Penultimate Monday, further to his sustained effort to develop a transportation hub in Ogun State to facilitate cargo movement and boost industrial growth, the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun received the outlined “Certificate of Compliance” on the Inland Dry Port located in the Papalanto, Ewekoro area of the state. Among other benefits, the dry port will facilitate trade and promote economic development in inland regions. Dry ports, like normal seaports, handle cargo and provide storage facilities, warehousing, logistics services, customs clearance, and inspection services. The project was recently flagged off by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola.

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barrister Ukeyima Akutah, while making the presentation to the Governor at his Oke-Mosan office in Abeokuta, along with a delegation of directors and other top officials, made an inspiring remark about the administration’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for economic growth. He said the emergence of Ogun State as the leading industrial economy in Nigeria was due to the Ease-of-Doing-Business Index achieved under the present administration of Governor Abiodun.

The remark lends credence to the Abiodun administration’s commitment to make Ogun State an investment destination of choice in the West African sub-region, leveraging on the combined advantages of its geographical location and oceanic plentitude of land. To realize the objective, the Governor has developed the plan, the strategy and the modality for the implementation, focusing on the creation of an enabling environment to attract local and foreign direct investments into the State.

Apart from the network of road infrastructure across the three senatorial districts, continuous improvement in the Ease-of-Doing-Business and land reform initiative provide a good attraction for investors. The administration has also created four economic zones in addition to the Agbara Industrial Zone, which includes the Ota (Ogun West) and Kajola (Ogun Central) axes.

Currently, the Agbara Industrial Zone is arguably the largest industrial zone in Nigeria and probably one of the largest on the continent. It is the zone that makes Ogun State the industrial capital of Nigeria. 

The decision by the present government to create additional zones is not only to expand economic opportunities that abound in the State but also make it investor-friendly. As of today, investors can conveniently choose any zone that suits them. The importance of economic zones cannot be over-emphasized. Among other benefits, a high-performing zone with strong foreign investment can create thousands of jobs while also building the capabilities of the local workforce as outside investors share expertise and know-how.

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council boss, Akutah, noted that the initiatives aligned with the policy statement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu aimed at unleashing the country’s potential for industrial growth, prosperity, and job creation.

According to Akutah, the sustained effort of the Ogun State Government towards infrastructural development has enhanced industrial growth, thereby complementing the strides of the Federal Government to achieve sustainable transformation and industrialization.

He further commended the Governor for his determination to raise the bar of business activities in the state and develop critical infrastructure as a way of opening the state for an array of productive activities.

His words: “Your Excellency, we believe that the industrial revolution in Nigeria has already commenced in Ogun State under your watch, and we are very grateful for what you are doing.

“All the transport infrastructures you are developing, including the cargo airport which is at an advanced stage to commence operations, complement the efforts of Mr. President in terms of the industrial revolution in Nigeria, and this is quite commendable.

“We are also grateful to Your Excellency for the transit area which we are working together with our partners to develop in your State and also the land-a 20-hectare plot of land-which you graciously have provided to us to develop into a vehicle transit area.

“We commend you and your team for being consistent with infrastructural development in all sectors of the state’s economy. One of those infrastructures is the Gateway International Agro-cargo Airport, as well as the Inland Dry Port for which we are presenting its “Certificate of Compliance” to you today.

“Obviously, you have demonstrated capacity and quality leadership by all standards, and your state is piloting the ongoing industrial revolution in Nigeria as conceived by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.”

Akutah noted that the provision of a good road network, the construction of an airport, and a conducive business environment had led to the influx of companies to the state, signaling the industrial revolution in the country.

In his response, the Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, commended the delegation for the visit and for granting the “Certificate of Compliance” for the take-off of the Papalanto Inland Dry Port, saying it was a significant step in the quest for the establishment of the port.

The Governor described the Papalanto Inland Dry Port as a strategic port of operation aimed at decongesting the Lagos Ports and boosting industrial activities in Ogun State. He explained that through the concept of the Multi-modal Transportation System adopted by his administration upon assumption of office on May 29, 2019, the Inland Dry Port would be an efficient mechanism for the industrial revolution embarked upon by the Federal Government.

Governor Abiodun stated that his administration conceived the Kajola Inland Dry Port project in alignment with the Federal Government’s initiative to strengthen rail lines across the country to take pressure off the Apapa and Tin Can ports, both in Lagos, and make the clearance of raw materials seamless.

Abiodun said: “Ogun State has a lot of federal roads that traverse the North, East, and other parts of the country, which explains why many manufacturers have found us a convenient location to set up their concerns.

“We have the advantage of proximity to Lagos, Nigeria’s busiest seaports and airport. We also have the advantage of extensive gas reticulation in terms of pipelines, which allows for energy and gas to power industries.

