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Senator Wamakko flags off N11.84bn Gidanmadi-Binji-Gande road project

The Leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Sokoto State and former Governor of the state, Senator Dr. Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, has flagged off the construction of the 35.7-kilometer Gidanmadi-Binji-Gande Road Project, valued at N11,836,593,885.14, describing it as another milestone in the ongoing transformation of Sokoto State under the administration of Governor Ahmed Aliyu Sokoto.

The project, which is being executed through a partnership between the Sokoto State Government and the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), forms part of activities marking the third anniversary of Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s administration.

Addressing the gathering, Governor Ahmed Aliyu expressed delight over the commencement of the strategic road project and warmly welcomed Senator Wamakko, thanking him for honouring the invitation to perform the flag-off ceremony.

The Governor explained that the project is being financed under RAAMP, a joint initiative of the World Bank and the Sokoto State Government.

He disclosed that the 35.7-kilometer road traverses Gidanmadi, Tatali, Binji, Miyuki, Bunkidi, Gidan Magaji and Gande, cutting across Tangaza, Binji and Silame Local Government Areas.

According to him, the project includes the construction of hydraulic structures, a 30-millimetre asphaltic wearing course, surface dressing, road shoulders, and road furniture to ensure durability, safety and improved accessibility.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu noted that the road is one of several strategic infrastructure projects being implemented through partnerships with development partners to complement the numerous township and rural road projects currently under construction across the state.

He recalled that since assuming office, his administration has completed and commissioned several township and rural roads in Silame, Binji, Gada, Wurno, Kware, Tambuwal, Wamakko, Dange-Shuni and Rabah, among other local government areas, to improve transportation, facilitate commerce and enhance access to essential social services.

The Governor observed that the benefiting communities are predominantly agrarian and stressed that the road would enable farmers to transport their produce to markets more easily, reduce post-harvest losses and improve access to healthcare, education and other essential services.

He charged the contractor, supervising engineers, consultants, and the entire project team to adhere strictly to the approved specifications and complete the project within the stipulated timeframe, emphasizing that quality and timely delivery remain paramount.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to implementing people-oriented projects across every part of the state and appealed to the people to continue supporting and praying for the government as it sustains its development agenda.

He also expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support to Sokoto State through the execution of major federal government infrastructure projects, including the Sokoto-Gusau Road and the Badagry-Sokoto Super Highway.

In his remarks, Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko thanked Almighty Allah for witnessing another important milestone in the development of Sokoto State and commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for inviting him to perform the flag-off ceremony.

He praised the governor’s commitment to executing people-centered projects across key sectors, including road infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, water supply and security, noting that the administration has consistently demonstrated that the welfare of the people remains at the centre of its policies and programmes.

The former governor stated that Governor Ahmed Aliyu had justified the confidence reposed in him, recalling that some critics had questioned his capacity because of his age before assuming office.

‘Today, Alhamdulillah, you have silenced those critics through your outstanding performance. Within just three years, you have demonstrated exceptional leadership, and I remain proud of your achievements.

‘I am confident that even greater accomplishments lie ahead, In Sha Allah.’

Senator Wamakko said the Gidanmadi-Binji-Gande Road Project would open up rural communities, facilitate the movement of people and agricultural produce, stimulate commercial activities, and improve the socio-economic well-being of residents across the benefiting communities.

He also commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu’s social intervention programmes, particularly the distribution of over 200 truckloads of food items and more than 200 trailer loads of fertiliser, describing the initiatives as unprecedented and highly beneficial to the people.

The APC leader further applauded the governor’s commitment to promoting Islam through the construction and renovation of mosques, as well as his prudent management of the state’s finances, noting that despite executing numerous capital projects, the administration had avoided unnecessary borrowing.

He also conveyed the goodwill of members of the Sokoto State House of Assembly, who commended the cordial relationship between the Executive and the Legislature, describing the harmony as essential for sustainable development.

While appreciating President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for improving the financial capacity of states through his economic reforms, Senator Wamakko urged the contractor to execute the project according to specification and complete it within schedule, assuring Governor Ahmed Aliyu of his continued support and prayers.

Earlier, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Roads, Malami Galadanci, described the Gidanmadi-Binji-Gande Road Project as one of the landmark rural infrastructure initiatives of the Ahmed Aliyu administration.

