On September 10, heavy rain caused the Alau dam in Borno State to overflow, leading to major floods in and around the vast metropolitan city of Maiduguri. The deluge heavily impacted homes, schools, markets, offices and several health facilities. According to government officials, over 400,000 people have moved into 30 IDP camps. Most of these camps are schools which lack hygiene facilities and safe drinking water. The potential for outbreak of diseases is high, and, undoubtedly, Borno State, which is recovering from over a decade of sustained terrorist attacks, is in dire need of assistance. In response, Nigerians from all over the country have scrambled to help. As at last week, the state government has received donations totalling over N12 billion. Prof Usman Tar, the state’s Information Commissioner, said the funds have already been transferred to the Disaster Relief Committee which includes representatives from both the federal and state government agencies. He also announced that the state government has been working hard to assist citizens who have been most impacted by the disaster.

Among the donors are Aliko Dangote, who gave N2 billion; Aminu Dantata (N1.5 billion); Mohammed Indimi (N1 billion); Oluremi Tinibu (N500 million) and Access Holdings which gave N1 billion. Access is one of the two only banks to respond to the disaster in Borno State. The other being Jaiz Bank which gave N110 million. Chief Executive of Access Holdings, Africa’s leading financial powerhouse, Bolaji Agbede and other executives of the company, flew into Maiduguri late last week with the N1 billion gift to the state government, in a demonstration of the company’s commitment to community support. Access Holdings’ contribution will be allocated as ₦500 million in cash to support the state government’s on-the-ground response efforts, ₦500 million for the restoration of critical infrastructure damaged by the flood, as well as essential food supplies to ensure the most vulnerable receive care. The gesture should offer succour and relief to the beleaguered people of Borno and provide both immediate and long-term respite.

I commend all the donors for their kindness and generosity. From the banking community, I am not surprised that Access Holdings is once again demonstrating compassion and leadership. Compassion is an important attribute of good leadership. It is important for businesses to identify with the communities in which they operate, especially in times of crises. A kind and generous company will more likely build loyal customers and strong stakeholder understanding. Compassion evokes emotional affinity, brand admiration and customer allegiance. Consistently, Access Holdings is known for devoting a good chunk of its resources to invest in its environments. I call on other banks to emulate Access.

Speaking in Government House, Maduguri, at the meeting with Gov. Zullum and his officials, Bolaji Agbede, Acting Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings Plc, reaffirmed the Group’s commitment to supporting the people of Borno, restating a pledge to impact lives of communities where the institution operates. “At Access Holdings, we believe in positively impacting the communities we serve, not only as a financial institution, but as a family that cares deeply for its people. We recognise the resilience of the people of Borno, and we are committed to providing the support necessary to overcome this difficult time. This donation is not merely about the funding; it is about offering immediate succour to families and individuals, who have been affected, while also contributing to local economic resurgence and long-term resilience through the restoration of essential infrastructure,” said Agbede.

Governor Babagana Zulum expressed appreciation for the donation and the company’s swift response to the crisis. “We are moved by the generosity and commitment shown by Access Holdings and Access Bank during this critical time. This donation of ₦1 billion is appreciated during this challenging time and will be judiciously utilised to impact the lives of all those who have been affected by the incident. The restoration of our hospitals and essential services will strengthen our resilience, while the food relief will provide immediate comfort to families and individuals in distress. Truly, this support speaks to the importance of cooperation between the government, and the private sector in improving the lives of our local communities,” said Zulum.

Nigeria’s business community is currently facing a myriad of challenges, including depressed margins arising from oppressive operating environment, while the banking sector is not only struggling to cope with increasing incidents of non-performing loans, but is also racing to meet re-capitalization deadline of March 2026. Nevertheless, I commend Access Holdings for being the first mainstream financial institution to offer support to Borno in the wake of the disaster that affected over one million people, leaving entire residential areas submerged and tens of thousands of people displaced. I am pleased to welcome the company’s exemplary commitment to working closely with the Borno State Government, aid organisations, and other stakeholders to ensure relief reaches those most in need and the state is well-positioned for recovery. I ask the Bankers’ Committee and the Central Bank of Nigeria to emulate the Access example. On its part, the federal government should take steps to examine the structural integrity of all our dams to avoid a future occurrence of this disaster, which is obviously a threat to national security.

“The people and not the leaders, are the true architects of society”

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Democracy as a concept of governance has received global acceptance in its various forms. No two democracies are the same but the commonality in all democracies is the exercise of governance powers by persons, either collectively or individually on behalf of the people/state/society. At the core of democracy is the selection of the persons who will govern on behalf of the people. The selection process is usually through one form of election or the other and in theory it is meant to represent the free will of majority of the people. That the process suffers from varying degrees of imperfection in all countries who have elections is not the subject of this intervention. Rather this intervention is to interrogate what we the people should expect from those persons who end up at the helm of affairs with governing powers to superintend different aspects of our socio-economy.

For the sake of good order let me confess that what prompted this article is the insufferable postulation floating widely and freely that Nigeria’s fortunes rise and fall with its ‘leadership’. By that the proponents mean the political leadership and in our case the President is the almighty Leader. I beg to disagree and vehemently too. In my assessment, the fortunes of a people lie with the people. And this notion of a people waiting to be led appears to be a collective attempt at shirking individual responsibility for our attitudes and actions which in my view aggregate the critical mass that shapes a society’s vision and ethos and hence its direction and outcomes. That is why I agree with the argument of the 18th century philosopher, Joseph de Maistre, that - ‘the moral and intellectual qualities of a people determine the kind of government they will have’.

The popular opinion that we Nigerians mirror our actions and attitudes on those of the political leadership is demonstrably illogical. It is said that if people exhibit corruption tendencies, it is because the leadership is perceived or seen to be corrupt. And ‘fish rots from the head’ is a popular quote in support of this fallacy. I am not persuaded that in a very religious country like Nigeria, our people will put aside the examples set by revered powerful General Overseer pastors, influential Imams or powerful deities (for those with a preference for Indigenous beliefs) in favour of those examples of political leaders no matter the exalted position.

If all religions have laid out established and clear doctrines to guide the conduct of adherents, it will be absurd to ascribe collective untoward conduct to any other leadership other than that of the particular religious tendency. There is a reason why religious adherents are called FOLLOWERS, and it is a simple reason, they are enjoined to follow and be guided by the subscribed doctrines only.

