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  • 26 years on, same music echos in Nigeria again – By Godwin Etakibuebu

    26 years on, same music echos in Nigeria again – By Godwin Etakibuebu

    Yes, it is good news that we have survived; with this Fourth Republic for 26 years – counting from 1999, when General Olusegun Obasanjo, a one-time Military Head of State, took over from General Abdusalam Abubakar; the last of the Nigerian Military Junta, at a very elegant handing-over ceremony, after a democratically contested election.

    But by the unfolding events of this Administration, there seem to be hiccups in the country and the body of the Polity. Things, as they look, are no more at ease; with much respect to the memory of Chinua Achebe; our late literary Icon. 

    It must be purely for this reason that I am walking memory-lane journey back, somewhere to the First Republic, to see if there could be any historical perspective of that era that can help us, in our present precarious undertaking.

    And what I am trying to achieve, by this walk back along memory lane, is to identify some errors of the past, that might be useful in correcting some mistakes of today, through sounding a very strong warning to today’s leadership of the Fourth Republic. 

    This warning – I advise, should be appropriately taken very seriously by today’s Nigerian leaders, because of what one of our own former leaders – another highly reverend Nigerian man of knowledge, called the Cicero – James Ajibola Idowu Ige [September 13, 1930 – December 23, 2001] said. 

    “History has shown that people don’t learn from history hence history has a way of repeating itself”, was how the erudite lawyer – a legal luminary with the unique advantage of speaking in English while writing in Latin, puts it. 

    He – a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and Nigeria’s Attorney General and Minister of Justice, most unfortunately, did not learn from history at all, or enough, hence brutal history met with him in Ibadan, on the evening of December 23, 2001, when he was assassinated in his house, at Bodija, in Ibadan. 

    Again, I am begging present Nigerian leaders to listen to the music that echoed during the First Republic, compare same to the tune of the music that echoed in the Second Republic diligently, and do a clean comparative analysis of those tunes and the one musical lyric that is booming loudly in the country today. 

    “A stich in a time saves nine”, the elders have always said.

    The Nigerian First Parliamentarian General Election of December 30, 1964, left our country politically divided. The meaning of real political enmity came down from Hell – because it could not have arrived from Heaven, and all Nigerians, matured enough then, saw it. What most of those that were decoding the mathematical equation of that time, however thought, it was just a phase that would soon vanish with time.

    Alas, it refused to vanish away. And one of the many reason that made that “political disorder” not to vanish, was the fact that those who won the election of that year started thinking of themselves as Warriors, Victors and Conquers. That was in one hand.

    And on the other hand, those who lost in the election became sad, and even sadder, on daily basis because those who won started calling those who lost “bad losers”. 

    The losers were really tormented – physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally, by the winners. 

    Even, in-between these two Groups of winners and losers; as they named themselves, anger, dichotomy, bitterness, and all vices geometrically grew, without any attempt of reconciliation from any quarter.

    The dichotomy raised its ugly head more between the North and the South, with the East finding some silvered lining along the coast of safety. Of course, since a House divided against itself cannot stand – as the saying goes, the political enmity between Obafemi Awolowo and Samuel Ladoke Akintola – inside One House that the Western Region could have been, did not see solution appearing from any angle.

    The atmosphere degenerated into “Operation weti e” in the Western Region. Houses of suspected political enemies were burnt down willingly. People were sent to jail through the instrumentality of jaundiced judiciary. 

    The losers of the election – 1964, were not at ease, while the winners were enjoying the dividends of triumph.

    That was the situation until the 15th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting [CHOGM], held in Lagos, Nigeria, in January 1966. Our own esteemed Prime Minister of that era – the Golden Voice of Africa; as he was called, Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa, hosted that conference while fire was practically burning on the roof of his house. 

    Sir Tafawa Balewa, having done a good job of hosting the Conference, enthusiastically saw his Special Guests off, one after the other, until the last of them left on January 14, 1966. It was while the last Guest of the Prime Minister was leaving Nigeria that a particularly and memorable discussion took place between the Prime Minister and a Nigerian journalist, with the Tribune Newspaper, at the Ikeja International Airport. 

    Sir, “how comfortable are you hosting the Commonwealth Conference while fire is burning in Western Nigeria?”, the Journalist asked the Prime Minister. 

    Listen to the humorous answer the Prime Minister gave to the journalist.

    “Where are we standing now?”, he asked the journalist. And the journalist answered him respectfully, by saying “we are in Ikeja Sir”. The Prime Minister thanked him before firing his second question: “is Ikeja not part of the Western Region you mentioned?”, and without waiting for the journalist’s answer, the big man concluded by saying, “where is the fire you are talking about – can you show me the fire, please?”

    Again, that was January 14, 1966. And just 48 hours into that discussion, that joke of looking for the fire had become one big history, well written for posterity – albeit end of Nigerian First Republic.

