Category: Business Day

Governor Sim Fubara who has tasted all types of judiciary in uncountable cases in his short span in politics and governance, seems hungry of a judicial system that operates in its own without interference.

He seems hungry for a time when a man facing a case in court would rely on interpretation of the law by lawyers and judges without bizarre twists and turns that come outside of jurisprudence.

The governor has thus pledged necessary support to ensure the Judiciary operates as a truly independent and effective justice system.

Gov Fubara gave the assurance while formally declaring open the 2025/2026 legal year at a special court session at the State High Court Complex in Port Harcourt on Friday. He expressed satisfaction not only with the event’s success but also with the Bar and Bench’s commitment to advancing the integrity of the judicial system.

The Governor said that the Rivers State Judiciary ranks among the best in Nigeria, adding that it features some of the brightest judicial minds who courageously interpret and apply the law with a high sense of justice.

He reminded the lawyers, that as ministers in the temple of justice, they are under oath to conduct themselves honestly in their practice of the law before the courts, to uphold the rule of law and advance the course of justice at all times.

‘Similarly, every judge is under a judicial oath to provide equal justice to all persons according to law to the best of their knowledge and ability without fear, favour, or affection’, he said.

He stressed that the judicial oath is not composed of mere words but demands that judges act with moral courage to resist pressure, and ensure that both friends and foes have access to equal and impartial justice.

He, therefore, requested that all courts, inferior or superior, should perform their duties with courage, adjudicate and interpret the laws and cases in ways that promote substantial justice, democracy, and citizens’ fundamental rights.

The governor, however, declared that the political crisis is now over, with all parties fully reconciled, and his administration back on its feet, affirming that he holds no grudges or ill feelings toward anyone.

He stated that the administration is now re-energised and has resumed the implementation of people-centric policies, programmes, and projects with greater determination to achieve the developmental milestones set to enhance the well-being of the people of Rivers State.

Governor Fubara reiterated his commitment to work with the State House of Assembly, the Judiciary, and other stakeholders to recover lost ground, sustain peace and accelerate development of the state.

He also appreciated the Chief Judge for providing functional, effective leadership, exceptional courage, and an unwavering determination to ensure justice is served to all who seek the aid of the courts. The Chief Judge was believed to have held the Judiciary firm during the impeachment threats and his position was said to have saved the situation as it allowed the Executive arm and legislative arm to resolve their problems without using the Judiciary as the linchpin. Speaking earlier during the thanksgiving service at the Corpus Christi Catholic Cathedral, Port Harcourt, Governor Fubara called on the Judiciary to remain steadfast as a ‘true temple of justice’, urging the courts not to let the innocent suffer unjustly.

In his remarks, Simeon Amadi, the Chief Judge of Rivers State, highlighted the absence of a Committee on Prerogative of Mercy in the state, which, he said has contributed significantly to congestion in custodial centres.

He noted that the non-reduction of sentences for inmates, including 493 male and 15 female death-row prisoners, is beyond the Chief Judge’s powers, and called for government intervention.

He thanked the governor for the support given to the Judiciary so far, and solicited for more encouragement to reduce the pressures judicial officers face in the performance of their duties.

Also speaking, Cordelia Eke, the chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Port Harcourt Branch, said the 2024-2025 legal year began with optimism but was soon overshadowed by political and institutional turbulence.

She noted that the state of emergency and suspension of key elected officials disrupted democratic governance and tested the resilience of the justice system. ‘The absence of an Attorney General caused serious delays in justice delivery, unprocessed legal applications, and financial losses,’ Eke stated.

According to her, the situation underscored the urgent need to fortify laws that protect institutions and ensure that the justice system continues to function even in difficult times.

Speaking on behalf of the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), Onueze Okocha (SAN), expressed concern over the battered image of the Judiciary, lamenting that many Nigerians have lost faith in the courts due to inconsistent judgments and prolonged case delays.

He urged judges to resist personal interests that could influence their professional conduct, calling for renewed integrity and faster dispensation of justice. Earlier in his homily during the thanksgiving service, Patrick S. Eluke, Apostolic Administrator, Catholic Diocese of Port Harcourt, urged members of the legal profession to uphold moral and spiritual integrity in their practice, reminding them of their ‘sacred duty’ to ensure that justice reflects honesty, compassion, and fairness.

