By now, you must have read the story of the Al-Kadriyar family. Their five daughters and a female relative were kidnapped for ransom on January 2, 2024, following a gun battle that left several policemen and a relative dead. During their harrowing three weeks in the kidnappers’ den, those girls would become the face(s) of the Nigerian kidnapping crisis. Reports of abductions have become so normative there is no telling where and how one can be picked. People are abducted in their homes as much as they are taken on the highway. It is hard to hide from an evil that has grown omnipresent.

From the news reports, there is no specific type of victim. Virtually anyone is vulnerable. The kidnappers do not seem to have prior information about those they pick up. They demand an unreasonable sum of money from families to test how far they are willing to demonstrate their love and then calibrate the ransom figures accordingly. If not for the trauma and potential of death involved, one could say it is a transaction that carries no malice in its intent. It is just random. Talk of the banality of evil!

Accounts of people being abducted for money have steadily grown in the past years, and the numbers are unrelenting. There is a high probability that a significant number of the cases are unreported. So commonplace have the incidents become that people now go to church for thanksgiving after the incidents. I was stunned to listen to testimonies in a church where the speaker talked about getting their loved ones back safely after paying a ransom. There was a time when testimonies of abductions used to feature fantastic accounts of miraculous interventions. Now abductions have become so routine they no longer test our creative faculties to produce a story of divine intervention that edifies as much as it entertains. We have entered a new normal.

The father of the abducted girls, Mansoor Al-Kadriyar, was initially kidnapped along with his children but later released to source for money. When the deadline they gave him to raise the huge amount demanded passed, the kidnappers killed one of the sisters, 21-year-old Nabeeha Al-Kadriyar, to stimulate a sense of urgency in the fundraising. Thankfully, the remaining five girls in the kidnappers’ den have now been released. Following their return home are the conflicting narratives of whether they were rescued through the efforts of security operatives or whether their family paid a ransom.

On Sunday, the Police Command in the Federal Capital Territory released a press statement claiming that, in concerted efforts with the troops of the Nigerian Army, they rescued those girls the previous night. They claimed they “accomplished” the “successful rescue…following the relentless advancement of the Federal Capital Territory Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping squad…” The Al-Kadriyar family, however, disputes the police version of the rescue account. BBC News quoted the girls’ uncle, Sheriff Al-Kadriyar, saying the family picked up the girls after paying the ransom. He said, “There’s nothing like rescue on this matter, we paid ransom – even though I can’t disclose how much for security reasons.”

The difference between the accounts has implications beyond the police’s using an unfortunate incident to steal credit to redeem its image after being serially embarrassed by its inability to curtail Nigeria’s insecurity problems. Whether ransom is paid or not in high profile (or highly publicised) cases goes a long way in determining future incidents and the tensile strength of a society’s moral resolve. That is because kidnappers do not just want money. Like terrorists, they also want to shake a society’s moral foundations to create an atmosphere of fear that not only makes us vulnerable but also makes society even more conducive to their operations.

The kidnapping crisis has degenerated to the point that the question is no longer about whether to pay or not to pay but whether to admit it publicly. It does not even help that an existing law explicitly proscribes ransom payments. The penalty is a jail sentence of 15 years minimum. In the history of poorly conceived (and therefore unimplementable) laws in Nigeria, this one must be one of the top five. Even the lawmakers who passed the law would spurn it if they—or their loved ones—were ever to be taken hostage. Really, what were the sponsors of that bill thinking? That people whose children are taken would worry about a 15-year jail term, or that abductors would understand that the families of victims were incommoded by a section of the constitution that forbids paying ransom?

One cannot, of course, blame the families that admit they paid. To ask them to redact the truth and let the police take the credit is also to demand they absorb more trauma. They would be bearing the weight of the lie in addition to everything they have been through. Equally important is that people who crowdfund for ransom cannot allow the police to get away with a story of ransom-less rescue because they must be accountable to the public that opened their hearts as well as their wallets.

Yet, one cannot dismiss the implications of admitting ransom payment. Somewhere right now, a bunch of criminally-minded people have been inspired by the Al-Kadriyar episode. Knowing that the public can even be moved to contribute toward a ransom means, every potential abductor will be hoping for a story that will go viral. Every life is of course important, but those kidnappers also know that people are more likely to respond to a type of victim quicker than others. In this case, society must be entirely desensitised not to be outraged by the abduction of six children. They use that sentiment to taunt us to prove our humanity by donating money. Even if it feels wrong to us that we are being wound up to join the abductors in putting a monetary value on human life, we still cannot look away. We cannot negate our own humanity; we must donate. Viscerally or vicariously, we all thus become victims.

Whether ransom is paid or not has crucial significance for society at large. Knowing that previous incidents ended with ransom payment emboldens kidnappers while also whittling society’s faith in the police’s ability to protect. Once a case becomes a national (or international) sensation, the kidnappers know they have the upper hand, and the stakes go up. Some people have suggested that public fundraising efforts should be downplayed so as not to play into the hands of the abductors, but how does one get people to donate money if the case is not sensationalised? How do you stampede government and security agents into taking urgent action if the case does not dominate the news cycle?

