The Nation Newspaper

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  • How Sanwo-Olu is using PPP synergy effectively

    How Sanwo-Olu is using PPP synergy effectively

    • By Olufunke Cole

    Success as they say is very predictable indeed.

    For many Lagosians who monitored his career trajectory under the then Governor(s) Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Babatunde Raji Fashola, Akinwunmi Ambode, it was easy to know that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu was a man who had not just cut his political teeth but was truly schooled in the art and science of governance.

    But the naysayers and political detractors never gave him a fighting chance at the time.

    To make matters worse, just a few months in the saddle, Nigeria experienced the worst health crisis ever following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

    Unfortunately, Lagos State became the Guinea pig in the whole set-up!

    While many in his shoes would just have wriggled their hands in the air in total dejection albeit accept defeat in the face of the clear and present dangers posed by the pandemic, Sanwo-Olu not only rose to the occasion but later became the poster boy of how to manage the pandemic of this kind and magnitude in Nigeria and pan Africa, judging by the accolades and plaudits he earned at home in Nigeria, from the World Health Organisation, other world bodies and the comity of nations in general; who were in the forefront of managing the global pandemic.

    But not many people know that Governor Sanwo-Olu was able to perform with the help of a magic wand!

    Yes, yours truly can truly testify (pardon the pun) that certain forces, yes some forces worked hand-in-hand with Mr. Governor!

    Phew! It’s not what you think! I can tell you for free that some benevolent forces indeed helped the governor.

    Still wondering who these forces are? A penny for your thoughts: the governor deployed the public private partnership (PPP) template to drive many of the intervention programmes that have so far been implemented in the state.

    Has it worked? Certainly these have worked to telling effects judging by the degree of successes recorded on the one hand and the different retentions and iterations that have followed through since the first experiment with the PPP model.

    But what is so special about this PPP model in the first place, you may tend to ask?

    It’s a big deal and this is why. The idea behind Lagos PPP model is indeed noble.

    The brainchild of Babatunde Raji Fashola, the Office of Public-Private Partnerships (OPPP) is an agency created by the 2011 PPP Law of Lagos state whose primary objective is to facilitate the development of public infrastructure or public assets and provide social amenities and other facilities for Lagos state through public private partnerships.

    Under Sanwo-Olu the PPP project portfolio covers a wide variety of infrastructural developments that have contributed towards the betterment of Lagosians and are closely aligned with the THEMES Agenda of the Lagos state government towards building a greater Lagos.

    From mass rail projects, housing, food security, commerce and industry, agroallied businesses, healthcare, Lekki-Epe Airport, Lekki Deepsea Port, Dangote Refinery, to mention just a few, the PPP model has been a game changer all the way!

    Just like the previous years, the state government has restated its commitment to work with the private sector to further grow the economy of the state in 2024.

    Bukola Odoe, the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on public private partnership (PPP), gave this hint recently at a public forum.

    Justifying the need for the PPP model, Odoe said there was a need to look ahead and build on the achievements of the state government in the last four years, especially in the delivery of public infrastructure.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu and the pursuit of a social market economy (2)

    Speaking at an interactive session with members of staff, she said 2024 will be a year to attain key goals of the state government and the office of PPP will ensure necessary support to actualise the THEMES + Agenda of the Sanwo-Olu- government.

    “The aim is to strengthen and renew partnerships to launch even more ambitious and impactful projects that align with the laid out plans in the THEMES+ development agenda of Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

    “The Office of Public Private Partnerships remains committed to fostering productive partnerships that promote the development of Lagos state, contribute to the well-being of its residents, and position Lagos as a leading city in public infrastructure development,” she said.

    The special adviser assured that her office will work assiduously to drive economic growth and development across the state by harnessing the expertise and efficiencies that the private sector can bring to the delivery of more public infrastructure.

    Highlighting her office’s commitment to ensure effective collaboration with critical stakeholders, Odoe mentioned that there are numerous initiatives outlined that will benefit residents of the state as she seeks support of members of staff and investors to achieve the goals in the coming years.

    Still wondering why Sanwo-Olu is succeeding in his quest to change the development narrative of the Centre of Excellence? Look no further: PPP is doing the magic!

  • CBN’s regulatory hammer: Another view

    CBN’s regulatory hammer: Another view

    • By Awaal Gata

    The recent decision by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to dissolve the Boards and Management of Union Bank, Keystone Bank, and Polaris Bank has ignited widespread discussions across the nation. This move has not only attracted attention but varied interpretations as to the behind-the-scene manoeuvres that may have influenced it. In some circles, there is growing unease regarding transparency of this regulatory intervention, raising legitimate concerns about the accountability and openness of the actions.

    The CBN justified its intervention by citing corporate governance lapses and regulatory non-compliance as reasons. However, these allegations stand largely unsubstantiated due to the hurried nature and absence of a fair hearing underlying their actions to penalize the banks. This swift and seemingly arbitrary approach creates a vacuum of uncertainty, fostering speculation. The inadequacy of proper justification prompts questioning of the fairness and adherence to due process by the CBN in reaching this consequential decision. 

    The doubt surrounding the noble intentions of the board’s removal is further amplified by the communication method. The lack of a written notice from the CBN to the boards before this unilateral action is a clear violation of the principles of fair hearing and natural justice. The absence of proper communication raises questions about the transparency and adherence to established legal procedures. It’s worth noting that whatever legal basis the apex bank relied on to execute these actions should not supersede Section 36 of the Nigerian Constitution, which unequivocally guarantees fair hearing for all. This discrepancy underscores the need for scrutiny and clarification regarding the legal grounds supporting the CBN’s decisions. 

    The affected banks contend that, in accordance with legal requirements, any examination report should have been shared with them, outlining regulatory concerns and proposing necessary actions. Regrettably, the CBN deviated from this protocol, thereby violating its own laws, regulations, and established practices. This departure raises concerns about procedural fairness and transparency, as the banks were deprived of essential information crucial for addressing and rectifying regulatory issues. The failure to adhere to standard procedures underscores the need for a comprehensive examination of the CBN’s actions and their alignment with legal frameworks.

     The absence of shareholder involvement in discussions and the CBN’s failure to issue a formal letter outlining the basis of the intervention are significant. Shareholders learned of the decision through newspapers and social media, bypassing the established channels. This lack of direct communication undermines the principles of transparency and engagement, leaving stakeholders uninformed and disconnected from crucial decisions affecting their interests. The need for clear and direct communication channels is evident, highlighting the importance of upholding principles that foster openness and meaningful engagement in such consequential matters. 