He cautioned against hypocrisy, rivalry, and unhealthy competition within the legal profession, stressing that true justice must protect the vulnerable and remain unswayed by material or political influence.

He further called on elected leaders to demonstrate patriotism and accountability to the people who entrusted them with power, noting that democracy and justice thrive only where integrity and fairness prevail.

Highlights of the event were presentation of gifts to the Governor, his Deputy, Speaker, Rivers State House of Assembly, and the Chief Judge; as well as prayers for the Government, the Judiciary, the State and the country.

Ebunoluwa Adejuyigbe, the Vice Chancellor, University of Medical Sciences (UNIMED), Ondo, on Saturday disclosed that under her administration, UNIMED will become a one-stop institution for medical and health sciences education through deployment of high-end technology.

Adejuyigbe, in a statement issued by the Public Relations Officer of the university, Isaac Oluyi, and made a copy available to journalists in Akure expressed the willingness of her administration to ensure rapid infrastructural development of the university through the support of the state government and other stakeholders.

The Vice Chancellor hinted that efforts have been put on ground to ensure the rapid development of all the infrastructure in all the campuses of the university.

This includes the installation of internet connection facility across all the campuses and hostels of the university. Adejuyigbe noted that the development will enable students and staff have access to information at the speed of light.

She added that ‘the facility will among others provide 24-hour, per-session internet bandwidth service, provide network engineering support 24-hours per day a session, help reduce the cost of communication and internet fees, provide a single-hop direct connection to the international internet backbone, provide real-time monitoring of performance and use of infrastructure, provide centralized administrative controls for users, management, promote secure and accessible exchange of information and sharing of ideas within UNIMED.’

Also, the Vice-Chancellor said ‘access to quality information at the speed of light gives any institution a huge advantage to be globally competitive and relevant. One of my cardinal objectives is to reposition UNIMED as a global brand in teaching, research and community service.’

This development, which is a fall out of an agreement entered into by the University with Sam Smith Global Company Limited, a Lagos-based technology outfit, the Vice Chancellor said, is already generating excitement within the university community.

Stakeholders in the health sector and media professionals have stressed the urgent need for the state governments to prioritise funding for Family Planning (FP), Maternal Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) programmes so as to reduce maternal and child mortality in the country.

The stakeholders and the media experts who spoke at a two-day training workshop organised for journalists in Abuja by the Pathfinder International under its Smart Advocacy for Strategic Action (SASA) Project, opined that proper funding of FP and MNCH projects would also lead to improved health outcomes and significant cost savings from preventing unintended pregnancies and child births.

Speaking at the training which held in partnerships with Population and Development Africa Regional Office (PPDARO) and Johns Hopkins Programme for International Education in Gynecology and Obstetrics (Jhpiego) of Kenya, Chairman of the management committee of the Association for the Advancement of Family Planning, Ejike Oji appealed to governments at all levels to take the issue of family planning commodities serious lamenting that at the beginning of this year, out of a total of $ 4 million approved by government, only N60 million was released.

While commending the Minister of Health for gradually changing the narratives which led to the ministry approving $60 million for procurement of family planning commodities through the National Primary Health Agency, Ejike said:’We must commend the present Minister of Health for taking the bold initiative to approve such an amount which is the first time in Nigeria such a huge amount is allocated to family planning commodities.

‘Apart from this, the Presidential Initiative For Value Chain also allocated N5.77 billion for the purchase of FP commodities while in the third trench, the President approved $200milion which was basically to take care of the counterpart funding of USAID for HIV, malaria and tuberculosis programme which was one of the things trending. It would have been very catastrophic for the nation medically because the absence of these drugs means that anti-retroviral will become prevalent and more people will be infected.

Oji who is a medical practitioner, the Civil Society representative of FP 2030 Commitment as well as the convener of the 5 million women data base was also emphatic that buying these commodities through USAID would not only be more beneficial and cost effective for the country but, would lead to accountability in the whole process.

‘USAID uses what is known as economy of scale of purchase for about 53 countries of the world which enables them to buy commodities at a reduced price for countries and there is need for Nigeria to channel the monies through the organisation to enable it benefit from the economic subsidy.

