I hope you will forgive me for quibbling – which oil are we here to discuss ?  It could well be palm oil which was for centuries the principal driver and lubricant (excuse the pun !!) in our trade with Europe – starting with Portugal and subsequently with England under the aegis of the Royal Niger Company (founded by Sir George Tabman Goldie) which midwifed United Africa Company (UAC Plc) and Lever Brothers Limited (Unilever Plc).  

It would be worth our while to remind ourselves that it was the Royal Niger Company Limited which sold what we now call Nigeria to the British Empire (Britain under Queen Victoria) in 1900 for £stg 865,000).

For those who are keen students of history, I suggest you avail yourselves of what is on offer on YouTube under the caption:  

                “HOW THIS COMPANY SOLD NIGERIA TO

            BRITAIN FOR £stg.865,000 ONLY”

Following the intervention of the convener of this august occasion, Ms. Ayobami Animashaun I stand corrected.  I am required to focus on oil which is of a totally different genre.  The oil in question has its technical definition as:

It is Crude Oil and petroleum fossil fuels because they are mixtures of hydrocarbons that formed from the remains of animals and plants (diatoms) that lived millions of years ago in a marine environment before dinosaurs existed.

For laymen, the oil we are interrogating is crude oil which belongs to the category of fossil fuel.

Hence, I am obliged to apologise profusely for answering the wrong question – which of course would be fatal in any examination unless I am able to benefit from the kind of glitch which recently afflicted the conduct of the examination by JAMB (Joint Admission Matriculation Board).  We all witnessed on television the profuse and tearful apologies of its longtime Registrar Professor Ishaq Oloyede who admitted that it was a monumental fiasco – wrong answers to the right questions or in some cases no questions at all and no answers.

At this juncture, please permit me to avert a similar disaster by averting my mind to the subject matter :  A FUTURE WITHOUT OIL.

However, before I do so, kindly permit me to thank Miss Ayobami Animashaun for inviting me to deliver this address to such an august audience – a constellation of Royalty, Ministers, Diplomatic community, captains of Industry and Commerce etc.

I believe that the convener’s vision and motivation are to encourage us to learn from each other.  I shall be eighty-two years old on my next birthday and I suspect that the reason I have been tasked with the joyful duty of answering the question posed is derived from the rage and resentment of the current generation that we failed them; and what we are handing over to them is a nation in crisis.  Every week is a harbinger of a fresh crisis – financial; economic; political and most profoundly security.  Rather than subscribe to the gloomy picture and doomsday scenario, I would argue that there is another side to the coin.  From the sidelines, some of us (my humble self included) did try to persuade the government to plan for a future without oil and re-imagine a tapestry dominated by non-oil superlative financial and economic performance.

Our vigorous exertions, passionate pleadings and repeated appeals were rewarded with inertia, indifference, non-chalance, suspicion skepticism and sometimes outright contempt.  We literally ran into a brick wall which had been sculptured and re-inforced by complacency and self-indulgence under the matrix: “Let us make hay while the sun shines.  The future will take care of itself.”

Added to this was the conviction that we have educated and indulged the next generation sufficiently.  It is now their turn to take care of themselves and take care of us too into the bargain.  Alas, the future will not take care of itself.  Also, by the look of things it would be foolhardy to expect the current generation (Gen-Z) to ignore their own formidable challenges and spoil us rotten with an abundance of luxury and care-free leisure In our twilight years.

Before, we address the critical issue of:

HOW DID WE GET HERE ?  please let me speak for myself.

About forty years ago, as the then Chairman of Eko Hotels Limited (Victoria Island) and a partner in the firm of KPMG, Chartered Accountants, I organized what was tagged as : “Exhibition And Lecture On Nigeria’s Non-Oil Revenue.  A Future  Without Oil.”

On the matter of security which is arguably our nation’s number one problem – kidnapping, banditry, arson, assassinations, insurgency etc. in 2011, (as the Chairman and Chief Executive of J.K. Randle International) I organized what was tagged as:  “SECURITY SUMMIT (SAFETY ON LAND, AIR AND SEA) at the same Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos”  The then National Security Adviser, late General Patrick Aziza attended the opening day of the three-day conference.  What followed was “NFA” (No Further Action).  Tragically, before the year was over the United Nations office in Abuja was bombed with grave and deadly consequences.  Also, dare-devil assassins attempted to kill the then Inspector-General of Police Hafiz  Abubakar Ringim by following his convoy of cars right into the precincts of the police headquarters – Louis Edet House, Abuja.

As matters stand, we are like a boxer on the ropes.  The legendary Muhammed Alli taught us a great lesson – namely when you are on the ropes that is precisely the time to conserve energy, adopt it episodic and re-strategise against a formidable opponent/dangerous foe.

Hence, we cannot thank the convener enough for giving us the opportunity to pause and savour the signs of hope as we endeavour to chart a fresh path and adopt bold strategies that would provide salvation.  It is a huge challenge and the time is now.  We must commit to a future without oil.  However, we may choose to reframe matters as :

                “A FUTURE WITH OR WITHOUT OIL”.

If we are to make impact, our first task is to resolve the precarious ambiguities in our ecosystem – especially in the prudent management of our financial resources and economic choices in a renewed commitment to the elimination of waste and corruption.  Singapore is a great and worthy example of a nation that has no oil at all.  Yet it is thriving.

The Scandinavian countries, especially Norway have oil but they have vaccinated themselves against the “oil curse”.  They prefer to channel their earnings from oil into Sovereign Wealth Fund For Future Generations.  It is their solid insurance against being accused of squandering their riches (derived from oil) by future generations.  

Currently, Norway has stashed away.

Others in the league of Sovereign Wealth Funds are as follows:

                                                                        US $

Sovereign Funds of China                                       1.3 trillion

Pakistan Sovereign Wealth Fund                        8.06 billion

Turkey Wealth Fund                                        318 billion

Maharlika Wealth Fund                                2.26 billion

Sovereign Fund of Brazil                                        14.2 billion

National Wealth Fund United Kingdom         36.9 billion

Russian National Wealth Fund                        39 billion

Nigeria’s Sovereign Wealth Fund is a paltry N4.42 trillion (roughly US.$2.95 billion).

The convener has cajoled us into believing that the Gods are smiling on us but harsh reality suggests that neither the old nor the young can rely on their sense of entitlement as the vaccine against the next variant of COVID-19 or whatever pandemic erupts.

Today’s event regardless of the overwhelming glamour and glitter should not only rekindle our hope, it should serve as a catalyst.  The last time I checked our leading intellectuals, the indomitable technocrats and rugged professionals (save for a few) have given up.  That is lethal.  It is indeed a sure recipe for disaster and ultimate extinguishment/extinction.

We no longer have the luxury of a waiting period or room for vacillation.  The challenge before us is the conquest of debilitating fear, festering anger and traumatic frustration bordering on PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

For several decades our nation has been on a roller-coaster ride of unrealistic expectations.  Now, we have no seat belts.  To quote the late American Lawyer, Ralph Nader:  We are “UNSAFE AT ANY SPEED”.

Perhaps we need to back track to how our oil journey commenced with the discovery of oil at Oloibiri (now Bayelsa State) in commercial quantities by Shell D’Arcy in 1956.  But the real journey commenced almost twenty years before.  Shell drilled many holes that turned out to be dry before striking it rich.  Since then Nigeria slowly developed a problem with its oil.  At first, the impact of oil was not profoundly manifest.  The economy was fundamentally anchored on agriculture – groundnuts and cotton from the Northern Region, palm oil from the Eastern Region; and Cocoa from the Western Region (plus rubber from the Midwestern Region).  I would even argue that even now, the oil sector has not ever been properly integrated with the Nigerian economy.  It just grew and prospered (or declined) at a tangent – instead of being the catalyst for self-evident economic development as has been the case with what was previously dessert in UAE. (United Arab Republic); Saudi Arabia; Qatar; Bahrain etc.

1966 Coup:

“On 15 January 1966, rebellious soldiers led by Kaduna Nzeogwu and 4 others carried out a military putsch, killing 22 people, including the Prime Minister of Nigeria, many senior politicians, senior Army Officers and their wives, and sentinels on protective duty.  The coup plotters attacked the cities of Kaduna, Ibadan, and Lagos while also blockading the Niger and Benue River within a two-day timespan, before being overcome by loyalist forces.