    Some shareholders rightfully express concern over the violation of fair hearing provisions in the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act 2020. The CBN’s invocation of Section 12 of BOFIA gives the impression of a predetermined decision to revoke licenses without engaging shareholders in a meaningful dialogue regarding the alleged non-compliance. This raises serious questions about the due process followed, emphasizing the need for a thorough examination of the CBN’s actions to ensure adherence to legal frameworks and principles of fairness in regulatory interventions. 

    While facing allegations of non-payment and connections to prominent public officials, avenues for fact-checking such narratives exist. Keystone and Polaris Banks’ acquisitions from CBN and AMCON were carried out by local investors through documented processes. Additionally, Union Bank’s acquisition by foreign investors had records available, with major acquisitions approved by the CBN. These established processes and documented transactions provide avenues for verification, emphasizing the importance of relying on accurate information when assessing the circumstances surrounding these banks. 

    Read Also: Okupe knocks Ndume for faulting relocation of CBN, FAAN to Lagos

    CBN must steer clear of utilizing unsubstantiated allegations to seize the banks from investors to avoid accusations of unjust regulatory actions. Such actions could have severe consequences for both local and foreign investors, potentially impeding Nigeria’s ability to attract foreign investments. Upholding transparency and adhering to due process is crucial in maintaining a favourable investment climate and fostering trust in the regulatory environment. 

    The regulatory action triggered a run on the banks, eroding public confidence and impacting communities where these banks serve as primary service providers. If such actions are deemed necessary, historical practices dictate that they could be more prudent. This timing allows for more controlled responses, minimizing disruptions to both the banking sector and the communities reliant on these institutions for essential services. 

    Trust is pivotal for economic growth, deposit mobilization, loan extension to MSMEs, and the overall prudential performance of the financial sector. Preserving transparency and avoiding any perception of political influence is crucial to maintaining the stability and effectiveness of the financial system. 

    As Nigerians eagerly await answers from the CBN, the apex bank must step out of the shadows and engage with shareholders, as mandated by law. This collaborative approach is essential to collectively address regulatory concerns and mitigate collateral damage. There is still an opportunity for the CBN to uphold fairness, transparency, and due process in the banking sector. Doing so would not only restore confidence in the apex bank but also avert potential long-term consequences for all parties involved. It’s a crucial moment to prioritize open communication and adherence to legal principles for the benefit of the financial sector and the broader economy.

    • Gata is a public affairs analyst, and writes from Abuja.  
  • Can nuclear energy unlock a bright future for Nigeria?

    Can nuclear energy unlock a bright future for Nigeria?

    • By Oluwatobi Adeyemi

    Can nuclear power illuminate Nigeria’s path to progress? Africa’s most populous nation is a country pulsating with over 200 million dreams. It is confronted with a formidable trilemma: crippling energy deficits, staggering unemployment and persistent security concerns. 

    This complex web impedes its aspirations for progress, leaving nearly half its population shrouded in darkness and millions yearning for opportunity. While renewable energy sources like solar and wind offer hope, a controversial player emerges as a potential game-changer: nuclear power.

    Nigeria’s growing number of youths brimming with talent and ambition are facing a harsh reality: an unemployment rate of 33%. This lack of opportunity leads to frustration and instability, casting a long shadow over the development of the country. However, nuclear power plants can provide a ray of hope. Their construction, operation, and maintenance require skilled labour, which creates opportunities in engineering, construction, health, and safety. Imagine the transformational impact of thousands of innovations across Nigeria, empowering individuals, families, and entire communities. This ripple effect will create economic momentum, igniting job engines across the country, and lifting millions out of the darkness of unemployment.

    Economic growth depends on reliable and consistent power, which is the life of the business. Unlike weather-dependent renewable energy, nuclear power plants put out electricity 24/7 without sunlight or dramatic wind maintenance. This dynamic attracts jobs, boosts productivity, and fuels innovation. Nuclear energy enables Nigeria to unlock its industrial potential, add value to its many resources, and diversify its economy. The steady electricity supply means buzzing factories, humming machines, and a country throbbing with rhythmic progress. Imagine a future of “Made in Nigeria” and quality and innovation, powered by reliable nuclear power.

    While Nigeria may be a relatively low emitter, it is important in the global fight against climate change. The adoption of renewable energy is commendable, but utilizing the resource at scale remains a challenge. Nuclear power, however, offers a compelling alternative. It produces zero greenhouse gas emissions during operation, making it a clean and sustainable energy source. By embracing nuclear responsibility, Nigeria can contribute to global de-carbonization efforts while ensuring its energy security and paving the way for a cleaner future. Imagine a country bathed in the glow of progress, powered by clean energy, and contributing to a healthy planet.

    The path to nuclear power isn’t all roses without thorns. High upfront costs can be a hurdle, and concerns about safety and waste disposal need to be addressed with robust regulations and transparent communication. Public education and community engagement are crucial to building trust and ensuring the responsible development of this technology. Additionally, the issue of security cannot be ignored. Concerns about potential breaches or radioactive materials falling into the wrong hands must be addressed head-on, with robust security measures and international cooperation essential for mitigating risks.

    Nigeria’s energy future is not a binary choice between renewables and nuclear. It is a complex tapestry requiring a diversified mix of solutions. Embracing nuclear energy responsibly, alongside renewables and energy efficiency measures, can provide the nation with the reliable, clean, and affordable power it craves. To unlock this potential, international cooperation and knowledge sharing are essential. Developed nations with advanced nuclear expertise can partner with Nigeria, providing technical assistance, capacity building, and financial support. Imagine a global collaborative effort, where knowledge and resources flow freely, empowering nations like Nigeria to harness the potential of nuclear power for their advancement.

    In this journey towards harnessing nuclear power, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) plays a crucial role in raising awareness and ensuring responsible development. The IAEA offers invaluable technical expertise, safety standards, and training programs, guiding and equipping nations like Nigeria with the knowledge and resources necessary to address public concerns and build trust. Imagine a future where nuclear technology is shrouded not in fear, but in the IAEA’s guiding light of transparency, safety, and environmental responsibility.

    The allure of nuclear energy is quite attractive and undeniable. Unlike wind and solar, which are susceptible to weather fluctuations, nuclear reactors churn out electricity 24/7, providing a constant lifeline for industries and powering the engines of economic growth. Moreover, in a world increasingly concerned about climate change, nuclear power plants operate emission-free, offering a cleaner alternative to fossil fuels and contributing to global de-carbonization efforts.