‘The way USAID operates is that if you purchase commodities worth $357,000, you’ll get a marching grant of $2million. So, if the Federal Government contributes $100,000 and all the states were able to contribute the balance of $357,000, the country will still unlock the $2 million grant.

‘Through this process, the country will also unlock more financial expenses like quantification exercises because if you don’t have proper quantification, you won’t know how much commodity to buy’, he stressed.

He posited that in view of the huge amount of money the government approved, people should be concerned about the accountability process since nobody is sure whether these commodities would be purchased through USAID or by individuals.

On his part, Senior Media and Communication Officer at Pathfinder International Nigeria, Bayo Ewuola, said that the two-day training was designed to deepen journalists’ and influencers’ understanding of FP/MNCH priorities in Nigeria.

Emphasising, the power of storytelling in advancing maternal health and family planning issues in the country, Ewuola said : ‘The training was designed to go beyond abstract discussions and focus on life-saving narratives that resonate with communities”.

According to him, media practitioners have a unique responsibility to highlight the lived experiences of women and families while ensuring accuracy, ethics, and depth in their reporting.

‘These are not abstract concepts, they are about saving the lives of our mothers, sisters, daughters, and aunties, people who matter to us.’

He stressed that the training was aimed at equipping participants with techniques in investigative, data-driven, and solution-based journalism that would bring attention to real challenges, policies, and community perspectives.

‘By framing issues differently and focusing on solutions, he noted, the media can contribute to saving lives and influencing policy.’

Also, president of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Alhassan Yahaya, described the initiative as timely and critical, given Nigeria’s troubling maternal mortality figures.

Citing the National Demographic and Health Survey, he reminded participants that communities practicing child spacing could reduce maternal deaths by up to 40 percent.

He therefor urged journalists to take ownership of maternal health and family planning reporting as a service to humanity and as a way of advocating for a healthier Nigeria.

On the other hand, Yahaya lauded Pathfinder International for its commitment to building the capacity of journalists, adding that health reporting should move beyond mere coverage to active advocacy.

He highlighted the importance of integrating family planning with maternal and child health services and called on journalists to champion critical funding mechanisms such as the Basic Healthcare Provision Fund and state-level counterpart contributions.

Drawing from his own state’s example, he pointed out Gombe’s pioneering release of counterpart funds to the UN Population Fund for reproductive health commodities.

He further encouraged journalists to review budget performance regularly, acknowledging modest government efforts while pushing for greater allocations to the health sector.

Despite the challenges of poor remuneration in the media, Yahaya reminded participants that they could still influence change by engaging directly with health commissioners, primary healthcare executives, and policymakers.

The NUJ president therefore called for active participation in government budget cycles to ensure maternal health receives the attention it deserves, insisting that journalists have both the platform and responsibility to change the narrative on maternal mortality in Nigeria.

Also speaking, Lead on strengthening health systems at the Budget Foundation”,Biobelle Davidson, presented the Primary Health Care (PHC) portal, a tool designed to gather feedback from citizens on the state of facilities.

Biobelle who is a medical practitioner explained that the platform tracks service delivery, facility readiness, and community perspectives, providing opportunities for accountability and improvement.

Given a brief history of the portal, she said: ‘The PHC portal, which began with 75 facilities across 15 states, has now expanded to cover over 1,000 facilities nationwide. However, this remains a fraction of Nigeria’s 30,000 PHCs.’

She added that efforts are ongoing to scale up coverage, while also addressing challenges of internet access and digital literacy by deploying community champions to support residents in providing feedback.

‘The platform has encouraged greater use of PHC services among young people and is gradually changing perceptions among older citizens who previously associated PHCs only with antenatal care, child services, or malaria treatment.

While stating that improving health systems does not only saves lives, she added: ‘but it, also strengthens Nigeria’s economy by supporting healthier, more productive communities and agreed that while government policies exist, stronger partnerships, wider community involvement, and greater visibility through the media are key to driving real progress in maternal, child, and family health across the country.”

In a strategic move to engage a new generation of artists, Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) has announced the launch of The Nigeria Prize for Creative Arts, with an inaugural focus on Documentary Film. This new award replaces the previously established Nigeria Prize for Literary Criticism.

The prize is designed exclusively for Nigerian citizens aged 18 to 35. Announcing the initiative, NLNG’s Managing Director, Dr Philip Mshelbila, emphasised the decisive role of film in shaping national discourse.

