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Chief Joseph Adeniyi Aderibigbe, the last of the secretarial redoubts who helped Sir Ahmadu Bello hold together the defunct Northern Region, died on October 22. According to a statement signed by Malam Rafiu Ajakaye, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Kwara State, Chief Aderibigbe ‘died in Ilorin on Wednesday morning, aged 104 years, according to his son Barrister Debo Aderibigbe.’

I first met the man in June 2000 while reporting for Weekly Trust on the renewed agitations for a Middle Belt identity among Christian minorities in Northern Nigeria. As a Yoruba Christian from Erin-Ile, the last town in Northern Nigeria before crossing into the West, who had served as Provincial Secretary (the equivalent of a governor) of Sokoto Province (covering present-day Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, and most of Niger states) and later Kano Province (today’s Kano and Jigawa states), I was eager to learn how he perceived these movements and how he defined his own identity.

In my February 2, 2019 column titled ‘Even Ahmadu Bello Would Be Ashamed of Buhari’s Arewacentricity,’ where I recounted a few intriguing anecdotes he shared with me about Ahmadu Bello and his years as Provincial Secretary of Sokoto, I initially assumed he had died and therefore described him as ‘the late Joseph Aderibigbe.’

When I interviewed him in Ilorin in June 2000, he already looked quite old. My editor later called to ask if I was certain he was deceased. My search turned up no evidence that he had died, but none that he was alive, either. Choosing to err on the side of caution, I removed ‘the late’ from his name. As it turned out, he lived for six more years.

After Ahmadu Bello’s assassination during the January 1966 coup, his tenure as Provincial Secretary of Kano, his final regionwide appointment, came to an end. When General Yakubu Gowon’s military government later abolished Nigeria’s four regions (North, West, Mid-West, and East) and replaced them with states in May 1967, one of the new entities was the West Central State. This state comprised the present-day Kwara and Kogi states, along with the portion of Borgu that was transferred to Niger State in 1991.

Following impassioned protests from the Northern establishment, the name was subsequently changed to Kwara State.

Chief Aderibigbe became the first secretary of the newly created West Central State (later Kwara State) and served in that capacity until 1975. Having the opportunity to interview him more than twenty-five years ago remains one of the most memorable honors of my career. He was gracious, intelligent, and remarkably sharp-witted.

In honor of his passing, I reproduce below the interview he granted me, originally published in the Weekly Trust on June 28, 2000, and retrieved from the archives of AllAfrica.com.

Kperogi: You served the Northern regional government at different levels during the First Republic when the sentiment of ‘one North, one people’ was aflame. Today some people in the Middle Belt say they don’t want to be referred to as Northerners. What is your comment on this development?

Aderibigbe: It’s not a new development. In the First Republic, we had the UMBC [United Middle Belt Congress], which wanted a new region from the North. It was led by [David] Lot. So, there had always been people who felt agitated about certain things in the North, and who felt that the answer was to carve the Middle Belt out of Northern Nigeria so that they could have self-determination. There were also people who were naturally averse to Fulani domination, not because they were not having their ways but because they didn’t just like what they called Fulani domination. They might relate that to the history of the Jihad – what their experience was at that material time. But little did they think of the various changes that had since taken place, which would make them get involved in the new development, instead of reflecting on old sentiments. With the creation of new states in 1967 by Gowon, this eased out. The Middle Belt got more than it was even bargaining for.

Kperogi: You’ve been around in politics enough to know the history and politics of the Middle Belt movement. From your experience, do you think Kwara State, where you come from, fits into the conception of Middle Belt?

Aderibigbe: From the geography of it, it was in the Middle Belt, although the northern North did not regard Kwara as Middle Belt. It treated Kwara like other emirates in the region and treated the Middle Belt as a separate identity. So, Kwara was more of an emirate North than a Middle Belt North. Where there were Middle Belt agitations were places like Benue, Plateau and Kabba provinces where the emirate system was not operated. These places formed the core of what was political Middle Belt. But geographical Middle Belt spread beyond those three provinces. It spread to Yola, Niger, some parts of Kebbi, Kwara, and so on.

Kperogi: Now, certain people appear to be promoting conflict between the Northern and Middle Belt identities. What would you call yourself? A Northerner or a Middle Belter?