    Read Also: Kogi, Chinese govt. discuss partnership in nuclear energy

    For Nigeria, which relies heavily on natural gas for electricity generation, nuclear energy also promises greater energy independence. The nation’s vulnerability to fluctuating gas prices and geopolitical uncertainties could be mitigated by securing a stable domestic source of power. Additionally, the construction, operation, and maintenance of nuclear power plants create thousands of skilled jobs, boosting the economy and fostering technical expertise within the country.

    However, the path to nuclear power is not without its thorns. The initial investment is staggering, potentially straining Nigeria’s already stretched budget. Radioactive waste disposal poses a long-term environmental and safety challenge, demanding robust infrastructure and stringent regulations. Operating and maintaining these complex facilities require a highly trained workforce and adherence to rigorous safety protocols, necessitating significant investments in capacity building and expertise development.

    Public perception also presents a hurdle. Accidents like the meltdown at Chernobyl (Ukraine, 1986) and Fukushima (Japan, 2011; triggered by an earthquake and tsunami) have cast a long shadow over nuclear energy, fuelling anxieties about safety and proliferation. Building public trust demands unwavering transparency and open communication, addressing concerns head-on and fostering a culture of informed decision-making.

    Ignoring these challenges would be akin to sleepwalking into a potential nightmare. Thorough feasibility studies must be conducted to assess the economic, technical, and environmental viability of nuclear power in the Nigerian context. Open dialogue and public engagement are essential to address concerns and build trust in the nuclear program. Collaboration with countries with established nuclear programs can provide invaluable expertise and support in technology transfer, knowledge sharing, and capacity building.

    Ultimately, the decision to embrace nuclear energy is not to be taken lightly. It demands a careful dance between ambition and pragmatism, balancing the potential benefits with the inherent risks. Safety must be the paramount concern, with adherence to the highest international standards being non-negotiable. Only then can Nigeria unlock the potential of nuclear power while mitigating its risks and ensuring the safety and well-being of its citizens.

    Nuclear energy might be the key to illuminating a brighter future for Nigeria, but it’s not a light switch that can be flicked on without careful consideration. Only through responsible implementation, transparent communication, and unwavering commitment to safety can Nigeria turn this gamble into a winning hand, illuminating the path towards a more prosperous and sustainable future.

    In conclusion, nuclear power can be a valuable piece in the puzzle of Nigeria’s development, addressing its trilemma of jobs, growth, and security. However, its integration requires a cautious, collaborative, and security-conscious approach. By addressing concerns, fostering trust, ensuring responsible implementation, and raising public awareness with the IAEA’s support, Nigeria can harness the power of the atom to illuminate a brighter future for its people and the planet. This path, demanding prudence, collaboration, and unwavering commitment to progress, may just light the way for a nation yearning for progress and ready to shine.

    • Adeyemi writes from Department of History & International Studies, Lagos State University (LASU), Òjó, Lagos.
  • Sanwo-Olu and transport infrastructure development

    Sanwo-Olu and transport infrastructure development

    • By Tayo Ogunbiyi

    America has good roads, not because America is rich, but America is rich because it has good roads—J.F. Kennedy

    Globally, one major index of social change and development is infrastructure development. No society can boast of having achieved development if a large percentage of her infrastructures are comatose.

    Infrastructure development is critical to achieving human capital development. The economic impact that it has on nation building cannot be overemphasized. The growth of any country’s economy hugely depends on the status of her infrastructure. The dearth of needed infrastructure in a given society places serious limitations on human capital development.

    J.F. Kennedy, a former president of the United States of America, USA, once put the relationship between infrastructure development and economic prosperity into a proper perspective when he affirmed that: “America has good roads, not because America is rich, but America is rich because it has good roads”.

    It is in an effort to ensure accelerated development across the state that the Babajide Sanwo-Olu administration in Lagos State places high premium on infrastructure development, especially in the public transport sector.  

    The administration has made transport infrastructure renewal a major preoccupation since it came on board in May, 2019.  In July 2020, the governor inaugurated four roads in Ikoyi (Thompson Avenue, Milverton, Macdonald and Lateef Jakande Roads) to boost socio-economic activities in the axis.

    Before then, he had commissioned the first phase of the newly constructed Ijede Road, Ikorodu, which cuts across four Local Government Areas (LGAs) and Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs).

    Toward the end of last year, the administration commissioned Oyingbo, Yaba and Ikeja flyovers component of the Red Line project. The flyovers are to significantly reduce the risk of accidents and collisions between trains and vehicles.  They are also to resolve vehicular congestion and delays, hindering free movement in the vicinity.

    The first and second phases of the rebuilding and upgrading of Lekki-Epe Expressway, with a reinforced concrete solution from T-junction, Epe to Awoyaya Junction, have also been completed.  The third phase from Awoyaya Junction to Abraham Adesanya is in progress.

    Other strategic road projects such as Abiola-Onigemo road, inclusive of bridge components, in Ifako-Ijaiye LGA, is progressing and scheduled to be completed by the second quarter of this year.

    Presently, work is in going on the final details of the construction of the Fourth Mainland Bridge, which will be one of the longest bridges in Africa, when completed.

    The construction of the Opebi-Mende-Ojota Link Bridge and other arterial roads connecting the bridge is also ongoing, and will be ready for commuters by the second quarter of 2024.

    When completed, it will, in no small measure, solve major traffic issues and provide alternative routes for motorists plying Toyin, Allen, Opebi to access Ojota and those from Maryland to connect Ikeja and its environs. It will also decongest traffic on Kudirat Abiola Way and Mobolaji Bank Anthony. 

    Additional notable roads that have been developed by the government include the Oniru network of roads, Victoria Island, 30 networks of roads at Ojokoro, Pen Cinema Bridge and Oshodi/Abule-Egba BRT Corridor.

    Others are Phases 1 and 2 Badagry Expressway, Lagos-Ogun Boundary Roads and Ojota Bus Terminal, Agege/Iju Bus Terminal, NAHCO) Bus Terminal, Airport Road, six major junctions improvement (at Lekki 1 and 2, Ajah, Maryland, Ikotun and Allen Avenue).

    Road projects being undertaken by the government, especially in the Ikorodu axis, include rehabilitation of Bola Ahmed Tinubu Road in Igbogbo, upgrading of Agric-Ishawo Road and rehabilitation of Oba Sekumade Road.

