The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) was established in 2000 by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, with the sole mandate to developing the oil-rich Niger Delta region of Nigeria. It was created as a quick response to end youth restiveness that degenerated into daily kidnapping and maiming of oil workers in the area which nearly crippled the economy of the country. Despite its creation, the minorities of the Niger Delta have continued to agitate and demand for greater autonomy and control of the area’s petroleum resources.
The people of the Niger Delta justified their grievances by reference to the extensive environmental degradation and pollution from oil activities that have occurred in the region since the late 1950s.
Till date, through the NDDC, the Niger Delta region has witnessed developmental strides in infrastructure such as housing/renovations, road construction/rehabilitation, building of hospitals, university/schools and granting of scholarships to indigent students in the area, among other interventions.
In the same vein, the establishment of the North East Development Commission (NEDC), in 2017, was primarily to coordinate the resettlement, rehabilitation, integration and reconstruction of infrastructures which was damaged as a result of insurgency (Boko Haram menace), as well as tackling the menace of poverty, illiteracy, ecological challenges in the North Eastern States and other related matter. So far, both NDDC and NEDC, are living up to the mandates to which they were established.
However, the people of the South East region of Nigeria, appears to be in the huge disadvantage in all ramifications of life decades after the civil war which has left the entire region in ruin ever since. Regrettably, the 3Rs vision of reconciliation, rehabilitation and re-integration by the General Gowon regime aimed at addressing the plights of the region was without success. This is even as they have chosen to pursue their genuine demands ever since in a subtle disposition.
Luckily, there seems to be a ray of hope with the passage of the South East Development Commission (SEDC) bill by both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The South East Development Commission bill is not a new phenomenon in the National Assembly, but it has gained traction at the beginning of the 10th Assembly, due to the enigmatic and pragmatic leadership of Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker. The SEDC bill has since received the nod of the Green Chamber.
The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio and his colleagues have equally passed the bill and the next step will be to step up the Conference Committee to reconcile any differences.
The rapid acceleration of the SEDC bill in this 10th Assembly, is indeed a cheering news. This same bill never saw the light of the day in both the 8th and 9th Assemblies and Kudos to the remarkable leadership of President Bola Tinubu, who has truly demonstrated the Renewed Hope agenda to the Southeast region.
No doubt, the President will assent to the bill when presented to his office, considering the positive and meaningful impact of similar commissions in the Niger Delta and North East.
Ndigbo are hopeful that the South East Development Commission will address the untold marginalization faced by her region since the end of the civil war.
Above all, the SEDC, when established, will definitely address infrastructural deficit in the area, provide quality education and advance our school infrastructure and its standard by offering teachers continuing education as well as providing scholarships to indigent students, skill acquisition, employment opportunity to the people, including the restive youths, provide quality health care and improve socio-economic activities.
The people of the South East have suffered for so long and have been made to retrogress due to lack of commitment to their general well-being by successive government. But President Bola Tinubu’s name is about to be written in gold as the President who signed the SEDC bill into law when it finally lands on his table. Ndigbo will eternally remain grateful to him if this is achieved, bearing in mind that the vision of reconciliation, rehabilitation and re-integration have finally been realized after many years in abeyance.
Ukoha is former Minority Whip Abia State House of Assembly.
Group chairman, Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, has reflected on the challenges posed by economic fluctuations, especially the rising of the dollar in the hospitality industry.
He acknowledged the resilience of Nigerians in adapting to market changes.
Despite the challenges, he expressed optimism about the future, citing the recent stabilization in business conditions and a gradual return of consumers’ confidence.
He spoke last night during the celebration of his birthday by Samsung Nigeria.
The occasion was also used by the mobile giant to honour him for a successful one-year partnership.
The event took place at Knowhere restaurant, Victoria Island Lagos.
Highlighting their mutual values and achievements over the past year, Iyiegbu said he is recognized as Samsung’s icon in West Africa.
He emphasized the symbiotic nature of their collaboration, noting how his passion for Samsung’s mobile and his longstanding use of their products led to a natural alignment between his personal brand and the Samsung ethos.
He described his role as positioning Samsung as the premier choice in mobile, emphasizing its commitment to quality, service, and innovation.
On the key to longevity and success in the hospitality industry, especially during turbulent times, Iyiegbu emphasized the importance of consistency, integrity, and reinvestment in one’s business.
Drawing from his two decades of experience, he stressed the need to nurture talent and prepare for future transitions within the industry.
On his birthday, Iyiegbu expressed profound gratitude to God for his health and experiences, highlighting the importance of leaving a positive legacy and impacting the lives of others.
The event underscored Iyiegbu’s deep commitment to excellence, both in business and in personal philosophy, as he continues to make strides in partnership with Samsung and within Nigeria’s vibrant hospitality scene.
The Director General City Boy Movement Mr Francis Oluwatosin Shoga has assured members of the group that their interest will be adequately protected under the watch of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Shoga, who was reacting to a publication in a National Daily, promised members of the group hope that a meeting will be convened soon between them and the founder Seyi Tinubu.