Aderibigbe: Middle Belt was part of the North. A Middle Belter in the past was as much a Northerner as a Katsina man, a Sokoto man, a Bauchi man. It only distinguished him from his Southern counterparts and associated him with his Northern counterparts. We are Northerners. Still, we are part of the geographical Middle Belt. There is no running away from that reality. It depends on the sense in which you want me to define our belonging. It’s a matter of semantics. Middle Belt is part of the North. There is no doubt about that. If you are thinking of Middle Belt in terms of people who don’t practise the emirate system, we practise the emirate system here, and we differ slightly from Benue, Plateau and Kabba provinces.

Kperogi: You are from Kwara State which you said geographically belongs to the Middle Belt. If you are invited to the Middle Belt Forum, will you attend?

Aderibigbe: I will, but the constitution does not recognise it. So, it is unconstitutional. If I am thinking of it from the constitutional point of view, I may not want to attend.

Kperogi: You worked very closely with the late Sardauna. What, in your opinion, are the reasons that gave rise to the fears of the minorities in the North? What created the basis for their desire for a Middle Belt region?

Aderibigbe: Left to Sardauna’s administration, there was no solid basis [for a Middle Belt region]. People who were qualified were installed in positions of importance, irrespective of tribe and religion. But, you see, governments were formed on political bases. You could not be a minister or a chairman of a board if you were not a member of the political party in power. Those who claimed to be marginalised were people who did not belong to the party in power.

People accused Sardauna of Islamic fanaticism. I disagree with that view. He was a devout Muslim. Yes, he had to be. As the great-great grandson of Usman Danfodio who brought Islam to this part of the world, he had to be. [Editorial note: Dan Fodio didn’t bring Islam; he only reformed it in Hausaland. Islam existed in many parts of Nigeria centuries before Dan Fodio was born.] But he was not fanatical. If he was, he would not have employed people like us to strategic and sensitive positions in the North. Silas Daniyan, Sunday Awoniyi, myself and others were Yoruba Christians from the periphery of the North but we were given sensitive security positions to man. We enjoyed higher privileges than our Southern counterparts with whom we had graduated from the university. We were not discriminated against on the basis of our religion or tribe. I was the provincial secretary of Sokoto province! That was the equivalent of a governor.

Kperogi: There is this other age-long contest for the possession of Kwara State between the North and the West. As a Yoruba Christian from Erin-Ile, the last town in Kwara State before getting to Oyo State, what is your position on where Kwara should be?

Aderibigbe: If we want to keep Nigeria together, we should not live on the basis of ethnicity. The fact that a majority of Kwarans are Yoruba does not necessarily mean that Kwara should be part of the South-West. What is the essence of merging with the South-West? It does not make the position or the status of Yoruba better if they go South-West than being in the North. It is a sentimental agitation! It has no economic or moral or political basis. Kwara had been NPC (Northern People’s Congress) and had been aligned with parties from the North for many years. A majority of people in Kwara don’t want to go to the West. In any case, when they go there, how will they fit into the place? What do we stand to gain going to the South-West? What are we losing by remaining in the North?

Zamfara State chapter of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has chided Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi, insisting that he was desperate for relevance. The party also applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the current war against insecurity.

In a statement signed by its Publicity Secretary, Yusuf Idris Gusau, the party said Shinkafi is driven by envy, frustrations and meddlesomeness.

According to APC, Shinkafi in 2019 got succour from former Governor Bello Mohammed Matawalle who provided him political shelter after he lost relevance in the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

‘Since 2019 when Bello Mohammed Matawalle became governor in Zamfara State, Shinkafi who had lost it all in APGA and was in desperate search for a place, found succour in the new government of Matawalle who he found accommodating.

‘Even when he claimed to have brought in his APGA supporters to Matawalle, the supporters had to leave him to follow Matawalle’

The party noted that rather than show appreciation to former Governor Matawalle who provided him with succour, Shinkafi is using every available opportunity to malign the former governor all in bid to curry favour from the PDP administration in the state.

‘Having lost it all, Sani Shinkafi retreated to Zamfara seeking absorption from the PDP governor even as he claims to be an APC member and in trying to manipulate the government into liking him. He felt the best way is to start causing trouble for former Governor and now Minister of State for Defence, Matawalle since that is an easy spot on governor Dauda Lawal who always sees Matawalle as a threat.

The party said Shinkafi’s claim that Kabiru Mafara was forced out of the APC smacks of deliberatel attempt to distort facts because Marafa who couldn’t secure any appointment left on his own volition.

‘Marafa even boasted that he had made several moves against and for the APC to sack him but it didn’t which was why he exited himself’

APC said even close supporters of Marafa and Sani Jahi, a member of the House of Representatives who was also suspended by the party, are well aware of the circumstances that led to their exits.

