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General Lucky Irabor (retd) can at best be described as intellectual in military uniform. But that only reminds us of the glorious days of the Nigerian military before criminals in uniform mindlessly murdered their colleagues and Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha turned the military into ‘an army of anything is possible’. Irabor speaking last week at the public presentation of his book, Scars: Nigeria’s Journey and the Boko Haram Conundrum reminded us of some of those truths about ourselves we have tried to ignore. He told us that the book is ‘not an indictment, but a national soul-searching presentation; an awakening reality to either act dutifully for progress, or do nothing and turn towards extinction’. He wants the book ‘to serve as an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on past experiences and recommit to justice, equity, and peace’.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu could not have agreed any less. Speaking as special guest of honour through his Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru during the launch, he admitted that Scars tells a story, reminds us of pain but it also proves that survival is possible adding that the book ‘will provide guidance and serve as a roadmap for the nation to build a safer future’ because it reminds us that ‘the scar we carry as a nation are evidence of our resilience and of the sacrifice of our heroes past, soldiers, displaced families, and communities’. He therefore wants Nigerians to ‘use the occasion not only to acknowledge the book but also to affirm our commitment to working together toward a future where every Nigerian can live without fear, thrive in peace, and contribute to the nation’s greatness’.

The book could not have come at a better time for embattled President Bola Tinubu. Those who love Nigeria and who understand that we have been fighting tribal wars by another name since independence, for two years have mounted pressure on him to address the national question. They have all argued that all our woes, including corruption, poverty, Fulani terrorism/banditry and economic crisis arising from fuel subsidy scam and foreign currency speculation, are all but symptoms of our failure to first seek the kingdom of politics, as advised by the great Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana. We need to first define who owns Nigeria.

The Patriots led by Chief Emeka Anyaoku, an elder statesman and former Secretary General of the Commonwealth not too long ago visited the president making two demands. First, was: ‘The convening of a National Constituent Assembly of directly elected individuals, on a non-political basis, from the 36 states of the federation, possibly three individuals per state, and one from the FCT with the mandate to produce a draft people’s democratic constitution. And that ‘the draft constitution produced by the constituent assembly, to be put to a national referendum and if approved, should then be signed by the president as the genuine Nigerian people’s constitution’.

The president while assuring them of ‘listening to their two major requests on the path to referendum which should lead to constitutional measures that will fit our diversity and governance so that we avoid conflicts and break-ups’, however insisted that he is ‘currently preoccupied with economic reform, his first priority after which he would ‘look at other options, including constitutional review as recommended along other options, as soon as possible’.

Before the Patriots’ last call was Olu Falae, a former secretary to the government of the federation. Canvassing that the regions which used to be federating units, in today’s Nigeria, to now be called federal regions because states have been created in the regions, he wants us to go ‘back to that arrangement which all of us agreed at independence and not what Abacha imposed on us’.

Of course we have had other groups including the late nationalist, Pa Enahoro’s ‘Movement for National Reformation’ ( MNR), Pro-National Conference Organisation (PRONACO), National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), foremost socio-cultural ethnic groups such as Afenifere, Ohaneze, Pan Niger Deltal Forum (PANDEF) and Middle Belt Forum, (MDF) for whom periodic agitation for restructuring of the country was a crusade.

President Tinubu who is always working ahead of his colleagues probably understand better that the rain started to beat us since the run up to independence because of lack of elite consensus or consensus of military-baked newbreed that bred corruption.

The three dominant Nigerian ethnic groups and their leaders have different worldviews of how Nigeria should be run. The Yoruba who by nature are federalist wanted federal arrangement, a social system that has demonstrated in Europe and in over half of the world where it is adopted as capable of ensuring unity in diversity in deeply divided societies like ours. In fact, Awo wrote his Path to Nigeria Progress in the late 1940s where he advocated for a Nigerian federation based on the major ethic groups.