He said the project underscores the governor’s unwavering commitment to opening up rural communities, improving agricultural productivity, and accelerating socio-economic development across Sokoto State.

Malami Galadanci commended Governor Ahmed Aliyu for giving priority to rural road development and appreciated RAAMP, the World Bank, and other development partners for their continued support.

He assured the people that the project would be closely monitored to ensure strict compliance with approved specifications, timely completion, and the delivery of a durable road that would stand the test of time.

Speaking on behalf of the benefiting communities, the District Head of Binji, Alhaji Usman Dan Sarki, expressed profound appreciation to Governor Ahmed Aliyu for approving the construction of the 35.7-kilometer Gidanmadi-Binji-Gande Road.

He described the project as a life-changing intervention that would ease transportation, boost agricultural production, facilitate trade and improve access to healthcare, education and other essential services for thousands of residents across Tangaza, Binji and Silame Local Government Areas.

The traditional ruler also commended Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko for his unwavering support, mentorship, and commitment to the development of Sokoto State.

He assured the state government that the people of the benefiting communities would cooperate fully with the contractor and safeguard the project to ensure its successful completion for the benefit of present and future generations.

The ceremony climaxed with the official reception of hundreds of defectors from the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Gudu Local Government Area into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The defectors pledged their loyalty to the APC and expressed confidence in the leadership of Governor Ahmed Aliyu and Senator Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko, citing the administration’s developmental achievements and people-oriented programmes as the reasons for their decision.

The flag-off ceremony was attended by members of the National and State Assemblies, commissioners, special advisers, heads of government agencies, traditional rulers, political leaders, development partners, community representatives, and residents from Tangaza, Binji, and Silame Local Government Areas, all of whom applauded the Ahmed Aliyu administration’s sustained investment in road infrastructure aimed at improving rural connectivity, stimulating economic growth, and enhancing the living standards of the people of Sokoto State.

FG urged to translate energy reforms, policies into concrete action

Stakeholders have urged the Federal Government to move beyond policy formulation and ensure the effective implementation of energy sector reforms to unlock Nigeria’s vast energy potential.

They identified poor policy execution, weak institutions and inadequate infrastructure as major barriers to sustainable energy development and investment in the country.

The call was made on Wednesday at the 4th Dr. Diran Fawibe Annual Lecture Series held at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The event, organised by the Centre for Petroleum, Energy Economics and Law (CPEEL), University of Ibadan, in collaboration with International Energy Services Limited (IESL), brought together energy experts, academics and industry stakeholders.

Delivering the keynote lecture titled ‘The Public-Private Energy Shift: Innovation, Investment, Implementation,’ Professor Yinka Omorogbe (SAN) said Nigeria possesses abundant natural resources capable of meeting its energy demands but has continued to underperform due to governance challenges and poor implementation of existing policies.

She stressed that government and the private sector should focus on their respective strengths instead of competing for the same responsibilities.

According to her, government should concentrate on strengthening policy and regulatory frameworks and creating an enabling environment for investment, while the private sector should drive financing, innovation and project execution.

Omorogbe noted that investors would be more willing to commit resources to Nigeria if they were assured of stable policies, transparent regulations, enforceable contracts and credible institutions.

She also emphasised the need to strengthen collaboration between research institutions and investors to ensure innovative ideas are adequately funded and commercialised.

Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Layi Fatona, said Nigeria could harness its enormous energy resources to drive economic growth if government agencies, universities and private sector operators worked more closely.

He observed that policies alone would not transform the sector without adequate investment, innovation and effective implementation.

Fatona added that consistent execution of reforms would determine the long-term success of Nigeria’s energy industry.

Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Professor Kayode Adebowale, said the country must urgently bridge the gap between policy formulation and implementation.

He reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting national development through research, capacity building and evidence-based policy recommendations, particularly through the activities of CPEEL.

Earlier, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of IESL, Mr. Bayo Ige, said the annual lecture series was established to deepen collaboration between academia and the energy industry.

He disclosed that the partnership between IESL and CPEEL has produced several innovative projects, including artificial intelligence-powered solar irrigation systems, smart electricity meters, hybrid biodigesters, solar-powered generators and agricultural robotics.

Ige also announced that construction of the Dr. Diran Fawibe CPEEL Research Centre is progressing steadily.

