Category: The Nation – Nigeria

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has refuted reports quoting him as saying that the late former President Muhammadu Buhari was once nominated by the Boko Haram terrorist group to represent them in a dialogue with the federal government.

Jonathan, in a statement signed by his Special Adviser (Media and Public Affairs), Ikechukwu Eze, said his comments at the public presentation of Scars, a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, in Abuja on Friday, were ‘grossly misrepresented’.

The statement said: ‘The attention of the Office of Former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has been drawn to misleading reports circulating in sections of the media suggesting that Dr. Jonathan alleged that Boko Haram nominated the late President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, to represent them in dialogue with the Federal Government, and therefore this made him somehow complicit in the Boko Haram crisis.

‘We wish to make it abundantly clear that the former President’s comments were grossly misrepresented. At no time did Dr. Jonathan suggest, imply, or insinuate that President Buhari had any connection with Boko Haram or that he supported the group in any form.

‘Dr. Jonathan’s remarks, made in the course of a broader discussion on Nigeria’s security challenges, were meant to illustrate the deviousness and manipulative strategies employed by Boko Haram in their early years.

‘His reference was to a well-documented episode when various individuals and factions falsely claimed to represent the terrorist group and purported to name prominent Nigerians as possible mediators: without those individuals’ knowledge or consent.

‘The point Dr. Jonathan sought to make was that Boko Haram, in its characteristic deceit, often invoked the names of respected public figures to sow confusion, exploit political divisions, and undermine public confidence in government.

‘His comments were therefore an illustration of the group’s duplicity, not an accusation against the late former president or any individual for that matter.

‘The former president’s position was that if indeed Buhari was their choice negotiator, why didn’t Boko Haram expeditiously bring their evil terrorist agenda to an end when the retired General became president?

‘For the avoidance of doubt, Dr. Jonathan recognises that President Muhammadu Buhari, like every patriotic Nigerian, stood firmly against terrorism and was himself a target of Boko Haram violence.

‘Both men, during their respective tenures, shared a common commitment to restoring peace and stability to Nigeria.

‘The Office of the Former President therefore urges the public to disregard any misinterpretation of his remarks.

‘Dr. Jonathan remains committed to peace, unity, and the strengthening of democratic values in Nigeria.

‘He believes that the nation’s progress depends on a truthful understanding of its challenges, not on the distortion of facts for political or sensational purposes.’

Jonathan had said at the book launch: ‘One of the committees we set up then, the Boko Haram nominated Buhari to lead their team to negotiate with the government.

‘So, I was feeling that oh, if they nominated Buhari to represent them and have a discussion with the government committee, then when Buhari took over, it could have been an easy way to negotiate with them and they would have handed over their guns.

‘But it (the problem) is still there till today.’

The First Lady of Nigeria and wife of President Bola Tinubu, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, on Saturday, empowered 500 women in Edo State with N50,000 each under the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI).

The empowerment programme, conducted in partnership with the Tony Elumelu Foundation, took place in Benin City.

Speaking during the presentation of the cash grants to beneficiaries, Senator Tinubu said the initiative was designed to strengthen existing businesses and enhance the economic resilience of Nigerian women.

Represented by the Coordinator, Office of the First Lady of Edo State, Mrs. Edesili Okpeholo Anani, Tinubu urged the beneficiaries to make judicious use of the grant to expand their businesses and improve their livelihoods.

‘This is not a loan; it is a grant – a seed of renewed hope to help you recapitalise your existing businesses. It is my firm belief that when you empower a woman, you empower a household, a community, and indeed, a nation.

‘The Tony Elumelu Foundation generously donated N1 billion to the Renewed Hope Initiative to fund the empowerment of 18,500 across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory.

‘Each state, including the FCT, will have 500 women beneficiaries, each receiving N50,000 to support and expand their small businesses’.

On her part, Anani thanked the Tony Elumelu Foundation for its commitment to women’s economic advancement.

