The Nation Newspaper

Category: Southeast report

  • Kalu and the rise of progressive technocracy in Nigeria

    Kalu and the rise of progressive technocracy in Nigeria

    By Ernest Mbaka, MBA, CEMS, CIBS. 

    Rt. Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, Deputy Speaker of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, exemplifies a new breed of dynamic and progressive African leadership, rooted in

    technocratic competence, institutional foresight, and civic inclusion. In a political landscape often marred by inertia, his emergence signals the rise of a statesman whose political identity

    is shaped as much by ideas and reform as by representation and consensus-building.

    Kalu’s leadership is a study in progressive technocracy: ideologically forward-thinking, economically pragmatic, and institutionally visionary. At the heart of his politics lies the

    progressive conviction that political, economic, and social equity not only reflects justice but also serves as engines of national development. His rise is, therefore, not merely a testament

    to personal acumen but also a reflection of a broader shift in the character of Nigerian leadership toward data-driven governance, participatory federalism, and fiscal transparency.

    Political Vision and Institutional Reform

    Rt. Hon. Kalu’s political philosophy reflects a keen awareness of the historical and structural bottlenecks that have hindered Nigeria’s development. Over-centralization, ethno-regional

    exclusion, and weak intergovernmental cooperation have long frustrated national cohesion and economic dynamism. Kalu’s agenda directly confronts these challenges through

    constitutional amendment efforts, digital governance legislation, and youth-focused reforms. 

    As Deputy Speaker, he has emerged as a strategic architect of institutional reform. He has championed bills aimed at fiscal accountability, enhanced federalism, and inclusive representation. Among his notable legislative achievements is the sponsorship and advocacy for the Southeast Development Commission (SEDC), an initiative designed to address

    developmental inequities and post-conflict reconstruction in the Southeast, which underscores Kalu’s commitment to addressing socio-economic and infrastructural deficits in the Southeast. His lobbying efforts also extended to the Federal University, Okigwe, Imo State

    (Establishment) Bill, which was successfully signed into law. 

    Additionally, his flagship Peace

    in the Southeast Project (PISE-P), a nonpartisan peace-building initiative, addresses the socio-economic roots of regional agitation by promoting civic reintegration, intergovernmental cooperation, and regional economic revitalization. Kalu’s legislative foresight is further evidenced by multiple bills signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including the establishment of a Federal College of Education and a Federal University of Medical and Health Sciences in Bende, Abia State, his constituency. These initiatives are not merely symbolic; they represent strategic investments in human capital, institutional presence, and long-term socio-economic transformation of under-resourced regions.

    These legislative wins reflect a consistent pattern of developmental federalism aimed at equity and regional empowerment.

    Furthermore, the official launch of The Renewed Hope Partners initiative further

    demonstrates Kalu’s commitment to translating the achievements of the Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, into tangible, people-centered dividends for the Southeast and beyond. This initiative serves as a vital bridge between national priorities and the unique aspirations of the region.

    This initiative responds to the call for collective effort toward inclusive growth under the current administration. It is designed to empower communities, provide hope to the vulnerable, foster sustainable development, and ultimately strengthen public confidence and

    support for its continuity.

    Kalu’s reformist style is pragmatic yet aspirational. He combines institutional literacy with political dexterity, enabling him to broker consensus across Nigeria’s fragmented political blocs. In a legislature often shaped by sectionalism and partisanship, he has distinguished himself as a rare bridge-builder, valued not only for his oratory but for his capacity to advance national cohesion through dialogue and shared purpose.

    Economic Pragmatism and Financial Stewardship

    Economically, Kalu advances a modern developmentalist model. He advocates for fiscal federalism, public-private partnerships, and economic decentralization while ensuring propoor and pro-investment safeguards. His policy stance is grounded in a belief that sustainable development must be inclusive, innovation-driven, and regionally sensitive. 

