The Nation Newspaper

Category: Saturday Magazine

  • Foreign visibility dwarfed by domestic challenges

    Foreign visibility dwarfed by domestic challenges

    How has Nigeria fared in Foreign Relations in the past eight years, under the Buhari Admisistration? Diplomats and analysts maintain that the country has witnessed a dip in influence in African and West African sub-region affairs – no thanks to what experts describe as a domestic terrain that is completely overwhelmed with challenges of pervasive insecurity — terrorism, banditry as well as economic downturn – and corruption.  BOLA OLAJUWON and VINCENT IKUOMOLA report

    At the twilight of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, many analysts on foreign affairs say it is taxing to weigh up the government’s foreign policy stance; especially when the performances of the administration and that of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are juxtaposed. The ministry is the country’s number one image-maker and marketer. Besides that, it is responsible for the implementation of the country’s foreign policy, which always reflects the stand of the country on issues.

     However, the country, for ages, has been operating a foreign policy that places the African Continent high and above its immediate needs under what is termed “Africa is the centrepiece of Nigeria’s foreign policy,” meaning priority would be given to issues concerning Africa first. Nigeria wears the toga of “big brother” in Africa, which allows it to play a functional and important role in the sub-region, continent and the world. The “big brother” toga has seen Nigeria single-handedly restore peace to many troubled African countries by the snap of its fingers. But, in recent times, the country’s foreign policy has shifted to that of reciprocity and later economy.

    Administration’s projections

    President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration came on board with a promise to restructure the embassies and ensure they are functional.

     In addition, there were plans to also close some of the embassies and introduce what the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, called smart embassies so as to push further the country’s shift to economic diplomacy. According to Onyeama, foreign policy is to transform the country economically to become competitive in the global marketplace. To achieve this, the minister said there would be a re-orientation of the country’s foreign engagements to promote economic development by making the ministry a hub to facilitate direct market access for businesses and trades to 119 markets around the world.

     So, the ultimate aim was to transform the ministry into an effective agency for Nigerian trade promotion. The minister also spoke about the plan to put in place some mechanisms to change how Nigerians do business and the way people do business with us – the Ease of Doing Business. The minister also promised a functional portal that any Nigerian business can upload to and be accessible at all 119 embassies.

     Hence, major developments and activities on the international front in the eight years of Buhari’s administration have been around the visibility of the President. Hardly is there an international engagement where the presence of Nigeria is required that does not get representation. The President attended many international engagements, likewise his Minister of Foreign Affairs. President Buhari had travelled over 50 times, a number that the minister said was too small, being the country’s number one salesman. Onyeama had wished the President could do more of such trips because of their economic and security significance to the country.

     In the area of the fight against corruption, the President became the face of anti-corruption on the continent as he was crowned anti-corruption champion. He was also praised for Nigeria’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. The minister also spoke about the plan to do comprehensive auditing with the aim of having a roadmap for the ministry.

     The administration did well in evacuating Nigerians stranded outside the country, first during the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic and also during the South African xenophobia crisis. The government moved fast in ensuring that Nigerians who wanted to return to the country were evacuated at the government’s expense. The same feat was repeated at the beginning of the Ukraine crisis and the ongoing Sudanese crisis where thousands of Nigerians were evacuated.

    Achievements and unmet expectations

    About eight years in the saddle, the government has not been able to achieve its outlined plans. The Minister of Foreign Affairs only recently said the plan to reduce the number of the country’s missions abroad could not fly because it cost more to shut down the missions/embassies than to run them, which is a reflection that the idea was not well-thought-out before coming up with it.

    Many have also questioned the economic benefits of many foreign trips of the President and the minister to the country. Given that one of the supposed gains was the agreement with Morocco to establish a fertiliser factory in Nigeria, the promise of the factory became an allure that would have earned the North African country membership of the Economic Community of West African States but for the Council of wise men who decided to keep the idea on hold.

     So, in the area of bilateral trade, the country did not meet its numerous expectations. There were no new trade vistas opened nor has the country’s export increased. In the eight years, the country witnessed lots of companies leaving the country, which is a sign of the country’s inability to maintain a friendly and enabling environment for businesses to strive. This is in contrast to the much-talked-about ease of doing business.

     Many experts also believe that President Buhari’s lead of the country’s foreign foray did not also show sparkles in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) sub-region, where forceful takeover of government is gradually becoming the order of the day. Currently, some member states are under military rule and Nigeria and ECOWAS have been gentle with the people working against democracy in the sub-region. The joke out there is that ECOWAS has lost its bite as Nigeria has suddenly stopped barking under Buhari’s administration. The big brother factor has given way with new competitors emerging almost on a daily basis. Ghana now takes delight in buffeting Nigerians at will and there are no consequences. South Africa and some other countries now dare Nigeria. However, it is not all failure all through in the eight years.

    Diplomats and analysts speak

    The former Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and former ambassador to Ethiopia, Ambassador Bulus Lolo said it was not easy to describe the foreign policy of the outgoing government. To him, the administration’s foreign policy management has been a mixed bag. “Recalling how the President started in 2015, he said the first week of his assumption of office, he travelled to Niger Republic, Chad and Germany. This demonstrated the personal involvement of Mr President in foreign policy management; given that when he travelled, he met with other leaders, especially at the G-7 Summit.

     “In 2015, he was invited by the G-7, which was a mark of recognition of his person, and the expectation they had with the promise that Nigeria will turn a new leaf. If you remember too, the Jonathan administration had become an administration that the West did not want to do business with. But when President Buhari came, the West again reset the button.

     “But down the line, our foreign policy has sometimes lost its clarity. One could not say what direction Nigeria was really going. There were moments when we thought we would hear the voice of Nigeria loud and clear. It wasn’t forthcoming. And then, add to the domestic problems that bedeviled that administration. Notably, the significant rise in terrorism, kidnapping that reached heights that were unprecedented and the general deterioration in the communities where farmers and herders were frequently fighting and killing one another. This did not project the country well in the external arena.

     “So, I would say that we now have a foreign policy that is mixed in its outlook. We want a Nigeria whose voice others would look up to as authentic. We want a Nigeria that is sure of itself; a Nigeria that is at ease and a Nigeria that can point and project an example for others to follow.

     On whether the President has achieved much through his foreign policy with other countries and bodies, he said: “When President Buhari was elected in 2015, he was seen as someone who was trustworthy, even as he was elected in a free, fair, credible and transparent election. At the time, he was seen to have won the trust of the majority of Nigerians. He equally enjoyed the best integrity that many spoke of. At the international level, trust and integrity are the commodities that a leader that has them enjoys great support and respect. The personae and perception over trust and integrity, which are two sides of the same coin, we must not take them for granted; the level of trust that people have and you’re seen to be trustworthy and you have integrity as well.

     “To a great extent, the President, in that regard, held himself well. But, there are strata in his government that would have done better and because he’s the head, if there’s a knock on any agency of government, invariably they say, the buck stops at the boss’ desk.

     “Therefore, people will point to the type of leadership that he brought. But by and large, we came out of the perception of Nigeria as a pariah state. I don’t know now what the assessment is out there, given that we are sharply divided in our country. We allowed certain sentiments to override our objective paths to development. We have put a premium on things that hinder rather than make for greater unity and collaboration in the country and I hope that this is an area where the incoming administration will pay greater attention to.”

     A former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Ambassador Ogbole Amedo Ode scored the Buhari administration low in the area of security and anti-corruption. Ode, a former spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the President had campaigned with the promise to tackle security and corruption. But eight years down the line, he said the President has failed to deliver on his promises. “During his campaign for election to Aso Villa and at the inception of his administration in 2015, Buhari harped on the catchword of ‘Change.’ These included fighting corruption and insecurity and growing the economy through employment creation. Indeed, he promised to create three million jobs on a yearly basis.

     “Nearly eight years down the line, the facts speak loudly to the scenarios that have emerged in our national space. Buhari’s anti-corruption fight rests on a tripod: Implementation of Treasury Single Account (TSA), Biometric Verification Number (BVN) and the Whistle Blowing Policy. These have received commendations. And there has, indeed, been an increase in savings. However, corruption still remains a hydra-headed monster in our body politics.

     “The security situation has been regarded by pundits as worse. From Boko Haram in the Northeast, banditry and kidnapping across the length and breadth of Nigeria have become a daily reality. On the economy, being categorised as the ‘poverty capital of the world’ is not a compliment! And the re-designing of currency under Godwin Emefiele’s Central Bank governorship dealt with the national economy, especially, smallholder companies that depend on daily cash flow,” the diplomat said.

     Also, an academic, author and the third Vice Chancellor of Federal University Oye Ekiti, Ekiti State, Prof. Kayode Soremekun, said it was unfortunate that Nigeria’s foreign policy did not fit into the catastrophic scenario or address the apocalyptic situation of the current proxy war between Washington and Moscow, which, he added, speaks to the dangerous game between the status-quo forces in the international system.

     “Specifically, these forces are the United States and her allies on one hand and Russia on the other. It is a dangerous situation, which has the capacity for an escalation which can easily destroy the world! The relevant questions here are: How does Nigeria fit into this catastrophic scenario? How should our foreign policy address this apocalyptic situation? Our best and desired option is non-alignment. But non-alignment is best pursued on the platform of coherence and strength. Unfortunately, under the Presidency of Buhari, this coherence and strength are largely missing. This is because Nigeria has been laid low by features such as insecurity and poverty. In other words, to use a familiar phrase no man can argue on his knees. So, non-alignment as a policy cannot be meaningfully pursued.

     “Incidentally, it is this lack of direction which characterises Nigeria’s foreign policy under the Buhari administration. The country, unfortunately, continues to punch below her presumed demographic weight. She is almost invisible in world affairs, whereas this is a big and populous country that should be at the barricades in international relations. To illustrate what is being said here, the U.S. Vice-President Kamala Harris recently visited Africa and even Ghana next door, but she studiously ignored Nigeria.”

     The Professor of Comparative International Relations again lamented that too many voices continue to speak for Nigeria on the world stage. “For instance, the recent attempts to repatriate our nationals from Sudan reflect this kind of situation. Too many and various agencies were involved in this exercise; whereas the various agencies should have sub-ordinated themselves to our Ministry of Foreign Affairs which is the only entity that has the legitimate capacity to speak for Nigeria.