The party insisted that there was no division in its rank as claimed noting that the APC has never been so united in Zamfara as it is now, owing to the dogged commitment of the trio of Minister Matawalle, Senator Abdul’aziz Yari, Senator Yarima Bakura, former governor Mamuda Shinkafi among others.

‘It was this unity that made the APC to overwhelmingly defeat the ruling PDP in the state at the recent by-election for Kaura-Namoda South State Assembly election and we remain highly confident that even with the combination of betrayers like the money seeking monger Sani Shinkafi, anti party activist Sani Jaji and envious Kabiru Mafara, the APC is heading for a strong comeback in Zamfara come 2027.

‘As APC is waxing stronger in Zamfara State will ensure that no stone is left unturned especially those with ill motive against the party’s success and unity.

‘The party is calling on Sani Abdullahi Shinkafi to redress himself or face the consequences of his actions because we know of all his romance with the PDP in the state.

APC in Zamfara however expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed for finding one of its leaders, Bello Mohammed Matawalle worthy of trust even as it lauded the president for proactively addressing insecurity in the country.

We started this conversation last week and we discussed the issue of paying the small debt first, contrary to what most people practice, by trying to pay the big debt first and they end up feeling overwhelmed. And they just end up abandoning the entire debt, until it becomes a mountain or hill.

So my advice is sart by focusing on the smallest debt. This is known as the ‘snowball’ method. By paying off the smallest debt first, you quickly liberate yourself from one burden, boosting your morale and giving you the motivation to keep going. It’s like cheering yourself on!

Once you’ve paid off the smallest debt, take the money you were using for that debt and apply it to the next one on your list, and so on. It might sound too simple to work, but many have found success with this approach because it turns the psychological tide on debt reduction.

You see progress fast, and that’s a powerful motivator!

Step 4: Negotiate for Better Terms and Rates

Don’t hesitate to reach out to your creditors and explore the possibility of renegotiating your terms. It’s worth trying to ask for lower interest rates or setting up a more manageable payment plan.

You’d be surprised how accommodating lenders can be when you show initiative and a commitment to repayment. This proactive approach not only reduces the financial strain but also earns you goodwill from lenders who see you taking responsibility.

Step 5: Create an Emergency Fund.

I know that it might seem counterintuitive to save money when you’re buried under debt, but having an emergency fund guards against future borrowing. Set aside a small amount each month, so that when unexpected expenses arise, you don’t have to rely on loans again. Start small-maybe a few thousand naira each month-until you have a cushion that can cover 1-3 months of living expenses. This financial safety net will provide significant peace of mind and keep you from slipping further into debt.

Step 6: Change Your Mindset, Change Your Habits.

Debt can often be a reflection of lifestyle choices. Take this time to evaluate your relationship with money. Consider the choices that lead to debt and how you might change them. It’s about developing a financial mindset where you prioritize long-term goals over immediate gratifications. Small changes, like brewing your coffee at home or reconsidering that impulse purchase, can make a big difference over time.

Educating yourself on financial literacy is also key. Read, attend seminars, or engage with content that teaches you smarter money management. The more you know, the better decisions you can make, allowing you to build wealth rather than accumulate debt.

Step 7: Celebrate Your Wins, Small or Big.

Finally, don’t forget to celebrate the milestones along the way. Every debt you pay off, every temptation you resist, and every naira saved is a victory. Celebrating these achievements reinforces positive behavior and makes the journey to financial freedom more enjoyable.

Debt, while daunting, doesn’t have to be a life sentence. With courage, commitment, and a few strategic plans, you’re well on your way to reclaiming your financial wellbeing. Remember, sis, every step you take gets you closer to a stress-free life.

Your future self will thank you. Keep pushing-you’ve got this, and I’m cheering for you every step of the way.

What exactly is congestive heart failure and why does it occur?

This is a chronic condition in which the heart does not pump blood as well as it should. Heart failure can occur if the heart cannot pump (systolic) or fill (diastolic) adequately. Congestive heart failure carries a high morbidity and mortality, especially when associated with left ventricular dysfunction. However, making the diagnosis poses some difficulty, especially for general practitioners (GPs) who are often the first to see the patients. Erroneous diagnosis is made in more than 40% of cases, leading to wrong treatment. Diagnosis in the community is usually based on clinical assessment and chest radiograph, the sensitivity of which has been put at 92%.

Congestive heart failure (CHF) is said to increase the risk of sudden cardiac death. How can such death be avoided or reduced in Nigeria?