Shoga, in a statement, acknowledged the sacrifices made by the members of the group towards the emergence of President Tinubu, adding that their efforts have not been forgotten.
The statement reads in part: “I want to express my utmost respect to all the distinguished state leaders and executives of the City Boy Movement for their relentless efforts to ensure the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2023 presidential election. I also want to acknowledge my colleagues who have fought Mr. President’s struggle nationwide.
“I have confidence in the City Boy movement and the leaders representing the 36 States for their efforts to move the largest socio-political group in Nigeria today. I am also confident in your abilities. I appreciate the trust and overwhelming support that you have shown, and I assure you that our grand patron feels the same.
“I assure you that I have conveyed your concerns to our grand Patron. He has instructed me to inform you that he is deeply concerned about the issues you have raised. He has also agreed to meet with all of us after the Ramadan festivals to discuss those issues and the future of the Movement.
“Let’s take a moment to reflect on ourselves and resolve any issues before meeting with the movement’s leader. We should approach the discussion calmly and respectfully, presenting our grievances clearly and constructively.
“We must also significantly restructure the City Boy Movement to have a clear vision for the next three years. This restructuring will focus on devising plans and programs that can positively impact the members of our movement. The aim is to avoid similar problems in the future and ensure that our voices are heard frequently by our patron and other members of the present government.
“A date for our meeting will be communicated soon. Thank you, and God bless”.
The speaker disclosed this at headquarters of Post Primary Schools Service Commission (PPSSC) Awka, during the Commission’s advocacy and sensitization visit to the State.
Udeze, represented by Chairman, House Committee on Education, Hon. Emmanuel Okpalaeke said the law would enable the state gain access to facilities being provided by Commission.
He expressed the State Assembly’s readiness to assist the Commission where necessary, just as he assured teachers in the state of improved welfare.
Executive Secretary of NSSEC, Dr Iyela Ajayi said his Commission chose Anambra State as its Southeast zonal headquarters in view of Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s revolution in the state’s education sector.
Ajayi, represented by Head Senior Secondary Education Department, Mr. Mohammed Salihu stressed the need for Anambra to domesticate the NSSEC law in the state to enjoy the benefits in the Commission.
He enumerated some mandates of the Commission to include prescribing and enforcing the National Minimum Standards for Senior Secondary Education in Nigeria and develop policy guidelines for the operation of senior secondary education programmes in Nigeria.
“The Commission is also mandated to advise Federal Government on the funding and development of senior secondary education in Nigeria, support national capacity building for teachers and managers of senior secondary education in Nigeria, among others,” he added.
Earlier, State Commissioner for Education, Prof Ngozi Chuma-Udeh commended NSSEC for instituting the Southeast Zonal office in Anambra.
She described the event as epoch-making in the ever revolving education sector since the emergence of Prof Chukwuma Soludo as the governor of the state.
On her part, Chairman PPSSC, Awka, Prof Nkechi Ikediugwu underscored the need to nurture and create enabling environment for education in Southeast and Anambra in particular, stressing that no country or state could rise above its education level.
She thanked the Minister of Education, Professor Tahir Mamman, her partners in education from NSSEC for their presence in the state not only to make a change, but to rapidly accelerate progress in deciding way forward in the education sector.
Irene Onwuka, a youth activist and gender advocate, has emerged as the Vice President, West Africa, Pan-African Youth Union (PYU).
She will coordinate youth development activities of the organisation within the West African sub-region.
Onwuka, by the election, is now the first female youth from Nigeria to occupy any position at the PYU Executive.
She expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Youth Development, Dr Jamila Bio Ibrahim for her emergence.
Onwuka also commended the Minister of State for Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande and the President of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Sukubo Sara-Igbe Sukubo for supporting her candidacy.
PYU is the apex and coordinating body for National Youth Councils and statutory voice for the African Youth, headquartered in Rabat, Morocco.
In a statement, she said: “I realised the huge responsibilities of my office and promise to hit the ground running alongside my colleagues in the PYU.”
She pledged to work with her colleagues to develop programmes towards addressing youth unemployment, risky migration, violence and insecurity among other challenges confronting youths across countries of West Africa.
Onwuka is expected to be sworn-in at a later date at the PYU headquarters in Morocco.
PYU has a consultative status with the African Union, and special observation status at all African heads of state and government meetings.
It would be recalled that the former Vice President, Oladele Nihi, had resigned from the office following his appointment by the Kogi State Governor as Chief Press Secretary.
I read a piece by one Ibraheem Abdullateef, an SSA on Communication to the Kwara State Governor, Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq. I did with interest, disrelish and bewilderment. The write-up, he proclaimed was in reaction to a particular programme in which “some Kwarans took over the media with salacious tales of how Senator Saraki wined and dined with them.” He then digressed by forming an opinion of the person of President of the 8th Senate, Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki. Interesting because he, like his stock, couldn’t stomach their sheepish nature, following the aura radiating from the homecoming of the former Senate President.