    He has consistently emphasized the importance of expanding Nigeria’s tax base through the formalization of the informal sector and improved digital revenue collection. His legislative priorities have supported MSME growth, digital economy integration, and labor productivity reforms. This places him at the nexus of inclusive capitalism and strategic governance, advocating not merely for economic growth but for equitable prosperity.

    Kalu’s international engagements further demonstrate his fluency in development economics and global governance. His participation in parliamentary diplomacy, support for African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) protocols, and engagement with global development institutions reflect a statesman aware of the interdependencies shaping 21st-century African economies. His fiscal nationalism, anchored in protecting domestic economic sovereignty, is balanced by a constructive openness to multilateralism and international norms.

    Intellectual Orientation and Policy Depth

    Perhaps the most distinguishing hallmark of Kalu’s leadership is his intellectual approach to public policy. He brings a rare combination of doctrinal clarity, comparative analysis, and

    normative vision to legislative debate. His interventions on matters such as power sector reform, climate resilience, youth unemployment, and constitutional restructuring are consistently grounded in evidence and strategic foresight. 

    Kalu treats legislation not as a performative ritual but as a technocratic instrument for longterm structural change. He has also played an instrumental role in amending key national laws such as the Acts Authentication Act and the Nigerian Communications Act, which is a critical

    legislative update that enhances the legal infrastructure of governance and public communication. His emphasis on institutional durability, rather than short-term expediency, positions him among a new cohort of policy-focused lawmakers who are redefining the role of the National Assembly from a reactive body to a co-equal branch of governance.

    Additionally, Kalu pioneered the creation of the Federal Capital Territory Education Resource Centre, aligning with his broader philosophy of technocratic institution-building through civic

    and intellectual capital

    A Future Beyond Legislature

    As Nigeria enters a pivotal phase of democratic consolidation and economic recalibration, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu emerges as a credible agent for the Renewed Hope Agenda of President

    Bola A. Tinubu’s administration. His trajectory, marked by disciplined policymaking, fiscal sensibility, and a deep commitment to institutional reform, positions him not merely as a

    legislative tactician but as a transformative statesman. Whether ascending further within the

    legislative hierarchy or assuming responsibilities at the subnational level as state chief executive, Kalu’s governance orientation reflects a rare blend of technocratic competence

    and political adaptability. His intergenerational appeal, grounded in developmental pragmatism and democratic inclusion, signals his potential to help reimagine governance,

    anchoring it in accountability, innovation, and sustainable economic stewardship.

     In a polity where the average age of leadership remains stubbornly high and civic trust in institutions continues to erode, Rt. Hon. Kalu’s reformist style represents a generational pivot. He

    resonates with a rising demographic of young Nigerians, those who demand transformation over tokenism, competence over charisma, and strategy over slogans.

    Conclusion

    Rt. Hon. Benjamin O. Kalu is not merely an emerging figure in Nigerian politics; he is a prototype of the progressive technocrat: intellectually agile, economically attuned, institutionally grounded, and diplomatically astute. As the country faces complex internal and

    global pressures, his rise signals a hopeful turn toward a governance model that prizes inclusion, evidence, and long-term national renewal.

    References:

    Gberevbie, D. E., Oyeyemi, O. A., & Joshua, S. (2021). Leadership and technocracy in

    Nigeria’s Fourth Republic: Evaluating policy impact. *Journal of African Political Studies*,

    19(2), 45–63.

    International Parliamentary Union. (2024, March 5). A conversation with Hon. Benjamin

    Kalu on digital inclusion and peacebuilding in Nigeria. https://www.ipu.org

    Nwabughiogu, L. (2023, August 20). Benjamin Okezie Kalu: Another era of political

    detractions? *The Guardian Nigeria*. https://guardian.ng

    Umejei, E. (2022). Technocratic leadership and the reimagining of legislative governance in

    Nigeria. *African Affairs Review*, 12(4), 89–112.

    Wikipedia contributors. (2024, June 15). Benjamin Kalu. In *Wikipedia*.

