Straight from Kuje Prison in Abuja, convicted gunrunner, Hamisu Bala (popularly known as ‘Wadume’) was received with a hero’s welcome to his hometown of Ibbi, Taraba State, on Sunday. He was reportedly driven round town in a long convoy of vehicles before visiting the palace of the traditional ruler, Alhaji Salihu Danbawuro. While many Nigerians were shocked about the development, with some expressing outrage, what I predicted in my August 2022 column, ‘Wadume and the Nigerian Tragedy’ has just come to pass. For those who may have missed the column, I recall it before concluding with a few lines.

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The slap on the wrist given a notorious kidnap kingpin has exposed the underbelly of the criminal justice administration in Nigeria. It also underscores the seeming hopelessness of the national security situation. Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, according to reports, last month sentenced Hamisu Bala, popularly known as Wadume, to seven years imprisonment for unlawfully dealing in prohibited firearms and escaping from prison custody. Among the six others convicted with Wadume is Inspector Aliyu Dadje, station officer at the Ibi Divisional Police Headquarters in Taraba State at the time the crime was committed. Dadje bagged three years in jail for tampering with police records to conceal a crime. 

All the elements that have made our country unsafe today are present in this tragedy that has been treated so casually by the federal government. From kidnapping to criminal complicity by military/security agencies to inter-agency rivalry and the way life has become so cheap in Nigeria, this is one case that should have been used for the purpose of deterrence in our quest for peace and security. Sadly, not only has the case been cynically bungled, but we have also shown that lives of innocent people do not matter, and accountability counts for nothing. Since Wadume has already spent some years in detention, he can be freed as early as 2025. And perhaps then granted presidential pardon (the way we roll in Nigeria) to contest for senate in 2027 on the platform of whichever party is in power at the time! 

I cannot but feel for the families of the slain policemen for whom the state cannot secure real justice. What is more confounding is the secrecy that has shrouded this trial whose outcome we only got to know more than three weeks later. The judgement was said to have been handed down on 22nd July 2019, with a statement released only last Sunday. The report also stated that ten military officers earlier charged with the convicts have had their trial “separated for departmental reasons,” whatever that means. These soldiers are Captain Tijjani Balarabe; Staff Sgt David Isaiah; Sgt Ibrahim Mohammed; Corporal Bartholomew Obanye; Private Mohammed Nura; Lance Corporal Okorozie Gideon; Corporal Marcus Michael; Lance Corporal Nvenaweimoeimi Akpagra; Staff Sgt Abdulahi Adamu and Private Ebele Emmanuel. While we can assume that these were the soldiers who killed the police team, we do not know what the exact charges are against them.   

Meanwhile, this tragic story began on 6th August 2019 when a special operational team sent from Abuja arrested Wadume in Taraba State, handcuffed him and were driving toward Jalingo when they came under heavy bombardment from soldiers. In the process, four persons were killed on the spot while several others were injured. Those killed were Inspector Mark Ediale and two sergeants – Usman Danzumi and Dahiru Musa and a civilian by name of Jibrin. The soldiers then freed the handcuffed suspect, according to a statement by then police spokesperson, Frank Mba, who provided public updates on the matter.

From all that transpired at the time, there was no dispute about the fact that Wadume was freed by the soldiers who killed the policemen. In his version of event, then Army spokesperson, Sagir Musa said that soldiers from 93 Battalion received a distress call that kidnappers had come to operate in their community, leading to the hot pursuit that culminated in the unfortunate killings. Musa, who accused police operatives of refusing to stop at the military checkpoint, described them as “suspected kidnappers who turned out to be an Intelligence Response Team…on a covert assignment from Abuja.” But he gave a convoluted account of how Wadume escaped unhurt from the hands of the military men.   

