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THE ROAD TO “FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF BOLA TINUBU”

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By Tunde Olusunle

 

I’ve just watched a four-minute video clip of Alex Otti, the Abia State Governor, commissioning a humongous haul of 14 road projects in one day in Aba, the major commercial hub in the state. My interest was not in the ceremonial cutting of tapes and ribbons at every turn during the exercise. More than that, I was swayed by the bonding, the connectivity of Otti with regular folks, his kinsmen and women. As Otti walked the streets of the famous *Enyimba City,* his people, evidently overwhelmed by the good works of their leader, wanted to touch him, to hug him, to take photographs with him. Whenever his excited constituents tried to get close to him just to touch him, they were, expectedly restrained by the protective wall around Otti. On each such occasion, Otti overruled his aides, allowing such people reach and embrace him. There was this particular point in the video clip under review, where a woman trader wanted to gift Otti a pack of bottled water, most probably in her appreciation of Otti’s endeavours.

 

The security perimeter around Otti tried to kick the pack aside and block her from accessing the Governor. He read the situation, slowed down and even asked that the allowed near him and indeed be photographed with him. He equally directed that her gift of water be thankfully received and taken to his car. The 14 roads which Otti opened up for public use on that occasion are part of a bigger plan for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of 55 roads across Abia State. Otti is an *Aba boy* like the cerebral doyen of the national parliament, Enyinnaya Abaribe, whose book titled *Made in Aba* released in 2021, underscores how deeply the lionised city impacted his makeup. Otti knows how much a good network of roads can make life better and business easier for his distinctively industrious people. A functional Aba will accelerate productivity in the city and mitigate unemployment in a commercial nexus which prides itself a rival to Onitsha and Nnewi both in Anambra State. Both towns are renowned for commerce and manufacturing.

 

Not one of the 14 roads which Governor Otti recently commissioned, nor any of the 44 others which are at various stages of completion, has been renamed after him. Some of them indeed still bear their colonial designations, a constant reminder of our history and antecedents. In Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), there was pomp and pageantry, Wednesday June 10, 2025, as President Bola Tinubu “commissioned” the International Conference Centre, (ICC), built and activated by the administration of former military President Ibrahim Babangida, 34 years back, in 1991. Nigeria was bestowed, at very short notice, the hosting rights of the Summit of the Organisation of African Unity, (OAU), as it was then referred to. Abuja spontaneously became a massive construction site within the period under consideration.

 

As the ICC was being readied, so were accommodation facilities built across various districts in Abuja, to house delegates to the OAU Summit. Till date, several residential complexes, mostly blocks of flats across Abuja are known by the name *OAU Quarters,* even though many residents of the various mini- OAU housing estates barely know the etymology of their present abodes. Babangida “stepped aside” in August 1993. Ernest Shonekan; Sani Abacha; Abdulsalami Abubakar; Olusegun Obasanjo; Umaru Yar’Adua; Goodluck Jonathan and Muhammadu Buhari have all come after him as Head of Interim National Government, (ING); military Heads of State and civilian Presidents. None of them christened the ICC or any other national asset for that matter, after himself. A standard, stately edifice, the ICC has remained the *Numero Uno* events destination in Abuja over the years. It has serially hosted world class dignitaries and functions across time and space. As serving President of the United States, the charismatic Bill Clinton was hosted to a state banquet at ICC in 2000. In similar fashion, Queen Elizabeth II of England topped the bill at the 2003 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, (CHOGM), hosted by President Olusegun Obasanjo. A record 51 out of 54 Heads of State of member countries of the Commonwealth attended the four-day event. Such is how treasured, how valued this national monument is.

 

That Tuesday June 10, 2025, an excitable Nyesom Wike, Tinubu’s Minister of FCTA, renamed the International Conference Centre, (ICC), the *Bola Ahmed Tinubu International Conference Centre.* The edifice which Babangida built from the preliminary stages of earthworks for *N240 million* in 1991, was whitewashed for re-inauguration at a whooping *N39 Billion, in 2024.* Typically, there was no competitive bidding. It was a direct award to a concern preferred by the FCT Minister. The ICC, by the way is the eighth monument, known to me, thus far christened after Tinubu within his first two years in office. Before it were the: *Tinubu International Airport, Minna, Niger State; Tinubu Polytechnic, Gwarimpa, Abuja and Tinubu National Assembly Library, Abuja. There are also the Tinubu Immigrations Technology Building, Airport Road, Abuja; the Tinubu Barracks, Asokoro, Abuja; the Tinubu Way, (formerly Southern Parkway), Abuja, and also the Bola Tinubu Centre for Islamic Affairs, Kaduna, built by the Department of State Services, (DSS).*

 

