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  • IP and Music: A living partnership

    IP and Music: A living partnership

    By Adebambo Adewopo

    As World IP Day marks a record two and half decades in the mission of raising awareness about the role of IP with this year’s theme ‘IP and Music: Feel the beat of IP”, the world of music deservedly takes another front seat after it made its debut ten years ago with the earlier theme “Get up. Stand up. For Music”. This recognition is a testament to the remarkable power and allure of music as one of man’s most potent forms of creative expression. The chequered legacy of intellectual property itself has had a historic connection with the musical genre and remains inextricably tied to the universality and global compact of music as a creative life-force naturally meant for the promise that copyright holds, among all other forms of creativity eligible for protection. The power of music is seen and felt everywhere but at no other time as today has that power proven as impactful and forceful in the pursuit of happiness and every area of life, be it personal, spiritual, social, business, political and more. Shakespeare wrote of music as ‘the food of love’. Music is not just the food of the human soul; it has become the food of life – a nourishment at the core of human existence. Music secured by IP has brought fame and fortune to generations of music creators worldwide. Expounding the interplay of music and IP as this year’s theme, WIPO declares “From the rhythms that invite us to dance to the lyrics that echo our emotions, music enriches every aspect of our lives. Music is a universal form of creative expression and intellectual property (IP) rights play a pivotal role in supporting a vibrant and diverse music landscape. Music permeates every sector, and IP fosters the presence of music beyond its own realm”. Beyond the metaphor, music has continued to add value, serve humanity and foster societal peace and harmony. In concrete terms, it functions across industries – entertainment, technology, fashion, sports, video games, commerce, marketing and branding, advertising, and more.

    Since the early days, music has entered the universe of copyright and gingerly remains there, gaining momentum with the increasing dominance of global recording industry. Without copyright, the law’s recognition of the power and culture of music would have remained largely elusive, given the complexities and the dynamic trajectories of IP and music in the last half a century. The normative role of IP has been salutary to music as a creative entity eligible for protection and the incentives to music creators, the music industry, as well as public interest. From its origin in the prohibition of unauthorised copying of sheet music to the protection of musical composition in the 1800s, to the institution of exclusive rights in public performances, broadcasting, making of sound recordings in any medium, including the rights of making available in file sharing and streaming with the advent of digital technology, copyright regime for music has expanded inexorably. Live performances and expression of folklore, commonly referred to as ‘neighbouring rights’ have readily joined the web of protection in many jurisdictions and internationally. The increased term of protection, as well as the realm of infringement and liability under copyright law, has benefited music creators and the recording industry worldwide. IP as the primary legal framework for the protection of creativity comprising IP rights, administration and enforcement, including collective management systems, the more recent fair use doctrine, secondary liability and anti-circumvention rules of the digital era, has played indispensable roles in navigating the emergent environment. This legal gamut implies that IP and copyright in particular are indeed the cornerstone of the music industry.

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    Significantly, a trilogy of developments in WIPO’s norm-setting annal across 200 years best attests to WIPO’s fidelity to the international protection of music as a creative enterprise. That, for the most part, was a watershed in the normative evolution of music-copyright complex and the promotion of the narrative that copyright is the bedrock of the music industry. First, it began with the seminal Berne Convention for the Protection of Literary and Artistic Works (1886), including music and its Berlin Revision of 1908 which further reinforced music protection with the inclusion of sound recording, among others, in the categories of protected works under the Berne. The second development was defined by two of WIPO’s treaties; the Rome Convention for the Protection of Performers, Producers of Phonograms and Broadcasting Organisations (1961) and the Performances and Phonograms Treaty (1996) which signposted music copyright for the new technological environment that ushered in 21st century full-blown digital dispensation. This was joined by WTO’s TRIPs Agreement of 1995. The third phase was the WIPO’s first treaty of the 21st century, Beijing Treaty on Audiovisual Performances (2012), though expanded the economic and moral rights of audiovisual performances, also extended protection for performers’ rights of musicians and singers alike. This international legal architecture lies at the heartbeat of IP protection for the music industry and has resonated in the rapid succession of copyright reform across jurisdictions both in the strength of IP law and policy-making and the campaign against piracy and counterfeiting, the twin menace of the creative industries worldwide. The exponential growth of copyright in the last 100 years into the digital age has influenced the current copyright debate about the global music industry and fortunes of generations of the world’s music talents and musical revolution, in particular the Afrobeats renaissance on the Continent. Today, the gravity of Afrobeats as a global phenomenon that is increasingly felt cannot be locked in the shadows of IP. The prospects of a new dawn now await the emerging generation of African and Nigerian music talents, Afrobeats’ leading exponents, as the world embraces the sound of Africa such that neither IP itself nor its long-standing tensions with traditional knowledge (TK) protection can diminish any longer.

    To the eternal credit of IP reform, the progressive expansion of the ‘exclusive rights’ that have shaped the protection of musical works and sound recording has responded to the massive explosion of the music industry as a cultural and economic powerhouse, and a net contributor to the global knowledge economy. Today, official reports point to the pivotal role of the music industry and the value of the rights of musicians, composers and producers in the ever-competitive global and digital marketplace. In 2024 alone, the over USD29 billion mark in revenue of the global recorded music industry represents an increasing growth trajectory that is largely driven by digital evolution through streaming and performing revenue. Afrobeats industry, again, has made significant inroads as a frontier economy, and by all means, has continued to contribute to wealth creation, enhanced revenue streams, cultural influence and soft power. With over N728 billion in the combined contribution of the Nigerian creative industry to the national economy, the social, economic and cultural power of music is not lost on the recent reforms taking place in the IP and creative ecosystem. WIPO’s theme ‘feel the beat of IP’ therefore is a clear reflection of the present momentum and certainly comes alive in the rapidly evolving Nigerian music industry that has continued to engage global attention as it compels new and innovative models of governance, transformative engagement and building collaboration in the spirit of the historic partnership between IP and music.

    • Professor Adewopo (SAN) is a former Director General of Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC).

  • Climate change: Education and Public Awareness (2) Governments’ side of the task

    Climate change: Education and Public Awareness (2) Governments’ side of the task

    By Adebayo Adeleye

    As the world grapples with the challenges of climate change, education and public awareness have emerged as crucial tools in the fight against this global phenomenon. Climate change is no longer just an environmental issue, but a pressing concern that affects every aspect of our lives, from health and economy to security and sustainability.

    The science is clear: human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation, have led to a significant increase in greenhouse gas emissions, resulting in rising temperatures, more frequent natural disasters, and altered ecosystems. However, despite the overwhelming evidence, many people remain unaware of the severity of the issue and the actions they can take to mitigate its effects.