Bewildered because it was needless, ill-timed and reprehensible. As I made to pen this piece, I took my time to read Abdullateef’s write-up the second time, yet it made no sense to me, other than a marriage of alphabetical letters, words and sentences. I did share with a good friend in the media space, who I know to be downright objective and unabashedly appreciative of the good and rational piece. The WhatsApp ticks showed doubled and turned blue, but he didn’t even get back. That’s quite unusual. I then prodded him further after several hours, to which he crisply responded: “Lacks focus. Disrespectful. Sorry, I couldn’t even read beyond midway.” He then ended it with three similar emojis, indicating disgust.
Perhaps I should state further and clearly that such was truly unwarranted during this period of Ramadan fasting and piety. It’s been a season when many are immersed in prayers, shows of love, acts of forgiveness, bonding and sharing. To have chosen this virtuous season to put up the garbage of thought with the failed intent to throw jabs and denigrate a statesman is beyond the pale. Sadly but matter-of-factly, this is the inexorable reality of having juveniles in positions of authority. Yes, you might be adjudged brilliant by your peers and could have graduated with honours. It still doesn’t confer on you the administrative acumen, leadership prowess, sound behavioural conduct and maturity required of some sensitive positions, lest, you tend to act unruly, denigrate the office, and bring disrepute to the organization – in this case, the government – that you represent.
Abdullateef cannot be blamed in isolation though. This is a vivid indication of bad leadership, where subordinates err rascally with no principal close by to check the excesses. But what do we do? Have we assurances of a change bear in the few years when Malam Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq still has to spend in the saddle? Only time will tell.
That was just by the way. I perhaps, would have ignored it because it’s not worth the response. However, I like to make certain clarifications regarding the person of H.E Dr Abubakar Bukola Saraki. And in the spirit of Ramadan and reverence for the season, this will be as courteous as possible. After all, some of us still cherish our moral upbringing to know that politics should not blindfold you so much that you lose every sense of reasoning and respect for elders and statesmen. Like it or not, Abubakar Bukola Saraki is a blessing and pride to Kwara state. I understand it’s something his political adversaries hate to admit. May I also state that the Sarakis are already made as a family, rooted as a political dynasty and ABS as an individual. In all humility, Saraki looms so large politically beyond Kwara and is highly recognized at the national level. Till today, he remains one of the leading national unifiers and most charismatic political office holders in Nigeria. His record as President of the Senate – despite the odds during his days – still reverberates in the hallowed chamber. It is important to note that his regular homecoming is purely a testimony of his undiluted love for his people and in fulfilment of his commitment to serve the people either in or out of office.
Indeed, many would have doubted the likelihood of seeing a Saraki maintain devotion to Kwarans since he left office.
It is disheartening to many that the man they labelled “bossy” has been able to sustain the family tradition to sacrifice for the people and at a time like this, fulfil the commandment of his Creator and the principles of Prophet Mohammed (SAW) who command us to share with love and break fast with brethren. It’s laughable for the writer to reason that “he ate with them on the same chair, shook hands and took selfies after the meal.” And so? Was that supposed to be news? Has Saraki always dined and wined with ghosts? What exactly is new? Abdullateef was obviously making mountains out of molehills, perhaps in the absence of nothing tangible to say. It’s one of the most ludicrous things I’ve read in recent years. It’s no surprise anyway; came as a shock, but not a rude shock, the Social Judgement Theory presupposes that people come into an argument with preconceived positions. Such are thus, deafened to logic.
Life has also taught us that reactions like this are offshoots of spite. That article was all that was needed to prove that “Saraki indeed stole the show,” to the dissatisfaction of those he never even noticed. It is amazing that a man after how many years out of office has never for once ceased to render services to humanity. That obviously is the crux of their resentment. One of the most hilarious things I hear now and then is this anthem about how ‘O to ge’ ousted the Saraki dynasty. Whatever happened at the polls that year was nothing unexpected. Saraki knew he was warring against the federal might at the time and knew the consequences. He knew the odds before him, but the valiant stood his ground and made the bold and unfavourable choice. Where others chickened out, Saraki dared the consequences. He could have danced to their tune and sacrificed the people’s mandate to remain in the saddle. But he decided to sacrifice his electoral victory for personal political uprightness and justice. He still pays the price today, but he has never lived in regret. It is therefore preposterous that some group of political light-weights delights in taking the glory. They delight in self-deceit and fantasize about a non-existent political clout. Nothing, I mean nothing can dwarf the fortunes of the Sarakis.
The Iftar programme hosted by Saraki was to feed the people and share love among residents. That Saraki held the Iftar as a private citizen is commendable and one can not condemn those who chose to narrate their experiences during the age-long family tradition. Perhaps the writer was too young to know and was not told that the Sarakis are known for generous acts such as this. Should Gov Abdulrazaq’s aide care to understand the element and the various entities surrounding the acts, to sane people, it’s an act of worship, Ibadah. All that talk about image laundering is nothing but a figment of his imagination.
