The Nation Newspaper

Category: Saturday Magazine

  • ‘Tinubu addressing structural gaps in business sector’

    ‘Tinubu addressing structural gaps in business sector’

    Nigeria’s Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) sector is experiencing a long-awaited revival — and at the forefront of this resurgence is Ms. Ololade Majekodunmi, a leading voice for sustainable industrial growth. As National Coordinator of the Nigeria Cotton Society and MD of House of Dorcas Integrated Services, she offers rare insight into the new strategies reshaping the CTG landscape. In this exclusive interview, speaks candidly about the policy breakthroughs, persistent challenges and the bold vision driving the sector forward — and why, for the first time in decades, she believes Nigeria is poised to turn CTG into a true economic powerhouse. She spoke with Associate Editor ADEKUNLE YUSUF. Excerpts:

    In a country brimming with entrepreneurial energy and a vibrant fashion scene, Nigeria’s Cotton, Textile and Garment (CTG) industry has long been a paradox — full of potential, yet plagued by persistent setbacks. But a fresh wave of strategic interventions is reigniting optimism in the sector, and few voices articulate this renewed hope more passionately than Ms. Ololade Majekodunmi, National Coordinator of the Nigeria Cotton Society and Managing Director of House of Dorcas Integrated Services (HDI). A seasoned business leader and a fierce advocate for local industry, Majekodunmi has emerged as a key figure in the evolving CTG narrative.

    In an exclusive interview, she sheds light on the ambitious efforts underway to revamp the sector, the challenges still ahead, and the vision that could turn Nigeria’s CTG industry into a cornerstone of economic transformation. The recent unveiling of twin strategies by the National Economic Council (NEC) — the establishment of the Cotton, Textile and Garment Development Board and a N90 billion agribusiness/livestock plan — has marked a turning point in the CTG sector. For Majekodunmi, these aren’t just policy announcements; they are tangible signs of a new seriousness. “These are bold, strategic interventions,” she says. “They represent a coordinated approach to tackle both upstream production and industrial processing challenges. It’s a long-overdue move that can finally address structural issues in the CTG sector if implemented with discipline and inclusivity.”

    For years, stakeholders have decried the fragmented nature of previous attempts to revive the industry — efforts that lacked cohesion, commitment, or continuity. But now, with NEC’s endorsement and clear signals from the presidency, the winds appear to be shifting. Majekodunmi notes. “I see the gaps this move intends to close: financing, industrial linkages, coordination, and structure.”

    Majekodunmi explains further: “The twin strategies — the establishment of the Cotton, Textile and Garment Development Board and the N90 billion agribusiness/livestock plan — are bold, strategic interventions. They represent a coordinated approach to tackle both upstream production and industrial processing challenges. It’s a long-overdue move that can finally address structural issues in the CTG sector if implemented with discipline and inclusivity.

    “From a policy perspective, these decisions reflect a government that is listening and willing to act. As someone directly involved in field-level coordination with the Nigeria Cotton Society and HDI, I see the gaps this move intends to close: financing, industrial linkages, coordination, and structure. NEC’s endorsement of both the CTG board and the agribusiness plan signals political will, which has often been the missing link.”

    A holistic blueprint?

    But are the plans truly comprehensive? While Majekodunmi believes the new strategies represent the most integrated approach seen in decades, she cautions that implementation must go further. “The plans reflect a more integrated view — linking agriculture, industry, trade, and innovation,” she says. “The plans reflect a more integrated view than we’ve seen in decades — linking agriculture, industry, trade, and innovation. However, “holistic” requires consistent consultation, data-driven execution, and state-level alignment. I would say this is a strong foundation, but further work is needed to ensure last-mile impact — especially around MSMEs, climate adaptation, and youth employment.

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    “We also need to tie this vision into Nigeria’s broader manufacturing revival and food security architecture. Importantly, emphasis must be placed on gender equity and rural revitalisation. The inclusion of livestock under the same strategic plan is also smart — as it allows for cross-sectoral interventions, especially in areas like animal feed, cottonseed utilization, and value-added exports.”

    According to her, success lies in the details: ensuring inclusivity for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), adapting to climate challenges, and embedding gender equity and youth empowerment at every stage. “The inclusion of livestock under the same strategic plan is also smart,” she adds. “It allows for cross-sectoral interventions, especially in areas like animal feed, cottonseed utilisation, and value-added exports. But we must tie this vision into Nigeria’s broader manufacturing and food security agenda.”

    History is littered with failed attempts to resuscitate the CTG sector. What went wrong in the past? Majekodunmi doesn’t mince words. “Previous efforts lacked policy continuity, suffered from weak stakeholder engagement, and were often fragmented,” she says. “Importantly, many failed to address power infrastructure, smuggling, and access to affordable finance. Without tackling these systemic issues head-on, reforms couldn’t take root.”

    Implementation, she explains, was often an afterthought. “Policies looked good on paper, but execution was weak. In some cases, there was duplication of efforts, insufficient data, and a lack of coordination among ministries and parastatals. When you do not monitor, you cannot enforce or learn — and that has been the story of CTG for decades.”

    So why is she optimistic now? What’s different this time? “Success is a function of leadership, accountability, and inclusive implementation,” she says. “What gives me confidence this time is the body language of the present government, particularly the leadership of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).” Majekodunmi speaks glowingly of the administration’s deliberate focus on industrial revival. “This agenda is more than a slogan — it is birthing the Nigeria we have all been praying for.”

    She also credits Vice President Kashim Shettima and the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Senator John Owan Enoh, for showing “hands-on leadership and unwavering support.” “Stakeholders like Chief Aneibi Achimugu and Mrs. Nike Ogunlesi have also remained consistent champions. We’re seeing a convergence of political will and private sector readiness — and that is what gives me cautious but firm optimism.”

    A sector poised for impact

    One of the most promising signs of progress is the consultative approach underpinning the new CTG strategy. “This process marks a significant improvement,” Majekodunmi says. “Major cooperatives, private sector actors, and technical partners like HDI, Ruffle and Tumble, and the Nigeria Cotton Cooperative Society were consulted.” Yet she’s quick to stress that the conversation must be widened. “There is still room to deepen stakeholder engagement, particularly with rural farmers, women-led processors, and indigenous textile clusters.” Her interactions with the government have been notably substantive. “Our conversations have moved from abstract ideas to implementation discussions, where we are actively identifying bottlenecks and designing frameworks to remove them.”

    Asked how far this administration can take the sector, Majekodunmi is emphatic: “This administration has the tools and mandate to make CTG a major forex earner and job creator. If they execute consistently, curb textile smuggling, and empower local players, CTG could rival oil in social impact.” She highlights ongoing work to co-develop a phased implementation model. “We are addressing challenges sequentially with clear accountability metrics. What I can assure Nigerians is that the work is ongoing, and the results will soon begin to show.” Even more exciting is the sector’s embrace of technology. “Expect to see a marriage between technology and CTG,” she says. “And that transformation will ripple across agriculture too.”

    Reviving a sector long battered by infrastructure decay, smuggling and policy somersaults is no easy feat. But Majekodunmi believes the challenges can be subdued — if tackled smartly. “Challenges like poor infrastructure, access to working capital and quality assurance can be subdued through targeted financing, digitized value chain traceability and improved logistics,” she says. Incentives for local manufacturers, partnerships with development institutions, and formalisation of informal actors are all part of the plan. “We need regional infrastructure like inland dry ports, intermodal transport, and dedicated power for industrial parks. And we must prioritize skills development, especially through Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.”

    Do Nigerian stakeholders have what it takes to make this vision a reality? “Yes — Nigerian stakeholders are resilient, innovative, and ready,” she insists. “What we need is structure, reliable support systems, and access to the right tools and markets.” She sees the renewed hope agenda as a blueprint that offers just that. “This is not just about planting cotton or sewing garments — it’s about building a sustainable industrial ecosystem.” Her confidence stems from the daily commitment she witnesses. “With committed leadership across cooperatives, finance, manufacturing, and export bodies, we will make this work. And I see that commitment daily. To the government’s credit, they have been constantly in meetings with key stakeholders.

    “We have had several direct engagements with the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, and I can tell you he is passionate and deeply committed to working with us all. Our conversations have moved from abstract ideas to implementation discussions, where we are actively identifying bottlenecks and designing frameworks to remove them. We are working hard with government to tackle the blockers, and the evidence is in the recent NEC approval of the CTG board — a milestone under the clear leadership of the Vice President.”

    The engine of industrial growth

    One of the most critical enablers of the CTG revival will be access to finance — and Majekodunmi says institutions like the Bank of Industry are already stepping up. “They’ve shown commitment with single-digit interest loans and cluster-based financing,” she notes. “They play a critical role in deploying affordable capital to mid-tier processors and rural aggregators.” Engagements are ongoing with other financial institutions, including the Bank of Agriculture and the Agricultural Development Fund. “Their readiness to support is encouraging,” she says. Even more promising are conversations with fintechs and private equity players. “We’re working on innovative blended finance options to fast-track real industrial growth.”

    For Majekodunmi, the transformation of the CTG sector is not just an economic goal — it’s a deeply personal mission. “We are witnessing the rebirth of a national treasure — one that can clothe our people, empower our communities and enrich our economy,” she says. “The CTG sector can be a flagship of Nigeria’s industrial renaissance.” She envisions a future where Nigerian fabrics reclaim their place in global markets, where local tailors become exporters, and where rural communities thrive through cotton production and processing. “It’s not just about cotton; it’s about dignity, identity and shared prosperity. The Nigeria we are building will wear its own fabric proudly again. And with youth, technology and partnerships leading the charge — the CTG sector can become one of Africa’s strongest economic stories.”

    As she looks ahead, Majekodunmi remains steadfast in her belief that this time will be different. “With youth, technology, and partnerships leading the charge — the CTG sector can become one of Africa’s strongest economic stories. The future is bright if we build sustainably. We are witnessing the rebirth of a national treasure — one that can clothe our people, empower our communities and enrich our economy. The CTG sector can be a flagship of Nigeria’s industrial renaissance.”

  • 95 suspected cultists arrested, firearms recovered in Benin raids

    95 suspected cultists arrested, firearms recovered in Benin raids

    The Edo State Police Command has arrested 95 suspected cultists and recovered multiple firearms and ammunition during a week-long operation targeting cult-related violence in the Benin metropolis.