    This is where education and public awareness come in. By educating people about the causes, consequences, and solutions to climate change, we can empower them to make informed decisions and take action to reduce their carbon footprint. This can include simple actions such as reducing energy consumption, using public transport, or recycling, as well as more significant changes like investing in renewable energy or advocating for climate policies.

    In schools, climate change education can be integrated into curricula, teaching children about the science behind climate change, its impacts, and the importance of sustainability. This can help shape the next generation of leaders and citizens who will be equipped to address the challenges of climate change.

    Public awareness campaigns can also play a vital role in educating people about climate change. These campaigns can use various media channels, including social media, television, and print, to reach a wide audience and convey the urgency of the issue. By sharing personal stories, highlighting local impacts, and showcasing solutions, public awareness campaigns can inspire people to take action and demand change.

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    Governments, organizations, and individuals must work together to promote climate change education and public awareness. This can involve developing and implementing education programs, supporting research and innovation, and advocating for climate policies.

    Governments around the world have a critical role to play in promoting climate change education and awareness, as well as developing and implementing policies to mitigate its impacts. This article explores the government’s responsibility to promote climate change education and awareness. The intervention of government was found necessary for the following reasons:

    Public Education: Governments have a responsibility to educate the public about the causes, consequences, and solutions to climate change.

    Policy Development: Governments must develop and implement policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, invest in renewable energy, and promote sustainable development.

    Resource Allocation: Governments must allocate resources to support climate change research, education, and awareness initiatives.

    International Cooperation: Governments must work together internationally to address the global nature of climate change.

    In view of the above reasons, which put the yoke on the government to ensure public education about climate change, the government is bound to be creative in articulating their programs. In this regard, the following initiatives seem perfect for consideration.

    Climate Change Education Programs: Governments can develop and implement climate change education programs in schools, universities, and communities.

    Public Awareness Campaigns: Governments can launch public awareness campaigns to educate the public about climate change and its impacts.

    Climate Change Research and Development: Governments can fund research and development initiatives to improve our understanding of climate change and develop new technologies and solutions.

    Climate Change Policy and Legislation: Governments can develop and implement policies and legislation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable development.

    Several benefits of Government Intervention include the following:

    Informed Citizens: Government intervention can lead to a more informed and engaged citizenry, which is essential for addressing climate change.

    Economic Benefits: Investing in climate change education and awareness can have economic benefits, such as creating new jobs and industries.

    Environmental Benefits: Government intervention can lead to reduced greenhouse gas emissions and improved environmental outcomes.

    International Cooperation: Government intervention can facilitate international cooperation and coordination on climate change issues.

    Challenges and Opportunities

    Limited Resources: Governments may face limited resources and competing priorities, which can make it challenging to address climate change.

    Public Engagement: Governments must engage the public and build support for climate change initiatives.

    International Cooperation: Governments must work together internationally to address the global nature of climate change.

    Technological Innovation: Governments can support technological innovation and the development of new solutions to address climate change.

    In Conclusion; Governments have a critical role to play in promoting climate change education and awareness, as well as developing and implementing policies to mitigate its impacts. By investing in climate change education and awareness, governments can build a more informed and engaged citizenry, drive economic benefits, and improve environmental outcomes. As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, government intervention will be essential for addressing this global issue.

    In conclusion, climate change education and public awareness are essential components in the fight against climate change. By educating people about the issue and empowering them to take action, we can build a more sustainable future and mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. As individuals, communities, and nations, we must work together to address this global challenge and ensure a livable future for generations to come.

    • Dr. Adebayo Matthew, Adeleye (Ph.D., Ibadan) Researcher on Environmental Pollution and Control badeleye@gmail.com  +234 803 525 6450.

  • Sokoto: A backward eye on Tambuwal’s misses

    Sokoto: A backward eye on Tambuwal’s misses

    By Sai’du Sani

    The most viral disease in Nigeria today isn’t cholera or Lassa fever—it’s selective amnesia. And it’s spreading fast, especially among political jobbers and self-styled defenders of failed legacies. This mental fog, often voluntary, is quickly becoming the bane of our national growth. It’s the only plausible explanation for why anyone, in good conscience, would draw a comparison between the failed administration of the former governor of Sokoto State, Rt. Hon. Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, and the fresh, yet promising leadership of his successor, Governor Ahmad Aliyu.

    If you’re wondering what memories fuel such reckless comparisons, the answer is simple: sycophancy. Perhaps there are bootlickers and political hangers-on whispering in Tambuwal’s ear that his tenure is remembered fondly. Well, let me burst that bubble: we never had it worse in Sokoto than during Tambuwal’s eight-year reign. And that’s saying it mildly.

    Tambuwal’s administration was a cocktail of missed opportunities, policy inconsistency, and deafening silence in the face of hardship. And the most damning of all: His complete and utter failure to resolve Sokoto’s perennial water scarcity problem. For eight straight years, clean water remained a luxury in the state capital and most rural communities. Yet, within months of assuming office, Governor Ahmad Aliyu rolled up his sleeves and tackled the crisis head-on. Today, taps are running in places that have gone dry for years. What Tambuwal could not do in eight years, Aliyu is resolving in record time. That alone should silence comparisons—but when you are dealing with shameless folks.

    Tambuwal’s approach to governance was laced with arrogance and a shocking lack of accountability. For a man who rose through the ranks to become Speaker of the House of Representatives, one would expect a greater sense of duty and decorum. But at the end of his tenure, Tambuwal left no handover notes, no blueprint, no continuity plan—just chaos. That singular act of omission speaks volumes about his disregard for institutional memory and his successor. It was less of a transition and more of an ambush. In any serious political culture, this would be regarded as sabotage.

    Under Tambuwal’s watch, Sokoto State’s finances were left in tatters. Over N14 billion in unpaid gratuities to retirees, and over N195 billion reportedly raked in from the sale of state-owned assets—with little or nothing to show for it. These are not accusations; they are documented realities. Tambuwal’s economic mismanagement is not just a blot on his legacy—it is a weight Governor Aliyu must now carry and correct. And to his credit, Aliyu has begun offsetting those liabilities without taking on a single new Kobo in debt. That is stewardship. That is leadership.

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    While Aliyu governs with frugality, empathy, and a clear sense of direction, Tambuwal cast shadows over Sokoto’s progress. His minions now roam social media, peddling narratives in his favour, desperate to rewrite history. Instead of showing gratitude to the man cleaning up his mess, Tambuwal appears more interested in waging a proxy war. It’s a dangerous game for a man who once wielded the gavel of the nation’s most powerful legislative chamber. But the Speaker’s chair is long gone, and so too is the illusion of his invincibility.

     Let’s talk about infrastructure. Sokoto under Tambuwal was a state adrift. Major roads were left undone, rural electrification was nearly non-existent, and basic health facilities were in deplorable conditions. In many primary health centres, patients had to bring their own mats, bedsheets, and even lamps for night-time delivery. This is the Sokoto he left behind—a state stripped of dignity, running on autopilot.