‘Film possesses a unique power to engage young people in shaping the future through the lens of our culture, history, and present realities,’ stated Dr Mshelbila. ‘Our brand promise is to inspire a sustainable future, which requires us to reflect on the world around us and act to create positive change.

We envision that this documentary award will inspire a new generation of storytellers to inform, challenge, and connect us more deeply to our national identity and our potential.’

This shift underscores NLNG’s commitment to fostering contemporary art forms that drive social reflection and national development.

Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has flagged off the construction of the 15.15km Ojoku-Ilemona Road in Oyun Local Government Area, describing the project as another milestone in his administration’s effort to open up rural communities and boost economic activities across the state.

The governor said the new road complements his administration’s extensive investments in infrastructure, health, education, water supply, and social protection.

‘We have delivered over 100 kilometres of road in Kwara South alone, aside from several others across different sectors. ‘In addition, we are constructing or about to award new road projects totalling about 109 kilometres in this region, including those under the RAAMP initiative,’ he said.

The governor urged residents to support and take ownership of public infrastructure for sustainability.

The flag-off event coincided with the joint inspection of the Eiyenkorin -Afon- Ojoku -Offa Road by Governor Abdulrazaq, David Umahi, Minister of Works, and a delegation from BUA Group led by its Group Executive Director, Kabir Rabiu. The 42.6km concrete road, handled by BUA, links Kwara Central to Kwara South and Osun State within 30 minutes.

Both Abdulrazaq and Umahi commended the quality of work, with the Minister assuring that the road will last between 50 and 100 years.

During the visit, Governor Abdulrazaq reminded the Minister of the dualisation of the Ilorin -Lokoja Road, describing it as a priority project for the people of Kwara.

In a major development, the Minister’s delegation also announced that the Federal Government has approved the construction of a flyover at Oko Olowo – a long-awaited intervention expected to end years of fatal accidents along the busy corridor.

The governor further appealed to federal attention to the Share-Patigi Road and the Moro Bridge, which he described as critical to the economic integration of northern Kwara communities.

‘We are glad to have this road. It’s part of the dividends of democracy and the renewed hope agenda. ‘We thank Mr. President for his commitment and policies. Inflation is going down, the exchange rate is firm and stable, and we are seeing progress.

‘This road connects agrarian communities and will ease the movement of goods and services. Even though it is only 45% complete, traffic has already picked up. Earlier today, we also flagged off a new 15km road that links more communities and extends into Osun State.

‘This road has existed since the 1960s as a mere footpath. BUA has turned it into a proper greenfield road. The impact is huge – it will open up the area for agriculture and investment. For instance, Olam is set to commission a $25 million soybean processing plant along this corridor, and more investors are coming,’ the Governor said in a statement by Rafiu Ajakaye, his chief press secretary.

In his remarks, Minister Umahi praised Governor Abdulrazaq’s leadership and unwavering support for President Bola Tinubu, assuring that the Ministry would consider Kwara’s priority projects in the next fiscal year.

The Minister said: ‘This road was awarded on May 22, 2023, and construction began in September 2023. We commend President Tinubu for funding the project through the tax credit scheme and appreciate the Governor’s quiet but impactful work in the state. ‘We will work around your requests to support Kwara.’

Umahi added that the Ministry would return to the state next month for the Kwara stretch of the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway.

The Ojoku-Ilemona road flag-off was witnessed by lawmakers, cabinet members, local government chairmen, traditional rulers, senior government officials, and party leaders.

Abdulquawiy Olododo, Kwara Commissioner for Works, described the project as a corridor of growth that would transform lives and livelihoods in the axis.

‘For decades, our people here have suffered poor road conditions that affected trade, healthcare access, education, and agriculture. This administration is changing that narrative,’ Olododo said, assuring that the project will be executed to the highest standards.

In their separate remarks, the Elerin of Erin-Ile, Oba Adesoye Adebowale Jimoh, and the Olojoku of Ojoku, Oba Abdulrazaq Adegboyega Afolabi, lauded the Governor for his transformational agenda.

‘Without good roads, there can be no meaningful development. With this, mobility and commerce will greatly improve,’ the Elerin said.