    The command’s Public Relations Officer, CSP Moses Yamu, disclosed this in a statement made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Saturday.

    Yamu said operatives of the command also seized two locally made pistols, a single-barrel shotgun, and 24 live cartridges during intelligence-led raids.

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    According to him, the suspects are alleged members of the Maphites, Eiye, and Aye confraternities, which authorities say are responsible for recent cult supremacy killings in the state.

    He said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Monday Agbonika, warned youths against joining unlawful societies.

    He noted that the commissioner urged parents to monitor their children’s activities.

    “These groups destroy futures and end lives, both of members and innocent citizens,” he said.

    Of the 95 suspects, he said that 64 had been charged to court, and remanded in custodian center, while investigations continued on the remaining cases.

    The command’s spokesperson assured residents of Edo of continued efforts to dismantle cult networks and restore public safety.

  • Miracle escape: Teenage boys share harrowing tale of kidnapping

    Miracle escape: Teenage boys share harrowing tale of kidnapping

    Two teenage boys from Umudibia Autonomous Community in Imo State have shared a chilling account of their escape from a kidnappers’ den, where 15 other victims were allegedly slaughtered. The boys were among a group of people kidnapped by the bandits and were being held captive in a forest.

    The boys aged 14, narrated how they were trapped in the kidnappers’ custody on Good Friday, a day of great significance for Christians around the world.

    According to their account, the kidnappers had planned to harvest the organs of the victims, but the boys managed to escape.

    The teenagers’ harrowing tale is a stark reminder of the dangers and violence that many people face in the Southeast region. Their bravery and resilience in the face of such trauma are truly commendable.

    We Saw 15 People Slaughtered

    The boys’ account of the massacre is a disturbing and heartbreaking tale.

     According to them, the kidnappers showed no mercy to their victims, and the boys were forced to witness the brutal killings.

    The boys’ escape is nothing short of miraculous, and their story serves as a testament to the human spirit’s ability to persevere in the face of adversity.

    It was on good Friday when Christians all over the world were celebrating the crucifixion of the son of God, two teenage boys from Umudibia Autonomous Community in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State were trapped in the kidnappers’ custody in the middle of thick forest where they await their turn when their organs would be harvested.

    The two teenage boys, Daniel and Destiny, shared a chilling account of their ordeal after being kidnapped. In an interview with The Nation, they recounted how their lives took a terrifying turn on Friday, April 17.

    The siblings said they left home around 11 am that day to repair their phone at a shop near the Federal Polytechnic Nekede Junction. However, when the repair couldn’t be done, they headed to Alaba market via Cluster along the Ihiagwa-Poly road.

    After getting their phone repaired, they began their journey back home, following the same route. That’s when their nightmare began. They were approached by men in a tinted mini bus who offered them a ride. Despite initial reluctance, the boys somehow ended up in the bus and fell asleep.

    When they woke up, they found themselves in a dense forest, alongside 15 other victims, surrounded by their kidnappers.

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    “Upon waking, we found ourselves in a dense forest, surrounded by the kidnappers, alongside 15 other victims, and were met with an atmosphere of fear and terror.”

    Looking sick and pale, the boys said they endured 12 days of hardship in the kidnappers’ custody, exposed to rain, cold, and mosquito bites without food. “We wept and prayed for help,’ they recounted. “We were tied up and exposed to the elements, and the mosquito bites were relentless.”

    We saw many people’s throats slit and blood was all over the place. Each person that was killed was carried to unknown place and some were carried away alive until we remained four boys.

    Some significant happened, the five men started quarreling among themselves whether to kill the four of us or not. Four said it was not the agreement showing that it was an insider’s arrangement to abduct the boys.

    We were later moved to another unconscious. It was at the new location where God intervened.

    “We witnessed the gruesome killing of many people , their throats slit, and the area was covered in blood. Each victim was taken away, some alive, others dead, until only four of us remained.”

    A significant development however occurred when the five men keeping watch over us began arguing among themselves about whether to kill us or not. “Some of them claimed that killing us wasn’t part of the original agreement,” hinting that the abduction might have been an insider’s arrangement.

     “We were later moved to a new location while unconscious again. It was at this new site that a miraculous turn of events occurred, and God intervened.”

    “A call came it appears like a woman, demanding that the abductors bring her son to collect their ransom. So, three of the kidnappers left with one of us, only two remained behind. Later, the two received another call and hastily departed, leaving us tied to a tree. It was then that our chance to escape arose.”

     One of the boys, Daniel, explained that the rope used to tie him had loosened, allowing him to free himself. He quickly untied his brother, but when he offered to help the third boy, he refused, asking them to wait. The two boys took advantage of the opportunity and ran through the dense bush until they reached Aba Road.

    “The rope used to tie me loosen and I noticed that my hands were free, so I rushed to untie my brother’s hands and offered to assist the other boy but he refused asking us to wait. We ran through the thick bush until we came out to Aba Road.”

    Community reacts

    The Umudibia Women Association in Owerri West LGA of Imo State has laud miraculous escape of two teen boys and called on the government to increase security patrols in the state, particularly around school environments and areas where children frequent.

     The association’s President, Mrs. Ijioma Onyenobi, expressed concern over the recent cases of missing children in their community, where the Federal Polytechnic Nekede is located.

    “We are worried about the safety of our children,” Mrs. Onyenobi said. “There have been cases of missing children in our community, and we suspect they are being used for organ harvesting. We urge the government to take immediate action to increase patrols in the area.”

    A resident, who wished to remain anonymous, corroborated the association’s concerns, revealing plans for a protest march to draw attention to the issue. “There will be a protest march soon, involving both men and women, to demand action from the government,” the resident said. “We want the authorities to take concrete steps to protect our children and prevent further abductions.”

    The women association’s plea highlights the growing concern about kidnapping and organ harvesting in Imo State. The community is demanding increased security measures to ensure the safety of residents, particularly children.

    The government has yet to respond to the association’s call, but the planned protest march is expected to bring attention to the issue and push for action.

    Catholic Priests condemn kidnappings

    Also, the Owerri Archdiocesan Priests’ Association has expressed deep concern over the escalating security crisis in Imo State, where kidnappings, abductions, and violent invasions have become commonplace.

     In a communique by the Secretary, Owerri Archdiocesan Priests Association, Rev. Fr Chijioke Ekeada the priests association condemned the attacks, which have left many people, including clergy and religious, victims of these horrendous crimes.

    The association’s communique highlighted the dire situation in the State, where fear has driven many young people to flee the country, and mothers no longer feel safe on their farms.

    The priests association demanded that the government and civil authorities fulfill their constitutional duty to protect lives and property, citing the apparent helplessness of security forces in the face of widespread violence.

    “The situation is dire. Kidnappings for ransom, abductions for organ harvesting, and violent invasions of people’s lands and farms are now commonplace across Imo State and Igbo land. These horrors are no longer distant headlines-they are personal.

    “Our priests and faithful parishioners have suffered terribly, and the pain continues to spread. While we have an innumerable number of people who have fallen victims, in the past ten years, between 2015 and 2025, there are more than 50 clergy and religious victims of this horrendous situation from Ahiara, Okigwe, Orlu and Owerri dioceses, with Okigwe recording the highest of 47 priest victims, and two deaths from Owerri and Orlu respectively, all in imo State alone.

    “The perpetrators, often identified as Fulani herdsmen, strike with increasing boldness and cruelty. This is a nightmare no one should endure, let alone our people.

    “Sadly, our security forces appear helpless. Whether due to lack of equipment, insufficient capacity, or absence of political will, they have failed to stem the tide of this evil. Their apparent paralysis in the face of widespread violence is deeply troubling.”

    The association called on all clergy and religious to commit the situation into God’s hands, praying for protection and intercession.

    They urged the faithful to pray the Rosary, soliciting the intercession of the Virgin Mary, and asked her to cover Ndigbo and indigenous peoples of Nigeria with her powerful mantra of protection.

    The communique urged the people to stand together in solidarity and courage, protecting their land and livelihoods from destruction.

    They also sounded a stern warning to infiltrators using the forests as cover for criminal activity and those sponsoring this influx of dangerous elements into Imo State.

  • Land grabbers are my headache -Ogere monarch

    Land grabbers are my headache -Ogere monarch

    The traditional ruler of Ogere Remo, Ikenne Local Government Area, Ogun State, Oba James Obafemi Saliu, Kankanbiina II, recently celebrated his second anniversary on the throne. As part of the activities to mark the anniversary, he empowered his subjects with cash and equipment and also commissioned an ultra-modern palace for the town. He took time to speak with GBENGA ADERANTI about his life as a monarch, his plans for the town, the state of security in his domain, the plague of land grabbing and the development of his community. Excerpts:

    Ogere is a transit town where you have different tribes from different parts of Nigeria. How have you been managing them?

    I will only give glory to God, because I cannot do anything without Him. It is only God who has been helping us in Ogere, because if you look at the population of non-indigenes, they are almost more than the indigenes, especially the Hausa people. In the whole of Yorubaland, Ogere plays host to the highest number of Hausa people.

     How are you coping with the threats of insecurity?

    Well, the issue of insecurity is very big. But as I have said, everything is on God. We are only trying, it is only God that can secure us. If we say we have done anything to secure Ogere, we are just joking, though we have tried.

    When I became the king, I believed that security issues were very important. I started building security posts, and I have been able to build four: one for Amotekun, one for Agbekoya, one for vigilante and one for So-Safe. We have completed four buildings in the last two years. I bought a Sienna bus for the police, and I am giving them financial support; we give about seven security agencies operating in Ogere support to enhance their performances.

    What were the challenges you faced in the build-up to ascending the throne?

    I would say I didn’t face any challenge. I said so because I did not have any intention of ascending the throne even though I am from a royal house from both father and mother sides. But the ruling house whose turn it was to become king was from my mother’s side.

    When the process started, I was not interested. I came less than a month to the end of the process. But as I came in, they just embraced me and all the other contestants abandoned it to me. When it was time for the kingmakers to vote, we had nine kingmakers in Ogere, one had died, and the remaining ones voted for me, with the exception of one who abstained.

