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Category: Discourse

  • Adeola Ajayi: A legacy of compassion, service

    Adeola Ajayi: A legacy of compassion, service

    By Jacob Edi

    While scouring the streets of Facebook dats, ago, I stumbled on a post by Hon Ifunanya Nwanegwo, who happens to be the Chairman, Mbaitoli LGA, Imo state. In the post, she was appreciating the Director General of the Department of State Services (DSS), Mr Oluwatosin Adeola Ajayi, for empowering ten people in the LGA to help them boost their small businesses.

    What struck me the most wasn’t the post, but the comments that ensued. It was laden with emotion-laced testimonies of how the  DSS boss has always been benevolent. Expectedly, my initial reaction was that this must have been a political move. However, it struck me that the name didn’t sound Igbo. In fact, he is Ijebu from Ogun state. And from my little knowledge of the Yoruba, I know that they are considered the most thrifty, if not the stingiest, of the Yoruba race.

    When I enquired if this gesture was because his wife is from Imo State,  I discovered that she isn’t. Therefore, I ruled out politics. This is humanity at play, combined with leadership, purpose and achievement of national security objectives. In that moment. I decided to dig a bit further to attempt the difficult task of unraveling the man, mystery and the motive.

    While researching the background of Mr. Ajayi from colleagues, superiors and subordinates at the DSS, it dawned on me that the man has what I would describe as a ‘special place in his heart’ for the less privileged in the society. For instance, I got to learn that as far back as in 1994, when he was still a budding officer, Ajayi’s hobby was providing financial assistance to orphanages and leper homes in Akure, Ondo State. As he rose in rank and got transferred to other states, he improved on the scope of the support. Now, as the DG of the DSS, I heard, he carries out outreaches at orphanage homes across all states at different times of the year.

    Friends and former colleagues describe Mr. Ajayi as an uncommon humanitarian. “He is led by principles of humanity, not of politics, nor religion nor tribe or any sentiment whatsoever, “ said one of his university classmates. While serving in Bauchi state, offered a now retired deputy director of the Service, Ajayi renovated a mosque at Tafewa-Balewa. He rebuilt the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) which was in near ruins, even as he reportedly renovated the Evangelical Church of West Africa (ECWA) church there.

    He didn’t stop at providing assistance to churches and mosques. The DSS boss, I learnt, made it a point of duty to host Christian and Muslim leaders yearly as a means of fostering unity while also extending humanitarian assistance to them. He would feed those fasting during Lent and Ramadan, and provide assistance to any who met him for pressing issues.

    As I dug deeper, I was struck by awe as to how a security chief could be so moved by passion for humanity to do all he did and is still doing.

    In my home state, Kogi, where I served as Special Adviser on Media and Strategy to former Governor Idris Wada,  I couldn’t but notice the impact Mr. Ajayi made in my state when he served as the State Director of Security.  Even though his deployment came after that administration, while other neighbouring states struggled with insecurity, Ajayi, I learnt, largely succeeded in keeping Kogi safe, apparently using his unique style of engaging aristocrats and plebeians alike.

    Aside occasionally empowering people, the DSS boss, I further learnt, had the habit of visiting hospitals and offsetting bills of indigent patients. He would support widows with empowerment programmes and offer scholarships to their children. From what I gathered, when selecting beneficiaries, Ajayi does not discriminate on the basis of tongue or creed.

    From Bauchi to Bayelsa, and from Plateau to Rivers, and from Ondo to Kaduna States, I learnt, Ajayi’s benevolent fingerprints in orphanages and several humanitarian gestures are as clear as the day. In a clime where it is not uncommon for public officers, especially security chiefs, to seek to make the best of their postings, Ajayi chose to be different. He always gave back, in very special ways, to the indigents in the states he served.

    In the course of my investigating this  interesting man, I learnt that security may not just be about brandishing arms and ammunition. I got to learn that the DSS boss believes that humanitarian acts have proven to be a very efficient non-conventional method of maintaining peace and security. One of the driving forces of the DSS boss, noted a retired director of the Service, is in his belief that any intelligence service without human asset will be struggling as, according to the spy chief, human intelligence aka HUMINT is more effective. He reportedly believes that the collection of information from human sources through interpersonal contact is very effective.

    I guess he believes that when an idle mind is meaningfully engaged, chances of indulging in criminality become slimmer. In the states he served across all the geo-political zones, Ajayi was able to use this unconventional approach to record successes. It, therefore, came as a little surprise that President Tinubu appointed him to head the DSS, and realize the National Strategic Security Plan.

    Apparently, due to the classified nature of DSS activities, I, understandably, couldn’t lay hands on some information I desired. Thankfully, by virtue of his becoming Director General, some of his activities have become public information which makes it easy to better understand his true nature. I remember that months ago, friends of the DSS boss donated an Islamic school to a community in Kaduna state. He had served in the state and, in 2009, directed the successful rescue of a Canadian lady and official of Rotary International.

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    We cannot overemphasize the importance of security to our daily lives. The earlier we begin to realize that all aspects of the society needs to be fully secured for us to make progress, the better we start appreciating people like Mr Ajayi who leaves no stone unturned in the quest to make Nigeria safer.

    It goes without saying that a man’s true nature is exposed through his actions. The kind nature of the DSS boss perhaps is the reason he finds it easy to compensate individuals who were wrongly arrested by the Service. Apparently, only a kind, just and true man who expresses empathy towards the plight of others will go through the inconvenience of apologising and compensating suspects arrested or detained in error.

    At this point some might be wondering, if with the DSS boss, charity is indeed beginning at home? In other words, if DSS personnel are also beneficiaries of Ajayi’s kindness. I cannot claim to have all the details. However, most serving and retired personnel of the DSS I interacted with say they’ve never had it so good. I hear they are better enumerated, personnel issues are prioritized, families of personnel lost in the line of duty are adequately compensated, wives and relatives of inactive personnel are empowered and most importantly, personnel of the agency are hopeful for a better future in the Service.

    The humanitarian deeds of the DSS boss are too numerous to mention in a single piece as this. I’m happy to have come to realize that Ajayi is not just the Director General, DSS. He is a man who sees the hollowness in the hearts of the needy and goes overboard to support them and give them hope.

    It is my sincere prayer that, some day, other leaders across the country will emulate this Good Samaritan who continues to build on a worthy legacy of kindness and service for humanity.

    Edi, Special Adviser to Governor Usman Ododo on Information and Communications,, and former chairman, NUJ (FCT chapter), wrote from Abuja

  • Arik Air at 19: High hopes, hard landings

    Arik Air at 19: High hopes, hard landings

    • By Ololade Gbajumo

    On 30 October 2006, a vision took to the skies. Arik Air lifted off from the tarmac of Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos — a bold declaration that Nigerians could build and operate an airline of world-class standard.

    That day, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, then Governor of Lagos State (now President of Nigeria), represented by Mr. Dele Alake, flagged off the airline with pride and optimism. Little could he have imagined that, nineteen years later, that same airline would return to his presidential desk — not as a triumph, but as a tragedy of mismanagement under the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON).

    Arik began with brand-new aircraft, state-of-the-art systems, and audacious ambition. At its peak, it flew 22 new airplanes, connected every major Nigerian airport, expanded into West and Central Africa, and carried Nigeria’s flag proudly to London, New York, and Johannesburg.

    Its workforce were not just employees; they were ambassadors of Nigerian excellence. Pilots trained at Oxford, managers at Cranfield and Boeing, engineers at Lufthansa Technik. Arik became Africa’s fastest-growing airline — admired, trusted, and respected.

