Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Security has been strengthened at Local Government Area (LGA) secretariats across Osun State as factional council workers resume duties on Monday, ending an eight-month strike triggered by a control tussle between the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Members of the Nigeria Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) had downed tools since February 17, 2025, following an Appeal Court judgment that reinstated APC chairmen – a move strongly opposed by the PDP, which had conducted its own council elections leading to the emergence of its members.

The protracted crisis kept council offices locked until recently, when the Federal Government recognized the reinstated APC chairmen by releasing six months of withheld allocations to the LGA accounts operated by them. Consequently, workers under the Association of Concerned Local Government Workers announced October 6, 2025, as their official resumption date.

Speaking to The Nation on Sunday, the Osun State Police Command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, assured that adequate measures had been put in place to maintain peace, saying:

‘We won’t have a repeat of what happened on February 17, 2025, in Osun State again on October 6, 2025.’

He emphasised that security operatives have been deployed across all LG secretariats to prevent any breakdown of law and order as work resumes.

He said, ‘Even before the issue of the release of funds, we have been on high alert, especially at our local government areas. I have spoken with the Commissioner of Police, who has given a standing order to our men to ensure that there is no breakdown of law and order.’

The Osun APC, through its Director of Media and Information, Chief Kola Olabisi, commended the Association of Concerned Local Government Workers of Osun State for their resolve to resume at their duty posts on Monday.

He described their decision as a patriotic action, saying, ‘It will bring to an end the avoidable sufferings being faced by the stakeholders like the revered traditional rulers, healthcare workers, primary school teachers, and others.’

He noted, ‘We, as a party, are joining the teeming striking workers who have expressed their displeasure on the plan of the state government to frustrate their resumption on Monday, using the promotion letter ploy to drive the plot.

‘The Osun State Government, in a directive signed by one Mr L. M. Kareem, the Permanent Secretary, Osun State Local Government Service Commission, had on Friday directed local government workers to report at the commission in Abere, on Monday, 6th of October, 2025, for the collection of their letters of promotion.’

He noted, ‘The issuance of the strange directive to the council workers to report at Abere for the collection of their promotion letters is not only a panic measure but an indication that all is not well with the infamous administration of Governor Adeleke.

‘In fact, this latest directive to the striking workers shows that Governor Adeleke and those thinking for his government have missed it a big time, as the chosen device for frustrating the resumption of the workers is laughable, puerile, absurd, and unreasonable.

‘Is Governor Adeleke saying that some of the health centres in the state should be closed because of a government directive that the workers should come down to Abere to pick up their promotion letters?

The resumption of local government on Monday by the striking workers is an idea whose time has come, and no army of naysayers and saboteurs can stop it.

Meanwhile, the NULGE President Nathaniel Ogungbagbe said, ‘Any worker who resumes at the council on Monday is induced by APC to legalise their illegality of sacked status. Our genuine members won’t join the resumption.’

A faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Edo State loyal to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has elected Nosa Ogieva as its new state chairman.

The factional executive emerged at a congress held in Benin City, the Edo State capital, with 576 delegates from the state’s 192 wards participating in the exercise.

The development comes a week after another PDP faction in the state held its own congress and re-elected Tony Aziegbemi as chairman.

Addressing delegates at the Wike-backed congress, the PDP South South Vice Chairman, Chief Dan Orbih, blamed former Governor Godwin Obaseki for the party’s dwindling fortunes in the state.

Orbih said the PDP’s poor performance in recent by-elections reflected its declining popularity under Obaseki’s leadership.

He urged party members to elect capable individuals who could revive the PDP in Edo State, while dismissing critics who had advised members not to attend the congress.

‘Just yesterday, I saw a statement from some funny characters advising party members not to attend this event. Are you not here?’ Orbih asked. ‘Those who have no moral authority to speak on behalf of the party should keep their mouths shut.’

‘As we prepare to elect our executive, I will appeal to you to vote for those with the capacity to lead this party, not those who will sell out, not those who will deny members their legitimate right

‘As members of our great party. There is no doubt that PDP is going through a leadership crisis, both at the national level and in several other states.