He called on indigenous energy companies and corporate organisations to invest more in research and development, noting that government alone cannot deliver Nigeria’s energy ambitions.

In his remarks, the honouree, Dr. Diran Fawibe, urged stakeholders to ensure that discussions at policy forums translate into measurable actions.

He said Nigeria requires consistent policies, stronger public-private collaboration, practical research and sustained industry commitment to achieve energy security and stimulate industrial and economic growth.

Jaffna Kings pull off thrilling five-run win

The Colombo Kaps, having lost their captain Kusal Mendis, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the Lanka Premier League (LPL) 2026 with a hamstring injury, and with several of their players under the weather, lost a tight LPL contest to Jaffna Kings by a mere five runs in the first of two matches played at the Rangiri Dambulla Cricket Stadium yesterday.

Mendis sustained a right hamstring injury while attempting a run during the Colombo Kaps’ match against the Kandy Royals on 19 July at the SSC Ground, and will return to the National High Performance Centre to commence his rehabilitation program, stated a media release from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

Jaffna Kings made a steady start, with the opening pair Avishka Fernando and Kamil Mishara putting on 65 off 53 balls before Wanuja Sahan finally broke the stand, removing Mishara for 39. Not long after, Milan Rathnayake cleaned up Fernando for 34 to leave the Kings needing to start afresh.

Chamindu Wickramasinghe, promoted to number three, lifted the scoring rate with a flurry of big hits and crisp boundaries. Just as Jaffna Kings looked set to accelerate, Mujeeb Ur Rahman struck twice in the 16th over to halt their progress and swing the momentum back in Colombo Kaps’ favour.

Colombo Kaps were not at their sharpest in the field, putting down three catches, missing a couple of run-out opportunities, and gifting away extra runs through sloppy misfields even though their bowlers kept a tight leash on the scoring and did not allow the middle order to settle. Wickramasinghe’s entertaining knock of 43 from 22 balls (4 fours, 2 sixes) ended when Shahnawaz Dahani bowled him attempting an audacious reverse ramp. Mujeeb and Dahani took the bowling honours with two wickets each.

The Colombo Kaps began disastrously losing their first two wickets for nine that saw them struggling for momentum at 37-3 after six overs. Kamindu Mendis, leading Colombo Kaps in the absence of his namesake Kusal Mendis, was the lone spark. He looked in total control as he rotated the strike and found the boundaries with ease to bring up his 50 off 34 balls. But Traveen Mathew, who made the initial breakthrough, returned to deliver another massive blow, getting Kamindu Mendis caught at deep cover for 58 (42 balls, 3 fours, 2 sixes). Sharujan Shanmuganathan looking to free his arms was caught out at deep square leg as the Colombo Kaps lost their way, tumbling to 114-7 in the 16th over. Jaffna Kings were exceptional in the field, taking every chance that came their way, and kept a tight leash on the run rate.

Having made five changes to their line-up, the Colombo Kaps looked sloppy; their batting unit failed to gel and their earlier lapses in the field ultimately came back to haunt them. Late fireworks from Rathnayake (15 off 8) and Sahan (35* off 15) only served to reduce the margin of defeat. It was a complete team performance in the field by the defending champions, who seem to have found their feet after losing their first match.

Lizaad Williams with three wickets led the bowling honours, with Mathews and Dilshan Madushanka chipping in with two apiece. Wickramasinghe was made Player of the Match. – [ST]

Scores:

Jaffna Kings 179-6 (20) (Avishka Fernando 34, Kamil Mishara 39, Chamindu Wickramasinghe 43, Mujeeb Ur Rahman 2/33, Shahnawaz Dahani 2/25)

Colombo Kaps 174-9 (20) (Kamindu Mendis 58, Sharujan Shanmuganathan 26, Wanuja Sahan 35*, Dilshan Madushanka 2/12, Traveen Mathew 2/21, Lizaad Williams 3/30)

Ibadan council boss demolishes criminal hideout in Apata

Executive Chairman, Ibadan South West Local Government, Ambassador Kehinde Adeyemi Akande, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting lives and properties with the demolition of a notorious criminal hideout and den in Odo Ona, Apata area of the Local Government.

The decisive action followed persistent complaints from residents and community leaders over the activities of suspected criminals who had turned the area into a haven for illegal operations.

