Arsenal’s free-scoring Premier League form continued as Newcastle were blown away 4-1 at the Emirates on Saturday to move back within two points of leaders Liverpool.

Mikel Arteta’s men stumbled to a 1-0 Champions League defeat at Porto in midweek, but were quickly back on the horse domestically to take their tally to 25 goals in six consecutive Premier League wins.

Arsenal’s prowess from set-pieces forced an own goal from Sven Botman before Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Jakub Kiwior from another corner killed off Newcastle.

“We continued in the same way, we maintained our rhythm and it was a joy to watch the team play,” said Arteta.

“The boys were really good, really aggressive and we deserved to win the game.”

The Gunners are aiming to win a first league title in 20 years and keen to make amends for faltering down the final straight last season as Manchester City stormed clear on their way to win the treble.

Arsenal are the side in red hot form but remain in third, one point behind second-placed City, with the title race fascinatingly poised 12 games from the end of the season.

Defeat is another blow to Newcastle’s aspiration of European football next season.

Eddie Howe’s men were outclassed to remain down in eighth, 15 points adrift of the top four, and have now conceded 23 goals in their last eight league games.

“We were off in most aspects of our game. We didn’t do the basics right,” said Howe.

“Sometimes away from home you have those spells in the game and you have to weather the storm. Unfortunately we didn’t do that and we conceded some bad goals.”

Howe was forced into handing goalkeeper Loris Karius just his second appearance since joining Newcastle in 2022.

Karius was unfortunate for the opening goal as he parried Gabriel Magalhaes’ powerful header, but the ball ricocheted back off Botman and crept over the line.

Arsenal have now scored 19 times from set-pieces in the Premier League this season.

If there was a hint of fortune about the opener, the hosts’ second was a thing of beauty.

Jorginho’s ball over the top picked out the run of Gabriel Martinelli, who turned the ball perfectly into the path of Havertz for his eighth goal of the season.

Saka has now scored seven times in the last five Premier League games and only a fine save from Karius at his near post delayed the England international continuing his scoring streak before half-time.

Havertz should have sealed the three points within two minutes of the second half when he dragged a shot wide after Martinelli’s pass played him clean through on goal.

But the German international was involved for the third goal as from his pass, Saka jinked inside and fired into the far corner for his 16th goal of the season.

Set-piece coach Nicolas Jover has been credited with Arsenal’s lethal threat from dead balls.

The Frenchman had more cause to celebrate 21 minutes from time when Kiwior’s header from Declan Rice’s corner deflected in off Lewis Miley.

Newcastle did at least muster a consolation five minutes from time when former Arsenal midfielder Joe Willock looped in a header off the post.

But that did little to spoil Arsenal’s Saturday night party as they made another statement to Liverpool and City that they will not crumble under the pressure of a title race like they did 12 months ago.

[DailyTrust]

The Leader and Founder of the Yoruba group, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Emeritus Professor Banjo Akintoye who has been in self-exile since the incarceration of the Yoruba Nation agitator in Benin Republic, Chief Sunday Adeyemo a.k.a. Sunday Igboho , has declared his intention to return to Nigeria following the arrival of Igboho to the country last Friday.

The historian stated this on Saturday at the funeral ceremony of the late Mrs S.A. Adeyemo, mother of Sunday Igboho in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

Akintoye said he was highly fulfilled as a Yoruba, to witness the victory of Igboho , and his eventual return to Nigeria, after a long battle with the authorities.

Akintoye spoke through his spokesperson, Chief Gani Alagbala from the United States of America did not mince words to reaffirm that the Nation would soon be realised.

The burial reception held at Sablak Event Centre , Sanyo, Ibadan has in attendance prominent Yoruba personalities, and traditional rulers including the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole; the Olojora of Ijora , Oba Ogundana; and the Olodogbo of Odogbo-Ijesha,  Oba Tunde Oginni amongst others.

While reaffirming the resolve to actualise Yoruba Nation in no distant time, the freedom fighter insisted that Tinubu is not responsible for the hardship in the country.