He talked about, “Humility being a lifestyle.” He added, “Five years after, not only has Abdulrazaq been steady and consistent.” He made me ‘chuckle in Arabic’. For a group of people that parroted the Governor carrying his bag by himself and praying outside of the Central Mosque in an attempt to evade the Palace, do you have the right to say one group is embarking on image laundering? When was the last time the Governor carried his bag, prayed outside, or queued at the airport? After all, we know how much Kwara has exhausted on chartered flights under Gov. Abdulrazaq. For months, the Governor’s humility was the sole thing that was sold to the public, not his previous records as a private sector actor or any previous success or office achievements because there were none. His antecedents were erased completely and no new record of achievements for almost five years in government!
A couple of weeks ago, Abdulwasiu Tejidini, an appointee of the Kwara State Governor, described him as not being different from Prophet Muhammed. Such a description was close to insanity and was never treated as such. Such are the traits of political nuisances and sycophants. Unlike Tejidini, an appointee of Governor Abdulrazaq, those who hosted the Iftar programme on the radio were not even Saraki’s aides or his political party executives.
As an admirer of the former Senate President, before being appointed as SSA on Communications to the incumbent Governor, one should ask exactly what was it that endeared the writer towards him, and what has changed now? Was it such useless tales that drove your admiration or the qualities and excellence he offered in leadership? Forgive me for asking what has changed, I forgot back then, you were little and a nobody but today, you are an SSA.
You didn’t ask for my two cents, but let me give you anyway; do not be overzealous. Whenever you write, take your time to read to yourself and ask yourself this simple but candid question: “If I’m in a public foray where those concerned are present, can I confidently say this that I’ve typed to the gathering?” If you cannot, then you have not communicated. You have only wasted your precious time and dignity. It’s the season of magnanimity and I give you that free of charge. Let me leave with this categorical clarification, that Saraki as a leader does not force people to follow, he only invites the people on a journey.
Abdulyekeen Mohd Bashir writes from Bola-Ige Junction, Off Liberty Junction, Oke Ado, Ibadan.
The Igbo-Biafra Nationalists movement on Monday commended Igbo political stakeholders for gathering together to talk about de-marginalisation of Southeast zone and integration into national politics.
Mazi Uche Mefor, who is the convener of the group, stated this in a statement while reacting to a colloquium organised by Igbo political stakeholders in Anambra State last Friday.
Mefor said now the Igbo have started understanding the need to come together and be liberated.
According to Mefor: “Professor Charles Okechukwu Esimone, at a colloquium themed ‘De-marginalisation of South-East Zone and Integration into National Politics,’ which was hosted in Nnewi, Anambra State, on Friday and attended by Igbo political stakeholders of the All Progressives Congress (APC), made a case for the Southeast adopting the initiative and proposal of the Igbo-Biafra Nationalists and the Indigenous People of Igbo Nation for Self-Determination regarding creating additional state(s) for the Southeast as a plausible solution to the longstanding issues of marginalization of Ndigbo in Nigeria.
“We also acknowledge Senator Ifeanyi Ubah’s contributions to the social and economic welfare of our people, which he has once again demonstrated by distributing palliatives and other essentials to his constituents.
“The Igbo-Biafra Nationalists and the Indigenous People of Igbo Nation, IBN & IPINS, therefore, use this medium to say that we are not partisan and we do not have special interest in any individual, political party platform, or social-cultural group.
“However, we will always accommodate any efforts geared towards addressing our grievances as a people facing serious crisis in Nigeria’s political space for “no one’s enemy can be our own enemy.” In the circumstances, therefore,this is a resounding call to action for the elected representatives in the South-East region.
“We urge them to transcend mere rhetoric and translate our proposals into tangible actions that address the longstanding marginalization of our people.
“It is imperative that our senators and members of the House of Representatives take concrete steps by sponsoring bills on the floor of the national assembly to address the systemic marginalization of the South-East region. Until they do so, they remain complicit in perpetuating the problem rather than being part of the solution.
“We observe with utmost responsibility that our relentless campaign is yielding results, as evidenced by the recent colloquium convened by Southeast stakeholders to discuss the marginalization of our region. This gathering serves as vindication of the fact that the Igbo-Biafra Nationalists and the Indigenous People of Igbo Nation for Self-Determination are on the right path.
“During the colloquium, Prof Charles Esimone openly acknowledged and concurred with our stance that the Southeast’s limited representation with only five states is a significant factor contributing to our marginalization. This admission underscores the validity of our cause and reinforces the urgent need for action,” he said.
I would like to begin by stating how deeply honoured I am to be invited to give this lecture. It is not often that one gets the opportunity to speak before a robust and richly diverse audience such as this, and indeed, at an institution with a remarkable history as the London School of Economics’. So, I express my profound gratitude to the organizers of this event.
In the next forty minutes, I would strive to demonstrate the best traditions of leadership and insight for which this institution has earned global renown. Another forty minutes, or thereabouts, would be devoted to clarifications and questions arising from the lecture, as I expect this to be interactive. So, I invite you to think of questions as I progress.
While preparing for this lecture, I took time to look up the motto of this great institution. I found the statement “To know the causes of things” – compelling. This motto, according to the LSE website, was chosen to reflect the institution’s founding purpose: “For the betterment of society”.
