Category: Columns

    By Sebastine Ebhuomhan   Thursday, 4th December, 2025. Abuja. When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu appointed Chief (Dr.) Dennis Brutu Otuaro on 14th March 2024 to administer the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), he had great expectations. The official announcement reflecting the president’s infallible wisdom underlined that Dr. Otuaro “had previously served as a top-level executive of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) with a surfeit of experience across multiple sectors, including infrastructure development, security, environmental remediation, as well as oil and gas. “The President anticipates that the new Administrator will bring his requisite experience and know-how to this role to revamp the Amnesty Programme and advance the realization of its founding purpose and vision,” it stated. In the beginning, it was about peace and security in the Niger Delta. Endless economic agitations in the region resulted in the continuous sabotage of oil and gas facilities, bringing down Nigeria’s crude oil production. The concerted effort to end agitation necessitated the presidential proclamation of Amnesty in 2009 and the surrendering of arms and ammunition by ex-agitators, whose disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration the Programme was established to achieve. To properly reintegrate ex-agitators, the PAP was later restructured to pursue education (through local and foreign scholarships), vocational skills training, empowerment, peace building and conflict resolution, job placement as well as partnership development. However, derailed vision, data infractions, irregular stipends, and other challenges dominated the narratives of the agency’s mandate and activities. It was so much that the media had field days covering endless protests at the gates of the headquarters, other offices in Niger Delta, and targeted venues of events involving the agency’s management and stakeholders. Today, it is not just about peace and security but about the human resource development of Niger Delta people in the face of other remedial actions. Twenty months on the PAP seat, Otuaro’s strategic reform aimed at improving efficiency, transparency and accountability have redefined the Programme’s impact in the lives of ex-agitators, impacted communities, youth and people of the entire region through quality education, human capacity training, and empowerment scheme, establishing the PAP as Niger Delta’s main vehicle of development; thus, making protest a thing of the past. Chief (Dr.) Otuaro, PhD., the Ibe-Uyadonwei of Gbaramatu Kingdom, has a deep knowledge of the issues that fuelled militancy in the Niger Delta and an understanding of how to mitigate its impacts as well as address the issues. His strategy of inclusivity anchored on consultation, conflict-resolution, counselling, and collaboration is quietly yielding results beyond the noise and fanfare of the past. Undoubtedly, his administration will go into the record books for the massive pursuit of education for Niger Delta youth. Under Otuaro, in-country scholarship deployment was 3,800 in the 2024/2025 academic year. The figure increased to about 4,000 in 2025/2026 with foreign scholarships also increasing to about 200. In the same period, quantum leaps were recorded in the number of beneficiaries for skill acquisition training, post-training empowerment and job placements with an assurance that the administration would continue to do its best to give more indigent youth access to higher education for requisite skills and knowledge of self-reliance and nation building for sustainable peace, security and development. Nevertheless, staff welfare and work efficiency have been reviewed and improved since Otuaro assumed office. With Nigeria’s latest crude oil production, according to the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the International Energy Statistics (IES), indicating a monthly production of 1.610 million barrels per day (mbpd) as of November 2025, from 1.508 million barrels (or 6.76 percent increase) compared to the same period a year ago, despite a slight drop from the previous month, October’s 1.642 million barrels (or 1.95 percent decrease), the sustenance of peace and security in the Niger Delta achieved through Otuaro’s purposeful PAP administration is a catalyst for the Federal Government’s vision of stable national economy and a developed Niger Delta. Reflecting on his decision, the expectations are being matched. Today, President Tinubu is very satisfied, proud, and confident of the future of Niger Delta and, particularly, the youth of the region and Nigerians benefitting from Otuaro’s passionate, transparent and accountable administration. For these and more, Otuaro is thankful to President Tinubu and the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, for not relenting in their support. “I want to, again, thank His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for finding me worthy for appointment; to take up the baton of leadership at the PAP with the help of the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who has been very supportive of our initiatives since I assumed office. “One of the things you must know about His Excellency, President Tinubu, is that he is very strategic and systematic in his approach to resolving issues of development, socio-economic growth, security and sustainable peace in our region, the Niger Delta. “You all can see how Mr President’s deliberate approach is producing positive results in our region. There is no doubt that Mr President’s strategy is working for the Niger Delta. “This applies to the huge support that he has been giving to the Presidential Amnesty Programme under my leadership, for which we are very grateful. “Because of His Excellency’s massive backing, we have been able to expand the programme’s scholarship scheme, and it is our strong hope that more students of indigent backgrounds from impacted communities will benefit from the initiative. “We will also continue to strengthen our policy of inclusivity. “I urge you and all the people of the Niger Delta to continue to support the administration of Mr President because we are confident that, judging from the many good things he is doing in our region, he will do even much more for us after his re-election in 2027.” As 2027 draws closer, the people of Niger Delta must continue to trust, support, and walk along Otuaro’s progressive footsteps, unmatched passion, unequalled performance, and unrivalled leadership so as to ensure the continuous success of Mr. President’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

