Category: Business Day

Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq has visited Oke Ode in Ifelodun Local Government to again commiserate with the community and the families who lost their loved ones to the recent attacks by kidnappers.

The Governor prayed for the repose of the souls, commended the security forces for their efforts, and reassured the community of bringing back peace in no distant time.

He also sent words of condolences and solidarity to all the communities caught in the breaches from Ifelodun to Irepodun, Isin, Ekiti, Edu, and Patigi.

‘We have come to commiserate with the community over the attacks. It is to also commend the security forces, forest guards, and vigilante for repelling them and restoring peace back to the community. ‘It’s been quite challenging. Everything is being put in place to mitigate its effects, and make sure we end such occurrences,’ he said.

The governor was accompanied by the Commissioner of Police Adekimi Ojo; State Director of DSS; State Commandant for NSCDC, Umar Mohammed; Senior Special Assistant on Security, Muyideen Aliyu; and Chairman of Ifelodun, Femi Yusuf.

The governor got briefings from security officers and some stakeholders from Oke- Ode and neighbouring Igbaja, including the National President of Oke Ode Development Association, Abdulganiyu Ajala; Oyin Zubair, and the youth leader.

The governor had earlier issued a statement to commiserate with the communities affected, saying a lot more must be done to protect the people and their properties.

Ruth Marcus and Keshia Jang, two journalists with Jay 101.9 FM Jos, Plateau State who were earlier arrested and detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), have been released following public outcry and pressure from the station’s management.

The journalists were arrested on Saturday while covering the burial ceremony of the late mother of Nentawe Yilwatda, the national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at the COCIN Church in Jos. Their arrest, which was initially shrouded in uncertainty, was later confirmed to have been carried out by the DSS.

An eyewitness told BusinessDay that the journalists had captured footage showing DSS operatives preventing some pastors from gaining access to the church premises where the funeral service was taking place.

The eyewitness also confirmed that the security personnel were screening attendees, and in the process, some clerics were denied entry.

The video, which was uploaded to the station’s official website, reportedly drew the attention of the security agency and led to the arrest of the reporters.

In an official statement signed by Clinton Garuba, Managing Director, Jay FM, released to journalists on Sunday in Jos, said the journalists documented this in line with their duty to report public interest matters.

Jay FM maintained that their actions were lawful, ethical, and carried out in full observance of journalistic standards.

The management expressed deep concern over the arrest, describing it as arbitrary, illegal, and a gross violation of press freedom and human rights.

Jay FM condemned the actions of the DSS, insisting that their staff were simply performing their journalistic duties.

Efforts to secure the release of the journalists were initially rebuffed, according to the management, but the pressure eventually led to their freedom. ‘Further to our earlier statement regarding the arrest of our staff, Ruth Marcus and Keshia Jang, who were assigned to cover the burial rites of the late mother of the APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, at the COCIN headquarters Church, we wish to inform you that they have been released.

‘Upon confirming that the DSS was holding them, frantic efforts were made to secure their release. Although our efforts were initially rebuffed, they were eventually released. ‘This event has once again prompted us to draw attention to the disturbing issues of press freedom violations, human rights abuses, and the erosion of the rule of law by security agencies.

‘We want to reiterate that as professionals, our staff did what journalists are trained and ethically mandated to do: they documented an incident on video for public record and accountability,’ the statement read.

Jay FM maintained that journalism is a public service profession and should not be criminalised. ‘To criminalise this duty is to criminalise truth itself,’ the statement added, as it warned security agencies against treating journalists as enemies of the state.

The station further urged the DSS to operate within the confines of the law, warning that Nigeria is a democracy, not a military regime. It stressed that power must be exercised with civility and respect for the rights of citizens, including members of the press.

Reaffirming its commitment to truth and accountability, Jay FM called on Nigerians, the media, and the international community to resist any attempt to gag the press. ‘When journalists are silenced, democracy dies in darkness,’ the statement warned. The incident has drawn criticism from press freedom advocates and the broader media community who see it as part of a growing pattern of intimidation against journalists.

Amidst crumbling infrastructure, meagre salaries, overwhelming workloads, and a lack of professional support, Nigerian teachers continue to carry the weight of the country’s future on their shoulders.

Despite their critical role in shaping minds and driving national development, they are often treated as afterthoughts in policy and public discourse.

In the 2025 budget, President Bola Tinubu allocated N3.52 trillion to education; and earmarked N1.64 trillion for personnel costs, teacher salaries included.

However, that was not enough, because to meet the requirement of paying all 2.3 million registered teachers at a N70,000 minimum monthly wage, the government would need about N1.93 trillion just for salaries.

That leaves a shortfall of N290 billion, which simply suggests the government intentionally had planned that some teachers would not be paid fully and/or on time.

Many teachers receive salaries that are not commensurate with their workloads or qualifications; there are reports of months of unpaid salaries. Some teachers are paid a monthly salary as low as N25,000 to N50,000, in a country where the national minimum wage is N70,000 and the cost-of-living-crisis has deepened and made a nonsense of the minimum wage.

Worst still, these teachers live in societies where the cost-of-living is at 20.12 percent as shown in August CPI numbers. A loaf of bread is at N1,500 in many Nigerian cities, and house rents have tripled, among other cost-of- living crises.