    International financiers such as US Exim Bank, Export Development Canada, and Afrexim Bank supported its rise, while Lufthansa Technik provided maintenance. For once, Nigerians saw aviation that inspired confidence: punctual flights, gleaming aircraft, and dignity in the skies.

    Turbulence ahead but the winds changed

    Arik’s growth, financed through a consortium of international lenders at a sustainable 2.5% interest rate, was derailed by a financial scandal that began in 2010. Union Bank — a local guarantor of the foreign credit lines — sold its guarantee portfolio to AMCON, misrepresenting it as loans it had granted to Arik.

    Years later, investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) revealed the truth: Union Bank never granted those loans. The transaction was fraudulent from inception. Yet, AMCON bought the “debt,” imposed a crippling 18% interest rate, and turned a performing, solvent airline into a financial casualty.

    That single act of bureaucratic recklessness became Arik’s descent into chaos. Maintenance budgets were reviewed by bankers as just numbers without an inkling of consequences on planning and scheduling, cash flows strangled, and the airline’s balance sheet deliberately sabotaged. The once high-flying Nigerian airline was forced into turbulence — not by poor performance, but by state-enabled financial sabotage.

    The AMCON takeover — A hard landing

    On 9 February 2017, AMCON announced it had taken over Arik under receivership — calling it a rescue. For many, it felt more like an ambush. Infact, Nigerians in worldwide watched in awe a Nigerian Senator on national television saying, “take it, take it….” Ofcourse without introspection but excitement, now we are all living witnesses.The appointed receiver, Oluseye Opasanya, SAN, and the new CEO, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, took control without proper handover notes or inventory — a shocking procedural failure for such a critical operation. The founder, Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide, was reportedly detained overnight at AMCON’s instance — a symbolic show of force that revealed the true intent of the so-called intervention.

    From that day, Arik’s fortunes nosedived. The airline that once operated 140 daily flights on 60 routes now struggles to maintain six domestic flights daily — and reportedly has only one functioning aircraft as of today 30October 2025.

    AMCON’s claims of “stabilizing” Arik are a cruel joke. The once-bustling hangar at Lagos Airport, once filled with shiny new jets, now lies littered with abandoned, cannibalized aircraft — a graveyard of Nigeria’s aviation dreams.

    Receivership, it turned out, was not a rescue. It was a hijack — a calculated destruction of value.

    The EFCC exposé and the pattern of abuse

    By 2023, the EFCC confirmed what some industry watchers had long suspected: the so-called “Union Bank loan” was a fraud. The bank and several officials are now on trial for deception, misrepresentation, and abuse of office.

    Meanwhile, AMCON’s own stewardship has remained opaque. No receiver’s accounts were filed for years. Assets were sold without transparency. Aircraft were stripped, dismembered, and written off without due process. Even performing loans and contractual relationships were reportedly driven into default under AMCON’s receivership management.

    In October 2024, AMCON’s new Managing Director, Mr. Gbenga Alade, perhaps without realization that AMCON took over 19 aircraft in Arik at the commencement of the receivership publicly promised to expand Arik’s fleet from three to eight aircraft by March 2025, to help lower airfares. One year later, the promise has evaporated — no new aircraft, no expansion, no relief for the industry.

    Aviation, unlike banking, is not a spreadsheet operation. It demands precision, trust, and competence. AMCON’s experiment with Arik has instead destroyed investor confidence — not just in aviation, but across Nigeria’s private sector.

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    When the Rescuer Becomes the Predator

    The AMCON Act was designed to protect the economy, not weaponize state power. Yet its intervention in Arik became a case study in how power, unchecked, breeds ruin.

    Under the guise of recovery, AMCON’s agents have often operated with impunity — seizing, selling, and silencing entrepreneurs. In Arik’s case, the so-called rescue obliterated value, jobs, and Nigeria’s reputation with foreign financiers.Institutions like US Exim, Afrexim, Export Development Canada, HSBC, and Bank of America watched their Nigerian investments rot on the tarmac — a clear warning to future investors.

    When a government agency acts like a wrecking crew, trust evaporates — and capital follows.

    Restoring faith in Nigeria’s skies

    Today, Nigeria’s aviation sector faces mounting challenges — high fuel costs, dwindling fleets, and shrinking investor trust. Yet, hope remains.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signaled a new era of policy clarity and investor confidence. Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo, SAN, has taken steps to rebuild credibility, attract new entrants, and enforce reciprocity in bilateral air service agreements.

    But the Arik Air saga stands as an unhealed wound — a stark reminder that no reform can thrive where institutions misuse power and hide behind legality to commit economic vandalism.

    Flight path to redemption

    Nineteen years after takeoff, Arik Air’s story is both a dream and a warning. It began with vision and pride — but was brought down by greed and mismanagement disguised as rescue.

    If Nigeria truly seeks new investment and global respect, it must confront this truth: what happened to Arik under AMCON is not reform. It is economic vandalism under the cover of law.

    Now, the same President who watched the bird take its first flight must decide — will he let it crash for good, or will he lead its true rescue?

    Let the truth fly again. Let Arik rise, not as a symbol of failure, but of redemption, renewal, and restored confidence in Nigeria’s ability to soar.

    • Gbajumo writes from London
  • Goje: A politician that APC, Tinubu must avoid in 2027

    Goje: A politician that APC, Tinubu must avoid in 2027

    By Abdulkarim Abubakar, Abuja

    The popular saying that – toxic people never tell the full story; they always tell the part where they are victims and everyone else looks bad, is one that clearly captured a recent opinion piece titled: ‘‘Senator Goje: The Mistake APC Must Avoid’’ written by one Louis Achi.  The piece by Achi, is nothing but a bunch of falsehoods and an attempt to resuscitate the ailing political relevance of Goje, who has largely, if not completely, outlived his political value and usefulness as far as Gombe political landscape is concerned.

    Those who truly understand the political ecosystem of the state know that the piece is a desperate move by a politician seeking political attention, to deceive those outside Gombe State into believing that Senator Goje still has relevance in the state.

    To put it straight, Achi’s piece attempts to do a cardiopulmonary resuscitation of Goje’s political relevance in the state that has suffered prolonged cardiac arrest.

    In this piece, we shall put in proper perspective, the matter as it is since Achi’s write up has opened the floor for that.

    To be frank, Goje has been an important figure in Gombe politics having been in the saddle as governor, minister and now senator but his relevance is now once upon a time in view of his zero contribution to the continued growth of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Gombe State in recent elections where he publicly worked against the party.

     Charity they say begins at home but in Goje’s case he only wants to identify himself with APC at the national level while shunning all APC’s gatherings in Gombe State and even in North East for the past three years or so.

     Examining Achi’s piece, let’s do the maths on the allegations made that Goje was betrayed in spite of the claim that he has consistently placed collective interest above personal gain.

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    The question is who betrayed Goje? And at what point did Goje place collective interest above his personal interest? The simple truth is that, it is Goje that betrayed his party, the APC and the record is an open secret to even a kindergarten in the state.

    Build up to the 2023 General Elections, Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State made efforts, criss-crossing the length and breadth of the state, from ward to ward, reaching every polling unit, in companion of some APC chieftains in the state to canvass votes for President Bola Tinubu and all APC candidates in the state. It is on record that Inuwa asked electorates to vote for Goje because he was a member of the APC even when Goje ‘Nicodemusly’ worked for the success of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) and yet someone is busying saying Goje was betrayed.

