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Category: Saturday Magazine

  • Fassy Yusuf: How Diya ignored my warning of imminent arrest for coup plot

    Fassy Yusuf: How Diya ignored my warning of imminent arrest for coup plot

    •Says I only narrowly escaped assassination because of my closeness to him

    Prof. Fassy Adetokunboh Yusuf, a man who has made great marks in different fields including the police, journalism, law, education and advertising, clocked 70 yesterday. Among other issues, he told INNOCENT DURU how he tricked his father’s friends to join the police and how the fear of failure prompted him to dip his hands in many pies.

    How did you feel clocking the age of 70?

    I think it is just a game of numbers. The body can no longer do much but I am still mentally and physically strong.  I can pursue many goals. I can sit down here from now till tomorrow writing. It is only when I get up that I would feel some aches.

    What would you say about your background?

    I was born on January 3, 1955.  My younger brother was born in 1956. My mother is the only child of her father. Her father was the head of that island. My mother had me when she was 16 and a half.  My younger brother followed in quick succession.

    My mother, who is still alive, is Itsekiri from Deghele Island about 50 nautical miles from Warri. My father was a jeweller and a businessman who spent over 55 years in Warri.  My father married my mother when she was about 15 years old.

    I used to tease him that Daddy, if it was to be now, you would have been charged for child abuse. At one point, my younger brother was sick and they decided to give him Itsekiri tribal marks. Maybe they thought that would be the solution to his illness.  So, when my brother was okay, they brought the two of us to Warri. My father, sighting my younger brother with Itshekiri marks, asked are you sure this is my son? If you don’t take this boy to wherever you got him from, I will chop off your head. That was the end of the marriage. My mother ran back to her father, being the only child; a pampered child.

    What happened thereafter?

    My grandmother, realising what happened, came to pick me before my mother would come back to pick me. In retrospect, I would say that was a wise decision, because if I had followed my mother, I would have engaged in bunkering or I would have been a fisherman or something else in the village, because it is far from Warri. Up until this moment, you cannot access that place by road; only by sea and by air. So, I was brought to Ijebu Ode.

    At what point were you enrolled in school?

    My grandmother, a princess, was a business woman while the husband has a settlement in Ago Sasa near Idiroko. The husband had a cocoa farm in Mamu, a border town between Ogun and Oyo states. That was where I started my primary school. But my aunt, who was also a business woman in Mamu, became sick and we had to leave Mamu looking for how to get her cured. In the process, I lost one year. Then, the following year that I was to start, it was late. In effect, I lost two years.

    But I was lucky I started primary school when I was just about four or five years old. I went to Ansar Ud Deen Primary School and I continued from Primary 2.  I left primary school in 1967. I was 12 years old. Then I went to Muslim College. I left Muslim College in 1972 and I was 17 years old. This is despite losing two years. So, it means, in effect, that  my not staying with my parents, my mother not being  around, my father not being around, and moving from one place to another, I was still able to catch up. I didn’t lose any time in my education.

    But in 1972, the year the military government decided to abrogate ownership of secondary schools, the Federal Government took over all secondary schools in the western states. The HSC we were running then was more or less automatic for us. From your secondary school, you moved over to the HSC class.

    At a point, I don’t know what overcame my father, maybe he was disillusioned or whatever, he just said go to Lagos; go meet your elder brothers. I had three elder brothers in Lagos then. The eldest was a chartered accountant who was our mentor then.

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    Did you agree to go to Lagos?

    Then, I didn’t like Lagos. Number one, that was the period Gowon said we had so much money we didn’t know how to spend it. Secondly, we had just emerged from the civil war.

    So, the economy was booming; a lot of rehabilitation, reconstruction, and reconciliation efforts were ongoing.  Things were moving at a pace nobody could imagine. The only room that was available was my brother’s house (in Lagos); about eight people were staying in that room. And where I was coming from, I was staying in a room and palour as a secondary school boy. How will I now fit into that system? How would I be able to read in that environment? So, it means I would just be working and we would just sleep like sardines.

    What did you do subsequently?

    I decided to go back to Warri. But my father didn’t like it. He thought it was my mother who goaded me to come over to Warri to prosecute her own agenda. So all appeals to my father did not yield any result. I became despondent and frustrated. I became disillusioned. So, the admission I got, I lost.

    Then, you know, we were free to seek admission into as many universities as we could. There was no unified admission system then. So, I had three admissions to the extent that I even tried colleges of education.

    But, my father did not bulge. I decided to take the entrance exam into Defense Academy. When I saw that the result was not forthcoming, I went to my father’s friend in Benin. One of his friends was the acting Commissioner of Police; the late Mr. Oshodi. The other one was the late Mr. Fajano from Ekiti, who was the OC Mopol.

    I went to them and said my father asked them to help me into the police force. They were very happy. They thought I was telling the truth. That time, you needed four papers to become a sub-inspector. They called it a sub-inspector course. And I had six papers. They said it’s late now. They had already gone for training and all the rest, and I had to wait till the following year.

    “The next year again, I asked if there was any other option, and they said can you go in as a constable? Though it was too small for my grade, I said I would go. Within me, I said anything that would take me out of the house, I would do. The man asked, are you sure your father sent you? I said yes. At that time, it was just the local analogue phone that was available, but they did not even care to find out.

    Because they had known me with my father and they used to come to our house as well as my father used to take me to their offices, that was how we signed and sealed the recruitment for the training at the Police Training College in Ikeja because then we had only two training colleges.

    We had Southern Police College in Ikeja and Northern Police College in Kaduna. Not now that we have a proliferation of police colleges. The day they came to pick me from our house, that is the acting commissioner of police came to pick me for my trip to Ikeja, my father thought it was the usual visit. And the man said is your son ready and he said ready for what? He’s going for training in Ikeja. Are you not the one that sent him? And my father said, me, sent him? They called me and I was gazing at my father when it was tabled. But they warned my father that I had already signed up and that there was nothing he could do but to allow me to go. They asked him to only pray for me.

    That was how I left the house.  I went and discovered that because of my own academic standard, the training was not too much of a challenge. I mean the academic aspect, what was rigorous was the physical aspect, the parade, shooting range and all the rest. And at times I would feign being sick.

    You were in the police force. What was your experiencelike?

    I was a member of the press club when I was in secondary school. So I discovered that there was an opportunity in the public relations department because the department was newly created. The first person to head the department was a journalist. They had a magazine and they encouraged those of us who could write to contribute.  I was writing and my write-ups were published. Thereafter, I saw an advert in Daily Times about a public relations institute in London and I registered as a student. I took tutorial courses and sat the examination. By this time, I had completed my training and was posted to Calabar.

    Then, the police was fantastic. They would pick you from your house to wherever you were going. In this particular case, they gave us warrants to go by train. They picked us from the Police College to Ido. In Calabar, I was posted to the Divisional Police Headquarters, Calabar. I don’t know; maybe they had been reading my writings. They made me a station writer. The person that takes down your complaints is the station writer.

    One day, a senior officer asked me, what are you doing in the police force? I told him I was taking a course in journalism and public relations. He then said in that case, I should post you to where you can have time to read. I was posted to the Nigeria Ports Authority in Calabar. And that was where I was able to discover myself. They put me on permanent night duty and not much was there for me to do on night duties.

    By 1975, I secured my certificate in public relations and diploma in journalism. Later, I was posted to the Public Relations Department and I discovered that my boss did not like me simply because of my qualifications and youthfulness. They defaulted me once, and in those days, if you were defaulted twice or thrice, you were on your way out. I didn’t want that, and it was nearing my third year, I was waiting for my promotion as ASP. I said I didn’t want to wait for that. They said, please wait. I said, no. Those days, you would resign. So, I left.

    What did you venture into after leaving the police?

    The moment I left, I joined Rock Publicity. And it was while I was in the police force that we had the Udoji Award, which catapulted our salary by over 100 per cent, which was a lot of money then. I used part of it for my education and I bought a sports bicycle.

    But when I got to Rock Publicity, it was another world. My first salary was N250. Imagine from N50 to N250. So, I felt life could be so good. I was the one that promoted Sunny Okosun’s Papa’s Land s, and some of my classmates were still in the university then. I took Papa’s Land around the country, from University of Lagos to Yabatech to UI, Ife and Kaduna Polytechnic. ABU Zaria was not too receptive because of religion.

