Have Parents and Government fulfilled their Responsibility to the Nigerian Child? 

Happy Children’s Day to all who, according to Section 277 of the Child’s Rights Act 2003 (CRA), are children, that is, those who are below the age of 18. Section 1 of the CRA provides inter alia, that the best interest of the child shall be primary consideration, while Section 3 thereof reinforces the applicability of Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended)(the Constitution), that is, Fundamental Rights, to children (also see Section 6-17 of the CRA). 

I have seen different themes for 2025 Children’s Day such as, “Look Up”. Another theme, “Children: Our Future and Our Responsibility”, is apt for this discussion. How well have Parents and Government lived up to their responsibilities to the children of Nigeria, and protected their fundamental rights? Not that well, I would say. See NDPHC Ltd v Michael (2024) LPELR-79937(SC) per Tijjani Abubakar, JSC on the importance of fundamental rights. Even though Nigeria is one of the 196 countries that has ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Adopted by the UN in 1989, came into force in 1990 and ratified by Nigeria in 1991, it appears that the CRA may be yet another law enacted by Nigeria, to give the impression that the country is in tune with international best practices; but, in reality, the CRA isn’t properly implemented, as the welfare of the Nigerian child doesn’t appear to be a priority.  

From the Beginning 

From birth, the life of majority of Nigerian children is hard. A few days ago, I asked Tunde to visit a Government Hospital in Lagos, to do some findings. Tunde found 15 babies (13 female 2 male), some, newborn, some, a few months old, one who had even been found abandoned on the street possibly by her mother; babies who couldn’t be discharged from the hospital after being born or falling sick, because their parents couldn’t afford to pay their hospital bills - one bill was as low as N25,000. The first failure of the Nigerian system. Children from poor families are unable to be born comfortably, or get medical treatment. I do agree that Family Planning should be taught much more aggressively, so that people learn that it’s wrong to keep having children that they cannot cater for; and part of the responsibility of creating such awareness amongst Nigerians, is something that should be borne by the people’s elected representatives; however, they have failed abysmally in this regard, and we seem to be having a population explosion instead.  

Education 

Then, despite the educational objectives set out in Section 18 of the Constitution (also see Section 15 of the CRA), Nigeria has possibly the highest number of out-of-school children in the world. As a result of insecurity and the targeting of school children for kidnapping by terrorists and criminals, starting with the Chibok Girls in 2014 (11 years later, over 100 of them remain unaccounted for, while Dapchi girl, Leah Sharibu hasn’t been found seven years on), some Parents have opted to keep their children at home for safety reasons. Many Parents also, instead of sending their children to school, prefer for them to engage in child labour to boost the family’s income - the children are made to work on farms, and hawk all sorts of goods on the streets of different Nigerian cities instead. Others are drafted into different households all over the country, to work as house helps (see Sections 12 & 28 of the CRA on a child’s right to leisure and prohibition from exploitative labour). Let us not forget children that are sexually abused and raped by family members and neighbours, and in the households where they are sent to do forced labour, or even by those on the streets where they hawk their wares, thereby inflicting physical and psychological damage on them for life. Already, the future of such children may be doomed to suffering, poverty and even crime. I find Section 28(1)(d) of the CRA a bit odd, as it provides that a child shall not be employed as domestic labour outside their own home or family environment. Does that mean that it is lawful for a child to be used as a domestic worker in their own homes, the way the ‘wicked step mothers’ use their step children, beating and starving them for good measure? 

On the side of Government, the different levels of Government have failed to meet the educational objectives. The standard of education in most Government Schools is low, while the condition of their facilities is extremely poor. I remember the scandal when Senator Adams Oshiomhole was Governor of Edo State, where he fished out a Primary School Principal who couldn’t read the affidavit attached to her credentials! Another one, who was unable to speak proper English, spoke in pidgin English, answering “Na me” when a student was asked who their teacher was! Pray tell, what would such people be able to teach children, in terms of formal education, not having any themselves?! This is so unfair to the Nigerian child, who is only able to be educated via the public educational system. 