    Let us look at another scene that occurred again – with similarity to those events that happened in 1966. Except that this event happened around October or November, of 1982.

    Obafemi Awolowo, in his usual custom, was going on his annual pilgrimage to Isreal and the rest of the World, and at the airport in Ikeja, he addressed the Press. The Sage submitted, during the press briefing, that “the Ship of the Nigerian Nation would soon go aground because of the financial recklessness of Nigerian political Leaders”. 

    He even took time – as typically characteristic of the man, to give details of the Nigerian financial balance sheet, as they were at the time. He submitted, with timely accuracy that it would only be matter of months for the Nigerian Nation-State Ship to  be grounded and wrecked.

    Of course, the then Nigerian Ruling Political Party – the National Party of Nigeria [NPN] did not welcome Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s critical evaluation of things in Nigeria, with accolades. But what the old Sage said, around October or November of that year – 1983, found a sad fulfilment on the last day of the month of December 1983, in a bloodless military uprising, that destroyed all our democratic endeavours. 

    Here we are again, in 2025, where there seems to be a tune of music, echoing from somewhere in the past of Nigerian history. And many people are speaking, against permutation of things in our beloved country, just as some people spoke in the past. 

    But is there anyone listening?

    Godwin Etakibuebu; a Veteran Journalist, wrote from Lagos.

    Contact:

    Website: www.godwintheguru.org

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    Phone: +234-906-887-0014 – short messages only. 

    You can also listen to this author [Godwin Etakibuebu] every Monday; 9:30 – 11am on Lagos Talk 91.3 FM live, in a weekly review of topical issues, presented by The News Guru [TNG].

  • US clarifies, says new visa review not a travel ban on Nigeria, others

    US clarifies, says new visa review not a travel ban on Nigeria, others

    The United States government has clarified that a proposed visa review affecting 36 countries is not a blanket travel ban on Africa or Nigeria.

    The announcement came during a press briefing on Monday, where US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce addressed concerns raised by journalists about the status of the plan.

    Bruce, in a June 17 press briefing in Washington, DC, said the move was guided by national security requirements outlined in President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14161, which mandated stricter scrutiny of visa applicants to ensure they did not pose a threat to US public safety.

    However, she stressed that geography was not a factor in the decision-making process.

    “The continent or location of a country is not a consideration,” she said.

    She added: “This is about whether we can trust the visa information provided by each country.”

    The visa review is aimed at assessing how well foreign governments manage key processes such as identity verification, security information sharing, handling of visa overstays, and cooperation with the US on deportations.

    Nations that do not meet the US standard will be asked to make improvements and will be given time to do so.

    Contrary to reports suggesting a June 18 deadline for countries to submit action plans, Bruce said that was incorrect.

    “They will have a considerable amount of time to rectify whatever the situation is,” she explained.

    “The goal is to reach a point where we can trust the process and the information provided by these countries. That’s how we determine visa eligibility.”

    For Nigeria, this means no immediate travel restrictions but a continued need for cooperation with US authorities on visa documentation, security vetting, and related processes.

    Nigeria was previously affected by a similar policy in 2020, when it was added to a list of countries with restricted access to certain types of US visas due to concerns over data sharing and terrorist watchlist information.

    After high-level engagement and system upgrades, Nigeria was eventually removed from that list.

    This latest review appears to follow a similar structure, giving countries an opportunity to fix identified weaknesses rather than imposing automatic bans.

    For thousands of Nigerians seeking student visas, work permits, and tourism access to the US, the key will be how well the government continues to collaborate with Washington on security and identity verification procedures. [With The Guardian report]

  • Nigeria’s fertility rate not normal – UN agency

    Nigeria’s fertility rate not normal – UN agency

    The UN Population Fund (UNFPA) has attributed Nigeria’s high fertility rate to limited reproductive rights and access, rather than cultural preferences alone.

    UNFPA’s Officer-in-Charge in Nigeria, Mr Koessan Kuawu, made this known on Tuesday in Abuja during the presentation of highlights from the 2025 State of the World Population (SWOP) Report.

    It was launched in collaboration with the National Population Commission (NPC).

    The report, titled “The Real Fertility Crisis: The Pursuit of Reproductive Health Agency”, examines global trends relating to bodily autonomy and reproductive decision-making.

    Kuawu noted that while fertility rates are declining globally, Nigeria remains an outlier due to restricted access to reproductive health services and the persistent unmet need for family planning.

    “The Nigerian fertility crisis is not normal; it is a failure to respect, protect and fulfil individual reproductive rights,” he stated.

    According to the report, Nigeria’s fertility rate currently stands at 4.3 births per woman, in contrast to 0.75 in South Korea and 1.21 in Italy.

    The global average has declined from approximately five births per woman in the 1960s to 2.2 in 2024 and is projected to fall further by 2100.

