Category: Daily Trust

Private schools in Nigeria have become lucrative business ventures, attracting entrepreneurs seeking to cash in on the growing demand for education by parents, guardians and stakeholders. Many individuals establish schools as a means to make a fortune, often prioritising profit over quality education.

Private schools in Nigeria have become lucrative business ventures, attracting entrepreneurs seeking to capitalise on the growing demand for education. Many individuals establish schools as a means to make a fortune, often prioritising profit over quality education.

Recently, the profitability of private schools has drawn more people to invest in this sector. This trend has led to a surge in the number of private schools, with many entrepreneurs seeking to tap into the market.

Unlike many others, Musa Ibrahim, popularly known as Sagagi, a resident of Gangare community in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, established the College of Islamic Studies (CIS), primarily to provide access to secondary education for children from low-income families in Jos communities. Founded in 1977, the college initially focused on Islamic knowledge but later expanded to offer Western education, catering to both Muslim and Christian students. This expansion enabled children from diverse backgrounds to access education, making private schooling that was previously reserved for the affluent available and bridging the gap for those who struggled to attain both Islamic and Western knowledge.

Narrating the journey, Sheik Ibrahim said, ‘Prior to the establishment of the college, we used to take our children to Kano, Katsina, Zaria and other places to acquire Islamic knowledge at the secondary level. Realising this quest for knowledge, I decided that we should have one here in Jos rather than travelling to far-off states.’

The philanthropist noted that the beginning of the journey was challenging due to financial constraints, noting that despite the financial challenges, they struggled to obtain all the necessary documents, registration and affiliation to both the state and the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Some students of CIS

How I run the school

Sheik Ibrahim, who remembers that many people ask him how he manages the school considering the meager school fees he charges, said it was difficult but he endured the challenges.

He said, ‘Even the small school fee was challenging for some students to pay because the majority come from low-income families and we had to consider their circumstances.

‘Due to the low response to payments, there was no fixed salary for teachers. I usually pleaded with the teachers, many of whom are former students who returned to contribute to the community, to understand that we are working together to help the community. Instead of promising a fixed salary, I shared the available funds among them. If we had money at the end of the month, we would pay them what we could and ask for their understanding. If payment was delayed, that’s what we would do. So we were not paying them salaries but stipends.’

I sold part of my inherited house to keep the school running

The proprietor, who is currently living in his family house, said he had to sell part of his inherited house to keep the school alive because he never received significant donations.

‘Nobody has ever donated a substantial amount, like N100,000, to support teachers’ salaries. We have never received a call saying, ‘Take this money to support the teachers.’ We rely on what we get from students to run the school. If there is no money, I improvise. If I am in a situation where money is needed, I will sell whatever I have to support the school,’ he explained.

He further said they didn’t send the children home due to unpaid school fees because they want them to acquire knowledge.

‘I personally visit their homes to bring them back to school. There were naughty and stubborn children who didn’t listen to their parents, but I brought them back to ensure they gain knowledge and secure a better future. Today, many of them are responsible human beings. Many of our students are now professors, doctors, others,’ he noted, adding that the school is over 47 years old.

‘Our main intention is to ensure that knowledge is accessible everywhere, as it drives positive economic growth and good democratic governance. Many judges today are graduates of this school. There is no university in northern Nigeria where you won’t find a lecturer who attended this school.

‘I am not sure of the number of soldiers, police officers and paramilitary personnel who are products of this school. The chief imam of Sultan Bello Mosque, Muhammad Sulaiman; current chief imam of Jos Central Mosque, Sheik Ghazali Isma’il Adam; Dr Kabiru Dambam; second, National Mosque Abuja, late Dr Gambo Hamza; former provost, College of Education, Zubairu, the late Professor Abubakar Wakawa; a lecturer at the Nasarawa State University Keffi, Professor Abdulrahman Lawan, and many others, are alumni of this school,’ he noted.

One of the beneficiaries of Ibrahim’s gesture, Sheik Harisu Salihu, a renowned Islamic scholar in Plateau, described Sagagi’s philanthropy as rare. He said that in the last 40 years, whoever grew up and attended school within Jos communities must have either been taught by Sheik Ibrahim directly or his former student.

‘As a beneficiary of Sheik Ibrahim’s gesture, I was among the third set that passed out from his school; and in 1989, he personally enrolled five of us at the ABU, Zaria, where I had my diploma and degree. He enrolled many of his students at higher institutions in Sokoto, Maiduguri and Bauchi states.

‘To our knowledge, many influential people fought him for establishing schools for the children of the poor. He sold his house to give us education,’ he said.

Sheik Harisu also recalled: ‘During our time, he was not collecting the meager school fees himself, some people were delegated to collect it and ensure the running of the school. His aim is to see children of the poor have education; that is why I don’t have a hero like him. I have not seen one person who has contributed to the development of the society with his money, knowledge and strength like him.’

He is down to earth – Former teacher

Mr Menshak Lar, who was a Chemistry and Biology teacher in the school, described Sheik Ibrahim as a patriotic Nigerian who had contributed immensely to education and life of people in the country.

‘To tell you the truth, I have never seen a man like him. For the period of my stay in the school, I can describe him as humble. The man is down to earth. As a proprietor of the school, he bends to greet you as a teacher. I have never seen such humility in my whole life. He is passionate about his students.

‘While I was there, there was no segregation between Muslims and Christians – the school accommodates them equally. And up to this day, I still have a relationship with Baba Musa Sagagi. That is why I visit the school up till now. This man needs to be recognised. He deserves to be celebrated. He is really a father to all. I don’t know any bad side of him,’ Lar said.

He is a humanitarian, benefactor – Jos chief imam

Sheik Ghazali Isma’il Adam, the chief imam of Jos Central Mosque, described the man as a humanitarian, benefactor and educational philanthropist who dedicates his life to others, even at the detriment of his family.

The chief imam, who also studied at the school, said Sheikh Ibrahim would borrow money to settle teachers’ salaries, just for the comfort of children from poor backgrounds.