[TheNation]

The Leader and Founder of the Yoruba group, Ilana Omo Oodua Worldwide, Emeritus Professor Banjo Akintoye who has been in self-exile since the incarceration of the Yoruba Nation agitator in Benin Republic, Chief Sunday Adeyemo a.k.a. Sunday Igboho , has declared his intention to return to Nigeria following the arrival of Igboho to the country last Friday.

The historian stated this on Saturday at the funeral ceremony of the late Mrs S.A. Adeyemo, mother of Sunday Igboho in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

Akintoye said he was highly fulfilled as a Yoruba, to witness the victory of Igboho , and his eventual return to Nigeria, after a long battle with the authorities.

Akintoye spoke through his spokesperson, Chief Gani Alagbala from the United States of America did not mince words to reaffirm that the Nation would soon be realised.

The burial reception held at Sablak Event Centre , Sanyo, Ibadan has in attendance prominent Yoruba personalities, and traditional rulers including the Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole; the Olojora of Ijora , Oba Ogundana; and the Olodogbo of Odogbo-Ijesha,  Oba Tunde Oginni amongst others.

While reaffirming the resolve to actualise Yoruba Nation in no distant time, the freedom fighter insisted that Tinubu is not responsible for the hardship in the country.

[TheNation]

Qatar has agreed to host the business and investment forum proposed by Nigeria during President Bola Tinubu’s visit to the Arab nation on March 2, 2024.

On February 24, 2024, a leaked memo showed that Qatar declined the proposed investment forum, citing the unavailability of Mohammed Bin Hamad Al-Thani, the country’s minister of commerce and industry.

Also, the embassy of Qatar in Abuja had said there is no agreement between the Arabian country and Nigeria regarding the investment forum.

More to follow…

If you have read the book, A History of Alternative Dispute Resolution, the work offers a comprehensive review of the various types of peaceful practices for resolving conflicts. Written by Jerome Barrett—a long time practitioner, innovator, and leading historian in the field of ADR—and his son Joseph Barrett, this volume traces the evolution of the ADR process and offers an overview of the precursors to ADR, including negotiation, arbitration, and mediation. The authors explore the colorful beginnings of ADR using illustrative examples from prehistoric Shaman through the European Law Merchant. In addition, the book offers the historical context for the use of ADR in the arenas of diplomacy and business.

However, I am of the school of thought that ADR is simply our age long village square resolution method. I would have loved to delve into that debate especially given that the book says that it is the story of a political, cultural and social movement. It will be a story for me for another day.

One of my favourite stickers of all time is that “wetin lawyers dey do sef”. In the same vein, I should ask “wetin be MultiDoor Court system”, …better still what is a MultiDoor Court? What role does it play in the ADR Spectrum? What is ADR itself, and many questions I did like to answer but here I will speak to the efforts of the MDCH and in particular the PMDC Story.

It is safe to say that the Nigerian state is one big conflict, socially, culturally, politically, religiously, and otherwise. We are either fighting the big monster of corruption, or trying to handle ethnic jingoism, nepotic parapoism and leaders who are goat-heading and peppersouping, while the ordinary masses are left to wear flip flops of different faded colors and sizes trekking with no direction in sight.

The concept of Multi-Door Courthouse (MDCH), is a unique concept. It has the sole aim of providing alternative practice and procedures such as litigation, arbitration, negotiation and mediation in resolving disputes among parties in a courthouse. The Multi-Door Courthouse provides these other dispute mechanisms towards a faster, cost effective and user-friendly access to justice.

These centres are independently run and managed, but in cases are attached to a specific court (in the case of Kano, Abuja and Lagos - the High Court of each respective state). 

The first of such was the Lagos Multi-Door Courthouse (LMDC) established on 11 June 2002, as a public- private partnership between the High Court of Justice, Lagos State and the Negotiation and Conflict Management Group (NCMG), a non- profit private organisation.

We have one in Ogun, we have in Katsina, Oyo, Edo, Niger and Enugu, I may have skipped some. 

In the bustling city of Jos, amidst the cacophony of legal disputes and grievances, a story of resolution unfolds within the walls of the Plateau MultiDoor CourtHouse (PMDC). Here, amidst the complexities of legal battles, individuals find solace in mediation and conciliation, guided by a vision of accessible and efficient justice.

