Category: The Nation – Nigeria

In the wee hours of September 29, Nigeria lost Somtochukwu Christelle Maduagwu, a talented journalist, model, lawyer and shining star during an armed robbery attack at her residence in the Kamtape area of Abuja. Sommie, as she was fondly called by family, friends, colleagues and her admirers, was a victim of an egregious and gruesome attack on residents who were helpless and had their hearts in their mouths.

At such moments, you are afraid, worried, and not sure how violent the attackers would be. Families stay huddled together, praying and anticipating the worst-case scenario. Those fearful and traumatic moments are worse than death itself. Sommie died, not by the slow grind of economic hardship, but by the animal boldness of a blood-thirsty and murdering gang that will never know peace.

The 29-year-old Arise TV news anchor was a multi-faceted individual who made a name for herself in various fields. Sommie who was a warm and vibrant personality did not die from bullet wounds as early reports suggested. She died because terror itself cornered her. That night, armed robbers stormed her apartment complex, moving from flat to flat like a hunting pack, stripping residents of money, phones and dignity.

Frantic calls to the police rang unanswered. As the intruders closed in, Sommie, unsure of what would happen next, made a desperate bid to save herself. According to the latest account narrated by her obviously distressed colleague, Ojy Okpe, on The Morning Show on Arise News, she jumped from her window. The fall proved fatal.

It was not surprising that Okpe betrayed her emotions as she recounted the events. The Arise News family was thrown into an unexpected grief and deep mourning, followed by tributes from the high and mighty which has become a tradition. These are the same people who should use their positions and access to privileges to improve the quality of our lives.

During the programme, I sent a message to Reuben Abati, the lead anchor. ‘I don’t know Sommie, but her untimely death is a personal tragedy,’ I told Abati. ‘Her dreams have been suddenly cut short, family ties broken forever. How low have we become in this country?’

Her death is not an isolated tragedy. It is the latest entry in a grim national ledger written in blood. Nigeria is being held hostage by criminals of various hues, stalking our homes, streets and, too often, our dreams. What can we do differently as a way out of the encircling gloom of insecurity? Are state and community policing options to be considered? It looks like it is now every man for himself.

Sommie’s story is heartbreakingly familiar. She was a lawyer by training and a journalist by conviction; a young woman who had returned from the UK not to flee Nigeria’s chaos but to help mend it as a TV news anchor, producer and reporter. She advocated for social justice, particularly on issues like gender-based violence and education reform. Studying law aligned with her passion for social justice and public service.

Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory, was designed to be a secure centre of power and governance. Instead, the city is turning into a hunting ground for marauders.

The FCT Police Command described the incident as ‘cruel and senseless’ and promised to deploy tactical teams and intelligence units. Yet, words mean little when people die, and response times are counted in hours rather than in minutes.

Residents say the robbers operated without fear of interruption. Tenants barricaded themselves indoors while help failed to arrive. A young journalist’s life ended not for lack of courage, but because the state that owed her protection was absent.

This insecurity is no longer confined to remote villages. It stalks urban centres from Lagos to Abuja. The men who terrorise neighbourhoods are by-products of an economy that excludes millions who are poor, a collapsed education system and a healthcare and social welfare system that exists mostly on paper.

If a 29-year-old forward-looking professional, highly educated, visible and engaged in public life cannot find safety in her own home, what hope is left for ordinary citizens? Sommie would have 30 years old on December 26.

The beauty queen now joins a sorrowful roll-call: Okezie Nwokocha, a tech innovator shot in his sleep; Chinelo, the young emigrant whose journey to a better life was cut short, and many others whose names are reduced to mere statistics. These are not random tragedies – they are the symptoms of a failing state where the powerful offer condolences on television while families grieve in silence.

Nigerians can no longer rely on prayers and promises. We must demand accountability with the same force that Sommie brought to her reporting. The lorry-loads of tributes by government officials are empathetic, but they are not enough to solve our embarrassing security challenges.

To her colleagues at Arise News, Sommie was more than a pearl and bright presenter. She was a reminder that journalism, at its best, stands against darkness, oppression, corruption, and bad leadership. A bright star was dimmed in the journalism firmament – just like that. Every form of death is painful, but Sommie was not sick. Her death is deeply painful and completely heart-breaking. Her passing leaves searing questions: Who will save us? Are we safe?

Answers to these questions must begin with citizens insisting on protection of life and property, with communities practicing vigilance and shinning their eyes. Our political elite and those in authority must be willing to take full responsibility for security lapses and confront the blood on their hands.