    So, within me, I felt if this little education could get me this much, including fame, then I must pursue further education. This is because with Papa’s Land, I was getting a lot of publicity that by 1977, I had about six employment letters with me. Later, I joined King and George Nigeria Limited. I was appointed the editor of Sporting World and I was also the publication manager of the company. The company was into pools betting and publication of sports newspapers. It was also into shipping, haulage and the rest. They later established a printing press.

    Then I got my qualifications in advertising and marketing. There was a time I went to the UK in 1981 to receive an award as the best student. During the awards ceremony, some universities came to exhibit and admit students. Some of the universities had admission opportunities for MSC in Marketing, Advertising and all the rest. Then I saw a course: Masters in Business Administration (MBA). And that was the time MBA was just coming on board. I just decided out of fancy to enroll for MBA. So, I took MBA and came back to Nigeria.

    But then I was working with Adebowale Group of companies. It was then one of the biggest indigenous companies manufacturing a number of household items, fridges, freezers, television sets, radio and so many things.

    What happened after you came back to Nigeria?

    When I came back, I told my chairman about the MBA admission. He gave me a house on Oladipo Kuku Street, off Allen Avenue. Things were so good then that I was even registered with Palace Hotel. Any time I felt like lodging there overnight, I could stay. The company had an account there for me. Because of my position, I was registered with Island Club and I was also registered with Ikeja Country Club.

    I was able to convince the chairman to allow me return to the UK for the MBA programme, though he said it will be tabled before the board. Somehow, when I was given the letter, what I saw in the letter was that the company had reviewed the situation and had not seen reason for me to embark on an MBA programme, and that what the company could do would be to expose me to their partners abroad and in the process, I could attain any position.

    Initially, I was devastated. But I said no, as there’s nothing stopping a willing mind. When I said I was going to go, I was told to resign as well as vacate the company’s apartments. Then the official car, I should surrender it. And my personal car, I should offset the loan. Otherwise, I should return the vehicle. I just decided to return the vehicle. They said, oh, why? I said nobody was willing to buy a second-hand car.

    When they saw that I was serious, the chairman called me privately. He gave me a cheque for 2,000 pounds. Then my late friend Chief Gani Fawehinmi gave me 1,000 pounds. I also sold some of the things I had and I journeyed out.

     What happened after you completed the MBA programme?

    I came back and continued working with Adebowale Group of companies. The house I was staying in was no longer available. But I was given another house at Obanikoro Phase 2. But I said I would not stay long, so I left in 1985 and started a private business; a marketing communication outfit that also imported electronic products.

    When the business went awry, I dusted my certificates. I saw an advert in the papers about vacancy for a managing director for one of the subsidiaries of Ibru organisations. My MBA certificate gave me an edge and I was employed. But when I discovered that I was not given free hands to run the place, I resigned. Then, I had free lunch tickets at Sheraton everyday as MD.

     Where did you move to after quitting the organisation?

    After I left, I returned to my business. In 1988, I became the secretary general of NIPR at an election held in Ilorin. We took over from Alex Akinyele. Mike Okonkwo was the president while I was elected the secretary general. And that November of 1988, I was appointed a director of TBS by the military and was director for nine years. I was removed because of my campaign for the release of Diya. And that was why they also wanted to assassinate me.

    Can you speak more on the assassination attempt?

    It was Diya that appointed me commissioner against my wish and desire. I was doing my job and was happy working for him. He asked that I work for him and I said if you want me to work for you, I do not mind being your chief press secretary. And he said with your size, you want to work for me? You will tower above me and people would ask who the boss is between us. He then asked that I should get someone to work for him as Chief Press Secretary. So I contacted some of my colleagues that we did MSc together at UNILAG.

    After the CPS was appointed, Diya kept asking what I wanted, and I said I just wanted to be around him since he rejected me being his CPS. Later, I told Diya that I wanted to be chairman of a local council, and he felt I was stupid because he felt that I was bigger than that. He then reported me to the Awujale that many were lobbying to become commissioners but I did not aim to become one.

    Eventually, I was appointed and was naturally given the portfolio of Commissioner for Information, Youth, Culture, Community Development and Social Welfare. Not long after, I was appointed chairman of Sketch Press, Ibadan. When I saw the intrigues in the presidential villa, I tried to warn Diya that there were signs and that I would be leaving the government. He then told me if I left, I would be branded a NADECO agent and I would die.

    I was working with Col. Akintande then and later with Ewang, a Wing Commander. Many of my friends were generals because I was a director at TBS. My boss, Ewang, was not comfortable seeing me with the generals. He went to the Chief of Staff that he wanted to dissolve his cabinet and he was told that before he came, Fassy had already come to say he wanted to leave your cabinet. The cabinet was dissolved and I left. But they started staging press war against me.

    Even after the cabinet was dissolved, I was still going to see Diya in his house, and the movement around Diya, especially by Bamaiyi (then Chief of Army Staff) and co made me uncomfortable. I tried to warn Diya but he rebuffed me. But one Saturday, we just heard that there was a coup attempt and that they were looking for Diya and he had run to one of his guest houses. He hid under the bed but he didn’t know that they had mounted spies around him. So they brought him.

    Unknown to him, when they were having a meeting with him, the discussions were being recorded. The plan was for Diya to lead the coup and assassinate Abacha, and for Bamayi to assassinate Diya. But unknown to Diya, he thought Bamayi and co loved him. They said Abacha was a nonentity, forgetting that he was a coup master. That was how they arrested Diya. When they tried him, it was Victor Malu that sentenced him to death. They were transferring him from one place to another and eventually he was kept in Jos Prison. They hanged him with his hands tied. And when he was released, he did not recover till he died.

    When they passed the judgment, it was me, Diya’s children and siblings that mounted a press campaign for his release or committal to jail term so that when Abacha must have left, the person coming in after him would release Diya.  My ordeal began when a journalist published a report about me on the front page. They started running after me and I had to go underground. The first thing they did was to remove me from the TBS board as a director. But, thank God, they did not succeed.

    Why did you study Law?

    Before I left government, I had registered to read Law, and people were making mockery of me, wondering how a commissioner would be going to classroom to read. But I knew what I wanted. This is because I was looking at after leaving as a commissioner; would I go back to be a journalist or practice PR? And this is because we live in a society that is paradoxical. If you steal, you are in trouble, if you do not steal, you are in trouble. If you did not steal, they will say look at him, a former commissioner commuting with public transport. And if you steal, they will claim his grandparents were armed robbers too. It is only when you are able to discover yourself.

    I registered for Law as a pathway to better life after being commissioner. After the Law programme, I went to Law School and I have been practising. I was an adjunct lecturer, and when NUC said anyone that must lecture must have a PhD, I put in for my PhD programme, which I completed within four years. I used the PhD to mark my 60th birthday, and as God would have it, Hallmark University appointed me professor recently, which I am using to mark my 70th birthday.

  • Fear of internal sabotage as terrorists launch attacks on military locations

    Fear of internal sabotage as terrorists launch attacks on military locations

    •Security experts on why bandits, terrorists are in desperate fight-back against soldiers

    As the nation’s highest authorities called for probe into the recent terrorist attack on a military base in Sabon Garri, Borno State, MUSA UMAR BOLOGI chronicles other attacks on the military and the casualties recorded, identifying the reasons for them and possible ways to avoid future occurrences.

    On Thursday, President Bola Tinubu ordered a probe into the attack by terrorists on a military base at Sabon Gari village in Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State.

    The attack which occurred at dawn on Saturday, January 4, resulted in the loss of six soldiers. But the military was able to neutralise 34 terrorists and seize 23 AK-47 rifles and other ammunition.

    The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, extended condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, describing their sacrifice as a cornerstone of the nation’s fight for security.

    The President commended the military’s swift and decisive response, particularly the air component’s effective retaliatory strikes, which neutralised numerous terrorists and destroyed their assets as they attempted to flee. 

    In addition to the investigation, President Tinubu directed the military to proactively take the war to the camps of bandits and terrorists in the Northwest, where they have continued to threaten the lives and homes of innocent villagers. He called for collective efforts to eliminate terrorism threats in the country.

    The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) had in a statement on Tuesday explained that the terrorists had attempted to surprise the troops and retaliate for the recent killing of their commander and combatants in the state.

    Director of Defence Media Operations, Maj.-Gen. Edward Buba, who disclosed this did not give the number of those injured in the encounter, but said the soldiers were taken unaware when the terrorists struck.

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    He added that the casualty figure would have been much but for the quick intervention of troops on a fighting patrol, which returned to base and deescalate the attack as soon as it commenced on the base.

