Category: Business Day

Across cultures, proverbs distill the wisdom of lived human experience into compressed language. In Igbo cosmology, proverbs, as cognitive map of socio-cultural realities, are not merely linguistic ornaments; they are the very ‘palm oil with which words are eaten.’ Beyond serving the rhetorical strategy of decorative flourishes, proverbs are condensations of ancestral experience, crystallized into pithy wisdom. They distill centuries of observation into images so powerful that entire treatises of political philosophy can be folded into a single line. Among these, one particularly vivid saying speaks powerfully to the Nigerian condition today: mkp?k?r? ikwe n? ?kw? reburu ?n? – ‘pounding rotten palm nuts in a broken mortar.’ Picture the imagery: a woman in an Igbo hamlet, seated before her mortar, pounding parboiled palm nuts to extract the oil that sustains her household. But the mortar is cracked, unable to contain the force of her pestle. Worse still, the palm nuts are rotten – useless, incapable of yielding oil. However much she labours, her sweat and toil are futile. She ends with exhaustion but no reward.

This image, rooted in the everyday struggle of agrarian life, is both literal and metaphorical. It describes futility, i.e., labouring where the conditions of success are structurally impossible. It is not laziness of the citizenry but the futility of the system. To unpack this, the broken mortar-rotten palm nut metaphor foregrounds and contextualizes Nigeria’s democratic failures within the long arc of political thought. It provides the premise for deploying modern tools of conceptual metaphor theory espoused by George Lakoff and Mark Johnson to account for how this proverbial image embodies the crisis. That is the tragedy of Nigeria’s democracy, 26 years of unbroken electoral rituals since 1999, yet the system is cracked like the broken mortar, and its political class rotten like the spoiled palm nuts. No matter how hard the people pound with their votes, their petitions, their protests, no oil of justice or governance flows. To understand this futility, it is important first to recall the philosophical evolution of democracy itself, what it promised, how it developed, and why its Nigerian variant appears trapped in perpetual frustration.

Democracy did not emerge fully formed; it evolved through centuries of thought. The story begins in Europe’s age of turbulence. Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679), writing in Leviathan (1651), was not himself a democrat but provided the starting point by grappling with the chaos of human selfishness. To Hobbes, the natural state of man was a ‘war of all against all,’ where life was ‘solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.’ The solution, he argued, was the ‘social contract;’ it is the surrender of individual freedoms to a sovereign who guaranteed security. Though Hobbes justified monarchy, his contract idea laid the groundwork for democratic thinking. Legitimacy must come from the consent of the governed.

John Locke (1632-1704) radicalized this. In his Two Treatises of Government (1689), Locke argued that people possessed inalienable rights – life, liberty, and property – and government existed to protect them. Should rulers betray this trust, the people had the right to replace them. Here was the seed of modern liberal democracy. Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778) further sharpened this with his idea of the general will. In The Social Contract (1762), he insisted that true sovereignty lay not in kings but in the people collectively. Liberty was obedience to a law one prescribed for oneself as part of the political community.

Baron de Montesquieu (1689-1755) provided the structural architecture. In The Spirit of the Laws (1748), he advocated separation of powers among the executive, legislature, and judiciary to prevent tyranny. His doctrine shaped constitutions across the modern world. Taken together, these thinkers – Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu – charted the promise of democracy, as a contract between rulers and ruled, a system where power flows from the people, institutions check arbitrariness, rights are preserved, and sovereignty remains collective. Democracy, as they envisioned, promised productivity, which guaranteed steady flow of oil from healthy palm nuts pounded in a sturdy mortar.

Nigeria returned to civilian rule in 1999 with promises of liberty, progress, and justice. Two and a half decades later, the record is sobering. Seven general elections have cost nearly ?1 trillion, the highest election bill globally, yet voter turnout has steadily declined, from 69% in 2003 to barely 27% in 2019 and about 29% in 2023. Transparency International consistently ranks Nigeria among the lowest scorers in its Corruption Perceptions Index. Afrobarometer surveys show citizens’ trust in democracy plummeting, with many Nigerians doubting whether elections express the will of the people. If democracy is meant to guarantee popular sovereignty, Nigeria’s version has yielded its opposite – elite capture, pervasive impunity, and broken institutions. It is here that proverbial metaphor as a conceptual frame from the insights of George Lakoff and Mark Johnson becomes illuminating.

In Metaphors We Live By, Lakoff and Johnson (1980) argue that metaphors are not just literary flourishes; they structure thought. Metaphor, they insist, is conceptual, shaping how people understand abstract domains through mappings from concrete experience. For example, we say ‘time is money’- mapping the concrete domain of finance onto the abstract domain of temporality. Applying this insight, the Igbo proverb becomes more than a local saying, it becomes a conceptual metaphor for Nigeria’s democratic crisis.

Here, the Source Domain (agrarian experience) is the oil processing activity of pounding palm nuts in a mortar. The Target Domain (democratic practice) denotes Nigerian elections and governance. The connection between the concrete and abstract domains is effected through mapping, whereby Mortar denotes the institutional framework (constitution, judiciary, electoral umpire); ‘palm nuts’ depicts political actors and leaders; ‘oil extraction’ denotes ‘the dividends of democracy’ such as justice, rule of law, even development, human rights; ‘rotten nuts’ denotes ‘corrupt ruling elite and ‘transactional political parties;’ ‘broken mortar’ depicts ‘compromised state institutions’ such as INEC, courts; ‘futility of pounding’ mirrors ‘citizens’ wasted votes, protests, and appeals’.