While I was a Secondary School Student at Queen’s College, Yaba, Lagos, a Federal Government School, one daughter of a Head of State was my senior by a year, while a daughter of another Head of State was my junior by a couple of years. Today, one of the allegations levelled against former Governor of Kogi State is that he used State money to fund his children’s education at a private school, American International, Abuja, allegedly paying their fees in advance, until they all complete their education there. He didn’t send his children to Government schools, knowing that they are poorly funded and ill-equipped. But, Yahaya Bello isn’t alone in this - many top Government officials even send their children abroad to study, with funds they loot from the Nigerian treasury, while majority of the Nigerian children do not get the type of education that is required, due to all round paucity of funds. 

Contrast this state of affairs to a country like Finland, where the public education system is believed to be one of the best in the world, so much so that they do not really have private schools there. There is equal opportunity for all, regardless of wealth and social status. The children of the rich, top government officials and the poor, all attend public schools that deliver best quality education. And, when they get to the tertiary level, those who attend Nigerian Public Universities sometimes stay there much longer than they should, because of the incessant strikes of the Academic Staff Union. Certainly, Government has not fulfilled Section 18(1) of the Constitution, which mandates equal and adequate educational opportunities at all levels for all. In Nigeria, the ‘privileged’ children who are obviously in the minority, have the best opportunities, because they are able to pay.

Discrimination Against the Girl Child in Particular

The female child is worse off than her male counterparts, as she’s discriminated upon from childhood to adulthood. First, in some Nigerian cultures, the girl child’s right to dignity, humane treatment and protection, freedom from torture is ignored, as they are still made to undergo FGM (female genital mutilation). See Section 34(1)(a)-(c) of the Constitution & Sections 11, 16-17 of the CRA. Some little girls are cut (circumcised) even before the age of 5, or before they reach the age of 14. FGM is a criminal offence, punishable with up to 4 years imprisonment - see Section 6 of the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act 2015. Aside from community health education on the dangers of FGM, those who perpetrate this heinous act against girl children, should be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. This will send a resounding message to all and sundry, that these outdated repugnant practices will no longer be tolerated by the society.

The girl child is also married off, many a time to older men from when they are as young as age 12. See Section 21-23 of the CRA which prohibits child marriage and betrothal, and prescribes a punishment of up to 5 years imprisonment for doing same (a felony offence). Also see Section 42(1)(a) of the Constitution which prohibits discrimination. As a result of their being physically underdeveloped, having not reached puberty, some girls end up as Vesicovaginal Fistula Patients (VVF) (urinary incontinence caused by an abnormal opening between the bladder and the vagina), after being made to have sex and get pregnant before their reproductive organs are fully developed. Because of the smell of the leaking urine, these girls are then usually evicted from their homes by their husbands and ostracised by society, due to no fault of theirs.   

A couple of States, Zamfara and Kano, are yet to domesticate the CRA. Zamfara is no surprise, because when the CRA was enacted in 2003, the then Governor, Ahmed Yerima himself, was alleged to prefer marrying underaged girls! Strangely, even though Section 29(4)(a) of the Constitution, in reference to naturalisation and renunciation of citizenship, sets full age at 18 and above, Section 29(4)(b) thereof unfortunately, makes a proviso that an underaged married girl is deemed to be of full age by virtue of her marriage. This is nonsense. How can you ‘deem’ a 12 year old to be 18, because they are married? This is a blatant lie. See the case of Orji v Dorji Textile Mills (Nig) Ltd & Ors (2009) LPELR-2766(SC) per Niki Tobi, JSC where the Supreme Court held inter alia that to deem “….means to treat a thing as being something that it is not, or as possessing certain qualities that it does not possess. It is a formal word, often used to create legal fictions”. Be that as it may, the boy child doesn’t suffer this kind of discrimination, as I have never heard of 12 year old boys, being forced to marry 35 or 40 year old women, like little girls are constrained to do! 

The discrimination against the girl child usually follows her into adulthood, and that’s why there are hardly any women in the Legislature, most of them in Ministerial positions are Junior Ministers, and there is still the ongoing affirmative action agitation for 35% of positions to be filled by women in all institutions.