Of course, the Fulani hegemonic powers in the north have never hidden their desire to conquer Nigeria for their fellow stateless Fulani all over Africa. Uthman dan Fodio demonstrated this when after his 1804 Jihad and conquest of the Hausa states, 12 of the 13 people he appointed as Emirs were his Fulani compatriots while only one Hausa was found pious enough to be appointed an emir in an area where Islam had thrived for over 400 years before Dan Fodio, the Fulani revered Islamic teacher who first appeared in Gobir as the guest of the King Yuma.

But Nnamdi Azikiwe, the foremost nationalist that up to 1959 insisted on unitary system for a multi-ethnic Nigeria was less sincere. What he and his Igbo colleagues, from a landlocked country of hostile neighbours wanted in truth was a Nigeria where their highly resourceful youths who like the Jews thrive in other peoples land, can operate without hindrance.

I am also sure he understood this is the source of periodic tribal wars in Nigeria since independence. The first victim was Awolowo and his Yoruba people (1962-63). With one leg of a tripod that held Nigeria together removed, the next tribal war was between Igbo and Fulani (1964-1970). In 1993 when MKO Abiola pan-Nigerian mandate was annulled, the victim was unarguably Yoruba with Arthur Nzeribe placing advert in various newspapers saying Igbo will not accept a Yoruba president.

South-south was the victim between 2011 and 2015. The northern elite kept their peace when Boko Haram first started attacking Christians and churches. In fact, it was claimed that late president, Buhari insisted Boko Haram insurgents should be treated like Niger Delta freedom fighters with monthly stipend from government.

Of course Tinubu understands he and his Yoruba people are the victim since 2022 when Igbo, supported by Obasanjo and Pa Ayo Adebanjo, started to accuse him and his Yoruba people of betrayal for not ceding the presidency to the East. Even though he was out of power for 16 years while Igbo political elite ate with their 10 fingers. Two years into his presidency, the tribal wars has only become more fierce.

But President Tinubu is a unique politician who has probably moved beyond call for a return to pre-independence constitution because he understands the need for an elite consensus. Today, he has sufficient support from the east and the north to be held down by old prejudices. He has quietly worked toward mobilization of the elite because he knows the elite that ‘often determine the direction of their country even for the purpose of self-preservation’ (Yemi Osinbajo). And that democracy is best preserved, enhanced and stabilized on existing consensus among political elite (Rustow).

While his opponents are busy abusing him, questioning the authenticity of his university degree and even his identity, he was busy and quietly trying to win the confidence of elected members of the elite. And today, with close to his party’s control of close to 80 members of the red chamber from its modest 59 in at inauguration in 2023, and about 265 in the Green Chamber from 175 in 2023, with about 22 governors, his labour has not been in vain. He now has an historic opportunity to take our country back to ‘the Path to Nigeria Progress’ never taken.

With a rancorous National Assembly whose result will never be acceptable to those who have held Nigeria hostage for 85 years, I think his establishment of development commissions in all the six geo-political zones is a step in the right direction. For those who are passionate about their independence and who do not want anyone in Abuja to dictate to us the education of our children, the road we pass through or the water we drink, they have an answer in the development commissions which have the potential to become the building block for our new Nigeria. Just imagine if the states covered by each commission decided to come up with one police force with local police and community police running their states.

Nigeria’s fintech unicorn, Moniepoint, has thrown its weight behind the Federal Government’s digital economy agenda by setting aside a special funding program to support science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) across Nigeria.

Its Founder, Tosin Eniolorunda, through the Tosin Eniolorunda STEM Foundation said he has launched the Future Builders Fund, to support high-potential but under-resourced students across the country.

Moniepoint, formerly known as TeamApt, is a prominent Nigerian fintech company that achieved unicorn status (a valuation over $1 billion) after raising $110 million in a Series C funding round in October 2024. Key investors include Development Partners International, Google’s Africa Investment Fund, Verod Capital, and Lightrock.

Eniolorunda said the vision behind the Future Builders Fund is premised in the belief that education is a powerful equalizer capable of turning raw potential into real solutions.