In my numerous discussions/arguments on this matter I have found the following examples rather thought provoking. Nobody I have asked has been able to name the leaders of Switzerland or Finland. In fact, nobody has been able to recall the name of any Swiss leader ever! They all agree though that those countries are amongst the most successful in the world. So, my argument in question form will be ‘is it the leadership or the people that are responsible for the success of these countries?’. My take is that the people of these countries have collectively built enduring socio-political structures that operate and

are safeguarded with the imprimatur of the collective will of the people and not dependent upon the whims and caprices of ‘leaders’.

Also noteworthy is the fact that in the atmosphere of gloom we paint for our country, there are also some areas that not only offer hope but are quite inspiring and uplifting. We blame the ‘leadership’ when our sports teams do not perform well, when public services are poor and generally for everything that goes wrong, with the absence of an ‘enabling environment’ being the culprit. So, the leadership is responsible for creating the enabling environment? It is the case that in this same environment, our entertainment industry is superlative and have become world beaters. Our musicians have captured the world’s imagination and rapt attention. The Remo Stars Club and football academy are very impressive world class facilities that portend better days ahead for our sporting sector generally. Yet these remarkable developments have been achieved under ‘bad leadership’. So, in my opinion this is another illustration of we the people being the architects of our progress. And please, this is not me suggesting that good governance has no role to play, far from it! Without good governance providing good access roads and security for example, the private initiatives will not achieve their full potential and we the people will be the losers.

Again, this is not an attempt to discharge our political leaders from responsibility for the many challenges bedeviling our national development. In as much as they are in the public sector front lines of managing our commonwealth and executing policies for the betterment and orderliness of society on our collective behalf, it is fair to pass a negative judgment on their all-round performance as a class. There can be no equivocation in condemning their ignoble role in the distressing state of our nation. The essence of this intervention is to make the case that we as a people must take responsibility for our role in causing the unsatisfactory state of our nation. This acceptance is a necessary foundation, for we as a people to build the national consciousness that will drive the collective will for us as a people, to take ownership of our collective destiny. To make progress, we must act and behave like good citizens and not merely be passengers in the ‘vehicle’ driven by the ‘Leader’.

In truth, the Nigerian elite bears the greatest burden of guilt for the mess we have made of our country. Let us recall a few short years ago, where we literally became the champagne guzzling capital of the world! International businesspeople (many of them borderline criminals) were flying into Nigeria with suitcases of obscenely priced exotic watches and other luxury items for sale to the locust elite in DOLLARS! We imported the biggest SUVs with scant regard for the running costs of these vehicles. Afterall, petrol and diesel were very cheap. We were spending humongous amounts of money buying imported generators but will refuse to pay for the electricity (however epileptic the supply) we were consuming and yet fail to see the causal link between our myopic attitudes and the poor state of electricity supply and distribution. Obviously other factors like poor governance in the form of retrogressive laws and corruption are significant but these should not be isolated.

So, in an economy where many people were making so much money without being productive and not being constrained with paying meaningful taxes, enjoying subsidized electricity (when available) cheap fuel and even subsidized foreign currency, criminal waste became the order of the day. And worst of all the elite who evidently benefit the most from our commonwealth are also very unpatriotic. So, whereas it is their consumption patterns that put pressure on the exchange value of the Naira, they cynically bet against the Naira by using foreign currencies as a store of value, invested their locally acquired wealth in the economies of foreign countries and flaunting foreign currencies publicly became the status symbol

verifier. That is why you will find that literally everybody in Nigeria is conversant with exchange rates. It is the elite that have ingrained this ‘conversion mentality syndrome’ into our subconscious. And anytime I hear the refrain ‘how much is it in dollars’ I am left wondering whether people convert their Naira to dollars before spending same in Nigeria. Anyway, suffice it to say that in most other countries, the citizens generally care less about exchange rates and concern themselves about the purchasing power of their local currencies.

I have no doubt that our dear country will overcome the present myriad of crisis. The Nigerian people are too resourceful and have too much at stake to allow our country to fail. ‘Sweet are the uses of adversity’ and ‘necessity is the mother of invention’ are two famous quotes that will play out in the coming years as we the people in our quest for personal survival take actions which will ultimately be for our collective benefit and progress. So, all of us have roles to play and are all leaders in various ways. The efficient and inspiring school principal is a leader that will build many more responsible citizens (with a multiplier effect) than a commissioner for education or the governor of that state! Genuine religious leaders will ingrain the much-needed positive virtues in people than a thousand orientation agencies. Sincere village heads will enable peaceful co-existence of citizens, more effectively than security agencies. The journey of building the critical mass of good citizenship necessary to put our country on the right path starts perhaps from the family units as a base and meanders upwards to the ‘leadership.’ At that juncture the leadership will be reflective of us as a reformed citizenry. It is not going to be easy or happen overnight, but my hope is that the hardship and an economy whose shape has changed forever will bring out the best in us. And personal hardship will dismantle the roadblocks of religious and tribal differences which hinder our progress but exists in our minds and attitudes.

Our people need to be sensitized about historical developments in other counties so that we will be galvanized to even do more than we are presently doing (historical and ongoing private and community efforts duly acknowledged). I just read recently that the establishment of Botswana’s first university in 1982 was driven by the people donating cows to be sold to Europe. Over four thousand cows fetched about $120,000 then, and with other significant support from some European countries and the Government, the project was successful, and it is the biggest university in Botswana today. There are other numerous examples of communities in different countries coming together to build schools, roads, water supply and so on. In neighboring Ghana, in the 1990’s, rural communities built over 1000km of roads through communal labour and funding. In Brazil, communities built over 100,000 homes in its mutual aid housing scheme. In South Korea, in the 1970’s community driven development programs built roads, bridges and homes which transformed rural communities.

As we may be aware, the British Government for example does not own any university! The top universities in the world are not funded by governments! America, arguably the most successful sporting nation in the world does not provide government funding for its sportsmen. The government of USA does not generate or distribute electricity to its people! Please let us invest in our country (as many illustrious Nigerians are doing). Let us stop deceiving our people that ‘government’ will provide everything.