The entailment is devastating. Democracy in Nigeria is a cognitive frame of futility. Like the woman labouring over rotten nuts in a broken mortar, the Nigerian citizen labours in elections, petitions, and protests, but no oil flows. The metaphor structures not just critique but despair. It suggests irredeemability unless the very mortar and nuts are replaced. As long as the institutions remain broken and the elite rotten, democratic effort cannot yield oil. Citizens may pound harder; yet, futility is structurally guaranteed by the twin pillars of executive impunity (as cracked mortar) and judicial capture (as rotten palm nuts). Conceptual Metaphor Theory helps us see how sub-metaphors reinforce the central frame. These two pillars of ‘futility of pounding rotten palm nuts in a broken mortar’ constitute the two formidable dynamics, which canonize this ‘metaphor of brokenness’ as existential reality of Nigeria’s democratic experiment.

In a way, some democratically-elected Nigeria’s presidents have tended to wield their enormous presidential powers with a regimented mindset of garrison commanders, reminiscent of the Hobbesian Leviathan. Obasanjo’s imposition of state of emergency, first in Plateau State and later, Ekiti State in the 2000s set the stage. He followed these autocratic moves up with collateral leveling of Bayelsa community of Odi. Two decades later, President Tinubu’s state of emergency declaration in Rivers State echoed the same highhandedness. The extra-judicial rendition and continued incarceration of IPOB leader, Maazi Nnamdi Kanu; 6-month suspension of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, the federal government’s ironic reluctance to implement the Supreme Court’s ruling on local government autonomy, more than one year after obtaining a favourable judgment from a suit it filed before the apex court all illustrate the same drift, that is, executive impunity and power wielded without restraint. As former NBA President Olumide Akpata observed bluntly, ‘impunity has become the operating system of governance in Nigeria.’

The foregoing feeds into the judicial capture. Once considered the ‘last hope of the common man,’ the judiciary is now widely perceived as compromised. Ironically, Obasanjo in his latest book, captured the awful transition from ‘court of justice’ to ‘court of corruption’. The Sultan of Sokoto, while addressing the 2025 NBA Conference in Enugu, decried the judicial rot when he lamented that justice has become a ‘purchasable commodity’ in Nigeria. The now-routine catchphrase ‘go to court’ no longer inspires hope but ridicule. Together, executive impunity as cracked mortar and judicial capture as rotten nuts instantiate futility. And why does this cognitive frame of democratic futility matter? The broken mortar-rotten palm nut metaphor thus does three things – diagnoses futility; reframes discourse; and cautions irredeemability. Nigeria’s democracy is not failing because citizens are apathetic; it is failing because the structural conditions ensure futility. Instead of blaming voters, it shifts critique to institutions (the mortar) and elites (the nuts). Like rotten nuts, some ruling elite members are allergic to ‘reformation’. In this case, outright replacement, not pounding, remains the only enduring and sustainable panacea.

Together, these make the mortar mortally cracked and the nuts almost terminally rotten. The judicial mortar cannot contain the pounding; the executive palm nuts yield no oil. What remains is the futility of democratic rituals without substance. From Hobbes to Montesquieu, democracy promised a social contract in which citizens, through institutions, could check power and secure justice. From Lakoff and Johnson, metaphor teaches us that cultural imagery translates these abstractions into cognitive frames. From Igbo lore, the proverb of the broken mortar and rotten palm nuts captures futility in its purest form. Nigeria’s democracy, 26 years on, reflects all three. The institutions that should guarantee sovereignty are broken, the actors who should deliver governance are rotten, and the people’s energy is expended to no avail. The challenge of a sequel is to probe the empirical realities of this futility – elections, corruption, and prebendal politics – in order to measure the full weight of the metaphor.

From Hobbes through Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu, democracy promised a contract guaranteeing rights, sovereignty, and institutional balance. From Lakoff and Johnson, we learn that proverbs embody cognitive frames shaping how people grasp abstract failures. From Igbo proverbial lore, mkp?k?r? ikwe ne ?kw? reburu ?n? distills Nigeria’s plight: no matter how hard the citizen pounds, the mortar is broken, the nuts rotten, and the oil never flows. This is the prefatory paradox of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic (1999-2025): 26 years of ‘unbroken democracy,’ but what is unbroken is not productivity but futility. The imagery of futility is not a literary indulgence; it is a cognitive truth. Unless the mortar is rebuilt and the nuts replaced, the pounding will remain an endless ritual of despair.

I will end Part I of this series on a note of cautious optimism by staying the course of broken mortar-rotten palm nuts metaphor as a preliminary verdict. Placed side by side, judicial capture and executive impunity expose the hollowness of Nigeria’s democracy. Citizens may labour, casting ballots, staging protests, seeking justice; yet, their energy yields no democratic oil. What should be a harvest of legitimacy and accountability becomes only disappointment and bitterness. This is what the proverb teaches us. You cannot pound oil out of rotten palm nuts, and you cannot build justice out of a broken mortar. Nigeria’s democracy today is caught in that bind.

What is the way forward? The first step in this direction is to recognise that proverbs are not only warnings; they are also guides. The message is clear. Repair the mortar (if possible) or curate a brand new one; discard the rotten nuts and procure healthy fresh ones; and only then will oil flow. That means restoring judicial independence, upholding the rule of law, dispensing with executive impunity, rolling back the inglorious ‘technical glitches’ narrative, and demanding accountability from those who govern. It means building institutions strong enough to withstand the whims of individuals. Democracy may be bruised with shameless canonization of ‘technical glitches’ and ‘go to court’ mantra, but it is not beyond redemption. The people – the battered ‘orphans’ of the supposedly democratic Nigerian State – must insist on reforms that make their votes count, their voices matter, and their courts impartial. Anything less will keep us pounding ekw? reburu ?n? (rotten palm nuts) in mkp?r? ikwe (broken mortar) – all in vain!