     “The suspicion here is that since huge resources were involved in this Sudan episode, other state agencies attempted to elbow out the legitimate entity – the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Prof. Soremekun said.

     A Research Fellow with the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Dr Tola Ilesanmi, submitted that Buhari’s eight-year administration has been characterised by a shallow and predominantly reactive foreign policy. “This is exacerbated by a domestic terrain that is completely overwhelmed with challenges of insecurity, terrorism, economic downturn and unprecedented levels of corruption. Daunting domestic challenges and foreign engagements that focused essentially on fighting insecurity and seeking economic assistance within a climate of insecurity greatly dwarfed Nigeria’s international image and clout.

     “Nigeria’s place and position as the Giant of Africa did not receive any form of boost during this period; except, of course, for Nigerians that were appointed into leadership positions in some global and international organisations. They include Mr Akinwumi Adesina of the African Development Bank, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala of the World Trade Organisation, and Ms Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General.

     “Nigeria’s voice in Africa has been silenced by the cacophony of domestic challenges, while her pride of place in Africa and, indeed, the world as the largest economy in Africa and a middle power is slowly being lost.”

  • Why we celebrate Africa’s vibrant heritage, by creative director

    Why we celebrate Africa’s vibrant heritage, by creative director

    In today’s ever-evolving world of fashion, where trends come and go, Wox Collections stands out as a beacon of cultural pride and innovation. With its vibrant designs and unique aesthetic, the brand showcases the beauty and richness of African culture, captivating audiences worldwide. At the heart of Wox Collections is its Creative Director, Omotiafe Otuogbai, whose passion and vision have propelled the company forward since its inception.

    For Omotiafe, the driving force behind Wox Collections lies in the idea of building a legacy that others can build upon. Inspired by African culture and heritage, he sees immense value in the diverse languages and values of people of color. It is this uniqueness that sets the brand apart and gives it a distinct voice in the fashion industry.

    “We are a people of color with diverse languages and values; all of which make us very unique,” says Omotiafe. With a deep appreciation for African culture, the brand fuses these values into its designs, creating a captivating blend of tradition and contemporary style. The result is a collection that resonates with individuals seeking to embrace their roots while staying fashionable.

    Central to Wox Collections’ identity is its signature print—a visual representation of African aesthetics. This print, uniquely trademarked to Footwox Collections, incorporates African symbols that encapsulate evocative messages and convey traditional wisdom, aspects of life, and the environment. By incorporating this culture into their shoes, clothing, and accessories, Wox Collections brings a sense of authenticity and pride to their designs.

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    Describing the signature print, Omotiafe explains: “Vibrant is how people describe our premium signature print since it is vividly colored.” A person wearing their print is considered vibrant—a symbol of someone who embraces life, exudes intelligence, vivacity, and interest. Wox Collections’ designs become a powerful statement, celebrating individuality and cultural expression.

    The brand draws its uniqueness from six Adinkra symbols, each with its own significance. “Gye Nyame” represents the omnipotence and supremacy of God in all affairs, while “Dwennimmen” symbolizes strength. “Akoma,” the heart symbol, embodies love, and “Mmere Dane” serves as a reminder of the temporality of good times. “Osram ne Nsoromma” symbolizes fondness, and “Sankofa,” meaning “go back and get it,” represents wisdom. These symbols not only adorn Wox Collections’ products but also serve as powerful reminders of African wisdom and values.

    The success of Wox Collections is an inspiration for other indigenous African fashion brands, showcasing the potential to merge culture, sustainability, and business acumen. By celebrating diversity and embracing ethical practices, the brand paves the way for an industry that respects and honors different cultures. In a world where inclusivity and representation are crucial, Wox Collections stands at the forefront, reminding us of the power of fashion to bridge gaps and foster understanding.

    Through the creative vision of Omotiafe Otuogbai and the innovative designs of Wox Collections, African culture shines brightly on the global fashion stage. The brand’s commitment to preserving and promoting the beauty of African heritage resonates with fashion enthusiasts and cultural enthusiasts alike. As Wox Collections continues to evolve, we can expect it to leave an indelible mark, inspiring others to embrace their roots and find their unique voice in the world of fashion.

  • Much talk, but little results in education sector

    Much talk, but little results in education sector

    After a critical assessment of the events in the education sector, stakeholders maintain that the increasing number of out-of-school children, long strikes by academic unions, brain drain and incessant kidnapping of school children, among others, are some of the sore areas in President Muhammadu Buhari’s eight years in office. Assistant Editor BOLA OLAJUWON, FRANK IKPEFAN, DAMOLA KOLA-DARE and CHINAZA VICTORIA report

    Stakeholders in the education sector and other concerned citizens are of the view that President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration made so much noise about the education sector without tangible results.

     A few years ago in Abuja, President Buhari had urged state governors to “enforce very vigorously” free and compulsory basic education for every child of primary and junior secondary school age. On June 20, 2019, he said there would be resolute enforcement of free and compulsory education, even as he added that parents who fail to enroll their children in school would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the provisions of the law.

     Then, Nigeria has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, with the Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC) announcing in October 2018 that 13.2 million children were not in schools as they should be. But, despite the threat, the figure of out-of-school children has jumped to over 20 million. Under the Compulsory, Free Universal Basic Education Act of 2004, it is a criminal act for parents not to send their children to school to attain a minimum of JSS3. The law derives its powers from the Constitutional provision for free education for all children.

    Funding of education

    The Minister of Education, Adamu Adamu, said late last year that within the past six years of the administration of President Buhari, over N6 trillion was spent on Nigeria’s education sector. This is in addition to N2.5 trillion intervention from TETFUND – two per cent profit tax of companies operating in Nigeria – and N554 billion from UBEC. Adamu added that in the past 10 years, TETFUND had invested N2.5 trillion into higher education, with particular focus on human capital development.

     He said the sum has exceeded the N1.2 trillion that the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) demands to be spent on the sector, as contained in the 2009 agreement. Also last week, UBEC said over N46.2 billion in matching grants for public primary and junior secondary school development remained un-accessed by some state governments. The Acting Executive Secretary of UBEC, Prof. Bala Zakari, said this on Wednesday during an oversight visit to the commission by the Senate Committee on Basic and Secondary Education in Abuja.

     Despite the threat by Buhari about four years ago and the funding figure dished out by the Education Minister and UBEC, Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), urged that the bill seeking to make basic education the right of every child be signed into law. Falana, in a statement, said it is the fundamental right of every citizen to enjoy free and compulsory education. According to him, it is unacceptable that little attention is paid to the basic education bill, which is among those that President Buhari has not assented to.

     The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Nigeria Representative, Cristian Munduate, also described investment in education as investing in Nigerian children. Munduate, on January 24, during the International Day of Education, advised the Federal Government to “invest in people, prioritise education” and deliver on the commitments made by President Buhari at the UN Secretary-General’s Transforming Education Summit in September 2022, to end the global learning crisis. According to Munduate, funding of education was not enough.

     Essentially, Munduate stressed that 75 per cent of children aged seven to 14 years could not read a simple sentence or solve a basic mathematical problem. For children to be able to read to learn, they must be able to learn to read in the first three years of schooling. “I commit UNICEF’s support to the government of Nigeria to transform education and to prevent the loss of hard-fought gains in getting children into school, particularly poor, rural children and girls, and ensuring that they remain in school, complete their education and achieve to their full potential,” the UN official said.

     Tertiary educational institutions established by Buhari administration

     In June 2021, the Federal Government approved the release of N18 billion for the take-off of four specialised universities established by the Buhari administration. The universities included the Nigerian Maritime University, Okerenkoko (2018); Air Force Institute of Technology, Kaduna (2018); Nigerian Army University, Biu (2018); Federal University of Transportation, Daura, Katsina State (2018); Federal University of Agriculture, Zuru, Kebbi State (2020) and the University of Health Technology, Otukpo, Benue State (2020). Other universities established by the Buhari government are the Federal University of Technology, Babura, Jigawa State (2021); Federal University of Technology, Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State (2021); Federal University of Health Sciences, Azare, Bauchi State (2021); Nigeria Air Force University, Kaduna (2018); and the Federal University of Health Sciences, Ila Orangun, Osun State (2021).

    Findings also revealed that the 10 polytechnics established included the Federal Polytechnic Ile-Oluji, Ondo State; Federal Polytechnic, Daura, Katsina State; Federal Polytechnic Kaltungo, Gombe State; Federal Polytechnic Ayede, Oyo State; Federal Polytechnic Munguno, Borno State; Federal Polytechnic N’yak, Shendam, Plateau State; Federal Polytechnic Ohodo, Enugu State; Federal Polytechnic Ugep, Cross Rivers State; Federal Polytechnic Wannune, Benue State and the Federal Polytechnic, Orogun, Delta State. The nine Colleges of Education established are the Federal College of Education, Iwo; Federal College of Education, Odugbo; Federal College of Education, Isu; Federal College of Education, Ekiadolor; Federal College of Education, Gidan Madi; Federal College of Education, Jama’are; Federal College of Education, Birnin-Kudu and Federal College of Agriculture, Kirikasamma.

     While many people applauded the establishment of these institutions, ASUU had questioned the rationale behind the establishment of new institutions at a time the same government has not been able to fund the existing ones.

    ASUU, ASUP, COEASU and unending strikes

    As critics would say, ASUU has become synonymous with strikes. Principally, issues of welfare and the 2009 agreement are still thorny. The Buhari administration made history as the government that superintended the longest ASUU strike in Nigeria’s history. Twice in three years, the union went on strike for 17 months. In 2020, ASUU embarked on strike for nine months. The last industrial action, which commenced on February 14, 2022, lasted eight months.

     To make matters worse, the government introduced a no-work-no-pay rule as a counter to the ASUU strike. Cumulatively, the union went on strike for about 630 days between 2015 and 2022 – the longest under any administration in the country. When the last strike seemed endless, with the Federal Government’s failure to accede to ASUU’s demands, it sought the order of the National Industrial Court to compel the union to call off its strike. The union filed a 14-ground of appeal. The court will deliver judgment on the matter on May 30 – a day after the sitting government has handed over to the newly-elected administration.