Although the coup was considered a failure, it still resulted in a change from an elected government to a military government, albeit led by a different set of senior officers.  It also marked the start of a succession of military coups in Nigeria.”

If we want to change our future without oil, we are entitled to draw a lesson from Don Zimmer who delivered a nugget:

“What you lack in talent can be made up with desire, hustle and giving 110 per cent all the time.”

Besides, we have to recognize and acknowledge the new hierarchy of needs and paradigm shift.  Nigeria is actually a GAS country rather than an epileptic oil producing country.  In oil our ranking is 10th globally, and in gas we are ranked number 9th.

The Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas Limited [NLNG] has proved to be a resilient flagship and robust business model.

Our next destination is the confessional box where we have to admit our long list of missed opportunities and wrong choices galore.

Thankfully, this time around we would be willing to subscribe to rigorous risk assessment and meticulous risk management.

We cannot but recollect that back in 1980 when we were in distress, the United States of America wanted Nigeria to boycott the Moscow Olympic Games.  The President of America also wanted to pacify American oil companies which had won the trans-Siberian pipeline contracts.  They were barred by Presidential order.  However, the US President wanted to compensate them by bankrolling four new oil refineries in Nigeria which they would run for twenty-five years and thereafter hand them over to Nigeria.  They were going to be BOT’s [Build; Operate; and Transfer].  I believe that the American companies were Chevron, Mobil and two others.  In any case, Nigeria preferred not to boycott the Olympics much to the delight of the Russians.  On a personal note, I attended the Olympic Games and I must confess that the Russians delivered a truly magnificent and memorable Olympic Games.  There were other lessons too – which time and space would not permit me to share with you on this auspicious occasion.  It is a story for another day.

Also, let me add that the oldest refinery in Nigeria was located in Port Harcourt and it was jointly owned by Shell and BP.  

I recall that back then, when I participated in the audit of the refinery TAM (Turn Around Maintenance) was not a big deal.  It was handled by a mid-level expatriate manager who would typically scribble on a blackboard: NOTICE TO ALL STAFF 

TURN AROUND MAINTENANCE WILL COMMENCE ON 12TH JUNE AND BE COMPLETED ON 22ND JUNE”

Now it has become a blockbuster contract involving millions of dollars at frequent intervals.

Perhaps I should add that about forty-five years ago, the then military government decided to build new refineries in addition to the already existing one in Port Harcourt, which could handle only 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day.  A Canadian firm was hired to carry out the Feasibility Report.  The Consultants recommended four refineries – one in Lagos (the major market), one in Warri (close to the supply of crude) the third one would be built in Lokoja (central location between North and South); and the fourth one would be a second refinery in Port Harcourt (as an export terminal).  

Apparently, when the report was tabled at the Supreme Military Council, the Chief of General Staff objected to all the refineries being located in the South.  He insisted that at least one of the refineries should be located in the North.  That is how Kaduna  Refinery emerged regardless of the huge distance from the oil producing area.  In any case it was designed to handle heavy crude oil which would have to be imported.  Besides, the pipelines between Kaduna and the oil producing areas have been massively vandalized.

My recollection is that the Warri Refinery was built by an Italian company, Snamprogetti while Kaduna Refinery was built by a Japanese company, Chiyoda.  What was remarkable was that the Japanese took about four years to complete the job and trained about one hundred Nigerian engineers.  Twenty years later when the refinery broke down, I was part of the delegation despatched to Japan to invite the Japanese to come to our rescue.

However, there was a lesson to be learnt.  The Japanese summoned the engineers who had worked on the Kaduna Refinery.  Out of the twenty-six engineers, twenty-five were still in the employment of Chiyoda.  One of them had died.  Alas, the Japanese were shocked to learn that only one or two of the Nigerian engineers they had trained both in Nigeria and Japan were still in the employment of NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation).

It is worth remembering that when we export crude oil, we earn maybe U.S.$80 per barrel.  However, when it is refined the value added (petroleum motor spirit, jet fuel and other by-products) would fetch as U.S.$1,500.  Hence, notionally we lose U.S.$1,420 on every barrel of oil which we are unable to refine.

For the benefit of the younger generation, we should share with them that for several decades the United States of America was a huge buyer of crude from Nigeria.  However, when President Shehu Shagari visited the US in 1982 he dropped  a bombshell while being welcomed by the American President:

“We shall use our oil as a weapon against America.”

Chief Tayo Akpata was one of those who drafted the speech.  He was aghast.  The threat was not in the speech he drafted !!  What a gaffe.  In any case the reaction by America was swift and lethal.  The American President, Mr. Ronald Reagan, immediately ordered American companies to commence drilling for oil within the United States of America.  They no longer wanted to buy crude oil from Nigeria.

It would not be out of place to beam the searchlight on NNPC and its successor NNPCL.  We have a problem that is not going away anytime soon.  The four refineries which are owned by NNPCL are old.  They were built at least forty years ago.  The spare parts may not even be available.  Apart from the Dangote Refinery which has the capacity to refine 650,000 barrels per day, other refineries have opted for modular refineries which are modelled on the latest technology with appreciable savings in the cost of operations.  It is going to be difficult for NNPCL to compete with Dangote in the market for refined products.

As we endeavour to address the future of Nigeria without oil, we must also factor into the equation a global future without oil with the prospects of a looming expiry date for what we have come to regard as “liquid gold”.  As more and more countries insist that the deadline for carbon emission for cars is 2030 while electric cars (mostly driverless) become the rage, we have no choice but to craft alternative strategies for our survival as a nation.  

If we are ready to admit to past failures through negligence and neglect, this is the time to proceed from critical failure factors to positive success factors.

We have vast options and fresh opportunities in:

                        Agriculture

                             Artificial Intelligence [AI] and Technology

                             Minerals

                                Gas

                             Tourism and Creative Industry

                        Infrastructure

Of course, we should include the vast potentials available in our seas and oceans – otherwise known as the “Blue Economy” which are yet to be cultivated, harnessed and harvested by the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under the former Governor of Osun State, His Excellency Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola.

Also, “The Saturday Sun” newspaper yesterday carried on its front page with bold headlines, the following report:  “WITH GOVERNMENT SUPPORT, COTTON, TEXTILE INDUSTRY CAN RIVAL OIL IN SOCIAL IMPACT”

        -Ms. Ololade Majekodunmi

    (National Coordinator, Nigeria Cotton Society).

Furthermore, we are entitled to a grave sense of awe and shock over grievous waste and monumental recklessness signposted by last week’s front page headline in “Business A.M.” newspaper:

“NIGERIA REQUIRES N18 TRILLION TO RESTORE 

JUNKYARD OF ABANDONED BUILDINGS”

“But ROI (Return On Investment) 

could boost GDP by US $200 million annually.”

“In a sad reality, Nigeria’s cities and towns are plagued by abandoned construction sites, with different abandoned projects, including houses, schools, churches, offices, malls, among various other buildings collectively worth billiions of naira, littering various parts of the country.”

-        

Most of us human beings are yet to open to great events occurring in our world, in the cosmos. Mankind is preoccupied grappling with existential posers, pursuits and responsibilities. This is in an atmosphere politicians befuddle minds and dim our gaze with their unrelenting quest for power, money and influence, and promises to alleviate sufferings in their respective lands. Yet, monumental and indescribable events pass us by. This is because man’s expectations and description of what is great are constricted from impaired intuitive perception. The impairment is such that if the Lord Jesus Christ were to set foot on earth today, perhaps walking on Broad Street, Lagos, a majority would pass Him by unable to recognise Him! After all, despite the prophecies and centuries of preparations, the depth and power of knowledge He mediated, the Jews did not recognize Him. The political and priestly establishments did everything to get rid of Him.

They did not expect a Messiah to be born in a manger in Bethlehem, and to a carpenter, but instead to the house of a scribe, or an emperor! This is even for the sake of argument for the Lord is to come in the clouds! We learn that two angels appeared after He had interacted with His Disciples for 40 days by which time their ethereal eyes, that is their inner eyes, had opened to behold Him in His ethereal body — not the physical body. The interaction occurred after His crucifixion. When He finally departed from them the angels said to them: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus who has been taken up from you into Heaven will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into Heaven.” The Lord ascended; a cloud had received Him out of their sight.