Jessica Osuere, chief executive officer at RubiesHub Educational Services, reflecting on the fate of teachers in Nigeria, said, despite the many challenges teachers continue to demonstrate resilience, creativity, and an unwavering commitment to their students.

Unfortunately, she emphasised that many teachers still work under very difficult conditions, such as low pay, poor welfare support, overcrowded classrooms, and limited opportunities for professional growth.

Gift Osikoya, a teacher, said October 5, being World Teachers’ Day is a reminder of how central teachers are to the progress of any nation; but in Nigeria, this noble profession is often undervalued. ‘Teachers are nation-builders, they shape young minds, instill values, and equip future leaders with the knowledge and skills to thrive.

‘Unfortunately, the reality for many Nigerian teachers is discouraging. Low remuneration, delayed salaries, overcrowded classrooms, lack of modern teaching aids, and limited opportunities for career growth have weakened the profession and, in turn, our education system,’ she said.

Similarly, Isaiah Ogundele, a school administrator, describes teaching in Nigeria as discouraging due to the government and societal attitudes towards the profession.

‘The government is not paying teachers well, and they’re not recongised as professionals like doctors, lawyers, and engineers, among others, unlike in advanced countries where teachers are held in high esteem,’ he noted. In 2023, UNICEF reported an average pupil teacher ratio of 124:1, especially in states such as Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa. In many public primary schools in Ogun State, the average pupils’ teaching ratio exceeds the national average.

Many primary schools in Nigeria, especially in rural communities suffer teaching input deficits as only about 54.8 percent of primary schools have the minimum teaching materials, 38.2 percent of pupils had a Mathematics or English textbook. About 38.3 percent had accessible toilets, 27.4 percent had clean ones.

Teachers’ roles in sustainable development

Experts believe that Nigeria needs to enhance its education quality in order to achieve sustainable development goals in 2030. And to achieve that, teachers’ roles cannot be overemphsised.

Ogundele had this to say, ‘Teaching job is the root of all other professions in the world. Teachers should maintain their dignity; they should not get involved in corruption.

‘Besides, the government should prioritise teachers’ welfare and treat them like doctors and lawyers.’

The way forward

Experts believe that the government should prioritise teachers’ welfare, and continuous training, among other things.

Elizabeth Ohaka, a school owner, speaking on the need for teachers’ welfare, said, ‘A happy teacher builds a happy student; it is a wholesome teacher who will build a wholesome student. If a teacher is not satisfied with her job, her output will be below average, and when it is below average, it will tell on the output of the students; they won’t be able to be the best.’

Mary Udenta, a teacher, emphasised the need for continuous professional development and retraining for teachers in a fast-changing world. ‘Access to modern tools from digital resources to well-equipped classrooms, would make teaching more effective.

‘Beyond welfare, there must be a cultural shift where teachers are respected, celebrated, and given the honour they deserve,’ she said.

She said that for Nigeria to achieve a sustainable educational system that produces graduates with the requisite skills to tackle challenges with its economy, more attention needs to be paid to teacher training.

Chris Nmeribe, a teacher, said, ‘Training gives teachers the greatest chance of success and sustains them in the face of new challenges. Education is a learning cycle without an end. It is not going to stop after graduation and starting a career. Continuing training helps individuals to continually improve their skills and become more professional at their work.’

A number of other concerned Nigerians who spoke with BusinessDay on condition of anonymity said that the government must endeavour to change the age-long demeaning aphorism that ‘teachers’ reward is in heaven.’

‘We grew up to hear people say that teachers’ reward was in heaven. That cliché as I can call it has continued in Nigeria up till now. Until the government takes a deliberate step to change that, the nation’s education would continue to totter,’ a woman, who introduced herself simply as Rhoda, said.

Nigeria has spent billions on strengthening security agencies and tackling insurgency, but weak responses at local levels are threatening to undermine those efforts.

Security agencies have struggled to respond to terrorist attacks on communities as a result of lack of personnel, sabotage and lack of funds.

Sometimes, villages are raided for hours without security intervention. Analysts say the situation is a recent phenomenon not seen in the 1990s and 2000s.

Speaking with BusinessDay in Abuja, peace experts and security analysts say while the federal government has recorded significant gains, weak grassroots structures, elite interference, and compromised local authorities continue to leave dangerous gaps in the country’s security architecture.

As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence, analysts highlighted progress, challenges, and the way forward for sustainable peace.

Sadeeque Abba, professor of Political Economy and Development Studies at the University of Abuja, said Nigeria’s security situation requires urgent collaboration across all tiers of government.

According to him, while the federal government has made significant efforts in tackling insecurity, state and local governments have failed to play their parts effectively.

‘In security terms, the federal government is doing an excellent job, but the state and local governments are not doing anything.

‘That is why Nigeria is not well secured. Federal government cannot secure the entire nation.

‘It is going to be a collaboration, a partnership between the federal, the state and the local government,’ Abba stressed.

The professor noted that local governments, which ought to be the cornerstone of national development and grassroots security, have been weakened by elite interference and state capture.

He argued that Nigeria must adopt a ‘bottom-up’ security model rather than the current ‘top-down’ approach.

‘If you go to some developed countries like Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Indonesia, or even Norway and Finland, security is not about top-down, it’s about bottom-up.