    Why did he abstain?

    He abstained from voting simply because he did not know who to vote for because he had three candidates out of the contestants of which I was one. My mother, my father and himself were all friends. He could not do without voting for me, and he had a relative  among the contestants. His in-law was also among the contestants. For these reasons, he decided not to vote. Otherwise, it would have been 8-0.

    What are you missing as a traditional ruler?

    It is time-consuming. That is the only thing I can say I have missed, because it is not easy to mix traditional rulers’ work with my own business, as I had a business before becoming a traditional ruler. It is a very big challenge, but I am coping.

    In this part of the country, the issue of land grabbing is prevalent. How have you been dealing with it?

    That is majorly on government. There is little we can do to these land grabbers. I’m also facing the challenge, because I have some parcels of land which some land grabbers have encroached on. But, thank God, we have been able to manage the people, because we don’t want them to discourage investors. We are trying on that and we also implore the government to help us.

    What are the things that have changed since you ascended the throne?

    Everything is on God. We need to give the glory to God. There is nothing one can do without the approval of God. But I will say let us give all the glory to God. I aim to change the face of Ogere. In the last two years, things have improved, though I don’t believe in praising myself. But I have to do so because I have performed very well and people are saying the same thing. But let us give glory to God.

    After my coronation, I changed the face of Ogere, because my intention while assuming this position of kingship was not just to be a ceremonial king but to change the face of Ogere in terms of industry and economy. I noticed that before you can achieve anything, security is paramount. So I have been able to put up four buildings for the use of security agencies.

    We started with one for So-Safe, and we completed that about a year ago. After that, Agbekoya, we gave them a befitting building as an office. Recently, we commissioned that also. We have also completed the Amotekun office. Before now, Amotekun was not in Ogere. I used my connections to bring them to Ogere. They know the security situation in Ogere, and they agreed to come. I have given them a befitting building.  We have also commissioned the vigilance group building. I also bought a Sienna bus for the police.

    We are still working on security because we cannot achieve anything without it. Secondly, Ogere is an ancient town; we had no palace, and all the former kings used their houses as their palaces. But I believe we must have a palace, so I have built a palace.

    It has become a fad among Yoruba monarchs to have state-of-the-art palaces. The edifice you have here as a palace is awesome. Why is it that everybody is building something big?

    I don’t know of any other person or any other town. I only know about Ogere. In the last two years, we have been able to build a palace,  because Ogere did not have a palace. Ogere is an ancient town, but despite being an ancient town, we were unable to build a palace. We had a palace site, but we were always postponing the building of the palace until now (the palace has been commissioned).

    What you are telling me is that one of the things you have done is building the palace…

    Yes, the palace is one of them.

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    During your empowerment programme, I noticed that non-indigenes also benefitted from the programme. What informed that?

    It is not only Ogere indigenes that are living here; we have many tribes. We have Yoruba, Ibo, Hausa, Igede, Tiv and other tribes in our town. All these people live in Ogere, and they are part of us. We cannot be giving things to Ogere indigenes only; we must also extend the hand of fellowship to all these people.

    Aside from the tools and equipment you gave them…

    Yes, we gave 50 people the sum of N100,000 each. This will enable them to do small, small things.

    Conservatively,  how much did you spend on this empowerment programme?

    As of now, I have not done my calculations. But I know it is millions of naira.

    What would you be telling the beneficiaries of the empowerment programme?

    My advice to them is that they should make good use of the item and when they make good use of them, it will encourage me to do more.

    Monarchs have been relegated to the background with no role in governance

    What is your message to government on this?

    The major role of the Obas is to advise the government. Where we see any deficiency, we let them know. That role is okay. I would recommend that they create a committee or an agency for Obas, which will transmit whatever they say to government.

    Some of the present Obas do not like to go into seclusion as part of the rites. How did you do your own and what is your take on the rites for monarchs?

    Ogere is an ancient town, and we cannot do without ipebi (seclusion). I was in ipebi for 14 days before I was installed properly traditionally. But officially, I was given the staff and certificate of office by the government on April 25, 2023. It was after the certificate that I entered ipebi for 14 days. After 14 days in ipebi, I entered the traditional iledi to perform the normal rituals.

    But some of your colleagues are doing away with this…

    Well, it is not possible here in Ogere. As I have told you, here is an ancient town. But some towns just developed through Baales, etc., they don’t have a good history. But we in Ogere are from Ile-Ife. There are some towns by the roadside. Maybe because of nearness to the road, the town will be big. I don’t want to mention names. They don’t have history. They did not come from the source. Those one can do away with ipebi. We cannot do that in Ogere.

    It is looking as if Ifa is now more interested in people based abroad becoming traditional rulers. What is your take on this?

    I’m not from abroad; I’m from Abeokuta. We are traditional people. We follow our traditions here. Whatever the tradition says is what we follow.

    What are the challenges you are currently facing, and what do you think the government can do to assist the town?

    I think what I want is to get an agency and commission for traditional rulers so that whatever they say is acted upon by the government as advisers.

    What are the efforts you are making right now to make sure you achieve your developmental plan for the town?

    As I am working on security, I am also doing other things. For instance,  I am working with the Chinese Red  Cross, liaising with them and have joined them with the Ogun Red Cross so that they can do something for Ogere. We are on that, and I believe we will get results on that.

    Secondly, I was in Lagos recently, and I had meetings with indigenes of Ogere. The meeting was successful. We had no fewer than 200 indigenes at the meeting. The meeting aimed to let them know that Ogere is now changing, let them come home and contribute to the development of the town.

    I was also in Ibadan to meet Ogere Indegenes. We also had a successful meeting, and the turnout was also successful. We had a discussion about the challenges facing the town and how they can come home individually or collectively to develop Ogere. By the grace of God, the meeting will yield results.

    We are still going to Akute, Osogbo and other places, including the United  States, the United Kingdom and other European countries. My wish is to turn Ogere around and change the face of Ogere to a better place. My ambition is to make Ogere one of the best towns in Yorubaland.

  • Drama as woman denies husband paternity of 2-yr-old twins

    Drama as woman denies husband paternity of 2-yr-old twins

    • Says they belong to my concubine

    The paternity of two-year-old twins is causing ripples in the life of a Lagos ‘couple’ as the mother of the babies says her husband is not their biological father, adding that they belong to an unnamed man she had an extra-marital affair with, reports KUNLE AKINRINADE.

    Wasiu Akinbode wore a pensive look penultimate week. Accompanied by his mother and his aunty, he could not freely expressed the troubling heartache that has turned him into ‘refugee’ in the last few weeks.

    When he finally summoned courage to reveal his plight, it turned out to be an emotional and mental torture he has endured since his wife told him he was not the biological father of their two-year-old set of twins.

    Akinbode said: ‘’I was living with my wife, Aishat Abidemi, in Agege area of Lagos State before we relocated to Omi Ata area of Abule Egba shortly after we started raising our children.

    “We had three children before the arrival of a set of twins about two years ago. But she recently broke my heart by telling me that I am not the father of our twin kids.

    “She said the babies belong to another man despite the fact that we are still living together as a couple.

    ‘’We live together as a couple. It was in my own house she became pregnant and I took care of her while her pregnancy lasted and during her child delivery in a hospital.

    “I even buried the babies’ placenta, because I know that I impregnated her.

    ‘’Sometime in October 2024 when we had a misunderstanding, she told me that I was not the father of our twins; a boy and a girl.

    “I thought that she tried to use the paternity thing to get back at me because of our quarrels.

    “The shock from what she told me made me to have an accident, because I was driving and on top speed when she told me on the phone that I was not the father of the babies.

    “When I got home that night, I sat her down and spoke with her to desist from unnecessary quarrels over petty issues.

    “But she said she was tired of me and that I should give her some time to sort herself out.

    “She later apologised and said she concocted the paternity story to destabilise me for quarrelling with her.

    ‘’Then in February this year, she repeated the claim that I was not the father of the babies when we had another row.

    “She started misbehaving at home shortly after she started worshipping in a white garment church her mother attends.

    “Initially, I warned her against attending the church, because she was a member of an evangelical church, but she would not listen.

    “Before long, she said she received an honourary appointment in the church. So she would abandon the home and welfare of our children to stay for days in the church under the guise of some ambiguous programmes.

    ‘’Our latest quarrel started after she left home for Mowe, Ogun State for a spiritual cleansing on  a certain Saturday.

    “She told me she would return the next day, but she did not.

    “I called her on the phone and she disrespectfully said she would not return home on that day, citing the fact that she had an errand to run for her mother.

    “I then told her not to return to my house, because I found her action disrespectful and suspicious.

    ‘’Our first child is 11 years old. She is a JSS 1 student, and others including the twins are also in school.

    “She was younger when we got married, and I enrolled her for apprenticeship in hairdressing, sponsored her graduation, bought equipment for her and got her a shop for her salon business.

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    “After her latest denial of my paternity of the babies, she took me to the human rights section of the Oke Odo Police Division and the policemen there told her to take the matter easy, but she refused.

    “Instead, she transferred the matter to the Area P Command at Ipaja where we were asked to return on Wednesday with the children who are now living with my parents after she abandoned our home.

    ‘’When I reported her to her parents, they asked me to ignore her action and comments and find a means of settling the quarrel with her.

    “Now, she would not want to wait till the time given to us to return to the police command with the babies and the man she claimed is their biological father.

    “Instead, she had been using some policemen from the Area Command to harass and intimidate me.

    “Policemen have been coming to my house and I have since fled from my home for my life.’’

    Akinbode’s mother, who is also visibly disturbed by the development, said she warned her son about Abidemi’s attitude from the outset to no avail.

    She said: ‘’In October last year, I warned my son to be careful with his wife after she refused to stop attending a white garment church.

    “She would fight her husband with a knife, and their quarrels were becoming disturbing. At a point I had to visit her church to report her misbehavior to the pastor.

    “My son has been married to Abidemi for more than 10 years, and his life should not be jeorpardised by a paternity yarn his wife has been spinning.

    “I urge the public to come to the aid of my son and salvage him from the grip of his wife who is prepared to make his life miserable.”