He said: ‘Every child deserves the opportunity to become the best version of themselves, and socioeconomic barriers should not be a roadblock to mastery and brilliance, We are launching the Future Builders Fund to find and nurture the innovators who will shape Nigeria’s future. This is a way of creating financial happiness leveraging the power of education to help students from low-income and under-resourced backgrounds gain mastery, giving them a fighting chance at being innovative change makers, who will develop life-changing solutions.’

The Future Builders Fund is a scholarship scheme to ensure that no child with potential to excel is left behind as the world races to catch up with emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), robotics, machine learning and many others redefining every facet of human endeavours.

This pilot program is designed to remove financial and structural barriers that prevent promising students from reaching their full potential in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) across Nigeria.

In recognition of the fact that nations need to strategically invest in preparing their youth to take advantage of the global digital economy,, the Tosin Eniolorunda STEM Foundation had donated a CAD/CAM laboratory worth over N100million to the Obafemi Awolowo University last year while supporting other initiatives that include Management Students Association of the University of Lagos Entrepreneurship Challenge, Nigenius Inter-School Robotics Competition, and NextGen Connect Interschool Oratory Competition valued at 50m naira.

The Future Builders Fund addresses a challenge facing Nigerian universities: while STEM programs have expanded and enrollment in fields such as computer science and engineering has increased, many students face financial constraints that force them to abandon their studies. This scholarship program targets under-resourced students who possess the drive, intelligence, and builder’s mindset necessary to become Nigeria’s future innovators.

The Future Builders Fund will sponsor 14 outstanding students-two per university-across seven federal universities, providing tuition support, hostel accommodation, a laptop, and a monthly stipend. In addition, scholars will benefit from ongoing mentorship and development programs designed to cultivate a solutions-oriented mindset throughout their academic journey.

For the pioneer cohort, the participating federal universities were selected across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones, including Lagos. They are: Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; University of Calabar; University of Abuja; Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria; University of Maiduguri and University of Lagos.

The scholarship is open to STEM students entering 200 level (i.e., those who have completed 100 level) in the listed universities. Interested applicants are required to submit: Basic bio-data, Academic record (100 level transcript or statement of result) and a personal essay or statement of need

Applicants will be screened based on academic merit, clarity of purpose, and demonstrated need. From each university, the top 10 shortlisted candidates will sit for a standardized test assessing academic ability, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. The best two candidates per university will be awarded the Tosin Eniolorunda STEM Foundation Scholarship.

The Future Builders Fund is demonstrating a commitment to nurturing talent that can drive national development. Scholarship recipients will be assessed annually and renewal will be based on satisfactory academic performance and demonstrated growth in technical or leadership skills outside the classroom. This ensures the program supports students who are actively applying their knowledge to solve real-world problems.

This pilot edition of the initiative will lay the groundwork for a sustainable five-year, scalable scholarship program that exudes an innovative approach – financial support with mentorship, leadership development, and practical STEM skill application in a manner that can accelerate Nigeria’s cultivation of world-class STEM innovators.

Sixty-Nine-Year-Old Nigerian, Ibi Sofekun, has completed his ‘Ride for the Boy Child’ trip, covering 40 nations in Europe and Africa on his powerbike in 99 days.

Sofekun (Firekiss), rode into Lagos on October 5, to a hero’s welcome after embarking on this mission to shine a light on the mental health struggles faced by young boys.

The journey began on June 28 in Dublin, Ireland, with Sofekun riding his powerbike through diverse terrains and cultures, spreading a message: ‘It’s okay to not be okay.’

His advocacy campaign, inspired by Project HELP, aims to encourage a global dialogue on providing better support systems for young boys.

Sofekun noted importance of nurturing boys to become emotionally intelligent and confident individuals.

Sofekun’s historic ride to fame did not come without challenges. Upon his arrival at J. Randle Centre for Yoruba, Onikan, Lagos, he shared a harrowing revelation.

‘The ambassador in Rabat shocked me when the man said in 2024 alone, on the Moroccan coastline, they fished out 10,430 bodies from the Mediterranean Sea, trying to cross into Europe.