President Tinubu seems to be lapping up blandishment, magnification and laudation as they coalesce towards his eventual deification. This is a path potentially laden with veritable landmines. We are never bound to accept and adopt every souvenir or memorabilia thrust at us. We can always ask our doctors questions about medications prescribed for us. Let’s indulge Wike that he probably doesn’t know the history of ICC. President Tinubu does. He was Senator in 1992 and functioned alongside his colleagues, from the very same ICC, in Abuja, in the absence of a purpose-built parliamentary complex. I would, if I were Tinubu, have thanked Wike for his thoughtful gesture. I would have reminisced over Nigeria’s political evolution and reminded him that Babangida in his time, it was, who conceived and erected the mega-structure which sits regally at the bosom of Abuja today. I would have enlightened Wike that just a few months ago, Babangida stepped forward to take responsibility for the annulment of the *June 12, 1993* presidential election which produced Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, (MKO), as President.

 

I would have drawn Wike’s attention to the fact that Babangida will be 84 on Sunday August 17, 2025. It would not be out of place to honour him with the ribbons and flowers of the ICC which was indeed his baby. Like or loathe him, Babangida has several positives against his eight year regime, from August 27, 1985 to August 26, 1993. He ensured the physical, effective relocation of Nigeria’s seat of government from Lagos to Abuja, in 1991. This was 15 years after Abuja was so proclaimed by General Murtala Ramat Mohammed, in February 1976, just days before his assassination. He built the eyeful, sprawling State House, Abuja, a tourist monument in its own right. To enhance better governance and developmental coverage of the country, Babangida’s government created Akwa Ibom and Katsina states in 1987, taking the number of states in the country from 19 to 21. On the sixth anniversary of his administration August 27, 1991, Babangida established an additional nine states, including Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Delta, Jigawa, Kebbi, Kogi, Osun and Yobe, which brought the number of states in Nigeria to 30.

 

Babangida established the Federal Road Safety Corps, (FRSC), to instil discipline on our highways and curb carnage, and built the ambitious *Third Mainland Bridge* in Lagos, to ease traffic in the water-constrained state. He continued Nigeria’s anti-apartheid campaign against White domination in South Africa, despite being a military leader. Under him, Nigeria had very strong foreign affairs profile in the eyes of the international community under his leadership. The Technical Aid Corps Scheme, (TACS), under which auspices Nigeria sent teachers and professionals to needy African and Caribbean countries, was initiated under Babangida. Nigeria intervened in troubled West African countries from possible dismemberment arising from civil strife, under Babangida’s watch. Nigeria initiated, led and substantially funded a multinational military peacekeeping corps under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS), under him. We can go on.

 

Interactions between the State House and various states, ministries, departments and agencies, (MDAs) ahead of every programme to be attended by the President, must be painstaking, detailed and explicit. Pleasant “ambushes,” detours away from agreed runs of events, and surprises of any kind are totally intolerable. This is the way it was in our time between 1999 and 2007. You cannot come to a high profile public event, especially the types Wike loves to telecast real-time on the network services of various television stations, to embarrass the President with such proclamations, in the name of springing surprises. Except of course if President Tinubu himself is sucked into such ego-massaging and vainglorious labelling. Except if the President is indifferent to order and conformity, consisting with extant rules and regulations. Or indeed, the ultimate verdict of history.

 

President Tinubu will do well to be very circumspect about the manner he consents to every other national treasure or government facility being named or renamed after him. He needs to rein in his officials so they can guide him aright. They shouldn’t just be *follow follow* officials, to appropriate a phrase from the immutable lyrics of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti. They shouldn’t be content with just floating around as members of the President’s ring of “principal officers,” without adding desired value. Once it becomes the vogue that state governments and government departments catch the bug, it will become a ridiculously unending practice, inimical to the person and office of the President. For context, a famous rubbish dump on the *Aba- Port Harcourt* expressway was named after a former Governor of the state who craved adulation at every opportunity. At the rate things are unravelling courtrooms; prison blocks; rehabilitation centres for substance indulgents; psychiatric hospitals, and similar institutions may hereafter don *Tinubu-esque* appellations. Let’s hope President Tinubu wouldn’t wake up one day only to discover that he has become the *President of the Federal Republic of Bola Tinubu!*

 

Not even *Field Marshal Idi Amin Dada of Uganda* pulled off such a stunt.

 

 

 

*Tunde Olusunle, PhD, Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (FANA), is an Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Abuja*

Bitter Lessons from the Mokwa flood tragedy

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By Ayo Oyoze Baje

 

Quote:

 

“We cannot replace everything you have lost, but we are here to support you in every way we can.”

 

-Governor Umar Muhammed Bago of Niger state ( while commiserating with families of the victims of the flood disaster )

 

‘Just before the floods’ happens to be the title of the opinion essay of yours truly, first published in May 2013 and updated virtually every year, as a warning to all the stakeholders, on the crying need to take proactive measures to forstall further casualites brought about by the recurring, flushing floods.

