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  • Uzodimma leads Tinubu into heartland of Igbo nation

    Uzodimma leads Tinubu into heartland of Igbo nation

    By Sunday Dare

    Tomorrow, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will journey eastward, to Owerri, the beating heart of the Igbo nation. If Kaduna reinforced President Tinubu’s  northern support base and acceptance, and Ibadan reaffirmed his Yoruba roots, then Owerri embodies his embrace of the Igbo, a people of unmatched resilience, intellect, and industry.

    Into this crucible of identity, commerce, and culture, the President will arrive, guided by Governor Hope Uzodimma, to launch a book in his honor and to reassure his Igbo kin of their central place in President Tinubu’s vision for Nigeria.

    Owerri: The Pulse of Igbo Identity

    Owerri is no ordinary city. Known as the “Eastern Heartland,” it has long been the political and cultural meeting point of the Igbo nation. Its landmarks tell the story: Assumpta Cathedral, the majestic seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese, towering as a spiritual anchor for millions; Freedom Square, the civic stage where public life and collective expression find voice.

    Owerri’s history also carries scars and triumphs. During the Nigerian Civil War, it was the last capital of the disputed Biafra before the guns fell silent in 1970. Out of that crucible of strife  and resilience, Owerri emerged as a city determined never to lose its spirit. Today, its bustling streets and vibrant economy stand as a testament to the Igbo will to endure, rebuild, and flourish.

    The city has given Nigeria some of its finest icons like Emmanuel Amunike of the Super Eagles, while the State itself,  has produced titans such as Raymond Njoku, nationalist and statesman; the “man of timber and caliber,” K.O. Mbadiwe; Sam Mbakwe, the “weeping governor” whose vision still inspires; Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, business mogul and philanthropist; Arthur Nzeribe, political tactician; and Onyeka Onwenu, the songbird of Africa. Each name reflects Imo’s dynamism and genius.

    A City of Culture and Learning

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    Owerri is also famed for its vibrant arts and cultural scene. Its social centres, music houses, and annual festivals keep alive the Igbo spirit of performance and storytelling. The city pulses with highlife rhythms, contemporary music, and theatre, making it a creative hub in South East Nigeria.

    Uzodimma’s unmatched strides in the digital economy, which have become his defining legacy, setting him apart from his predecessors.

    In redefining youth empowerment for the digital age, the Governor has replaced handouts with codes — transforming young people from seekers of aid to creators of opportunity through the SkillUpImo programme, where over 40,000 youths have been trained and equipped with digital tools for the future.

    This marriage of scholarship and creativity makes Owerri not just the Igbo heartland, but also one of Nigeria’s most forward-looking cities where tradition, intellect, and innovation coexist.

    Tinubu and the Igbo: A History of Respect

    For President Tinubu, Owerri is not uncharted territory. As Governor of Lagos, he set a tone of inclusivity by appointing Igbo sons and daughters into his cabinet, entrusting them with critical portfolios. It was a powerful gesture of accommodation that affirmed his belief that governance is strongest when diversity is embraced.

    As President, he has extended the same spirit nationwide. His administration has prioritized major infrastructure in the South East: completing the Second Niger Bridge; rehabilitating the Enugu–Port Harcourt Expressway; upgrading federal roads linking Imo to its neighbors; and supporting industrial corridors that promise jobs and growth. These are not token gestures, but commitments to root Igbo aspirations firmly within Nigeria’s shared progress.

    Uzodimma as Guide and Host

    Governor Hope Uzodimma has transformed Imo’s landscape and will host the President as both ally and son of the soil. Under his watch, road construction and expansion projects, modern drainage systems, streetlights, the Orashi free trade zone that has attracted more than seven oil and gas companies in the state and urban renewal initiatives have reshaped Owerri’s aesthetics and improved mobility.

    He has also pushed agricultural reforms: subsidies for inputs, mechanization programs, and farmer support initiatives that have boosted food security and lifted rural livelihoods. These achievements speak of a leader intent on marrying infrastructure with human development.

    In a nation where leadership is not bestowed or handed on a platter, but painstakingly earned, Governor Hope Uzodimma has carved his niche in the annals of Nigerian Governance through hardwork, diligence, tenacity, tact, and a people-centric disposition.

    He represents the new breed — futuristic thinkers, bold and Savvy minds. Uzodimma is a  steady valve in the heart of the Igbo nation. Pressed on all sides by challenges and critics, yet steadfast in service and progressive politics, he has become the new face of Igbo leadership, reconnecting the South East to the National through hhis dear state, the motherland of Igbo pride.

    The Significance of the Moment

    Owerri is more than a city; it is memory and meaning. It remembers the tears of war, yet it thrives as a hub of culture, education, and enterprise. By coming here, President Tinubu sends a message: the Igbo are not at the periphery of Nigeria’s destiny, but central to it.

    If Kaduna symbolized Northern Nigeria’s decision-making nerve, and Ibadan embodied Yoruba heritage and ascendancy, then Owerri represents the Igbo crucible, a place of valor and rebirth, of icons and institutions, of faith, culture, and resilience.

    Beneath the shadow of Assumpta Cathedral, within the energy of Freedom Square, and in the rhythm of its creative life, the President will not only launch a book, but also reaffirm his pact with the Igbo nation as kith, as kin, and as indispensable partners in building a stronger Nigeria.

    •Dare is the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Communications

  • Why Nigeria must rethink support for hazardous pesticides

    Why Nigeria must rethink support for hazardous pesticides

    By Donald Ikenna Ofoegbu

    In 2025, only about 10% of Nigerians have reliable access to health insurance coverage, while access to quality healthcare services remains below 45% nationwide—and considerably lower in rural and underserved communities. More than 76% of Nigerians continue to pay for healthcare out-of-pocket, highlighting deep inequities and the persistent failure of public insurance schemes to reach most of the population. With over 54% of Nigerians projected to be living in extreme poverty (earning less than $2.15 per day)—75.5% in rural areas and 41.3% in urban areas—access to healthcare often becomes a mirage after the harsh reality of meeting basic needs like food and shelter.

    Official counts now estimate 127,000 new cancer cases each year, but leading oncologists in Nigeria warn that the real figure is likely double or more, since most cases are not diagnosed until late stages. Rural and poor communities are disproportionately affected due to stigma, cost, and distance from the few available cancer centres—leading to high mortality rates and thousands dying undiagnosed. Similarly, more than two million Nigerians are estimated to have Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), but experts agree this is a major undercount. Hospital studies show up to 85% of CKD patients present late, with many never reaching tertiary care because of the high costs—virtually all of which must be paid out of pocket.