    This was in addition to the quick arrival of a troop reinforcement team comprising of the Civilian Joint Task Force, vigilantes, hybrid forces, and strikes by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) fighter jets which overpowered the terrorists.

    This is not the first time terror groups in the North would attack military bases in the North East and other insecurity-prone areas across the country. Neither was it the first time the country’s highest authorities would order an investigation into such incidents.

    A cycle unkind 

    Terrorist attacks on military locations have been a recurring phenomenon since the military launched the war against Boko Haram insurgency in the North East more than a decade ago. The attacks often result in significant loss of lives, destruction of infrastructure and displacement of civilians, sparking severe humanitarian crisis.

    The Boko Haram insurgency began in 2009, with the group’s initial goal to establish an Islamic state in Nigeria. But their objectives and tactics have evolved over time, with their primary target being the state and its security forces.

    Boko Haram, Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP) and other terror groups have adopted various tactics to counter military strategies, employing guerrilla warfare, ambushes and raids on military outposts, most times resulting in some casualties on both sides.

    The attacks are always a sobering reminder of the ongoing security challenges facing the country. However, in the recent past, there have been remarkable reductions. Hence, the reason why the recent attack in Sabon Garri gained widespread attention and prompted swift action from the authorities.

    A glimpse into the past

    There have been several terrorist attacks on military bases since the Nigerian military began the war against terrorism and, lately, banditry in the North West of the country, which has resulted in heavy casualties. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) more than 350,000 people, including security agents, have been killed in the North East alone since the beginning of the Boko Haram insurgency. And if the conflict continues till 2030, more than 1.1 million people may die, the agency said in its report in 2021.

    In the early years of the conflict, the frequency and intensity of terrorist attacks on military bases were relatively low. However, as the war progressed, the group’s tactics and strategies evolved, and their attacks became more brazen and deadly.

    According to data compiled by the Nigeria Security Tracker, 2012 was the first devastating year for the security agencies as no fewer than 92 security agents lost their lives to terror attacks in the city, highlighting the scaling violence and growing threats posed by the terrorists at that time.

    As the year progressed, more security agents lost their lives to terror attacks. For instance, on December 2, 2013 over 200 Boko Haram fighters dressed as soldiers launched coordinated attacks on an air force base, a military barracks and a nearby checkpoint in Maiduguri. They burnt buildings and five aircraft, and killed dozens of soldiers and civilians.

    The attacks prompt a round-the-clock curfew in the city and the suspension of flights. The military authorities instituted probes into the incident, though the outcome was not made public.

    In January 2017, the group conducted a midnight attack on Nigerian troops in the village of Kamuya, resulting in the death of three Nigerian soldiers. But the attack was just a tip of the iceberg as more casualties were recorded the following year.

    On November 18, 2018, the group attacked an army base in Metele village in northeastern Borno State, killing more than 100 soldiers and destroying hundreds of military equipment. The attack sent shockwaves through the nation and attracted widespread condemnation from various quarters, including government officials, military leaders and civil society organisations.

    The incident also prompted calls for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack.

    Earlier before the November 18 attack, the group captured a town in Borno State after sacking and occupying a military base. In December of that year, the group conducted a series of attacks, taking over the commercial town of Baga near the border with Chad as well as a nearby Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) base.

    In May 2019, the group conducted an attack on a military base in the town of Gubio, north of Maiduguri, killing at least three Nigerian soldiers. On June 28, 2021, troops of 152 Task Force Battalion in conjunction with the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai, killed 12 Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province ISWAP fighters while they were trying to infiltrate the Forward Operating Base at Bula in Yobe State. They, however, lost two soldiers in the battle while five others sustained varying degrees of injury.

    The terrorists, riding on gun trucks and several motorcycles, attacked the location via an unsuspected crossing point but were met with heavy fire from the troops. The ground troops engaged the terrorists, subsequently forcing them to retreat.

    On November 20, 2024, reports said at least a dozen soldiers were killed in attacks by Boko Haram on Nigeria military base in the remote town of Kareto in Mobbar Local Government Area of Borno State. The terrorists were armed with improvised explosives and shot from different directions resulting in heavy casualty for the troops. The attacks came days after a raid by Boko Haram led to the deaths of some soldiers.

    As the military intensified its efforts to curtail the activities of bandits in the North West, it began to face a familiar foe. The bandits, who had previously been engaged in criminal activities such as kidnapping and cattle rustling, started to employ terror-like tactics reminiscent of those used by Boko Haram and the Islamic State of West African Province (ISWAP).

    For instance, on April 5, 2022, bandits attacked a military facility in Birnin Gwari in Kaduna State, killing 10 soldiers and injuring an unconfirmed number of others. The gunmen, who came on motorcycles with heavy weapons including rocket-propelled grenades, engaged the soldiers at the base in a duel that lasted two hours.

    Resurgence of attacks and way forward

    Security experts agree that conducting an investigation into attacks on military locations is a right decision, as it would enable them to review their operations and identify lapses. To them, an attack on a military facility cannot be swept away as the actions of mere terrorists. This is because the ultimate goal of the terrorists is to capture territories. As such, the government has to recalibrate its counter-terrorism strategy in the insecurity-prone areas to factor this into existence. It also has to review the security of its military facilities in the regions with a view to strengthen it against future attacks. 

    A retired director with the Department of State Service (DSS), Barrister Mike Ejiofor, said the resurgence of attacks by Boko Haram and ISWAP on military bases in the North East is meant to show that they were still relevant, even after being dealt heavy blows by the security forces.

    He explained: “You know when the heat is strong on these terrorists, they tend to retreat. But after some time, they still want to show their potency. So it is not unexpected that such attacks occasionally come in. Otherwise, we would have seemed to have won the war.

    “So it is quite unfortunate that despite the successes made within that axis, we are still having some attacks like that. Don’t also forget the diversionary tactics of the Lakurawas that also emerged in the Northwest. It is also one of the challenges we are contending with.”

    The security expert commended President Tinubu and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, for demanding a probe into the incident. He, however, added that such an investigation should be made public, as it would enhance support from members of the public.

    Ejiofor said: “I think it is only proper that the outcome will also be made public. There is nothing to hide. Lives have been lost. And the outcome will help in fostering future accuracy.

    “I also want to call for support from the members of the public, because these people (terrorists) don’t operate in isolation. Some of them are well-known, but for some unexplainable reasons the citizens remain aloof, out of fear.

    “We need to call for vigilance on the part of the security agencies and the citizenry. The troops also have to be vigilant to avoid a reoccurrence.”

    However, a security expert, Chidin Omeje, said the reason for the resurgence of attacks on military bases may not be unconnected with snitches within the military and the local population, and the increased capacity of the terrorists to gather intelligence against the state security forces.

    He said: “This kind of attacks happened more around 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 when insurgency was at its height.

    “For us to witness this kind of very ugly attack on our troops, it goes to just tell you that there are snitches somewhere…there is someone who is snitching on the military, on our troops, troops movement, and troops position.

    “They could be internal saboteurs or people around. Either way, they are unpatriotic. They are complicit, or are just doing it for the commercial purposes, the profit they are making.

     “There is what we call the root cause analysis. If you do the root cause analysis of this kind of incident, what you definitely see or uncover is that people who are members of the armed forces could be part of the snitches.

    “It could also be members of the communities. It could be anybody who actually reveals the troops’ position or troop movement or tells the adversary that this is the right time to strike.

    “But sometimes the attacks occur not because there are snitches, sometimes it’s because the adversary has been doing their own reconnaissance, intelligence and then knowing when the troops are at their low and then they strike.”

    Omeje, however, emphasised the strategy of the whole-of-society approach in the fight against terrorism and other forms of insecurity in the country.

    “People need to be part of the whole effort. When people are disenchanted, when people are very unpatriotic, when people have one or two reasons whatsoever to work against their own military, then you know that something fundamental is wrong,” he said.

    On whether it is significant for the public to know the outcome of the investigation into the recent attacks, Omeje said that May not be necessary.

    “I know there is the right to know, but I don’t think it is necessary. If the military who did the investigation found out what the issues are and the issues are something they can handle internally, they may not have to come out to tell the whole world or tell the people.

    “This is because every other person reads, even the terrorists read the newspaper or listen to the news.

    “So, there are some information that the authorities would rather keep to themselves and work at it to see if they can remedy the situation,” Omeje said.

  • Court grants bail to 12 suspected killers of Ajayi Crowther varsity’s undergraduate

    Court grants bail to 12 suspected killers of Ajayi Crowther varsity’s undergraduate

    • Adjourns case for hearing till February 21

    An Oyo High Court sitting in Ibadan has granted bail to 12 suspected killers of an undergraduate of Ajayi Crowther University, Jeffrey Akro.

