Category: The Nation – Nigeria

ýThe Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has blamed unnamed ‘saboteurs and selfish political actors’ for fuelling insecurity in the nation’s capital, vowing to crush criminal networks that he said are undermining Abuja’s peace and development.

ýDelivering his 65th Independence Day message on Tuesday, Wike acknowledged that Abuja’s security situation has worsened in recent months, with kidnappings and violent attacks shaking residents’ confidence in the capital’s safety.

ý’This is no time for complacency. Those who profit from chaos or sponsor insecurity to achieve political aims will soon realise that the FCT is not a playground for lawlessness. We are working closely with security agencies to dismantle these criminal rings once and for all,’ the minister warned.

ýWike’s remarks mark one of his strongest indictments yet of what he described as ‘deliberate attempts to embarrass the government and make the FCT ungovernable.’

ýHe urged residents to be vigilant and to report suspicious activities, insisting that security cannot be left to the authorities alone.

ý’We cannot be everywhere at once. Every resident has a duty to safeguard their neighbourhoods. This is a fight for our collective survival,’ he said.

ýWhile celebrating Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary as a milestone of unity and resilience, Wike said the moment also called for sober reflection on how insecurity threatens the sacrifices of the nation’s founding fathers.

ý’The FCT is the heartbeat of the country, the symbol of our unity. We cannot allow bandits, kidnappers, or their sponsors to tarnish that image,’ he said.

ýThe minister praised residents for backing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which he said has brought major infrastructural upgrades, including strategic road projects, rehabilitated schools and hospitals, and support for farmers, youths, and women.

ýAccording to the minister, ‘No city can claim greatness without modern infrastructure. We have focused on building roads, upgrading health and education facilities, and empowering small businesses to restore faith in government.’

ýLooking ahead to the February 2026 Area Council elections, Wike cautioned political actors against stoking violence.

‘Campaign for your candidates with decency and vision, not with thugs and weapons. We will not allow anyone to plunge the FCT into chaos,’ he said.

ýWike closed his address with a mix of warning and optimism, ‘We have a President determined to restore security and improve the lives of citizens. The future of Abuja will not be dictated by criminals or their backers. We will fight for this city, and we will win.’

Women of Rubies, a leading platform dedicated to celebrating, empowering, and supporting women, has marked its 10th anniversary with remarkable milestones.

Over the past decade, the initiative, founded by media strategist and women’s advocate Esther Ijewere, has spotlighted more than 3,000 women, supported over 600 entrepreneurs, and equipped countless others with media tools through programs like the Media Visibility Bootcamp.

What began as a Nigerian initiative has grown into a global platform that connects, mentors, and celebrates women across industries and backgrounds.

Reflecting on the milestone, Ijewere said, ‘Celebrating 10 years of Women of Rubies is a humbling reminder of the power of community, resilience, and intentional support. We are inspired to continue creating platforms where women are celebrated, supported, and equipped to thrive, both locally and globally.’

As it enters its next decade, Women of Rubies reaffirms its commitment to expanding innovative programs, media initiatives, and community-driven projects that amplify women’s voices worldwide.

The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s economic participation, saying deliberate investment in women is key to inclusive growth and prosperity.

Deputy Governor Dr. Kadri Hamzat, spoke at the state Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (WAPA)’s flagship conference, WAPA Connect 2025.

According to him, the recently launched Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Policy Roadmap was designed to dismantle barriers that limit women and girls from contributing fully to the economy.

‘WAPA Connect Conference is our flagship 2025 event, uniting government officials, civil society, private sector partners, and everyday women across Lagos. This year’s theme underscores our strong commitment to making policies practical and impactful, ensuring measurable outcomes for women’s empowerment. We believe that investing in women is not just an act of charity-it is a matter of economics, justice, and prosperity. A society cannot really thrive if it leaves half of its population behind,’ he said.

Sanwo-Olu explained that the roadmap, developed from real-life experiences of Lagos women across sectors, would expand opportunities in entrepreneurship, agriculture, skill acquisition, the traditional labour market and emerging industries.