We have reported cases of kidnappers and unknown gunmen wreaking havoc across the entire length and breadth of the country, unrestrained. But it shouldn’t be so; we should feel safe at all times of the day – whether at home, in the work place or on the road.

Sommie’s voice may be gone, but the fire she lit against impunity and bad behaviour without consequences must not die; let the glow constantly remind us of our immortality.

The greatness of a person may be a concatenation of outstanding acts, a culmination of modest triumphs, or a single earthquake exploit, or a quiet heroic or simply the example of a lifestyle. It could come as a leader in an epic tale, a choreographer of an action, or the man in the centre of it.

Greatness does not come in a formula. Parry Osayande, who passed on recently, ended his career, as deputy inspector- general of police. He did not head the Nigeria Police. But in the annals of security history in the country, few can equal his accolade.

He is famously remembered as the mastermind of a capture and eventual execution of a savage mastermind: Lawrence Anini. The daredevil bandit was a slim, easily undistinguished frame of a fellow who held the then Bendel State and its environs captive for a long time.

He was more dreaded than any soldier in the country, even though we were under a military rule. Travellers dreaded the highways. Homes turned off their lights at night but not their eyes. Gate men contemplated him with trepidation. Fear grazed business and goods. Banks shook not because of the fluttering naira on the counters but the bankers themselves who were not sure if the next entrant was a man with a gun and a gang.

He was the devious touchstone of a rock star. His robbery acts read like movie scripts. There were tales of police officers on the run from him. Vigilantes could not pray to play host to him. One day, before television cameras, before the convening of the top military government’s Armed Forces Ruling Council meeting, then military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, sneered at the then inspector-general of police, Etim Inyang. Then the general quipped: ‘My friend, where is Anini.’

It was one of the big quotes of his era, and it encapsulated official unease about the bandit. Anini was to lard that time with his quote before he faced firing squad: ‘E be like say I wan’ run mental.’

It was the police commissioner in charge of Bendel State, now split into Edo and Delta states, that took on the task of tackling the bear. Osayande worked with his men who eventually cornered him and felled him with a bullet, though not mortally. He was arrested with his partner, Monday Osunbor. It was the high point of Osayande’s career. It cannot but be the high point of any career. That informed the accolade of the Edo State Governor Monday Okpebholo when he passed on.

‘The name Parry Osayande is synonymous with courage, discipline, and a sterling commitment to justice. His legendary exploits during his tenure as Commissioner of Police in the then Bendel State, especially in confronting the high-profile criminal gangs of the 1980s, remain a benchmark for police operational excellence in our country.’

He was also the commissioner of police who helped to quell religious rage on the streets of Bauchi State in which Christians and Muslims went after each other burning churches and mosques as well as shops and houses. Scores died in the mayhem.

Few know that he was in the trenches to mow down the Agbekoya Riots in the then Western Nigeria when farmers protested taxes. He was the Aide de Camp to the gallant soldier and governor of the then Western Region, Lt. Col Adekunle Fajuyi, who died during the Nigerian crisis of the 1960’s.

The example of Osayande is a model for today’s armed forces. Today, we have bandits running riot in parts of the country. We need to see police officers take on such exploits. Osayande was a cop who made corpses of hoodlums. So should they.

The authorities of the Delta State Environmental Taskforce have arrested four environmental marshals involved in illegal night extortion of residents of Oshimili South Local Government Area of the state.

The suspects were apprehended on Friday along Summit Road in Asaba, the state capital.

The task force team, led by Chief Agbari, recognised the marshals engaging in unauthorised activities and contacted Comrade Adim Dikedi, the Supervisory Officer on Environment for Oshimili South, for clarification regarding the marshals’ actions.

Upon receiving the call, Supervisor Dikedi ordered the immediate detention of the four officers at a police station until he could address the matter personally.

It was revealed that one of the apprehended marshals was impersonating the current Supervisor on Environment, prompting further concern about corruption within the ranks.

Dikedi emphasised his agency’s commitment to eradicating corruption among environmental marshals.

He expressed that any form of misconduct would not be tolerated and reaffirmed a directive issued in January, prohibiting marshals from operating beyond 4:00 pm.

He said the incident underscored the challenges of overseeing environmental enforcement and the need for accountability within such an agency.

Dikedi said ensuring transparency and integrity among environmental officers is crucial for maintaining public trust, especially when allegations of extortion are involved.

Supervisor Dikedi expressed commitment to a stricter policy, indicating a proactive approach to preventing similar incidents in the future, reinforcing operational guidelines for environmental personnel.

He stressed that the incident had raised awareness about the importance of ethical conduct in governance and the effective management of environmental resources.