“These two factors have made us the industrial capital, and naturally, you will find that a lot of raw materials are coming in by sea, and once processed, they are coming in through Lagos to our State.

“This initiative is supported by the strong case that if we were able to establish an Inland Port here, it would align with the federal government’s initiative of strengthening the rail line since this line connects Lagos to Ogun, Oyo, Osun, and Ondo states.

“The volume of traffic at Tincan and Apapa seaports is overwhelming, and these ports have become extremely inefficient as containers remain there for upwards of 30-60 days, accruing demurrage. By the time they are cleared and brought down to our state, a lot of demurrage and added costs have been incurred.

“In a strong business case, we say if we set up the Inland Dry Port, when the containers arrive, they don’t need to be cleared in Lagos; they will be put onto trains, and all the processes will be done here. This means that containers destined for Oyo, Osun, and Ondo states will be cleared here.”

Governor Abiodun assured that his administration would cooperate and work with the Shippers’ Council for the benefit of all.

Akutah’s commendation confirms the ongoing effort by the administration of Governor Dapo Abiodun to make Ogun State an investment destination of choice. From all available indices, the administration has brought far more remarkable achievements than any other time in the recent past. None of his predecessors has achieved the level of success the present government has recorded within the five and a half years of its inception. For three consecutive sessions under his administration, the state has routinely maintained its competitive edge over the rest parts of the country.

Having created the pathway for sustainable economic growth, the challenge is to continue to strive to forge ahead in the drive to sustain the state’s leading position as the nation’s industrial capital.

However, because the desire for a higher goal of economic prosperity for all is forever a work in progress, all the stakeholders must come together as a collective group to join hands with the government and take ownership of the process.

Governor Abiodun has promised not to let the guard down. Already, there are plans in the pipeline to create more economic zones for further industrial development. These include the construction of a deep Seaport at Olokola, the Sea Port in the Ijebu Economic Zone, and the Remo Economic Zone.

All these Economic Zones are to ensure that cargos produced in the State are conveniently processed and exported through the Ogun International Cargo Airport as well as Sea Port.

The establishment of Kajola dry port, Akutah said, underscored the collective dedication to improving Nigeria’s trade and logistics infrastructure, expressing optimism that it would play a vital role in national transformation.

•Ogbonnikan writes from Abeokuta, Ogun State capital

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed profound sadness over the tragic incident at the Children's FunFair in Ibadan, which resulted in the loss of innocent lives and left many injured.

The President extends his heartfelt condolences to the Government and people of Oyo State, as well as to the grieving families who have lost their beloved children.

In this moment of mourning, President Tinubu stands in solidarity with the affected families and offers prayers that the Almighty God will grant peace to the souls of those who have departed in this unfortunate event.

President Tinubu has urgently directed the relevant authorities to investigate the circumstances of this tragedy thoroughly. He emphasises that it is imperative to determine whether negligence or deliberate actions contributed to this painful incident, ensuring a transparent and accountable process.

The President urges the Oyo State Government to take every necessary measure to prevent such a tragedy from reoccurring. Among the essential actions are a comprehensive review of all public events' safety measures, strict enforcement of safety regulations, and regular safety audits of event venues.

Furthermore, President Tinubu calls on event organisers to prioritise the safety of all attendees, especially children. He stresses the importance of integrating professional security, protocol, and logistics at events to ensure the utmost safety of all participants.

"Our children's safety and well-being remain paramount. No event should ever compromise their safety or take precedence over their lives," President Tinubu asserts.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the extension of the of the tenure of Dr. Oluwatoyin Madein, the substantive Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), until March 7, 2025.

Naija News recalls that Tinubu had appointed Mr. Shamseldeen Babatunde Ogunjimi as the Acting Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF) following the pre-retirement leave of the outgoing AGF, Dr. Oluwatoyin Sakirat Madein.

But in a u-turn on Thursday, the President reassigned the Acting Accountant General to the Public Service Institute of Nigeria as Director of Accounts.

The letter authorizing Madein’s continuation was issued by the Head of Service of the Federation and confirmed on Thursday.

Bawa Mokwa, spokesperson for the Office of the Accountant General of the Federation (OAGF), stated that the directive reinstates Madein to her role as AGF, allowing her to oversee treasury operations until her retirement.

He disclosef that embarking on terminal leave is optional under civil service regulations, leaving staff uncertain about whether Madein’s reinstatement invalidates Ogunjimi’s prior appointment as Acting AGF.

Although the letter did not explicitly nullify Ogunjimi’s appointment, it appears to have delayed his assumption of the Acting AGF role pending a decision by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Madein’s return has been met with enthusiasm from her supporters, who highlighted her commitment to completing key projects and reforms initiated during her tenure.

“By the first week of January 2025, we will start commissioning the projects she began. She felt it was important to see them through and not let another person take the credit for her efforts,” a supporter told The Nation.