‘In Africa, countries like Botswana, Seychelles, Lesotho, Madagascar and Algeria have bottom-up security models.

‘But in Nigeria, security is defined from the point of view of state security and elite security, leaving the grassroots unprotected,’ he said.

Abba explained that the disconnect between growing national resources and declining security is one of the contradictions undermining Nigeria’s development.

‘We were far more secure in the 1960s, 70s and 80s than now, even though we have more resources today. The further away from 1960, the less the security, yet the higher the resources. That imbalance is frightening,’ he added.

On her part, Dayo Kusa, former director of the Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution and a member of the Coordinating Committee on the Forum on Farmer-Herder Relations in Nigeria, described Nigeria as being in”turmoil’ but urged continuous transformation of conflicts rather than seeking absolute resolutions.

‘The presidency and all involved are doing their very best, but the infestation has gone so far-rooted.

‘We shall continue to prevent conflict in areas not yet prone and transform existing conflicts.

‘Resolution is almost like peace of the graveyard, which is unattainable. Transformation is more practical and sustainable,’ Kusa explained.

Also speaking, Olusola Odumosu, commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in the Federal Capital Territory, said Nigeria should be grateful for the relative peace it enjoys compared to other parts of the world.

‘Except we want to be unfair, Nigeria is enjoying relative peace compared to other countries within Africa and across the globe. Sixty-five years is not an easy journey. We may not be where we ought to be, but we’re not where we used to be,’ he said.

Odumosu highlighted the collective efforts of the security community in sustaining peace, noting that the NSCDC works in close collaboration with the Nigerian Police, Armed Forces, and other paramilitary agencies.

He also pointed to recent security reforms and government policies under the Renewed Hope Agenda, which have strengthened agencies through increased funding, improved welfare, and training.

‘Before now, Nigeria was bedevilled with insurgency, violent extremism, and kidnapping. As we speak today, those challenges have reduced drastically.

‘We may not have completely obliterated them, but they are not as menacing as before,’ he said. On grassroots security, the NSCDC Commandant agreed with experts that community participation remains essential.

‘Peace is everybody’s business. We should not leave peace enforcement and building at the doorstep of security agencies alone. ‘Intelligence-led policing works best, and we rely on credible information from the people.

‘When you see something, say something. Don’t be indifferent, because it might affect someone close to you,’ Odumosu urged.

Checks by BusinessDay Newspapers revealed that Nigeria has in recent years embarked on a series of reforms aimed at strengthening national security, modernising its armed forces and improving the accountability of law enforcement agencies.

The measures, which range from legislative changes to increased funding and procurement of modern equipment, reflect government efforts to address the country’s complex security challenges while balancing concerns about human rights, governance and accountability.

A step in this direction was the signing of the Nigeria Police Act in 2020, which repealed the outdated 2004 law.

The new legislation emphasises accountability, respect for human rights and the need for community policing as a foundation for effective law enforcement.

However, while the Act provided a clear legal framework, observers note that its implementation has been slow, with limited impact so far on police culture, training and public trust.

Alongside domestic reforms, Nigeria has received international support for strengthening police accountability and transformation.

In 2024, the United Nations Development Programme launched the Supporting Police Accountability and Transformation (SPAAT) project, the third phase of a long-running initiative to improve professionalism in the Nigeria Police Force.

The project, which runs until December 2025, is designed to deepen reforms in police leadership, governance and community engagement, complementing government policies on institutional change.

Funding for security has also risen sharply, as defence and security received one of the largest allocations in the 2025 federal budget, with about N4.9 trillion set aside for personnel, operations and capital projects.

This represents around 13 percent of total government spending, according to budget analysis by BudgIT. The allocation continues a trend that began in 2024, when security already commanded one of the highest shares of national expenditure.

The spending has been matched by significant procurement and modernisation moves. In October 2024, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved borrowing of over $600 million to acquire M-346 fighter jets, part of a plan to boost the Nigerian Air Force’s capacity for counter-insurgency and border security.

Earlier this year, the United States approved a potential $346 million arms sale to Nigeria, covering rockets and munitions, although the deal is still subject to congressional approval in Washington.

These acquisitions are expected to bolster ongoing military campaigns, including operations against oil theft in the Niger Delta and counter-terrorism missions in the North-East.

Beyond the military front, Nigeria’s leaders are grappling with an increasingly urgent debate over the creation of state police. Advocates argue that devolving policing powers to state governments will bring law enforcement closer to communities and help tackle insecurity more effectively.

Opponents, however, fear the arrangement could be politicised and abused by state governors.

The debate has gained momentum in 2024 and 2025, with public hearings and legislative proposals sparking both support and resistance, but no final decision has been reached.

Despite these reforms and investments, concerns persist about accountability and respect for human rights.

Rights groups point out that abuses linked to security operations remain common, undermining public trust and raising doubts about the effectiveness of reforms.

Analysts also warn that without stronger intelligence-sharing, multi-agency coordination and robust oversight, rising budgets and new equipment may not translate into improved security outcomes.

The government, however, insists that reforms are moving in the right direction, pointing to renewed strategies on counter-insurgency, greater emphasis on community policing, and operational successes against criminal networks as signs of progress.

International partners also continue to express support, highlighting Nigeria’s willingness to tackle long-standing gaps in its security architecture.