There are no simple solutions to the situation, but we are also not helpless tools in the hands of abductors. If there is any lesson the Chibok girls’ case taught us, it is the importance of discretion in how kidnapping is reported. The moment the United States First Lady Michelle Obama raised the “Bring Back our Girls,” placard on social media, it changed the game forever. Her action was in good faith but the global attention and the media campaign that followed practically legitimated the existence of Boko Haram (the abductors).

Going forward, the police and families of abductors should work together to craft a coherent (and less dramatic) account of how people are rescued. The Police Public Relations unit needs to be especially proactive and not merely leave the families talking to the press. They should work together with the family to shape the narrative that accompanies high-profile/highly publicised abductions rescue operations in a way that rightly balances the necessity of delegitimising the abductors while also factoring accountability to the public that donated money.

Former Governor of Cross River State, Mr Donald Duke, has a great deal of archival materials and enjoys discussing historical issues.  Last week, he sent me a treasured publication that speaks to our country’s past and may help explain some of the challenges we grapple with today. ‘The Nigeria Handbook 1919 (Issued with the approval of the Nigerian Government)’. Compiled by A.C. Burns of the Central Secretary’s Office, Lagos, the publication contains ‘Statistical and General Information respecting the Colony and Protectorate’ in the years preceding 1919. It was printed by the Government Printer in Lagos. “Please read page 128 to 134 on education and health but generally, an interesting read,” Duke had written in the message he sent me. 

The moment I received the 304-page handbook, I knew straightaway that I would go beyond the area highlighted by Duke. And having read the entire publication, I am aware that there are aspects that could exhume ancient prejudices and animosities. But that is not my interest. I am more concerned by what we can learn about Nigeria of the past. Without history, according to the opening statement of the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) Social Science website, “a society shares no common memory of where it has been, what its core values are, or what decisions of the past account for present circumstances.” And without such historical knowledge and inquiry, “we cannot achieve the informed, discriminating citizenship essential to effective participation in the democratic processes of governance.” 

Divided into 21 chapters with nine appendices and 11 supplementary documents, the conclusion I drew after completing the publication is that for the British to extract maximum benefit from their colonial exploitation, they adopted a divide and conquer approach between Northern and Southern Nigeria. Since no conscious efforts at nation building were made by post-colonial leaders in the country, it is also no surprise that we continue to be dogged by mutual ethno-religious suspicions that hinder the peace and progress of Nigeria. But I should not get ahead of myself. My first curiosity was the identity of A.C. Burns, listed as the compiler. My online search yielded this: “Sir Alan Cuthbert Maxwell Burns (9 November 1887 – 29 September 1980) was a British civil servant who rose through the ranks to become governor of several colonies… He served in the Leeward Islands from 1905 to 1912 and then became Supervisor of Customs in Nigeria. In 1914, he enlisted in the West Africa Frontier Force. He served in the Cameroons Campaign and became Adjutant of the Nigeria Land Contingent. Burns was Private Secretary to Sir Frederick (later Lord) Lugard and then Huge Clifford during their times as governors of Nigeria.” 

The handbook opens in Chapter One with the ‘Geographical and Historical’. The first paragraph characterizing our country jolted me from the start: “The Colony and Protectorate of Nigeria is the largest of the British West African possessions, its approximate area being 335,700 square miles, or nearly three times that of the United Kingdom.” As Duke remarked in a follow-up message, “We were just a business entity to the British.” That’s generous. At least business entities have legal standing. Nigeria was just their possession! 

The handbook had this to say on the country’s history prior to colonialism: “The history of Nigeria as a whole, prior to the advent of the British, has not been written, and it is sufficient here to observe that there existed several powerful kingdoms in the north, which, owing to the Mohammedan influences, had attained to a certain degree of civilization, while in the south, few of even such kingdoms as existed had advanced much beyond a primitive barbarism.” From here, the handbook provides interesting insights about the history of Lagos, as well as that of The Protectorate of Rivers, the Niger Coast and Benin, the formation of the Nigerian Regimen for the First World War, completion of the railway etc.

Let’s take the account of events preceding the amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria which occurred five years before the publication: “While the southern portion of Nigeria was being brought under the control of the British Government, the country to the north was being developed by the Royal Niger Company which had been granted its charter in 1886. Treaties were made with the native chiefs, and trading and administrative stations established. In 1897, Nupe and Ilorin were subdued, and the same year the legal status of slavery was declared abolished throughout the territories of the company. A conflict between the British and French troops seemed imminent, but an arrangement was at last come to and the boundary settled. On 1st January 1900, the transfer of the Niger Company territory to the Crown took place; these territories becoming the Protectorate of Northern Nigeria, with Colonel Lugard as the first High Commissioner. The Emirates of Kontagora, Yola, Bauchi, Borno, Kano and Sokoto were subdued in turn, and a rising at Satiru in 1906 was suppressed. Numerous minor expeditions against truculent pagan tribes were also undertaken.” 

