Operatives of the Abia State Police Command have apprehended a four-man gang masquerading as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) officials, who terrorized students in Umudike with a toy gun.

The suspects, identified as Onyedikachi Ihechukwumere (25), Onwuka Christopher (26), and Tochukwu Obinna (30), were arrested on Tuesday, January 23, following a tip-off received by the Central Police Station (CPS) Umuahia.

Reports allege that the gang, sporting Man O’ War uniforms, stormed Enyioma Christ Lodge in Umudike, brandishing a toy gun and dispossessing students of their phones and a total of N120,000 through forced bank transfers.

Acting swiftly upon receiving the intelligence, a team from CPS Umuahia mobilized to the scene, initiating an investigation that led to the apprehension of the three suspects.

“Exhibits recovered from them include three of the stolen phones, a tricycle used in their operation, and three red-colored jackets bearing the EFCC inscription,” revealed Abia State Police Command spokesperson, ASP Maureen Chinaka, in a statement issued on Saturday, January 27.

Further investigation, ASP Maureen disclosed, led to the subsequent arrest of two additional suspects on Wednesday, January 24. These were James Prince Victor (39) and Chidozie Onwuzuruike (40), both residents of Ohuhu Umuahia North.

Victor, claiming to be an EFCC official who allegedly coordinated the students’ lodge attack, was apprehended alongside Onwuzuruike.

“Four more red-colored jackets with EFCC inscription, two EFCC ID cards, another stolen phone, a toy gun, and four EFCC search warrants were recovered from the duo,” the police statement added.

The Abia State Police Command has condemned the activities of the fake EFCC operatives, commending the vigilance of the public and pledging to bring all perpetrators to justice.

The federal government has ordered an investigation into allegations of corruption against the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla.

Ogalla is accused of providing security for oil thieves and receiving huge sums in return against the federal government’s touted war against oil thieves.

A statement by the director of press in the ministry of information, Mr Henshaw Ogubike, the minister of state for defence, Muhammed Bello Matawalle, called for  a thorough and impartial investigation to ascertain the truth of the claims.

He said the administration of President Bola Tinubu has zero tolerance for corruption in the public service.

“Though these allegations might be mischievous, the Ministry of Defence is committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability within the Nigerian Armed Forces. The allegations leveled against Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla are serious,” he said.

Speaking on the source of information, he said: “We respect the role of the media in fostering transparency and holding public figures accountable. At the same time, we urge responsible journalism that adheres to the principles of fairness, objectivity and accuracy. Accusations of this nature can have far-reaching consequences on the reputation of individuals and institutions, and thus, it is crucial to avoid premature judgments.”

The minister assured that the Ministry of Defence would collaborate fully with relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the matter.

“We remain committed to the principles of due process and fairness, ensuring that findings will be based on concrete evidence and legal standards.

“It is our collective responsibility to maintain the trust and confidence of the Nigerian people in the institutions that safeguard our nation’s security.  We call for patience as the investigative process unfolds and trust that justice will be served in accordance with the rule of law,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Navy has described the allegations as malicious, baseless and false.

The director of information, Naval Headquarters, Rear Admiral Adedotun Ayo-Vaughan,  said the allegation that the CNS accepted over $170 million in bribes and the alleged involvement in multi-billion naira contract splitting fraud in the last six months are untenable, baseless and untrue.

He was reacting to a publication in an online medium yesterday following the federal government’s order to probe the Naval chief.

He said the service was aware of the coordinated frantic efforts to blackmail the office and person of the CNS by some disgruntled elements who were feeling the heat of the Nigerian Navy’s renewed vigour to fight crude oil theft and illegalities in the maritime domain as well as those who have in one way or the order shortchanged the Navy before now.

He said; “The continuous rejuvenated operations towards curbing oil theft has given the oil thieves sleepless nights hence the decision to engage in the malicious publications.”

He added that there were clear procedural requirements in the arrest, detention and release of any vessel or persons found culpable in the maritime environment.

He said it is until these processes are duly concluded that such vessels are released to appropriate prosecuting agencies for further actions.

“Indeed, all arrested vessels mentioned in the publication that were involved in crude oil theft and illegal oil bunkering are being investigated and none of such vessels has been released as alleged,” he said.

He stated that the CNS does not award or oversee oil bunkering contracts; noting that the award of such is the sole prerogative of NNPCL.

He said all contracts awarded by the Navy follow due process in line with the laws of the federation.

The director said the Nigerian Navy is an offshoot of the constitutional provisions and duly guided by extant laws and regulations of the land.

“The policing roles of the Navy empowers her to monitor the maritime domain of the nation. These among others include arrest of vessels that contravene any of the maritime laws and SPOMO Act 2019,” he added.

It would be recalled that the Nigerian Navy recently launched Operation Delta Sanity which provides for a holistic and more robust roadmap towards the reinvigorated stance of the Navy towards the fight against crude oil theft and other forms of illegalities in the nation’s maritime environment.

[Leadership]

Despite the efforts of the security operatives to tackle the deteriorating security crisis in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, killings and abduction of residents have continued, DAILY POST reports.

The blood-thirsty assailants, who have been causing mayhem in the nation’s capital city, recently intensified their unprovoked attacks on residents.

Although the security operatives recently recorded successes in the battle against terrorism in the city by rescuing kidnap victims and arresting suspects, our correspondent gathered that some of the unfortunate attacks are underreported.

Mrs Maria was on a postnatal visit to her daughter, Christiana, who recently gave birth after being childless since she tied the knot with her husband, Igba, about ten years ago.

The bandits had invaded their residence near the Mopol Barracks, Dei-Dei, hacked the husband to coma and whisked away Christiana, her mother and the one-month-old baby to an unknown destination.