It needs to be made plain that the Son of God is often taken for the Son of Man. The Son of God is the Lord Jesus Christ while the Son of Man is the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter. The Lord said of Him: “I still have many things to say to you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit when he the Spirit of Truth is come, he will guide you into all truth; for he shall not speak of himself, but whatever he shall hear that shall he speak and he will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore, said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.” (John 16: 12-15). Indeed, the Lord began by saying: “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away the Comforter will not come unto you: but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment; Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more.” (John 16: 8-10).

In all these, the Lord Jesus did not refer to Himself, but to a different Person, all in third person singular number. The Son of Man is Imanuel, whose coming Isaiah prophesied, God with Us, the Eternal Mediator. Angel Gabriel it was who announced the coming of the Lord Christ. But the world has been made to believe one can be substituted for the other. Luke and Matthew thus report: “And then shall they see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21: 5). ‘’And then shall appear the sign of Son of Man in Heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of Man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory (Matthew 24: 30). With the enlightenment spreading on earth today, we now know the difference. It is Imanuel the Son of Man who is to come in these End-Times to bring judgment as the Justice Arm of God Almighty. The two angels were, therefore, correct when they said the Lord Jesus is to come in the clouds.

What I am getting at is that stupendous Events do occur to which man today does not pay heed. May, for example, rolled off the cosmic calendar, its uniqueness hardly sensed or observed. What with the soothing weather, the coming to life of plants noticeable in leafy surroundings and vibrancy of man and animals, renewed energy of men who are open to the Rays of the uniqueness! The Lord Christ said to His Disciples: “And behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from On High” (Luke 24: 49 )—.Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible. We now know that that Event occurs yearly at the end of May. It is when the Almighty renews His Creation through outpouring of power by the Holy Spirit from His Abode, the Grail Castle at the Summit of Creation. April 18 marked the 150th anniversary of a matchless Grace mankind could ever be blessed with. The Day passed unrecognised except by an infinitesimal few in relation to the world’s population!

However, despite the immense help that surrounds us, mankind marches on in the wilderness, closing themselves to the high knowledge and hardly, if at all, aware of the outworkings of Creation – that our world is governed by the Almighty Father through His Will which is expressed in the Laws of Nature also known as the Laws of Creation and Divine Laws. Until we invite ourselves into deep contemplation with a view to finding out the purpose of life on earth, a great many will live ignorant about the Grace of God surrounding us. Who am I? Why am I passing through this vale of matter at this time? Where does my path lead me at the end of my sojourn on earth? It may bear restating as it has been said before in these pages that it is inconceivable that the Most High, He Who generally is acknowledged as perfect, just, omniscient, who is All Love and Justice and Perfection would bring worlds and worlds — visible and invisible – into being without rules, without laws. What we claim to know is even in part. Apostle Paul spoke of the state of incomplete knowledge when he said: “For we know only in part, and we prophesy only in part, but when the complete comes, that which is in part will be done away with.” (1 Corinthians 13: 9 -10).

The world’s population is now more than 7.8billion, yet our universe, Ephesus, is no more than the tip of a fountain pen, indeed for the modern man, the tip of a Biro, immeasurable as it may seem to us; and there are seven universes, each with its own solar systems and galaxies which are in billions each also with its own planets of which the earth is one — all Creation in living activities, working and weaving, weaving and surging, and sparkling, energy fields far away from and to regions incomprehensible to human reasoning, indeed, immeasurably vast.

The world is not an accident; like cars, television and radio sets and aircraft, the world is a work. As a living work, it bears the Will and Aims of its Maker. These aims are achieved through the application of certain mechanisms. Turn the key in the ignition and the car starts. Engage the gear, and fire the accelerator and it moves. Slam the brake and it slows down or stops. There are rules governing the use of cars, of aircraft and ships. If the rules are obeyed, the automobile gives pleasure and peace of mind to the user and promotes his health. Non-observance of the rules as spelt out in the manual brings harm and, in many cases, shortens life. Before constructing a house, soil engineering is done to determine if the soil is solid enough to bear the weight of the building. Structural engineers must determine the nature of reinforcements and balance the load here and there. In other words, the engineers recognise the existence of certain natural forces which they are powerless to annul: they bow to the nature of these forces in order to get along with them. The world, or better still, Creation, is no different construction.

Laws govern the whole of Creation and are uniform in their operations. These laws have been sensed and hinted at here and there in different cultures, but they have not been fully grasped, nor have their origin and their operations. Consequently, ignorance has led men to all kinds of conclusions, and blasphemous accusations against the Creator. It is knowledge and understanding of His Principles that reveal how sublime His ways are and how unrelenting, ceaseless, immutable, perfect, incorruptible and just the mechanisms that govern life are. It is in this the understanding of inequalities; why good people suffer and the wicked people prosper lies. The grasp of these mechanisms, the Laws of Creation, helps us to adjust our ways, our thinking, speeches and deeds to them in our own interest.

A driver who ploughs through the market or a gathering of school children and kills any of them will return, and in his childhood as a school pupil or a market chief get killed by another driver with tendencies similar to his in his previous life. A man who preaches violence and ill-motivated armed struggle other than in defence of unprovoked and unjust attack on his territory will in lawfulness of life be allowed to experience it in fulfilment of his own longing. The threads of his weaving will lead him to circumstances that will afford him the opportunity to satisfy his unflattering yearnings, in a land under unceasing siege. The same Law of Reciprocal Action more widely known as the Law of Sowing and Reaping applies in cases of killings or corruption. A great many with veils on their inner eyes will be drawn to the front of their previous mansions built with proceeds of corruption now in new re-embodiments as beggars, stretching out their bowls seeking help to eat for the day. Those who have stolen or manipulated figures from the public till and who think they have gotten away with their loot are deceiving themselves. All will be made by the self-acting and incorruptible Laws of God, the Divine Laws, to pay back their overdraft from the bank of life, gnashing teeth, biting lips and wringing hands in supplication to passers-by for just pittance for the day!! Some will sit by an unwashed gutter in the rain or in the sun!!! This is not even to mention the torment in the Beyond!!

A highly respected colleague of mine narrated a gripping story in his compelling and celebrated column about a beggar and her son only last Monday. The story begins with the deportation of 10, 000 Nigerian beggars from Ghana. If I may cull portions of the article, it begins as follows: “If you think there are too many beggars on your street, take heart and brace up. A trending video is showing a massive throng of Nigerian children and women being deported from Ghana where they were found doing street begging. They are said to be part of thousands of West Africans on Ghanaian streets. About 10, 000 are reported to be involved. Is there anything too shameful that we can’t and won’t export? But to go to the more salient portions, writes Dr. Olagunju: “In February 2022, the newspaper I edit carried the story of some women and children from the North who migrated to Ibadan to make a living for themselves and their families through begging. Nafisa Shehu and her mother were among the beggars found on the Ojoo Bridge in Ibadan. Nafisa sat among other begging children and from that point calmly told the reporter that her dream was to become a medical doctor. Nafisa’s story was published, it went viral, and a prominent private school in Ibadan contacted the reporter and offered Nafisa a scholarship from primary to medical school.

“If you thought her dream of becoming a medical doctor was becoming real, you missed it. It never happened. A meeting was arranged between the school and Nafisa’s mother, with the reporter present in Moniya, Ibadan. Some meddlesome interlopers who called themselves local Hausa leaders made sure they were present also. It was a negotiation to help Nafisa; proceedings appeared very positive. But the tragedy started from that point: Nafisa and her mother disappeared from the street shortly after the meeting. The only condition the school gave Nafisa was that she would be a full-boarding student. That was a huge problem for her mother who wanted her to beg while in school.

“We still thought we could help. I told the reporter not to give up on that girl. And he did not. After several follow-ups, the reporter was told that Nafisa and her mother had travelled back to Katsina State where they came from. Fourteen-year-old Nafisa was being prepared to be married off. She must be a mother somewhere now, and possibly begging to eat – like her mother.”