Zurab Pololikashvili, Secretary-General, UN Tourism, has commended the Lagos State Government for positioning the city among the world’s elite destinations to host the E1 Series, the world’s first electric powerboat championship.

The landmark event, which was held from October 3-5, 2025, at the Black Diamond Hotel on Victoria Island, brought together E1 sports teams, business leaders, state officials, and global sporting icons for a thrilling weekend that marked the series’ debut on African waters.

Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Pololikashvili expressed pride in Africa’s growing presence on the global sports stage. ‘I am beyond proud to see Lagos and Nigeria host this historic event. From its announcement in Monaco earlier this year to witnessing it come to life here in Lagos is truly remarkable,’ he said.

He joined Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos State and Didier Drogba, a sporting legend, at the event, praising the city’s strategic step in using sport as a vehicle to promote tourism and innovation.

‘This is a major milestone for Lagos and for Africa; a step forward in advancing marine innovation and unlocking tourism opportunities through global sport,’ he added.

Hannatu Musawa, Minister of Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy, echoed Pololikashvili’s sentiment, underscoring the event’s role in elevating the nation’s profile on the global tourism map.

‘We have witnessed history unfold here in Lagos. The E1 Electric Powerboat Race not only marks Africa’s debut on this remarkable platform but also signals Nigeria’s readiness to lead in sustainable tourism, innovation, and the blue economy. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, we are demonstrating how sport can ignite global attention, investment, and pride in our creative and tourism sectors,’ she said.

The UN Tourism chief also paid tribute to Alejandro Agag, founder and chairman of the E1 Series, for his vision and commitment to Africa. He highlighted Agag’s understanding of how sport and tourism can work hand in hand to create economic opportunities and inspire sustainable growth.

Earlier this year, UN Tourism signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the E1 Series in Monaco, recognised as a global hub for sustainable marine mobility. The partnership underscores their shared commitment to promoting clean marine transport technologies and fostering sustainable sports tourism development worldwide.

If you were at this year’s edition of the annual Quramo Festival of Words, you will marvel over how powerful and impactful words are.

For four days, the African literary community, including lovers of literature, authors, publishers, book clubs and high institutions gathered at Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, venue of the festival, to talk, learn, and imagine.

Also, guests from Kenya, Ireland, Ghana, and across Nigeria also graced the festival, proving that African stories are both deeply local and powerfully global.

From masterclasses with masters of their craft, provocative conversations, to the celebration of new voices, powerful cultural moments, among others, the Quramo Festival of Words 2025 was more than an event; it was an experience.

Yet, distinguished voices such as Mukoma wa Ngugi, a professor; Joke Silva, veteran actress; Tade Ipadeola, award-winning author; James Murua, Stephen James Smith, Dele Sikuade, among others, spoke volumes on how big the festival has grown, the sensitivity and relevance of its conversations and the calibre of panelists it now attracts.

Even from the address of Gbemi Shosore, the convener, this year’s festival took the discussions, engagements and creativity a notch higher, and living up to the theme: ‘A Brave New World’, which was chosen in reflection of the time of rapid change, and need to be courageous in order to tell African stories, question new technologies, and imagine bold futures.

Truly as she said, the QFest 2025 offered the attendees a collective space to do just that.

‘Our theme for this year, ‘A Brave New World’, invites us to reflect deeply on the unprecedented changes that are occurring around us’.

The changes, according to her, are evident as old forms – in technology, culture, art, and in all aspects of life – are dissolving, and new ways of living, working, and creating are emerging, hence requiring courage to step into the space to among other things; question prevailing narratives, imagine beyond boundary constraints, and forge new ways that others can follow.

Shasore confessed that this year’s theme has personal significance to her, as she returned from Algiers recently, where ‘Dear Zimi’, the 2023 Quramo Writers’ Prize winner, was shortlisted for the CANEX Book Factory Prize for Publishing in Africa.

She came home with a renewed sense of responsibility, saying ‘This experience reminded me that the small labours of a modest publisher in Lagos can ripple beyond our borders. It also affirmed something essential: nurturing writers at home is not a quiet act – it is an act of courage that ripples outward, reshaping how the world sees us and how we see ourselves’.

Back to the QFest, which is in its ninth year, Shasore noted that it has continued to be an exciting platform where writers, readers, publishers, artists and intellectuals converge to exchange ideas, challenge assumptions and reimagine what is possible.

The opening day witnessed the celebration of five writers of this year’s Quramo Writers Prize, who were introduced with a panel session moderated by Segun Aribisala, a culture manager, while a healthy rivalry ensued afterwards among them.

The writers spoke engagingly on their writings, manuscript entries and expectations about the prize.

The five manuscripts and their writers included: ‘Black Bird’ by Chioma Jane Okeagu; ‘Kaku’ by Esther Eniola Oyeleye; ‘Moon Child’ by Abisola Junaid; ‘Son of the Harem’ by Harry Onyeogo and ‘What Binds, What Breaks’ by Hubaidat Oyinkansola Ishola.

As in every competition, winners emerged from the five with Junaid’s ‘Moon Child’ and Okeagu’s ‘Black Bird’ emerging second and third consolatory positions respectively, while the best submitted manuscripts for 2025 went to Ishola’s ‘What Binds, What Breaks’.

The jury panel, headed by Aduke Gomez, a writer/culture promoter, with Anote Ajeluorou, a journalist and writer and Wase Aguele-Konu, who was absent, as members, was excited at announcing Ishola as winner of the prize worth N1 million, in addition to a publishing deal.

It was also a memorable occasion for Ishola’s parents who were on hand to share in their daughter’s joyous moment.

Chizeterem Chijoke, writer of ‘Dear Zimi’ the winning manuscript for the 2023 edition, which took Quramo Publishing company to Algiers, Algeria, as its entry for the CANEX Book Factory Prize for Publishing in Africa; was on ground to share with the audience.

