The Nation Newspaper

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Nigeria/Canada visa row
- By Mike Kebonkwu
If a relatively little known country in the Horns of Africa, or any of our neighbouring west African countries were to have denied a Nigerian citizen or national of entry permit or treats him with indignity, nobody would have heard about it. That is the usual experience and lot of Nigerians everywhere they go; even on transit. No thanks to the poor image we cut for ourselves with poor political leadership. Whatever your standing in life, a Nigerian is painted with the same uniform brush of corruption and criminality; that is the usual stereotype.

We must therefore not lose our minds because Canada denied the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and some military personnel visa to attend the Invictus games for injured soldiers and veterans in Vancouver Canada. For those concerned about the numbers, it was a military game and there was nothing that says that the CDS could not have been at the head of delegation if he attaches such importance to it.

What was the method of application for the visa; did it meet the standard practice? Being a military game or event, the Defence Section of the Canadian embassy or the defence attaché had an important role to play to facilitate the visa application; were they aware and what did they do?

Reactions had been mixed though; but overall the denial reflects adequately the views and ratings of our country by the Canadian government and its embassy staff as well as European countries generally.   Many of us would not want anything untoward to happen in diplomatic relations with Canada because that is where a host of our children and citizens are taking refuge as economic migrants to escape the poor educational environment and poverty in Nigeria to earn decent living because of their seemingly liberal visa regime. As my people would say, “what affects the eyes affects the nose”.

Christopher Musa is a four-star General and belongs to the crème la crème of the Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, the Queens of battle. He is battle tested, with shinning armour and highly decorated. He is the Chief of Defence Staff of the Nigerian Armed Forces; the number one soldier and one of our finest. General Musa does not appear to understand or care a hoot about politics of self preservation but rather chooses to speak like a soldier that he is, baring his mind on any issue even if it hurts the political establishment or international agencies or foreign governments. He is simply vocal with little reservation. He has attained the highest rank in the armed forces of Nigeria, short of a field marshal, which is an uncommon award hardly attained except for the maverick Field Marshal Idi Amin Dada of Uganda. He qualifies as a ranking member on protocol list, domestic or international as number one soldier of the Nigerian Military on active service.

It was a surprise to hear that he was denied visa by the Canadian embassy in Nigeria for an official visit to Canada. Again, Christopher Musa does not belong to the class of people that would lament the refusal of visa to any country in the world for that matter. He can get his pleasure anywhere in Nigeria with all the insecurity, and he would still catch his fun; so what is the big fuss after all about Canadian visa! Let them go with their visa but they may not need to go to hell. It would appear to me that the denial of visa is not so much of an error of omission but racial arrogance and prejudice.

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Whatever the visit was meant to achieve, we should look beyond the usual animus we have for privileged Nigerians and beef with soldiers and first, examine the disrespect to our country which such denial represents in international diplomacy. I am aware that Canada is one of the Western countries that feel strongly about the allegations of human rights abuses levelled against the Nigerian military establishment in the fight against insurgency without substantiation. I am also aware that they even deny visas to some family members of military officers where they are known to have served in places with reported incidents of alleged rights abuses in the fight against insurgency, banditry and insecurity in Nigeria. The war against insecurity is our own war; the western countries and Europe cannot fight it for us. They want to impose their model and value system on us and would not want the security forces to use lethal force against criminals and insurgents levying war against the state; something they do not tolerate or harbour in their own countries.

Some European countries and America have denied Nigeria equipment and armament and are reluctant to share security intelligence at their disposal. This is why the mounting allegations of sponsorship of the insurgency against some Western countries through numerous NGOs and aid regimes is plausible and believable. They are able to enlist and pay civil society organizations and right groups in Nigeria to carry out their campaign without understanding the destabilizing effect of such campaign to the country.

Nigeria does not deserve to be treated in condescension and patronage but for poor political leadership that seek approval from foreign countries and agencies. While Nigeria should avoid diplomatic rows with Canada or any other foreign country for that matter, there should be reciprocal treatment in equal measures to what we get from any other sovereign country. We should not forget, and we should not forgive! We should also consider reviewing military cooperations with such country but not necessarily through declaration of conflict. If we have managed our affairs properly as a nation, Canada should be the least of countries to haul diplomatic insult on Nigeria in trading with visa to our citizens and nationals. This is about Nigeria; an injustice done to one should be seen as injustice done to all!

We should not turn the other cheek. It is time for us to retool our educational institutions for modern scholarship and learning. We should build and develop our economy and infrastructure. Our healthcare delivery system should be cutting edged to stop medical tourism. We should prioritize security, and trust me, we can do it.   We should not tolerate racism of any kind; White, Asian or Arab, with condescending patronage and tolerance.

Whatever the reason for the denial which is still shady and cloudy, the message is very clear that we do not count in the estimation of the West who see us through the prisms of generalization as criminals and corrupt people.   For every act or omission, we invite America and Europe for endorsement. We invite the International Criminal Court (ICC) and other international organizations to arrest and prosecute our leaders for wrongs done on our soil. Don’t we have our own institutions and laws? We steal the wealth of our countries and take it to Europe to hide where they use it to develop their economies. We run to the European and Western countries for holidays and medical tourism. We want to advertise our presence in European capitals riding in their railways, tubes and night clubs as mark of recognition and importance.

We continue to make our country to look big for nothing before foreigners and so they take liberty to treat us like morons and mendicants.

We accept every prescription and recommendation from the west and their organizations in disregard of our culture and morality. They want us to accept gay, lesbianism, and homosexuals as fundamental rights and our NGOs and CSOs are given grants to carry out the campaigns; and we are happy with the handout from them. We should not get migraine because of Canadian visa; let them go with their visa. Canada does not compare to Nigeria in natural endowment. Ordinarily they should be the ones looking for visa to come to Nigeria and enjoy the beauty and generosity of nature and friendly and hospitable people. It is time to reposition our country and earn our respect and dignity amongst comity of nations. The denial of visa to General Christopher Musa and his team is a good lesson for us! They should deny more privileged and prominent Nigerians visa; period!

•Kebonkwu Esq writes via mikekebonkwu@yahoo.com
February 26, 2025
Clark and Adebanjo: Beyond the condolence messages
- By Braeyi Ekiye
Edwin Clark Nigerian nationalist, Izon and Niger Delta leader, elder statesman, parliamentarian, lawyer, politician and distinguished public servant has passed on, along with revered Ayo Adebanjo, a radical and progressive politician, lawyer, elder statesman, patriot and nationalist of Yoruba extraction.