‘Government’ will not provide everything BUT good governance is an indispensable factor in building enduring institutions that will activate overall progress and development. As mentioned earlier, the efforts of the private sector will be in futility if not complemented by responsible and competent political leadership. We need the political leadership that is responsive to the yearnings of the people to

have our resources well managed, provide sustainable infrastructure, ensure the provision of security of lives and property and make and execute laws that will facilitate our harmonious coexistence and development. So given that our progress is dependent on the symbiotic relationship of the public and private sectors, it is incumbent on us the people to project our best interests by ensuring that only well-meaning and capable persons get the opportunity to manage our affairs in the public space. I agree that in our present circumstances our politicians are out of control and there is an atmosphere of helplessness. With the present hardship and frustration even the most out of touch politician must realize that the people’s patience is running out. So, we must see the present atmosphere as our opportunity to galvanize our people to be citizen watchdogs over our public officials. The recent Supreme Court intervention granting autonomy to elected local governments is a welcome and significant development. Local governments are closer to the people and have a greater impact on their daily existence. Being closer to the people it affords the people a better opportunity to elect people they know better and can have access, and ultimately hold to account. State governors and the President are too far from the ordinary people and the local governments are our hope for greater accountability and with time things will scale upwards. We need to take ownership of our destiny and when this is manifestly evident, our political leaders will fall in line instinctively for survival.

In closing let me reiterate that we are all responsible for the dysfunction of our country today and the best way to improve our lot is for all hands to be on deck. The fixation with blaming ‘government’ or politicians for all the ills in our country is unhelpful and not progressive. Even worse is the postulation that ‘good governance’ will fix everything. We the people of Nigeria ‘spoilt’ our country and only we the people can ensure good governance and fix our country. Happy 64th Independence Anniversary and Long Live Nigeria!

I will like to say a huge Thank you, for the warm welcome, and show of solidarity. Indeed our founding fathers were right when they said "Kowa yabar gida, gida ta barshi"….which further emphasizes the African proverb "when the hair is fully grown, the trimming must be done at home”.Permit me to start with this background; After the 2019 General Elections and the unprecedented hardship and incompetence wrought upon the Nation by the APC led administration, Some well-meaning Nigerians, myself included, who were totally dissatisfied with the poor governance and lack of direction , decided to forge a common front, and save this country from the malady and tyranny that had been unfolding. 

These collective efforts, midwifed the emergence of His Excellency Peter Gregory Obi and Dr. Yusuf Datti-Baba Ahmad, two people of impeccable integrity and well proven track record, to champion the movement that is now known as the Obidient Movement. For the first time in our national history , Nigerians, especially the Younger generation, came together with one voice, in their millions , irrespective of their ethnic origin, social background and political affiliation. And so, Stretching far and wide across the country and equally as strongly, globally, across the diaspora, this unprecedented movement of organic and passionate joint purpose, was born. With 12.5m Obidients, registered in a few weeks and growing by the hour.

The movement from inception, faced numerous challenges, among which was coordination. However, with the 2023 elections at hand, we proceeded with our best efforts, overwhelming our opponents convincingly, despite the unfortunate, official outcome.

Now, at this time, with the same dire situation of directionless governance and extreme hardship persisting, it was time for us to leverage on our gains, to consolidate our organization. This has precipitated in the creation of the National Coordinating Council of The Obidients Movement, and my endorsement as the Interim National Coordinator of the Movement, world wide. After some consultation from the length and breathe of the Ntaion, we decided to start this consolidation process, from the North West, which, incidentally, is also my home zone.

Comprising of the seven (7) states of Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, Katsina, Kebbi, Zamfara and Sokoto which make up the North West zone with 22,672,373 registered voters, out of the national total of 96,303,016, making it the most populous zone in Nigeria But in spite of these prospects and voting strength, the Zone continues to be left behind, in terms of infrastructural development and adequate social amenities, giving rise to untold poverty and deadly insecurity, thus this deterioration must be checked. Fellow Obidients , today being 30th September 2024 marks a new chapter in our collective journey as a Nation, and our objectives and collective will, remain stronger than ever before. As a son of this ancient city, I pledge to unite our diverse voices, foster inclusivity, and promote equity for all.. For these are norms and values, well entrenched in our tradition and education, and are the orientation and legacy, we must pass on, to our children and generations, in perpetuity .

Today, dear brothers and sisters, I stand here not only, as the National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, but also as an unflinching advocate for Good Governance, Justice and equity. As a firm believer, in equal rights and social justice, I vow to prioritize by the special grace of God the needs and views, of every individual, regardless of background, religion, or socio-economic status.

Let us all today renew our resolve , that in our quest to create opportunities for all, ensuring everyone has a stake in our collective success, we must put aside our differences, and work towards a common goal which is a better future for our nation. By harnessing our strength and our commitment, we can, in our diversity, unlock the potential for growth, innovation, and progress. We must continue to live for one another, in order to thrive together, which is what the Obidient Movement represents;That movement that aims to emancipate you and i. That Movement that will be a major rallying force in bringing change, and overcoming the conspiracy of corruption and incompetence.

I have no doubt that we can achieve this, by addressing the systematic inequalities that have held us back for too long. Our policies will promote fairness, justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities. The Obidient Movement aims to rekindle the spirit of patriotism, encouraging every citizen to take ownership of our nation's progress. And by fostering social cohesion, we will build a society, where everyone feels valued, respected, and protected. In conclusion, Let me call on every Nigerian, at home or abroad, to join us in this journey towards a united, inclusive, and equitable society.

Social Media and the internet, provides us veritable platforms for communication, networking, enlightenment and Organisation and we must use this, relentlessly and responsibly, in furthering our objectives. Let us work together to check this drift of cluelessness, end this cycle of hardship, and build a brighter future for ourselves, our children, and generations to come.