Although Quramo Publishing narrowly lost to South African publishing company, Karavan Press for its book, In Silence My Heart Speaks by Thobeka Yose, for keenly contested USD$20,000 prize money, it assured that it will not relent at offering young writers a platform to aspire, knowing that someone is taking note of their creative efforts.

Chijoke took the stage to express her profound gratitude to Quramo for believing in her work and giving it wings to soar. She later revealed that she was working on a novel on distant marriages and its impact on family wellbeing.

Apart from the prize, the exciting spoken word performance saw 10 young poets lined up the stage to enthrall the audience with their fire-spitting vocal war.

The performance was timely, coming after intense three days of panel sessions, film shows and exciting book chats.

As well, Stephen James Smith, an Irish guest poet, lived up to the expectations of the audience, while Q-Conversation, the festivals signature event, had Joke Silva, veteran actress, pairing off with Shasore, festival convener, in a session that yielded intimate moments as the actress barred it all to the audience. Her recall of the tragic loss of her daughter in a careless manner in the hands of medical personnel at a tertiary medical facility, was emotional as well as sad for the audience.

Another highlight of the festival was the poetry slam where young poets, mostly university undergraduates and newly graduated ones, lined up the stage to strut their creative stuff. The session had three literary heavy weights jury panel; Mukoma wa Ngugi, a Kenyan professor; James Murua, a journalist and Stephen James Smith, an Irish poet, while Saheed Sunday, last year’s winner, moderated the poetry slam session.

Interestingly, the audience had a say in who won, as it was assigned 70 percent of scores each poet would garner.

At the end, Samuel Adeshimisola (Shimisola), Temiloluwa Bolawole (THATPOET) and Michael Gnaho (MAG) – became the last acts standing, while Gnaho emerged winner after further rounds of contest, and went home with the N100,000 cash prize.

But of the panels of discussion at the festival, ‘961 Days: Brothers at War, Never Again: The Nigerian Civil War’, was the most anticipated, most talked about and the most discussed by the highly informed panellists, who also spoke from personal experiences of the war and from their books on the war.

The panel, which was moderated by Tade Ipadeola, a poet, lawyer, and translator who writes in both Yoruba and English, got everyone listening with keen interest.

Ipadeola, who was born nine months after the official cessation of the war, and whose Sahara Testament, which won the Nigerian Prize for Literature, noted that the panel was by far the most important gathering in the festival because ‘we are here to discuss perhaps the most important topic there is to discuss in the country and on the continent’.

Sharing his civil war experience, Dele Johnson, a professor, filmmaker, and author, who was about 14 years then, recalled losing two out of three of his brothers who fought on the Nigerian side during the war.

‘It didn’t occur to me until everything died down, and I didn’t see my brothers, and then it started to affect me. It was at that point also that the beginning of the interest in writing started,’ the professor recalled.

‘That was where my mind went back to when I started writing about four or five years after. So, this is why I have written quite a great deal in my own history on the civil war’.

On his part, Ed Keazor, a historian, lawyer, and documentary filmmaker, shared the experience of the war from victims across both sides of the war, bringing the human angle to it, the losses and pains victims suffered and may still be suffering today due to the avoidable 961-day war.

‘I interviewed people who had suffered on both sides of the war. Obviously, the higher toll of suffering and death was on the Biafran side, but one life, one death is enough. Because every single one of the statistics, including children bombed who had no idea what the war was about, is bad enough,’ Keazor, author of 120 Great Nigerians You Never Knew, and the award-winning film January 15, Untold Memories of the Nigerian Biafran War, decried.

He also recalled with nostalgia how his mother suffered from the war loss, with impact even up to eight years ago, when she died.

‘I saw her in the hospital, because she was a nurse in eastern Nigeria, recounting the pain and the things she saw, the horrors she saw. It was one of the last memories I had before she died,’ Keazor said.

The above has informed his interest in documentary movies and writings on the war.

Also sharing his experience of the war, Akintunde Akinkunmi, a retired major general in the British Army, consultant forensic psychiatrist, lawyer, historian and author, noted that the single most seminal event in the history of Nigeria is the civil war and that nothing comes close to it for a variety of reasons.

He recalled his first operational deployment during the first Gulf War in January 1991, amid being in conflict in Iraq twice, in Afghanistan twice, in Bosnia, in Kosovo, and in Sierra Leone.

However, the retired major general, who was two and a half years old when the civil war started, noted that war is a horrible, awful and nasty business.

Akinkunmi, the author of Hubris, A Political History of the Nigerian Army, who is the middle of writing the history of the civil war, blamed the war on Yakubu Gowon and Emeka Odimegwu Ojukwu; two young officers, who could have settled the issue, but allowed it to escalate into an avoidable war due to ego and past scores to settle.

He also saw the war from the ugly experience of people, who had nothing to do with it, but were the unfortunate victims.

Another panelist, Sam Omatseye, a poet, novelist, playwright, journalist and chairman, editorial board of the Nation Newspapers, also shared more touching experiences.

At the end, the informed panelists, individually and collectively explored the civil war narrative beyond the usual perspectives, while insisting ‘No More Again’, a subtle advocacy they want all Nigerians to champion.

That marked the end of Quramo Festival of Words 2025, while young ambitious writers get back to work ahead of the 2026 edition as well as the organisers, as the audience hope to see more excitement in the coming edition.

Apart from being grown for local consumption a wide variety of products are derived from maize.

These include baby powder, cosmetics and golf tees. Maize, more commonly known as corn, is also used to create a form of plastic for use in items such as pens, coffee mugs and ice scrapers.

Maize products also include foods, from corn oil to popcorn and muffins. Biofuels, such as ethanol, are also maize products

With regards to the nutrients maize contains starch, fibre, protein and fat (germ oil), which is a good raw material for processing by-products.