Persons with acute heart failure, once picked and properly managed, will do well. However, those with acute decompensated or advanced heart failure with poor systolic function can die any moment due to complications. The one-year death rate from heart failure is as high as 50%, especially in the elderly. The five-year death rate approaches 70%. Good and adequate contemporary management reduces the mortality rate, especially when modern drug therapy combined with heart-assisted devices is employed. Abnormal heart rhythm and conduction abnormalities should be treated, and clots within the heart chambers prevented.

Above all, adequate rest is perfect for heart failure cases. Prevention of heart failure by taking care of possible causes and, of course, the precipitants or risk factors should be pursued adequately.

Beyond clinical examination, what diagnostic tools are available for heart failure

Echocardiogram (Echo) has been introduced to improve the diagnosis and management of CHF. However, considering the economic cost of this latest cardiologic tool, it may be out of reach for most patients. Also, its availability in most referral centres cannot be guaranteed. Hence, a case is being made for the greater use of the simple electrocardiogram (ECG) as an adjunct to clinical assessment and chest radiograph before referral to a cardiology centre for more definite management.

The combination of these clinical tools has been shown to have 100% sensitivity and 95% specificity. This approach is cost-effective and reduces the considerable cost of echocardiogram. We also advocate more purposeful ECG training for all resident doctors, especially GPs, in identifying simple ECG abnormalities.

From your experience, how effective is ECG in detecting congestive heart failure among patients?

I and some physicians in one of our teaching hospitals in Nigeria looked at the usefulness of this tool in making the diagnosis of heart failure in Nigerians. Two hundred and seven patients referred to our unit by general practitioners for cardiology evaluation for congestive cardiac failure were studied. The patients were critically examined clinically for signs of heart failure after a detailed history.

They were divided into two groups, namely: those with clinical evidence of heart failure (Group A) and those without evidence of heart failure (Group B). Group B cases served as control. Both groups were then exposed to chest X-ray and 12-lead electrocardiogram to detect abnormalities. The ECG tracings were read by the same cardiologist. Echocardiogram was then carried out on those with abnormal clinical assessment, whose ECGs were abnormal, and who had suffered CHF with poor cardiac function, as evidenced by the left ventricular ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and chamber diameters.

A total of 207 patients were studied. All Group A patients had chest radiographic and echocardiographic findings consistent with poor cardiac function, while Group B patients had enlarged cardiac shadows and ECG findings but with good cardiac function. It was observed that once there is cardiac damage, the ECG becomes abnormal. Major abnormalities observed in this study enhance the diagnosis of heart failure, especially when combined with the patient’s complaints, the physician’s findings, and chest X-ray results.

What key findings or conclusions emerged from your study?

This study shows that the electrocardiogram (ECG), though an old cardiologic tool, still plays a significant role in the initial assessment, diagnosis, and subsequent management of congestive heart failure (CHF). The diagnosis of heart failure depends on clinical features in terms of symptoms, signs, and evidence of underlying cardiac pathology.

However, clinical features are insensitive, lack specificity, and are often irreproducible, especially in elderly patients. A combination of clinical features and chest radiograph has been found to improve the diagnosis. Additionally, the triad of detailed clinical examination, chest radiographic abnormality, and major ECG abnormality has been found to enhance the diagnosis of CHF with higher sensitivity, specificity, and predictive values.

The fact that ECG lacks specificity (with specificity of 10% obtained in this study), coupled with its inability to make structural diagnosis or differentiate between systolic and diastolic cardiac dysfunction, makes echocardiogram a more superior tool. Hence, ECG is not a substitute for echocardiogram, but it remains a less expensive, simple, and cost-effective tool that is useful in the initial evaluation of patients.

Premature atrial contraction (PAC) was considered a major ECG abnormality in the study because it was previously discovered as a major arrhythmia in adult Nigerians with hypertensive heart disease. Hypertensive heart failure (HHF) constituted the bulk of patients with CHF in this study and, of course, remains the commonest cause of heart failure in adult Nigerians.

What do these findings reveal about managing heart failure in Nigeria?

Even though atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major ECG abnormality, its prevalence is low in Nigeria. It is a fact that the consensus among cardiac specialists is the use of echocardiogram for all CHF patients. However, not every patient can afford the cost of this expensive tool, and not many centres have echocardiographic facilities. Hence, a very good and detailed clinical assessment, combined with abnormalities on chest radiograph and major ECG abnormalities, is diagnostic and sensitive.