Often we gloss over these messages as we carry on with our daily lives and fail to internalize their precepts as a result. But it’s important to note that they are not simply perfunctory adoptions. They can act as a northern star to our values and aspirations.
The betterment of society fittingly inspires us and sums up the broad purpose of this lecture and, to a large extent, the essential goal of every single pursuit of humanity.
During our campaign, we adopted a motto that makes the bold declaration: “Tomorrow is Here”! What do we mean by that?
‘Tomorrow Is Here’ holds us to the fact that every decision we make now affects our future and our children’s future. Of course, this begs the question: What future do we want? How do we want to prepare the soil for generations to come? What will be the cost of short-term thinking, complacency or hesitation and doubt?
We need to take a visionary view of the future that awaits and take bold steps to lead our lives towards an enduring, regenerative legacy.
My speech is titled, “Enugu State, Nigeria: New Political Leadership; Bold Economic Vision”, and will highlight, mostly, the people-centric philosophy, specifically in regard to the health and education strategies we have deployed in birthing a new narrative for Enugu State, over which I currently preside as governor.
Boldness is a word that best defines the vision we are implementing in Enugu State. The single boldest projection that encapsulates what we intend to accomplish is our target to grow the economy of Enugu State seven-fold. Simply put, our vision is to grow the state’s GDP from $4.4bn – that we met – to at least $30bn in the next four to eight years. Another bold plan is the commitment to attain a zero percent poverty headcount index in Enugu State.
Just a quick fact about Enugu and Nigeria: Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country with a population of over 200 million and, indeed, the continent’s biggest economy. It has a landmass of 923,768sq km.
Located in Nigeria’s south-east, Enugu’s population is approximately seven million. The history of Enugu is indeed a history of Nigeria’s evolution from pre-amalgamation, pre-independence and post-independence. Enugu attained preeminence in 1907 after the discovery of vast swathes of coal deposits by a team of British geologists. By 1909, a rail line had been built to haul the extracted coal from Enugu to Port Harcourt. That development made Enugu a fledgling economic hub and was the catalyst for the sustained migration into the town recorded in the early 20th Century. This emerging economic clout also made Enugu an inevitable centre of administration in colonial Nigeria.
In contemplating Nigeria’s presidential federalism, I will draw an analogy using this short story. Imagine, if you will, a farmer and his wife who both have 36 children. Yes, I know that’s a lot of kids! They are all of working age, but he sends only 6 to the fields. Over time, these 6 grow tired, some get sick and the other 30 begin to suffer and starve. Even before the onset of age, such scenario could breed resentment, as the active 6 may perceive the fact that the rest do not work as a sense of entitlement – nursed at their own expense. A likely outcome would be general indolence.
Our federal system evokes an imagery akin to this story, not least in the sense that it dulls creativity and induces a near-perpetual dependency syndrome, which ultimately leaves everyone in a state of want.
Is it then surprising that the family has fallen into hard times? Shouldn’t that have been an opportunity for the family to overhaul its production strategy given the opportunities that could be borne out of crises sometimes?
Distinguished guests, as governor of Enugu State you could say I represent one of those children.
This anecdote roughly encapsulates the Nigerian dilemma. Of course, the monthly subventions to states from the federal purse are still being disbursed. But they are only sufficient to the extent that a state’s priorities and projections remain on a modest trajectory, the sort that is capable of yielding only fairly predictable incremental change but can hardly inspire any bold vision that can result in a rapid social and economic development. Such socio-economic pattern is evidently not sustainable any longer.
While our choice of Presidential federalism system might have been well-informed, shaped by the inherent benefits of federalism in other countries with populations as vast and diverse as ours, it has however bred a system where revenue is excessively domiciled at the centre, rather than in the states – or regions. This puts intense pressure on the source and almost cuts off supply.
We are gradually seeing concrete moves towards a truly devolved polity, facilitated in large part by the political outlook of Nigeria’s president, who as Governor of Lagos State championed the push for fiscal federalism. As a matter of fact, we have witnessed some constitutional amendments resulting in sectors like electricity and railways – once the exclusive preserve of the federal government – becoming a shared responsibility between the states and the federal government. There are, at present, ongoing discussions to enthrone additional devolution of power.
Despite these promising developments these challenges yet speak eloquently to the need for a socio-economic rebirth that repositions federating units like states as potent agents of development. This is an important thread of my governance philosophy.
I’ve always believed that an enduring and impactful change is never a chance happening; they are typically products of a painstaking process and radical thinking that reflect the understanding that the exigencies of our time require an unusual solution.
Among these challenging situations are rising cost of living crises and insecurity. There’s no doubt that this period is a life or death moment for us. Given Nigeria’s youth bulge, the bleak reality that confronts us if we do not take appropriate remedial steps is terrible to contemplate.
The question then is what do we do?
At the heart of our socio-economic challenge is the issue of leadership deficit. This has always been the bane of our development. Despite widespread clamour and yearning for leaders with transcendental values, leadership failure remains a recurring decimal. But true leadership is about the people, an unwavering willingness to be accountable to them, and to be transparent. A good leader should not merely peddle empty hope and platitudes but must demonstrate a capacity to translate dreams into reality. This briefly summarizes our turnaround tale in Enugu State in roughly nine months.