The narrative in Chapter Three, ‘Population, Religion and Languages’, is enough to ignite another firestorm between the internet warriors of Yoruba and Igbo, “the two chief tribes in the Colony and Southern Provinces.” Since it is not my intention to stir inter-ethnic Wahala, I leave others to do that when they read the handbook. Meanwhile, the total population of Nigeria in 1919 was put at 16,393,000 with 166,000 within the colony (Lagos), 7,690,000 in Southern Provinces and 8,537,000 in Northern Provinces. Incidentally, the population of the United Kingdom that same year (1919) was 19,559,000. This means their population at the time exceeded that of Nigeria by more than 20 percent! We have since reversed those statistics. While the estimated population of UK today is 67,691,439, that of Nigeria is 229,152,217—more than tripled theirs despite the wide disparity in our economic conditions. I know some would rather live in denial about our largely unproductive population but it’s a reality we must, at some point, come to terms with. 

In Chapter Four, ‘Constitution’, there is a piece of information that I found quite surprising. After highlighting the process that led to the 1914 amalgamation of Northern and Southern Nigeria, the handbook then states, “The present headquarters and place of residence of the (Colonial) Governor is Lagos, which is also the headquarters of the Colony and of the Southern Provinces. The headquarters of the Northern Provinces is Kaduna which has also been selected as the future Capital of Nigeria.”  

This is the first literature to reveal that Kaduna was ever pencilled down by the British as a future capital city for the country. I have also further researched this and cannot find such information anywhere. Yet, this is authoritative despite the disclaimer in one of the opening pages: “This Handbook is not an official publication but is issued with the approval of the Nigerian Government.” Compiled by Lugard’s private secretary and printed by the Government Printer (and with approval), I wonder what could be more official. It is of course no surprise that the economy was designed for the benefit of the British to the detriment of Nigeria. Sample: “There have been five meetings of the Nigerian Council, in December 1914,1915,1916,1917 and 1918 respectively. At the second meeting, a resolution was passed pledging the Government of Nigeria to take over, after the war, six million pounds of the Imperial War Loan, which would be added to the public debt of Nigeria.” 

By most historical accounts, the colonial administration faced fewer challenges in the North because of the well-established traditional ruler system. They were less successful in the southern part of the country which is evident in the handbook. “In some parts of Nigeria where native chiefs have shown a capacity to rule, and especially in the Northern Provinces, the Government exercises only an indirect control, the Resident assuming the role of an adviser. In other parts, however, where there is no strong native authority capable of governing, the rule of the political officers is a more direct one, but even in such districts a native judiciary with powers limited in proportions to its ability and integrity is made use of with results that are increasingly satisfactory.” 

Chapter Five details ‘Trade and Customs’ and provides a comprehensive picture of the economy of the country at the time. “The trade of Nigeria in 1918 was nearly five times as great as it was in 1900 and it is still increasing. As the country is opened up and the means of transport improve, the raw material which is now inaccessible will be exported still in large quantities, the wealth and standard of living of the people will improve, and a larger amount of imports will be required to meet the increased demand…” Figures were provided in this highly revealing section that speaks to a relatively strong economy and balanced budgets at the time. In 1900, for instance, the amount for total imports was £1,735,244 while that for total exports was £1,886,883 with total trade amounting to £3,622,127. In 1913, total imports raked in £6,331751 while £7,097646 was realized for total exports. The amount for total trade was £13,429397. In 2018, £7,423158 was realized from total imports with £9,511970 made from total exports. That year, £16,935,128 was made from total trade.  

Nigerians have long lamented how Malaysia grew its wealth on the strength of palm seedlings from Nigeria. Details from the handbook say a lot: “The most important of these exports are palm oil and palm kernels which in 1918 were valued at £5,937526 which is over 63% of the total value of all produce exported during the year.” So, almost two-thirds of Nigeria’s export proceeds in 1918 came from palm oil and palm kernels. Today, we import these same commodities. Chapter Six, on banking, currency, weights and measures, is also very detailed. But readers can take this: “The natives are very suspicious of and are unwilling to be paid in coins of Queen Victoria’s reign and half-crowns of any date. Native currency in the forms of cowries, manillas, and brass rods is still used in some parts, but further importation is prohibited, and the abolition of such native currency is being gradually effected. Barter still prevails in the more backward districts.” 

Readers will enjoy the chapters on ‘Climate and Rainfall’, ‘Shipping, Ports, and Internal Communications’ and ‘Law, Courts, Criminal Statistics, Police and Prisons’. But Chapter Eight, ‘Mines, Manufactures and Fisheries’, is another reminder of squandered riches. “The mineral wealth of the Northern Provinces of Nigeria is now an accepted fact, and tin mining industry has become of great importance. There is evidence that the existence of tin on the Bauchi plateau was known to the natives long before the advent of the British and they had smelted it on a small scale for many years. As long as 1885, this was known to the Europeans, but owing to the unsettled condition of the country no attempt at prospecting could be made,” it was written in the handbook. “Further inland than the swamp forests lie evergreen tropical forests which contain the most valuable of the economic trees of Nigeria. Owing to the wasteful native system of farming and the extensive migrations of tribes in earlier times, the bulk of the vegetation consists of secondary growth which has sprung up rapidly in deserted clearings. Mainly for this reason, the number of different species growing together is very large.” 