    The government is also redesigning the Ikorodu Roundabout with a view to easing traffic congestion usually experienced around Ikorodu Garage.

    Following the completion of proof of concept on the feasibility of use of non-combustible engines as substitute for fuel-powered vehicles, the government will be rolling out 50 electric buses for passenger operations in pilot phase.

    Read Also: Sanwo-Olu appoints Opeyemi as senior aide on youth development

    This would enable the state to progress in its zero-carbon programme, with the expectation of becoming an emission-neutral city by 2050.

    In the first quarter of this year, an additional of 100 units of Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)-buses from the Federal Government will be received and deployed on defined routes. The goal is to raise the fleet to about 1,000 units before the end of this year.

    It must be stressed that transport infrastructure development in the state is not just about road construction/rehabilitation. The government is also developing water transport infrastructure via the construction of more jetties as well as the injection of more boats (21) into the LAGferry’s fleet.

    Jetties have been commissioned in Ilashe (Amuwo-Odofin), Liverpool and Bariga among others, while 15 more are under construction.

    One core area where the government has really made a significant impact is in rail transport development. Recall that the first phase of the Blue Line Rail was commissioned in January 2023, and has since began commercial operation with 12 trips daily. However, it is currently doing 52 trips, which will soon be increased to over 70 trips.

    Work is already in progress to ensure that the second phase of the project, from Mile 2 to Okokomaiko, is completed in the lifetime of the administration. 

    Work is also advancing on the Red Line Rail, which is a legacy project of the Sanwo-Olu administration. Very soon, Lagosians will witness the formal launch and commencement of operations of the Red Line, from Oyingbo to Agbado. 

    The Red Line, which is projected to move more than 500,000 passengers daily when it becomes operational, has eight stations at Agbado, Iju, Agege, Ikeja, Oshodi, Mushin, Yaba and Oyingbo.

    The completion of ancillary infrastructure of the Red Line is a precursor to the commencement of passenger operations of the metro line.

    The delivery of the overpass bridges, no doubt, indicated the government’s commitment to safety of Lagosians, as they will permanently resolve fatal accidents occasioned by collisions at railway crossings.

    Plans are also in top gear on the construction of the Lekki International Airport, which is expected to take pressure off the Murtala Muhammed Airport.  It’s going to be built on 5,000 hectares of land and it’s expected to take about five million passengers per year.

    It must be emphasized that all public transport infrastructure improvement projects being undertaken by the Sanwo-Olu led government were conceived to connect communities and make public transport better. The main goal is for the people to move efficiently and decently from one point of the state to the other.

    With its modest strides in the public transport sector, the Sanwo-Olu administration has, no doubt, underscored its commitment to delivering a transport system that is safe, sustainable, integrated and seamless. It is only in doing this that the state’s potential for accelerated socio-economic growth and development can be fully realised.

    • Ogunbiyi is Director (Features), Ministry of Information and Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja. 
  • The carnage in Mangu

    The carnage in Mangu

    SIR: Caleb Mutfwang is a former chairman of Mangu Local Government Area. He won the March 18, 2023 election to become governor. He won at the Supreme Court on January 12 to remain governor.

    Mangu has never been the same since Mutfwang became governor. Until he was declared winner, his local government area was largely spared Plateau’s penchant for bloody chaos.

    Since Mutfwang won, the killers who hover over the Plateau have deployed their killing machines to his local government area. Dozens of people have been killed. Many livelihoods utterly destroyed.

    Fighting resumed in the area on January 23, prompting Mutfwang to plunge the LGA into a 24-hour curfew.

    Coming exactly a month after more than 200 people were killed in neighbouring local governments, the pattern is clear. Ruthless killers are stationed in the Plateau waiting for the word from those who sponsor them. They butcher babies, then go on to occupy the lands emptied by their slaughter.

    Plateau has been an amphitheatre of such atrocities for decades, as has Kaduna, Benue and Nigeria’s Northeast.

    Mutfwang is unable to do much for his people beyond declaring curfews and making desperate pleas to the federal government, which has the resources to act.

    Those resources must now be put to use. Those playing politics with innocent lives in Plateau State should be named.

    Read Also: Peter Obi commiserates with Gov Mutfwang on Mangu attacks

    If by now, Nigeria’s intelligence services do not know those sponsoring terrorism in Plateau State, they must be disbanded.

    If they know, Nigerians deserve an explanation as to why they have not been brought to book.

     A lack of transparency in public affairs produces public mistrust.

    If those in government do not know those sponsoring violence in Plateau State, they have no business being there. If they know and refuse to do anything, it is betrayal.

    The killers prowling the Plateau may be foreigners imported into the country and state to wreak havoc, but who are their collaborators within?

    Who are those Nigerians giving away their brothers and sisters?

    Mangu deserves justice more than peace. The whole of Plateau State deserves justice.

    There can be no justice unless the killers and their sponsors are exposed and successfully prosecuted.

    Justice cannot be served until the machinery of death in Mangu is dismantled. It remains to be seen whether this government can do it.

    • Kene Obiezu, keneobiezu@gmail.com
  • PBAT’s insecticidal revolution

    PBAT’s insecticidal revolution

    • By Oluwole Ogundele

    Man, regardless of his geographical location, skin colour and shape of the nose, is corrupt by nature.  Regulations and their strict enforcement are the age-old mechanism for checks and balances. Any society that does not handle this aspect of humanity with utmost seriousness is doomed to failure. Corruption is a global challenge of huge monstrosity.  However, the intensities do vary through time and space. Economic/financial corruption is just one variant of this immorality. Therefore, corruption is an encapsulation of a wide range of evils against the human society. Thus, for example, racism is an element of unbridled prejudice and by extension, corruption.  Tax evasion usually by big business men in Europe and America among other places is an act of corruption. Similarly, accepting and keeping stolen monies from Africa in Western banks are a form of monumental immorality.

    But despite the fact, that saintliness is still light years away, the developed world is trying hard to tackle the menace of corruption usually through the lens of the rule of law. For instance, Europe and America have little or space for bigotry. Again, nobody is above the law. The reverse is the case in Nigeria where ethnic and religious bigotry makes it difficult to reduce bribery and corruption to the barest minimum.

    Leaders blatantly loot the public treasury and thereafter, begin to whip up sentiments rooted in ethnicity and/or religion. Not surprisingly, thieves who should have been sentenced to life imprisonment, have the effrontery to flaunt their ill-gotten wealth. Looting public treasury and abuse of power have become a way of life in Nigeria. From the late 1950s to-date, politicians have gone haywire, as they serially rape mother Nigeria, understandably because there are no consequences for financial crimes and criminality.