    Access to cancer and CKD treatment in Nigeria is determined largely by socioeconomic status, geography, and financial capacity. Well-off urban residents access care more reliably, while rural and low-income Nigerians face severe barriers due to cost, distance, service availability, and limited awareness. Cancer and CKD data must therefore be seen as just the “visible tip” of a much larger health crisis.

    Prevention, they say, is better than cure. If the majority of citizens cannot access functional healthcare systems and diagnostics for chronic diseases, they should at least have access to safe, nutritious food. Yet exposure to contaminated food, unsafe water, air pollution, and dermal contact with toxic substances contributes to cancer, kidney disease, organ failure, nerve damage (e.g., Parkinson’s disease), reproductive disorders, and impaired brain development.

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    Pesticide residues in Nigerian food are a documented public health concern. Over 65% of active pesticide ingredients used in Nigeria is classified as Highly Hazardous Pesticides (HHPs). Chronic exposure to these chemicals through food has been linked to cancer, kidney failure, hormone disruption, and other severe health impacts.

    As Nigeria’s health and agriculture sectors face mounting crises, government and legislative subsidies for cancer and CKD treatments have soared—while constituency projects, public budget allocations for agriculture, and donor funding continue to push toxic pesticides onto farms and plates. This contradiction reveals a vicious cycle that undermines both public health and the nation’s economic wellbeing.

    Nigeria has more than two million CKD sufferers, yet only about 2% (approximately 40,000 people) receive lifesaving haemodialysis due to cost and access limitations. The federal government now subsidizes each dialysis session by N38,000 (patients pay N12,000, down from N50,000). At the medically recommended two sessions per week (approx.104 annually), the cost is: Annual subsidy per patient: N38,000 × 104 = N3,952,000. Total annual subsidy for 40,000 patients: N3,952,000 × 40,000 = N158.08 billion

    Despite this, funding reaches only a fraction of those in need, leaving most CKD patients to struggle without adequate support.

    Cancer cases are rising sharply, with 127,000 new diagnoses each year. The National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) offers a N400,000 subsidy for radiotherapy. If every new patient received it, the cost would be: Annual subsidy required: 127,000 × N400,000 = N50.8 billion

    Yet, the federal allocation for cancer care in 2025 is just N200 million (N150 million for the National Cancer Health Fund and N50 million for the Childhood Cancer Health Fund)—a minuscule fraction of actual need. Philanthropy and private sector support attempt to fill the gap, but the financial burden remains catastrophic for most households.

    Nigeria loses $362.5 million annually due to the EU’s ban on Nigerian beans, citing high pesticide residues. Up to 76% of Nigerian agricultural exports are routinely rejected on safety grounds, including for pesticides banned internationally but still legal domestically. Beans, melon, sesame, and fish increasingly fail international quality checks.

    What is rejected abroad for health reasons is consumed back home—amplifying exposure and fuelling cancer and kidney disease. An Alliance for Action on Pesticides in Nigeria (AAPN) survey found that seven of the 13 most common pesticide brands in use are cancer-causing and linked to organ failure. With over 85% of farmers lacking knowledge of safe pesticide use, and with little government support for scaling safer alternatives, Nigerians are losing their health to the very food they eat.

    The health risks are stark: 75% of surveyed women farmers reported health problems linked to pesticide use, including respiratory illness, skin rashes, nausea, vomiting, eye irritation, and even suicide. Yet legislators, state governments, and NGOs still distribute these toxic chemicals to poor communities and farmer associations—without considering the health, environmental, or social costs.

    Federal, legislative, and donor support for HHPs not only perpetuates disease but also drives up national health spending. These policies directly fuel the same illnesses that consume billions in treatment subsidies. Export rejections over pesticide contamination drain hundreds of millions of dollars annually, while scarce public funds are wasted subsidizing both disease and hazardous inputs.

    Nigeria must gradually phase out HHPs from government, legislative, and philanthropic supply chains, rapidly adopting bio-pesticides and safe alternatives. This would protect public health, restore market access, and redirect scarce national resources toward safer, more productive investments.

    Even major agrochemical and seed companies recognize that the future is not in HHPs. They are already diversifying into bio-pesticides, bio-herbicides, and organic inputs—responding to global trends and consumer demand for safer, sustainable food systems. What remains is for governments, institutional buyers, and consumers to clearly signal and prioritize safer markets. With bold leadership and procurement shifts, the private sector is ready to accelerate Nigeria’s transition to health-protective, environmentally responsible agriculture.

    Global experience shows that phasing out HHPs does not necessarily reduce food production—if bans are planned and paired with alternatives. In Kerala, India, a ban on 14 HHPs had no negative effect on crop yields; fluctuations were driven by rainfall and land use, not pesticide bans. Similarly, reviews from other regions confirm that targeted bans on HHPs—when paired with safer substitutes and Integrated Pest Management (IPM)—do not undermine food security.

    However, abrupt blanket bans (such as Sri Lanka’s 2021 ban on all pesticides and fertilizers) cause disruptions when implemented without preparation, alternatives, or farmer training. The key lesson is that transitions must be planned, gradual, and supported by extension services, farmer training, and availability of safe substitutes.

    The best global practice for Nigeria is to phase out HHPs while promoting bio-pesticides, scaling IPM, and investing in agroecology—methods proven to sustain yields while protecting both health and the environment. This approach is practical, evidence-based, and aligns Nigeria with international trends toward safer, more sustainable food systems.

    •Ofoegbu is of Alliance for Action on Pesticides in Nigeria (AAPN).

  • The trial of Bolsonaro

    The trial of Bolsonaro

    Brazil is currently in a battle for the soul of its democracy. The country is calling former President Jair Bolsonaro to account for alleged bid to sabotage that nascent dispensation after a bitter past under military dictatorships that she would not want reenacted. But she faces a heavy blowback from regional neighbour and supposed bastion of democracy, the United States of America, which has taken sides with Bolsonaro. Nothing could rank higher in conceptual contradiction if not understood through personality of incumbent American leader, President Donald Trump.

    Bolsonaro was earlier this month sentenced to 27 years and three months in prison after being found guilty of plotting a military coup. A panel of five supreme court justices handed down the sentence hours after they convicted the former leader. Four of the judges held that he was guilty of leading a conspiracy aimed at staying on in power after he lost the 2022 election to his left-wing rival, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The supreme court panel also barred him from running for public office until 2060 – eight years after the end of his sentence. That could well read: he is being barred for life, because the far-right former president is 70 years of age and has reported health challenges that saw him taken to hospital at least twice since the apex court delivered its verdict on 11th September.