Both men stood doggedly for justice in the administration of the Nigerian state. They were fearless and outspoken on state and national issues. Now that critical and patriotic voices for equity and justice have been drowned by the cold hands of death, what should be the message for the Nigerian state beyond the emotional and ego massaging condolence messages?

It would be an overstatement to say that Nigeria is in a state of intense pain and struggle for survival. There is therefore, the need for studied and deep introspection for her to reclaim and reconstruct her history in her true image of character, integrity, accountability, through virile and patriotic leadership. Not leadership forced upon the nation through political expediency. We need principled and upright leadership freely elected by the people to rule over the affairs of this country to put things right and salvage it from its present state of decay, nauseating and startling injustice. This calls for prompt and actionable policies to address structural imbalances in the polity, where equity and justice are the cornerstones for rebuilding of a modern Nigeria to effectively cure the political, administrative and economic ulcers that have eaten deep into the fabric of the Nigerian state. In this regard, every effort should be made for us not to continue to bury our heads in the sand like the ostrich while the country bleeds to death, physically and spiritually.

The question does arise: What do we do now to salvage the pitiable situation Nigeria finds herself, particularly with the passing on of icons of equity and justice and self-determination? Can Nigeria use the opportunity of their deaths to more seriously and sincerely address the national question which they devoted their lives before their death?

Can we bring alive now, their spirited and vocal call for true fiscal federalism, resources ownership and control, and devolution of powers with functions clearly spelt out between the federal and federating states? A move in this direction would surely and greatly honour these patriotic statesmen who lived their lives fighting for an egalitarian society; where peace, security, unity and accelerated socio-economic growth and development, and infrastructural transformation is guaranteed.

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I believe that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration should seize this moment of history encapsulated in their deaths to redefine Nigeria, both in form and purpose to truly unify our beloved Nigeria and kick-start the building of a nation where no man is oppressed, where there is peace and plenty (the last stanza of our national anthem).

As a corollary, may I, with humility, passionately appeal to members of my constituency, the press. Specifically, Section 22 of the Constitution as amended enjoins the media to uphold the responsibility and accountability of government to the people. The press must rise to this constitutional duty and see it as a compelling challenge by instigating a constructive engagement on these crucial matters as aforementioned. They have a duty to set the agenda as constitutionally empowered, to prick the conscience of the executive, the legislature and the judiciary, to set in motion policies and programs that would make the federal government and the two other arms of government to give a nod to Nigeria’s search for real nationhood.

I recall Pa Clark way back in 1987 bemoaning the weakness of the press, its inability to assert itself to the hilt in advancing the course of good governance, equity and justice in the administration of the state, respect of the rule of law and the recognition of ethnic nationalities to self-determination.

I dare say that the greatness of the Nigerian state can only be built on these time-honoured values for the desired unity, peace and security and progress.

To Clark: “The press still lacks the courage to speak the truth when it ought to have done so, particularly if it affects certain individuals, groups or section or tribe”.

Anthony Enahoro, a one-time Federal Commissioner for Information once echoed the same sentiment: “The Nigerian press in recent years has seemed to me to be suffering from two ailments. One is lack of men of stature. The press is in need of leaders. It is in need of crusaders. It is in need of trenchant pens. It is in need of able, readable, courageous writers. If the Nigerian press is to regain the confidence, respect and following of the public, it must produce men of stature. It cannot afford to have too many small men in big boots.

“The second ailment is lack of vision to recognize danger and the courage to oppose wrong. The Nigerian press can inspire no confidence, no respect and no following of its role in nation-building when that of sycophants, guilty of unquestioning deferential support for rulers, guilty of flamboyant praise for mediocrity, guilty of popularizing excesses and impropriety, afraid to pronounce against wrong and guilty of a craven desire to bat on any winning side held sway in our media houses.

“In a democratic society, the liberty of the press is a cherished freedom, but I suggest most strongly that in an emergent nation, the obligations of the press – its duties are not only to inform and entertain but even more to instruct, to inspire, to lead, to unify the people and to check the government – are of equal importance. Freedom of the press would be of little significance to our people if not exercised for these purposes”.

We have no country other than Nigeria. Our duty, therefore, is to dedicate ourselves selflessly to these cherished values for nation building in order to elevate the Nigerian State to greater heights and to give her a pride of place in the comity of nations.

And a ready and open way of doing that is for us to honour our departed elder statesmen by not only listening to the cries of the oppressed but assuaging their fears and promptly acting to correct the ills of the Nigerian state that have held her hostage for the past 65 years or so.

•Ekiye, a publisher, writes from Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.
February 26, 2025
My 2027 monologue: Who should contest

Ray Ekpu

My opinion about the 2027 election is consistent with my view about Nigeria. I believe that Nigeria has a lot of potential, human and material, to become a great country but has not done so largely because of the selfishness of its leaders.

General Yakubu Gowon created a 12-state structure, six in the north and six in the south, a perfect balance for a fair federation that was in dire need of unity and stability. Some selfish generals bowing to the equally selfish desires of some politicians pushed for the creation of more states. There was nothing patriotic about their desire. The only reason for their desire was to collect more of the oil money that was pouring into the coffers of the federal government that states went to collect every month in Abuja. They did not think that this feeding-bottle approach to governance did not improve, was not likely to improve, the management of the states. Now, three quarters of the states depend largely on the monthly hand-out for sustenance. They make very little effort to generate internally generated revenue.

Talking about creation of states; why did the generals who ran Nigeria’s affairs after Gowon decide to distort the country’s configuration by giving more states to the north? Why didn’t they maintain the equality of states that Gowon wisely adopted so as to maintain the unity and stability of the country?

At the 2014 national conference, some northerners were pushing for a wider gap in the number of states between north and south based on their assumed higher population in the north. Have we ever conducted a truly accurate census in Nigeria since independence? Very doubtful. Even if the figures of population are accurate, must that be the only consideration for state creation in a modern world? What of economic viability?

There are several groups of people who either knowingly or unknowingly, are hindering the progress of Nigeria. Those who are asking for the breaking up of Nigeria in the name of self-determination are making a major mistake. Isaac Adaka Boro tried it. It failed. Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu tried it. It failed. For me, big is better. That is partly why China and India are doing fabulously well because they have a bigger, a much bigger playground to operate within. No one can toy with them. In any case, what has happened to the countries that chose fragmentation? USSR, Korea, Czechosvakia, Sudan. Have they fared better or they have remained in perpetual turmoil. So those who are pushing for the Republic of Biafra and Oduduwa Republic, can they put their facts on the table other than saying that they want self-determination? What we need in Nigeria is a truly united federation based on equity, fairness and justice. If we agree to live together in the country based on terms and conditions that are acceptable to all, then we are ready to be one country bound in unity and love.