Chapter 11 deals with ‘Government Finances’ and the handbook provides details: “The total revenue of Nigeria (i.e. Lagos, Southern Nigeria and Northern Nigeria) for the financial year 1900-1901 amounted over £683,000, while the revenue for 1913 (the last year unaffected by war condition) was over £3,462,000, or more than five times as much, and there is no doubt that but for the war the year 1914 would have shown a further remarkable increase. The revenue for the years 1917 and 1918 have beaten all previous records.” 

The breakdown for seven years follows the narrative. 1912: Revenue, £2,806,905; Expenditure, £2,768,539. 1913: Revenue, £3,462,507; Expenditure, £2,916,801. 1914: Revenue, £3,048,381; Expenditure, £3,596,764. 1915: Revenue, £2,703,257; Expenditure, £3,484,215. 1916: Revenue, £2,943,184; Expenditure, £3,609,638. 1917: Revenue, £3,492,738; Expenditure, £3,219,958. 1918: Revenue, £4,014,190; Expenditure, £3,459,774. There was this note: “Prior to the amalgamation an annual refund (£70,000 in 1911) was made by Southern Nigeria to Northern Nigeria on account of Customs Duties collected at the coast on goods in transit to the latter Protectorate. Northern Nigeria also received an annual Imperial Grant-in-Aid which in 1911 amounted to £317,000. This Grant-in-Aid was afterwards reduced to £100,000 and has now ceased.” 

As an aside, nothing confirms the adage about the tale of the hunt glorifying the hunter than the 1919 Handbook account of the ill-motivated and patently provocative 1897 Benin expedition by a British trade officer which ended tragically. In the late 19th century, as I wrote in a June 2021 column, what is now the Edo state capital had a strong kingdom that survived the British expedition and the 1885 Berlin Conference where Africa was partitioned and shared among European powers at the time. In the last decade of that century, James Phillips, the British Consul General for Niger Coast Protectorate (the present-day South-South zone) found the Benin Kingdom too independent and sought to neutralise the powers of the Oba on the pretext that the palace was engaged in human sacrifices. He therefore requested permission from London to invade the city, depose the Oba and replace him with a Native Council. “I have reason to hope that sufficient ivory would be found in the King’s house to pay the expenses incurred in removing the King from his stool,” Phillips wrote in his December 1896 letter to Lord Salisbury, then Foreign Secretary.   

Without waiting for a response from London, Phillips sent a request to the Benin palace to expect a delegation from him. Despite the plea from the Oba of Benin that he could not at the period receive visitors, Philips nonetheless sent a military contingent on a supposedly peaceful mission, and they were confronted by Benin chiefs. In the aftermath, only two members of the contingent survived to tell the tale of what became known in British history as the ‘Benin Massacre’. In retaliation, Rear-Admiral Harry Rawson, a Naval commander was appointed to lead as many as 1,200 Royal Marines for the 9th February 1897 invasion of Benin, capture the Oba and destroy the city, in an operation codenamed ‘The Benin Punitive Expedition.’ Never mind that the whole exercise became a looting expedition by the British.

It took just weeks after that invasion for the looted Benin artifacts to find their way to museums and private collections around the world, either as gifts or through purchases. The first public auction reportedly took place in May 1897, following advertisement in the ‘Times’ newspaper for the sale of “several carved tusks and other trophies from Benin city collected by naval officers in the recent expedition”. Meanwhile, here is the terse narrative of that episode in the 1919 Nigeria Handbook: “In 1897, a peaceful mission to Benin was treacherously attacked and all but two of the European members were massacred. A powerful expedition captured the city and the king surrendered and was deported.” Now we know how it took a certain Mr Mungo Park to ‘discover’ River Niger for our people! 

Several pages in the handbook were devoted to advertisements by British companies, including the Bank of British West Africa Limited (Established 1894). Listed as ‘Bankers to the Governments of the Colonies of the Gambia, Sierra Leone, the Gold Coast and Nigeria,’ with head office in London, the advert highlighted its Authorised Capital as £2,000,000; Subscribed Capital, £1,450,000 and Called-up capital, £580,000. There was also an advert by The Colonial Bank. Subscribed Capital was put at £3,000,000, Paid Up Capital, £900,000 and Reserve Fund, £350,000. In the adverts, I found a few Nigerian companies. One, L.A Cardoso engaged in import and export with, among other things, ‘600 Acre Farm in Agege District’. I don’t know if it belongs to the family of the current CBN Governor whose father, Felix Bankole Cardoso, was the first indigenous accountant general of the federation in 1963. Or even whether the company still exists. There is also ‘Dada Adeshigbin and Sons’ who were said to be the ‘Sole Importer of Singer Sewing Machines’.