For example, corn is dry ground in a flour processing plant. After sieving the flour, the remaining part on the sieve is generally called corn. The bran obtained from maize can be used as feed for dairy cows. Maize is one of the popular crops grown across many states here in Nigeria.

But Nigerian farmers have been groaning since the Tinubu-led administration started to encourage the mass importation of maize along with rice in 2024.

The local farmers have expressed concerns because of the takeover of imported rice and maize in the country’s markets, that is at the expense of locally made grains. How do they make profit as rice and maize prices have significantly dropped across Nigerian markets in the country? That is the million naira question.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government in July 2024 announced a 150-day import waiver for rice, maize, and other staple foods. The policy has led to a drop in the prices of food items. A market survey found that a 50-kilogramme bag of rice costs N65,000 to N68,000, and maize sells for N35,000 to N37,000 per bag,hj while foreign ones cost N83,000 per bag.

This has reduced the profit margin for local rice and maize farmers, resulting in the protest against the products’ continued importation into Nigeria.

Another factor that is worsening the situation is the escalation in the price of fertilisers, which has brought about the increased cost of production and has further compounded bottom-line price issues.

According to an expert on the critical issue , Prof. Godwin Oyedokun. of Lead University ,Ibadan the imports of rice and maize cause oversupply in the market and would impact local farmers who struggle to compete with imported goods. He explained that it can lead to an oversupply of maize and rice in the market, which often drives prices down. This of course , negatively impacts local farmers who struggle to compete with imported goods.

As a way forward, he urged the federal government to address concerns raised by Nigerian farmers. ‘To address these complaints, it’s important to engage in a dialogue with farmers to understand their perspectives and challenges. These include: ‘Support for Local Production: Advocating for policies that incentivize local grain production, such as subsidies, access to credit, and investment in agricultural technology, can help level the playing field.

Furthermore, ‘ Implementing or increasing tariffs on imported grains could protect local farmers and encourage consumers to buy local produce.Also, on ‘Quality Control:Ensuring that imported grains meet certain quality standards can help maintain consumer confidence in local products and encourage purchases from local farmers.

‘Market Access: Facilitating better access for farmers to markets can help them get fair prices for their products, reducing the impact of imports on their livelihoods.

‘Education and Training: Providing farmers with resources and training on modern agricultural practices can improve productivity and help them compete more effectively.

‘Ultimately, a balanced approach that considers both the needs of consumers and the sustainability of local agriculture is essential for long-term food security and economic stability in Nigeria. Listening to farmers and involving them in the decision-making process can lead to more effective policies that benefit everyone,’ he expressed in a media interview, as published by Daily Post.

Going into the challenges faced by the millers one is the inadequate supply of electricity, which hampers the production process and increases the cost of production. Another one is the lack of adequate transportation systems, which makes it difficult for maize milling companies to access remote communities where most farmers reside.

Stated below are the views of an expert in the field of maize milling,

Jan Jordan: They have to obtain the right maize milling equipment. Reputable local milling machine dealers or manufacturers such as Roff, will offer the most appropriate mill for your area and needs. Always make sure spare parts can be easily sourced and delivered to your location.

For bigger mills, milling machine suppliers will pay a visit to your site to deliver on your specific requirements, and provide a full after-sales service. The good news is that if proper and regular maintenance is carried out, little can go wrong with a quality small-to-medium maize milling machine, like Roff’s SP-1. The SP-1 provides all the essential components needed to get you started in maize milling and produce high-quality maize meal.

For those who do not have the capital to start their maize milling business, you can consider these two options to acquire funding:

Government development funds These are usually medium-term loans (three- to seven-year period), where interest is charged at prime plus related rates. In order to apply for this kind of funding, you need a well written business plan and other motivational documents. The application process takes at least six weeks.

Financing at commercial banks Also medium-term loans (10-year period), these loans offer interest charged at prime plus related rates. To apply for this kind of funding, you need a well written business plan and security in the form of assets. The application process takes at least two weeks.

Lacking the knowledge to map out a business plan One of the key steps on your road to becoming a maize milling entrepreneur will be to write a solid business plan. Although a business plan is by no means a guarantee that you will secure the funding you need, it will go a long way towards clarifying in your own mind what you need to do in order to get your venture off the ground.

Writing your first business plan doesn’t have to be a daunting experience.

Limited availability of sales contracts from big customers For young entrepreneurs, it’s best to understand and focus on the domestic market and invest in servicing smaller, local communities first. This way you will face less risk and gain experience before expanding into new, bigger markets.

It is also important to identify the maize product you’ll be producing so you can research and understand your target market’s wants and needs fully.

Roff has helped thousands of entrepreneurs across Africa. We have learned a lot in our 30 years of operation, and use that experience and knowledge to help drive your success. Contact us if you want to learn more about your local market and industry.

Finding and training the right people. Milling plants can’t run without staff to operate the machines and perform important daily tasks. Finding the right people and training them to function optimally is just as important as finding the right milling machine.

Millers discussion is of necessity. The success of your milling business depends heavily on the competency of your employees. Roff will help you train the operators as part of our standard installation procedure – and since many of our machines are built for easy operation, your team will be up and running in no time.

These are the valid views of Jan Jordan which Nigerians who are employed in the maize milling industry should act on to overcome the current challenges bedeviling the industry.

The Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) has stressed on the importance of empowering Nigerians, particularly the youth, before enforcing taxation, stressing that a skilled and productive populace is the foundation for sustainable national prosperity.

Speaking at the Career Acceleration Summit held in Abuja on Saturday, Olufemi Olarinde, who represented Zaach Adedeji, executive chairman of FIRS, said the Service strongly supports initiatives that promote human capital development and employability among young Nigerians.