‘Runs’

The failure of successive governments, coupled with corruption and other factors, has pauperised Nigerians. Many young-adult females are the ones who now take care of their families instead of the parents, and they also fund the education of their younger siblings by doing ‘runs’, aka prostitution. Over a decade ago, I went to do some charity work at the General Hospital, Broad Street. I met this 23 year old female Youth Corper. She had come for her monthly check up and medication, as she was HIV+. I discovered that, as a result of her family responsibilities and the desire to be a University graduate to ensure a brighter future, she did runs as her source of income for funding. She ended up with her degree, and HIV in the bargain! 

Conclusion 

It is obvious that the lot of majority of Nigerian children, leaves a lot to be desired. What do they have to celebrate today? Sadly, not much. Their fundamental rights have been breached, and constantly continue to be trampled upon in more ways than one, and their future, compromised. The Government and many Parents, have failed the children, so much so that some are already hardened criminals. It is also not unusual for law enforcement, to place underaged children in Police cells and adult correctional facilities. A case in view is that of the children, in which 38 out of 75 were alleged to be underage, who were charged with terrorism offences and trying to overthrow the Government, following their alleged role in the #EndBadGovernance Protest last year. 

However, from education to morals, nothing appears to be on course for the children, particularly the children of the ‘masses’. With technology, the world has become a global village. While many children who have had the benefit of a private education in Nigeria are able to hold their own anywhere they go, how does an average Nigerian child who cannot afford to enjoy the benefits of a private education, and is stuck with Teachers who cannot read or speak English, compete with their counterparts in other parts of the world like Finland? The rising scourge of drug addiction in the ranks of the youths, is also a cause for concern. 

Nigeria needs to take the welfare of children more seriously, as they are the leaders of tomorrow.

Saudi Arabian authorities have barred renowned Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, from entering the country to perform this year’s Hajj.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Sheikh Gumi revealed that although the Saudi government issued him a visa for Hajj, he was denied entry into Medina to begin his religious rites.

“For some obvious reasons, my views about the world politics, the Saudi authorities are uncomfortable about my presence in Hajj after giving me the Hajj Visa.

“Thanks to the Nigerian authorities who have pledge to take up the matter immediately with Saudi authorities. That is the value of our cherished freedom and democracy.

“I’m now free to attend to my health and farming activities. We should continue to pray for the safe return of all pilgrims, peace and prosperity for our dear nation,” he said in the Facebook post.

According to BBC, Sheikh Gumi was part of the delegation of Islamic scholars sponsored by the Nigerian Hajj Commission (NAHCON) for the pilgrimage.

Gumi reportedly arrived in Medina last Saturday at around 10:30 p.m. aboard an Umza Air flight alongside other clerics.

However, upon arrival at the city’s airport, Saudi immigration officials barred him from entering the country.

[DailyuTrust]

Scoring below 180 in the JAMB exam may seem discouraging, especially when your dream is to attend a Nigerian university. However, it’s not the end of the road.

There are several alternative admission pathways available for candidates with low JAMB scores.

These programs offer second chances to qualify for full-time degree courses and can serve as solid stepping stones to academic success.

Here are five proven alternatives you should consider:

1. Diploma Programmes 

Diploma programs are short-term academic courses offered by universities and polytechnics. They typically last for two years and focus on practical and foundational knowledge in specific fields such as Business Administration, Mass Communication, or Engineering.

*Why Choose a Diploma Program?

*  You don’t need a high JAMB score.

*  It increases your chances of gaining direct entry into 200 level after completion.

*  It’s ideal for students who want hands-on or career-oriented education.

2. JUPEB/Foundation Courses

The Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) program is a one-year academic program that allows successful candidates to gain direct entry admission into 200 level in participating Nigerian universities.

*  Advantages of JUPEB:

*  No need for UTME.

*  Recognized by over 40 universities in Nigeria.

*  Provides intensive academic preparation in your desired field.

3. Pre-degree/Remedial Programmes 

Pre-degree or remedial programs are usually run by universities to help candidates who did not meet admission requirements improve their academic standing. These programs typically run for 6 to 12 months.

*  Benefits of Pre-degree Programs:

*  Improves your chance of admission in the next academic session.

*  Gives you an academic head start before full university life.

*  Some schools reserve slots for pre-degree students who perform well.

4. Part-time/Weekend Degree Programmes 

Many Nigerian universities offer part-time or weekend programs, especially for working-class individuals or students who want flexible schedules. Admission into these programs usually does not require high JAMB scores or may not require JAMB at all.