The reinstatement also aims to restore stability within the OAGF. Mokwa assured that “Madein will be signing documents and checks on behalf of the AGF. She has returned, so no more rancor within the treasury.”

[NaijaNews]

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima will spend N9.36 billion on local and foreign travels as well as refreshments in the coming year.

This is contained in the details of the 2025 Appropriation Bill released by the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning.

The president had, on Wednesday, present the N49.7 trillion 2025 budget proposals to a joint session of the National Assembly.

The fiscal document is christened: ‘Restoration Budget, Securing peace and building prosperity.’

N59.4bn Greater Dutse Water project takes off in JigawaFG reverses Ogunjimi’s appointment as AGF; Madein to complete tenure

According to the budget proposal, Tinubu will spend N7.44 billion on travels and refreshments; while Shettima will spend N1.9 billion for same.

The president’s international travels in 2025 will gulp N6.14 billion; and his local trips, N873.9 million.

Also, the sum of N431.6 million was earmarked for Tinubu’s refreshments and meals as well as foodstuffs and catering supplies.

The vice president’s international travels in 2025 will gulp N1.31 billion; and local trips, N417.5 million.

Refreshments and meals as well as foodstuff and catering supplies for the vice president will gulp N186.02 million.

In 2024, President Tinubu, Vice President Shettima, and First Lady Remi Tinubu spent not less than N5.24 billion on local and foreign travel between January and March 2024, according to an analysis of the travel expenses using GovSpend, a civic tech platform that tracks and analyses the Federal Government’s spending.

Presidency to spend N10.6bn on cars, honorarium, fuel, SAs office

The Office of the President also proposed N4,760,035,960 for vehicles, with N3,661,566,123 for the purchase of State House operational vehicles and N1 billion for the replacement of Sport Utility Vehicle (SUVs).

Another N255,728,214 was budgeted for purchase of cars, with N127,864,107 set aside for the procurement of SUVS for the president and vice president as well as N127,864,107 for the purchase of operational vehicles at the Presidential Conference Car Unit (CCU) fleet.

The sum of N5,938,883,548 was proposed for honorarium, construction for Special Advisers and Senior Special Assistants’ Office Complex and fuel for generators.

The budget proposals showed that N2,118,521,128 was earmarked for sitting allowance/honorarium, N1,989,579,359 for fuel and N1,830,783,061 (billion) is for construction of office complex for SAs and SSAs.

2025 Appropriation Bill scales second reading

The National Assembly yesterday passed the N49.7tn ‘Restoration’ Budget for a second reading.

The budget was passed by both the Senate and the House of Representatives after various deliberations on the bill’s general principles by senators and members of the House of Representatives at their separate sittings.

In the Senate, the budget was passed and referred to the Committee on Appropriations after being put to a voice vote by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the session.

Similarly, in the House of Representatives, the appropriation bill was passed for second reading and referred to the House Committee on Appropriation for further legislative actions.

Also, the House also passed through Second Reading, a Bill to extend the capital component of the 2024 Budget to June 30th, 2025.

The bill was presented on the floor of the House by the House Leader, Rep. Julius Ihonvere.

It was titled, ‘A Bill for an Act to Amend the Appropriation Act, 2024 to extend the Implementation of the Capital Component of the Appropriation Act, 2024 from 31 December, 2024 to 30 June 2025 and for Related Matters (HB.2023).’ 

Meanwhile, both chambers of the National Assembly have adjourned sittings to January 14, 2025, to observe recess for the yuletide celebrations.

[Daily Trust] 

Bandits terrorizing Zamfara State have reportedly abducted over 40 persons from communities in Maru Local Government Area during various attacks over the past two weeks.

A resident of Maru town, Alhaji Umar Abdullahi, told newsmen in a telephone interview on Thursday that the situation has become deeply concerning for many community members in the local government area.

According to him, the bandits have been carrying out a series of attacks in the local government headquarters and surrounding communities, abducting residents from their homes.

“Just last week, the bandits stormed our town and conducted house-to-house searches, starting from the Emir’s palace area, and kidnapped seven persons,” he said.

Abdullahi attributed the frequent attacks on Maru communities to the activities of informants collaborating with the bandits in the area.

“Our major challenge is the bandits’ informants, as most of the kidnapped victims are prominent persons in the area,” he lamented.

“As I am talking to you now, there are over 40 kidnapped victims in bandit camps following simultaneous attacks on Maru communities over the past two weeks.”

Speaking further, he noted that the bandits terrorizing the area are operating from camps behind Bakalori Dam (Bayan Ruwa) in Maradun Local Government Area of the State.

“We are in serious trouble because many bandits are relocating to the Maradun camp. There is an urgent need for authorities to dislodge them for peace to thrive.”