‘At one point, he sent me to borrow money from someone to pay some teachers because he didn’t want them to stop coming. He is a man who would fight whoever sends students home due to school fees. And he does this in the name of building their future,’ Sheik Adam said.

He further noted that the philanthropist secured admission into tertiary institutions across the country for many of those who studied at CIS.

‘He dedicated his resources, time and strength travelling to many higher institutions to secure admission for you and connect you with people. He sold part of his inherited house so that people could enjoy education. He is ever ready to help in the society. Because of his simplicity he spends whatever he has on the education of others,’ Adam said.

To borrow the words of John Buchan in The African Colony, history ‘is always in the happy position of judging from the high standpoint of accomplished fact.’ It is from such a vantage point that we can now look back upon the life and career of Engineer Muhammed Abba Gana, CON, and reflect on both the substance of his achievements and the lasting example of his integrity.

In Abuja, where temptation has often overwhelmed principles and crippled consciences, his record is a striking contrast with others who held high positions in government. He left office on May 29, 2003, after serving as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, without acquiring a house, a plot of land, or even the whisper of scandal attached to his name. This, in a city that has for decades been synonymous with land speculation, inflated contracts, and the abuse of power, is remarkable to say the least. His legacy is not simply in what he built or administered, but in what he refused to take, and in the incorruptible standards he set for himself and for the office he occupied and edified for a fleeting moment in our history.

From its inception, Abuja has been more than just a capital city. It has been a laboratory of Nigerian politics-a place where leadership is tested, where resources are contested, and where reputations are either burnished or destroyed. Many ministers before and after Engineer Abba Gana have found the city a slippery terrain, filled with opportunities for personal enrichment. The lure of land allocations, the temptation of contract manipulation, and the pressure to serve sectional interests have undone many otherwise promising careers. Into this treacherous environment stepped Engineer Muhammed Abba Gana. With quiet resolve and deep moral conviction, he charted a different course. His stewardship of the FCT is remembered as one of transparency, discipline, and a firm insistence on fairness. He understood that Abuja was not merely a city to be managed, but a symbol of Nigeria’s unity and aspiration. To abuse its resources would be to betray the very purpose for which it was created.

The hallmark of Engineer Abba Gana’s public life has always been service and integrity. These are no longer fashionable virtues in Nigeria’s political space today, but they remain the qualities without which public office is reduced to mere speculation, plunder and profiteering. Engineer Abba Gana consistently demonstrated that integrity is not about grand gestures or loud proclamations, but about the quiet refusal to bend principle for gain. As minister, he was known for resisting pressure from powerful quarters, for turning down dubious deals, and for treating land, the lifeblood of Abuja politics and power play, as a trust rather than a commodity. He made decisions not on the basis of what would enrich himself or appease cronies, but on what would serve the collective interest of Nigerians. His legacy is measured not in estates or properties acquired or stolen, but in the respect that attaches to his name, and in the memory of a city that, for a brief moment, was governed by fairness and devotion.

But Engineer Abba Gana was not merely an administrator; he was a democrat in the truest sense. Long before and long after his tenure as minister, he devoted himself to Nigeria’s difficult march toward democratic governance. He was an active participant in party politics, a loyal stalwart of his political family, and a consistent advocate of dialogue and compromise. In Nigeria, where politics is often a zero-sum game, his approach was one of tolerance and balance. He believed in institutions rather than personalities, in processes rather than shortcuts and expediences. He understood that democracy is not perfected overnight, but through patience, negotiation, and the cultivation of trust. This devotion to democratic principles reflected his broader worldview; that politics, at its best, is not about self-promotion, but about the creation of a fairer society.

Beyond Abuja, Engineer Abba Gana’s influence radiated across Nigeria’s political landscape. He served as Political Adviser to the President, a position that required both discretion and wisdom. In that role, he provided guidance at moments of national difficulty, always seeking to lower the temperature of politics and to emphasise the need for stability. He was a bridge-builder, someone trusted across divides, and someone whose advice was valued because it was grounded in honesty rather than expediency. His service spanned decades, and in every role he left behind a reputation for integrity. Whether as Commissioner in his native Borno State, as a party official, or as minister in Abuja, he remained consistent in character. There are few figures in Nigerian politics who can claim such continuity of purpose, unblemished by scandal or corruption.

In contemporary Nigeria, where cynicism about politicians and public officials runs deep, Engineer Abba Gana’s story is a refreshing reminder that another way is possible. His life is proof that one can serve the state without exploiting it, that one can hold high office without succumbing to greed, and that one can leave government poorer in material terms but richer in moral integrity and respect. It is often said that the true measure of a public servant is what he leaves behind. Engineer Abba Gana left no estates, no questionable fortune, no trail of bitterness or division and no sense of guilt about misdeeds perpetrated while in position of power and leadership. What he left behind was far more valuable: the memory of decency, the example of integrity, and the reassurance that Nigeria has once produced leaders of genuine honour.

John Buchan’s phrase resonates clearly here. History does not deal in promises or intentions; it judges by accomplished fact. And the accomplished fact of Engineer Muhammed Abba Gana’s career is that he embodied the best qualities of public service at a time when such qualities were scarce. His stewardship of the FCT demonstrated that transparency was possible. His devotion to democracy demonstrated that principle could guide politics. His personal integrity demonstrated that wealth is not the only reward of service but that respect and reputation can be rewards of greater permanence. In a political culture too often defined by greed and opportunism, Engineer Abba Gana’s life is a rebuke to cynicism. It is also a call to future generations of leaders to remember that the essence of public service is not accumulation, but sacrifice; not indulgence, but responsibility.

Today, as Nigeria grapples with profound challenges of governance, insecurity, development, and national cohesion, the example of Engineer Muhammed Abba Gana shines even brighter. It is not only a personal story of integrity; it is a national lesson in leadership. He showed that it is possible to hold power lightly, to use authority wisely, and to leave office with head high and dignity intact. History has already judged him, not with the ambiguity of unfulfilled or nullified promises, but with the clarity of accomplished fact. Few public officials can hope for such a verdict. Fewer still can claim it with such quiet assurance. We can still savour the delight of having him around us, giving wise counsel and leading younger generations towards virtue and truth. We can still enjoy watching him in his distinctive black waist-coat or ‘Farmala’ and black Fez cap or ‘Kalawus’, that stand him out as a proud Kanuri patriarch who carries along with him the heritage of Borno wherever he goes.