    Akinbode’s aunt, Mrs. Rukayat Kareem, said: ’’Kazeem’s (Akinbode’s) wife has never hidden her despicable lifestyle since they started life as a couple.

    “I tried to intervene but she rebuked and reprimanded me on the phone. She stood her ground and restated that the twin babies belong to a man she has refused to reveal his name.

    ‘’When I asked her to reveal who exactly is the father of the babies so that we can carry out DNA test to determine who their real father is, she said the matter had gone beyond a DNA test, asking if we have the kind of money needed to sponsor the test.

    “She said our miserable life would not allow us to provide the kind of money needed for a DNA test.

    ‘’She also told me that she could no longer cope with my brother’s poor finances and that she wanted to move on with her life.

    “I pleaded and pleaded with her to rethink her actions for the sake of her children but she refused.

    “She refused to produce the man she claimed is the father of the babies on Monday last week while she has been going around harassing my brother with policemen.

    ‘’’She again promised that the real father of the babies would come to the station on April 30, but she did not wait for the day before using policemen to harass Wasiu, lying that he abducted the babies and should be arrested.

    “She has also gone to Wasiu’s mother’s residence to cause a stir and threatened the innocent woman who had sleepless nights at the hospital when the babies were sick and admitted for treatment.

    “This matter has taken a toll on Wasiu’s health. Wasiu is sickly now. He used to be chubby but his health has deteriorated since the turn of event in his marriage.

    “We urge the public to assist us in saving our son from this debacle, because we do not want to lose him.’’

    In a telephone conversation with our reporter, Abidemi insisted Wasiu is not the father of the babies. She said the twins actually belong to a man whose identity she would not disclose.

    Although she admitted that having children for another man while she was still living with Wasiu is not good, she explained that her husband pushed her into having an extra-marital affair.

    She said: ‘’He (Akinbode) is not my husband. We just lived together as partners because we were not properly married. 

    “He impregnated me when I was 17 and he has been maltreating me ever since.

    “Although he sponsored my apprenticeship as hairdresser, bought equipment for me and also got me a shop for my salon, he has suffered a reversal of fortune in his job as a mechanic and driver.

    “He used to give money for my upkeep amid his occupational woes, but he no longer lives up to his responsibilities at home.

    “However, it is instructive to say that he did not formalise our relationship by seeking my hand in marriage in the tradition of Yoruba to date.

    “Therefore, I cannot be considered as his wife. I am only his partner and mother of his two eldest children; eleven and eight years old respectively.’’

    She also denied the allegation that she attacked Akinbode with a knife,  saying: ‘’I did not use a knife to attack him.

    “I decided to change my church from evangelical to white garment church because of the nature of my spiritual problem.

    “I should have left him after we had our first child, but people prevailed on me to stay with him and we had two more children.

    “But he was no longer taking care of me like before. Instead, he maltreated me.

    “Along the line, I met a man who was helping me and giving me money for upkeep, including feeding, and he did not know that I was living with another man as wife or partner.

    “I got pregnant for the man and I was afraid to tell Wasiu (Akinbode) that I had an extra-marital affair with another man while we were still living together.”

    The 29-year-old mother of four said she decided to report the matter to the police following the insistence of the unnamed father of the babies to have their custody.

    ‘’Although I know that what I did by having an intercourse with another man to the extent that it led to pregnancy and babies is shameful, Wasiu (Akinbode) pushed me into it by refusing to take care of me and my children.

    “I have told him before that he is not the father of the twins, but I lacked the courage to sustain the narrative.

    “The other children are his but not the twins. This time around, I summoned the courage to assert that he was not responsible for the pregnancy of the twin babies because the real father is demanding custody of the babies.

     “I have told Wasiu’s parents and family members that I am prepared to submit the children for DNA test.

    “Hence, I reported him to the Oke-Odo Police Division after he took the babies away from me and relocated them to his parents’ residence.

    “When the matter did not have any headway at the police station, I transferred the case to the Area P Command at Ipaja, Lagos.

    “He said that he would collect millions of naira if the babies were not confirmed as truly his.

    “At the Area Command, we were asked to return on Wednesday April 23 and that he should produce the babies while their real father too should show up.

    “But I sensed that he was not ready to comply with the arrangement hence the reason policemen have been visiting his residence to make him comply before the date.’’  

  • Wale Ahmed @ 60: Since I was born, I’ve never heard people say Nigeria is doing well

    Wale Ahmed @ 60: Since I was born, I’ve never heard people say Nigeria is doing well

    House of Representatives member Dr. Wale Ahmed (Agege Constituency) is 60 years old today. To commemorate the milestone, the former state lawmaker, Secretary of the Lagos State All Progressives Congress (APC) and two-time commissioner is virtually launching another book titled: ‘Political Parties, Ideology and Good Governance. He spoke with Correspondent CHINYERE OKOROAFOR on his legislative activities, the Tinubu administration and other partisan issues.

    How do you feel celebrating your 60th birthday?

    I thank Almighty God for everything. So much has happened over the years, both personally and politically. Through it all, I have every reason to be grateful. Some experiences have been quite challenging. But in the end, I can only say thank you, Lord. Every day, I wake up with gratitude in my heart. When I reflect on certain moments and how God Himself stepped in and took care of situations, I can’t help but give thanks. I thank Him for good health, for true friends, and for wise and supportive leaders. I remain thankful, always.

    Do you think your impact is being felt in your constituency?

    My relationship with the people is very close. We practically live together. I travel to Lagos almost every week, and I consider myself a one-on-one, retail politician. I go right to the grassroots, to people’s doorsteps. I am what you might call a “door mat politician”. I meet them where they are.

    When I’m in town, they come around, we sit together, talk, eat—it is that connection that truly matters. I believe the only way to understand how best to serve people is to live among them and feel what they feel. You might have N10,000 and think you know the best way to spend it for them, but unless you’re part of their lives, you may miss the mark entirely. So, for me, it is not about assumptions, it is about daily interaction and presence. That is why from the very beginning, I have always been a one-on-one, doorstep, retail politician.

    I am proud to say that I have been very active both at plenary, contributing to debates on critical national issues, and at the level of various committees that I belong to. Of the motions in my names that became the House Resolution, I will like to specifically mention the House Resolution calling on the Federal Government to increase funding for the National Orientation Agency. I believe that agency is critical to presenting the activities of government, to bring the awareness of the activities of government to all and sundry, and to present all those activities in the proper perspectives.

    There are many government activities and initiatives that are beneficial to farmers, traders, students, industrialists, etc that those people are not aware of. A lot of people are just getting to know about the education loan scheme, technical aid Corps, etc. A lot of young people don’t know that the military and police institutions are now universities where they can earn degrees and make a career. This agency has a lot of responsibilities in disseminating the information and awareness to the potential beneficiaries. Some of them are not aware.

    This government is doing a lot in the right direction. The agency has to bring all of these to the awareness of the people. Some people take to the television to cast these laudable projects in bad light. Also, it is necessary to counter the activities of those who have prospered in this country and have nothing good to say about the country. The countries they give as examples are those that never contributed to their success. Their businesses and vocations prosper here. But to them, the country is not good.

    The agency should instill a sense of patriotism in Nigerians. The agency should also let the populace know that as they ask the government to do this or that, the citizens should also appreciate that they have certain duties to the country as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution, as amended. As J.F. Kennedy said, ask not only what your country can do for you; ask also what you can do for your country. The agency should also project patriotic citizens who are making Nigeria proud across all sectors. This agency, the reason it is the right agency to do so is that it has structures in all the 774 local government areas and 36 states and Abuja. It is easy to reach everybody, if properly funded.

    Of the bills I have in my name, I want to mention two: the Ways and Means Bill that has been signed into law. I believe the administration has been doing so well and it will need money to carry out its activities.

    The second bill, which is at Second Reading, is the bill seeking to increase the retirement age of health workers to 65, like the judiciary and lecturers.

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    The Nigeria Medical Association sent a delegation to my office to thank me. The profession is being depleted through “Japa” and early retirement. You cannot stop “Japa” due to human rights. But you can keep experienced and agile professionals in the service.

    What is your assessment of the Tinubu administration in almost two years?

    I want to start by saying unequivocally that Nigerians voted wisely and chose wisely during the 2023 presidential election.

    Definitely, the last one or two years have been very challenging, very demanding and at the same time highly rewarding for the country because Nigerians elected an experienced politician; a thoroughbred democrat, a champion of democracy and a fair minded man of vision and inspiration, who is obviously well prepared for the job of giving focus and direction to this highly populous country of very diverse people.

    President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had been prepared for this time by God. It is clear that he is governing with a good heart, with the required national outlook, and he is uniting the country by running a fair and equitable administration that is bringing everybody on board. I can see demonstrable courage and boldness, a rare clarity of thought and wisdom, as he is mobilising every segment of the society for nation building. He has been decisive in taking certain steps and difficult decisions in the overall national interest, thereby laying a good, solid foundation for greater tomorrow and future prosperity.

    In specific terms, how would you assess the impact of his policies and programmes?

    President Bola Tinubu presides over a government of reforms. His reforms and innovations fall within the framework of in-depth socio-economic restructuring, which, fundamentally, comes with transient pains, the types that will predictably herald a new lease of life for the generality of Nigerians, both now and in the future.

    For example, under his leadership, Nigeria’s revenue base has ballooned and strengthened exponentially, translating in the lower sub-units, that is states and local governments, now having much more funds to channel into their developmental priorities. There is now a lot of fiscal discipline and financial loopholes are removed. I also salute his focus on grassroots governance as exemplified by the financial autonomy to the councils, which will foster development at the grassroots level.

    Now, like the phoenix, Nigeria’s dead refineries are rising from the ashes, almost after three decades of being moribund. The Port-Harcourt refinery is producing. The Warri refinery is producing. Marching order has been given for the Kaduna refinery to start producing. The price of fuel has started coming down. You see, that is why it is about will, it is about commitment. It is about that motivation to write your name in gold. And, you see, that has effectively killed the prediction of those people who used to profit immensely and exclusively from the now erstwhile fuel subsidy regime.