‘At FIRS, we believe in people, technology, and process. Empowerment of the people is what leads to prosperity. The government has emphasised that we should be taxing the fruits, not the seeds meaning that people must first be empowered and productive before taxation can have true justification,’ Olarinde said.

Olarinde, who serves as Head of the Fiscal and Tax Reforms Implementation Division and Special Adviser to the Executive Chairman on Tax Policy, said FIRS’ partnership with the summit reflects its commitment to supporting programs that enhance career development and create an enabling environment for national growth.

Also speaking, Emmanuel Idenyi, management consultant and financial expert, said the summit was designed to close the widening employability gap in Nigeria by helping individuals ‘level up’ through continuous skill improvement.

‘Many Nigerians, whether unemployed or currently employed, are not further employable. This has become a major challenge to economic growth. Government cannot do everything, so this is our way of contributing to the economy by helping people develop skills that make them more valuable and productive,’ he stated.

Idenyi added that the Career Acceleration Summit, themed ‘Level Up’, encourages individuals to sharpen critical skills such as communication, leadership, multitasking, and financial management, all of which are vital for workplace excellence.

In her remarks, Afolake Agunbiade, the convener of the summit and Chief Executive Officer of CADsync Consults, said the employability crisis in Nigeria stems not from a shortage of jobs but from a shortage of qualified candidates with the right mix of technical and soft skills.

‘Contrary to popular opinion, there are jobs in Nigeria, however, employers often struggle to find the right candidates with skills beyond certificates such as storytelling, communication, decision-making, and critical thinking which are essential for today’s workplace,’ she said.

Agunbiade identified storytelling, critical thinking, and technology adoption as the top three skills young Nigerians must develop to thrive locally and globally. She added that CADsync Consults is collaborating with key partners, including the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and FIRS, to ensure sustainability and continuity of the initiative.

Umar Namadi the governor of Jigawa State has received the Digital Governor of the Year 2025 (Northwest Region) award at the Nigeria GovTech Public Service Awards, organised by the Bureau for Public Service Reforms (BPSR) under the Presidency.

According to a statement issued by Hamisu Mohammed Gumel, the Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, and released to journalists on Saturday in Dutse, the award ceremony was held on Friday, October 10, 2025, in Abuja.

The statement explained that the governor was honoured in recognition of his outstanding contributions to digitising governance and modernising public service delivery in Jigawa State.

It added that under his leadership, the state achieved several milestones, including the establishment of the Jigawa State ICT and Digital Economy Agency, a key hub for innovation and digital policy designed to equip the youth for participation in the digital economy.

He said, ‘First and foremost, I am profoundly grateful to Allah (SWT) for this honour of being presented with the prestigious Nigeria GovTech Public Service Award as the Digital Governor of the Year 2025 for the Northwest Region. It is through His grace and guidance that we have achieved so much in advancing ICT and the digital economy, achievements significant enough to earn this recognition.’

He further expressed appreciation to the Bureau of Public Service Reforms (BPSR) and the Nigeria GovTech Public Service Award Committee for their diligent coordination of the nomination and screening processes that led to the award. He added, ‘I consider this recognition not merely a personal honour but a testament to the collective commitment, innovation, and resilience of the entire Jigawa State team.’

The Governor stated that he was truly delighted that his efforts to leverage ICT in deepening e-governance in the transformation of the State’s Public Service, creating jobs for the youths, and promoting a digital economy, are steadily making the desired impact.

‘We will remain steadfast and committed to this endeavour as we implement all aspects of our 12-point agenda, which also aligned with and complements the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

‘Promoting ICT is a topmost priority for us. Our objectives include reclaiming the past glory of Jigawa State as a pacesetter in e-governance and the deployment of ICT in achieving socioeconomic development.

‘Some of the specific interventions achieved over the last two years include, among others, the formulation of a robust ICT Policy and Strategy, followed by the establishment of an Agency known as Jigawa State ICT and Digital Economy Agency. The almost moribund Galaxy ITT Limited, established over 20 years ago, which was also the precursor to the federal government’s Galaxy Backbone, was revived with additional investments to support the implementation of our vision of Digital Economy. While over 1000 youths were trained on various digital out-sourcing initiatives to create digital job opportunities, equally 1000 civil servants were trained on various aspects of ICT to promote e-governance in the State.’

He further stated that, ‘in March this year, the State Government unveiled an Application Programming Interface called Jigawa OneAPI as a groundbreaking initiative designed to facilitate a secure and seamless digital service platform within and across government institutions in the State. Indeed, this recognition is a great inspiration to us as we commit to deepening our investments in ICT to accelerate the attainment of our vision.

‘We shall remain focused and steadfast in our resolve to continuously improve the social and economic well-being of our people most responsively and inclusively for present and future generations of the people of Jigawa State.’

A Bill seeking to regulate the activities of scrap metal dealers and similar businesses in Akwa Ibom State has passed second reading on the floor of the Assembly.

The bill with serial number ‘HAB-367’ seeks to regulate the Business of Scrap Metal Dealers, Similar Goods, and for Other Matters Connected Therewith. It is sponsored by the member representing Okobo State Constituency, Bassey Pius Bassey, and co-sponsored by six other lawmakers.

Presenting the general principles of the bill on the floor of the House during Tuesday’s plenary, Bassey expressed concern over the unregulated operations of scrap metal dealers, commonly known as ‘Iron Condemn’, across the State. He decried the growing incidents of vandalism, theft, and environmental pollution attributed to the activities of these operators, stressing the need for proper oversight and licensing.

According to the lawmaker, the bill seeks to ensure that only authorised individuals or entities, duly licensed by the relevant authorities, are permitted to engage in the scrap metal business. He cited numerous cases of stolen and vandalised public and private property, including manhole covers and other metallic infrastructure, as justification for the necessity of the bill.