    As a party faithful, you owe it a duty to work for the success of your party at all times irrespective of any grievance you may be nursing against anyone in your party, that is loyalty in any political space, yet Goje chose the opposite route; preferring the fall of the APC in Gombe only to serve his personal interest.

    It is on record that Goje in an election conducted on the same day as that of the president, won in his polling unit, yet the same party through which he was elected lost the presidential election; yet it is Goje according to Achi’s piece that was betrayed.

     The same President Tinubu he failed to work for in 2023, is the same leader he wants to gain his favour ahead of 2027.

    It is good we remind those who may have forgotten, how Goje’s name appeared on PDP ballot during the party’s primary election, though he denied participating in the PDP primary, pledging his allegiance to the APC, yet not a single campaign was he part of, even when president Tinubu came to flag off his campaign in the state in February 2023, Goje shunned Tinubu’s rally without any apology yet he is now trying to warm his way into APC and Tinubu’s heart ahead of 2027.  APC and President Tinubu must shine their eyes o!

    But for the rigorous and unrelenting campaign strategies adopted by Inuwa, complemented by his transformative and revolutionary developmental strides and sterling performance, the APC through Goje’s APC-at-day-PDP-at-night moves, would have become history today on Gombe’s political map. And I ask, if Goje’s wish for Inuwa and APC to lose, had succeeded, who would have delivered APC to Tinubu in 2027? Is it the opposition that Goje worked for to take over the state? The truth is that, it is Goje that betrayed the party that fed him in spite of the fact that he benefitted from the political magnanimity of Gov. Inuwa Yahaya’s campaign to win his return ticket to the Senate and if Goje hadn’t played the dangerous card, Tinubu would have won Gombe too.

    The anti-party activities of Goje during the last election, has shown that he is a political Nicodemus moving with the APC during the day but working for PDP at night. It is a known public discourse in Gombe State that Goje worked for the success of the PDP in the state and Atiku Abubakar, who is from the North East and that is why even in the piece written by Achi, he was quick to provide Atiku Abubakar as a potential option for Goje should the APC fail to work with him. Why the option of Atiku and not any other candidate? That’s because Goje has a strong connection to Atiku Abubakar and returning to support him will not be any difficult task for Goje as it is in his usual character to do that.

    The consistency of Goje’s anti party activities before and during the 2023 general elections, which became unbearable for the APC at Kashere Ward, forcing the Ward Executives to expel him having constituted a committee to reach out to Goje but he failed to answer the call of the committee to defend his anti-party activities that caused APC to suffer a blow in the state. Till date, Goje is yet to respond to some of the allegations that led to his expulsion, amongst which are:

    i. Failure to attend the flag-off of the Gombe State APC campaign rally in Gombe which was performed by the then National Chairman of the party, Senator Abdullahi Adamu

    ii. Failure to attend the Asiwaju-Kashim presidential rally in Gombe State which was attended by then President-elect Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his VP-elect Senator Kashim Shettima

    iii. Failure to attend all APC campaign rallies and tours in Gombe State, including the one in his own Gombe Central senatorial zone, Akko Federal constituency, state assembly and ward unit

    iv. Hobnobbing with opposition parties and their candidates with the intent to undermine the success of the APC in Gombe State and Nigeria in general

    v. Open support to opposition party candidates by hosting the NNPP Gubernatorial candidate and the PDP Akko Federal House of Representatives Candidate in his residence and offering support against the interest of his party the APC among many other instances.

    These and many more are not the definition of loyalty to APC.

    The above is one amongst the numerous petitions written against Senator Goje’s un-statesmanship conduct.

    If the aim of Achi’s piece is to help launder the already battered image of Senator Goje with the aim of winning the trust of Mr President, then it is a dead-on-arrival attempt because trust is not given or served à la carte, it is earned through consistent actions, reliability, and integrity and by these benchmarks, Senator Goje should never be trusted as his move should be cautiously scrutinised to avoid having a friendly foe within APC which will be counter-productive by all standard.

    Achi’s fake praise for Goje as the leader of the North-East Senators’ Caucus is not only laughable, it is a pure definition of he who pays the piper calling the tune because no North East leader worth his weight in gold would by any means shun  the APC North East Stakeholders’ summit held in Gombe where President Tinubu was endorsed for a second term in office.

    In some climes, such acts would be punished by the party; but for the leniency of the APC, Goje would have been long forgotten within the APC family, if he had been duly punished for his numerous sins against the APC.  

    At a time when genuine party men were rallying around the President and consolidating unity ahead of 2027, Goje has chosen to stay away or rather become a spectacle in a game he is supposed to be actively involved as a faithful party man that he is claiming to be. That singular act exposed his double standards and confirmed that his commitment to the APC is suspicious especially at a time when party loyalty is judged by either a 100 per cent or nothing.

    Achi’s claim that Gombe APC that cannot survive without Goje, saying that APC needs Goje more than Goje needs APC, is a figment of the shallow imagination of how APC in Gombe is being perceived by Goje and his outdated political ideology that can no longer win election in contemporary times.

    For Achi to have insinuated that APC needs Goje more than Goje needs APC on the basis that Goje may not contest again except pressure mounts on him to re-contest shows a poor understanding of the politics of Gombe State as it stands today.

    Recall that in December 2019, Goje announced to the whole world that he has retired from elective politics only to turn around to re-contest in 2023 on the basis that pressure was mounted on him to re-contest and the question is who mounted the pressure? Those he indeed paid to call for his re-contesting or they would sue him to court to compel him to re-contest? A man of integrity stands by his words no matter the amount of pressure. Goje’s re-contesting the 2023 election, showed the integrity of his personality as a leader and further justifies the obvious that he only serves himself and that he is not in the business of allowing younger generations to serve, yet Achi’s article attempted to paint Goje as a mentor.

    The APC in Gombe is stronger, more united, and more vibrant today than it has ever been, precisely because it has moved beyond personality politics to an all-inclusive party where everyone’s voice matters. The question Achi should be answering is how APC was able to survive all these years when Goje shunned all engagements with the party and even worked both underground and openly to see to the failure of the party so he could prove that his absence led to the death of the party – which never happened.

    The Gombe APC ecosystem is one that has evolved into a more unified family where every member is proud to be an APC member because of the sterling performance of Gov. Yahaya.

    Today, the pride of every APC member is that Inuwa has surpassed the expectations of his manifesto and those of the people, transforming Gombe into a model that is difficult for even opposition to deny even with the minimal resources and by that he has offended those who wished him failure upon assumption into office in 2019. Now that it is clear that there is no stopping Inuwa on his landmark projects which has made Gombe State receiving international and national awards and recognitions on almost weekly basis, the Goje’s camp has decided to recruit machinery to polish his image on paper through half-baked article laden with landmine lies that will only do more damage to his image than good.

    Tinubu’s chances of winning in Gombe is brighter now than ever based on two major factors: Inuwa’s uncommon transformation of Gombe and Tinubu’s evident support and likeness for Gombe State which many residents have seen as a gesture that should be reciprocated because a Gombawa always holds any trust extended to him or her in high esteem.

    In as much as Tinubu and APC needs all the support to strengthen the party, the party must be wary of accommodating those who are good at selling their party or party leaders in exchange for some pieces of personal silver.

    To borrow the headline of Achi’s article with a little punctuation modification, indeed, “Senator Goje is the Mistake that APC must avoid in 2027.”