Miffed by the attempt to cover up the crime, the police immediately countered by raising pertinent posers: “How could a kidnap suspect properly restrained with handcuffs by the Police escape from the hands of his military rescuers? If Alhaji Hamisu Bala Wadume is a ‘victim of kidnap’ as claimed, and properly rescued by soldiers, why was he not taken to the Army Base for documentation purposes and debriefing in line with the Standard Operating Procedure in the Nigerian Army?” Insisting that their officers were murdered by the soldiers who they accused of colluding with the kidnap suspect, the police asked, “Why were the Police Operatives shot at close range even after they had identified themselves as Police Officers on legitimate duty as evident in the video now in circulation?”    

Indeed, the clear give-away in the video released by police after the killings was the question, ‘Where is their service pistol?’, asked by one of the shooters. It was a clear indication that the soldiers knew their victims were officers of the law. That a most wanted criminal suspect was set free in the process further confirmed the motive of the callous act that points to a clear link between officialdom and organised crime in our country. And to the extent that the insecurity that plagues our country today is the product of a justice administration that places criminals above the rest of society, it is no surprise that we have treated this unfortunate tragedy in a cavalier manner.   

Apparently embarrassed, President Muhammadu Buhari tasked then Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin to investigate the incident and report back to him. The police of course went in search of Wadume who was later captured in Kano on 20th August 2019. They subsequently released the video of his confessional statement that corroborated their allegation that the soldiers who killed their men were working in concert with kidnappers. “I am Hamisu Bala also known as Wadume. The police came to Ibi and arrested me. After arresting me, they were taking me to Abuja when soldiers went after them, opened fire and some policemen were killed. From there, the soldiers took me to their headquarters and cut off the handcuffs on my hands and I ran away. Since I ran away, I have been hiding until now that the police arrested me again,” Wadume said in the video.

Meanwhile, the joint presidential investigative panel headed by Rear Admiral T.I Olaiya with representatives from the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA), State Security Service (SSS) as well as the army, navy and police went mute. Although the panel was said to have presented a report to Olonisakin for onward transmission to the president, the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) broom has swept the matter under the proverbial carpet. Beyond what we are reading about “separated cases”, I am not aware that anybody in the military has been held accountable for executing three senior police officers and a civilian while on duty: No punishment for bad behaviour, no justice for slain police officers, no lessons learnt. Case closed!

I concede that I do not know the charges filed against Wadume and accomplices at the federal high court by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation. So, it is possible that Justice Nyako merely applied the law. But when you run a system where the punishment does not fit the crime and there is no accountability even for lives lost, it is the larger society that is in danger. We can see the evidence of that in all facets of our country today – which is why we should be concerned.    

ENDNOTE:

The traditional ruler of Ibbi who received Wadume in his palace waxed philosophical about his returning subject. “We are hoping that he will not go back to criminality. He came to the palace and pledged his loyalty as a changed person. Even repented Boko Haram are allowed to reintegrate into the community, so we have to accept him and take proactive steps to secure our community,” Alhaji Garba said. “As someone who has a lot of followers, we believe that by re-integrating him, he will work with security agencies and stakeholders to ensure the peace of the community. Wadume was not a hardened criminal, but someone with dubious character. The issue of kidnapping was framed against him and even politics came in; that was why the court could not convict him on some of the charges that were preferred against him. There will be a lot of talks around his release and his reception in the town, but people do change.”

Like the monarch, I also believe in the power of redemption. I therefore wish Wadume well, especially since he has fulfilled the requirement of the law. But this tragic story is more about the character of the Nigerian state than about Wadume. Given how this sordid saga has played out, what the authorities are invariably telling the families of the slain policemen is that Nigeria is not worth dying for!

From Band ‘A’ to Banditry

From the National Electric Power Authority (NEPA) cynically rechristened ‘Never Expect Power Always’ to the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) which became ‘Problem Has Changed Name’, the power sector in Nigeria has almost defied solution. Today, Nigerians have lost count of the number of times the national grid has collapsed in recent years, leaving the authorities to supply their usual megawatts of excuses at every point. On 4^th February, for the fourth time this year, the grid collapsed again, with the capacity dropping from 2,407 megawatts to zero megawatts! That pattern was repeated on 28 March across the country.