*  Why Consider This Option?

*  Flexible class schedules.

*  Learn and work at the same time.

*  Entry is often based on O’Level results and internal exams.

5. Direct Entry (For ND/NCE Holders)

If you already have a National Diploma (ND), National Certificate in Education (NCE), or IJMB/JUPEB qualification, you can apply for Direct Entry admission into 200 level in any Nigerian university.

*  Key Highlights:

*  Bypasses UTME entirely.

* Builds on your prior academic achievements.

* Available for various fields including education, science, and management.

[TheNation]

Officials from the Federal Capital Territory Administration, under the leadership of Minister Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have sealed the National Headquarters of the Peoples Democratic Party.

At exactly 2:06 pm, a group of FCTA staff locked the entrance gate of Wadata Plaza, the PDP’s national secretariat located in Wuse Zone 5, Abuja.

This action follows the FCTA’s recent announcement on Sunday, stating its intention to reclaim properties affected by the revocation of 4,794 land titles due to non-payment of ground rent spanning 10 to 43 years.

Details shortly…

[Punch]

New Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said Monday he has the energy and excitement to deliver success worthy of the Spanish giants as he was presented as Carlo Ancelotti’s replacement.

Alonso will lead the team at the Club World Cup this summer and has signed a three-year deal until June 2028, after Ancelotti departed to take charge of the Brazil national team.

Madrid failed to win a major trophy this season, losing their La Liga crown to rivals Barcelona, who also beat them in the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup finals.

Real were dealt a heavy Champions League quarter-final defeat by Arsenal as their European trophy defence also fell short.

“We have fantastic players, we have a team that has a lot of potential, (capable of) a very good present and a very good future,” Alonso said at Real Madrid’s training ground.

“That gives me a lot of reason to come here with a lot of energy and a lot of hope that I can get the best out of all the players and build a great team…

“(I have) the conviction that we can achieve big things, worthy of Real Madrid, worthy of all these European Cups, of all these accomplishments made over so many years.”

Alonso, a technically gifted central midfielder in his playing days, made 236 Madrid appearances between 2009-2014, winning six trophies including the Champions League in his final season at the club.

That was Madrid’s 10th European Cup – La Decima – and they have gone on to win five more in the past decade for a record 15 Champions League triumphs.

The 43-year-old coach led Bayer Leverkusen to a superb unbeaten Bundesliga and German Cup double in the 2023-24 campaign, making him a target for Europe’s top clubs.

Alonso, who was coached by Ancelotti, Pep Guardiola and Jose Mourinho among other managerial greats, said it was a “special day”.

“It’s a day I will have marked in my calendar for life,” continued Alonso.

“I have been away from here for a few years, but I think the link with Madrid and the fans has never ended, it’s always been there.

“And today, when I walked into Valdebebas (the club’s training ground) an hour and a half ago, it was reborn… I have the feeling that it’s the start of an era, as the president said.”

– ‘One of our own’ –

Madrid chief Florentino Perez gave an introductory speech welcoming Alonso back to the Spanish capital.

“This is a very special day for those who love Real Madrid, it will be the start of a new era filled with excitement and intense emotions,” said Madrid president Perez.

“A coach arrives who is one of the best in the world, and who knows what this badge and this shirt means…

“Today we welcome one of our own — Xabi Alonso. Welcome back to your home, Real Madrid.”

Former Liverpool and Bayern Munich midfielder Alonso also won the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships with Spain before starting his coaching career.

Real Madrid’s Club World Cup campaign starts against Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal in Miami on June 18, which will be the first look at Alonso’s project.

Ola Olukoyede, chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says the agency has recovered some money from crypto bridge exchange (CBEX), a failed digital investment and trading platform.

Speaking during an interview on TVC on Sunday, Olukoyede also disclosed that the EFCC has made arrests in connection with the CBEX fraud, adding that the commission has made significant progress in its investigation.

“We have gone far with CBEX. We have been able to recover a reasonable amount of money. We have gone far. We have made a reasonable arrest,” he said.

“We are not going to give out much because we don’t want the process to be disrupted. We are still after quite a number of people we have declared wanted.”