    • Abubakar, a Political Analyst wrote from Abuja

  • NDDC: Boosting Navy’s capacity for safer waterways

    NDDC: Boosting Navy’s capacity for safer waterways

    By Ephraim Makke

    The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has deepened its activities, with the inauguration of state-of-the-art facilities for the Navy in Ayakoro, Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

    The ceremony, it was said, demonstrated NDDC’s commitment to supporting the security agencies in securing the country, especially its waterways, which are key to its oil and blue economy.

    The Naval Base was a spectacle to behold as top NDDC officials led by  the Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, senior navy officers, and members of the community gathered for the ceremony.

    Ogbuku said the  facilities were symbols of collaboration between NDDC and the security agencies.

    He said: “Boosting the capacity of the Naval Base is critical to ensuring maritime security, safer waterways and improved socio-economic activities in the coastal communities. A well-fitted operational base will serve as both a security hub and a catalyst for community development.”

    The commission, he said, would continue to support the security agencies in securing the waterways and in boosting the country’s emerging blue economy.

    Ogbuku stressed the need for collaboration to ensure that Niger Delta remained peaceful, noting that development could only take place in an atmosphere of peace and security.

    He said: “President Bola Tinubu is committed to the peace and development of the Niger Delta, and he has given us marching orders to embark on legacy projects that will stand the test of time and impact lives in the region. We cannot achieve this if there is no peace.

    “For us in NDDC, we will continue to collaborate with the security agencies to ensure that there is sustainable peace that will usher in development. The security forces have made so many sacrifices to ensure the safety of the region, and we will complement their efforts by executing legacy projects.” 

    Ogbuku added: “This project represents part of the administration’s commitment to enhancing security in the Niger Delta. The President’s strategic investment in security has yielded tangible results. Crude oil production has risen. This achievement is a testament to improved security, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration”.

    NDDC Executive Director of Projects, Dr Victor Antai, listed the facilities as a fully- furnished administrative block; a furnished accommodation block; a furnished 40-man houseboat with two units of 100kva generators and two units of gun boats powered by 200 horsepower units of Yamaha engines each.

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    They also include several hectares of land donated by the Ayakoro community for the building of a Navy school; a 60KVA solar inverter installed in the administrative and accommodation blocks, as backup; a 30KVA solar inverter installed in the 40-man houseboats as backup; a full-option Toyota Hilux vehicle for operational use and a newly built operational floating jetty.

    The Commander of Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Noel Madugu, said the facilities would bolster the Navy’s presence and security operations.

    He said: “What we are witnessing is a testament to the existing close collaboration between NDDC and the Nigerian Navy, which is geared towards addressing maritime security challenges in the region.

    Bayelsa State Governor  Duoye Diri, represented by Brig Gen Eric Angaye (rtd), said the Niger Delta contributes substantially to Nigeria’s foreign exchange earnings. He said it was evident that most of the country’s maritime domain and international coastline outside of Lagos, all of which are within the Gulf of Guinea, are in the coast of the Niger Delta.

    Acting Paramount Ruler of Ayakoro, Chief Micah Etebi, said the facilities were testaments that NDDC is impacting lives in Niger Delta.

    A representative of the Ayakoro Council of Chiefs, Chief Clever Apkoti described the project as a demonstration of Ogbuku’s visionary leadership.

    A woman leader in Ogbia LGA, Mrs Gloria Isu, expressed gratitude to NDDC and the Navy for selecting Ayakoro as its base. “This project will put an end to criminal activities and foster peace in our community”, she said.

  • Oborevwori stops contract cost abuse, restores fiscal discipline

    Oborevwori stops contract cost abuse, restores fiscal discipline

    By Cyril Akpomedaye

    In a country where the cost of public projects often doubles or triples long after contracts have been signed, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori’s recent decision to abolish the upward review of contract sums in Delta State is a bold and refreshing move.

    It is a reform that cuts straight to the heart of one of Nigeria’s most persistent governance problems: the silent sabotage of accountability through inflated contracts. By taking this decisive stand, Oborevwori is not only promoting prudence and transparency but also sending a strong message that the era of easy loopholes in public contracting is coming to an end.

    Hitherto, it was prevalent that contractors usually asked for upward review of their contracts. Most times, the contractors cited increase in costs as an excuse. While this is a tenable excuse, for fraudulent contractors, it creates an avenue for fraud. Every Nigerian knows the story — sometimes too well. A borehole project that should cost N5 million ends up gulping N20 million. A 10-kilometre road drags on for six years, and when completed, it begins to crack within months. The problem often begins not at the point of execution but at the point of approval, where contractors underquote deliberately just to secure the job, confident that they can later return to the government to demand “variation” or “upward review.”

    Thankfully, Oborevwori disclosed this abolishment at the thanksgiving service marking the opening of the 2025/2026 Legal Year of the Delta State Judiciary, held at Emmanuel the Saviour Catholic Church, Asaba.

    “We have ended the old practice of arbitrary review of contract sums and variations after agreements have been signed,” Oborevwori said, putting an end to the fraudulent scheme.

    “Today, every state contract contains a clause that prevents such adjustments, and no contractor receives payment without a duly executed agreement. This is a major step towards transparency and responsible financial management in line with the Delta State Public Procurement Law of 2020.”

    While many critics may not like the person of President Tinubu, some discerning ones cannot shy away from the strength and beauty of some of his reforms. Of particular importance here is the foreign currency reforms. For nearly three years, foreign airlines were owed millions of dollars. Local businesses often relied on black market to access dollars in the course of doing business. That was till the Tinubu administration cleared and stabilised that stable. Unlike in the recent past, where the dollar swung unpredictably, a situation which made foreign currency speculation a full-time job of some, things have changed. Now, the Naira is stable and Nigerians can easily pay for little transactions abroad with their Naira cards. The difference between trading dollars via the banks and the black market is very marginal. The stability of the Naira in terms of the dollar has extended to businesses, many of whom have begun to consume imported goods or services to fulfill their obligations.

    But what is the connection of dollars to contract cost reviews? Simple. In an import dependent country like Nigeria, the dollar has an overwhelming way of influencing daily life, helplessly inflating costs, if swaying wildly. But as the foreign exchange machinations are stabilising and the Naira is stabilising, it would be difficult for contractors to cite wide fluctuations in prices as an excuse for upward reviews of contract sums. Hence, the abolishment by Oborevwori is not only welcome in the Big Heart state, it would be considered genius by watchers.

    The governor, who led the immediate state Legislature as Speaker, also used the occasion to reiterate his belief in democracy and the partnership that should exist among the three arms of government.

    “Our efforts in justice infrastructure, procurement, and law-making reflect our belief that democracy thrives best when there is synergy among the executive, the legislature, and the judiciary,” he said.

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    “The executive, legislature, and judiciary are partners in service. Each arm depends on the other to function effectively. Together, we must continue to uphold the rule of law and ensure that every Deltan can live, work, and dream in a society governed by justice and fairness.”

    At the event, Sheriff highlighted some of his administration’s reforms in the public service to include a 158 percent increment in Delta’s minimum wage. Also, his administration paid over N70 billion to clear state pension arrears, including a fresh N10 billion intervention to the State Pensions Board, with an additional N2 billion released monthly to sustain payments. According to the governor, the move is part of a broader commitment under his MORE Agenda — Meaningful Development, Opportunities for All, Realistic Reforms, and Enhanced Peace and Security.