    The bail was granted with a sum of N5 million and two sureties each in like sum while the case is adjourned till Friday, 21 February 2025.

    The suspects pleaded not guilty to a 2-count charge when the case was mentioned for hearing at the same court in Awe, Oyo state.

    Their plea and oral application for bail could not be taken during the last sitting hence the adjournment to yesterday.

    Justice Ladiran Akintola however at the sitting on Friday granted bail to the suspects with a sum of N5m while their parents will stand as sureties.

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    The Court in its ruling ordered that ” each of the 1st- 12th defendants is hereby admitted to bail in the sum of N5m with two sureties each, one of whom must be a biological parent of the applicant/defendant

    A former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Delta state, and Counsel to the Prosecutor, Chief Victor Otomiewo said: “The most important thing is the pronouncement, and what every lawyer knows is that the granting of bail is not a declaration of innocence or acquittal.

    “The re-trial has been adjourned till February 21, 2025. If we are unable to resolve the matter on that date, the trial will proceed accordingly.

    “With the pronouncement of the Judge and his conduct of the trial so far, everybody will go home and see that Justice, real justice not abstract justice has been served.

    Also in his comment, Counsel to the 7th defendant, Wole Efunnuga noted that ”the trial Judge did not just come up granting bail, there is precedent condition.

    “The Judge looked at the issue holistically and he made it a point of duty to seek the opinion of the Prosecution counsel to ask if the decision is of the counsel.

    ” My learned counsel used his discretion and the ruling represented the views of all the parties involved”.

  • Six reasons some men never admit being in a relationship

    Six reasons some men never admit being in a relationship

    Many men don’t admit that they’re in a relationship with a woman. Relationships can occasionally suffer as a result, with women questioning why men are avoiding acknowledging the obvious. There are numerous explanations for why some men choose not to disclose that they are seeing a woman.

    Here are the six reasons some men never admit they are in a relationship

    1. They’re not sure about the future of the relationship

    A lot of men don’t admit to being in a relationship with a woman because they’re not sure about the future of their relationship. This is why they avoid giving it a name or label. It is also their way of buying time to see if they really are compatible with the other person or not.

    2. They enjoy the attention of other women

    Some men are simply not ready to settle down and prefer to keep their options open. Admitting they’re in a relationship might close off potential opportunities for attention from other women, which they find exciting. For them, keeping their status a secret allows them to enjoy the thrill of being pursued.

    3. They fear losing their freedom

    For some men, admitting they’re in a relationship feels like losing their freedom. They might worry that being “taken” means giving up their independence, spontaneity, or social life.

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    This fear can lead them to keep things on the down low, as they see it as a way to maintain their sense of freedom while still enjoying the benefits of being with someone.

    4. They don’t want to face pressure from friends and family

    A man might avoid admitting he’s in a relationship to escape pressure from his friends or family. Some may not want to deal with the constant questions or expectations that come once a relationship is out in the open.

    Keeping things private helps them avoid unnecessary scrutiny or pressure about where the relationship is heading.

    5. They don’t really like their partner

    It is also possible that a man doesn’t really like their partner and is just passing time with her. In such situations, they never like to admit that they are in a relationship and pretend as if there’s nothing going on between him and the girl.

    6. They want to keep their options open

    A lot of men also don’t admit to being in a relationship, because they want to keep their options open. This essentially means that a man may think they may find a better match in future and if they disclose their relationship from the rest of the world, they always stand a chance of approaching other women and being hit on by other women.

  • Cross River’s journey to economic development, by Otu

    Cross River’s journey to economic development, by Otu

    When Bassey Edet Otu assumed power as the Governor of Cross River State, he promised to put the people first in all journeys towards a prosperous and glorious future. The governor spoke with journalists in the state’s developmental drives, encompassing road construction, educational transformation, welfare programmes as well as the economy.  interview with journalists. Associate Editor ADEKUNLE YUSUF was there.

    When we came in as a government, infrastructure has been a focus for us and, to some extent; we have tried to make sure we fix all the loopholes in that sub-sector.

    In that aspect, we have done quite a number in the state capital with a focus now in the Central Senatorial District covering Yakurr and Ikom, as well as in the Northern Senatorial District also covering Ogoja and Yala. Our intention is to open up the major roads that would lead to where we have agricultural produce, and where there are major commercial activities.

    Industries

    We inherited industries built by the immediate past administration. We are reviewing the statuses and concessionaire agreements. We know that there were some hiccups, most of them financial. We have tried to bridge the finances by ensuring that we are good in terms of venture capital to support some of the concessionaires, especially where it was discovered that some were not strong enough.

    One of the industries we were sure not to allow any hiccups stall its operations was the Calabar Pharmaceutical Company (Calapharm). We have brought some experts in the pharmaceutical industry to take a second look at the set up. We are optimistic that once they get all their certifications from the different regulatory agencies, they will begin to roll out.

    Interventions in agric sector

    We recognise the fact that the state has a comparative advantage in agriculture, including but not limited to food and cash crops, aquaculture, poultry and animal husbandry. So, it is only proper that the sector receives adequate attention.

    We are already harvesting our rice. We are also into cocoa and cassava, for which the Federal Government is willing to partner with us. We are looking to populate all the agro-value chains. We have restructured the sector for maximum outflow of benefits. We have done a number of soil inspections and investigations, and have gotten digital reports. We have over 200 Cross Riverians sent out for training and as they come back, we will fix them up.

    We are addressing our food security challenge proactively. We are very passionate about agriculture and we will deliver.

     Education

    We inherited a moribund state library. And as a state desperate to reposition our educational system, there was an urgent need to change the ugly shape of our library to enhance not only research but also to improve the reading culture in our people.

    Generally, we have restructured our educational institutions in a way that we would be able to produce professionals in terms of middle level manpower. My administration has been able to ensure that we enrolled about 16,000 of our students for the West African Examination Councils fully paid for by the government and amounting to over half a billion naira. Even in our medical schools, we have begun to set up programmes that will rearrange that sector.

    In terms of creating an environment conducive to teaching and learning, we put in about three billion naira last year, and this year we have increased it to about seven billion naira to ensure that we revive all our schools. We have provided more than enough chairs. Our population is also multiplying daily.

    The civil service

    This administration has keyed into the 70, 000 minimum wage, despite the burdens we are carrying at the moment. We have placed a lot of priority on the civil service. We are introducing training and other things to make sure that we have top-class civil servants that are able to deliver on their mandate. Promotions were not done in many years, we did it, paid arrears, and outstanding gratuities are being paid in phases to boost their morale.

    Re-establishing clean and green environment

     As a government, we have been intentional in our effort to reclaim our clean-and-green status. We are also sparing no effort to take the state to its pristine condition and where it was as the cleanest in Nigeria.

    Our ranking as 5th on fiscal performance Index by Budgit

    Achieving this feat was not by magic. It was by deliberate dint of hard work and fiscal responsibility on the part my administration. We have been working very hard to make sure that we tidy up our financial records and make sure that we are clean.

    We are also doing quite well in terms of our Internally Generated Revenue IGR. We are almost done with automating our tax system. We have straightened out financial system.

    The Bakassi Deep Seaport

    High-powered projects such as the Bakassi Deep Seaport take time to get it on stream. My predecessor had a deep vision in initiating the project. Upon my assumption of office, I made an unwavering commitment to ensure its realisation. The actualisation of the project will be based on public private partnership (PPP). This is one project that is capable of bolstering the state’s economic prosperity.

    Work is currently going at the site and we are doing our best to ensure that by the time full activities resume, we would have the capacity to keep the project going.

    Transportation

     Mobility is a challenge to the people of Cross River State, especially given the deplorable state of federal roads. That is why the idea of a rail line to link the north to the state capital was a welcome one. We have studied the feasibility and the company investing in the railway project has just completed the survey and resumption of payment of compensation would commence soon. 

    Security

     Safety is a paramount need of the people of at all times, especially in the face of crime-related challenges such as robbery, kidnapping and the like. People will always feel quite safe and secured as far as this government is concerned. We have invested quite a lot to ensure that the state is safe for everybody. All of the prevalent security issues before now have all been dealt with. When you go to hitherto volatile areas such as Bakassi, Akpabuyo, Ikom, and so forth, people now sleep more peacefully and in some places, people stroll out in the middle of the night.