I have done some rudimentary online searches on the man. In one posting Dada Adeshigbin was described as “a 19th Century townsman and one of the principal founders of the African Bethel Church” who was born in 1865 and died in February 1925 at age 60. There are postings by journals of universities in the United States and United Kingdom that speak to Adeshigbin’s business acumen but details about him can be found in the book, ‘The African Churches in Yorubaland (1888—1922)’ by James Bertin Webster. The interesting thing for me is that Adeshigbin is a name I am hearing for the first time, yet we are talking about a prominent man in the late 19th and early 20th century Nigeria. Why is it that the wealth our people produce does not last for generations? I intend to interrogate this issue one day.  

While I intend to continue, and possibly conclude the series next week, it was Chapter 14 on ‘Education’ that Duke drew my attention to, perhaps because of the opening statement: “Education in Nigeria is not compulsory, and indeed until comparatively recently, was left entirely in the hands of missionaries, the first government school being founded so late as 1899. In the Colony and Southern Provinces, there were, at the end of 1918, 41 Government Schools, 189 ‘Assisted’ private schools, and a large number (probably more than 1400) of unassisted schools.” Duke also wants me to read Chapter 15 on ‘Public Health, Sanitation, Hospitals etc.’ I hope this wasn’t what fired his interest: “Syphilis and gonorrhoea are common diseases all over the country.” 

NOTE: To be concluded next week. 

• You can follow me on my X (formerly Twitter) • You can follow me on my Twitter handle, @Olusegunverdict and on www.olusegunadeniyi.com   

Abuja-based legal luminary, Dr. Kayode Ajulo SAN, OON, has expressed commendation for the selection of Chief Olayide Adelami as the nominee for Deputy Governor alongside Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa in Ondo State.

Ajulo also extolled Governor Aiyedatiwa's leadership for identifying a reliable and competent co-pilot, calling it a demonstration of Governor Aiyedatiwa’s readiness to elevate Ondo State to new heights. The legal luminary sees Akinlami as a capable partner, heralding good governance for the people of Ondo.

Describing Akinlami as a progressive technocrat with a commendable track record, Ajulo highlighted his extensive service to Nigeria's development. He said the former Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly and pioneer of critical departments at the Federal level possesses a wealth of experience poised to enrich Governor Aiyedatiwa's administration and contribute to Ondo State's advancement.

Speaking in Akure on Wednesday, Ajulo praised Akinlami's dedication to Ondo State, emphasizing his role as a pivotal figure in the establishment of critical departments in the country. He said "Chief Akinlami is one of the finest technocrats of Ondo State extraction. He was a pioneer staff of the Constituent Assembly which became the present-day National Assembly, and set up the Finance and Accounts Department of the National Assembly and the Accounts Department of the Petroleum Special Trust Fund among others. I personally know him as someone who loves Ondo State dearly, and he's one of our best ambassadors"

"Governor Aiyedatiwa deserves applause for recognizing an indigene of Owo, a testament to his respect for the entire Owo kingdom and a worthy tribute to Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu," remarked Ajulo.

Expressing appreciation for the Ondo State Assembly's unwavering dedication, Ajulo urged swift confirmation for Akinlami, emphasizing the significance of expeditious proceedings for the State's progress.

He also used the occasion to salute Late Governor Akeredolu and commends all Owo people for their contribution to the State, Nigeria and the world at large.

In March 2023, I wrote a short article advising the then governor-elect, Pastor Umo Eno, on what he should do as the 5th elected governor of Akwa Ibom State. Among the few suggestions that I made, I asked him to dispose off the state executive aircraft that is exclusively used by the governor. I reasoned that selling the aircraft would save costs, and since the state has an airline, Ibom Air, which is actually the nation’s most preferred airline, the governor does not need the executive jet. It was one piece of advice that I didn’t expect the new governor to take. Nigerian politicians tend to place their personal comfort and privileges above the welfare of the people. A few months after I wrote that piece, I met a prominent Akwa Ibom son at Hilton Hotel, Abuja. He told me that he had a good laugh when he read my suggestion. ‘’Every governor will want to enjoy the perks of office which his predecessor enjoyed. Umo Eno will also want to enjoy the aircraft’’, he told me. We both laughed.

I was therefore very surprised when I read early in the week that the governor had asked the SSG, Mr. Enobong Uwah, to determine ways in which the cost of maintaining the aircraft could be better managed. I immediately got in touch with the SSG and asked if the story is true. ‘’Yes, it is true’’, Uwah told me, adding, ‘’as I told you earlier, the governor is going to simplify governance. He prefers to use commercial flights instead of wasting public funds on the maintenance of the state aircraft at alarming forex rates’’.

I couldn't believe it. A governor dumping a private jet to fly commercial just to cut costs?
This is the best and most inspiring piece of news that I have heard in this country this year, and I wish to commend Gov. Eno for this altruistic, humane and bold decision. This will save the state billions of naira and reduce cost of governance. The decision also buttresses the widely-held notion that the governor is indeed a selfless, humble and caring leader.