He appealed to the federal and Zamfara State governments to urgently deploy more troops to the Maradun area to tackle the Bayan Ruwa bandit camps.

Another resident of the area, Usman Abubakar, described the local government as a “colony of banditry,” stating that the bandits unleash terror at will.

“When the banditry began more than a decade ago, Dansadau, a district of Maru Local Government, was the epicenter. But now, the bandits have spread to all parts of the State, especially Maru Local Government Area,” he said.

Recall that a few months ago, bandits killed several police officers, including a Divisional Police Officer (DPO), in Maru town.

All efforts to obtain a reaction from the State Police Command on the issue proved abortive at the time of filing this report.

[Daily Post]

The Nigerian Army Council has approved the promotion of 108 senior officers to the Major-General and Brigadier-General ranks.

According to a statement on Friday by the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, the list includes 35 Brigadier Generals elevated to Major-Generals and 73 Colonels promoted to Brigadier-Generals.

Among the newly promoted Major-Generals are officers holding critical command and staff positions.

Notable names include the acting General Officer Commanding 8 Division and Commander, Sector 2, North West Operation Fasan Yamma, Brig-Gen. Ibikunle Ajose; the Commander, Nigerian Army Space Command, Brig-Gen. U.G. Ogeleka; among others.

Officers promoted to the Major-General rank include the Deputy Chief of Military Affairs, Army Headquarters, Department of Civil-Military Affairs, Brig-Gen. B.P. Koughna; Brig-Gen. I. Otu from the Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre; Brig-Gen. A.O. Adegbite from the Headquarters, Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport; and the Deputy Director, Tender Board, Department of Procurement, Brig-Gen. S.A. Jimoh.

For the rank of the Brigadier-General, notable promotions include the Commander, 43 Engineers Brigade, Col. S.M. Iliya; the Commander, 78 Supply and Transport, Col. O. Igwe; the Chief Medical Director, 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital, Col. N.S. Onuchukwu; among others.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede urged the newly promoted officers to redouble their efforts, justify their elevation and lead by example.

He encouraged them to develop innovative solutions to tackle the nation’s contemporary security challenges.

“Oluyede also reminded them of their oath of allegiance to defend the nation and their duty to maintain unalloyed loyalty to the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement added.

[Punch]

The highlight of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, Authority of Heads of State and Government Summit of December 15, 2024, was the formalisation of its break up. Three of the 15-Member countries, Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger Republic which are now ruled by  military regimes, had given notice of withdrawal.

Some of us had hoped that while ECOWAS would acknowledge the three countries’ notice, it would stall for a political solution. It should be a very serious issue for even one country to leave, not to talk of three which is one fifth of the entire membership.

Unfortunately, the Heads of State went technical and formalised the withdrawal. They ruled that in accordance with Article 91 of ECOWAS Revised Treaty of 1993: “The three countries will officially cease to be members of ECOWAS from 29th January 2025.”

The fact that only seven of the 15 Heads of State attended the summit, did not dissuade it. Apart from the three, Guinea, another country ruled by the military, did not attend, Sierra Leone was represented by its Vice President, Togo and Benin sent Ministers, while Cape Verde sent its ambassador in host country, Nigeria.

To concretise the break up, the summit directed the ECOWAS President “to launch the withdrawal formalities after the deadline of 29th January…”

It then directed the ECOWAS Council of Ministers to convene an Extraordinary Session during the second quarter of 2025 “to consider and adopt both the separation modalities and the contingency plan covering political and economic relations between ECOWAS and the Republic of Mali, the Republic of Niger and Burkina Faso.”

After taking these definitive and far- reaching decisions, the Heads of State added an interesting resolution: “The Authority decides to set the period from 29th January 2025 to 29th July 2025 as a transitional period and keep ECOWAS doors open to the three countries.” 

 So why shut the windows and doors in the first place? Why didn’t the Presidents delay their decision to formalise the break up by this six-month period? Is this decision an indication of confusion, a revelation of internal contradictions or a tacit admission of guilt by ECOWAS for pushing these countries to the exit door by making the military invasion of Niger its first option rather than dialogue?

 The reality is that the decision of the three countries to exit the ECOWAS  is primarily due to its  gross mismanagement of the July 26, 2023 coup in Niger Republic. Rather than dialogue with the coup plotters, ECOWAS, buoyed by Western  powers, immediately declared war.

At its extra ordinary summit on July 30, 2023, that is four days after  the coup, ECOWAS Heads of State read the riot act to the new leaders in Niger.

 They ordered the immediate surrender of power and reinstatement of former President Mohammed Bazoum,  closure of land and air borders between ECOWAS countries and Niger; institution of ECOWAS no-fly zone on all commercial flights to and from Niger; suspension of all commercial and financial transactions between ECOWAS Member States and Niger. They also ordered a freeze of utility services,  assets of the Republic of Niger in ECOWAS Central Banks and  commercial banks, and suspension of Niger from all financial assistance and transactions.

Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger to cease membership in ECOWAS by 2025Tinubu to ECOWAS leaders: Let's learn from Ghana's democratic example

The ECOWAS leaders gave Niger one week within which to comply or they would “take all measures necessary to restore constitutional order in the Republic of Niger. Such measures may include the use of force…”. They then ordered the activation of the ECOWAS Standby Force to “restore constitutional order  in Niger”.

Four days later, the ECOWAS Defence Chiefs met to work out invasion plans which they approved at their August 17, 2023  meeting in Accra, Ghana.

Western powers openly revealed that they were behind the planned invasion. The German Foreign Ministry in a statement declared: “Our goal is to restore the constitutional order.” French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna also gave Niger an order to either handover power or face invasion by ECOWAS.

However, Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso rejected the invasion plans. The last two  on August 18, 2023  issued a statement that: “Any military intervention against Niger would be tantamount to a declaration of war against Burkina Faso and Mali.” The groundswell of opposition, including by the Nigerian people which shares borders with Niger and whose government was leading the invasion plan, led to its abortion. The three countries  mainly out of protest, then gave notice of their withdrawal from ECOWAS.

Given this background, ECOWAS was this week, too  quick to formalise the separation. This is more so when behind the powdered face it displayed at its summit, the regional body is all battered. Apart from the three that are leaving, another member, Guinea, also run by the military, is clearly in bed with them. This may have been responsible for its absence at the ECOWAS Summit.

Three of the remaining eleven- member countries are run by civilian coup plotters who have subverted the constitutions of their countries and are running authoritarian regimes no different  from military regimes except that they wear suits rather than military fatigue.

In Guinea Bissau, President Umaro Sissoco Embalo, a retired General, in May 2022 carried out a coup and dissolved parliament. In new parliamentary elections on June 4, 2023, he again lost. So, on December 4, 2023 he executed a second coup, dissolving parliament and subordinating the judiciary to his rule. This remains the situation.

President Alssane Dramane Ouattara of Cote d’Ivoire after exhausting his two terms in office, illegally awarded himself an unconstitutional third term. Ivoriens who protested this illegality were murdered on the streets.

President Faure Gnassingbe organised his first coup in 2005 after his father, Eyadema, a veteran coup plotter, died. After serving three terms in office, he got the Togolese constitution changed in order to have two extra terms in office which would end in 2030 by which time he would have been Togolese President for 25 years. Who knows, he may yet try to equal his father‘s record who imposed himself as president for 38 years.

So, today, seven of the 15 ECOWAS Heads of State, are coup plotters. Therefore, a primary task of ECOWAS is not to decide which coup plotters are acceptable and which are not. Rather, it needs a general restructuring in favour of democracy and a people-oriented regional body.

ECOWAS also needs to align itself with the basic principles of sovereignty. It should know that its  endorsement of the West African Gas Pipeline Project otherwise called the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline Project, is criminally illegal as the pipeline passes through Western Sahara without the consent of that country which is a brother country of the African Union, AU. At 49, ECOWAS is no longer a baby.

The Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has stated that directing curses at individuals online constitutes a criminal offense punishable under the law.

Adejobi explained that such behavior amounts to cyberbullying, which cannot be justified as freedom of expression or constructive criticism.

He emphasized this in a statement, writing: “Raining direct curses on someone online is cyber bullying, not expression of freedom or criticism.

“And cyberbullying, which is even different from defamation, is a criminal offence and punishable. Be guided.”

Reacting, a tweep said, “@felabayomi: When does raining curses become a crime? I look forward to the day someone will challenge these law they are using to take away peoples human right in the supreme court. Late Gani Fawehinmi would have challenged that law by now.”

@DistinctFOJ contested, “Olumuyiwa, assuming your narrative is valid, Section 1(3) of the CFRN state that if any other law is inconsistent with the provisions of this constitution, this constitution shall prevail.

Freedom of expression is nonnegotiable. Raining curses is Constitutional.”

@omoopee_ agreed with the FPRO, “You are absolutely right sir, raining curses and engaging in cyberbullying is not freedom of expression but an act of harm. We must all learn to express ourselves responsibly. That said, sir, please, you are yet to respond to my question.”

Vanguard News

A uniquely memorable aspect of my youth was spending Xmas at Okemesi. There was the harmattan weather whose chill effect sometimes ran to a quale drizzling 17 degrees. 

A compact close knit community, it lies between latitude 4.910E to 4.935 0 E and longitude 7.8150N to 7.860N. The borders are contiguous in relative equidistance of about ten kilometres radius with Imesi-Ile to the East, with Ikoro-Ekiti to the West, with Esa-Oke, to to the North East. 