 

 

The said article was informed by one of the worst flooding disasters in Nigeria which occured back in 2012. It affected 30 states, especially Benue and Kogi , according to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). The floods reportedly killed 363 persons, displaced over 2.1 million people, and affected an estimated total of seven million people. NEMA placed the damage and losses caused by the floods at N2.5 trillion. Devastating, was it not? Yes, it was!

 

 

Yet, the fear – fuelling fury of the recent flood, which took place in Mokwa, Niger State beginning with the early rains on May 28, 2025 has come up as a worse – case scenario. In fact, the devastating effects that wasted as many as between 200 to 700 lives, including entire family members flushed into the turbulent River Niger are telling on us. It should therefore, be a wake-up call on all of us, to do the needful when it matters most.

 

 

So harrowing was the enormity of the tragedy that according to media reports,

one Farida Auwalu lost seven children. Another bereaved family head, by the name Mohammed Tanko said he lost at least 15 people from his household. In addition, over 3,000 people were displaced, more than 265 houses got destroyed, and 503 households were affected. Also, some important infrastructure, including three bridges, were washed away, cutting off traffic between the northern and southern parts of the country. Yet, the flood was predicted by NiMET. months before it happened. The inability to prevent the raging tide of the flood underscores where the problem lies.

 

 

Agreed, that the devastating dynamics of climate change has become a global challenge due to global warming, but that does not mean that we should fold our arms when we are supposed to act. Not at all! For the records, ReliefWeb reported major flood disasters in Peru and Ecuador in January, Botswana in February, Tanzania, Bolivia, Iraq, Argentina in March, and the DR Congo in April. Before then, flood incidents also took place in Pakistan, Afghanistan, through Indonesia to Baden-Wurttemberg, and Bavaria in Germany where lives were lost in May 2024. Also, floods have overrun parts of Kenya, Algeria, and Haiti. On May 28, melting glaciers wiped out Blatten, a Swiss village of 300 residents, off the world map. Before then, geologists warned in 2024 that the ice was melting due to heat, which forced the Swiss authorities to evacuate Blatten.

 

 

It is therefore, time to rise above the raging waves of the furious floods with a collective action. That is specifically so in tackling the root causes of the seasonal floods, traced to global warming.

 

 

With specific regards to the latest flood disaster in Mokwa, Niger state, it is traced to a combination of factors such as the impact of environmental and infrastructural neglect. That is in addition to poor disaster preparedness which is exacerbated by climate change.

 

 

Worthy of note is that Mokwa is an important central market acting as a transit hub connecting northern food producers with southern traders. Unfortunately, the flood has left serious damage not only by the destruction of infrastructure and commerce, but increased the number of citizens who are displaced, suffering from preventable hunger and are vulnerable to attacks by insurgents as well as debilitating diseases.

 

 

As for intervention from the

the Niger state government the governor, Bago applauded for his people-orientef policies has awarded a 7 billion contract for the construction of the Mokwa- Raba Road and four bridges. The project reportely aims to improve transportation and enhance connectivity, particularly for communities recently devastated by the life-wasting flood. He announced this during a visit to Tiffin Madza Primary School, where internally displaced persons (IDPs) are currently taking refuge. He used that opportunity to reaffirm the state’s commitment to rebuilding affected communities and restoring hope to displaced families.

 

 

Furthermore, the governor announced a 1 billion naira donation to fast-track the resettlement of the displaced citizens by the disaster.

 

Noteworthy, is that the state government has directed the Ministry of Lands to issue a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) to the Federal Government to facilitate the resettlement process.It will be used for the construction of permanent housing, including essential infrastructure such as health facilities, schools, and proper drainage systems with culverts to reduce the deleterious effects future flooding. As reported, the Niger flooding incident occurred five months after Governor Mohammed Bago announced that the state had secured a $10 million World Bank facility with the noble objective to arrest gully erosion in some parts of Mokwa. Unfortunately, the harm has been done.

 

 

Much as these interventions are timely and commendable, prevention remains safer and cheaper than cure. So, what is the best way forward? That is the million naira question.

 

 

According to experts, the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather conditions in Nigeria are inimical to stable environment. They are indeed, responsible for climate change. This has led to heavier rainfall concentrated in shorter periods, making available drainage and flood management systems inadequate and obsolete.

Many parts of Nigeria, including Mokwa, suffer from inadequate drainage infrastructure. Existing drainage channels are often clogged with huge mass of waste, preventing proper water runoff. Population explosion and rapid, unregulated urban expansion have led to construction of buildings in flood-prone areas, reducing the land’s natural ability to absorb water.

 

 

What all these factors bring to the front burner is the increasing need for the application of modern technology to stem the tides of the rising floods and also sustained public enlightenment on the part of the people. They should understand and actively engage in tree planting, proper waste disposal, clearing of blocked gutters and canals. This is because it has been discovered that the clearing of vegetation for agriculture and development are responsible for diminishing the land’s capacity to retain rainfall, increasing surface runoff and the risk of floods.