One of the neighbours, Adejor Jacob, who narrated the incident to DAILY POST on Saturday, said the abductors had demanded N90 million ransom prior to the murder of the victims.

According to him, “The late Christiana gave birth recently after being barren for more than ten years. Her mother came to Abuja from Benue State for the postnatal and to celebrate with the family over the newborn.

“The kidnappers earlier asked the husband to pay N90 million ransom as the only condition to release his wife and his mother-in-law.

“A day before they were killed, the kidnappers contacted the husband and they both negotiated and settled for N10 million.

“The kidnappers asked him to make the money available before 10 am the following day, which was last Thursday.

“Before the agreed time, the kidnappers called the husband to inform him that the one month old-baby was ill.

“There was another victim that the kidnappers released that day so they gave her the little baby and asked her to take the newborn to a hospital.

“The kidnappers gave her the phone number of the baby’s father and asked her to call when she got to the hospital.

“The woman did as she was instructed. The hospital called Igba and he went there and recovered his baby. After a few hours, we received a report that Christiana and her mother had been killed.

“Their lifeless bodies were dumped and some police officers went there to recover them. They have been deposited at the Kubwa General Hospital.”

When our correspondent visited the area on Saturday, it was gathered that the residents who are still in shock over the unprecedented murder, are living in fear.

According to a resident who does not want to be mentioned, “many people are relocating from Dei-Dei due to security issues in the area.

“There has been a series of kidnappings and killings in this place since January but most of the incidents are not captured by the media.”

When contacted by DAILY POST, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh declined speaking on the matter.

Meanwhile, DAILY POST reports that the daredevil terrorists have been on rampage, terrorizing some areas in the territory, including Kawu, Gaba, Dei-dei, Kubwa Hills, Ushafa, Bwari, Mpape, Kubwa, Lugbe, Pyakasa, Keti, Gbaupe, Gbaukuchi, Airport Road, among others.

Earlier last week, reports emerged that over 200 violent attacks have been recorded across all the six area councils of the FCT since President Bola Tinubu assumed office on May 29, 2023.

It was gathered that at least 89 residents of the nation’s capital have been killed by the terrorists, while 176 were kidnapped within the period.

This has instilled palpable fear and anxiety on residents, particularly those residing in the satellite areas.

DAILY POST reports that nightlife, especially in the Bwari Area Council, has drastically diminished as most residents desert the streets before nightfall.

Some schools and businesses were recently shut down over fear of attacks by the pitiless kidnappers.

Elder Ben Ijeoche, a security expert, told DAILY POST on Saturday that until the Federal Government and the National Assembly agreed to establish state police, the security crisis may continue.

He said, “We have been saying this but it looks like there is nobody to listen. The National Assembly should amend the 1999 Constitution accordingly to enable each of the 36 states and the FCT to establish their own police force.

“This will help reduce the issue we are facing right now. When you mobilize an officer from Abuja to Plateau, the officer will be limited in discharging their duties because they don’t know the place very well.

“Someone who has lived in the crisis area for a long time should be able to know how to tackle the challenges better. The person wearing the shoes knows where it pinches.

“State police will also create jobs for the youths and take some of our youths away from the bush.”

However, the FCT Minister, Mr Nyesom Wike, has assured that residents of the territory will get positive news within days.

“I can assure you that in a matter of days, you will be hearing positive stories.

“We are ready to support our security agencies with whatever they need to ensure that our people can sleep with their two eyes closed.

“We are going to provide the councils with motorcycles to support the vigilante groups so that they can get information and assist our security agencies,” he added.

The Chairman, Mangu Local Government Area, Marcus Artu, confirmed the development to The Nation by phone.

But he could not say how many gunmen were killed.

“I cannot not give the casualty figure, but they are many, and this is the beginning of meeting their Waterloo.

“What I was told is that some attackers came out in large numbers this morning (Saturday) and wanted to attack the people but the soldiers repelled them.”

COAS to soldiers: Adopt more aggressive posture against those disturbing Plateau peace

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, on an assessment visit to Mangu LGA yesterday, ordered troops of the 3 Division Nigerian Army and the Joint Task Force Operation Safe Haven to adopt more aggressive posture and decisively stamp out terrorists causing mayhem in Plateau and neighbouring states.

“Go hard on those disturbing the peace of the Plateau and neutralise any terrorist annihilating people and burning or destroying property and other economic valuables,” he said while addressing them.

The COAS, who received briefing  on the security situation from the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander Operation Safe Haven, Major-Gen. Abdusalam Abubakar, acknowledged that the security dynamics on the Plateau are complex owning  to its political background, interwoven with cultural and economic sentiments.

These, he added, accounted for the prolonged duration of the conflicts and the escalation in its lethality.

Gen. Lagbaja inspected the arms and ammunition recovered by the troops and commended them for not allowing the crisis to escalate to other parts of the state.

He was confident that the troops would be more resilient and leave no stone unturned in ensuring that peace and tranquility is restored on the Plateau and other troubled parts of the country.

He charged the troops to live up to the expectations of all peace loving and law abiding residents of the Plateau, harping that trust is earned and the troops must do all within their means to maintain the trust of the people they are tasked to protect.

Lagbaja, who seized the opportunity to pay a courtesy call on Governor Mutfwang, expressed appreciation to the government and people of Plateau State for their effort in ensuring that peace reigns in the state.

He said a marching order had been handed down to troops to sternly enforce law and order and to be decisive in tackling the security situation on the Plateau.

[TheNation]

The Super Eagles of Nigeria will face Angola in the next round of the ongoing African Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.

Nigeria will play the Giant Sable Antelope in the AFCON 2023 Quarterfinals by 6pm, at the Felix Houphouet-Boigny Stadium, Abidjan, on Friday, February 2, 2024.

Decisively, Ademola Lookman’s brace gave Nigeria the win over the Indomitable Lions of Cameroon in a hard-fought game.

