The Nation Newspaper

Category: SouthEast

  • Edo inaugurates Fund to reduce drugs’ prices

    Edo inaugurates Fund to reduce drugs’ prices

    • Ex-lawmaker tasks Okpebholo on Electricity Act

    The Edo State government has inaugurated the Primary Healthcare Drug Revolving Fund Committee (DRF) to make drugs and other healthcare essentials available and affordable to the people.

     Executive Secretary, Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (EDPHDA) Dr. Osoikhia Coulson, said the governor remained committed to strengthening primary healthcare.

    He urged the committee to  put measures in place to ensure successful implementation and sustainability of the DRF programme.

     Explaining the DRF initiative, Director, Essential Drugs and Logistics, Eruaga Valentine, a pharmacist, said the initiative would eliminate frequent stockouts at the state’s facilities through a revolving drug supply system as well as reduced out-of-pocket expenses for patients.

     “It is very important to have essential medicines and commodities at the primary healthcare facilities. The committee will play a key role in shaping the framework of the programme, ensuring compliance, and conducting regular reviews,’’ he added.

    Also, a former member, House of Representatives, Omoregie Ogbeide-Ihama, has urged Governor Monday Okpebholo to use provisions of the Electricity Act to put structure in place that would make Edo enviable in the power industry.

    READ ALSO: States seek $500m World Bank’s facility to tackle poverty

    Ogbeide-Ihama said opportunities exist in Edo for localised power solutions, mini-grids, solar parks and distribution upgrades that could bring reliable energy to communities and small businesses.

     Ogbeide-Ihama, who is Executive Director, Corporate Services of the Niger Delta Power Holding Company (NDPHC), spoke at the Eighth late Geoffrey O. Aiwerioba Public Lecture Series yesterday in Benin City organised by the Benin Branch of the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE). In his paper entitled, ‘Bridging the infrastructure gap: Strategies for sustainable development in Edo State’.

    He said the Electricity Act made it possible for Edo to define its electricity growth trajectory by creating a bankable and liquid market.

      Ogbeide-Ihama said: “Infrastructure is everything for example power, health, education all need infrastructure so the people of Edo State should take ownership and play a role in the way their affairs are run. The government of the day is showing key examples like the first fly over.

    “I urge the governor to continue the way he has started so that at the end of his tenure, we will be able to point to all the infrastructure that would have come to all sectors. NSE Benin Branch must rise to the occasion to partner with the government to ensure that this infrastructure deficit is closed out and infrastructure enhancement is brought up to boost the economy, GDP and the life of Edo people,

     “Government should step up to try as much as possible to ensure that Edo State is one of the leading states to handle power within the state from management to generation, to distribution and to make sure that there is light across the length and breadth of Edo.”

     National President of the NSE, Aina Oguntala, who was represented by Ademola Olorunfemi, said qualified engineers are in government agencies and departments.

     Also, Osoikhia noted that the governor’s key priority was to ensure availability of essential medicines and consumables at all primary healthcare facilities at an affordable cost to make life easier for Edo people.

  • Benue: National Youth forum calls for urgent forest guards recruitment

    Benue: National Youth forum calls for urgent forest guards recruitment

    The National Youth Stakeholders Forum (NYSF) has called on the federal government to urgently recruit forest guards as part of broader efforts to tackle the persistent security crisis in Benue State.

    In a statement on Thursday, the forum’s national leader, Mr. Oladotun Hassan, urged President Bola Tinubu to initiate far-reaching security reforms and respond decisively to the recent wave of killings in the state.

    “It is time to overhaul Nigeria’s security architecture and embark on the recruitment of forest guards,” Hassan said. “This must include increased funding for intelligence operations, modernization of military equipment, and improved coordination among security agencies.”

    He also stressed the need to prioritise the welfare of security personnel, noting that neglecting their well-being could lead to disillusionment and vulnerability to corruption or collusion with criminal elements.