‘May this act of generosity inspire many more across our nation,’ she said.

She also extended her appreciation to the governor, Monday Okpeholo, and Senator Tinubu for their unwavering support in executing RHI programmes in the state.

One of the Beneficiaries, Otaru Patience, said the grant would help boost her business.

Another beneficiary, Adesuwa Obasogie, called for the money to be increased in the face of the current economic reality of the country.

Those present included Chairperson, National Council of Women Society Edo State Chapter, Taiwo Inumidune, Special Adviser, Sustainable Development Goals SDG, Mrs Barbara Omozele Agbebaku, and Director, Control and Immunisation, Edo State Primary Healthcare Development Agency, Dr Eseigbe Eromon.

The festering crisis involving Dangote Petroleum Refinery and the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) will have rippled negative effects on the economy, Evans Ufeli Esq, Legal Practitioner and expert in Energy Resources Law, has said.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with The Nation last night, Ufeli acknowledged the fact the law allows trade unions to take collective action.

‘Trade unions have the right to take collective action, including strikes, but that right is subject to statutory procedures, contract terms, and constitutional/International Labour Organisation (ILO) protections for freedom of association.’

Raising some posers, Ufeli asked, ‘Were the dismissed workers unlawfully dismissed for union activity? Did PENGASSAN follow statutory dispute-resolution steps (conciliation/notice requirements) before directing industrial action? Is the direction a primary industrial action against Dangote directly or a secondary action/sympathy strike against third-party suppliers?’

According to him, ‘Many legal systems (and Nigerian jurisprudence/practice) place tighter limits on secondary boycotts/secondary strikes and on inducing third parties to breach existing contracts. If PENGASSAN ordered members of other companies to breach their supply contracts, that may be vulnerable to court injunctions and civil liability (inducing breach, tortious interference). If PENGASSAN can show the sackings were unlawful unfair dismissals and complied with required procedures, its action is more defensible -but still risky if it causes third-party contractual breaches. There is a need to investigate unfair dismissal claims: ensure quick, impartial investigation of the sackings; if dismissals breach labour law or collective bargaining agreements, require remedial action.’

As to whether the union’s action could lead Dangote to claim force majeure, and what are the wider implications, he said the consequences are dire.

‘Yes, a prolonged cut-off of feedstock or utilities could be framed by Dangote as a force majeure event if the refinery cannot perform because of circumstances beyond its control. Whether a force majeure clause applies depends entirely on the contract wording: some clauses expressly include strikes/industrial action, others do not, and many require that the event be unavoidable despite mitigation.’

On the wider implications of a force majeure at a major refinery such Dangote Refinery can cascade through the economy -fuel/fertilizer/petrochemical shortages, price spikes, upstream and downstream contractual disputes, inventory depletion at buyers, job losses, supply chain disruptions for many industries, and potential fiscal/monetary impacts. Insurers may dispute coverage for industrial-action-related business interruption.

Specifically, he said the direct consequences could be loss of throughput and revenues while operating below capacity or shutting units, breach of supply contracts with customers; exposure to penalties, claims for damages, increased operating cost if forced to buy alternative feedstock or import products, disruption to refinery scheduling, maintenance plans, and safety procedures, legal costs (injunctions, litigation, potential enforcement actions).

Lamentably, Ufeli argued that the indirect consequences of the raging crisis could lead to reputational damage and investor concern, strained relations with other contractors and supply-chain partners, potential regulatory scrutiny and political fallout, just it could lead to workforce morale issues and difficulty recruiting with the even wider implications leading to macro effects such as impact on downstream companies and market perceptions of energy security.

On the way forward, the Dangote Refinery can secure temporary alternative feedstock (imports), adjust production schedules, ration allocations to key customers, and use inventories where possible.

‘In terms of legal measures, Dangote can apply to the National Industrial Court for injunctive relief (to stop unlawful secondary action), sue for inducing breach of contract and recover damages, seek contempt sanctions if court orders are flouted.