Moreover, the Super Eagles remain unbeaten in the tournament.

According to CAF Online, Angolan forward, Jacinto Dala says they deserve to qualify for the quarterfinals of the tournament.

The team defeated Namibia on Friday 3-0, with Jacinto Dala involved in all three goals.

Worthy of note, Angola have reached the last eight of the tournament for the first time since their run to the semi-finals in 2008.

“We had a good performance today. The team deserved this qualification, and I’m very happy we made it happen.

“I will say the commitment and the involvement of all the players helped me win this man of the match,” he said.

Nigeria at Egypt 2019

In the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations hosted by Egypt, the Super Eagles knocked out Cameroon in the Round of 16.

They came from behind and secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory.

Meanwhile, Ighalo’s brace in the 19th and 63rd minutes, combined with Iwobi’s 66th-minute winner, overcame Bahoken and N’Jia’s goals.

The Cameroonians scored in the 41st and 44th minutes.

Also, William Troost-Ekong sealed the deal with a last-minute winner (89th minute) against South Africa in the quarterfinals after a tense 1-1 draw.

In the semifinals, Nigeria faced Algeria in a nail-biting contest.

Despite Ighalo’s 72nd-minute penalty, Ekong’s unfortunate own-goal and Riyadh Mahrez’s goal in the 90+5 minutes secured Algeria’s spot in the final.

They won 2-1.

Nigeria beat Tunisia 1-0 in the third-place playoff. Odion Ighalo’s 3rd-minute goal was enough to secure victory for the Eagles.

[Punch]

•Says the West, allies have succeeded in demeaning our school system
•‘How we are containing education challenges in Gran Hermano Academy’

Chijioke Godfrey Nwajioha, an academic consultant of international repute, is the Chairman, of Gran Hermano Academy, Awka, Anambra State. In this interview, Nwajioha speaks on how the Tinubu administration can harness the renewed hope mandate by infusing indigenous technology into the school curriculum to sustain the future of education in Nigeria. Excerpts:

What is your view on government policy to ensure Nigerians get quality education?

To ensure that Nigerians receive quality education, government must adopt a holistic approach that focuses on all levels of education, from pre-school to tertiary. There must be a focus on improving teacher quality as well as increasing access to education and providing adequate learning resources. In addition, there must be a focus on addressing the specific needs of vulnerable groups such as girls, children with disabilities, and children living in conflict-affected areas. There must also be a strong monitoring and evaluation system in place to track progress and ensure accountability. Overall, government’s education policy must be comprehensive, inclusive and well-funded. To further elaborate, I believe that the following policy areas are particularly important: Investing in early childhood education: Early childhood education is crucial in laying the foundation for a child’s future academic success.

Government should invest in expanding access to pre-school education as well as training and professional development for early childhood educators. Increasing access to secondary education: Secondary education is important for preparing young people for the workforce and for further education. Efforts should be geared towards expanding and increasing the number of secondary schools to accommodate more people in rural areas and improve the quality of secondary education in the hinterlands.

Improving technical and vocational education: Technical and vocational education is important for preparing young people for the world of work. However, there is a significant gap between the demand for skilled workers and the supply of skilled workers in Nigeria.

Government should work to improve the quality and relevance of technical and vocational education, as well as increase the number of trained workers. Ensuring access to higher education: Higher education is important for personal and professional development, as well as for driving economic growth. Presently, there is a significant gap in access to higher education in Nigeria, especially for low-income and rural populations. Government should work to increase the number of public universities, provide access to education loans for those who cannot afford the fees, and improve the quality of higher education by ensuring adequate funding, continuous training, and research.

What is your view on government’s four-year strategic plan to serve as an education road map for education development?

The Nigerian government’s Strategic Plan for Education Development (SPED) is a roadmap for improving the country’s education system over the next four years. SPED is a comprehensive plan that covers all levels of education, from basic to tertiary. The plan’s key objectives include improving access to and equity in education, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as girls, children with disabilities, and children in conflict-affected areas; improving the quality of education, including the training and development of teachers; improving school infrastructure; and increasing the use of technology in education.

SPED is an ambitious plan, and it is not clear whether all of its objectives will be achieved within the four-year timeframe. Most times, government comes up with a well-thought-out program that, if judiciously implemented, will improve the well-being of its citizens, but what we see in most cases is a lack of political will or a misplaced priority to drive the process.

There are several challenges that could hinder the implementation of the plan. These include limited funding, lack of qualified teachers, inadequate infrastructure and political instability. However, the plan does have the potential to make significant improvements to the Nigerian education system, and its success will depend on the commitment and cooperation of all stakeholders. If the plan is successfully implemented, it could lead to improved access to education, better learning outcomes, and increased economic growth and development in Nigeria.

In my opinion, there are several key factors that will be crucial for the success of the SPED. First, it is important to ensure that the plan is adequately funded. Government must commit to increasing spending on education and ensure that resources are used efficiently and effectively. Second, there must be a focus on improving the quality of teacher training and development, as well as the overall quality of education. Third, it is important to create an enabling environment for learning by ensuring that schools have adequate infrastructure and resources.

There must also be political stability and commitment to the plan from all levels of government. It could be said that insincerity on the part of those saddled with the responsibility of driving the process has always been a clog in the wheel of progress in achieving a set goal. So for me, it’s achievable with commitment, sincerity of purpose, and concerted efforts.

Experts are of the view that a crucial step in this direction would reduce Japa syndrome. What are your thoughts on this?

Yes, I agree with that assertion! The japa syndrome, or the brain drain phenomenon, if you like, is a real and pressing challenge for Nigeria. I believe that reducing this trend will require a multi-pronged approach that includes improving the quality of education, increasing access to opportunities, and addressing economic challenges. Improving the quality of education will make Nigeria a more attractive option for talented individuals, as it will give them the skills and knowledge to succeed in the global economy.