    President Tinubu actually deserves credit for his efforts at building infrastructure. When I was going to resume at the Usman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto in 1985, that is about 40 years ago, I read in the newspaper back then that there was supposed to be a road from Sokoto to Badagry. I spent six years in Sokoto as a medical student. We never heard of the road until I graduated and it was never mentioned by the successive administrations. It has been there on the drawing board from the time of President Shehu Shagari. The new road will open up a completely different set of communities across the country, communities that we never knew or heard about. In Yoruba, this is what we call “dagbolu.” It is not rehabilitation but virgin construction.

    Back then, there were two routes to Sokoto; from Lagos to Zaria by train, and you now go by road from Zaria, passing through Funtua in Katsina State, Gusau and Talata Mafara, both in present day Zamfara State before getting to Sokoto. The other route is the Lagos/Ibadan/Ilorin/Jebba/Kontagora/Yauri/Koko/Jega/Shagari/Sokoto.

    This new route will open up new sets of communities, with attendant effect of ease of movement of goods and services, and economic development. It is the same for Lagos/Calabar coastal road. As a matter of fact, I said this during our debate at plenary in support of the 2025 budget presented by Mr. President. Let me quickly add at this juncture that I would not have gone through half of what I went through as an indigent student if we had Nigerian Education Loan Fund that we now have under this administration. As a matter of fact, for NELFUND alone, among other laudable projects, Nigerians should continue to support this administration.

    In the same vein, our youths, vibrant youths of Nigeria, on issue of welfare, now enjoy unprecedented presidential attention. There are youths in the cabinet as ministers and other highly responsible positions, not forgetting the fact that on two different occasions, Mr. President has announced that the Youth Conference will soon kick off. He mentioned it again during his media chat.

    With the emerging conducive climate that guarantee the ease of doing business, it is noteworthy that domestic and foreign investors are turning their attention to Nigeria, trusting that the bold reforms would be consistently implemented with fidelity as they are confident that the man at the helm of affairs is a man of integrity.

    This government is also fighting terror with vigour, with increased budgetary allocation to defence and security, with greater motivation for our soldiers and other security personnel in the frontline areas, with huge investment in intelligence gathering and mobilisation of security agencies working in synergy to rid Nigeria of bandits, terrorists, kidnappers and other agents of violence.

    Now, we have this year’s budget of restoration with us in the National Assembly, which we are going to do justice to, in support of Mr. President’s policies and in furtherance of good governance.

    Many Nigerian youths today appear disillusioned and unpatriotic, often expressing the view that the government has failed them.  What is your perspective on this?

    I’d like to answer that question by drawing from the close interactions I have with people on a regular basis. When you’re truly among the people, they open up to you. They ask questions. And that is where information becomes critical, because the human mind is powerful, but without the right information and guidance, people often form their own interpretations of situations, which may not always be accurate.

    What I’ve found, especially with youths in Agege and elsewhere, is that through direct engagement, we’re able to share accurate information. We explain what our leader, Mr. President, Bola Tinubu has done, what he is doing, and what he plans to do. We outline what outcomes to expect—both the immediate results and the long-term benefits of current government initiatives.

    Importantly, we also help them discover the many opportunities that exist. For example, the Bank of Industry has programmes that support entrepreneurs, but many youths don’t know about them. The Ministry of Agriculture offers real assistance to young farmers. The Ministry of Communications is creating platforms and training for the tech-savvy youth. Even scholarships, federal and state, go unnoticed because people aren’t aware.

    Take the Technical Aid Corps, for instance. It’s a long-standing initiative under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that allows Nigerian graduates to serve as professionals in countries like Tanzania, Barbados, Fiji, or New Zealand—fully funded by the Nigerian government. Many don’t know it exists. There are also career paths in the military, where graduates can rise to top leadership positions. But again, awareness is the gap.

    That is why this one-on-one engagement is crucial. If we don’t reach out and share this information, young people are left vulnerable to misinformation—often deliberate and mischievous misinformation aimed at stirring resentment, not just among youths but the general public. And that’s something we must actively counter through connection and education.

    I’ve been watching TV since the first one entered our home in 1974, and I’ve never heard anyone come on air to say Nigeria is doing great. Even during what many call the oil boom era, or under General Gowon when it was said that money wasn’t Nigeria’s problem but how to spend it, people still grumbled. Some even claimed the country was so bad that it led to the 1966 coup. Fast-forward to the 1980s, artists like Barrister sang about the country’s problems. It’s been a recurring theme for decades.

    But today, some changes are happening that are worth acknowledging. For example, in the past, once the price of a commodity went up, it never came down. Prices followed a geometric progression—always upward. That was the norm. Now, for the first time in a long time, we are seeing a shift. Take rice, for instance, a 50kg bag that once sold for about N120,000 now goes for around N58,000. That’s more than a 50% drop, something unheard of in our economic history. The same can be said for petrol and other essentials. It might not be perfect yet, but it shows that there’s movement in the right direction.

    Also, on education, there is no Nigerian child today who genuinely wants to go to school and is willing to attend a public institution that can say it is entirely impossible. Government institutions are accessible. The problem only arises if one insists on attending expensive private schools, which the government is not obligated to fund. So, yes, while there are still challenges, there are also clear signs of progress. It is just unfortunate that these signs are often overlooked or deliberately downplayed in public discourse.

    What do you make of the recent economic changes, and how do they reflect on the current administration?

    Well, as young as you are, can you recall any time in Nigeria when prices went up and actually came back down? That alone speaks volumes. It’s something we’ve never really seen but now, it’s happening. And that’s what worries the opposition. They are wary of the good work President Tinubu and his administration are doing because it leaves them with no lies left to sell to the public. This President doesn’t care about your party affiliation; he just wants good governance. He plugged financial leakages, increased federal savings, and ensured that states and local governments, those closest to the grassroots, receive what is due to them.

    This isn’t theory; it’s practical policy. And the results are showing. Some governors no longer need to struggle or lobby to get what rightfully belongs to their states. They simply get it. That is the kind of leadership that brings peace, progress and trust back into governance.

    Do your constituents understand and feel this progress?

    Absolutely! I’m with them every week. We sit down, eat and talk together, not just in official forums, but informally, in a way that opens honest conversations. They ask questions and I provide clarity. A lot of times, what people need most is information. It is not always about slots or favours; it is about showing them the opportunities available, programmes, loans, scholarships, trainings that they can access on merit.

    That’s why I’m grateful to God for the kind of representative I’ve been able to be. I don’t see myself as different from them. I’m one of them. That’s how I’ve always related with my people, and I believe they see me that way too. We are friends.

  • Bridging tradition, innovation in legal practice to advance justice

    Bridging tradition, innovation in legal practice to advance justice

    Beneath the weight of precedent and the pull of progress, Nigeria’s legal profession stands at a crossroads. At the maiden Law Week of the NBA Eti-Osa Branch, the urgent task of bridging tradition and innovation took centre stage—reimagining justice not as it was, but as it must become in a digital world, report Associate Editor ADEKUNLE YUSUF and EMMANUEL CHIDI-MAHA

    As technology transforms every industry at breakneck speed, the legal profession must evolve—not by forsaking its proud traditions, but by fusing them with the innovations essential to safeguarding rights, reinforcing ethics and driving enterprise. This imperative came into sharp focus at the maiden edition of the Nigerian Bar Association’s Eti-Osa Branch Law Week, held from Friday, 25 April through Tuesday, 29 April 2025, at the Conference Centre of the Naval Dockyard in Victoria Island, Lagos.

    Under the banner “Bridging Tradition and Innovation in Law: Advancing Rights, Ethics and Technology,” the Coastline Bar transformed its sea-facing venue into a dynamic forum where senior counsel, magistrates, tech entrepreneurs and young practitioners convened to chart the future of legal practice in Nigeria. Here, between polished panel stages and immersive breakout sessions, delegates confronted the realities of e-filing backlogs, virtual courtroom design, AI-driven research tools, and data-privacy safeguards. The symbolism was unmistakable: leather-bound volumes on one table, laptops streaming live case-management demos on another; bespoke suits clustered around traditional handshake greetings, even as smartphones pinged real-time poll responses. Each conversation underscored a singular truth—Nigeria’s justice system cannot thrive by resting on precedent alone. It must evolve alongside industries powered by code, cloud computing, and machine learning.

    In his welcome address, Chairman of NBA, Eti-Osa Branch, Mr. Olanrewaju Bamidele Obadina, expressed profound gratitude as he declared open the maiden Law Week of the Coastline Branch. He recalled that the branch was formally established on February 29, 2024, following the creation of the Eti-Osa Judicial Division—a milestone made possible by the visionary leadership of the Honourable Chief Judge of Lagos State, Hon. Justice Kazeem Olanrewaju Alogba, in whose honour the inaugural lecture was dedicated. Obadina noted that the new branch covers a jurisdiction stretching from Ahmadu Bello Way in Victoria Island to Majek Village, encompassing a vibrant legal and commercial corridor. From inception, the branch engaged in rights-based advocacy and community service. However, its promising start was marked by tragedy—the loss of its pioneer Chairman, Mr. M.M.A. Sanni, in a road accident.

    Reflecting on the theme of the event, Obadina said it was chosen deliberately to inspire legal practitioners to uphold timeless values while embracing the demands of modern legal practice. He urged participants to engage fully, recommit to service, and strengthen the profession for future generations. “From the very beginning, the Eti-Osa Branch hit the ground running. We immediately engaged in programmes that reflect the values of the Bar, especially human rights interventions and community engagement. However, our early strides were met with tragedy.

    “As legal practitioners, we are called to uphold timeless principles of justice and ethics while responding to the new demands of an increasingly digital and complex world. We must embrace innovation without losing the soul of our profession. This week is not only a celebration—it is a call to recommit ourselves to excellence, unity, and service. I urge all of us to participate actively, share generously, and leave here better equipped to lead in both the courtroom and the community,” Obadina said.

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    The week’s crescendo arrived on Monday, 28 April, when Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN) stepped to the podium. In a keynote that blended urgency with optimism, he challenged his peers to seize the moment before their practice is left behind. “I must confess it is exciting to be here today to lead discussions on a topic that queries yesterday, reviews the achievements of the moment, and looks into the future of our major—if not only—source of livelihood as lawyers,” Banire told an audience of bar practitioners, magistrates, and technology advocates.  His message was clear: conservatism and coded procedures can no longer shield the profession from the tide of innovation sweeping the globe.