The complement of a clement weather all year long, culminating in a social intimacy inducing harmattan chill- in sync with the celebratory mood of Xmas, is a big predisposing incentive to the indigenes fixation with spending the yuletide season at the town. 

Across the country, social activities culminated in the December end of year season. The consequential  mass retreat to the countryside resulted in a concomitant desertion of the cosmopolitan cities. 

It was the time for sparkling and  initiating tender love relationships which often get consummated in marriage. Openly conducting the orchestra with a not too subtle (match-making) push were the expectant Dads and Moms in the mission of reproducing their all  Okemesiwedlock.

The culture remains in vogue and It happened to me even though I was under no pressure to follow suit. 

I left Nigeria in October 1994 for a three months journalism fellowship at the radio voice of Germany, Deutsche Welle, I left a broken hearted girlfriend behind who was looking forward to marriage.

On my return from Germany three months later I equally left a sorrowful German fraulein behind. No way I was going to marry òyìnbó anyway. 

I decided that would be the last time I was going to abandon a girlfriend. At the age of 32 years I was already an old bachelor. 

To tie my hands, I entered into a solemn covenant with God that whoever next captures my fancy as girlfriend would be God’s choice for me. And so it transpired. 

Landing in Nigeria in December I headed for Okemesi to spend the Xmas break. At a random party, my junior sister introduced her friend, whom I had never met before to me. I fell for her and that was it. 

The likelihood is that without bringing God into it, I would most likely lapse into cynical bachelorhood all over again.

I hardly swear. By nature I’m a conscientious person and ordinarily I would  loathe to renege on any pledge I make. So it is near impossible for me to swear by the name of God and not fulfil my end of the bargain.

My peers and I always looked forward to spending Xmas at Okemesi. It was the occasion for annual family reunion and ours was quite large. My generation alone numbered in the 40s

How we managed to squeeze ourselves in one or two rooms remained a mystery to me. It was not that there was insufficient accommodation. We all just chose to sleep together in one spot.

It was the moment we witnessed our dads, uncles and aunties let down their guards.There regularly ensued a drama orchestrated by one of my uncles. He would summon this elderly relative (Baba Ogidi) who loves the bottle. Don’t we all?.

Ogidi was short of hearing.To have conversation with him you would need to substantially raise your decibels and to respond he would equally constrained to shout even if he didn’t realise he was shouting. 

Soon enough the compound would erupt in the contrived shouting match and raucous merry making. It was the occasion to see my father dance to the drumbeat that heralded his grandfather to battle fronts. He was an excellent dancer. 

With little to show for it, I sought to emulate him. He would be greatly pleased and amused that I bagged the ultimate warlord title, Balogun, same as the famous Ekitiparapo warrior, Fabunmi, who was the first and I’m the fourth in the line of succession.

My illustrious predecessors include Chief T.A Oni of the Oni&sons fame who was probably the richest Yoruba of his times. Being named Akintola, at the peak of the demonisation of the late Premier of Western region Ladoke Akintola), he took delight in taunting and loudly hailing me Akintola! I would then break down in tears remonstrating he should desist from calling me by that name. He would assuage me with a bottle of mirinda, fanta or Pepsi cola. 

One of the futile steps I took as a six year old was the unilateral declaration of change of name to Akinjide. 

There was my wise ebullient grandmother(Otoola) who would relentlessly treat us to the chant of our family panegyric (lineage praise poem called Oriki) and regale us with nightly rendition of vintage folklores. 

The following morning, she would embark on marathon intercession prayers for all her descendants beginning with my dad who was her first child to the latest grandchild.The hours-long prayers provoked my father’s heckling that his mum was monopolising God’s attention to the detriment of others.

Variants of the same scenario would unfold in several households across the community. But we were particularly aligned with the Oni, Adedeji, Omidiran, Okunlola, Durotoye and Fapohunda families. 

We packed ourselves in convoys that took us on impromptu excursions around Ekiti. I remember we particularly loved to drop in on Pa Arokodare at Ijero to pick white guava. Our favourite spot was the warm springs resort at Ikogosi. 

We embarked on mountain climbing to the scenic hills that completely enveloped Okemesi. It is a scenic beauty to behold.

Until 1973, one notable intervening variable was the tradition of yearly termination of the academic calendar in late December. It is the month in which your academic capability to proceed on the ladder of education is determined. 

Your promotion examination results will determine whether you progress to the next class or not. More consequential, it is the month in which graduating secondary students sit for Western African School Examination Council, WASCE. It was the examination that determines your eligibility for higher education. 

It was therefore a season for joy or sadness for primary and secondary school students who succeeded or failed in their examinations. The academic stars were pampered while the failures were made to feel like second citizens 

On the reports of surpassing blissful celebration in the Igbo heartland, it remains my abiding wish to spend Xmas in the community. The massive movement of the Igbo from all over the country to their homeland is an indication of its unparalleled social significance. 