    In contrast, Ahmad Aliyu has hit the ground running. From roads to rural healthcare to housing and education, signs of renewal are everywhere. Interestingly, Tambuwal was seen recently blaring sirens and enjoying the new roads constructed by his successor without shame. Teachers who went unpaid under Tambuwal have begun receiving their salaries. Pensioners, long forgotten, are slowly being remembered. You see, leadership is not about occupying a seat—it’s about service, sacrifice, and measurable progress. These are areas where Tambuwal failed spectacularly.

    Tambuwal’s defenders often retreat to his “national stature”—his role as a power broker, a seasoned politician, a party strategist. But Sokoto did not elect a party strategist; Sokoto elected a governor. One whose job was to fix roads, provide water, pay salaries, build schools, and secure lives. On these fronts, he failed. No rhetorical flourish or X (Twitter) campaign can cleanse that legacy.

    Why then is Tambuwal struggling to let Governor Aliyu succeed? Could it be envy? Political insecurity? Perhaps he fears the success of his successor may highlight the gaping inadequacies of his own time in office. But this is not just unhealthy, it’s unbecoming. It reeks of the worst kind of political desperation.

    And now, he appears to be unleashing attack dogs to do what he no longer has the political capital to do directly. To those in his inner circle, I say this: advise your man to hold his peace. This politics of sabotage, bitterness, and manufactured outrage has lost its sting. The train of that backward politics has left the station, never to return. Tambuwal can either come to terms with that or risk being left behind on the platform of political irrelevance—his greatest fear yet.

    Governor Ahmad Aliyu has inherited a broken state, but he is not whining. He is working. The people of Sokoto can feel the difference, see the change, and measure the progress. Let the records speak, not the revisionists. Nigeria may be suffering from selective amnesia, but Sokoto remembers.

    And history, no matter how inconvenient, never forgets. Indeed, the people of Sokoto never forget. They’ll carry their knowledge of today into 2027 to defend their right to good governance; to defend their governor notwithstanding what any gathering of vultures would throw at them.

    •Sani writes from Sokoto.

  • Unpacking federal government’s LEEP strategy

    Unpacking federal government’s LEEP strategy

    By Jasper Uche

    For several days, electronic bill-boards in strategic locations in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital ran promotional advertisements for the official launch of Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP), an initiative of the Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Hon. Nkeiruka Onyejeocha. The whole package, we were made to understand, is in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for job creation and curbing of extreme poverty. The espoused mission is “to create 2.5 million jobs through innovative employment, skills development, and entrepreneurship initiatives.”

    Indeed, the pathogens of joblessness in emerging and developing democracies are palpable. The corollary effect is that the youth not in employment, education or training (NEET) as an acronym, has emerged as an all-encompassing categorization of persons who are either not in school or have no jobs. To that end, conversations are elevated in global platforms around the young people who are neither working nor enrolled in formal education for skills acquisition through vocational training. The engagements have been backed by statistics which indicate that “one in five young people or 20.4 percent globally, were NEET in 2023.” More worrisome is that “two in three of these NEETs are female.” Hence, by evidence-based projection of exponential growth of the working-age population, the figures must have increased in 2025.

    And in trying to problematize the challenge of lack of access to jobs, the Director General of International Labour Organization (ILO), Gilbert F. Houngbo, pointedly noted that: “None of us can look forward to a stable future when millions of young people around the world do not have decent work and as a result, are feeling insecure and unable to build a better life for themselves and their families. Peaceful societies rely on three core ingredients: stability, inclusion, and social justice; and decent work for the youth is at the heart of all three.”

    Nigeria has been battling the scourge of mass unemployment for years. It bothered Clare Aririahu who in September 2024 tried to locate and analyse the reasons why most Nigerian graduates are either unemployed or unemployable. The findings revealed lack of employability skills; no emphasis on entrepreneurship in the school curriculum; the quality of received training is not in sync with the labour market demands; the students’ apathetic disposition to learning; the little knowledge acquired is bereft of necessary skills; the job experience requirement for freshers by prospective employers; and corruption by political leadership, underpin unemployment crisis in the country.

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    These issues bred the gap that LEEP intends to fill. And to my mind, Onyejeocha’s rudimentary training as a social worker and having served as Commissioner for Resource Management & Manpower Development in Abia State as far back as 2002, prepared her for this national rescue mission. The strategic objectives of LEEP include,  inter alia,  provision of world-class digital and vocational training to raise employability status beyond the country; facilitation of internship placements; acting as a clearing house for job matching between job seekers and employers in need of cognate experience or core competence; warehousing of tech-savvy and upskilled talents and global connectedness for freelancers and those who possess the capacity to compete globally; and coordination of “Nigerian labour migration by creating pathways for Nigerians to find jobs in other countries.”

    In specific terms, the six critical pillars of LEEP are: (a)  Digital Nomads which focuses on exposing the young people to the in-demand digital skills for global labour market relevance; (b) LEEP Digital Academy, an innovative online platform for upskilling the young people in the future-ready digital skills; (c) the National Electronic Labour Exchange (NELEX), “a central hub for employment recruitment and management, connecting the job seekers with employers across various sectors”; (d) Vocational and Entrepreneurship Programme (VEP) for equipping young entrepreneurs and those in self-employment; (e) LEEP Job Fairs intended to bring job seekers  face-to-face with employers in both public and private sectors; and (f) the Centre for Learning Spaces would transform the existing skill acquisition enters across the country into modern hubs of relevant and sought-after skills.

    The outpouring of goodwill at the launch of LEEP sends a robust signal that it could be a game-changer. The country representative of ILO pledged her organization’s support and capped her glowing speech about Nigeria with the cliché, “Naija no dey carry last.” The NLC president, Joe Ajaero’s speech electrified the capacity filled hall while harping on the willingness of Labour Centre to collaborate with the Ministry of Labour & Employment for proper implementation, as according to him, the problem of Nigeria had not been policy formulation but poor finishing.

    In stressing the importance of harvesting credible data for the success of LEEP, Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State suggested the formation of a national committee to link up with subnational entities for effective implementation and reach to the targeted persons at the grassroots. On her part, the minister harped on the necessity of collaboration with the development partners and said, “Let us work together, not in silos.” Vice President Kashim Shettima who flagged off the programme on behalf of President Tinubu noted that LEEP speaks directly to the national priority of the federal government and expressed hope that modern hubs would unlock potentials.

    No doubt, LEEP has elicited hopes and cynicism alike. The country has not been starved of brilliant policies in the past. Thus, people are watching with cautious optimism. Already, some people have written it off as another public relations stunt for electoral gains. But those in charge have a historic responsibility to prove the naysayers wrong. The pitfalls of the past should be avoided. Realistically, not everybody would benefit from LEEP but the impact from the beneficiaries will show. For instance, You-Win policy of the then federal government did not reach everybody, but the impact was felt. 

