The Nation Newspaper

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  • China and Nigeria’s opportunity for economic diversification

    China and Nigeria’s opportunity for economic diversification

    By Charles Onunaiju

    Amidst the global trade turmoil and wider economic uncertainty triggered by the U.S administration of President Donald Trump’s cynical tariff war and geo-political manoeuvre exists an opportunity for countries like Nigeria to recalibrate and rebalance their economic structure with a view to diversify both its outlook, orientation and even international partnerships. In fact, what the United States of America itself could not do, to undertake profound structural reforms to realign its economy to more advantageous international competition, is what it is encouraging other nations to do and the message is more apt and instructive for Africa and especially Nigeria to forge closer ties with its foremost trading partner, the People’s Republic of China.

    There has been already an extensive mechanism and process providing considerable impetus for Nigeria to scale up her bilateral trade and economic relations with China, but Washington’s disruptive geo-political manoeuvre disguised as tariff wars has generated an added momentum to engage more productively. China’s irreducible policy of wider and deeper opening up and incrementally qualitative reform process gives guarantee to countries adjusting their economies for greater productivity and output, an international partner with a steady, stable and reliable policy environment that is not easily vitiated by the shifting idiosyncrasies of leadership temperaments as Washington is prone to.

    Having reserved the most incendiary rhetoric of tariff hike against China, it has become more obvious and discernible that the Washington plot to disrupt international trade and wider economic intercourse is to contain and constrain China’s development while surreptitiously lining out countries in the world for the same purpose.

    The structural disequilibrium at the heart of U.S international trade disadvantage cannot be resolved by Washington’s intimidation of the international community but by radical domestic reforms most likely to hurt the U.S oligarchs but will have ramifications for economic recovery and broader and shared prosperity for the American people in general.

    However, amidst what appears like the proverbial breaking of an egg, a sumptuous omelette is appearing on the horizon in the shape and form of new opportunities for China and Africa and particularly Nigeria to up their game in economic and trade cooperation.

    At a recent media briefing, the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria Yu Dunhai said “China and Nigeria are key trade partners, with bilateral trade consistently reaching about $22 billion, among the highest in Africa”. The envoy further state that “following last year’s agreement on Nigeria’s peanut export to China, China remains open to further expanding imports of Nigerian goods signalling broad prospects for future economic cooperation”.

    The prospect of expanding imports of Nigerian commodities into China’s huge market has considerable significance for Nigeria’s economic diversifications, beyond its current structure of mono-cultural economy where a single item accounts for over 90% of the country’s foreign exchange earnings. And the single item in question, crude oil is associated with volatilities in the international market, with the country in no position to guarantee its stable demands and prices.

    The debate for economic diversification as a deliberate strategy to leverage the country’s other resources has been in the mainstream of Nigeria’s economic discourse and the opportunity of China, with consistent offer of concessional access to its huge market responded in practical and tangible manner to the Nigeria’s long standing policy incubation of economic diversification. Since the summit of the Heads of State and government of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2018 in Beijing, China established the permanent mechanism, the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo, has held every two years since then to expose to the Chinese market, Africa’s produce and services and vigorous exchanges at the Expo have so far, shown that the African products have huge potentials in the Chinese market.

    At the 8th Ministerial conference of FOCAC in 2021 held in Senegal via a video link because of the prevalent COVID-19 pandemic then, the Chinese leader, President Xi Jinping offered that with a view to advance trade promotion, “China will open “green lanes” for Africa agricultural exports to China, speed up the inspection and quarantine procedures and further increase the scope of products enjoying zero-tariff treatment for the least developing countries having diplomatic relations with China, in a bid to reach $300 billion in total imports from Africa.”

    While China has remained Nigeria’s source of reliable foreign direct investments, Nigeria has not yet explored in a deliberate and systematic way, China’s large domestic market, which can provide a niche for Nigeria’s non-oil export and consequently accelerate the country’s economic diversification.

    As the Chinese ambassador to Niger noted in his recent media briefing, “China is a reliable partner for Africa – trustworthy, mature and steadfast. China’s development and commitment to high level openness will bring much-needed stability to an increasingly uncertain world”. China has the relevant and reliable policy instrument that ensures an economic space of predictability and certainty on which partners can anchor a credible stream of interaction and cooperation, without fearing somersault and disruptions.

    Nigeria can cultivate a policy to encourage domestic expansion of outputs with an eye on a fairly stable international market outlook, thereby consolidating on the structural reforms of economic diversifications. The current economic challenges in Nigeria consisting of foreign exchange fluctuations can be addressed through achieving stability both in the short and long term by concerted export drive and China has offered some low hanging fruits through concessional access to her huge market of Nigeria’s agricultural products and commodities.

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    While China to a considerable extent provides the external guarantees for Nigeria’s long overdue economic diversification, the government will have to create the enabling environment through relevant policy instrument, to incentivize the target sectors in the drive for domestic diversification of the economy.

    On the trade disruptions and wider turmoil of the global economy instigated by President Trump, China will ride out the storm and emerge not only stronger but with greater credibility and integrity as major country discharging her responsibility for global stability. With an unwavering support of her people, a vast market if 1.4 billion consumers and a comprehensive industrial value chain, China is already primed to absorb disruptive shocks, especially one that is politically motivated. Having contributed around 30% to global economic growth in the past several decades and a 5.4% growth in the first quarter of this year, the highest of any major economy in the world, the country’s economic fundamentals are firmly rooted and not likely to be shaken by a perfunctory trade and tariff drama performed for its mere effects. Already China’s firm pushback at Washington’s tariff outrage has mitigated its excesses and won for many countries targeted, a 90 days’ reprieve to negotiate more favourable terms with Washington.

    China has repeated that her door is open as far as the framework for engagement is devoid of intimidation and bullying. With American industries operating offshore in China and other Asian countries for reasons of lower cost of production, lower taxes and less stringent regulation faces bankruptcy for reasons of potential dry-up of the American market because of the tariff walls Trump is erecting, it is likely that common sense will prevail in the White House enabling a pragmatic outreach to other countries for amicable resolution of what the U.S claimed is her disadvantageous trade with the rest of the world.

    Although that Beijing knows that this will not be the last attempt by Washington to contain and constrain her development trajectory, China will not hesitate to help put out the fire now while crafting the pillars of her strategic resilience for the next Washington’s perennial trouble shopping.