According to the chairman, the criminals have been terrorising the residents for a long time by vandalising public water pipelines, stealing transformer cables, burgling houses, robbing, and other criminal acts, thereby disrupting the peace and security of the area.

Responding swiftly to the distress call, the council boss led the intervention that resulted in the bulldozing of the hideout used by the suspected criminals for keeping stolen items and their unlawful activities. The exercise was carried out to restore peace, protect lives, properties, public infrastructure, and ensure the safety of all residents.

Speaking further, during the exercise, Ambassador Akande declared that criminality in any form would not be tolerated anywhere within Ibadan South West Local Government. He stressed that his administration remains committed to maintaining law and order and creating a safe environment where residents can live and carry out their daily activities without fear.

Ambassador Akande warned criminals and other perpetrators of illegal activities to desist or face the full weight of the law, adding that the Local Government would continue to collaborate with security agencies and community leaders to get rid of every part of the council area of criminal elements.

He commended the vigilance and cooperation of the Odo Ona community for prompt reporting of the activities of the criminals, noting that effective security is a shared responsibility between government and the people. He encouraged residents to continue to provide useful information that would assist security agencies in preventing crime and apprehending offenders.

The Chairman of Gather Olugbode area of Odo Ona committee in Apata, Mr Adepoju Popoola who spoke on behalf of the committee narrated their ordeal with the criminals, expressed how they often robb and steal from the residents of the area from time to time and thereby expressed appreciation to the Chairman for his swift intervention, describing the demolition of the hideout as a major step towards restoring peace and normalcy in the area. He also pledged continued support for the administration’s efforts to promote security, safety of lives and development across Ibadan South West Local Government.

Present at the venue were political functionaries, the Head of Local Government Administration, Alhaji Tunde Taofeek Olagunju, and the Director of Works, Engr Ademola Moshood Olona, among others

Fire razes Justrite Superstore in Egbeda, destroys goods worth millions

A fire outbreak has gutted a branch of Justrite Superstore along Akowonjo Road in the Egbeda/Alimosho area of Lagos State, destroying goods and property estimated to be worth millions of naira.

Emergency teams from the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service and the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) were promptly deployed to the scene, where they are working to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby structures.

The Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA), which confirmed the incident via a post on X, disclosed that the fire occurred at the popular retail outlet near Jimoh Bus Stop.

The agency noted that emergency responders were already on ground making efforts to put out the inferno.

LASTMA also urged residents and motorists to steer clear of the Akowonjo and Egbeda axis to allow for smooth emergency operations. It added that traffic diversions have been put in place, with motorists advised to expect congestion along Akowonjo Road and adjoining routes.

Eyewitness accounts indicate that the fire significantly impacted the supermarket’s electronics section located on the upper floor, as thick smoke was seen billowing from the building.

As of the time of filing this report, there is no official confirmation of casualties, while the cause of the fire remains unknown. Authorities say an assessment of the total damage will be carried out after the situation is brought under control.

Osun guber: Ekiti Accord candidate mobilises support for Adeleke

The Accord Party governorship candidate in the June 20, 2026 Ekiti State governorship election, Hon. Opeyemi David Falegan (ODF), has called on the people of Osun to re-elect Governor Ademola Adeleke in the August 15, 2026 governorship election, describing the governor’s first-term performance as worthy of continuity.

Falegan said Governor Adeleke had demonstrated purposeful leadership by ensuring the equitable distribution of infrastructural projects across the state and improving the welfare of workers and pensioners.

In a statement made available to journalists in Ado-Ekiti on Thursday, the Accord Party chieftain warned Osun residents against ‘gambling with another golden opportunity’ to move the state to greater heights.

According to him, the state must not be allowed to return to the era of irregular and half payment of workers’ salaries, stressing that the current administration has restored confidence in governance through prompt salary payments and improved workers’ welfare.

Falegan noted that Governor Adeleke’s administration has recorded remarkable achievements in infrastructure, including the construction and rehabilitation of hundreds of kilometres of roads across the state.

He also highlighted the construction of major flyovers and the dualisation of roads in Osogbo, Ile-Ife, Iwo, Ikirun and other towns, as well as the rehabilitation of bridges and expansion of urban road networks.