    Banire painted a stark picture of a justice system in peril. Where is our e-filing system? he asked, lamenting the absence of a reliable digital infrastructure that could speed up case management. Where are the virtual hearing platforms capable of connecting judges, advocates, and witnesses across Nigeria’s vast expanse? More poignantly, where are the competent judges and the enforcement machinery necessary to turn judgments into reality? These rhetorical questions were not mere provocation. They underscored a lived reality in which even routine matters can drag through the courts for decades. Banire recalled a familiar courtroom joke: when an antelope learns the courts “are arresting all goats,” it joins the stampede—knowing it will take at least twenty years to prove its innocence. For many lawyers and litigants, justice is no longer a promise; it is a quagmire of lost files, stalled appeals, and decisions that “are worthless on paper.”

    A legal system in crisis

    Yet Banire refused to consign the profession to despair. He argued that resurrecting Nigeria’s administration of justice must come before any grand talk of artificial intelligence, virtual courts or blockchain-based registries. Only once the basics—case-tracking systems, digital filings, and transparent roll calls—are in place can true innovation take root. “Our justice system is broken,” Dr. Muiz Banire warned. “I could cite countless more examples in varying shades, but the conclusion remains the same: true justice is not being delivered in this country.” It is little wonder, he argued, that many Nigerians are increasingly turning to “self-help”—a dangerous trend born of deep frustration with a system they no longer trust. This concern is echoed in Aviomoh v. C.O.P. (2022) 4 NWLR (Pt. 1819) 69 at 112, paras. A–B, where Justice Ogunwunmiju of the Supreme Court lamented: “I would strongly deprecate the initiation of false criminal proceedings in cases having the elements of a civil dispute… Any effort to settle civil disputes and claims, which do not involve any criminal offence, by applying pressure through criminal prosecution should be deprecated and discouraged.”

    Banire further highlighted how civil matters such as land and business disputes are now routinely handed over to law enforcement agencies, while communities suffer rising cases of extrajudicial killings and contract assassinations. Meanwhile, access to justice is being priced out of reach—court fees, legal retainers, and unofficial costs continue to soar in an unforgiving economic climate.

    Justice in Nigeria did not die in a single moment, Banire observed—it was murdered by instalment, eroded gradually like a slow-acting poison or chronic illness we wrongly describe as “sudden.” He urged stakeholders to conduct a serious “prognosis” to identify the forces that have brought the justice system to its knees, starting with the deeply flawed process of appointing judicial officers. Under the Constitution, state Judicial Service Commissions—dominated by the Governor’s appointees—recommend judicial candidates, subject to National Judicial Council (NJC) approval. At the federal level, the composition is similar: mostly sitting judges, two Bar representatives, and one layperson—all appointed by the President. “Once the Governor backs a candidate, the recommendation is as good as done,” Banire said.

    Though the NJC has set guidelines for minimum caseloads and judgments for aspirants, Banire warned of widespread “packaging”—states inflating candidates’ credentials with judgments they never authored. This opens the bench to mediocrities and “doubtful characters,” further undermining public trust. “As if incompetence were not damaging enough,” Banire continued, “what about character?” He argued that a morally bankrupt judge is even more dangerous than an unskilled one. Yet integrity, a non-negotiable trait, is too often ignored in the selection process. Shortlists remain hidden until final announcements, denying the public any chance to vet or raise objections. “I’ve long advocated for the public advertisement of judicial candidates and a civil society feedback window—just like we do for Senior Advocate appointments,” he said. “But my calls have gone unanswered.”

    Beyond initial appointments, the elevation of judges to higher courts has devolved into raw politicking. While quotas and federal character principles were designed to promote equity, they have instead become veils for backroom deals. “Politicians no longer pretend to be neutral,” Dr. Banire charged. “They want their own judges at every level—‘he has worked for us and deserves a promotion.’” This transactional mindset manifests in rulings that lean toward political loyalty rather than legal principle. Echoing Lord Denning’s warning—“you cannot build something on nothing”—Banire argued that a judiciary weakened at its foundation cannot deliver justice at its highest levels.

    These personnel failures are worsened by chronic underfunding. Many courtrooms are dilapidated, judges’ benches unstable, and essential technology virtually non-existent. Without functional e-filing systems, virtual hearing facilities, or prompt disciplinary frameworks, inefficiency festers. Errant judges and court officials often evade consequences due to bureaucratic inertia or insider shielding. “No amount of artificial intelligence hype will fix a system starved of basic infrastructure,” Banire warned. “Until we adequately fund the courts and enforce discipline swiftly and fairly, innovation will remain a pipe dream.”

    True innovation means doing things better—more efficiently, equitably, and accessibly. While other professions have embraced technology to remove bottlenecks, the legal sector remains resistant. Many legal practitioners still view AI tools, virtual proceedings, and blockchain-based registries with suspicion, if not outright fear. Banire reminded the audience that law is not static but a living organism. To remain relevant and responsive, it must evolve with technological and societal change. Only then can innovation truly serve justice.

    Why re-imagination is necessary

    Nigeria’s legal system was built for a world of ink-stained files, clerical bottlenecks and in-person pleadings. But that world is vanishing. The present is defined by rapid case turnover, digital evidence, cross-border disputes, and clients whose expectations are shaped by real-time technology. Today’s legal challenges demand not only new tools, but also new mindsets, delivery models, and ethical guardrails.

    Tradition has long been the soul of the legal profession, preserving procedure, precedent, and the gravitas of the courts. Yet tradition is now locked in an uneasy dance with innovation—a force that disrupts the familiar and opens the door to uncharted efficiencies. At the heart of this tension lies a fundamental question: How does the legal profession change without losing its core? With the emergence of Gen-Z lawyers—who bring fresh expectations about communication, culture and conduct—the challenge is urgent. The profession must decide how to reconcile a storied past with the promise of tomorrow, without eroding trust, diminishing ethics, or weakening justice.

    Banire believes that technology offers a powerful path to a more accessible and efficient justice system—but only if lawyers, judges, and regulators evolve together. The goal is not to blindly adopt every new tool, but to build a deliberate, ethical, and secure bridge between the legal profession’s time-honoured values and the demands of a digital age. This transformation requires vision, training, and discipline. Innovation must not erode integrity; rather, it should enhance the fairness, transparency, and reach of justice. If done right, this reimagination of the legal system could mark the true rebirth of justice in Nigeria.

  • How banking sector reforms are shaping businesses, economy

    How banking sector reforms are shaping businesses, economy

    At the just-concluded 2025 Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Olayemi Cardoso highlighted the positive impact of banking sector reforms on businesses and the broader economy. Cardoso acknowledged that while the economic reforms were challenging, they are beginning to yield tangible results, citing exchange rate stability, stronger economic buffers, a decline in inflation, and increased participation by foreign investors as clear signs of the early success of the macroeconomic initiatives, writes Assistant Editor COLLINS NWEZE

    The adoption of orthodox monetary policies and reforms in the exchange rate regime continue to reverberate across key sectors of the economy. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Olayemi Cardoso, said the reforms would be sustained, noting that they have helped steer the economy through a difficult path toward greater stability.

    Globally, the past two years have been turbulent, with economies grappling with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ripple effects of the Russia-Ukraine war on energy and food prices, a surge in global inflation, and the subsequent tightening of monetary policy in advanced markets. Against this backdrop, Cardoso stressed the importance of sustaining and deepening reforms to strengthen Nigeria’s economic resilience and capacity to withstand external shocks.

    He emphasised that tackling inflation, maintaining fiscal discipline, and driving economic diversification must remain top priorities. Another critical pillar of the ongoing reforms, Cardoso disclosed, is the commitment to a market-driven foreign exchange system—one designed to boost investor confidence and enhance economic efficiency. “We have embraced market-driven pricing for the naira, significantly enhancing transparency and restoring investor confidence.

    Again, thanks to disciplined reforms and policy clarity, the naira has stabilised at a more sustainable level against the U.S. dollar. The once-wide gap between the official and parallel market rates has all but disappeared, a first in Nigeria’s recent history, and speculative arbitrage has all but vanished. “This renewed stability has restored confidence and spurred autonomous inflows through formal channels. These inflows are diversifying our foreign exchange sources beyond oil,” he stated.

    Cardoso said that the apex bank has strengthened its monetary buffers and positioned Nigeria to better withstand external shocks. “Indeed, the macroeconomic stability we are beginning to see today would not have been possible without these decisive actions. Nigeria’s external buffers have also strengthened considerably. Our foreign reserves now exceed $38 billion, providing nearly ten months of import cover. This robust buffer enables us to better withstand external shocks – whether from declining oil prices or global financial turbulence – thereby safeguarding our economy,” he said.

    Speaking further, Cardoso said that in 2024, Nigeria recorded a balance of payments surplus of $6.83 billion, the strongest in many years, driven by rising exports and renewed capital inflows. “At the same time, we are enhancing the strength of our financial sector. The banking sector recapitalisation is well underway, with strong momentum and stakeholder alignment, and will ensure that Nigerian banks are fully equipped to support the real economy with greater scale, stability, and capacity.

    “At these Spring Meetings, our development partners expressed their confidence in Nigeria’s trajectory. Feedback from global investors and the Nigerian diaspora has likewise been overwhelmingly positive, reflecting growing alignment with our economic direction.

    “Nigeria is increasingly recognized as a rising economic force, admired for the resolve shown in implementing difficult but necessary reforms. These achievements, while encouraging, only strengthen our resolve to press forward. We will not be complacent. Instead, we will redouble our efforts to ensure these positive trends are sustained,” he stated.

    Upon assuming office in October 2023, the apex bank under his leadership prioritised reforms to rebuild Nigeria’s economic buffers and strengthen resilience. Inflation, which had surged to 27 per cent, was one of the most pressing challenges, partly driven by excessive money supply growth. While the GDP growth had stagnated at a meagre 1.8 per cent over the previous eight years, money supply expanded rapidly, averaging about 13 per cent growth annually. This imbalance not only fuelled inflation but also contributed to a significant depreciation of the naira.