    Let me end with a Facebook post of a world-class professor of political science, Okwudiba Nnoli, which reads thus: “It is JOBS, JOBS, JOBS. An apian way leading to a factory is better than a four-lane expressway for comfort. Nigerians, please tell your politicians.”

  • Makemation: A Movie’s Bold Journey into the World of Technology

    Makemation: A Movie’s Bold Journey into the World of Technology

    By Ese Gift Orakpoghenor

    As the Lent season ended and Easter unfolded, Nigeria and the rest of Africa awoke to the birth of an excellent piece of cinematography, one that seamlessly blends art with technology. Makemation, Africa’s first feature film centered on artificial intelligence (AI), directed by Nigerian social entrepreneur and technology education expert, Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, hit the cinemas during the Easter period.

    The release of Makemation marks not just a movie debut, but an unprecedented leap in cinema and cultural narrative. This is more than entertainment—it is a powerful and necessary cultural moment. Unlike any Nollywood movie before it, the movie tells the story of technology and innovation, ambition and bias, and the courageous pursuit of innovation in the face of societal adversity.

    At its heart, Makemation follows the journey of a young Nigerian girl who dares to dream beyond the boundaries set by her circumstances. Born into a family where education is seen as a male privilege, she discovers a deep passion for technology and a vision of a better future. Against all odds, she applies for a prestigious tech scholarship—one that is traditionally reserved for students from affluent, elite backgrounds. She then ventures into technology, pursuing an unlikely path.

    However, the narrative goes beyond the main character’s personal journey—it speaks to Africa’s collective ambition to embrace AI as a force for empowerment. Her story mirrors the reality of countless young Africans, particularly Nigerians, whose potential are stifled not by their abilities but by societal expectations and systemic barriers.

    With the debates about how the future of traditional careers is increasingly being shaped by technology, it is no longer news that we are now in the time when artificial intelligence is no longer science fiction. Makemation underscores that it is, in fact, our current reality.

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    Traditional career paths are evolving, and industries are being transformed by AI’s capabilities. From healthcare and education to agriculture and finance, the integration of AI is no longer optional—it is essential for survival and competitiveness in the 21st century. Medicine, for instance, is already undergoing an explosive shift with the invention of AI-powered imaging, predictive analytics, and personalized treatments. However, for doctors to remain central, they must embrace these tools and understand their implications. The future physician is not just a “disease manager” or caregiver, but a data interpreter, a tech collaborator, and systems thinker. The same applies to law and other fields. 

    Without preaching, Makemation encourages this reflection, through the lens of a student building an AI tool, not to compete with expertise, but to empower herself, and others. The film paints a picture of harmony between human expertise and machine efficiency. Yet, as access to quality education, training, and funding remains lopsided toward a privileged few, there is a real risk that the future will be engineered by a narrow demographic. The movie boldly challenges this narrative, emphasizing that talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Thus, the movie raises a critical and an urgent question: As AI reshapes industries and redefines what is possible, what does the future hold for the common man? This is not just an illusion, but the story of many. More importantly, it is the story of where we all stand as a society in the explosion of AI advancement.

    What makes Makemation special is how it frames AI, not as a cold, robotic threat, but a human story with its emphasis on perseverance and innovation in the face of adversity. The protagonist in the movie brings her lived experience into her project, and that makes all the difference. Her ingenuity is a reminder that innovation often springs from necessity and that individuals, regardless of their backgrounds, can drive meaningful change.

    This message is particularly relevant for young Africans, who represent the continent’s greatest asset and its hope for the future. In a fast-moving world, time is most vital. Young people must seize opportunities, embrace learning, and harness the power of AI to shape their destinies and those of their communities. By integrating AI into traditional fields, Africa can bridge the gap between its rich heritage and a technology-driven future. Makemation serves as a rallying cry, urging Africa’s youth to rise to the occasion and take charge of their futures.

    Furthermore, Makemation challenges pervasive myths about AI. It debunks the notion that AI is a momentary trend, emphasizing instead that it is a transformative force here to stay. Although AI systems are often criticized for reinforcing bias, the movie reminds us that society itself runs on unspoken algorithms—gender roles, financial inequality, and educational gatekeeping. These human biases shape who gets access to opportunities long before a machine makes a decision.

    AI learns from data. And data is often riddled with historical and present-day biases. If teams building AI tools are not diverse—racially, economically, and gender-wise—then the systems they build will reflect and reinforce the same old patterns of exclusion. While caution is necessary to navigate ethical and social implications, outright rejection of AI is not an option. Africa must be proactive in leveraging this technology to address its unique challenges and unlock its full potential. We must expand access to AI education and careers—particularly for girls, underrepresented communities, and those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Not just because it is the right thing to do, but because our collective future depends on the diversity of minds shaping it.

    As cinema goers et al settle into their seats to witness this historic moment, much more than the entertainment value they will get, they will be drawn into a narrative that challenges perspectives, inspires ambition, and redefines Africa’s place in the global tech narrative. It’s an inspiring account that points out our modern technological anxieties and hopes. For Nigeria, the premiere is more than a cinematic event—it is a clarion call for innovation, progress, and resilience.

    If you are a student passionate about breaking limits, a professional wondering how to stay relevant in an ever-changing world, or simply someone curious about what AI means for the current and even next generation, this film is your mirror and roadmap. The brilliance of Makemation is not in its special effects alone, or even its plot twists, but in its truth. A truth we need to reckon with—that the future belongs, not just to those who can afford it, but to those who dare to fight for it.

    In a time where AI is moving faster than regulation, education systems, and sometimes societal comprehension, we need stories like Makemation to awaken us and reconnect us to our present-day reality. It’s a film, a warning and a hope. And more than anything, it’s a call to all of us to ensure that the age of AI is not only smart but just, inclusive, and deeply human.

  • How philanthropy can drive social change, empower Africa’s youth for better future

    How philanthropy can drive social change, empower Africa’s youth for better future

    By Zouera Youssoufou

    By 2030, young Africans will make up 42% of the world’s youth population. That’s not just statistics, it’s the future of our continent. Every year, over 10 million young people enter the workforce, but only a fraction secure formal employment. Without meaningful, holistic investments in education, entrepreneurship, and economic empowerment, millions risk being left behind.

    Philanthropy has a vital role in changing this trajectory. More than just providing funding, it can create lasting systems that equip young people with the tools to build their own futures. When done right, philanthropy doesn’t just fill gaps, it builds bridges. It empowers young Africans to become leaders, innovators, and change makers in their communities.

    Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to drive positive transformation. But it must be accessible, relevant, and future-facing – and it must go beyond the traditional classroom. At Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN), where I serve on the Governing Board, we have seen firsthand what happens when young people are equipped not just with knowledge, but with confidence, practical skills, and leadership opportunities.

    One powerful example regarded highly by Aliko Dangote Foundation is the Venture in Management Program (ViMP) run by Junior Achievement Nigeria. Designed as a mini-MBA for young graduates, ViMP delivers real-world business insights, leadership training, and exposure at the highest levels. It’s an investment not just in knowledge but in mindset.

    And it works.

    Ruby Igwe, a ViMP alumna, now leads as Country General Manager at ALX Nigeria, where she’s building Africa’s next generation of digital talent and reimagining access to tech education. Vincent Egbe, also a ViMP alumnus, is the Managing Director of GB Foods Nigeria, the powerhouse behind beloved household brands like Gino, Bama, Jumbo, and Jago. These leaders and many others like them are walking proof that when we invest in leadership early, the returns ripple across industries, families, and entire economies. These are not outliers. They are indicators of what’s possible when we make the long-term, intentional choice to back young talent, not just with hope, but with structure.

    This is the kind of transformation philanthropy can enable. At Aliko Dangote Foundation, we don’t just look at immediate needs; we think about legacy. How do we plant seeds today that become forests tomorrow? That’s why our commitment to ViMP, a strategic youth development program, continues. We have seen the results, and we believe in scaling it further.

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    Yet, the task ahead is too vast for any single organization or sector. Africa’s youth population is the largest and fastest growing in the world. If we are to truly harness it as a demographic dividend, we must move beyond isolated efforts. We need a collective movement of foundations, companies, and institutions willing to do more than donate but also willing to innovate, partner, co-create, and scale.

    ViMP is a model that works, and the real opportunity lies in what happens when more organizations get involved. It is time businesses see leadership development not as charity but as a core strategy for futureproofng their industries and markets. The CSR narrative must evolve from episodic acts of giving to sustained investment in Africa’s talent pipeline. Businesses should co-invest in youth programmes that are measurable, scalable, and rooted in Africa’s unique context and realities.

    If you’re a business leader, consider how your organization can host ViMP fellows, provide mentorship, or support the program’s expansion to more young Nigerian graduates. If you’re part of a foundation or institution, consider how your financial, intellectual, or infrastructural resources can help scale these models to reach more communities, especially those that have historically been overlooked.

    Africa’s future isn’t a distant dream, it is an active project. And that project is already underway. If we want to shape a continent that is competitive, innovative, and inclusive, we must equip the people who will build it. Not someday. Not eventually. But now.

    The question is not whether we should act; it is how boldly we are willing to step forward.

    So let’s move beyond potential and into power. Let’s fuel the transition from promise to performance. Let’s meet the ambition of Africa’s youth with action that matches it.

    Because when they thrive, Africa rises and the rest of the world with it.

    – Zouera Youssoufou is the Managing Director & CEO, Aliko Dangote Foundation.

    About JAN

    Junior Achievement Nigeria (JAN) is a leading non-proft organisation dedicated to empowering young people with skills and resources that will help them succeed in a rapidly evolving global economy. Through its dynamic programmes in fnancial literacy, entrepreneurship, work readiness, and digital literacy, JAN has impacted over 1 million students across Nigeria. By fostering creativity, innovation, and fnancial literacy, JAN is preparing the next generation of Nigerian leaders to drive economic change.

    Additional information may be found at www.ja-nigeria.org.

    Media Contact: Tobiloba Olaosun – tobiloba.olaosun@ja-nigeria.org, +2348068110942

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    Email: info@ja-nigeria.org

  • CNG a game changer, but…

    CNG a game changer, but…

    • By Tayo Ogunbiyi

    One of the major policy pronouncements of President Bola Tinubu upon his inauguration was the termination of the controversial fuel subsidy regime. I can still vividly recollect how Mr. President looked into the excited crowd at the Eagle Square and screamed, “Fuel subsidy is gone!”

    If the crowd did not fully understand the import of the weighty pronouncement, they surely did by the following morning, as the fuel pump price astronomically moved from around N180 to over N1200. Suddenly, the street became cold and quiet. This was no joke; the street simply stopped smiling from the resultant inflation.

    To say that yours sincerely also felt the heat would be an understatement. Before the cancellation of the fuel subsidy regime, I was hardly spending close to N40,000 on fuel for my car each month. However, with the removal of fuel subsidy, I have been spending close to N300,000 per month on fuel.

    It got so bad that I became nervous each time I gazed at the fuel gauge and discovered I needed to urgently refuel. By now, some Nigerians actually abandoned their cars, opting for commercial vehicles. The road had become lighter with limited vehicles moving around.

    It was a time that truly tested the much-talked-about resilience of Nigerians. Considering the impolite, lousy, and uncouth nature of the typical Lagos driver and bus conductor, for me, going through commercial buses was never an alluring option.

    So, I opted to carry my cross and sulk in silence. Meanwhile, the high cost of fuel was driving me crazy. Still, I chose to go by the hard way, which, as James Hardly Chase says, is the only way.

    But then, I was soon to discover that the hard way, in this regard, was not the only way!

    On a fateful day, I received a call from a good friend of mine who lives in an highbrow part of the metropolis. After exchanging pleasantries, I teased him about the fuel situation.

    “I am sure you guys with fat pay care less about the high cost of fuel. As they say, man pass man”, I said mischievously.

    “Who says?” he asked.

    “For your information, I have not taken my SUV out for about one year now. Fuelling it costs a fortune. So, what I do is to make use of my Corolla car. Comparatively, it’s cheaper to fuel that”, he said.

    Then, all of a sudden, he changed the gear of the conversation.

    “Well, I have since moved on”, he said.

    “How do you mean?” I asked rather curiously.

    “I have converted my SUV to CNG. I cannot come and die”, he replied.

    My friend went on to lecture me on CNG and the process involved in conversion. By the standard of average Nigerian, he spent quite a fortune to make his SUV CNG compliant.

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    That, in his words, was a saving grace. Ever since, he said he has stopped wasting so much on fuelling.

    He said, “That’s the way to go now, my brother. Do not listen to the lies on social media. It’s safe, convenient, and cost-effective to use CNG. I have been using it for about a year now, and I can tell you that I have no regrets”.

    Encouraged by my friend’s sincere analysis and advice, I decided to have a go at the CNG experience. With his guidance, I was able to convert my car at a lesser cost because of its limited engine capacity.

    That was in November 2024.

    Making that decision turned a lifesaver. Indeed, that was probably the wisest financial decision that I made in 2014. From spending close to N300,000 a month on fuel, my expenses dropped dramatically to a little below N30,000 monthly. Yes, you heard me right!

    It was like magic! It was too good to be true. The first time I visited the gas station to fill my tank, and I saw the cost on the meter, I couldn’t believe my eyes.