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Kalu

    Yahoo Mail: Search, organise, conquer

  • Imo oil community kicks against alleged exploitation

    Imo oil community kicks against alleged exploitation

    Hundreds of women and youths from Umuokoroka village in Asa community, Ohaji/Egbema, Imo State, have expressed strong opposition to alleged exclusion from the signing of the Freedom To Operate (FTO) and Job Order agreement between Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited and some town union leaders. 

    The angry protesters, including youths and elderly individuals, carried placards with inscriptions such as “Give us back our land,” “Give us our rights, we are humans,” and “We need to see the FTO agreement.” 

    They chanted war songs and claimed they were tricked into signing an agreement that turned out to be an outright sale.

    Speaking to newsmen in Owerri on Saturday, the oldest man of Umuigwe kindred in Umuokoroka, Chief Celestine Azuoma Orji, alleged that Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited tricked them into signing a document that purported to transfer ownership of their land, contrary to the agreed-upon lease arrangement for oil exploration.

    Orji, 80, claimed that the oil company secretly partnered with certain Town Union leaders to marginalise the Umuokoroka kindred in the FTO and Job Order signing process.

    “The oil company, through some of its personnel allegedly colluded with some Town Union leaders to sign the Freedom To Operate (FTO) and Job Order agreements without involving the landowners or the kindred contact person,” he complained.

    This unilateral action sparked outrage, particularly since the company has begun rigging operations on the site, creating job opportunities that the Umuokoroka kindred feels it has been unfairly excluded from.

    “This action has the potential to cause unrest in the community. These oil companies deliberately act in ways that ignite violence in communities because they collude with individuals to the detriment of collective interests,” he pointed out.

    Another respected elder from the community Chief David Ogbuanu, represented by Joel Emezuo, appealed to the Hope Uzodimma-led government to intervene in the ongoing dispute, calling for a halt to the rigging process until the Umuokoroka kindred, as landowners, are properly included in the FTO and Job Order agreements.

    Read Also: Police confirm bomb blast at oil company in Imo community

    “The Job Order determines the authentic owners of the lands. The principal landowners cannot be short changed by few elements of Town Union leaders. 

    “We call on our people-oriented and compassionate Governor Hope Uzodimma to wade in and fish out the elements from the Town Union leaders who have sabotaged the agreement of the community. We cry to Government to save us from the arm twisting of the oil company and stop all processes until the principal landowners are carried along in the exercise”.

    Efforts to reach the Community Relations Manager of Waltersmith Petroman Oil Limited for comment were unsuccessful. 

    He did not respond to calls, texts, or WhatsApp messages as of the time of filing the report.

  • Group decries indiscriminate clampdown on Anambra traditional worshippers

    Group decries indiscriminate clampdown on Anambra traditional worshippers

    A rights group, the International Society for Civil Liberties and Rule of Law (Intersociety), has called on the Charles Soludo led-government administration in Anambra State to respect fundamental human rights of the citizens, particularly, traditional worshippers in the state.

    The group also urged the government to charge to court or grant administrative bail within the constitutionally prescribed time-frames, those arrested and detained for criminal offenses (felonies or misdemeanors or simple offenses).

    These demands were contained in a statement made available to journalists weekend in Enugu and signed by Emeka Umeagbalasi, Lead-Researcher/Head Intersociety, Chinwe Umeche, Human Rights Lawyer/Head, Democracy and Good Governance, Chief Anayo Leonard Okoli, Member of the Board, Comrade Chibueze Nwajiaku, Deputy Head, Policing and Law Enforcement Department and Comrade Samuel Kamanyaoku, Head, Field Data Collection and Documentation Department.

    The statement frowned at the state government’s security outfit, ‘Agunaechemba/Udo Gachi’ for the indiscriminate clampdown on traditional worshippers and chief priests of the anciently instituted communal deities, including custodians of ancient market deities with arrests and detentions without trial.