Experts caution that the true measure of these reforms will hinge on whether legislative intent, international backing, and security spending can be effectively translated into real improvements in public safety and citizens’ trust.

The balancing act between equipping security forces, respecting human rights, and building public confidence will likely define the next phase of Nigeria’s security sector transformation.

History, as the philosopher George Santayana once reminded us, condemns those who fail to learn from it to repeat its errors. One lesson that echoes across centuries and continents is this – when governments underestimate, neglect, or patronize their youth, the consequences are often destabilizing. The student uprisings in Paris in 1968, the Arab Spring a decade ago, and more recently the youth-led revolts in Kenya, Nepal, and Madagascar all bear testimony to this fact. Youthful energy, when stifled, does not disappear; it accumulates and eventually erupts.

Nigeria is not exempt from this truth. In fact, Nigeria may be its most striking embodiment. With two-thirds of its population under the age of 30, the fate of this nation is inseparable from the dreams and frustrations of its youth. Which is why President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Independence Day broadcast on the occasion of Nigeria’s 65th anniversary struck such a resonant note. In that broadcast, the president described Nigeria’s youth as the nation’s ‘greatest assets’ and promised: ‘Our administration, through policies and funding, will continue to give you wings to fly sky-high.’ For once, the language from the presidency matched the aspirations of the nation’s restless demographic. He urged them to dream big, innovate, and conquer new territories in technology, science, arts, and sports. The rhetoric was inspiring. Yet, Nigerians have heard such words before. The challenge is not in articulation but in execution. Now, let’s recall the weight of history. The story of Nigeria’s youth is also the story of Nigeria itself. The independence struggle of the 1940s and 1950s was spearheaded by young leaders – Macaulay, Azikiwe, Awolowo, Balewa, and others were men in their thirties and forties. The energy of youth was the driving force of decolonization. In the 1990s, the fight against military dictatorship again found its backbone among student movements, campus unions, and young pro-democracy activists. The June 12 struggle, led by coalitions that included youth organizations, kept the flame of democracy alive.

Globally, too, youth have shaped transitions. Nelson Mandela often acknowledged the role of young militants in sustaining the anti-apartheid fight. Barack Obama’s historic ‘Yes We Can’ campaign was youth-powered. Ghana’s independence was carried on the shoulders of Kwame Nkrumah’s Youth Movement. History is unambiguous: ignore youth at your peril, empower them and the nation thrives.

And now banging unceasingly and menacingly on the door of our subconscious is the cautionary tale of Madagascar. This is why the ongoing turmoil in Madagascar should be more than a passing headline for Nigeria; it should be a red warning signal. In Antananarivo today, disillusioned youths have taken over streets, protesting unemployment, corruption, and political exclusion. What began as scattered demonstrations has grown into organized defiance, threatening to topple governance structures.

The parallels with Nigeria are unsettling. High unemployment, exclusion from decision-making, rising cost of living, and disillusionment with promises of reform are common denominators. The difference is scale. Nigeria is larger, more complex, and its youth far more interconnected through social media. If Madagascar can descend into upheaval, Nigeria must recognize that the same volcano simmers beneath its own surface.

Now, let’s turn to President Tinubu’s haerat-warming pledge and words backed with initiatives. To dismiss Tinubu’s promises as mere rhetoric would, however, be unfair. His administration has launched a suite of youth-focused programmes that, if faithfully implemented, could mark a turning point. Let’s walk through them.

NELFUND Education Loans: With over 510,000 beneficiaries, this scheme addresses the crippling financial barrier to tertiary education. Paulo Freire, the Brazilian philosopher of education, argued that true freedom begins with access to learning. NELFUND represents an attempt to democratize opportunity.

CreditCorp Loans (?30 billion disbursed): Youth-led businesses often die at conception due to lack of capital. Affordable credit breathes life into entrepreneurial dreams.

YouthCred for NYSC Members: By extending credit to Corps members, the government turns the service year from a dead-end ritual into a springboard for innovation.

iDICE Initiative: The Investment in Digital and Creative Enterprises connects Nigeria’s comparative advantage in arts and technology with global opportunities. In an era where Afrobeats and Nollywood dominate global markets, this is a policy aligned with reality.

Presidential CNG Initiative (Pi-CNG): Distributing 2,000 clean-energy tricycles empowers youth while promoting sustainability. This is an attempt to fuse employment with ecological responsibility.

Youth Agro-Entrepreneurship Programme (YEIDEP): Agriculture remains a sleeping giant. By modernizing youth participation, YEIDEP could transform rural underemployment into agribusiness prosperity.

Labour Employment and Empowerment Programme (LEEP): With its focus on vocational training and mass employment, LEEP has potential to absorb thousands into productive industries. Yo! Health Initiative: Structured on six pillars – mental health, drug abuse prevention, communicable and non-communicable diseases, reproductive health, and insurance – this is perhaps the most holistic attempt at youth welfare. Health is wealth, and without it, no wings can fly.

Taken together, these initiatives reveal intentionality. Unlike past governments, Tinubu is not blind to the urgency of youth empowerment. He is laying down the runway for the wings he has promised. Yet, Nigerians are realists and the risk of empty programmes delivered with rhetorical relish would be better imagined than described. They have seen initiatives launch with fanfare only to die in silence. For every NELFUND, there is a defunct YOUWIN. For every iDICE, there is an abandoned IT village. The graveyard of Nigerian policy is filled with beautiful designs that never became reality.