    “The government must have a plan for scholarship for their children, free health care and commensurate salaries and packages compared to their fellow colleagues in the US Army.

    “Ensure accountability: To those responsible for the Benue massacre, including any military personnel or public officials found complicit, must be brought to justice swiftly. There can be no sacred cows,” he said.

    According to him, the government must engage in dialogue and reconciliation: The President must initiate measures to address the root causes of violence in Benue and other affected areas in the country.

    Hassan added that president Tinubu should also tackle and resolve the herder-farmer conflicts, land disputes, and promoting inter-community dialogue, through the establishment of the Nigeria Inter-Ethnic Nationalities Peace Commission. 

    The NYSF also advised the government to strengthen regional cooperation as the country could not tackle terrorism and insurgency alone. 

    He said that it was essential for the government to enhance collaboration with neighbouring countries to curtail the flow of arms, terrorists and flow of funds across borders.

    “We are aghast to raise our concerns over the unmitigated rising spate of insecurity and terrorism incidents especially in the Yelewata Community areas of Benue State, wherein over 200 innocent souls of both young and old were gruesomely massacred.

    “We request President Tinubu to step up his decisive action by critically evaluating the crises in Benue and other affected areas in Nigeria.

    “We call on the Federal Government to immediately commence recruitment of able body Youths within the affected communities into the forest guards.

    Read Also: Benue attackers not Nigerians, we ‘ll go after them – COAS

    “The government should ensure to implement proposals for the onward establishment of a National Joint Regional Security Task Force Network Agency (NJRSTFNA) that will assist and work closely with the conventional security agencies in the collective fight against terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria,” Hassan said.

    It was reported that President Tinubu has told the Benue and Nasarawa state governments to constitute a peace committee towards ending the ongoing killings in Benue and its environs.

    The president said this at a town hall meeting with Benue stakeholders as part of his efforts to address the incessant attacks, killings, and displacements of communities in the state.

    Recall that more than 200 people were killed, scores injured and houses and properties destroyed in the June 13 attack on Yelwata.

  • Foundation launches free education, food relief, healthcare support in Anambra

    Foundation launches free education, food relief, healthcare support in Anambra

    The Dr. Philip O. Ozuah Foundation has unveiled a transformative support initiative that provides free education for all children, emergency food relief for thousands of families, and critical funding for healthcare infrastructure in Ifite‑Nteje and surrounding communities in Anambra State.

    Founded by U.S.-based physician and global health leader Dr. Philip O. Ozuah, the foundation is redefining grassroots philanthropy in Nigeria by targeting key areas of human development: education, food security, healthcare, and social cohesion.

    Unlike many fragmented or symbolic development efforts, the foundation’s model focuses on universal access, strategic investment, and long-term community impact.

    “This is not a pilot,” said a foundation staffer. “It’s a blueprint for how underserved communities can be transformed when one man decides to give back with vision and structure.”

    The Foundation’s most striking commitment is its community-wide scholarship programme, which offers full educational sponsorship to every child in Akamanato village and the broader Ifite‑Nteje community—regardless of background or income.

    The scholarship covers all educational expenses from nursery to tertiary level, including tuition fees, textbooks, school uniforms, and learning materials.

     It also provides a transportation allowance to help beneficiaries access better-equipped schools beyond their immediate community.

    This initiative has already lifted hundreds of children out of educational exclusion and is giving new hope to families who never imagined they could afford secondary or university education.

    One beneficiary, Chinyere, a university law student, said, “Without this support, I would have stopped school after primary six. Now, I want to help others too,just like he helped me.”

    With food prices at historic highs and many rural families facing hunger, the Foundation distributed rice and beans worth more than ₦1 billion to over 2,300 households, prioritizing widows, the elderly, and low-income families.

    The relief effort was community-led and efficiently coordinated to ensure fairness, reach, and dignity.

    An elderly woman in Ifite‑Nteje, said “We had nothing in the house. Then the food came. We survived.”