Those who have hampered the unity, growth and prosperity of Nigeria belong to various classifications. Some of them are those who changed the 12-state structure of Nigeria in the name of bringing government nearer to the people. Those who tried to prevent Goodluck Jonathan from acting as president of Nigeria when President Umaru Yar’Adua was sick belong to this category. Those who wanted a northerner to succeed President Muhammadu Buhari as he was completing his eight years in office as president were the haters of Nigeria as a country. It is interesting that they wanted to block a man, Bola Tinubu, who along with other southerners, stitched together three parties and made a Buhari presidency possible. It is also interesting that at the last moment some patriotic northerners saw the injustice and fought against it.

Those northerners who insisted that they must contest for the presidency in 2023 may have claimed that there was nothing in the constitution that barred them from doing so. That is correct. They also want to contest in 2027 even though the south has not yet had its turn of eight years.

I guess to solidify the rotation programme between north and south, the rotation should actually be included in the constitution to avoid the greed and desperation of some politicians. There is too much of both greed and desperation in Nigeria politics, so much so that no one thinks of fairness or justice or equity. Northern leaders military and civilian, have held the reins of power in Nigeria longer than southern leaders, military and civilian since independence. But politics seems to be a profession that scoffs at fairness particularly because of the honey pot that is available to be licked by those who capture the diadem.

During the Obasanjo administration, the then Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige went to the Supreme Court and filed a case on the onshore/offshore dichotomy just to deprive the Niger Delta people of the benefits of the oil resources in their territory which had done a lot of damage to their means of livelihood and their flora and fauna. It was only when the militants threatened to stop the oil from flowing that President Olusegun Obasanjo opted for a political solution after the Supreme Court had ruled unfairly against the oil producing region.

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The presidency is held by the south today. By the rotation regulation, it should stay in the south for two terms of four years each. Some politicians from the north are threatening to run in 2027. No one can stop them because there is no law against their aspiration, only morality. But morality is hardly respected in politics especially in Nigerian politics.

However, in the APC, President Bola Tinubu has the opportunity of first refusal as the incumbent. If he wants to run, it is unlikely that there will be other contestants from the same party. It is most unlikely that he will decline to run. He has put on the table some ambitions programmes that cannot be fully executed within four years. So he is likely to run based on his achievements within the first four years and what he hopes to accomplish, if elected, for another four years.

If the other opposition parties think that they can perform better than Tinubu, they are also likely to field candidates either from the south or even from the north. But all the opposition parties have been weakened by their internal crises which is why they are talking of possible mergers or coaltion since none of them has enough strength to withstand the fire power of the APC. Sadly for them, as is customary in Nigerian politics, some of their members are decamping into the ruling party so as to get the benefits that accrue to a winning party. That is happening because there is no political party in Nigeria with any discernable political philosophy. There is basically no difference between them. All of them are groping in the dark, searching for political power after which they will try to find their way to the future. That is the tragedy of Nigerian politics, politics without philosophy or direction.

Should Tinubu run in 2027? Yes, because that is the only way of ensuring the flowering of the programmes and projects he is putting on the table in the first term. He has been asking for time so that his programme can mature. If he doesn’t run for the second term it means he does not believe in the maturation of his programmes by the second term. If another southerner contests the presidency and beats Tinubu, it means that the person will either do one term to complete the term of the south or go ahead and do two terms thus giving the south three terms and therefore distorting the rotation scheme. If a northerner contests and beats Tinubu, it means that the rotation has been distorted again after the Yar’Adua episode.

To solidify the unity and stability of Nigeria, the rotation principle between north and south should be entrenched in the constitution. That will keep desperate politicians in line.

February 25, 2025
A minister’s fixation with artificial intelligence

By Michael Oyewole

In the last 17 months, Minister of Communications and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijani, has shown a keen interest in propelling the nation into the age of artificial intelligence (AI). However, this ambition seems at odds with the stark reality of the country’s internet infrastructure, which remains woefully inadequate for such technological leaps.

No doubt, Bosun Tijani’s fervour for Artificial Intelligence, AI, represents a forward-looking vision for our digital future. Nevertheless, a myopic focus on AI, devoid of addressing the fundamental challenges of internet connectivity risks rendering this vision illusory. For the country to truly capitalize on AI’s transformative power, rigorous efforts must be equally directed towards developing robust infrastructural frameworks alongside advanced AI strategies. Through this dual focus, the country can realistically transition from mere aspiration to tangible realization in the digital landscape.

While one acknowledges the transformative potential of AI for our economy, in education, healthcare, and security, and reckon with strategies that include fostering an ecosystem where AI can thrive thereby positioning Nigeria not just as a consumer but as a contributor to global AI innovations, initiatives like the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy are a testament to this commitment, aiming to cultivate skills, encourage research, and attract investment in this critical sector. However, the harsh reality of poor internet connectivity stares us all in the face.

Sadly, all of Minister Bosun’s big talk game regarding AI runs into a significant barrier in poor internet connectivity. At present, the country’s internet infrastructure is characterized by multifaceted challenges, which have been left largely unaddressed with no actionable solution to tackle these hindrances.

Despite being the most populous nation in Africa, Nigeria faces significant challenges in broadband accessibility, with penetration rates remaining below 50%. This issue is particularly acute in rural regions, where connectivity is severely limited. A large chunk of telecommunications consumers frequently experience unreliable internet service, marked by frequent outages, slow data transfer rates, and exorbitant costs. All of these factors will most likely impair the effectiveness of data-intensive artificial intelligence applications. More so, there is a notable digital divide between urban and rural regions, leaving a substantial portion of the population disconnected from digital resources. This disparity not only obstructs the broader adoption of AI technologies but also exacerbates existing educational and economic inequities across the country.

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Ordinarily, one would expect the minister to, as a matter of utmost importance, deal with poor internet connection while massively on-boarding the substantial part of the population who are disconnected from digital resources. For the record, I greatly admire the minister’s policy suggestions regarding AI and his noble efforts. His well-intentioned enthusiasm for AI is commendable and forward-thinking. My reservation on this matter is fuelled by him not seemingly putting the right foot forward. The bitter truth is that he cannot incorporate AI adoption on a larger scale across the country without decisively prioritizing good internet connection and seamless access to digital tools.

Adding to this mix is the cost of access to internet connectivity – data. A few days ago, the telecommunication companies in Nigeria implemented an upward review of internet cost, an increment sanctioned by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), an agency under the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy. This increase is coming at a time when most Nigerians are grappling with one form of economic hardship or the other. Realistically, the cost of internet connectivity is crucial for fostering an environment where AI can be effectively adopted, utilized, and further developed in third-world countries. How can anyone miss these critical details? You cannot successfully implement AI adoption when a larger chunk of your population cannot afford an internet subscription.