Imagine a scenario where two neighbours, embroiled in a longstanding property dispute, find themselves at an impasse. Traditional litigation seems daunting, expensive, and time-consuming. Yet, within the PMDC, they discover an alternative path to resolution. With the assistance of trained mediators, they engage in constructive dialogue, seeking common ground and mutually beneficial solutions. Through mediation, they transcend adversarial postures, fostering understanding and cooperation, ultimately reaching a settlement that satisfies both parties.

The success of such mediation stories underscores the critical need for the effective take off of the Plateau MultiDoor CourtHouse. Spearheaded by visionary leaders, past and present, this institution embodies a commitment to innovation, efficiency, and access to justice.

Under the stewardship of the past governor, commendable efforts were made to lay the foundation for the PMDC's establishment. Recognizing the importance of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, the past administration championed the creation of the PMDC, recognizing its potential to alleviate the burden on traditional courts and expedite the resolution of disputes.

However, it is under the current leadership that the PMDC has truly begun to flourish. The sitting Chief Judge of the state, His Lordship, once a Council Member himself, alongside the Chief Registrar, has played a pivotal role in overseeing the operationalization of the PMDC. Their unwavering dedication to promoting mediation and conciliation as viable avenues for dispute resolution has been instrumental in driving the PMDC's success.

Moreover, the Council Chairman and his members have been instrumental in providing strategic guidance and support to the PMDC. Through their advocacy and collaborative efforts, they have ensured the PMDC's continued growth and relevance in the legal landscape of Plateau State.

It is imperative to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of former council members, as well as the dedicated staff and management of the PMDC. Their collective expertise, passion, and commitment have been instrumental in shaping the PMDC into a beacon of justice and reconciliation.

In addition to government support, non-state actors such as the GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) have played a crucial role in advancing the PMDC's objectives. Through strategic partnerships and capacity-building initiatives, organizations like GIZ have contributed to the PMDC's capacity to deliver effective and accessible dispute resolution services.

As we reflect on the journey of the Plateau MultiDoor CourtHouse, it is evident that its success hinges on collaborative efforts and unwavering commitment. Moving forward, it is imperative for government and non-state actors alike to continue their support for the PMDC. By leveraging the expertise of the body of neutrals and embracing innovative approaches to dispute resolution, we can ensure that the PMDC remains a beacon of justice, empowerment, and reconciliation for all.

In the current governor’s mantra, one can effortlessly say that the time is now, we have before us the opportunity to make the judicial system green, green with envy that certainly, justice will not be delayed, that justice can be cheap, efficient and effective, that disputing parties can actually hold hands in reconciliation and beam with smiles because the settlement is pleasing to all parties.

The PMDC is a micro reflection of what we want to see of the Nigerian state in many ramifications, one in which, justice reigns supreme as a result of equity, fair play and one in which citizens’ rights are not trampled upon. The desire to contain our conflicts, is a tedious journey, a long one towards nationhood, mindsets need to change, we must unlearn, then relearn and learn new ways, ADR is one way, the PMDC is a learning and in part a puzzle that is being fixed so that—Nigeria may win!

As the National Leader of Afenifere, and leader of the Yoruba, I address all and sundry today with a deep understanding of the challenges our dear country is going through at this critical time. The outcry over the hardship, hunger, and price hikes is not unexpected. However, we must come to terms with the realities of our national challenges, which the present administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is striving to resolve.  

While acknowledging the hardships faced by our people, it is important to recognise that these economic measures, although difficult, are part of a larger strategy aimed at restoring economic prosperity and stability to Nigeria. The government's commitment to implementing these measures is a testament to its dedication to addressing the root causes of our economic challenges, inherited from the ills of the previous years. 

As a responsible leader, I appeal to every Yoruba man and woman, young and old, and our fellow citizens across the nationalities, to exercise patience and refrain from engaging in protests or actions that may escalate tensions. Understandably, the immediate impact of Tinubu’s economic reforms is challenging to everyone, but it is crucial to give the government the necessary time to realise the intended benefits.

It is important to note that the removal of fuel subsidies and the floating of the Naira is not undertaken lightly, as we all know the great damage done to our national prosperity through the nefarious activities of the agents of darkness within the oil and financial sectors. These measures by the Federal Government, though painful in the short term, are designed to create a more sustainable economic environment that will benefit us all in the long run. It requires collective understanding and resilience from every citizen as we navigate through these challenging times. 