‘Ten thousand plus in one year. It’s become a mental issue where young Africans think that success is only elsewhere.’

Sofekun stressed that the problems of the world, such as gun crimes, knife crimes, extremism, and cults, are centred around men.

‘I know so many men who are doing well. But the question is which kind of boys grew into the kind of men that are doing these nasty things?’ he said.

He emphasised the need for men to lead by example and for society to provide boys with hope and encouragement.

OPay, Nigeria’s leading financial technology company, has reaffirmed its industry leadership and innovation by emerging as the only fintech to clinch three major awards at the 2025 BusinessDay Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards. With this historic achievement, OPay stands tall as Nigeria’s most awarded fintech brand this year.

At the ceremony, BusinessDay recognised OPay’s record-breaking performance, describing the company as ‘the powerhouse of daily fintech activity.’

Its security suite now includes advanced features like Large Transaction Shield, NightGuard, and multiple fail-safes for high-value transactions – reinforcing trust in every tap.’

For ‘seamlessly blending scale, safety, and features that empower both merchants and individuals,’ BusinessDay concluded, ‘OPay is the obvious pick for Mobile Payment Solutions Provider of the Year, Business Solutions Provider of the Year, and Fintech Security Innovation of the Year’ BusinessDay added.

The company clinched Mobile Payment Solutions Provider of the Year, Business Solutions Provider of the Year, and Fintech Security Innovation of the Year – a powerful endorsement of its innovation, scale, and commitment to advanced and secure financial services.

For Mobile Payment Solutions Provider of the Year, OPay’s cutting-edge technology guarantees one of the most reliable networks in the country.

Today, tens of millions of users transact with OPay every month, with tens of thousands joining organically through referrals from friends and family daily.

A majority of online merchants also recommend OPay as a preferred payment method, allowing users to conveniently pay via the ‘Pay with OPay’ for their digital payment needs.

As Business Solutions Provider of the Year, OPay continues to expand its expertise to the business segment – offering reliable payment infrastructure and tailored digital solutions that help merchants optimise operations, improve efficiency, and drive growth.

As the Fintech Security Innovation of the Year, OPay has developed seven advanced security products – with additional features in development – designed to protect customers across different transaction scenarios. This innovative approach to user safety has positioned OPay as one of the most secure and trusted financial institutions in Nigeria.

Since its inception in 2018, OPay has pursued one clear mission – to make financial services more inclusive through technology.

Today, the company empowers tens of millions of monthly active users and more than one million businesses across Nigeria, redefining how individuals and enterprises transact and grow in a digital economy.

This recognition at the 2025 BAFI Awards is a reflection of our stand as a brand that goes beyond banking – combining innovation, security, and inclusion to power the financial lives of tens of millions. This is an encouragement for us to do more’ IK Odiase, Head of Partnerships, OPay stated about the win.

OPay was established in 2018 as a leading financial institution in Nigeria with the mission to make financial services more inclusive through technology.

The company offers a wide range of payment services, including money transfer, bill payment, airtime and data purchase, card service, and merchant payments, among others. Renowned for its super-fast experience and reliable network, OPay is licensed by the CBN and insured by the NDIC with the same insurance coverage as commercial banks.

The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) has postponed its 103 National Executive Committee meeting scheduled for. Wednesday, October 15 indefinitely.

In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Olugunagba, the party said the postponement was necessitated by ‘recent developments in the party’.

The statement did not elaborate on the developments within the party that led to the postponement.

The statement reads: ‘Distinguished members of the National Executive Committee (NEC) may recall that the 103rd NEC meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, 15th October, 2025.

‘However, in view of recent developments in the Party, the National Working Committee (NWC) in exercise of its powers pursuant to Section 29 (2)(b) of the Constitution of the PDP (as amended in 2017) has at its emergency meeting on Monday, 13th October, 2025 approved the postponement of the 103rd NEC meeting to a new date that will be communicated to members in due course.

‘All NEC members should please note the postponement and be guided accordingly’.