    The report also presented findings from a joint UNFPA-Google survey conducted across 14 countries, including Nigeria, assessing whether individuals were able to achieve their desired family size.

    It revealed that 30 per cent of Nigerian men and 21 per cent of women expressed a preference for having four or more children, significantly higher than the global averages of 11 per cent and nine per cent, respectively.

    However, many respondents cited health, economic and social barriers that prevented them from realising these preferences.

    Among Nigerian women under the age of 50, 12 per cent reported having fewer children than desired, while nearly half said they had no children despite wanting them.

    Additionally, 11 per cent of women had more children than they had planned, and 90 per cent of women aged 50 and above reported having fewer children than they would have liked.

    The report attributed this gap between desired and actual family size to factors such as infertility, inadequate access to healthcare, long-term illness and poverty.

    It also highlighted concerns around sexual autonomy, noting that 45 per cent of Nigerian women and 20 per cent of men reported being unable to refuse sex with a partner.

    Furthermore, 25 per cent of women and 13 per cent of men were unable to use their preferred contraceptive methods, while 24 per cent of women and 40 per cent of men faced challenges accessing reproductive health services.

    The report identified deficiencies in data collection, funding, strategy implementation and monitoring as major impediments to Nigeria’s policy response.

    It called for inclusive health systems, gender equality, and support for a wide range of reproductive choices, including the right to remain child-free.

    NPC Chairman, Mr Nasir Kwarra, said the report’s theme calls for a shift away from focusing solely on fertility rates to addressing the structural inequalities that shape reproductive choices.

    “As fertility rates decline globally, Nigeria faces a unique demographic challenge,” Kwarra said.

    He referenced the 2023–2024 Nigeria Demographic and Health Survey (NDHS), which showed a drop in the national Total Fertility Rate (TFR) from 5.3 to 4.8 children per woman.

    “Adolescent fertility remains a concern, with 15 per cent of girls aged 15 to 19 already pregnant or having begun childbearing,” he added.

    According to him, modern contraceptive use among married women has increased slightly to 15 per cent but remains far from Nigeria’s target of 27 per cent by 2030.

    He also noted that the unmet need for family planning, now at 21 per cent reflects a growing service delivery gap despite increasing demand.

    Kwarra stated that the report advocates a shift from population control to empowering individuals with reproductive agency, which he described as both a human rights issue and a development imperative.

    Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako, represented by Mr Alex Ugochukwu, said the ministry, with support from partners, is working to expand access to family planning services.

    He also noted that efforts are underway to integrate maternal and child health with sexual and reproductive health education, particularly for young people and vulnerable populations.

    “Reproductive health extends beyond the health sector, it intersects with education, gender equality, poverty reduction and community empowerment,” he said.

    Salako added that the government is enhancing cross-sectoral collaboration and advocating for increased domestic funding to improve service delivery.

    Chairman of the Senate Committee on Population, Victor Umeh, cautioned against legislative attempts to regulate birth rates, stressing the importance of education instead.

    “Countries such as China have attempted this approach, and it has not been particularly effective,” he said.

    He advocated for sex education for girls to help them understand their reproductive cycles and take control of their fertility.

    Speaking on the postponed National Population and Housing Census, Umeh noted that accurate population data is essential for effective national planning.

    He said President Bola Tinubu had established a Presidential Committee to ensure a credible census is conducted soon and assured that the National Assembly would provide full support for the exercise.

  • Our $1Bn ports rehabilitation, other measures tranforming Nigeria’s Blue Economy-NPA

    Our $1Bn ports rehabilitation, other measures tranforming Nigeria’s Blue Economy-NPA

    The management of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) led by its Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho has stated that, the $1billion reconstruction of Tincan Island Port Complex and the comprehensive rehabilitation of Apapa, Rivers, Onne, Warri and Calabar Port Complexes.

    Accoreing to the management, the project was to ensure infrastructural integrity that will bring them up with the contemporary demands of the international maritime ecosystem alongside other measures to expand the Port’s capacity through the operationalisation of new Ports and advancement of green port development which has contributed a lot to Nigeria’s maritime and blue economy as well as the overall economic development of the nation.

    It could be recalled that, Dantsoho had last month led the NPA Management to finalize an agreement for the $1billion development of Snake Island Port to be built on an 85-hectare site within the Snake Island Integrated Free Zone.

    The management further noted that, the projects was in addition to Badagry Deep Seaport, Ondo Deep Seaports and Burutu Ports which are at various stages of progress as well as the Port Community System (PCS) and the National Single Window amongst other initiatives for port competitiveness being aggressively implemented under the technical guidance of the NPA.

    The NPA management added, “Apart from the commencement of actual works on the $1billion ports reconstruction, the Managing Director of the Nigeria Ports Authority with unalloyed support of the performance-driven Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has turned the fortunes of the authority around.