‘Let us not deceive ourselves. For the first time in the history of our great party, we have elected governors of PDP and founding leaders, founding members of this party, leaving this party every day for one simple reason: failure of leadership.

‘Elected governors are leaving. Elected senators are leaving. Elected members of the House are leaving. In Edo state, we know the root of our problem. We had a united party where everybody related with one another as brothers and sisters, until Godwin Obaseki joined our party.

‘Obaseki destroyed our party. He sowed the seeds of discord, deep-rooted seeds of discord in our party. He sinned against the party. He sinned against the people. He sinned against the state.

‘Obaseki came into the party and destroyed everything good in the party. Today, our party’s umbrella is shattered, torn, and we are here today to rebuild the party.

‘What used to put us together as a family was destroyed by Obaseki. He fought every person except himself, and in the end, we are at a very disadvantaged position in the politics of Edo state.’

The new factional chairman promised to reunite the party, saying the PDP would soon begin to win elections again in the state.

The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Adekunle Salako, has urged the private sector to play a stronger role in advancing Nigeria’s health system by investing in local production, standardisation, and maintenance of medical equipment.

Speaking at the commissioning of the national secretariat of the Healthcare Equipment and Allied Products Providers Association of Nigeria (HEPAN) in Abuja during the weekend, Salako said the association’s initiative aligns with the government’s Nigeria Health Sector Renewal Investment Initiative, which focuses on improving governance, access to care, and health security through the industrialisation of the health sector.

The event brought together key government officials, professional bodies, and private sector players to explore strategies for ensuring that only certified and calibrated medical equipment is used across healthcare facilities nationwide.

Salako urged HEPAN members to contribute actively to unlocking the health value chain by ensuring the availability of quality infrastructure, equipment, and diagnostics.

He stressed that accurate diagnosis and effective treatment depend on the use of reliable and well-maintained medical technologies.

He encouraged the association to reduce equipment downtime in hospitals through regular training and partnerships with service users, saying, ‘The journey towards achieving zero use of substandard medical equipment and reagents requires your full and undiluted commitment’.

Reaffirming government’s support for public-private partnerships, Salako noted that Nigeria is promoting self-reliance in the production of medical technology, while pointing out that the Presidential Executive Order of June 28, 2024, which eliminated tariffs, import duties, and VAT on vital raw materials, offers a strong incentive for local manufacturing.

The Minister commended HEPAN’s leadership for its commitment to quality health service delivery, noting that Nigeria remains open for business and domestic manufacturing in the journey towards universal health coverage.

On her part, the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), the Mandate Secretary for Health Services and Environment, Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, described the commissioning as a key milestone for quality healthcare delivery in the FCT and beyond.

She said, ‘The Secretariat and the association stand for standards in medical equipment, calibration, and sourcing of quality and standardised equipment.

‘Such standards form the bedrock of accurate medical outcomes. The results from your tests drive the kind of treatment and drugs patients receive, this is why standardisation is critical to achieving reliable healthcare outcomes’.

Represented by Pharmacist Boniface Ikwu, the Mandate Secretary pledged the FCTA’s continued collaboration with HEPAN to strengthen local capacity, promote quality assurance, and ensure regulatory compliance in the medical equipment sector.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the FCT chapter of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Musa Wazani, praised HEPAN for fostering collaboration among stakeholders and ensuring that only certified medical devices are used in Nigeria.

‘I believe that HEPAN has the capacity to reduce medical tourism to the nearest minimum by ensuring that equipment imported into the country meet Nigerian standards and manufacturers’ specifications.

‘This will also address the trend of patients being referred from one facility to another to repeat tests due to lack of standardisation,’ he said.

Wazani further called on regulatory agencies to validate and verify all medical devices, saying it would maintain the integrity of healthcare services and build trust among patients and healthcare providers.

HEPAN President, Dr. Ifeanyichukwu Nwankwo, said the association was formed to eliminate the importation of fake and substandard medical devices through self-regulation and peer accountability.

‘We decided to organise ourselves to say that the best way to stop the importation of fake medical devices is through internal control. Any external body cannot do that, we know our members,’ he said.