 

 

There should also be a proper management of dams as some residents suspect that a burst or discharge from one of the three major dams there in Niger State may have exacerbated the flooding.

 

 

On a general note, lasting lessons have to be learnt from previous flood disasters that took place between August and September 2024 in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states. The BAY states, as they are fondly called were devastated by flooding disasters, which plunged thousands of residents into humanitarian crises.

 

 

Going forward, state governors should be prudent in the use of the Ecological Funds, listen to and apply the warnings as given by NiMET and be proactive in the discharge of their policies on environmental protection.

Police In Delta Nabs Robbery Suspect, Recovers 2 Pistols

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  By Ebinum Samuel   The Delta State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a suspected cultist/ armed robber in Asaba as part of the ongoing efforts to strengthen public safety and security in the metropolis and across the state.   According to SP Edafe Bright, the Command spokesman, on 9/06/2025, acting on credible intelligence, operatives of the Command’s Buffalo Team, led by the Commander, DSP Charles Evboifo, raided a food canteen, a popular hideout for cultists, and arrested one Kingsley Ugochukwu, aged 40yrs. The suspect on sighting the Police quickly disposed of a locally fabricated Beretta pistol which was later recovered by the operatives. Bright said that during the preliminary investigation, the suspect made a suspicious call to his wife which prompted the operatives to expand the investigation. It was later revealed that the suspect ordered his wife to check his bedroom and dispose of another long-range single barrel gun in an uncompleted building. The Suspect’s wife was arrested and her confession led to the recovery of the other single-barrel gun. The Commissioner of Police, CP Abaniwonda Olufemi, Bright said assures the public of the Command’s commitment to tackling crimes and other related vices. Members of the public are therefore urged to partner with the Police by providing useful, timely and credible information to the Police. The Command can be reached through the following control room dedicated phone numbers:   08036684974 08114895600 08025666914