As Nigeria marks 65 years of independence, its cultural complexity is both a source of celebration and tension.

Home to over 250 ethnic groups and more than 500 languages, Nigeria is one of the most diverse nations in the world. So how has Nigeria’s ethnic, cultural, and religious diversity shaped its journey-and what might it mean for the next 65 years?

His Royal Highness, Miskoom Yahaya Kwande, is the Longkwo of Kwo Chiefdom in Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State. Before ascending the throne, the 96-year-old elder statesman was an active politician, former Nigerian Ambassador to Switzerland; teacher; civil servant and administrator. The traditional ruler in this interview shares his perspectives on Nigeria’s evolution, tracing the country’s history from before independence to its current state, highlighting key developments and challenges along the way.

You are one of those who witnessed the Independence Day celebration in 1960. How did it go?

Every part of Nigeria was celebrating in its own way. People had the opportunity to come together and make merriment.

First October has now become a possibility of putting people, families back together. Another aspect of the October 1st celebration is that it allows people to showcase their cultural heritage. Participants, especially cultural dancers, adorned themselves in unique, often custom-made costumes. This celebration brought people together, providing an opportunity for smaller tribes to display their cultural prowess. I believe this cultural display was a significant part of the October 1st ceremony.

Was there much awareness by the masses about what Nigeria was going into?

No, but people were very happy. People were very happy and whether they knew the meaning or not is another thing. It is only now that the meaning is clear, but in our days in the 60s, definitely it was not too apparent. The colonial masters used to put together schoolchildren, armed forces of different kinds, police, army to display and that used to be the ceremony. Only very few knew what it meant. For those of you who were the elite then, did you have any apprehension about whether the new set of leaders were going to manage the responsibility thrust on them?

The Britons are clever. All our colonialists were extracting what they wanted and at the same time showing love to us. I was a district officer in charge of a division, which is the area of my responsibility, I felt proud and people in the town were also happy. We were not allowed to stay in our offices more than 15 days for the 30 days of the month. You had to go and meet the people and know how they were faring; you go to a dispensary and see whether the medication is adequate, whether drugs were available.

And you went to the school and the children were so proud to see you. But at the moment, everything seems to be on the computer and the telephone. If you have a telephone, you have the whole world. So, the man you are ruling is not touched to know that there is a particular person responsible for his health. People don’t. When you look at all these, how many times will you take your mind back? Have you seen the chairman of your local government coming into your village and dancing with the villagers and chatting with them so that he would talk about their welfare? The level of education was not there as it is today. So, you couldn’t say whether the British were doing well or not doing well. All we knew was that the British were masters and they were doing things. But at the moment, people seem to be aware of the responsibility of leadership, so they can criticise. And the whole thing is now decentralised in such a way that the matter of responsibility cannot be compared with the past.

It’s 65 years now since independence, how in your view has Nigeria fared?

From an honest mind, we have progressed. I remember that there used to be only one secondary school in the whole northern Nigeria that the government was controlling. Then they had two secondary schools. My brother, we are talking about one million secondary schools now. I’m not talking about the standard of what is now being taught. But I definitely must tell you that we have progressed. This telephone is progress. Even the quality of our food is progress. Solar light is progress. Up to a small village, I don’t know if anyone who is true to himself or honest to himself, can say that Nigeria has not progressed.

Certain things have gone back, deteriorated, like transportation in the sense of railways but I must tell you that we have progressed.

You were one of those close to the Sardauna, can you recall the efforts he made towards uniting the North?

Our leaders then had different minds altogether, not only Sardauna. They had different minds of ruling. They came with the influence of honesty from the British, in the sense of not cheating who you are ruling, who you are governing. They inherited that. And we that were civil servants assisting them, believe me, we came with that fear. You didn’t need somebody to stand by you. We had what you call auditors in the midst of officers. You could not talk about corruption to the officials of the government. Unlike now that it is so rampant, even in your households, corruption is nothing anymore.

Sardauna was an individual. And of course, all his ministers were practicing what would please Sardauna. He had nothing on his mind other than improving the lot of the people. He had to delay independence at first so that he could bring his own people on board. He was a man that had no other interest than the seat of the Sultan of Sokoto.

Otherwise, he didn’t bother about anything other than uniting Northern Nigeria. We were even proud to call ourselves Northerners, as if it was a title, because our leaders couldn’t differentiate the Ngas man from the Gomai man or from the Berom man. And exactly the same thing, we grew up with friends, civil service colleagues, from Sokoto, from Katsina. And he was interested in your welfare. He wanted to know who you were and if you were happy.

They worked very hard to unite Northern Nigeria. And when he was asked by a journalist, why Northern Nigeria alone? He said, no, when you unite Northern Nigeria, you unite the whole of the Federation, because we were sober. Wealth was not what mattered to him. I served as an administrative officer, a DO in charge. They didn’t even know what Kwande was. They didn’t know it was a village, not my name alone. There was no discrimination, no religious or cultural differences. You did your own thing. They loved you even when you were not their own. A Fulani man would put a stick across his back. And if you found an Egon, he did not care whether you put it on the back or you put it in front of you. We were just citizens of Nigeria, but peculiar to be patriotic citizens.

What was the situation like in the country after the January 1966 coup?

Well, we started deteriorating. That is the bad thing about us. You know, that reminds me, when I took the wrong way to go to my village on holiday, with a difference of only about 30 kilometres, I was queried that I was displaying dishonesty. And I had to prove that the bridge on the shuttle way was broken and it was published in the New Nigerian.

And that’s why I escaped being sacked from the service. That honesty is no longer there. The traditional rulers are not making things better in the sense that the more you steal, the more they honour you. And you know, when you are made, when you are given a title, a royal title, then everybody in the village will testify that you deserve it. And the honour that the British used to give us, KBE, you were looked at as a wonderful human being who deserved the Queen’s honour.