For us, the most important first step lay in realizing that any set of solutions that failed to upend the status quo across the sectors will not suffice. That basic understanding helped us to boldly set forth at dawn and imbued us with the requisite clarity of purpose as well as resolve. We started out with three things: A bold Vision; clear Direction; and then we assembled the right People.
Before I delve in more depth into the radical strategies we adopted in Health and Education, let me highlight three areas we had to tackle in order to properly entrench our plans and prepare for meaningful change:
WATER, INFRASTRUCTURE (ROADS) AND SECURITY
Water
We demonstrated a firm commitment when we set an audacious 180-day timeline to solve the perennial problem of water scarcity in Enugu. For context, this was a challenge that had proved intractable for decades. We delivered on that promise within the timeframe. It wasn’t because it was an easy task; and neither was it because we were eager to bask in the afterglow of public acclaim. The motivation was simple: we wanted to enthrone a situation where the provision of basic amenities was taken for granted. Our objective was that portable water flows in every home once the tap is turned on. From a mere two million-litre daily water supply to Enugu residents, we grew the daily water supply to 120 million litres!
We were, in addition, driven by the enormous social toll that water scarcity exerted on children. This was always an unbearable thought. I’m aware that the time children spend in search of water is very much the time they would have spent studying. The enormous amount that businesses spend to purchase water from vendors was an unnecessary addition to their operating costs, with adverse effects on their bottomline.
Roads
Such bold commitment was no less obvious in our promise to build up to 1,250 kilometres of roads over the next 12 months, which was a radical departure from the trend that typically saw just 100 kilometres built each year. We are simultaneously building dual carriage ways, alongside numerous urban and rural roads, running into hundreds of kilometers.
Security
One of the most daunting challenges that confronted us was insecurity, fueled by bands of criminals, who had more or less conferred on themselves the status of a parallel state. We tackled it head-on, and literally recaptured our streets and communities from the grip of this gang-like social order that had almost become normalized. It was imperative that we did this. It was obvious to us that to attract the investment necessary for our economic growth, security had to be a priority and could not be treated as an afterthought.
In one of their most audacious moves, these non-state actors had enforced an illegal sit-at home campaign in the Region every Monday. How could we, for instance, convince would-be investors that our state was secure, and that they need not worry about the safety of their personnel if people were prevented from going to work on certain days?
It may sound bizarre, because it truly was a bizarre situation. Imagine a situation where a band of outlaws impose their will on citizens, unleashing mayhem and dictating what days they were permitted to work, go to school, or trade. That was the unfortunate situation we were beset with. Businesses shut down and relocated in droves, students could not write their exams, and people could not, in fact, go to hospitals.
But it wasn’t simply about the possible effect that their so-called sit-at-home order could have on inflow of foreign capital.
The Nigerian constitution expressly notes that the primary responsibility of government is the security and welfare of its citizens. So, a government, implicitly, loses its reason for being if such absurd state of affair is allowed to persist. We didn’t have to think twice to stop that illegality.
We set out with a strong determination to bequeath enduring legacies and some of the results are already coming in. On a regular basis, we glimpse reports – including from independent bodies – that validate our reforms and investments across the sectors. And what we see is quite reassuring, an indication that it certainly has not been a false dawn.
This brings us to healthcare and education, the main areas of focus for this lecture.
Healthcare
Investing in improving our capacity to deliver quality healthcare was a major priority for us, as the wellness of the state’s workforce could either make or mar all the objectives we had set for ourselves. The saying that “a healthy workforce is a motivated workforce’ is by no means an empty cliché for us. That explains the numerous projects and innovations we have launched across Enugu State. Our philosophy with regard to our investment is simple: Our objective is to ensure that every child in the state has access to quality healthcare.
We are seeing decline, albeit marginal, in infant and maternal mortality rate in our state. We are constantly eliminating factors that ordinarily cause maternal and under-5 deaths, such as the absence of skilled birth attendants – including doctors, nurses and midwives – at health facilities. From a pre-election statistic of 39%, we have grown the number of births attended to by skilled health personnel at our facilities to 42%. Our target is to achieve a hundred percent threshold by the end of 2025. In addition, we do not compromise on the issue of training for our medical professionals, as their competence and capacity will be central in driving the achievement of the ambitious objectives, we have set for ourselves.
In addition, we have significantly expanded immunization coverage for all childhood vaccine-preventable diseases for children in their first birthday. We have also increased the number of those attending Ante-Natal Care for the first time.
These encouraging performance indicators are a direct result of measures we’re taking to raise our healthcare delivery to optimal levels. We’re also building new Level 2 healthcare facilities across the 260 electoral wards in our state.
Each centre has the necessary equipment, sanitation and hygiene facilities, water, living quarters for doctors and nurses, and alternative power supply.
Where there is a shortfall, especially with regard to doctors and nurses who have been emigrating to the West in large numbers, we carry out regular recruitment drives to narrow the deficit. The goal is to bring the number of doctors in our state to the WHO recommended doctor-to-patient ratio of one doctor to 600 patients. The prevailing statistics for Enugu State when I was sworn in was one doctor to 1,867 patients.