How does one explain that, the fate of Nafisa? It is a pity. Each person will be born and raised where he or she deserves and needs for his or her development and inner polish. A person cannot tear free until he is broken from within from experiences and recognition of where he is. If he finds his state distasteful, then the longing for a change of condition begins. However, those imbued with love and compassion should not allow themselves to be drained of these virtues. We must never fail to do good and show empathy. It is not for nothing that we are warned: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay. Eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth. Recompense for recompense.” (Deuteronomy 32:35). The warning is not for us to get into the street and begin to knock out the teeth of our errant neighbours, but to allow the Laws of Creation in which lies Justice to have their way. Through the combined and automatic outworking of the Law of sowing and reaping as well as the Law of the Cycle, fruits of every sowing must return to the sower. And the Lord Christ was to say: “Think not that I have come to abolish the Law and the prophets; I have come not to abolish them but to fulfil them.” (Matthew 5: 17). The pronouncement coming from the Lord says it all. At all times, therefore, we stand amid multiple returns of our sowing — good or bad. We are products of what we had thought, said or done in the past. And what we are doing in the present time will fetch us fateful consequences, with the time of arrival depending on the nature of the seed sown.

Sometimes in March 2018, one of Nigeria’s most respected military generals and a former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TheophilusYakubuDanjuma, in an outburst following series of armed herdsmen attacks in some parts of Taraba State, called on the citizens to rise and defend themselves. Given his extensive military background and the strategic positions that he held in the past, the widespread view then was that General Danjuma who also served as Minister of Defence from 1999 to 2003 spoke with astute conviction and got many adherents in his call for self-defence, which has continued to gain momentum since then.

Towing the same line, in February 2021, Bashir Magashi, also a retired army general and then Minister of Defence, while responding to bandits’ kidnap of 27 students in a school in Kagara, Niger State, said it is the responsibility of every citizen to be at alert amid the insecurity in Nigeria and the people should show that they are not cowards by defending themselves. Expatiating it further, General Magashi said, “in our younger days, we stand to fight any aggression coming for us. The people should stand and let these bandits know that even the villagers have the competency and capabilities to defend themselves”.

In yet another but more cautious note, the DG DSS MrAdeolaOluwatosinAjayi, in February this year, argued that every community should have a vigilante outfit licenced to use appropriate firearms to act as the first line of defence against invaders, terrorists, bandits, armed herdsmen, kidnappers and other violent criminals. This position modified the earlier calls by Generals Danjuma and Magashi, and coming from the nation’s Number One spy man, it gives some backings to those in support of self-defence, some of whom have lost confidence in the state’s ability to protect them.

But what has given rise to these calls in a country that has an organised police force and one of the most capable militaries in Africa? The answer is in the level of insecurity that pervades the country from around 2009 till now. According to the group Nigeria Mourns, in 2024, 5,353 people including 308 security personnel were killed in violent attacks across Nigeria with 88.5 per cent occurring in Northern Nigeria. Within the same period, a total of 5,171 people were abducted. This casualty figure for 2024 was 22.1 per cent higher than that of 2023 where 4,385 people were killed in violent attacks.  Corroborating this, Amnesty International in its latest report (under serious dispute) revealed that a total of 10,217 people were killed in attacks by armed groups in the first 2 years of the current administration, painting a gloomy picture of the state of insecurity in the country.   

Of course, not a few people are optimistic that the days ahead look promising in terms of security. The recent resurgence of attacks in Borno and Yobe States by Boko Haram Terrorists group and the Islamic State’s West Africa Province (ISWAP) as well as those of killer herdsmen around Benue and Plateau States are coming at a time when alarm is being raised concerning the activities of a new terror group, Lakurawa in Sokoto and Kebbi States as well as the Mahmuda group in northern part of Kwara State.  There are warnings that these attacks are not likely to abate but continue in a more aggressive fashion.

As a nation, have we truly and precisely identified the strategic intention and end state of these threats? If the intentions are multi-dimensional, can we isolate each to enable appropriate response? From all indications, the rapidity and extent of concentration of extremist fighters affiliated with ISIS and Al-Qaeda along the Sahel region of West Africa must be a pointer to a bigger stake. Could this validate the recent avowal by the Commander of the US Africa Command, General Michael Langley that one of the terrorists’ new objectives is to continue their fight until they gain access to West African coastlines? An understanding of the adversaries’ strategic end state is important to convince the advocates of self-defence if their proposition could defeat the threat and bring lasting peace or produce just a temporary protection. 

Despite its allure, the calls for self-defence against bandits and criminal gangs could just be a recipe for disaster. Take the United States for example, the liberal laws on access to weapons has contributed to a high incidence of gun violence, mass shootings and increased homicide rates. We have also seen how the proliferation of small arms and light weapons has fuelled decades of conflicts leading to widespread instability and humanitarian crises in Somalia and Yemen. These are clear evidence of the risks associated with having weapons freely in the hands of the people.

Amidst genuine domestic concerns about insecurity and violence, the introduction of more weapons into the communities could exacerbate more violence and lead to potentially disastrous outcomes. As highlighted in an article by the Institute of Security Studies, as of 2024, Nigeria accounts for about 70 per cent of the almost 500 million illegal weapons in circulation across West Africa.  It is just rational that Nigeria maintains its current laws and regulations on gun control but with more pragmatic actions on strict enforcement. 

Ultimately, addressing the myriads of security challenges requires a more nuanced and whole of society approach starting with an assessment of the gaps in the current security architecture that allows insecurity to fester. From the physical security aspect, government must focus on raising the capability of the military, strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies and design strategies to dominate the vast swaths of ungoverned spaces across the country. It must also keep focus on providing good governance and ensure absolute control of its borders. 

In terms of military capability, urgent attention is required to address the current manpower shortage and insufficient high-grade weapons and platforms in commensurate strength. Appropriation of fund to address these gaps will most certainly face some criticism in a society where opinions are in the majority that annual budget to defence is a burden on the nation’s development. Unfortunately, such opinions are based on mere comparison of defence budget with those of other sectors, but not on any empirical analysis anchored on threats and capability which principally drives funding of defence.

From global security assessment, the 2024 Global Peace Index ranks Nigeria 147 out of 163 countries and categorized Nigeria as very low in the state of peace spectrum along with other African countries such as Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Somalia, Mali, DRC, South Sudan and Sudan. Given this pathetic situation, Nigerians must realise that it is better to throw in every resource that is required to quicken the achievement of stability noting that peace and stability provide the foundation for development, and without them no nation can achieve its full potentials. 

Faced with the prevailing precarious security challenges, Nigeria must gear up to boost the operational efficiency of its military well above the current abysmal level, noting that conventionally most countries strive to achieve close to 85-90 percent efficiency. It is time to acquaint Mr President with the current reality in terms of the overall operational efficiency of the military, so that government could embark on a deliberate plan for short, medium and long-term procurement that could gradually raise the military’s operational efficiency to a decent level required for mission success.

In doing this, there must be a remarkable deviation from the current piecemeal acquisition of critical operational equipment.  It must be noted that the operations to rid the country of insurgents and bandits have lasted so long with undesirable impact on the will of troops to fight. When troops become battle weary, the catalyst needed is the injection of ‘game changers’ that would reinforce the confidence of troops and boost their morale to fight. Mr President, the military is in urgent need of new and modern tanks, APCs, MRAPs, attack helicopters, high grade armed drones, boats and assorted weapons and ammunition in large quantities.  Let the nation provide these for the military and watch how situation will change and the calls for self-defence will fizzle out. 

If there is any pronounced gap in the nation’s security architecture that has made insecurity to fester, it is the near collapse of policing as a key component of law enforcement.  Since 1999, Nigerians have continued to yearn for necessary reforms that would bring the police in tune with current global standard, but that aspiration remains a mirage.  At this moment, Nigeria needs the strong will and character of President Tinubu to initiate a focused and sustainable police sector reform that would earn it the respect of many Nigerians.  Such reform must address issues of recruitment, force restructure, training, administration, welfare of personnel, infrastructure, kitting and equipment.  An efficient police force is crucial for the overall security of the country and promotes social, economic and political development.