     The Federal Government also, through the National Universities Commission (NUC), ordered Vice-Chancellors, Pro-Chancellors and Governing Councils to re-open federal universities. It also issued a certificate of recognition to the Congress of Nigerian University Academics (CONUA), a union for lecturers across federal and state universities. CONUA President, Dr Niyi Sunmonu, described the recognition as historic. But, it is not yet Uhuru, despite the suspension of the strike.

     The Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) also had its fair share of industrial actions as it embarked on strike for over 150 days during the tenure of the outgoing administration. Between January 2017 and December 2021, ASUP grounded academic activities for 147 days. In January 2017, the union, under the then National President, Usman Dutse, announced a seven-day warning strike which lasted from January 30, 2017, to February 5, 2017. On November 11 2017, the union announced another strike, which lasted for 15 days. The strike was eventually called off on November 29, 2017.

    On December 12 2018, the union embarked on another strike, which lasted for two months. The strike was called off on February 13, 2019. In 2021, the union embarked on another strike, which lasted 65 days. The strike, which commenced on April 6 2021, was called off on June 9 2021. Some of ASUP’s outstanding demands included the release of the approved N15 billion revitalisation fund for the sector; the release of the Scheme of Service and Conditions of Service; continued delay in the appointment of substantive Rectors for Federal Polytechnics in Mubi, Offa, and Kaduna and resolution of issues with members in colleges of agriculture. Last year, the union had a two-week warning strike. The lecturers commenced a two-week warning strike on May 16 2022, to protest the levity of the government towards fulfilling aspects of the memorandum of action (MoA) signed with it in 2021. The strike was called off on May 30 2022.

     The Colleges of Education Academic Staff Union (COEASU) was also not left out. It embarked on a three-month strike in 2018. It said that June last year’s strike was caused by the failure of the Federal Government to reconstitute its renegotiation team for the COEASU-FGN 2010 agreement; the non-release of the N15 billion revitalisation funds by the government and insistence on Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) against University Transparency and Accountability Solution (UTAS). Sadly, the three unions adopted industrial action to make the government accede to their demands. However, to bring some sanity to the university education system, the former ASUU Chairman of the University of Ilorin, Dr Taiwo Oloruntoba-Oju, called for a total overhaul of the education system.

    Brain drain and its causes

    Brain drain from Nigeria nicknamed Japa – meaning to run or flee in Yoruba – is the exodus of middle-class and highly skilled Nigerians to more developed countries in search of greener pastures. It began in the late 1980s. This trend was initially restricted to certain professions. Currently, it has become free for all with the introduction of visa programmes to fill workforce gaps in developed countries. The country’s institutions are now seriously suffering from brain drain.

     “Brain drain is a human factor. Humankind always goes for greener pastures. Although greener pastures can be a sort of illusion. When it is so hot at home, take for instance after the ASUU strike, the government said that their entitlement for the period of strike will not be paid.

     “Lecturers in Nigerian universities were on strike for more than eight months and when they returned, not even a kobo was given to them. I think that was too harsh. It has never happened before. When you compare the academics in Nigeria and those in other climes, you will realise there is a difference,” a source, who spoke to our correspondent in confidence because he was not authorised to speak on the matter, said.

    Incessant abduction of students

    Statistics revealed that at least 2,000 school children have been abducted in the North since President Buhari assumed office in May 2015. He had promised to rescue the 276 abducted Chibok schoolgirls, but about 100 of the girls remained in captivity since their abduction nine years ago. The first abduction of school children during the Buhari regime was the Dapchi incident on February 19, 2018, where 110 schoolgirls, aged 11 to 19 years, were kidnapped from the Government Girls’ Science and Technical College.

     Five of the schoolgirls died on the same day of the abduction.  Boko Haram released everyone else in March 2018, except a Christian girl, Leah Sharibu, who reportedly refused to convert to Islam. About 344 schoolchildren of Government Science Secondary School, Kankara, Katsina State were abducted on December 11, 2020. Also, 80 pupils of Islamiyya School, Mahuta, Katsina, were kidnapped on December 20, 2020. On January 24 2021, seven children were abducted at Rachael Orphanage Home in Abaji Abuja. About 27 boys at GSS College, Kangara Niger State were kidnapped on February 17, 2021, while 317 schoolgirls of Government Girls’ Secondary School, Jangebe Zamfara State were also abducted on February 26.

     On March 11, 2021, gunmen stormed the Federal College of Forestry Mechanisation Afaka in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State and kidnapped 39 students. Shortly after, 20 students of Greenfield University were, on 20 April 2021, kidnapped in Kasarami Village in Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. Five of the students were killed. In May, 200 pupils and teachers of Tanko Salihu Islamic School, Tegina in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, were abducted. They were released by their abductors around Kebbi State. No fewer than 128 students were abducted on July 5 at the Bethel Baptist School in Kaduna.

    Factors responsible for the rise in out-of-school figures

    Communication Specialist, UNICEF Nigeria, Dr Geoffrey Njoku, said the 5.3 million students affected by the closure of 11,536 schools in 2021 were responsible for the significant increase in the number of out-of-school-children from about 15 million in 2021 to 20 million. This was followed by the rising insecurity in the country, especially in the Northern Nigeria, which has the highest number of out-of-school children.

     Dr Njoku said: “As a precautionary measure, a total of 11,536 schools were closed for specific periods in 2021, with 5,330,631 students affected – whose schooling was disrupted and learning severely impacted. When schools are attacked, children and parents begin to see them as places of danger. The damage is tremendous–making parents scared to send their children to school. This, invariably, affect the mental health of children. Those directly impacted are traumatised and are slow to recover from the shock of an attack on their school.”

    An alarming number of unqualified teachers

    The roles of teachers in shaping the future of tomorrow’s leaders are important and that’s why teachers’ professional development programmes are vital to the teaching profession. It helps to enhance the capacities of teachers to deliver quality teaching to pupils. According to the National Personnel Audit of the Universal Basic Education Commission 2018, the quality of teachers is in short supply across all educational levels and incoming governments must tackle this fast.

     According to UBEC, 27 per cent of members of the teaching staff are unqualified. The commission noted that in the Northeast, there are 33 per cent unqualified teachers and in the Northwest, there are 39 per cent complete teachers. The lack of quality teachers has further fueled the learning crisis. According to the World Bank, about 70 per cent of pupils in the age bracket of 10 are not learning. The bank noted that globally, 125 million children are not acquiring functional literacy or numeracy, even after spending at least four years in school.

    Making school admissions transparent and introduction of teachers’ professional examination

     Another area the Buhari government has excelled in was in the introduction of the Teachers’ Professional Qualifying Examination championed by the Teachers’ Registration Council of Nigeria. Since the National Council on Education in 2018 set a deadline for unqualified teachers in the country to be removed from the classrooms, they (teachers) have been running to the TRCN for licensing and certification.

     President Buhari’s administration, through the leadership of the Registrar, Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, Prof Is-haq Oloyede, also scored some positive and enduring points. The board has modified the conduct of the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) for candidates seeking admission into higher institutions by introducing the Central Admission Processing System (CAPS).

     The CAPS is a system that ensures that only candidates who meet the requirements for admission are admitted. The system, to some extent, has eradicated activities of “middlemen” who hitherto took over admission processes. The process has made JAMB, Nigeria’s foremost admission body to tertiary institutions, not only more transparent but also more productive.

     Also, the Buhari administration also embarked on the digitalisation of activities of the National Library of Nigeria. The process was spearheaded by the former Chief Executive of NLN, Prof. Lanre Aina. One of the benefits of digitalisation is that authors can now get the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) and International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) for their books on the website of the National Library of Nigeria. Prof. Aina said before the change, authors had to travel to either their state offices or Abuja to obtain the number. He said the agency was in the process of digitising all publications so that they can be accessed globally.

     Other achievements included ending the OND/HND dichotomy in the paramilitary services and drop in the number of illiterate Nigerians estimated at 31 per cent as well as approval of new salary structure and elongation of service years for teachers.

  • Rotimi Odunlami: The man changing the narrative around fitness in Africa

    Rotimi Odunlami: The man changing the narrative around fitness in Africa

    Rotimi Odunlami, widely recognized as Rhotimmi grew up in Ibadan, Nigeria as a multi-faceted individual who has made a name for himself as a fitness coach, digital creator, entrepreneur, brand strategist and management. And with passion for health and wellness, he has built a brand that inspires and motivates people to live their best lives.

    As a Nigerian born fitness coach, having assisted numerous individuals reach health and fitness objectives by offering tailored training programs and nutritional advice. Having understood that fitness embrace not only physical health but also mental and emotional well-being. Therefore, he adopts a full coaching approach that entails the development of healthy habits and empowers clients to assume control of their lives.

    Also as a digital creator with strong online presence in addition to his work as a fitness coach, Rotimi creates content that is both informative and entertaining, using social media platforms to connect with a wide audience. His content encircle a  variety of elements, including workout videos, nutritious recipes, innovative fitness and fashion videos, as well as motivational messages that inspire individuals to lead a healthier and more rewarding lives.
    In a world filled with opportunities and unexplored avenues, Rotimi has established a thriving brand that mirrors his principles and convictions. Through Project60, he has developed a range of fitness apparel and accessories that encourage an active and health-conscious way of life.

    His brand aims to foster a community of individuals who share a common interest in fitness and well-being, extending beyond mere product sales.

    Despite a demanding schedule and numerous commitments, he remains committed to his mission of assisting others in living their best lives. He has a strong focus on personal growth and continuously expands his knowledge and skills in the field of health and wellness. Whether he is coaching clients, creating content, or developing his brand, he is dedicated to making a positive impact in the world.

    Read Also: NYSC: prospective corps members to undergo fitness test in camp

    Rotimi was born on the 2nd of February, 1990 and in his pursuit for academy accomplishment, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in anatomy  where his area of specialization is focused on the structure and organization of the human body. This includes the study of anatomical structures such as organs, tissues, cells, and their spatial relationships within the body. He also bagged ACE Personal Trainer Certification as part of milestone accomplishment.

    With a passion for empowering others on their health and wellness journeys, Tim has made a significant impact in the industry. Although yet to receive formal awards, Tim’s outstanding work has garnered notable nominations, including the Pulse Awards for Best Fitness Content Creator in 2021 and 2022, as well as a nomination for Best Fitness Coach at the Maya Awards in Nigeria.
     