The EFCC chairman explained that investors may not get their money back in dollars because of the difficult process in converting the money, which was traded in cryptocurrency.

“Even though in the crypto wallet, the same way the money was taken from them. There is no way you will get them in dollars. There is no way you get the dollars in cash without necessarily going through the same process,” Olukoyede said.

He noted that the investigation has been challenging because the fraudsters used “non-custodial wallets”, which means there was no identity attached to the accounts, making it harder to trace the criminals.

“We are still investigating a lot of wallets and the wallets they created are called noncustodian wallets. In other words, no KYC. So, you can’t trace it to anybody,” he said.

“So, from the noncustodial wallet, they moved it to some wallets in Europe, Eastern Europe, particularly Cambodia and from there, they dispersed the money. We have been able to block some of these wallets where money has not been dispersed.

“That is to the extent that we have gone. I even learnt that there are still some of these perpetrators, and Nigerians are still falling victim. I believe people should learn from this.”

In April, reports emerged that CBEX users could no longer withdraw their funds. Many Nigerians who had invested in the platform reportedly lost their money.

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)  said that the CBEX digital trading platform is not registered with the agency.

A federal high court in Abuja granted permission to the EFCC to arrest and detain six CBEX promoters over the $1 billion investment fraud allegation.

Emeka Nwite, the presiding judge, gave the order following an ex parte application made by Fadila Yusuf, counsel to the EFCC.

[TheCable]

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, wishes to inform the public that, following extensive consultations with a broad spectrum of stakeholders, he has decided to withdraw the Bill to Amend the Electoral Act 2022 to make voting mandatory for all eligible Nigerians, which he co-sponsored with Hon. Daniel Adama Ago.

From the outset, the Bill was introduced with the best of intentions, which is to bolster civic engagement and strengthen our democracy by encouraging higher voter turnout. Compulsory voting has long been practised with notable success in countries such as Australia, Belgium and Brazil, where it has helped sustain participation rates above 90 per cent, while nations like Argentina and Singapore have also implemented similar measures to foster inclusivity at the ballot box.

Nevertheless, the Speaker acknowledges that lawmaking is ultimately about the people it serves, and that any reform must respect individual freedoms and public sentiment. Rather than compel participation, he is committed to exploring positive incentives and innovative approaches that will make voting more attractive and accessible to all Nigerians.

This withdrawal will allow time for further dialogue on how best to cultivate a culture of voluntary participation that honours both our democratic ideals and the rights of our citizens.

Signed:
Musa Abdullahi Krishi
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda is transformational as shown through the gains it has recorded in different sectors of the nation's economy, Prof. Tunji Olaopa has declared.

Olaopa who is the Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission spoke at the "1st International Conference on Public Policy, Governance and Development" organised by the Department of Public Administration, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, on Monday , May 26, 2025.

In his keynote lecture entitled "Building a Promising Future in Africa through Policy Re-Evaluation: The Defining Issues in Perspective", Olaopa decried a deficit of good governance in the past with an enduring positive developmental impact on the citizens.

He lamented that in the whole of the African continent, development at the country level has been scant except in Botswana, Rwanda, South Africa, Mauritius and Ethiopia. For him, it is this poor development on the continent that has rendered the Renewed Hope Agenda imperative.

He said that in different ways, the agenda has expressed its potential to usher the country into an era of grand development.Highlighting some areas where the Renewed Hope Agenda has made great impact , Olaopa urged scholars and researchers to contribute to the scheme.

He said: " This conversation for me is therefore relevant as an opportunity to challenge scholars and policy researchers as change agents to come on board the moving train of progress being piloted with the benefit of the leadership sophistication of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the imperative need for all hands to be on deck to deepen and consolidate the game-changing eco-system and public trust that has built up for a transformational journey with great promise.

"The Renewed Hope story-line is particularly auspicious because the crisis of development and of democracy in Africa has become especially worrisome, not just for the African stakeholders, but the entire world.

"The success story that is building up indeed provides a scholarly ambience for benchmarking analysis of emerging issues against celebrated strides of high-performing states across the globe and therefore the ventilation of their benefits for learning application to country-level transformational journeys across Africa. This is to say that many of the poster states in the East Asia like Malaysia, Singapore, and emerging powers like China and India and other BRICS countries were in the same league with Nigeria a few decades ago. They have however charted their different paths to the different destinations.