Not even the trauma of being snared in the predictable traffic gridlock on the road for days would dissuade the massive retreat. In this regard, this year is positively unique for them.The celebration is bound to go several notches higher thanks to the completion of the life saving second Niger bridge that eases traffic movements. 

This hacks back to the differential incorporation of colonialism in its various manifestations in Nigeria. 

At the request of the leaders of the Sokoto caliphate, the British colonialists assured the insulation of the far North against the propagation of Christianity. 

In the formation of the culture of the colonial and post colonialWAZOBIA the imperialist religions of Christianity and Islam have exerted varying influence on the cultural language groups. 

In the Pan Islamic North, the theocratic rulers successfully negotiated the insulation of the region from Christian proselytization and evangelism. The latter readily granted the concession because it roundly suited the deployment of the indirect rule and his innate bias for the region. This provided the North an ample opportunity to preserve their Pan Arabic culture and language in opposition to Westernization/ Modernisation.

This corresponded to a contrary preponderance of Christian acculturation of the South East. Prior to colonialism and contemporary Nigeria, the Igbo dominated Eastern region had remained impermeable to the jihadist spread of Islam thus ceding the playfield to the monopoly of christian proliferation and acculturation. 

The Igbo Christianity trend was also inadvertently prompted by such seemingly unrelated external factors as the massive population dislocations and dispersal occasioned by the implosion of the oyo empire. 

Professor Kenneth Dike attributed the phenomenon of the abnormally high population density of the Eastern Nigeria forest belt, in part, to an influx of people from the West and the North, seeking to escape the raids of slave chieftains in the more open country. Jihadist slave trade is almost synonymous with the propagation of Islam.

December 25th is the assumed birthday of Jesus Christ but like most knowledge concerning religion, it is a myth. 

Following the perspective of the origins of Xmas in the revelry accompanying the winter solstice festival the Christian world tend to indulge in similar festivities and carnivals. 

‘Almost certainly from existing pagan celebrations, the winter solstice (shortest day) had always been celebrated by primitive peoples as the beginning of hope for the arrival of spring. This continued into classical times. The Romans celebrated the festival of Saturnalia between 17th and 25th’

‘Some have stated that, around 350 AD, Julius I declared December 25 as the official date of the birth of Jesus. This is based on a letter quoted only in a 9th-century source, and this letter is spurious. At the time this was one of the commonly believed dates for Jesus’ birth’ 

‘The actual date of Jesus’s birth is unknown. It has been noted that 25 December is two days after the end of the Roman festival of Saturnalia. Some have speculated that part of the reason this date was chosen may have been because Julius was trying to create a Christian alternative to Saturnalia’. 

‘Another reason for the decision may have been because, in 274 AD, the Roman emperor Aurelian had allegedly declared 25 December the birthdate of Sol Invictus and that Julius I allegedly may have thought that he could attract more converts to Christianity by allowing them to continue to celebrate on the same day’

‘He may have also been influenced by the idea that Jesus had died on the anniversary of his conception because Jesus died during Passover and, in the third century AD, Passover was celebrated on 25 March he may have assumed that Jesus’s birthday must have come nine months later, on 25 December’.

Compliments of the Season. See you all in January 2025.

If I’ve learned anything these past 35 years of journalism, it’s looking for a story in every situation. It wasn’t different when I left home for the airport on December 14, except that this time, the story found me. My Uber driver started the conversation: “Are you Mr. Azu of LEADERSHIP?” he asked.

I confirmed I was but didn’t make much of his question since he could have gotten the information from Truecaller. I also found from my Truecaller that he was identified as “Doc. Jibrin.” However, in a country where people love big titles that mean nothing, anyone can call themselves anything.

Somehow, I tested my prejudice by asking him if he was a medical doctor. “I’m a paediatrician,” Jibrin replied. I paused in confusion. I have read many stories of graduate drivers or professionals doing odd jobs. Working odd jobs is hardly news in a country with 33 percent unemployment, mainly among young graduates. However, being a paediatrician Uber driver in a country with a paediatrician-patient ratio of roughly 1:525 was new for me.

We got talking. I asked him how he became an Uber driver, and he told me it was something he did as a pastime when he was not on duty twice a week at a government hospital. He told me how being an Uber driver has allowed him to meet people and how many of his passengers responded in shock whenever he told them he was a paediatrician.

He told the story of one passenger, a wealthy businessman, who offered to use his license to open a medical facility, promising him heaven on earth, but he refused.

“He gave me his number and other contact details and asked me to think about it and get back to him. He said he was running a pharmacy using a nurse’s certificate and was thinking of something bigger. I declined politely,” Jibrin said. “Something about him just didn’t connect with me.”