Over the years, nearly all of Nigeria’s 1,129 forest reserves have become expanse of ungoverned spaces providing haven for bandits and terrorists. Government seems to have heeded the calls for these forests to be properly dominated, with the recent announcement of the creation of forest guards. According to reports, the forest guards are to be well trained and armed to flush out terrorists and criminal gangs hiding inside the forests for criminal activities. This is obviously a deviation from the traditional roles given to forest guards. In South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania etc, forest guards or park rangers as they are called are principally tasked to combat illegal logging and mining, anti-poaching activities, patrolling and surveillance operations and forest fire protection. 

Details about the Forest Guards are still sketchy, but the scanty disclosure has raised some questions; what weapons will they bear considering the role it has been given, will they be under state or federal government control, what will be the relationship between the guards and the military, police and other security agencies, how will they relate within the existing forest security arrangement where we have the National Park Service and the Agro-Rangers under the NSCDC, will the role being proposed for the forest guards not bring them into conflict with the military? These and many other questions are what the planners must ponder on as they put the presidential directive into action.

Government must ensure that the forest guards operate professionally in close cooperation and collaboration with other security agencies and must be free from political interference and misuse. They must be given clearly defined roles and responsibilities to prevent confusion and overlaps in the course of their duty.  Government must avoid the temptation of turning the forest guards into a quasi-military force, by limiting its combat role to patrolling and surveillance for information and intelligence gathering to aid the military in conduct of operations. 

Notwithstanding, the forest guards must be sufficiently armed for self-defence against bandits and other intruders as well as attacks from wild animals. In Kenya, Ghana, Tanzania, DRC and Cameroon, forest guards are equipped with semi-automatic rifles and AK47 in some cases. In South Africa, the park rangers are equipped with R5 rifles which is a more accurate and versatile rifle suited for longer range engagements and more tactical operations.  Given the right weapons with a clear mission and institution of effective coordination, the forest guards would be able to fill a gap which would help to strengthen the current security architecture.

•Olawumi, a retired Major General and former NYSC Director General is a member of THISDAY editorial board

The ‘Id al-Kabir is indeed the great festival. It is great because of the merger that it evolves between the profane and the sacred.

This is a festival that predates Prophet Muhammad (may His mercies and benedictions be on his soul); it is a festival instituted by the Almighty through the agency of Prophet Ibrahim and Ismail (upon them be peace and blessings of the Almighty).

Here goes the story, the story of faith and the faithful.

He started out as a believer, a lonely believer in the Almighty at a time humanity chose to disbelieve in Him. He started out by asking his mother who his creator and god was. His mother told him it was his father, Azar. Prophet Ibrahim was not contented.

The notion that his father was his god appeared jejune. So he asked his mother once again who was the creator of his father? His mother told him it was Nimrod. the emperor, the king of the time. “If Nimrod is the god of my father, who was his own creator”? Nobody could provide a categorical answer. But Prophet Ibrahim knew the answer.

He knew that his Creator is neither a human being nor a Jinn. He knew that his Creator had no beginning and no end. He knew that his Creator is both undated and beyond spatial limitations. He knew that his Creator is He who fashioned and created the cosmos out of nothing. Thus he chose to believe in Him.

He chose to believe in the Almighty. But to believe in the Almighty is to make a difficult but extremely rewarding choice. To believe in the Almighty at a time humanity has apostacized is to run the risk of being oppressed or humiliated.

Thus he was tormented and punished by the idolatrous community in which he was born. But he knew that adversity is a precondition or a prerequisite for posterity, not the other way round.

He knew that he would win but he had to endure tribulation. In other words, of the immutable principles that undergird the universe is that hardships are precedent to ease; that there can be no triumphs without trials; that there can be no pleasure without pain! Thus he was thrown into a burning fire but the power to burn was taken away from the latter by the Almighty (Quran 21:69).

He, therefore, emerged from the inferno unscathed. But in that very instance, by coming out of the fire unhurt, Prophet Ibrahim (upon him be peace) became an eternal model for all partakers of the Islamic creed. He became an exemplar in our on-going battle against earthly principalities.

Brethren, when someone propose to oppress, torment and subject you to untold suffering, the Id al-Kabir takes place every year to remind you of the emptiness of that threat once you stand for and with your Creator. No evil shall come your way except by His permission!

This represents the core of faith, of our spiritual capital! Brethren, let us quickly fast forward to the family established by Prophet Ibrahim, a family of faith, piety and perseverance.

He was the patriarch, not a masculinist. Sarah was the wife, the extremely contented and humble mother of Ishaq, from whose womb the Jews emerged. Hajar was also the other wife, mother of Ismail, (upon them be peace) from whose womb Ismail emerged.

Prophet Ibrahim’s family featured a man, two women and two sons all of whom were individually destined to impact human history in extremely dissimilar and similar ways.

In other words, every action of these characters, while they were on earth, was destined to be a signifier. They were all involved in creating history without actually knowing it; they ‘transacted’ in spiritual-physical, secular and sacred ‘businesses’ that were destined to become models and examples for humanity till eternity.

For example dear brethren, Prophet Ibrahim dreamt he offered his son, Prophet Ismail, as sacrifice to the Almighty. He proceeded to inform him of what he saw and the latter, without hesitation, encouraged his father to carry out the divine inspiration without prevarication.

Why was Prophet Ibrahim blessed with such a child who was ready to travel with him in the wilderness of spirituality? Why was he blessed with such a faithful child? My teachers suggested it was pay-back-time for him.

Yes. Prophet Ibrahim was equally dutiful to his parents; the Almighty therefore would not and could not have blessed him with another son other than a lovely and dutiful one. My brother where and how is your father today?

Pause a moment and ask yourself: where and how is your ‘mama’ now? Thus in that lonely desert that day, father and son got together to do what the father was convinced were the imprimatur divine inspiration; the bidding of the Almighty.

He wanted to sacrifice his son; the son wanted to offer himself to the Almighty. Father desired to please the Almighty; the son wanted to curry the favour of the former who in turn was desirous of pleasing the Owner of the heavens and the earth.

Meanwhile the mother of the son, Hajar, occupied a lonely space. In silence, she bore the pain of the then inevitable loss of her son. In silence, she opened up her hearts to the Almighty. Ismail, was the only fruit of her womb.

She had hoped that he would be alive to take care of her tomb. But there she was all alone as she submitted her desires and aspirations to the Almighty, the Owner of her womb and tomb! Eventually, her patience and silence were rewarded. Her fears became a glistening hope. Her son found redemption in her fortitude and in the fortress of her faith.

What a unique and wonderful scene and sight to behold – of the fruit that adds value to the tree; of the water whose beautiful taste hacks back to its fountain, of the hive and the comb from which honey of various taste gushes forth! Brethren, Id al-Kabir is here to remind us, once again, of how the Almighty usually intervene to turn a situation of hopelessness to that of hope and happiness.

Prophet Ibrahim was told: “You have indeed affirmed the dream” and consequently a beautiful ram was given to him as ransom for his son.

Thus sacrifice became not an end in itself but a means towards a nobler end: an end to the sacrifice of humans in history, an end to the ascension of pernicious authorities in humans which usually make them go against the will of the Almighty, an end to greed, self-conceitedness, and inane glorification of the ephemeral not the eternal.

Sacrifice of animals on this day reminds the servants of the Almighty of their utter weakness in relation to every entity in the universe. Were it not for the WILL and favour of the Almighty, how could we by ourselves control and exert our authority over these sacrificial lambs?

Remember that the Id al-Kabir signifies our arrival for a religious duty; it also signals our constant departure to walk with our Creator. Somebody asked me “who knows tomorrow?”; a brother intervened and said “nobody does”.

But who owns tomorrow?” he queried again. ‘It is the Almighty’. We all chorused. May He who knows and owns tomorrow dispel our sorrow and lead us out of this tunnel of underperformance and pettiness to that of greatness!

 [DailyTrust]

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday called on Nigerians to be patient with his administration’s reforms, assuring that “the toughest days are behind us.”

Tinubu gave the assurance in his message to mark the 2025 Eid-el-Kabir celebration.

He insisted that his economic reforms had already started yielding positive results even though the journey had not been easy.

Read full message:

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to Nigerian Muslims and the global Muslim Ummah as we celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Kabir.