    Tim’s expertise extends beyond the digital realm, as he has authored three insightful e-books: ‘The Core Bible,’ ‘Surviving the Holiday,’ and ‘How to Eat More, Lose Fat, and Gain Muscle.’ These publications reflect Tim’s commitment to providing practical guidance and knowledge to his audience.

    In addition to his written work, Tim has actively contributed to the fitness community through his various initiatives. He is the creator of the popular fitness show ‘Biggest Gainer with Tim,’ as well as the visionary behind ‘Project60,’ a transformative program designed to encourage individuals to embrace change, challenge themselves and build healthy habits in just 60 days.

    As an active member of the Rotary E-club of Greater Nigeria, a distinguished organization committed to making a positive impact on communities through service and humanitarian initiatives. Tim’s dedication to making a positive impact extends beyond physical health, as he’s additionally an engaged participants in the ‘Feeding Souls Community’ and actively participates in events such as the PLP Mental Health Day and Global Wellness Day as a panelist.

    Rotimi’s influence has not gone unnoticed, as he was invited as a health speaker at the Annual Tech Festival in 2022. The recognition highlights his expertise and positions him as a thought leader in the health industry. As a speaker, he has the opportunity to inspire change, connect with industry professionals, and expand his influence in the field positioning him as a go-to resource for media interviews, panel discussions, and future speaking engagements, further expanding his reach and influence beyond the festival itself.

  • Subomi Balogun: Life and times of the celebrated banker

    Subomi Balogun: Life and times of the celebrated banker

    The late Otunba Subomi Balogun bestrode the nation’s banking ecosystem as a colossus, where he ruled the roost for several decades.

    Born into a prominent family in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, by Alhaji Abudu Odutola Ashiru Balogun, the younger Balogun worked his way to the top relying on his entrepreneurial spirit and exceptional acumen to build an extraordinary legacy.

    The younger Balogun who had a short stint at Ijebu-Ode Grammar School would later leave for Igbobi College. He would later attend London School of Economics in the United Kingdom, where he went for a course in Law. After his call to the Bar, he was sent by the Western Regional Government to the British Parliament, to learn how to draft Laws, for one year and thereafter, I was sent to the City of London to learn how to draft Agreements.

    At the age of 28, he was offered the job of Assistant Parliamentary Counsel by the Federal Ministry of Justice. He would later serve as the first Secretary and Principal Counsel of the Nigerian Industrial Development Bank (NIDB).

    From Law, he veered into Finance, and subsequently became Chief Executive Stockbroking and Capital Issues at the subsidiary of NIDB, ICON Limited.  But following boardroom politics, he resigned at 42. But providence had other things in store for him as meeting with the then Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, who was his close friend, helped to facilitate his banking license, a move which saw him becoming the first Nigerian who single-handedly set up a merchant bank.

    As the founder of FCMB, he literally set stores for the ideas and ideals of professionalism in banking blazing the trail all the way.

    Throughout his illustrious career, Otunba Subomi Balogun demonstrated his commitment to excellence, innovation, and community development. Under his visionary leadership, FCMB grew from humble beginnings to become one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions. His contributions to the country’s economy, as well as his philanthropic endeavors, have left an indelible mark on society.

    As news of his passing spreads, tributes and condolences have poured in from various quarters. Colleagues, associates, and admirers have taken to social media platforms to express their grief and pay their respects to the late business magnate. Many have shared personal anecdotes, recounting his profound impact and highlighting his generosity and mentorship.

    The void left by Otunba Subomi Balogun’s departure will undoubtedly be felt throughout the business community, but his enduring legacy will continue to inspire future generations. His pioneering spirit, unwavering dedication, and exceptional leadership qualities will serve as a guiding light for aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders for years to come.

  • Adieu Sunday Mbang

    Adieu Sunday Mbang

    Sadly, there is an eclipse in God’s vineyard. A shadow has been cast on the Christian community as former President of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and emeritus Prelate of the Methodist Church Nigeria, Sunday Mbang, has bowed to the cold hands of death.

    Mbang reportedly died in his sleep at the ripe age of 86 after running an impactful earthly ministry for 44 years. He was the longest-serving Head of the Methodist Church, in Nigeria, until his death.

    Mbang’s demise was announced in a statement by Babatunde Taiwo, a Bishop and Secretary of the Conference of the Methodist Church Nigeria. “He will be sorely missed by his beloved Church, Methodist Church, to which he gave his spiritual, intellectual and servant-leadership for more than two decades and the entire Body of Christ in Nigeria and Diaspora, Taiwo said.

    Since his demise, prominent personalities within and outside the Christian community, at home and abroad, have paid glowing tribute to the cleric, whose death has been variously described as a great loss to the country.

    There is no gainsaying Mbang’s death pierced the heart of the Christain community. But while it is difficult for many to come to terms with the reality of his death, what is, however, soothing is that Mbang passed away at a ripe age, after earning the love of those whose lives he touched directly or indirectly while he was alive.

    Mbang’s trajectory from birth to his demise shows that he didn’t stumble on acclaim, but intricately sketched his way to the top. Mbang was born in Idua Eket, Eket Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom on August 26, 1936.

    He studied at the Effoi Group School, Salvation Army School, Akai-Ubium, Government School, Eket, Methodist Boys’ High School, Oron, Teacher’s College, Uzuakoli, Trinity Theological College, Umuahia, University of Ibadan, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel and Harvard University, United States of America (USA).

     Mbang was eventually ordained as a minister in 1961 after he underwent theological training in Nigeria and overseas. Throughout his life as a religious leader, he made inestimable contributions to the betterment of the country, of which many clearly stood out as testimonies of his divine calling.

    Guided by his effective evangelism, the Christian community has experienced monumental growth’ Mbang’s ministry transcended spirituality and fostered unrestrained service to mankind.

     He became a Pastor and Minister of Religion in 1962 at the Methodist Church, where he rose through the ranks to attain the Episcopal title: Bishop of Tinubu, Lagos State, in 1979. Subsequently, he was elevated to the position of the Patriarch/Prelate, the administrative and pastoral head and leader of the entire Methodist Church family in Nigeria in 1984, a position he held for 22 years.

     During his active service as a teacher, evangelist and pastor, he held a number of positions outside that of the Methodist Church Nigeria, namely: the National President of the Christian Association of Nigeria, the co-chairman of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, and the Vice and Chairperson of the World Methodist Council.

     Alive, Mbang’s sincerity of purpose, passion for holiness, integrity and commitment to excellence clearly distinguished him among his peers. In death, the late cleric remains a role model to many.

  • From Frying Pan to Fire: Nigerians fleeing Boko Haram in Borno recall ordeal with terror gangs in Algeria, Mali

    From Frying Pan to Fire: Nigerians fleeing Boko Haram in Borno recall ordeal with terror gangs in Algeria, Mali

    After narrowly surviving bloody attacks launched  by members of the dreaded Boko Haram insurgents, many young men from the northern part of the country, Borno State in particular, are, unfortunately, . meeting their untimely deaths working at illegal gold mines in Mali and Algeria. Investigation revealed that in an instance of jumping from the proverbial frying pan to fire, many of the survivors are being conscripted by mindless terrorists in Mali who are radicalising and exposing them to advanced guerilla warfare. There are fears that the ugly development could worsen the challenge of insurgency in the region and spell doom for the country at large  as the impoverished and radicalised migrants return home seething with anger, INNOCENT DURU reports.

    • ‘How terrorists in Mali drafted Nigerians into deadly groups’

    • Snakes, scorpions made our lives miserable, says survivor

    Hammed, an indigene of Bama Local Government Area, Borno State, watched in disbelief as his kinsmen were shot or hacked to death by murderous insurgents.

    Besides witnessing the ugly sights, he at various times had escaped being killed by Boko Haram members. Hammed said his heart is riddled with scars and his memory battered by the thought of the killings.

    “It was a terrible experience. It is better imagined than experienced. I was not told; I witnessed the orgy of killings first hand,” he said.

    Traumatised by his horrendous experiences, Hammed managed to raise money to go to Algeria as he had lost everything he had to the bloody attacks by Boko Haram insurgents.

    The road to Algeria  was not a familiar route for the  24-year-old. But desperate to  save his head and get a means of livelihood, he headed in that unfamiliar terrain.

    But his resolve was not without consequences as he was made to pay dearly for his naivety.

    Hammed said: “I spent about 10 days instead of five or six before getting to Algeria because I didn’t know my way.

    “The driver defrauded me of the money I had on me. It was some kind-hearted drivers that helped me to get to Algeria.”

    On arriving in the North African country, Hammed heaved a sigh of relief and looked forward to getting a job to recoup the losses he had suffered. And his efforts seemed to pay off as within a short time after he arrived the North African country, he had made enough connections to start securing jobs.

    “I was getting between N5,000 and N10,000 per day working at the gold mine. Out of that, I was spending about N3,000 on food every day,” he said.

    Excited by his new status, Hammed quickly  put behind the days of pains and deprivation occasioned by Boko Haram attacks. His joy was, however, short-lived by an ugly experience similar to the one that had driven him away from his fatherland.

    Hammed said: “The security agents in Algeria were hostile. When they caught me, they beat me mercilessly.

    “After that bitter experience, one of my brothers was killed by terrorists. They killed him because they wanted gold from him but they couldn’t get any. It was a regular occurrence in that axis.”

    Worried by his unpleasant experiences, he said he had to return to Nigeria, “because I could not afford to survive there.

    “I was making money there but the suffering was too much. I was sleeping inside the bush and on rocks.

    “The weather in Algeria was also too cold. There were even times that snow fell. This affected me seriously.

    “When I came back, I met a physician who prescribed some drugs for me. That was  the saving grace.”

    Umar, a father of nine, had a worse experience in Mali where he had  travelled to in search of survival after his business was crashed by the menace of insurgency.

    His words: “I used to sell second hand materials.  On many occasions, I had to abandon my wares and flee when Boko Haram insurgents attacked our place. I lost my capital in the process.

    “I subsequently left for Mali and stayed in Haruwa, which shares a border with Algeria. I was engaged there as a labourer. 

    “We were going from Mali to work in Algeria and return in the evening.

    “Besides being a labourer, I also worked in a place where they were mining gold. But the work there did not come all the time.

    “At times we could stay idle for weeks before getting a job.

    “As a family man, it was not easy for me to be idle. That was why I was going to Algeria to work as a labourer.”