    The judiciary needs to redeem its image in this connection. Insatiable longing after wealth or insane greed is an encumbrance to personal or professional integrity.  Given the current magnitude of economic/financial infractions, Nigeria cannot remain afloat the ocean of modern globalisation. No amount of foreign trips by Mr. President to woo investors will lead to appreciable success in the face of endemic corruption and insecurity. Therefore, the president should kindly wrestle with corruption, so that socio-economic development on a sustainable scale can become a reality. Those greedy members of the leadership class across the board in Nigeria are hereby christened, insects-ants, flies and to a lesser degree, cockroaches and spiders.  They are enemies of the Nigerian society.  As a result of this, the president needs to equally beam his searchlight at those managing the state and local government affairs, where accountability, transparency, and probity have also taken flight.

    It is against this background, that an insecticidal revolution under the direction of President Bola Tinubu gains its relevance.  We do not need insects in our age-old social environment. If the US and Britain among other developed nations could mitigate their corrupt practices, Nigeria too, should be able to do the same thing within the confines of the rule of law. Nothing is wrong with our genetic make-up! The country’s leadership needs the will power to positively change the narrative.

    I quite appreciate the fact that this is a difficult task to accomplish. The led must give their maximum support in this regard. Good governance (to some extent) is a collective exercise. Nigerians have to de-couple from their age-long mind-set embedded in sentiments-vestiges of savagery or barbarism. These vestiges are an anathema to societal growth and development on a sustainable scale.

    Many political leaders are guilty of engendering ethnic and religious sentiments for selfish reasons. Political office holders and their close family members, as well as business associates, do not remember the ordinary people, when stealing public monies and buying exotic cars. They do not care a hoot about the welfare of the masses after winning or rigging elections. These insects masquerading as political leaders merely use the led, like a set of tools for self-aggrandisement.  Therefore, the masses should stop behaving like a bunch of morons despite their multi-facetted material poverty.

    Those political officeholders, who have stolen our patrimony, thereby turning more than 100 million Nigerians into paupers, must return the monies after thoroughgoing investigations. Henceforth, such cockroaches and flies must also go to jail after returning the stolen monies. This will serve as a deterrent to others. The wretched of the earth among us, who are always eager to defend crimes and criminality (as a result of unfettered bigotry), should try to liberate themselves from the shackles of spiritual poverty. They must shut their mouths in the interest of peace and national progress. Their prostituted mind-set has to be re-engineered.

    Read Also: Ibadan explosion: Oyo monarchs meet Makinde, declare support for fight against illegal mining

    Nigerians want to begin to experience governance as if seriousness and unalloyed patriotism matter. By this token, those leaders who are not ready to adapt to the new political environment can voluntarily resign or get the boot. PBAT is prepared to redeem Nigeria enmeshed in unbridled corruption killing the system slowly. The masses (always on the receiving end of a great deal of mal-administration), are ready to support the president once he is able to set an example to other members of the leadership class across the board.  Those who are stealing our crude oil and mineral resources under the guise of local and foreign investments, as well as companies using Nigerian youths like slaves in their fatherland, must be dealt with according to the rule of law. Again, the government should stop telling us that they know the sponsors of terrorists. The law is no respecter of persons! Deal with those sponsors and their accomplices/satanic elements, maiming or killing innocent Nigerians. Let the hitherto pampered terrorists know that Nigeria under the leadership of Tinubu is no longer safe for them.

    This exercise of re-engineering Nigeria will certainly meet with grave resistance from a wide range of persons, especially those who have looted our common treasury before now. But there is no doubt that such reactionaries will fail woefully in the long run. Nobody, no matter how monstrous and hypocritical, will succeed in truncating this great process started by PBAT-the potential Nelson Mandela of our times. The insecticidal revolution has commenced. The train of sustainable economic development is moving. It is deadly to cross the rail line carelessly. In other words, the president is doing everything possible to crush those insects (gluttonous public office holders) polluting our socio-economic environment.

    However, the recovered monies have to be spent on projects that directly touch the lives of the masses. There should be no more taxes until the newly approved wages start. The ordinary people have made enough sacrifices. The Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation is a failed experiment. It has become synonymous with monumental corruption, right from its inception in August 2019.  Nigeria is not yet there! No reliable social register. No sufficient financial discipline. In addition, Nigeria needs to be participating in the Bretton Woods Institutions like the World Bank and IMF in a critical manner. Most of their interventionist programmes are suffocating. We need a home-grown agenda. Nigeria is no longer a colony of Europe.

    •Prof Ogundele is of Dept. of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Ibadan.

  • Ruth and the Nigerian Army

    Ruth and the Nigerian Army

    • By Mike Kebonkwu

    The media space has been awash with a viral video of a young lady said to be a soldier of the Nigerian Army with damning allegations of mistreatment and sexual harassment against some of her superior officers and commanders.  Indeed, there are several videos in series; too weighty to be ignored.  She was well composed, poised, and deliberate and appears to be in the best state of mind and did not appear traumatized in the least.  She further alleged that some of her basic rights have been denied, such as withholding her salary for well over one year and being ejected from her official accommodation in the barracks.  

    It was a story that touches the heart and required to be dealt with swiftly in accordance with the service law, the Armed Forces Act.

    The identity of the young lady has also been revealed and confirmed to be Private Ruth Ogunleye and indeed a soldier in the Nigerian Army Medical Corps.  Whether the medium she chose is the right forum for redress in the Nigerian Army is another issue altogether!

    The video has elicited strong reactions and rightly so as it is wont to be for so many reasons amongst which is that it is gender-based and sexual harassment in work place.   It can also be rightly perceived as violence against women, and in this case a female soldier and public servant in the Nigerian Army.  Another concern and reason for all the hype could be the ethical issue involved when superior officers as members of the Armed Forces are alleged to prowl on a subordinate for libidinous phallic dominion and satisfaction.  There is yet another reason which is that it involved an institution of the state, the Nigerian Army that is often time on the spotlight for both the right and wrong reason. 

    We always look up to the armed forces and indeed the Nigerian Army as one of our symbols of defence and protection of our liberty and guardian sentinel of our freedom and therefore should not be seen as an engineer house for right violation because of a few misfit bad elements. Importantly, it will be most appropriate not to jump to conclusion before investigation is concluded on the matter as most people have already done threatening to sue the army and sweeping conclusion that it was highly probable without hearing the other side of the story.  Soldiers and officers are expected to be above board at all times in conduct, character and discipline throughout its ranks due to its training and orientation.   When we lose the element of discipline in an army, we also lose command ability to conduct successful operations. 