Interestingly, given that the average ratio in Nigeria is one doctor to 3,500 patients, the figure for Enugu State might have been deemed a pass mark. But we would rather not find solace in such dismal statistics. We are quite intentional with our goal in this regard: To progressively bring that number even below the WHO recommended ratio.
Another significant achievement of our health sector reform is how we have successfully digitized patients’ records in our hospitals. So, even when patients visit other facilities, their records could still be accessed digitally because of the seamless connection we have introduced by migrating patients’ details to the Electronic Medical Record (EMR) platform.
The deployment of ICT is visible in our entire governance structure. Besides promoting efficiency, it has strengthened due process as we transit from a manual regime to a digital experience. Our goal is to have a paperless system. It is gratifying that this has begun to take a firm root in our Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
Education
Education is another sector where we have taken some radical steps consistent with our pledge to enthrone a system that bequeaths to the child a body of knowledge comparable to the best global standards.
Our government’s allocation for education in this year’s budget illustrates this resolve. Our state’s budget of N158.78bn (One Hundred and Fifty-Eight Billion, Seventy-Eight Million Naira) for education is the highest per capita in the country. With regard to the percentage of total budget assigned to education, it is as well the highest budgeted for education by any state in Nigeria, at 33% of the entire budget sum. It is also substantially higher than UNESCO’s recommended benchmark of 15% – 20% of total annual budget. I dare say it’s perhaps highest in the world.
Think about it: This implies that for every 100 Naira spent, 33 Naira goes to the education budget.
Our investment in education is carefully conceived and implemented with the knowledge that the envisioned turnaround of the state’s fortune is contingent on the existence of a robust education sector. No nation has ever risen above the inherent capacity of its public education. It is this philosophy that underpins our Smart Schools project, which we are setting up in each of the state’s 260 electoral wards.
So, we’re not just changing the narrative; it’s truly the dawn of a new era. From age 3, we ensure a child is enrolled in a system that imbues them with the requisite skills to compete in tomorrow’s world today. That is because pedagogy has largely evolved from an era when the goal was apparently to ensure the child is able to memorize what has been taught. Today, however, children should be able to practicalize what they have learnt. This is a core philosophy of our Smart Schools initiative. I consider this quite profound. Given that such experience is already commonplace in the West, this might not sound like a big deal. But it would help if we contextualized our past and present experience.
The prevailing situation in our public schools before now, was anything but impressive: Many pupils sat on the floor to listen to teachers who scribbled on blackboards with barely any modern teaching aids; schools had no libraries, restrooms, nor any of those facilities that confer on them the expected dignity as centres of learning.
In fact, a baseline study we conducted revealed that 50% of our children could not read after four years in primary school. Those who managed to read could barely comprehend. A similar deficiency was seen in numeracy skill, with 50% of children unable to apply simple skills of subtraction after 6 years of primary school education. Of course, this situation isn’t peculiar to our state. It remains a problem across the entire country.
Another grim data that confronted us was in regard to the number of Out-Of-School-Children (aged 6 – 11 years). The 82,051 figure for Enugu State is alarming. We found the number totally inexcusable and knew that it was imperative we took some radical steps.
As I earlier emphasized about the importance of “knowing the causes of things”, we sought to know what could possibly be the reasons for such unacceptable state of things. Poverty was a major factor. It wasn’t thus a surprise that a Poverty and Inequality Index survey conducted by Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics had put the poverty situation in Enugu State at 58.13%.
So, our Smart Green Schools initiative is a bold and creative response to the learning crisis that confronted us on assuming office. That is because we have created sufficient incentives for parents to send their children to school, not least of which is our Free School Meal Plus programme for pupils. The Free School Meal Plus incorporates a medical programme, through which vital health statistics of students such as growth profile, sundry deficiencies and vaccine status are monitored. This helps us to ascertain pupils that may require further medical intervention.
Each Smart School features an interactive digital whiteboard, an internet system, robotics and artificial intelligence centre, modern ICT centre, two science laboratories, hybrid multimedia library, creative production studio, 25 inclusive classrooms and 700 Android tablets. Through these, we expect to impart experiential knowledge and bridge the skills gap that leaves our students with grim prospects in a globalized world. The emphasis is three-fold: Access, Relevance and Quality.
The motivation is to see that what our students are taught is relevant to modern day realities. This is crucial, because we see our teeming youth as a latent, powerful engine for innovation, economic growth, and sustainable development.
It wasn’t just sufficient to have the learning tools and the environment conducive to learning; equally crucial was having the necessary manpower. Our recruitment of teachers was painstaking. This reflected in the fact that only less than one hundred teachers – out of about one thousand seven hundred who took the practical tests eventually made the cut. So, to scale our Experiential Learning reform, we are establishing a Centre for Experiential Learning and Innovation (CELI). This will develop, introduce, and incentivize collaborative engagement in Innovative Challenges by students, teachers, as well as industry and business partners throughout our education system, from Basic to Tertiary levels.