Eid-el-Kabir represents the high point of the sacred first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, a period filled with opportunities for acts of worship and good deeds. It is a time for gratitude to Almighty Allah for His countless mercies upon us as individuals and a nation.

While this festival is marked with joy and celebration, its true significance lies much deeper: Eid calls us to reflect on its core values of sacrifice, devotion, and selflessness.

To truly honour Eid, we must embody these virtues, just as Prophet Ibrahim (AS) exemplified complete submission to Allah’s will and as our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has taught us. Let this sacred occasion renew our commitment to these ideals.

Eid-el-Kabir also reminds us of our responsibilities beyond faith: to show resilience, tolerance, compassion, and dedication to the progress of our beloved country.

I reaffirm my commitment to these values and express my deep appreciation for the faith, patience, and perseverance Nigerians show as we implement bold reforms. Together, we have weathered challenging times and are approaching a brighter horizon.

Though the journey has not been easy, and some doubted our direction, the resilience of public and private sector leaders, along with the steadfast support of most Nigerians, is yielding results.

I assure you that the toughest days are behind us. We are entering a new era of renewed hope and prosperity that we promised two years ago.

We may not yet be where we aspire to be, but I urge all Nigerians not to lose hope. Let us hold on to our faith and persevere. Our reforms are gaining traction, with key economic indicators now moving in a positive direction. Soon, all will feel the benefits.

The ultimate objective of these reforms is not just to improve statistics but to transform lives and set Nigeria firmly on the path to sustainable development.

There are no quick fixes, but we are committed to repairing the foundations of our economy once and for all. Our administration will continue acting in the nation’s best interest, ensuring that the gains we are recording translate into improving people’s lives.

We crafted our Renewed Hope Agenda to bring prosperity to every Nigerian, and we remain steadfast in our pursuit of it. As we celebrate today, remember that Eid-el-Kabir enjoins love, compassion, and generosity for all, regardless of faith or background. Let us care for one another’s well-being during this season and always.

In this instance, I recall recent sad developments in our country, particularly the Wednesday, May 28 heavy flooding, which submerged the market town of Mokwa, Niger State, causing deaths and destruction of properties and creating an untold humanitarian crisis.

Let us pray for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives and fortitude for their relations. Let us join hands with the government to bring succour to the people of Mokwa.

Finally, as we observe this Eid, let us continue our prayers for our front-line officers, who risk their lives for our safety and security.

Let us pray for our leaders at all levels and our country. Let us pray for peace in our tumultuous world of troubles and uncertainties. Let us dedicate this sacred celebration to seeking God’s guidance and blessings for our country.

May those who have more remember those in need, sharing kindness and support as true brothers and sisters. Let the virtues of perseverance, sacrifice, loyalty, faith, and shared humanity bind us closer.

May the joy and blessings of Eid-ul-Adha multiply in our lives and the life of our great nation.

May Almighty Allah accept our worship and devotion as acts of Ibadah, and may His blessings be with us always.

• ‘Funding will be adequate’

• Fed Govt bans dredging within 10km-radius of bridges

Critics of the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and other legacy projects being implemented under the Renewed Hope Infrastructure Agenda (RHIA) are ill-informed, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has said

“They are uninformed about the project’s procurement structure and national significance,” the President said yesterday during the inspection and kick-off of new segments of key infrastructure projects in Lagos.

He pledged to make more funds available for infrastructure development, urging governors to collaborate with the Federal Government to align building approvals.

According to the President, his administration’s approach to legacy road construction, including the coastal highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, is deliberate and transparent.

He explained that the projects are being implemented in manageable sections and not as a single-bulk contract as some critics have alleged.

The President clarified that only specific segments of the 750-kilometre Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway have been awarded, with the completed 30-kilometre portion falling under Section I – a 47.7-kilometre stretch being handled by contractors under the Federal Executive Council’s phased approval.

He said the critics failed to grasp the methodical structure of the project, suggesting that those who complain about cost should be prepared to pay tolls if they wish to use it.

President Tinubu emphasised that no contractor had been awarded the entire length of the 750-kilometre coastal route.

The contracts, he said, “are being procured in parts to ensure accountability and efficiency”.

He also pointed to progress on the Sokoto-Badagry Superhighway, a project initially envisioned during the administration of the late President Shehu Shagari, nearly five decades ago but now revived as part of the administration’s Renewed Hope infrastructure agenda.

President Tinubu said the superhighway spans seven states — Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Lagos — and is strategically important for agriculture, trade, industrialisation, and regional integration.

Citing specific milestones, the President noted that over 10 kilometres of a three-lane carriageway have been completed in Kebbi State, with work commencing on the second carriageway — the longest single stretch within the entire legacy infrastructure portfolio.

In Sokoto, he said work had also started on a 120-kilometre three-lane section from Illela, with the first 10 kilometres already completed.

President Tinubu also announced progress on the second carriageway of the Sokoto segment, while confirming that more sections of the highway are being prepared for procurement.

He reported encouraging progress on Section II of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, noting that more than 10 kilometres of the 55-kilometre stretch have been completed.

In the Southern corridor, the President confirmed that work is ongoing in Cross River and Akwa Ibom states.

He said he had directed relevant authorities to accelerate the design and procurement of additional sections to keep pace with the government’s rollout targets.

President Tinubu also provided an update on the Trans-Sahara Trade Route, which he described as another strategic priority.

The route, which is under active development, will link Calabar to Abuja through Ebonyi, Benue, Kogi, and Nasarawa states — creating new commercial arteries across central Nigeria and beyond.

He said: “I urge you, David (Umahi), to ignore those critics; they lack understanding. If they find fault with the road or deem it too costly, let them pay a toll to use it.

“It is necessary to note that the Federal Executive Council approved our legacy projects to be procured, awarded and constructed in sections.”

Explaining the Sokoto-Badagry project, he added: “It connects over 58 dams, vast arable farmlands, and trade routes to our West African neighbours and offers great promise for windmill energy generation. Construction is well underway.”

On his call for federal-state collaboration on building plan approvals, the President said proper approval of alignment between subnational and federal governments will facilitate the construction of major roads and bridges across the country.

“I have directed the Minister of Works, David Umahi and the Surveyor-General of the Federation to work more closely with the governors,” the President said.

President Tinubu believes aligning state approvals with the Federal Government will reduce the burden of compensation and delays in actualising people-oriented projects.

“Please, my dear governors, let’s work together. Don’t give planning approvals without collaboration with the Surveyor-General and the Ministry of Works. I am appealing to you to realise the same development goal.

“Let me emphasise the ban by the Federal Government of Nigeria on any dredging within a 10km radius of all our Bridges nationwide.

“I appeal to all governors, relevant agencies, and security agencies to implement this ban immediately.”

[TheNation]

SpaceX founder, Elon Musk, announced on Thursday that his company will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft, following threats by United States President, Donald Trump, to terminate SpaceX’s government contracts, AFP reported.

“In light of the President’s statement about cancellation of my government contracts, @SpaceX will begin decommissioning its Dragon spacecraft immediately,” Musk posted on the social media platform X.

The announcement came amid a sharp and very public breakdown in relations between Musk and Trump, ending a nearly year-long political alliance.

The rift has played out in a series of social media exchanges, with both figures trading insults.

SpaceX’s Crew Dragon capsule, which launched in 2020, currently serves as the only US spacecraft certified to transport astronauts to and from the International Space Station.

The spacecraft, under a contract worth over $4.9bn with NASA, has been a cornerstone of America’s crewed spaceflight capabilities since the end of the Space Shuttle programme in 2011.

A separate version, Cargo Dragon, is used for resupply missions to the ISS.

Reacting to Musk’s announcement, NASA spokeswoman Bethany Stevens reiterated the agency’s commitment to the current administration’s space policy. “We will continue to work with our industry partners to ensure the President’s objectives in space are met,” she posted on X.

NASA has also been working to certify Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft for human spaceflight. However, that programme has encountered repeated delays. Its most recent test flight last year failed when propulsion issues disrupted its mission to the ISS.

The spacecraft returned to Earth without completing the mission, and the two astronauts onboard were later retrieved by a SpaceX Crew Dragon.