    He listed some interventions like the launch of a Widows’ Welfare Scheme, to provide free healthcare and monthly stipends to 10,000 widows across the state. Other youth empowerment programmes such as MORE Grant Scheme, MORE WISE-Up, MORE ICT, and MORE Biz-Up, have transformed thousands of small businesses and artisans to self-reliance.

    As it stands, Oborevwori deserves kudos for how he is devoting more than two-thirds of the state’s 2026 budget to capital projects. Roads and infrastructures like hospitals, schools are taking centre-stage in addition to social services like healthcare and education. But, without ensuring proper fiscal methodology, there would not be funds to produce adequate public goods and services.

    Nigeria’s fiscal landscape is riddled with leakages — from inflated payrolls to duplicated projects. But few leakages are as pervasive as contract inflation. Once a project cost is reviewed upward, it rarely comes down, even if market prices later stabilize. And because these variations are often approved quietly within bureaucratic corridors, they escape public scrutiny. By abolishing upward reviews in Delta, Oborevwori has effectively blocked one of these hidden drains. The move will likely save the state billions over time — funds that can be redirected to social services, healthcare, education, or youth empowerment.

    Oborevwori’s approach brings back an ethic of accountability that has been sorely missing. It tells civil servants that due diligence is not optional. It reminds contractors that government work is not a lottery ticket. And it assures citizens that the state’s resources are being protected. But for too long, Nigerian states have paid premium prices for substandard output. By eliminating the habit of revising contract sums upward, Delta State is aligning itself with the global best practice of cost certainty. Contractors now have every incentive to sharpen their pencils, negotiate better with suppliers, manage timelines efficiently, and adopt modern methods that reduce waste.

    The governor’s move is not just administrative housekeeping. It is political courage. In a system where many would rather maintain the status quo to please vested interests, he has chosen to disrupt it. By abolishing the upward review of contract sums, Oborevwori has taken a stand that every Nigerian who desires good governance should applaud. And better still emulate. Because it is not just good for Delta. It is good for Nigeria.

    •Akpomedaye writes from Asaba

  • Sanwo-Olu’s wife restates commitment to inclusivity, others

    Sanwo-Olu’s wife restates commitment to inclusivity, others

    Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dr  Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has  reaffirmed her commitment to inclusivity, stressing that Lagosians, regardless of their  ability, deserves a chance to thrive.

    She spoke at the  grand finale of the Committee of Wives of Lagos State Officials (COWLSO) Johnson Era’s Special Needs Community Outreach, a programme which had the  theme:  “No Limits, Just Possibilities – Redefining Inclusiveness.”

    The event attracted   dignitaries and stakeholders from around the state, including Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, whose words of encouragement underscored the government’s support for initiatives that put vulnerable communities at the centre of development.

    Also present were the Secretary of COWLSO Johnson Era, Mrs. Oyinda Ogunsanwo-Emmanuel, the Treasurer, Mrs. Kehinde Ajala, and the Coordinator for Ikeja Division, Mrs. Funmi Omotoso, who hosted the closing ceremony.

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    The programme featured  interactions with beneficiaries from institutions such as the Federal Nigeria Society for the Blind, Down Syndrome Foundation Nigeria, and the Centre for Citizens Living with Disability. These groups received empowerment gifts ranging from assistive devices to electronics, laptops, mattresses, wheelchairs, freezers, televisions, and fans, tailored to their specific needs.

    Mrs. Oyinda Ogunsanwo-Emmanuel described the outreach journey that began in Badagry, touched Ikorodu and Lagos Island, and culminated in Ikeja, as “a powerful reminder that compassion and service are the true essence of leadership.”

    For Mrs. Funmi Omotoso, the host and Ikeja Division Coordinator, the day was about impact.

    “We are not just giving items; we are giving hope, dignity, and a message that our brothers and sisters with special needs are valued members of society,” she said.

    With smiles, songs, and tokens of love exchanged, the grand finale was more than an event—it was a celebration of possibility, inclusiveness, and the enduring power of community.

  • Nnaji certificate saga and the need to respect institutions

    Nnaji certificate saga and the need to respect institutions

    By Johnson Okolo

    Nigerians began the week on the note of a sizzling report by an online newspaper, Premium Times. The report centred around allegations that our own very Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Techonology, Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, forged his university degree as well as National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) certificates.

    The reaction was instantaneous just as it was predictable. Outrage. And this was understable. Ever since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, quite a number of high profile office holders have been caught in the web of one form of certificate forgery scandal or another.

    The distastful trend began in 1999 with two top principal officers of the National Assembly- Senate President Evan(s) Enwerem and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Salisu Buhari. While Salisu Buhari falsely claimed he attended the University of Toronto, Canada, senators- and indeed, Nigerians – couldn’t tell with certainty if their Senate President was Evan or Evans Enwerem.

    Ever since Evan or Evans Enwerem and Salisu Buhari, the issue of certificate forgeries has, like wild fire, caught up with members of the executive arm. For instance, Senator Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is governor of Bayelsa State today simply because of the discrepancies in the name of the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate in the state, Senator Degi-Eremienyo. This was in February 2020.

    Five years earlier, Minister of Finsnce, Mrs Kemi Adeosun resigned her appointment following a scandal concerning the alleged forgery of her NYSC certificate. Ms. Adeosun had been invited by President Muhammadu Buhari to return from her base in the United Kingdom to join his government. It ended in disgrace.

    Instances abound of several other high profile Nigerians who have been enmeshed in forged certficate scandals. This naturally raises the question of if after 65 years of Independence, Nigeria has no institutions to block such embarrassment.

    Read Also: Shell approves $2bn offshore gas project in Nigeria

    Enter the State Security Service (SSS) sometimes called Department of State Services (DSS).

    As far as the SSS Act is concerned, the Service is responsible for the internal security of Nigeria, VIP protection, and vetting of nominees for top positions. The SSS is also empowered to place persons of interest on watchlist- in addition to protecting the President from embarrassment (as in the cases of Salisu Buhari, Evan(s) Enwerem, Kemi Adeosun and now, Uche Nnaji) among other duties. Without mincing words, it is, safe to say that the SSS is a key institution of the Nigerian State.

    In her book, “Democracy: Stories from the Long Road to Freedom,”

    Condoleezza Rice, former national security adviser and secretary of state under President George W. Bush, believes that that institutions provide the bedrock for any successful democracy.

    In other words, weak institutions weaken democracy. Conversely, one of the ways to weaken democracy is to first weaken her institutions.

    One example that readily comes to mind on how we weaken an institution is the 2016 nomination of Ibrahim Magu as the chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC Act states that a nominee for the office of the EFCC chairman shall be screened by the Senate.

    Even though it is the President that apoints the SSS DG, the secret police wasn’t comfortable that the president chose Magu. And the secret police didn’t hide their disapproval of Mr. President’s nominee.

    In a letter dated October 3, 2016, to the Clerk of the Senate, the SSS told the senators that Magu was not fit to hold the position of EFCC chairman.

    The secret police listed several alleged malpractices against the EFCC boss, saying his confirmation would frustrate the anti-graft drive of the administration then.

    Part of the allegations against Magu was his being in possession of EFCC documents in his private residence during the chairmanship of Farida Waziri.

    The DSS also made reference to the circumstances surrounding Magu’s arrest, detention and suspension by the Nigeria Police.

    In addition, the secret service alleged that the sum of N40m was paid for the rented apartment, which costs N20m per annum, where Magu lived.