He explained that every member must sign a pledge not to import or distribute substandard products, warning that violators would be permanently expelled.

Nwankwo added that the association’s disciplinary reach covers major equipment markets nationwide, and members are now shifting toward local manufacturing, with new factories opening in Port Harcourt and Anambra soon.

He commended the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare for its pledge to partner with HEPAN to strengthen regulation and ensure compliance.

Some members of the Minority caucus in the House of Representatives under the auspices of Active Minority are set for a show down with their colleagues over plot to remove the Minority Leader, Kingsley Chindan (PDP, Rivers).

About 89 members of the minority caucus have thrown their weight behind Chinda warning that they would resist any attempt to remove him ahead of the planned meeting of the caucus schedules for Monday evening in Abuja.

Notice for the meeting was jointly signed on Sunday, October 5, by Hon. Agbedi Frederick, leader of PDP Caucus, Hon. Afam Victor Ogene, leader, LP Caucus, Hon. Muktar Umar-Zakar, NNPP Caucus and Hon. Peter Uzokwe, leader, YPP.

However, three other parties who are members of the caucus, the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Social Democratic Party (SDP) and the Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) are not part of the signatory of those calling for the emergency meeting.

It was titled, ‘Notice of emergency meeting of the minority caucus of the House of Representatives’, and addressed to ‘All Minority Members of the House of Representatives’

The notice read, ‘You are hereby invited to an emergency meeting to discuss recent developments in the minority leadership, particularly to review the lawsuit instituted by Minority Leader, Hon. Kingsley Chinda, against all members of minority parties in the 10th House of Representatives’.

The meeting is scheduled for The Envoy Hotel in Abuja, but as at last night, the venue of the meeting was said to have been changed to Conference Room 028 in the House of Representatives New Building at 8pm.

Chinda had filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja and secured an injunction stopping the Speaker of the House, the Clerk and leadership of National Assembly Grimm accepting any letter purported to have emanated from the minority parties removing him as minority leader.

While Chinda alleged that the only reason advanced by those plotting his removal was his closeness to FCT Minister, Nyelsom Wike, some minority lawmakers are accusing Chinda of not providing leadership and working behind closed doors for the ruling APC.

The Nation gathered last night that the Active Minority group, led by a PDP member from one of the Northern states has been holding series of meeting in Abuja ahead of the resumption of plenary on Tuesday, October 7th.

A member of the Active Minority, who is privy to the meetings and spoke on condition of anonymity said they were prepared to counter the moves by certain interests in the PDP and the ADC bent on replacing Chinda because of his affiliation to the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Barr. Nyesom Wike.

‘We have stumbled on a plot by certain leaders in the PDP and ADC to replace the minority leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Kingsley Chinda. His only sin is the allegations that he is close to the FCT minister, Chief Wike.

‘But I can assure you, we are ready for those sponsored to come to the floor and execute this insidious plan. Our group, the Active Minority is prepared to resist this because Hon. Chinda has discharged his responsibilities as an opposition leader very well.

‘As I speak with you, the Active Minority has a membership strength of 89 members and more members are identifying with us. Mind you, the entire opposition lawmakers are about 140 and we have an overwhelming majority to counter any undemocratic move’.

When asked about the list of the Active Minority, the lawmaker said ‘We are keeping our identities under wraps until the House resumes. We don’t want to let the cat out of the bag now. Our strategy is also within us until we meet at the battle field’.

SpeKing on why they choose to support the minority leader, the lawmaker said ‘Hon. Chinda’s unwavering commitment to upholding democratic principles and advocating for the rights of the Nigerian people has set him apart as a beacon of hope in times of uncertainty.

‘Chinda has since 2023 vehemently stood against the defection of opposition lawmakers to APC. One of Chinda’s notable contributions lies in his staunch opposition to members of the opposition defecting to the ruling party, citing violations of constitutional provisions and electoral laws.

‘He has always been a strong voice drawing the attention of the leadership to at least obey the law and do what is right.

