A legacy of selfless philanthropy

    • By Johnbull Cleopas

    Permit me to use your widely read newspaper to speak on the good deeds of Kestin Pondi, a beloved philanthropist from the Gbaramatu and Ogulagha Kingdoms of Delta State, who dedicated his life to alleviating suffering and making a difference in the lives of others. His compassion knows no boundaries—he reached out to individuals regardless of tribe, religion, or background. His actions demonstrate that true philanthropy comes with no strings attached.

    As Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Ltd, a company entrusted with safeguarding oil pipelines and installations in the Niger Delta and beyond, Kestin’s influence extended far beyond business. He was a leader admired and respected throughout the region, known for his commitment to the welfare of his people.

    Despite never holding an elected office, Kestin’s love for his community was evident in his tireless efforts to uplift those in need. His generosity spanned various sectors, including health, education, and youth empowerment. He frequently organized medical outreaches, providing care for those suffering from medical challenges, often arranging treatments in top hospitals across Nigeria and abroad at his own expense.

    In the area of education, Kestin played a pivotal role in supporting government initiatives and easing the burden on public and individual resources. Through scholarships, bursaries, and school fee payments, he helped countless individuals pursue their dreams, regardless of their background.

    His dedication to youth development was unmatched. As a mentor and role model to young people in the Niger Delta and beyond, Kestin inspired many through his example and his commitment to human capital development. His empowerment initiatives earned him the nickname “The Empowerment Machine,” a testament to his relentless drive to create opportunities for others.

    Read Also: Bad news for oil thieves at Tantita’s night of glory

    A True Family Man and Leader

    Kestin is not only a philanthropist but also a devoted family man—an affectionate husband and father. Known for his humility, kindness, and accessibility, he is a man who treats everyone with respect, regardless of status or age. He bridges gaps in society, breaking down the barriers that often separate the wealthy from the less fortunate. By doing so, he created a more inclusive community where everyone felt valued and supported.

    Kestin was recognized as the “Ibehenemowei” of Gbaramatu Kingdom, meaning “the one who brings everyone together.” This title reflected his remarkable ability to unite people, transcending differences and fostering a sense of community. His leadership, wisdom, and commitment to cultural preservation made him a beacon of unity within the Ijaw Nation and beyond.

    A Lasting Legacy

    Kestin’s humanitarian efforts have left an indelible mark on the lives of many. His work inspires and will undoubtedly be remembered for generations to come. As a fitting tribute to his legacy, I humbly propose the establishment of the “Kestin Pondi Foundation,” ensuring that his spirit of giving continues to thrive and touch lives.

    This version maintains the core themes and details of the original while enhancing readability and flow.

    He is a true definition of philanthropy.  His name is high chief Kestin Ebimobowei Pondi.

    • Hon. Cleopas is former Special Adviser to the Executive Governor of Bayelsa State and former Senior Special Assistant to the Executive Governor of Bayelsa.
  • Man-of-the-Year award and Tinubu’s brand of leadership

    Man-of-the-Year award and Tinubu’s brand of leadership

    • By Oba Mekunu Owolabi Salis

    That fateful evening of October 19, 1986, when the charismatic Chief Executive and Editor-in-Chief of Newswatch, Oladele Summonu Giwa, was brutally assassinated via a parcel bomb, the entire world was awakened to one of the most savage killings in history.

    Watching his once-imposing physical frame mangled to a huge mass of flesh, the tragic death of this brilliant, handsome and highly endowed young man in his prime shook the world, particularly his native Nigerian compatriots, to the foundation.

    It need be remembered that just on October 16, 1986, Nigerians were greeted with the earth-shaking tiding that our one and only Professor Oluwole Akinwande Soyinka, the Ishara-born Professor of Dramatic Arts had been conferred with the global Nobel Award. Pronto! The entire world, particularly Nigeria, was thrown into an unprecedented wave of celebration.

    The entire nation was engrossed in that momentum of high excitement when all of a sudden, that fateful evening, the nation was dramatically awakened to the news of the grisly assassination of the eminent media mogul – only for the Nobel excitement which earlier had enveloped the landscape to disappear like a meteor.

    It was against this background that when two or three years later the same Newswatch greeted the public with the news that it had made the same IBB Man of The Year  – the man whose regime allegedly masterminded the grisly murder of the American trained, ex-New York Times journalist, the announcement was to put the Newswatch management on the firing line by the general mass of the public who, whether rightly or wrongly, condemned the gesture outright.

    Particularly notable was the vitriolic outpouring from Gani Fawehini, who in an amazingly detailed presentation, made a graphic expose of the plot which allegedly involved two top security chiefs of the IBB era as initiated from the beginning to the tragic point of execution via a parcel bomb that despatched the brilliant media chieftain to irreversible journey to the world beyond.

    However, when in a seemingly awry development only shortly after the award, Chief Alex Akinyele of blessed memory, being one of the Directors of Newswatch, was promptly given government appointment as Minister of Information, the development sent tongues wagging in several quarters, casting strong doubt on the genuine intention of Newswatch editors.