    DSS added that Magu’s accommodation was not paid for from the commission’s account but by a presidential appointee, who had been under investigation. The DSS alleged that after renting the apartment for Magu, the friend awarded a N43 million contract for the furnishing of the accommodation.

    The only consequence of the DSS report was that each time he faced the senators, they failed to clear him. Even at that, the President then snubbed the lawmakers and kept Magu as acting EFCC chairman for close to five years.

    Thus, Magu became the poster boy of the futility of security reports and Senate screening when political leaders and policy makers choose to weaken our institutions.

    While it is convenient to talk about Magu, perhaps mention should be made of our lawyers, especially those who aspire to make it to the peak of the bar, called Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN). Oftentimes referred to as Learned Silk, to demonstrate the highest esteem to which they are held, these senior lawyers recently grabbed the headlines when they opposed the screening of their colleagues shortlisted for this coveted rank by the DSS.

    A former Nigerian Bar Association General Secretary, Olumuyiwa Akinboro, himself a SAN, described the security vetting as an attack on the independence of the legal profession. Human rights lawyer and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu was one of the few voices that supported the DSS.

    Odinkalu,who expressed surprise at Akinboro’s opposition, said the rule was introduced in 2022 by then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, and had been applied to SAN conferments in 2022, 2023 and 2024 without protest.

    “These people are short of candour. The rules requiring screening of SAN candidates by DSS were made by Olukayode Ariwoola in 2022. They governed SAN conferment in 2022, ’23 & ’24,” noted Odinkalu.

    It has since emerged from the grapevine on the outcome of the DSS screening, that some of the nominees for the award of SAN are not fit and proper. Even with this DSS report, the same tainted nominees still managed to wangle their way to the swearing-in. They are now addressed as “learned silks!” Won’t be surprised if these SANs aren’t among those blaming the Senate and the DSS for “not doing a thorough job!”

    Now, to our own Minister Uche Nnaji. He resigned during the week. I’ve read and heard many people blame the Senate and the DSS for the lapses that made it possible to swear in Nnaji as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology. Having set a dangerous precedent with Magu and many more that aren’t known, how are we sure the powers that be even allowed Nnaji to subject himself to the rigours of screening by the DSS? How are we sure he, in the name of security vetting, even stepped foot within the four walls of the SSS national headquarters in Abuja?

    The truth remains that over time, we failed to address the question of interference with institutions. Why should some governors, for instance, have the wherewithal to demand the deployment or removal of Police Commissioners to or from their states?

    Crying ourselves out won’t address the problem. We have to begin to address the issues that contribute to weakening our institutions. Without that, scandals like Nnaji’s will continue to dog our political trajectory and national life. It is hightine we rolled our sleeves to make out institutions strong. This, as Condoleezza Rice rightly noted,  will provide the bedrock for our successful democracy.

    •Okolo, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Umuahia

  • Oyetola: On the crest of maritime history

    Oyetola: On the crest of maritime history

    By Chima Nwana

    The introduction of the new Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was a bold step in the right direction. It is a contemporary approach to ocean governance and its sustainability – a deliberate effort to tap into our extensive coastline and inland waters heritage.  

    The goal was to position Nigeria as a global maritime force, through harnessing our blue and brown water resources in an atmosphere of sustainability, inclusivity, job creation, and increased revenue in a consolidated format.

    When therefore in August 2024, Mr President appointed Gboyega Oyetola CON as the pioneer Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, many pondered, if not wondered, whether this seasoned administrator, insurance guru, astute politician and former governor of Osun State fitted the bill.  Both voices of skepticism, and soft tones of optimism, agreed that his scorecard should be the yardstick for his measurement.

    As an active player in the maritime industry myself, and infact one that has had the privilege of sharing views and perspectives on the sector with him up-close, I saw his birthday last month, not as an opportunity for sycophantic eulogies, but one for a fervent appraisal of the journey so far, some 2 years down the line.

    Gboyega Oyetola – fondly called ileri oluwa – is definitely not a noise maker, taciturn, soft-spoken, yet effective, he is more interested in results than accolades. The Honourable Minister is an avid team player running an inclusive management style, which inspiring optimism that cascades down the rank and file in the MDAs within the ministry.

    He has adopted a novel approach to superintending the sector, through innovative incursions into areas hitherto not given dedicated attention. He has highlighted emerging sub-sectors, like marine biotechnology, desalination of seawater, sustainable aquaculture, sea-mining and energy transition. He has emphasized on a meeting point between science, commerce and the livelihood of coastal and riverine communities.  Simply said, in his own words, “that while tapping into the economic potential of the nations maritime resources, we must maintain environmental sustainability”. He sees ‘our’ not just ocean, not just as an obligation, but also an opportunity. 

    Recognizing that the sector was plagued with poor infrastructure, outdated regulatory frameworks, he set out to pursue a “vision to build a robust blue economy framework that delivers prosperity while preserving the marine environment for future generations.”

    Oyetola has not only chaperoned the birthing of a bankable 10year strategy road map for his ministry (one that gives due attention to fishing and its derivatives, shipbuilding and repairs), he has ensured that, for once in a long while, major agencies in the sector are led by seasoned professionals. Here, the precise appointments of Dr Dayo Moboreala at the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA and Dr Abubakar Dantsoho of Nigeria Ports Authority NPA come to mind. These are part of a sector functional team that includes accomplished bureaucrats and intellectuals such as Mr Olufemi Oloruntola,        Dr Akinola and Prof Fakinlede.

    Building on this, he has made inter-agency co-operation and collaboration a priority.  This is best exemplified by the unified approach, guided by his ever able Permanent Secretary, in achieving a harmonized sector Economic Regulatory Bill.  It is instructive to note that, acknowledging this synergy, both the Senate and the House of Representatives passed this harmonized bill in plenary, uniquely without debate.

    In response to the deluge of boat mishaps on our inland waterways, the Honourable Minister commissioned a high-powered team to diligently look into these incidences and advice accordingly. The special Committee has since submitted its report and recommendations for implementation (including enhanced regulation), drawn from its findings, and the Minister has promised sweeping changes therefrom. This added to the nearly 50,000 life jackets he recently distributed, will no doubt reduce the scourge that has recently led to numerous loss of lives.

    The Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy has kick-started the long awaited modernization of our port infrastructure nationwide.  This is a much awaited measure, as some of these terminals date back to nearly a century, and so revamping their archaic quay walls and aprons was long overdue.

    One factor that has limited the growth of indigenous participation in the sector is lack of capital. To address this, Mr Oyetola, in May this year, directed NIMASA to immediately commence the activation of disbursement of the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund CVFF to indigenous operators.  The disbursement of these funds, he said, will be, “… a profound commitment to empowering Nigerian maritime operators”. Beyond CVFF, the Hon Minister has generally advocated for innovative financing for the blue economy.

    The Maritime Academy of Nigeria Oron is Nigeria’s prime admiralty training center. Oyetola has given it primary attention, through improved facilities and a pledge to ensure it is world standard and meets the requirements of the IMO.

    Minister Oyetola is setting up what he calls, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs).  This will be a unique/novel conservation initiative.  He is also an ardent supporter, and indeed anchor of the National Single Window project, a trade facilitation initiative that will reduce cargo down time, as well as ultimately save cost for traders, while increasing revenue for government.