    The ex-president was found guilty of five charges, all relating to his attempt to cling to power after he was beaten in the 2022 election. Prosecutors said he started plotting to stay in power long before that, though, proposing a coup to military commanders and sowing unfounded doubts about Brazil’s electoral system. They also said Bolsonaro abetted a plan to assassinate Lula and his running mate in the 2022 poll, as well as a supreme court justice. While the coup plot failed to garner enough support from the military to go ahead, it did result in the storming of government buildings by Bolsonaro’s supporters on 8th January, 2023, prosecutors argued. Order was swiftly restored by security personnel, with more than 1,500 people arrested. The justices were persuaded the ex-president led a conspiracy and held him liable. They also convicted seven of his co-conspirators, including senior military officers. Among them were two former defence ministers, a former spy chief and former security minster.

    The presiding justice at the trial, Alexandre de Moraes, argued that Brazil came close to relapsing back into authoritarianism. “We are slowly forgetting that Brazil almost returned to its 20-year dictatorship because a criminal organisation, comprised of a political group, doesn’t know how to lose elections,” he stated before casting his guilty vote. Another justice and the only female on the panel, Cármen Lúcia, said Brazil’s democracy was put at risk and there should be no immunity for authoritarianism. “This criminal case is almost a meeting point between Brazil and its past, its present and its future,” she added in allusion to Brazil’s chequered history of military coups before voting to convict Bolsonaro. According to her, there was ample evidence that the ex-president acted with the intent of eroding democracy and sabotaging democratic institutions. The only dissenting voice on the five-member panel was Luiz Fux, who argued that the accusations against Bolsonaro were unfounded and questioned the court’s jurisdiction, thus voting to acquit him.

    The majority verdict made Bolsonaro, a former army captain who never hid his admiration for the military dictatorships that ruled Brazil for decades, the first former president of that country to be convicted for attacking democracy. It also marked the first time since Brazil became a republic that military officers were being called to account for plotting to topple democracy. Charges for which the ex-president and his co-conspirators were found guilty include taking part in an armed criminal organisation, attempting to violently overthrow democracy, organising a coup, and damaging government property as well as protected cultural assets.

    Bolsonaro has been under house arrest since August because he was deemed a flight risk, and he did not attend his sentencing in person. But he said before the verdict that the trial was aimed at preventing him from running in the 2026 presidential election, even though he was already barred from public office on separate charges. He also called the trial a “witch-hunt.” His lawyers described the sentence as “absurdly excessive” and said they would file appropriate appeals. They are expected to argue that he should be kept under house arrest instead of being moved to prison. They may also challenge the conviction, but legal experts said they faced an uphill task as that is normally possible if two of the five justices voted to acquit.

    His claim of a witch-hunt, however, resonated with the Trump administration in the U.S., which has stacked sanctions against Brazil and Brazilian officials. In July, President Trump slammed 50 percent tariff on Brazilian goods that he framed as retaliation for Bolsonaro’s ‘persecution.’ Reacting to the guilty verdict, he said he found it “very surprising” and compared it to his own experience: “That’s very much like they tried to do with me, but they didn’t get away with it.” The U.S. leader had often asserted that he shares a kindred spirit with Bolsonaro because he was himself criminally indicted for trying to stay in power after his 2020 election loss to former President Joe Biden. Asked about the conviction, he again praised the ex-Brazilian president and called the verdict “a terrible thing,” adding: “I think it’s very bad for Brazil.” Besides the general tariff hike, his administration imposed targeted sanctions against Brazilian officials, including yanking U.S. visas held by many of the supreme court justices, their family members and other judiciary officers.

     U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed his principal’s narrative in a post on X, saying Brazil’s supreme court ruled unjustly to imprison Bolsonaro and threatened to “respond accordingly to this witch-hunt.” Brazil’s foreign ministry reacted swiftly that “threats like the one made by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in a statement that attacks Brazilian authority and ignores the facts and the compelling evidence on record, will not intimidate our democracy.”

    President Lula himself had slammed Trump’s sleight of hand. He called the 50 percent tariff measure “not only misguided but illogical.” Hours before Bolsonaro’s conviction was confirmed, he told journalists he harboured no worries about new sanctions from the U.S., in what signalled deepening diplomatic rift between the western hemisphere’s two largest democracies.

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    As a far-right populist politician, Bolsonaro has his own supporters and his sentencing divided the country. Congressmen allied with the former president are already processing a legislation that could secure him amnesty. But that bid is not flying with many in the Brazilian public, with an estimated 400,000 people staging a demonstration penultimate weekend against what they dubbed “banditry bill.” President Lula himself was reported saying he would veto the bill if it passes at both chambers of the national legislature. Meanwhile, Alexandre de Moraes, the justice who presided at the supreme court trial, stood firm on judicial independence despite being hit with U.S. sanctions. “Respect comes from independence. A subservient, cowardly judiciary, one that makes deals just to calm the country down, is not independent,” he said ahead of the supreme court verdict.

    Brazil’s current rough patch in nationhood is down to the failure of political actors to gracefully accept defeat in elections. Nothing hazards stability and progress in a country like desperate politicians, because they typically want their way or the highway. Bolsonaro was president from 2019 to 2022 and, going by the supreme court’s findings, he preferred to instigate a coup against the democratic order because he could not stand being defeated at the poll. As he faced a tough re-election battle with Lula in 2022 that Lula went on to win, his comments took on a do-or-die tone. “I have three alternatives for my future: being arrested, killed, or victory,” he said in remarks to a meeting of evangelical leaders. “No man on Earth will threaten me.” In 2023, Brazil’s electoral court barred him from public office until 2030 for venting unfounded claims about the country’s electronic voting system.

    Nigeria has few things to learn from Brazil’s experience. Political actors must imbibe graceful sportsmanship if they would not cross the law like Bolsonaro did. And the judiciary must be a steady bulwark against all pressure nodes in asserting independence. All said, Brazilian democracy should be stronger from this experience.

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

  • Adedeji and PBAT’s $1 trillion economy vision

    Adedeji and PBAT’s $1 trillion economy vision

    By Jack Okude

    The latest news on Nigeria’s growing tax revenue haul is something to cheer for many reasons. The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) said it has collected N20.62 trillion in tax revenue between January and August, a period of eight months. FIRS chairman, Zacch Adedeji, who reeled out the figure was ecstatic as was his audience of journalists.