Indian National, Dangote Workers Docked For Allegedly Diverting Over N4bn Diesel

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    An India citizen, Tukur Shamsudden was among 13 individuals arraigned by the operatives of the Police Special Fraud Unit (PSFU), Ikoyi, Lagos, for alleged conspiracy and diverting Automated Gasoline Oil, popularly called diesel value over N4 billion, belonging to Dangote Industries Limited. Others arraigned alongside the Indian man, before the court presided over by Justice Deinde Dipeolu were: Ikechukwu Kingsley Obi: Chigozie Chrisogonus Osukwu; Ukaegbu Rex Chukwuma; Umeh Johnpaul Ugochukwu; Akamadu Emmanuella, a woman; Zango Mohammed Umar; Emmanuel Oku; Shaibu Michael; Lucky Otoide; Mmaduabuchi Okezuonu; Ephraim Kanakapudi and Omojowo Adeleke Emmanuel. The defendants, who includes staff of Dangote Industries Limited, and some officials of transport companies contracted for transporting Diesel from Dangote Deport to Ibese and Obajana Plants, were arraigned of a 16 count-charge of conspiracy, unlawful diversion of petroleum product (AGO) and receiving proceed of fraudulent division. Those listed as staff of Dangote Petroleum Industries Limited among the defendants are: Akamadu Emmanuella (f); Emmanuel Oku; Zango Mohammed Umar; Lucky Otoide Simon and Ephraim Kanakapudi. While others were said to be staff of Arigen Integrated Limited; Obat Limited; Amaiden Energy Limited; Regal Gate Limited; Alkham Limited; Prestige Limited and Opetrus Global Limited. The prosecuting police officer, Barrister M. Y. Bello, informed the court that all the defendants committed the offences between January, 2022 and December 2023. The prosecutor particularly informed the court that the India man, Tukur Shamsudden, while acting as representative of Regal Gate Ltd, Alkham Limited and Prestige Limited, the firms contracted by Dangote Industries Limited, allegedly diverted 1, 530, 893 billion liters of AGO valued N1, 530, 893 billion. He also told the court that Omojowo Adeleke Emmanuel, on or before December 20, 2023, while acting as Managing Director and representative of Opetrus Global Ltd, a firm contracted by Dangote Industries Limited to trans-load Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) from Depots to Dangote tank farm with intent to permanently deprive the owner, did fraudulently diverted 2, 455, 229 billion liters of AGO valued N2, 455, 229 billion. He further told the court that the defendants’ act contravened sections 21(a), 18(2) (d) of Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the same Act. He also told the court that their acts contravened sections 383 (2)(a); 10 of the Criminal Code Act Cap. C38 and punishable under Section 390 and 516of the same Act. All the defendants denied the allegations and pleaded not guilty to the charges. Meanwhile, some of the defendants have been admitted to bail on various terms, when they were earlier arraigned before the court. But at the resuming hearing of the matter today, the prosecutor informed the court of another amended charge against the defendants. He told the court that the amended charge was sequel to arrest of the Indian man and the duo of Ephraim Kanakapudi and Omojowo Adeleke Emmanuel. Hence, all the defendants were arraigned on the amended charge However, the judge has fixed July 22 and 23, 2025, for the commencement of trial of all defendants. Count one of the charge reads: that you Ikechukwu Kingsley Obi ‘M’, Chigozie Chrisogo Osukwu ‘M’, Ukaegbu Rex Chukwuma ‘M’, Umeh Johnp Ugochukwu ‘M’, Akamadu Emmanuella ‘F’, Zango Mohammed Umar ‘M’, Emmanuel Oku ‘M’, Shaibu Michael ‘M’, Lucky Otoide ‘M’, Mmaduabuchi Okezuonu, Ephraim Kanakapudi ‘M? Tukur Shamsudden ‘‘M’ Omojowo Adeleke Emmanuel ‘M’ and Others at Large sometimes in 2022, did conspire amongst yourself to commit felony to wit: Fraudulently receiving money from Dangote Transporters contracted to haul Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) from Dangote Deport to Ibese and Obajana Plants, which you ought to know formed part of proceeds of crime thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 21(a) of Money Laundering ( Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022 and punishable under Section 18 (3) of the same Act. Another count reads: “That you Tukur Shamsudden ‘M’ on or before 20th December 2023 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court while in employment or acting as representative of Regal Gate Ltd, Alkham Ltd and Prestige Ltd, Companies contracted by Dangote Industries Limited to trans-load Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) from Depots to Dangote tank farms with intent to permanently deprive the owner, did Fraudulently diverted 1, 530, 893 liters of AGO valued N1, 530, 893, 000. 00 (One Billion Five Hundred and Thirty Million Eight Hundred and Ninety Three Thousand Naira) property of Dangote Industries Limited and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 383 (2)(a) of the Criminal Code Act Cap. C38 and punishable under Section 390 of the same Act. Another count reads; “That you Omojowo Adeleke Emmanuel ‘M’ on or before 20th December 2023 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court while acting as Managing Director and representative of Opetrus Global Ltd, Company contracted by Dangote Industries Limited to trans-load Automotive Gasoline Oil (AGO) from Depots to Dangote tank farm with intent to permanently deprive the owner, did Fraudulently diverted 2,455,229 liters of AGO valued N2, 455, 229, 000.00 (Two Billion Four Hundred and Fifty Five Million Two Hundred and Twenty Nine Thousand Naira) property of Dangote Industries Limited and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 383 (2)(a) of the Criminal Code Act Cap. C38 and punishable under Section 390 of the same Act.”

Remi Tinubu bags Igbo chieftaincy title

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The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has been conferred with the prestigious chieftaincy title of ‘Ugosimba 1 of Enugu’ by the Enugu State Traditional Rulers Council.

 

The title, which means jewel/eagle from another kingdom, was conferred on her on Tuesday, during her two-day working visit to the state.

 

According to the Chairman of the Council, Igwe Ikechukwu Asadu, the title recognised her love for Enugu, humanitarian service, and commitment to national development.

 

“You served three terms in the Senate and were honoured with the Commander of the Order of Niger.

 

“But beyond politics, we admire your compassion for the less privileged, your support for nurses and midwives, and your work in uplifting humanity,” Asadu said.

In her acceptance speech, Mrs Tinubu expressed deep gratitude, describing Enugu as a peaceful state where she had felt “inner peace” since her arrival.

 

She said the title was not just a personal honour but one for her husband, President Bola Tinubu, and their entire family.

This is a special honour that I will cherish forever. I love your state—it is calm and welcoming.

 

“As you have honoured me today, Enugu State will be remembered for good,” she said.

Army trains 604 special forces to boost national security

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The Nigerian Army has successfully trained no fewer than 604 Special Forces in the eighth session of its flagship programme, Exercise Restore Hope, aimed at enhancing national security.

 

The six-month specialist training, which took place at the Nigerian Army Military Training Centre in Kachia, Kaduna State, covered both kinetic and non-kinetic aspects of modern warfare.

 

It was designed to prepare the troops to confront contemporary security challenges across the country.

 

Speaking at the graduation on Tuesday, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, commended the troops for their discipline and commitment throughout the training period.

 

Represented by the General Officer Commanding 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj.-Gen. Mayirenso Saraso, the COAS noted that the soldiers had acquired critical combat skills such as marksmanship, weapon handling, and precision targeting.

 

He further explained that the soldiers were carefully selected from various units and formations of the Nigerian Army and would soon be deployed to strategic locations to boost operational efficiency in active theatres of operation.