Dikedi noted the popular Ogbegonogo Central Market in Asaba is the only market, he officially authorised environmental marshals to operate in the evenings to assist in the decongestion of the traffic jam always occurring there.

He warned that henceforth any Oshimili South environmental marshal caught operating at odd hours should be arrested with immediate effect and taken to the nearest police station.

Afrobeats singer Oxlade has expressed gratitude to his early supporters, appreciating those who believed in him before he gained widespread success.

Oxlade, on X, acknowledged that not everyone can see potential in an artist early on and value the support of those who stood by him from the beginning.

He thanked his loyal fans and supporters for their faith in him and his music, subtly acknowledging that doubters won’t deter him from his path to success.

Oxlade wrote, ‘I know this isn’t meant for everyone to see . but For those that saw the light early enough, those that ddnt need to see me succeed before they started to believe my shit. I just wanna thank you.. Cause no be everybody fit see am that early before E start dey make sense. I cherish the early investors in my stocks Una own no go actuall spoil’.

Oxlade’s unique sound blends Afrobeats with contemporary styles, resonating with fans globally.

His breakthrough hit ‘Ku Lo Sa’ achieved global recognition, and he has since released successful albums like ‘OFA’.

Drawing inspiration from his life experiences, including his struggles and triumphs, Oxlade has made a significant impact in the music industry, selling out venues and collaborating with notable artists like Sarkodie, Flavour, and Dave.

Senator Adams Oshiomhole (APC – Edo North) has criticized the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) for shutting down government-owned oil organizations over its trade dispute with Dangote Refinery.

Speaking on ‘The Morning Show’ on Arise News Television on Friday, the former Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) president said the action was misplaced and should not have been escalated to the level of crippling the oil sector.

PENGASSAN had ordered members to withdraw their services following the alleged dismissal of about 800 workers by Dangote Refinery, leading to the closure of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) offices in Abuja on Monday.

The move triggered fuel scarcity across the country as queues resurfaced at petrol stations.

Oshiomhole, however, maintained that while workers’ rights must be respected, shutting down critical oil agencies in solidarity with a small group of employees was an overreach.

Oshiomhole said, ‘What I’m not sure is right is the ease with which Ferguson resorted to escalating the manner to secondary level, what we call the secondary solidarity, to a point of shutting down the oil sector. I think that, in seeking to protect a particular set of workers, you do not then risk the job of several other workers.’

Oshiomhole averred that before a labour union can call for a national strike, there must have been an argument or a fight with the government over an issue that affects all Nigerians.

‘I don’t have any proof, but my experience is that, before you shut the gate of NNPCL, there has to be a fight. So when I saw NNPCL’s gate effortlessly closed, all the other companies, government-owned oil companies, without any effort. I’m like, if this were private employers, would they allow their companies to close without any resistance. I do not think so. So, why is everybody seemingly so helpless that we are at the mercy of anyone?’ he said.

Oshiomhole argued that labour unions’ operations are regulated by the law, adding that before union leaders can go to the extent of shutting down the economy, the workers must see a valid reason to support their call.

‘Before you take those measures, you are ready for a fight. And the workers for them to follow must see the linkage between their well-being and what is at stake,’ he said.

Nigeria’s Under 17 Girls, the Flamingos have rounded off their preparation for FIFA Under 17 Women’s World Cup with a 14-0 victory over Lestar FA yesterday at the FIFA Goal Project, Abuja.

Queen Joseph scored four goals while Shakirat Moshood and Praise Agba weighed in three goals each while Tabitha Terlumu notched two goals as the Flamingos went goals crazy.

The team will leave for Morocco on Wednesday to conclude their build up to the World Cup where they will slug it out with Canada, France and Samoa in Group D.

Nigeria is still seeking the first final appearance in the cadet competition and the current crop of the Golden Eaglets under the tutelage of Bankole Olowookere has played nine friendly games winning all.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has congratulated Nigeria’s foremost indigenous elevator and escalator company, Kresta Laurel Limited, on its 35th anniversary.

In a statement yesterday in Abuja by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President praised the management and staff of the company for their enterprise discipline, resilience, and commitment to sound business practices.

These, the President noted, have ensured the firm’s longevity in a highly competitive industry.

Headquartered in Lagos, with branches in Abuja, Port Harcourt, Uyo, and a zonal office in Ibadan, Kresta Laurel has been a major player in the installation and maintenance of elevators and escalators.

The company is also a recipient of the African Order of Merit in Cranes, Escalators, and Elevator Technology.