On workers’ welfare, Falegan commended the governor for maintaining regular payment of salaries, settling inherited salary arrears and pension liabilities, and implementing an improved minimum wage for state workers.

He described the initiatives as evidence of a people-oriented administration committed to improving the living conditions of citizens.

The former governorship candidate particularly appealed to Ekiti indigene and indigene of other states residing in Osun State to come out in large numbers and vote for Governor Adeleke, saying continuity would consolidate the developmental strides already recorded.

‘Governor Adeleke has laid a solid foundation for sustainable development. The people should protect these gains by voting massively for continuity on August 15,’ Falegan said.

He expressed confidence that another four-year term would enable the governor to complete ongoing projects and accelerate the socio-economic development of Osun.

Our candidate will be on ballot for 2027 elections, says Turaki PDP camp

The Tanimu Turaki camp of the Peoples Democratic (PDP) on Thursday allayed the fears of candidates sponsored by it on whether or not they will be able to contest the 2027 general elections, insisting that they will be the ones that will fly the party flag in National and state elections.

Speaking at a stakeholders meeting in Abuja, Turaki said emphatically that nobody will be able to kill the PDP, while assuring that the party was on course and will participate in the elections.

He said, ‘I want to say, without fear of contradiction, that PDP, your party is on course. The essence of every political party is to legitimately capture power in a given polity. You cannot capture power unless you are on the ballot. I want to tell you that PDP shall be on the ballot for all rounds of the 2027 elections, from the presidential down to the states houses of assembly election PDP, this PDP shall be on the ballot’.

He commended those who have kept fate with the group for their tenacity, for your loyalty, for your conviction, for your belief in democracy, and for your resoluteness in working towards ensuring that democracy that believes in a multi-party system survives in our country.

Turaki said ‘there comes a time in the life of a human being when challenges, ups and downs become the order of the day. But as the saying goes, when the going gets tough, it’s only the tough that ultimately gets going.

‘For us in PDP, we’ve seen all seasons. We’ve seen the good times. We’ve also seen the bad times. We’ve seen days of prosperity, just as we’ve also seen days of adversity. We’ve seen successes, and we’ve seen challenges. For us, the kind of challenge that the People’s Democratic Party is facing today is not something that is new to us.

‘People may recall a time in the past when attempts were made by some charlatans to take the leadership of our party and then give it in the hands of some impostors, and when the party and the party leadership rose in unison and said, ‘We will not allow anybody to run away with our party’, a caretaker committee was set up under the leadership of His Excellency Senator Ahmed Mohamed Makarfi.

‘Those who were there and those who are conversant with what happened during that period of serious challenge, will appreciate that what we are now witnessing in our party is even a child’s play. By the special grace of God, we shall overcome. We will overcome. Indeed, we are overcoming.

‘Today we are witnessing in Nigeria, a time that is different from what we all are used to seeing. There are a lot of tension. There are a lot of crises. There are a lot of upheavals in the domain of most of the opposition political parties. It’s regrettable, indeed very sad and unfortunate, that when you begin to trace the genesis of those crises, that they will take you back to the footsteps of the party in government.

‘We used to think that more than any other person, that people in government, people who are on the surgeon of leadership, should prefer peace to reign than crisis in their domain. But for us in PDP, while other political parties are having existential threat, while their existence is threatened and their lives is shaking, nobody, and I dare say, nobody can kill the PDP.

‘PDP will continue to live. There may be challenges here and there regarding the leadership of our party. Again, for us in PDP, this is nothing new. We will overcome. We shall overcome. We are overcoming.

He said the party intend to discuss the judgement of the Federal High Court on the suit instituted by its Board of Trustees against the Independent National Electoral Commission on the leadership of the party and ‘agree on where we need to get to, for the purpose of taking our people and our nation out of the woods, and then we will maybe when we get into the private session, discuss exhaustively what our strategies would be’.

Former Niger state Governor, Babandiga Aliyu regretted that the crisis rocking the party came from within the party, regretting that those he called fugitives and nomadic politicians have been using the party for their own selfish.

He said however that those who thought they could kill PDP by running away to another party, are the ones who suffering more, and don’t even know what is there on the ground for them.

He said, ‘It is unfortunate that people are not patient enough. It is unfortunate that some people try to play god by taking decisions that really belongs to God. We have seen many of them jumping from one party to the other, for every election that has been conducted, but they forgot the success is not only in their effort.