The special forces demonstrated exceptional capabilities throughout the training, particularly in areas of cooperation, tactical manoeuvring, and concentrated firepower,” Oluyede said.

He also described Exercise Restore Hope as a continuous and biannual training initiative embedded in the Army’s operational calendar, specifically tailored to equip personnel with advanced combat skills.

 

“The special forces have undergone an upgraded training regimen beyond the basic soldier training, equipping them with mission-oriented skills necessary for critical assignments,” he added.

 

Oluyede emphasised that the newly graduated special forces would significantly enhance the fighting strength of already deployed troops, leading to better operational outcomes in various conflict zones.

 

“The training is crucial in improving the Army’s overall operational effectiveness and supporting ongoing efforts to strengthen national security,” he concluded.

 

NAN

PSC Chairman Leads Commission’s Management Team On Condolence TO Justice Galumje Over Death Of Wife, Prays For Peaceful Repose Of Her Soul

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By Ebinum Samuel

 

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd mni, has led a delegation of the Commission’s management team on condolence visit to Justice Paul Adamu Galumje, retired Justice of the Supreme Court and Honourable Commissioner representing the Judiciary in the Commission who lost his wife, Mrs. Zeporah.The Commission Chairman’s delegation included Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, Secretary to the Commission and Heads of Departments and Units.

 

DIG Argungu prayed that God who knows everything should receive the soul of the departed and give the husband and children including her extended family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

 

He urged the retired Justice to be strong and believe that the wife has gone to be with the Lord, stressing that the Commission will continue to remember the family in prayers.

Chief Onyemuche Nnamani, also speaking at the condolence visit prayed for an eternal repose of the soul of the departed. He consoled the family on the loss but noted that God knows the best.

 

Justice Galmuje who received the Commission’s delegation said he is humbled by the visit and the calibre of the delegation so soon after the call to glory of his dear wife.

 

He thanked the Chairman and Members of the delegation and noted that they have decided to accept the fate that has befallen the family.

SUNDAY KARIMI’S RENEWED FOCUS ON EDUCATION

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By Tunde Olusunle

It is the period of “midterm” assessment by Nigeria’s politicians and public officers inaugurated into four-year offices as stipulated by the Nigerian constitution as enunciated in 1999. The first quarter of every quadrennial, every four years that is, is usually the regular electoral season when presidential, gubernatorial, national and state elections, are all held. A midterm review in our electoral circumstances therefore relates to elections held within the stipulated season in 2023. In the course of the continuing evolution of Nigeria’s 26-year old Fourth Republic, judicial adjudication in contentious gubernatorial polls in select states, have precipitated “off cycle” elections in eight states. These are: Anambra, Bayelsa, Edo Ekiti, Imo, Kogi, Ondo and Osun states. The trend is more noticed in Nigeria’s South where seven states are involved.

Thursday May 29, 2025, Nigerians were awakened by the broadcast of President Bola Tinubu. He highlighted the achievements of his administration within the “first half” of his four-year mandate, 2023 – 2025. Governors of 28 states who were equally elected during the window of the scheduled cycle of national polls in 2023, have also been tendering their spreadsheets before their electors. Senators and Members of the House of Representatives have not been left behind in stewardship accountability. The probing eyes of their people, whose ears have been apprised of the volume of resources made available to them by the state, has triggered renewed expectations in service delivery, across the land. They therefore want to hear from the mouths of their ambassadors in the bicameral national parliament.

I’ve regularly interrogated the endeavours of federal legislators, including some from Kogi State. Indeed, Senators Enyinnaya Abaribe and Austin Akobundu, both from Abia State, feature amongst my subjects, same way as Leke Abejide and Dickson Tarkighir, Members Representing Yagba and Makurdi/Guma federal constituencies in Kogi and Benue states. I am from Kogi, the “confluence state” where Nigeria’s two largest rivers, the Niger and Benue are conjoined. I therefore have residual knowledge of the state. Developments across the state, my senatorial district and my federal constituency, expectedly are of prime importance to me. I should note here, that my post – National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC) working life began as a schoolteacher in a primordial rural community, *Ponyan,* in my local government area, Yagba East, within my present day federal constituency. In the course of my career in journalism, I was recalled on a number of occasions, to avail my state, Kogi State, of my experiences.

I was privileged to serve in the administrations of Prince Abubakar Audu, (of evergreen memory); Colonel Paul Omeruo and Colonel Bzigu Afakirya, (who, sadly, is no longer with us). I toured Kogi State, severally and serially, around and about with my various Principals. Every new chief executive desired speedy acquaintance with his people to filter their challenges and needs. This was usually with a view to providing speedy, spontaneous succour and remediation, which could be provided or executed within the limits of available resources at the time. State budgets those good old were not like today’s dizzying 10-digit billions, nay the scarier trillions. We travelled, with Audu, Omeruo and Afakirya, majorly by road. We equally crossed the River Niger with pontoons in instances, notably between Lokoja the state capital and Shintaku in Bassa local government area in Kogi East. We toured all the 21 local government areas in the state again and again and again. You will be correct to say that I know the state like the “lines on the palms of my hands,” deriving from the age old Yoruba proverb.