‘In the face of adversity and resistance, Chinda has stood firm in his convictions, fearlessly challenging the status quo and holding the government accountable for its actions. His vocal stance on critical issues has resonated with many, inspiring a sense of unity and solidarity among those who seek a more just and equitable society.

‘By setting a precedent of integrity and adherence to legal frameworks, he encourages others to follow suit in promoting a fair and transparent governance system. So, why would you suddenly decide to remove such an effective leader from his position because of a flimsy excuse that he’s close to Wike. Why don’t you go and face Wike and leave Chinda alone?

‘Again, Chinda’s relentless pursuit of transparency and accountability underscores the importance of strengthening democratic institutions to foster a resilient system of governance in Nigeria.

‘His dedication to uplifting the voices of the often overlooked in decision-making processes showcases a deep-rooted commitment to inclusivity and representation.

‘Most importantly, Chinda has demonstrated exceptional leadership by spearheading the sponsorship of various bills and motions that address pressing issues facing the nation. So, we cannot allow such an excellent material to be thrown under the bus. All we are saying is Chinda must stay’.

The National Biotechnology Research and Development Agency (NBRDA) has called on Nigerian farmers to embrace biotechnology as a safe, proven, and effective tool for increasing agricultural productivity and ensuring national food security.

Speaking during a Sensitization Workshop on Biotechnology and Biosafety/Farmers Field Day held in Jagwada, Keffi, Nasarawa State, the Director of Agricultural Biotechnology at NBRDA, Dr. Rose Gidado, highlighted the success of the BT Cowpea variety in improving yields and reducing pest-related losses across farms in the country.

Dr. Gidado explained that the workshop was organized to educate farmers who have not yet accessed BT Cowpea seeds and to showcase the remarkable progress recorded by those already cultivating the improved variety.

‘We are here to engage with farmers who have not yet had access to BT Cowpea and to demonstrate what is already on the ground. Our farmer here, Emmanuel, has been growing the variety since 2023 and is now an outgrower for a seed company. He’s doing excellently well,’ she said.

Approved for commercial release in 2019 by the National Variety Release Committee, the BT Cowpea was developed to resist the destructive Maruca pod borer pest.

Dr. Gidado noted that the variety continues to perform exceptionally well, proving the technology’s reliability, environmental safety, and resilience.

‘The technology is working. This variety matures early, is climate-smart, and significantly reduces pesticide use. That means fewer harmful residues in the grains,’ she stated, adding that one of the farmers now exports his BT Cowpea to the United Kingdom, where it has passed all quality checks.

The NBRDA director also cautioned farmers against misinformation about genetically modified organisms (GMOs), emphasizing that biotechnology crops are safe for cultivation and consumption.

‘Nigerian farmers should not run away from this technology. Don’t listen to rumor mongers. GMOs are safe. Look at this farm, it’s full of life. You can see weeds, groundnuts, sorghum, insects, and even ants. Everything is thriving,’ she said.

Describing the BT Cowpea as a testimony of Nigerian scientific success, Dr. Gidado commended the collaboration between NBRDA and the African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF) in promoting biotechnology awareness and outreach across farming communities.

‘We are proud to be part of this success story. We are contributing to Nigeria’s food security and giving farmers access to quality, climate-resilient seeds,’ she added.

One of the host farmers, Mr. Ogenomor Emmanuel, shared his impressive results cultivating BT Cowpea on his 7.7-hectare farm. Beginning with five hectares in 2023, he said he expanded his cultivation area due to the crop’s exceptional performance.

‘For conventional cowpea, you spray pesticides seven to eight times, but with BT Cowpea, once every 15 days is enough. The difference in yield is massive,’ he said.

According to him, while local cowpea varieties produce three to four bags per hectare, the BT Cowpea yields between 21 and 22 bags per hectare, representing a dramatic increase in productivity and income.

Emmanuel also noted the variety’s shorter cooking time and resilience.

‘It cooks in about 35 to 40 minutes, unlike the local beans that take up to three hours,’ he explained.

Since October 2024, Emmanuel has been exporting BT Cowpea to buyers in the UK and the US, earning double what he would have made in local markets. He attributed the high demand to the grain’s purity and cleanliness, even during the rainy season.