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    Obudu Ranch, Airport

     The Obudu Ranch Resort is one of the most popular places in Cross River State. Its serene ambience has been compared to what obtains in Europe, hence its reference as the ‘Switzerland of Nigeria. The establishment of a cargo airport by the last administration will put the ranch in the eyes of the world the more.

    So far, we have spent well over eight to 10 billion naira in terms of investments in the airport. We were almost done when it was discovered that there was water seepage when the inspectors came.

    For the Ranch, it is now looking better but not the standard we expect. The challenge has to do with the airport and the road. We are looking to sort these out as soon as we can. We have some of the biggest hospitality institutions that would be coming on board. We have gotten some funds to ensure uninterrupted electricity.

    Resurrecting Tinapa

    We have done a lot of underground work for Tinapa, with regard to having AMCON relieved of the asset. Our offers have been accepted, the funds are ready. It is just the Central Bank that is still ensuring that due process is complied with. But Tinapa is already within our purview. We are trying to add a Trade Zone to make it more active. We already have a textile factory coming up there and some entertainment facilities on the other side. I believe that Tinapa would become active not too long from now.

    Final words

    I want to assure Cross Riverians that we would continue to do our very best. Though it is not my style to blow my trumpet, I believe we have made quite a difference and people will see the difference as we continue to go along. Our revenue streams have increased. Our GDP has gotten better; we have added to all areas you can think off, even our health. We are actually making visible progress. All we want from the people is prayers, and for us to keep loving one another and believing that we can be greater together.

  • Auxiliary: Court adjourns as prosecution calls seventh witness

    Auxiliary: Court adjourns as prosecution calls seventh witness

    The trial of former chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Oyo State, Alhaji Mukaila Lamidi, aka ‘Auxiliary’, continued yesterday, with the prosecution calling the 7th witness to oral evidence.

    The case, which started at Fiat Court 2, Oyo State High Court, Ring Road, Ibadan, presided over by Justice Bayo Taiwo, was, however, held at Court 7 under the same lordship.

    The Nation reports that ‘Auxiliary’, former chairman of the State Disciplinary Committee of Park Management System (PMS), is facing trial on 17-count charge bothering on armed robbery, murder, attempted murder, possession of firearms, including one AK-47 assault rifle, two SMG rifles with magazine.

    The offence, according to the prosecutor, is contrary to any punishable under Section 1(2)(a) and (b) of the Robbery and Firearms (Special Provisions) Act, CAP RII, Vol.14, Laws of Federation of Nigeria, 2004.

    The matter with suit number I/74c/2024: State Versus Mukaila Lamidi (Auxiliary), is before Justice Bayo Taiwo.

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    The defendant was in court yesterday.

    The case is one of the ongoing trials of the former Oyo NURTW boss. It borders on offences allegedly committed on May 29, 2023 at about 2pm at Ikolaba, Ibadan home of Governor Seyi Makinde.

    The Executive Assistant to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security, CP Sunday Odukoya (rtd), was also in court to observe the proceedings.

    The Nation reports that the defendant (Auxiliary) had pleaded not guilty to the 17-count charge read to him on November 27, 2024.

    The prosecution, led by the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mr S. O. Adeoye, had on November 27 opened trial by calling on two witnesses to give their oral testimonies.

    Other lawyers that appeared alongside the DPP include: Mrs O. S Tella (Deputy DPP) and Mrs O. A. Bolarinwa (Senior State Counsel).

    During yesterday’s proceedings, the prosecution called the 7th Witness (PW7), Mr Fatai Awodele, a driver, who gave oral witness out of the 16 witnesses listed to appear on the matter.

    He told the court that he was attacked on the fateful day and severely injured, saying his wristwatch and N65,000 on him were also taken by men, who accompanied the former NURTW boss on the attack.

    He said the defendant and his entourage, all adorning red caps, stormed the governor’s Ikolaba home with cutlasses, knives, sticks, among other dangerous weapons.

    Awodele said he could only leave the scene after he regained consciousness and a motorcyclist driving by, took him to the Testing Ground Police Station to lodge a formal complaint, from where an ambulance was secured to convey him and some other individuals, who were also attacked, to the Government House Clinic for medical attention.

    During cross examination, defendant’s counsel, Olalekan Ojo, SAN, asked the PW7 to mention the names and or nicknames of some of the men in the entourage of the defendant on the said day.

    Ojo was also accompanied by other lawyers, including: Tope Olayinka, Mrs Madiagu, E. O Mbam, Babajide Bolodeoku and Olalekan Adeoye.

    He questioned the PW7 if he knew anything about the operations of the disbanded NURTW, particularly their political affiliations, which cut across political parties in the state.

    After questions, Ojo, however, challenged the PW7 that he could not identify the person who attacked him on the said day, having earlier confirmed that many individuals and security operatives were at the location on the day.

    Ruling, the judge adjourned the matter till today for continuation of hearing.

  • I thought she loved me, says 29-year-old groom poisoned by 14-year-old bride on wedding day

    I thought she loved me, says 29-year-old groom poisoned by 14-year-old bride on wedding day

    Khamis Haruna, the groom who escaped death by a whisker after eating a poisoned meal prepared by her bride two days after their wedding, has expressed shock over the incident, saying that he was of the opinion that his bride, Zahara’u, was in love.

    Contrary to earlier reports that the ugly incident occurred on the night they were married, Haruna said the incident occurred last Sunday, two days after their marriage penultimate Friday.

    He recalled that the poisoned food prepared by Zahara’u at their Albasu village in Jahun Local Government Area was consumed by him and two of his friends as they prepared to go to bed following the departure of other friends, family members and well-wishers.

    Twenty-nine-year-old Haruna recalled that while he and his friend Isyaku Adamu were lucky to survive the poisonous food after spending a night at Kiyawa Hospital, his other friend, Muhammed Alfah, was not so lucky, as he eventually gave up the ghost.

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    Speaking to The Nation in an exclusive interview, Haruna said: “We were married on Friday and the ceremony continued till Sunday when the bride, Zahara’u, came into my house as the last phase of the ceremony.

    “At about 10 pm on that day, my two friends urged me to go into Zaharau’s room, but I said no, because some of the women that escorted her to the house had not left.

    “So we were in my tailoring shop when some of the bride’s friends came and told us that we should come in to eat, but I told them we were not yet ready.

    “Later, they came back with the food, which was jollof spaghetti, and left.”

    Haruna, who said that he and Zaharau courted for two years before they got married penultimate Friday, however, said the bride was only 14 years old at the time they got married.

    He said: “We were married of love. She loved me I loved her too.

    “Since she was still a small girl, we were in love for two years before our marriage.

    “We saw her in a neighbouring village, Bakata, also in Kiyawa Local Government Area, and approached her almost two years ago.

    “We continued dating until she reached 14 years and I made arrangements for marriage.

    “We got married on (penultimate) Friday and I brought her to my house on the day of the tragic incident.”

    Recalling the events immediately preceding the incident, Haruna said: “I was on my sewing machine when they brought the food while my two friends sat on the floor.

    “Muhammad Alfah opened the food immediately and asked me to come down and eat, while he and Isyaku started eating before I joined them.

    “I had only taken about six spoons when we observed that there was a substance in the food.

    “Noticing that, we became suspicious and stopped eating. We all became uncomfortable and scared.

    “A few minutes later, Alfah started complaining about his stomach. He stood up to leave but he could not control himself, so we took him to a friend’s house which was closer.

    “By the time we got inside, all of us had started feeling the same. We were given milk but we felt no relief as the situation worsened.

    “We were then rushed to Jahun Hospital where Alfah died while Isyaku and I were rescued.”

    Haruna alleged that on the day Zaharau was to be taken to his house, she went to collect her new clothes from a tailor in their village where she met one of her ex-lovers (name withheld) who gave her the substance and asked her to put it in the food that he (Haruna) would eat.

    “I’m really surprised. We were married for love. She never showed any worries about our relationship and never displayed any sign of ill feeling before she carried out the evil act.”

    The father of Alfah, Malam Muhammad Sani, said the deceased was his only son, and he was survived by his wife and twin children who were only six days old.

    Lamenting the loss of his son, Mallam Sani described him as loyal, responsible, religious and disciplined.

    “I really lost him. He was the only one I had and totally relied on.

    “As you can see, I am already old. He was the one carrying the family’s responsibilities.

    “Alfah was really gentle. May Allah forgive all his sins and grant him Jannatil Fiddausi”.