He added that the state was prioritising partnerships with women-led organisations and private sectors to ensure measurable results, while improving data collection to guide targeted interventions.

Commissioner for Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs. Bolaji Dada, described the programme as a platform that enables women from all backgrounds to connect, network and explore opportunities.

She said this year’s theme serves as a reminder that empowering women benefits families, businesses and the wider economy.

Highlighting the ministry’s achievements, Mrs Dada said 28,913 students had graduated from the state’s 19 free skills acquisition centres since the inception of the administration, while 17,213 beneficiaries received equipment under the Micro Enterprise Support Initiative (MESI).

She added that 18,241 women were trained under the Life Skills and Economic Empowerment Programme (LEEP), 5,494 benefitted from agricultural programmes in Badagry, while more than 5,500 widows received cash grants and empowerment packages.

According to her, over 28,000 sanitary pads have been distributed to schoolgirls under the menstrual hygiene programme, while the ministry’s Purple Project provides shelters, psychosocial counselling and legal aid for survivors of gender-based violence across the 57 councils.

She said the initiatives have strengthened food security and created employment opportunities across the state.

The commissioner commended the state government’s continuous support and stressed that WAPA’s achievements reflect Sanwo-Olu’s vision of placing women at the heart of development.

Wife of the governor, Dr. Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, represented by Mrs. Funmi Omotoso, also commended the commissioner for sustaining the conference and placing women at the centre of its agenda.

It was with mixed feelings that I received the recent report of a heavy fine imposed on Amazon over a business practice infraction. After a two-year legal tango, the American online shopping giant was ordered by a U.S. court to pay a historic $2.5 billion settlement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

Amazon was accused in 2023 of tricking consumers into signing up for its Prime subscription service and then made it hard to cancel.

It was established that Amazon used sophisticated subscription traps designed to manipulate consumers into enrolling in Prime, and then made it exceedingly hard for consumers to end their subscription.

For this, Amazon is required to pay a $1 billion civil penalty and provide another $1.5 billion in refunds to an estimated 35 million customers that were ‘harmed by their deceptive Prime enrolment practices’.

Not only did Amazon obey, it quickly unveiled remedial steps it was taking to be compliant with FTC rules. These include ‘clear and conspicuous disclosures’ about the terms of Prime during enrolment process and the ‘easy ways’ to cancel the programme.

For me, what is quite striking is the willingness shown by Amazon to obey the judgement and make restitution without any drama. Its response is consistent with the usual practice of corporates in the U.S. which clearly demonstrates a submission to the rule of law. This is unlike what happens elsewhere, particularly in Africa where these big corporate players behave like outlaws and often resort to all manner of dirty tactics to either stall or compromise judicial process in their respective country of operation. Sadly, they often engage indigenous lawyers without any form of patriotism to undermine their own fatherland.

The example of Amazon only reminds of the contrast of Meta found guilty of corporate atrocities in a place like Nigeria. With its footprints and fingerprints in many courts across the world, Meta can, in fact, rightly be described today as a serial international offender, often motivated by a carnal desire to maximise profit at the expense of the law.

Only in April here in Nigeria, many will recall that Meta was found guilty of heinous breaches including trading with the personal data of millions of unsuspecting Nigerians who use their platforms – Facebook and WhatsApp. The case was brought against them by Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Nigeria’s equivalent of U.S. FTC.

The fine imposed on Meta in April by the Nigerian tribunal was $220m, with June set as deadline for payment to the federal government.

Earlier in 2024, FCCPC had imposed the fine after due forensic investigation. But typically, Meta thumbed its nose in contempt. It filed an appeal at the tribunal. It took a whole year for the tribunal to review FCCPC’ argument and Meta’s defence before upholding the former.

But no sooner had the judgement been delivered than Meta arrogantly threatened to quit Nigeria, as if it was doing its Nigerian clients a favour. Of course, everyone knew it was all a bluff of a corporate Shylock caught pants down. Apparently realising how futile that was, Meta later resorted to the usual tactic to stall the wheel of justice: file a notice of appeal. Sadly, six months later, we have not heard anything about the case again.