    In a region plagued by poor health infrastructure, the Foundation made a major intervention by donating $50,000 (₦25 million) to Immaculate Heart of Mary Specialist Hospital, Nkpor.

    The donation enabled the hospital to acquire a CT scan machine, install a dialysis unit, and offer low-cost or free treatment to indigent patients who would otherwise be unable to afford critical medical care.

    Another community person said, 

    “This donation is saving lives every day,” said a hospital nurse. “Dr. Ozuah gave us the tools we desperately needed.”

    In 2022, the Foundation commissioned the Chapel of Adoration at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, built at a cost of ₦30 million. Beyond worship, the chapel now serves as a venue for weddings, prayer vigils, meetings, and community gatherings.

    The parish priest said, “The chapel is more than bricks, it’s a gift of unity. It brings people together.”

    Dr. Ozuah’s model goes far beyond one-off donations. He maintains active communication with school heads, healthcare workers, and village elders to tailor the foundation’s support to local needs.

    Despite being the CEO of Montefiore Medicine, a leading U.S. healthcare system serving 8 million patients annually, he remains personally engaged with operations in his hometown.

    The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) lauded Dr. Ozuah for his $1 million donation to build a new student hostel at the University of Ibadan, the largest individual contribution in the university’s history.

    Read Also: Anambra govt goes tough on landlords, gives July 1 ultimatum

    He has also been named one of the most generous philanthropists from Anambra, with ₦75 million in healthcare contributions alone.

    With the foundation’s impact now deeply rooted in Ifite‑Nteje, plans are underway to expand scholarship coverage to nearby communities, support rural clinics and health posts, launch mentorship and tutoring hubs, and fund microgrants for young entrepreneurs and small businesses, furthering the vision of building a self-reliant, thriving community.

    A foundation volunteer said, “We want to build a community that doesn’t just survive, but thrives. That’s the legacy Dr. Ozuah is building.”

  • Yahaya Bello: Life begins at 50

    Yahaya Bello: Life begins at 50

    • By Nafisat Bello 

    “Fifty is not the end; it is the summit from where one sees both the journey behind and the horizons ahead.” — Anonymous

    At 50, Alhaji Yahaya Adoza Bello has reached a significant milestone—one that invites reflection, celebration, and continued reinvention. In a country where the average life expectancy for men hovers between 54 and 63 years, attaining the golden age of 50 is not just a personal achievement; it is a triumph of resilience, relevance, and resolve.

    Born on June 18, 1975, in Agasa, Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State, Bello’s life journey is a compelling reflection of Nigeria’s intricate socio-political terrain. From modest beginnings and a decent educational foundation to a career in business and philanthropy and ultimately a meteoric rise to political power, his trajectory mirrors a nation’s blend of opportunity, adversity, and ambition.

    His entry into the political limelight in 2015 was as dramatic as it was unexpected. Following the sudden death of APC’s governorship candidate, Prince Abubakar Audu, Bello emerged as the replacement—becoming the youngest serving governor in Nigeria at age 40. His ascension marked the dawn of a new political generation and a bold experiment in leadership.

    Throughout his two-term tenure, Bello embraced audacity as a principle. He pursued sweeping reforms and made difficult decisions that redefined governance in Kogi State. His achievements cut across several critical sectors.

    In education, he declared free primary and secondary education for all Kogi indigenes, constructed hundreds of classrooms, and established two state universities: Confluence University of Science and Technology in Osara, and Kogi State University in Kabba.

    In healthcare, Bello built the state-of-the-art Reference Hospital in Okene and rejuvenated primary health centers across the state, positioning Kogi as a healthcare model in the North Central region.

    In the area of security, he transformed Kogi into one of the safest states in the federation through a mix of community engagement, proactive intelligence gathering, and robust collaboration with federal security agencies.

    On inclusion, the former governor broke barriers by appointing women and young people to top positions in government, a move that earned him accolades at home and abroad.