The Olojoku, who also conferred on Abdulrazaq the traditional title of Aare Bobaselu of Ojoku, said the road will significantly reduce travel time from Ojoku to Ilemona and nearby towns while enhancing commerce and connectivity.

Johnson Bamidele Adewumi,

Convener of the Kwara South Development Initiative, thanked the Governor for his unprecedented infrastructure drive.

‘Roads are as vital to communities as the backbone is to the human body. ‘When completed, this journey that currently takes hours will be reduced to minutes,’ he stated.

Oloriewe Raheem Adedoyin, APC chieftain, also commended the Governor’s commitment to legacy projects.

‘You are doing so much for Kwara South, not for re-election, but for legacy. We are documenting these achievements for posterity,’ he said.

Nigerians have been urged not to keep fretting over the tax reforms initiated by the President Bola Tinubu administration. The reforms have led to the enactment of the Nigeria Tax Act (NTA) and others.

Now, the reforms have been described as a bold initiative towards freeing sub-nationals from overdependence on federal allocations.

This comes against the backdrop of an over 70 percent dependence on oil revenue distributed through monthly federal allocations by many states in the country.

The fears were allayed in Port Harcourt, Rivers State capital, by Innocent Chinyere Ohagwa, president of the Chartered Institution of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN). He did this while delivering a speech at the Tax Conference held in the Garden city on October 14, 2025, where he said the new tax laws have created an opportunity for states to drastically review their tax collection efforts and boost internally generated revenue (IGR).

He urged states in the federation to take advantage of the opportunities captured in the new tax laws by reviewing their tax collection processes and design, and deploying technology to automate the process.

Ohagwa, who is CITN’s 17th president, said that sub-nationals should rather focus on creating an enabling environment for willing compliance to tax payment among the citizenry.

‘The focus is not on paying tax. The focus of the reform will be to enhance the standard of living of the masses, the citizens, and secondly, to ensure that the tax compliance system is made easy.

‘And when you make tax compliance easy, the fallback position is that you will collect more, you will incur less costs, and the country will develop better,’ he said.

Ohagwa disagreed with the suggestion that the tax reforms have placed some states with less population demographics at a disadvantage, arguing that those with high net-worth individuals, such as Lagos and Rivers, are strategically positioned to reap the benefits of the tax laws.

He said, ‘Another area of advantage to the states is what we call presumptive regime, which the minister through the advice of the Joint Task Force is going to make available. States are going to leverage a lot on it.’

He said the benefits of the new tax laws for citizens will begin to manifest as the government begins administration of the reforms, urging individuals, tax authorities, and consultants to take advantage of the opportunities inherent.

Victoria Okokon, chairman, CITN’s Port Harcourt and District Society, said the tax reforms offer challenges and opportunities for sub-nationals.

She pointed out that the reforms were not designed to weaken revenue generation at the sub-national level, but to strengthen the ability of states to generate and boost their revenue.

Israel Onwuanaku Egbunefu, chairman of the Rivers State Internal Revenue Service (RIRS), presenting a paper on ‘Expanding the Tax Net beyond Salaries,’ said that 70 percent of the tax receipts in Rivers State is from Pay As You Earn (PAYE).

He said the need to wean the state of the over dependence on this source, and to diversify to other revenue sources, such as Blue and Digital economy, is both urgent and imperative.

Chris Yorkina, Rivers State Auditor General, pointed out that the design of the new tax laws is not to impoverish the poor, but to aid government drive for development.

He said tax officers should be abreast of the provisions of the new tax laws and be ready to guide citizens, who naturally lack knowledge, on them.

Yorkina pointed out that the new tax law repeals certain existing tax laws and creates a legal framework to strengthen simplicity, integrity, and efficiency in tax administration

Ignatius Chukwu, BusinessDay’s Regional Editor, said the informal sector in the state has been overtaxed, with traders and artisans paying for over 70 items on a ‘black market’ tax list.

He pointed out that low-income earners, such as artisans, who are exempt from PAYE, have been pushed into what he described as the ‘black market tax system,’ which is operated by non-state actors, and maintains a high tax incidence on the already overtaxed informal sector.

Chukwu urged the Rivers State government to enforce the autonomy granted the state internal revenue service (RIRS) by the law establishing it, arguing that this will allow the agency devise and implement initiatives that will boost the tax net and collection efforts.