I asked the SSG for the details of the cost of maintaining the aircraft, but he declined. But based on my discussions with industry operators, I can speculate that with fueling, crew salaries and allowances, insurance premium, parking fees, maintenance and other incidental costs, the government spends about N300 million a month (about N4 billion per year) to keep the aircraft. The costs keep rising as the aircraft ages. That is huge.

I do not know whether the aircraft would be sold off or put up for charter as it’s being speculated. Both have their advantages and disadvantages. I will wait for the government to take the best decision in the interest of the state. For now, I am just elated that the huge costs of keeping the aircraft is off our books.

When I visited the governor the other day, I commended him for pursuing people-oriented programmes such as refurbishing primary schools, upgrading primary health centers and investing heavily agriculture. I noted that past administrations in the state have spent huge resources to build infrastructures and assets that cater to the elites of the society, and so it is important that his government is concentrating on programmes that will take care of the lower cadres of the population. By doing away with the aircraft, which in my view, is a symbol of elitist parasitism, the governor has shown that he is truly a listening leader. He’s heard the cries of the orphans, widows and the poor in our state. He should go ahead and refurbish and upgrade all public primary and secondary schools in the state and invest heavily in training and recruitment of teachers. We should move from 17 position in WAEC performance to the top 5 in the next four years. In addition, the governor should also invest in building rural roads and financially supporting farmers, artisans, market women and small businesses in the state. The elites have had their fair share of the wealth of the state. It's time to build the real people.

The aircraft was bought in 2012 by the administration of Gov. Godswill Akpabio for about $50 million (this included cost of the aircraft plus avionics and other installations). Akpabio said then that he needed the aircraft for ease of movement in and out of the state, even though we had had our own airport then and three (and sometimes four airlines) were operating therein. Gov Akpabio used the aircraft for three years; his successor used it for eight years, and Pastor Umo Eno for just a few months. The intense usage of the aircraft under Gov. Udom Emmanuel (he even used it for a nationwide tour during his presidential campaign, sometimes giving it out for use by other PDP politicians) led to its rapid depreciation. Gov. Udom Emmanuel was practically living in the air! He loved the machine.

Gov. Umo Eno will not have any problem getting in and out of the state. Ibom Air has eight aircraft currently (eight more to be delivered soon). There are eight and sometimes 12 daily flights in and out of Uyo to Lagos and Abuja. The governor will certainly suffer some inconveniences flying commercial, but the savings are worth it. Leadership requires sacrifices and public service could be very tough. It was Chief Obafemi Awolowo who advised politicians in those days not to seek to enjoy in government house what they couldn’t afford in their personal homes. Gov. Eno has shown an uncommon courage, humility and pragmatism in the choice he has made. May God guide him!

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu, today, departed Abuja for Paris, France, on a private visit, according to the Presidency.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, made this known in a statement on Wednesday.

The statement added that President Tinubu will return to the country in the first week of February, 2024.

Tinubu had on Tuesday night held a bilateral meeting with the American Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, at the Presidential Villa Abuja.

Tinubu’s last travel out of the country was to attend the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference, which took place in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) last December.

Apart from participating in the conference in Dubai, the President had bilateral talks with King Charles of England, the President of UAE, and leaders of several countries and multilateral partners to concretize engagements.

Tinubu also witnessed the signing of an accelerated performance agreement between Nigeria and Germany to improve Nigeria’s electricity supply and hosted a high-level meeting with stakeholders and investors on the Nigeria Carbon Market and the Electric Buses Rollout Programme on the margins of the COP28 climate summit.

[NaijaTimes]

The hosts of the 2023 AFCON, Ivory Coast have sacked their head coach, Jean-Louis Gasset though they still have a chance of progressing in the competition.

Ivory Coast are on the verge of crashing out of the 2023 AFCON after beating Guinea-Bissau in their opening game, losing 1-0 to the Super Eagles of Nigeria, and then ending their group stage campaign with a 4-0 defeat to Equatorial Guinea.

Hence, Ivory Coast had to sack coach Gasset two days after the 4-0 defeat which was the country’s heaviest defeat on their home turf in their history.

The defeat also marked the first time an AFCON host suffered two defeats in the group stage of the competition in 40 years, a feat that was last recorded by Ivory Coast in 1984.

Ivory Coast are currently the third-placed teams in the tournament that have a chance of qualifying for the round of 16 as one of the four best losers. But that can only be determined after the end of the group stage campaign on Wednesday night, January 25.

Ahead of that, one of Gasset’s assistant coaches Emerse Fae will be the country’s coach for the time being.

A statement from the Ivorian Football Association explained that the FA “terminated” the contracts of 70-year-old Gasset and his assistant coach Ghislain Printant “due to insufficient results.”

Ivorian FA appointed the French tactician, Gasset, a former Bordeaux coach, in May 2022 to replace fellow countryman Patrice Beaumelle who is currently the coach of an Algerian football club MC Alger.

[NaijaNews]

The Federal Government has hinted at the banning of some plastic products, expressing support for the decision of the Lagos State Government to ban Styrofoam and other single-use plastics.