While the party intensify preparation for its elective National Convention scheduled for Ibadan from November 15 to 16, there has been a new wave of defections from the party to the ruling All Progressives Congress(APC).

While Enugu Governor, Peter Mbah is scheduled to join the APC on Tuesday, there are speculations of the possibility of Bayelsa and Taraba state Governors, Douye Diri and Kigbu Kefas also joining the defection train.

Herve Renard has called Saudi Arabia’s World Cup qualifying clash with Iraq in Jeddah today the most important game of his coaching career as they stand on the cusp of a place at next year’s finals.

The Frenchman, twice a winner of the African Cup of Nations and whose Saudi side beat Argentina at the last World Cup, will lead his team into the clash needing only a draw to secure a berth at a seventh World Cup for the Gulf state.

‘What we did before, it’s nothing up to now because if we don’t achieve our goal tomorrow you won’t remember the game against Indonesia, the game we played in Bahrain so the most important is tomorrow,’ said Renard.

‘This game, for me, it’s the most important game in my career. I will explain to you after the game.’

Renard is in his second spell as Saudi coach having returned to replace Roberto Mancini during the previous round of preliminaries to resurrect the team’s World Cup hopes after a series of disappointing performances under the Italian.

Saudi Arabia lead Group B of the fourth round of Asia’s preliminaries on goals scored after the Saudis and Iraq secured wins over Indonesia.

The Saudis hold a slim advantage in the standings due to their 3-2 victory over Patrick Kluivert’s side, who the Iraqis beat 1-0.

The group winners qualify directly for the finals, where they will join Japan, South Korea, Iran, Australia, Uzbekistan and Jordan as Asia’s representatives.

The United Arab Emirates and Qatar meet in Doha in Group A, also on Tuesday, to determine the other Asian qualifier with the runners-up in the two groups due to meet in November for a spot in an intercontinental playoff.

‘I’m lucky because I have some players with experience like Saleh Al-Shehri, Salem Al-Dawsari our captain, now Hassan Al-Tambakthi is getting more experience,’ said Renard.

‘I always tell them to stay focused. It’s not always easy with the Saudi players, but the most important is when they are listening, so we prepare for this game very quietly.

‘We are concentrated on our goal and we don’t have to do something else, just focus on us.’

Iraq coach Graham Arnold confirmed talismanic striker Aymen Hussein would be fit after missing the win over Indonesia on Saturday.

‘They have in their brain two ways to qualify, that is draw or win,’ Arnold said of the Saudis. ‘We have one way and that’s win. So our full focus is going out and go for it.’

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) says the party remains determined to win the November 8 governorship election in Anambra State.

The Anambra ADC Chairman, Comrade Patrick Obianyo, told The Nation yesterday that, based on assurances from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the election would be free and fair.

He said the ADC had visited many communities and local government areas across the state to canvas for votes, adding that, judging from the response of the electorate, the party was confident of victory.

Speaking on communities tagged as ‘no-go areas’ in the state because of insecurity, Obianyo said the party was addressing the situation in its own way.

According to him, ‘Nobody wants to discuss things like that in the state, but all I can tell you is that the issue is being handled in our own way. We have a strategy.’

The chairman, who was once the Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Anambra State, said there was no cause for alarm.

‘Our governorship candidate, Mr. John Nwosu, is not a noise maker but a silent operator. In this game of politics, what wins elections is not noise but strategy. We are moving in the right direction,’ Obianyo said.

The moribund state of the Warri, Port Harcourt, and Kaduna refineries has remained a significant burden on both citizens and the government. Once thriving facilities, these refineries now leave thousands of workers without livelihoods, while consuming staggering sums of public funds for repairs that have yet to yield meaningful results.

Established over three decades ago, these refineries were envisioned as cornerstones of Nigeria’s energy self-sufficiency – aimed at reducing fuel imports, serving local demand, and generating revenue for the country. However, over the years, they gradually deteriorated and eventually collapsed, triggering a ripple effect: persistent fuel scarcity, soaring pump prices, and the consequent rise in the cost of food and other essentials.

The Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, for instance, has operated far below capacity over the past decade. In 2021, the federal government allocated approximately $897.6 million for its rehabilitation. The following year, an additional $497.3 million was approved for ‘quick fix’ repairs. On December 30, 2022, operations briefly resumed – raising hopes for a turnaround – but the plant was abruptly shut down just weeks later, dashing those expectations. Commissioned in 1978, the Warri refinery is located in Ekpan and extends into parts of Ubeji in Uvwie and Warri South Local Government Areas of Delta State. In its heyday, it was a catalyst for economic growth and urban development across the twin cities of Effurun and Warri. Beyond its core staff, the refinery sustained countless locals, including the well-known ‘jerrican boys,’ who depended on its daily operations for survival.

By 2015, however, the facility had completely halted operations. Today, insiders familiar with the situation claim the plant is technically ready to operate. Yet, for reasons still unclear, final approval has not been granted. They also express concern that the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, has yet to visit the site – a move they believe could signal the much-needed political will to revive the refinery.

‘Our challenge right now is that the new GCEO hasn’t visited the plant, so we’re unsure of his plans – even though he seems to be a man of good intentions. From all he has said so far, he appears to have a genuine vision. As I speak to you, the Warri Refinery is ready to operate. Area One – the Topping Unit – is fully prepared to run. We don’t understand what’s causing the delay. As you know, instructions need to come from Abuja. That unit produced AGO and DPK the last time it ran. While there were some issues then, those components have since been replaced.

‘Area Three – the Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit – has also undergone substantial maintenance. However, there are growing doubts about whether there is a real intention to restart the plant. If the GCEO truly planned to bring it back online, he would have come to assess the situation firsthand. There are rumours that management may be considering handing the plant over to a third party, but we don’t have any confirmation on that.

‘The only section that hasn’t been touched yet is Area Two – the Reformate Unit. The truth is, politics is killing the refineries. Rather than get them running, some prefer the quick profits from crude swaps. They’ll claim Nigerians consume a million barrels, even though actual consumption is far less. Before this last round of maintenance, the refinery was operational – but we were told to shut it down. Right now, the plant is capable of running at up to 90 percent capacity,’ the source said.

On claims that workers are idle at the refinery, another source clarified: ‘There are other ancillary operations ongoing. For instance, we generate power and supply it to the Nigerian Gas Company and the Pipelines and Product Marketing Company (PPMC). Previously, we also received products which we then transported to PPMC for loading. But now, those products are being diverted to private depots.’

He added that repair work at the plant is nearing completion, but a preservation phase will follow: ‘They are rounding off repairs at the plant, but we’ll carry out a nine-month preservation process to prevent any risk of explosion whenever the plant is eventually restarted.’ On staff welfare, the sources expressed optimism that long-standing concerns raised by backup staff – which had led to several rounds of industrial action – would soon be addressed. ‘There are strong signals that he (Ojulari) will do the needful regarding their demands,’ one of them said.

To sell or not to sell

The question of whether Nigeria’s refineries should be sold continues to divide opinion. However, many stakeholders insist that privatization is not the solution, pointing to the poor outcomes of previous government divestments. They argue that the refineries – particularly the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) – could be fully operational within months if the government was genuinely committed to their revival.

In August, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Bayo Ojulari, reaffirmed the federal government’s st ance, stating that the refineries would not be sold – a statement meant to quell rising concerns over a potential sale. Reacting to this, the President-General of Uvwie Kingdom, Chief Hope Erute, questioned the contradiction between the government’s claims and the current state of the refinery. ‘If they are not selling, why is it not producing?’ he asked. ‘If we examine the outcomes of similar sales, you would naturally say ‘no’ to privatisation. In all those cases, the impact on communities has been minimal at best.’

Chief Erute highlighted the socio-economic toll the non-functional refinery has taken on host communities. ‘Those who depend on it for their livelihoods are perpetually down. The communities are not exactly happy with what is going on. But again, the community is helpless. We are always unable to pressure the government to do what it should. That is the dilemma we face.’ He noted that when the refinery was active, young people were ‘unofficially’ engaged through indirect jobs and contracts. Many, he warned, now risk turning to petty crime out of desperation.