In a bizarre turn of event, the federal government responded last week not with a concrete plan to revamp the sector but with a tariff structure that is based on some discriminatory ‘Band A, B, C, D, E…’ statistics. For customers classified under ‘Band A’, said to be consuming a minimum of 20 hours per day, their tariff moved from ₦66 to ₦225 per kilowatt. At least that was what Nigerians were told. But what the Distributing Companies (DISCOs) did was simply to jerk up the tariff for most consumers in urban cities, including those who hardly receive up to 20 hours of electricity in a week!

Increasing tariff by as much as 230 percent at a time Nigerians are already feeling the pinch of other economic reform programmes of the current administration is bad judgment. Worse still, the electricity is not even readily available. That perhaps explains why the whole arrangement is anchored on rationing, based on how deep the pocket of a consumer is perceived to be, rather than on how to ensure an uninterrupted power supply to the entire country. Unfortunately, even for many of these ‘Band A’ consumers, the bills are based on guesswork since they still haven’t been availed something as basic as prepaid metres. “On metering, we still have about 15 to 20 per cent of the Band A customers that are not metered and that has to be a priority of the DisCos,” the Nigeria Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) NERC Vice Chairman, Musiliu Oseni, confessed on Monday.

I concede that there are serious systemic issues across the power value chain that need to be addressed. And a cost-reflective tariff is key. But asking for more money from consumers cannot be the starting point. While the Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu is correct on “how conscious the power consumers are about electricity consumption” in other countries as against the evident waste of this scarce resource in Nigeria, he overstated his case by declaring that “Some people will be going to work in the morning, a freezer that you left on for days…they will still leave it to be consuming power just because we are not paying enough.”

For the information of Adelabu, turning a refrigerator off and on can have negative effects on the appliance and its contents, according to experts. “Refrigerators are designed to maintain a consistent and safe temperature for storing perishable foods,” according to an Indian engineer, Preeti Prabah, hence what Adelabu suggests can lead to temperature fluctuations and cause damage to both what is being stored and the refrigerator itself. Besides, turning a refrigerator on and off doesn’t conserve energy since it takes more electricity to bring it back up to its ambient temperature, experts have long concluded. Meanwhile, “the increase in temperature during the time the fridge is off can accelerate the growth of bacteria and spoilage of perishable foods.”

The power sector is capital intensive, so I understand all the arguments about the funding requirements on which Adelabu is obsessed. I am also not a fan of subsidy in Nigeria because I have seen its abuse in critical sectors just as I subscribe to the idea that people must pay market price for the electricity they consume. But there is a serious absence of transparency and accountability in the management of the power sector. Fortunately for the government, the timing is auspicious for serious reforms. With all our battery-powered inverters, solar panels and generators, many Nigerians have come to terms with the fact that we are better off (economically and environmentally) with a public power system that works for all. But hiking tariffs when what you supply mostly is darkness under the guise of some imaginary ‘Band A’, as one X (formerly Twitter) user wrote, is financial Banditry!  

Oluwatosin @ 50

From trying to help 14 children roaming the streets of Asokoro in December 2018, my wife has since suspended her professional career and business for the cause of providing functional education to 137 children and young adults, 20 of whom are now on full scholarship at three Federal Government Colleges within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). And we are talking about children who had never been to school and could communicate only in Hausa six years ago. With the assistance of some hand-lifters, the remarkable story of the Not Forgotten Initiative (NFI) School which I once shared briefly (Amatala and Other ‘Unforgotten’ Children  – THISDAYLIVE) is a testament to the sacrifice and resourcefulness of Mrs Oluwatosin Adeniyi, who turns 50 tomorrow. On a personal note, she has been for me and our three children (Toluwani, Ifeoluwa and Oluwakorede) a blessing beyond measure. I can only wish her happy birthday, long life and good health. With all my love!

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

A Sallah gift of N10, 000 to all categories of civil servants in the state and local government services has been approved by the governor of Bauchi State, Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed to cushion the economic hardship during the Sallah celebration.

“In his continuing efforts aimed at improving the welfare of the civil servants in Bauchi state, Governor Bala Abdulkadir Mohammed has directed the immediate payment of Ten Thousand Naira (N10,000.00) to all categories of civil servants in both the state and local”, the head of service (HoS), Yahuza Adamu Haruna said.