    Coming back to recent times, it was the same dramatic stir that greeted the announcement that editors of ThisDay newspapers and Arise News unanimously made President Bola Ahmed Tinubu the Man of The Year for 2024

    To be sure – and I stand to be corrected – for some years now, it would seem as if there had been no love lost between our leader President Tinubu on one hand and ThisDay and Arise News on the other.

    This was an Asiwaju they had never for once spared but constantly brought to lacerating criticisms to the critical point that the two parties were embroiled in a running media battle that grew from ripples to storm.

    It was therefore against this background that when news of the award coming from a very unlikely quarters burst into general public awareness, it generated quite a stir of amazement.

    But going through the body of criteria as adduced by the juridical committee of editors, for his audacity in introducing very unpopular but promising reforms, driven by his sense of convictions rather than pandering to sheer sentiment or the crowd, one could begin to discern some dosage of fair reasoning behind their verdict.

    On this, I cannot but agree more with the esteemed editorial team. Indeed ever before they came out with news of the award and the rationale behind the gesture, I had always had this impression of our leader, which I will capture with just one simple but seemingly odd word: “Anomaly”.

    Simply expressed for better clarity, without any pun intended, Tinubu, to me, is an anomaly, which to me, is someone who does something beyond the normal or expected. In this regard, one recalls that right from the creation of the Federal Capital Territory, in Abuja, only northerners were always appointed as FCT Minister.

    Indeed, with Tinubu assuming office, all eyes were fixed on Northerners as usual as the surest bets for the FCT Minister post. But Tinubu got there only to create a spectacular upset with the appointment of a Southerner as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory.

    References were also made with regards to external reserves jerking up for the first time after some years, to over $40 million, coupled with his tax reforms and the reforms on local government autonomy, among others.

    While I commend the President for the well-deserved award, it becomes equally apposite to hasten to emphasise that an award should not be seen as an end in itself, but rather a means to an end.

    If one may borrow Ex-President Obasanjo’s words in his admonishment of Ibrahim Babangida that SAP must be applied with human face, so does it become not only apt but also timely to admonish that reforms where they appear overly draconian must necessarily be tempered with human face.

    Reforms must not overly be at the expense of the poor, who beyond other factors are the very raison detre for governance, just as they constitute above all, the preponderant factor in terms of their overwhelming numerical magnitude which towers far above other socio-economic classes of the society, because even as the Great Awo once said at one of his campaigns during the Second Republic, God so loved the masses that he created them in greater numbers than the rich

    It is against this background that it becomes pertinent to advise the President not only on the need to factor more than ever before the interest of the masses but also evolve a mechanism to ensure that the palliatives being dispensed are effectively deployed to get to the target beneficiaries, quite unlike before that such gestures have had no impact on the common man which they are actually meant for.

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    On the whole, the concept of an Award for distinguished exploits, as instituted in 1927 by the American TIME Magazine, is indeed a highly laudable one, in that it fires the impulse for distinguished achievements with the ultimate aim, on the part of the individual, to propel the society to a higher paradigm of dynamic growth and development.

    As a locomotive force driving the engine of growth, the visionary concept of an award becomes more particularly significant in a developing country like Nigeria, particularly at a time like this, which demands men of excellence who in their diverse fields would contribute in their own ways to lifting the nation to the enviable heights of the founding fathers.

    To further deepen the laudable exercise by way of an added value, media organisers of awards should cast a penetrating focus on Nigerians in Diaspora, who are really taking the American society by storm, through their distinctive achievements in their various fields of endeavor – like yours truly (if I might add on a humorous note) who achieved the hitherto unaccomplished feat of being the first Black African to travel to the diametrically extreme Frigid Zone of the North and South Pole.

    Recognising these esteemed cream of our worthy ambassadors abroad – by means of strategic medium such as these would not only be a sure way of encouraging them to do more but also firing their zeal to take recourse to the home turf in patriotic service to their fatherland.

    Awards should therefore be devoid of politics, prejudice, nepotism, connection, sentiment, highest bidder or favoritism of any sort. Poignantly illustrative in setting the pace, for this ethical integrity is the American TIME Magazine which initiated the tradition of Man Of The Year.

    Running through the trajectory of their titular coronation of Man of The Year Award, one clearly discerns the patently objective, non-discriminatory policy that had seen them conferring the title on otherwise very unlikely quarters like Adolf Hitler, the notorious global villain, who apart from sentencing a staggering number of six million Jews into the gas chamber, also plunged the entire world into the global cataclysm of the 1939 to 1945 World War.

    Equally worthy of note were notable communist figures like Stalin who held the title twice in 1939 and 1942, including Hugo Chavez, the Venezuelan Strongman (2006) and Vladimir Puttin 2007, in spite of their ideological antagonism against the capitalist ideological ethos of America. Ditto the Iranian Mad Mullah, Ayatollah Khomeini (1979), despite his implacable rabid hatred of America.

    • Salis is an America-based scholar, lawyer, political scientist, social reformer and public activist.