‘When Warri refinery was working, small contracts were awarded within the host communities. I am a grassroots man – I can tell you that what we used to call ‘jerrican boys’ are gradually disappearing. And when they’re no longer busy, they turn to petty robberies, which disrupt communities, movement, and nightlife.’ He also pointed out the safety risks posed by idle tanker trucks parked along highways waiting for assignments: ‘Trucks remain parked along the highways, causing hazards. And because fuel prices are high, prices of food and other commodities also shoot up. It’s a vicious cycle that hurts businesses.’

Chairman of the Ubeji community, Mr. Mayomi Mone, echoed similar sentiments in a phone interview: ‘The Warri refinery needs to work – it just needs to work. Too many families, both directly and indirectly, depend on it. Now, they’re suffering from the economic hardship.’ Mone lamented the current state of the depot, once a hub of activity, now overrun by weeds. ‘If you go there now, it’s all bushy. People are hungry. When the plant was operational, even visitors benefited. Now school has resumed, and more than five people have called me to ask for help enrolling their children. When I asked why they didn’t plan ahead, the response was: ‘NNPC no dey work, job no dey.’ And they’re not even asking for school fees – just the basic registration.’

Chief Erute also questioned the inconsistent messaging around the refinery’s status. ‘It has become a pattern. One moment they say it’s working; the next, it’s not. It needs to work. They shouldn’t keep giving us lip service. They should be professional and transparent in their communications.’ He criticised past administrations for a lack of honesty, which, he said, made it difficult for communities to offer meaningful support. ‘Successive governments have ruled us with deceit, not telling us the truth. This has made it hard for society to know how best to support government efforts.’

Despite the challenges, Erute assured that the communities remain committed to supporting the refinery’s revival. However, he criticized the company’s poor handling of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), referencing a disagreement between Uvwie Kingdom and the refinery management. He further noted that disregarding employment protocols – especially the preferential engagement of lower cadre staff from host communities – often sparks avoidable tensions. ‘Still, we’ve learned to bear it, so that we are not accused of being the ones stalling operations. We’re now looking, together with them, to understand why production hasn’t resumed. Most of the refineries have abandoned their CSR obligations. We haven’t made a fuss about it – but they should be held accountable.’

NLNG model adoption

At a recent meeting with the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Ojulari revealed that the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) model was being considered as a possible approach to keep the country’s refineries afloat. Reacting to the proposal, Chief Erute expressed concern but ultimately accepted the idea – albeit reluctantly. ‘If the NLNG model is their alternative, so be it,’ he said.

However, Mone outrightly rejected the model, warning that it could lead to skyrocketing fuel prices and further economic hardship for Nigerians. ‘It will not help. Anything that leads to privatising this refinery, expect that fuel will go for as high as N2,500 per litre,’ he cautioned. ‘When the refinery was operational, it created a competitive environment – NNPCL sold at a lower rate than private depots. Now that no refinery is working, private depots fix prices however they want.’ According to Mone, the presence of a functional refinery naturally controls prices. ‘If the refinery is running, it becomes harder for prices to spiral. But those who don’t fully understand the implications are the ones supporting privatisation.’

Stakeholders believe that reviving the Warri Refinery is entirely achievable – if the federal government and NNPCL are truly committed. They argue that the refinery’s collapse was largely due to poor oversight, lack of accountability, and a failure to enforce existing laws. ‘The government needs to sit down and get the refinery working,’ said Mone. ‘Meter everything – what comes in and what goes out – to prevent losses. But if you just place someone there to manage operations without oversight, it will never work.’ He also decried the failure of regulatory enforcement: ‘The Nigerian law is not working. If it was, those managers would be afraid to cut corners. But because there are no consequences, people do whatever they like.’ He maintained that with strong leadership and proper direction, the Warri Refinery could resume operations in as little as three months.