    It was a massive jump of 40.8 percent compared to that of last year even as it outstrips the growth target of 16.4 percent for the year. Historical and a rare alignment of vision and ambition, the statistics churned out by Adedeji, a first-class accountant, only strengthens the argument that the FIRS top cat ranks among the best and most strategic appointments of President Bola Tinubu.

    Many factors are responsible for this increase which indexes a national economy on the path of recovery. It must be noted that Adedeji did not import personnel from overseas or from outer space to make this all-time high mark. He used existing personnel in the service all working in the same environment called Nigeria. Without any doubt, it underscores the difference effective leadership can make in an organisation. Adedeji’s pedigree, knowledge and scholarship lent him to the job. He is a proper and prime fit. He didn’t have to learn the ropes because as an A-grade chartered accountant, tax collection and management were no strangers to him. He found a natural and professional habitat at FIRS. This is global best practice; get the right personnel with the requisite skills set to critical positions.

    The deployment of modern technology is a critical factor in the unfolding FIRS tax-management story. When he assumed office as the youngest ever FIRS chairman, he served notice of navigating employees and operations through the uncharted waters of high-tech to eliminate instances of human intrusion with attendant fraudulent behaviours. He pledged a better future for tax collection, insisting that technology will not only reduce significantly the bottlenecks of bureaucracy but will also effectively manage operations for higher efficiency accentuated by speed and flawless transition from the field to the office. And he achieved that by moving FIRS operations from annual filing of Transfer Pricing Returns, and Country-by-Country Reporting (CbCR) notifications from e-TPPlat to the TaxPro-Max Platform without compromising personnel’s regular login credentials. The projection for 2025 was to achieve revenue target of N25.2 trillion. Hitting over N20 trillion by August with a good four months left means that the target will be exceeded. This September alone, revenue has surged to N3.65 trillion, a hefty jump of 411 percent from the N711 billion recorded in May 2023 when the Tinubu administration assumed office.

    There has been a raft of reforms in tax management. The non-oil tax receipts present an outstanding evidence of the success of the reforms, reaching an unprecedented N15.67 trillion, an increase of 49.7 percent. It was N10.47 trillion in 2024. This owes largely to the federal government renewed focus on growing non-oil export which has also greatly profited from the devaluation of the naira.

    As non-oil tax is nosing up, oil tax is also in the ascendancy, reaching N4.98 trillion as of August 31, 2025, up 19.4 percent from N4.18 trillion in the same period last year. The sustained peace in the oil-bearing Niger Delta region resulting in jump in crude oil production is a strong factor for the spike in oil tax revenue. The Tinubu reforms and undeniable security and improved surveillance of oil operations and infrastructure in the Niger Delta have restored investors’ confidence in oil and gas which has led to more investments in the sector. The reforms have also triggered a wave of impressive performance in both the service and primary sectors. Telecoms sector once bugged down by low returns has bounced back. This year alone, the sector is attracting about $3 billion in investments in infrastructure, according to report from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC).

    For the banking sector under Tinubu, it is happy days. Five major banks namely, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, First Holdco Plc, Zenith Bank International Plc, Guaranty Trust Holding Company (GTCO) and Stanbic IBTC Holdings Plc reported strong growths in profitability and assets. Their pre-tax profit rose by about 70 per cent to N4.56 trillion in 2024.

    And as it is with the banks, so it has been with conglomerates that once dipped into the nadir of losses. Cement companies clawed their way from losses to profits this year. Pharmaceutical firms and consumer staple companies have also returned to the path of profitability. All of this equates to more taxes paid into the national tax basket. The increase in tax returns by FIRS is therefore a consequence of the positive yields in the Tinubu reforms. Much more, it shows that FIRS is effectively tracking the tax accruals.

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    This increase in tax collection further underscores the strengthened tax compliance measures and enhanced enforcement strategies implemented by the service, Adedeji said as he outlined the prospects of a better, more functional tax regime from next year when the new tax architecture arising from the freshly minted tax laws come into full implementation.

    On the flip side of non-oil tax revenue, the oil and gas sector also showed strong signs of recovery on account of the reforms introduced under Tinubu, especially the removal of petrol subsidy. In May 2023, for instance, collections from NNPC Limited were in the negative because what could have come in as tax revenue had gone into servicing outstanding subsidy arrears and other payments. The total accretion to the federation that month (May 2023) was a meagre N711 billion.  But by September 2025, the figure had risen to N3.6 trillion, a 411 percent jump.

    The vision of Tinubu to build a $1 trillion economy by 2030 is what it is: an ambitious agenda. Some people think it is unattainable. But not so for the likes of Adedeji. In him, you see a workman who understands his brief and who does not lack the courage and confidence to achieve and conquer heights. Watching him recently on television break down the tax synopsis and prognosis was supremely admirable. His understanding, courage and confidence were infectious and they elicit hope and faith in the Renewed Hope agenda of President Tinubu.

    • Okude, public policy analyst writes from Kano.

  • 65 years push for development, pull for underdevelopment

    65 years push for development, pull for underdevelopment

    • By Nnaji Jekwu Onovo

    Nigeria will celebrate her 65years of political independence on 1 st October 2025. However, the country has been wobbling and fumbling as she grapples with myriads of social and economic problems. We are politically independence, haven extricated the nation from the suzerainty of the colonial master; but remain economically dependent on foreign countries.

    The economic dependence makes it difficult for the country to develop and take its rightful position in the League of Nations. Our development strides can be described as push for development and pull for underdevelopment, as we usually take one step forward and one step backward. We have consistently failed to put in place the key infrastructures necessary for nation building and growth. One such vital infrastructure under neglect is electricity.

    Electricity is an increasingly essential commodity in every facet of our life. Most part of Nigeria is plagued with unreliable electricity in both quantity and quality. Where the grid electricity exists, it is often not energized. When it is energized, the quality of electricity in the lines is poor and cannot support simple household equipment. Additionally, many rural communities in the country are not even served by the electrical grid. This situation has led many people in the country to take action for providing clean and reliable power to their equipment. Gen-sets with heavy diesel bills and a long list of negative externalities have so far been the only solution, if that can be termed as a solution. Power disruptions result in a disruption of fluency of life or the inability to reliably use electrical appliances.