The presence of a cardiac murmur calls for cardiology review. Simple ECG interpretation should not be left to cardiologists alone. Adequate and purposeful exposure of resident doctors, especially GPs, to ECG should be encouraged. Equipping our laboratories with facilities to assay serum atrial and brain natriuretic peptides (ANP and BNP), which are elevated in congestive heart failure, coupled with ECG and chest X-ray, will reinforce the diagnosis of CHF and help select those who will need echocardiogram.

In conclusion, the ECG is a valuable first-line tool in the investigation and analysis of CHF in developing countries with depressed economies. This is attested to by the high sensitivity result obtained in this study. A normal ECG definitely excludes CHF. However, an abnormal ECG does not confirm congestive heart failure (CHF) but depicts an underlying cardiac pathology that can be further assessed echocardiographically.

The combination of chest X-ray and ECG in a well-clinically assessed patient increases the diagnostic yield of CHF. The presence of a cardiac murmur and/or increased serum ANP/BNP in a patient with normal or abnormal chest X-ray and ECG calls for echocardiogram.

Finally, what is your advice to both doctors and patients?

There are many tools used by physicians to assess damage to the heart before eventual heart failure. One of the oldest tools is the electrocardiogram. The study mentioned above examined the usefulness of this tool in diagnosing heart failure in Nigerians. It was observed that once there is cardiac damage, the ECG becomes abnormal. Major abnormalities observed in this study enhance the diagnosis of heart failure, especially when combined with the patient’s complaints, the physician’s findings, and chest X-ray results.

People should be patient with their doctors when they are advised to carry out some or all of these tests. They help the doctor make an accurate and timely diagnosis. Even though there are many tools used by physicians to assess heart damage before heart failure, one of the oldest is the electrocardiogram. Its importance and relevance cannot be overemphasized. Therefore, people should be patient with their doctors when asked to undergo tests that aid in making a reasonable diagnosis.

In a significant move to bolster responsible media coverage, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), in collaboration with the Child Rights Information Bureau (CRIB) of the Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, has concluded a two-day training for journalists and media practitioners on ethical journalism and child rights reporting.

The workshop, held in Port Harcourt, brought together journalists, editors, and media advocates from across the South-South, South-East, and North-Central zones of Nigeria with the aim to strengthen ethical standards and deepen understanding of responsible reporting on children, ensuring media practices align with legal and ethical frameworks.

The UNICEF Country Representative, Wafaa Saeed, officially welcomed the participants, emphasizing the high value UNICEF places on the media as a crucial partner.

Represented by Susan Akila, a UNICEF Communication Specialist, Saeed stated that the agency believes children often lack a voice, and the media is uniquely positioned to speak on their behalf. She urged participants to use the training to sharpen their reporting skills on issues affecting children.

‘We believe the media are the foot soldiers, important not just to UNICEF but to the children of Nigeria. This training ensures journalists do not report children in harm’s way, and that perpetrators of child injustice are not left unreported and unpunished,’ she said.

In his keynote address, the Chief of UNICEF Field Office in Port Harcourt, Mr. Anselem Audu, described the media as a powerful force capable of shaping public perception and influencing the well-being of children.

He noted that while the media holds the power to amplify children’s voices and highlight their struggles, it must also exercise great responsibility to ensure that reporting does not harm or exploit the very subjects it seeks to protect.

He elaborated on three key reasons ethical journalism matters: building trust, protecting the vulnerable, and enhancing professional credibility. He warned that in Nigeria’s fragile context, marked by insecurity and social tension, responsible reporting can cool tempers and foster peace, while irresponsible reporting can inflame passions with devastating consequences.

Audu specifically cautioned against sensational or exploitative reporting that exposes child victims to further trauma, stigmatisation, or ridicule.

‘A sensational headline about a child might sell your paper, but an ethical story protects that child’s right to a future free from shame and harm,’ he advised, while encouraging journalists to prioritise fact-checking, fairness, and empathy, urging them to always ask, ‘Am I protecting the vulnerable in this story?’ and to let the best interest of the child be a non-negotiable principle.

Representing the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Information, Mr. Ogbodo Chinasa, the Assistant Director and Head of CRIB, Temitoye Falayi, urged participants to reflect on their ethical obligations.

He described the training as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen media capacity and promote a culture of ethical child-focused reporting in Nigeria.

‘Every image, every word and every frame we publish can have lasting consequences on a child’s life, safety and future. Together, let’s reaffirm our commitment to a media landscape that not only informs but also protects and empowers.’

He commended UNICEF for its consistent partnership and support in promoting children’s welfare across Nigeria, noting, ‘There’s no time we have called on UNICEF for assistance on issues concerning children that they have not stood by us.’

The two-day training session featured in-depth presentations, case studies, and group discussions.