For now, the fate of the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) hangs in the balance. While communities, workers, and industry stakeholders are united in their desire to see it return to full operations, the final decision lies with the federal government and the top management of NNPCL. The expectations are clear: the refinery must not only be brought back to life, but managed in a way that serves public interest – not just private profit.

Residents of Akinlalu community in Ife North council area of Osun State are crying for justice over the killing of at least three of their members and injury of many others by operatives of Amotekun Corps in the state. Amotekun is the local security outfit raised by governments of South-west states to foster security at the grassroots in complement to operations of the Nigeria Police.

Akinlalu residents said an unprovoked attack on their community by Amotekun personnel 30th September resulted in four fatalities, with eight others – mostly women and youths – severely injured. Among those killed were three children of the Aro of Akinlalu, Chief Kamorudeen Oyebamiji – two from his younger wife and one from the elder. ‘Hooded Amotekun corps killed my three children in a single day,’ he was reported lamenting. Community ruler, Alakinlalu of Akinlalu, Oba Oluwabusola Oloyede, demanded justice for the slain and denied claims by Amotekun that persons killed were bandits. According to him, it was innocent residents attacked at the market square. He implored community youths to stay calm and trust in government’s ability to bring erring corpsmen to justice.

The Osun Amotekun had in a statement claimed its operatives acted in self-defence after being ambushed by hoodlums, and that the encounter left three people suspected to be hoodlums dead. ‘Our men were ambushed while attempting to retrieve two rifles forcibly taken from them during an earlier confrontation with suspected thieves. In the exchange of gunfire that followed, three of the attackers were neutralised,’ its statement read in part.

But community members insisted it was wild cat aggression perpetrated by corpsmen suspected to be under the influence of drugs. Akinlalu Youth Leader, Musbau Adeboye, said: ‘We heard there was theft of farm produce at Abaoba, a village under Akinlalu. Amotekun men went there and arrested suspects. Later, we learnt two rifles were seized from them by the sons of a retired soldier. The next day, they returned heavily armed and started shooting indiscriminately. By the time I arrived, it was a gory sight. The whole community looked like a slaughter slab.’

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke expressed shock over the violence and said he had ordered full-scale probe. ‘This matter is being investigated and any infraction will be dealt with within the context of the law,’ he said in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.

The police said they would ensure those involved in the mayhem were apprehended and prosecuted. Last week, police personnel stormed Amotekun Corps’ operational bases in Oke-fia, Osogbo, and Ife Central division in Ile-Ife where they arrested a number of corpsmen and sealed off the facilities.

The Akinlalu incident raises the red flag again about allowing secondary security outfits to bear lethal arms without worsening the challenge of misuse.

Enyimba FC assistant coach, Ndubuisi Nduka, has expressed disappointment over his team’s first defeat of the season to Kun Khalifat FC in Owerri but remains confident the People’s Elephant will return to winning ways when they host Warri Wolves this weekend in Aba.

Speaking after the 1-0 loss, Nduka admitted that the result was not what the team anticipated, attributing the defeat to a red card and a costly free kick.

‘It was our intention to continue with the unbeaten run but our opponents came all out, especially with their precarious position on the table. It wasn’t what we expected, but in football there are three eventualities,’ he said. ‘We lost due to the free kick we conceded and the fact that we got a player red-carded too. That decided the game because if we were complete, they wouldn’t have beaten us.’

Looking ahead to their home fixture against Warri Wolves, Nduka maintained that Enyimba are focused on reclaiming the points they dropped.

‘Definitely we are going to come all out to take our three points. We are up there and we must recover the lost points against Warri Wolves,’ he declared.

He also revealed that forward Joseph Atule, who recently returned from injury, will be available for selection.

‘We are glad with the return of Joseph Atule whom we resisted the urge to include in this game because he just recovered. His return is a very good addition to the team and he will be a handful for any opponent we face next.’

Enyimba currently sit third on the log with 13 points from eight games and will be eager to prove their resilience in front of their home supporters this weekend