    •Onunaiju, is director of an Abuja-based Think Tank.

  • Defend yourself: The Cliff-hanger theorem

    Defend yourself: The Cliff-hanger theorem

    • By Ray Ekpu

    A few years ago, T.Y. Danjuma, a well-trained and respected military leader in Nigeria had urged people in his state, Taraba, to defend themselves. I suspect that he said so in order to get the authorities to do something drastic to provide security for his people. Since then some other persons have called on their people in the light of the fierce insecurity in various parts of the country to defend themselves. This prescription looks attractive but it is pregnant with problems. The most recent call on Nigerians to rise up and defend themselves came from the Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum (SMBLF). The forum condemned the recent massacre in Benue and Plateau states and told the people that the time for lamentation is over and that it is time for them to rise up and defend themselves and their properties. The statement was jointly signed by Oba Oladipo Olaitan for Afenifere, Dr Bitrus Pogu for Middle Belt Forum, Senator John Azuta-Mbata for Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide and Ambassador Godknows Igali for PANDEF. They blamed the killings on suspected Fulani militia.

    My suspicion is that these eminent persons are fully aware of the danger involved in their prescription but are saying so out of desperation. They are also making this dangerous demand so as to compel the federal and state governments as well as the security agencies to wake up from their slumber and do their duty to the people of Nigeria. The truth is that in the unlikely event that Nigerians are able to get arms and defend themselves in their various communities, there will be what is called the Cliff-hanger theorem. The Cliff-hanger theorem states that each problem solved introduces a new and unsolved problem.

    This particular prescription if implemented or obeyed will obviously come from multiple complications. Let me raise the questions that those who are making this prescription must answer before we all hang AK-47 on our shoulders like the herdsmen we see in several videos.

    Question one: What quality of arms can poor people in our rural areas get to match the sophisticated arms that the terrorists and bandits hold?

    Question two: Who will buy the arms for them?

    Question three: Who will train them on the use of the arms?

    Question four: Who will supply bullets to them on a regular basis so that they will be battle ready all the time?

    Question five: Do they or do they not need licences to carry such sophisticated arms?

    Question six: If they need licences, how will people in the 774 local government areas acquire licences within a short time so that they can tackle insecurity effectively from now onwards?

    Question seven: What is the guarantee that if given these arms, they will not use them for other illegal purposes?

    Question eight: Will these sophisticated arms be withdrawn when peace returns to the communities?

    Question nine: If they are eventually withdrawn, will the terrorists and bandits not return with vengeance to these communities?

    Question 10: If the arms will not be withdrawn, won’t we be creating a lawless country with practically every adult carrying sophisticated arms?

    Question 11: Will the widespread availability of arms not turn Nigeria into a terror state where people will shoot each other for even minor traffic offences?

     I raise these questions because telling people to defend themselves is very attractive but I do not think that is the solution to the problem. The solution is in having people properly employed, trained and equipped to protect Nigerians and their properties as it is done in all the federations in the world. Federations such as United States, Canada, India, Australia, Brazil, Germany etc. have more than one police system. They have police structures in the regions or states and some of them even have local government police systems.

    It is a tragedy that Nigeria, a huge country of more than 240 million people of over 250 ethnic/linguistic groups who live in 774 local governments has chosen for decades to live only with one central police system, that is inadequately funded, poorly trained and poorly motivated. The number of policemen and women falls drastically below the international prescription.

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    Luckily, all the forces that were opposed to the creation of state police have now come to terms with reality and have admitted that no single police force can sufficiently police a huge country like Nigeria. During President Muhammadu Buhari’s tenure, he approved the establishment of regional security outfits in the Southwest called Amotekun and one in the Southeast called Ebubeagu. But the amazing thing is that these regional security outfits were simply established to fulfil all righteousness. They are not allowed to carry sophisticated arms, the type that the criminals carry. So what was the purpose of establishing them?

    For two years now, most interest groups that care about the security of Nigeria have now agreed that the establishment of state police is the answer to our current problems of insecurity. So what is the reason for the delay? The establishment of state police involves four bodies namely: the National Assembly, the president, the state governors and the state Houses of Assembly. If the National Assembly amends the 1999 Constitution and removes policing from the Executive List and lodges it in the Concurrent List, then the states will be in a position to create a police force in each of their states.

     Two issues have been the main objection of those opposed to state police namely: fear of abuse and where the money would come from for maintaining a good and well trained police force. The fear of abuse is real. Even the federal police have been abused from time to time. But the state Houses of Assembly would be advised, while approving state police, to provide some checks and balances to prevent abuse by state governors and other leaders in the states.

     The other problem is money. At present every state governor has security vote which is largely unaccounted for. The creation of state police would be a way of investing the security vote in a way that is accountable and transparent. The state governments can also raise money from the public in their states to support the state police.

    The delay in creating state police is unnecessary. The present high level of insecurity must not be allowed to go on. The National Assembly must act now by amending the appropriate portion of the constitution for the president to assent to without further delay. That is what will check the activities of the terrorists, bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers, herdsmen, cult gangs, pirates, ethnic militants, unknown gunmen and other criminals by whatever name they are known.   

  • Lagos and the need to regulate on-street parking

    Lagos and the need to regulate on-street parking

    By Adebisi Adelabu

    Without a doubt, Lagos remains Nigeria’s most vibrant commercial and industrial hub; a dynamic city where the streets tell the tale of rapid growth and urbanization.  Lagos exudes amazing energy and vibrancy.

    However, one persistent issue that continues to disrupt the flow of life in Lagos is parking. Plagued with already overcrowded streets, indiscriminate parking further complicates the congestion, continually hindering the city’s mobility.

    As one of Africa’s key economic and entertainment hubs, Lagos daily witness a steady rise in population, putting continual pressure on its infrastructure and intensifying traffic on its streets. Among many challenges the city faces, indiscriminate parking stands out as a major concern.

    Over time, the streets of Lagos have become chaotic parking lots, contributing to severe traffic jams, environmental degradation, and economic setbacks.

    It has become evident that without proper regulation, streets can no longer function as makeshift parking spaces. This is where the introduction of regulated on-street parking could make a transformative difference, easing congestion and improving the city’s overall functionality.