" As Nigeria writes its transformation narratives through the renewed hope prospective, scholars have the opportunity to make research inputs as policy intelligence and policy-engaged research drawing evidence from those things that these countries did differently that Nigeria needs to draw on as lessons of experience for deepening and consolidating the birth of a new dawn that will soon envelope us ."

Olaopa noted how the agenda has transformed the nation's tax system. According to him, the tax landscape is undergoing a significant overhaul as shown in an increase in tax exemption for small businesses from annual turnover of 25-50 million naira, reduction of the burden on businesses, and the rise in revenue collection efficiency.

He said that the agenda "introduces a range of tax incentives to stimulate growth in priority sectors. It also ensures that the poor are protected from adverse effects of tax increases, making it a progressive and equitable reform. It addresses the challenge of multiple and excessive taxation with the reduction in Company Income Tax which will ease the cost of doing business and improve the investment climate".

He said that through the agenda, there is huge hope in agricultural productivity through the implementation of modern farming techniques and technology adoption that supports small-holder farmers to form clusters and cooperatives as they enjoy the economies of scale that come from large-scale farming. "Giant strides are also being made to encourage commercial farmers to adopt small-scale farmers in their region so that they can benefit from knowledge of improved agro-practices, leading to increased yields.
Enhanced access to farm inputs such as fertilizers and improved seeds is boosting crop yields nationwide through the implementation of the National Agricultural Growth Enhancement Scheme (NAGS) Agro-Pocket (AP).
Outstanding results have been recorded in several northern states, thereby reducing wheat importation and FOREX thereto. Cross River State has since been enlisted in the wheat farming programme based on identification of regions with suitable weather conditions. The
Implementation of the Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SAPZ) programme in Kaduna, Kano, Imo, CRS, Ogun, Oyo, Kwara, FCT is significant in facilitating value-addition to farm produce instead of just sale of raw produce at farm gates; thereby ensuring creation of more jobs and also reducing post-harvest losses. There is also the implementation of dry season farming in most Northern states through the provision of irrigation facilities and infrastructure to reduce rain-fed farming and ensuring year-round agriculture and
aggressive mechanisation programmes in beefing up present low-level tractorization in the country."

In the power sector, Olaopa said that the giant strides recorded through the Renewed Hope Agenda were also evident. According to him, the agenda through its reform has paved the way for the emergence of the Nigerian Electricity Supply Industry (NESI). To him, the NESI is already fast-tracking electricity projects and private investments into the power sector, "which is bound to resolve the sector’s persistent known historical problems in the medium-term."

He added: "Shortly on assuming power PBAT moved decisively to decentralize the sector with amendment to the Nigeria Power Sector Reform Act (NPSRA) thus breaking the FGN monopoly in electricity generation, transmission, distribution and regulation by signing into law the NPSRA Act 2023. The state governments are therefore now able to participate in the NESI in their various states. Several states namely, Lagos, Enugu, Ondo and Ekiti have latched on to this major reform to begin setting up their own electricity regulators.

"The huge debt burden owed to operators in the power supply value chain has been taken on with the approval of N130 billion from the gas stabilisation fund to gas suppliers and with over $120 million dollar-denominated component. Inadequate metering of customers is being resolved by injecting 3.5 million meters including the 1.5 million meters injected through the World bank Distribution Support Recovery (DISREP) Programme and 2 million through the Presidential Metering Initiative (PMI). These will go a long way to resolve chronic illiquidity challenge that the power sector has faced for decades.

"There has also been significant push towards alternative energy sources, especially solar mini-grid systems being installed in some FG facilities including the Presidential Villa to reduce their dependency and cost exposure. There is rural Electrification Agency (REA) intervention with solar mini-grid systems in some critical sectors like education (first set of those installed in universities already being commissioned), health (in teaching hospitals), agriculture (in some farming clusters to assist with irrigation systems and for improved livelihood in rural areas."

Olaopa also highlighted developments in the maritime sector which according to him, has shown significant growth with increased revenues accruing to the national treasury. Noting that efforts to improve maritime security and safety had yielded significant positive results, he said that the upgrade of ports infrastructure including Apapa and Tin Can Island ports had translated to commendable operational efficiency.