    But he said his experience in Mali was far from rosy.

    Umar said: “Terrorists used to come with their guns to attack us. They would collect our gold and beat us. They would also collect the water we were using.  Some people would die before getting to Haruwa where we used to gather.

    “The terrorists did shoot at us too. There was  a day they shot one of us from Zamfara in the neck. We could not go close to him instantly to avoid being shot too.

    “Thereafter, we did all we could to save his life but he died and we went to bury him in Haruwa.

    “We had worked for more than teo months at the place where they shot the guy, but when the terrorists came, they searched us and collected all the gold.”

    “Personally,” he said, “I sustained injury twice at the hands of the terrorists. One hit my head against the rock that we were digging and I started bleeding. 

    “Another came and hit my head with his gun. They attacked me because they didn’t see a phone on me when they searched me.”

    For Abba, who hails from Jere Local Government Area of the state, his  unpleasant experience had nothing to do with terrorists or any form of exploitation; it came from snakes and scorpions that made life unbearable for him and his colleagues. In fact, he said he lost some of his colleagues to snakebites.

    He said: “Some of them survived while some others died.

    “Two of my friends were among those that died of snakebites and we buried them right there because they would not allow black people to go and bury their persons in the city.”

    He noted that the suffering in the area was more than he could bear, adding: “We were not  having a decent place to sleep. We were sleeping on rocks, in the bush and open places.

    “In those places where we slept, there were snakes, scorpions and other dangerous reptiles. I killed some snakes at night. I heard their sound and killed them.

    “It was not possible to sleep soundly in that place.”

    Recalling his stay in Algeria, Abba said: “I never went to the main area where mining was taking place because there was serious insecurity there.

    “The terrorists are well armed and would force you to accept their agenda if you go there. They will force you to mine gold and give you money.

    “One of my friends went to the place and told me what was happening there. The terrorists were occupying the territory between Algeria and Mali.

    “I still have friends in Algeria and Mali too. They are mining gold in those places.”

    Recalling how insurgency ruined his business and consequently forced him to embark on the tortuous journey, Abba said: “I had a small business that was paying my bills before the Boko Haram attacks that shattered our place. Most of my family members in Gamboru Ngala were affected.

     “I had friends in Algeria and they were the ones who asked me to come over because nothing was there for me in Maiduguri. I had to go to Algeria to find a means of earning a living.”

    To  travel to Algeria, Abba said he had to borrow money from friends and family members, adding that the journey was by road.

    He said: “The journey to Algeria lasted almost six days. And for those six days,  I was eating just cake and zobo. Sometimes we would buy soft drinks and any other edible.

    “Armed robbers were on the road. They were operating in that axis.

    “I stayed in Algeria for about five months. I was mining gold in Algeria together with other people.

    “I came back home because I found it difficult to survive in that area. I came back with about N100,000 out of which I spent about N80,000 on transportation.

    “On return, I had just N20,000 left on me after spending five months in Algeria. I have been idle since I  came back.”

    More survivors relive ordeal Long after returning home, Mohammed,  a native of Jere Local Government, is still hounded by his experience in Mali.

    “I didn’t enjoy my stay in Mali,” he said as he cast his mind back to his days in the West African country. “I was living and working among terrorists and regular people.

    “I was seeing the terrorists with my naked eyes. They were always armed to the teeth.”

    Going down memory lane, he said: “There was a day I was going from Mali to Algeria and I fell into the hands of some cruel terrorists. They pointed guns at me and collected my phone.

    “Every day comes with its own  kind of suffering. The terrorists raided us and collected our money, phone and gold at regular intervals without any opposition.”

    It was also an unsavoury experience for Usman, a native of Gombe resident in Maiduguri. Like others, the father of eight children said he  was into gold mining and labourer jobs in Guza area of Mali.

    “I had encounters with terrorists in Mali,” he said, shuddering as he tried to verbally paint a graphic picture.

    “They looked unapproachable and always in killer mood. They used to flog us from time to time, inflicting  injuries on us. I was beaten by the terrorists about three or four times.

    “Sometimes, you would work for them for months without being paid.

    “The terrorists and the regular people in the area work hand in hand. Sometimes you cannot differentiate between a terrorist and a regular person.

    “Working for someone, you may not know that he is a terrorist. It is after completing the work that he will tell you who he is and that he will not pay you.

    “When that happens, there is nothing you can do about it.” 

    Returnee’s incredible journey to Saudi Arabia

    Among the returnees encountered by our correspondent, a young man named Ali appeared to have had the worst  travelling experience, considering how long it took him to arrive at his destination.

    Ali said: “I spent more than two months to get to Saudi Arabia.

    “I had no money when I escaped from Borno State. I would always look for something to do to earn a living in each place I settled down. 

    “There were periods I trekked for three to four days in the course of the journey. I will never forget the experience in my life. One person died in the c ourse of the journey as a result of exhaustion.”

    Recalling how he went about the journey, he said: “I passed through Maiduguri to Gamboru Ngala. From there, I entered Cameroon and found my way to Chad where I had issues with their army. They kept me there for 11 days.

    “From there, I entered Sudan where I spent 21 days helping people to build and getting money to feed. Daily wage in Sudan was just N400.

    “There in Sudan, I got to a river where I met many people heading to Saudi Arabia in a ship. We entered Saudi Arabia three days after.”

    “In Saudi Arabia,” Ali said, “I was into tailoring. I was sending money to my mother in Maiduguri from there.

    “I didn’t have a resident permit in Saudi, and they were seeing me as an animal. Whenever I walked up to someone, he would ask if I  had a resident permit. If I  said no, he would ask how I managed to enter the country.

    “At  such moments, I would just walk away.

    “I came back in 2019 after the police caught me. They returned over 400 of us from different parts of the north to Kano.”

    How terrorists bait, conscript survivors into deadly gangs

    Some of the migrants, it was learnt, have been joining terrorist groups, especially in Mali. They are being baited with gifts and money by the terrorists to join them.

    Umar shared his experience thus: “During Ramadan period,  some terrorists came to where we were with their guns and gave us milk, drinks, chicken and so many other things. We really enjoyed ourselves on that day.

    “They later came back in the night and said if we were ready, we should join them and that we would not have any problem since we  were Muslims and they too were Muslims. They even promised to give us money.

    “We immediately accepted to join them because we were scared that  something nasty might happen if we should say no.

    “If you see those terrorists, you will be scared. They wear long beard and brandish guns. They don’t have any fear in them at all. 

    “When we said yes, they left. Before dawn, we packed our things and left the work and the entire area before they could come and meet us.”

    Umar, however, noted with regret that  “some of our people from Zamfara are joining the terrorists. It is a  very, very serious development.”

    Hosts mix drinking water with petrol

    Asked what manner of water they were drinking in the Mali desert, Umar said: “We  had no good water for drinking. Sometimes when they bring 200 litres of water, they will mix it with four litres of petrol so that we will not drink much water.

    “They feel that if they don’t do that, we would finish the water in no time. All we were doing was just to sip the water and walk away. With that, the water will last for about a week.

    “It was not good but there was no alternative. We were many  there: Nigerians, Nigeriens, Cameroonians, and so on. 

    “My mother asked me not to go there again, but I told her that nobody will assist her and my family if I don’t go. I must go.”

    Explaining how he went to Mali, Umar said: “One of my friends helped me to go to Mali when I complained that I was not making anything from the transport business I ventured into after losing my business to Boko Haram.

    “He lent me N100,000 and connected me to his friend that led me to Mali. I gave N20,000 to my family and left with the remaining.”

    On how he paid back the loan, the returnee said: “I worked in Mali for six months and paid back the money. I also tried to go back to my business here in Maiduguri but I couldn’t make it.

    “I subsequently returned to Mali and spent four months there. During that period, I was told that my wife had put to bed.

    “I planned to come for the naming ceremony but I spent about 10 days on the road, and before I arrived, the naming ceremony had taken place.

    “I tried doing business again but it wasn’t working. I went back to Mali the third time. I am planning  to go back because I am financially down.”

    Immigration officials, terrorists exploit migrants

     Besides the dehumanisation they suffered, the returnees also spoke of how they were recklessly exploited by Nigerian Immigration officials at the border as well as terrorists in the host countries.

    Reliving his experience with immigration officials, Abba said: “The immigration and others were aware of our going to Algeria because we cross from the border.

    “They are aware that people are going to Niger, Algeria and Mali. They know, because they collected money from us. They were collecting N10,000 from each passenger because we didn’t have travel documents.

    “They were collecting the money before allowing anyone to cross into Niger. Once you paid the money, they would allow you to cross. 

    “They didn’t collect any money from me when I was coming back, because I am a Nigerian returning to my country.”

    Also speaking about his experience in Mali, Umar said: “When you get to Haruwa in Mali, the driver will go to a garage where they will count us and ask each person to pay about 500 cefas.  Once you pay, they will allow you in.

    “After that, you will pay 400 denar, which is equivalent of N12,000 here, monthly.

    “If you don’t have money to pay, they will take and keep you in one place. When people in need of labourers come, they will ask the defaulters to go and work for them.

    “When payment is made, they will deduct the 400 denar and give you the balance.

    “Some will not even give you a dime. You can work for two months and the only thing you will be getting is food.

    “They will subject you to hard work and, unfortunately, there is nowhere to rest because the whole place is a desert.”

    Returnees heading back to deadly zone

    In spite of the horrible experiences they had in Mali and Algeria, many of the returnees are bent on returning to the two countries.

    Umar said: “I am afraid of the  beating and killing over there, but because I do get money here, that is why I want to go back.

    “I have nine children. Five of them were in a private school around Mammy Market, but because I couldn’t pay their school fees, they have been at home.

    “I am not happy that they are not in  school. When I was in Mali, I used to send their school fees and money for upkeep.

    “I want to sacrifice myself for them. Whatever I get, I will be sending to them so that they can go back to school.

    “They have spent about two terms at home. They are temporarily attending one Islamiyya school where they  only give them Quranic education.

    “I want to see them become nurses and doctors.”  

    Speaking in the same vein, Mohammed said: “I want to go back to Mali in spite of the challenges, because I  can hardly earn a living here. I want to go back to Mali because there is no work here in Nigeria.”