‘Success is also in the way your heart functions, because our creator judges you by what is in your heart, not what is in your pocket or what is in your mouth. So, if you have clean heart, He knows it, and He will reward you at the end of the day. Believe me, we will be rewarded, and we will be surprised by our creator on the way and manner He is going to reward those of us who have stayed tenaciously to ensure that there is justice in our country.

‘Whatever is happening now, let us see it as a temporary way of making people understand that we messed up as we were coming along. If I will borrow from our creator, whatever you do, you will reap it, you will get it back. We will get yourselves back. You will get our party back, and we will succeed in the final analysis. We want people to be alive to see when we succeed. We will not laugh at them, but at least they will also learn some lessons as we go along.

‘You might think you are cheating me if you collect bribe to get me down. For you, you think you have made something, but believe me, you will pay both here and in the in the hereafter. So please let us continue patiently, and let us try to continue to at least organize properly.’

Memories of midnight and moving on forward aright

Twenty-third July is not merely a date on Sri Lanka’s calendar but rather a recurring D-Day of a moral test for all of us tortured islanders. The anti-Tamil pogrom of that year (1983), which is notoriously memorialised as ‘Black July’, was not the beginning of our once blessed isle’s ethnic conflict. Nor was it the sole cause of our so-called ‘civil war’ (which was anything but civil) that followed. Yet it was the day when many citizens lost their faith that the State could protect them all equally – and effectively at that.

Today, 43 years later, and some 17 after the guns fell silent in May 2009, Sri Lanka still commemorates the dead and the walking wounded; although we do better with the dead… while struggling to answer the challenge of the living: ‘What on earth has truly changed, and what remains unacceptably contentious in the state of the nation?’

Our track record on this vexed issue is mixed. Successive governments have acknowledged the need for reconciliation, devolution of power, and accountability in governance. Important agencies and institutions have been created. Some instrumental gains have been made. But the central transitional justice ‘deal’ – to wit: truth, accountability, reparations, and guarantees of non-recurrence – remains only partially fulfilled. It was ever thus, the truth be told.

Action flashback

First things first: What has been done?

The first major structural attempt to address minority grievances was the 13th Amendment to the Constitution (13A), introduced under the Indo-Lanka Accord, signed in Colombo on 29 July 1987. It created Provincial Councils and provided a framework in situ for devolution. In practice, however, powers over land, policing, and finance remained heavily constrained, and Tamil political parties have long argued that the implementation of 13A has been incomplete.

After the war ended, the Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC) was appointed in 2010. Its report recommended investigations into disappearances, demilitarisation, language reform, and measures to build trust between communities. Some recommendations were acted upon, particularly in relation to bilingual public administration and infrastructure development. But many accountability-related proposals were not fully implemented.

A more ambitious phase began in 2015, when the Sirisena-Wickremesinghe Government co-sponsored UN Human Rights Council Resolution 30/1. It committed Sri Lanka to a comprehensive transitional justice agenda and led to the establishment of several new bodies. These were the Office for National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) in 2015, the Office on Missing Persons (OMP) in 2016, the Office for Reparations in 2018, and ongoing consultation mechanisms through the Secretariat for Coordinating Reconciliation Mechanisms (SCRM).

These institutions represented the most concrete administrative architecture for transitional justice in Sri Lanka’s history. Thousands of complaints were received by the OMP, and reparations schemes were initiated for families of the missing and war-affected communities.

Orbital scan

Next on the agenda for today: What remains undone?

The most contentious issue is accountability for wartime abuses committed by both the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and Sri Lankan State actors. No special judicial mechanism with international participation was established, despite the 2015 commitments. Families of the disappeared continue to protest across the Northern and Eastern Provinces, demanding credible investigations and information about the fate of their relatives.

A host of other unresolved areas abide. These span the gamut from land disputes and military occupation of civilian land; demilitarisation of the North and East; constitutional reform and meaningful power-sharing; memorialisation, including the right of respective communities to commemorate their dead without intimidation; equal language access in terms of public services; and socio-economic disparities in war-affected regions.