Now it is, who do you know? If you are not careful, you will find a neighbour that is well-connected getting a higher honour than you. And you wonder what it is that makes him different from you; but it’s just a connection.

Nigeria has experienced coups and counter coups; would you say the intervention of the military helped in uniting the country?

The intention was to unite. But then the players missed the point when it appeared that a tribe were the players. That was when they missed the point about uniting this country by the military coup. But the way the late General Muhammadu Buhari and his deputy went about theirs was another thing.

The intention of the military to me was good because corruption, elements of differences between tribes were beginning to gain ground. They wanted to stop it. When your country is going down the drain, and you are in the military, and you think that you can arrest the trouble, and not make things worse, then I will support it.

The challenges confronting Nigeria since 1960 like insecurity, corruption and mutual suspicion on ethnic basis are still there. Can the country overcome these problems?

Yes, the challenges can be overcome. What we need in this country is discipline and a change of attitude. Once people change their attitude and become disciplined, there is hope. I still believe that if people want something, they can do it because in the past, Nigerians were very disciplined and trusted.

Should traditional rulers be given constitutional roles?

The set of traditional rulers we have today is not the same as what we had in the years back because most of them are graduates. They know what they are doing. They come in just because they are honouring their tradition. Why do you allow the traditional rulers to remain as part of your constitution without action, without responsibility? They can prevent insecurity because they know who is who in the village. So, once a role is given to them, they would help significantly in reducing insecurity in the country.

Where did Nigeria miss it?

The only thing that I feel is not being done by the government is the question of tax payment. I don’t know why the government of Nigeria seems to neglect head taxes, you know, individuals paying two naira, or six naira, or one naira. It is a matter of pride. When you now say you take it away from them because you now have oil money, you are taking away the patriotism of a citizen of Nigeria because he likes challenging the government by telling it that it is using the money and not doing much.

An ordinary man on his farm will turn around and if he sees somebody passing, he will think, look, they are using their money uselessly. They don’t seem to care because he has paid five naira in a year. But when you take it away from him, the responsibility of citizenship is no more there. So, if I am to advise, I would like paying head tax to be made compulsory and organised properly. That will help even the population of our country.

On this day 65 years ago, the flag of the United Kingdom, Union Jack, was lowered for the Nigerian flag to be hoisted for the first time in what signified a departure from decades of colonial rule.

It was a historic event that ushered Nigeria into the comity of nations that had won the struggle for self-rule and through the anti-colonial struggles that dominated the politics of the developing countries of that era.

With Princess Alexandra representing Queen Elizabeth II of England, Nigeria’s Prime Minister, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, received the constitutional instruments of independence in an occasion attended by world leaders and important dignitaries from within the country.

By that, Nigeria achieved two feats, it joined the league of other African nations like Liberia, Egypt, Morocco, Ghana, Guinea and others that had been under self-rule prior to1960 and did not miss what was termed ‘The year of Africa’ when many other African countries that included Cameroon, Togo, Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Somalia, Benin, Niger, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Chad and others gained independence. Those who were old enough when Nigeria gained independence recall that on October 1, 1960, the whole nation was in festive mood with the elite who understood the significance of the occasion and the masses who could barely decipher the implication of what had truly happened.

The Longkwo of Kwo Chiefdom in Qua’an-Pan Local Government Area of Plateau State, His Royal Highness, Miskoom Yahaya Kwande, in an interview with Daily Trust, recalled the events of that period.

He said, ‘People were very happy; whether they knew the meaning or not. Whether they knew what they were doing because of the independence, very few must have done so, but I believe the awareness of being an independent person was felt.’

Former Minister of State for information and Communication, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki Nakande, also recalled that he was in primary school when Nigeria gained independence, stating that though he was in the northern part of the country in Jos, the air of conviviality was felt.

He said he and other pupils were given flags and asked to match at the parade grounds in commemoration of the event.

Nigerian students living in London head for Nigeria House to celebrate Independence from British rule on 1st October 1960 Photo: William Vanderson/Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Issues that shaped decades

Another significant stride was recorded by Nigeria, three years after when in 1963, it became a republic cutting off the apron strings of British monarchy and having a ceremonial president as well as jettisoning its reliance on the Privy Council in London for appeals in judicial matters and establishing its own Supreme Court.

With independence, the entire gamut of leadership rested on the shoulders of the indigenous politicians while focus shifted from the pre-independence mantra of anti-colonial struggles and demand for self-rule, to demand for political participation through the various parties which sought elections at the various parliaments to form the central government.

The prominent political parties then were the Action Group (AG) led by Chief Obafemi Awolowo; the National Council of Nigeria Citizens (NCNC), led by Nnamdi Azikiwe; and the Northern Peoples Congress (NPC) led by Sir Ahmadu Bello, the Sardauna of Sokoto.

Those who recall what people of that era deployed to win elections and the tactics employed to control their region admitted it created tension across the country which gave the military the excuse to intervene.

The Western Region later became combustible leading to the declaration of a state of emergency while the Benue province also erupted in violence in what was later termed the Tiv riots.

Even with the highly charged political atmosphere, the Sir AbubakarTafawa Balewa government was able to record significant strides. It completed and commissioned the River Niger Bridge, created the Midwest region, conducted a head count and held parliamentary elections.

By January 1966, however, the feared eruption came in form a military putsch when some military officers eliminated key figures in the Tafawa Balewa led administration including the prime minister in what went down the country’s first military coup.

The coup not only changed the power configuration in Nigeria but introduced a new dimension in the politics in Nigeria.

Further to that it heighted suspicion and almost succeeded in dividing the nation with the North threatening to pull out leading to the June counter coup in which many including the head of state General Aguiyi Ironsi were killed.

Prominent civil rights activist, Comrade Chom Bagu, said the coup of 1966 was what denied Nigeria the opportunity to grow as it opened the door to all kinds of experiments that did not augur well for the country.

He said, ‘It made Nigeria to deviate from what the regional government was doing. Countries that were at the same level with Nigeria like Singapore and Malaysia that took different routes are now far ahead and we have not been allowed to grow the political class.’