In a press statement signed by the permanent secretary of establishment, Mohammed Sani Umar and made available to journalists yesterday, he said as a wage award, the gesture would provide additional resources to civil servants to celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr in high spirits, in the wake of the unpalatable economic situation generally.

Adamu expressed gratitude to the governor for his numerous supports and urged the workers to reciprocate the gesture by re-dedicating themselves to their duties with a view to improving and consolidating on the gains made so far.

 [Leadership]

World No 1 Novak Djokovic made an emphatic start at the Monte Carlo Masters with a 6-1 6-2 win over Russia’s Roman Safiullin to ease into the third round in a rain-delayed day three on Tuesday.

Djokovic, who pulled out of the recent Miami Open as he tries to balance his schedule, looked fresh as he broke Safiullin’s serve three times in the opening set and a further two breaks in the second was enough to seal the win.

“I think even the games that I lost I had break points in those games. It is a really great first match at the start of the clay season,” he said.

On Sunday, Djokovic overtook Roger Federer as the oldest No 1 ranked singles player in ATP rankings history, at 36 years and 321 days.

“I met (Rohan) Bopanna yesterday, who is the oldest doubles No 1 in history. He said we had a combined age of 80, but he does contribute to the 80 more than I do,” Djokovic joked.

Musetti defeated Djokovic at the third round stage last year.

“Last year as well, I started off well at this tournament and the second match I lost, so I hope to maintain this rhythm,” Djokovic added.

German fifth seed Alexander Zverev made light work of his second round match, defeating Sebastian Ofner 6-3 6-4.

[DailyTrust]

The Chairman of Nigerian indigenous carrier, Air Peace, Mr Allen Onyema, has raised the alarm that foreign carriers operating the Nigeria-UK route are allegedly conspiring to send Air Peace out of international operations by crashing airfares on the route.

Onyema gave the revelation on Tuesday while featuring on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme.

He alleged that there is an “unspoken alliance” among foreign airlines to use lower pricing to eject Air Peace from the Nigeria-London route.

“If they take out Air Peace prematurely, this country will pay dearly for it, 10 times over, billions will be lost, there will be another heavy strain on the naira,” he said.

DAILY POST recalls that Air Peace reciprocated the lopsided Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) between Nigeria and the United Kingdom when the local airline began direct flight operations from Lagos to Gatwick Airport in London on March 30, 2024.

Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation, Festus Keyamo and his counterpart at the Trade and Investment Ministry, Doris Uzoka-Anita were onboard the inaugural Lagos-London flight, alongside businessmen and women.

Many industry observers have applauded the development, saying the development will encourage local airlines to commence international flights to profitable routes.

DAILY POST also reported how the price of international flight ticket on the Lagos-London route, which was as high as N3.5m for economy ticket went for N1.2m as Air Peace commenced the London route, with foreign airlines such as British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Qatar Airways forced to slash their prices to stay competitive.

However, speaking on Tuesday, the Air Peace boss said foreign airlines operating the route “are fighting back”, adding that his airlines are being “deliberately frustrated in all ways”.

He cited ground handling and space allocation difficulties at Gatwick Airport in the last couple of days.

“It’s a very devilish conspiracy,” said a dissatisfied Onyema.

“All of a sudden, (foreign) airlines are underpricing, below the cost, it’s not up to one month, an airline was advertising $100, another one $305, $350.

“Fill up the entire aircraft and carry people on the wings, it’s not even enough to buy your fuel. So, why are they doing that? Their governments are supporting them because Nigeria has been a cash cow for everybody.

“Their governments are supporting them to do this and take Air Peace out. The idea is to take Air Peace out and the moment they succeed in taking Air Peace out, Nigerians will pay 20 times over again,” he said.

Onyema, therefore, invited other Nigerian airlines to join the Nigeria-UK route to break the monopoly hitherto enjoyed by foreign carriers operating into the four major gateway airports of Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt.

“I invite other Nigerian airlines to join the fray, let them come, let all of us do international operations. Yes, international aeropolitics is very dirty but somebody must pay the price,” he said.