But this is not how Meta behaves back home in America. In 2024, it was fined $1.4b in Texas for the same offence it was asked to pay a ‘chicken feed’ of $220m in Nigeria by FCCPC. The Texas court established that Meta had unlawfully collected and used facial recognition data from millions of Texans without their consent, violating the state’s Capture or Use of Biometric Identifier Act (CUBI).

Elsewhere in Europe, it was also asked to pay $1.3 billion for violating E.U. Data Privacy Rules. In India, South Korea, France and Australia, Meta had faced varying penalties for similar breaches.

But note: wherever it was founded guilty of market abuse outside Africa, Meta promptly obeyed the order to make restitution. It never resorted to the cheap blackmail of threatening to exit those countries.

It is the reason I believe every patriotic and proud Nigerian should be outraged by this seeming apartheid policy by Meta. In the 70s, 80s and early 90s, Nigerians didn’t take kindly with the Apartheid policy in South Africa. No justification, therefore, to stomach a similar insult by Meta. Good enough, there are viable alternatives now promoted by the Chinese. If Meta is not ready to play by the rules set by regulatory authorities in Nigeria like they do in other jurisdictions, they should pack their bags and go where their shenanigans will be tolerated.

The Arewa Think Tank (ATT) has hailed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Independence Day speech, describing it as inspiring and thought-provoking.

In a statement by the Convener of ATT, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, the group praised the President’s call to action for Nigerians to work together towards a brighter future.

According to Yakubu, ‘President Tinubu’s speech was a clarion call to Nigerians to believe in the boundless potential of our great nation.’

The group believes that the President’s message of hope and unity is what Nigeria needs to move the country forward at the moment.

The ATT noted that President Tinubu’s emphasis on national unity and the need for Nigerians to work together towards a common goal is a step in the right direction.

The group believes that unity is key to Nigeria’s progress and development.

The President’s speech highlighted the country’s economic progress, including the growth of the economy, increased foreign reserves, and improved infrastructure.

The ATT believes that these achievements are a testament to the President’s leadership and vision for Nigeria.

The ATT called on Nigerians to heed the President’s call to action and work towards building a better future for themselves and future generations.

The group believes that with collective effort and determination, Nigeria can achieve great things.

In his speech, President Tinubu emphasized the importance of national unity, economic development, and collective effort.

He called on Nigerians to believe in the potential of their great nation and work towards a brighter future.

The President highlighted the country’s progress in various sectors, including the economy, infrastructure, and security.

He also emphasised the need for Nigerians to patronize made-in-Nigeria goods and support local industries.

President Tinubu told the youths, ‘You must continue to dream big, innovate, and conquer more territories in your various fields of science, technology, sports, and the art and creative sector.’

Enthused by her experiences at the recently concluded CANEX Book Factory Prize for Publishing in Africa, in Algiers, Convener, Quramo Festival of Words, (QFEST) Mrs Gbemi Shasore has urged storytellers, publishers and readers to be courageous in advocating for change, which she said, is not an abstract thing. ‘Change is not an abstraction for me. It is visible in the streets, on our screens, in who reads and in how we read. It demands courage from storytellers, publishers and audiences alike,’ she added.

On returning from Algiers where Zimi, the 2023 Quramo Writers’ Prize winner was shortlisted for the CANEX Book Factory Prize for Publishing in Africa, she was renewed with vigour. That trip felt like a quiet nudge: the small labours of a modest publisher in Lagos can reach beyond our borders. It reminded her that when we nurture writers at home, their stories travel farther than we imagine.

That sense of possibility sits at the heart of this year’s theme: A Brave New World. This year’s QFest was designed as a festival that meets this moment: a space where difficult histories can be held, new technologies interrogated, bold futures imagined and new writers and stories discovered through the Quramo Writers Prize. The festival opens tomorrow and runs till Sunday October 5 at Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos.

Among guests expected at the festival include Prof. Mukoma wa Ngugi, a writer, poet and scholar, who teaches at Cornell University and has produced fiction and criticism that question memory, language and identity across Africa and its diaspora.