On his part, Nakande said the intervention was unfair as it targeted only people from one side of the country, hence engendered the retaliatory coup of July 1966.

He said by interfering with the formation of democracy and the growth of institutions, military interventions made the situation even worse. Both military and civilian regimes that came after one another were unable to create a consistent national development strategy.

The brouhaha, trading of recriminations, mutual distrust heightened tension and the inability to appease both sides led to the attempt by the then governor of the Eastern Region, Col. Chukwuemeka Ojukwu to pull his region out of Nigeria by the declaration of the nation of Biafra, causing a war which lasted two years and six months ending in January 1970.

Gowon, in the views of many, managed the aftermath of the civil war by declaring, no winner, no vanquished, and attempted to reintegrate the Eastern region back to Nigeria.

Nigeria also recorded significant developments in the aftermath of the civil war with the implementation of the development plans where destroyed infrastructure were rebuilt and many other projects were constructed. Gowon also increased the number states to 12.

Nakande believes that the military era served as a blessing to the nation because that was when many infrastructural facilities were built. It was during that time that Nigeria became a significant member of oil producing countries and joined the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting countries (OPEC).

Notwithstanding, his administration was overthrown in 1975. The new administration headed by Murtala Ramat Mohammed announced a terminal date for the return to civil rule and created seven more states raising the number of states to 19. Murtala lasted only six months in office as he was assassinated on February 13, 1976 by a group of army officers led by Col Bukar Dimka.

Murtala’s Chief of Staff, Supreme headquarters, Olusegun Obasanjo, took over and kept faith with the earlier promise made by his predecessor to hand over power to civilians and was able to conduct election and hand over to a new administration on October 1, 1979, ushering in Alhaji Shehu Shagari as Nigeria’s first executive president.

Four years and three months in office, the military struck again, sacking the democratic structures known as the 2nd Republic, replacing it with a new military government headed by Muhammadu Buhari.

Buhari’s Chief of Army staff, General Ibrahim Babangida, in August1985, sacked his former boss and took over power in what is described as a palace coup.

Expectedly, the political experiment plunged Nigeria into one of its most trying times with the cancelation of the June 12 1993 elections believed to have been won by MKO Abiola.

The pressure mounted on the military administration to honour the mandate made Babangida to step aside making way for what he called the interim national government headed by Chief Ernest Shonekan to president over the affairs of the nation.

But the then secretary of Defence, General Sani Abacha overthrew Shonekan and reigned for five years before he died in office and General Abdulsalami Abubakar stepped in to fill the void.

Abdulsalami conducted elections and handed over to a civilian administration in which Obasanjo again emerged as president. Obasanjo reigned for eight years and was succeeded by then governor of Katsina State, Umaru Yar’adua who was in office for nearly three years but died in office on 5th May, 2010. Yar’adua’s deputy, Goodluck Jonathan, stepped into the shoes and ruled till 2015 when he lost his bid to come for another term as he was defeated by Muhammadu Buhari who reigned for eight years and handed over to the current president Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

‘Standard of living on decline since 1960’

Speaking on the anniversary, the publicity secretary of the Afenifere under late Ayo Adebanjo, Prince Justice Faloye, questioned what is being celebrated when the country is regressing from the standards of living and quality of life it had at independence in 1960.

He said the only new thing has been the rotation of power to some sections of the country.

Tracing history, Faloye said the military takeover of government and the policies they pursued crippled the country’s economy, especially from 1978.

He said the neo-liberal policies such as the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) and removal of subsidies wiped out the purchasing power of the citizens.

‘Since 1978 when Obasanjo brought the ‘Ali Must Go’, it has been downward; things have been getting worse,’ he said.

‘That is one of the reasons that China has overtaken America and UK because of this ‘trickle down economics’ brought by Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher, which only pays the rich and the poor suffer.

‘Poverty in Nigeria has increased while those countries that did not take the neo-liberal policies have moved forward.’

He called for a return to the welfare state of abundance for all and restructuring to restore true federalism among the federating units.

In his view, a professor of Political Science at the University of Nigeria Nsukka, Prof Obasi Igwe, said the country’s 65 years have been marked by injustice and inequality among the various components.

‘Our reliance on petro-dollars is not good’

Prof. Murtala Mohammed of the department of history and international studies, North West University, Kano, said Nigeria’s major problem lies in the fact that early leadership increased ethnic competition rather than creating a cohesive social contract.

He added: ‘Nigeria’s biggest economic blunder, as seen through the lens of critical political economics, was its over reliance on oil earnings starting in the 1970s. Nigeria grew overly dependent on crude oil exports, ignoring industry, technology, and agriculture in favour of diversifying its economy and developing new industries. He said this over-reliance made government vulnerable to changes in the price of oil globally, skewed fiscal policy, and fostered corruption.

‘From the perspective of leadership and governance, Nigeria’s failure has been attributed to a lack of vision, accountability, and continuity. Instead of focusing on the politics of transformation, leadership has frequently been relegated to the politics of survival,’ he said.

But some hail Nigeria for surviving major turbulences that threatened its existence that included the Western region imbroglio; the coup and counter coup of 1966; the Civil war; overthrow of Gowon; the abortive coup of 1976; the June 12 imbroglio, the recent Boko Haram crisis and pre-election violence

The country also has unique experiences. For instance, four former heads of state, Aguiyi Ironsi; Murtala Mohammed; Sani Abacha and Yar’adua died in office while five of its leaders, Ironsi, Gowon, Murtala; Shagari, Buhari and Shonekan were overthrown from office.

Further to that, two of its leaders, Obasanjo and Buhari came back as democratically elected presidents after serving as military heads of state while one, incumbent; Jonathan was defeated in a general election.

Ironsi, Murtala, Shonekan, and Abdulsalami served for less than a year in office, while the longest serving were Gowon, nine years, Babangida, eight; Buhari, ten; and Obasanjo, eleven (Both under military and democratic rules)

With the ups and downs, people still believe there’s hope for Nigeria and that the nation has established its presence in the comity of developed nations.