The certification of Crew Dragon in 2020 marked the end of the United States’ reliance on Russian Soyuz rockets, a dependency that began after the retirement of the Space Shuttle. Despite the current developments, the US and Russia continue to exchange seats on each other’s spacecraft under a longstanding agreement.

In addition to NASA missions, Crew Dragon has also flown private flights, including tourist missions. Its most recent was Fram2, which orbited the Earth’s poles.

The next scheduled launch, the Axiom-4 mission, is slated for Tuesday and is expected to carry astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary to the ISS aboard a Crew Dragon capsule.

[Punch]

It is unusual for a nation to discover its essence in a man. It is rare for humanity in their millions across continents, to be inspired; to fight seemingly unwinnable wars for freedom. Ho Chi Minh, one of the most famous figures of the twentieth century, fitted into both.

Famously known as Uncle Ho, and speaking Mandarin, Cantonese, English, French, Russian and Vietnamese, the fragile-looking Vietnamese who stood at 1.6 meters (5 feet, 5 inches) led his people to defeat two super powers 30 years apart. In both cases, he took up arms only as the last resort. He tried persuasion, resorted to diplomacy and offered compromises. But first, the French, and later, the United States, US, spurned his offers. They could not fathom how such a fragile, smallish man, and his poorly armed followers, could put up any serious fight.

They were to learn bitter lessons: that their power could not conquer the will of a people ready to die for their freedom. The French poured 470,000 troops to fight the poor Vietnamese people. A total of 2.7 million Americans were sent to fight the Vietnamese; in April 1969, a total of 543,000 American soldiers were in active combat in that country. Fifty eight thousand American soldiers never made it back home. They perished in Vietnam.

The French and US troops fought with the intention to survive and return to their loved ones. They did not want to die in some thick forests and be buried in unmarked graves far from their homes. Therefore, they fought conventional battles, and retreated when necessary. On the other hand, the Vietnamese patriots led by Uncle Ho, fought unconventional battles, especially guerilla warfare. They were ready to die anywhere on their ancestral soil. Their choices were limited; while the French and American invaders could retreat and return to their protected homes, the Vietnamese had no such choice; to retreat was to lose their freedom. Ho used to impress on them that there is nothing more precious than independence and liberty.

Before the wars, he had put the powerful enemies of the Vietnamese on notice as to the determination of the Vietnamese and the type of war to be fought. At the onset of the war with France, he told the representative of the French government: “You can kill ten of my men for every one I kill of yours. But even at those odds, you will lose and I will win.”

When he set out in 1911 to seek salvation for his fellow compatriots, Ho stated that it was “with the ultimate desire of making our country fully independent, giving every one of our people complete freedom, and for every one of them to have rice to eat, clothes to wear and, opportunities to study.”

When 34 years later he made the September 2, 1945 Declaration of Independence, he paraphrased the US Declaration of Independence by stating: “All men are born equal: the Creator has given us inviolable rights, life, liberty and happiness”. The Declaration asserted Vietnam’s self-determination and, also rejected attempts by France to restore its colonial rule.

Ho, after spending three decades outside Vietnam, living, studying and working in various countries, including China and the defunct Soviet Union, concluded that the best option for the Vietnamese was a Proletarian Revolution. To realise this, he established the Communist Party of Vietnam in 1931.

Ho did not witness the end of the wars of independence. He passed away on September 2, 1969. Ironically, it was then American President Gerald Ford who in 1975, signalled the end of those wars, the reunification of Vietnam and complete independence when he indirectly announced the American defeat. Ford said: “Today, Americans can regain the sense of pride that existed before Vietnam. But it cannot be achieved by re-fighting a war.” That statement by the US Commander-in-Chief was the signal needed for American troops to flee Vietnam. It was one of the most disorderly and shameful retreats in military history.

The 1975 victory over the US marked the end of Vietnam’s occupation by various powers. It had been occupied for over one thousand years by the Chinese; six decades by the French, including a brief occupation by the Japanese, and three decades by the US. It is noteworthy that for 20 years after it was forced out, the US imposed sanctions against the country.

This May 19, 2025 was the 135th Anniversary of Uncle Ho’s birth. In Abuja, Nigeria, a Round Table was held to honour him. Diplomats, politicians, including representatives of the Ruling All Peoples Congress, APC, led by Mr Ini Akpan, and the opposition, civil servants, journalists and a cross section of society attended.

Bui Quoc Hung, the Vietnamese Ambassador, who posited that Uncle Ho founded modern Vietnam, said his dedication was so total that Ho had no wife, children or social life outside the struggle for liberation.

The Acting High Commissioner of Ghana, Eddison Agbenyegah, told the Round Table that his country’s founding President, Kwame Nkrumah, was headed for Hanoi, Vietnam on a peace mission when during a stopover in China, he was overthrown.

The Nigerian Government said the legacy of Uncle Ho transcended borders and generations, inspiring nations to seek freedom and independence. Ambassador Mohammed Haidara, Deputy Director, Asia and Pacific of the Foreign Ministry who delivered the government’s message, noted that Uncle Ho travelled out of Vietnam for 30 years but never forgot home. He added that Nigerians who are some of the most travelled peoples in the world should learn from Uncle Ho to return and serve the country. He added that Ho had what it took to live a good life abroad but choose to return and serve his people.

Cuban Ambassador Miriam Morales Palmero said Uncle Ho’s revolutionary vision, humility and perseverance made him not just a hero of Vietnam, “but also a moral and political reference for all peoples striving for self-determination and social justice.”

She said legendary Cuban leader, Fidel Castro had so much respect for Ho and commitment to the Vietnamese struggles that he once said: “For Vietnam, we are ready to shed even our own blood.” Cuba, she said, is committed to keeping the ideals of Uncle Ho alive.

Ambassador Sani Bako, the Chair of the Nigeria-Vietnam Economic, Trade and Culture Association recalled Ho’s positive role in the 1955 Afro-Asian Bandung Conference for global peace, economic development and decolonisation. The vision of Ho, he said, inspired various peoples to seek freedom.

Retired civil servant Suleiman Haliru Malumfashi said Uncle Ho belonged to the pantheon of global revolutionary leaders like Vladimir Lenin, Mao Tsetung, Fidel Castro and Nelson Mandela. He said while followership is very important, leadership, as Ho showed, is fundamental for transformation and development.

Mr Rotimi Amaechi, a former governor of Rivers State, in this interview monitored on Arise television, speaks on his political journey and achievements. Amaechi, a former Minister of Transportation, also expresses concerns about Nigeria’s current electoral system and the lack of focus on legacy in modern politics. Excerpts:

Much of your time has been consumed by your involvement in Nigerian politics. With age and experience, does it get easier?

Let’s set the ground rules. I agreed to this interview on the understanding that we wouldn’t discuss politics. There are only three political matters I’d like to clarify before we move on to social issues.

First, nobody made me governor. God did. God, Peter Odili and the Nigerian judiciary made it possible.
Nobody else. As journalists, no one has ever asked the man who claims he made me governor how he did it. Nobody has asked him that question.

So how did you become governor?

I don’t know. I went to court. Perhaps my lawyer knows—he’s now the Attorney-General, so you should ask him. What I’m trying to make very clear is that I did not become governorin anyone’s favour. It’s also not true that I called Mohammed bin Adoke from Abuja to Port Harcourt to say that Nyesom Wike asked me to make him Commissioner for Finance and I refused. That’s not how it happened. I wanted him as Chief of Staff so I could supervise him directly. I never offered him the position of Commissioner for Finance.

I’m saying this now because I don’t want to trade words with children. I simply don’t. We’ve finished with politics.

When you say you wanted to supervise him, does that mean you felt he was a bit of a renegade?

I don’t want to discuss politics. I’ve said I respect him as a governor and that’s the end of it. He made himself Chief of Staff, governor, and minister. Let’s leave it there.

Do you feel satisfied with what you’ve achieved at 60? Would you describe yourself as a man of substance?

Every time I speak, I begin by thanking God. Then I thank Peter Odili and his wife for the roles they played in my life. I’ve said to my wife and children that no matter what happens, I’ll never go against the Odilis. They’ve done things to me, things that could make one scream, but I hold back because I believe God used them in my life. So, to respect God, I must respect them.