He will lead an intimate conversation on Saturday October 4, a rare chance for festival audiences to hear directly about the ideas and the craft behind his novels and poetry. Also on the guests list is Stephen James Smith, the award-wining Irish poet, and James Murua the Kenyan writer at the festival.

According to Shasore, their presence is more than star power; ‘it’s a reminder of the intergenerational, Pan-African and intercontinental conversations we’re trying to sustain at Quramo between those who inherit our literary traditions and those who reinvent them.’

‘Across the programme you will see that thread. We open with master-classes tomorrow with masters of their craft like Dele Sikuade, BB Sasore, Prof. Mukoma and Prof. Sarah Dorgbadzi the Ghanaian storyteller at the Quramo Hub in Victoria Island.

‘On Friday, October 3 features a conversation with the Quramo Writers’ Prize Top Five, culminating in the evening unveiling of the 2025 winner – moments that celebrate new voices and our ongoing commitment to publish and platform them. Saturday holds conversations that move from the intimate – a Writers Exchange between poets Tade Ipadeola and Stephen James Smith – to the public and urgent: a carefully framed conversation on the Nigerian Civil War, 961 Days: Brothers at War. Never Again- which aims for reflection and healing rather than recrimination with voices like Major General Akintunde Akinkunmi (rtd) and Ed Keazor amongst other discussants. That afternoon we honour film storytelling with the exclusive screening of Thicker Than Water from Nemsia Studios and, on Sunday, a moving documentary by Remi Vaughan-Richards, Sin is a Puppy That Follows You Home.

‘We have sought balance: workshops and masterclasses to sharpen craft; panels on AI, migration, climate and film distribution to test new ideas; cultural exchanges like Siamsa to remind us how stories sit inside ritual and song; and spoken-word nights that let younger voices speak directly. These sessions are not separate acts – they are parts of one conversation about who we are, what we owe each other, and how storytelling can help us imagine safer, fairer futures.’

The Olalekan Ayinla Foundation has distributed over 500 school kits to pupils across eight primary schools in Ikeja, Lagos State.

This was part of its Back-to-School Programme designed to support widows, orphans, indigent children, and senior citizens.

The items, which included school bags, uniforms, sandals, and writing materials, were shared among pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds to ease the financial burden on their parents and encourage learning.

Founder of the foundation, Olalekan Ayinla, said the initiative was born out of a conviction that education remains the most powerful tool for empowerment and national development.

‘Education is very important in Nigeria. These children are the future of tomorrow. We all passed through this same road, so it is only right that we give back to society,’ he said.

Ayinla listed the benefiting schools to include Ukera Primary School, Adeniji Jones Primary School, Tokunbo Alli Primary School, Shogunle Primary School, Estate Primary School, Ogba, St. Peter’s Anglican School, Alausa, Opebi Primary School, and Osubiniye Primary School.

‘In total, we are distributing nearly 500 items today across eight schools. This is our way of empowering children. Beyond this, we also plan to extend support to widows, senior citizens, and orphans,’ he added.

According to him, the foundation remains committed to expanding its reach with interventions that will continue to cover pupils, widows, less privileged families, and senior citizens.

‘Nigeria’s growth is not the responsibility of the government alone. Every one of us must play a role in helping others. Through little acts of giving, we can change lives and build the country we want,’ he noted.

An official of the Social Mobilisation Department of the Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Sumbo Omobolanle, lauded the actions of the foundation.

She called for more private interventions to complement government efforts in tackling the issue of out-of-school children.

‘The reality is that many pupils cannot even afford exercise books or school bags. We appeal to more well-meaning Nigerians and NGOs to step in, because the government alone cannot do it,’ she said.

Head Teacher of Estate Primary School, Ogba, Mrs. Olanrewaju Funmilola, described the donation as a huge relief to parents struggling with the rising cost of basic school items.

‘On behalf of the school management, parents, and pupils, I express heartfelt gratitude to the Foundation. This will bring joy to families that could not afford basic school items,’ she said.