Secondly, increasing access to opportunities, such as jobs and internships, will give individuals a reason to stay in Nigeria and contribute to its development. Furthermore, addressing inflation and unemployment will help create a more stable and prosperous environment for individuals to live and work in. In addition, untying the country from the shackles of corruption, improving infrastructure, and promoting the rule of law will also help to create an environment that is conducive to retaining talent.

I believe that addressing the Japa syndrome requires a holistic and comprehensive approach that considers all of these factors. You see, the world has become a global village; access to information is at the tip of your finger, thereby creating opportunities for the young ones to interact with their peers elsewhere, and by doing so, you will wonder why what works seamlessly elsewhere will be difficult to achieve in Nigeria. The menace is a big challenge that requires a complex and multifaceted approach that addresses both the push and pull factors that are driving this phenomenon.

It is important to create opportunities and conditions in Nigeria that will give young people the desire to stay and contribute to the development of the country. This includes improving education, creating job opportunities, and promoting social justice. At the same time, it is also necessary to address the factors that are drawing young people to leave Nigeria, such as economic insecurity, political instability, and insecurity. By addressing these issues, we can reduce the incentive for people to leave the country and instead encourage them to stay and contribute to its future.

It is important to address the broader social-economic and political context in which the Japa syndrome exists. As I said before, tackling corruption, strengthening institutions, and creating an environment that is conducive to innovation and growth will put an end to all these anomalies. Let me add that this is very important, and I would want the government to take this very seriously. To solve the education problem in Nigeria, there should be legislation prohibiting those who didn’t do a degree course in Nigeria from being considered for jobs in any government establishment.

We should be proud of our system and make it work. The West and her allies have succeeded in demeaning our school system, whereas it’s on record that the majority of Nigerian students that travel out to further their education go there and distinguish themselves and beat their contemporaries. What does that tell you? We must create an enabling environment and prioritize investment in education to dissuade our young, bright minds from ‘japaing’.

What are the challenges of obtaining quality education, and how have you contributed to ensuring Nigerians get quality education?

Going by your word “experienced proprietor,” the challenges I have faced in providing quality education are multifaceted. For example, one of the biggest challenges is the lack of qualified and experienced teachers. There is a severe shortage of teachers, especially in this age of technology, and many of the teachers that are available are not adequately trained or are unemployable. To address this challenge, I have worked to provide professional development opportunities for teachers as well as to recruit and train new teachers. In Gran Hermano Academy, quality is our watchword, and, to that end, we have invested much in training our teachers to be in tune with the demands of the modern classroom.

We have been able to do so because of our firm belief in excellence. I have also worked to develop curricula and teaching materials that are relevant and engaging for students. I believe that quality education is key to the development of any nation, and I am committed to doing my part to ensure that Nigerians have access to high-quality education. Another challenge I have faced is the lack of infrastructure and resources. Many schools, especially in rural areas, lack basic infrastructure such as electricity, clean water, and sanitation facilities. These challenges make it difficult for students to learn and for teachers to teach effectively. To address this challenge, I have worked with local and international organizations to provide funding for school infrastructure projects.

This can lead to students dropping out of school or not performing well. To address this challenge, I have worked to raise awareness about the importance of parental involvement in education and to provide training for parents on how to support their children’s learning. Overall, the challenges I have faced in ensuring quality education for Nigerians are significant, but I am committed to finding solutions and making a difference.

You are aware of the challenges bedeviling the education sector, which include insecurity, accessibility, funding, teachers’ capacity building and institutional management. How have you been able to contain these challenges for over 10 years?

It has been a bumpy ride for 10 years, but God has been very gracious. First and foremost, we have been able to contain these challenges by building a strong partnership with the community where we operate. We have worked closely with community leaders, parents, and other relevant stakeholders to develop a shared vision for education in the area. This has helped to build trust and ensure that we are all working towards the same goal. We have also been able to leverage technology to help address some of the challenges. We use technology surveillance cameras (CCTV) to monitor the environment and also working closely with government security agencies. On teachers’ capacity building, I have worked to build the capacity of teachers through professional development opportunities, access to resources, training and retraining, and financial and material rewards. It will interest you to note that during our 10th anniversary celebration on December 8, 2023, we rewarded the pioneer staff with a plot of land each here in Awka, Anambra State. All these are geared towards motivating them to do more, as opposed to the popular saying that “teachers’ reward is in heaven.” All of that has helped to improve the quality of education and address some of the challenges related to teachers’ capacity over the last 10 years of our commitment to the development of education. I have also been able to address some of the funding challenges through innovative fundraising initiatives.

For example, I have worked with local businesses to establish scholarships and other forms of financial support for students. Just during our 10th anniversary, our invited guests raised handsome funds to support the above initiative. Overall, I have been able to make progress in addressing these challenges through a combination of partnerships, technology, and fundraising. I believe that continued collaboration and innovation will be key to making further progress in the future. One area where I have seen significant progress is improving security in the environment where we are operating. I have worked with local law enforcement agencies, and government has also done so well in reducing the fears and threats of insecurity to the barest minimum.

I have also put surveillance cameras and security guards in place. These have helped to create a safer learning environment for students and staff. In addition, I have worked to create a culture of safety and security in the school community. This includes regular drills, safety training for staff, and awareness campaigns for students and parents. These efforts have helped to make students feel safe and secure in school and have yielded tremendous achievements in academic excellence.

What road map have you put in place to produce reliable and accountable leaders as promised by GHA before the next 10 years?