    It added, “One of the most notable achievements in 2024 was the substantial increase in cargo throughput. Cargo traffic surged by 45.1%, rising from 71,213,197 metric tons in 2023 to 103,336,863 metric tons in 2024. This increase reflects heightened trade activities and improved operational efficiencies. Lekki Port stood out as the leader in cargo throughput growth, recording a 2,160.8% increase, followed by Onne Port with a 9.4% rise and Tin Can Island Port with 7.3% growth. Notably, Liquid Bulk cargo accounted for the largest share at 55.6%, while containerized cargo contributed 20.9%.

    “The Nigerian ports also recorded impressive gains in ship traffic. The number of ship calls increased by 5.6%, growing from 3,791 in 2023 to 4,005 in 2024. This was accompanied by an even more substantial 15.4% growth in Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT), which climbed from 123,660,278 to 142,660,418 tons. Lekki Port again led the growth trend, registering a 477.6% increase in ship calls, while Onne Port experienced a 5.8% rise.

    “The total container throughput also saw a significant 9.7% increase, with 1,744,972 TEUs handled in 2024, compared to 1,591,194 TEUs in 2023. Within this category, laden containers grew by 12.2%, with export-laden containers experiencing an outstanding 53.7% rise. Transhipment container traffic saw an even more impressive 136.5% increase, indicating a growing role for Nigerian ports in regional cargo redistribution”.

    The NPA further noted that, service boat operations recorded 49.6% increase in activity during the period with the number of boats handled growing from 8,956 in 2023 to 13,396 in 2024.

    It added, “Additionally, the Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) for service boats soared by 129.3%, jumping from 1,997,163 tons to 4,579,742 tons. This reflects enhanced offshore activities and better service infrastructure at the ports.

    The operational efficiency of Nigerian ports also showed improvement. The Average Turn-Around Time for vessels decreased from 4.7 days to 4.6 days, reflecting a 1.0% improvement in port operations. Lekki Port demonstrated the highest efficiency, with an average vessel turnaround time of just 2.5 days.

    “Furthermore, Berth Occupancy Rate improved from 30.1% in 2023 to 33% in 2024, signifying increased port utilization and operational effectiveness”.

    The management further noted that, Dantosho’s insistence on port efficiencies has culminated in Nigeria’s attainment of trade surplus of N5.81 trillion ($3.7 billion) in third quarter of 2024 as reported by the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG) foreign trade alert through exports predominantly consummated on the platforms of the Nigerian Ports Authority.

    “Also, the successful implementation of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s strategy for the sale of crude and other petroleum products in Naira which in addition to saving Billions of FOREX earnings hitherto lost to importation, resulted in guaranteeing national energy security, deepening balance of trade and creating direct and indirect jobs.

    “The authority under Dantsoho has put Public Private Partnership modalities in motion to derive revenue from Ports Independent Power Production, Bunkering Stations, Fallow Lands for Logistics, Fresh Water Provision and Ship Repairs and Maintenance”.

    According to NPA, other positive measures taken which were yielding positive results include; Port Automation, Electronic Truck Call-Up among others.

  • Democracy Day: Otuaro Calls for Unity, Backs Tinubu’s National Vision

    Democracy Day: Otuaro Calls for Unity, Backs Tinubu’s National Vision

    As Nigeria marks Democracy Day, former Deputy Governor of Delta State, His Excellency Deacon Kingsley Burutu Otuaro, has extended a message of hope, urging Deltans and Nigerians across the nation to remain steadfast in their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

    In a statement, Otuaro acknowledged the current economic and social challenges but stressed that Nigeria is making meaningful strides toward recovery and renewal.

    He lauded President Tinubu’s focused efforts in tackling poverty, revamping the economy, and building a foundation for a united and prosperous nation.

    Read the full statement below:

    A Message of Hope and Support to the People of Delta State and Nigerians Nationwide

    My dear people of Delta State, and fellow Nigerians,

    At this crucial moment in our nation’s journey, I come to you not only as a former Deputy Governor but as a fellow patriot who shares in your dreams, concerns, and unyielding hope for a better Nigeria.

    In the face of challenges, we must not lose sight of the progress being made and the intentional efforts of our President, His Excellency Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to lay a solid foundation for a stronger, prosperous nation. His administration is deeply committed to eradicating poverty, rebuilding our economy, and securing a brighter future for all Nigerians—north, south, east, and west.

    This is not the time for despair or division, but for unity and prayerful support. The Word of God instructs us in 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (NIV):
    “I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”

    I therefore call on every Deltan and every Nigerian to join hands in prayer and support for President Tinubu and his team. Let us give them the benefit of our trust, the strength of our encouragement, and the blessing of our faith.

    Let us remember—great nations are not built in silence or cynicism, but through collective sacrifice, patience, and unwavering hope. With your support and God’s guidance, I am confident that this administration will lead us to a new dawn where opportunities abound, peace prevails, and every Nigerian can thrive.