‘Some farmers said it’s impossible to have clean beans during the rainy season, but BT Cowpea has proven otherwise. It can even be planted two to three times a year-that’s how resilient it is,’ he said, noting that he harvested 7.6 tons from five hectares in his first season.

Another participant, Master Balat Ishaya, a farmer from Kaduna State, described the workshop as a game-changer that could revolutionize farming if scaled across Nigeria.

‘This workshop is an eye-opener. If such programs reach more rural communities, it will replace the primitive way of farming and boost productivity. More productivity means more development,’ he said.

He emphasised that wider adoption of biotechnology could accelerate Nigeria’s journey toward food sufficiency and economic growth, noting that ‘a nation with enough food for its people is a nation on the path to prosperity.’

The NBRDA Sensitisation Workshop forms part of the agency’s ongoing national campaign to promote the safe adoption of biotechnology and biosafety practices.

It aims to empower farmers with innovative tools to improve yields, increase incomes, and strengthen Nigeria’s food system through science-driven agriculture.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, yesterday, reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to fairness among Nigeria’s diverse religious communities, pledging to unite the country under a shared vision of peace and prosperity.

Speaking at the headquarters of the Church of Christ in Nations (COCIN) in Jos, Plateau State, President Tinubu told Christian leaders from Northern Nigeria that his government is dedicated to ensuring justice and inclusivity for all citizens regardless of faith.

According to a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President said: ‘I have a mission to unite this country, ensure its prosperity, and we are making progress.’

He urged clerics to have faith in his leadership, adding that religious harmony remains essential to national stability.

‘As leaders, we have the responsibility to manage religious issues for the benefit of all,’ he added.

President Tinubu also assured the gathering that his administration is determined to end insecurity and criminality.

‘We are defeating bandits, and we will defeat them. We will deal with them and combat the farmers-herders clashes,’ he declared, noting that ongoing economic reforms are being executed to benefit every Nigerian.

The President was in Jos to attend the funeral prayers for Nana Lydia Yilwatda, mother of the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, who died at the age of 83.

Paying tribute to the late matriarch, Tinubu described her as ‘a devoted mother and humanitarian.’

‘In our family, we have a strong Muslim background, and I married a Christian, a pastor for that matter, and I have never forced her to change her religion,’ the President said, stressing his belief in mutual respect and coexistence.

He recalled his political journey through Jos during the Social Democratic Party (SDP) era and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to return as President to honour the late Mrs. Yilwatda.

In his remarks, Prof. Yilwatda described his late mother as a resilient woman who lived on medication for 47 years yet worked tirelessly for her family and community.

He thanked the President for attending the funeral and for the trust reposed in him as APC chairman.

Reverend Dr Amos Mohzo, President and Spiritual Leader of COCIN, lauded President Tinubu for appointing Northern Christians to key national positions, including Secretary to the Government of the Federation Senator George Akume and Prof. Yilwatda.

He also praised the administration’s attention to insecurity in Plateau and Benue states and appealed for more support for displaced Christian communities.

Mohzo pledged the Church’s support for the President’s Renewed Hope Agenda and his efforts towards peace and national development.

L-R: Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau; Speaker House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; and President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio; at the funeral service in honour of late Mama Lydia Yilwatda Goshwe, mother of the National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, at the Church of Christ in Nation, Jos, Plateau State, yesterday.

Dignitaries at the event included Senate President Godswill Akpabio; Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, AbdulRazaq AbdulRahman; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; and Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

Others were former Secretary to the Government of the Federation Boss Mustapha, former governors Tanko Al-Makura, Adamu Mu’azu, Fidelis Tapgun, Yahaya Bello and Rochas Okorocha, as well as lawmakers, ministers, and members of the APC National Working Committee.

Tinubu’s reception during visit shows he’s admired – Ex-Plateau Deputy Speaker

A former deputy speaker Plateau State House of Assembly, Hon. Ibrahim Baba Hassan, yesterday expressed deep appreciation to the citizens, members and supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for trooping out en masse to welcome President Tinubu to Plateau State.