To understand our 10-year road map and goals for producing reliable and accountable leaders, it is important to appreciate where we came from in the last 10 years. It has become common knowledge that “schools promote exam malpractice.”. It was against this backdrop that Gran Hermano Academy was founded to bring about academic excellence. Our motto is ‘Raising Leaders Through Excellence’. When we started, we first defined our objectives, core values, and vision, and these have been our guiding principles in all that we do and in the day-to-day running and activities of the school. Promotion of examination malpractice is a serious issue that must be addressed in order to produce accountable and reliable leaders. It is a malady that must be condemned by every right-thinking person because it shakes the foundation of hard work. Several measures can be taken to combat this problem. First, there must be a strong commitment from school administrators, teachers, parents, and students to combat cheating and promote integrity in the exam process.

This can be achieved through education and awareness campaigns as well as clear consequences for those who engage in malpractice. Second, there should be improved security measures in place at exam centers to prevent cheating and ensure that exams are conducted fairly and transparently. In Anambra State, for example, the Ministry of Education has made it mandatory for all WAEC centers to be covered and equipped with CCTV cameras.

There should be a strong emphasis on promoting critical thinking and problem-solving skills in the classroom so that students are better equipped to succeed without relying on cheating. Ultimately, the goal should be to create an environment where students are rewarded for their hard work and dedication rather than for their ability to cheat.

By taking these measures, we can help to ensure that our educational system is producing responsible and ethical leaders who are prepared to make a positive impact on society. So, for us, we have succeeded in changing the narrative in the past 10 years, and the records are glaring. So, to answer your question, by the next 10 years, judging by the awesome achievements and records so far and by the roadmap we have set in motion, we will have produced more reliable and accountable leaders that will be able to give account of themselves academically and otherwise.

So far, what collaborative efforts beyond the government or industry stakeholders have you made to make your students compete internationally?

We have leveraged the competitive nature of private schools to find ways to distinguish us from our contemporaries. Running to school is not a tea party. Manufacturing industries and factories push their products to the market and maintain the same product style as long as the demand remains the same, but the education industry demands creativity, innovative models, and skills daily if you must remain in the business. There are several collaborative efforts that I have made to help my students compete favorably both nationally and internationally. One such effort is the development of partnerships with international organizations, such as the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the British Council, and other education consultancies. As a registered member of the British Council, we undertake the following international examinations:

1. Checkpoint 2. IGCSE 3. IGCSE Upper Secondary 4. IGCSE Advance (A’ LEVEL) Through these partnerships, we have been able to offer students the opportunity to participate in international competitions, such as the International Maths Olympiad, the International Science Olympiad, the Turkish Maths Competition, and other national competitions. These experiences have allowed my students to gain valuable skills and knowledge and have also helped to raise the profile of the school on the international stage. I have also collaborated with universities and companies for workshops and training for the senior classes in various educational programs. This has provided them with valuable experience and exposure to different industries and cultures. I have further worked with different professionals and organizations to develop a curriculum that is aligned with international standards so that my students can compete with their peers from around the world. Basically, we have collaborated with other educational institutions to provide my students with access to world-class resources and facilities, such as libraries, laboratories, and technology centers.

Are there scholarship initiatives for vulnerable, bright, and underprivileged students?

I am one of those who believe in building human capacity. Prior to setting up the Academy, I have been investing in human capital development, giving scholarships to many indigent, vulnerable, and underprivileged persons in primary, secondary, and higher institutions of learning. In our academy, there are also several scholarship initiatives for vulnerable, bright, and underprivileged students, which are open to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who have demonstrated academic excellence and leadership potential. During admission, there is a criterion or threshold that one must satisfy to qualify for a scholarship. In addition, we partner with several private and corporate scholarship programs that provide support to deserving students from low-income backgrounds. As I said earlier, during GHA’s 10-year anniversary, we raised funds for that purpose. These initiatives are helping to ensure that all students have access to quality education, regardless of their socio-economic status. Scholarships are to reward hard work, assist the underprivileged, and challenge other students to do better. “We rise by lifting others,” says Davido.

Like President Bola Tinubu emphasizes, is there attention given to science and technology students to encourage the infusion of indigenous technology into regular curriculum reviews?

Yes, the Nigerian government has been placing greater emphasis on science and technology education in recent years. This is reflected in the National Policy on Education, which emphasizes the need to integrate science and technology into the regular curriculum. For example, the policy states that science and technology should be taught at the primary school level and that there should be a focus on applied science and technology in secondary schools.

The policy also calls for the establishment of science and technology centers and the promotion of research and innovation in the field.

This is part of a broader effort to encourage the use of indigenous technology and to make Nigeria a leader in the field of science. Indigenous technology refers to technology that is developed within a particular country or region rather than being imported from elsewhere.

In the context of Nigeria, it refers to technology that is developed by Nigerian scientists and engineers using local resources and knowledge. This can include anything from engineering to agricultural technology to computer science. Indigenous technology is important because it helps to ensure that the benefits of technological advancement are shared more evenly, and it also helps to promote national development and self-reliance, but unfortunately, Nigeria and Nigerians have not really developed the potential to develop some of the technological tools needed in that regard. Our appetite for foreign products is the bane of not looking inward, and it was further exacerbated by the harsh business environment, which doesn’t support production, and the unfriendly economy. If the policy must succeed, there must be a deliberate effort by the government to encourage local manufacturers of such technology gadgets.

Although the infusion of technology into curriculum reviews is gaining momentum, there is definitely a growing focus on incorporating indigenous technology into the curriculum of science and technology students in Nigeria.

This is evident in the new curricula that are being developed by organizations like FSTEB and NASRDA, which aim to promote the use of locally developed technologies in schools. This is especially important in fields like engineering, where students need to be familiar with the specific technologies and materials that are used in Nigeria.

Additionally, many universities and colleges are now offering courses that focus specifically on indigenous technology in order to train students in the latest developments in this field. One of the main challenges facing the promotion of indigenous technology in the curriculum is the lack of adequate funding and resources.