    The statement urged the state government “to desist from reckless resort to false labeling and hearsay conclusions and entertainment of frivolous or cooked up petitions, with which thousands of defenseless citizens have been arrested across the state and detained inhumanly without proper investigations and trials.

    “Processes leading to invocation of power of arrest by various conventional and unconventional security establishments across the state must be investigative and fair-hearing driven.”

    Intersociety claimed that reports at its disposal indicted the government of “indiscriminate breaches of citizens’ constitutional liberties by coercive agents holding brief for the Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo-led Government of Anambra State, brought to our advocacy attention by several victim-citizens and their relatives or close associates.”

    It claimed that “several citizens of the State indiscriminately are being labeled under controversial circumstances, hunted down and clamped into indefinite detention, ranging from three months to five months or more without trial or police administrative bail.

    “There are also strong pieces of evidence showing that the State Security outfit (Agunaechemba/Udo Gachi) has led the way by arresting several citizens and detaining them extra jus, extralegal and extrajudicial using “Okite Ritualism” or “being ritualists, kidnappers, armed robbers, internet fraudsters or herbalists providing charms to violent criminals” as a pretext or cover.

    “Chief Priests of the anciently instituted communal Deities including custodians of ancient Market Deities are among those framed or falsely labeled, arrested and detained without trial or threatened with arrest and detention under the above circumstances.”

    Read Also: Anambra 2026: Soludo’s ally Emecheta defects to APC 

    It said a 12-page letter had been addressed to the Anambra State Executive Council, through Professor Solo Chukwulobelu, Secretary to the Government of Anambra State.

    It mentioned the ancient Udo Orie Market Deity and its chief priest as a reference point.

    The organisation said ignorance and lack of tradition expertise had led into generalized criminalization or false labeling and stigmatization of such sacred institutions of antiquity as “deities providing charms for ritualists, armed robbers, kidnappers and internet fraudsters or those engaging in Okeite money rituals”.

    “These abuses and infractions are also found to have become reckless using management, enforcement and operationalization of the Anambra State Homeland Security Law 2025, also found to be lacking credible research and investigative techniques and statistics”.

  • 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.”

  • 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

  • Amnesty International’s Nigeria Report: Fictional Fatalities, Factual Failures

    Amnesty International’s Nigeria Report: Fictional Fatalities, Factual Failures

    • A Response to ‘Nigeria: Mounting Death Toll and Looming Humanitarian Crisis,’ 
    • By Tersoo Chiahemen

    Amid Unchecked Attacks by Armed Groups’

    Amnesty International has once again set off alarm bells with a sensationalist report claiming that over 10,000 people have been killed by bandits and armed groups in Northern Nigeria since President Bola Ahmed Tinubu assumed office two years ago. With dramatic headlines like “Bandits Sacked 672 Villages and Killed Over 10,000 under Tinubu,” Amnesty has managed to attract widespread media attention but very little scrutiny. And, scrutiny is what this report sorely needs.

    The report purports that 6,896 people were killed in Benue and 2,630 in Plateau, representing over 98% of the deaths it attributes to the entire country. This is not just improbable—it is inflammatory and potentially dangerous. By exaggerating fatalities in two ethnically and religiously sensitive states, the report risks exacerbating tensions and deepening divisions.

    This kind of data distortion is not merely sloppy, it is reckless.

    Contrary to Amnesty’s inflated and unverified claims, data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED), a globally respected and methodologically sound organization tells a starkly different story. ACLED, which uses daily, source-based data collection methods and maintains onground presence, reports that total fatalities in Benue and

    Plateau from 2023 to 2025 stand at 2,132:

    – Benue: 497 (2023), 650 (2024), 155 (2025)

    – Plateau: 401 (2023), 320 (2024), 109 (2025)

    (Source: ACLED Data for Nigeria, 2023–2025)

    These figures show a downward trend, not a bloodbath. One must ask: how did Amnesty arrive at numbers nearly five times higher than those from ACLED? What sources did it use? Were those sources independently verified? Were the deaths categorized by cause criminality, conflict, accidents, or natural causes? The report answers none of these vital questions, revealing a glaring lack of transparency and rigour.