Academic literature across ethnic perspectives broadly converges on one point: that infrastructure reconstruction alone is not tantamount to reconciliation. Sinhalese scholars often emphasise the need to recognise the suffering of all communities, including victims of LTTE violence. Their Tamil counterparts argue that reconciliation without truth and political autonomy risks becoming a technocratic exercise. Muslim interlocutors highlight the distinct experiences of displacement, their own expulsion from the North by the LTTE in 1990, and post-war insecurity.

Post-war vs. post-conflict

So what kind of society has emerged since 2009?

Sri Lanka today is neither a post-conflict success story nor a society on the brink of renewed war. It is better described as a post-war but not fully post-conflict society. We have failed to fully convert our swords into plough-shares and our spears into pruning-forks.

On the positive side, inter-ethnic mobility has increased, younger generations interact more freely in urban centres particularly, and overt separatist politics as such has diminished drastically. The economy, tourism, and education have created new spaces of contact, accommodation and at least some exchange of ideas.

Yet, the war’s dire legacy remains embedded in institutions and political culture. Majoritarian nationalism still shapes electoral politics to some extent even under the present dispensation. Security laws continue to grant the state extensive executive powers: PTA, PTSA, OSA, oh I say!

Meanwhile, the national memory is fragmented. Diverse communities often inhabit different historical narratives, with limited shared understanding of what happened between 1983 and 2009.

The 2022 economic crisis briefly created a cross-ethnic civic movement during the Aragalaya. This suggested that class and governance grievances can unite citizens across communal lines. But that unique moment and irredeemable opportunity has not yet been transformed into a durable constitutional or social compact.

Be that as it may (and by the way, I’m asking for a friend): has the National People’s Power (NPP) Government done any better?

The NPP, now two years into its second term, came to power promising a break from the corruption, militarisation, and political patronage associated with previous administrations. Its rhetoric has emphasised equality before the law, clean Government, and a civic rather than ethnically majoritarian conception of citizenship.

Words vs. works

The question, however, is whether rhetoric has become policy.

To date, the Government has taken some tangible steps. There has been continued engagement with the OMP and reparations framework, the release of limited parcels of land, and a less confrontational approach to memorial events than under some previous administrations. Civil society groups have also noted a reduction in overtly triumphalist State messaging, especially at Independence Day celebrations and national functions.

But the deeper tests remain unmet. There has been no comprehensive truth-seeking process, no new accountability mechanism with broad credibility, and no major constitutional settlement addressing the distribution of power between the centre and the provinces. Tamil parties continue to argue that the government has prioritised economic stabilisation over political reconciliation, while Sinhala nationalist groups accuse it of making concessions that could threaten the unitary state.

In that sense, the NPP has improved the tone of engagement more than the substance of the settlement.

MIA

So why has progress been so slow?

For one, opposition has come from several directions.

Sinhala nationalist parties and organisations still resist devolution and international involvement. Sections of the military remain concerned about legal exposure. There is also Tamil scepticism born of repeated broken promises. Weak institutional capacity and political turnover have robbed the process of impetus. And the tendency of each new government has been to abandon or dilute initiatives of its predecessor.

Transitional justice requires sustained political capital over many years. Sri Lanka has instead experienced cycles of reform, backlash, and stagnation.

Be that as it may, there is the path as below that could still prevent repetition:

If Black July is to be remembered as more than an annual ritual of mourning, Sri Lanka needs a cross-community pact against recurrence. Such a pact should include:

A national truth commission with independent commissioners drawn from all major communities and supported by international technical expertise

Time-bound publication of information on enforced disappearances

Full implementation of language parity in courts, police stations, and public administration

A phased reduction of the military footprint in civilian life

rotection of the right to memorialise all victims while prohibiting incitement to ethnic hatred

Reform of school curricula to include multi-perspective histories of the conflict

Strengthening independent institutions (the Judiciary, Human Rights Commission, National Police Commission, and Election Commission) as guarantees against future abuse

A renewed dialogue on devolution and local self-government focused on practical power-sharing rather than symbolic constitutional battles

None of these measures requires citizens to agree on every interpretation of the past. They require agreement on a simpler principle: no Sri Lankan should ever again fear the State, or their neighbours, because of ethnicity, language, or religion.

Black July began with organised violence enabled by political failure and public silence. Preventing another national rupture will require the opposite: institutions strong enough to restrain power, leaders courageous enough to tell uncomfortable truths, and citizens willing to defend one another’s rights even when they do not share one another’s identity.