Ezekiel Eden Williams, professor and Director of Eggheads International, presented a paper on ‘Subnational Expectations and Implementation of the New Tax Laws,’ while Chris Yorkina explored the New Tax Laws, as they relate to tax practitioners.

Interswitch, an African payments and digital commerce company, stated that scalable infrastructure and trusted partnerships, not just innovation and capital, will drive Africa’s next technological advancement.

Akeem Lawal, the managing director of Interswitch Purepay, emphasized that Africa’s digital growth depends on resilient infrastructure, collaborative partnerships, and trusted technology systems. Speaking at Moonshot by TechCabal 2025 in Lagos, he highlighted the critical role of these elements in sustaining long-term progress in the continent’s digital economy.

‘Infrastructure creates the foundation for partnerships. Every card tap, bill payment, or money transfer relies on trust in unseen systems. At Interswitch, we build that trust daily. Innovation alone isn’t enough; we must modernize, integrate AI, and strengthen digital systems to meet current and future demands, especially in payments and financial technology,’ Lawal said.

He added, ‘Infrastructure sets the path, collaboration builds momentum, and trust powers the journey. Together, they drive Africa’s digital future. Technology alone won’t suffice-enduring infrastructure, united partnerships, and trust turn innovation into impact.’

Lawal stressed that sustainable progress requires more than innovation. He advocated for structured investments and collaboration, including public-private partnerships, domestic resource mobilization, and regional integration, to scale solutions effectively. Supporting Lawal’s point, Jumoke Oduwole, Minister, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment citing data by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Google said in a report that Africa’s digital economy could contribute $180 billion to the continent’s GDP by 2025 if infrastructure gaps are addressed. However, only 38 percent of the African population in 2024 used the internet due to barriers like cost, digital literacy, and infrastructure gaps, especially in rural areas, highlighting the need for robust digital infrastructure.

Additionally, a 2024 report by the World Bank noted that public-private partnerships have driven 60 percent of fintech growth in sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring the importance of collaborative models.

Interswitch itself processed over 1.2 billion transactions in 2023, according to company data, demonstrating the scale and trust in its payment infrastructure. These figures reinforce Lawal’s call for resilient systems and partnerships to unlock Africa’s technological potential.

Citing the State of Africa’s Infrastructure 2025 report, he noted that the continent holds over $1.1 trillion in domestic capital through pension funds and sovereign wealth funds. Unlocking these homegrown resources, he said, will redefine Africa’s growth trajectory by driving African-led innovation at scale.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) new office in Delta State has been built and commissioned to enable the commission deliver sustainable development to the people of the region including Delta State.

At the commissioning ceremony held in Warri, the commercial nerve of Delta, Sheriff Oborevwori, the Delta State governor strongly wooed the commission to help fix some of the critical federal roads that have been causing hardship to commuters in the region.

‘Focus on fixing failed roads that have caused untold hardship to commuters. We have already approved N35.7 billion for the reconstruction of the Watri/Sapele /Benin Road by Effurun Roundaout, from Spare Parts Market, to after Ohire Junction, an essential link connecting Delta to Bayelsa, Rivers and Cross Rivers States’, he said.

The governor who noted that the new NDDC edifice symbolized shared commitment to development, inclusion, and service delivery, said that true progress requires collaboration and renewed dedication to improving infrastructure, education, healthcare, and empowerment.

Thus, he called on the commission to partner with state government in rehabilitation some of the federal roads.

He expressed his readiness to partner with the Commission on the Omadino-Okerenkoko-Escravos Road and other major projects. He disclosed that a joint meeting between the state government, Chevron and the Commission would hold early next month to outline next steps.

He commended Samuel Ogbuka, NDDC .

managing director, for his leadership and commitment to development, describing the new office as a mark of institutional stability and renewed purpose.

Oborevwori also lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his Renewed Hope Agenda, saying it has strengthened state finances, fostered inclusivity, and restored public confidence in governance. ‘No state in Nigeria pays contractors faster than we do in Delta. We are not borrowing and we owe no contractor,’ he affirmed, pledging continued transparency and accountability in his administration.

In his remarks, Abubakar Momoh, an engineer and Minister of Niger Delta Development,, said President Bola Tinubu directed the NDDC to complete all abandoned projects in the region, many of which have now been completed and commissioned.