[DailyPost]

• Tinubu, Akpabio, Abbas, governors, CAN, others seek unity in messages

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu yesterday urged Nigerians to rededicate themselves to the collective task of rebuilding the country.

In his Eid-el-Fitr message, he stressed unity and togetherness as critical factors in nation-building.

“We are the sculptor, and Nigeria is the clay; we build it the way we desire,” President Tinubu said.

Also, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House of Representatives Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, governors and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtues of tolerance, sacrifice and peace.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, President Tinubu rejoiced with Muslim Ummah, praying that their sacrifices during the Month of Ramadan, and afterwards, will receive the fitting rewards.

It said: “President Tinubu felicitates the Muslim Ummah at Eid-el-Fitr, an auspicious occasion that signifies the end of Ramadan; a hallowed season which reflects total submission to God Almighty and to His command of sacrifice and service to humankind.

“The President greets the Muslim faithful in Nigeria and all around the world, praying that their supplications and sacrifices this season and even after will receive the fitting rewards from Almighty Allah.

“As he emphasised during an Iftar with Nigeria’s leaders of thought and conscience, President Tinubu appeals to all citizens to come together and rededicate themselves to the noble duty of building the nation.

“The President prays that the lessons, blessings, and the joys of this season abide with us always while wishing Nigerians, Happy Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.”

Akpabio seeks peace, unity

Akpabio congratulated Muslims, wishing them Eid Mubarak.

According to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Eseme Eyiboh, the Senate President urged Nigerians to pray for peace and unity.

It reads: “On behalf of my family, the people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District and indeed the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I heartily rejoice with all the Muslims in Nigeria as they join their counterparts in other parts of the world to celebrate Eid El Fitri.

“I wish all of you a peaceful and sweet celebration and pray the Almighty God to grant your heart desires.”

The Senate President urged Muslims to continue to offer prayers for peace, unity and prosperity of Nigeria saying: “Islam is a religion of peace and if its adherents go to God in prayer with sincerity, He will surely answer.

“I, therefore, ask you to pray for your leaders and the peace and unity of our dear country. I believe with your prayers, Nigeria will overcome its current challenges.

“Wherever you find yourselves, radiate the peace that Islam preaches and the love and care for the less privileged that Prophet Muhammad exemplified.”

Abbas calls for patriotism

Speaker Abbas urged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of patriotism and remain steadfast in their commitment to unity.

The Speaker, in a Sallah statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Abdullahi Krishi, also urged Muslims to internalise the lessons learnt from the Holy Month of Ramadan.

He expressed confidence that the Almighty Allah has answered their prayers and supplication.

Abbas enjoined Muslims to be their brother’s keeper and render a helping hand at all times, noting that one of the lessons learnt from the Holy Month of Ramadan was that of assistance to the needy, which every Muslim should imbibe.

He urged the Muslim faithful to continue to pray for Nigeria even after Ramadan is over, noting that a peaceful and prosperous nation equally needs prayers to sustain its blessings.

Abbas said: “We thank Allah (SWT) for making it possible for us to witness the Holy Month of Ramadan peacefully. We pray that He accepts all our acts of Ibadah.

“As we celebrate the Eid-el-Fitr, I enjoin Nigerians, especially Muslims, to offer prayers for the country and our leaders. Let’s also remain united as a people.”

CAN preaches moral rectitude

CAN called on Nigerians to embrace peace and unity.

It said the Eid-el-Fitri celebration should serve as a reminder of the values of compassion, humility, and generosity that form the foundation of shared humanity.

Amid diverse challenges facing the nation, CAN said Nigerians should draw inspiration from the essence of Eid-el-Fitri to foster peace, harmony and progress.

CAN also admonished leaders at all levels of governance to exhibit moral rectitude and ethical leadership in their service to the nation.

A statement by the President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, said: “CAN extends warm felicitations to our brothers and sisters of the Muslim faith as they celebrate the joyous occasion of Eid-el-Fitri.