    On his part, Isyaku, the other friend who narrowly escaped death, described the late Alfah as his childhood friend whose death occurred a day to the naming ceremony of the twins his wife had just given birth to.

    Isyaku said: “The late Alfah joined us after he came back from market where he had gone to buy rams to be slaughtered for the naming of the new born twins the following day.

    “The three of us were together when the bride sent some people to bring food to us and without any delay, we started eating.

    “It was jollof spaghetti and meat. While trying to share the meat, I brought forth a torch and lighted the food only to discover a strange substance.

    “We became suspicious and Khamis (Haruna) offered to throw the food away, but I said no.

    “I covered the food while we were thinking and trying to ascertain what the substance in it really was.

    “Alfah then complained about his stomach and we were all scared, knowing that we had been poisoned.

    “There and then, Khamis and I started feeling pains in our stomachs. That was when we realised what we saw on the food was poison.

    “We did not even know when we were taken to the hospital where Alfah died.”

    Alfah’s father, Isyaku and Haruna all appealed to the authorities for justice.

    Confirming the incident, Public Relations Officer (PRO) of Jigawa State Police Command, Lawal Shiisu Adam, a Superintendent of Police (SP), said: “One Zahra’u Dauda ‘f’ age 15yrs of Bagata Gabas village conspired with her ex-lover, one Lawan Musa ‘m’ age 22yrs of Bagata Gabas Yamma village, all in Kiyawa LGA, to poison her husband’s food, one Kamisu Haruna ‘m’ age 29yrs of Albasu village, Jahun local government area.

    According to police spokesperson, “the husband and his two friends ate the food together, and as a result, they both developed stomachache. Victims were rushed to the hospital where one of the groom’s friends was confirmed dead by the medical doctor on call. The case is under investigation”.

  • From evil forest to haven of good health

    From evil forest to haven of good health

    • Residents of Anambra community celebrate ultra-modern hospital built on once dreaded slum

    The ground where the General Hospital Okpoko in Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State is built was a slum and hoodlums’ hideout that also harboured a burial ground before the Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, turned the area into a new haven, Southeast Bureau Chief, NWANOSIKE ONU, reports.

    Indigenes and non-indigenes resident in Okpoko, a community in Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State are living in disbelief of the fact that a part of the settlement once used as a burial ground is now host to a medical facility that has turned it into a tourist centre.

    Before now, it was only in respect of Enugu town that people in the Southeast spoke of new haven. But the slum in Anambra has joined the league, becoming one of the most cherished assets by both young and old.

    It is one of the five general hospitals built by the Soludo administration in its two years of existence, the four others being the ones at Fegge, Oroma Etiti, Anaku, and Enugwu-Otu, in different local government areas in the state.

    The government is not only building new hospitas, it is also upgrading existing ones. The move is alleviating pressure on primary healthcare centres and ensuring that referred cases are handled with precision and professionalism.

    Okpoko, once the most dreaded zone in the state, is now widely called New Haven; a name that distinguishes it from its previous status as the equivalent of Ajegunle and Mushin communities in Lagos many years ago.

    For most Okpoko residents, the general hospital is a big signature project for the Soludo administration.

    Two residents, 32-year-old Ugochukwu and Nkem Akonam, are of the view that Soludo has surpassed every other governor in Anambra State in terms of land mark achievements since the state was created, given the fact that the once dreaded area has become the cynosure of all eyes.

    Those who once knew the area or lived there but had not visited in the last two years may have difficulty recognising the former haven of Indian hemp smokers, pick pockets, touts and all manner of hoodlums around Onitsha area.

    Then, the buildings the residents live in were shanties where toilet facilities were hard to come by. Hence, majority of the residents defecated on the roads as early as 4.30am, while some others use polythene bags to throw their faeces.

    Ugochukwu said: “The place where the governor built this edifice used to be a burial ground where people threw the corpses of their dead children.

    “When we heard that Soludo wanted to build a hospital there, everybody made a mockery of him, thinking it was another empty political promise politicians are known for.

    “Nobody thought that one day, development would get to Okpoko, the dreadful refuse dump and home to criminal activities.

    “Now the residents have started living normal life.

    “When he came to campaign in this area, we saw it as another joke. But today, the hospital is here and the people of Okpoko will never forget him.”

    Also speaking with ‘The Nation’, Akonam said Soludo has presented himself as the light that had eluded Anambra for so long.

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    He said: “The place we now have the hospital was a no-go area. People were afraid of going close to the place at night for fear of being attacked by unknown forces.

    “It was a forest where dead bodies were dumped, including those of newly born babies who died after delivery.

    “At a time, the people of Okpoko converted it to dustbin. But now, the burial ground has become a mighty hospital, all thanks to Soludo.

    “All these roads you’re seeing today are newly constructed by the governor. There was nothing like roads in this area.

    “In each shanty in Okpoko, you would see people numbering more than 50 in an environment that was not supposed to contain more than 10 persons.

    “This area has the highest concentration of people in the entire Anambra State.

    “We are no longer living in hell; we are now living in heaven. Because of what Soludo has done, some wealthy persons have started building in this area. The hospital alone is a master stroke.”

    The new general hospital in Okpoko, which was commissioned in March, 2024, treats between 10 and 15 patients each day, according to the Medical Director, Kenechi Nnaji.

    She told ‘The Nation’ that for now, everything at the hospital is free, including antenatal, mother and child care for women

    “That is the instruction of the Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, and we have to adhere to it strictly because the people living in this area are all indigent,” Nnaji said.

    One of the community leaders in the area, Udoka Ezenwa, said it would take ages for the residents to get another person like Soludo, describing him as the ‘Messiah’ of Okpoko community

    But despite the relief given to the residents, some are still not happy with the situation as they demand for more like Oliver Twist.

    Thirty-nine- year old Gladys Nwankwo, while speaking with ‘The Nation’, said: “Are we going to eat hospital or roads? The way the governor imposes tax on the poor should be condemned.

    “We have seen the roads an hospital, but is it not somebody who is alive that would use those facilities?

    “There’s no water here, yet someone whose income is through kiosk selling pays huge amounts as tax. Does it make sense?” she queried.

    The state’s Commissioner for Information, Dr Law Mefor, told ‘The Nation’ that Soludo has already exempted such categories of people, including wheel barrow pushers, from taxes.

    He said the Soludo administration is one with a human face, which has compassion for the downtrodden and not the picture the lady painted.

    The Coordinator, Reform Nigeria Movement, a rights group, Comrade Osita Obi, opined that only a member of the opposition political parties would not see something good in the reforms that are going on in Anambra State.

    Obi said: “You know I am not a politician and don’t belong to any party. My position is to always criticise things that are not right in the society. But any time I see any good thing, I must say it.

    “One of such good things from Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s administration is giving the rural populace life, and that is what democracy entails.

    “Another good thing I’ve seen in the state is the construction of the road from Amansea- Awa- Ufuma and the Amansea-Ebenebe–Ugbene-Uene-obaofemili.

    “These roads were abandoned by successive governments for ages because of the length and funds involved, cutting off communities from their neighbours. It was bad.

    “But today, those communities numbering more than 10, are singing the praises of Soludo. And what makes you feel they will not vote for him when he starts his second term campaigns?

    “He is also building a massive flyover at Ekwulobia that links many communities; another blockbuster project.

    “Soludo has really endeared himself to the people and I believe that very soon, he is going to tackle the issue of insecurity in the state.”

    The Anambra State Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and one time state Chairman of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Ifeatu Obi-Okoye, says what Soludo is doing is building a future for Anambra people.

    “Governor Soludo’s achievements are not just milestones; they are stepping stones to a brighter future.

    “Imagine an Anambra where every child is vaccinated, every mother feels safe during childbirth and no family fears the financial burden of illness.

    “This is the Anambra we are building—an Anambra where progress is felt in every home and every heart.

    “Let this reflection inspire you to stay hopeful and engaged. Together, under Governor Soludo’s leadership, we are transforming challenges into reality,” Obi-Okoli said.

    From all indications, Soludo is gradually ending the agony, pains, sufferings and gnashing of teeth by residents in many communities in Anambra State.

    He continues to link communities with roads in the state the way former Governor and former Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige did, including construction of virgin ones.

    The residents are singing the praise of the former Central Bank of Nigeria CBN Governor, saying he has ended their pains, sorrows and constant lamentations for many years.

    For 36-year-old Chidiebere Chidebe, “the suffering in our area was unbearable because the Ebenebe-Obaofemili Road was abandoned even before we were born.