‘This is just as labour/legal settlement can help mitigate the crisis by engaging with the Ministry of Labour, offer interim remedies (suspension of contested dismissals, binding arbitration, expedited grievance hearings), or negotiate a settlement to de-escalate.’

He also did not rule out public/political strategy, which he said could be achieved through transparent public communication emphasising legality and steps to protect supply; seek government facilitation.

The oil giant, he stressed, must revisit its security architecture by ensuring security/continuity planning involving classifying critical assets, working with regulators to maintain operations and protect staff (while avoiding escalation).

He also reiterated the fact that the federal government can mediate by directing the Ministry of Labour and Employment to convene conciliation/mediation between parties immediately; refer unresolved dispute to the National Industrial Court if necessary.

‘There must be enforcement of law. The parties must enforce court orders and prohibit unlawful secondary boycotts; regulators (Department of Petroleum Resources, NNPC where relevant) can coordinate to maintain supplies.’

This is just as he urged the oil firm to expedite permits or logistics for alternative imports, release strategic stocks where applicable, and coordinate critical infrastructure protection.

In terms of policy/regulatory response, Ufeli said parties in dispute must consider short-term measures to protect consumers/businesses dependent on the refinery and longer-term review of laws governing secondary industrial action, critical infrastructure protections and dispute resolution timelines.

‘The government actions should balance enforcing law/order and protecting the constitutional right to strike and freedom of association, to avoid appearing partisan or escalating tensions.

‘Dangote should immediately seek urgent legal advice to assess remedies and the likelihood of a force majeure defence, preserve contemporaneous records, and initiate emergency operational contingency plans. PENGASSAN and Dangote should be pressed into expedited mediation/arbitration under governmental or industry auspices to avoid prolonged disruption. All affected commercial partners should review their contracts for force majeure, hardship, and mitigation obligations and prepare contingency sourcing plans.’

The actuality has turned out to be more dire than the auguries. The sixty fifth anniversary of Nigeria has now come and gone. As it has been predicted, the national mood was sombre and subdued. As the day approached, the discerning could feel a thick pall of despondency in the air and an atmosphere of generalized desperation. It was as if the dispensing machines had run out of vending hope and optimism after a run on them. This is the staple fare of pain-killing morphine on which an embattled and embittered populace had depended on in sixty five years of trial and tribulation. But addiction to pain-killers, like the pain-killers themselves, often have their expiry date and time.

Given the general state of perturbation and widespread anxiety in the land, one was not unduly surprised when the announcement came cancelling the Independence Day parade, thus stripping the occasion of its pomp and pageantry. Whenever you have this kind of unusual announcement, the airwaves are rife with rumours and unsettling speculations that something nasty was in the offing. In the event, rather than glad-handing and iron-pumping in Abuja, the president chose to remain in his Lagos residence from where he rallied the nation in an Independence speech of rousing bravery and exceptional tough-mindedness. But if the truth must be told, it was of little avail, for it was at this particular point that the PENGASSAN versus Dangote Refinery faceoff snowballed into a full-blown downing of tools by the oil-sector workers. As long queues resurfaced at the petrol station and as commuters and motorists alike began hunting for the rare stuff like primitive hunter-gatherers, the downbeat mood became even more sullied and unappeasable.

Cashing in on the unfortunate situation, some of the leaders who have led the nation up this ruinous path began calling for drastic reform or revolution. The veteran roadrunner among them, without any sense of momentous irony, insisted that the time had come to smash the moribund system. Why he thinks he himself and his vast retinue will escape the fury of the revolutionary mob in the event of an upheaval remains a source of profound mystery. Even more worrisome is the possibility that the nation is being set up for a catastrophic descent into anarchy as a prelude or dress rehearsal for the voting year of 2027 and all its magical possibilities.