Key topics covered included an overview of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child and ethical principles in reporting children’s issues by Dr. Geoffrey Njoku, Communication, Advocacy and Development Consultant; foundations of child rights by Dr. Jide Johnson; balancing public interest with child protection by Lekan Sote; and drafting newsroom guidelines on child reporting by Prof. Charles Obot.

Participants are expected to develop practical strategies from the workshop to promote balanced, factual, and compassionate reporting on children’s issues, ultimately creating a safer and more supportive environment for Nigeria’s children.

Two years ago, we launched DEFINED with a simple, audacious promise: to give our school children the digital wings they need to fly into 21st-century opportunity.

We set out to make coding as everyday as comprehension, to turn curiosity into competence, and to build the ladders, and the runways, young people need to take off. Today, looking back from the cockpit of our second anniversary, I am both humbled and energised by what this movement has set in motion.

First, a word of gratitude. My heartfelt thanks to the Board members of Odu’a Investment Foundation for their unwavering belief in this mission. I extend special appreciation to the Board Chairperson, Ambassador Dr Tokunbo Awolowo Dosunmu, whose inspiring leadership and relentless zeal have kept us motivated and encouraged. I also thank the Odu’a Investment Company Board Chair, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru, the Group Managing Director, Mr Abdularaham Yinusa, and the Company Secretary, Mrs. Abiola Ajayi for their invaluable commitment and steady support. This coalition of conviction has been our tailwind. Last, but by no means the least, is our indefatigable project team, led by the brilliant Temilorun Okediji, supported by Yinka Babalola, Oluwapelumi Adeosun, the army of diligent and committed project assistants, and field support ICT teachers across our centres. If the Odu’a Investment Company is the engine, and the Odu’a Investment Foundation the oil for the engine, these young men and women are the drivers at the frontline, the MVPs at the operational heart of our success story.

The DEFINED vision was shaped by a clear reading of our times. Digital transformation is not a trend at the margins; it is the main current of economic and social life. Our answer has been practical and urgent: build capacity early, build it everywhere, and build it to last.

That is why we created Byte Busters, an after-school coding ecosystem that demystifies technology, fosters deep learning, and grows ethical, creative problem-solvers from primary and secondary school upwards.

The philosophy is simple: start early, start together, and keep going.

Why invest now and why this young? Because the return on early digital literacy compounds for life. Every hour a 12-year-old spends learning to code multiplies into years of employability, entrepreneurship and civic contribution. Every additional child we equip today becomes tomorrow’s problem-solver, job-creator and community builder. The opportunity cost of delay is measured not just in lost GDP, but in muted dreams.

And we cannot speak about ‘digital’ without speaking about AI. Our children must grow up not merely using AI but understanding it-its strengths, its limits and its ethics. That is why Byte Busters has woven foundational AI literacy into our pathway: data awareness, responsible use, prompt and critical-thinking skills, and hands-on projects that pair coding with AI tools to solve real problems. We teach pupils to treat AI as a co-pilot, not an oracle: to question outputs, cite sources, and design for fairness and safety. In an age of misinformation and deepfakes, this blend of technical skill and moral judgement is not optional. It is the new civic competence. With this grounding, our young people will not be passive consumers of algorithms; they will be confident creators who shape how AI serves communities, enterprises and public life.

We see this truth every week in our classrooms.

Consider Israel, who had never operated a computer when he joined Byte Busters in June 2024. In his first week, his hands hovered uncertainly over the keyboard. Three months later, he was debugging loops with his team; today, that same team is presenting an AI-powered Career Pathfinder App. Or think of Faridat and Roseline, who started off as complete novices in programming. This term they are part of a team that has created a replica of the famous reality TV show ‘Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?’ in Yoruba Language-‘Táló fé di Olówó Milíònù.’ These are not outliers; they are signals. With access and mentoring, ‘first-time users’ become ‘first-rate makers.’

Behind such stories is a scaffolding of systems. We have recruited and trained local Project Assistants, built a baseline assessment to track progress, and rolled out a real-time monitoring dashboard-attendance, assessments, and leaderboards by state and by school-so we steer by evidence, not assumptions. We also learned and adapted: pivoting to a school-based model to strengthen ownership and continuity; adding Computer Appreciation classes to lift the floor; introducing holiday bootcamps to accelerate learners ready to stretch.

As a result, our impact is widening and deepening.