“As the Muslim community marks the end of Ramadan, a period of fasting, reflection, and spiritual renewal, we join in recognising the significance of this day and express our solidarity.

“The lessons of Eid-el-Fitri resonate strongly in our quest for a more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria. As we witness the breaking of the fast and the exchange of goodwill among friends and neighbours, let us be reminded of the power of empathy, forgiveness, and understanding in building bridges across religious and cultural divides.

“It is a time to reflect on our common aspirations for a society where justice, equality, and respect for one another prevail.

“In this spirit, CAN calls on leaders at all levels of governance to embody moral rectitude and ethical leadership in their service to the nation.

“Leadership guided by integrity, accountability, and selflessness is essential in steering our country towards a path of sustainable development and unity.

“As we join our Muslim brothers and sisters in celebration, let us recommit ourselves to upholding the values of honesty, transparency, and equity in all our endeavours.

“CAN reaffirms its commitment to promoting interfaith dialogue, understanding, and cooperation for the greater good of our nation.

“Together, let us embrace the diversity that enriches our cultural tapestry and work hand in hand towards a future where peace and prosperity reign supreme.”

Ganduje: support Tinubu administration

The national chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, urged Nigerians to support the Tinubu administration in its efforts to reposition the country.

He thanked the Ummah for their prayers for the country and President Tinubu throughout the Holy month.

He said: “I’m calling on all Nigerians, irrespective of party affiliations, to support our dear President.

“All discerning minds can attest to the fact that President Tinubu has taken some drastic measures to reposition our economy, which have started paying off.

“All we need now is to support the Federal Government to transform the country.“

Ganduje, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary Edwin Olofu, urged Nigerians to imbibe the virtue of sacrifice, which is the core lesson of Ramadan.

He said: “Ramadan is indeed a month of patience. We fast for the sake of Allah by enduring hunger and thirst, extending love to all, especially the less privileged in the society.”

Ganduje said Ramadan regenerates the inner being, encompasses love, and sacrifice, adding that lessons must endure beyond the Eid-el-Fitr celebrations.

A retired Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ahmad Olanrewaju Belgore, is dead.

The Chairman of the Nigeria Bar Association, Ilorin Branch, Kwara State, Kamaldeen Gambari, announced his death on Tuesday.

“Information reaching me now indicates that Hon. Justice Ahmad Olarewaju Belgore, PCJA (retd.) is dead. May Allah forgive his shortcomings,” Gambari said in a social media post, as reported by Leadership Newspaper.

PUNCH Online was unable to locate the specific social media post referenced by the newspaper. 

Belgore retired as the Justice of the Court of Appeal on April 18, 2023, on the attainment of the retirement age of 70.

Meanwhile, in a condolence message, the Emir of Ilorin and Chairman, Kwara State Traditional Rulers Council, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari described the death of Justice Belgore as a big loss to the Ilorin Emirate and nation at large.

The Emir, in a statement by his spokesman, Abdulazeez Arowona, said, “This is a great and colossal loss that has befallen the Ilorin Emirate and humanity at large.

“It is with shock that I received the news of the demise of Justice Ahmad Belgore. He was a complete gentleman, a thorough judicial officer who served the nation meritoriously in various capacities, nationally and internationally.

“He was one of the finest justices that the Ilorin Emirate has ever produced. He contributed in no small measures to the growth and development of the judiciary and humanity in general.

The Emir commiserated with the immediate and extended family members of the deceased as well as the entire people of Ilorin and Nigerians in general.

[Punch]

Mikel Arteta has warned Arsenal to learn from their costly mistakes in Tuesday’s dramatic 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich if they want to reach the Champions League semi-finals.

Arteta’s side ensured their quarter-final clash remains finely balanced thanks to Leandro Trossard’s late equaliser in the first leg at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal’s old tormentor-in-chief Harry Kane had ignored a hostile reception from Gunners fans to mark his return to north London with the ice-cool penalty that put Bayern 2-1 up in the first half.

Former Tottenham striker Kane’s sixth career goal at the Emirates came after ex-Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry cancelled out Bukayo Saka’s early opener for the Gunners.