Comrade Bagu said: ‘There’s hope and there’s no hope. We should look and take inspiration from the experiences of other countries. We have to look in the direction of other countries that were at the same level with us but politics is not allowing forces to elect the right leaders as the emerging leaders are tied to godfathers and want to maintain old privileges.

‘Any new person that wants to make it in different ways has no hope as he would be blocked and strangulated,’ he stressed.

Prof Muhammad on his part said Nigeria’s future depends on a serious realisation that it cannot keep going in the same direction and expect different outcomes.

‘The foundation of national regeneration must be the reconstruction of institutions. To break free from the cycle of mis-governance, it is essential to strengthen the rule of law, safeguard electoral integrity, and improve accountability. In the absence of reliable institutions, government will remain transactional and leadership will remain individualised.

‘Nigeria must make a concerted effort to strengthen monitoring agencies, protect the court from political meddling, and professionalise its bureaucracy so that they can combat corruption in more than just words,’ he said.

Unprepared leaders behind our woes – Dr. Sufi

A political analyst, Dr. Kabiru Sufi, has said Nigeria’s developmental setbacks stem largely from unprepared leaders who assume office without concrete plans for governance.

Speaking in an interview, Dr. Sufi said reversing the trend requires leaders with a ‘Marshall Plan-like approach’ that integrates political, economic, and social reforms rather than prioritising one sector at the expense of others.

‘We need leaders who are prepared with a holistic approach-focusing on political, social, and economic solutions to our problems. If we only focus on political issues and leave the economy to suffer, or focus mainly on economic issues while political crises erode the progress being made, we will remain stuck,’ he explained.

Reports by John Chuks Azu, Abuja; Salim Umar Ibrahim and Ahmad Datti, Kano

The move by the federal government to amend the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) 2021 continues to generate disquiet in the sector with industry analysts and experts cautioning that such a move has far-reaching implications on the sector.

Besides they said it could destabilise the sector as the PIA is barely five years into its operation.

Daily Trust reports that President Bola Tinubu has approved the amendment aimed at whittling the powers of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC).

Also it was learnt that part of the proposed amendment is to vest the power and role of concessionaire of all oil and gas exploration and production assets in the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

The proposed amendment would also make the NUPRC the representative of the Federation in all Joint Venture (JV) agreements with the international oil companies (IOCs) and independent companies.

Also proposed is the removal of the Ministry of Petroleum Incorporated (MOPI) as a shareholder of NNPC, while making the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) the sole shareholder of the national oil company.

Daily Trust reports that the federal government has JVs, Production Sharing Contracts (PSCs), Sole Risks and other contractual arrangements with the IOCs. In most cases the NNPC has 60 per cent while the IOC holds 40 per cent.

If the amendment scales through the management of these JV assets would come directly under the NUPRC.

Relevant federal agencies were said to have been notified of the proposed amendment to the PIA 2021. However, the draft of the Bill is not yet in the public domain.

However, the move is generating disquiet in the sector with stakeholders warning that the amendment might destabilize the industry just a few years into the life of the PIA.

Petroleum expert and Technical Director at Template Design Limited, Bala Zaka, expressed concerns with the petroleum industry bill before it even became an Act, saying its inability to provide a win-win situation for investors and the government led to the exodus of international companies from the onshore operations.

‘For somebody like me, those were the kind of laws that needed to be introduced and some modified so that we’re going to enjoy the benefits of activities in the oil and gas industry. That was my thought when the idea of a petroleum industry bill came up,’ he said.

He added that the law ended leading to, first of all, deregulation and a skewed deregulation that encouraged some indirect hostilities that were going to force some of the international oil and gas companies to abandon the conditions and oil fields that they have developed on land and swamp and shallow waters and only concentrate on deep offshore.

He said, ‘But when the Act came up finally, the Act ended up becoming skewed. It was very clear that the Act ended up incorporating so many things that people like me with an objective mind didn’t expect. Because some of the things we discovered are rearing their heads now. First of all, it came up with deregulation.

‘Deregulation without control. Instead of focusing on liberalisation, that will make sure we invite additional investors, but also make sure there is proper organisation so that the Nigerian government, either through NNPC or whichever body, will be able to regulate in the interest of investors and the government. It didn’t do that.’

He lamented that the Act has ended up trying to privatise all the national patrimony of citizens.

‘When you go to other countries, till this moment, you see both local and international oil and gas investors investing or carrying out peaceful activities on land concessions, shallow waters, swamps, and deep offshore.

‘But with this Act now, all of us have seen that all the international oil companies have experienced artificial business climate hostilities that have forced them to leave the concessions they had on land and swamp. Many of them have run deep offshore. And the few of them that are remaining decided to leave Nigeria. That was not the kind of petroleum industry Act that I expected.’

‘A sector can be liberalised and it will do well. In the context of the Nigerian oil and gas industry, I expected to see more of liberalisation. There is a major difference between liberalisation and deregulation. When you liberalise, you allow more players to come in, but you also make sure the powers of regulatory authorities in that country are not diluted. No country will go and allow the powers of regulatory agencies to be diluted. Once you allow their powers to be diluted, then that country or that agency or that country will be like a banana republic.

‘What we should rather do in the context of Nigeria is this. Those you have put in charge of those regulatory agencies, if they are not doing well, continue to change them until you get the right people.’

On his part, Wumi Iledare, Professor Emeritus of Petroleum Economics, said concerns regarding PIA amendments shortly after its enactment may lead to policy instability, discourage long-term investment, and be perceived as benefiting select interests, thereby undermining the act’s original objectives of stability and investor confidence.

As Nigeria today marks its Sapphire Jubilee (65 years of existence) as an independent nation, after gaining independence on October 1st, 1960, the dispensation calls for deep reflection over the journey so far and a new vision, having undergone significant rites of passage over time.

Firstly, there is the need to congratulate this great nation and its people for having weathered the challenges of nation-building and remaining as one political entity for this long. It needs to be recalled that several nations, both in Africa and other parts of the world, which not only started before and after Nigeria’s formation but also shared the same dream of nationhood, are no more due to a multiplicity of both endogenous and exogenous factors.