    Non-government actors are already profiting from the dysfunctional parking system by offering ‘illegal’ parking spaces, turning what should be major access routes for pedestrians and vehicles into unregulated parking lots. This complicates the problems already caused by heavy urban migration, which is straining existing infrastructure. These unregulated parking activities not only cause inconvenience but also expose the city to needless risks.

    Sadly, some homeowners are adding to the problem by not providing sufficient parking spaces for their tenants, thereby turning roads into makeshift parking areas.

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    It is important to stress that the problem of parking is common to major cities of the world, especially where rapid population growth is overstretching available infrastructure. On-street parking is commonly adopted in these cities, either as a strategy to mitigate parking challenges or as an integral part of development plans to pre-emptively address parking issues caused by rapid urbanization.

    For example, cities such as San Francisco, Seattle, London, Singapore, Tokyo, Barcelona, and Denver, implement dynamic parking pricing and smart technologies to manage demand, optimize space usage, and reduce congestion.

    The cost of congestion in major cities worldwide is estimated to be in trillions of dollars annually, and Lagos is no exception. According to a 2020 report by the Lagos State Ministry of Transportation, traffic congestion in the state costs the economy approximately N1 trillion annually in lost productivity, fuel wastage, and environmental damage. A cursory look at the situation reveals that the unchecked use of public spaces as parking lots and indiscriminate parking contribute significantly to the congestion.

    Indiscriminate street parking, particularly in Lagos – especially on major roads – often leads to double-parking, encroachment on walkways, and obstruction of pedestrian paths. While this may be manageable in some parts of the state, the impact is notably severe in the Central Business Districts (CBDs). In these areas, traffic bottlenecks are frequent, particularly during rush hours, leading to prolonged commute times, missed business opportunities, and wasted fuel.

    The environmental impact is also considerable. Traffic congestion results in increased carbon emissions, as vehicles remain idling in gridlocks – many of which are caused by parking issues. In Lagos, where vehicular emissions are a major contributor to air pollution, it remains an urgent environmental concern. The introduction of regulated on-street parking could help mitigate these issues by reducing congestion and promoting smoother traffic flow.

    So, how can the introduction of regulated On-Street Parking help in mitigating the issue?

    Cities like New York, London, Tokyo, and Singapore have implemented this system to address their respective parking crises. They have shown that regulation leads to improved traffic flow, more organized streets, and a better environment for businesses and residents. Lagos, as a rapidly growing urban centre can draw valuable lessons from these global cities to better manage its own parking challenges.

    Some might argue that introducing regulated on-street parking is simply another ploy by the government to generate revenue. However, this perception overlooks the primary purpose of such regulations, which is to create order where there is currently none. It’s not just about making money; it’s about maximizing urban public spaces to address parking shortages and improving the quality of life for Lagosians.

    An attempt to regulate on-street parking is a bold step toward bringing order to the streets, ensuring that parking is only done in designated spaces. This will allow both pedestrians and vehicles to access the roads without hindrance. Importantly, the scheme will also help curb the excesses of non-state actors who profit from the chaos, such as blocking driveways or leaving vehicles in dangerous positions. Ultimately, it will make the streets safer for everyone.

    This renewed effort by the Lagos state government, through the Lagos State Parking Authority (LASPA), aims to introduce state-of-the-art technology to manage parking on the streets of Lagos and make parking hassle-free through the implementation of the Lagos State Parking Policy. This will ensure that parking is done only on approved roads with proper lane markings, as well as the installation of instructional signages to manage parking more efficiently. This technological upgrade will help monitor and control parking spaces more effectively; leading to a reduction in the chaos that currently plagues our streets.

    Cities like Paris, Berlin, and Hong Kong, where parking spaces are scarce and traffic is heavy have adopted comparable strategies. These cities understand that regulating parking isn’t just about reducing congestion but also improving the overall urban experience.

    Lagos, as a bustling metropolis, faces challenges similar to those of other global cities, particularly in managing limited public space. By adopting a regulated on-street parking system, Lagos can ensure that its infrastructure, at least to some extent, keeps pace with the city’s growth, enhancing the overall liveability and functionality of the city.

    The economic impact of introducing a regulated on-street parking system in Lagos cannot be overemphasized. It will have a significant positive impact on Lagos’ economy. It will reduce the time wasted searching for parking, leading to increased productivity for both individuals and businesses.

    Studies from cities around the world suggest that better parking management directly boosts the local economy by increasing productivity, enhancing the business environment, and improving public spaces. Additionally, businesses will benefit from improved foot traffic as a result of better-managed streets.

    No doubt, the time has come for all stakeholders in Lagos—residents, business owners, investors, and government agencies—to rally behind the regulated on-street parking initiative. Lagos is on the brink of transformation, with the implementation of a regulated on-street parking system playing a pivotal role in shaping its future.

    Let’s seize this opportunity to turn our streets from chaotic parking lots into well-organized spaces that enhance our urban experience, improve our economy, and pave the way for a more sustainable Lagos. With the Lagos State Parking Policy set to revolutionize the way we manage public spaces, we must work together to create a more organized and prosperous Lagos.

    Private investors are urged to partner with the government in building state-of-the-art, multi-level parking facilities. By aligning with global best practices, private investors will contribute to the city’s infrastructure while capitalizing on the growing demand for organized parking spaces.

    •Adelabu is General Manager, Lagos State Parking Authority, Ikeja.

  • CBEX and the rest of us

    CBEX and the rest of us

    By Zayd Ibn Isah

    Curiosity made me ask Google for reliable statistics on the world’s most desperate and gullible citizens, especially in the wake of the controversy surrounding the sudden collapse of a Chinese online investment scheme called CBEX. To my dismay, I couldn’t find a specific answer to my question, as there are currently no statistics on which country has the highest number of desperate and gullible citizens. But if statisticians ever decide to conduct that research, I’m sure Nigerians would make the top ten, because, as we say in pidgin, “we no dey carry last.”

    It is this desperation, fuelled by gullibility that has turned Nigeria into fertile ground for scammers cleverly disguised as investors. I’m sure that when the CBEX perpetrators from China were perfecting their tactics and scouting for a destination to carry out their heist, much like it was done in the Spanish crime drama “La Casa De Papel, created by Álex Pina, Nigeria was selected as the preferred destination due to several factors: our large population, a history of scam-related activities, and the get-rich-quick syndrome that pervades our society.