The cost of internet access can also affect education and public awareness about Artificial Intelligence and its intended adoption campaign. For instance, without affordable internet subscriptions, schools and educational institutions might not be able to integrate AI into their curricula, leading to a gap in knowledge and skills necessary for AI development, application and adoption. Also, the cost of internet connection subscription may negatively impact local innovations since start-ups and small businesses might not afford the necessary infrastructure, like high speed internet and cost, to experiment with or develop AI solutions. Inherently, this could slow down or hinder the growth of a local AI ecosystem, leading to reliance on foreign AI technologies which might not be tailored to local needs or contexts.

For me, however, I think Minister Bosun’s fixation on AI seems somewhat premature when foundational issues like internet connectivity and the expensive cost of data arising from the poor purchasing power of citizens are not adequately addressed. The irony is palpable; you cannot effectively implement Artificial Intelligence technologies without a robust, relatively affordable, reliable internet backbone. Not possible.

•Oyewole writes from Ilogbo-Ekiti and can be reached via Oyewolemichael9@gmail.com

February 24, 2025
President Tinubu and Baba Adebanjo: A ‘ringside’ story

By Tunde Rahman

Since Afenifere leader Pa Ayo Adebanjo passed away on February 14 at 96, many have praised his significant contributions to Nigeria as a frontline nationalist, a key role player in the politics of the first and second republics, and an uncompromising devotee of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo.

Active in the First Republic Action Group, the Second Republic Unity Party of Nigeria, and Alliance for Democracy from 1999, Baba Adebanjo fought tirelessly for democracy. He consistently advocated for true federalism and the country’s political and economic restructuring based on the 1963 Republican Constitution.

Pa Adebanjo was also a well-known activist who stood for equity, truth, and justice. He fought against all forms of injustice and oppression including military dictatorship.

In this respect, I recall his relationship with President Bola Tinubu.

When Asiwaju Tinubu, then a founding chieftain of the defunct AD, decided to run for Lagos governorship, Pa Adebanjo fully supported him, championing transparency in the process that produced him as the candidate of his party. Despite the initial opposition within the party, Baba Adebanjo and other young party members opted for open party primaries, helping Tinubu to emerge as the candidate. Tinubu went on to win the governorship election and was inaugurated on May 29, 1999.

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Grateful for the support, Asiwaju maintained a strong relationship with Baba Adebanjo. Even when their political paths diverged, Tinubu held Baba in high regard. The president said this much in his incisive tribute to Pa Adebanjo, which I quote in part thus: “In moments of national crisis, Baba’s courage shone brightest. When democracy hung in the balance after the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, he joined the National Democratic Coalition (NADECO) as one of the leading voices against military dictatorship, helping to galvanise a movement that became the bedrock of our collective struggle to reclaim democratic governance.

“His unwavering commitment to truth and justice extended to my journey as a governorship candidate in 1999. Baba Adebanjo’s steadfast support was instrumental in my election as governor of Lagos State under the platform of the Alliance for Democracy.

“Though our political paths diverged in later years, my respect and admiration for him never wavered. Until his death, I shared a deep personal bond with Baba Adebanjo; he was like a father figure.”

Many in Tinubu’s position might have taken issue with Baba, who sometimes openly criticised him. But not Asíwájú. As an Omoluabi—a person of good character—Tinubu respects elders and institutions, giving honour where it’s due.

How do I know President Tinubu highly regarded Baba Adebanjo? As a journalist and editor, I was well-known to Baba Adebanjo. I interacted with and interviewed him on many occasions during my active years in journalism. So when I became Asiwaju’s Media Adviser, I became the envoy of sorts, the message-bearer for both. Baba Adebanjo would telephone me, saying, “Rahman, Rahman, so fun Oga e pe mo fe ri. To ba wu yin ke wa, to ba wu yin ke ma wa. Tie na la fe so fun,” meaning “Tell your principal I would like to see him. If he likes, let him honour my invitation. It’s to his benefit if he comes.”

We visited Baba at his residence in Lekki, Lagos, several times. On other occasions, Baba called at Bourdillon, the Ikoyi residence of Asiwaju, along with his entourage.

There is, however, a hilarious and instructive story about the two, which speaks to the admiration and high regard President Tinubu had for Baba, which essentially is the focus of this article. It was during the 90th birthday of Baba Adebanjo, sometime in April 2018. I remember vividly that that particular birthday fell on a Sunday. But a birthday colloquium came up on a Thursday, three days before the actual birthday. We had logged in our dairy for Asiwaju, the birthday lecture, as well as other activities and events lined up to celebrate the distinguished elder statesman. While focusing on the birthday date, I forgot the preceding Thursday event at Landmark Event Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos. Luckily for me, around 9am that Thursday, the traditional ruler of Oke-Ila in Osun State, Oba Dokun Abolarin, telephoned me, saying he was in Lagos and asking if Asiwaju was coming for the birthday lecture. Knowing I had failed to alert Asiwaju about the lecture the previous night, I smelled trouble.

I immediately raced to Bourdillion in Ikoyi. When I went upstairs to see Asiwaju, he was reading newspapers, oblivious of any early morning engagement that day, particularly that of Baba Adebanjo. I informed him about the event and apologised that I had my mind set on the birthday date on Sunday. The lecture was slated for 10 am, and time was already 10 am. Asiwaju, livid, sprung to his feet. By this time, my colleague Ademola Oshodi had joined me in Asiwaju’s room. Without any prompting, we prostrated and apologised again.

Those close to President Tinubu know he is a very proficient politician in Yoruba as he is in English, complete with street lingo. Still seething in anger, Asiwaju said in Yoruba, “Hen hen, idobale yin yen ni emi ma te’ bati. Ma de ibi lecture, won a ma so pe mo moo mo pe de ni ki nba le da ijoko won ru,” meaning, “So it’s this your prostrating that will now count. I will get to the event now, and they will allege that I deliberately came late so I can cause a stir and disrupt the lecture.”

Somehow, Asiwaju quickly prepared to attend despite our tight schedule as we were meant to travel to Abuja that same day. We got to the occasion around noon after the program had been on for about two hours. One important personality I could not readily remember was on the podium. Though we arrived late, Tinubu’s presence stirred excitement, and he delivered a heartfelt speech.