Part One of the proposed legislation provides that ‘No person shall carry on business as a scrap metal dealer unless authorised by a license under this law (a ‘scrap license’).’ Contributing to the debate, the Chief Whip of the House, Effiong Johnson, alongside members representing Uyo ( Uwemedimo Asuquo), Essien Udim (Ukpong Akpabio), Ibiono Ibom ( Moses Essien), and Etim Ekpo/Ika ( Mfon Idung), commended Hon. Bassey for the initiative. The lawmakers unanimously described the bill as timely and necessary, lamenting the economic losses suffered by the State due to the destructive activities of scrap metal dealers.

They maintained that once passed and assented to by the Governor, the bill will effectively regulate the sector and help restore order and environmental sanity.

Reacting, Speaker of the House, Udeme Otong, referred the bill to the House Committee on Environment for further legislative scrutiny and directed the Committee to report back to the House within one month.

Meanwhile, the House has adjourned plenary to reconvene tomorrow, Tuesday, October 14, 2025.

Onitsha, a historic city in Anambra State renowned for its vibrant commerce and rich cultural tapestry, is preparing to once again host the grand spectacle that is the Ofala Festival. As the 2025 edition unfolds, the city is set to come alive with pomp, pageantry, and a renewed sense of pride, echoing its centuries-old traditions. The festival, themed ‘Cultural Renaissance and Economic Renewal,’ underscores the enduring significance of heritage in fostering social cohesion, boosting tourism, and invigorating Nigeria’s economy, particularly across the Southeast.

The Ofala Festival is more than just an annual celebration; it is a vital cultural institution anchored by the revered traditional ruler, His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Alfred Ugochukwu Achebe, CFR, mni, the Obi of Onitsha. Under his leadership, this festival has grown beyond a spiritual homecoming, transforming into a vibrant display of Igbo identity that attracts not only locals but also tourists and cultural enthusiasts from around the world. It is a time when history, tradition, and community spirit converge to reaffirm the values that have sustained the people of Onitsha for generations.

This year’s theme, ‘Cultural Renaissance and Economic Renewal,’ captures a dual call to action. It challenges the community and stakeholders to preserve and celebrate their traditional legacies, which form the bedrock of their identity, while also exploring innovative ways to leverage these cultural assets for economic development. The festival aims to ignite conversations on safeguarding indigenous institutions and harnessing their potential to contribute meaningfully to Nigeria’s broader economic landscape, especially as the nation seeks to diversify its sources of revenue beyond oil.

Central to the festival’s success and visibility is the longstanding partnership with Globacom, Nigeria’s indigenous telecommunications giant. For over a decade, Globacom has been a steadfast supporter of the Ofala Festival, providing not just financial backing but also strategic support that has elevated the event to international prominence. This partnership has helped modernize the festival’s presentation, ensuring seamless logistics, extensive media coverage, and infrastructural improvements that enhance the experience for attendees and participants alike. Through their support, the festival’s cultural documentation has been digitalized, creating a repository of heritage that can be accessed and celebrated by future generations.

His Royal Majesty Igwe Achebe highlights the importance of this collaboration, emphasizing that Globacom’s involvement transcends sponsorship. ‘Their support is a testament to their commitment to preserving Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity. They have helped us scale the Ofala Festival from a regional celebration to an event with global reach, all while maintaining the spiritual and cultural integrity that defines us,’ he notes. The partnership exemplifies how corporate entities can play a pivotal role in cultural p: Onitsha community plans 2025 Ofala Festival with rich cultural heritagereservation and national identity reinforcement.

Globacom’s engagement with Nigeria’s cultural heritage extends beyond Onitsha. The company is also a key supporter of the Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, among others. These festivals serve as vibrant expressions of Nigeria’s ethno-cultural diversity, fostering unity and mutual understanding among different ethnic groups. Globacom’s sponsorship is rooted in three core pillars: cultural preservation, ensuring that traditional festivals remain vibrant and relevant; continuity, supporting platforms that educate and engage younger generations; and community empowerment, creating economic opportunities linked to tourism, markets, and creative industries.

This strategic and sustainable approach aims to ensure that festivals like Ofala do not fade into obscurity but thrive as platforms for cultural diplomacy and economic growth. By supporting these events year-round, Globacom contributes to a broader vision of Nigeria’s social inclusion and national development. Their interventions enable local artisans, performers, and entrepreneurs to showcase their talents, attract visitors, and generate income, turning cultural festivals into engines of economic renewal.

The 2025 Ofala Festival promises to be a powerful catalyst for social and economic transformation in Onitsha. It draws thousands of visitors, both domestic and international, who come to witness the elaborate ceremonies, traditional dances, and regal displays that are hallmarks of Igbo heritage. Local vendors, hoteliers, transport operators, and artisans are poised to benefit from the influx of guests, while young creatives find a platform to showcase indigenous storytelling, music, and performance arts. The festival’s vibrancy underscores its role as a unifying force that strengthens communal bonds and celebrates shared identity amidst Nigeria’s rapidly changing socio-economic landscape.

Beyond its cultural significance, Ofala serves as a strategic avenue for Nigeria’s broader goal of economic diversification. As the country seeks to reduce its dependence on oil revenue, cultural festivals like Ofala demonstrate the immense potential of culture-led development. They attract tourism, stimulate local commerce, and create employment opportunities, all while fostering a sense of pride and continuity among the people. The festival exemplifies how tradition and modernity can coexist and complement each other in building a resilient, inclusive economy.