    To tell you how bad the situation is, there have been over 50 Ponzi schemes that have made away with Nigerians’ money since 2016, beginning with MMM—CBEX being the latest, but certainly not the least, on the list. You might even have heard of, or had an encounter with any of them here: Ultimate Cycler, Twinkas, Loom, Racksterli, YellowTraders, MBA Forex, Chinmark Group, Ovaioza Farm Produce Storage, Helping Hands International, WealthBuddy, BitFinance Global, FINAFRICA, etc. The list goes on and on and on.

    Just like most of the other fraudulent trading and investment platforms before it, CBEX deployed tested tactics to deceive its users. For one, after its emergence in July 2024, it rented an office in Ibadan, Oyo State. This was set up to give the impression that it was a serious company with physical headquarters. Secondly, CBEX also displayed falsified documents to appear legitimate, including supposed U.S. registrations. This creative illusion was taken further when it claimed to be a global platform with links to a government-owned business in China. However, Beijing Equity Exchange, in a statement released in 2024, denied any affiliation with CBEX.

    But most Nigerians did not listen, and many more were not even aware when Beijing Equity Exchange announced that it had no connection with CBEX. All these warnings fell on deaf ears. Instead, people were more attuned to familiar goodwill messages being spread by various CBEX agents: “Invest one hundred thousand naira and get two hundred thousand naira.” And when users logged into the platform, they would be put at ease by fake charts and balances with no real trading being done behind the scenes. Successful referrals also earned bonuses, motivating people to recruit new members in order to earn commissions.

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    Unsurprisingly, the beginning was smooth. This smoothness went according to plan, until CBEX reached its target number of customers. Then its masterminds zoomed off, leaving behind pain, sorrow, and, in some cases, broken homes. Reports indicate that the platform has allegedly absconded with over N1.3 trillion (approximately $850 million USD) from unsuspecting investors, although crypto analysts believe the actual amount deposited was likely a few million dollars.

    There is the story of a woman who didn’t like the car her husband bought for her. She sold it and invested the money in MMM, hoping to double the amount and buy a better one. Unfortunately for her, she never got to buy her dream car from the proceeds of her investment, because, as we say around here, her money “entered voicemail.” Now imagine how the husband would feel.

    I am surprised that none of the victims of the Ponzi scheme has blamed the government for its inability to provide employment opportunities, because even civil servants also fell victim in their desperation to become millionaires overnight. The whole thing has to do with our value system, our desire to become super-rich without lifting a finger from the comfort of our homes, and the propensity to believe and trust easily without deep thought or even simple scrutiny via diligent research, all of which have combined to create a society that rewards shortcuts over substance, illusion over integrity, and fantasy over financial discipline.

    The CBEX saga is just one chapter in Nigeria’s long-running tale of economic deceit. But if there’s anything to learn from it, it’s that financial literacy is no longer optional, it’s a necessity. We must begin to educate ourselves, our families, and our communities on the risks of too-good-to-be-true promises. Wealth that is not built on value creation or hard work is almost always a trap.

    But beyond individual awareness, the government must rise to its duty of protecting citizens. Regulatory agencies must be proactive, not reactive. Laws must be enforced. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done. We cannot keep watching our fellow citizens walk into well-laid traps while we remain silent or indifferent. It is unfortunate that CBEX was never approved by the SEC, which is against Nigerian law, as investment platforms are required to register. And it is even more unfortunate is that most people ignored the enormous red flag of an unapproved investment platform, especially when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission listed CBEX among dozens of suspicious schemes.

    Now that the worst has already happened, the EFCC has announced that it would collaborate with Interpol to track down the masterminds, including those possibly hiding overseas. That is welcome news, although some might see it as medicine after death. And speaking of death, as at the time of reporting this, there are already reports going round of a young man in Uyo who took his own life after falling victim to this latest Ponzi disaster.  If this is true—though I hope to God that it isn’t, it would not be the first time that the victim of a Ponzi scheme has chosen to end their lives in unimaginable despair.

    For every CBEX, MMM, or MBA, there are thousands of Nigerians left emotionally broken, financially wrecked, and socially shamed. Unsurprisingly, new perpetrators of Ponzi schemes are sometimes old victims of previous ones. This vicious cycle guarantees that even after the fall of CBEX, another would rise to scam Nigerians further. And by God, they would have fresh victims to defraud.

    And who knows, by then there would be an evolution of methods and tactics for perpetrating these schemes successfully. I have heard that in being aware of the grimy reputation of so-called investment/trading platforms on social media, CBEX primarily targeted an older demographic of Nigerians. They must have reasoned that the elderly would be unaware of the danger.

    I also saw a video where deep fake technology was being deployed to deceive unsuspecting Nigerians. Just so you know, a deep fake is a type of artificial intelligence used to create fake videos, audios, or images that look and sound real. This technology can be used to deceive people by making it seem like someone said or did something they didn’t. In this particular 58-second video, deep fake technology was used to show a journalist, Seun Okinbaloye of Channels TV fame, endorsing a Ponzi scheme in the exact manner of a news report!

    Of course, Okinbaloye and Channels TV would never endorse a fraudulent investment/trading platform, especially one claiming to reward users with impossible ROIs. But just how many of us would be able to discern what is real from what is fake particularly now that artificial intelligence can be used to hoodwink vulnerable people?

    Now, more than ever, we must take action against misinformation, outright deception and the scourge of untrustworthy elements amongst us. This is because the failure to act, as individuals, as a society, and as a nation, will always enable another Ponzi scheme to spring from around the corner, ready to exploit our people and leave misery behind in its wake.

    •Isah can be reached at lawcadet1@gmail.com

  • Human intelligence in the age of Artificial Intelligence

    Human intelligence in the age of Artificial Intelligence

    By David Bassey Antia

    The fulcrum of this inquiry rests upon a pressing and profound concern, namely: the survival of human intelligence in an era wherein artificial intelligence (AI) has gained significant traction and ubiquity. The very notion of “survival” evokes a narrative of struggle, an enduring contest for continuity and relevance. Struggle, I insist, is not peripheral to survival; it is for me, its defining essence—its sine qua non. Survival is, in effect, a function of struggle, the two being deeply interwoven in a dialectical relationship. Each animates, punctuates and reinforces the other. What the mathematicians will refer to as function of a function – a composite function whereby the output of one function becomes the input of another. The solution to the problem of delay and need for speed has indeed opened our vista of cognition to the problem of lack of mental resilience (the kind of resilience expressed in cognitive hard work) as opposed to shortcuts occasioned by AI.