I asked a bit more. Where did Jibrin go to school, and why did he become a paediatrician? He flipped the roles gently and charmingly, smiling and laughing as he did so. Based on my questions, he figured I must be a senior journalist and wanted to know more about me. Did I go to school in Nigeria? Were my parents well-to-do?

I told him that I grew up in Ajegunle, one of Nigeria’s most famous ghettos, and all the schools I’ve attended – from primary to university – have been in Nigeria. One thing journalism has done for me is that it has allowed me to travel, learn, expand my network, and sharpen my curiosity whenever I meet people like him.

He smiled again, and immediately, I retook my role as interlocutor. Why did he study paediatrics, and where?

“I love babies,” the young man, likely in his late thirties, said. “I’ve always been fascinated by their tenderness, innocence, and vulnerability. If you want to know about babies, watch parents when their babies are ill. Sometimes, you don’t know who is suffering more – the babies or their parents!”

He told me he attended Medical School at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU) in Ile-Ife and returned to specialise in Paediatrics. At OAU, he had an encounter that would significantly impact his life. His best friend at medical school was Chima, a bright young Igbo man with whom he immediately struck a kindred spirit. As Jibrin told me the story of Chima, I watched his countenance change and his smile disappear.

Even though the incident happened nearly 10 years ago, the pain seemed fresh in his memory.

“When Chima told me he was travelling to the East, there was no way I could have guessed that would be the last time I would see him,” Jibrin said. “On his way, the bus in which they were travelling was ambushed by armed robbers. All the passengers, including Chima, were forced to lie face down on the road and shot many times. When I saw my friend’s body, I couldn’t recognise it. That picture of his bullet-ridden body is etched in my mind!”

Chima’s medical career was not the only unfinished business when he was killed. Apart from his career and traumatised friends, Chima also left behind a girlfriend who was pregnant at the time of his death.

“I decided,” Jibrin said, “that I would be responsible for his pregnant girlfriend and the baby.”

He was as good as his word. For the next several months and in a country where religion often divides, Jibrin, a Muslim from Gombe State in the North East, took upon himself the responsibility of looking after the pregnant girlfriend of his dead friend, a Christian from the South East.

When the baby was born, her mother named her Joy. “You should have seen the baby,” Jibrin said. “She looked so much like her father. In a way, her birth brought some closure to the wound that Chima’s death inflicted.”

Jibrin struggled after medical school but kept his commitment to his friend’s girlfriend and the new baby. “Chima’s younger brother knew about this,” Jibrin said. “But he is an apprentice somewhere and can’t stand on his own feet yet.”

Three years after Joy’s birth, something dramatic happened. Her mom came over to see Jibrin with Baby Joy and asked if she could leave her with him for that weekend because she wanted to travel.

“I couldn’t say no,” Jibrin recalled. “My girlfriend was staying with me, and even though she was reluctant initially, we both agreed that looking after Joy for one weekend wasn’t too much.”

And so, off Joy’s mother went. One weekend led to another and another. And she wasn’t coming back. Jibrin’s girlfriend started asking questions. At this time, Joy’s mother had become unreachable, and nothing he told his confused and angry girlfriend seemed to make sense. “She kept asking me to come clean, to level with her,” Jibrin said. “It soon became obvious she wanted me to confess what I had not done.”

The relationship broke up. Jibrin, unable to look after Joy and still find his footing as a young doctor, decided to take Joy to his elder sister in Jos. There, she asked all the difficult questions his girlfriend had asked and more. She begged Jibrin to tell her the truth: Was Joy his child?

He couldn’t convince her but managed to suspend her doubts. One or two years later, he got married after a problematic negotiation during which he told his new wife that she must accept and treat Joy as her daughter as a precondition for the marriage.

Fast-forward. Jibrin has three children—all girls—two younger ones aged six and three and his adopted daughter, Joy, who is now nine and in junior secondary school. “She tops her class,” he told me proudly as we drove into the airport.

And then he told me something else. He’s been wrestling with the question of how to raise Joy – as a Muslim, which he is, or as a Christian, which his friend Joy’s father was? “The matter has troubled me so much I had to seek advice from a cleric who said I should bring her up in my religion.”

As Jibrin dropped me off at the car park attached to the terminal building, I thought to myself: I think the cleric is right but for a different reason. Once you have formally adopted the child, how you raise her is entirely up to you. Most parents might agree, however, that once the child reaches a certain age, often young adulthood, what they do with their lives is entirely up to them.

And don’t be surprised if that includes creating new idols in a networked shrine with limitless potential for good and evil. It’s enough to know that you did your best by them while you could.

Ishiekwene, Editor-In-Chief of LEADERSHIP, is the author of the new book Writing for Media and Monetising It.