Two years in, thousands of contact hours later, we have seen pupils move from zero exposure to presenting apps and websites in public. We have seen teams learn to collaborate, to pitch, to fail fast and fix faster. Most importantly, we have seen parents and communities begin to read their children’s futures differently-not with fear of a changing world, but with faith that their children can help change it. Together, we have engaged 3,367 school learners, and we now have 1,334 of them registered and actively engaged-week in, week out-in our coding clubs.

But the heart of DEFINED is not software; it is sovereignty of opportunity. Latecomers can jump the queue of development when they pair clarity of purpose with courage of action. The digital economy rewards speed, skill and scale-not seniority. This is our window to convert demographic weight into digital momentum, turning a restless youth bulge into a resilient youth vanguard.

Which brings me to a simple, urgent message for decision-makers: treat DEFINED as strategic infrastructure. The devices, connectivity, mentors, centres, showcases and scholarships we fund are not expenses; they are engines. If roads and power light cities, digital education lights minds-and minds, once lit, light everything else. Let state governments lock in multi-year funding for this project. Let private sector partners underwrite computers and equipment for our clubs. Our ambition is to reach every one of the 137 local governments in southwest Nigeria-the owner states of Odu’a Investment Company. Every naira invested here has a multiplier larger than we dare to imagine.

We are heirs to a proud tradition. The free education revolution of the old Western Region, championed by Chief Obafemi Awolowo, remains the benchmark for visionary public investment in human capital. In our time, digital education is the next frontier of that same vision-different tools, same moral logic. If free education unlocked literacy for a generation, digital education will unlock leverage for the next: leverage to create, to compete, and to contribute at scale.

Two years in, the runway is laid, the engines are spooling, and the tower is clear. Our young people are ready-some of them touching a keyboard for the first time only months ago, now standing tall to present products they built themselves. Let’s give them the wings-and the wind-to soar.

Ahead of its scheduled November 15 National Elective Convention, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has appointed a 13-member committee to screen aspirants seeking election.

Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, will host the event at the Adamasingba Stadium.

Former Ondo State PDP governorship candidate, Eyitayo Jegede, SAN, heads the committee, which was announced on Saturday by the Chairman of the Convention Organising Committee (NCOC), and Governor of Adamawa State, Honourable Ahmadu Fintiri.

Former governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola; former governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa; Mrs Josephine Anenih; Hajiya Mariam Chiroma; Felix Hassan Hyat; Emmanuel Enoidem; Mrs Aduke Maina; and Zainab Maina are members of the committee.

Honourable Mohammed Diri is the deputy chairman, while the secretary of the committee is Asue Ighodalo, with Jacob Otorkpa deputising him.

The screening, according to the NCOC, begins on Tuesday, next week.

The PDP goes ahead with its preparations for the convention amid unresolved internal disagreements, including a pending suit before an Abuja Federal High Court seeking to stop the exercise on the grounds of alleged exclusion of some stakeholders and lack of sufficient consultations.

The court, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, had fixed October 31 for its final decision on the case, just two weeks before the November 15 convention date.

Some stakeholders led by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, are also demanding the reinstatement of the South-South Zonal Committee and disputed state congresses in the South-East, Cross River, Plateau, Akwa Ibom and Kebbi, as conditions for them to support the convention.

In recent weeks, two governors -Diri Douye of Bayelsa State, and Peter Mbah of Enugu State -had left the party, in addition to more senators and members of the House of Representatives, abandoning the platform.

While Douye, a former senator, said he resigned from the PDP and gave no specific mention of his next political party of choice, Mbah joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) outright, though some of Douye’s allies already joined the APC as well.

Insiders say the decision of Douye’s allies to join the APC is a pointer to where the governor will eventually pitch his tent.

In the northern region, members are divided over the decision of the majority of stakeholders to pick a former Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, SAN, as the ‘consensus candidate’ for the position of national chairman, which was zoned to the region.

Turaki emerged on Wednesday night, following a meeting of leaders and stakeholders to pick him from the North-West geopolitical zone, where the position was micro-zoned.

A day after, on Thursday, some members led by the outgoing National Organising Secretary of the party, Honourable Umar Bature, opposed the choice of Turaki on the claim that there was no consultation before his name was ‘imposed’ on the zone.

The PDP, however, clarified that in spite of the consensus decision, the post and all other positions remained open to all to contest on November 15.

‘No member of the party, who wished to contest any position, has been denied the right to do so’, the National Publicity Secretary, Honourable Debo Ologunagba, stated.

The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, held a historic meeting in Lagos on Friday where they pledged renewed commitment to the unity and peace of Yorubaland.