The pitfalls to avoid are clear – elite capture (If youth funds are hijacked by politicians and their cronies, trust will collapse); bureaucratic bottlenecks (Complicated applications discourage real beneficiaries); tokenism (Isolated projects without scale do not address systemic unemployment); exclusion (Programmes designed without youth input risk irrelevance). Durkheim’s sociology warns that a society that fails to integrate its youth risks anomie-a state of normlessness that breeds instability. From the philosophical standpoint, reflecting on the youth as vanguard, Frantz Fanon, in The Wretched of the Earth, insisted that it is the youth who serve as the revolutionary vanguard in colonized societies. Nigeria’s youth may not be fighting colonizers, but they are resisting internal structures of exploitation, corruption, and exclusion. They are the ‘not yet’ of Nigerian history – the potential that could lift the country into prosperity. But potential unrealized becomes peril. A generation denied its place becomes a generation that destabilizes. This is why Tinubu’s metaphor of wings is so apt, but incomplete. Wings without skies, wings without flight paths, wings without pilots, these are dangerous illusions. For promises to have weight, they must become reality.

One of the most sobering lessons of the 21st century is that when a nation neglects its youth, it risks igniting a firestorm of restiveness that no power can easily contain. Across Africa-and indeed the Global South-youth movements have emerged as the vanguard of resistance, catalyzing seismic political shifts. The Nigerian leadership cannot afford to ignore these warning signals, for they point to what happens when promises remain unfulfilled. Nigeria already tasted this bitter medicine during the #EndSARS protests of 2020, where millions of young Nigerians poured into the streets to demand an end to police brutality and systemic neglect. Four years later, in 2024, another wave-the #EndBadGovernance protest-surfaced, powered by the same restless demographic whose frustration had deepened under economic hardship, unemployment, and insecurity. These movements underscore a truth: youth energy, if unchanneled, mutates into explosive dissent.

Across the continent, Kenya’s Gen Z protest of 2024 presented another vivid case. Initially triggered by punitive tax hikes, the demonstrations quickly morphed into a larger indictment of governance failures. Young Kenyans deployed digital tools-TikTok, Twitter (X), Instagram-to mobilize, amplify their voices, and shame the establishment. In a sense, Kenya’s protest became Africa’s masterclass in how a digitally native generation can leverage technology to challenge entrenched systems. The lesson for Nigeria is clear: this generation has new weapons, and silence or dismissal is no longer an option. The current Madagascar turmoil provides perhaps the most pressing warning. What began as grievances over food insecurity and unemployment has spiraled into sustained youth-led unrest. In Antananarivo, protesters chant about ‘a future stolen’ and ‘dreams deferred.’ The symbolism is striking: a young generation, weary of waiting, has decided to claim its destiny directly. For Nigeria, the images from Madagascar should serve as an unignorable alarm bell-because the triggers are uncannily similar: economic stagnation, corruption, and dashed expectations.

Beyond Africa, the story repeats. In Nepal, September 2025 witnessed a Gen Z-driven revolution sparked by Abiskar Raut’s fiery speech, galvanizing thousands of young people to rise against systemic exclusion. The resonance of this uprising across borders is instructive: youth discontent is not contained by geography. It is a generational phenomenon, powered by shared tools (social media), shared conditions (inequality, unemployment), and shared aspirations (dignity, opportunity, voice). Taken together, these cases demonstrate a sociological constant: youth restiveness thrives in the gap between rhetoric and reality. Leaders often laud young people as ‘the future,’ but when such words are not matched with concrete opportunities, they morph into bitter reminders of betrayal.

Tinubu’s Independence Day metaphor of giving Nigerian youths ‘wings to fly’ therefore bears both promise and peril. If his administration sustains its youth-centered initiatives-education loans, credit access, health interventions, clean energy empowerment, and digital enterprise investments-Nigeria may avoid the tinderbox scenario playing out elsewhere. If not, the same demographic being celebrated as ‘greatest assets’ could become the most formidable opposition.

History has shown that no government can indefinitely suppress a restless youth bulge. In the long run, demographics always win. Africa is the youngest continent in the world, with Nigeria at its epicenter. Harnessing this demographic dividend requires foresight, sincerity, and delivery-not just rhetoric. Tinubu has the right words. What remains is the right action, lest Nigeria joins the growing catalogue of nations learning too late that ignoring youth restiveness is a gamble no leadership survives unscathed.

More importantly, it makes little sense to fall an easy prey to the resilience fallacy. Nigerians are often described as resilient, enduring hardship with stoic calm. Yet, resilience is not infinite. Stretch patience too far, and it snaps. The Madagascar turmoil shows the next stage of what happens when governments mistake patience for passivity. Nigeria must learn before it is too late. This is not to overlook skepticism and the burden of proof. There are skeptics, who dismiss Tinubu’s programmes as propaganda, arguing that they are more photo-op than policy. Their skepticism is not without basis. Nigeria’s history of unfulfilled promises invites doubt. President Tinubu therefore carries a burden of proof. He must demonstrate that his initiatives are not designed for applause but for impact. He must prove that his government is not repeating history’s mistakes but rewriting the script. Surely, the Tinubu administration deserves commendation for rolling out such youth-targeted initiatives such as NELFUND, CreditCorp, YouthCred, iDICE, Pi-CNG, YEIDEP, LEEP, and Yo! Health. As it is said in Igbo proverbial parlance, ‘E too dike na nke o mere, o mekwaa ?z?’ (When one gets commended for achieving a great feat, they strive to achieve more). These are significant steps in the right direction. But they must not end as headlines. They must become lived realities for millions of Nigerian youths. Execution, transparency, inclusivity, and accountability must be the watchwords. Youth must not only be beneficiaries but also co-creators of policy.