We expect every Obidient, indeed, every patriotic and passionate Nigerian to get registered as an Obidient, regardless of your political affiliation, as long as you share our desire for a New Nigeria, the registration you are about to make, is for efficient coordination and enhanced impact, not only for the sake of the present, but for the future of our Children, The protection of our Women, The progress of our Men, for our generations unborn, And Indeed, for the future of our Nation. It's Time to Register. May God Bless the Obidient Movement May God bless NigeriaDr Yunusa TankoInterim National CoordinatorOBIDIENT MOVEMENT

“Share our similarities, celebrate our differences”- M.Scott Peck 

Notwithstanding the distance and geography, Nigeria and China share significant traits worthy of acknowledgement. In terms of population, the two giant nations! With a population of 1.5 billion (official 1.3 billion) China is the largest in Asia and largest in the the world. Similarly, Nigeria with estimated population of 250 million people is the largest concentration of African people in the world. In fact, one of every two Asians is a Chinese, while one in every three persons in Africa is a Nigerian. Nigeria’s population is as diverse as China’s in terms of languages, cultures and religion The two countries also boast of remarkable resource endowment. Whatever the parameters, the two are regional powers: China almost actual power no less than Nigeria which in many respects still strives in making enormous potentials a reality. 

Of special importance is that, Nigeria and China shared the similarity of what the former Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Zhou Pingjian once described as double “joy and happiness of the month of October”. Nigeria celebrates 64th anniversary as a sovereign and independent country. Ten years before Nigeria’s independence, precisely on October 1st 1949 following the socialist Revolution led by Chairman Mao Zedong, China proclaimed People’s Republic as an independent nation. The similarity between China and Nigeria can only be better appreciated against the background of imperial dominations of the two. Lest we forget! “Lagos was bombarded by the British in 1851, annexed on 6 August 1861 and declared a colony on 5 March 1862”. Nigeria got independence by lowering the Union Jack flag of imperial Britain on October 1960. Effectively, Nigerians suffocated under the heels of British rule characterized by tears and blood spill of brutal oppression, racist violations of human rights, Lugardian brutal military campaigns of occupations, annexations, forced labour and wholesale exploitation. Notwithstanding the current challenges of nation- building, we must learn to raise the noise level of Independence celebrations. Or better still, Africans should overcome the false consciousness that Europe which hitherto imposed slavery and colonialism would in turn help in transforming our continent. The century long struggle for freedom should not be stepped down as a “low key” event. On the contrary. There is a lot to celebrate in freedom. Amartya Sen the winner of the 1998 Nobel Prize in Economics argues (and rightly too!) “Development as Freedom”. The late sage, Kwame Nkrumah was the first to audaciously brake the British colonial chain in 1957. Ghana is the first independent African nation. Nigeria followed in 1960. Nkrumah’s quotable quote about the imperative of freedom remains valid today: “We prefer self-government with danger to servitude in tranquility”. Both China and Nigeria also parade ancient civilizations dating back to some 5000 years! Early authentic (as distinct from colonial) history of Nigeria records great Benin, Oyo, Sokoto and Borno empires dating back to some 4000 years. However the point cannot be overstated that Colonialism negatively impacted the growth and development of both countries. 

The great historian, Walter Rodney in his classic: ‘How Europe Underdeveloped Africa’ observed (and I agree!) that “Colonialism had only one hand – “It was one-armed bandit!” 64 years after independence, we must undoubtedly agonize about the declining fortunes of the economy, worsening energy and income poverty, low growth rate. Even more agonizing are the prohibitive costs of working and living. And free fall of the Naira! There was once a Nigeria which as part of decolonization project, independently replaced British colonial pound sterling on January 1973 , 13 years after independence at the rate of £1 = ₦2!. Today a bagful of some Nigeria’s N2,230.94 miserably exchange for £1, 64 years after independence. It’s time we reflected on how Nigerians have inadvertently underdeveloped Nigeria. But even at that, lest we forget only in independence can we return to prosperity. In colonial Nigeria, growth or development discourse was an aberration, indeed an absurdity. The colonial policy was intentionally to under-develop Nigerian colony and deliberately develop colonial Britain through perverse criminal capital transfers out of the colony. With respect to Industrialization for instance, colonialism in Nigeria deliberately prejudiced against the establishment of local industries. The key drivers of colonial Nigeria, were extractive non-processing, non-value adding agriculture and mining and timber felling. Colonial authority deliberately undermined the growth of local enterprise such that 100 years of British rule did not set up a single textile mill! The first textile mill was Kaduna Textile mill in 1957 by the regional government of late Sardauna to be followed by Nigeria Textile Mill in the Western region of Awolowo and Aba Textile mill in the east by late Namdi Azikwe Zik. 

There must be a Renewed Hope to urgently re-industrialize the nation, revert de-Industrialization of the present neo- colonial era. The best independence anniversary gift to Nigeria is the recent inauguration of the $25 billion-650,000 barrels per day (BPD) Dangote Oil Refinery, replacing Nigeria’s pessimism with optimism. Colonialism never built a single refinery. It gladdens that from from “1st October, NNPC will commence the supply of about 385k barrels per day (bdp) of crude oil to the Dangote refinery to be paid for in naira”. This is an original patriotic private/ public creative independent policy initiative by the present administration outside the mantra of the received policy wisdom of the IMF and World Bank. 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in line with the Renewed Hope agenda must also ensure that the four public refineries come on stream to give Nigeria’s independence genuine energy security at 64 and beyond. At 64 Nigeria must learn and copy China, which at 75, (just a decade older) has almost banished illiteracy, gone to space, lifted more than 700 million people out of poverty.At 65, next year, Nigeria should be as up-beat to say like China: that independence has “brought enormous changes to the country, creating an unprecedented miracle of development in the world history”. The Chinese aptly put it better; the “path you take determines your future”. At 64 Nigeria and Nigerians should stop agonizing but organize like China at 75, (or like Nigeria at 20 in 1980 with double digit growth rate which once dwarfed China’s growth!). President Bola Ahmed Tinubu hit the nail on the head in his keynote address, during the African Minerals Strategy Group (AMSG) meeting, held on the sidelines of the recent 79th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, United States. Africa, he said, is underdeveloped because it’s resources were primarily extracted and exported to foreign countries for refining and manufacturing. It’s time to promote beneficiation and manufacturing value added like China. I hail the recent smart decision of President Bola Tinubu in appointing appointed Mr Joseph Tegbe as the Director-General and global liaison for the Nigeria-China strategic partnership, following the agreements reached during Tinubu’s visit to China in early September 2024. His expressed mandate is to “immediately submit a strategic action plan to enable Nigeria to benefit from the agreements between the two countries in Beijing recently with “specific deliverables, timelines, and key performance indicators for each area of cooperation, including priority projects, projected investments, and expected socioeconomic outcomes.” I bear witness that Nigeria at 64 and China at 75 not only celebrate their great similarities but set to close the gap in difference in the match to, transformation modernization and sustainable development. 