As President Tinubu predicted, his arrival caused a big stir and a temporary halt in the programme. As we made to leave, another commotion that did not subside even after our departure ensued. I suspect Asíwájú’s departure might have signalled the virtual end of the program.

That was not the end of the story, though. A couple of days later, I heard Uncle Jimi Disu, a known Asiwaju critic, on his regular programme then on Classic FM, talking about Baba Adebanjo’s birthday lecture, alleging that Asíwájú ‘sauntered’ into the programme uninvited and disrupted the birthday lecture of the nonagenarian. I could not believe my ears. I went on that program afterward to debunk what he said. I narrated what happened, that Asiwaju had tremendous respect for Baba and that he would have avoided the kind of situation that played out if I had briefed him of the timing of the programme.

This incident underscores the critical role of aides in supporting leaders to function effectively. Aides must guide them accurately, as their actions and inactions can significantly impact leadership outcomes. An oversight on my part unintentionally fuelled what would have resulted in animus between Baba Adebanjo and Tinubu.

•Rahman is Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Media, Publicity and Special Duties.

February 24, 2025
Reflections on the drop in inflation

By Zubair Opeyemi

That Nigeria’s inflation figures reportedly dropped sharply is to many, very surprising to the point that naysayers are openly doubting the authenticity of the figures and reality of the fall. However, we are not surprised because we have been watching the speeches, economic plans and actions which have yielded the present figures. While some thought we were incurable optimists for believing that the country was actually turning round a recovery bend, the indicators and promises as well as assemblage of the team to handle each task woke in us the glimmer of hope and shafts of light from the end of the tunnel.

The drop in the inflationary rate was so sharp that it enjoyed banner headlines even among detractors of the government. Prior to the drop which stemmed from policy implementations, inflation was at 34.80 per cent but dropped to 24.8 per cent.

Explaining the development, the Statistician General of the Federation, Adeyemi Adeniran said that consumer index which measures rate of change in prices of goods and commodities had declined to the present figure. He further stated that urban inflation reduced to 26.09 per cent, rural inflation declined to 22.15 per cent which implied general drop in prices of goods and commodities, adding that rebasing which was done in simple terms, meant updating the reference year used and changing the “basket of goods and services used to measure inflation” to better reflect current realities on consumer spending pattern. This he said was to ensure that inflation data reflects the economy’s current position and performance.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had last April, while addressing diaspora party members in the United Kingdom harped on the need to have hope. He specifically assured them that he had plans to bring down inflation.

“I campaigned on hope and have to rest on that hope and push for that hope for the joy of every one of us. The economy is looking good; we have inflation, don’t worry about that, yes we know we have the challenge of inflation, it is okay, we will bring it down. We are re-engineering, our revenue is getting better and we are taking our sovereignty and our respect back around the world. Not that they are doing for us, we are doing it ourselves. Whatever is happening to us we have to solve it by ourselves,” he had told the gathering.

He apparently spoke to the facts: the increase in the country’s foreign reserve which, only recently hit over $40 billion, thereby restoring confidence of investors; the oversubscription of the bonds, a strong indicator that we are going back to where we want to be economically.

Unfortunately, while the government at the centre is doing all to restore better life to Nigerians, there has to be a buy-in by state governors and local government chairmen for there to be a total trickle-down effect to the remotest villages. There has to be a commensurate and deliberate attempt by other tiers of government to enthrone policies and programmes that are beneficial to the average person.

This regrettably is not the case. For example in Kano, Nigeria’s grains capital, a man reportedly stocked 1000 jumbo bags of maize at purchase price of N75,000 per bag thus creating artificial scarcity hoping the price would rise so that he will rip off the people. He later discovered that prices of grains in the market kept falling drastically. Only then did he decide to bring out the bags of maize to sell, during which the price had dropped to N50,000 per bag.

The individual is certainly not alone in hoarding food items which means that such Nigerians are creating artificial food inflation. However, it also happened with dollar speculators who were determining the price at which foreign currencies exchanged for the naira.

Read Also: Rebasing of economy: will it bode well for Nigerians?

One can only appeal to all Nigerians to be patriotic and ease things for the common man to feel the effect of government policies. We are sure Nigerians would not want us to go back into the essential commodities days where soldiers had to break into some warehouses hoarding commodities or the days where the masses marched on palliatives warehouses. Nigerians should all be their brother’s keeper by not hoarding in order to make excessive profits.

Another point of interest which has caught the attention of Nigerians is the grim statistics of budgeting in the country. The 2023 figures from the office of National Bureau of Statistics reveal that governors appropriate to themselves budgets that exceed the internal revenues of their states, some to the tune of 200 per cent.

Development can hardly take place under such conditions which means that utilities provision will suffer since monies meant to be used for development find their ways into maintaining the offices of governors who often plead true federalism and even argue in courts that a federal agency lacked right to look at their finances. Such budgetary system that places more money than the states generate in the office of the governor needs to be urgently addressed.

Some examples will suffice; the 2025 budget of some states viewed against their 2023 internally generated revenue show disproportionate allocation to the governors’ offices above what the states generate. Oyo State’s allocation to the office of the governor in 2025 is N84.0 billion whereas their IGR in 2023 was N52.75 billion, representing 162 % of the 2023 IGR; Enugu State allocated N49.2 billion to their governor’s office which represents 145 % of 2023 IGR of N33.9 billion; Anambra allocated N46.7 billion to the governor’s office against their 2023 IGR of N33.5 billion which is 139% while Kogi allocated N43.5 billion in 2025 representing 162 % of their 2023 IGR of N26.8 billion.

Borno State allocated N28.2 billion to their governor’s office which represents 145 % of their 2023 IGR of N19.5 billion while Kebbi has N13.4 billion for the governor’s office, representing 115% of their 2023 IGR of N11.7 billion.

One believes that more money should be freed for development. Governors should feel for the people and have a change of mind to be utilitarian in their approach to governance.

•Opeyemi is of the Accountability Group and writes from Abuja.

February 24, 2025
Content piracy: A global initiative against a global enemy
- By Temiloluwa Olajide
It’s no longer news that piracy is a global enemy, one that has destroyed and continues to destroy the work and livelihoods of countless creatives. From film and music to sports broadcasts and television series, piracy robs rightful owners of their earnings and threatens the sustainability of entire industries.

As a global scourge, it requires a global response and fortunately, powerful partnerships are being forged across the planet and across sectors to protect content creators and the industry they work in. These partnerships involved digital content platforms, law enforcement bodies, cybersecurity firms and tech companies, all working together to ensure the viability of the industries that inform, educate and entertain audiences.