It was a frustrating evening for Arsenal, who looked hesitant at times in their first Champions League quarter-final since 2010.

The Premier League leaders have been in red-hot form in 2024, while Bayern have stumbled through a crisis-torn campaign.

But Arsenal’s status as favourites to advance to the last four was undone by some uncharacteristically sloppy defending.

Arteta urged his players to use the experience as a valuable tool to make amends in the second leg in Munich on April 17.

“We will go again in Munich. We are alive. The game became difficult and they understand they have to step up the level,” he said.

“We have made some mistakes today. Lets learn from it. These players have been unbelievable. It’s part of football. Lets support them.

“I sense the belief there. We are going to go to Munich and have a chance to win it. We’re going to be better in certain areas and that’s how we are going to prepare it.”

Arteta admitted Bayern’s impressive first half had rattled his team, but he was impressed with the way they regained their composure after the interval.

– ‘Crazy situation’ –

“The second goal created some insecurity in the team but after we reacted well. It’s easy to throw your toys away when things don’t go right,” he said.

“The subs, especially Leandro and Gabriel (Jesus), made a huge impact with their body language and the initiative they took to make things happen.”

Saka was convinced he should have been awarded a penalty in the final seconds when Bayern keeper Manuel Neuer appeared to make contact with the Arsenal winger.

But replays suggested Saka had initiated the contact and Arteta refused to be drawn on the controversy, saying only that he “hadn’t seen the image again” and “can’t change” the decision.

Bayern boss Thomas Tuchel bemoaned a separate penalty incident that didn’t go his side’s way.

Arsenal defender Gabriel Magalhaes inexplicably picked up the ball following a David Raya goal-kick in the 66th minute.

Yet Swedish referee Glenn Nyberg opted against awarding a spot-kick.

“I know it was a crazy situation. They put the ball down, he whistles and the defender takes the ball with his hands,” Tuchel said.

“What makes us really angry is the explanation on the pitch. He told our players it was a ‘kid’s mistake’ and he won’t give a penalty for that in a Champions League quarter-final.

“It’s a horrible explanation. Kid’s mistake, adult’s mistake, whatever. We feel angry because it was a huge decision against us.”

A crucial miss by Leroy Sane — who allowed Ben White to get back to tackle him after he ran clear on goal — stopped the six-time European champions going 3-1 up in the first half.

But after a traumatic season that leaves Bayern almost certain to surrender the Bundesliga title to Bayer Leverkusen, Tuchel could have few complaints about his side’s battling display.

“It wasn’t easy, especially after we conceded early. The Arsenal fans were incredible, they pushed them. We scored with our first attack and the body language and confidence changed.

“Next week we will have the decision. It is only half-time.”

[Vanguard]

In the last few weeks, the  labour movement has lost two of its cherished leaders – Comrades Ali Chiroma and Jonathan Ihonde.

Chiroma, a former president of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), died in  Maiduguri at 91 last Tuesday while Ihonde, a former vice president of the same congress, died about a month ago in Benin at 82.

The deaths of these labour veterans expectedly  have awakened great memories of past struggles of the working people for social justice, freedom and genuine democracy.

In their respective ways, Chiroma and Ihonde made enormous sacrifices in the course of the struggles and showed commitment when it mattered. 

A remarkably humble comrade, Chiroma emerged the NLC president in 1984 to succeed the first president of then six-old congress, Comrade Hassan Sunmonu. His union of  medical and health workers is one of the affiliates  of NLC. With his  calm and cautious mien, Chiroma would rather be assumed by a stranger to be a diplomat instead of a rugged trade unionist. He often wore his trademark smile no matter how tense the situation. Rather than bang the table or raise his voice, Chiroma would draw from his repertoire of Kanuri proverbs to lighten an otherwise anxious mood.

Under Chiroma’s  leadership the NLC struggled for socio-economic justice for workers. The congress fought for  freedom and common good in the larger society. Snippets of these struggles have been evident in the well-deserved  tributes paid to the memory of Chiroma since his demise.