    “What did you say, sir?” I asked the attendant.

    “Your money is N2,800, sir”, he repeated.

    I cleared my eyes, looked at the meter, made the payment, and quickly zoomed off before he changed his mind.

    That was how I was liberated from the shackles of the high cost of fuel.

    I have been driving my CNG-powered car since November 2024, and I can confidently attest to the fact that it is a better option, especially for middle-income earners.

    I had travelled from Lagos to Osogbo, in Osun State, spending less than N5000 on gas. I had travelled from Lagos to Ibadan in Oyo State, spending a mere N3800 on gas. I had travelled from Lagos to Abeokuta, spending less than N3000 on gas. For the average car user, the CNG is nothing but an economic liberator.

    However, in the typical Naija fashion, these days, it is increasingly becoming tough and arduous to get one’s car filled up. Many Nigerians, especially operatives of Danfo, Marwa, and Korope, have also become compliant.

    Only God knows how!

    But the truth is that a lot of the commercial bus operators now use CNG. As a result of this, getting one’s car filled up with CNG is now like passing through the proverbial eye of the needle. It is increasingly strenuous, stressful, and irritating. These days, one spends close to two hours waiting to get a refill. It’s as bad as that. If not for its immense economic benefits, it’s almost becoming a frustrating experience.

    One finds it rather incredible that in the whole of Lagos, there are not up to eight functional CNG stations. I stand to be corrected! In the whole of Oyo and Osun states, as I write this piece, the functional CNG stations are not up to three. With the high rate at which many are converting to CNG, it is quite clear that the number of CNG stations across the country needs to be increased urgently and rapidly.

    The promoters of CNG did a lot to convince the people to make the shift, so they need to do more to retain them. The government and all stakeholders need to do more to fully entrench the CNG culture into our transport system. It is good to have options, and it is a better option!

    Considering the soothing relief that it brings to the people, especially car users, the only way the government could show that it cares about the welfare of the people is to encourage more investment in the whole CNG system. 

    •Ogunbiyi is Director, Features, Ministry of Information & Strategy, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

  • Tunde Bakare: Letter from the Valley of Restraint

    Tunde Bakare: Letter from the Valley of Restraint

    • By Anietie John Ukpe

    My dear Pastor Tunde Bakare,

    It is with a heavy, yet hopeful heart that I respond to your recent public address, in which you offered spirited—albeit surprising—support for Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan and Dr. Obiageli Ezekwesili’s confrontation with the Nigerian Senate. I write not as an adversary of conscience, but as a fellow pastor and sojourner in the quest for truth. I do not write to tear down, but to build clarity where emotion has cast shadows and sentiment has clouded judgment.

    You are—and remain—a man of considerable spiritual and intellectual stature in our land. Like many, I have been stirred by your voice in seasons past, when courage and conviction met in your pulpit. But I must confess that my heart sank—not in anger, but in sorrow—when I heard that same voice not summon us to a higher ground of wisdom and justice (as we are used to), but join the multitude in the clamour of populist performance and convenient outrage.

    Perhaps you were misled into standing in defence of disorder and, thereby, named it courage. This position upheld a defiance of parliamentary rules and cloaked it in the garments of moral protest. But, Pastor, can we truly build a righteous nation upon the ashes of anarchy?

    The senator in question, by all available accounts, did not act within the parameters of established order. She refused to take her assigned seat—a fundamental rule of parliamentary decorum observed across the world—and insisted on speaking from a position that violated the rules of the senate. While defiance may draw applause in the theatre of media spectacle, it does not pass the test of democratic discipline. Even the prophets of old, though filled with holy fire, did not desecrate the sanctuaries in which they spoke.

    Permit me to offer a simple analogy. If your choir leader were to sit in your associate pastor’s seat during a service, would you praise him for bravery? And if you instructed him to return to his designated seat, would that amount to silencing him? Surely not. We, who have taught order in God’s house, must recognize the peril in celebrating disorder in the nation’s highest chamber of law-making.

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    We are told in Scripture to “let all things be done decently and in order”—and the senate, with its flaws, is not exempt from this divine injunction. You, Pastor Bakare, who have eloquently and inspiringly taught order in the house of God, surely understand the risk of having chaos in the house of law.

    As for Dr. Ezekwesili—her credentials are not in question, nor is her global standing. But righteousness is not measured by résumé, and respect is not earned by prestige. In any chamber of deliberation, humility is the passport—not history. When she shouted “shut up” at a senator who had the floor and called him a “hooligan,” she did not speak with the voice of principle, but with the tone of provocation. She sowed insult and, unfortunately, reaped resistance, for Scripture teaches us that what a person sows, they shall also reap.

    Dear Pastor, you cited Proverbs—and rightly so. But let us not quote selectively. Proverbs 26:5, which urges us to answer a fool lest he be wise in his own eyes, must be held in tension with verse 4, which warns us not to descend into folly by responding in kind. Senator Peter Nwaebonyi applied the former. To cast him as the aggressor and Ezekwesili as the victim does not fit with what happened.

    Pastor, it is important to clarify what you may have overlooked. Senator Natasha, in her pre-hearing media rounds, publicly claimed that she could raise Order Ten from anywhere on the senate floor—a statement that reveals either crass ignorance or disregard for the rules that govern legislative proceedings. That such a fundamental misunderstanding could be hailed as courage by Nigerians is troubling. The rule is simple and clear: a senator must raise any order, including Order Ten, from their assigned seat. Order is not optional; it is essential.

    Her confusion did not end there. Her initial sexual harassment petition was submitted with her signature (whereas a senator should not sign any petition according to their rules) and bore no address—an omission that rendered it procedurally invalid. That was not the fault of the senate. And when she corrected the errors and resubmitted the petition, it was accepted and referred to the appropriate committee. Due process was not denied; it was followed. And yet, the narrative woven in public has been one of persecution rather than procedure.

    Pastor, you also described the National Assembly as “captured” and “spineless” because it is not perpetually at war with the executive. But I ask: is strength only proven through strife? Is independence measured by defiance? The current senate refused to confirm several ministerial nominees—an unprecedented act in our democratic history. They have not bowed; they have not broken. Their resistance is not theatrical—it is thoughtful. It is not sensational—it is substantive.

    I note your repeated forays into presidential politics. That in itself is not wrong; as a matter of fact it is commendable. I would gladly have voted for you then. But if the call of politics now weighs more heavily than the call of the pulpit, then I say this with all due respect: contest for the Senate. Enter the arena you now critique. Bring your voice, your values, and your vision into the chamber. Let your convictions be tested by rules. But guess what, even you must submit to its order once inside. The theatre of politics is different from the sanctuary—it demands not only conviction, but coordination; not only courage, but compromise; not only protest, but process.