The challenge before Sri Lanka is therefore not only to remember 1983, but to prove that remembrance can become reform. The island has already paid the price of learning this lesson too late. The hopeful possibility, which one will argue is still within reach even today, is that a new generation of Sri Lankans may yet insist on learning it in time.

(The writer is the Editor-at-large of LMD and is a senior journalist with a Post-graduate Diploma in Politics and Governance)

CBN issues new rules for BDC foreign exchange

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued fresh operational guidelines for the purchase of foreign exchange by Bureau De Change (BDC) operators through authorised dealer banks in the Nigerian Foreign Exchange Market (NFEM).

The move is part of the apex bank’s efforts to improve liquidity, strengthen transparency and tighten regulatory oversight of the country’s foreign exchange market.

The new guidance contained in circular to ‘All Authorised Dealer Banks and Bureau De Change introduces a digital platform that will enable the CBN to monitor foreign exchange transactions involving BDC operators in real time.

The apex bank said the system is designed to improve transparency, ensure compliance with existing foreign exchange rules and make it easier to track transactions across the market.

Under the guidelines, licensed BDC operators are allowed to buy foreign exchange from any authorised dealer bank at the prevailing market exchange rate, subject to compliance with all regulatory requirements.

Each BDC can purchase up to 150,000 dollars weekly through the official market.

The CBN directed authorised dealer banks to carry out full Know Your Customer (KYC) checks and proper due diligence before selling foreign exchange to any BDC. It also instructed BDCs to submit timely and accurate electronic reports of all transactions through the designated digital platform.

The apex bank said foreign exchange purchased under the arrangement must be used strictly for eligible retail transactions and must not be diverted to unauthorised activities. It warned that round-tripping, anonymous transactions and dealings through third parties are prohibited.

According to the guidance, BDC operators are not permitted to hold foreign exchange positions from funds purchased in the market. Any unused foreign exchange must be returned to the market within 24 hours, while all settlements are to be routed through accounts maintained with licensed financial institutions.

The CBN also placed limits on cash transactions, stating that only up to 25 per cent of each foreign exchange sale may be paid in cash, while the remaining 75 per cent must be settled electronically. The measure is intended to improve transaction traceability and reduce the risk of abuse within the foreign exchange market.

The regulator warned that any authorised dealer bank or BDC operator that fails to comply with the guidelines will face appropriate regulatory sanctions in line with existing laws and foreign exchange regulations.

The bank said the measures form part of ongoing reforms aimed at building a more transparent, efficient and stable foreign exchange market. It noted that wider access to official foreign exchange for licensed BDC operators, supported by stronger monitoring and reporting requirements, is expected to improve liquidity in the retail segment of the market while boosting confidence in Nigeria’s foreign exchange system.

VIDEO: Why 77% of Nigerian women bleach their skin – Actress Beverly Naya

British-Nigerian actress, Beverly Naya has explained why she produced a documentary on colorism, saying she wanted to challenge beauty standards that encourage many Nigerian women to bleach their skin.

Speaking in an interview, Naya said the documentary was created to raise awareness about colorism, educate people about the risks of skin bleaching and encourage self-acceptance.

The actress claimed that ‘77% of Nigerian women bleach their skin,’ describing the trend as a result of the belief that lighter skin is more attractive.

‘There’s this hierarchy of beauty according to complexion, where it’s like the lighter you are, the better. Culturally, you know, in society, it’s there.’

Naya said she came to see colorism as another form of bullying, explaining that many people used offensive terms for dark-skinned individuals without recognising the behaviour for what it was.

‘People knew that you could literally look at a dark-skinned person, and you would say, ‘Oh, Blackie,’ and it was derogatory, it was offensive, but there was nothing to define what that act was. But then it was colorism, and they didn’t know what it was.’

Speaking about the purpose of the documentary, Naya said she wanted viewers to appreciate their natural skin tone.

‘The whole idea was just to inspire people to love the complexion that they’re in and appreciate themselves for who they are,’ she said.

The actress also recalled that the documentary was released on Netflix a few weeks after the death of George Floyd, saying the timing contributed to its wider reach.

‘Naturally, it blew up. So many people watched it, and the impact was insane,’ she said.

Reflecting on the response, Naya said the positive reception encouraged her to continue advocating for self-love and raising awareness about colorism.