Chiroma wasn’t your archetypal  militant trade unionist; but he was highly receptive to progressive ideas about how the struggles of labour should be prosecuted.

The publications of the NLC at the period he was president  embodied the ideas behind labour’s approach to the socio-economic and political  issues of the moment. These included “Nigeria: Not for Sale;”  “Towards National Recovery: Nigeria Labour Congress Alternative and Towards a Viable and  Genuinely Democratic Political Future: Nigerian Working Class Position.” The first document was a polemic against the privatisation agenda  and other components of the Washington Consensus presented by the military  government as solutions to Nigeria’s economic problems. The second publication was put together by the  congress  with the inputs of radical economists as an alternative strategy of development. Labour didn’t only make an informed critique of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP); it also offered a more socially responsible alternative to solve the economic crisis. The third position  was submitted by labour to the 17-man political bureau appointed by   the military government of President Ibrahim Babangida to  prepare a political transition programme for the country.  

Beyond the regular collective bargaining for wages and working conditions taking placing in the public and private sectors of the economy, the NLC had a broader view of things in its engagement with government.

Notably, Chiroma’s  NLC was the pillar of  what the military government mistakenly regarded as “the triumvirate  of revolution” – workers, students and progressive intellectuals – in the land at a time when political parties were banned and not many civil society organisations existed. The tripartite alliance was put to practical tests  on a number of occasions beyond making statements.  And the military government was determined not to “tolerate undue radicalism.”

For instance, in May 1986, some students were killed at the Ahamadu Bello University, Zaria, following a clash with security men. In reaction to the tragedy, a day of protest against extra-judicial killings was fixed for June 4.

The protest was to be led by NLC. Mobilisation was afoot by students, workers and the progressive intellectuals.

The national mood was clearly  expectant of a show-down between the military government and  popular-democratic forces.

Now, in the Africa of the 1980s, the date June 4 was a highly sensitive one. It was on that day in 1979 that Flight Lieutenant Jerry John Rawlings  emerged the leader of a “revolution” in Ghana. So the spectre of the June 4 Revolution haunted West Africa. The military government swiftly  moved on the eve of the June 4 date to pre-empt the protest by arresting and detaining labour leaders and students across the country. For instance, the late Comrade Chima Ubani led students at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, to join the protest to the chagrin of the authorities. The student leaders were to later to face an ordeal. The story of that ordeal would be suitable  for another tribute to the memory of Comrade Ubani another day.

Chiroma and a host of other labour leaders were detained  for some days by the military regime. On such occasions, Chiroma demonstrated courage and leadership.

Unfortunately, the polarisation within the congress in the build-up to the ill-fated  1988 delegates conference denied Chiroma of a second term. The leadership of the congress was dissolved  and the military government appointed a sole administrator to manage the affairs of the congress pending the election of new officers.

Not a few labour activists  were disappointed at Chiroma when six years later he accepted to serve as the sole  administrator of  the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) when the military regime of General Sanni Abacha dissolved  the union’s  executive for its role in the struggle to revalidate the results June 12, 1993 presidential election won by Bashorun Moshood Abiola.

Ihonde was a  deep leftist ideologue. As Comrade Owei Lakemfa aptly described him in a most  fitting tribute, Comrade Ihonde was “influential” and “invisible” at once in the labour movement. He was modest and unobtrusive in his approach to issues. He was an exemplar of  leaders  working from the background to make things work. 

Ihonde served the radio, television and theatre workers’ union with his full energy.  Widely remembered as the creator of the television series, “Hotel De Jordan,” a satirical rendition of class contradictions in the Nigerian society, Ihonde was an accomplished broadcast journalist.

A resolute partisan of the cause  of human progress, Ihonde also devoted his time and energy to the building of viable organisations of the left and nurturing cadres for the movement. Ihonde’s conviction remained unshakable to the end  about the possibility a humane social order. And he was far being naïve as to imagine that this could be achieved  without  the appropriate strategy of struggle.

It is important to reflect on the lives and times of the Chiromas and Ihondes of the labour movement because of the huge lessons to be learnt from their great efforts and  few errors.

May their tribe increase.