We cannot afford a preference for the euthanasic approach of painless death of our nation, where we are propped up with loans and subsidies until a total collapse into a failed nation, while we have the opportunity of painful healing through treatment with multiple surgeries that will guarantee not just our survival, but restored health, vigour and thriving life. We must endure today’s hardship for tomorrow’s prosperity.

I implore you to trust in the government's commitment to the welfare of our nation. Let us engage in constructive dialogue and contribute positively to the ongoing economic reforms. Join me in appealing for unity and understanding among our people. Together, we can weather this storm and emerge stronger as a nation.

I want to assure you as the Leader of Afenifere, that we are actively engaging with the government at different levels to address the concerns of our people. Let us remain steadfast, patient, and united in the face of these challenges, confident that our collective resilience will pave the way for a more prosperous future.

Chief Reuben Fasoranti, OFR 

Leader of Afenifere,

26th February 2024

Regional body says political, targeted sanctions still in force

Highlights possible losses to three exiting countries, citizens

Citing humanitarian considerations, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) yesterday resolved to lift some of the sanctions it had imposed on Niger, Mali and Guinea, following the unconstitutional change of government in the countries.

An Extraordinary Summit of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS took the decision yesterday in Abuja.

President of the ECOWAS Commission, Dr Omar Alieu Touray, who read the communiqué of the summit, said the review of the sanctions was predicated on the biting effects of the financial and economic sanctions on the masses, especially during the ongoing Lent and the forthcoming Ramadan.

President Bola Tinubu, speaking at the summit, asked Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to reconsider their recent decision to pull out of ECOWAS.

The organisation reiterated its call for the immediate release of Niger Republic’s ousted President Mohammad Bazoum from detention.

However, the political and targeted sanctions are still in force against the countries.

The ECOWAS had imposed a long list of sanctions on the military junta in Niger last July, following the ouster of Bazoum and his subsequent incarceration.

Mali and Burkina Faso had earlier been hit by other ranges of sanctions before the episode in Niger Republic.

The three countries announced the withdrawal of their membership of ECOWAS on January 28, 2024, alleging that the regional body had come under foreign influence, which had turned it into a threat to member-states.

They had earlier on 16th of September, 2023 announced the formation of the Alliance of Sahel States, a counter-regional organisation, said to be a mutual defense pact among the countries.

Guinea, another member-state of the ECOWAS organisation, which has been under military rule since September 2021, also experienced a panic incidence on Monday when its military ruler, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya, dissolved his cabinet and ordered the borders shut.

Touray said while the political and targeted sanctions on Niger Republic remain, the regional bloc lifted some financial and economic sanctions on Guinea and some targeted sanctions on Mali.

Reading the communiqué, Touray said: “The Authority calls for the immediate release of His Excellency Mohammed Bazoom, former President of the Republic of Niger.

“The Authority also calls on the transition authorities in Niger to provide an acceptable transition timetable to the constitutional order.”

On sanctions, Touray said the Authority resolved to lift with immediate effect the following measures imposed on the Republic of Niger: “Closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger to be lifted, no Fly Zone of all commercial flights to and from Niger is to be lifted and suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS member states and Niger is to be lifted.”

The Authority, he said, also resolved that the “freezing of all service transactions including utility services would be lifted.

“Freezing of assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central banks is to be lifted.

“Freezing of assets of Niger State and the state enterprises and parastatals in commercial banks is to be lifted.

“Suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions with all financial institutions particularly ECOWAS Bank for Investment and Development (EBID) and BIRD is to be lifted.

“Travel ban on the government officials and their family members is also to be lifted.

“The Authority has also resolved to lift the sanctions regarding the recruitment of Malian citizens in statutory and professional positions within ECOWAS.

“The Authority has also resolved to lift financial and economic sanctions on the Republic of Guinea.

“The Authority has also instructed the President of the Commission to invite Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali and Guinea to attend the technical and consultative meetings of ECOWAS as well as all security related meetings.

“The authority calls on ECOWAS institutions, member states, the United Nations Mine Action Office (UNMAO) and other regional institutions to implement this decision.”