    “We could not take our farm produce to town because the road was not motorable and you can’t use bicycle to transport them. Life was so difficult for the people of Awba-Ofemmili and others,” Chidebe said.

    Also, Sunday Nnamah, 41, told ‘The Nation’ that they had not seen any politician like Soludo, describing him as “talk na do”

    He recalled that when Soludo visited the communities during the campaign period, he assured them that if elected, he would tar the road for the communities, having suffered to come to the area and seeing how terrible the road was.

    He vowed that in the 2025 governorship election, the people would not have any option but to return him, having remembered the area.

    Chinedu Oraekie, a 47-year-old native of the area, expressed his deepest appreciation to Soludo, adding that he had given them a sense of belonging.

    Oraekie, a former Secretary General of Awba-Ofemili Community, praised the governor’s benevolence, saying: “I was born here, and the road conditions were terrible. I thank God today for the governor we have.”

    Comrade Osita Obi, a human rights activist and Convener of the Recover Nigeria Project, lauded Soludo’s developmental strides.

    According to him, “the governor is doing wonderfully well in the state, but the public has not been given the opportunity to learn about these developments.”

    Another long road done by Soludo that was abandoned for about 40 years was Amansea-Awa-Ndukwuenu-Ufuma Road, among many others scattered all over Anambra State.

  • Uma Ukpai: Healing mad man at 10 launched me into ministry

    Uma Ukpai: Healing mad man at 10 launched me into ministry

    • How my wife was rescued in accident that claimed my children, nephews

    Rev (Dr) Uma Ukpai is the founder and President of Uma Ukpai Evangelistic Association with headquarters in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. The renowned preacher, who hits 80 on January 7, speaks with Online Editor Sunday Oguntola on his life, ministry and passion. Excerpts:

    Becoming 80 is a milestone. What does it mean to you? 

    It is a question for the outsiders, not me. No, it doesn’t mean much to me. It is just the beginning of a new beginning.

    But it must mean God has been faithful to you

    Oh, yes. He has been more than faithful. And He has supplied all my needs according to His riches in glory. And he has been great. There is none as wonderful as He is.

    Can you recall the encounter with “Deco” The mad man at the Khana Country Council Secondary School in River State, which launched you into reckoning? 

    A mad man came to our school and sacked the entire school. He sacked everybody. As we were all running from the mad man “DECO” God said to me, you also can sack the mad man. So I commanded him to roll out of the school. And to everybody’s shock, he began to roll out of the school.

    While he was rolling, he said, ‘do you know that I am naked?’ When a madman discovers his naked, that is an obvious indication and evidence that he has been healed. I was about 10 years plus. He was very tall, well fed and groomed.

    Sequel to that incident, my headmaster came and said, ‘At this tenders age you are already into juju activities.’ I said sir, I gave my life to Christ. I am a born again Christian, and at the mention of Jesus Christ, all things were possible.

    My headmaster was surprised at my response. He then said from tomorrow, you will start our prayer meetings in the school. You are now our pastor. Every morning you will lead us all in the morning prayer for the school.’

    That was your first deliverance service at just 10?

    Yes

    So, will you say that was a confirmation and validation of the power that God infested you with?

    It is not just that the power of God was invested in me; it is power that God can invest in anybody who has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. When you receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, it simply means you can do the impossible. It means that God has endowed you with power. And power means ability to change the future of people, the lives of people and the health of people.

    I was amazed yesterday morning. People were healed during our services. I am amazed that miracles have been going on without limit and without hindrances since I answered the call to serve God.

    That incident must have left an indelible impression on your young mind…

     I did not quite understand it at all. To me, it was an unfolding situation. It was about me discovering what God can do. Discovering what God is doing and what this God promises to do.

    So, how did your parent react to that incident?

    By this time, my father had died. My parents were not Christians. I was living with my uncle at Ogoni. They did not even know what God was doing. God had promised that there would be an endowment of power. He had promised He would do great, great things and new things. That was what was happening then.

    How was growing up with your mum like?

    My mother was not a pastor. She did not even know what was happening around her. But she took note of what happened. She often wondered what had changed me. I was no longer rascally or troublesome as other young boys. Though an old man has spoken to her about my future and told her that this child is not her own. She was instructed not to allow me to cook or be a houseboy and that God has a hand in my future. This added more value to my person.

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    My mother had lost one or two children before I came. So, she was willing to work around me, cook and take care of my needs, if that would keep me alive for her sake! So I was not allowed to work.

    Your father’s death must have been tough

    He was killed in 1955. My uncle took me to Ogoni when my father was killed. My uncle took me to Ogoni to help my mother and to help me get educated. This turned out to be my arrival to the Promise Land. I started schooling, and as God would have it, I gave my life to God in the Assembly of God Church. This is the genesis that brought about who I am today.

    Before I went to Ogoni, God gave me wisdom on how to generate wealth with the money I made. And from that money, my mother was able to cater for my siblings and I.

    But you suffered another tragedy that would have killed many. Guess God did not answer your prayers that day, right?

    As God began to use me, I was privileged to attend a Bible school in Miami, Florida. God so favoured me and I got friends who began to invite me to minister in different states in America. A pastor friend Dright Marable decided to take me to Yongi Cho’s convention and at the end we smuggled Bibles safety to China. I guess the devil got angry and God did reveal to me that the devil tried to kill my wife. I did pray and God said the enemy would go only the farthest He God permitted. Although my wife almost got drowned, she was miraculously saved. But my two children and two cousins, who were in the car that fell off the bridge, got drowned.

    Before we left Uyo that morning, I discovered that my printing press had been robbed of all movable items. Then, while we were trying to retrieve the dead, news came that our bus which was conveying some of our members to burial was involved in an accident but no one died. Truly speaking, that was a day of tragedy.

    Incidentally, God revealed to a brother that the devil had planned the worse to kill my wife and to discourage me. But God did not allow all that to happen.

    Surprisingly and shockingly too, I still went to preach the next morning after the children’s burial. I was deeply grieved but God is faithful and doing His bidding.

    After that day of tragedy, what happened?

    We moved on. God has rewarded us overwhelmingly over the years. And he is still rewarding us overwhelmingly till date. Of course, God has honoured His word and has been faithful in performing his word.

    Some people believe your Greater Lagos Crusade for Christ gave birth to Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) in May 1985. Is that true?

    The Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) was founded sequel to the transformation Greater Lagos for Christ in May 1985. We had an overflow at the National Stadium, Surulere Lagos. We had over 23,000 prayer volunteers and turned Lagos into a prayer parlour. I picked those words because those are the things that will draw or paint a vivid picture of what transpired at the stadium. We had over 5,000 boys choir singing throughout the duration of the crusade. That was the gathering that metamorphosed into what is called PFN, which had become a national organisation all over Nigeria. And over the years, it has grown and still growing.

    In that gathering also, we were able to reward 3,000 counsellors who had to counsel young and new converts. And we were to hire 84 Molue buses a day for eight days. Before now, it was thought and believed to be impossible. But we did it with God on our side. We were strategic in our thinking, involving every church in Lagos.

    Let me tell you something: I invested six months of planning and relocated to Lagos. I had to live in Lagos for six months in an attempt to actualise that dream. It is no more a dream today; it is a reality and history.

    After the pregnancy that delivered PFN in 1985, we were able to spread to every part of Nigeria. In fact, I remember the leftover money after the programme was given back to PFN. And amazingly, every part of Nigeria cooperated and supported the programme and the dream and the desire. This was, to me, very confusing. People that did not even know what the programme was all about invested their money, their time, before and after PFN. And it is still being sustained till now.

    What informed the wealth creation empowerment scheme?

    My wife and I are very passionate and very determined to see the body of Christ liberated from abject poverty into a life of abundance and comfort. This goal demanded the dream of assisting Christians who have the necessary ideas to create money and assist others in getting out of poverty. We believe that the Uma Ukpai Sustainable Wealth Creation will help us achieve the goal. The scheme is open to Christians who are ready and willing to have and share in our dreams of releasing men, women and children, the not too old, and the elderly from the bonds of poverty and enter into a better life.

    The Bible says that we should support each other and contribute to those who currently have nothing. Eating is a form of labour and is a kind of remuneration and a reward system or processes for services rendered. So, you cannot eat if you don’t work. As a result, each of us must work.

    Again, it’s amazing the Bible tells us that, you will not go through life without receiving anything. Let me say here that every born -again child of God is allotted an angel. Angels are purse bearers that carry money for you and provide it to you when you need it. As a result, every believer must be a wealth producer and this is how you may help God’s mission. The empowerment programme is for members of our fellowship. This is because our courses will show you how to accomplish things and how things work and produce outcomes.