    In fact our power generation approach has depended on GUESS cycles instead of GAS power cycles. Gas power cycles refer to thermodynamic processes in which energy absorbed as heat is converted into mechanical work. Commonly, steam and gas power cycles are employed in power generation. Anyway, in this month of September 2025, the Federal Government through Energy Commission of Nigeria, an agency under Federal Ministry of Innovation Science and Technology took an audacious step towards enhancing the power generation in the country, as it inaugurated National Energy Masterplan Implementation Committee (NEMIC), charging it with the responsibility of spearheading the country’s transition to a cleaner, more inclusive, and sustainable energy future. The implementation targets 50Billion US dollars investment in the renewable energy sector. Let’s hope, this is the magic

    wand that will resolve the electricity crisis in the country.

    The massive increase in oil revenue as an aftermath of the Middle-East war of 1973 created unprecedented, unexpected and unplanned wealth for Nigeria. That was the beginning of the dramatic shift of policies from a holistic approach to benchmarking them against the state of the oil sector. The national currency, Naira, strengthened as foreign exchange inflows outweighed outflows, and foreign reserves were built up. Up until 1985, the Naira was stronger than the US Dollar. This encouraged import-oriented consumption habit that soon turned Nigeria into a perennial net importer, which became a major problem when oil earnings decreased with lower international oil prices. External 2 reserves collapsed, fiscal deficits mounted and external borrowing ensued with the “jumbo loans” taken in 1979. Most of Nigeria’s macro-economic indices became unstable and worrisome.

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    The most painful accept is the importation of refined petroleum products. This situation has made the petroleum sector problematic. It is such contradictions (perhaps aberrations) that make the Nigerian economy appear strange at times, as policies seem to ignore what appears obvious to do. As such, policies designed to address the deficiencies and defects in the structure end up being poorly articulated and/or implemented because of regional, political or rent-seeking selfish interests. Obviously, it is the same rent-seekers that continually sabotage the reinvigoration of the domestic refineries, making Nigeria to depend on importation of refined products to meet the domestic need. Nonetheless, Dangote

    Company braved it, building the mega refinery in Lagos.

    However, the rent seeking entities are still at work, sabotaging the efforts of Dangote to refocus the downstream sector, which is the distribution arm and connection with final consumers of refined petroleum products in the domestic economy. There seems to be an age-long conspiracy to ground the refineries or keep them at sub-optimal capacity so that the lucrative business of petroleum product importation will continue to boom. This is a grand conspiracy by rapacious oil magnates to keep feeding fat on oil subsidy at the expense of the development of the downstream sub-sector and the Nigerian project as a whole. These rent seekers generally profit from Nigeria's historical reliance on imported fuel. With the Dangote Refinery reducing the need for imports, these entities' business models are threatened.

    Well-meaning Nigerians including a civil society group, the Oil and Gas Forum, have warned the fuel subsidy cabals and their foot soldiers against efforts to sabotage the Dangote refinery. Nigeria is blessed with tremendous natural wealth. And yet, unemployment is high—especially among the young—and millions remain in poverty. Conventional wisdom dictates that insecurity rises with unemployment and poverty because unemployment leads to loss of income which affects the people’s ability to pay their bills and provide basic necessities for their house-holds and dependent relatives. It is because of the insecurity posed by unemployment that advanced countries make social security payments to the unemployed to keep them off the streets until they get jobs. This has helped to make their nations safer than countries like Nigeria where no forms of assistance are given to the unemployed.

    It seems only right that the country’s natural riches should be used to tackle constraints on growth and development, to create the decent jobs needed to raise living standards. Much greater investment in physical, human, and institutional capital is clearly needed to boost productivity and raise

    competitiveness. This should be supported by structural reforms that tackle constraints on entrepreneurship and that improve the business climate. At the same time, spending should be at a measured pace. This will safeguard macroeconomic stability, which includes maintaining the real exchange rate at a fair level. Sound management of foreign exchange reserves is a critical complement in this regard.

    Good governance helps ensure that commodity revenues can benefit all in society. This is why institutions with a high level of accountability are so important. A vigorous civil society is critical for achieving—and maintaining—a high standard of accountability.

    • Nnaji jekwu Onovo writes from, Plot 18 Whitesand Avenue, Lekki, Lagos Tel: 08184553078, email: jekwuonovo@gmail.com
  • Joy as Prof. Adebayo bows out of ACU

    Joy as Prof. Adebayo bows out of ACU

    • By Sunday Saanu

    The colourful valedictory service organized in honour of the fourth Vice Chancellor, Prof. Timothy Abiodun Adebayo by Ajayi Crowther University (ACU), Oyo on Monday, September 22, 2025 clearly signposted the end of a five-year single tenure which has been variously described in superlative terms. While many saw the Prof. Adebayo led tenure as highly transformative and impactful, given the numerous achievements recorded within the last five years, others, including Archbishop of Ibadan Province, Most Reverend Dr. Williams Aladekugbe, who preached at the service noted that the appointment of Prof. Adebayo, five years ago as ACU VC was not a mistake as the outgoing VC performed and surpassed expectations.

    According to Rev’d Aladekugbe whose sermon was hinged on “Thanksgiving Unto God”, “Prof. Adebayo administration will be remembered for the building of both Bursar’s and Registrar’s lodges on campus, University Welcome Centre, construction of Engineering building, ACU’s bakery, upgrade of Water’s factory, Wole Olanipekun’s Lecture Theatre, cafeteria, Civil Engineering building, Radiography building, establishment of Teaching and Research Farm, ACU Primary School building construction of Animal House, Professorial Lecture Building among many other projects”

    Apart from projects, Rev’d Aladekugbe whose sermon was intermittently interrupted with applause from the congregation hinted that many people got their promotions without delay during this tenure, pointing out that Prof. Adebayo was a God-sent to ACU, asserting that posterity would never forget him. The valedictory service which attracted people from from far and near, including Prof. Adebayo’s friends and family members, well-wishers, church members, school mates, and associates later saw many people presenting gifts in appreciation of the outgoing VC’s exemplary performance. The service wasn’t just organized as mere celebratory embellishments, but rather with profound gratitude to God for His grace over the life of Prof. Adebayo and the achievements recorded during his tenure.