    Together, let us believe again. Let us build again. Let us rise again.

    God bless President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
    God bless Delta State.

  • Russia reaffirms ties with Nigeria

    Russia reaffirms ties with Nigeria

    The Russian Federation has reiterated its dedication to deepening cooperation with Nigeria, exploring new frontiers in diplomatic relations between the two nations.

    Amb. Andrey Podelyshev, Russia’s envoy to Nigeria, said this during a reception held on Wednesday in Abuja to commemorate Russia’s national holiday, “Russia Day.”

    Celebrated annually on June 12, Russia Day serves as a time to reflect on the past, embrace the present, and look confidently toward the future.

    Podelyshev emphasised Russia’s commitment to upholding an international order grounded in respect for sovereignty, cultural uniqueness, and each nation’s right to pursue its development path.

    Highlighting the long-standing friendship between Russia and Africa, he said, “We do not impose conditions, interfere in internal affairs, or dictate models of development.

    “We support honest and mutually beneficial dialogue, and equal partnership.”

    He noted Nigeria’s pivotal role on the African continent both historically and in humanitarian terms.

    “Thousands of Nigerians have studied in Russian universities, fostering a foundation of trust that supports growing cooperation in science, energy, defense, and agriculture.

    “We highly value the openness of our Nigerian partners, constructive dialogue, and shared focus on tangible outcomes,” Podelyshev added.

    He expressed optimism about the future, stating, “We firmly believe that the potential of Russia-Nigeria cooperation is far from exhausted, with new horizons, joint projects, and growth opportunities ahead.”

    Russia, the world’s largest country spanning two continents and 11 time zones, is renowned for its rich cultural diversity, dramatic landscapes, and iconic landmarks.

  • ABDUL SAMAD RABIU: Nigeria’s reforms have put the country on the global economic map

    ABDUL SAMAD RABIU: Nigeria’s reforms have put the country on the global economic map

    By Abdul Samad Rabiu

    As my country steadies itself, Britain, its Western allies and their companies should deepen this partnership.

    As ghosts of the 1930s haunt the global outlook, the scramble for trade deals has seized control of government agendas. The United States has leveraged its “tariff war” to secure better terms, driving both friend and foe to the negotiating table. British deals with the US and India have provided some refuge from the prevailing gloom.

    Less reported – but with similar potential – was last year’s signing of the Enhanced and Trade and Investment Partnership (ETIP) between the UK and Nigeria , the former’s first such agreement with an African nation. Quiet in its arrival, the pact may yet echo louder.

    As someone who has built multinational businesses across Africa, I know the vast opportunity the continent offers, and Nigeria in particular, which alone accounts for a fifth of sub-Saharan Africa’s 1.2 billion people. But I also understand the limitations we have often placed on ourselves when it comes to securing investment.

    Lowering barriers to trade is crucial, and for that Britain’s ETIP looks prescient. However, investment and business potential will remain discounted as long as African nations cling to state intervention – from subsidies and price controls to exchange rate distortions – all of which have consistently bred dysfunction and economic instability. Fortunately, Nigeria has now decisively turned a corner, embracing market economics under a liberalising government.

    In Morocco this week, Foreign Secretary David Lammy indicated Britain’s position is shifting too. Setting out his strategy for Africa, he said British policy must transition from aid to investment. “Trade-not-aid” is no new idea – but it is the first time a British government has so clearly echoed the demand the African continent has voiced for years.

    In making that shift, Nigeria is taking the lead for a continent to follow. So many Nigerian administrations I have known have been hostage to economic events, doubling down time and again on state intervention rather than having the conviction to reform. This administration is proving different. After two years of difficult reforms, Nigeria – under President Bola Tinubu – is now poised to fulfil the promise of its vast natural resources, rapidly growing population of over 200 million people, and strategic coastal location along the Gulf of Guinea.

    First, the Tinubu administration removed a crippling fuel subsidy – the most significant policy reform in years. At 25 to 30 cents per litre, petrol in Nigeria was among the cheapest in the world. But the subsidy was bankrupting the government: by 2023, it consumed over 15 per cent of the federal budget – roughly equivalent to the proportion the UK spends annually on the NHS.

    When President Tinubu ditched the fuel subsidy on his first day in office, criticism quickly followed. Prices, at least for the time being, have risen. However, statistics must be understood in light of the wide-ranging distortions the subsidy created.

    Officially, fuel consumption in Nigeria has dropped by 40 to 50 per cent. But that is not because Nigerians’ petrol use reduced by this amount. In reality the country was subsidising the region, with cross border fuel smugglers profiting from arbitrage. The illegal trade was so blatant that on a visit to neighbouring Niger a few years ago, then-President Mohamed Bazoum even joked about it, thanking Nigeria for the cheap fuel. Though the move was politically unpopular, the subsidy had become unsustainable. Now, spending is being redirected toward development and infrastructure – laying the foundations for long-term growth.