On the withdrawal of the three countries, Touray said: “The Authority noted the notifications by the three member states within the context of Article 91 of the 1993 ECOWAS revised treaty and urged the countries to reconsider the decision in view of the benefits that the ECOWAS member states and their citizens enjoy in the community.

“The Authority expresses its concern over the socio-economic, political, security and humanitarian impact of the decision, particularly on the citizens of the three countries and on the regional integration process.

“The Authority further urges the three member states to resort to dialogue, negotiations and mediation to address their concerns.

“The Authority urges the three member states to adhere to the provisions of the 1993 revised treaty relating to withdrawal particularly article 91.

“The Authority encourages ECOWAS to sustain its rapprochement and overtures towards the three member states and continue to remain seized of the situation.

“The Authority or just ECOWAS to engage African Union, UNMAO, UN and other international organisations in its dialogue with the three countries.

“The Authority encourages a broader outreach, which should include traditional, religious leaders, eminent personalities, civil society and women leaders for the unity and security of the region.

“The Authority reiterates the urgent need for ECOWAS to expedite the operationalization of the standby force in its kinetic mode to fight against terrorism in the region including the elements of the Multinational Joint Task Force, and the Accra initiative.

“In this regard, the Authority instructs its commission as soon as possible to convene the meeting of ministers of finance and defense to propose modalities for financing and equipping counterterrorism force.

“The Authority further instructs the commission to develop an effective communication strategy in engaging member states and the community citizens in view of the ongoing disinformation and misinformation that put ECOWAS in a bad light.”

The Authority expressed gratitude to Nigeria’s former military leader, General Yakubu Gowon, for “his interest in the welfare of the community and his valuable suggestions.”

Gowon, who was instrumental to the formation of ECOWAS in May 1975, recently visited President Tinubu during which the state of the organisation was discussed.

The ECOWAS Authority also yesterday took note of the end of President Mackey Sell’s term of office on April 2, 2024, and commended him for the “tremendous development he has realised as President of Senegal, and for his invaluable leadership in Africa and the world.”

It asked Senegalese stakeholders to “give priority to dialogue with a view to preserving the democratic gains of Senagal, through free, inclusive and transparent elections.

Touray said the Authority commended President Bola Tinubu and chair of the ECOWAS Authority for convening the extraordinary summit and for the manner in which he has been conducting the affairs of the community as chair of authority.”

Asked if the lifting of the sanctions might portray ECOWAS as weak and thus encourage others with similar tendencies, he said “now, let me make it very clear. What I have listed is not exhaustive. Political sanctions have not been lifted. Border closures have been lifted. And commercial sanctions have been lifted. But there are targeted sanctions as well as political sanctions. That remains in force.

“I think our sanctions regime should be assessed correctly. The list I have given relates mainly to Niger because all the other countries still have political sanctions on them.

“So the border closures, the commercial sanctions and all that are on leisure and that is what the leaders have decided to lift. But individual sanctions as well as political sanctions remain in place in Niger.

“Now for other countries, political sanctions remain. That is the limited ability to attend ECOWAS Summit as well as ministerial sessions,” he explained

The Authority also lifted sanctions on Guinea, inviting all four countries to attend technical consultative meetings of ECOWAS going forward.

Highlighting the various implications of the planned withdrawal by the three countries from the community, he noted that besides losing economic, security and development benefits that accrue to member states, there will also be personal losses to nationals of the countries across the region.

According to him, pulling out of the community might result in the halt or the suspension of all ECOWAS projects and programmes worth more than $500 million, various regional projects being executed by the region’s financial institutions, worth about $321.6 million may be halted, while they may be exited from the regional electricity market, known as the West African Power Pool project.

He also said besides the countries losing national benefits within the region, citizens of the countries, about 130 of whom are employees of the ECOWAS, would lose their job to the exit of their countries from the community, just as seven regional entities with offices in the countries would also need to be shut down.

Tinubu calls for suspension of sanctions on Guinea, Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso

At the opening of yesterday’s summit, President Tinubu had made a case for the suspension of economic sanctions imposed on Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea by ECOWAS.

Tinubu is the Chairman of the Authority of Heads of State and Government of the ECOWAS.