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    Amnesty International was once a beacon of rigorous research and moral clarity in the fight for global human rights. But if this report is any indication, the organization has traded professionalism for propaganda. In Nigeria, Amnesty now increasingly appears ill-equipped to grasp the complexity of local dynamics. Instead of nuanced analysis, it offers politically charged headlines, armchair activism, and shallow statistics.

    To suggest that the Nigerian government is “doing little beyond media statements” is a baseless smear. The Tinubu administration has deployed strategic military operations, invested in community-led security architecture, and prioritized disarmament and peacebuilding in volatile regions.

    Yes, challenges persist, especially in rural and border areas, but the blanket assertion of state inaction is both inaccurate and unfair.

    The question must now be asked: Is Amnesty International still committed to truth and justice in Nigeria, or has it become a tool for sensationalism and soft-power coercion? Its latest report bereft of methodological clarity, inflated in its numbers, and dangerously divisive in its conclusions demands a response not just from the Nigerian government but from the international community and Amnesty’s own leadership.

    Amnesty should immediately subject this report to independent audit and publicly release its sources and methodologies. It should engage with credible data institutions like ACLED and Nigerian civil society actors to support it in doing a proper and professionally grounded job. More importantly, it must ask itself whether it still has the moral and analytical capacity to do the work it claims to champion.

    Until then, we are left with a troubling truth: Amnesty’s report is not a wake-up call—it is a work of fiction. And one that does more harm than good.

    * Chiahemen lives in Gboko

  • Akpabio reiterates support for greater female representation in governance

    Akpabio reiterates support for greater female representation in governance

    Senate President Godswill Akpabio has emphasised the importance of women’s representation and their crucial role in the development of the nation.

    He acknowledged the crucial role women play in leadership and governance, describing them as “better managers” and strong decision-makers. 

    Akpabio made the remarks during an advocacy visit to his office by a group of women activists under the aegis of “Reserved seats for women bill” led by Osasu Igbinedion. 

    He lamented the challenges women face in political spaces, pointing out that women themselves often do not vote for female candidates, a barrier that needs to be addressed for greater female participation in political representation.

    “We all came from women. Personally I am blessed with four beautiful daughters. The success of this bill will open the doors of greater political participation for our female children,” he said, while advising the advocates to do more to win more converts for the bill to scale through. 

    In her speech, Mrs Igbinedion said, “We are here today to speak on behalf of millions of Nigerian women — farmers, entrepreneurs, market traders, doctors, teachers, and mothers — whose voices have for too long been underrepresented in the highest chambers of our democracy. 

    “The Reserved Seats for Women Bill offers us a rare opportunity to correct that historic imbalance to finally give women a seat at the table where national decisions are made. 

    “Nigeria currently ranks among the lowest in Africa for women’s representation in parliament, with women occupying less than 5% of seats in the National Assembly. This is not just a gender issue — It is a governance issue, a democracy issue, and a development issue. 

    “The evidence is clear: when women are involved in policymaking, we see stronger communities, more inclusive legislation, and better outcomes in health, education, and peace-building. Representation matters — not just symbolically, but substantively. 

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    “This bill is not asking for charity; it is calling for justice. It is not about reducing the space for men; it is about expanding the possibilities for Nigeria. By creating reserved seats for women, we are not limiting merit — we are correcting systemic exclusion. 

    “Mr. President, your endorsement of this bill will be a turning point. It will send a powerful message across Nigeria — that this Senate is ready to lead with integrity, to legislate with empathy, and to act with boldness in pursuit of equality,” she said. 

    The Senate President and other Senators present were decorated with the “I support reserved seats for women bill” badge.