    The wealth creation empowerment scheme is divided into several categories. The Ambassador gets N1 million; the Governors go home with N500,000 each, the pilots get N300,000 each while the soldiers go home with N200,000 each. In 2023, 11 young female fashion designers got N100, 000 each with a sewing machine while the overall winner of the Uma Ukpai’s fashion week received N1 million cash. It will also interest you to know that about 125 participants of the fellowship were trained by business leaders and experts in multiple business initiatives.

    How did you meet your wife with whom you have been married for over 40 years? 

    I got to know her during the war when we all had to return to our villages. To keep ourselves busy, hoping the war would stop soon, we formed students’ union meeting to discuss how we could help out in the village and be the eyes and ears of our community. We also took out time to conduct programmes that encouraged us and made life meaningful in the midst of tears and hardship.

    It was after the war, when the reality of death and hardship dawned on us that many of us began to seek God anew. By now, we were no longer children but youths forced by war to face life and plan for a better future.

    I became a fulltime preacher and began to preach in universities. This was when God told me that she would be my wife. It took God another three years to inform and convince her.

    What attracted you to her?

    Nothing in particular; just the voice of God and the impression God gave, the leading God gave and the urge God gave.

    Having been married to her for 49 years, what would you like to change about her?

    I have not noticed anything worth correcting. I don’t have any knowledge of what can be corrected except to accept the fact that we are normal human beings.

    If you were not a preacher or an evangelist, what would you have been?

    I can’t think of any.

    But you ventured into journalism…

    I read journalism in London School of Journalism for four years and read Theology in Florida.

    What are your likes and dislikes?

    I think I’m just a normal human being. I like what others like and I do what most people do. I don’t see myself as being special in any way. I’m just a normal man, regular Nigerian.

    What are your favourite holiday spots?

    I hardly go on holidays, I would not have any answer to that question but wherever life takes me to, I go there.

    What lesson has life taught you?

    One lesson I have learnt is that all things are possible to them that believe. God can do all things.

    Do you have any plan of retiring?

    As life comes, I am not expecting anything special, but I will go with the flow of the currents.

  • EX-TRYCYCLE UNION CHAIR: I went for deceased monarch’s burial, only to be named his successor

    EX-TRYCYCLE UNION CHAIR: I went for deceased monarch’s burial, only to be named his successor

    • Says I miss burger, pizza, other foods I can’t access as monarch

    An easily noticeable trait of Oba Wasiu Oyedele Saka, the Elero of Ilero, a historical town in Oyo State, is his unwavering love for the Yoruba culture. The former branch chairman of Tricycle Operators Association in Shomolu, Lagos, ascended the throne when he least expected about six years ago. Since then, he has made remarkable strides in fostering growth and unity in the Oyo State community. The monarch, who insisted that this interview could only be held in his palace and in Yoruba language as a mark of commitment to his Yoruba heritage, spoke with ADENIYI ADEWOYIN about his life’s journey and his vision for his community, among other issues.

    Can you share the story of your journey to becoming the monarch of Ilero?

    When the immediate past king died, I was told that it was the turn of my family because there are five ruling families in the town. Initially, I was not aware that I could become the king. I was merely told that I needed to come back home to Ilero because the king had died and the next ruling family had to cook and be part of the burial ceremony. It was during that visit that I noticed the way people were greeting me so well.

    Prior to that time, I had never lived much in Ilero. Unknown to me, the family had already had a meeting and selected me to become the next king. They told me that Ifa had chosen me from the three nominated sons of the ruling family. Initially, I declined. I was doing well in my office on Pedro Road in Shomolu, Lagos, so becoming an Oba was not in my plans at all. But eventually I sat down to think about it and finally accepted. I was enthroned in 2018.

    What personal leadership traits influenced your decision to accept the kingship?

    Where I came from, I was already a leader, leading people from various backgrounds. I already had the qualities of a good leader before ascending the throne. I was a unionist in the transport sector which had people from different backgrounds. So with my position then, I knew I had the required leadership experience.

    Secondly, I am someone who is calm and respectful of young and old people. I am patient and I love to keep relationships. So I knew those qualities would be helpful.

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    Also, as branch chairman of tricycle operators in Shomolu back then, I always made sure I gathered my executives before passing any judgment on issues brought to my table. That also has come handy.

    Tell us about your time as a tricycle branch chairman and how it shaped your leadership style.

    I was the branch chairman of Tricycle Operators in Shomolu, Lagos. We used to buy the tricycles and sell to people in installments. I was also into other businesses like interior decoration. I had to quit that office when it was time to ascend the throne. However, there are some benefits I still enjoy as an ex officio. As for interior decoration, I still do it; just that I have to assign it to my workers and make sure jobs are properly executed. I sell and help people build houses till now.

    As a monarch, why is it important to have your personal business?

    Truly we don’t have much time for work due to our very busy schedule. But if you already have a business of your own before ascending the throne, then you can continue. If a monarch does not have any job or business prior to his enthronement, that is different. But such a situation may push him into engaging in dubious stuff. The salaries being paid monarchs are not so much; they are just stipends that you cannot rely on for survival. Although your right as a king will always remain intact as it has been since the days of our forefathers, you must also focus on your personal businesses. For instance, a king can have a farm in his territory.

    How did you navigate the transition from union leadership in Lagos to being a king in Ilero?

    Firstly, the reality of changing the environment will definitely set in. The lifestyle changed. Friends and acquaintances also changed. Right now, I have become the leader of my town; the father of a community. I can’t play with friends like I used to. I can’t eat anyhow in public like before. I’m now more cautious of my actions as a monarch.

    It was not very easy at first, but due to my easy-going nature from the outset, I was able to adapt to my new environment and role. My position as a branch chairman could be compared to that of a king. Union chairmen are always highly respected and are greeted just like kings. In the tricycle association, there are graduates and educated people. So our behavior was quite corporate. Sometimes if a monarch is not careful, a union leader may displace him at occasions.

    At that time, we usually counseled our boys to behave themselves and that their wives must not come to report any of them for misconduct. So, I already had all the discipline before becoming a king. Aside all that, I’d say there are some foods I can’t access here, like burger, pizza and the likes, unlike in Lagos.

    What plans do you have to preserve and promote Ilero’s cultural heritage?

    As a monarch, I am the custodian of culture, tradition and everything in my domain. Personally, I’m not a religious fanatic. When I ascended the throne, I accepted all religions as well as the role of custodian to all culture and tradition and the deities. If you look around, you would see a mosque and a church. I built them when I became the king. We also have plans for our deities.

    I attend Christian, Islamic and traditional functions when invited. I make sure I encourage young people to embrace our culture as Yoruba. We are also planning to hold a youth summit on the impact of education on the youth, health and security in the community.

    When I first came here, I noticed there were ongoing religious disagreements, political disagreements and kingship disagreement. That was the first issue I tackled. I approached those concerned and spoke with them to settle the issues and work with me for a greater Ilero.

    What are your aspirations for the development of Ilero?

    We have plans, and part of it is our annual Ilero Day which is held every year. This event draws all the children of Ilero back home. Those who are in Lagos and those overseas usually come back home to celebrate the event. Part of our plans is to have them come and build houses and companies here. We thank God that some have already started making plans to build a housing estate, which will also have a nursing school in it among other things.

    We have also reopened our Irepodun Market which we are planning to turn into an international market. We are looking forward to making it a modern structure like a plaza to boost its image. We have also written letters to the government to help us build a general hospital and also fix our dilapidated roads, including the roads that lead to our farms, because Ilero is the food basket of Oyo State. We have fertile lands for farming but our farmers have challenges getting to their farms due to bad roads. We are also working on having a bank here, so that we won’t have to go all the way to Iseyin for banking purposes.

    We have so many natural resources in Ilero. Some of our children here are into mining. But we urge them to speak to the whites who are their bosses to bring their factories here and process the mineral here so that they can create job opportunities for our people here.

    What message would you like to share with Ilero indigenes worldwide?

    I urge them to come home often. There’s no evil or insecurity here. The government has deployed an anti-kidnapping squad here and we have more police and other security agencies. So, please come home for the festive season.

    What do you enjoy doing in your leisure time?

    I love to watch football because I’m a Barcelona fan. I also love to watch boxing. My favorite food is rice. But if I am in Lagos, I love to eat Pizza or take Cold Stone. I like amala too much, not so much (laughs).