VIVA Nigeria!! and Viva China!!  

Happy Independence celebrations.

Issa Aremu, Director General,

Micheal Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies, Ilorin (MINILS) and Member National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS ) Kuru Jos 

END

Legendary boxing promoter Bob Arum believes it’s time for British heavyweight Anthony Joshua to retire from boxing, according to reports on GiveMeSport.

The Top Rank founder, who has managed the careers of boxing icons like Muhammad Ali, Floyd Mayweather, and Manny Pacquiao, says Joshua should retire following a series of tough losses.

Joshua, a two-time world heavyweight champion, has built an impressive resume with victories over top fighters such as Wladimir Klitschko, Joseph Parker, Dillian Whyte, Alexander Povetkin, and even former MMA star Francis Ngannou. However, Arum feels the 34-year-old has little left to prove after a storied career.

Despite bouncing back with a four-fight winning streak following consecutive defeats to Oleksandr Usyk, Joshua suffered another shocking defeat on September 14, losing to Daniel Dubois in a highly anticipated IBF heavyweight “Battle of Britain.” fight.

“Klitschko, Andy Ruiz Jr., and now Dubois have all knocked Joshua down in brutal wars or one-sided fights,” said Arum. “Those kinds of battles take a toll on a fighter’s body. At 34, with his legacy already secured, it may be time for him to step away from the sport.”

Arum’s comments echo growing concerns about the physical toll Joshua has endured throughout his career, and the promoter suggests that Joshua should consider retirement to preserve his health and long-term well-being.

Russian President, Vladimir Putin has vowed that his country will accomplish ‘all goals set’ in Ukraine.

Putin released a video message to mark the second anniversary of “Reunification Day”, two years since Russia formally claimed the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson as its own.

Russia held a referendum in the four regions on 30 September 2022 with Putin signing a document with the Russian-installed leaders of the occupied regions to unilaterally incorporate them into the Russian Federation, despite Moscow not fully controlling the territories.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion was launched in February 2022, Kyiv has stepped up its pursuit of Nato and EU membership

Putin said when he started the war that his aim was to demilitarise and “denazify” Ukraine.

“The truth is on our side. All goals set will be achieved,” Putin said in his video message on Monday.

He went on to criticise “western elites” who he claims “turned Ukraine into their colony, a military base aimed at Russia” and who fanned “hate, radical nationalism … hostility to everything Russian”.

“Today we are fighting for a secure, prosperous future for our children and grandchildren,” Putin said.

[DailyPost]

Fellow compatriots,

On this Independence Day anniversary, I will do something no Nigerian president has ever done in our 64 years as an independent nation. I will speak to you from my heart.

I will not read a speech prepared by civil servants and rehearsed and recorded in front of my media aides and image-makers. I want to have an honest conversation with you, my fellow countrymen and women.

I won’t be telling you something you do not know if I say things are hard in our country. While privileged people like us live comfortable lives, ordinary men and women from Sokoto to Port Harcourt find it difficult to make ends meet.

I won’t tell you I feel your pain. Saying so will be lying to you. It had been a long time since I knew what it was like to survive on noodles and garri soaked in water.

I won’t list things we are doing to fix our economy and bring everyone prosperity. You have heard that from me long enough, and things have gone from bad to worse.

My advisers said I should tell you that the hardship you are experiencing now is the birth pang of the new Nigeria coming soon. If I am sitting where you are today, I call it nonsense.

My ministers said I should blame the unbearable hardship you are going through as unintended consequences of tough decisions we must take to save Nigeria from total collapse. Even though it is the truth, the bigger truth is that we, the ruling class, are not sharing the hardship with you.

We, your leaders, have been living large while more and more of you fall into what the big grammar-speaking consultants call multi-dimensional poverty. More of you are finding it hard to eat two square meals a day, pay the school fees of your children, and buy life-saving medications to deal with chronic illnesses. Some of you working do not even make enough money to pay for your transportation to work.

It is not right. It is not fair. It should not be happening in a country like ours. It is abominable. It has to stop. Now.

And that is what I want to talk to you about today.

While I cannot say to hell with those countries and financial institutions to which we owe money, I can say that the days of waste in the government are over. While we must continue to service our debts, which take a substantial amount of revenue that we get, we, the leaders, must sacrifice much of our perks of office so that our people will survive these tough days and be alive to see the glorious days we promise them.

I plead to you all to forgive me for coming into the office and feeling this sense of entitlement that has disconnected me from the people I am in the office to serve. Years of privileged life made me lose touch with what a servant leader should be. It instilled in me an arrogance that had become second nature. Deep down, that is not me. It is an acquired taste. And I have expelled it out of me.

Moving forward, you will get a lean government that aligns with the meagre resources at our disposal—no more jamborees by government officials, my wife, children, or hangers-on. Government officials will no longer display flamboyant lifestyles at any level in this country. We must live by example.

Here are the concrete steps I have made along these lines. And I am starting with the Office of the President.

Having acknowledged that Nigeria is rich but currently poor because we have mismanaged our resources, I am cutting my travels abroad to six times a year. People who need me so badly should come to Nigeria and meet with me. We will sell off all the planes in the presidential fleet. I will travel on my plane or a chartered one if I must.

I am abolishing the office of the First Lady. Besides receiving security details, the government will no longer spend Nigerian resources sustaining the First Lady. The same goes for my children and siblings. They should spend their time pursuing meaningful employment and not hanging on my coattail.

We are cutting the overhead cost of every ministry and government parastatal by two-thirds. It means the many assistants and aides seen around government officials across this country will disappear. When I say lean government, I mean no fat, no fills, no padding.

Working with the National Assembly, I will divert the billions of Naira that the state governments in this country collect as security votes each month. We will redeploy it for the benefit of the Nigerian people.

The members of the National Assembly are going to make sacrifices, too. I am asking the agency in charge of fixing their salaries and allowances to reduce them to what this country’s highest-paid civil servants make.