At first glance, piracy might seem like an easy way to access free entertainment, but its consequences run deep, affecting both individuals and society as a whole. On a personal level, streaming a sports event or show from an illegal site can expose users to serious risks, such as malware infections, identity theft, or financial fraud. Hackers can gain access to sensitive information, including bank details, potentially wiping out accounts. The damage caused by such crimes far outweighs the satisfaction of watching a football match for free.

Beyond personal risks, piracy also cripples the creative sector by siphoning revenue away from legitimate rights holders. When movies, music, and sports events are illegally distributed, producers and creatives do not receive their due earnings. This lack of compensation disrupts the industry, leading to fewer productions, job losses, and weakened investment in new content.

Nigeria has one of the most vibrant entertainment industries in the world, with Nollywood ranking as one of the biggest film industries globally and Afrobeats taking center stage in international music charts. The potential for even greater success is huge, but piracy poses an obstacle.

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MultiChoice, a key investor in local content, has spent years bringing high-quality productions to audiences, yet piracy continues to threaten the industry. Illegal streaming of sports events, reality TV shows, and locally produced series remains a major concern. This is particularly critical as the platform regularly broadcasts live feeds of many of the most popular sporting events on earth—F1, the Olympic Games, Euro, World Cup, and Champions League football, as well as popular local leagues. Beyond sports, Africa Magic and Showmax Originals have become home to some of Africa’s most beloved entertainment shows, including hits like The Real Housewives of Lagos (RHO Lagos), Big Brother Naija, and Nigerian Idol. With content available in 40 languages and a growing library exceeding 84,000 hours, these platforms play a vital role in African storytelling. However, the rise of illegal streaming not only impacts revenue but also threatens the sustainability and growth of the creative industry.

To counter this, MultiChoice has joined forces with Partners Against Piracy (PAP) and cybersecurity firm Irdeto, actively tracking and shutting down illegal operations in multiple African nations.

With piracy tactics evolving, the fight against content theft must also advance. Strong collaborations, advanced technology, and public awareness are key to protecting the creative industry. By shutting down illegal operations and promoting legal alternatives, organizations like MultiChoice, PAP, and Irdeto are ensuring that content creators receive their rightful earnings and that audiences can continue to enjoy high-quality entertainment.

Ultimately, safeguarding creative content is not just about protecting businesses—it’s about securing the future of storytelling, preserving jobs, and ensuring that Africa’s thriving entertainment industry continues to grow. The fight against piracy is a shared responsibility, and by supporting legal content, we all contribute to a stronger, more sustainable creative economy.
- Olajide, a intellectual copyright advocate, writes from Lagos
February 23, 2025
Babangida’s June 12 confession: Can Nigerians ever forget his atrocious rule?
- By Mobolaji Sanusi
On Thursday, February 21, 2025, despotic retired General Ibrahim Badamosi Babangida launched his book titled: “A Journey In Service-An Autobiography.” The book is obviously an attempt to appease almighty God, not any human being.

As he revels in the twilight of his life and with the mindset that he’s currently enjoying an age bracket where going the mortal way is imminent, the fear of eluding aljannah if necessary atonement is forsaken here on earth cannot be overlooked.

At his book presentation that was well attended by all known notable living victims of his misrule in Abuja, the demonic military ruler in Nigeria’s political history, for once , publicly expressed halfhearted contrition to wit: “I regret June 12. I accept full responsibility for the decisions taken and June 12 happened under my watch. Mistakes, missteps happened in quick succession. That accident of history is most regrettable. The nation is entitled to expect my expression of regret.”

With those carefully crafted words in Babangida’s usual deceptive language come a sense of nostalgic feelings about an avoidable act of a military power monger that threw the country into a yet-to-be-overcome democratic and economic rigmarole.

For Babangida, other power mongers and living creatures, time teaches the value of life but people only change when faced by compelling experience of life’s reality. The dawn of Babangida’s sad reality has arrived during his 83rd birthday celebration. And the truth about the acknowledgment of his criminal annulment of June 12, 1993 Presidential election that Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola convincingly won has just been made by him. He has dodged this reality in his bid to preserve his pride and already badly dented leadership reputation for decades.

In a country with contemporary generation of youths that lacked a veritable sense of their history, the depth of Babangida’s book launch might be taken with levity. To them, it’s not difficult to dismiss it as a routine, frequently embarked upon by political leaders masquerading as authors to garb history in their preferred clothes colour.

What’s not impossible from the foregoing is the likelihood that Niccolo Machiavelli had Babangida and perhaps other Nigerian political gladiators in mind when he opined several decades ago: “Everyone sees what you appear to be, few experience what you really are.” For Nigerians that are old enough when Babangida was an imperial military ruler, the truth that his book launch audience failed to throw on his face is that he is one power-obsessed political monster who ruled this country and nearly ran it politically and economically aground.

Read Also: Forgive Babangida over June 12, Ozekhome begs Nigerians

With the assemblage of brilliant minds that he surrounded himself with during his imperial reign in power, he espoused astounding policy philosophy that he never embodied empirically. In actual fact, Babangida is an embodiment of the widely known cliche of leading by precept rather than example.

Currently, the stark reality staring IBB in the face is reinforced by the fact that at the apogee of his political power, he failed to trust his instincts which are altruistic messages from his soul. He gleefully succumbed to pleasures of the flesh. And with his conscience giving him sleepless nights over his misrule over Nigeria and especially misdeeds to MKO Abiola, he has now grudgingly through his autobiography come out to half heartedly confessed the sad truth of how he deprived Nigerians the opportunity of having a president in Abiola that holds, till date, the record of winning an untainted election ever in the anal of presidential elections in this country.

Rather than make direct regrets and pointed plea for forgiveness from his country patriots, IBB was busy passing buck on General Sani Abacha and Aikhomu through his secretary that he claimed released the annulment press statement while away in Katsina state, without his imprimatur. This is despite his knowing that both were not alive to defend themselves.

Unfortunately and obviously in a deliberate strategic timing by Babangida, he ensured that most of those he orchestrated the devilish June 12, 1993 presidential annulment saga with; that could corroborate or debunked his lies including Arthur Nzeribe, Abimbola Davis, , Clement Akpamgbo, Justices Dahiru Saleh and Bassey Ikpeme, Professors Humphrey Nwosu and Omo Omoruyi and more importantly General Sani Abacha and Vice Admiral Augustus Aikhomu are all dead. That is vintage Babangida for young Nigerians to know.

What is actually a take away from the chapter in his book dwelling on his journey to nowhere political transition policy is for Nigerians to stay away from IBB’s deceptively buck passing presentations by his acting like a victim in a problem he willfully created, inflicting indescribable anguish and despair on Nigeria/Nigerians in the process.