The 2025 edition of the Ofala Festival embodies a powerful message: that culture is not merely a relic of the past but a vibrant, living force capable of driving unity, pride, and prosperity. It is a celebration of heritage, a reaffirmation of community bonds, and a call to harness Nigeria’s rich cultural wealth as a catalyst for sustainable development. As Onitsha’s streets fill with color, music, and dance, the festival stands as a testament to the enduring strength of tradition and the limitless possibilities that emerge when heritage is embraced as a foundation for the future.

In a nation eager to forge a path towards economic resilience and social cohesion, the 2025 Ofala Festival offers a compelling blueprint-highlighting that through cultural renaissance, Nigeria can unlock new avenues of growth and unity. It is a reminder that the roots of tradition, when nurtured and supported, can blossom into the fruits of prosperity, fostering a sense of identity and collective progress that resonates far beyond the gates of Onitsha.

Promasidor Nigeria Limited has reinforced its commitment to empowering secondary students to pursue their future careers through its flagship career guidance initiative, Harness Your Dream in Lagos

According to the company, the ‘Harness Your Dream’ initiative is designed to help junior secondary school students make informed career choices.

Speaking at the programme, François Gillet, Chief Executive Officer of Promasidor Nigeria, said the company belief in education as a catalyst for social and economic progress.

Gillet said that beyond being a leading food and beverage company, Promasidor is deeply committed to supporting communities, adding that through ‘Harness Your Dream, the company aim to help young people find clarity and confidence to pursue careers that align with their passions.

According to him, Promasidor’s impact extends beyond its brands to educational and agricultural empowerment programmes such as Cowbellpedia and Ikun Milk Day.

‘Dreams find their wings when guided by wisdom, discipline, and the right direction, and that’s exactly what Harness Your Dream stands for,’ he noted.

Representing the First Lady of Lagos State, Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Anike Adekanye, former Tutor General and Permanent Secretary of Education District II, commended Promasidor for sustaining a transformational initiative that aligns with the Lagos State Government’s vision for youth empowerment and educational excellence.

‘This initiative aligns perfectly with Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s vision, anchored on education, empowerment, and a brighter future for every child in Lagos State,’ Adekanye said.

‘Success begins with a dream, but it is sustained by discipline, hard work, and the right values. The mentorship you receive today is about discovering who you are, understanding your purpose, and believing that you can achieve greatness regardless of your background.’

She urged students to stay focused and committed to continuous learning, emphasising that ‘the choices you make today are the seeds of the future you will harvest tomorrow.’

Chinenyem Obasi-Obonga, head, Regulatory and Government Affairs, Promasidor Nigeria, said the initiative aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and the Lagos State THEMES+ Agenda on Education and Technology.

‘We are here to motivate, mentor, and inspire our young leaders to make smart career decisions,’ she said. ‘Our goal is to bridge the gap between what students learn in school and who they aspire to become. With the right guidance, every dream is achievable.’

Also at the event was Adebayo Olasoju, chairman, Isolo Local Council Development Area, who shared his personal experiences and growth trajectory with the students.

Olasoju advised them never to let their background or circumstances limit their imagination or aspirations, stressing that no dream is too big or too small to achieve.

The event was highly interactive, as students engaged actively with facilitators who shared personal stories to illustrate lessons on perseverance, purpose, and ambition.

The programme also featured two external facilitators, Nimi Ekere, a consultant family physician and child and adolescent advocate, and Adaora Obiagwu, a consultant community and public health expert, adding different verticals and dimensions to the mentoring sessions.

The students also participated in quizzes and fun educational games, with several walking away with prizes in recognition of their enthusiasm and quick thinking.

Through Harness Your Dream, Promasidor continues to nurture the next generation of innovators, professionals, and leaders shaping a future where every Nigerian child can dream boldly, decide wisely, and achieve greatly.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Bisi Akande have hailed Independent Newspapers Limited, publishers of Daily Independent, Saturday Independent and Sunday Independent titles, for celebrating 70 years of Universal Basic Education as started in 1955.

Speaking through Aisha Garba, executive secretary of Universal Basic Education, President Tinubu said through Daily Independent awards on Universal Basic Education, Nigerians honoured the bold vision of free education started by the country’s forefathers.

‘Tonight, through Daily Independent, we honour that bold vision of free education. Free education has offered as a ladder for families and the touch must not dim,’ the President said.

According to him, ‘It is the duty of every government to renew that vision and knowledge and to know that education is the right of every child.

‘Our Renewed Hope Agenda is not a slogan but a vision to make education a national renewal. We honour the foresight of Chief Awolowo, Dr.Nnamdi Azikiwe and Dr. Ahmadu Bello and we declare that this generation will finish what they began.

‘Today education is no longer an aspiration and our charge is to make education a reality and make it transparent for every Nigerian child. If we rescue this generation through education, they will become the drivers of opportunities tomorrow.

‘Education is not just a social service, it is a national security and national duty. Our youths are our greatest assets and we cannot standby while our children are out of school. We must guarantee access to learning. Anything less will make the sacrifice of 70 years ago worth nothing.’

Bisi Akande, former governor of Osun State and also former chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), thanked Daily Independent Newspaper for celebrating the 70 years of Universal Basic Education.

In his address during the event, Akande regretted that the military bastardised the education system. He however, congratulated Independent Newspaper Limited for remembering the UBE.

He said; ‘It’s unfortunate that the progress of UBE has been stutted and bastardised by the military government.’

According to him, ‘Before the military imposed themselves as the government of Nigeria, most education institutions were diligently managed by regions. The regions developed and managed their educational policies.

‘They managed the type of scholarship and free education they desired in their regions. Suddenly these various institutions of learning were forcefully taken over by the military government in 1976.

‘They were handed over to new structures without weight experience to manage such, hence the present decay in education infrastructure and teaching methodology.

‘I sincerely thank Daily Independent for reminding us that the Universal Basic Education is the best and free education remains the best.’