    For those seeking the ideological pedestal upon which this reflection stands, it is this: that the human intellect is increasingly being abdicated in favour of algorithmic substitutes. Where once the mind was the locus of creativity and original thought, it is now frequently bypassed, with many relying wholly and unwholesomely on artificial intelligence to generate content, construct arguments, and process ideas. This growing dependency give birth to a new form of struggle, what I would like to call a cognitive inertia or cognitive passivity, a form of intellectual laziness and or ineptitude—wherein the human mind acts like a crawling child, once a walking man but now wrestling to independently conceive and articulate knowledge in a world primed for machine assistance.

    Alongside this epistemological crisis is the more tactile, but no less significant, corrosive erosion of handwriting—a skill now endangered by the prominence of overwhelming presence of digital technology. Empirical studies show that prolonged dependence on typing, touchscreens, and voice-to-text interfaces leads to a measurable decline in fine motor skills and legible penmanship. Handwriting is an art and every art is an expression of the fecundity of the mind. Beyond being an art it is also an act, such that requires intricate neuromuscular coordination. As an act, it is not merely manual, it is even more cerebral. The brain initiates and modulates the act of writing through complex interactions between flexor and extensor muscles, governed by neural impulses.

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    What we inscribe on the page is, quite literally, a projection of our neurological state. Hence, the study of graphology treats handwriting as a mirror of cognition and character, a signature of personhood.

    To understand the stakes of “survival” in this context, let us have recourse to historical-biological analogy. Elementary biology teaches us that organs or tissues subjected to frequent use become strengthened and more developed, while those left unused become atrophy and may vanish over generations. This notion was famously articulated by Jean-Baptiste Lamarck in his theory of use and disuse. Though modern genetics has enhanced our understanding of heritability, the central idea endures and is this – disuse invites degeneration. The latter is an unavoidable consequence of the former.

    The human appendix, which the biologists name as a vestigial organ, illustrates this principle. There is scientific position that human appendix was once essential in digesting fibrous plant material in our herbivorous ancestors, but now the appendix shrank and has lost its utility as human diets evolved.

    The same biological logic applies to the human brain. Though not a muscle in anatomical terms, it suffices for accurate comparison because, just like the muscle, the brain responds dynamically to stimulation or neglect. Intellectual exertion, like physical exercise, cultivates cognitive strength; it sharpens memory, refines analytical faculties, and fortifies neural connections.

    Conversely, cognitive inertia or passivity breeds mental stagnation. In previous generations, writing a single essay entailed some significant cognitive process or symphony of thought ranging from synthesizing knowledge, recalling ideas, analysing relationships, and constructing coherent arguments. Today, AI tools can perform these tasks with minimal human involvement. The result? Intellectual disengagement is masked as efficiency. Human content is fading, AI generated content is in surplus, the demography of analytical citizenship is becoming small in the chart.

    We now confront a paradox: a technology designed to augment human cognition increasingly threatens its vitality. The ease with which AI delivers “ready-made” content has turned knowledge production into an exercise in automation. Many thinkers of the GenZ generation are reduced to passive operators—they prompt, receive, copy and then paste. This process undermines the very essence of thought and thinking, which is not about instantaneous accuracy but about wrestling with ambiguity, grappling with nuance, and etching one’s cognitive signature upon the page.

    So I pose the problem this way: What becomes of logos and pathos—of logic and emotion—when both are synthesized not from lived experience and reflection but from predictive algorithms? What is lost when the intimate struggle of thinking is outsourced to machine precision?

    Writing, at its best, is not merely an act of communication—it is a manifestation of identity. Many would agree with the fact that the art and act of writing is the process of self-definition. Over time, a reader should recognize your voice even before your name is revealed. To relinquish authorship to AI is, in a sense, to vanish from the world of scholarship.

    The brain’s struggle is thus not against AI per se, but against the seduction of ease. Indeed it is against the slow decay of the disciplines of thinking, writing, imagining. To forego the rigorous processes that underpin original scholarship is to risk intellectual atrophy. Just as the appendix receded through neglect, so too may our capacity for critical reasoning diminish through disuse.

    Within this struggle lies the future of education, creativity, and civic responsibility. It must therefore be asked – are we ready to produce citizens who are not mentally disciplined and resilient? Citizens who cannot engage in the rigour of intellectual analysis needed to construct well-articulated thought.

     If we are to preserve the distinctive brilliance of the human mind, we must resist the impulse to allow AI to replace us. This is not a call for wholesale rejection of technology—far from it. Rather, this writer pleads for moderation, for constructive symbiosis. We ought to wield AI not as a crutch without which our intellectual stamina cannot be impressed, but as a sparring partner, a Socratic gadfly that provokes deeper inquiry.

    Artificial Intelligence must remain an assistant, not a surrogate, for human intellect. Overreliance on AI may well produce a generation of citizens ill-equipped to generate original thought, to navigate social, economic and political complexity, or to contribute meaningfully to the marketplace of ideas. If we don’t address this challenge, a time may come, if we are not already in that time,  when we long for the age when the mind laboured over ideas, when meaning emerged through imaginative struggle, when writing bore the unmistakable imprint of a living, breathing thinker.

    If we are to dignify the gift of thought, we must reclaim the practice of thinking itself.

    •Antia writes from Topfaith University, Mkpatak, Akwa Ibom State.

  • 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.

    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.

    Read Also: Global warming, climate change and how it all began

    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
  • Trump tariffs and theirony of governance

    Trump tariffs and theirony of governance

    Basically, Trump tariffs and ‘Liberation Day’ declaration have again exposed Nigeria’s lack of preparedness and institutional memory. In 1967, the same Nigeria demonstrated remarkable foresight and brilliance in responding to the British Pound Sterling devaluation, leaving the British government bewildered. Some British cabinet members weren’t even aware of the devaluation until after it happened, privately wondering if Nigeria had an insider within their ranks.

    Nigeria’s lack of preparedness for Donald Trump’s presidency is especially noteworthy, given the publication of ‘Project 2025’, a manifesto by the American Right that forms a significant base of the Trump Movement, months before Trump secured the Republican presidential nomination. It’s puzzling that Nigeria didn’t assemble a team of experts, including econometricians, international trade specialists, accountants, lawyers and foreign policy analysts to anticipate and develop potential responses to a Trump victory.