President Tinubu recalled the company’s support during his days as Lagos State governor-elect in 1999, when it provided office space for his transition team as he assembled a technocratic State Executive Council (Exco) to steer the affairs of the state.

He expressed appreciation to the firm for its continued belief in the Nigerian market and for contributing to the growth of indigenous enterprise.

Extending his felicitations to the Chairman of the company’s Board of Directors, Senator Gbenga Daniel, the President wished the organisation many more years of success and greater milestones in its corporate journey.

An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain in Niger State, Alhaji Nma Kolo said the party’s presidential candidate; Bola Tinubu has the capacity to provide the needed leadership that will restore Nigeria to the path of greatness if he becomes president.

Kolo told reporters in Minna, the state capital yesterday that Tinubu had the required knowledge to move the country forward.

The APC chieftain described Tinubu as a leader who will unite and move the country forward.

According to him, the APC presidential candidate has vast experience in how to solve the problems bedevilling the country.

He noted that despite the withholding of local governments’ allocation from the Federation Account by the Federal Government during Tinubu’s tenure as Lagos State Governor, he was able to manage the state’s finances and put Lagos economy on sound footing.

The National Assembly is considering amendments to the Electoral Act which will likely include the conduct of all elections in one day.

House of Representatives Speaker Abbas Tajudeen, who gave the assurance yesterday, hinted that Presidential, gubernatorial, national, and state House of Assembly elections might be held on the same day should the bill be passed and assented to by the President.

He spoke when a delegation of the European Union Election Observation follow-up mission to Nigeria’s 2023 general election visited him in Abuja yesterday.

The Barry Andrews-led delegation also visited Headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), where it chairman, Mahmood Yakubu, warned that delay by the lawmakers in amending the Electoral Act 2022 could hamper preparations for the 2027 general election.

The delegation, which has been in the country for about three weeks to study the level of implementation of the recommendations contained in its report after the 2023 general election, also interfaced with the Peoples Democratic Party(PDP).

Abbas, in a statement by his Press Secretary, Leke Bayeiwu, told the EU team that its reports on the 2023 polls were being considered in the ongoing electoral and democratic reforms by the National Assembly.

Abbas said: ‘I want to acknowledge that the leadership of the country under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is committed to ensuring that we improve on our electoral processes, particularly regarding the observations made (by international observers) on the 2023 elections.

‘We in the National Assembly have also been busy working to gather as many issues as possible, arising from the last elections, so that we can see how we can legislatively address them; so that our next election will be more transparent, acceptable and in alignment with international standards.’

He told the team that a recent joint Senate and House of Representatives leadership meeting resolved to isolate electoral amendment issues and accelerate their consideration and passage.

He allayed fears about the timeliness of the reforms.

He said: ‘We agreed that because of some of the amendments that we want to bring forth – (some are by way of Act of Parliament, some are by constitutional amendment) we will fast track and isolate the electoral issues and take them as one, single entity; and push them forward for the National Assembly to deliberate and take a position; and then send them to the sub-nationals (state Houses of Assembly) to also consider within a short timeframe – between now and December.’

Reassuring that the Parliament was ‘very serious’ about electoral reforms, Abbas said the National Assembly was proposing new initiatives, including reserved parliamentary seats for women, reserved parliamentary seats for Persons With Disability (PLWDs), a constitutional role and financial autonomy for traditional rulers, a single-day election, among others.

He explained that it was the thinking of many members of the National Assembly that a single-day election would not only improve efficiency and transparency in electoral conduct but also reduce costs by almost 40 per cent.

He said: ‘Like the single-day election, it is to hold the election of the president, National Assembly membership, governorship and state House of Assembly membership elections on the same day.

‘In our own thinking, it will help to reduce our electoral costs to as much as 40 per cent if we can hold the elections within a day. It will also improve transparency and increase efficiency, particularly on the turnout of voters.’

The Speaker, however, urged the EU to assist the National Assembly in the area of advocacy and publicity, especially at the subnational level.

‘One takeaway from this meeting is to take the assurance from me and my colleagues that we will not be late. We will do the needful as far as legislation is concerned to enable INEC to have all the necessary tools and provisions to make the 2027 election much better than the 2023 election,’ he said.

Leader of the delegation, Andrews, who earlier wished the Speaker a happy 60th birthday, thanked him for working with the EU on different policies.

Andrews, a European Parliamentary member, expressed the desire of the EU to see Nigeria’s democracy and elections meet international standards.

He told Abbas that part of the recommendations in the 2023 election report required legislative initiatives. He admitted that some had been carried out by the National Assembly.