Assistant Head Teacher of Adeniji Jones Primary School, Mrs. Aishat Mohammed, said the initiative would boost the morale of pupils who had been struggling without adequate learning materials.

‘The children are so happy to receive these gifts. We pray that more pupils will benefit in the future,’ she said.

On October 1st, 1960, Nigeria gained independence from British colonial rule. It was celebrated as freedom from centuries of human and economic exploitation. It marked the end of the slave trade, the dehumanization of our people, and the systematic drain of our natural wealth. But more than six decades later, the question still echoes: Did Nigeria truly achieve independence, or was it only the beginning of another phase of control?

From the very first administration in 1960, it became clear that independence was not complete. Nigeria’s leadership was forced to operate within frameworks designed by Western interests, particularly around the control of natural resources.

As military coups toppled governments and dictatorships emerged, foreign influence remained in place. Policies were shaped abroad, debts piled up, and sovereignty was limited. Independence too often looked like an illusion.

At the heart of this neo-colonial arrangement was the constant effort to dominate Nigeria’s natural wealth. By keeping the country dependent on foreign refineries, international lenders and imported goods, external powers ensured that Nigeria remained under their grip. Successive governments, from one Head of State to another, found it difficult to break free. Progress was slowed and dignity was weakened.

The story began to change with the rise of Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Though educated abroad, Tinubu was forged in Nigeria’s own political struggles. From his days in NADECO resisting military dictatorship to his transformation of Lagos State into Africa’s fastest-growing economy and one of the most creative hubs in the world, he built a reputation for resilience, vision and innovation. What he did in Lagos was a preview of the national rebirth he now drives as President.

Today, under President Tinubu, Nigeria is walking firmly toward true independence.

His words, ‘It is time to work as partners, not as masters and servants,’ capture a new spirit of leadership. His government has refused to bow to external pressure, choosing instead to design policies that directly serve Nigerians. His leadership beats like the drum of freedom, breaking the chains of neo-colonialism that have held the nation for decades.

In the oil and gas sector, Nigeria now hosts the world’s second-largest refinery, a bold step that ends reliance on foreign refineries. In finance, Tinubu’s reforms focus on reducing debt, exempting the poor from excessive taxes and strengthening the naira. These are practical steps that secure Nigeria’s sovereignty and give the people control over their future.

Healthcare, education, infrastructure and agriculture are also being reshaped. Federal medical centres are being expanded and the cost of dialysis has been reduced. A new health insurance network is being built to protect citizens. The NEL Fund supports students and young people.

Airports are being revived and transport systems upgraded. In agriculture, regional food hubs are being established to stabilize prices, ensure food security and reduce dependence on imports.

In less than two years, these reforms have started to show real results. Nigerians are seeing change in their daily lives, from cheaper access to healthcare to new opportunities in education and work.

Unlike past administrations that kept the country tied to dependency, Tinubu’s government is building structures that guarantee lasting independence. For the first time, Nigeria is setting its own terms and standing tall in global affairs.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has proven himself to be more than a reformer. He is the leader who has finally redefined independence for Nigeria.

What began in 1960 as political freedom is now becoming full economic and institutional independence. Under his leadership, Nigerians can celebrate freedom that is real, practical and irreversible.

– Gbenga Abiola, national coordinator, Tinubu Media Force, Nigeria’s largest progressive grassroots media structure

Uche Aghulor’s journey from a local choir to international acclaim is a story of technical mastery and a mission to elevate African classical music on the world stage. Her journey, which has taken her from Lagos to Athens, London, Rome, and now the United States, underscores the power of persistence and cultural pride in a field long dominated by Western traditions.

She first became enthusiastic about music as a child when she joined the church choir, where she discovered harmony, vocal discipline, and the profound joy of moving people through song. That early foundation became the springboard for a remarkable journey that has transformed her into one of Nigeria’s most celebrated musical voices abroad, a versatile artist admired for her ability to fuse deep cultural identity with masterful artistry.