    Talking seriously, Nigeria’s problem since suspending the 1963 Republican Constitution has been its reliance on a rentier state driven by consumption rather than production. In the past, notable projects like the Cocoa House, Liberty Stadium, Trans Amadi Industrial Layout and Ahmadu Bello University were built using proceeds from production and exports. In contrast, today’s so-called projects are largely funded by non-value-added oil exports. This shift has contributed to international trade and export-oriented economic development taking a backseat. Only a few leaders, such as Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Jumoke Oduwole, have raised concerns about the impending dangers of this approach.

    Nigeria’s response to the shifting global trade landscape remains, to be polite, incoherent despite establishing an advisory group or task force. To rectify this, Nigeria should consider appointing an international trade czar, similar to South Africa’s approach, and empower him to negotiate on its behalf. This move would help lay the groundwork for navigating the new world of international trade, given the Washington Consensus’s death and burial after dominating global economic policies for over four decades.

    Nigeria’s next step, beyond appointing an international trade czar, should be establishing a board of trade and tariffs with technical expertise. This board would proactively oversee tariffs, customs and operational efficiency, balancing local industry protection with revenue generation and competitive economy development. Collaboration between the board, international trade czar, and Minister of Trade and Industry would facilitate negotiating new trade deals and refining existing ones. Ultimately, Nigeria needs a national consensus to transition from a rent-seeking economy to a more competitive and productive one.

    The proposed new board and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs should spearhead efforts to ensure the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreements benefit Nigeria. To achieve this, Nigeria’s economy needs a strategic shift towards competitiveness in Africa and globally. In order to foster economic growth and development, redirecting capital from consumption to production should be a priority.

    Protectionism is bad! Of course, that has been demonstrated over the past 100 years! Protectionism led to the Great Depression of the 1930s. It also led to the rise of Adolf Hitler. It doesn’t bear good fruits! Its effects include declining living standards and stifled innovation. Trumps tariffs aim to shield American industries, yet their long-term impact on these sectors remains uncertain, more so as retaliatory tariffs from other countries could harm US exports and economic growth.

    Furthermore, tariffs may undermine the competitiveness of US industries, especially if other nations don’t impose similar tariffs, leading to higher prices and inflationary pressures that’d dampen consumer spending and economic growth. Conversely, open competitive international trade can foster economic growth and development. Regrettably, Nigeria’s current economic landscape suggests it’s not yet poised to fully capitalize on this approach. To overcome these challenges, Nigeria must gird its loin, become proactive and drive its economy towards export-oriented growth. Failure to do so may end up dragging the country into stagnation.

    Jawaharlal Nehru’s famous dictum, ‘export or perish’ resonates with renewed urgency today! Now, Nigeria has to bite the bullet! Dear country now faces a critical juncture, necessitating bold action. The implementation of the Oronsaye Report, which former President Goodluck Jonathan failed to undertake, seems to be a step Trump is taking in the USA, and the heavens have not fallen.

    Read Also: Trump mulls closure of embassies, consulates in Europe, Africa, Asia

    Nigeria’s government structure is bloated, with numerous Ministries, Departments and Agencies – an evident contrast to the United States, which has only 16 departments, and even these are being streamlined by the day. One therefore wonders if Nigeria needs visionary leaders like Obafemi Awolowo, Nnamdi Azikiwe or Ahmadu Bello to return and guide the country once more. These leaders chose production over consumption, leaving lasting legacies like the then University of Ife, now christened Obafemi Awolowo University.

    The impact of the Trump Tariff will vary across countries, with Lesotho facing a significant 40% tariff and Nigeria a relatively lower 10%. To mitigate these effects, Nigeria must leverage the African Union to advocate for the bloc’s interests. A step in this direction is Nigeria’s recent gazetting of ECOWAS tariffs. However, the real test lies in how this policy translates to tangible benefits for ordinary citizens, particularly in terms of food affordability and availability.

    I have argued elsewhere that, in 1961, Nigerians protested against the abolition of the tax regime because, to them, it might hinder their access to better health and education facilities. Can that happen now? The military’s incursion into Nigeria’s governance system has had long-lasting negative consequences, including the destruction of the police force and tax system to curry favour with the masses and maintain power. The fact that some former military personnel have become ’emergency democrats’ only adds to the irony.

    Given the relatively low volume of trade with the United States, the impact on imports may not be significant. In the current circumstances therefore, Nigeria may have no choice but to adapt to the new international framework, and Tinubu should take proactive measures to steer the country towards stability. Frankly, Nigeria has no alternative! For example, since crude oil exports to the US are substantial, the country may have to adjust its budget to accommodate a price of $65 per barrel, especially considering the global decline in oil prices.

    It is interesting to note that Nigeria’s current tax mechanism does not befit a modern state. To address this, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) should focus on broadening the tax base rather than increasing the tax burden, a strategy employed by other countries to boost revenue. Burkina Faso’s inclusive approach to taxation, where artisans and small businesses contribute to the tax base, offers a potential model for Nigeria. This approach could be particularly relevant in the current economic climate, where Trump tariffs and global trade shifts require Nigeria to be more proactive in managing its economy. Unfortunately, the country’s tax system is plagued by evasion, with those who are captured often seeking ways to circumvent the system. This is where we are as a country, and it’s sad!

    When President Bola Tinubu announced that the era of borrowing to finance the nation’s budget is over, he implicitly underscored the critical role of the FIRS chair, an office vital to the government’s functioning. For the president to have decided on Zacch Adedeji to head such a sensitive office must have taken him a lot of reasonable time to make the choice. Thankfully, the Oyo State-born technocrat has been delivering fantastically on his core mandate. But, more still needs to be done, as his credibility and ability will be judged on the nation’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) taking centre stage in achieving the government’s transformational goals.

    Considering everything, the Trump tariffs could potentially catalyze a new era with new ideas, a new chapter and a new start for Nigeria. Who knows?

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

  • Sokoto: Zero borrowing, impactful governance

    Sokoto: Zero borrowing, impactful governance

    • By Louis Achi

    According to Henrik Johan Ibsen, Norwegian playwright considered the world’s pre-eminent dramatist of the 19th century, “Home life ceases to be free and beautiful as soon as it is founded on borrowing and debt.”