  My fellow Nigerians, distinguished citizens, today I speak not in anger but in hope. Hope that our democracy — though battered and bruised — can still rise again. Recently, across the ocean, a young man named Zohran Mamdani achieved what many considered impossible. Born of African roots, raised in the heart of New York City, he won a seat in the State Assembly not through wealth or influence, but through conviction, service, and the power of ordinary people. His victory was not just political; it was moral. It reminded the world that when citizens organize, when they believe in their collective power, they can transform even the most entrenched systems. Here in Nigeria, our democracy faces great trials. Elections that should be moments of unity too often become sources of tension and doubt. We have witnessed the chaos of late materials, broken promises, and manipulated results. Many of our citizens have lost faith — not because they do not believe in democracy, but because they no longer believe that democracy believes in them. But we must remember this: the failure of a process does not mean the death of a principle. What Mamdani’s story teaches us is that the people themselves — when organized, when resolute — can rebuild what the system has broken. Mamdani’s campaign in Queens was rooted in the simplest idea: that politics must serve the people. He walked the streets, listened to his neighbors, and placed their struggles at the center of his politics. He built trust before he sought power. That is the example Nigeria must follow. Our democracy must return to the people. Our elections must once again be about ideas, not identities; about service, not self-interest. Let us learn from Mamdani that leadership is not granted from above — it is earned from below. We, too, can nurture movements that begin in communities, in local councils, in youth organizations, and civic groups. We can train observers, defend ballots, and build digital platforms that promote transparency. We can turn our frustration into organized participation. My compatriots, democracy does not fail because the people are weak. It fails because those who believe in it remain silent while others distort it. But today, we cannot afford silence. Each of us must become a guardian of the public will — in our neighborhoods, our universities, our villages, our cities. The strength of a nation is not measured by the power of its politicians, but by the courage of its citizens. Zohran Mamdani’s victory is not America’s story alone; it is a universal lesson. It reminds us that democracy, no matter where it lives, depends on the people who are willing to defend it. Let us, therefore, renew our faith — not in parties or personalities, but in the power of collective action and moral leadership. Let us build a Nigeria where elections are peaceful, transparent, and credible — not as a dream, but as a duty. The world is watching. History is waiting. And the responsibility of our generation is clear: to ensure that Nigeria’s democracy is not a story of what could have been, but a testament to what we, the people, chose to make it. Thank you, and may God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Igbotako Nowinta Executive – Director, Nigeria Good Governance Research Centre ( NGGRC)

  By Igbotako Nowinta “Kudos to Glorious Vision University for its continuous contributions to education, research, and societal transformation. It is really very interesting that the Nigerian Universities Commission (NUC) just few days ago, approved six new programmes for Glorious Vision University at Ogwa Campus, in the following programmes :B. Sc. Software Engineering; B. Sc. Peace and Conflict Studies; B. Sc. Social Works; B. Sc. Petroleum Economics and Policy Studies; B. Sc. Employment Relations and Human Resource Management, and B. Sc. Political Science. Prospective students can now apply to study the above courses at Glorious Vision University in the 2025/2026 academic session. The Cut off mark is 150; interested candidates could visit Glorious Vision University portal and apply (www.gvu.edu.ng) and await further instructions from the university. From the above, that is why, it is abundantly clear that Prof. Ezekiel Asemah, is a visionary leader who recognizes the critical role of global engagement in advancing the institution’s mission. This Vice Chancellor is proactive in seeking opportunities to showcase the university’s research and achievements on international platforms, fostering collaborations that enhance academic quality and institutional reputation”.   From November 6th to 7th 2025, all roads will lead to the Glorious Vision University, Ogwa, Edo State, Nigeria, for the 2025 International Conference, which is expected to expose this fast growing citadel of learning into emerging global trends plus enhancement of quality of teaching and research. It is interesting that the key note speaker will be Prof. Osarhieme Benson Osadolor, former Acting Vice – Chancellor, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, now, Dean, Faculty of Art, University of Benin. Deciding to theme this all important international conference: “Innovation, Development, and Sustainability: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Nation Building”, the Vice – Chancellor, Prof. Ezekiel Asemah and the dynamic university management team, were fundamentally prepared to provide faculty, researchers, and students with firsthand access to the latest research, innovations, and best practices in various academic fields. It is indisputable that conferences create platforms for building professional relationships with academics, industry experts, and policymakers worldwide. These connections can lead to joint research projects, exchange programs, and funding opportunities, boosting the university’s research profile and academic reach. Presenting