Recalling the circumstances that led to the imposition of the sanctions, Tinubu said: “Everything we did was in hopes of persuading our brothers that there existed a better path, a path that would lead to genuine improvement of their people’s welfare through democratic good governance.

And this was a path each of our nations had solemnly agreed with one another pursuant to formal regional treaty and protocol.

“However, the sanctions that we contemplated might help lead our brothers to the negotiating table have become a harsh stumbling block. In my mind and heart, that which is hurtful yet ineffective serves no good purpose and should be abandoned.

“ECOWAS was established for the unassailable objective of improving the lives of the people of this region through fraternal cooperation among all member states. This edifice was cemented on the strong foundation and apt conviction that united as one we can be the true masters of our destiny.”

The President explained that ECOWAS took the steps it based on the regional ideals of security, social stability, democratic governance, political freedom, broad-based prosperity and sustainable economic development through fair opportunity for each and every one in West Africa.

He said neither hatred nor hidden motive influenced the steps taken and that there was never any intention to douse or undermine the legitimate political aspirations of any member state or to advance the interests of any outside party.

In calling for the suspension of sanctions, President Tinubu stressed: “We must take note of the approach of the holy month of Ramadan and of Lent. Whether you pray in the mosque or in the church, this represents a time for compassion, hope, and harmony. It is a time that we must not only seek God but also a closer relationship with brother and neighbour.

“In the Spirit of the holy month and of the Lenten period, and with hearts bestirred by goodwill towards all our people, let us extend a hand as brothers and friends to those in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Guinea.

“What I suggest in real and practical terms is that we, my colleagues and fellow heads of state in ECOWAS, indefinitely suspend economic sanctions against Niger, Mali, Guinea and Burkina Faso and against the leadership of the military authorities in those nations.”

The President asked that ECOWAS facilitate the unfettered flow of foodstuffs, medicines and other humanitarian items to the people of these nations, especially to the most vulnerable, adding that for Nigeria, this will also mean the prompt resumption of export of electric power to Niger.

“In this vein, suspension of sanctions is an important but initial step. What we seek is more than the breaking of the diplomatic logjam. We must use this very moment when things seem tense and progress unavailing, to forge greater cooperation within our community.

“We not only reach out to our brothers. Today, we say unto them — let us begin to work more earnestly together for the economic development of our people and towards confronting those modern challenges that respect no borders or boundaries. Challenges ranging from climate change to violent extremism to illegal pilfering of our precious natural resources require that we join together in progress or we fail separately.

“As leaders of ECOWAS, we have accepted the honour and duty to draft the history of the region and its people during our tenure in office. We have also accepted the honour and duty to reach out to our brothers, letting them know this regional home belongs to us all. I shall do my utmost in this regard. I humbly beseech that you do the same.

“For these reasons, we must suspend sanctions and return to brotherly dialogue. I call on the leadership in Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mali, and Niger to embrace the hand extended.”

It is time to pay homage to the place of my beginnings. I was born and grew up mostly in Aba. Something in me still looks nostalgically back to and draws inspiration from those beginnings. It is the beauty of every yard as a shop in front and a small factory at the rear. Literally, every yard had a cottage industry at the rear and a ‘mum and pop’ shop in front to sell some of the things made at the backyard. Making and selling things, industry and commerce have remained the defining essence of Aba Ngwa, the proud indomitable Enyimba City. It was a place of perennial hope and promise in the power of human creativity, industry and  restless enterprise.

We grew up infused with the belief that wealth was only possible if you make things people need or sell stuff to people who want them. Hard work in industry and commerce livened by education were the keys we were handed by adult society. It was an early mastery of the power of supply and demand. The original spirit of Aba still lives though battered, bruised  and buffeted by decades of neglect, governmental indifference and reckless abuse.

Many things have of course changed on the face of Aba. Land speculators and authorized scavengers have spoilt the landscape that once was beautiful and planned.  But there are constants that remain and defy the corrosive decades that have since passed. Two things principally are constant and make the Aba spirit indestructible. The famous Enyimba City has survived the decades as a centre of industry and commerce. I grew up in a city where almost everyone sells something or makes something. In Aba, what you make or sell defines you. In fact, I recall that as children, we were identified by the trades of our parents. You were “son of tailor” or “daughter of weaver”.