    This enduring insight must have fired the imagination and illuminated the governance philosophy of unassuming, youthful Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State. To-date, he has delivered impactful governance without borrowing a dime.

    This is unusual in a socio-political milieu where many states grapple with unsustainable debt and yet indulge in cavalier borrowing spree. Here Sokoto State comes out really smelling like roses.

    Barely 24 months in the saddle as the state’s chief executive, Governor Aliyu has stamped his authority in human and infrastructural development proceedings in the conservative North-Western enclave by deploying frugal, circumspect, empathetic and inclusive governance nous in administering the state – particularly in a time of multi-faceted turbulence.

    But according to the renowned Austrian-American management sage Peter Drucker, “The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence – it is to act with yesterday’s logic.” Governor Aliyu has simply refused to act with yesterday’s logic. This trajectory, perhaps not surprisingly, has drawn recognition and appreciation from many, including prominent watchdogs of society.

    For context, Nigeria’s debt has surged significantly in recent quarters, climbing from N49.85 trillion before the 2023 general elections to N134.30 trillion by the end of the first half of 2024. This sharp increase primarily reflects the impact of policy-induced Naira depreciation, aggressive government borrowing, and rising borrowing costs.

    According to data sourced from the Debt Management Office (DMO), Africa’s fourth largest economy has as much as N63 trillion ($43 billion) as its foreign debt, accounting for 47 percent of the total debt stock as at Q2 2024. The federal government took the lion share, borrowing approximately N56 trillion while the 36 states plus the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) had N7 trillion as their external debt.

    It should be noted here that any borrowing done by the Sokoto State Government predates the administration of Governor Aliyu who is boldly traveling a different path.

    A more cursory look at the ‘borrow-borrow’ data showed that the Nigerian government relied more on domestic borrowings as it accounted for 53 percent of total debt profile with the FGN taking N66 trillion and state governments having N4 trillion as their debts.

    Nigeria’s debt stock has grown from 53 percent recorded in Q1 2024 to 58 percent in Q2, defying the DMO’s self-imposed public debt ceiling of 40 percent, as outlined in the agency’s Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy.

    Although the current public debt-to-GDP ratio is slightly below the IMF’s 60 percent benchmark for emerging market countries, the nation’s weak revenue profile and FX volatility risks could further escalate debt levels, straining the already strained economy.

    Against the forgoing backdrop, it was perhaps not surprising that the Sokoto State Parliament recently commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto for executing numerous developmental projects without taking loan from any financial institution.

    “There was never a time you approached us with a request for permission to borrow money from any financial institutions whether at home or abroad,” the elated Parliament told Governor Aliyu during a Sallah homage to the state chief executive. This is indeed worthy of commendation considering the myriad people-oriented projects you are executing across the state, the State House of Assembly had added.

    The Deputy Speaker of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Kabir Ibrahim Kware had led a Parliamentary delegation to visit Governor Aliyu and deliver a Sallah homage. It was also a good opportunity to let the governor know that the state legislature was carefully tracking his governance trajectory.

    Read Also: Ahmad Aliyu Sokoto and the Almajiri matter

    In executing a compelling swathe of development projects guided by it 9-point smart agenda, Sokoto State has not borrowed a dime. What metric of financial prudence can trump this footing. The governor has simply and sternly prioritized the judicious use of funds.

    Early in his tenure, Governor Aliyu inaugurated several committees to monitor project implementation across the three senatorial zones of the state and charged his appointees to ensure the exercise aligns with due process and budgetary provision. Their mandates include ensuring projects meet contractual terms of quality, delivery time, and cost.

    Ultimately, fiscal transparency and financial responsibility mean living within an entity’s means. The Sokoto State Government has been living within its means. It has never borrowed a kobo.

    It’s out in the public space: Sokoto State has been recognized as a leading example in fiscal transparency. In a recent assessment by the World Bank’s States Fiscal Transparency, Accountability, and Sustainability (SFTAS) programme, Sokoto ranked first in the country. This ranking was based on rigorous criteria, including the publication of fiscal documents, accessibility of budget information, and implementation of sound financial management practices.

    The state operates a fully functional e-procurement platform. The platform is designed to enhance transparency in public procurement by publishing all procurement details, allowing for public feedback and ensuring fair competition. The platform aligns with international best practices and serves as a critical tool for minimizing corruption and inefficiencies in public resource management.

    Under the SFTAS programme, Sokoto State has implemented key reforms to enhance fiscal transparency and accountability. These include: Publishing budget implementation reports and audited financial statements promptly; Adopting a citizen-friendly budgeting process to involve the public in financial planning and execution; and strengthening internal control mechanisms to ensure prudent resource management.

    Governor Aliyu stands out for his administration’s fiscal discipline which has significantly enabled the execution of numerous developmental projects without resorting to loans as well as maintaining a debt-free status with contractors. This circumspect approach ensures long-term sustainability and reflects a governance model rooted in accountability and financial responsibility.

    Attuned to knowledge imperatives of the 21st Century for human resources transformation, the Governor Aliyu-led administration recently initiated a digital training programme designed to transition participants from digital illiteracy to digital literacy and provide extensive training in computer literacy, graphic design, video editing, social media marketing, and AI for productivity. This critical project is anchored by the State’s Ministry of Innovation and Digital Economy (MIDE).

    Governor Aliyu further announced the state government’s plans to train further 10,000 individuals across the state, aimed at enhancing digital skills and promote self-sustainability. Participants, drawn from all 23 local government areas in Sokoto State have reported significant improvements in their digital skills since the program’s inception.

    The training covered essential courses, including Digital Computer Literacy, Social Media Marketing, Graphic Design, Video Editing, and Artificial Intelligence for Productivity.

    This initiative is a key component of Sokoto State’s proactive strategy to prepare its citizens for digital transformation. MIDE remains dedicated to advancing digital literacy, technological advancement and fostering innovation across all sectors of the economy of Sokoto State.

    Governor Aliyu set sail with by enunciating a 9-point smart agenda. These include – education, health, water, agriculture, security, youth empowerment, local government autonomy, religious affairs, and economy. These have guided the compelling impact his administration has wrought in Sokoto State, less than two years in the saddle.