In order to develop and implement indigenous technology, there needs to be a significant investment in research and development, as well as in infrastructure and facilities. This is something that the government and other organizations are working to address, but there is still a long way to go.

Additionally, there needs to be a greater emphasis on collaboration between schools, government agencies, and private companies in order to create a more comprehensive and effective approach to promoting indigenous technology. This will require a shift in mindset and culture, as well as a commitment to long-term investment.

However, the benefits of doing so are clear: by promoting indigenous technology, Nigeria can create a more sustainable and resilient economy, as well as increase its global competitiveness. Consequently, the skills and knowledge that students gain through the study of indigenous technology can be used to address some of the most pressing challenges facing the country, such as climate change, food security, and energy independence.

In short, the infusion of indigenous technology into the curriculum is a crucial step towards creating a more prosperous and sustainable future for Nigeria.

[Vanguard]

In the sweet science of boxing, the quality of the boxer’s corner is virtually as important as the pugilist’s skill itself. There are tricks that the trainer and the cut-man know that could swing the fight one way or the other — a word of caution here on how to better handle the opponent, expert management of cuts to staunch bleeding or swelling there… In the roped square where there is no hiding place, a boxer’s fate is inextricably tied to the quality of his corner.

One of the classic instances of a trainer saving his ward from possible disgrace was when Angelo Dundee widened an existing small split in one of Muhammad Ali’s gloves after Henry Cooper had knocked him down in the closing seconds of the fourth round in their 1963 fight. In the process of fitting Ali with another glove, the boxer regained his full composure and was able to resume the fight with added gusto. But I digress.

Nigeria has been fighting the battle of survival in the ring of life since the country was cobbled together. Sometimes it seems all will be well; at other times it is clear that external assistance may be needed. But in the ring of life, God help that pugilist whose cornermen are atavistic belligerents quarrelling during the break between rounds instead of inspiring their boxer to go out roaring like a lion.

Say what you will, there are worse eventualities that could befall a person than being born in Nigeria. However, in this ring of life, it has been Nigeria’s lot to have in its corner, people fighting their own personal battles with invisible demons and leaving Nigeria to its own devices. Each time you need somebody to show up for Nigeria among the statutory cornermen, one showboater in need of minders shows up. Now who is minding who?

Ordinarily, Senator Ali Ndume, given his long years in the senate, could be counted among the cornermen in Nigeria’s ring of life. When the waters seem rough, people like Ndume ought to be moderating forces to ensure a smooth sail. But, as we have seen recently, the senator thinks his position is that of a tribal champion.

Ndume was unhappy with the decision to relocate the headquarters of the Federal Airports’ Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) to Lagos, four years after the former administration relocated all the aviation agencies to Abuja.

The Air Transport Service Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE), and the Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP) also commended the move. In a joint bulletin, the groups said the initial relocation of FAAN headquarters to Abuja was hurried and improperly done. “Senior staff were left stranded without office and working tools while junior staff were helpless, with no provision for documents and working files and most worrisome, absence of backup for data.” They urged the government to ensure that the current directive is properly executed for staff welfare and ease of service delivery.

Another case of relocation which Senator Ndume reads as a conspiracy to return the country’s capital to Lagos is the directive of the CBN for the relocation of some departments to Lagos for administrative convenience. The departments penciled down for relocation by the CBN Governor, Yemi Cardoso, are Banking Supervision; Other Financial Institutions Supervision; Consumer Protection Department; Payment System Management Department and Financial Policy Regulations Department. It was explained that the directive was given because most of the banks’ headquarters are in Lagos and the CBN has a sprawling edifice in the city which is lying fallow while the Abuja headquarters is congested.

Ndume interprets this as an attempt to return the capital to Lagos, against the interests of “the North”. He warned that the relocation of the CBN offices and the headquarters of FAAN from Abuja to Lagos will brew political crisis. He ignores the fact that Abuja is constitutionally stated as Nigeria’s capital and that there are other federal agencies, such as the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) headquartered outside Abuja

He thinks the relocation is the idea of some “Lagos boys” around President Tinubu: “Some of them think that they know better than everybody. But, they don’t know anything. When you don’t know Nigeria, you only know Lagos, then you start doing things as if Nigeria is Lagos…”

The senator has threatened that there will be political consequences of relocating any department to Lagos. Analysts are not in any doubt as to what he meant. The president is being warned that the North is a monolithic voting bloc capable of torpedoing his electoral canoe in 2027 (hear, hear)! That sounds like the argument of people who have an entitlement mentality, not allies in nation building.

Ndume is not the only one to have faulted the relocation. The Arewa Consultative Forum, a socio-political group in northern Nigeria, also argued that the CBN’s decision showed a disturbing pattern of antagonistic actions often taken by certain Federal Government agencies “against the interests of the North and other parts of the country”, noting that northerners will be negatively affected by the spontaneous exercise.

ACF also accentuated the ethnic angle: “ACF wishes to remind all concerned that decades ago, the seat of the capital of the Federal Republic was moved from Lagos to Abuja for reasons that remain valid, it is constitutional even more so today, constitutionally so, although, of course, a section of the country never liked the decision.”

Several other notable individuals and groups also spoke for or against the planned departmental relocation. A body which described itself as the Arewa Consultative Youth and Women Forum (ACYWF) distanced itself from the criticism and protest over the relocation.

However, the most authoritative voice in terms of empirical knowledge of the subject matter, came from the former governor of the central bank, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, who stood above the fray: According to Sanusi, “Moving certain functions (of the CBN) to the Lagos office (which is bigger than the Abuja head office) is an eminently sensible move… In my mind what I would have done was to move FSS and most of Operations to Lagos such that the two Deputy Governors would be largely operating out of Lagos or, even if they were more in Abuja, the bulk of their operational staff would be in Lagos… Economic policy, corporate services and all the departments reporting to the Governor directly such as Strategy, Audit, Risk management, Governors’ office, etc would remain in Abuja.”