The party is over. Henceforth, those interested in public service must serve the public. Public service must cease to be for those interested in stuffing their pockets.

Though these measures are mere symbolism, the message is simple. We are serious about fixing this country. We cannot be pleading for loan forgiveness while living like oil magnets. Even though I indulged in this, it never made sense.

On this Independence Day, this is the greatest gift I want to give you all. From tomorrow, we will make public things about your government that the public needs to know.

Starting tomorrow, anyone with a smartphone should be able to find out from government websites how much any government official makes in salaries and allowances. Information about any contract awarded by any government agency in this country will henceforth be public. You should be able to know the name of the company awarded any contract, how much the contract is, how much the government has disbursed to the company, and when the company is supposed to complete the job. With one click on the name of the company, you will find out all you need to know about the owners.

If you hear that Alpha Beta is collecting taxes on behalf of the government of Lagos State, in a click, you will find out when they started, how much they collected each year, how much the Lagos State government paid the company for the job and the people who owned it.

We are removing all secrecy from the government’s operations in this country. Corruption thrives in secrecy. The Nigerian people have the right to know how their government functions. It is the only way to know the people to hold accountable.

So, on this 64th Independence Day anniversary, I do not have rice and beans for you, for palliatives are mere bandages on infected wounds. But what I bring you is transparency and accountability. I believe that with those, everything else shall be given unto you.

May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Rudolf Ogoo Okonkwo teaches post-colonial African History, Afrodiasporan literature, and African folktales at the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He is also the host of Dr. Damages Show. His books include “This American Life Sef” and “Children of a Retired God,” among others. His upcoming book is called “Why I’m Disappointed in Jesus.”

During the screening of the current Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, one lawmaker stood apart from the crowd, raising concerns that few were willing to echo at the time. That lawmaker was Adams Oshiomhole, the former Governor of Edo State and a senator who has never shied away from expressing his candid views. Oshiomhole’s opposition to the appointment of the CBN Governor appeared bold, even confrontational, amidst the widespread support from his colleagues. But now, with Nigeria’s economy in turmoil and public confidence in the CBN dwindling, a critical question looms: was Oshiomhole right all along?

During the screening process in Nigeria’s Senate, Oshiomhole raised strong objections to the CBN Governor’s nomination, taking a position many viewed as politically inconvenient. He questioned the nominee’s track record, citing a lack of strong financial oversight credentials and expressing doubt about his ability to navigate the highly complex monetary and fiscal challenges facing Nigeria.

For Oshiomhole, it was not merely about credentials on paper. He understood that the Central Bank Governor must not only manage monetary policies effectively but must also have the courage to stand up to political pressures and external influences. Oshiomhole feared that the nominee might be too closely aligned with political interests and could compromise the independence of the apex bank, which should remain insulated from political interference.

But, instead of engaging in a substantive debate over the concerns raised, the majority of his colleagues in the Senate brushed off his criticisms, some labeling them as “unnecessary opposition.” They expressed confidence in the nominee’s ability to continue in the long tradition of capable financial leadership that had characterized the CBN’s history.

The outcome was predictable. Despite Oshiomhole’s protests, the Senate overwhelmingly confirmed the CBN Governor, with Oshiomhole standing as one of the few dissenting voices. He was, however, unrelenting, stating at the time that “Nigerians will one day see the consequences of these hasty confirmations.”

Fast forward to today, and the picture of Nigeria’s economy tells a different story. The value of the naira has plummeted, inflation has soared, and the purchasing power of the average Nigerian has diminished. Nigeria, a nation that once had a robust currency and stable financial markets, now struggles with runaway inflation, rising unemployment, and an economy trapped in a cycle of debt and uncertainty.

The CBN’s much-publicized decision to float the naira, a move designed to stabilize the currency, backfired, leading to further depreciation, stoking inflation, and causing significant panic in the financial markets. In the absence of clear and coherent policies, businesses are grappling with an unstable exchange rate, while ordinary Nigerians are left to bear the brunt of higher costs of goods and services.

The financial sector has been rife with confusion, and the CBN’s response to these challenges has been criticized as inconsistent and short-sighted. The Bank’s attempts to balance the foreign exchange market, combined with measures such as cash withdrawal limits, have met with criticism from economists who argue that these policies have been either too radical or poorly executed.

The current economic hardship raises the question: “Would Nigeria be in this position if Oshiomhole’s warnings had been heeded?” His reservations about the CBN Governor’s ability to effectively manage monetary policy and stave off political pressure seem eerily prophetic in light of Nigeria’s deteriorating financial situation.

One of Oshiomhole’s main objections during the CBN Governor’s screening process was the risk of political interference in the operations of the Central Bank. The former Edo State governor made a compelling argument that the apex bank must be led by someone who could make tough decisions for the country’s economic stability, free from political influence.

Looking at the current economic situation, there are growing concerns about the independence of the CBN. Critics have accused the Bank of making decisions that seem more politically expedient than economically sound. Some have even suggested that the CBN is under pressure from certain political actors who are prioritizing short-term political gains over long-term economic stability.

This was precisely what Oshiomhole warned about. He envisioned a scenario where the Central Bank, instead of acting independently to safeguard the economy, would become a tool for political maneuvering. Today, these concerns have materialized, as the CBN struggles to assert its independence in the face of rising economic pressure and political expectations.

Oshiomhole’s vocal opposition during the screening process underscores a broader problem in Nigerian politics: the tendency to silence or ignore dissenting voices, especially when they go against popular sentiment. In many cases, warnings from opposition figures are viewed as mere political antics, rather than serious concerns deserving of debate.

The collapse of Nigeria’s financial stability and the confusion surrounding CBN policies should prompt a reassessment of how critical decisions, such as key appointments, are made. “If Oshiomhole’s voice had been taken seriously, would Nigeria’s economic situation be different today?” “Could a more rigorous vetting process for the CBN Governor have produced a leader better equipped to manage the economy through these turbulent times?”

The CBN’s mishandling of currency devaluation, inflation control, and financial regulations has had a devastating effect on businesses and households. Major industries are struggling to stay afloat, with many companies scaling back operations due to the skyrocketing cost of imports and raw materials. Small businesses, which form the backbone of the economy, have been hit the hardest, with many shutting down or downsizing due to high production costs.