‘We have a good story to tell, frankly,’ Andrews said, but expressed concerns about the possibility of an amended Electoral Act being ready for use by INEC to conduct the 2027 polls.

INEC seeks quick amendment to Electoral Act

Receiving the EU team, INEC chairman Yakubu charged the National Assembly to quicken the amendment to the current Electoral Act.

He warned that the non-existence of a new legal framework could negatively affect its preparations for the 2027 elections.

‘We appeal to the National Assembly for an expeditious consideration of the electoral reform proposal. An early passage of law is critical to our planning for the elections,” Yakubu said.

He added: ‘An Election is a process governed by law. Many of your recommendations require the review of our electoral laws. For this reason, the commission had interfaced with our National Assembly, including holding a retreat with the Joint Committee on Electoral Matters (Senate and House of Representatives).

”Uncertainty over the legal framework for the election can unsettle the work of the Commission as the election draws nearer.’

The INEC boss told the delegation that their current visit was the third ‘ that the present commission is receiving such a mission.”

He said: ”I recall that in 2017, we received Mr Santiago Fisas, who led the EU Election Observation to Nigeria’s 2015 General Election.

”Similarly, in 2022, we hosted Maria Arena, who led the EU Election Observation Mission to Nigeria in 2019. Today, we are glad to receive Mr Barry Andrews, who led the EU Mission to the 2023 general election.

‘In 2019, the EU EOM made 30 recommendations, out of which 11 were specifically addressed to INEC. Three of them were identified as priority recommendations, while eight were categorised as general.

‘By comparison, your 2023 report made 23 recommendations, out of which eight (34.8 per cent) require action by INEC, of which only one recommendation was listed as a priority.

”The remaining 15 (65.2 per cent) recommendations, of which five were categorised as priority, require action by other entities in the Executive, Legislature and the Judiciary, as well as political parties and multiple stakeholders such as civil society organisations, the media and professional bodies.

‘The commission has carefully considered all eight recommendations specifically addressed to us in your report. Action has been taken on aspects of the recommendations that only require administrative action to implement.

‘Similarly, action is being taken on cross-cutting recommendations that require collective action between INEC and other bodies and stakeholders while waiting for the conclusion of the ongoing legal review by the National Assembly on the recommendations that require legislative intervention.

‘To this end, the commission has prepared a detailed response on each one of your direct observations, which we shared with you at this meeting. If time permits, we can go over each of the recommendations seriatim.

‘I must also add that your recommendations, along with similar reports from other national and international election observers, were the subject of wide-ranging consultations with critical institutions and stakeholders during our own review of the 2023 general election.

‘The review report contains 142 recommendations for electoral reform. In addition, the commission published our main 2023 general election report over a year ago. The two reports are available from our website.

‘We look forward to the next EU EOM for the 2027 General Election. As you are aware, international Election Observation Missions are deployed on the invitation of the commission. I want to reassure you that we will continue to engage with you.’

‘Very soon, the commission will send out invitations to the EU as well as the Commonwealth, the African Union and ECOWAS for the 2027 general election. We believe that the recommendations arising from your observation of our election and electoral process help to improve the quality of our elections and electoral activities.’

The delegation told Yakubu that the EU was pleased with the implementation of some of its recommendations on the 2023 general election by INEC

He insisted that Nigeria must move beyond half-measures.

Andrews pointed out that election observation is not about interference, but strengthening democracy in Nigeria, in Africa, and across the world.

Andrews warned that reforms in the judiciary, administration, and the Constitution remain too slow, with transparency in result publication still unresolved.

The Director General of the National Sports Commission (NSC), Hon. Bukola Olopade, has expressed grief and deep sorrow over the passing of the President of the Nigeria Tennis Federation, Engr. Ifedayo Akindoju.

The respected tennis administrator reportedly passed away on Tuesday, 2nd October, in Abuja.

Olopade described Engr. Akindoju’s demise as a monumental loss to the Nigerian sports family, noting that the void created by his death will be felt for many years to come. He praised the late tennis president as a perfect gentleman whose selfless leadership brought steady growth and development to Nigerian tennis.

‘I am still pinching myself not to believe that Engr. Akindoju is no more because of how full of life he was the last time he came to my office. This is a big loss to the tennis family and the country in general.’

‘When you see Engr. Akindoju, you see his selfless passion for Nigerian tennis and how he constantly thinks of how Nigeria can produce the next generation of tennis top players.’

The DG further assured that the Commission will stand firmly with the bereaved family in their time of grief.

‘At this critical time of grief, our hearts are with his family, and as a Commission we will be in constant touch with them for every form of support.’