Sanusi continued: “Moving staff to the Lagos office to streamline operations and make them more effective and reduce cost is a normal prerogative of management. The question of locating functions is a strategic and not a tactical one. A proper analysis should be done to identify which roles are best suited to Lagos and which to Abuja. Once the logic is clear, the people then follow. Non-communication of strategic intent opens the door to mischievous misrepresentation and arbitrariness.”

He recalled that he faced the same kind of opposition when he was the CBN governor: “When I was about to license Jaiz Bank there was a lot of religious noise from the Christian Association of Nigeria and some other organisations…” Another insider, Mohammed A. Yakasai, a retired Director of the CBN, testified to the truth of Sanusi’s disclosures.

My question: In this boxing ring of federalism,  who is going to man Nigeria’s corner, not just a tribe’s or region’s? My sadness is that some politicians are orphaning Nigeria, making the country cut the picture of a scantily clad urchin shivering in the early morning harmattan wind, its sunken eyes betraying hunger, even anaemia. Its ‘minders’? They’re busy struggling for turf while the orphan wastes away.

Nigeria is the world’s poverty capital. Most Nigerians live on less than $2 a day. Nigeria’s economy is powered by only 4,000MW of power. Even Republic of Benin has better road infrastructure than Nigeria. Over 70 percent of Nigerians are unemployed. Nigeria has a housing deficit of 28 million. Some 16 million Nigerian children are out of school. The 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria was written by the military. Unless we ditch the 1999 Constitution and write a new one, Nigeria will never develop. Governors run to Abuja every month to share federation allocation. Nigerian president is the most powerful in the world. Etcetera etcetera and so on and so on.

If you have ever held any of these notions, or reinforced them without fact-checking, Mr Babatunde Raji Fashola, former governor of Lagos state, has a message for you: take a chill pill. That is not exactly how he puts it in his book, ‘Nigerian Public Discourse: The Interplay of Empirical Evidence and Hyperbole’, which will be presented on February 8, 2024 in Lagos. His underpinning arguments are: one, some collective assumptions about the development indices of Nigeria are not based on verifiable facts; two, policy decisions must not be founded on assumptions, suppositions or facts of dubious origins. A wrong diagnosis of an ailment will lead to a wrong prescription and treatment.

Fashola — who was minister of power, works and housing from 2015 to 2019 and thereafter minister of works and housing for four years — keeps to a theme that cautions public analysts, social commentators and public servants on the assertions they make while discussing the state of the nation. Some pronouncements are disseminated with such “unwavering conviction” that it becomes hard to summon the courage to critically examine their veracity without appearing either naïve or contrarian, he notes, warning that “a mere conjecture or personal opinion, expressed with authority on a national platform, assumes the guise of an empirical principle which cannot be disputed”.

For a start, anytime you say most Nigerians are living on less than $2 a day and use it as a measurement of the poverty incidence, Fashola would want you to apply the brake. He famously challenged the $1/day measurement and is still not satisfied despite the doubling of the figure. His explanation may be controversial but it is profound, nonetheless. To be clear, he is not questioning the incidence of poverty in Nigeria, but he is unsure of the reliability of the data being used to declare Nigeria as the “poverty capital of the world”. Politically, this dubious distinction has been a potent campaign tool in the hands of opposition parties, which is to be expected in election seasons.

There are two issues here, as pointed out by Fashola. The first is that the World Poverty Clock used data from 2013 and its forecast based on that to arrive at the conclusion that Nigeria was the poverty capital, effectively discounting economic interventions that took place years before the report was written. The report also used the General Household Survey of 2012/2013 and not the Harmonised Living Standards Survey. Using dollar as a measurement without considering the purchasing power parity is also questioned by Fashola, who argues that what one dollar can buy in Nigeria is more than what it can buy in, for instance, the US. He uses the price of a bottle of Coke as a simple example.

The second issue from this is that the poverty data “presents a stark disconnection with the true identity of the Nigerian populace” by a narrow interpretation of “indigenous economics” — in Fashola’s words. The data neglects people’s disposable income. Fashola calls this “cultural economic relativity” which he says Western economists may not understand. The extended family system in Africa is so potent that “it could assist family members to offset rent, school fees, medical bills, sponsor children in school, and other expenses”. He quotes a study on Informal Safety Net which shows how people regularly receive helps ranging from N1,000 to N500,000 from family members.

Fashola’s proposition here is that these are also incomes, howsoever defined, but the poverty data does not countenance them and is confined to what is formally earned by the average Nigerian. He proposes a comprehensive study within the context of the African social support system for a more accurate assessment of poverty. He insists that efforts to reduce poverty in Nigeria by all tiers of government are not insignificant as evident in investments in transport, education, water, health and related services. Above all, he wants the public to demand the provision of more amenities that will tackle poverty rather than weaponise the “poverty capital” claim that is, at best, “an estimate”.

There is also the interesting anecdote of a Briton who asked Fashola if there were banks in Nigeria. He found the question frivolous and uninformed. Fashola took time to explain to the man that Nigeria has over 20 banks, with many of them ranked among the world’s Top 1000 by reputable institutions and publications at various times. The man apologised but explained his question: “I was intrigued by what I read online about the federal government and state governments distributing money in Abuja. Whenever I encounter such a headline, I am left contemplating why states must convene in Abuja… and collect cash. Could this not be facilitated through the banking system?”