    Usman, another Nigerian planning to return to Mali, said: “I could make 1,000 cefas or more in a day in Mali. I am planning to go back because I am not making money here in Maiduguri.”

    Returnees came back sick, malnourished

    The predicaments of the returnees were condemned by the Executive Director of BOAID Foundation, Alhaji Ammar Gambo, who has been engaging them since their return.

    He said: “The journey of irregular migration from Maiduguri to Mali for illegal gold mining poses several dangers to the youths and the community.

    “These dangers include physical harm and violence. The journey involves crossing several borders, and the migrants are vulnerable to physical harm and violence from smugglers, traffickers, and even authorities. Many migrants have reported being robbed or beaten on their journey.

    “The migrants are exposed to diseases as they often travel in overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, which increase their risk of contracting cholera, tuberculosis and other diseases.

    “The journey is often long and arduous, and many migrants lack adequate food and water, leading to malnutrition and starvation.”

    Gambo noted that BOAID Foundation, through its sensitization programme, had reached more than 6,704 individuals across the state from last year to date. However, he said the situation has escalated to more communities in Maiduguri and Jere.

    He said: “The communities affected are Goni Kachalari, Allah Kareem, Mashamari, Konan Yobe, London Ciki, Dikechiri, Gwange I and II, Kasuwan Shanu, all in Maiduguri and Jere LGAs.

    “These communities are known for their high poverty rate and lack of employment opportunities, making them susceptible to illegal migration.

    “BOAID has been at the forefront of sensitising the public on the dangers of irregular migration.

    “Through its sensitization programmes, BOAID has been able to educate the public on the need to engage in legitimate business and avoid irregugar migration.”

    Gambo said from January to date, about 157 individuals had migrated irregularly to Mali and Algeria. He said the individuals involved are mostly youths who are lured by the promise of wealth through illegal gold mining.

    He said: “They are often deceived by agents who promise them easy entry into these countries and job opportunities in the mining sector.

    “However, the reality is different, as most of these individuals end up living in deplorable conditions and working in hazardous environments.

    “Recently, the organisation received a report that 20 migrants voluntarily returned from Mali to Ngala Local Government Area.

    “The individuals narrated their ordeal, stating that they were living in deplorable conditions, and their lives were at risk due to dangerous mining activities.”

    He said the situation of irregular migrants from Maiduguri to Mali for illegal gold mining is a growing concern that needs urgent attention.

    Gambo added: “BOAID’s efforts in sensitising the public on the dangers of illegal migration are commendable. However, more needs to be done to create employment opportunities and reduce poverty in the affected communities.

    “The government and other stakeholders should collaborate to address the root causes of illegal migration and provide viable alternatives for the youths.”

    Fears over escalation of insurgency

    An expert in International Relations, Defence and Security, Dr Bala Husaini, expressed concern about the implications of the radicalised returnees for the challenge of insecurity in the country.

    His words: “The problem of Nigeria is that we don’t monitor anything. Once these people are not properly reintegrated into the community by the government, they will become nuisance to the society.

    “They will instill fear in the minds of the people, because the news will spread that these particular people have become this and that.

    “Some of them recruited into these mercenaries will also fight back against the government of Nigeria.

    “Apart from this set of people, there are some security officials that have been sent away from the service.  Think of what they will be in the future, because they know how to shoot guns and manoeuvre. They know all those technicalities and tactics of war.

    “Now you say you don’t want them anymore and there is no remorse from the government that they will put ABC in place to avoid unwanted move in the future.”

    Speaking on the way out, the Umaru Musa Yaradua University lecturer said: “The Nigerian government does not have the political will to stop them from going to those places.

    “What they should do is sensitise those who have no interest in going, because only God knows what tomorrow will bring.

    We’ll investigate allegations – Nigeria Immigration Service

    The Nigeria Immigration Service says it will investigate the allegation of bribe collection levelled by returnees against its officials.

    Responding to our inquiry, the spokesman, Tony Akuneme, said: “People are free to migrate as long as it is done legally.”

    Told that the migrants were moving with official documents and paying bribe to have easy passage, he said: “Really? I will investigate it. I am not aware of this. I will investigate it.” 

  • Disquiet in Lagos community over attack by suspected land grabbers

    Disquiet in Lagos community over attack by suspected land grabbers

    A mid-day invasion and attack by hoodlums suspected to be land grabbers in a community in Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State penultimate Tuesday has led to protest and outcry by residents and victims, reports KUNLE AKINRINADE.

    Aggrieved residents of Idioyin-Imoke community in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area of Lagos State penultimate Tuesday staged a protest following an attack by hoodlums suspected to be land grabbers earlier in the day.

    It was gathered that the machete- wielding hoodlums invaded the community and attacked some residents at a place called Base on Tuesday.

    They were said to have attacked other residents and injured several people, resulting in a pandemonium.

    The protesters who carried placards with various save-our-soul messages chanted solidarity songs as they converged on the village square shortly after the hoodlums retreated.

    Some of the messages on the placards read: “We want peace in Imokelan d; Governor Sanwo-Olu, save our souls in Imoke community; we want peace and not war in Imoke community, and so on.

    Our correspondent gathered that the protesters later marched on the streets as more residents joined the crowd to ventilate their grievances over what they described as incessant attacks and violation of their rights by suspected land grabbers.

    One of the victims of the attack, James Olaolu, said: “The hoodlums were 15 in number and  were led by Moruf Apena who first punched me in the face before others manhandled me and other workers, seizing my mobile phone.

    “The hoodlums chased us from the site where we were working. They also collected money from  the workers at the site. They have since taken over the property and converted it to a joint where they drink and smoke.”

    Another victim identified as Sarafa Adeboye, the Balogun of Imoke community, said the hoodlums, who were armed with machetes and charms, beat him mercilessly and threatened to serve him permanent disability if he ever set foot on the property again.

    Adeboye said: “Around noon yesterday (Wednesday), about 12 hoodlums led by one Moruf Apena stormed the town and attempted to brutalise me, but I managed to escape by running towards my car. They kept chasing me and threatened to teach me a bitter lesson.

    “I want the state government and police to intervene and stop the hoodlums from further attacking us in the community, otherwise, people may start relocating from Idioyin-Imoke for fear of incessant harassment by hoodlums.”

    It was learnt that many of the victims who sustained machete cuts  were being treated in the hospital.

    One of the people injured, Azeez Olawale, lamented that he was caught unawares by the hoodlums, who attacked him with a machete and almost killed him.

    He said: “I was returning from an errand for my uncle when I passed through the scene unaware of what was going on at the time.

    “When I tried to run away, the hoodlums gave me a chase, caught up with me and started attacking me with their machetes.

    “I was pleading for my life but they kept hitting me with machetes and plank until some residents dared them and they beat a retreat.

    “As you can see, my arm, hands and other parts of my body have been cut  with machetes.

    “This is not the first time the land grabbers would be terrorising this community and innocent residents. But the latest attack is the height of their criminal activities, hence, the ongoing protest.”

    Olawale added: “There are other victims at various hospitals around Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area whose fate is unknown as we speak.

    “I want to urge the state government to stop these mindless hoodlums from further unleashing violence on  the people of Imoke community in a bid to covet landed property.”

    In a telephone conversation with our correspondent, however, Chief Apena described the allegations as false. He explained that there was no protest in the community and that no one was brutalised by land grabbers.

    He described those fuelling reports of violence as mischievous elements who lost out in the contest for leadership of the community.

    Apena said: “All these allegations are being masterminded by one Saheed Adeboye, who was removed as  the Baale (head) of the community.

    “He was the one who brought in a popular land speculator to engage in the unlawful annexation of landed property belonging to people.

    “There was no time that I know when people were attacked anywhere by my people, because I was legitimately installed as Baale by the Gbadewolu of Araromi, Oba Lukman Adebambo, upon nomination by my family.

    “Adeboye has been removed as acting Baale and he is not known or recognised by the Ibeju-Lekki Local Government and the official gazette of the state government.

    “The base mentioned here is a place where people sit and meet in the community. It is like a village square and was built by the people of this community.

    “I did not go there to chase anybody away, not to talk of leading hoodlums to brutalise people there.

    “Imoke is currently peaceful and everyone is happily going about their endeavours without fear or intimidation.

    “We are law-abiding, and if there is any reason to assert our authority, we have always done so lawfully, most times with the help of police to enforce our rights to any property.”

    It will be recalled that the community was recently rocked by crisis following the installation of two Baales, Saheed Adeboye and Moruf Apena, by two different monarchs,  leading to a supremacy tussle between the two factions.

    While Adeboye was said to have been installed as Baale for Imoke a few years ago by the immediate past Onibeju of Ibejuland, Oba Olusegun Rafiu Salami, Apena was appointed as Baale of the same community by the new monarch of a neighbouring town, Gbadewolu of Araromi, Oba Olayemi Lukman Adebambo. 

    The spokesman of the Lagos State Police Command, Mr. Benjamin Hundeyin, was not available for comments at press time. Calls and messages forwarded to his phone by our correspondent were not responded to.

  • How herdsmen killed my husband, two kids, turned me into childless widow

    How herdsmen killed my husband, two kids, turned me into childless widow

    • Nasarawa woman laments fate from attack that claimed 38 other lives

    May 12, 2023 was indeed a black Friday for the inhabitants of Takalafia and Gwanja communities in Karu Local Government Area, Nasarawa State, particularly the immediate family of Mrs Janet Aliko.

    It was a day that scores of residents of the two communities were brutally murdered by some blood- thirsty herdsmen who invaded the two communities very early in the morning.

    By the time the dust raised by the invasion settled, no fewer than 41 lives were dispatched into early graves. Among them were Janet’s husband, Aliko, and their only two children.

    It was learnt that as the gunmen stormed the area, shooting sporadically and setting houses ablaze, the late Aliko had prayed to God to accept his soul even before opening the door to the house where he was shot dead.

    Their innocent kids were also not spared by the invaders while their mother escaped death only because she travelled to Port Harcourt to sell yam and returned a few minutes after the incident to find her husband and two kids in pools of blood.

    The attack, It was gathered, had resulted from a disagreement between the farmers and herders in the area over the latter’s alleged encroachment into the farmlands of the former.

    The ensuing face-off, our correspondent gathered, resulted in a clash that claimed the life of a herdsman, following which his fellow herdsmen regrouped to launch a massive attack on the two communities.