Looking back on your achievements, you’ve said the rest was hard work. But again, that sounds political…

Let me just say this: if the current chairman of INEC had been in office in 2015, we wouldn’t have won. That’s an important point. We were lucky to have Attahiru Jega. He ensured some level of transparency. The current chairman can’t be compared to Jega. When we wanted to register APC, Jega opened the door and allowed the process. This one, even if you comply with all the requirements, won’t register you. INEC is already biased. But again, please don’t take me back to politics.

You must be proud of your accomplishments. You’ve certainly achieved more than most…

It’s not because I’m the best. I simply made the most of the opportunities I was given. When I became Speaker of the Parliament, Peter Odili felt I deserved it. I performed my duties and was later elected Chairman of the Speakers’ Forum. Since I left, I wonder if that Forum even still exists. Later, I became governor by the grace of God, Peter Odili, the people of Rivers State, and the judiciary. The judiciary pronounced me governor.

And did you perform well as governor?

Absolutely and I’m ready for you to call people in Rivers State to confirm it. While others are making noise about building 12 flyovers, I built six and didn’t shout about it. I didn’t call the president to commission anything.

I built primary schools—let any other governor in Rivers State come forward with a better record. I built secondary schools that looked like universities: two children per room. I even brought in Indian agencies to manage them, along with science teachers from India. And now, sadly, those schools are abandoned and vandalised. That breaks my heart.

We tried to build a new city with a 24-hour power supply. It was abandoned and vandalised too. But give me an assignment, and I will deliver.

You also served as a federal minister. What were some key projects you completed?

I began and completed the Lagos–Ibadan railway. I began and completed the Lekki Deep Sea Port. In Kano, I completed an inland dry port and insisted the investor build a secondary school and primary school for local children, which he did.

I started the Kano–Kaduna railway and completed Kaduna–Abuja, which President Goodluck Jonathan had initiated. I also started the Kaduna–Maradi railway. When I take on an assignment, I deliver it without resorting to insults or unnecessary drama.

Do you think most politicians today care about their names and character?

Sadly, no. Many don’t care about legacy or the shame their actions may bring to their children.

As you reflect on turning 60, have you changed personally? And has Nigeria changed in that time?

A lot has changed. Have I changed? Yes, for good, I hope. Has Nigeria changed? In some areas, yes. In others, we’ve regressed.

Is the country progressing or regressing overall?

That’s hard to say. In some aspects, yes; in others, no. It feels like the system has been captured, with electoral institutions now used as political tools.

If electoral reform is not happening, how does that make you feel as a former public official?

I once said I wish the National Assembly could amend the Constitution to keep Jega in office until real electoral reform was achieved. Because without reforms, you need a man of conscience. Jega was that. Even though the system wasn’t perfect, he made it transparent enough for people to believe in the process. That’s how we won in 2015.

And you don’t believe that exists today?

No. If I were the current INEC chairman, for the sake of my name, I would have resigned. INEC has already taken sides. They’re blocking the registration of new political parties, which is unconstitutional.

But in fairness, hasn’t the current INEC chairman proposed some reforms?

He may have proposed reforms, but to whose benefit? If opposition parties aren’t allowed to register, then what’s the point of reforms?

Are you referring to the opposition coalition you’re part of? A new party perhaps?

Whether new or existing, the Electoral Act allows the registration of parties. The current government doesn’t obey the law, not even the Constitution.

In 1999, at just 34, you were elected into the Rivers State House of Assembly and became Speaker. How significant was that breakthrough, and were you hesitant to fully commit to politics at the time?

At 34, I became Speaker. The process then was more transparent than it is today. If you lost an election and went to court, you could trust the verdict. As young as I was, I got elected and did my job. I served for eight years. We had an opposition party, APP, and managing them wasn’t easy, but I did everything to ensure both the ruling and opposition parties worked together for the state. Then at 42, I became governor.

Was there an ideological reason behind your entry into politics? Or was it about power and recognition?

Let me flip that question: based on what I’ve told you, would you say it was transformative or not?

That’s a fair point, but I’m asking about your motivation.

I ran a free education programme in Rivers State. Not just free—it nearly became compulsory. We were careful with the funds, but it worked. Private schools began to shut down because parents were moving their kids to government schools. We reduced class sizes from 150 to 25 or 30. We built proper secondary schools—1,000 students, 2 children per room, 25 per class. And I modelled the primary schools after what I saw in Australia.

I made sure each community had one. We also built primary healthcare centres, hired 400 doctors to add to the existing 200, bought 600 cars for them, and built housing for those in rural areas. If you visit, you’ll see. I can even raise funds for you to take a tour.

What would you say your greatest achievement was during your time as governor?

It’s hard to pick one, but education stands out. I wanted to make sure children in Rivers State had a future. Before we came in, the idea of free education was laughable. But we made it real and not just free, but quality. Students were given uniforms, books, and proper school environments. That mattered to me. Health was also critical. We built over 160 primary healthcare centres across the state, employed professionals, and equipped them. The goal was to make basic healthcare accessible to the people—especially in rural areas.

What values or principles guided these choices?

Justice, equity, and a strong belief that government should serve the people. I also believe in God. That’s not just something I say—it genuinely shapes how I think and act. I constantly remind myself that I’ll give account to God for what I do here. That helps keep me grounded.

What are your thoughts on Nigeria’s current political leadership?

I’m being very careful not to speak about the current government. But generally speaking, I think the focus should be on competence, not tribe or religion. If someone is capable, let them lead—regardless of where they’re from.

Some Nigerians have called for a restructuring of the country. Where do you stand on that?

I support restructuring, but not as an excuse to divide the country. For me, restructuring means giving more power and resources to the states so they can develop at their own pace. That includes state police. But it must come with checks and balances because we’ve seen how governors behave with absolute power.

What would you tell young Nigerians who feel hopeless about the future?

Don’t give up. This country has potential—immense potential. I understand the frustration; things aren’t easy. But if you run away, who will fix it? Stay informed, get involved, and demand accountability from your leaders. Change takes time, but it’s possible.

If you had the chance to do anything differently in your life, what would it be?

Maybe I’d speak less and listen more. Sometimes I was too blunt, and too fast to speak. But I’ve learned. And as I grow older, I see the wisdom in silence.

Do you have any regrets?

Not many. I did what I believed was right at the time. I worked hard. I made mistakes, of course—but I tried to serve. If I have any regret, it’s that some of the projects we built with such care are now abandoned. That’s painful. You put your heart into something, and then someone else lets it rot.

How do you want to be remembered?

As someone who tried. A man who worked for his people, who wasn’t perfect but gave it his all. A father, who cared, a husband who tried, and a leader who refused to steal.

And what’s next for you?

Only God knows. I’m still active, and still involved. But I’ve also learned that sometimes it’s okay to step back, to rest, and to reflect. I’m open to what God wants me to do next.

[Vanguard]

Four Nigerians studying at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, United States, graduated with distinction at the school’s 166th graduation ceremony.

Seven Nigerians were among the first-degree earners; four graduated with top-of-the-class academic performance and a perfect grade point average of 4.0.

Their excellence was particularly evident in mathematics, computer science, and the health sciences.

The four Nigerians include Iteoluwa Jesutoromo Ibitoye, Chinyere Obiageli Offor, Praise Olalekan, and Osoname Fortune Omonagbe.

Brendan Allen, president of Lincoln University, praised the four individuals for their resilience, determination, and “exemplifying good character and self-discipline” during their academic years.

“These valedictorians showed focus despite the distractions around them. They displayed great courage, good character and self-discipline. There is no doubt, they will be great ambassadors of this university,” he said.

Iteoluwa, daughter of Toyin Ibitoye, the veteran journalist, appreciated God for her journey throughout her years in school.

She described the new feat as “the beginning of greater things to come”.

“I am so happy that everything has turned out this way. I thank Jesus Christ, my Lord, for seeing me through,” she said.

“I am also very happy that I have made my parents and siblings proud, and along with my other Nigerian valedictorians, given a good impression of our dear nation. I believe God and know that this is the beginning of greater things to come.”

Lincoln University was founded in 1854 as the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the US.

[TheCable]