He cited successes such as the restoration of electricity in Okitipupa after 15 years of blackout, the construction of key bridges and substations, and the launch of health and education projects across several states.

The minister urged NDDC staff to maintain newly built facilities and remain non-partisan, reaffirming that the Commission serves all Niger Delta communities equally.

Chiedu Ebie, chairman of NDDC and

Samuel Ogbuku, the MD both reaffirmed their readiness to collaborate with Delta and other Niger Delta states in delivering sustainable development.

Ebie noted that the 7th Governing Board, appointed by President Tinubu, had strengthened governance by adopting a new transparency framework developed with KPMG.

Ogbuku described the new Delta office as part of the Commission’s transition ‘from transactions to transformation,’ with similar projects underway across the region.

The MD disclosed ongoing collaborations with the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) on ?650 billion worth of infrastructure projects, including bridges and roads.

For countless Nigerian university students, academic life has become a cycle of uncertainty, frustration, and lost time, as many students of the federal government-owned universities are counting the cost of incessant strikes.

The repeated clashes between the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) and the federal government have left many students stranded, delaying graduations, disrupting career plans, and causing emotional and financial strain, not only on the students but also on their parents and guardians.

Some of the affected students who spoke with BusinessDay opened up on how the prolonged impasse has derailed their lives and hopes for the future.

They are lamenting that they have already spent more years than they were supposed to spend in their courses.

They expressed fears that the ongoing strike could also linger and may also impact negatively on their future. The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) said it had given the FG and ASUU a seven-day ultimatum to resolve the impasse.

Khadija Hassan, a 200-level student of Public Administration at the University of Maiduguri, told BusinessDay that the strike has really affected her academically and emotionally.

‘I was gearing to write my last paper a day before the strike started, but now everything is on hold again; imagine spending weeks preparing, reading, stressing over examinations, only for ASUU officials to burst into the exam-hall and collect your exam papers before you could even start answering the exam question,’ she lamented.

Hassan emphasised that the ongoing loggerhead between ASUU and the federal government has put students in the middle of a conflict they did not create.

‘Imagine working hard all semester, preparing for examination and then everything stops because two powerful bodies cannot reach an agreement.

‘Every time academic activities are suspended like this, especially when it takes longer days, courses are made to take longer years through the disruptions, this reoccurring disruption also delays graduation and NYSC service, our plans; making us feel stuck while our peers in other institutions move ahead,’ she said.

Furthermore, she said that for parents, the pain is equally heavy, stressing that many of them make sacrifices to pay their children fees, rents and upkeeps, only to watch as such students are sent back to stay idle at home for months.

‘The constant back and forth between ASUU and government makes parents lose faith in public education system and feel helpless about their children’s future. In the end, both students and parents are the real victims of this impasse,’ she noted.

Fatimah Oseni, a 300-level student of Business Administration and Entrepreneurship, also lamented the negative impact of the loggerheads between the federal government and ASUU.

Oseni said that the insistent strike has affected her academic calendar resulting graduation delay.

‘It’s very frustrating, and students are getting demotivated over this recurring strike, because it causes a lot of setback in their academic pursuits,’ she said.

Alarape Kazeem, a post-graduate student of Budgeting and Public Financial Management, described ASUU’s strike as devastating.

‘The strike has affected me in many ways; one of which is that it has affected our lectures and research activities, and it’s very frustrating,’ he said.

Jibola Oguns, a 200-level student at the University of Ibadan, said he was supposed to be writing his first semester test but for the strike which made the lecturers to suspend all academic activities.

He decried the negative effects of the loggerheads between ASUU and the government which he said has cost them their lecture hours; hence many are idle on campus.

‘It’s frustrating. I’m here eating and spending my allowance on campus without getting any lectures to commensurate with the financial implications,’ he stressed.

Ada Nnadi, who just graduated from Mass Communication department of one of the federal universities, said ASUU strikes and the university’s insensitivity kept her set in school for over two years extra.

‘I got admission in 2019, and am just leaving school. My classmates in secondary school who got admission into other universities have since finished their National Youth Service programme. Some are already working or have proceeded for their Master’s. I am saying that apart from the ASUU strikes, some universities are not just helping matters at all. I can tell you today that some students in the university are nearly depressed. Many are contemplating dropping out. The system is really frustrating. No wonder many families these days sacrifice everything to send their children to private universities,’ Nnadi said.