Let’s conclude on the imperative of transiting from winging the youth to charting the flight paths.

History will not judge Tinubu by the melody of his promises but by the symphony of his delivery. Inspiring words are valuable, but tangible transformation is indispensable. Nigeria’s youth have been promised wings. It is now time to provide flight paths. The choice before Tinubu is stark: either to be remembered as another leader of unfulfilled promises or as the president, who turned rhetoric into renewal, promises into programmes, and wings into soaring realities. The turmoil in Madagascar stands as a vivid warning. Nigeria must not wait for its own eruption. A stitch in time saves nine. If President Tinubu stays the course, deepens implementation, and shields these initiatives from corruption and elite capture, then history may record him as the leader who gave Nigerian youth not just wings, but also the skies.

Asiwaju, the Jagaban! You have all it takes to make things happen. As the Igbo would ask: ‘? b? nwa Mgbeke amagh? isi akp?, ka ? b? ag?ba ad?gh? nk??’ Loosely translated, ‘Is it that Mgbeke lacks the expertise of a barber or that the razor is not sharp?’ President Tinubu, as the proverbial Mgbeke, has the expertise of a legendary barber armed with the full complements of a sharp clippers! Let the scooping motion begin in earnest.

The longlist for Quramo Writers Prize (QPW) 2025, a manuscript prose fiction writing contest and critical creative component of the nine-year-old Quramo Festival of Words (QFest), has been unveiled after a month-long rigorous judging process by a three-man jury that comprises of Aduke Gomez, jury head, with Wase Aguele-Konu and Anote Ajeluorou as members. The longlist of five outstanding manuscripts from which a further shortlist has emerged are: ‘Black Bird’ by Chioma Jane Okeagu; ‘Kaku’ by Esther Eniola Oyeleye, ‘Moon Child’ Abiola Junaid, ‘Son of the Harem’ by Harry Onyeogo and ‘What Breaks, What Binds’ by Hubaidat Oyinkansola Ishola. The longlist was derived from 34 manuscripts submitted for the prize this year.

A cash prize of one million naira will be awarded to the winning manuscript plus a publishing deal. Dear Zimi by Chizeterem Chijoke won two years ago and was published last year. It earned Quramo Publishers a shortlist position in the USD$20,000 worth CANEX Book Factory Prize for Publishing in Africa 2025, won by South Africa’s Karavan Press for In Silence My Heart Speaks, by Thobeka Yose. ‘Black Bird’, ‘Moon Child’s and ‘What Breaks, What Binds’ are the shortlisted manuscripts for QWP 2025! The winner will be awarded the ?1,000,000 cash prize plus publishing deal. Apart from the prize, QFest 2025 has revealed the books and the writers that will feature in this year’s festival. They include: Hubris: A Brief Political History of the Nigerian Army by Dr. Akintunde Akinwumi; My Name Is Okoro by Sam Omatseye, chairman, editorial board, The Nation Newspaper; Across the Gulf and Shadows and Ashes by Dul Johnson, a professor at University of Jos. The books dwell on the infamous 30-month Nigerian Civil War from 1967 to 1970. Interestingly, the books constitute the nucleus of this year’s Quramo Festival of Words (QFest) 2025. For Gbemi Shasore, festival convener, it is about time to heal historical pains from the war, so that the country could move on in its march to a glorious future. According to her, ‘It is great when we talk about stories that tie to the Nigerian Civil War. Don’t forget, our name is Quramo Festival of Words. Very many things happen with words. Words provoke, words heal, words challenge, words nurture, words archive, words do a lot of things. As a publisher, as a filmmaker, I am thrown into words, flowery, unsavoury, humorous words, and so we thought about the civil war. We are not coming to it from an accusatory point of view. We are coming from the position that a lot has been written about the civil war, either to purge, to heal; either to come to terms, loads of fiction books, non-fiction books, entries into journals, gazettes in government documents; things have been written, words have been written about the civil war. ‘One thing is for sure; I lived the end part of the war as a child, and I think I was about seven or eight, because I remember I was trying to get a grip of my trainer bike, learning how to ride without trainer wheels when the war ended, when we heard the war had ended, and I know that it is not a place that Nigeria ever wants to go back to. So, let’s sit down in a very lovely environment where we have respect for one another and we are mindful of one another, our various interpretations of what we have heard and our various experiences and talk about it. ‘It is no longer the elephant in the room that nobody can talk about. We do not want to go back there. If you look at how we have public holidays for June 12 and even Independence Day on October 1, we should be able to have a day that we can apologize to one another, whether we did it or not. Apologize for the pain that the country went through, that our brethren went through, that we went through, and apologize and move on, because whether we like it or not, we are together, and the things that unite us are far better and more than what can divide us. Look at Ukraine and Russia; they were once a part of one another, but look at how they’re going at each other. If we all go three ways, maybe more ways, we would be more of a threat divided, in my own opinion, and so we will never get back there.’ Other personalities and books of the festival include: Mazi Nwonwu and his How to Make a Space Masquerade and Dele Sijuade’s Orisa will be in conversation for the speculative fiction panel. Also, Ndidi Chiazor-Enenmor’s See Morocco See Spain, Silva Nze Ifedigbo’s My Mind Is No Longer Here and Samuel Monye’s Give Us this Day, Henry Akubuiro’s Mighty Mite and Golden Jewel will feature in the children’s session, among others. Also, Moonbeam: An Anthology of Short Stories by Nigeria’s Foremost Culture Journalists (published by Narrative Landscape Press) will be unveiled at QFest 2025, with some of the contributors like Sam Omatseye, Adeniyi Kunu, Okechukwu Uwaezuoke, Terh Agbedeh and Henry Akubuiro featuring, and moderated by the editor Anote Ajeluorou. They will speak on ‘The Place of Anthologies/Collection of Short Stories in a Literary Ecosystem’. This anthology, the first by 15 culture journalists united in their singular passion for culture reporting such as Jahman Anikulapo, Toni Kan, Molara Wood, Abubakar Adam Ibrahim, Nehru Odeh, Evelyn Osagie (rest her soul), Sumaila Isa Umaisha, Greg Nwakunor and Akeem Lasisi, has been hailed as a bold cultural shift and boundary-defining.