In the agriculture sector, the lack of access to affordable credit and fluctuating exchange rates has crippled farmers’ ability to invest in mechanization and improve productivity. This, in turn, has led to reduced food supply, exacerbating food insecurity across the country.

Households are also bearing the brunt of poor monetary policies. With inflation eroding the value of wages, families are struggling to afford basic necessities, and the poverty rate continues to climb. The promise of economic recovery and stability now feels like a distant dream for millions of Nigerians.

With the economy sinking deeper into crisis, many Nigerians are now beginning to revisit the concerns Oshiomhole raised during the CBN Governor’s screening. While his lone opposition may have been dismissed at the time, the current economic realities suggest that he may have been onto something important.

It is too early to say definitively whether Oshiomhole’s warnings were completely justified, but the early signs of economic distress under the current CBN leadership suggest that his concerns were not unfounded. If the situation continues to worsen, his opposition may be seen as a prescient act of political courage, a move to safeguard Nigeria’s future, even when it was unpopular.

In governance, particularly in a democracy, dissenting voices are crucial to ensuring that decisions are scrutinized and debated before being implemented. Oshiomhole’s lone stand against the CBN Governor’s appointment serves as a reminder that opposition, when based on genuine concerns, should not be dismissed lightly.

As Nigeria grapples with the consequences of its economic policies, Oshiomhole’s opposition now seems less like an outlier and more like a warning that the nation should have heeded. Whether or not his stance will be fully vindicated, one thing is clear: Nigeria’s leadership must learn to take critical voices seriously, especially when the stakes are as high as they are today.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is central to Nigeria’s democratic process. Established with the mandate to oversee elections and ensure free, fair, and credible outcomes, INEC carries immense responsibility. Yet, despite its title as an “independent” body, questions surrounding its true autonomy remain a subject of heated debate.

Without a doubt, INEC’s independence is enshrined in the Nigerian Constitution. It is meant to function as an impartial institution that can withstand political influence, financial manipulation, and societal pressures. The Electoral Act of 2010 provides a legal framework for INEC’s operations, granting it the powers to regulate political parties, conduct elections, and oversee voter registration. This framework is designed to foster a fair democratic process, where no political party or individual has undue influence over the results.

However, while INEC’s independence is legally guaranteed, the effectiveness of this constitutional safeguard often depends on the interpretation and enforcement of the law, which may be influenced by political will. Legal provisions alone cannot protect an institution from external pressures if there is no concerted effort to shield it from political interference.

A key factor in the debate over INEC’s independence has been persistent allegations of political interference. Over the years, opposition parties, civil society organizations, and observers have often questioned the impartiality of the commission. Accusations range from tampering with election results to collusion with ruling parties, and these concerns are not new to Nigeria’s political landscape.

For example, in the 2007 elections, widely regarded as one of the most flawed in the country’s history, there were widespread allegations of vote rigging and ballot box stuffing, with INEC criticized for failing to maintain control of the electoral process. In more recent times, the 2019 and 2023 general elections were also shadowed by claims of irregularities, including issues with result collation and vote transmission delays. These incidents often lead to public distrust in the electoral process and raise questions about the actual level of independence INEC enjoys from the ruling government.

In a similar vein, just recently, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), which monitored the Edo State governorship election on Saturday, issued a damning review of the exercise, declaring that the results from several polling units were altered at coalition centres.

The civil society coalition, the Situation Room, said the conduct of the election lacked credibility.

Also, Yiaga Africa, said it deployed the Process and Results Verification for Transparency (PRVT) methodology for the Edo election, involving 300 stationary and 25 roving observers, covering a representative sample of polling units (PUs) across all 18 local government areas of the state, and ostensibly against the foregoing backdrop, faulted the conduct of the poll and the declared results as lacking integrity.

However, the electoral body has, at various times, refuted these allegations, citing challenges such as logistical problems, election-day violence, and sabotage. However, these denials often do little to change the public’s perception, as the pattern of electoral controversy continues to haunt Nigeria’s elections.

Another critical aspect of INEC’s independence is its financial autonomy, or the lack thereof. INEC, like most government institutions, depends on the federal budget to finance its activities, including election preparations, voter education, and technological upgrades. While the government allocates a specific budget for INEC’s operations, the process through which funds are disbursed remains a potential lever for political control.

For instance, delayed release of funds for electoral activities has been cited as a reason for INEC’s inability to adequately prepare for elections in the past. When funding is not timely or sufficient, the commission struggles to meet its obligations, leaving it susceptible to external pressures. Critics argue that if INEC had its own independent source of funding, it would be more empowered to carry out its mandate without fear of financial blackmail from political authorities.

Furthermore, the question of financial accountability arises. INEC’s spending is scrutinized by the National Assembly, which also wields significant political influence. This arrangement has led to questions about whether INEC can truly stand on its own, especially when the same politicians it oversees hold the power to approve its budget.

INEC’s ability to operate independently in the field is crucial to ensuring fair elections. The commission’s introduction of various electoral reforms, such as the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) and the electronic transmission of results, was aimed at reducing human error and the potential for manipulation. However, while these reforms were steps in the right direction, their implementation has not been without challenges.

The 2023 general elections highlighted some of these operational hurdles. Despite the deployment of electronic systems, several polling stations reported delays, equipment malfunctions, and in some cases, a complete failure of the technology. This raised suspicions about whether these lapses were due to INEC’s own inefficiencies or deliberate sabotage from political actors seeking to manipulate the process.

INEC has often found itself at the center of these controversies, facing backlash from both the public and political parties. The commission claims that it is not immune to the broader infrastructural and security challenges that affect Nigeria, especially during elections. For instance, election-day violence, ballot snatching, and intimidation of voters are issues beyond INEC’s direct control but have significant implications for the commission’s ability to operate independently.

Election security is another factor that complicates INEC’s independence. While the commission is responsible for overseeing elections, it relies heavily on security agencies to ensure safety and maintain order at polling units. The Nigerian Police, Army, and other security agencies are tasked with preventing violence, but their deployment is often overseen by the ruling government.

This reliance on state-controlled security forces has led to concerns about how neutral these agencies can be during elections. There have been instances where security forces were accused of aiding or abetting electoral malpractice, particularly in ruling party’s strongholds. When security agencies act in favor of one party, INEC’s ability to conduct free and fair elections is significantly compromised.