    In defending Senator Natasha and Ezekwesili, you inadvertently implied that outrage should override order. This I attribute to the information at your disposal and I do not hold it against you. But I, like Dr. King, must remind us all that constructive tension must be tethered to moral discipline. And in a democracy, that discipline is the rule of law. To subvert it in the name of righteousness is to mock the very justice we seek.

    When we reduce the Church to a stage for political indignation, we rob it of its sacred identity as a house of prayer for all nations. When criticism becomes necessary—as it often does—we must be just in its application: blame where blame is due, and praise where it is deserved. Let the Sanctuary not become a refuge for what the Scriptures rebuke. Let it not dignify confusion with holiness, nor dress pride in priestly robes. Let it not give sanctuary to disorder, nor lend its voice to the music of insult. What God condemns, let not the altar commend.

    I do not write this to silence you, sir. I write because I still believe in the nobility of your calling. I still have great respect for your ministry. But those who come to you crying for justice must themselves be just. Those who demand truth must themselves be truthful. And those who lead must model the order they expect others to obey.

    May our disagreements remain civil. May our discourse be seasoned with grace. And may our democracy grow stronger through shared discipline and mutual respect. May you increase in grace in your ministry.

    •Ukpe, PhD is a journalist and pastor.

  • Ribadu: A break from the past

    Ribadu: A break from the past

    By Jack Okude

    The incumbent National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, is a busy man. It’s the demand of his office, especially at these times. Ribadu has a pedigree; a brilliant, fearless police officer. He was the first chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He came highly recommended and President Olusegun Obasanjo wasted no time in appointing him at that time. And my word, he fared well. Investigating and convicting high profile Nigerians who soiled their fingers in the broth of sleaze.

    Ribadu won the hearts of many Nigerians with the manner he courageously reined in the untouchables, some of whom were either jailed or made to return money stolen from both public and private tills. He gave anti-corruption war a bite and a bounce. His hand was further strengthened by Obasanjo who openly supported him. Under him, the creed was “the fear of EFCC is the beginning of wisdom.” Ribadu was ruthless against the looters. And Nigerians loved him to no end. His success at his duty post as anti-corruption czar also won him enemies. Envy from certain quarters foreshadowed his every action. Threat to his life became a routine. But he was unfazed. He left behind undeniable imprints of integrity and raw boldness at the EFCC.

    Fast forward to 2023. Ribadu was appointed National Security Adviser, NSA, by President Bola Tinubu. An appointment at a time Nigeria was deep into an internal war against insurgents. For over a decade, Nigeria has been globally branded a terrorist nation. It doesn’t matter our sentiments at home. Overseas, the world sees Nigeria through the eyes of terror. Terrorism and its financing have come to define Nigeria and global media, and to some extent local media, has played into the hands of the terrorists by promoting their heinous acts against the nation.

    Let’s be clear. The Office of the NSA (ONSA) is administrative; basically, to coordinate security activities among the various security agencies and brief the president on matters of security. Nigeria copied the ONSA concept from the United States APNSA (Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs) which is more popularly referred to as the National Security Advisor (NSA). Created in the US in 1953 during the Cold War era under the National Security Act of 1947, its duties include coordinating defence, foreign affairs, international economic policy, and intelligence.

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    The NSA reports directly to the US President and it’s the duty of the NSA to brief the president on security situations regularly, especially in periods of emergencies and war. Within the United States security structure, the NSA is regarded as the person who has the ears of the president at all times, at the shortest notices. It’s regarded historically as the mother security office that paved way for the creation of the Department of Defence (DoD) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The NSA chairs security meetings in the absence of the president. That’s how critical the office is.

    Largely advisory, the NSA sits atop all the security agencies, monitoring operational efficiencies and strategies. He holds regular meetings with the heads of security agencies and he’s the first and last person to talk with the US president on matters of security. Very critical office.

    In Nigeria, the architecture is in many ways the same. The NSA has (or should have) the ears of the president at all times. Anything outside that is an aberration. So far, Ribadu has enjoyed the good ears and confidence of President Tinubu. This has shored up the performance of the NSA especially in the core area of helping to forge effective synergies among the security agencies. Despite the recent attacks in Benue and Plateau and isolated cases of kidnapping in Delta and Edo states, there has been a significant shift in the manner the terrorists attack persons and institutions across the country. This stems largely from the degradation of the ranks of the terrorists by the stealth neutralisation of their leaderships in various cells by the Nigerian security apparatchik.

    This improved synergy has resulted in improved security nationwide compared to the situation in the pre-Ribadu era. The heads of the various security agencies have themselves attested to this improvement in synergy which has boosted intelligence gathering and sharing leading to a drastic decimation of the leaderships of the insurgents. Under Ribadu, no fewer than 14 terrorists’ leaders have been neutralized. They include the notorious Kachalla Ali Kawaje, Kachalla Halilu Sububu, Kachalla Damina, Kachalla Dangote, Kachalla Jafaru,  Kachalla Barume,  Kachalla Shehu,  Kachalla Yellow Mai Buhu, Yellow Sirajo, Kachalla Dan Muhammadu, Kachalla Makasko, Yellow Hassan, Kachalla Dan Ba Birki, Auta Dan Mai Jan Kai and the dangerous duo of Tsoho and Boderi.

    The decimation of terror leaders has whittled down their hitherto brazen audacity to attack city centres and security units and formations. They have restricted their operations to soft targets in rural areas. But even that is only a matter of time. They will soon be pushed out of the country.

    Lest we forget, before Ribadu, Nigeria has had cases of terrorists attacking the presidential advance convoy of security personnel (Presidential Guard). A presidential convoy is a combined team of military, police, DSS and allied security personnel. Such was the profile of the convoy ambushed by terrorists in July 2021 on its way to Daura, President Muhammadu Buhari’s homestead. That was an attack on the president, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The terrorists succeeded in injuring at least two security personnel in a blitzkrieg of gunfire.

    That same Tuesday night, terrorists, armed to the hilt, invaded Kuje prison in the FCT, a supposedly well-manned prison. They burnt vehicles, detonated explosives, and released in one fell swoop over 600 inmates, including over 60 Boko Haram members. How about the orchestrated bombing of trains in Edo State and along Kaduna-Abuja highway? Or the daring attacks on military formations by the insurgents in Kaduna and parts of the Northeast? It has been a litany of losses by Nigeria to the terrorists. But all that is abating these days. Prognosis: There’s more work to be done, but there’s hope.

    Aside taming the bogey of terror, the manner top security chiefs including the NSA himself has responded and made physical appearances at scenes of terror attacks in recent times only attests to the responsiveness and collaboration among the agencies.