    Prof. Adebayo who will be handing over to the newly appointed first female VC of the institution, Prof. Ebunoluwa Olufemi Oduwole on October 1, 2025, was appointed in 2020 as the fourth VC of the faith-based university. The professor of Entomology and Pesticide Toxicology will be leaving behind a sterling record of accountability, probity, and forthrightness. It will be recalled that no sooner he assumed the leadership position of the university than he reignited the momentum towards building upon the legacies of his predecessors. In the last five years, however, Prof. Adebayo has demonstrated, with distinction, a deep commitment to the university’s development. One cannot help, but marvel at his stamina and ability to juggle multiple responsibilities towards lifting the institution better than he met it. Yes, indeed, he did.

    Examining his leadership styles in the university during the period under review, one could say, Prof. Adebayo illustrates the fact that leadership transcends individual achievements. True leadership, as evinced in this case, lies in the creation of strong and empowered ecosystem that possesses the capacity to guarantee unlocking people’s potential for greatness. He stands as a testament to the power of dynamic and result-oriented leadership. To Prof Adebayo, leadership is not about power, it is about empowering those around to be the best versions of themselves. By and large, his tenure is not just a story of amazing achievements, it is a narrative that underscores the importance of ethical and empathetic leadership.

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    The outgoing VC has shown that an individual can make a major change in any setting or organization when he leads with character and competence. Here is a man of impeccable pedigree whose tenure has been a tapestry of achievements, woven with dedication and wisdom. From various accounts, it is obvious that Prof. Adebayo is designed for uncommon achievements, engineered for greatness and endowed with the seeds of success. Clearly, he represents the rare breed of men who combines intellectualism with deft political mastery and administrative prowess. He is a man gifted with many capabilities: physical stamina, superior mental acumen and spiritual alertness. He is committed to the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and excellence in everything he does.

     For example, he never knew me from Adam before he head hunted me for a year sabbatical with him in ACU on account of some of my write ups he read on the pages of newspapers. Working with him for a year as his Media Assistant, one can confidently say, Prof. Adebayo is an uncommon diamond, a trailblazer with extraordinary managerial skills. His adept administrative skills and multitasking prowess have yielded excellent results in every endeavour. Along with his Deputy, Prof. Benjamin Olumuyiwa Popoola, the VC gave me  a royal treatment. He appreciated my little contributions. He respected my opinion as a professional. When there was a crisis, and I advised him to call a community meeting and address the members, he heeded my advice. Again , at another occasion, when I noticed a group of students drinking alcohol around my residence, I sent a message to him on phone, he immediately came out along with some security men, ordered a “stop and search operation” with which he confiscated some bottles of wine that had been surreptitiously smuggled into the campus.

    His is a meek and enduring humble spirit that sails safe through storm. Naturally, he is very unflappable. He maintains his cool even in chaos. To this end, no matter how thorny a troubling issue is, his response tends to have a calmative effect. He is a leader with tact, wisdom and a high sense of humour. When I complained about his Secretary who was childishly behaving like a Deputy Vice Chancellor (Administration), Prof. Adebayo looked at me and smiled. Hear him, “Saanu, can you believe that I have shaken hands with one of those who are writing baseless petition against me this morning? Just keep your gaze on the ball and forget about distractions. My goal here is to lift this university higher than I met it. How many people can I afford to fight?” Indeed, his distinctive approach to solving complex and complicated matters is noteworthy. His words do not merely inform, they transform. He epitomizes humility, humaneness and humour, just as he displays decency in appearance and character.

      Interestingly, Prof. Adebayo comports himself with unmistakable self-assurance. He displays a rare and unspeakably admirable conduct. He remains a bridge builder, firm in his convictions, but generous in his embrace of others. He handles  the students in a manner yet unmatched. While playing fatherly role, he comes to their level as their friends. Consequently, you see a father in a friend and a friend in a father. He often gives them his personal money. Yet, he would not hesitate to send home any seemingly recalcitrant student.

     However, Prof Adebayo who is an Ife product and LAUTEC pride has indeed done well as the fourth ACU VC. He is a scholar of excellent reputation, an academic whose depth is profound and his profile quite cerebral.  He embodies quality leadership in service and scholarship. His corrective words are like a scalpel, cutting out the malignancy of a petulant lesion. Amid stupendous existential pessimism and nihilism, it is gratifying to encounter a compassionate leader like him. While I was with him in ACU, there was nothing I needed that he denied me. His warmth and amiability made my sabbatical delightful. I was able to conclude my doctoral study there. Therefore, Prof. Adebayo remains my mentor and motivator for life. What an immense pleasure and privilege it has been for me to have known and worked with him!

     As Prof. Adebayo bows out of ACU with his head held high, one can only pray that may his life continue to be a testament to the transformative power of kindness, compassion and selfless service. He truly couldn’t have been more helpful. Congratulations, sir, wishing you all the best in your future endeavour.

    • Saanu, (08034073427) Ph.D in Cultural and Media Studies,  is with the University of Ibadan. Email: sundaysaanu@gmail.com
  • Elumelu’s visionary leadership in turbulent times

    Elumelu’s visionary leadership in turbulent times

    • By Kalu Okoronkwo

    When a crisis strikes, true leadership is stripped bare of corporate titles and measured instead by empathy, resolve, and decisive action. On September 16, when fire gutted Afriland Towers on Broad Street, Lagos, one of the jewel assets of the Tony Elumelu’s vast conglomerate, the billionaire investor and philanthropist did not remain cloaked in the comfort of distance, he cut short his trip overseas, returned home, and faced the tragedy head on.

    What followed was a statement of deep pain, a heartfelt message to the bereaved families, friends, and colleagues, laden with empathy, sorrow, and a resolute promise of support.

    “No word can capture the magnitude of this loss; not for the families who loved them, not for the friends who valued them and not for both of us who worked besides them. Yesterday (the day of the fire incident) was a stark reminder of what really matters: our irreplaceable people, those who walked through our doors each day and share our mission. I learnt of this on my way to the US, enroute to New York for UNGA. I have to cut short my trip to return to Lagos as a mark of respect to our lost colleagues. As we navigate this grief, I urge all to reach out to those who are receiving care and in the coming days, we will convene colleagues to honour the memories of the departed as we provide support to their families. “A minute silence will be observed today at mid-day across our group of companies, may this never happen again in our group and may the souls of the departed rest in perfect peace” he prayed.

    Elumelu did not end his statement of grieve and mourning without recognizing those who supported in one way or the other:  from emergency responders to first aid workers, to members of the public who showed courage and compassion.

    Leadership is the pivot of all human activities as everything rises and falls with leadership. In fact, leadership is so central to human endeavors that the greatest leader of all times, our Lord Jesus Christ in one of his leadership classes with his students (disciples) remarked that the absence of visionary leadership is catastrophic “if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch”. 