    Read Also: NDDC denies constructing C/River community road, warns against politicisation of projects

    He also championed civil service reform, instituting far-reaching changes that eliminated thousands of ghost workers, redirected public funds into infrastructure, and laid the foundation for more transparent and accountable governance. These reforms, though politically costly, underscored his commitment to institutional transformation.

    However, leadership in Nigeria is never without turbulence. Post-office, Bello has faced growing scrutiny and resistance from entrenched interests threatened by his nonconformist style and progressive agenda. While some critics—including a segment of Kogites nostalgic for the old ways—have challenged aspects of his stewardship, it is the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC)’s aggressive pursuit that has raised more eyebrows than answers.

    There’s no dispute that anti-corruption agencies must investigate Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs). But in Bello’s case, the tactics deployed—especially the perceived media trial—have provoked serious questions about due process, fairness, and motives. In a society quick to judge and slow to verify, narratives are often weaponised, and reputations can be wrecked with one sensational headline or unverified claim.

    As the saying goes, it is easier to destroy than to build. Years of sacrifice and service can be undone in moments by half-truths or politically motivated vendettas. Yet, despite the attacks and adversity, Bello remains unbowed. He insists that leadership is about purpose, not popularity—a credo that has become his compass through the storms.

    Turning 50 is not merely a numerical achievement. It is a reflection of staying power in a polity where many leaders fade into obscurity or are consumed by the system they once tried to fix. Bello stands among the few who have not only endured but evolved.

    As he steps into this new chapter, the horizon is still wide. With Allah’s grace, Bello’s next decades hold promise—not just of personal fulfillment, but of continued contribution to Nigeria’s democratic journey.

    In a nation where potential is often thwarted before it matures, Yahaya Bello remains a figure of defiance, determination, and durability. For him, indeed, life begins at 50.

    • Nafisat Bello, an author, writes from the PRNigeria Centre, Abuja.
  • Extend constituency projects to Akoko-Edo, youths tell Oshiomhole

    Extend constituency projects to Akoko-Edo, youths tell Oshiomhole

    Youths from Akoko-Edo Local Government Area have called on Senator Adams Oshiomhole to extend constituency projects to all parts of Edo North Senatorial District.

    Oshiomhole, a former Edo State governor, represents Edo North in the Senate.

    The youths told Oshiomhole that Akoko-Edo needs to feel his infrastructure just like he had done in the Etsako axis of the district.

    In a letter to Oshiomhole and signed by Paul Lawani, an architect, the youth commended Oshiomhole for being outspoken at the National Assembly on national issues.

    The youth said: “You have been a representative every community wishes to have and we maintain that we will not hesitate to swap you with 20 of our own politicians if the Etsako people would release you to us.

    “Time and events had passed and now you are the incumbent senator representing Akoko-Edo. It is true that representation comes in different forms especially to people like Akoko-Edo whose immediate needs are enormous.’’

    READ ALSO; June 12: Remembrance and omissions

    “However, beyond being vocal on our behalf, your Excellency, your physical presence will do us a lot of good.

    “Your influence on Akoko-Edo political terrain cannot be overemphasized and in the coming days, we hope that you play a key role in helping Akoko-Edo make good choices of representatives both at the state and federal level. The choices that will prioritize development of the land and the people above any other interests just as you have done to Etsako over the years.

    “Two years is still very much an ample time enough to do a lot and as the father of Edo North, Akoko-Edo seeks to feel your physical presence just the way Etsako is feeling it positively.”

  • We don’t know how Otti is getting money to fund projects- APGA Reps member

    We don’t know how Otti is getting money to fund projects- APGA Reps member

    An All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) Reps member Alex Ikwechegh, has praised Abia Governor, Alex Otti of the Labour Party, describing his two-year tenure as “revolutionary” and “magical.”

    The Aba North and Aba South Federal Constituency representative spoke on AIT’s Jigsaw programme where he conducted a midterm assessment of various government levels across Nigeria.