    Second, the country has moved from a fixed to a market-determined exchange rate. Previously, only select groups could access the official rate – especially those with political connections; the rest had to rely on a more expensive parallel informal market determined by supply and demand. But selling dollars at an artificially low rate only entrenched scarcity, a problem compounded by an opaque exchange mechanism that deterred foreign investment.

    Every two weeks, we used to make the 12-hour drive to Abuja to seek dollar allocations for imports – camping out at the Central Bank for three or four days. Now, I no longer need to go. I’ve met the new Governor only once in two years – because I haven’t had to. Monetary orthodoxy has finally arrived, bringing with it the liquidity that both domestic and foreign businesses depend on to smooth trade and de-risk investment.

    Third, the shackles of politics are being prised from business, bringing greater certainty, fairness and stability to the landscape. Five years ago, I woke up one morning to find that the port concession for a new venture of mine had been revoked. It turned out my company was outcompeting a friend of an official of the Nigerian Ports Authority. In the end, it took then-President Buhari’s personal intervention to save the enterprise.

    Had I not been politically connected, the business would have folded – along with the 4,000 jobs it provided – at a time when job creation was, and remains, Nigeria’s most urgent challenge. Today, such connections are no longer necessary. The playing field is being levelled, flattening the political ridges and dips that once skewed the game.

    Many of these reforms required political courage to withstand the force of criticism. Prices rose as distortions were removed, yet the administration held firm, even as vested interests co-opted public discontent for their own ends.

    Indeed, many of the benefits of reform are still to be felt by the wider public. But economic fundamentals must be fixed before that becomes possible. That lead-time often tempts market reformers to reverse course, or avoid reform altogether. Now that Nigeria has made it through the toughest phase, its direction should be clear to investors.

    For Britain, the Enhanced Trade and Investment Partnership with Nigeria was a strategic bet on reform, resilience and long-term reward. Nigeria is now delivering its part of the bargain. As my country steadies itself, the UK, its Western allies – and their companies – should deepen this partnership.

    *Abdul Samad Rabiu is a Nigerian businessman and philanthropist*

  • World Environment Day: Nigeria ranks among top ocean polluters

    World Environment Day: Nigeria ranks among top ocean polluters

    The Media Awareness and Justice Initiative (MAJI), a non-governmental organisation(NGO), has expressed grave concern over Nigeria’s ranking as the 9th largest contributor to ocean plastics globally.

    The NGO, therefore, emphasised the need for urgent measures to curb plastic waste, especially in the Niger Delta region, which continued to experience rising pollution levels.

    MAJI’s Executive Director, Mr Onyekachi Okoro, emphasised this during a press briefing on Thursday in Port Harcourt in commemoration of the 2025 World Environment Day with the theme: “Beat Plastic Pollution”.

    He called on the Nigerian government, communities, companies, and regulatory bodies to take immediate action to regulate and reduce plastic waste generation.

    The NGO said effective implementation of this action would improve waste management systems nationwide.

    “The country currently lacks adequate manpower, technology, and strategies to enforce proper waste management policies across the states,” he noted.

    According to the United Nations Secretary-General in October 2024, over 460 million metric tons of plastic are produced annually, with a significant portion breaking down into microplastics that contaminate food and water sources.

    Okoro also referenced alarming predictions from the United Nations Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution, which warned that by 2050, plastics in the oceans might outnumber fish.

    In response to these concerns, MAJI proposed several actionable recommendations to include, declaration of indiscriminate plastic waste dumping as illegal, with strict penalties for offenders.

    “Establishment of plastic collection and waste management centers across the country, creation of incentives for recycling companies and environmental groups.

    “The launch of collaborative awareness campaigns using community platforms and local languages to reach grassroots populations and the domestication of legal frameworks to regulate plastic importation and promote environmental compliance.”

    Okoro stressed the devastating effects of plastic pollution on marine biodiversity, animal health, and human well-being, urging all stakeholders to respond with urgency.

    Also speaking at the event, Mrs Boma Amadi, Assistant Director at the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Rivers, affirmed the agency’s commitment to public education on proper plastic waste disposal.

    “With our presence in all 23 local government areas of Rivers, we have been able to reach grassroots communities with information on sorting, recycling, and packaging,” she said.

    Amadi highlighted the agency’s focus on raising awareness about the health risks of plastic pollution, including the infiltration of harmful enzymes into water bodies and threats to marine life.

    She assured that NOA would continue to promote behavioural change through targeted campaigns and community engagement, aiming to foster a cleaner, healthier environment.

    Several local government representatives at the event pledged to take the message of “Beating Plastic Pollution” back to their communities to help reduce plastic waste and protect the environment.