    Unarguably, Nigerian Army remains a disciplined institution with swift self-regulatory mechanism in the event of infraction based on the application of the Armed Forces Act.  However, the reaction time of the army to the allegation of the female soldier has been slow and tardy for such weighty allegation especially when the issues of denial of basic rights of the soldier was involved like not receiving salary for well over one year and being driven out of her official accommodation.  It is my believe that members of the armed forces are paid their salaries through banking system and so it does not have to take eternity to debunk such claim by flagging her bank statement in response because she has brought her petition to the court of public opinion.  Again whether she has been ejected from her accommodation is also a question of fact which her commander ought to have brought also to the public domain while the weightier allegation of sexual harassment is investigated with despatch also. 

    The soldier also claimed that she had exhausted the avenues for redress provided in the Armed Forces Act in the viral video; if that was true, then what was the outcome?  Was there any failure or dereliction on the part of any person for any act, omission or commission that could have made this exposure of the institution to odium avoidable?  Is the forum chosen by the soldier to make her complaint the approved procedure in the service? This is very important also because the sanctity of observing the ethical and permissible means of redress should not be jettisoned under any circumstances. 

    The reaction by individuals, groups and some agencies leave much to be desired also because, most of them were based on sheer sentiments and emotion without background facts and without hearing the other party.  It was even worse for the views of some so-called lawyers whose expression were lacking in simple logic and analytical synthesis. It is unconscionable to first draw conclusion on allegations before reasoning and analysing issues behind it.  Some have even threatened to sue the Nigerian Army or take them before local and international right agencies.  Some of the reactions are sickening with sweeping conclusion that it is a common practice in the system.

    Read Also: Court adjourns Saraki’s suit against EFCC, ICPC, others

    I am aware that sexual offences are viewed very seriously in the service and the Armed Forces Act prohibits fraternization with severe sanction.   I have had the privilege of participating in a few of those trials up to the appellate courts.  Known and reported cases are not covered up neither are they condoned nor tolerated because it involved an officer against a victim that is a soldier of inferior rank.   I will not proselyte for the army or the military but at the same time where members of the public are misled on an issue as weighty as the allegation the young soldier has made, it is important to put the record straight.  

    Why do we think always think that we are incapable of doing justice by our institutions? The Nigerian military has been weakened unconsciously by bad press and negative smear media campaigns making her to react with fright even in deserving cases. Some people prefer to take side with criminals against security agencies sometimes more for the wrong reason and wrap it in right violations to make it marketable.  That young female soldier may well be lying!

    The allegation of this young soldier brings to question the recruitment procedures in the Nigerian Army, whether soldiers and officers are properly vetted and screened at the point of entry.  This vetting should include psychological as well as for substance abuse. Someone who does not have a stable mental health at the point of entry cannot withstand the stress of a military service whether an officer or soldier.  One dare say that only fit and proper persons should be found in our armed forces.  While everyone is entitled to his/her basic human rights, there is no room for absolute freedom and liberty in the army anywhere in the world. 

    We should throw sentiment away even in this case of Private Ruth.  If those senior officers are found culpable after investigation, they should be sanctioned in accordance with the law.  Where the investigation turns out that the allegations are bogus and baseless on the other hand, the soldier should be made to face the full weight of the law.  Looking at the videos, she was at her lucid moment and was conscious and knew what she was doing and should also be able to take responsibility.  Let it not be a case where social media lawyers, advocates and activists will start another campaign that she needs help because her mental state implies that she should not be sanctioned. The Nigerian Army should purge its rank and file of bad elements capable of tarnishing its image including officers.

    •Kebonkwu Esq. is an Abuja-based attorney.

  • Synergy of politics and engineering in smart city development

    Synergy of politics and engineering in smart city development

    • By Samuel Oluwatobi Olaniran

    In the evolving landscape of Nigeria’s urbanization, the concept of smart cities stands out as a critical ambition. These cities, envisioned to be hubs of technological integration and sustainable living, are urban dreams and necessities in our rapidly advancing world. However, the transformation of these visions into tangible realities is as much a political journey as it is an engineering challenge. The successful development of smart cities in Nigeria demands a seamless integration of civil engineering expertise with astute political leadership, creating a synergy that can profoundly reshape our urban environments.

    Nigeria’s major cities, including the vast city of Lagos and the expanding capital, Abuja, are at the core of the country’s cultural and economic activities. Yet, they face a multitude of challenges: infrastructural deficiencies, rapidly growing population pressures, environmental concerns, and the need for sustainable development. Addressing these multifaceted issues calls for a strategic approach that combines political foresight with civil engineering innovation. In this confluence of disciplines lies the potential for transforming Nigeria’s urban spaces into models of efficiency, sustainability, and technological advancement.

    The realm of civil engineering is foundational in this urban metamorphosis. Far beyond the traditional roles of construction and design, civil engineering in the context of smart cities involves a holistic reimagining of urban living. This includes the creation of efficient transportation networks that reduce congestion and pollution, the design of energy-efficient buildings that harness renewable energy sources, and the development of sustainable waste management systems. Civil engineers are builders, visionaries, and creators of a sustainable urban fabric that supports the well-being and prosperity of its inhabitants.

    Political leadership and willpower are crucial in steering the course of this urban development. The effectiveness of smart city initiatives hinges on the support and stability provided by political structures. This encompasses a commitment to long-term planning, the allocation of adequate resources, and the establishment of regulatory frameworks conducive to innovation. Political leaders must rise above short-term political gains and partisan divides to champion a sustainable urban future, recognizing that the development of smart cities is a national imperative that transcends electoral cycles.

    Looking at global examples, such as Singapore and South Korea, we see the transformative power of political will in urban development. These nations have successfully melded civil engineering expertise with strong political support to create urban centres that are paragons of innovation and sustainability. Their experiences offer valuable lessons for Nigeria, demonstrating that a combination of visionary politics and engineering ingenuity can lead to the creation of smart cities that will elevate the quality of urban life and serve as catalysts for national development. Nigeria can draw inspiration from these global benchmarks, adapting its strategies to align with its unique socio-political and economic context.