The story of Nigeria could also have been otherwise, given its leadership circumstances. Assembled from a collection of disparate ethnic nation-states by the British colonialists in 1914, and subjected to different leadership scenarios comprising colonial and serial rule alternation between democratically elected civil administration and the frequent truncation of same by military incursions into governance through coup d’états in 1966, 1975, 1976, 1983, 1985, and 1993, the country’s retention as a single entity today remains one of the most successful exercises in unity in diversity, as far as nation-building is concerned. Of even more significance is that Nigeria has, since 1999, enjoyed an unbroken run of democratic rule for all these 26 years. This political positive accentuates the merit of celebrating Nigeria at 65, for holding on to the vision and sustaining the mission of its founding fathers, even in the face of vicissitudes.

Yet, the fact remains incontrovertible that Nigeria could have achieved much more at 65, given its innate, humongous potentials and resources. With a population of 45 million at independence in 1960 and 220 million at present, the country has always been a giant on the African continent, as well as a voice to be reckoned with across the world. In terms of economy, Nigeria is endowed with a rich variety of strategic resources, ranging from large expanses of arable land for agriculture, lush flora and variety of fauna, as well as humongous oil and gas deposits and other minerals, which guarantee its position as a rich nation.

However, against the backdrop of its endowments and potentials, Nigeria has, for this long period, been a victim of arrested development, courtesy of multiple leadership failures. While it was hailed as the giant of Africa in the light of its status and promise at independence, the current state of Nigeria leaves much to be desired, due to generations of leadership whose failures denied it a better course of progress. Hence, Nigeria is currently reeling from the ravages of insecurity, with insurgency and other tendencies that have negatively conditioned daily life across the entire country. For instance, on a daily basis, insurgents attack one community or the other with fatal consequences. To further accentuate the ravages of insurgency in today’s Nigeria is the fact that several communities, and even local government areas, are at the mercy of insurgents, with residents paying ransom to the occupying insurgents.

The crime of kidnapping human beings for ransom has become a growing business venture in today’s Nigeria. So bad is the situation that senior government officials at various levels are discreetly and openly negotiating peace deals with insurgents.

Beyond the scourge of insurgency lies the more pervasive syndrome of endemic corruption in literally all aspects of government business. Courtesy of the deep-seated malaise of corruption, public largesse has been largely privatized by the political leadership community, leaving the masses to their wits. As a result of the widespread syndrome of corruption, Nigeria loses the bulk of the public largesse to private interests, as public interest-oriented projects suffer. Also, courtesy of the syndrome of corruption, even the political space remains compromised, as the country serially fails to elect the right calibre of leaders to take charge of its affairs. In the final analysis is the concern over the prospect of redeeming the country from its largely self-inflicted challenges.

That is why the need for a new vision that will propel the country along a new course remains mandatory. This new vision needs to be anchored on the premises of a united Nigeria, as well as the rule of law. With respect to the fostering of unity, the leadership needs to work assiduously along the course of integrating the disparate ethnic nation-states that make up the country, as the amalgamation process that spawned Nigeria under the colonial rule of Britain in 1914 is not yet completed.

The goal of unity will hardly be realized unless there is a deliberate attack on the freedom of impunity. This is where the rule of law needs to be actualized to ensure that the constitution and the laws of the country are obeyed by all and sundry.

We at Daily Trust believe that this task is for all Nigerians to key in, put in their best, be more patriotic, and have a strong belief in Nigeria. Once we can do this, our journey to the Promised Land can be realized.

Daily Trust wishes every Nigerian a happy 65th Independence Anniversary.

Governor Uba Sani has brought succour to the 50 year quest of Danbushiya village in the Millennium City in Chikun local government, by commencing the construction a 15 kilometer road when he assumed office.

Sarkin Danbushiya, Alhaji Muktar Haruna, disclosed this on Wednesday when the governor went on an inspection tour of the Keke-Danbushiya road project which will link over 15 communities.

The Village Head said that the people of the community have been promised that the road will be constructed since the military era, adding that the dream only came true when Governor Uba Sani came on board.

Alhaji Muktar thanked the Governor for bringing dividends of democracy to the area, which include a Primary Healthcare Centre, schools and enhanced security.

He further said that lessons have commenced in the Science Secondary School that Governor Uba Sani built in the area as students are presently receiving instructions in the school.

According to him, the Governor has so demonstrated love for the people of the area, so much that ”We want the name to change from ”Millennium City” to ”Governor Uba Sani Millennium City”

Speaking at the event, Governor Uba Sani recalled that when he came on board, ”we made it clear to everyone that we will try as much as possible to take development to every part of Kaduna State.”

The Governor said that he met with the people of Danbushiya, ”sat down with them, discussed with them and realised that this is a very important road that links about 15 communities.”

”As a Government, we found it extremely important and necessary, to put in a lot of money, to ensure that we construct an asphaltic road that will connect these communities,” he added.

The Governor who promised that the road will be commissioned in nine month’s time, commended the community for giving the contractor all necessary support.

Governor Uba Sani also inspected the ongoing reconstruction of Ahmadu Bello Stadium which will to become a safer and more modern sports arena that meets international standards when completed.

He also inspected the ongoing renovation of a Primary Healthcare Centre at Mando community in Igabi local government area

Key Muslim nations have thrown their weight behind a plan by US President Donald Trump to end the war in Gaza, even as some Palestinians decried the proposal as a ‘farce’.

Washington’s European allies have urged Hamas to accept the plan, which Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he supported as he warned the Palestinian armed group of more devastation if it did not comply.

Eight Arab or Muslim-majority nations said they ‘welcome the role of the American president and his sincere efforts aimed at ending the war in Gaza’.

In a joint statement, they said they ‘affirm their readiness to engage positively and constructively with the United States and the parties toward finalising the agreement and ensuring its implementation’. The countries include Egypt, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey – which all recognise Israel, although some have turbulent relationships.

Another signatory was Qatar, which has played a key mediatory role, and Saudi Arabia, whose future normalisation with Israel is a key goal for Trump and Netanyahu.