IBB, through his gap-toothed deceitful smiles during his rulership of this country was loved but not trusted by millions of discernible Nigerians.

Babangida’s recent confession is a confirmation of Benjamin Franklin’s aphorism that: “Life’s tragedy is that we get old too soon and wise too late.” The tragedy of IBB’s life and times as military ruler of this country is that he’s getting wise the fact. That is, after his willfully dastard political orchestration.

Alexander the Great once said: “In the end, when it’s all over, all that matters is what you’ve done.” What matters to Nigerians with a dispassionate sense of history is that true statesmanship and reliable leadership are all over for IBB. All that matters to us is not his belated confession but how he unforgettably messed up our political turfs with insincere policies and economic terrain through his insincere foreign induced Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) that led to devaluation of the Naira and abysmal craze for seeking and obtaining looted loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

What is on records is that Nigerians tried to stop IBB’s political transition and economic journey-to-nowhere.

Yours sincerely was at the time on the streets with other patriots to protest against his inimical policies and political abracadabra. Yours sincerely joined other patriotic journalists, writers and activists to write damning articles, editorials in newspapers but the ‘evil genius’ and his team of tyrants ignored us. No wonder that Thomas Paine once admonished that “A body of men holding themselves accountable to nobody ought not to be trusted by anybody.” Babangida and his team foisted themselves on us and held themselves accountable to none of us. Such a ruler’s narrative on June 12 annulment or plea for regret should not be believed.

Despite Babangida’s dubious confession, his being weighed down by the pain of June 12 Presidential Election annulment regrets may yet not abate considering that this also led to his ignominiously being forced to step aside from power nearly 33 years ago.

We can’t easily forget his statement that he was “not only in government but also in power. A statement he made to sternly warn millions that were and are still June 12 Presidential Election devotees protesting against his decision at that time. Babangida was ready to burn this country down even if he was to rule over its ashes with his undeniable obsession for power at that point in history.

Seeing the way that especially victims of Babangida’s destructive torment are heaping glowing praises on him at his book launch, yours sincerely keeps reflecting over what the reactions of late patriots like MKO Abiola, Gani Fawehinmi, Beko Ransome-Kuti, Dele Giwa, Kudirat Abiola, Bagauda Kaltho and millions that were martyrs of struggles against Babangida’s tyranny will be in their graves.

This in my humble view is the worst scenario created at the evil genius 83rd birthday book launch. Babangida might take solace in the divine injunction stating that “to err is human but to forgive is divine.”

For most Nigerians with conscience, the injustice of June 12 criminal annulment and the cruel elimination of MKO Abiola can be aptly summed up by the words of Thomas Aquinas to wit: “No evil can be excused because it is done with a good intention,” not even on any phantom national security report. Herein lies the futility of Babangida’s half hearted regret at his book launch.
- Sanusi, a journalist/corporate legal consultant wrote in this piece from Lagos.
February 23, 2025
UNN VC Choice: Reflecting equity and justice
- By Nnaji Jekwu Onovo
Across the world, countries with diverse populations establish peculiar policies to increase opportunities and ensure equal representation of the various groups. These policies are crafted and implemented to provide a level playing field and curb discrimination and underrepresentation, systemic or otherwise. And they take different names, such as affirmative action, reservation quota and positive discrimination. Nigeria’s version of this is called the Federal Character Principle (FCP).

Section 14(3) of the 1999 constitution as amended, captures the federal character principle. The Federal character principle was borne out of the need to ensure evenness in spreading government appointments to promote inclusion, representation, a sense of belonging and balance in the polity. The underlying philosophy of the federal character principle is providing equality of access in public service representation to curb dominance by one or a few sections.

Beyond the need to achieve political stability, the implementation of the federal character principle in the educational sector was officially predicated on considerations of justice and equity which, the government reasoned, demanded equalization of opportunities tor Nigerians. This was codified into a recruitment principle tor Nigerian universities as captured by the phrase ‘catchment areas.’ As a recruitment ideology, the invocation of ‘catchment areas’ (CA) seeks the reservation of certain rights and privileges for the benefit of individuals and groups within the locale of a federal or national institution or agency. In the universities, it is most readily associated with the preferential allocation of admission quota to ‘indigenes’ of the university location and its contiguous neighbourhood. However, as a factor in university governance, CA is also expressed in employment of staff, and key political and administrative appointments including the vice-chancellorship.

The catchment area for University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN) are the core Igbo states of the South East geo-political zone including Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, and Imo.

Almost every university in the country is enmeshed in the domestication of appointments of principal officers of the institution like the vice-chancellor, bursar, registrar, deans, HoDs and others. Most host communities see universities in their domains as theirs and so, are in the forefront of clamouring for ‘a son of the soil’ to be head of such institutions. In this vein, a social cultural organization in Enugu North Senatorial zone known as “Kpokotenu Nsukka,” has appealed to President Bola Tinubu-led federal government to consider the zone when appointing the next Vice-Chancellor of UNN. The group also called on Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State to support their agitation for the emergence of an Nsukka man as Vice-Chancellor of UNN. They noted that no native of the host community has occupied the VC position since the establishment of the premier university in 1960.

The laws that establish the various universities specify the principal officers who are required to direct the affairs of the universities. These include the chancellor, the pro-chancellor and chairman of the council, the vice-chancellor, the deputy vice-chancellor, the registrar and secretary to the council, the university librarian, and the bursar.

The chancellor of a federal university in Nigeria is appointed by and holds office at the pleasure of the Nigerian president who is the Visitor to the university. The pro-chancellor/chairman of the council is also appointed by the President of Nigeria. While the chancellor and pro-chancellor, as political appointees of the Visitor / Federal Government, are supposedly representing the interest of the government and the Nigerian president as the principal stakeholder, the vice-chancellor and the other principal officers are career academics and or professionals, respectively as the case may be, and they are leaders of university bureaucracy, deemed apolitical in their respective arms of that public institution.

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The vice-chancellor is considered the principal academic and executive officer of the university. Finding the right person to fit into the position becomes important, not only in the interest of the university but also in the interest of nation-building.

In time past up till the 1980s, many of the federal universities have had non-indigenes of their regions of location as vice-chancellors. For example, Oladipo Akinkugbe (indigene of Western Region, now South-west geopolitical zone) was vice-chancellor of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria (North-west geopolitical zone) between 1978 and 1979. Kenneth Dike (indigene if Eastern Region, now South-east geopolitical zone) was vice-chancellor of University of Ibadan (South-west geopolitical zone) between 1960 and 1967. That trend is noted to have gradually receded in the federal universities starting from the 1980s, with the universities now lining-up ethno-regional indigene vice-chancellors and other principal officers. I plead with the good people of Enugu North Senatorial Zone, not to narrow the appointment of the principal officers of UNN to senatorial level. Enugu North Senatorial District is a subset of Enugu State, and Enugu State has enjoyed fair share in producing Vice Chancellors of the premier university, UNN.