Tragedy struck in Kubwa, Abuja, Thursday night as armed assailants invaded the home of Ifeanyi Ogbu, a medical doctor, killed him and abducted his three children, who are still missing.

Residents said the attack occurred late on October 3, when the gunmen stormed Dr. Ogbu’s residence, shooting sporadically before forcing their way in. The doctor was reportedly shot at close range while attempting to protect his family. The assailants then whisked away his children to an unknown destination. The incident has thrown the community into mourning and heightened fears over rising insecurity in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). It comes barely days after a violent armed robbery in Katampe, another Abuja district, where residents were robbed at gunpoint in their homes.

Kabiru Adamu, a security analysts said that the two incidents indicate a disturbing trend of escalating urban violence and growing sophistication among criminal gangs operating in the FCT’s suburbs. ‘What we’re seeing is a pattern of coordinated criminal operations targeting residential areas’, Adamu said.

As of Saturday, the police have not issued an official statement on the Kubwa killing and abduction, though residents have called for immediate deployment of more patrol teams and intelligence units to curb the wave of attacks. Adamu also noted that Abuja, long considered one of Nigeria’s safer urban areas, has in recent months witnessed a spike in kidnappings, home invasions, and other violent crimes developments that have raised concerns about the government’s ability to protect citizens even in the nation’s capital.

Meanwhile, the whereabouts of Ogbu’s children remain unknown, with family members and neighbours appealing to authorities to intensify search and rescue efforts.

Despite the oil wealth accruing to Nigeria yearly, the entrepreneurial class, and the vast majority of impoverished citizens are constantly improvising for survival.

Sancho Nwobuisi Chukwu, professor of Monetary Economics and International Finance at the Rivers State University (RSU), Port Harcourt, said the situation is made worse by the conflicts raging across the various geopolitical zones of the country.

Chukwu, while delivering the 119th Inaugural Lecture of the university, titled: ‘Dynamics of Ehianomic Economy, The Loses And Nigerian Experience,’ said greater investment in peace building mechanisms will guarantee effective national development and curb the various conflicts in the country.

He pointed out that economic crises, terrorism and other forms of conflicts in the country have brought unbearable consequences on the people, leaving fractured communities and stalled socio-economic development in their wake, while recommending the institution of peace building mechanisms to promote economic planning and development.

Chukwu noted that institutionalizing peace within the Nigerian economic framework ensures that development is built on strong foundations.

‘By treating peace as a public good essential to investment, productivity, and national cohesion, Nigeria can move from managing crises to prevention, turning potential conflict zones into engines of inclusive prosperity,’ he said.

The lecturer said that wars and other forms of conflicts impose costs on all sectors of the economy particularly those who depends on stability of investments, adding that the multiple episodes of conflicts has inflicted severe economic consequences on families, individuals and organisation.

Chukwu said wars, insurgency and other forms of national unrests leads to displacement of families, individuals and organisations and destroys critical national assets and infrastructure.

He explained that conflicts induced displacement has had devastating effects on labour markets, educational attainment and economic productivity, adding that the ripple consequences of dislocating families and fragmenting communities in the country. He further identified ordinary Nigerians, whom he described as the dispossessed majority, as the ultimate and greatest losers who he said bears the brunt of conflicts and macroeconomic instability in the country as against the political class, power brokers, contractors and urban elites among others who benefits from redistributed resources arising from the socioeconomic dislocations.

Chukwu pointed out that in the midst of several economic and social conflicts Nigerians has continued to devise and chart alternative resilient methodologies for survival and adaptations to prevailing situations in the country.

He described Ahianomics as not a mere terminology but a paradigm, an economic consciousness rooted in adaptability and survival, adding that it describes an ecosystem where households, entrepreneur and institutions are perpetually in the process of economic improvisation for survival.