"Overall, the blue economy concept in Nigeria has proved to be a veritable growth driver with great potential", he said.

He said that the Renewed Hope Agenda had provided an impetus for governance reform as expressed in the creation of the Ministry of Regional Development which he described as "an ingenious administrative innovation" that "presents some sort of administrative
answer to the most critical national question bedeviling the nation’s defective and
dysfunctional federalism.

"Making it a move in the right direction to create regional economic corridors growth poles , with redoubled drive towards local government autonomy, presents great bottom-up people-centered potential for accelerated development and national socioeconomic transformation", he added.

Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, beamed with pride and admiration as he joined countless admirers in celebrating his wife, Mrs. Nonye Soludo, on the conferment of a prestigious Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) in Food and Nutrition by the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam.

The recognition, awarded during the university’s convocation ceremony, honours Mrs. Soludo’s remarkable contributions to public health, food awareness, and nutrition advocacy through her flagship initiative, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo—a programme that has grown into a movement touching lives in both urban and rural communities.

In an emotionally resonant message shared across his official platforms, Governor Soludo poured encomiums on his wife, referring to her as a visionary whose passion has reshaped health consciousness in Anambra

“Warmest congratulations to my darling wife, Nonye Soludo, on being conferred with a Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) in Food and Nutrition by the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University,” the Governor wrote. “This recognition is a testament to her tireless advocacy for healthy living, which has inspired countless individuals through her initiative, Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo. I am proud of her dedication to promoting wellness and nutrition, and I'm grateful to COOU for this honour. Cheers to my Queen!”

The First Lady’s programme, launched shortly after the Soludo administration took office, has been widely acclaimed for demystifying nutrition and encouraging healthy habits through media campaigns, school outreach, local training, and community health fairs. Her model integrates practical food education with lifestyle improvement, targeting families, schools, and market women.

Behind her calm demeanour and graceful composure is a determined advocate who understands the link between a healthy citizenry and sustainable development. Through weekly radio programmes, market activations, fitness walks, and collaborations with healthcare professionals, Mrs. Soludo has brought nutrition literacy to the grassroots—often using relatable language and indigenous food examples to connect with ordinary people.

Her efforts have also led to partnerships with health experts and civil society organisations, contributing to better maternal and child health outcomes across the state. In schools, her nutrition clubs have helped reduce junk food consumption among pupils, replacing it with fruits and locally sourced nutritious alternatives.

The conferment ceremony at COOU drew a distinguished audience of academics, policy-makers, traditional rulers, and other important dignitaries. In her acceptance speech, Mrs. Soludo expressed deep appreciation to the university, reiterating her commitment to using the recognition as renewed motivation to expand the frontiers of her advocacy.

“I see this honorary doctorate not as a personal accolade but as a call to greater service. Health is wealth, and our people deserve to live well, eat right, and thrive,” she said.

Governor Soludo’s public tribute was not only a spousal commendation but also a reaffirmation of his administration’s holistic approach to governance—where health, education, and wellbeing form the pillars of state-building.

As the First Lady’s profile continues to rise, her story stands as a compelling reminder that impact does not always begin with a political title but often with empathy, vision, and relentless work. With this latest recognition, Mrs. Nonye Soludo further cements her legacy as a transformative voice in Nigeria’s public health narrative—walking side by side with her husband in the mission to build a liveable, healthy, and prosperous Anambra

The decision of the Umo Eno administration to complete the long-abandoned 200-room hotel and a 5,000-capacity convention centre at the Tropicana complex in Uyo is a clear testament to the governor’s maturity; good intentions and good conscience. For the first time in a long while, we have a leader who is not driven by pettiness and meanness in the course of running the government. The Tropicana Complex was initiated by the Akpabio administration in 2008 as a major entertainment and shopping centre, but it was steeped in controversy right from inception. Former governor Attah lampooned the project, arguing that the location was not suitable for such a big multipurpose construction. Attah’s criticisms embarrassed Gov. Akpabio and Akwa Ibom people lost interest in the project. Obong Attah is a strong voice in the state, and when he speaks, many listen.