Over the years, Aba has struggled with how to transform its defining essence into a modern potential. It has lived on its original reputation of manufacturing and commerce by perfecting its craft and refining its standards in spite of difficulties. But over these difficult years, Aba has been haunted by a few simple questions: How do you transform from a small town of artisanal cottage manufacturing to a modern medium to large scale industrial hub? How do you migrate from petty trading and periodic importation of finished products to the distribution of home made goods to places far and near to compete with products in the wider world? How do you deploy modern logistics tools to sell your wares to places far and wide? Most importantly, how do you enable the huge potentials of this home of enterprise and skill with the infrastructure that will guarantee uninterrupted productivity and growth? How do you power and modernize the ancient potentials of a place where business is second nature? These questions have  troubled both the Aba business community and indeed successive governments of Abia State for decades.

Tomorrow, the 26th of February, 2024, the promise of Aba will literally spring to life through the commissioning of the first of two key private sector driven projects. Tomorrow, the power of private initiative and the support of enlightened government policy will say to the people of Aba and its environs: “Let there be light!”. And Aba and its environs will be lit up  never again to return to the darkness of the past. The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Alhaji Bola Ahmed Tinubu. will commission the Geometrics Aba Integrated Independent Power Project which has been in the works for a number of years.

The plant is designed to supply uninterrupted power to metropolitan Aba and a total of seven adjoining local governments in Abia state. Through a maze of political, legislative and technical obstacles, the project has finally come to fruition.

Brainchild of leading robotics engineer, entrepreneur and former Minister of Power, Prof. Barth Nnaji, the Geometrics Aba Integrated Power Project (AIPP) is a 188 MW gas powered project that ring-fences Aba commercial city with seven adjoining local governments. It is integrated to cover the entire gamut of the power value chain; it encompasses generation, distribution and marketing of power in its area of coverage. What it brings to the table is the provision of 24/7 power in the affected areas.

The second and perhaps even more consequential project is the new Enyimba Economic City project whose construction is due to be launched by the second quarter of 2024. By design and conception, it would seem that the Geometric Aba Integrated Power Project was intended to serve the power needs of the new Enyimba Economic City. The new City is conceived as a new adjunct modern city to the old Aba. Its purpose is to actualize all the modernization needs of Aba as a centre of economic development, industry and commerce,  serving the entire South East and South South zones of the country.

The new Enyimba Economic City is the brainchild of yet anther private sector giant, Mr. Darlington Uzu, frontline real estate mega entrepreneur whose footprints in the industry are unmistakable. He is the owner and driver of Crown Realties with vast billion dollar estates in Lagos and Abuja. The new Enyimba Economic City is financed, like the Geometric Power project, by the AfreximBank . To demonstrate the strategic linkage between these two signature projects, the Enyimba Economic City has signed a 90 MW Power Purchase Agreement(PPA) with Geometrics Aba Independent Power Project to service the first phase of Enyimba Economic City due to be flagged off in the second quarter of 2024.

The new city is located on 1,499 hectares of land. The initial cost of the first phase of the real estate is put at $288.7 million. The new city is located in three local governments of Abia state adjoining Aba commercial city, namely, Ukwa East, Ukwa West and Ugwunagbo. The city is designed to cover the main strategic areas of modern economic city life in an integrated whole. Its main sectors include manufacturing, entertainment, tourism/hospitality, aviation, education, technology, innovation, lifestyle and a logistics park plus a residential park with all the major modern amenities for modern convenient living. Ahead of its take off,  some major global brands in the various areas of its coverage have already signed up to have a presence in the new city. Therefore, for those who will make a living in the new Enyimba Economic City, the best of leisure, entertainment, relaxation and healthcare will complement  the challenges of manufacturing, logistics and daily office work.

The new Enyimba Economic City is Nigeria’s first industrial township with full Origin and Destination (O&D) status. For access to major national centres of social and economic activity, the city includes an Inland Port connected by rail to both the Port Harcourt and Onne seaports. For highway access, Enyimba Economic City is linked to two major highway links. These are the Enugu-Port Harcourt highway(200 Km) and the Onitsha-Owerri- Aba (161km) highway. Access of the new city to these highways have received federal government concessionary approvals.