  • Gates doles out $7.5m to support AI scaling initiative in Nigeria

    Gates doles out $7.5m to support AI scaling initiative in Nigeria

    The Gates Foundation has agreed to support the Federal Government with  $7.5 million for Nigeria’s Artificial Intelligence (AI) Scaling Hub, a new initiative.

    This would accelerate the development and scale-up AI-driven solutions to improve lives and expand opportunities across key sectors such as health, agriculture, and education.

    The Special Adviser of Media and Communications, Ministry of Communications ,Innovation and Digital Economy, Isime Esene, made this known in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.

    Esene said that the announcement was made during the Scaling Hub signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Ministry and the foundation.

    He said that fhe Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, explained that Nigeria’s AI Scaling Hub was a multi-stakeholder initiative that would coordinate the scaling of mature AI solutions in the country.

    He added, “The hub will convene government agencies, private sector tech companies, academia, and development partners to support large-scale implementation of mature AI innovations.

    “The Gates Foundation is supporting the Nigeria Scaling Hub with up to $7.5 million commitment over a three-year period.

    “By working with the Gates Foundation, we are strengthening our capacity to ensure that AI-driven solutions are developed responsibly and deployed equitably.

    “The AI Scaling Hub will serve as a catalyst for Nigerian innovators by providing the resources, mentorship, and support necessary to translate ideas into impact.

    “The AI Scaling Hub initiative will advance the government’s efforts to identify, develop, and scale high-impact Al solutions that address innovation in these key sectors, as well as position Nigeria as an exemplar for emerging technologies in Africa.”

    The minister highlighted the progress made by the government of Nigeria in the adoption of AI, including the recent drafting of the National AI Strategy developed to ensure its responsible deployment.

    “As AI technologies continue to evolve, the Nigeria AI Scaling Hub offers a model for how governments and partners can work together to scale innovations that improve health outcomes.

    “It will also enhance education systems, and boost agricultural productivity by ensuring digital transformation benefits all Nigerians,” he said.

    On his part, Uche Amaonwu, Nigeria’s Country Director at the foundation, said that AI would transform how Nigeria address development challenges, unlocking new ways to improve lives and strengthen systems.

    “We are proud to support the Nigeria AI Scaling Hub with the Government of Nigeria and Lagos Business School, investing in local talent and innovation to ensure the benefits of AI reach those who need them most,” he said.

  • May Nigeria never happen to you – By Godwin Etakibuebu

    May Nigeria never happen to you – By Godwin Etakibuebu

    Today’s caption is prayerful. It is a prayer for me. It is a prayer for you. And it is a prayer for all of us – Nigerians. May Nigeria does not happen to us. What does this prayerful caption stand for? 

    A few days ago, precisely on Friday, May 30, 2025, “a flood of fury”, as many captured it, occurred in the Mokwa Local Government of Niger State, leaving nothing less than 150 people dead, with thousands displaced, and millions of Naira in properties going down the drain. 

    It was Nigeria that happened to these latest victims, because it was not happening for the first time in that area of the country. It occurred before in Niger State, ditto other flood-prone areas across Nigeria. Warnings were equally issued in the beginning of the year on the pending disaster of rain, storm and flood, by Government Agencies responsible for monitoring the weather. 

    What did the Nigerian Authority do to avoid the Mokwa “flood of fury”? Nothing at all. Nigeria was waiting to happen to that community and the victims – and it actually came to pass. It – Nigeria happened to them!

    Just recently, there was a sad but confirmed report, of Nigerian students, at secondary school level, writing their English language examination at the dark hours of the night. There was no electricity provided, but instead, telephone torchlights “came to the rescue of these unfortunate young Nigerians”. It was Nigeria that happened to them!

    And the Nigerian Examination Body in charge of that disaster, came out absurdly, with an unacceptable reason for allowing that to happen. At other centres of this show of shame, the roof of the school block where the examination in the olden days of the photographer Darkroom, caved in upon the students. Thank God, no casualty of life loss was reported. It is Nigeria that happened to them!

    The Premium Times quoted the Amnesty International last week as saying that “over 10,000 people have been killed across Nigeria in Tinubu’s first two years as presidency”. For all those numbers, it is Nigeria that happened to them!

    If you know and understand the number of people that Nigerian governments throw into the marketplace of multidimensional poverty on daily basis, The Guru urges that weep not – nor gnash your teeth not, please. It is Nigeria that is happening to them!

    Nor must you be dismayed when you see Nigerians in court, being sentenced to life imprisonment, or sometimes, being sentence to death, for stealing phones, chickens, or even two tubas of yam. It is Nigeria that is happening to these unfortunate ones! 

    Neither must you be celebrating when other Nigerians, with proven facts of looting – or put more succinctly, STEALING billions of Nigerian Naira, are being awarded the highest Honour of the land, or being sponsored to places of leadership in the Nigerian Executive Arm of Government, in the Nigerian National Assembly [both at the Senate and the Honourable House of Representative] , or even sometimes becoming Executive Governor of a State. It is Nigeria that is happening!