    The event leading to the fire outbreak at the building of Afriland Properties, a company that came out from UBA Group and became a separate corporate entity, where about 10 lives were lost and properties worth hundreds of millions of naira destroyed, has indeed tested the leadership prowess of Mr. Tony Onyemachi Elumelu (CFR), fondly called TOE, by friends, business associates and admirers.  Elumelu, Chairman of both UBA Plc and Heirs Holdings, has demonstrated that he is a leader prepared to lead from the front against all odds.

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    His immediate response to the Afriland Towers tragedy was both strategic and emotional. His message to bereaved families was not just a corporate sympathy, it was a reaffirmation of one of the things he has long preached: that business must serve humanity. By promising to support families of those affected, Elumelu positioned himself not just as the head of a conglomerate, but as a custodian of lives, values, and hope.

    His action fits squarely into the global playbook of crisis leadership. When Howard Schultz returned as Starbucks CEO in 2008 amidst plummeting sales, his first major act was not financial restructuring, but reconnecting with employees, closing stores for a day to retrain staff, a move that signaled care before commerce.

    When Johnson & Johnson faced the infamous Tylenol poisoning crisis in 1982, then, CEO James Burke pulled 31 million bottles off shelves, a costly move that prioritized lives over quarterly earnings. Likewise, Elumelu’s decision to stand with victims’ families illustrates that in crisis, empathy is not weakness; it is the ultimate currency of trust.

    In each of these cases and now with Elumelu, the same management principle emerges: stakeholder-centric leadership, where employees, customers, and communities matter as much as shareholders. It is this approach that defines resilience and sets enduring leaders apart.

    The Afriland Towers, is a seven storey building housing UBA Plc branch, United Capital, Federal Inland Revenue Service and other notable corporate entities. According to an earlier statement by the company, the on-site fire champions activated the fire protocol immediately there was a sign of smoke at about 1:20pm that fateful day while the first responders came in about 20 minutes later.

  • Hold Local Government administrations to account as Tinubu frees funds

    Hold Local Government administrations to account as Tinubu frees funds

    • By Bamidele Atoyebi

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s removal of fuel subsidy and his decision to grant local government autonomy have fundamentally reshaped Nigeria’s public finance.

    Billions of naira now flow directly to state governments and local councils every month  far more than in previous years. Yet, despite this new reality, public anger, social media debates, and street conversations still target only the President, as if he controls every road, school, and health centre in the country.

    This misplaced focus is at the heart of Nigeria’s accountability crisis. We blame Abuja for every ungraded road, every non-functioning hospital, every unpaid salary  even when the responsibility, and now the money, lies with our state governments, local government chairmen, councillors and assemblies.

    A recent example illustrates this. Social media influencer Tacha sparked a heated debate when she questioned why Nigerians always direct their frustrations at the President rather than at their governors, local government officials, and legislators who are closest to the people.

    Her comments struck a nerve because they mirror a hard truth: even when allocations to states and local governments rise, citizens rarely track how the funds are used.

    Since the removal of subsidy, allocations from the Federation Account have surged to record highs.

    Billions of naira are now transferred monthly to states and local governments. But instead of massive local infrastructure projects or improved public services, we keep seeing stories of frivolous foreign trips and training tours that yield no tangible benefits for Nigerians at home.

    When wives of local government chairmen in Adamawa reportedly planned a “study tour” abroad, the outrage was muted compared to the daily criticisms directed at the President even though this money comes from local coffers, not the Presidency.

    Official data confirms the trend: allocations to states from the Federation Account have surged since the removal of fuel subsidy. For instance, Adamawa reportedly received about ₦8.4 billion from FAAC in February 2024 alone. However, there is no easily accessible, verified public record showing exactly how much Adamawa State was getting before subsidy removal for the same period.

    This lack of transparency itself is a problem  citizens should be able to easily track these figures and compare them over time.

    Without that, it becomes difficult to hold leaders at the sub-national level accountable.

    This is why Accountability and Policy Monitoring is sounding this call. Nigerians must not only demand to know “how much” is coming in but also which office is in charge of what. Governors control state budgets, not the President. Local government chairmen manage local allocations, not ministers in Abuja. Councillors pass local bye-laws and oversee grassroots development. Senators and members of the House of Representatives legislate and represent their constituencies at the federal level, but they do not control state or local funds.

    Unfortunately, most Nigerians cannot even name their own local government chairman, councillor, senator, or House of Representatives member let alone describe their roles.

    This knowledge gap allows elected officials at these levels to escape scrutiny while all the blame is piled on the President. Without knowing who does what, citizens cannot ask the right questions or demand the right answers.

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    If we continue to point fingers only at the President while ignoring the people we elect closest to us, we will never get the development we desire. Citizens, the media, and civil society must begin to track allocations at state and local levels, compare them with projects on the ground, and demand explanations when money meant for development ends up funding luxury trips abroad.

    This is not just a call for criticism; it is a call for enlightenment. Every Nigerian should know which tier of government is responsible for which service. The Office of the Accountant-General of the Federation and the Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission publish FAAC data  but this information must be simplified, published widely, and used to drive citizen action. Only then can we build a culture of accountability that matches the new fiscal reality created by subsidy removal and local government autonomy.

    President Tinubu has done his part by creating a policy environment where states and LGAs have more resources and more independence.

    The real test now is whether Nigerians will rise to the occasion and demand results not just from Abuja but from Yola, Uyo, Jos, and every local government secretariat in the country.

    At Accountability and Policy Monitoring, our mission is to raise citizen awareness, track policy outcomes, and strengthen democratic accountability across all tiers of government.

    This message is part of our ongoing sensitisation campaign to ensure Nigerians know their rights, know who controls what, and demand good governance at every level.

    • Atoyebi is National Coordinator of Accountability and Policy Monitoring and Publisher at Unfiltered and Mining Reporting.
  • Yoruba: From ancestors to architects (2)

    Yoruba: From ancestors to architects (2)

    Uneven wealth distribution inevitably leads to social catastrophe. The discernible difference between population size and economic might highlights this issue. Norway and Switzerland, with small populations of five and seven million, are among the world’s richest nations. This begs the question: Given its vast intellectual and human capital, why does a historically blessed and resourceful region like Yorubaland continue to struggle with development?