Saturday June 7, 2025, the Senator representing Kogi West District, Sunday Karimi, took his turn at the lectern, in the spirit of representational report. The venue was the Kogi State Secretariat of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, (NUJ), which hosted him in Lokoja. Karimi had with him generous quantities of a 20-page commemorative newspaper, *The Crusader,* with the cover page lead headline: *Sunday Steve Karimi: A Two-Year Harvest of Achievements.* The tabloid, copies of which were freely distributed to his audience, captured his multisectoral endeavours in words and visuals, as verifiable testament to impactful performance. He received applause from his listeners some of whom were either direct beneficiaries of his initiatives, or who could attest to the genuineness of his claims.

Karimi in recent months has sought to advance the argument for the establishment of a federal university in the Okun-speaking area of his catchment. Advocacy for the upgrading of the *College of Agriculture Kabba,* affiliated to the Ahmadu Bello University, (ABU), Zaria, to the status of a university, has been on the front burner of parliamentary discourse over time and season. Successive federal parliamentarians from Okunland have repeatedly foregrounded the quest and
Karimi has since joined in the push. To be sure, Member Representing Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu federal constituency between 2011 and 2023, Tajudeen Yusuf, once ensured the passage of the Bill by the “Green Chambers.” Other Okun-blooded representatives, notably Salman Idris, successor to Yusuf; Leke Abejide, second-term representative of Yagba federal constituency, and Biodun Faleke, representing the Ikeja, (in Lagos State) federal constituency, are also on the case. More recently, they collaborated to ensure the passage of the same Bill by the House of Representatives, in 2024.

Karimi’s immediate predecessor in the Senate, Smart Adeyemi, a three-term Senator, advanced the Bill to the third reading, during his sojourn in the ninth assembly. Dino Melaye before him, progressed the same document to the phase of its second reading. The Bill has also profited from the enthusiasm of Okun elements in the bureaucracy of the National Assembly. Whenever it is eventually birthed, it could well be designated a *Federal University of Agriculture,* just like those in Abeokuta, Akure, Makurdi, Ishiagu, Umuahia, and so on. Such calibration of the envisioned university, will fast-track Nigeria’s food sufficiency and food security desires, given the sheer expanse of arable land in Kogi State. At the same time, Karimi believes that Egbe, his hometown, where the old *Sudan Interior Misson, (SIM)* built a hospital which once served as a referral facility, can be stepped up into a *Federal University of Medicine and Medical Sciences.* Given the unquenchable thirst of Karimi’s constituents and people from adjoining states for university education, both universities will be well served by applicants and students.

In a gesture which shocked his listeners at his media interface, Karimi spoke of his plans to further ameliorate the blood pressures of parents struggling to meet up with the school fees of their children and wards. Recalling bursary scheme which he initiated in 2024, Karimi said the programme will be sustained this year, and would indeed be extended to the other senatorial zones. According to him, “Last year, I made N100m available for the 85 electoral wards in Kogi West, which provided bursaries of N100,000 each to 1000 recipients.” Continuing, Karimi said: “We are expanding the scope henceforth. We will be making available N139m to Kogi West this year, in response to the applause and appreciation which greeted the experimental disbursement. We have 96 wards across the nine local government areas in Kogi East and my office will be making available the sum of N100m to be disbursed evenly at N100,000 per student. There are 57 wards in Kogi Central and my office will be availing that zone N61m, to be appropriated along the lines of our existing template. He summed up that the expansion of his direct philanthropy by way of bursary awards to students in tertiary institutions this year would cost N300m.

Karimi equally wants to help temper the challenges encountered by Nigerian youths, in finding centres where to participate in the recently instituted *Computer Based Tests, (CBT),* by the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, (JAMB). He believes the present arrangement which prescribes CBT centres for his people in other senatorial zones or neighbouring states is not good enough. He is active in the renovation of the archival library of his alma mater, *Titcombe College,* Egbe for this purpose and has procured 275 laptops. Alumni of the iconic institution include literary giants like Emeritus Olu Obafemi, and the much younger sadly departed Pius Adesanmi who was Obafemi’s student at the University of Ilorin. He is equally providing a 30Kva solar powered inverter; securing the library; internet connectivity and installation of a 45Kva diesel-powered generator, to activate the centre. Karimi is equally upgrading the water system of Titcombe College to make for improved learning conditions for youths in his district. He tells you that his intervention in giving a face-lift to his old school, will cost him close to N200m.