Stakeholders believe that the persistent ASUU-FG impasse tends to increase dropout rates among Nigerian higher education students.

Students who are ready to advance but are forced to wait for two or more extra years to graduate may become disillusioned with the education system and choose to leave school altogether.

This obviously is worrisome in a country such as Nigeria, where dropout rates are already a pressing issue, particularly in regions where access to quality education is limited.

Nubi Achebo, director of academic planning at the Nigerian University of Technology and Management (NUTM), emphasized that the implications of ASUU-FG loggerheads have significant implications for students and parents in Nigeria.

‘ASUU-FG loggerheads fuel strikes which lead to prolonged closures of universities, causing students to spend extra years in school. Some students end up spending six years for a four-year course.

‘Strikes disrupt academic programmes, affecting students’ learning effectiveness, study habits, and overall academic performance,’ he said.

Besides, the uncertainty of strike durations causes anxiety, frustration, and stress among students. Moreover, parents are made to bear the economic burden of prolonged university education, paying higher fees for extra semesters and years.

Momentum continues to build around ‘Leading in a Storm’ as a new wave of prominent Nigerian thought leaders praise the book’s relevance, clarity, and actionable frameworks for navigating complexity in both public and private sectors.

In their remarks, the leaders, including Tunji Olaopa, a professor, Toye Sobande, Ademola Adebise, and Michael Onuoha, highlighted the book’s blend of field-tested tools and reflective wisdom, which helps executives, policymakers, and community builders lead with calm focus under pressure.

Professor Olaopa, chairman, Federal Civil Service Commission, Abuja, and author of ‘Transforming the African Public Service’, ‘Managing Complex Reforms’, and ‘The Unending Quest for Reform: An Intellectual Memoir’, observed, ‘Leadership is contextual, but also universal-especially given the present state of the VUCA world and its polycrises. Leading in a Storm is therefore a defining contribution to developing the crisis leaders the world sorely needs. It is a must-read not only for leaders but also for researchers and learners.’

On his part, Toye Sobande, strategic leadership expert and author of ‘The Leadership Myth: Why Leadership Principles Do Not Work in Sub-Saharan Africa’, commented, ‘In Leading in a Storm, Dr Dakuku Peterside offers invaluable strategies to help leaders navigate chaos and lead effectively in the most challenging circumstances. Drawing on real-world examples across Africa, he emphasises the importance of context, calmness, and communication. This book is a comprehensive guide for anyone tasked with leadership during turbulent times. Through case studies and practical insights, it outlines how to manage crises, make swift decisions, and steer teams to success. Whether you are a seasoned leader or just starting your journey, Peterside’s approach equips you with the tools to lead with resilience and wisdom when it matters most.’

Also, Ademola Adebise, former MD/CEO, WEMA Bank and an author, described the book as ‘a straightforward and actionable handbook that empowers leaders to face uncertainty and disruption with resilience and flexibility.’ He praised the book’s focus on decision quality and stakeholder communication, saying, ‘It shows leaders how to slow down the noise, speed up the right choices, and keep teams aligned when the stakes are highest.’

Michael Onuoha, chairman/CEO, Ailes Group, and a thought leader, commended ‘Leading in a Storm’ as a valuable guide for leaders navigating complex challenges. ‘This work offers insightful strategies for effective leadership amidst turbulence, making it a pertinent read for executives and decision-makers across sectors.’ He highlighted the author’s crisis sensemaking approach,’ he said, noting further, ‘The tools for context scanning, rapid learning loops, and post-crisis renewal are worth their weight in gold for any leader committed to lasting impact.’

Responding to the new endorsements, Dakuku Peterside, the author, noted that each new endorsement underscores what readers are discovering: practical guidance matters most when pressure is highest. ‘I am grateful to these distinguished leaders for engaging with the work and their commitment to building resilient institutions,’ Peterside enthused.

‘Leading in a Storm’ is a pragmatic leadership guide designed for executives, public officials, entrepreneurs, and community leaders operating in high-uncertainty contexts. Through field-tested frameworks and relatable case studies, the book equips leaders to read context clearly, make tough choices, communicate with credibility, and convert crises into opportunities for renewal.