In the 2019 and 2023 elections, reports of military interference in the electoral process were widespread. There were accounts of voters being intimidated and opposition politicians being harassed, all of which contributed to the belief that INEC was not in full control of the election environment. Although INEC can set guidelines, it is at the mercy of security forces when it comes to enforcing them.

The success of any electoral body hinges on public confidence in its ability to act fairly and independently. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, public trust in INEC has often been low, primarily due to past electoral malpractices and inconsistencies in election results.

A survey conducted by a Nigerian civil society organization revealed that many Nigerians believe INEC is not free from political influence. This perception of bias diminishes the legitimacy of the electoral process and discourages voter participation. When people lose faith in the neutrality of the electoral umpire, it creates a cycle of apathy, where citizens are less likely to engage in the democratic process.

In response, INEC has consistently called for patience and understanding, emphasizing its commitment to improving election management. Despite this, the commission must work harder to rebuild trust. Public engagement, transparency in election logistics, and prompt communication are essential for changing this narrative.

Finally, the judiciary plays a crucial role in determining the extent of INEC’s independence. When disputes arise over election results, courts are tasked with adjudicating the outcomes. INEC’s decisions are often subject to judicial review, and election tribunals have, on occasion, overturned results declared by the commission.

While the judiciary serves as a check on INEC, the frequent involvement of courts in electoral matters suggests that the commission may not always get it right. Moreover, political actors have often used the judiciary to challenge election results in what some view as an attempt to manipulate the processthrough legal avenues. This dynamic further complicates the perception of INEC’s autonomy, as its decisions are constantly under scrutiny and often reversed by the courts.

In assessing how independent INEC truly is, it becomes clear that while it has made significant progress, it is still constrained by a host of challenges. Political interference, financial dependence, operational difficulties, security concerns, and public mistrust all combine to undermine the commission’s full independence.

In fact, for INEC to truly fulfill its mandate, a multifaceted approach is required, and this includes greater financial autonomy. Given the foregoing view, INEC should be allowed to manage its own budget with minimal interference from the executive and legislative arms of government.

In a similar vein, reforms to the Electoral Act must be continuous, with a focus on closing loopholes that enable political manipulation of the process, and INEC must invest more in public education and transparency, explaining its processes clearly to the electorate and making sure citizens are well-informed.

In a similar vein, there should be clear protocols on the role of security forces during elections, with measures in place to ensure their neutrality, and while the courts play an essential role in adjudicating election disputes, the process should not be politicized. Therefore, strengthening the integrity of the judiciary is necessary to complement INEC’s independence.

In conclusion, while INEC is designed to be an independent body, the reality on the ground suggests that its autonomy is limited by numerous external pressures. To ensure that Nigeria’s democratic process remains credible, urgent reforms and a renewed commitment from all stakeholders are needed to guarantee that INEC can function without undue influence. Only then can Nigeria’s elections be truly free, fair, and independent.

On October 1, 2024, unarguably less than 24 hours from now, Nigeria would be 64 years old, Nigeria stands like a weathered patriarch, a man with vast riches, many wives, and countless children. His wealth, once envied by his neighbors, is now the subject of bitter conversations at family meetings. From the shimmering oil fields of the Niger Delta to the fertile farmlands that stretch across the northern plains, this man should be living a prosperous and peaceful life. Yet, despite his enormous fortune, his children have become his biggest burden, each one more reckless than the last.

This old man, whom we call Nigeria, was once brimming with youthful optimism. In his prime, he was a proud member of a global community, endowed with resources that seemed endless. But as the years have passed, his wealth, rather than multiplying under prudent management, has been plundered by his own blood. His children, entrusted with the family’s fortune, have become entitled and corrupt, using their father’s riches not for the good of the family but for their personal gain.

The story of Nigeria is a tragedy of mismanagement. Blessed with oil, gas, minerals, and fertile land, this patriarch should be the wealthiest man in his region. But his children, greedy and short-sighted, have squandered his assets. Instead of investing in businesses that could make the family fortune last generations, they spend recklessly, siphoning funds into foreign bank accounts, building extravagant mansions, and buying luxury cars that will eventually rust.

Nigeria’s children, those in charge of his estates, bear the most responsibility for his troubles. They are the politicians, the leaders who have been entrusted with managing his fortune. But instead of upholding the legacy of their father, they engage in power struggles, siphoning off money meant for family upkeep, schools, hospitals, and roads. The basic needs of their siblings, ordinary Nigerians, are neglected.

Instead of following in their father’s footsteps and ensuring his wealth grows, they have become parasites, milking the old man for every last drop, leaving the house crumbling. Roads are potholed, hospitals are understaffed and underfunded, and many of the children go to bed hungry, despite the family’s vast stores of resources.

The children who are not in power, ordinary citizens, are the ones who suffer the most. Despite their father’s wealth, they live in poverty. They watch helplessly as their older siblings, entrusted with the keys to the family vault (The “Emilokons”), lavish themselves with riches while leaving everyone else to fend for themselves. They struggle to pay school fees, fight to access basic healthcare, and work multiple jobs just to make ends meet, all the while knowing that they are part of a family that should be wealthy beyond imagination.

These ordinary children grow disillusioned. They once believed that their father’s wealth would provide for them, that they would inherit a prosperous future. But now, they see that without change, they are doomed to live in the shadow of squandered potential.

Nigeria, the 64-year-old man, can still recover. His fortune, though mismanaged, is not entirely lost. But for him to prosper once again, his children must change their ways. The family needs unity, accountability, and a sense of responsibility. The wealth he has accumulated over decades should not be treated as an endless supply but as a precious resource to be nurtured and grown for future generations.

Perhaps, in his old age, this patriarch will take a stand. Perhaps he will remind his children of their duties and set them on a path toward restoration. But until then, Nigeria remains a wealthy old man with children who continue to squander his fortune, leaving the rest of the family wondering what could have been.

As Nigeria is set to mark another year in less than 24 hours from now, it is time for his children to reflect on the future. Will they continue on this path of greed and mismanagement? Or will they finally rise to the occasion, protect their father’s legacy, and build a future where every child in the family can thrive? The answers lie in their hands.