    In Nigeria, the path to smart city development is fraught with specific political challenges: fluctuating government priorities, bureaucratic complexities, and funding issues. However, these obstacles also present a unique opportunity for Nigeria’s political leaders to exhibit resilience and innovative thinking. There is a need for policies that foster public-private partnerships, encourage investment in urban infrastructure, and create an enabling environment for technological innovation. Political leaders must take the initiative to develop and implement comprehensive urban development policies that prioritize sustainable practices and technological integration.

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    The formulation of effective policies is a cornerstone in shaping Nigeria’s urban future. Such policies should support the growth of smart cities, emphasizing the adoption of innovative engineering solutions. Political leaders have a crucial role in devising and implementing policies that address current urban challenges and ensure that urban development is sustainable, inclusive, and capable of adapting to future needs and challenges.

    A collaborative approach is essential in the journey towards building smart cities in Nigeria. This involves a partnership between the government, civil engineers, urban planners, the private sector, and the community. Such collaboration ensures that urban development projects are technically sound and aligned with the socio-economic realities and cultural ethos of Nigerian society. It is through this collective effort that urban projects can achieve the desired impact, making cities centres of technological innovation and hubs of social and economic growth.

    In conclusion, the development of smart cities in Nigeria is a multidimensional endeavour that requires the harmonious integration of civil engineering expertise and political commitment. The decisions made today by Nigeria’s political leaders and engineers will significantly influence the future of the nation’s urban landscapes. Stakeholders must work together, leveraging their respective strengths, to build cities that are smart in their use of technology and in their capacity to foster sustainable, inclusive, and vibrant communities. The future of Nigeria’s urban spaces is a shared responsibility, and it is time for all involved to rise to this formidable challenge.

    •Olaniran works as a ‘Drive Test Engineer’ at China International Telecommunication Construction Corporation (CITCC), Lagos.

  • Between Deji Adeyanju and Wike

    Between Deji Adeyanju and Wike

    • By Gift Worlu

    Social commentaries are tools that have been used to turn nations around. But, there is another angle to commenting on social issues in this social media age. Now, every Tom, Dick and Harry has turned the public space into public gutter where anything and everything can be dumped and the unsuspecting public, at times, is misled. 

    One such instance of improper application of the social space took place some days back when self-acclaimed human rights activist, Deji Adeyanju, berated the Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, over the rising insecurity in Abuja. He even threatened to mobilise Nigerians to take to the streets to demand justice and security for all because he was deeply outraged by the rampant cases of kidnappings and killings in Abuja in recent months. His intervention appeared well-intentioned, but he left traces of a bitter man playing politics with a serious issue. He outed himself as one who speaks and thinks later and left one with no choice but to wonder if there is a master somewhere dictating the tune after paying piper. 

    He said that Wike bears a significant responsibility for the escalating insecurity in the capital city. His justification of this claim is not just ridiculous but further shows a man out to play dirty. 

    Like a drowning man grabbing at anything to save his life, he even dragged Rivers State into the fray accusing the minister of preoccupying himself with politicking and engaging in power struggles. In his warped thinking, this politicking prevented him from his duty and left the people of Abuja exposed to the nefarious activities of criminals.

    The minister’s effort to clean up Abuja was turned into something to clown with. He claimed those dislocated for building houses illegally exacerbated the desperation and criminal activities in the city. He ridiculously claimed “the abrupt displacement of individuals, including scavengers and the destruction of shanties where disadvantaged people earned their livelihoods, had contributed to the current state of insecurity in the FCT”. And without any shred of proof, he claimed that the poor, who have been neglected and marginalised, resorted to kidnapping in their pursuit of survival. 

    The only thing Adeyanju got right was his call on the security agencies to enhance their intelligence-gathering capabilities and redouble their efforts to make Abuja safe. He came close to asking the president to show the minister the exit door from his government. 

    After a deep reflection on his jaundiced statement, I believe Adeyanju needs to be educated. And I will do that for him at no cost. One, the minister has not been idle. Arrests of some informants working for kidnappers have been made. Wike has held a town hall meeting with various stakeholders and residents in Gwagwalada town, and they will face the law.

    Two, like the president, the minister doesn’t toy with the protection of lives and property because he knows that if government can’t protect lives and property, then it is useless.

    Three, the minister takes seriously, the president’s readiness to ensure criminals’ time is up. And as someone who does what he promises, criminals are in for a shock. 

    Three, more informants and criminals will be arrested. The minister has given this assurance and the police have been told to work out the modalities for more police formations. He is committed to add two more police divisions in Gwagwalada. More operational vehicles are also in the works for all police stations. There is also plan to give them modern communication gadgets. 

    Read Also: Wike: no project will be abandoned under Tinubu

    Lastly, Adeyanju needs to be serious if he wants to be taken seriously as a human rights activist. The way he has gone about the security challenges in Abuja paints him in bad light.

    There is one more important thing Adeyanju must know: Wike is a performer in all the political positions he has held and everything he has had interest in. As chairman of Obi/Akpor LGA, he was adjudged the best in the country. He built the best LGA headquarters in Nigeria till date. As governor, he was celebrated as Mr Quality projects by the then vice president, Professor Yemi Osinbajo. Later, the president awarded him the best governor in infrastructure delivery, notwithstanding that Wike was the fiercest critic of the Buhari administration. Now as Minister of FCT, Abuja is already wearing a new look under a few months of Wike’s administration of the city. If Adeyanju and his co-travellers expected Wike to condone the rot that Abuja had been turned into and do nothing about the menace of scavengers and those distorting the master plan, then they need their heads to be subjected to psychiatric evaluation. Attempting to turn logic on its head by linking a commendable effort of government to restore sanity and order to Abuja as the cause of rising criminality is not only spurious, but smacks of jaundiced activism of one who only plays to the gallery. No wonder Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka recently said that “Barbarians have taken over the social media”. 

    Those who are well-meaning know that with what Wike is doing already, this obviously sponsored and politically orchestrated insecurity in Abuja will soon be a thing of the past. There is no hiding place for the wicked. 

    • Worlu, PhD, former Commissioner for Housing, Rivers State, writes from Port Harcourt. 
  • Pantami’s friend and company

    Pantami’s friend and company

    Nigerians are a resilient people who rise up to challenges as the occasion warrants. And deep in the polity is a communal bond that drives citizens onto sharing one another’s burden – never mind an overarching divisiveness fuelled by primordial inclinations and sworn enemies of unity who perennially embattle the nationhood. The country was in such communalistic mode over the plight of the Al-Kadriyar sisters, arising from a death threat that hung over them in the in the den of bloodthirsty kidnappers who placed a high ransom on their release.

    Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) resident, was abducted by bandits in his family home in Bwari Area Council on Wednesday, 3rd January, along with his five daughters and their cousin, a daughter to Mansoor’s brother who got killed in the kidnap operation. Two days later, Mansoor was let off by the bandits to go raise N60million for the release of the girls. One of the abducted sisters was Nabeeha, a 400-level Biological Science student of Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, who on 12th January was killed by the kidnappers to press home their death threat against the remaining five girls if the demanded ransom was not hurriedly paid. Nabeeha’s five sisters who remained in captivity include Najeebah, a 500-level Quantity Surveying student, and Nadherah, 300-level Zoology. A relation of the Al-Kadriyars made their predicament known on social media, and a crowdfunding initiative hashtagged #Najeebaandhersisters was launched by sympathisers.

    The crowdfunding drive climaxed on Sunday, 14th January, in a disclosure by immediate past Communications and Digital Economy Minister Isa Pantami that a friend of his had volunteered N50million to make up the ransom being demanded by the bandits to release the remaining Al-Kadriyar sisters. Pantami, in a post on his verified X handle, tweeted that while he personally was not in support of paying ransom to criminals, he’s had to solicit funds for the release of the remaining sisters in view of the fate that befell Nabeeha. He said he had spoken the previous day with the father on the matter, and “furthermore, I spoke with a friend and a brother who offered to pay the remaining N50million of the N60million immediately. I conveyed the account number of the father of our daughters, Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, to the friend and brother to send the money directly,” he stated inter alia.

    May the heavens bless the anonymous friend of the ex-minister for the large heart and great altruism shown in service of others. But many in the citizenry did not miss the implication of Pantami’s gesture – noble as it was – and they did not hesitate to point it out. And so, while some people praised him for his concern to save the Al-Kadriyar sisters, others knocked him as legitimising kidnapping for ransom in the country. His prominent personality profile did not help the fear of negative significations of his gesture. A netizen resorted to sarcasm, saying kidnappers could as well now formally unionise and register themselves with government as businessmen, so they could pay taxes, since it is a former top official of government mobilising for ransom payment. Others noted that it was Pantami, as minister, who initiated the policy of linking Subscriber Identification Module (SIM) cards with holders’ National Identity Number (NIN), and wondered why the policy had failed to hamstrung kidnappers from using phone lines to demand ransom payment among other illicit uses. Still some others wondered how kidnappers could pick up huge sums as ransom and thereafter slip under the radar, with all the data banking that Nigeria has going like the NIN and Biometric Verification Number (BVN) project.

    A netizen indeed put the challenge pointedly to the former minister, who responded that the SIM-NIN linkage did not seem to be working because security operatives weren’t maximising its potential. “Relevant institutions fighting criminality are to be requested to ensure they utilise it effectively when a crime is committed… Lack of utilising it is the main problem, not the policy. While in office, I know three instances where the policy was utilised and it led to successful operations,” he said.

    Still there were missteps, obviously unintended, in Pantami’s public disclosure of the hefty contribution by his friend. For instance, the contribution could have been made as quietly as it was anonymous, just so not to give criminal elements a wrong impression of a potential in the polity they could seek to mine going forward. It could be, of course, that Pantami took to the high octave to also serve an indirect notice to the Al-Kadriyar kidnappers that the ransom being demanded is available, and that there is no need to hurt the girls but only to prepare for their release. Good intention there. But even in his disclosure, the ex-minister indicated – no doubt, inadvertently – that the ransom was oversubscribed through the crowdfunding. “Any additional amount earlier generated from yesterday, the father can use to treat the daughters and other family members in sha Allah,” he said. Only that kidnappers are not people of honour who stick to deal. If they had caught the hint that there was more money available, the Al-Kadriyars could have been in greater difficulty if the ransom demand was jacked up.

    Government, on its part, weighed in to caution against crowdfunding ransom payment to kidnappers. Defence Minister Muhammadu Badaru, speaking after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting in Abuja last week, said ransom payment would only embolden kidnappers to demand more, thereby jeopardising public safety. He recalled that at a meeting the previous day with security chiefs, President Bola Tinubu directed security agencies to upscale efforts towards flushing out perpetrators of criminal acts in the society. According to the minister, while government is deeply concerned about kidnappings, paying ransoms through public donations would worsen the problem. “We all know there’s an existing law against payment of ransom. So, it is very sad for people to go over the Internet and radio asking for donations to pay ransom. This will only worsen the situation, it will not help,” he warned. Badaru also urged Nigerians to refrain from responding to ransom demands publicly, noting that the government’s position is to starve kidnappers of the profit that drives abductions. “If we stop over time, kidnapping will not be profitable and they will stop. It is not easy, though, but that is the law,” he said.

    Read Also: Nigerians react over Pantami’s support for payment of N50m ransom for abducted Abuja girls

    The minister was utterly right in saying crowdfunding ransom payment to kidnappers portended great jeopardy for public safety, because it suggests a reservoir that can be repeatedly exploited by criminals. In other words, citizens crowdfund their own insecurity when they rally funds to pay ransom demands, as kidnappers could get incentivised to hold the gun to society’s head by picking on random victims whose ransom they might expect to be crowdfunded. But that is only a side of the coin. The other side is that citizens apparently took to crowdfunding ransom payment as a statement of total loss of faith in government’s ability to meet up its constitutional mandate to provide security. We are talking here about government as a going concern in Nigeria, and not any particular administration.

    There are a few things on which many in the citizenry have previously given up on government. Many people provide their own water supply by drilling boreholes / surface wells in their homes, provide their own electricity supply through local power generating devices, and provide their own private security by way of garrison walls, monster gates and electric wire fences around their premises. Security provisioning in the public space was deemed the remit of government. Now it seems the foundation of that notion is shaken by frequent kidnappings that have resulted in the death of some victims over ransom demand by kidnappers. The sample killing of three abductees in another kidnap incident in Dutse, Abuja on 7th January is another recent case, and it seems citizens are resorting to paying for a reprieve.

    Reports at the weekend indicated that the Al-Kadriyar sisters were among kidnap victims liberated in Kaduna forest by the FCT Police Intervention Squad. The security operatives deserve great commendation for this achievement, which demonstrated the determination of the present administration to tackle aground the insecurity menace. But there’s a big room yet available to restore public confidence and stop the bandits in their tracks – a very big room.

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