But why the year 2025 in its ember phase and the occasion of its sixty fifth anniversary should cast such an ominous pall of magical possibilities on the nation deserve more scrutiny. It may well be that just as humans suffer anxiety neurosis so do nations. In the modern bureaucratic calendar that we have adopted, the age of sixty five is the ultimate and terminal retirement age, the sharp cut-off point of all elongated shenanigans, extensions, multiple additions and covert adjustments. The retiree must go into compulsory retirement to embrace the dark shadows of old age, senescence or senility as the case may be, if they are not recalled by their maker. This is the age in which the patients worry themselves to death about missed deadlines, missed opportunities, vanished timelines and datelines.

There is a time for everything. You cannot be fretting about interview schedules or frantic about fresh job opportunities when you are already at the departure lounge waiting for the final call. The dominance of oral culture in Africa allows us to take a bitter jig at our colonially imposed modern calendar with its mechanical and mechanistic framework which does not allow or permit creative laxity or imaginative evasions. Due to lack of public records, it is only in Africa that the same person could hold on to multiple birthdates on the ground that he was born several moons ago on a market day with birds singing and goats bleating furiously, or where a centenarian can often pass as a sprightly septuagenarian. But that too must end at some point, like the Egungun Festival which must terminate at some point no matter the associated merriments and festivities. Time is the ultimate leveler which must bring together all the contending classes including children of loafers and the scions of loaf-masters.

History is the master of allegory or allegorized reality. History, in its actual lived experience and confounding perplexities, often simplifies reality for us and resolves its own conundrums as it unfolds and expands thrusting its heady contradictions at us as we struggle to make sense of its awesome imponderables. Only last week in this column, we narrated how this columnist was invited in 1985 by the duo of Dele Giwa and Ray Ekpu to contribute to a publication to commemorate the twenty fifth anniversary of the nation. As it was explained last Sunday, the columnist latched on to the image of a master paradox to explain away the strange combination of magnificent strengths and gargantuan weaknesses which seem to have defined the existence of the nation since amalgamation. For many people the idea of a roiling paradox has since entered the national imagination as a general password for unlocking the Nigerian predicament.

Ten years after this landmark publication, Dele Giwa has been bombed out of existence about a year after on October 19th 1986. But in a strange twist of grueling irony, it was the turn of Kayode Soyinka, Dele Giwa’s golden boy and favourite newshound, to invite this columnist to ruminate on the circumstances of Nigeria on its thirty fifth anniversary commemoration. In the intervening decade, Soyinka, who only miraculously escaped being brutally dispatched like his boss, had transited from being an intrepid reporter to becoming the publisher of the respectable and influential magazine, Africa Today. That October, the nation’s reputation was in tatters having plumbed the depth of disrepute to become a pariah in the comity of nations. General Sani Abacha had bared his steely fangs and the entire nation lay cowering under the hammer of his brutal despotism. The mood of the nation darkened and there was a foul distemper about reminiscent of the goggled tyrant himself. Nobody ever believed that politically speaking, things could turn that foul and nasty.

This time around, this writer fastened on the image of a giant toddler at thirty five trundling about the bare floor unable to get up and go. A toddler at thirty five is a genetic monstrosity; a victim of irreversible retardation and arrested development. It recalls the figure of, Aboliga, the man-child ,Ayi Kwei Armah’s haunting creation in The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born. The one-day wonder grew to manhood and full maturity the same day he was born only to perish that same day. Nothing grows or endures for long in the sultry tropics, certainly not people, nations and institutions, and the equatorial torpor has claimed its own once again.

That was thirty years ago after a presidential election that promised to unite and unify the nation produced a hapless civilian interloper and the most monstrous despot ever seen in the history of the nation. The caustic severity of the framing referent of an earth-hugging adolescent toddler was an accurate reflection of the national trauma as Nigeria cascaded over the cliff to the bottomless pit of self-eradication once again. If any substantial damage has been done to the national fabric, the nation has had the intervening three decades to heal and to repair the damage. First was the heroic struggle against military absolutism which has since entered the universal folklore of the struggle of a people for self-emancipation. The upheaval against military eruption which sent the soldiers back to the barracks can be regarded as the golden moment of Nigeria’s post-independence history.