    Janet, who has yet to come to terms with becoming a widow when she spoke with our correspondent, said she could not believe that all the hope that she and her husband had nursed about success in life had been dashed by his sudden death.

    Narrating the circumstances that surrounded the death of her husband and two children,  Janet said: “I was actually not around. I would have been dead too if I was, but my husband sent me to go sell yams in Port Harcourt

    “We were in touch up until yesterday night. So, I could not believe that the incident was real untill I saw the lifeless bodies of my husband and kids lying in pools of blood.

    “I didn’t know I  that would never see them again.  My life is ruined and there is no hope for me again

    “The herdsmen have finished me. Killing my husband and two kids is too much to bear.”

    Janet, who claimed that her husband sacrificed his life for the community, added that life has not been the same since he died together with their kids.

    She said: “We could not achieve our dreams together. Death snatched him from me unannounced.

    “I wept bitterly because of the enormous things we still wanted to do together. I am depressed because of the incident.

    “The killer herdsmen have deprived me of peace of mind. The killing of my husband and only two kids was a devastating blow. I have been waking up in the middle of the night to weep bitterly since my husband and kids died.”

    The communities that are currently under siege have cried out for help after a mass burial was was organised for the  dead. The victims were mostly of Gwandara, Mada and Yeskwa tribes.

    The  41 people given mass burial were mostly women and children killed by the suspected  herdsmen in Takalafia and Gwanja.

    The Deputy Governor of Nasarawa State, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, who led a government delegation to witness the mass burial, condemned what he described as senseless killings and wanton destruction of property estimated at millions of naira.

    The deputy governor, who expressed shock at the level of destruction and killings, said government was alarmed with the situation at the time it was doing everything to ensure that peace reigns in the state.

    Akabe said: “Government will not continue to fold its arms and watch the lives of innocent people cut short.

    “Government will not leave any stone unturned to get to the causes of the attacks and bring the perpetrators to book where the law will be allowed to take it cause.”

    Akabe assured that the state government would provide relief materials to the displaced victims as he also encouraged the communities to give credible information to the relevant authorities to fish out the brains behind the crisis.

    It will be recalled that the Pastor in-Charge of Evangelical Church Winning All (ECWA), Rev. Daniel Danbeki and others were gruesomely murdered by the suspected killers during the attack.

    The council Chairman,  Karu Local Government Area, James Thomas, who visited the affected  communities prior to the mass burial, also  condemned the attack 

    Represented by his deputy, Lawal Yakubu Karshi, he appealed for calm and also vowed to ensure that the perpetrators  were arrested and made to face the wrath of the law.

    A member of the community, Audi Fura, said “government should assist us. The herdsmen should let us have peace of mind on our land.

    “We don’t want them again on our land. They are threats to peace and security of lives and property.”

    He informed our correspondent that the attack was the result of a disagreement between the  farmers and herdsmen who grazed on the farmlands of the locals, destroying crops (groundnut and maize) belonging to the farmers in the area.

    According to him, “disagreement ensued when the farmers approached the suspected herdsmen to take their animals out of their farmlands when one of the suspected herders brought out his cutlass and started fighting the farmers.

    He claimed that the  farmer overpowered the Fulani, snatched his cutlass and fought back, leading to the death of the herdsman instantly.

    It was further gathered that the incident occured  in Gwanja community near Takalafiya two weeks ago, and the authority of Karu Local Government Area intervened and the matter was settled amicably, only for the suspected  herders to regroup and attack Gwanja community.

    A youth leader in the area, Timothy Veil, claimed that the herdsmen, on discovering  that some residents of Gwanja community had fled to Takalafiya, allegedly launched another  attack on the community and killed more  people on Friday, 12th May, 2023.

    “In the early hours of Friday, around 4am,  the people of the community were thrown into  panic when they discovered a strange dog roaming the streets of Takalafiya with huge charms round its neck. The community mobilised  and killed the dog.

    “After they succeeded in killing the dog and they clustered around the dog wondering where it came from, the herdsmen started shooting sporadically around the community, leading to the killing of many people,” the source said.

    Meanwhile, the state police command has confirmed the incident, saying that “at about 2200hrs, information was received that one Jibo Alhaji Ali, 18yrs and Fulani by tribe was attacked by unidentified persons while on his way to Kwaja village, Gitata”.

    The police command, in a statement by its public Relations Officer DSP Ramham Nansel,  explained that upon receipt of the information, police operatives attached to Gitata Division raced to the scene and rushed the victim with machete cut on his head to Na-Allah private hospital, Gitata where he died while receiving treatment.

    “Sequel to the above, information was received that Tarkalafia and Kwaja village were attacked.

    Reacting to the above, the Commissioner of Police, CP Maiyaki Baba, deployed police operatives comprising of mobile police personnel, counter-terrorism unit and the military to the area where the corpses were recovered and taken to the hospital and subsequently buried.

    “The Commissioner of Police hereby condoles with all those who lost their loved ones and has ordered discreet investigation to unravel the faces behind the attack, assuring that anyone found culpable will be dealt with according to the law.”

  • The unfinished infrastructure battle

    The unfinished infrastructure battle

    How will the generality of Nigerians rate the Muhammadu Buhari administration in the provision of road infrastructure these eight years? In this special report, ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE writes that though the administration has done much in road repair and reconstruction, Nigeria still wallows in transport infrastructure deficit

    One sore fact that Nigerians have come to accept as the reality of the Muhammadu Buhari years as the President of Africa’s most populous country is the relativity of his performance rating. How people assess his administration depends largely on where they stand, which probably impacts what they are seeing from their standpoint. While government officials – and many private individuals alike – insist the administration has set an unbeatable record, many citizens may disagree with such a rating.

     Ask citizens living along the Lagos-Ogun border communities, or travelers and regular users of the Lagos-Ibadan expressway for instance, none would mince words that they would have prayed for a better deal than the nightmare they have been sentenced to by a government that once vowed to tackle the road infrastructure deficit between six months or maximum one year period. The question on their lips as the administration winds down in less than two weeks’ time is: Just how many years will it take to fix the 127.6km Lagos-Ibadan expressway? Many disappointed Nigerians still feel bad that even when the repair of Lagos-Ibadan expressway was split into two sections, it is taking Nigeria 24 years (taken cumulatively) or 10 years (the Goodluck Jonathan administration took it off the concessionaire, Bi-Courtney) to reconstruct its busiest and perhaps the most strategic highway.

     Earlier in the year, the Minister for Works and Housing, Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN), had vowed that the Lagos-Ibadan expressway would be one of the critical projects President Buhari would love to sign off on. The minister first promised April 30; then, it became May. Recently, fielding questions from reporters, he said the contractor had left the busiest part of the project, which is the Lagos end (from OPIC to Berger) for the last. For him, it is hard for the contractor to complete the project on schedule with the multiple human impact and other challenges being encountered on the ever-busy road. For many citizens, especially those in the southern parts of Nigeria, it is an embarrassing excuse that the fate of the all-important Lagos-Ibadan expressway still remains uncertain, as the advent of torrential rain makes it more unlikely for the contractor to finish the reconstruction before May 29 handover date.

     Under Buhari, like his predecessors, the Lagos-Ibadan expressway, Nigeria’s busiest road with a carriage capacity for over 450,000 vehicles per day, has become an Abiku, which in the late Prof. J.P Clarke’s poem, has suffered repeated rebirths for several seasons. But if the administration’s performance in road infrastructure in the Southwest is adjudged by critics to be below par, same cannot be said in the Southeast where President Buhari deserves veneration for eventually delivering the Second Niger Bridge, which has been on the nation’s surgical table for over 35 years. Conceived in the second republic by the late President Shehu Shagari, the Second Niger Bridge was started by military President Ibrahim Babangida before it suffered fits of abandonment for decades.

     What remains on the Second Niger Bridge, from information gleaned from Fashola, is the completion of all the connecting roads: the 4km interchange road at the Asaba end, and 2km out of a 7km link road at the Onitsha end. Last Christmas, travellers had a taste of the pudding, and were informed it would be one of the projects President Buhari would be glad to sign off with, as curtains fall on his administration.

    Nigeria’s total road network

     The total network of roads and highways in Nigeria is 195,000 km. For a population of over 200 million, this, according to worlddata.info, amounts to 0.91 metres per population. This puts Nigeria in 210th place on global ranking. According to Statista, a global statistics and research website, Nigeria has a total of 36,000kms of federal government roads (otherwise called Trunk A) as at 2018. The size and magnitude of the nation’s roads notwithstanding, Nigerians have always clamoured – and deservedly too – for more motorable roads. Incidentally, it would seem it was the Trunk A roads constructed before and shortly after independence that had weathered the wear and tear of use, as many others constructed in the 70s, 80s and 90s had become deathtraps.

     Buhari’s commitment to making a difference and delivering an improved national road network has, however, remained far and in-between, despite the huge holes financing such ambitious national transport infrastructure has dealt on Nigeria’s purse. At the last count, the Debt Management Office said the Buhari administration might be leaving with a total debt stock of N77 trillion; it also projected Nigeria may hit the N80 trillion mark by year end. Incidentally, over 70 per cent of these debts were borrowed to fix the arterial roads, called federal roads across all the six geopolitical zones.

     To stop perceived sleaze and trim down its expenditure on its roads, the Federal Government stopped all sub-national (state) governments from taking any remedial actions, insisting that no refunds would be made on any federal roads worked upon by any state government. Fashola (who, at some point in the life of this government, handled three composite ministries), once said Nigeria would require about N3 trillion yearly to fix its roads deficit. For a government that inherited roads rehabilitation obligations, it not only lacked the capacity to muster this kind of funds; it also had to face humongous debts from failed obligations to local contractors handling its projects.

     However, it has not been all gloom on the roads front. In the last eight years, the administration has tried to wriggle out of the infrastructure deficit by tackling issues of road construction and repair creatively. It established the Infrastructure Corporation of Nigeria (InfraCorp), in February 2021, with an initial capital of N1trillion, provided by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) and the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC). InfraCorp’s goal is to attract investment into Nigeria’s infrastructure sector, with a core focus on roads.