The session, convened by Sir Kessington Adebutu, took place at the Eko Hotel Signature Building during Adebutu’s 90th birthday anniversary.

In a communiqué issued after the meeting, both monarchs emphasised peace, mutual respect, and collective progress.

‘They announced the creation of a Joint Council of Yoruba Unity, a body that will focus on peacebuilding, cultural preservation, and socioeconomic development across Yorubaland,’ a statement from the Ooni’s palace said.

The monarchs stressed that greatness for the Yoruba race could only be achieved through dialogue and collaboration.

‘Today marks a defining moment in our shared history. We are committed to promoting harmony among Yoruba sons and daughters and to upholding the sacred values of mutual respect and brotherhood bequeathed to us by our forebears,’ the communiqué added.

The meeting, which was attended by prominent Yoruba leaders, traditional rulers, and cultural custodians, was aimed at strengthening inter-kingdom cooperation and motivating others to imitate the spirit of togetherness displayed by the two thrones.

In their closing prayers, the Ooni and Alaafin jointly sought divine guidance, peace, and prosperity for Yorubaland, Nigeria, and Africa at large. The session ended with an exchange of goodwill and royal blessings.

In his remarks, Sir Adebutu expressed delight at the renewed bond between the two monarchs.

He described the unity as a milestone that would foster peace and progress among the Yoruba people.

Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) has once again demonstrated its commitment to academic excellence and research innovation, with Professor Ayodeji Folorunsho Ajayi, a distinguished academic and researcher, featured in the prestigious list of the world’s top 2% of scientists.

This recognition is a testament to Professor Ajayi’s exceptional research prowess and his profound contributions to the field of reproductive physiology.

Ajayi, a professor of reproductive physiology at the university, has over two decades of experience in teaching, research, and community service, and his research interests span reproductive physiology, endocrinology, gastrointestinal physiology, nutrition, and bioinformatics.

Professor Ajayi has conducted extensive research on the effects of drug abuse on different systems of the body and has published numerous papers in international journals.

His study on Skoochies, an illicit cocktail drink, revealed its potential to cause infertility in men by reducing sperm quality and damaging testes. This study emphasises the need to increase awareness and regulation of this cocktail drink, which has become a public health issue in Nigeria.

The world’s top 2% scientists list is a prestigious recognition that is based on a complex algorithm that takes into account various factors, including the number of citations, publications, and awards.

Being selected for this list signifies that Professor Ajayi has a significant global impact in his field of research and has made important contributions to its development.

Stanford University, in collaboration with Elsevier, compiled the 2025 list, ranking Professor Ajayi 280th out of 291 Nigerian scientists.

In April 2025, the Vice Chancellor of LAUTECH presented Professor Ajayi with the ‘Outstanding Scholarly Publications Award’ as one of the several accolades he has received for his contributions to academics and research.

He is also a featured scholar on various platforms, including ResearchGate, ORCID, and Google Scholar, where his research work is widely recognized and cited.

As the Founder and Director of Anchor Biomedical Research Institute, Professor Ajayi continues to contribute to scientific research and innovation, mentoring students and junior academics along the way.

His mentoring values emphasize confidentiality, respect, authenticity, and reciprocity, and he is committed to helping his mentees develop their research and academic skills.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has launched an artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant to strengthen staff training and preparation ahead of the Anambra governorship election scheduled for November 8.

The new tool, called the INEC Training Virtual Assistant or ‘INECTrainingBot,’ was introduced on Friday.

Hosted on Telegram, the INECTrainingBot offers 24-hour access to election materials, interactive lessons, and on-demand learning modules. It allows electoral officers to train flexibly, from any location and at their own pace.

A statement by the commission via X reads, ‘In preparation for the #AnambraDecides2025 election, the Independent National Electoral Commission is leveraging technology to enhance the capacity of its personnel and stakeholders.

‘We are proud to introduce the INEC Training Virtual Assistant, ‘INECTrainingBot,’ now available on Telegram. This tool provides flexible, on-demand access to essential election training, ensuring our team can learn smarter and be fully equipped for their critical roles.

‘Key Features: 24/7 Accessibility; User-friendly interface on Telegram; On-the-go learning.’

INEC also announced that the distribution of Permanent Voter Cards for voters who participated in the recent Continuous Voter Registration in Anambra State will take place from October 22 to October 26.

The commission added that a mock accreditation exercise would be held on Saturday, October 25, in selected polling units across the three senatorial districts of the state.

According to INEC, the exercise aims to test the performance of the upgraded Bimodal Voter Accreditation System and assess the real-time uploading of results to the INEC result viewing portal.