Hon. Hassan, who also chaired the Mobilisation Committee for the event, said the massive turnout and the enthusiasm that kept Jos agog demonstrated that Tinubu remains admired by the people.

He made the assertion while fielding questions from journalists amidst cheering crowds at the Secretariat Junction flyover.

‘We are indeed thrilled by the peaceful and orderly conduct exhibited by the people of Plateau State, members, and APC supporters during the funeral visit of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

‘We are also grateful to Mr. President for deeming it important to accord our mother a befitting state burial in recognition of her contributions to nationhood,’ Baba Hassan said.

He stressed that from the gestures of the President, they were sure that he was also happy with the warm reception.

‘Right on arrival at the airport, coming through the major ways to the church, we noticed that our President was happy, and on behalf of the mobilisation committee that I chaired, we are happy,’ he said.

He further assured that Plateau State will reciprocate President Tinubu’s gesture in the 2027 general elections.

The Abuja Youth Forum has called for enhanced security measures across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to ensure the safety of residents.

The group, led by Comrade Ayuba Danladi, expressed concern over recent security incidents in the capital, including the killing of Dr. Ifeanyi Ogbu, a former chairman of the Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA) FCT chapter, who was abducted alongside his children in Kubwa.

His children are still missing.

The forum also cited the death of Somtochukwu Maduagwu, an Arise News anchor who lost her life during a robbery incident at her Katampe residence last week.

Highlighting the developments, the forum said there was a need for renewed focus on security to safeguard lives and property in Abuja.

It also noted reports of robberies, car thefts, and vandalism of public infrastructure in some parts of the city.

Danladi urged the FCT Administration and security agencies to intensify efforts toward protecting residents and to work closely with community stakeholders, including youth groups, traditional rulers, and religious leaders.

He emphasised that community-based policing, regular communication between authorities and residents, and rapid response to distress situations would go a long way in improving public safety.

The group further pledged its support to collaborate with security agencies and other stakeholders to help restore and maintain peace across the capital.

The candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the 2023 presidential election, Prince Adewole Adebayo, has debunked the claims in certain quarters that the party was covertly working for the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

He said he was not aware of such an arrangement, stressing that the only thing he knows is what the party is doing to strategise ahead of the 2027 elections.

He, however, agreed that some party members could have their loyalty outside the party, but stressed that it is one of the problems that the party leadership is battling to solve. ‘We don’t know the rumours and talk, but what I know is what the party is doing. I only participate in what the SDP is doing officially.

‘But what I find out is that people who are in political parties tend to have loyalty outside their political parties. I think it’s part of the problems we try to solve by bringing more ethical leaders.

‘But all my politics, 100 per cent of my own politics, is done inside the SDP. And in this day and time, there is no way you could have a relationship with people that there won’t be evidence of. Either they will see you with them, you will take a photo with them, they will trace their money to you, or they will trace the activity to you.

‘So, if you really want to know where somebody belongs, if you want to know, other than just passing rumour or propaganda, you will know.

‘So, there may be elements of people in the SDP who have sympathies for other parties as well, but what we intend to do is when we catch them, we relegate them or expel them,’ he said.

On Nigeria’s 65 years of independence, he lamented that the leaders have failed to live up to the founding fathers’ dream.

He lamented that corruption and rule of law have remained a campaign thrust 65 years after independence, a development he said was quite unfortunate.

He noted that everybody knows that corruption is bad and unacceptable and should not be in the system, but lamented that instead of seeing it as something that should not even arise in the first place, successive administrations have used it as a campaign thrust.

He also stated that Nigeria’s perennial problems are traceable to its history.

He noted that the history of Nigeria is rooted in trade, that of an external necessity for trade. ‘Nigeria started merely as a trade zone, just like you have a free trade zone or export processing zone nowadays.

‘So it’s a zone. It’s like the arbitrariness with which they created areas for discos. Lagos disco, Ibadan disco, Benin disco, Yola disco, different discos, you know. ‘That’s how Nigeria was to the Royal Niger Company. It was just a trade zone. And those trade zones are different kingdoms and communities and all of that,’ he said.