Unfortunately, and by universal consensus, the post-military civilian restoration has, in the main, been underwhelming in its performance, particularly in the areas of the economy, national cohesion and the scourge of corruption and mismanagement. To be sure, there have been a few bright spots at both the national and subnational levels such as the brilliant demilitarization programme of the Obasanjo regime and the sterling performance at the state levels particularly in Lagos and in emerging stars such as Ekiti, Enugu, Abia and perhaps entrepreneurially driven Akwa Ibo. But all these are too few and far between to make a dent on the fortunes of the nation.

So what is the verdict on Nigeria at sixty five as the nation marked a gloomy anniversary this past week? The answers came in torrents and they could not be gloomier than the mood of the nation itself. This time around and in a startling development which hints at a global revolution in the knowledge industry and a change in demographic reflecting the growing predominance of youth in the power equation, it was Nigerians themselves who supplied the answers. This time around, Nigerians did not need ‘specialists’ to explain away the antics of ‘madmen’; neither do they need their celebrated intellectuals and writers to explain the plight of the nation. They dismissed the nation as akin to a sixty five year old retiree without any further hope of redemption or restitution; a nation with a great future firmly behind it.

Fortunately, the timeline of a nation’s existence is completely different from the lifespan of a human organism. Unlike human life, the nation is an infinite continuum with an oceanic plenitude of time. Nation’s do not succumb to sudden death or peremptory cardiac seizure. Even where breakup is a definite possibility, the warning signals are almost elastic in their sheer permissiveness. This is why Nigeria still has a lot to play for. It is not over until it is over. But a lot still needs to be done to halt the drift to Golgotha. This is a great country. But like all violently heterogeneous entities it is taking quite some time to come together and the human toll, the collateral damages, have been quite prohibitive. The coming decade will be quite critical in our quest for that elusive and authentic national consensus.

Paul Onuachu has bagged the Goal of Month for August in the Turkish Super Lig.

The Super Eagles striker won the top prize for his header against Samsunspor in a Week 4 clash.

His award was presented to him by the Trabzonspor Vice-President Zeyyat Keftas before their home game against Kayserispor on Friday.

A Chinese power generation firm, CCETC, has expressed its readiness to establish a power generation plant as well as an industrial park in Ogun State.

Chairman of the company, Mr Guo Xianda, disclosed this at the weekend during an extensive meeting between his team and the Ogun State governor, at the governor’s office in Abeokuta, pledging the company ‘s readiness to install a 3MW power plant at the Gateway International Agro-Cargo Airport, Iperu-Ilishan, free of charge, in order to accelerate economic activities at the arena.

The investment pledge comes on the heels of the recent visit of Governor Dapo Abiodun to China, in continuation of his investment drive across the globe.

The governor, who led a powerful economic team from Ogun State to China, had engaged numerous investors on partnerships and collaborations in different areas of investments, raging from tech, energy and manufacturing, among others.

According to Mr Guo Xianda, the company based in Jiangsu, China, already has a substantial investment footprint in Nigeria and Africa, with over 250MW projects operating in Nigeria, and is now seeking to expand its operations further across Africa, with its capacity standing in excess of 5,000MW for distribution.

Xianda stated that the interest of the group in Ogun State covers power generation and distribution, investment in a dedicated state transmission network, and the establishment of an Industrial Park that will attract more Chinese manufacturers to Ogun State.

Responding, Governor Dapo Abiodun thanked the group for bringing such strategic investment opportunities to Ogun State.

According to him, ‘The company will strategically focus on three fundamental areas of intervention, namely: strengthening power generation and distribution within the state, investing in the State’s transmission network, and establishing an Industrial Park that will attract more Chinese manufacturers to the state while integrating power projects.’