Her career now embodies a dynamic range of roles, from soloist and teacher to choir and artistic director, all united by her unwavering pursuit of musical excellence.

‘The church has always been at the center of my musical journey. I started as a choir girl from a young age, and somehow that part of me remained alive.

‘Those early years in the choir taught me the fundamentals of singing and the importance of emotional connection in performance. The discipline, joy, and sense of purpose I found there still guide me today,’ the internationally recognised singer from Delta State noted.

Aghulor reflects on how her early experiences taught her to find profound meaning in music-a principle that now drives her dedication to promoting music deeply connected to her cultural roots. For a start, her pursuit of musical and academic excellence eventually took her to the University of Notre Dame in the United States, where she earned a Master of Sacred Music on a full scholarship and graduate assistantship.

According to her, she chose Notre Dame for its strong academic reputation, commitment to sacred music, and supportive community. ‘I was particularly drawn to Notre Dame because of the community there, and I knew that was something I needed in a foreign country,’ Uche said.

She explained that her attraction to the Sacred Music programme came from the fact that the church has always been central to her artistic life. While at Notre Dame, she immersed herself in studies that broadened her understanding of different genres and performance practices.

As the youngest of seven children born to Dr. Samuel and Lady Philomena Aghulor, Uche learnt to view spirituals, African art music, opera, and choral music as living traditions with profound cultural significance rather than merely as performances. ‘I am a better musician and artist as a result of the programme. I developed a deeper understanding and appreciation for choral music, opera, African art music, spirituals, and other forms of vocal music,’ she told The Nation.

An historic first performance

Driven by a hunger for knowledge that extended far beyond the shores of Nigeria, Uche found herself at the University of Notre Dame. Her years there were crowned with a historic honour when she became the first Nigerian in decades to lead the singing of the Alma Mater at the inauguration of the University’s President, Reverend Bob Dowd.

This was a singular privilege, Uche said, as such an inauguration occurs perhaps only once every twenty years, making her selection for the role profoundly significant. ‘We have an abundance of talent at Notre Dame, but for someone like me to have that responsibility is a testament to the institution’s values of fostering a sense of community while striving for excellence,’ she said.

The renowned soloist and artistic director described the moment as a powerful reaffirmation of her belief in the importance of representation. ‘For people to see a Nigerian woman in that position meant more than words can express,’ she said.

Eager to build on her success at Notre Dame, Uche set her sights on a larger global stage, enrolling in a Doctor of Musical Arts (DMA) programme at James Madison University, which she attended on a full scholarship and graduate assistantship.

‘This next chapter will position me for a university-level teaching position, which complements my performance career and cultural advocacy work. As a Nigerian soprano, I want to contribute significantly to the performance practice of classical music,’ she said.

She stressed that the integration of African art music into mainstream classical programming is another area she will be investigating in her dissertation study and performance practice. Beyond the classroom, however, Aghulor has established a stellar academic history. For instance, she has appeared internationally in Athens, London, and Rome, and has performed as a soloist in major works such as Handel’s Messiah and Mascagni’s Cavalleria Rusticana.

In Rome, she presented Nigerian folk tunes to a European audience, an experience she described as deeply rewarding. ‘It was a wonderful experience. The audience responded really well, and it makes me happy knowing people enjoy our art songs both at home and abroad,’ she recalled.

According to her, she sees every international performance as both a musical and cultural exchange. ‘Each time I perform abroad, I feel like I am carrying my heritage with me. It is an opportunity to tell our story through music,’ she said.

Notably, Uche has since discovered an ingenious approach to blending Western classical techniques with African cultural expressions in her performance. According to her, ‘The key is understanding that both (Western classical techniques and African cultural traditions) share fundamental musical principles, including rhythmic complexity, melodic development, and harmonic progression. Expressing them through different cultural lenses creates a huge distinction.’

This fusion, she noted, allows audiences to experience the familiar and the new at once. ‘When people hear an African melody supported by classical harmonies, they are intrigued, and that opens the door for deeper appreciation,’ she said.