The failure of Gov. Akpabio to deliver the project before he left office only reinforced Attah’s criticisms. Only the cinemas were functional when Akpabio left. The convention centre was abandoned at the foundation level. The hotel appeared fully built, but it was not open. The children’s park was abandoned with some equipment uninstalled. Rumours flew all over the place on why the Tropicana was abandoned. Some claimed that tests conducted had revealed that the soil condition was not suitable for the construction of a high-capacity project like the convention centre. There were also rumours that the hotel was sinking and would collapse in two years!

Sometime in 2019, I confronted Akpabio with these stories. He debunked the rumours, and told me that the hotel was fully completed and the furnishings he ordered had arrived in 40 containers; and that his successor had deliberately refused to furnish the hotel and open it for business. ‘’But I hear that the building is sinking, Senator’’, I pushed back. ‘’That’s a lie’’, Akpabio countered, adding ‘’the place is solid. I awarded the contract for the furnishing of the hotel to your friend’s wife (he mentioned her name). The containers had arrived, but my successor has deliberately refused furnish the hotel and open it hotel for business’’. With so much money spent on the project, the Tropicana Complex became the single biggest and costliest abandoned project in Akwa Ibom. It was synonymous with corruption and wastes.

I was personally pained by the abandonment of the Tropicana because I had supported and endorsed the project in a series of articles I wrote then, distancing myself from Gov. Attah’s trenchant criticisms. I flew in from Lagos through Port Harcourt to attend the flag-off of the construction of Tropicana by President Yar’Adua. It was obvious that the President was not in good health, but he managed to attend the ceremony in person. The air was thick with expectation and the excitement was palpable. Women sang, danced and the speeches were energetic. Akpabio described the project as unique, noting that it would offer a complete family package of shopping and entertainment - while the children would be playing in the water parks, their parents would be shopping in the malls. The Tropicana was presented as our answer to the Tinapa in Calabar, which was created by another youthful governor, Donald Duke, as Nigeria’s answer to Dubai! But while the Tropicana limped along, the Tinapa flopped soon after Duke left office in 2007.

Gov. Udom Emmanuel added value to the Tropicana by renovating it, creating more malls and inviting a supermarket chain, Grand Square, as the lead retailer. Together with the cinemas, the place then became the best leisure and shopping destination in Uyo. But the hotel and convention centre remained abandoned. Instead of completing the two projects, Gov. Udom Emmanuel chose to build a 21-storey building a few meters from the hotel.

Each time I drive on Udo Udoma Avenue, the sight of the abandoned 12-storey hotel and the thoughts of the billions that went down the drains would tug at every strand of my being. I would then remember the promise made by Ben Murray Bruce, one of the major contractors of the Tropicana on the day of the flag-off. ‘’Mr. President’’, Bruce addressed President Yar’Adua at the ceremony, ‘’this convention centre will be so beautiful that you will want to host the PDP National Convention here when it is completed’’. He went on: ‘’Mr. President, before now, there were some petty farmers on this land, growing various crops, but we have assured the farmers that we shall extend scholarships to their children for relocating them from this location’’. That was in October 2008 during the fag-off of the project. President Yar’Adua died less than two years after the ceremony; and the Tropicana remained uncompleted as a symbol of official depravity.

Then came Saturday, May 24, 2025. Gov. Umo Eno went to the Tropicana to flag-off the construction of the convention centre and the completion of the 200-bed hotel. Both would be completed and put to use next year. The governor said he chose to complete the long abandoned projects because ‘’I came not only to deepen peace and unity in my state, but to deploy my finisher’s anointing, especially on projects that may have gulped billions of our state’s resources already’’. He spoke of the benefits of the hotel and the convention centre as important elements of the tourism industry which he is reviving in the state; and noted that together with the ARISE Park he’s building, Uyo will be a preferred destination for conferences; leisure; recreation and pleasure. Of course, our world-class stadium has made us the football capital of the country already.

Gov. Eno deserves our commendation for electing to be a statesman; instead of a politician. He does not talk of Attah’s project; Udom’s project or Akpabio’s project. For him, all abandoned projects were funded by the people’s money and should be completed and put to use for the benefit of the people. This is the mark of a true and genuine leader who has the love of the state at heart. Eno is not interested in self-glorification and aggrandizement. He only wants to leave the state better than he met it. That is true leadership.