    According to him, Governor Otti has accomplished what previous administrations failed to achieve over decades. 

    “There are roads that were bad in Abia State before I was born, roads that were bad in the 70s that no government has been able to touch. In two years, Dr. Alex Otti has done magic,” the federal lawmaker stated.

    The lawmaker highlighted the transformation of critical commercial routes, including the Aba-Cameroon road corridor that had deteriorated so badly that businesses were forced to use alternative routes through Arochukwu and Akwa Ibom, significantly slowing down economic activities in the commercial hub of Aba.

    “Today people are coming in from different parts of the state, different parts of the country, different parts of the world, different parts of Africa to come and do business in Aba. All thanks to Dr. Alex Otti. Aba is about to announce itself to the world again,” Ikwechegh declared.

    The anchor drew attention to the remarkable transformation of Ariaria Market, traditionally known as the commercial heartbeat of the Southeast. He described witnessing a seven-storey building with functional lifts in areas that previously required boats to access during rainy seasons.

    “I saw a video of a seven-storey building and they said this is part of Ariaria market with lifts working and all of that. I said, ‘Wow, I would like to see this, not just video, but I would like to practically see it,’” he recounted, emphasizing the dramatic shift from Abia’s previous state to its current transformation.

    Mascot revealed that even members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) privately acknowledge Otti’s exceptional performance. 

    “Those in APC like the Deputy Speaker and the popular senator would tell you privately that Alex Otti has performed extraordinarily well,” he claimed..

    The federal lawmaker suggested that if the Labour Party resolves its internal challenges, he may consider joining the party to support Otti’s re-election bid, regardless of party lines. 

    Read Also: Obi, Otti responsible for our crisis not FG – LP

    “It will be totally preposterous for anybody in Abia state not to show support directly or indirectly,” he stated.

    He also praised Otti’s healthcare initiatives, contrasting the current state of medical facilities with previous administrations. 

    “In the past you would go visit some of our hospitals and then there’s no electricity, the nurses are not even available, they are demoralized, they are not being paid, but today the story is different,” he explained.

    The governor’s comprehensive approach to governance has reportedly created what Mascot described as a “contagious energy” of competence that has transformed public service delivery across various sectors.

    Drawing from his knowledge of Otti’s background as a former bank executive with First Bank and Diamond Bank, Mascot emphasised that the governor brings rare technocratic competence to governance. “Having somebody who is competent at the helm of affairs in Nigerian politics is quite scarce. For the first time, we have witnessed a man that truly understands what true governance entails,” he noted.

    The lawmaker’s assessment suggests that Otti’s performance has not only transformed Abia State but has also set new benchmarks for governance that other states are now being measured against.

  • SEDC director seeks renewed partnership in regional development

    SEDC director seeks renewed partnership in regional development

    The Executive Director of Corporate Services at the South East Development Commission (SEDC), Dr. Sylvester Okonkwo, has called for renewed partnership in regional development.

    Okonkwo, who stated this while extending appreciating Dr. Owen Chiedozie Nwokolo, Bishop on the Niger, for the warm letter of felicitation from the Diocese following his appointment by the Federal Government to the newly inaugurated Commission, expressed gratitude for the recognition accorded to him.

    Okonkwo, a devout Anglican and Knight of Saint Christopher, made this known in a statement in Abuja, following the conclusion of the 33rd Synod of the Diocese on the Niger, held from June 5-8, 2025 at St. Barnabas Anglican Church, Ojoto, in Idemili South Local Government Area of Anambra State.

    The Synod, with the theme “Christ in You, the Hope of Glory” (Colossians 1:27), brought together over 720 clergy and laity, including high-ranking members of the clergy, government officials, traditional rulers and community leaders. It was a profound moment of spiritual reflection, regional unity and national advocacy.

     Okonkwo, while expressing gratitude for the recognition accorded to him, emphasized the historical and spiritual significance of the Diocese on the Niger—the oldest Anglican Diocese in Nigeria, tracing its foundation to the mission of Bishop Samuel Ajayi Crowther and the Church Missionary Society in 1864.