Most importantly, the new city project enjoys a robust international financing support. In addition to robust Federal and Abia state government buy-ins, on November 14, 2023, the Board of AfreximBank approved  a $201.7 million syndicated credit facility for the project, with AfreximBank underwriting $150 million of the total loan portfolio.

Taken together, both the Geometrics Aba Integrated Power Project and the new Enyimba Economic City signal a new hope for the realization of the vast economic potentials of the commercial city of Aba which have remained locked away for several decades.  What is significant about both projects is that they indicate a new direction in development thinking and planning in Nigeria.

First, this new direction is led by the private sector with the support of private international capital. This new approach has many positive implications for the new face of Nigerian development. The overwhelming advantage of projects like the new Enyimba Economic City as private sector driven initiatives is that they have inbuilt sustainability components and shock absorbers. This is unlike past projects that were driven by government and tended to die off once the administration that envisioned them left office. On the contrary, the actualization of either a major power plant or indeed the building of a new city are undertakings that must transcend the limitations and constraints of specific government tenures. New governments come and go. The priorities of successive incumbents change and alter.

On the other hand, what major development projects such as these need from successive government is the creation of the enabling environment to thrive and succeed. This is in the form of statutory approvals, endorsements and facilitations of the enabling environment for project implementation. Governments have the role of regulating practices and standards of construction, right of way and general city bye-laws. Governments can even invest in aspects of new cities of buy equity in power plants or rail lines and other infrastructure. But they should not own or initiate these development projects beyond the provision of enabling infrastructure.

Government present and roles in vital areas of governance control are inevitable. Contractors need to proceed  with their work without hindrance, work sites and personnel require security. Contractors require protection from unnecessary harassment and distracting litigations and the nuisance of community trouble makers as well as the distractions of land speculators.

More importantly, the involvement of international financial support and sponsorship in these major projects insulates them from the vagaries of fluctuating government revenues and financial fortunes. In many instances, fluctuating government revenue have delayed or frustrated many good development projects and consigned them into the vast heap of “abandoned projects” that litter our national landscape.

These new breed of private sector driven projects indicate a more serious and strategic approach to development of infrastructure in the country. For the South East region in particular, both Geometrics Power and Enyimba Economic City represent a departure in the direction of a concerted and multiplier development template of development and modernization of the South East Zone.

Majorly, it is an approach that places premium on the strategic preconditions for meaningful economic development. The enabling infrastructure  must be part of the preconditions for the initiation of these projects. Power supply, road network, access to ports, airports  and major highway networks  as well as rail links are being prioritized over and above embarking on isolated white elephant projects located in relation to nothing in particular which end up as mere landscape decoration.  The Enyimba Economic City in particular has had to secure government approval for access to the relevant infrastructure before sourcing the finance to power the project.

An additional refreshing aspect of these new developments is their emphasis on regional integration instead of isolated state focus. This indicates an increasing awareness that the future development of the country will have to be based on regional markets and demographics. The political and cultural map of the country indicates a clear regional concentration in the demand and supply of goods and services. This is in preference to emphasizing individual isolated state markets. These two new projects have set a new example of setting their focus on the regional galvanization of the factors of production in the South East and South South  zones. Except for states like Lagos and Kano, it remains doubtful if single state based major projects have much prospects of success in Nigeria. A regional approach therefore has become imperative.

As political and industry leaders gather in Aba tomorrow to witness the commissioning of the Geometric Power plant in Aba, it is the dawn of a new era of development and fulfillment of long held dreams not only for Aba and Abia State but for the entire South East zone of the country, an area that has for too long been dogged by stories of marginalization and violent eruptions of primordial hurt.

A new horizon is about to open in the South East zone courtesy of the courage and vision of private sector titans like Prof. Barth Nnaji and Mr. Darl Uzu with the active support and encouragement of leaders like Dr. Alex Otti, the futuristic governor of the new Abia state that is happening before our very eyes. Soon, the pride of Nigeria will not just be in “Made in Aba” products but in a whole new generation of young Nigerian technocrats and entrepreneurs who will step forward to proudly say: “I live in Aba and I am proud to be Nigerian!”