Meanwhile, the Governor is scheduled to take the team on an inspection tour of the ongoing distribution infrastructure and power project currently being executed by Sahara and Powergen, as part of efforts to secure reliable energy supply across the state.

The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has handed over a fully furnished 10-room corps members’ lodge to the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Ammasoma, Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Speaking during the inauguration, the NDDC Managing Director, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, described the project as part of the Commission’s corporate social responsibility.

Ogbuku, who was represented by the NDDC Bayelsa Director, Godknows Alamieyeseigha, explained that the project was aimed at providing decent accommodation for corps members to enhance their effective service delivery to host communities.

The NDDC boss, in a statement signed by the commission’s Director, Corporate Communications, Seledi Thompson-Wakama, said that similar projects would also be replicated in other communities across the state and appealed to the corps members to continue being law-abiding citizens and ensure that the lodge was well-maintained.

The state coordinator of the NYSC in Bayelsa State, Mrs. Obiageli Okpalifo, appreciated the NDDC for constructing a lodge for corps members in the community and appealed for the construction of a solar-powered water borehole at the NYSC Orientation Camp, as well as the provision of security at the corps members’ lodge.

Okpalifo, who led the NYSC management team and corps members to witness the event, expressed gratitude to the NDDC for embarking on such a landmark project.

She noted that the lodge would motivate corps members to deliver improved service to their host communities.

The state coordinator also conveyed the appreciation of the NYSC Director-General, Brig.- Gen. Olakunle Nafiu, to the NDDC management and assured them that the facility would be properly maintained.

She thanked the host community for providing a peaceful environment for the project, while urging the traditional ruler, the youth leaders, and the Police to ensure maximum security for both the lodge and the corps members.

In his remarks, the Traditional Ruler of Ammasoma Kingdom, Chief Akedesuo Goodwill, expressed appreciation to the NDDC for completing the project and appealed to the corps members to ensure the facilities were well-maintained.

Africa’s automotive industry is rapidly gaining momentum, with several indigenous brands producing vehicles tailored for the continent’s unique terrains – and increasingly penetrating export markets.

From Nigeria’s Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing to Ghana’s Kantanka and Kenya’s Mobius, local automakers are redefining innovation, engineering, and industrial expansion across the continent.

South Africa continues to serve as Africa’s automotive powerhouse, assembling vehicles for major global manufacturers including Volkswagen, BMW, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, and Ford, further solidifying the continent’s growing presence in the global automobile market.

Here are the top cars made in Africa:

1. Innoson (Nigeria) – Manufactures sedans, SUVs, pickups, and buses.

Popular Models: Innoson Umu Sedan, Innoson Pickup, Innoson Bus.

2. Kantanka (Ghana) – Produces locally inspired SUVs and pickups.

Popular Models: Kantanka Omama Pickup, Kantanka Onantefo 4×4.

3. Mobius Motors (Kenya) – Builds rugged, affordable SUVs for African terrains.

Popular Model: Mobius II.

4. Volkswagen South Africa – Produces and exports the Volkswagen Polo.

Popular Model: VW Polo.

5. BMW South Africa – Manufactures and exports the BMW 3 Series.

Popular Model: BMW 3 Series.

6. Mercedes-Benz South Africa – Assembles the globally exported C-Class.

Popular Model: Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

7. Toyota South Africa – Produces Africa’s best-sellers, the Hilux and Corolla.

Popular Models: Toyota Hilux, Toyota Corolla.

8. Ford South Africa – Manufactures the tough, export-ready Ford Ranger.

Popular Model: Ford Ranger.

Founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti (ABUAD), Chief Afe Babalola, SAN, has disbursed N44.5 million to 81 outstanding farmers across Ekiti State under the Afe Babalola Agric Expo and Youth Empowerment Programme (ABA-EX).