The senior lawyer takes time to explain the revenue allocation mechanisms. The constitution and relevant laws are very clear on the membership of the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC): minister of finance (chair), commissioners of finance of the 36 states, two persons appointed by the president, and accountant general of the federation (AcGF). Governors are not members. Two meetings are convened monthly, the first by the AcGF and accountants general of the 36 states where they receive and verify statements of income from revenue-generating agencies, and the second by the FAAC where metrics are used to calculate the revenue to be shared by the three tiers.

(I would like to quickly insert this here: what the three tiers share at FAAC is “federation” — not “federal” — allocation. The use of the word “federal” is part of what distorts debates on our nationhood. Using the word “federal” allocation suggests that the money is coming from the “federal” government to the states and councils. This is incorrect. The money belongs to the federation, and federal government is just a tier of the federation. The constitution mandates that all revenues collected on behalf of the federation be paid into the consolidated revenue fund (CRF) from where they are shared by the three tiers. This little detail is sometimes lost in public discourse.)

There are several stimulating essays for those who are sincerely interested in discussing Nigeria’s development trajectory. We are fond of saying Nigeria produces only 4,000MW to power a $448 billion economy. Fashola thinks we are missing something. South Africa with 58,000MW has a lower GDP of $351 billion. This is not adding up. “By accepting the erroneous figure of 4,000MW, we have overlooked the substantial amount of electricity generated by solar power, industrial and individual diesel generators and independent power producers across the country,” he asserts. Chief Adebayo Adelabu, the minister of power, recently said Nigeria gets an additional 40,000MW from generators.

What is Fashola’s point, though? He believes off-grid power is usually discounted but it is valuable. He lists the power projects executed in Lagos state when he was governor. They are off-grid but their outputs outstrip actual generation in The Gambia. He also lists the off-grid projects he inaugurated across the country when he was minister of power. The Rural Electrification Agency (REA), owned by the federal government, is undertaking solar projects in rural areas across the country but the outputs are not included in the assessment of total Nigeria’s power supply. Basically, Fashola is saying we use incomplete data in making categorical statements on power supply and GDP in Nigeria.

He says an assessment and redefinition of the problem led to the introduction of the mini-grid policy, with residential estates and small-scale factories encouraged to generate their own energy instead an endless wait for connection to the national grid which would require laying cables across thousands of kilometres, among several other costs. Sticking to popular sentiments about the state of power supply in Nigeria would not have helped, he maintains, also contending that “it is not necessarily accurate, nor is it academically rigorous, to attribute all developmental challenges to the paucity of electricity”. Even if we have 24/7 power supply, manufacturing still faces big challenges.

No doubt, this book will invite controversy. There may be questions as to what we should be more concerned with — waiting in pain and in vain for the accurate stats or confronting the largely unaddressed stark reality even without reliable data? More so, if the popularly held datasets are not realistic, why doesn’t he provide the accurate figures? If the housing deficit is not 28 million, what is it then? His approach is that we should wait for the census so that we can be more scientific, but the last one was in 2006 and we don’t know when the next will be. There may also be critical comments of some submissions which many will view as an attempt to offer excuses for government failures.

In all, I have three take-aways from this book. One, a major problem confronting us is the misrepresentation of the problem — “often in bombastic and hyperbolic terms” — which diverts our attention from an accurate diagnosis, to paraphrase Fashola. We will thus be looking in the wrong direction in trying to solve the problem. Two, how can we assess and address our challenges decisively if we are led more by sensational hyperbole and less by verifiable evidence? We need to interrogate certain assumptions, datasets and analyses that we have adopted in making policy decisions. Three, beware: hyperbole has the tendency to make us downplay our little wins.

AND FOUR OTHER THINGS…

KILLING FIELDS

Plateau state is back as Nigeria’s killing fields, with the renewed ancient ethno-religious war. The killings are not spontaneous; they are orchestrated. Nigerians will keep taking sides on the basis of religion and ethnicity but there will be no winners. Government must revise its security strategy in order to protect lives and property better than it currently does, but I reckon that the fuel of the killings is hate. Armoured tanks cannot extinguish it. Only love and tolerance can. I will continue to say this: until those who matter in these communities decide that they have wasted enough blood, there will never be peace and progress, no matter the number of soldiers on duty. Troubling.

POLITICAL CAPITAL

The decision of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to move one of its units from Abuja, the federal capital, to Lagos is “heating up the polity” (don’t laugh). Those opposed are classifying it as anti-north and are making political capital out of it. But dig deeper and you will realise it may have nothing to do with the north. Most of those to be transferred are said to be children of the powerful, some of whom got the job by connections and hardly come to office in any case. But framing it as an anti-north move is a sure winner in an emotionally charged country like ours. This government has, like the one before it, been very poor and clumsy with communication and engagement. Shame.

PLASTIC POLICY

The Lagos state government woke up one day and banned single-use plastics “with immediate effect”. No previous warning, no transition plan, no stakeholder engagement, no sensitisation. Just “with immediate effect”. Companies had produced goods already packaged in these plastics and on the way to delivery points; some had stockpiled supplies for months ahead with bank loans; factories are fully in production and there will be consequences for jobs. And then you ban “with immediate effect” — reminiscent of the days of military rule. After the ban, sensitisation and stakeholder engagement will begin. Welcome to public policy making in 21st-century Nigeria. Wonderful.

NO COMMENT

Have we heard the last of the curious case of Umar Sadiq, the Nigerian striker who plays for Real Sociedad of Spain? He was in Nigeria’s squad to the Africa Cup of Nations in Côte d’Ivoire but was dropped at the last minute because of a report by the Super Eagles’ medical team that he had a knee injury and would be out for a while. It turned out it was just a bruise. He was back playing for his club a few days later. “Upon returning to my club and undergoing thorough examinations, the medical team revealed that I had only suffered a bruise, and as a result, I was cleared to resume training,” he explained, after an uproar. Is this the misdiagnosis that we are so used to in Nigeria? Fantabulous.