    Besides, inflation creates uncertainty for households and businesses, acting as a silent tax by eroding purchasing power and driving up living costs. To tackle the pressing challenge of inflation, the CBN acted decisively by raising the Monetary Policy Rate by 875 basis points to 27.5 per cent in 2024—an essential move to contain inflation and restore stability.

    FX backlogs cleared

    In the foreign exchange market, the country faced a backlog of over $7 billion in unfulfilled commitments and a fragmented FX regime characterised by multiple forex rates, which had encouraged arbitrage opportunities. This regime stifled much needed foreign investment, and led to the depletion of Nigeria’s external reserves, which fell to $33.22bn in December 2023.  It must also be understood that the cost of the FX subsidy regime is estimated to far exceed that of fuel subsidies.

    Read Also: CJN warns against risk of data misuse in banking sector

    The apex bank has also undertaken critical reforms to unify Nigeria’s exchange rate, eliminating distortions and restoring transparency. This unification has enabled it to clear the outstanding foreign exchange obligations, giving businesses—ranging from manufacturers to airlines—the confidence to plan and invest in the future. To further enhance the functionality of the foreign exchange market, the CBN introduced an electronic FX matching system, which has proven effective in other markets.

    With these developments came positive Fitch Ratings on Nigeria’s economy, signalling positive fallout from the reforms. The global rating agency said that from exchange rate unification to reduce arbitrage in the markets, introduction of electronic FX matching platform and a new FX code to enhance transparency and efficiency in the market as well as deployment of monetary policy tightening to keep inflation on check, the CBN has demonstrated commitment to achieving sustainable economy growth and exchange rate stability.

    Already, the latest Fitch rating moved Nigeria’s long-term foreign-currency issuer default rating (IDR) from negative to stable, meaning that the country stands a better chance of attracting foreign investment, borrow money on international markets at better interest rates, and boost investor confidence. Fitch also applauded government’s commitment to policy reforms implemented since its move to orthodox economic policies in June 2023, including exchange rate liberalisation, monetary policy tightening, and steps to end deficit monetisation as well as fuel subsidies removal. “These have improved policy coherence and credibility and reduced economic distortions and near-term risks to macroeconomic stability, enhancing resilience in the context of persistent domestic challenges and heightened external risks,” the agency stated.

    Other policy measures

    The apex bank recently took strategic step to enhance transparency and boost market confidence with the inauguration of the Nigeria Foreign Exchange Code (FX Code) in Abuja. The FX Code has so far ignited naira stability at both official and parallel markets. Cardoso also recently launched the FX Code, underscoring integrity, fairness, transparency and efficiency as essential pillars for fostering Nigeria’s economic growth and stability.

    He emphasised that the FX Code was built on six core principles: ethics, governance, execution, information sharing, risk management and compliance, as well as confirmation and settlement processes. These principles, he explained, aligned with international standards while addressing the unique challenges within Nigeria’s foreign exchange market. According to Cardoso, “The FX Code represents a decisive step forward, setting clear and enforceable standard for ethical conduct, transparency, and good governance in our foreign exchange market. The era of opaque practices is over. The FX Code marks a new era of compliance and accountability. Under the CBN Act 2007 and BOFIA Act 2020, violations will be met with penalties and administrative actions.”

    The CBN has stated that while every effort has been made to ensure that the FX Code comprehensively addresses various aspects of market conduct and practice, it is not intended to be exhaustive. Governor Cardoso also noted that the journey towards market reform is already yielding results. He stated, “The year 2024 was marked by structural reforms that sought to return the naira to a freely determined market price and ease volatility as several distortions were removed from the market.”

    Beyond the foreign exchange market, the FX Code forms part of the CBN’s renewed focus on compliance across the financial sector. Its six guiding principles, alongside 52 sub-principles, were designed to become the benchmark for conduct across all participating institutions.

    Issued as a guideline for the foreign exchange market, the FX Code is backed by the authority of the CBN Act of 2007 and the Banks and Other Financial Institutions Act (BOFIA) of 2020. These legislative instruments empower the CBN to establish and enforce directives regarding the standards financial institutions must follow in conducting foreign exchange business in Nigeria. The FX Code, therefore, serves as an official directive that all market participants are expected to observe in their operations.

    Besides FX Code, the apex bank also introduced the Electronic Foreign Exchange Matching System (EFEMS), which has proven effective in other economies in enhancing the functionality of the foreign exchange market. The EFEMS was meant to check forex market distortions, eliminate speculative activities and instil transparency. The EFEMS, which is commonplace in developed and developing markets, offers real-time information on currency rates, trading volumes and market activity.

    Policies attract more dollar inflows

    As part of its efforts to boost diaspora remittances and support naira stability, the CBN recently announced the introduction of two new financial products designed to serve Nigerians living abroad. The Non-Resident Nigerian Ordinary Account and the Non-Resident Nigerian Investment Account were created to streamline remittances, encourage investments and foster financial inclusion among Nigerians in the diaspora. It said, “The Central Bank of Nigeria is pleased to inform the general public of the introduction of the Non-Resident Nigerian Ordinary Account and Non-Resident Nigerian Investment Account targeted at Nigerians in diaspora.”

    The initiative is also expected to provide a secure and efficient platform for managing funds and investing in Nigeria’s financial markets. Since the beginning of this year, eligible NRNs have continued to get the opportunity to own any of the non-resident Nigerian accounts. The Non-Resident Nigerian Ordinary Account was designed to facilitate remittances by allowing non-resident Nigerians to remit foreign earnings into Nigeria and manage funds in foreign currency or naira. Deposits from sources such as salaries, allowances and dividends are supported, alongside spending on family maintenance, education, and healthcare.

    On the other hand, the Non-Resident Nigerian Investment Account provides an opportunity for NRNs to invest in Nigeria’s financial markets, including foreign currency-denominated bonds, fixed deposits, and local assets like equities, government securities, and mortgage products. The CBN explained that both accounts offer currency flexibility, enabling holders to maintain balances in either foreign currency or naira. Account holders will also be able to convert funds between the two currencies at prevailing exchange rates through authorised dealers. The Non-Resident Nigerian Investment Account, in particular, was structured to promote investments in Nigeria’s financial instruments, such as the Diaspora Bond, and encourage active participation in the country’s economic development.

    The CBN said the introduction of these accounts will harness the economic potential of Nigerians in the diaspora by boosting remittances and fostering investments in critical sectors. These and other measures, including the granting licences to new International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs), implementing a willing buyer-willing seller model, and enabling timely access to naira liquidity for International Money Transfer Operators (IMTOs). Diaspora remittances are a crucial source of foreign exchange for Nigeria, supplementing both foreign direct investment and portfolio investments.

  • Concerns as hospitals detain survivors of herdsmen attacks in Benue

    Concerns as hospitals detain survivors of herdsmen attacks in Benue

    • Vow to discontinue treatment until bills are settled

    One week after they narrowly escaped death in the hands of murderous herdsmen, many survivors in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State have been left to their own fate. The various hospitals where they are admitted have vowed to discontinue treatment over non-payment of bills. INNOCENT DURU reports that the survivors’ predicaments require urgent attention by the government and other eminent indigenes of the state.

    A Yershima Tyokombo, a native of Mbater Council Ward in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, escaped death by a whisker last weekend as blood thirsty assailants suspected to be herders invaded the agrarian community and turned their day into night.

    Yershima woke up that fateful day full of life and very hopeful that the day would bring good things for him and his household.

    But his hope of a bright and shiny day fizzled out when some gun trotting herders invaded the community and made a mess of the day for the entire community.

    The invaders fired gunshots and attacked anyone that crossed their path with machetes. At the end of the day, no fewer than 27 people, according to the figures released by the police, were gruesomely murdered with countless others maimed.

    Yershima narrowly escaped death with bullet wounds and with two of fingers cut off.

    Read Also: Humble yourself, Wike tells Fubara

    “He was in his house when the herders attacked him. He was shot and also cut with machete on his head and his body. They also cut off two of his fingers,” his wife, who was with him at Live Clinic Ugba where he was receiving treatment, said.

    Although Yershima’s condition is said to be stable after receiving some treatments, his full recovery hangs in the balance as the management of the clinic has threatened to discontinue treatment until he pays for drugs and other items used for his treatment.

    “We have not paid any money for his treatment since he was admitted here,” the wife said, adding that they have no means of settling the bills.

    Terver, another survivor receiving treatment in the clinic, has deep cuts on his head and back. Like Yershima, he has also not made any payment for his treatment and risks not getting further medical help.

    An official of the clinic, who spoke in confidence, put bills incurred by Yershima and Terver in the last one week at N260,000 and N150,000  respectively.

    “They have not paid their bills and nobody has come to say he or she will offset their bills,” the official said.

    Asked if the patients will be discharged without payment, he said: “We will not allow them to go home if they fail to settle their bills. It is not possible.

    “The drugs and other things we used for their treatment are very expensive.”

    Findings showed that besides Live Clinic, three survivors were also admitted at Kusugh Clinic where the director has also insisted that the patients would not be discharged until their bills are settled.

    The director in charge of the clinic, Kusugh Victor, told our correspondent that the patients were responding to treatment, “but nobody has paid any money for their treatment. Not even a visit. Nobody visited them. Nobody has come to our facility to greet them.”

    He put the bill for one of the survivors, Apake Joseph, at N667,000.

    “The other patient’s bill  is N287,000. Then the last one is N220,000. We can’t discharge them without payment.

    “No, it is not possible. We are not running a charity organisation.

    “They are not good to go home yet. Their going back home depends on how the healing fares.

    “The bills do not include their food. The families are bringing food for them.”

    The clinic director added that Apake needs a referral because he needs special attention. “He suffered a compound fracture on the hand. He needs to be referred to a specialist hospital. It can lead to even amputation if not quickly attended to,” the director said.

    Another clinic where survivors are receiving treatment is Maranatha Poly Clinic, Ugba.

    There, a young nurse who spoke with our correspondent said the patients had not made any payment. “No government official has made any deposit for their treatment. The clinic has been treating them with its own resources. They will not be allowed to go if they fail to pay at the end of the day.

    “They are responding to treatment, but I can’t tell you when they will be discharged.”

    She added that one of the patients with gunshot wounds, Orbeega Mbaliga, had a bill of N75,000 to settle while Sooter Ubaver, being treated for cutlass wounds, needed to pay the sum of N90,000.