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    One can go-on-and-on about his achievements thus far, but an area where he has made visible impact which you cannot skip is maritime security.  He has not only enlarged the scope of the flagship scheme – the deep blue project – he is renewing its focus to prevention, rather than just a reactionary approach to merchant marine security. And this, is while promoting stronger regional cooperation in the process.

    You will agree that the trajectory of Oyetola’s policy direction and intervention activity are all in conformity with the International Maritime Organization IMOs quest for cleaner oceans, and safer seas. 

    The question now is, will the IMO delegates (representing their various member states) recognize these strides as having an international sectoral impact and dimension, and elect Nigeria to sit on the category C of their Council in the upcoming December 2025 elections? Suffix it to say that this feat was last achieved by Nigeria some 15 years ago in 2009, despite several times of trying.  For Oyetola, this diplomatic validation will be a seal on the stamp of a worthy report card, an icing on the cake and a reward for veritable leadership.

    Just recently, the IMO Secretary General Mr Arsenio Dominguez, paid an official visit to Nigeria to see firsthand, the efforts made by the nation, under Oyetolas leadership, to meet up with its obligations and commitments as a member of the maritime committee of nations. Mr Dominguez commended Nigeria’s remarkable achievements in maritime security, particularly the 3 year zero piracy record and the Deep Blue project, which he described as a model for regional cooperation in the Gulf of Guinea.  The visit, and the IMO bosses comments in reference, are tacid endorsement of Nigerias growing admiralty reputation, especially when one considers that the Secretary General has only been on the saddle of the nearly 50 nation body, for a little over a year.

    Inspite of a seeming litany of successes the Hon Minister has made in the sector, a lot still needs to be done to satisfy the proverbial ‘shopping list’ of expectant sector stakeholders. Contemporary needs such as, sanitizing the fishing industry and ending illegal incursions by foreigners, ensuring genuine operators benefit from CVFF disbursements, beneficial utilization of Baro, Onitsha and other river ports, drastically reducing the effects of boat mishaps, regulating renewable energy such as wind turbines, commencement of the port modernization program, election to the IMO Council etc, should be addressed.

    All these will ultimately form part of his scorecard whenever he inevitably exits as Minister, and so require dedicated attention.   Either way, as Gboyega Oyetola marks another year of his birth, you will agree with me that he is indeed on the crest of maritime history.

    •Nwana a Maritime Lawyer, writes from Abuja

  • Nnaji certificate saga and the need to respect institutions

    Nnaji certificate saga and the need to respect institutions

    • By Johnson Okolo

    Nigerians began the week on the note of a sizzling report by an online newspaper, Premium Times. The report centred around allegations that our own very Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science and Techonology, Chief Geoffrey Uche Nnaji, forged his university degree as well as National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) certificates.

    The reaction was instantaneous just as it was predictable. Outrage. And this was understable. Ever since Nigeria’s return to democracy in 1999, quite a number of high profile office holders have been caught in the web of one form of certificate forgery scandal or another.

    The distastful trend began in 1999 with two top principal officers of the National Assembly- Senate President Evan(s) Enwerem and the Speaker, House of Representatives, Salisu Buhari. While Salisu Buhari falsely claimed he attended the University of Toronto, Canada, senators- and indeed, Nigerians – couldn’t tell with certainty if their Senate President was Evan or Evans Enwerem.

    Ever since Evan or Evans Enwerem and Salisu Buhari, the issue of certificate forgeries has, like wild fire, caught up with members of the executive arm. For instance, Senator Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is governor of Bayelsa State today simply because of the discrepancies in the name of the All Progressives Congress (APC) deputy governorship candidate in the state, Senator Degi-Eremienyo. This was in February 2020.

    Five years earlier, Minister of Finsnce, Mrs Kemi Adeosun resigned her appointment following a scandal concerning the alleged forgery of her NYSC certificate. Ms. Adeosun had been invited by President Muhammadu Buhari to return from her base in the United Kingdom to join his government. It ended in disgrace.

    Instances abound of several other high profile Nigerians who have been enmeshed in forged certficate scandals. This naturally raises the question of if after 65 years of Independence, Nigeria has no institutions to block such embarrassment.

    Enter the State Security Service (SSS) sometimes called Department of State Services (DSS).

    As far as the SSS Act is concerned, the Service is responsible for the internal security of Nigeria, VIP protection, and vetting of nominees for top positions. The SSS is also empowered to place persons of interest on watchlist- in addition to protecting the President from embarrassment (as in the cases of Salisu Buhari, Evan(s) Enwerem, Kemi Adeosun and now, Uche Nnaji) among other duties. Without mincing words, it is, safe to say that the SSS is a key institution of the Nigerian State.

    In her book, “Democracy: Stories from the Long Road to Freedom,”

    Condoleezza Rice, former national security adviser and secretary of state under President George W. Bush, believes that that institutions provide the bedrock for any successful democracy.

    In other words, weak institutions weaken democracy. Conversely, one of the ways to weaken democracy is to first weaken her institutions.

    One example that readily comes to mind on how we weaken an institution is the 2016 nomination of Ibrahim Magu as the chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The EFCC Act states that a nominee for the office of the EFCC chairman shall be screened by the Senate.

    Read Also: Dangote cautions against using ‘cry of monopoly’ to discourage indigenous investment

    Even though it is the President that apoints the SSS DG, the secret police wasn’t comfortable that the president chose Magu. And the secret police didn’t hide their disapproval of Mr. President’s nominee.

    In a letter dated October 3, 2016, to the Clerk of the Senate, the SSS told the senators that Magu was not fit to hold the position of EFCC chairman.

    The secret police listed several alleged malpractices against the EFCC boss, saying his confirmation would frustrate the anti-graft drive of the administration then.

    Part of the allegations against Magu was his being in possession of EFCC documents in his private residence during the chairmanship of Farida Waziri.

    The DSS also made reference to the circumstances surrounding Magu’s arrest, detention and suspension by the Nigeria Police.

    In addition, the secret service alleged that the sum of N40m was paid for the rented apartment, which costs N20m per annum, where Magu lived.

    DSS added that Magu’s accommodation was not paid for from the commission’s account but by a presidential appointee, who had been under investigation. The DSS alleged that after renting the apartment for Magu, the friend awarded a N43 million contract for the furnishing of the accommodation.

    The only consequence of the DSS report was that each time he faced the senators, they failed to clear him. Even at that, the President then snubbed the lawmakers and kept Magu as acting EFCC chairman for close to five years.

    Thus, Magu became the poster boy of the futility of security reports and Senate screening when political leaders and policy makers choose to weaken our institutions.

    While it is convenient to talk about Magu, perhaps mention should be made of our lawyers, especially those who aspire to make it to the peak of the bar, called Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN). Oftentimes referred to as Learned Silk, to demonstrate the highest esteem to which they are held, these senior lawyers recently grabbed the headlines when they opposed the screening of their colleagues shortlisted for this coveted rank by the DSS.

    A former Nigerian Bar Association General Secretary, Olumuyiwa Akinboro, himself a SAN, described the security vetting as an attack on the independence of the legal profession. Human rights lawyer and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu was one of the few voices that supported the DSS.

    Odinkalu,who expressed surprise at Akinboro’s opposition, said the rule was introduced in 2022 by then Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, and had been applied to SAN conferments in 2022, 2023 and 2024 without protest.

    “These people are short of candour. The rules requiring screening of SAN candidates by DSS were made by Olukayode Ariwoola in 2022. They governed SAN conferment in 2022, ’23 & ’24,” noted Odinkalu.