The CELI Challenges will introduce breakthrough technologies and design solutions that connect with our strategic priorities for growth and development, including Agriculture, Energy and Mineral Resources Development, Commerce and Business, Urban and Rural Infrastructures, Creative Industries and Tourism, and Information and Communication Technology.
Through Experiential Learning Innovation, our educational institutions will catalyze priority innovation and technology, incentivize the development of 21st Century skills and competencies, and support human capital and workforce development to fuel our economic growth.
As we develop the Centre for Experiential Learning and Innovation to drive strategic development priorities, and ensure quality and transformative education, we are inviting select international universities to collaborate with Enugu State’s academic and research institutions to co-create technologies, digital solutions, and generate Digital Badges, Micro-Credentials, and Degree Certificates, to provide academic and vocational training, to support start-ups and incubate businesses, and to enable our youth to not only overcome poverty, but also contribute to the Fourth Industrial Revolution.
For sure, no one can actually tell what the future holds. But we can largely discern a society’s future prospects from how it treats the wellbeing of its young ones. In taking ample steps to grow our students’ capacity through a transformative learning process, we can truly speak in a very reassuring tone regarding the future of Enugu State.
Our trajectory is yet proof that progress does not just happen – nor is it simply wished into existence. Efficiency is attained through scrupulous planning, and moral courage to discard the inefficient ways of old, even if people have grown accustomed to them.
For long, our quest for development was blighted by an abject failure by politicians to match rhetoric with commensurate action. It seemed, to all intents, that the people were perpetually obliged to endure the dismal cycle of politics characterized by what the late Governor of New York, Mario Cuomo, had described as an unabashed tendency to “campaign in poetry and govern in prose”.
Beyond the fact that they seldom wrought any significant change on the human development index, perfunctory government policies only serve to reinforce public cynicism. From the outset, we resolved that there would be no room for platitudes.
You might be wondering how we are able to achieve all these, and also where all the money is coming from. I assure you this is not pie in the sky. We have focused on three areas and our success in those areas has been crucial:
Plugging leakages through automated systems.
Enhancing the quality of our services – Deliver more, earn more, and deploy resources wisely.
Expanding the tax net.
Are we borrowing excessively? Certainly not! Only 10% of the funds have been borrowed. Our internally-generated funds account for the rest 90%. In addition, we are harnessing our dormant assets and resources that were as yet unexplored previously.
This has certainly not been a walk in the park. Ours have been a tale of boldness and amazing courage.
Distinguished guests, the quest for a better society may sometimes seem far off. But the truth is that every new discovery or hallmark achieved is yet a fresh chapter to new beginnings. Confronting that new beginning is a task for which education, such as that offered by the London School of Economics and similar illustrious institutions, have equipped their students.
The scale of technological advancements in our world today might sometimes lull us into complacency and create the erroneous notion that there is barely any frontier left to conquer. Such mindset would be a great disservice to the learning you have acquired. Those whose inventions have changed the world seldom grasped the level of impact their ideas would have on humanity at the outset. So, you are certainly not a blip on the radar.
As you step out into the world, your education should be a constant reminder that there is always room to do things better, to shake the fabrics of the status quo and not to be content with the usual. History shows that humanity’s progress has always been attained through an interrogation of the status quo. You may have heard this countless times, but it’s often worth reiterating: Fortune does not only favour the bold, but it also favours the prepared mind! There is no doubt that imbibing the ethos as espoused by your institution actually prepares you for fortune’s favours.
A former River Basin Development Authority Executive Director (Lower Benue) Engr. Mayas Adoyi, FNSE, PhD has passed on.
Announcing his death on behalf of the family, his brother, Mr. Kenneth Adoyi, said the former Director died at the Garki hospital Abuja after a protracted illness.
Abia State Governor Alex Otti says his administration is looking at the issue of N35,000 wage award approved by the Federal Government for workers, with a view to implementing it.
He spoke yesterday when he received executive members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Abia State Council, who were on a working visit.
He said a committee had been set up to that effect and it had submitted its first report.
Dr. Otti, however, said he had directed the committee to deepen its work and report to him, adding that he had instructed the Finance commissioner to look at the discriminatory salary structure for health workers, as it concerned Consolidated Health Salary Structure (CONHES).
The governor said his administration would look into salary owed workers in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and parastatals, including ABSUTH, ASUBEB, ASCETA, Abiapoly, primary school teachers, among others, by the previous administration.
He said a team is working with the Nigerian Union of Pensioners to reach a resolution on how to defray pension arrears of pensioners.
Otti said there are still bad eggs in the system, who engage in padding of salaries and other criminal activities.
He implored NLC to identify such people stealing from the government.
“There are lots of people collecting salaries but are not coming to office.
“My challenge to NLC is to help us. What they (ghost workers) are doing, they are stealing from you. It is very important you take it as responsibility.”
State Chairman of NLC, Ogbonnaya Okoro, appealed to the governor to consider implementing the N35,000 wage bill approved for workers by the Federal Government, address the high-handedness of some government appointees against civil servants, offset salary arrears ranging from three to 30 months owed workers by the previous administration.