    Today, on the journey of this exercise, captioned under a prayer point: of Nigeria not happening to us, The Guru has gone a little poetic. And in so doing, he has brought out a Nigerian that gave all he had to Nigeria. Yet, Nigeria happened to him – albeit Nigeria killed him!

    Enjoy the poem of how Nigeria can happen to us below, please.

    He Ran for His Country, But It Was His Country That Gunned Him Down. Not in War, Not in Terror but in Envy.

    The tragic story of Otenkwa Dele Ndubuisi Udoh – a boy of two tribes, a dreamer of two worlds, and a victim of a jealous gun.

    He was born in Umuahia, Abia State, on May 24, 1957. A Yoruba Igbo boy, two proud heritages burning in his veins, but one soul, fast, driven, gifted. From a young age, Otenkwa Dele Ndubuisi Udoh didn’t walk, he sprinted. His feet were blessed, and so was his future.

    In the 1970s, he crossed the ocean to chase a dream – in America, in the very land of freedom. 

    There, at the University of Missouri, he blazed through the tracks like a storm. He became a collegiate champion, loved, respected, admired. He was the pride of the Missouri Tigers, and one of the most promising 400m runners the world had seen. In 1978, he helped set a world record in the Sprint Medley Relay at the Baylor International in Texas.

    In 1980, he represented Nigeria at the Moscow Olympics, running alongside legends like Sunday Uti and Hope Ezeigbo. So, he came home. To serve. To run again. To make his country proud.

    BUT WHAT DO YOU CALL A LAND WHERE JEALOUSY WEARS A UNIFORM?

    On July 15, 1981, Dele Udoh, aged just 24, was back in Lagos, preparing for the Continental Championships. That night they plan to eat Dinner at the National Institute for Sports Camp in Surulere was over. Nothing left. So, they decided to quickly head down to Ojuelegba, just a short ride, to grab a late meal. Hunger shouldn’t kill a champion.

    It wasn’t hunger that killed Dele Udoh.

    A police officer flagged them down. Dele, polite and respectful, tried to explain.

    He told the officer, “In the US where I just returned from, police officers don’t point guns at innocent people like this.” A simple statement. But truth, in Nigeria, offends the unsecured.

    The officer, now consumed with rage and envy, replied with venom. “So, you think you can go to America and return to insult me? You will not go back to that your good country alive.“

    And with that, the officer pulled the trigger.

    Just like that, Dele Udoh, the boy who chose Nigeria over America, was shot dead by the same country he came home to represent. A bullet silenced his future. A jealous man in uniform murdered a national treasure.

    Back at the camp, chaos broke out. Green Eagles teammates – Felix Owolabi and Moses Kpakor, were among the first to hear the news. They couldn’t believe it. No protests. No riots. Just a quiet shot, and a loud death.

    A group of Ojuelegba “alaye boys” who had admired Dele from afar were the ones who ran to the camp to break the news. These street boys respected him. But the police officer, sworn to protect, did not.

    As Nigeria mourned in silence, thousands of miles away in Missouri, a coach cried. Godwin Obasogie, Dele’s friend and teammate, had to break the news to Coach Teel. It was too much. Teel said, “Dele was one of our most beloved. A man of warmth, wisdom, and speed.” And now he was gone.

    But there was more pain waiting.

    Back in St. Louis, Dele’s teenage wife, Angela Udoh, was pregnant, and widowed. The Nigerian government, under Shehu Usman Aliyu Shagari, flew her to Ozu Abam for the burial. There, tradition demanded that she sleep in the same room as her husband’s corpse before he was buried. And she did. Not because she was forced, but because she loved him that much.

    She left behind a daughter, Angelle Burrus, born fatherless. She never knew her father. For 37 years, she lived without knowing the full story, until a Nigerian journalist, Taiwo Abiodun, tracked her down in 2018. Her father died before she could speak his name.

    Justice never came for Dele Udoh. 

    The police officer who murdered Dele? 

    He walked free. 

    Protected by a system that eats its brightest.

    He ran for his country. 

    And his country shot him in return. 

    Not in war. 

    Not in error. 

    But in envy.

    He was 24.

    He was hungry.

    He was polite.

    He was Nigerian.

    And that was enough to get him killed.

     

    Let history never forget the name: Otenkwa Ndubuisi Dele Udoh.

    Godwin Etakibuebu; a Veteran Journalist, wrote from Lagos.

    Contact:

    Website: www.godwintheguru.org

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    Twitter: @godwin_buebu

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    Telegram: @friendsoftheguru

    WhatsApp: @friendsoftheguru

    Phone: +234-906-887-0014 – short messages only. 

    You can also listen to this author [Godwin Etakibuebu] every Monday; 9:30 – 11am on Lagos Talk 91.3 FM live, in a weekly review of topical issues, presented by The News Guru [TNG].