    Last week, the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, promised to take care of the burial and medical bills of the victims admitted in hospitals.

    Explaining why the above survivors were not captured in the governor’s promise, National President of Ugondo Youths Association, Shim Gabriel Msuega, said: “The people that had their bills paid were those whose names were written down before the governor came.

    “Unfortunately, the governor didn’t move round the clinics within town to know that there were other survivors. The people in these three hospitals are not on that list.”

    Shim said as the youth leader, “I’ve tried my best possible. I even went to the legislative council to have a chat with them so that they would reach out to the chairman so that he could reach out to the governor.

    “Mind you, we’re talking about human lives now. Something urgent needs to be done to safe these people’s lives.”  

    ‘How herders murdered our relations’

    The bloody attack on Logo last weekend will not be forgotten in a hurry by the embattled people, especially the bereaved.

    Some of them who spoke with The Nation said they were still traumatised by the incident.

    A bereaved member of the community, who gave his name simply as Henry, said: “Four of my relatives were killed by the herders. I was on the farm, and they were at home.

    “The moment I heard the gunshots, I took to my heels.”

    He added that there was no compensation to the families of the bereaved.

    “The state government only gave N300,000 to each person that lost relations. The transportation cost from the local government area and the mortuary and the making of the casket to the place consumed the whole money.

    “We got N1,200,000 for the four relatives that were killed. ”

    Even after the incident, Henry said: “We always have messages that they are coming back. Soldiers are not in Logo again. We only have policemen who always try their best.”

    Another bereaved person, Jacobs, said he lost three of his family members during the attack.

    He said “The deceased persons were my first cousins. I was very close to the house in a coastal area, trying to access water when the attackers came.

    “I had a gunshot at home. Trying to see what was going on, I realised there were strangers within. There were invaders in our community.

    “So I had to scamper into safety. I had to find a way out. That was how I was able to escape.

    “Unfortunately, three of my relatives fell victims. It was when I returnedhome that I saw their dead bodies.”

    Jacobs regretted that no measure had been put in place to curtail the attack.

    He said: “Up until this moment, if the marauders decide to come in again, they can possibly come in without any hitch.

    “There won’t be any obstacles for them because we have positive security agencies around us.

    “Even the ones that are around, just very few of them are motivated to possibly intervene just to protect the communities.”

    He hinted that “almost all the affected communities right now are in various IDP camps scattered across the local government headquarters in Ugba, which is the local government headquarters.” 

    Also speaking on how the marauders struck, the youth leader, Shim, said: “It started in the morning. They were just shooting at people.

    “The assailants were more in number than the security agents in the local government. They had to ask for reinforcement from the state, including civil defence.

    “They also invited the security team at Awashua.

    “It was only those who are on official records that were taken to hospital.

    “There were people that were thought to be dead, and when they discovered they were not dead in the mortuary were taken to different hospitals.

    “Nothing has been done to assist those people as we speak. I am still agitating and calling many people to join hands to help the family.”

    Continuing, he said: “We started to experience their coming, but we didn’t know exactly what they were coming for.

    “They stayed close to Ukum Local Government Area called Gbagi. They killed a lot of people in Ukum.

    “We don’t know the precise number of people killed. Even in my local government area, we did not know.

    “The only recorded corpses were the very ones taken to the mortuary by security agencies.

    “There were about 15 corpses and I have their names. These exclude those whose bodies could not be picked and the people their families buried without records.”

    Shim added that the community was still discovering more corpses in the bushes even yesterday (Wednesday).

    “We have had this issue here for so many times. This very one comes from the three council wards.

    “The affected areas within this period now are the ones that share borders with Ukum Local Government Area. The attack was on Saturday.”

    Bereaved people in Ukum relive ordeal

    Prior to the attack on Logo, the assailants had launched a deadly attack on Ukum Local Government Area where the state government officially said 28 people were killed.

    Findings revealed that the community has turned into a ghost town after the incident as the people have fled to neighbouring towns.

    One of the bereaved community members, Zungwenen Nenshi, said his father was the first to be killed by the criminals.

    His words: “On that fateful Friday, the herders killed my father, a very old man.

    “He made an attempt to run when the herders invaded our community but he could not run fast. They shot and killed him in the process of trying to escape.

    “We buried him and about 11 other people they killed in our area on that day. We buried him without a coffin. He was buried naked.

    “We were at home when the herders struck and had to start running to avoid being caught by the killers. “Unfortunately, my father could not run as fast as we did.”

    Zungwenen added: “We fled Ukum after the incident. I am in Zaki Biam as I am talking to you now. I left the community with my entire family.

    “We have been suffering a great deal since we ran to this place. We don’t have water to drink.

    “I can’t go back to Ukum now because tension is still very high in the area.

    “How can I think of going back to such an environment? I left everything I have behind in Ukum. I can’t even go there to pick foodstuffs for my family to eat.

    “There is nobody in the area as I am talking with you. Everybody has escaped to avoid another calamity.

    “We keep hearing that the herders are coming back. You can’t be hearing that and plan to go back home.

    “When you have experienced danger before, you will not go back to the same place to experience it the second time.”

    Also narrating his ordeal, another bereaved person, Hange David, said: “I lost two of my brothers to the bloody attack by herders.

    “They invaded our community very early in the morning. They were just shooting indiscriminately when they came.

    “We ran away after the incident. Life has not been easy for us since we fled our community.

    “I am not going back to Ukum for now.”

    Benue govt, Senator yet to respond

    The Benue State government was yet to respond to our inquiry as at the time of filing this report.

    Solomon Iorpev, the Technical Adviser on Media, Publicity and Strategic Communications  to the state governor was yet to respond to our questions on the predicament of the survivors  at press time.

    Efforts to also get the reaction of Senator Emmanuel Memga Udende,the lawmaker  representing the area in the National Assembly were also unsuccessful.

    His line was busy when our correspondent called.

    He however was yet to respond to our enquiries sent via text message and WhatsApp.

    The WhatsApp info returned with two blue marks indicating the  message was delivered and read.

  • NAPTIP receives 231 victims of human trafficking from Ghana

    NAPTIP receives 231 victims of human trafficking from Ghana

    • 27 suspected traffickers among returnees

    The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) yesterday received 231 Nigerians repatriated from Ghana, including 27 individuals identified as suspected traffickers.

    The returnees, who were handed over to the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) and NAPTIP by the Government of Ghana through the office of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), arrived Nigeria following a major crackdown on a human trafficking and cybercrime syndicate uncovered in a gated estate in Ghana.

    Of the total number, four are women believed to have been victims of trafficking. The rest were young Nigerian men, some of whom had spent years in captivity, allegedly used for cyber fraud by syndicate heads operating from Nigeria.

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    All returnees received food and a stipend to support their journey back to their respective states.

    Chairman of NiDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, praised Ghanaian authorities for their swift action, noting that the operation exposed how trafficking networks continue to evolve.

    “This is a wake-up call for West Africa. The ECOWAS community must take trafficking and illegal migration more seriously. The traffickers exploit the free movement of persons to lure and trap victims,” Dabiri-Erewa said.

    She encouraged the returnees to hold their heads high and not feel ashamed of their experiences, emphasising that they were victims of trafficking and not at fault.

    “Feel at home—you have nothing to be ashamed of,” she said.

    “We are receiving you on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, who is deeply concerned about your welfare.”

    She urged them to adopt a positive mindset and believe in their potential to thrive in Nigeria.

    “I encourage you to embrace an ‘I can succeed in my country’ attitude and strive to become honorable, productive citizens. May God grant you the strength, courage, and grace to rebuild your lives and succeed legitimately,” she said.

    Dabiri-Erewa disclosed that the governors of the returnees’ respective states had been duly notified of their arrival and were expected to provide necessary support to aid their rehabilitation and reintegration.

    She expressed gratitude to Wema Bank for facilitating the transportation of the returnees and acknowledged the support of the Office of the First Lady of Nigeria.

    The returnees hail from various states across Nigeria, with the highest number from Edo.

    The full breakdown includes Edo (76), Delta (17), Bayelsa (13), Imo (19), Enugu (12), Ebonyi (8), Anambra (6), Abia (9), Cross River (7), Akwa Ibom (3), Niger (4), Kogi (6), Ondo (1) and Osun (1).

    Speaking during the handover in NAPTIP office in Ikeja, an official of the EOCO, in the Anti-Human Trafficking Unit, Dominic Mensah, revealed that the bust, codenamed Operation Rescue Shield, followed a tip-off about illegal activities being carried out in 26 houses within a single estate in Ghana.

    He said:  “We received a complaint on March 28th from an informant alleging that a group of Nigerians were using young people for cybercrime.

    “Surveillance was carried out, and we launched the operation at 3:30 a.m. one week ago with support from national security and police services.

    “A total of 233 persons were initially arrested.”

    Mensah added that the victims had been lured to Ghana under the pretext of getting jobs but ended up being trapped and forced into cybercrime. Many had spent between a few weeks and several years in the facility.

    Receiving the returnees on behalf of NAPTIP Director-General, Binta Bello, the Lagos Zonal Coordinator, Mrs. Comfort Agboko, assured that the agency would thoroughly profile all returnees and provide comprehensive support to the victims.

    “After profiling, NAPTIP will commence rehabilitation and reintegration processes for the actual victims,” Agboko stated.

    “The 27 suspected traffickers among them will be interrogated and handed over to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for further investigation and prosecution.”

    On the reintegration plan, NAPTIP said it would work with state governments to return victims to their communities. “We have their states of origin, and we expect the governors to assist. Edo State has the highest number — 76 out of 231,” Agboko said.

    She also confirmed that the youngest returnees are minors, with twelve of them under the age of 18.

    Officials emphasised the need for awareness campaigns, especially targeting youth and parents.

    “Many of the victims were trafficked by people they trusted; relatives or family friends,” a NAPTIP officer added.

    “If your child is promised a job abroad and told not to inform you, that is a red flag,” EOCO’s Mensah warned.

    “Victims were told they would work in supermarkets or offices, only to end up trapped in cybercrime rings.”

    Dabiri-Erewa urged the media to join the fight. “We need to name and shame traffickers. They are as dangerous as drug barons,” she said.