One of the highlights of the first, so-called, civilian government after our painful dealings with military rulers was the selling off of many of our joint assets to the friends, cronies and surrogates of the government that was soon to reluctantly vacate the corridors of power. In the process of gathering where they did not sow, they had injured each other severely. And so, by the time they were leaving office, the most powerful members of that government, together with their gangs of hangers-on were no longer on speaking terms. So deep were the antiparthies within and between them that today, two decades after the great falling apart, they are still in the habit of taking pot shots at each from deeply entrenched but hardly concealed positions.

On the eve of their departure from office, they somehow contrived to sell the four government owned crude oil refineries at a price which for its paltryness, does not deserve to be mentioned at this time. The buyer then was none other than Aliko Dangote, now the proud owner of the largest single train crude oil refinery in the world. This sale was,for any number of reasons, prevented from being consummated by the incoming government and the deal fell through. What has happened to those refineries since then is a catalogue of sorry history. In the end, the ownership of the refineries reverted to the NNPC for further mismanagement and twenty years later they are still swallowing huge chunks of dollars for nothing. In the meantime, the country has been suffering from an energy deficit that is wholly incompatible with development.

Ever since 1974 when in the wake of the Yom Kippur war, the Arabs wrapped their fingers tightly around their oil pipelines, crude oil has figured prominently in global discussion about the future of the world. The immediate consequence of the Arab control of their oil was to send the price of crude oil into a steep upward trajectory. Whilst the rest of the world groaned under pressure of increased oil prices, Nigeria and other oil producing countries were floundering under the weight of the petrodollars which poured into their coffers in what appeared to be a never ending stream. Prominent among these countries was Nigeria. So much money was coming into the country that the military head of state at the time declared that money was no longer our problem but how to spend it. And how badly we spent it on all manner of baubles that caught our fancy. We spent that money with so much ferocity that it was gone within no more than five glorious years. And then, we became poor but not before we picked up a slew of intolerably bad habits which since then we have found impossible to shake off. Chief among these habits was corruption and following very closely behind was our disdain for work of any kind, not to talk about work of the hard variety. Money was to be had in government coffers and many people had unfettered access to government money, in and out of government owned facilities. True, the governments of the day made some attempt to provide some facilities for public use, it was soon apparent that government spending was no more than a smoke screen under which a lot of money was simply diverted into private pockets, to be used for the purchase of their very own domestic comfort. The result of the confluence of those effects is that the government has become an avenue for the provision of loot on a grand scale for all those who had access to it. Nowhere was this more glaring than in the oil and gas sector of what passes for the Nigerian economy. A class or entire corps of players in our economy has arisen to feed on the rest of us. These people have become so used to enjoying their criminal privileges that they will stop at nothing to protect their interests.

Throughout the period of endemic fuel shortages, the mechanisms of the oil market were under the control of the NNPC. It is the largest government owned oil company in Africa and with assets north of $150 billion, it is a powerful player in the global oil industry. Since its formation in 1977, the NNPC has assumed the role of a government within the government of Nigeria. It is that powerful and whoever is in charge of it is most certainly a person of distinction within the Nigerian power structure. To put it bluntly, this company gradually but purposefully acquired enough clout to become a law unto itself.

It is a company whose accounts were not, or indeed could not be audited for years. It operated behind a screen of opacity so that the harder you looked, the less you could see or discern. Given this situation, this company can be compared to the mafia. Everyone knew they existed but hiding under a corporate fog, their existence could not be proven. Their final cloak was provided by successive Presidents who also retained the post of Minister of Petroleum Resources. After all, with the sale of crude oil providing all the fuel that powered the economy, keeping direct control of the NNPC was crucial to the health of that economy. However this has not enhanced the performance of this company and the consequence of this has been seen in the endless queues at petrol stations all over the land, a phenomenon that had become endemic over a period of fifty years.