    “I am deeply honoured by the Diocese’s gracious acknowledgment of my appointment. To be recognized by this great citadel of faith, where discipline, development, and devotion converge, is a most humbling gesture,” Okonkwo said.

    He lauded the Synod for what he described as “a robust communiqué grounded in truth and national healing,” particularly its commendation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for signing into law the bill establishing the South East Development Commission (SEDC)—a visionary act that finally responds to the post-war promise of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation (RRR).

    Read Also: Akpabio constitutes standing committees for SSDC, SEDC, NWDC, SWDC, NCDC

    “The Diocese rightly framed this as not just a political gesture, but as a historic turning point for justice, equity,l and reintegration of the South East into the core fabric of national development. We at SEDC embrace this responsibility with open hearts and clear minds,” he added.

     Okonkwo also extended appreciation to His Royal Highness, Igwe Gerald Mbamalu, Eze Ojoto III, for his exceptional leadership and gracious hosting of the Synod in Ojoto, a community he described as “a beacon of Igbo hospitality, excellence, and spiritual grounding.”

    The SEDC Executive Director used the opportunity to call on the faithful, government leaders, and development partners to join hands with the Diocese on the Niger, and by extension the Church, in elevating its far-reaching efforts in education, healthcare, youth empowerment, and social development.

    “The Church is more than a spiritual refuge. It is an agent of transformation. For over a century, the Diocese on the Niger has built schools, hospitals, moral institutions, and leaders. Supporting this institution is not optional—it is essential to building a resilient and ethical society,” Okonkwo emphasised.

  • I am using Kalu’s infrastructure template in Aba to develop Abia State – Gov. Otti

    I am using Kalu’s infrastructure template in Aba to develop Abia State – Gov. Otti

    Senator Orji Kalu (Abia North) has received commendation from Governor Alex Otti. 

    During the courtesy visit, Otti on Sunday evening, acknowledged the enviable records set in Aba and across Abia by Kalu when he was Governor from 1999-2007. 

    Otti claimed Kalu’s blueprint is what he is using to develop Aba city and other parts of Abia State. 

    “Government and Governance is a continuum, it can be broken but you must go back and recover it,” the Governor asserted. Otti noted that Kalu did an excellent job in the State and he will borrow a leaf from. 

    The number one citizen of Abia State also emphasised how his mother was an ardent and one of the firm supporters of Kalu when he was Governor, recalling how he constructed standard roads network across Aba and hasn’t stopped using the template led down by Kalu. 

    “I can assure you, that template is not wrong. You fix the place that generates the revenue, the revenue will come and you use it to fix other places,” Otti stressed. 

    Otti’s mum and others before, within and after her generation are very conversant with how Kalu did very well as Governor and impacted the lives of Abia in education, agriculture, road infrastructure and commerce, etc. 

     Kalu became Governor at 39, coming with the well established business  mindset he put forth the knowledge to work which made him to be recognised as the “Action Governor” by former President, Olusegun Obasanjo who came on a working visit to Abia State. 

    Read Also: Gov. Otti commends Abia-born immigration officer who rejected N10m bribe

    After seeing the tremendous transformations brought by Kalu, Obasanjo praised Kalu for doing much with meagre allocations at that time. 

    Also recall that previously during commissioning of the Aba Integrated Power Project, Governor Otti had acknowledged Kalu as the pioneer brain behind the Aba power grid. This project was primarily driven by Geometric Power Limited and involves a privately owned power distribution company, Aba Power Limited Electric (APLE), licensed by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission. Gov. Otti thought it wise to reference Kalu as the forerunner of the Aba Grid. 

    Kalu described Gov. Otti as who he can’t play politics with and assured him of visiting him whenever he is in the State. 

    Kalu told the Governor that he would have been around for his second anniversary in office but for President Tinubu who earlier invited him to Lagos for his celebration to commemorate his two-year stay in office.