    Fundamentally undergirding these agenda is sweeping infrastructure development. This is a foundational imperative and Governor Aliyu recognizes this. It’s then little wonder that sweeping infrastructure revamp is a defining feature of his administration.

    His vision in this crucial arena explains why the Sokoto State Government boldly allocated its lion share of resources to transformational projects. As it were, the 2025 budget, accurately tagged the “Transformation and Infrastructural Sustainability Budget,” allocated a princely ₦349.4 billion, approximately 66% of the total budget – to capital projects.

    This audacious obligation mirrors the administration’s unswerving focus on nurturing connectivity, revamping public facilities, and birthing an enabling environment for upscaled economic activities.

    This is a good place to again, recall Henrik Johan Ibsen insight that, “Home life ceases to be free and beautiful as soon as it is founded on borrowing and debt.”

  • Goodbye ‘Chairman’

    Goodbye ‘Chairman’

    • Football legend Christian Chukwu leaves the stage

    Nicknamed “Chairman,” former captain and ex-coach of Nigeria’s senior national football team Christian Chukwu led the team, which was then known as the Green Eagles, to a historic win in the final of the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. Nigeria became African champions for the first time, beating Algeria 3-0.  The victory was sweeter because Nigeria hosted the competition.

     Chukwu, the team captain, made history when he received the new African Unity Cup from then Nigerian President Shehu Shagari at the National Stadium, Lagos. “It was jubilation everywhere, and it was the first time I was able to ride a horse around Lagos streets with the crowd cheering; I felt like a king,” he recalled in a 2020 interview. He died on April 12, aged 74. 

    A solid central defender, he had a commanding presence and a charismatic personality. He was a motivating influence and wore the captain’s band with an acute sense of his role and responsibility.  On the field of play, his leadership skill was beyond dispute.   

    Chukwu’s football talent as a teenager caught the attention of Dan Anyiam, who was a significant figure in Nigerian football.  Anyiam was the first captain of Nigeria’s national football team in the 1940s and also its first indigenous coach. “He came to see a street match at Ngwo Park, Enugu, and hugged me after the duel and encouraged me to continue,” Chukwu said.

    At club level, he was a pillar of the Enugu Rangers FC. He captained the team that won the African Cup Winners’ Cup in 1977, beating Cameroonian club Canon Yaounde. That was the only club he played for in his entire career. He won nine trophies with the club and retired in 1981.

    Winning prestigious international competitions with club and country, as a player, showed his class. In his heyday, Nigeria had a vibrant, crowd-pulling football league system, with several exciting teams across the country. Lamentably, the local league system has lost its lustre.

    He became a coach after a glittering career as a player and was no less successful. He was the assistant coach of the junior national team, the Golden Eaglets, which won the then FIFA U-16 World Cup in China in 1985 by defeating West Germany, becoming the first team to win a global football trophy for Nigeria.

    Read Also: Christian Chukwu: Enugu govt opens condolence registers in Enugu, Lagos, Abuja

    He was also assistant coach of the senior national team that qualified for the 1994 FIFA World Cup finals in America, a first for Nigeria, and reached the Round of 16. The team, known as the Super Eagles, and regarded as a golden generation, also won the Africa Cup of Nations that year.  His achievements earned him the position of coach of the Kenya national team in 1998.

    From 2002 to 2005, he was chief coach of the Super Eagles. Under him, the team won the bronze medal at the 2004 Africa Cup of Nations in Tunisia. He also coached Enugu Rangers in the 2008–2009 season of the Nigeria Premier League.

    His record, particularly as a player, elevated him to the status of a football legend. He won the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Legend Award in 2008.  When the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) appointed him as its life ambassador in 2019, it was a further acknowledgement of his services to football. It was another first for him.  The NFF had introduced the award “as a way of rewarding past players who have contributed to the development of the game in Nigeria.”

    Chukwu had sought medical treatment for prostate cancer in England in May 2019. Notably, billionaire businessman Femi Otedola had philanthropically provided more than N36 million to cover his medical and travel expenses following a campaign to save his life. This intervention reflected his importance.

    He caused a stir in 2024 when he claimed that the NFF still owed him salaries from his time as the Super Eagles head coach. However, when the matter came up again following his death the organisation said: “There is certainly no record of indebtedness to him in the NFF.”

    His place is assured in the pantheon of Nigeria’s all-time football greats.

  • A record of raw grief and terror

    A record of raw grief and terror

    SIR: Since the late 90s,deadly insecurity has somehow managed to hang on to the coattails of Plateau State. Since the 2001 Jos crisis, which somehow managed to shock even the most unflappable of Nigerians with the scale of its horror, the state’s mystique as the “home of peace and tourism” has been shattered irreparably.

    Since the crisis, recovery has proven impossible with the episodic peace in the state amounting to no more than a peace of the graveyard which shatters under the slightest pressure. Rather than peaceful tourists savouring the abundant natural endowments of the states, terrorists attack and raze entire villages at night, leaving behind carnage and condemnation. In December 2023, about 200 people were slaughtered in one of such midnight raids in Bokkos Local Government Area of the State.

    Nigerians often do not know whether perpetrators are caught and punished. In fact, what tells them that they are not is the fact that one deadly attack is typically a rehearsal for an even deadlier attack not far away. This is precisely what has been happening in Plateau State for a while now.

    That Nigerians continue to be killed in such brutal and brazen manner occasionally means that the security situation is one which is defying solutions. So much has been made and said about securing Nigeria and driving away the killers who prey so ruthlessly on vulnerable communities, but the fact that the killings have continued means that there is no solution yet. This calls the commitment of the federal and Plateau State governments to end the killings into serious question.

    Given that the killings in Plateau State have now gone on for decades, is it until the entire state is wiped out by terrorists that the government of Plateau State and the federal government will know to recalibrate their security strategy?

    Read Also: NAF strikes kill terrorists, destroy hideouts in Borno

    Has the government not received any intelligence on the identity of the killers in Plateau State? Given that it has most likely received plenty of intelligence, why is it holding back to act while innocent citizens are being slaughtered at will?

    It’s important to remember that killers remain on the loose in the state. Their bloodlust has not dulled at all and unless their weapons are blunted and their heels cramped behind bars, the long-suffering people of Plateau State will know neither peace nor the past they had before killers beat a path to the iconic state.

    • Ike Willie-Nwobu, Ikewilly9@gmail.com