The last straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back was when the authorities of the Central Bank, joined in the operation to sabotage the national economy. To be fair, no collusion between the bank and NNPC has been discovered but between the two bodies, the nation was brought to its knees around Christmas in 2022. As usual, there was an acute shortage of fuel but even if there was fuel, there was no money in circulation to buy the fuel with. And this because the Central Bank had withdrawn all currency notes from circulation even as new notes were being printed to replace them. A humongous sum of money was set aside for this purpose, money that could and should have been set aside for more productive ventures. This was at a time when the NNPC had contracted debts the servicing of which included money from the sale of crude oil which was not due to be pumped out of the ground for many months into the future. The country was flat broke even though political parties were campaigning seriously for support in the imminent general elections for which hopeful politicians were burning off billions of Naira as they wooed a shell shocked electorate. The government that was eventually elected rewarded the bemused electorate with the double whammy of a near five times increase in the price of petrol and the exposure of the fragile Naira to the gale force winds of the unforgiving market place. The good people of Nigeria were caught in a vicious bind from which escape has been impossible since then.

Throughout this period of discomfiture, the only light from the East was the persistent rumour of the imminence of the commencement of a refinery that was being built in Lagos by Aliko Dangote. But there was little room for hope because the building, equipping and commissioning of that refinery appeared to have taken forever to become reality. In the midst of our vast desert, it was becoming apparent that it was at best a mirage and at worst a giant hoax. After all, the project was first mooted in 2013 and due for completion in 2016. Seven years later, petrol was yet to come out of the refinery and our collective hearts sank when the NNPC, broke and broken as it was, announced that it was going to take a 20% stake in the refinery. Finally, in September of 2024, the news broke that petrol was finally coming out of the refinery and we heaved a collective sigh of relief. Little did we know at the time that the struggle for home refined fuel was only just beginning.

Kaduna State Government has honoured 23 of the 115 outstanding teachers across its 23 local government areas with ?500,000 cash prizes and certificates of excellence at the maiden Best Teacher Award Ceremony.

The overall best teacher, Esther Affun from Chikun Local Government Area, received an additional ?500,000 and a special scholarship to upgrade her HND to B.Ed, with opportunities to pursue MSc and PhD degrees, courtesy of the state government.

The event, held on Saturday in Kaduna to commemorate the 2025 World Teachers’ Day, was organised with the support of UNICEF and other education partners. It aimed at motivating teachers and celebrating excellence in the teaching profession.

Governor Uba Sani, represented at the event, described teachers as the ‘architects of our future,’ reaffirming his administration’s commitment to investing in quality education. He disclosed that 26.14 per cent of the 2025 state budget was allocated to the education sector, making it one of the highest in the country.

In a further show of commitment, the Executive Secretary of the Kaduna Scholarship and Loans Board, Professor Yahaya Ibrahim, announced that all 115 awardees would benefit from soft loans under the Uba Sani Special Scholarship International Programme, with disbursement set to begin on Monday.

Acting Chairman of the Kaduna State Universal Basic Education Board (KADSUBEB), Alhaji Mubarak Mohammed, described the awards as a ‘defining moment for education in Kaduna,’ noting that the winners emerged through a rigorous process involving TRCN, KADBEAM, KSSQAA, NUT, SBMC, and the Ministry of Education.

He appreciated the support of development and corporate partners including UNICEF, Save the Children, PLANE, Zenith Bank, Nigerian Breweries, and ROOSC, saying their collaboration was vital to sustaining teacher motivation and learning outcomes.

Representing the Emir of Zazzau, the District Head of Kawo, Alhaji Jibril Muhammad Magaji, hailed teachers as the ‘backbone of society,’ stressing that no profession exists without them. He commended the state government for setting a national example in teacher recognition.

Delivering a goodwill message on behalf of Save the Children Nigeria’s Country Director, Mr. Duncan Harvey, Emmanuel Mbursa, Project Director of the Reaching Out-of-School Children Project, commended the initiative and pledged continued support for teacher development and capacity building.

Diana Agabi, PLANE State Team Lead, linked the ceremony to the 2025 World Teachers’ Day theme, ‘Recasting Teachers as a Collaborative Profession,’ urging educators to see the honour as a call to deepen professionalism, collaboration, and innovation. The Kaduna Best Teacher Award, she noted, will now become an annual event to reward excellence and inspire greater impact in classrooms across the state.