In addition to her performance career, Uche also plays a leading role in the Pan-African Art Music Initiative, which promotes African composers and musical traditions on international stages. Justifying the role, she said: ‘There is a need for more African voices to be heard in the classical music world.

‘Events like festivals are opportunities to learn and to impact as well. People are curious, and we have the responsibility to give the best representation of our musical culture as performers or composers.’

She added that the Pan-African Art Music Initiative also works to ensure African art songs are performed with the same technical mastery and respect given to Western works.

In her role as an educator and voice coach, Uche utilises an inclusive pedagogical approach, informed by her experience teaching students from diverse musical backgrounds in both Nigerian and American institutions. Her methodology is centred on the core principles of building confidence, fostering inclusion, and prioritising growth over technical perfection.

‘I teach my students to believe in themselves and to feel included. Differences in musical background can help identify technical skills already developed and ultimately adapt or expand the student’s performance,’ she explained.

One of her guiding principles is prioritising progress rather than flawless execution. ‘I used to tell my students in Nigeria to choose growth over perfection. Perfection is an illusion and what matters is being better than you were yesterday. I am most fulfilled seeing growth and knowing I have contributed to it in some way,’ she stated.

Her teaching is deeply informed by her own cross-cultural journey, allowing her to tailor lessons to each student’s needs. ‘Some of my students have never heard African art music before they met me. By the time they graduate, they’re singing it confidently and understanding its depth,’ she shared, beaming with a smile.

She also said she embraces teaching as a two-way exchange. ‘I learn from my students every day. They challenge me to think differently and to keep improving my methods,’ she said

In spite of her remarkable exploits and successes, Uche admitted that African classical musicians face steep institutional and economic barriers to accessing global platforms, pointing out, for instance, that Africa has abundant talent and creative vision, but these assets are constrained by limited access to world-class training and professional development ecosystems concentrated in Europe and America.

‘In Nigeria specifically, musicians encounter significant obstacles in marketing classical music, securing high-quality instruments, and maintaining reliable electricity for rehearsals,’ she said, adding that there are systemic bias in concert programming

‘Indigenous compositions and African art songs frequently receive insufficient commitment and technical mastery,’ she said, pointing out, however, that ‘Addressing this inequity is central to my artistic mission.’

As part of Uche’s artistic mission, her recording career offers another platform for connection. She recently released a single titled Holy, available on major streaming platforms, and is planning further releases, including collaborations with contemporary artists.

‘Classical training gave me solid grounding in how the voice functions and core musical fundamentals. But I don’t see this education as something that should distance me from people, quite the opposite. It helps me communicate more clearly. My aim is to show that classical skills can beautifully support and elevate music from any cultural tradition,’ she explained.

Uche added that working with contemporary musicians allows her to reach younger audiences who may not be familiar with classical music, creating a bridge between genres. She, however, admitted that life abroad has not been without challenges.

Among the hardest cultural adjustments she faced when moving from Lagos to Indiana was the distance from family. Beyond missing important events, Uche explained she had to acclimatise to unfamiliar weather, food, and social customs. ‘I had to rebuild my support network from the ground up, which was a challenge for someone who draws strength from close personal ties.’

She credited her successful adaptation to maintaining an open mind toward cultural differences and an unwavering dedication to her professional and personal responsibilities.

While she identified most naturally with the role of a soloist, she clarified that her artistic ambitions extend far beyond the spotlight of personal performance.

‘My aspiration is to demonstrate that excellence and impact are possible anywhere, irrespective of one’s cultural background or place of origin.

‘I want to be known for expanding horizons, helping audiences appreciate the depth of African musical heritage, and showing Nigerian students the breadth of opportunities available to them.

‘Through my role as an educator, I hope to have created opportunities and cleared pathways that make the journey easier for others. That, for me, will be the true measure of success,’ she added.

As we celebrate the enthronement of Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, aged 81, as the 44th Olubadan of Ibadanland and absorb his call for an Ibadan State, let us appreciate his personal journey through life from being poor to becoming a brilliant mathematics student to becoming senator and Oyo State governor in 2003. His dream as governor was to have 30 students a class; he himself had 26 students in his own class in school. He took his dream, as governor of Oyo State to Abuja.