    Next level, Ribadu should create a mechanism for internal vigilance among the security agencies to fish out moles and saboteurs whose evil brief is to frustrate the efforts of the good ones. Such moles should be checked out of the system as quickly as possible. From the way these insurgents ambush Nigerian troops, it’s all too obvious that they have embedded themselves in the midst of the troops from where they leak intelligence to their fellow terror merchants fighting against the nation.

    The Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Tosin Ajayi, recently, at a security summit, alluded to the improvement in the synergy among security agencies. This is a credit to Ribadu who has since his appointment firmly kept his foot on the throttle. He should maintain the momentum and the ascendancy as he continues to forge intelligence-driven synergies within the nation’s security ecosystem.

    •Okude, public policy analyst, writes from Jalingo, Taraba State.

  • Still on Humphrey Nwosu and June 12

    Still on Humphrey Nwosu and June 12

    By Mike Kebonkwu

    June 12 is coming, like Easter Monday after Good Friday.  June 12 has been officially recognized and endorsed as Democracy Day.  The Senate 10th shot down the bill introduced by the ranking Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe to immortalize Professor Humphrey Nwosu by refusing and rejecting to name the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters after him for his role in the June 12, 1993 presidential election.  As we say in Agbor, badge of honour is only given by someone with a good sense of judgment.  The honour of garland of immortality for late Nwosu is not tied to the senate’s votes.   The immortality of Nwosu is inextricably tied or linked to the June 12, 1993 presidential election.  Professor Nwosu stands or falls according to the judgment of the people on June 12 election.

    Professor Nwosu was the chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) as it was then known.  The June 12, 1993 election which was adjudged as the freest and fairest in our political transition was annulled by the General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida-led military junta.  In rejecting the bill at the senate plenary, there was almost a consensus that the political science professor did not show courage when it mattered to declare the final result of the election. June 12, 1993 election was a watershed and unique in every material particular. The Social Democratic Party (SDP) Muslim-Muslim ticket of Chief MKO Abiola and Babagana Kingibe won the election. There was no fear or apprehension of religious tyranny or oppression; neither was religion made even a campaign issue as it has become weaponized today. A sign that the country is drifting apart and not united in spite of the pretentions of our political elite.

    We should not forget so soon also that the Babangida’s transition programme became interminable as a result of schism and self-successor plots and gambits until he drove himself into a cul-de-sac. Nigerians were determined to return to democracy and send the military back to the barracks through consistent campaigns and advocacy driven by patriots and Nigerian masses mobilized under civil society organizations. Professor Nwosu midwifed a free, fair and credible election whose final declaration was scuttled at gun point.  Voters’ education and mobilization during the election was second to none with Professor Nwosu himself demanding integrity of the process with our street lingo, “no mago mago, no wuru wuru”. 

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    The election came at last and it was truly peaceful; free, fair and credible, contrary to the expectation of even Babangida himself, who could have seized the slightest opportunity to discredit the election and therefore find justification for annulment.  Nobody gave him that chance.  When it became obvious that the SDP’s MKO Abiola was coasting to victory and leading in the ballot, the military regime sponsored some villains to scuttle the process.  Paid political jobbers like Arthur Nzeribe and his Association for Better Nigeria (ABN) with Abimbola Davis whether he existed or not, and charlatans were sponsored to procure black market court orders to stop the process.  Professor Nwosu was adamant, undeterred and went ahead with collation of the results.  He even went a step further to try to secure injunction against any attempt to arrest the conclusion of the results, but the forces against him was like a tsunami.  There is June 12 today because there was someone that gave life and impetus to it; and that person is none other than Professor Humphrey Nwosu.

    Today, we parrot June 12, 1993 election as the freest and fairest in the annals of our political transition only because we had a man at the helms of the electoral body who demonstrated uncommon courage and integrity.   If the 10th Senate did not see the action of Professor Nwosu as a display of exceptional courage in the circumstances, it follows that it is incapable of good judgment of what courage stands for.  I testify that no Nigerian, living or dead could have done any better than what Professor Nwosu did, dealing with the most vicious and capricious military junta in our national history.

    Only the deep calls to the deep, the 10th Senate could not have given what it does not have.  Nobody with impaired sense of judgment can identify a hero to be garlanded and immortalized.   Nations honour their heroes; men and women that have made exceptional impact on the lives of their people and country.  They may be great political thinkers and selfless leaders, scholars, inventors in science, medicine, arts and music; just name it.  Monuments are sometimes erected and historical places named after such people for service to the nation and display of integrity and honour.  Professor Nwosu eminently qualified for immortalization and if we recognized June 12, then the place of Nwosu’s immortality is guaranteed. If we recognised June 12, 1993 presidential election as landmark and watershed in our political history, if we agree and accept it as the freest and fairest, if we agree that MKO Abiola won the election then we should ask ourselves how these all came about without Professor Nwosu.   The election was conducted under one of the most repressive military junta led by Babangida who wanted to succeed himself.  Memory is indeed playing tricks on our political elite as June 12, 1993 election is receding into dimness of history with distortions.  

    The debate on the floor of that hallowed chambers was rather puerile, uncharitable and lacking taste.  One finds Senator Adams Aliyu Oshiomhole take and subsequent campaign on the subject matter on national television very instructive.  Arguably, Oshiomhole is one of the few articulate and eloquent voices in the 10th Senate.  He stands out from the bunch of bench-warmers and backbenchers yes-men of the ‘ayes have it” in the Red Chambers.  To say that Professor Nwosu lacked courage when it mattered is puerile and balderdash!  You may choose to vote not to honour his memory, but Nwosu displayed gut; he didn’t bolt; he did not vote with his legs like many an activist did.  He challenged his employer when he proceeded to court to get injunction to conclude the election.  He counted and collated the votes and ballots which was the only reason Nigeria and the world got to know about the winner even when he was physically manhandled by Babangida’s goons.    

    Not long ago, the political elite rolled out the drums to celebrate none other than the same Babangida, the military Head of State who annulled the election.  The Babangida as the Head of State and Commander-in-Chief cited fear for his personal safety, claiming that his juniors and subordinates in the military threatened to kill him if he handed over to Chief Abiola.  Streets, roads and monuments are named after Babangida and a Presidential Library has been commissioned that has raked in over N17 billion at the launch of his autobiography.  And yet the man who had the gut to take on the establishment of the military-led regime and compiled that same result does not deserve honour, common! 

    At this juncture, we invite Mr President to set the record straight and make history even though the debate appears closed.  He should give this issue more than a passing glance and confer honour to whom honour is due. Let it not be turned into the sentiments of ethnic and tribal debates. That debate in the senate on Professor Humphrey Nwosu lacked taste! To those senators, I leave them with the ever green words of Major General Smedley D. Butler, a US Marine Corps officer and decorated soldier: “They are only fit to see my admiral where no sun shines”. 

    •Kebonkwu Esq, is an Abuja-based attorney.