The government says that the ban of some plastic materials is inevitable, even as it urged Nigerians to be prepared for “wholistic circular management of our waste”.

This was made known in a statement issued by the Minister of State for Environment, Iziaq Salako, on Tuesday, January 23, 2024.

Menace of single-use plastics needs to be addressed

Salako said the decision of the Lagos State Government to ban Styrofoam and other single use plastics is “a strong signal to businesses and the general public that the menace of single use plastics needs to be comprehensively addressed, if Nigeria is to deliver on her environmental agenda of sustainability.

The minister commended the Lagos State Government for the bold decision to go ahead with the ban.

He said the Federal Ministry of Environment recently inaugurated “an interagency committee to continue the process of robust consultation across government, across businesses and with all stakeholders to birth a sustainable solution that is sensitive to the Nigeria context”.

Banning of some plastic products inevitable

Salako said the ministry is examining policies and initiatives that will drive the production of alternatives to plastics.

• He said, “The current poorly regulated and indiscriminate use of plastics has to be addressed, and Nigerians must prepare for the inevitable change in this area, including banning of some products.
• “In the interim, Nigerians are advised to take personal deliberate environmental actions to reduce and reuse plastics and also explore the growing market of recycling for their plastic waste.
• “In the coming days, robust awareness campaign and sensitization will be rolled out to prepare Nigerians for the inevitable ban of some plastics and the wholistic circular management of our waste.”

What you should know

• Recall that a few days ago, the Lagos State Government had announced the banning of the usage and distribution of single-use plastics especially non-biodegradable Styrofoam across the state due to the menace such plastics are causing on the environment in the densely populated state.
• The Lagos State Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, who explained further said that most drainage channels in the state are daily clogged up by Styrofoam through its indiscriminate distribution and usage despite the regular cleaning and evacuation of the drains with humongous amounts.
• He added that the State Government cannot fold its hands and watch the continued desecration of its environment especially for a coastal city.

[Nairametrics]

The Police Service Commission (PSC) has promoted 1,897 senior Police officers to the next rank.

Among the notable officers promoted on January 23, 2024, included AIG Dasuki Galadanci, AIG in-charge of Zone 12 Bauchi, who has been promoted to a deputy inspector-general of police (DIG) to represent the North-West geopolitical zone of the country.

Galadanci will replace DIG Ibrahim Sani Ka’oje, who is expected to retire on February 2 this year.

The commission also elevated 14 Commissioners of Police to the next rank of Assistant Inspectors-general of Police. However, one of the Commissioners for promotion to AIG was stepped down to enable the Commission review the pending disciplinary matters against the officer, which was sent to the PSC by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The new AIGs are; Yetunde Longe, CP Eastern Ports, Port Harcourt; Haruna Gabriel Garba, CP Federal Capital Territory; Tajudeen Akinwale Abass, CP Delta State; Rex Dundun, CP General Investigation, FCID Annex Kaduna; Durosinmi Olatoye, CP Akwa Ibom State; Afolabi Babatola Adeniyi, CP Adamawa State; Abiodun Oladimeji Asabi, CP Ondo State; CP Julius Alawari Okoro; CP Plateau State; George Chijioke Chuku, CP Benue State; Paul Alifa Omata, CP K9 Force Headquarters; Yusuf Adesina Akeem, CP Research and Development, Force Headquarters; Bzigu Yakabu Kwazhi Dali, CP Osun State; Idris Nagoyo, Police Mounted Troop Squadron and CP Ogundare Dare Emmanuel, CP Ekiti state.

The commission also promoted 21 deputy commissioners of police to the substantive rank of commissioners; 20 assistant commissioners to deputy commissioners, 109 chief superintendents to assistant commissioners and 184 superintendents to chief superintendents.

It also considered and approved the promotion of 1,549 assistant superintendents to deputy superintendents.

Spokesperson of the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, on Wednesday, said the chairman of the commission, Dr. Solomon Arase, who presided over the management meeting of the commission, had accordingly given anticipatory approval for the appointment of one DIG and promotion of 1,897 senior police officers recommended to the commission by the inspector-general of police.

The 14 commissioners of police and 21 deputy commissioners appeared before the management of the commission for an interactive promotion interview, a condition precedent for their elevation to the next ranks.

Ani further stated that at the interactive session, Arase charged the officers to quickly settle down to their new ranks and go forth and win the war against banditry, kidnapping and violent crimes in the country.

[Leadership]

The Pan Yoruba Socio-Political Group, Afenifere, has abolished the position of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader of the group, presently occupied by Pa Ayo Adebanjo and Oba Oladipo Olaitan.

Rising from its monthly meeting held at the country home of its national leader, Pa Reuben Fasoranti, in Akure, the Ondo state, the group said that the decision was to halt the polarisation.

At the instance of the leader, Pa Fasoranti, Oba Olu Falae, was mandated to preside over the meeting.