Indonesia and Pakistan, the world’s two most populous Muslim-majority countries, also signed.

Indonesia has offered troops as part of a future Gaza force, while Pakistan has been eager to woo Trump and improve its relationship with Washington.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said he believed Trump was ‘fully prepared to assist in whatever way necessary’ to secure an end to the war.

The Palestinian Authority, which Netanyahu has sought to sideline, was also quick to offer support, calling Trump’s efforts ‘sincere and determined’.

Hamas has yet to comment in depth, while Qatar said it would hold talks with negotiators and Turkey to discuss the plan.

‘The (Hamas) negotiating delegation promised to study it responsibly,’ Majed al-Ansari, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesman, told a press conference.

However, Islamic Jihad, a Palestinian armed group fighting alongside Hamas in Gaza, called the plan ‘a recipe for continued aggression against the Palestinian people’.

‘Through this, Israel is attempting – via the United States – to impose what it could not achieve through war,’ it said.

Residents in Gaza expressed scepticism, dismissing the plan as a trick to release hostages that would not end the war.

‘We as a people will not accept this farce,’ said Abu Mazen Nassar, 52.

Foreign backing

Several European leaders voiced support Tuesday for Trump’s Gaza plan, with Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz calling it the ‘best chance’ to end the war as he met relatives of German-Israeli hostages held by Hamas.

In Russia, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the situation in Gaza an ‘ongoing tragedy’.

‘We want this plan to be implemented and for it to help bring events in the Middle East to a peaceful conclusion,’ he told reporters.

Meanwhile, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said Beijing ‘supports all efforts conducive to easing tensions between Palestine and Israel’.

Trump also won UK and French backing from Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President Emmanuel Macron for his plan, which includes a call for a transitional body in Gaza involving former British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Blair, a former envoy for the diplomatic Middle East Quartet of the UN, United States, EU and Russia, called it a ‘bold and intelligent plan’ that could bring ‘immediate relief’ to Gaza and a ‘brighter and better future’ if agreed.

European Council chief Antonio Costa urged all parties to ‘seize this moment to give peace a genuine chance’, adding that the situation in Gaza was ‘intolerable’.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez – who has accused Israel of committing ‘genocide’ in Gaza – said Madrid ‘welcomes the peace proposal’, adding that a two-state solution was ‘the only one possible’.

Trump’s plan

Donald Trump’s 2025 Gaza peace plan is a 20-point proposal aimed at ending the war between Israel and Hamas and rebuilding Gaza under international oversight.

The plan calls for an immediate ceasefire and the release of all Israeli hostages within 72 hours of Israel’s acceptance.

In exchange, Israel would release 250 prisoners serving life sentences and 1,700 Gazans detained since October 7, 2023, including women and children.

Hamas must disarm and dismantle its military infrastructure, with amnesty offered to those who surrender weapons or choose exile.

Governance of Gaza would shift to a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee, excluding Hamas.

A ‘Board of Peace,’ chaired by Trump and including global leaders like Tony Blair, would oversee implementation.

Humanitarian aid would resume immediately, focusing on rebuilding hospitals, bakeries, and infrastructure, with distribution managed by neutral agencies like the UN and Red Crescent.

Security would be handled by a temporary International Stabilisation Force, coordinating with Egypt and Jordan, while Israeli forces gradually withdraw.

The plan also outlines steps toward Palestinian statehood, contingent on reforms and sustained peace.

Trump gave Hamas a short deadline to accept, warning that rejection would result in full US support for Israel to ‘finish the job.’

Islamic scholars have said the widespread deficit of trust in Nigeria reflects societal decay rather than failure of political leadership.

They spoke in Ilorin at the 16th Annual Symposium of the Standard Bearers Islamic Organisation (SB), themed ‘Brave the Tempest: Build the Trust.’

The discussion comes amid growing public discontent over governance and social cohesion.

They warned that unless citizens embody trustworthiness, they will continue to get leaders who reflect their shortcomings.

Speaking on the topic, ‘Trust Deficit in Governance: A Clarion Call’, Dr Haruna Sanusi Lafiagi of Al-Hikmah University, stated that leaders since 1999 have largely been ‘accidental leaders’ who misunderstand the concept of trust (Amanah).

According to him, we can’t talk about the political leaders’ lack of trust without mentioning the society first.

‘Nigeria’s problem is not mostly leadership; the followers are the main problem. The followers lack trust, and that is the promise of God: that you will be given leaders that reflect your society’, he stated.

Dr Lafiagi noted that a good leader requires not only integrity but also strength and trustworthiness, qualities often overlooked in the nation’s political landscape.

In his lecture, Dr Ganiyu Abideen, Director of Pharmaceutical Services for the Oyo State Hospitals Management Board, warned that ‘without trust, the community will be disconnected.’

He said the erosion of trust is evident in daily life, from partners defaulting on financial agreements to betrayals within families and the declining credibility of public figures.

He urged civil servants in particular to uphold the trust citizens place in them.

In his remarks, Alhaji Salihu Gidado, Chairman of the Tricycle Owners Association of Nigeria (TOAN), Kwara State Branch, noted that, ‘It is our duty to be trustworthy as a people before we can call out our leaders.’

He charged the youth in attendance to ‘champion the theme, because they are the leaders of tomorrow.’

The Chief Host and Kwara State Coordinator of SB, Imaam Abdulhafeez Adeagbo, explained that the initiative aims to promote the core values of Islam.

‘Our vision is to ensure an enabling environment for Muslims to practice pristine Islam, and pristine Islam cannot be achieved without trust,’ he said.

He said rebuilding trust requires a combination of accountability, god-consciousness (taqwah), and calling to goodness (Da’wah).

The Special Guest of Honour, Prof. Habeeb Omokanye, described the symposium as a ‘wake-up call to take up the pledge we made to our country to be truthful and reliable.’

The symposium was attended by academics, community leaders, and students from various schools, including the Grand Khadi of the Kwara State Shariah Court of Appeal, Justice Abdullateef Kamaldeen among others.