  • NIPSS’s rejoinder: The real heart of the matter

    NIPSS’s rejoinder: The real heart of the matter

    • By AbdulRahman AbdulRaheem

    We have read, with keen interest and deep concern, the rejoinder issued by Professor Sola Adeyanju, Head of Public Affairs at the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPSS), in response to widespread media reports on the unjust suspension of Mr. Yushau A. Shuaib—renowned communication strategist, founder of PRNigeria, and a participant of the Senior Executive Course (SEC) 47.

    This statement is not a defense of my boss. Rather, it is a necessary and informed response, especially as PRNigeria’s digital infrastructure—specifically its editorial email—was unlawfully accessed by NIPSS. More importantly, the news article that prompted the first query against Mr. Shuaib, titled “NIPSS Goes Digital”, was written under my editorial authority. I, not Mr. Shuaib, bear full editorial responsibility, and I am not affiliated with NIPSS.

    Yet, in its rejoinder, NIPSS conspicuously ignores the gravest issue: the unauthorised interception of our official editorial email—containing confidential correspondence, story leads, and sensitive information. This intrusion amounts to a violation of the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act, 2015, which criminalises unlawful access to digital communication.

    Following the incident, PRNigeria’s broader infrastructure—including those of Economic Confidential and Tech Digest—has suffered repeated attempted breaches. We are currently working with cybersecurity experts and legal counsel to investigate the scope and timeline of these violations, and we will pursue legal redress where necessary.

    NIPSS must answer a direct question: Did the Institute, or anyone acting on its instruction, access PRNigeria’s editorial email without legal authorisation? If so, under what justification and legal framework? In a democratic society, such questions cannot be brushed aside as mere internal disciplinary affairs.

    It is also baffling that Mr. Shuaib was punished for an editorial decision in a newsroom he formally handed over before commencing the NIPSS course. A copy of that handover letter was officially submitted to NIPSS management. Punishing a participant for content he neither wrote nor cleared—after he had relinquished control—raises serious questions about motive and fairness.

    Moreover, Mr. Shuaib’s second article, “Understanding the ‘Blue’ in the Blue Economy”, did not mention NIPSS at all. It was a thought leadership piece, rooted in public knowledge, that merely aligned with national policy themes under President Tinubu. That this was twisted into a disciplinary offence speaks volumes.

    Let us be clear: Mr. Shuaib is not an agitator. His record in promoting peaceful coexistence, strategic communication, and public accountability spans decades. His awards from both national and international bodies attest to this. To suggest, as the rejoinder does, that he has undermined NIPR or used his platform for blackmail is not only false but defamatory.

    In fact, the lack of procedural transparency in NIPSS’s actions is staggering. The official suspension letter failed to mention any duration, yet the rejoinder now retroactively imposes a six-week term. What kind of disciplinary process withholds such vital information from the subject while revealing it publicly afterward?

    Mr. Shuaib paid ₦18.2 million for a programme that includes study tours and intellectual engagement. Yet, he was suspended, excluded from study tours, barred from internal communication channels, and effectively ostracised—without a formal hearing or final verdict.

    Let us ask: What sort of think tank treats its intellectuals like insubordinate schoolboys? What world-class strategic institute disciplines participants for exercising editorial independence or engaging in national discourse? At Harvard’s Kennedy School, Chatham House in the UK, or Singapore’s Civil Service College, such views are celebrated, not silenced.

    Read Also: Otedola eulogises Tinubu, describes President as history maker

    NIPSS’s treatment of Mr. Shuaib undermines everything the Institute claims to stand for: critical thinking, policy innovation, and ethical leadership. Instead, it sends a chilling message—conform or be punished. This issue goes beyond the victimisation of one individual; it speaks to the kind of leadership and governance culture we are normalising.