    It has since emerged from the grapevine on the outcome of the DSS screening, that some of the nominees for the award of SAN are not fit and proper. Even with this DSS report, the same tainted nominees still managed to wangle their way to the swearing-in. They are now addressed as “learned silks!” Won’t be surprised if these SANs aren’t among those blaming the Senate and the DSS for “not doing a thorough job!”

    Now, to our own Minister Uche Nnaji. He resigned during the week. I’ve read and heard many people blame the Senate and the DSS for the lapses that made it possible to swear in Nnaji as Minister of Innovation, Science and Technology. Having set a dangerous precedent with Magu and many more that aren’t known, how are we sure the powers that be even allowed Nnaji to subject himself to the rigours of screening by the DSS? How are we sure he, in the name of security vetting, even stepped foot within the four walls of the SSS national headquarters in Abuja?

    The truth remains that over time, we failed to address the question of interference with institutions. Why should some governors, for instance, have the wherewithal to demand the deployment or removal of Police Commissioners to or from their states?

    Crying ourselves out won’t address the problem. We have to begin to address the issues that contribute to weakening our institutions. Without that, scandals like Nnaji’s will continue to dog our political trajectory and national life. It is hightine we rolled our sleeves to make out institutions strong. This, as Condoleezza Rice rightly noted,  will provide the bedrock for our successful democracy.

    •Okolo, a public affairs analyst, wrote from Umuahia

  • Sani steers Kaduna to end trachoma and beat blindness

    Sani steers Kaduna to end trachoma and beat blindness

    • By Joshua Hanison

    There is something genuinely inspiring about a government that moves beyond slogans and campaign promises into terrain where lives are clearly transformed. In Kaduna State, under Governor Uba Sani, the recent announcement that trachoma has been eliminated is not just a health milestone. It is a testament to leadership, persistence, and respectful partnership with communities.

    For those who might not know, trachoma is a tropical bacterial eye infection that causes blindness if left untreated. While it is treatable, neglect has been responsible for thousands of people losing their sights, especially in northern Nigeria. To confront trachoma required more than distribution of drugs or periodic health campaigns: it required a sustained, multifaceted push into the very environment and behaviors that sustain its spread.

    Kaduna’s success came because the state government partnered with the federal government and Sightsavers. Methodically, they combed the whole 23 local government areas, with one aim – sight restoration. Hence, at the recently held close out ceremony on the disease, Permanent Secretary of the State’s Ministry of Health, Ms. Aisha Abubakar, described how the feat was achieved. 

    “Trachoma, a preventable bacterial infection and one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, has long been a burden in areas with poor access to clean water and sanitation,” Dr. Sadiq said, while commending Governor Sani, the Federal Ministry of Health, Sightsavers, and community volunteers for their commitment to eliminating trachoma.

    “Your constant dedication has brought hope to hundreds of families and moved Kaduna State closer to the goal of eliminating Neglected Tropical Diseases. Through the SAFE strategy Surgery, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, and Environmental improvement we have made trachoma ancient history in Kaduna State. Through this effort, 558,761 residents of Igabi LGA received antibiotics, while 683 individuals across the 11 endemic LGAs benefited from corrective eye surgeries. Ten ophthalmic nurses were trained as trichiasis surgeons, 122 boreholes were constructed, and more than 10,000 community case finders were deployed.”

    The Country Coordinator for Trachoma at Sightsavers, Teyil Wamyil-Mshelia, described the day as one of celebration. According to her, Sightsavers worked closely with the state and local communities to end trachoma as a public health problem.

    “Kaduna is one of the first states where Sightsavers began its work not only in Nigeria but globally,” she said.

    “It’s been 73 years of partnership, and we are proud to see the progress that has been made. With the elimination of trachoma in Kaduna State, we have successfully removed one of the major public health challenges in the state. We have met all the World Health Organisation (WHO) requirements to ensure that trachoma is no longer a threat here.”

    It is worth pausing on what elimination really means. The World Health Organization requires that a disease no longer constitutes a public health problem. Kaduna has now met that requirement in relation to trachoma. Of course, to reach that stage is no small feat, and it signals that the Sani administration is not merely chasing headlines or short-term wins. It is laying groundwork for durability.

    Critics might ask: was this expensive? Was it politically convenient? Was it worth the investment? The true answer lies in the cost of doing nothing. The pain, the blindness, the lost productivity, the isolation — those are the hidden tolls borne by afflicted communities. Kaduna’s choice to act decisively reflects a moral calculus where leaders understand that governance is responsibility, not spectacle. The investment in surgery, clean water, hygiene education, antibiotics, and environmental infrastructure is a down payment on human dignity. The dividends are lives spared from needless blindness, families kept whole, communities more resilient.

    When Ms. Abubakar also disclosed that 558, 761 residents of Igabi LGA received antibiotics, and 683 people across 11 endemic local government areas underwent corrective eye surgeries, one begins to see not just numbers, but faces saved from blindness. That kind of reach—deep into rural areas, into the homes and faces of people who once might have seen no hope—is what separates rhetorical gestures from real governance.

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    Kaduna’s leadership must be commended not only for achieving elimination, but its coordinated interventions across all 23 local government areas is commendable. Equally important is the manner of partnership. The collaboration with Sightsavers and the buy-in from local communities is not incidental; it is essential. According to Dr. Wamyil-Mshelia, Kaduna’s success came about stakeholder interaction and engagement.

    “We began by raising awareness because if people don’t know, they won’t participate,” she explained.

    “Community leaders, district heads, and traditional institutions played a crucial role. They took ownership and ensured that community members understood that services were available and beneficial. The Kaduna State Government provided strong support to ensure that these systems continue to function effectively beyond the project. We trained ophthalmic nurses, surgeons, and community volunteers to identify and manage trachoma cases, ensuring that future outbreaks can be handled immediately.”

    No matter how well a government plans, if the people themselves do not engage, respect, and sustain, the gains become fragile. That the community volunteered, welcomed interventions, and took ownership is also a tribute to the trust that Kaduna’s leaders have cultivated. A similar style was adopted by the Sani administration in tackling criminality which had crippled several local government areas in the state.

    Across the country, many administrations promise health reform, but few deliver on the long haul. What Kaduna’s government has pulled off reshapes the narrative: that a disease once endemic, can be eliminated is simply a well-managed public health strategy. It is a model that can inspire other states. Already, the Kaduna State government is taking the best healthcare his administration can affor to the residents. His administration over 15,000 Vulnerable Persons onto the Kaduna State Health Insurance Scheme. It revitalised existing Primary Health Centres and General Hospitals, equipped and staffed them. But as it has eliminated trachoma, it would do not to rest on its oars. If the same zeal, coordination, and accountability are applied to maternal health, child immunization, water and sanitation, malaria control, and noncommunicable diseases, this state could emerge as a benchmark for public health governance in Nigeria.

    One cannot help but feel admiration for an administration that recognizes that health is foundational to human flourishing. Eliminating trachoma is not a political trophy; it is permission for thousands more children to go to school without impediment, for adults to see clearly into their livelihoods, and for families to invest in hope rather than healing. It is a declaration that in Kaduna, no one is meant to suffer from blindness caused by a preventable disease.

    Let this achievement register, loudly and permanently, as proof that leadership that listens, partners, plans, and perseveres can make a real difference. Governor Sani and his health team deserve commendation not for what they promised, but for what they delivered. May the legacy of this victory spur further progress, and inspire other leaders to take public healthcare more seriously.

    • Hanison writes from Kaduna