     A year before, the federal government established the Presidential Infrastructure Development Fund (PIDF), with a N14 trillion of debt capital. The PIDF, in 2020, invested over a $1 billion in three flagship projects: Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Second Niger Bridge (both of which are slated to be completed this month), and the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway (with two of the three sections slated to be completed in May 2023). The year before, precisely January 25 2019, Buhari, vide Executive Order No7 of 2019, established the Road Infrastructure Development and Refurbishment Investment Tax Credit Scheme (RIDRITCS) with complete focus on meeting Nigeria’s motorable road needs. The scheme allows companies that are willing and are able to spend their own funds on constructing critical roads to recover their construction costs by paying reduced taxes over a period of time. Under this scheme, Fashola had announced some federal roads may be tolled to assist the federal government and its private sector partners recover their investments, but largely, the attraction is on tax cut for willing companies and emphasis had been on constructing more rigid roads that would justify the intendments of tax relief for public works carried out by such business concerns.

     The Buhari administration said it was able to mobilise about N3 trillion committed by some companies for road projects across the six geo-political zones. Under the Executive Order 7, companies such as Dangote Group (which fixed Ojota-Oworonshoki-Oshodi-Apapa), MTN Plc (which is to fix Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway), BUA Group, NLNG, and NNPC Limited, had opted to mobilise resources to help fix some critical roads for tax cuts. These initiatives are apart from the public-private partnership initiative that the administration came up with under the Highway Development and Management Initiative (HDMI), which mobilised over N1 trillion of private investment into the development and maintenance of 12 roads amounting to 1,963km in length. This is further buoyed by more than N600 billion worth of Sukuk Bond raised since 2017 for more than 40 critical road projects connecting 10 states in five geo-political zones of the country.

     Fashola, at a recent performance report, said the Sukuk has helped greatly in funding road construction across the country, lamenting more strides could have been achieved had the previous government not avoided it as an Islamic-oriented funding with negative consequences. According to the minister, “the sukuk is used to fund section II of the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway and the Second Niger Bridge, which has been completed.” Explaining further, the minister said; “the first thing we did when we came into power was to expand the budget on road infrastructure, and sought alternative sources of funding through Sukuk, and the Infrastructure Tax Credit Scheme.”

     Fashola listed the achievements of his ministry under Buhari’s government to include the completion and inauguration of 12 road projects covering about 896km, explaining that the government is executing 83 road rehabilitation projects in federal tertiary institutions across the country with 66 projects completed and 46 inaugurated. Celebrating the strides of his principal during the nation’s 60th anniversary, Special Assistant to the President on Public Affairs, Malam Garba Shehu, had said the Buhari administration has attempted remedial work on 600 critical federal roads since 2015. For him, within the same space of time, the administration has done more than most of his predecessors despite other competing infrastructural funding needs. The administration’s overwhelming presence is everywhere and in all the six geopolitical zones, he insisted.

     For an administration that desires to tackle all of the nation’s numerous challenges and achieve economic self-reliance and increased domestic output, the Buhari administration devised economically sound fiscal strategies to fund the redevelopment of various federal highways, including those nearing completion. A quality road network being the most critical component of a national multimodal transportation plan is the foundation of a thriving economy. Experts readily averred that good roads link up especially on the national socio-economic arteries, urban centres and hubs are enablers for citizens to move from one point to the other and perform everyday activities that would lead to the country’s prosperity. It is by the road that people earn a living, farm, or access other transportation modes like rail, air, and water. Essential social services such as education, healthcare, hospitality, community integration, neighbourhood security, religious and private interactions are majorly accessed by roads. A quality road network is, therefore, the mainstay of any thriving economy.

     Nigeria’s surface roads, put at 195,000kms of which those categorised as federal roads make up 32,000km or 18 per cent, had steadily deteriorated in the years preceding the Buhari administration through a combination of official neglect, poor maintenance culture, and perhaps more fundamentally, the absence of a legal and policy framework for private sector participation in funding, management and maintenance of federal highways. Despite the recent drop in revenues due to lower oil prices and the aftershock of the COVID-19 shutdown, experts believe Nigeria’s economic potentials are still enormous.

     Although the Buhari administration has often said that it is mindful of the pains the average Nigerian is passing through due to recession and the ravages of the global Coronavirus pandemic, it has nonetheless been resolute in continuing with its economic recovery plans, which have as a key component the rebuilding of national transport infrastructure. Many stakeholders commend the ceaseless fiscal and administrative stimulus that the administration has put into the timely completion of major roads and bridges across the six geopolitical zones of the country to stimulate economic growth.

    Inside the ambitious 600 federal roads project

     Some of the 600 on-going federal road projects whose completion will immediately impact economic activities include the Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki Expressway, which is being reconstructed as a concrete road, for the first time since it was built 40 years ago, and awarded to Dangote Group for a tax cut. This vital economic gateway, which opens to Apapa Ports, can be likened to the nation’s spinal cord, the backbone of its import and export business. When this road is choked and vehicular traffic snarls envelope the metropolis, as it often does, the economy of Nigeria and, indeed that of the entire West African region, is effectively paralysed.

     The Buhari administration is committed to reconstructing the Expressway to benefit national and regional economic development. Both the Apapa-Oshodi-Oworonshoki Expressway and the Bodo-Bonny Bridges and Road, (which was conceived in the 1980s, but actual construction started in 2017), were executed under the Executive Order 7 projects. Other projects being funded under PIDF include the Second Niger Bridge. Main construction for this vital gateway into the South-South and South East regions started in 2018, and completion is scheduled for 2023. There is also the reconstruction of the 375km Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Expressway and its transformation to a six-lane configuration; reconstruction of the Benin–Ofusu–Ore–Ajebandele–Sagamu Expressway; the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway, and the Kano-Maiduguri Expressways. The Loko-Oweto Bridge, linking Benue and Nasarawa states, an important interstate project started by the Jonathan administration, is being completed by President Buhari.

     In 2017, the Buhari administration identified and marked out 63 roads across the country, including 44 federal highways. These roads, which linked up trade, commerce, port, and agricultural centres across the six geopolitical zones of the country, were classified under Critical Economic Routes and Agricultural Routes, and accorded budgetary priority. The roads include the Apapa/Tincan Port, NNPC Depot (Atlas Cove) to Mile 2 Accessed Road, Apapa-Oshodi Road, Third Mainland Bridge, Apapa/Tincan Island Port-NNPC Depot Access Road, Benin-Ofosu-Ore Ajebandele-Shagamu Road, Obajana Junction-Benin Road Phase 2: (Sections i-iv), Sapele-Ewu Road Sections 1&11, Second Niger Bridge, Onitsha-Enugu Expressway (Amansea-Enugu State Border), Yenegoa Road Junction-Kolo-Otueke-Bayelsa Palm and Bodo-Bonny Road with Bridge.

     Also included are the Abuja-Lokoja Road Sections I & IV; Suleja-Minna Road Section 11; Kaduna Eastern Bypass; Kano-Maiduguri Road Section 1-1V; Hadejia-Nguru-Gashua-Bayamari Road and Kano Western Bypass; Odukpani-Itu-(Spur Ididep-Itam)-Ikot Ekpene Federal Highway Sections 1&11; Ikom Bridge; Enugu-Port Harcourt Dual Carriageway Sections i-iv; Calabar-Ugep-Katsina-Ala Road; Vandeikya-Obudu-Obudu Cattle Ranch Road; Oshegbudu-Oweto Road; Oju/Loko-Oweto Bridge with approach roads; and the Nassarawa-Loko Road. Others are the Kano-Katsina Road (Phase 1: Kano Town at Dawanau Roundabout to Katsina State Border); Sokoto-Tambuwal-Jega-Yauri Road; Ilorin-Jebba-Mokwa-Bokani Road; Ilorin-Kabba-Obajana Road (Sections 1&11); Ibadan-Ilorin Road, Section11 (Oyo-Ogbomosho); Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan Dual Carriageway, Sections 1&11, and Lagos-Otta Road.

     Others are the Zaria-Kano Road, Abuja-Lokoja Road (Sections i-iv), Ilorin-Jebba-Bokani Road, Ibadan-Ilorin Road (Sections `1&11), Lagos-Shagamu-Ibadan Road (Sections1&11), Benin-Ofosu-Ore-Ajebandele-Shagamu Road, and Obajana-Benin Road (Sections i-iv). The Kaduna-Zaria Road, Otukpo Township Road, Kaduna-Katsina Road, Onitsha-Enugu Road (Section 1&11), Enugu-Port Harcourt Road (Sections i-iv), Calabar-Odukpani-Itu Road (Section 1), Calabar-Ugep-Katsina-Ala Road (Sections 1&11), Alesi-Ugup (Iyamoyung-Ugup) Road, Ogoja(Mbok Junction) Abuochichie Road, Kano-Maiduguri Road(Sections i-v), among others, were also among those listed. There is no doubt the completion of the reconstruction of these roads will heighten the tempo of national economic recovery and achieve one of the cardinal objectives of the Muhammadu Buhari Administration.

     With a government determined to provide smooth and motorable roads, it is the hope that Nigeria will eventually achieve a mitigation of the wear and tear of vehicles, enhance the country’s socio-economic development, improve road safety, ensure smooth traffic, reduce travel time and traffic congestion, make for better connectivity in and around the federation. The movement of people and goods is also improving substantially, even if gradually. In this regard, Fashola said over 700 kilometres of roads spreading across 11 states in the country would be delivered to Nigerians.

     Mr Fashola said NNPCL is committing N1.5 trillion to road projects located in Edo, Delta, Kano, Kaduna, Borno and Adamawa states. “The Federal Executive Council gave approval for the construction and rehabilitation of 11 roads totalling 737.242 kilometres in the sum of N1, 535, 154, 247, 234.48 under phase II of the NNPC tax credit scheme. Recall that in January this year, the council approved a memo for the NNPC to invest N1.9 trillion on our roads. That amount was then about 44 roads that had been awarded and the balance of those roads that had to go through procurement between then and now are the 11 that have now been approved by the council,” Mr Fashola said.

     Fashola, said his mandate in the Buhari’s government is to help the government spend its funds judiciously on public infrastructure. Though he would claim he has done that to the best of his capacity, there still exists a huge gap across all the six geo-political zones that could keep the incoming administration very busy. But like in all sectors, the Buhari administration seems to have put in place structures to make rehabilitation, reconstruction and expansion of road infrastructure a lot easier than he met it.