Beyond these figures, however, is the conscientiousness of Sunday Karimi in helping to build the educational capacities of his people as the key to unlocking a promising future. He has intentionally differed from the style of some of his colleagues, in his chosen approach to empowering his folks. The social media regularly features politicians in parts of the country who prefer to sit on the balconies of their country homes, flipping currency notes to people in their premises who scrounge and scramble to pick up the monies. Such crass display of vainglorious opulence, such weaponisation of poverty. The automobile garages of many such parliamentarians and public officers overflow with current, exotic, expensive vehicles they may never ride in several years, maybe a lifetime. Yet, the roads to their communities look like prototypes out of Somalia or South Sudan.

*Tunde Olusunle, PhD, Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (FANA), is an Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Abuja*

Illicit drug consignment packaged as green tea intercepted at Lagos airport

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By Ebinum Samuel

As NDLEA arrests 2 young ladies with over 108kg Skunk, Loud, Colorado, Meth in Edo

No fewer than sixty-six (66) parcels of Loud, a strong strain of cannabis, packaged as green tea have been intercepted by operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the import shed of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) Ikeja Lagos.

The seizure made on Thursday 5th June 2025 was based on credible intelligence received ahead of the arrival of the consignment at the cargo wing of the airport on 11th May. The NDLEA had watch-listed the shipment, and sustained surveillance around it for over three weeks before inviting other stakeholders for a joint examination last Thursday.

The Loud consignment weighing 62.20kg was concealed inside wraps of green tea that came from Thailand via UAE on an Emirate Airlines flight.

In another operation in Lagos, NDLEA operatives on Monday 2nd June intercepted a consignment of 1,665kg skunk, a strain of cannabis, along Lekki-Ajah expressway. Two suspects: Gidado Abdulrasaq Ayinde and Obanla Oluwafemi were promptly arrested in connection with the seizure.

In Kaduna, operatives of the state command of NDLEA on patrol along Abuja – Kaduna expressway on Tuesday 3rd June arrested 29-year-old Goodluck Nnaemeka with 612 bottles of codeine-based syrup and 2,970 pills of flunitrazepam. In another operation same day, a 52-year-old wanted drug dealer Kabiru Musa (a.k.a KB) was arrested at Kurmin Mashi. A total of 25.7kg skunk was earlier recovered from his base.

While a total of 9kg Loud was recovered from the spare tyre compartment of an Audi station wagon car marked AAA 975 XU driven by Atari Israel, 45, along Auchi road, Edo state, two young ladies: Favour Joy and Joy Igwe were on Tuesday 3rd June nabbed at Ikpoba hill area of Benin city. Recovered from them include: 106.57kg skunk; 1kg Loud; 800grams Colorado and 302grams of methamphetamine.

The War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) social advocacy activities by NDLEA Commands equally continued across the country in the past week. Some of them include: WADA sensitization lecture delivered to students and staff of Sir Usman Nagogo College of Arabic and Islamic Studies, Katsina; Fountain of Knowledge International Academy, Abakaliki, Ebonyi; Prof. Eyo Ita Municipal Model Primary School, Calabar, Cross River; Millennium High School, Egbeda, Lagos; and Community Secondary School, Ichida Anaocha, Anambra; while Zone 13 Command of NDLEA paid a WADA advocacy visit to the Amayanabo of Nembe kingdom, Dr. Edmund Dakoru, Mingi Xii, in Nembe, Bayelsa state; among others.

While commending the officers and men of MMIA, Lagos, Kaduna, and Edo Commands of the Agency for the arrests and seizures of the past week, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) also praised their counterparts in all the commands across the country for pursuing a fair balance between their drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.

 

Marwa mourns Prof. Jubril Aminu, describes ex-minister as an epitome of knowledge

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By Ebinum Samuel

 

Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) has described former Minister of Education, Prof Jubril Muhammad Aminu as an epitome of knowledge who made positive impacts in medicine, education, foreign policy, politics and oil industry, all sectors where he served Nigeria at different times.

Marwa in a statement on Friday 6th June 2025 said the death of Aminu on Thursday 5th June “is a monumental loss that leaves a multitude of people grief-stricken in Nigeria and outside the shores of this country. Even at 85, we would have loved to see him live much longer, for many more years, so that Nigeria can continue to benefit from his depth of knowledge and wealth of experience that cuts across critical sectors of human development.”

He said the outpour of tributes in the past 24 hours is an indication of Prof Aminu’s far-reaching influence and impact across various spheres of life, all of which further exacerbated the sense of loss for Nigerians.

“Yet, in our state of bereavement, we cannot but celebrate the life and times of an extraordinary man, an epitome of knowledge who, until he passed on, was and is still one of Nigeria’s finest examples in medicine and academics, where he made lasting impacts”, Marwa added.

The NDLEA boss said apart from coming from the same state with the late Senator who once represented Adamawa Central in the National Assembly, he has good memories of the various times and stages their paths crossed in the service of the nation.