Sadly he did not serve as governor long enough to carry out his plan and Oyo State is the worse for it, all these years later even today. The then Governor Ladoja had his tenure truncated and he was removed due to the then reigning political evil of the day which placed presidential whims and caprices over and above the will of the people. The public domain is unaware if there was any presidential regret for the removal, but Oba Ladoja is certainly having the last laugh due hopefully to his God-given longevity, the righteousness of his case, and the unjustified quantum of political evil dealt him just for being naturally kind-natured. We wish Kabiyesi Rashidi Ladoja a long, exponentially progressive and peaceful reign. Amen.

One thing government must take up is that we must teach that not everyone who wants to set up a stall or trade or even run a keke or an okada in every market can have that privilege or be accommodated in 2025. There is no longer space for everyone. Nowhere in the world can 50 tri-cycles (keke), 100 commercial motor-cycles (okada) and 500 traders be squeezed into existing spaces. They should be enumerated, given numbers and allocated spaces. Move the excess elsewhere, like in other areas. The encroachment of the unlimited traders with their baskets and wheelbarrows on the road lanes and keke lines strangles Ibadan at various points like the entire Mokola, Bodija, Agodi and Mapo areas making movement a nightmare in daylight and endangering even our children. Perhaps methods of numbering and allocation of spaces need to be revisited and updated to make better use of the amazing new roads in Ibadan to help speed up traffic and stop the unnecessary traffic jams. The inability of the authority to maintain two functioning lanes through the above markets, and the ease with which the police on duty ignore the need to open such roads daily makes things worse.

Happy 65th Birthday Nigeria. It is difficult to be happy when so many Fellow Nigerians have been senselessly killed by terrorists and herders, also terrorists actually, and other individuals and groups who use murder of innocent unarmed citizens and sometimes armed and uniformed service personnel for no just cause. At this time of celebration, we are reminded, if we have forgotten, by our government at the Africa Union, that we still have 10+million children out of school in a country which started free education 60 years ago.

Let us re-ask ourselves why a country like ours has over 10 million out of school children in spite of its God-given wealth. Let every thief in Nigeria, rich or poor, political or contractor or civil servant or ‘uniform’ or Bank and CBN beneficiary, accept responsibility for being the direct cause of those 10m+ out of school children. They must accept full responsibility for the consequence of their collective past and perhaps ongoing nefarious activities of depriving those 10m of schooling. Ten million is a big army of youth to grow to adulthood without education. This is a recipe for state destruction in 10 years or more.

Surely, we can all see the simplest, easiest and cheapest solution is to have a ‘MASSIVE 10 MILLION IN SCHOOL PROGRAMME WITH AFTERNOON CLASSES THE EXISTING CLASSROOMS RUNNING TWICE DAILY WITH EXTRA SETS OF TEACHERS OR EXTRA PAY FOR EXISTING TEACHERS’.

Citizens are disgusted that the accused Ondo Church terrorists’ lawyers put forward a plea for bail. Do our lawyers not know that murder and any accusation which attracts the death penalty do not qualify for bail? Do they not get taught that in Law School? An appeal for bail in this horrendous circumstance appears like a strategy at time-wasting, a popular legal exercise in legal futility and a marked disrespect for the dead. It is also a rude slap in the face of the Fellow Nigerian citizens and relations who survived the deadly vicious attack which was calculated to mutate a simple Sunday church service into a terrorist funeral fire and a national tragedy.

Are we to suffer at the hands of yet another cabal in our long search for fuel self-sufficiency? We all get stopped abruptly and without any road safety concerns every day by union workers taking toll money from all passing commercial vehicles. One would have thought they would move to cashless payments but that would expose their true wealth. The face-off in the petroleum industry is really an eye opening event as it exposes the players for what they stand for and what they stand against. Please examine the case and ask who is really on the side the Fellow Nigerians as we celebrate Nigeria @ 65. The answer will make you think twice or thrice.