In fact, of the five states that make up the catchment areas for UNN, only three have enjoyed the privilege of producing the Vice Chancellors of the university. The states are Abia, Anambra and Enugu; the remaining states of Ebonyi and Imo have never occupied the VC position in the premier university. I believe these two states are not short of eminently qualified professors to occupy this position; and therefore request we reserve the right of first refusal to the two states of Ebonyi and Imo. This is necessary to reflect equity and justice.

For purposes of clarity, the following are the Igbo Professors from the South East who occupied/occupy the VC position in UNN: Prof. Eni Njoku, 3rd VC from 1966 to 1970 (Abia State), Prof. Chimere Eyo-Ita Ikoku, 8th VC from 1985 to 1992 (Abia State), Prof. Oleka Kelechi Udeala, 9th VC from 1992 to 1995 (Abia State); Prof. James Okoye Chukwuka Ezeilo, 5th VC from 1975 to 1978 (Anambra State), Prof. Ginigeme Francis Mbanefoh, 11th VC from 1998 to 2004 (Anambra State), Prof. Benjamin Chukwuma Ozumba, 14th VC from 2014 to 2019 (Anambra State), Prof. Charles Arinzechukwu Igwe, 15th VC from 2019 till date (Anambra State); Prof. Chinedu Ositadinma Nebo, 12th VC from 2004 to 2009 (Enugu State), Prof. Bartho Ndubuisi Okolo, 13th VC from 2009 to 2014 (Enugu State).

I believe that irrespective of states of origin, whenever it comes to the issue of senior/academic staff recruitment and principal officers’ appointment, key actors in the university should always place a higher premium on academic/professional excellence, managerial acumen, and demonstrated integrity of the respective candidates in open competition.
- Engr. Onovo Plot 18 Whitesand Avenue, Lekki, Lagos TEL: 08184553078, EMAIL: jekwuonovo@gmail.com
February 23, 2025
Is Africa under the First Son Curse?
Being an offspring of any country’s president should be one of the most coveted privileges in today’s possession-obsessed world.

The opportunities and privileges are endless. They can practically wish for the moon on a stick at sunrise and have Santa at their beck and call.

One would expect those greatly favoured to use their positions to make an impact, touch lives, and build up rather than scatter and tear down.

Take the United States, for instance. Several of the First Children in recent history have excelled in different areas of their interests, like Caroline Kennedy, Chelsea Clinton, and Barbara Pierce Bush. Even Donald Trump’s Children, Ivanka and Eric, have held their own.

Africa has its share of shining examples, too. But the continent is also littered with stories of First Children who have either been in the news for the wrong reasons or are only mentioned when they get married, have accidents, or engage in any other activity that does not ultimately contribute to the bottom line.

Of irresponsible first sons

It is sad to say that, to a large extent, Nigeria and its First Sons seem to fall into the second category. For some of these first sons, leveraging the different platforms for the public good isn’t on their menu.

The 42-year-old Duduzane Zuma, son of former South African President Jacob Zuma, falls into the first category. Since his father was president, he has been dogged by various scandals, ranging from a road accident that became a culpable homicide case to corruption allegations.

Concerning the accident, Duduzane was said to have lost control of his Porsche on the road and hit the rear of a taxi. The Taxi driver, a mother of a two-year-old, died instantly. Three other people were also severely injured. One of the accident survivors had narrated that Duduzane was speeding before hitting their minivan taxi.

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Profligacy as lifestyle

The eldest son of President Teodoro Obiang of Equatorial Guinea, Teodoro Nguema Obiang (nicknamed Teodorin), is no stranger to controversies and scandals. He has been embroiled in various probes and sanctions over what has been described as his ill-gotten assets.

In January 2025, money laundering charges from the Brazilian government landed on Teodoro’s door. Long before now, the United Kingdom and United States authorities prosecuted him for one corruption or embezzlement allegation. He was once convicted in France and received a suspended licence and a fine of €30 million, a fine he could have paid by simply dipping his hand into his back pocket.

Nguema was said to have paid £400,000 to hire a Superyacht Tatoosh for a Christmas cruise on which he entertained Eve, a rap singer.

The international media has also criticised him for spending about R10,000,000 (more than $500,000) on a weekend of Champagne in South Africa, property renovations, and luxury cars.

One can safely say that Mr. Teodorin Obiang is better known for his profligate lifestyle than for policy-making and governance, despite being a significant staple in his father’s government.

Another President’s son notorious for his outrageous lifestyle is Denis-Christel Sassou Nguesso, the son of President Denis Sassou Nguesso of the Republic of the Congo (Congo-Brazzaville).

Like his Equatorial Guinea counterpart, Dennis-Christel, who turned 50 in January 2025, has been integral to his father’s administration and has held several significant positions within the Congolese government and public enterprises.

Of course, like his African peers above, Denis-Christel has been embroiled in corruption and embezzlement-related controversies. Reports have it that Investigations have linked him to significant financial misconduct, including a case in which he was accused of corruptly obtaining $50 million from national treasury funds. Either he keeps the key to the treasury or has a spare under his pillow.

Millions Blown on Fashion

In 2007, Global Witness, a UK-based NGO, published documents, including Sassou Nguesso’s credit card bills, which showed that he spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on shopping sprees in Paris, Marbella and Dubai.

The documents revealed that on 3 June 2006, Denis-Christel spent €10,225 on Louis Vuitton and $35,000 on purchases from designers such as Roberto Cavalli and Louis Vuitton in August 2006 alone.

Though he took the NGO to court in London for publishing the documents, the presiding judge dismissed his case.

The French government has also investigated him for using proceeds of embezzled public funds to acquire luxury properties in France.

As said earlier, the story has been slightly different but not necessarily better back home in Nigeria.

A new dawn?

Since 1999, when Nigeria returned to democracy, children of the first family have been embroiled in one controversy or another. Not much can be ascribed to them regarding positive contributions to Nigeria’s well-being and growth.

But who knows?

With the prominent but quiet and persistent acts of public service and philanthropy we have seen from certain quarters, we might be turning the corner on that chapter in this new dispensation.

It appears there is hope for Nigeria and Africa yet.
- Maxwell Uzochukwu wrote from Lekki, Lagos.
February 23, 2025