According to the group’s communique read to newsmen, by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare Ajayi, the motion on the need to abrogate the dual positions of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader was moved by a 92-year-old, Professor of Surgery, Samuel Ibikunle from Ogun State and seconded by Dr Niyi lkuomelo from Ondo state.

Professor lbikunle, while moving the motion said that ” based on the report of the reconciliation committee, that it has reached a dead end and is unable to achieve reconciliation, l, Prof Samuel lbikunle of Ogun state Afenifere, hereby move that the offices of the acting leader and deputy leader should be dissolved into an Afenifere Elders Caucus to be constituted by the leader.”

The communique reads “A motion on the need to abrogate the dual positions of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader was moved by Dr. S. J. Ibikunle from Ogun State. It was seconded by members from Ekiti, Kwara, Oyo and Ondo States.

“When the matter was thrown to the general house, the motion was unanimously carried.

“Flowing from this, the Leader then declared as follows: that “In the light of recent events and the pressing need to reposition and rejuvenate Afenifere, it has been decided as follows: the position of Acting Leader and Deputy Leader has now been abrogated, the responsibilities and authority of advising the Leader Afenifere and Asiwaju Yoruba are now vested in the Afenifere Elders Caucus which is hereby constituted.

“Members of the Elders Caucus* are as follow: Chief R. F. Fasoranti – Chairman, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, HRM Oba Olu Falae, HE Senator C O Adebayo, Senator Femi Okunrounmu, Basorun Seinde Arogbofa, Senator Kofo Bucknor Akerele, Arch Bishop Prince Ayo Ladigbolu, Lt. Gen Alani Ipoola Akinrinade, Maj Gen. Olu Bajowa rtd, Prof Bolaji Akinwande Akinyemi, Prof Banji Akintoye, Prof Samuel Ibikunle, Chief Femi Aluko, Prince Alonge, Dr Yomi Finnih, Prince Olusi, Hon Korede Duyile, Prof Ropo Sekoni, Hon Lekan Alabi and Dr Kunle Olajide.

Also, the group, in the communique, condoled the people of Ondo State over the demise of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu.

The group equally resolved that “There is an urgent need to rework the security architecture of the country to ensure that Nigerians are able to live and move about without the fear of being kidnapped or harassed in any way.

“Such reworking should include giving states and local government councils that so desire to establish own police services with all the requisite powers to function as such.

“Doing so would check, if not totally stop, the incidences of kidnapping and sundry banditry now ravaging the land.

“The unfortunate blast in Ibadan clearly underscores the need to allow the federating units in the country to control mineral resources in their respective areas with particular reference to mining and exploration.

“The reasoning behind this was that had it been that states were in control of mining for instance, Oyo State government was likely to know how explosives were being moved around.

” Such would have made last week’s horrendous blast that claimed many lives, traumatized hundreds of people and destroyed properties running into Billions of Naira would have been prevented.

“To facilitate the issues in 1 and 2 above, Afenifere again reiterated that the time for Restructuring the country is NOW.

” It therefore urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to set the machinery in motion for the purpose.

“The organization took note of the fact that the President, a known democrat and federalist would not hesitate to do things that will quicken the country’s quest for true federalism in which people would have self-determination within the context of one nation that is genuinely democratic and federal.

“The meeting took note of the report that Miyetti Allah Hore set up a 1,144-strong Nomad Vigilante militia in Nassarawa ostensibly to provide security for Fulani herders.

“Afenifere was of the opinion that Miyetti Allah, being a non-state actor, should not have power to do a thing like that.

” It therefore considered the action of the Department of State Security (DSS) to checkmate Miyetti Allah on the issue as timely and in order.

“The meeting expressed the hope that President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda would be giving the necessary push so that life can be easier for the people of Nigeria.

“Among the means of achieving this are taking steps that would strengthen the value of our currency, the Naira, reduce costs of energy (fuel in particular) through local production of petroleum products as well as regular supply of electricity.

“In view of the current high cost of living, Afenifere urged the Federal Government, through its various organs in charge of finance and fiscal policies, to accelerate actions that will strengthen the value of our currency, enhance productivity, reduce costs of items and services all geared towards reducing inflation and enhancing the welfare of the people.

“The meeting renewed its call on governments in Yoruba-speaking states to further encourage the teaching and usage of Yoruba language in schools.

” This can be done by making the language the medium for teaching at elementary and lower level of secondary education as well as making it compulsory for students at school certificate examination level.

” It also urged parents and guardians to teach their children the language as well as encourage its usage as much as possible both in verbal and literary communications.

Pa Fasoranti at the close of the meeting “encouraged Afenifere members to be more committed to the noble ideals that the organization stands for and display Omoluabi ethos as they project Afenifere further in their respective states.

He prayed “for the success of government at all levels so that the people can enjoy a better lease of life.

Present at the meeting include Prof Ropo Sekoni, Otunbo Kole Omololu, former governor Olusegun Mimiko, former Osun deputy governor, lyiola Omisore, Chief Dare Babarinsa, Agbakin Ademola Folarin, Pastor Bola Bolawole, Chief lmam of Yorubaland, Abduraheem Aduranigba amongst others.