    For the Yorubas therefore, the journey from a legacy of ancestors to becoming the architects of our own future is not a choice between the past and the future, but a synthesis of both. What’s more? The future is not something that passively happens; it must be deliberately created. In other words, becoming the architects of this future means embracing modern knowledge and technology while simultaneously preserving cultural values.

    To do this, a necessary and urgent step is the establishment of institutions like the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) and other investment banks. Had these institutions been established at least two decades ago, they would have by now amassed a paid-up capital of no less than N800 billion, sourced from domestic investors, the diaspora, and international financing institutions.

    The recent establishment of the South West Development Commission (SWDC) is a crucial step forward for regional progress. While the Tinubu-led government deserves commendation for this initiative, the SWDC must, above all else, mobilize and secure sustained development funds for building critical infrastructure through public-private partnerships. It must also forge a dedicated unit to empower and support small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMSEs) across the region.

    We’ve already seen how world-class research institutions have been a significant factor in propelling the United States subnational, California, to become the world’s fourth-largest economy. California’s Silicon Valley also grew from a symbiotic relationship between Stanford University and the surrounding ecosystem.  Similarly, the State of Massachusetts is leveraging its elite institutions like Harvard and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to gain a strong competitive edge. It is imperative that Yorubaland adopts a similar strategy to secure its economic future.

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    For instance, a collective effort should be made over the next fifteen years to transform the University of Ibadan (UI) into a world-class institution, ranking among the top 100 universities globally. This would not only create a continuous base for world-class human capital development but also provide the essential research needed to give local industries a crucial competitive edge.

    Yorubaland must abandon its current partisan politics – devoid of ideological foundation – and instead focus on a twenty-year plan to build human capital. The Yoruba nation must unite around a new democratic agreement that rises above the partisan squabbles that have failed to produce significant progress since the demise of the Second Republic and earlier democratic experiments by progressive parties like the Action Group (AG) and Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).

    The governments of the Western Region must urgently revitalize the integrated rural development programme of the UPN. Doing so would revitalize rural economies, create new jobs across the value chain, and trigger a competitive, export-oriented economy. This strategy would capitalize on Yorubaland’s geographical advantage – its access to the sea – and position the region at the forefront of African economic integration, a crucial benefit in today’s era of escalating trade wars. This is a critical juncture for the Yoruba people; it is time to rethink and reboot our approach.

    Lest we forget, Southwest legislators have a historical blueprint for collaboration that they should urgently revisit. In the Second Republic, leaders from the UPN and NPN, and from the AG and NCNC, established a powerful precedent by regularly meeting to foster regional unity. These leaders were dedicated to the vital interests of the Southwest, never allowing partisan politics to overshadow their duty.

    This historical model provides a clear mandate for today’s representatives. All Yoruba legislators should form a caucus to create a common agenda for the region. The primary purpose of such a caucus would be to transcend the narrow pursuit of personal gain and forge the cross-zonal alliances needed to pass critical legislation.

    As a nationality, the choice is pleasantly ours!

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

    • Concluded.
  • Ademiluyi’s 40th memorial

    Ademiluyi’s 40th memorial

    On Saturday, September 20, 2025, family and friends celebrated the life of Prince Daniel Adeleke Ademiluyi, who passed away at 72. His transition was marked as a celebration of a life well-lived and a legacy of service to his community.

    Born on October 12, 1913, Ademiluyi’s life spanned a significant era of Yorubaland’s political history. The son of the revered Ooni Ajagun Lawarikan, who ascended the throne in 1910, Ademiluyi was an aristocrat from Ile-Ife, The Cradle. His life journey reflected the profound shifts and enduring traditions that have shaped the region.

    Prince Ademiluyi, a businessman and proud alumnus of Abeokuta Grammar School, was a founding member of the prestigious Egbe Afenifere when it was established in 1948. A fascinating anecdote from his political life is the formative years of the Action Congress (AG), specifically the primary election for its leadership.

    Alongside F.R.A. Williams and Babaremilekun Fani-Kayode, Ademiluyi served as a campaign coordinator for Bode Thomas. In a closely contested race, Thomas lost to Obafemi Awolowo by the narrowest of margins – just one vote. In a remarkable display of political maturity, the trio graciously declined a recount, a gesture that stands in glaring disparity to the cutthroat politics we witness today.

    Elected to the Western House of Assembly in 1954 to represent Ile-Ife Central, Ademiluyi’s political career saw him appointed as Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Trade and Industry from 1954 to 1959. During the 1962 Emergency Declaration, he served as Commissioner for Agriculture before becoming Chairman of the Western Nigeria Development Corporation (WNDC) in 1963, a major West African conglomerate of that era.

    Beyond his administrative acumen, Prince Ademiluyi was a passionate supporter of the WNDC Shooting Stars football team, seeing it as a vital marketing arm. Under his leadership, WNDC thrived, attracting numerous industrial projects and solidifying his legacy as a visionary leader who connected commerce with community.

    The 40th anniversary of Ademiluyi’s passing should be a call to action for a return to the developmental model of the 1950s and 1960s. Back then, agencies like the WNDC attracted ‘patient capital’ to create sustainable development and a vibrant middle class. With Yorubaland now falling behind, we ignore the lessons of this edifying economic history at our own peril.

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    Ademiluyi was a lifelong committed Christian and a sidesman at The Cathedral Church of Christ in Marina, Lagos. He also belonged to Saint Phillip Cathedral Church in Ile-Ife. Possessing a keen sense of Noblesse-Oblige – the idea that the privileged have a duty to help the less fortunate – he was a key member of the Ile-Ife-based ‘Talakawa Parapo’ in the 1950s. This group, founded by Fani-Kayode, focused on helping peasants transition from subsistence farming to commercial farming.

    Prince Ademiluyi’s legacy is carried on by his four children. The eldest, Prince Adenrele Ademiluyi, continued his father’s printing enterprise. The late Prince Adewole Ademiluyi, a lawyer and businessman, served as Legal Secretary for the now-rested National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) at a young age.

    ​Prince ‘Kanmi Ademiluyi is a respected media practitioner who has held key editorial positions at the Financial Punch, the Democrat Weekly, and the Daily Independent. The last of his children, Princess Adepeju Ademiluyi-Sanusi, fondly referred to as the ‘Matriarch of the Brood’, is a United Kingdom-based lawyer, business entrepreneur and much-admired public servant.

    May the Stone of Israel perpetually rest Prince Daniel Adeleke Ademiluyi’s soul, and may His comfort continue to sustain all those who cherish his memory!