‘In this model, resilience is currency and survival is strategic. It is an economy where formal structures often give way to informal ingenuity and where scarcity breeds not just innovations but a redefinition of value itself,’ he said.

Chukwu told newsmen that Ahianomics depicts the social ills in the Nigerian society, an invasion of the human society where everybody are in the search for means of survival, to make ends meet, due to the poor economic policies, infrastructure deficit, and the government’s inability to sustain equitable health care and lack of educational opportunities in the country.

He further called on the government at all levels to invest in employment generation urging local governments to build industries and factories with products of comparative advantage.

The lecturer who condemned the quality of empowerment programmes being initiated by the political class for the vulnerable in the society advised that people should be taught how to fish rather than giving them pieces meal as empowerment.

‘Politics is now the means of survival. Without politics, nothing comes on the table. So I urge our leaders to ensure that everything goes round. In a situation where one person accumulates more wealth than others is painful. Government should see how we can accommodate our brothers and sisters to be better of,’ he said.

A new logistic company, MS FastTrack has made a debut into the Nigerian market, promising to offer cutting edge and technology driven logistic services that will give clients maximum satisfaction and enhance growth for their businesses.

Speaking to Journalists during the media unveiling of the company in Lagos, according to a statement, Muoh Sylvia Onyedikachukwu, founder and Chief Executive Officer of MS FastTrack said the firm was established not only to change the game in logistic business but to give individuals, organisations and business owners a new experience.

According to the CEO, ‘A strong vision statement for a logistics company should outline its long-term aspirations, while a mission statement should describe its core purpose and how it will achieve its goals. For us at MS FastTrack, we have designed a long term brand architecture to position us to be the nation’s leading provider of sustainable and innovative supply chain solutions. Besides, as stated in our mission statement, we want to stand as the connecting rod to connect businesses and customers locally and globally through efficient, reliable, and eco-friendly logistics services’.

She further stated that the company was designed to be a leading global provider of supply chain solutions that will enable customers to succeed in a global marketplace. Speaking on measures being taken to make the brand the world’s preferred supply chain logistics company, that will connect people, businesses, and communities to a better future through logistics, applying insight and service quality, Silvia, pointed out that the organisation will prioritise customer service as well as preventing customer goods from being lost in transit.

‘MS Fasttrack Solutions is implementing a multi-faceted approach encompassing inventory control, security measures, and customer service excellence. This includes automating inventory tracking, using RFID technology, hiring loss prevention specialists, and providing exceptional customer service to address any concerns or issues that may arise’ she further stated.

Speaking on what informed the establishment of the company, she stated that passion and the spirit of entrepreneurship in her, right from her school days propelled her to establish the company.

To address issues related to loss items, Silvia said the company is implementing a multi-faceted approach encompassing inventory control, security measures, and customer service excellence. These, according to her include; automating inventory tracking, using RFID technology, hiring loss prevention specialists, and providing exceptional customer service to address any concerns or issues that may arise.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Borno State chapter, has urged both policy makers and Nigerians to take responsibility for the progress of the country rather than blaming leaders.

CAN lamented that although the successive administrations have failed in implementing policies, leaving Nigeria behind in terms of infrastructure and governance.

Bishop John Bogna Bakeni, the State CAN Chairman made the remarks while addressing journalists shortly after the Independence Anniversary Thanksgiving organized by officials of CAN, in Maiduguri.

He noted that the policy of government will determine turnaround of Nigeria’s economic and political situation which depends on the deliberate actions and political wills of the leaders.

According to him, ‘As I said in my message on the pulpit, Nigerians must make the right choices. We must hold our leaders accountable at all levels, but we must also take responsibility.’

He added, ‘I commend what they are doing, but I think we still have a lot to do. Governance is a very complex issue, and leadership in particular so it is not a blame game. But I think where there is a will, there is always a way out. In a state like Borno, this gathering is very significant, especially to the Christian community and the unity of the state, having faced with so much of security challenges,’ Bakeni said.

Delivering his sermon titled ‘We should not lust after evil things as they also lusted,’ drawn from 1 Corinthians 10:6, the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Maiduguri said corruption, dishonesty, and social decay begin within individuals and families. He said many of the challenges facing Nigeria, including kidnapping, banditry, corruption, terrorism, and tribalism, arise from moral negligence and the failure of families to instill proper values in their children.

‘We cannot continue to blame the government alone. Parents must monitor their children and instill discipline and honesty in them. Evil thrives when families abandon their moral duties,’ he added.

The unity service, held at St. John’s Anglican Church, Maiduguri, brought together priests, pastors, church leaders, and worshippers from across the metropolis. It was jointly organised by Maiduguri Metropolitan CAN and the Borno State CAN leadership.

Also, Pastor Timothy Olanrewaju, the Maiduguri Metropolis CAN Coordinator, thanked members for attending despite the economic challenges. He said the annual gathering was meant to thank God for His mercy and to pray for peace in Borno and Nigeria.

‘We just came out of a devastating flood, and though it returned this year, God took control. That is why we gathered to praise Him and offer prayers for the land,’ Olanrewaju said.

He also commended the Borno State Government for its response to last year’s flood and its ongoing efforts to return displaced persons to their communities.