    In the petition to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, two key personalities were referenced—Barrister Nima Salman Mann, Acting Director of Studies, and Rear Admiral A.A. Mustapha, a Directing Staff. The question remains: were these officials acting under the directive of the Director General of NIPSS, or on their own accord? Clarifying this would help identify who should be held accountable for this deeply embarrassing episode—not just for Mr. Shuaib, the victim but for the Institute itself.

    Even more troubling is the NIPSS spokesperson’s attempt to rationalise why a positive media report on the government’s economic reforms warranted disciplinary action under vague and non-existent regulations. If an institution entrusted with shaping national policy cannot accommodate complimentary narratives about the administration it serves, how will it respond to constructive dissent or uphold professional independence?

    Must everything be militarised? Are participants to be treated as schoolchildren—subjected to bullying and suppression—rather than as experienced professionals deserving of respect and intellectual freedom?

    Therefore, we respectfully call on NIPSS to address and clarify the issue of digital surveillance and unauthorised email access; to engage PRNigeria through appropriate editorial channels rather than targeting its founder; to reaffirm its commitment to transparency, intellectual freedom, and justice; and to acknowledge and rectify the procedural irregularities that marred its disciplinary process.

    In moments like this, institutions are judged not by the power they wield but by the values they uphold. NIPSS has a choice—to retreat into arrogance or to lead with accountability. The world is watching. So are we.

    AbdulRahman AbdulRaheem is the Managing Editor of PRNigeria

  • Omokri urges South South to unite behind Akpabio

    Omokri urges South South to unite behind Akpabio

    A former presidential aide, Mr Reno Omokri, has urged the South-South region to rally behind the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, to ensure the stability and consolidation of President Bola Tinubu’s economic reforms.

    According to him, the Senate president’s legislative leadership had cultivated a harmonious executive-legislative relationship, creating a conducive atmosphere for the success of the reforms, which he explained were producing positive outcomes.

    “Because of Akpabio’s deft management of the federal legislature, President Tinubu has enjoyed peaceful executive-legislative coexistence,” he stated in a statement yesterday.

    “Under him, the president’s most significant reform initiative, which are the four tax reform bills, namely, the Nigeria Revenue Service (Establishment) Bill, the Nigeria Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Tax Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board (Establishment) Bill, have been passed.”

    He stated that this was a significant contrast to President Muhammadu Buhari’s first term experience, which the former presidential aide explained could not achieve much due to the strained executive-legislative relationship.

    READ ALSO; The fire next door

    Omokri urged South-South politicians from different parties to unite, emphasising that coherence was essential for them to maintain the country’s third highest political position.

    He stated: “As a region, we in the South-South cannot afford to demonstrate political instability in that position, which is a key post in the hierarchy of power in Nigeria. It is a strategic office that is more vital than any other in maintaining the balance of power in our region.

    “We must all temporarily forget about party, religion, and other differences, and unite as one South-South behind the leader that God has given us for this period in time.”

    He urged the region’s leaders to emulate the North-central, which maintained the stability of the Senate presidency under Senator David Mark, who served two terms of eight years.

    “As a region, the Niger Delta must demonstrate that we possess political maturity and stability, and can effectively manage our ethnic diversity. Just as Senator David Mark served as Senate president for eight undisturbed years, from 2007 to 2015, so should Senator Akpabio serve uninterrupted for eight years, God sparing his life,” the former aide to President Goodluck Jonathan said.

    Omokri praised Akpabio’s leadership style, which he said had united the legislature and deepened democracy by stabilising the polity. “This would not have been possible if we had a temperamental Senate president from a politically unstable region that periodically pulled down and set up the nation’s president.”

    Stating that the president’s Renewed Hope Agenda could only be sustained by a collaborative, rather than a confrontational federal legislature, Omokri urged for unwavering support for Akpabio among the South-South political leaders.

    “That is why I call on the South-South to jealously and zealously guard what we have in Akpabio. We must not allow what was done to President Goodluck Jonathan to be repeated with Senator Godswill Akpabio, the political leader of the South-South,” he said.