According to the breakdown, in each of the 16 local government areas, the top five farmers received N200,000, N150,000, N100,000, N75,000, and N50,000, respectively, while the overall best farmer in the state, Chief Sunday Boboye Babalola from Ado Local Government, took home the N2 million star prize.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of the 2025 ABA-EX edition in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, Chief Babalola said the annual initiative aims to make farming more attractive and support government efforts to rejuvenate the agricultural sector.

He noted that since its inception in 2015, the programme has disbursed over N170 million in cash awards and start-up grants to boost food production, empower farmers, and encourage youth participation in agriculture.

The legal luminary lamented Nigerians’ increasing reliance on government palliatives and handouts, warning that such dependence fosters laziness and threatens national productivity and dignity.

‘It is lamentable that many Nigerians, especially the youth, no longer want to work. Instead, they prefer to queue for bags of rice and beans distributed as palliatives.

‘The question is: are they truly entitled to eat without working? The Constitution does not empower the government to feed citizens; it only mandates the government to provide an enabling environment for productivity,’ he said.

He described the practice of distributing food items to able-bodied citizens as ‘unconstitutional, wasteful, and counter-productive,’ arguing that it encourages laziness instead of fostering the spirit of self-reliance.

Babalola noted that his intervention in the agriculture sector over the years had been motivated by his desire to restore the country’s economic self-sufficiency through food production, create jobs, and empower communities.

He commended the Federal Government for adopting some of his long-standing proposals on agricultural mechanisation, appealing that these mechanized tools should be distributed directly to local governments, not state governments, to ensure they reach real farmers at the grassroots.

He reaffirmed his belief that Nigeria’s surest path to prosperity and economic breakthrough lies in agriculture, not oil, politics, or foreign aid.

‘If properly managed, agriculture can sustain this nation, create employment, reduce crime, and restore dignity to our people. Nigeria’s future is on the farm, not in the streets,’ he said.

The Chairman of the Local Organising Committee, Prof. Abiodun Ojo, described ABA-EX’s 10th anniversary as ‘a decade of impact, innovation, and hope.’

He recalled that the flagship agricultural project began modestly in 2015 with N7 million in rewards but had since grown exponentially to N44.5 million in 2025.

While appreciating ABUAD Founder for his unalloyed commitment to agriculture, Ojo lamented the growing neglect of farming among Nigerians despite rising food insecurity and population pressure.

He noted that Babalola’s investment in agriculture was a clear example of how individual initiative could inspire national transformation.

ABUAD Vice Chancellor, Prof. Smaranda Olarinde, hailed Babalola’s consistency in driving self-reliance through agriculture and education, describing him as ‘a man whose philanthropy continues to shape Nigeria’s development narrative.’

In his remarks, Ekiti State Governor, Mr Biodun Oyebanji, praised the legal icon for using his resources to complement the government’s agricultural and job creation initiatives.

Represented by the Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr. Ebenezer Boluwade, the governor described Babalola’s strategic interventions as vital to the state’s agricultural growth.

‘We are proud of Aare Afe Babalola for his vision and patriotism. The state government will continue to provide land, inputs, and incentives to farmers as part of our commitment to agricultural transformation,’ the governor said.

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, and the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule, held a closed-door meeting in Port Harcourt, the state capital, on Saturday night.

Also in attendance were members of the Rivers State Elders Council, led by Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, and the Rivers caucus in the National Assembly.

The meeting, described as the full unification of Wike’s political family in Rivers, was seen as a major step toward ending the long-standing political rift in the state.

Pictures from the meeting were shared on Facebook by the Media Aide to the FCT Minister, Lere Olayinka, who, however, did not disclose details of the discussions.

Olayinka simply noted that the gathering signified that the political family in Rivers State is now fully united.

He wrote, ‘FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, Chairman of the Rivers State Elders Council, Chief Ferdinand Alabraba, Speaker of Rivers State House of Assembly, Martins Amaewhule and other leaders in a meeting in Port Harcourt yesterday. The Political Family is fully united.’