papers and participating in international conferences increases the visibility of the university’s faculty and research outputs. This raises the institution’s profile in the global academic community, attracting potential students, faculty, and partnerships. Attendance at conferences helps university staff and students develop new skills in research methodologies, academic writing, and presentation. These experiences foster critical thinking and innovation, contributing to the overall growth of the academic community. Exposure to global funders and organizations at conferences can open doors for research grants, scholarships, and infrastructural investments. Collaborations formed at these events can bring financial resources crucial for the university’s development. Insights gained from international forums can inform curriculum updates, ensuring that academic programs are relevant, competitive, and aligned with global standards. This strengthens graduates’ employability and the university’s academic excellence. International conferences foster cultural understanding and exchange, enriching the university environment. Interaction with diverse perspectives broadens the worldview of students and staff, promoting inclusiveness and global citizenship. Participation in international academic events motivates faculty and students, enhancing job satisfaction and academic enthusiasm. Recognition on international platforms encourages continued excellence in research and teaching. Nigeria, often dubbed the “Giant of Africa,” stands at a critical crossroads in its journey toward nation building. With Africa’s largest population and one of its biggest economies, the country faces unique challenges and opportunities in driving innovation, fostering development, and ensuring sustainability. To unlock its full potential, Nigeria must adopt a multidisciplinary approach that leverages its diverse talents, resources, and cultural richness. Innovation is essential for Nigeria’s economic transformation beyond its traditional dependence on oil exports. The Nigerian tech ecosystem has seen remarkable growth, with hubs in Lagos, Abuja, and beyond driving startups in fintech, agritech, healthtech, and education technology. Companies like Paystack and Flutterwave have placed Nigeria on the global fintech map. However, innovation must extend beyond technology. Nigeria needs creative solutions in governance, agriculture, and infrastructure to address issues such as energy shortages, inefficient public services, and urban congestion. Encouraging homegrown innovation through improved research and development (R&D) funding, university-industry partnerships, and supportive policies can help Nigeria leapfrog into a diversified economy. Economic development must be complemented by social policies that target vulnerable groups, including women, youth, and rural communities. Urban planners, economists, and social scientists should collaborate to design sustainable cities like Abuja and Lagos, balancing rapid urbanization with affordable housing, transportation, and environmental conservation. Moreover, strengthening institutions and good governance is paramount to ensuring that development initiatives are transparent, inclusive, and accountable. Adopting sustainability as a core principle of nation building requires integrating environmental protection into economic policies. Multidisciplinary collaboration among environmental scientists, policymakers, economists, and local communities can promote sustainable agriculture, renewable energy adoption, and conservation efforts. Take the challenge of youth unemployment, which is among the highest globally. Tackling this requires coordinated efforts involving education reform (to equip youth with relevant skills), entrepreneurship support, social safety nets, and innovative employment policies. Collaboration between academia, government, private sector, and civil society is essential. Innovation, development, and sustainability are the triad upon which resilient and prosperous nations are built. By embracing multidisciplinary perspectives, countries can craft nuanced policies that address the multifaceted nature of nation building. The future belongs to those who can harmonize technological progress, social well-being, and environmental stewardship to create societies that thrive today and endure tomorrow. Glorious Vision University, Ogwa, Edo State, deserves high commendation for putting up this conference themed “Innovation, Development, and Sustainability: Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Nation Building.” This timely and thought-provoking conference reflects the university’s unwavering commitment to academic excellence, research-driven development, and the advancement of national and global progress. By fostering dialogue across multiple disciplines, Glorious Vision University has created a platform for scholars, policymakers, and innovators to exchange ideas that can shape a more sustainable and prosperous future for Nigeria and beyond. Kudos to Glorious Vision University for its continuous contributions to education, research, and societal transformation.

      BY TONY ERHA A fuzzy analyst on a social media platform called it the “roar of a cat-king that frightens the land-animals of the jungle”. Another onlooker also likened it to a rattlesnake that meander the market place, while in a full gathering, causing intense stampede. Yet, another called it “fire on the mountain top”. What a-gwan? – An American street jargon for “what is going on? – would question. Behold, a stormy returnee-president of the Yankee’s nation, the United States of America (USA), Donald J. Trump, has scattered ‘the table’, an sobriquet by Nigerians for an angry man’s disruption of a wrong setup. In a premeditated recourse to action, Trump, the most powerful president from the God’s own country, had declared Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country and one of its principal allies on the continent, a ‘Country of Particular Concern (CPC)’. The tempestuous man vowed to deploy American military forces to smoke out Muslim Jihads and other terrorists from the country’s north, if his confirmed-genocide on Christians wasn’t stopped. CPC is a similar acronym for the Congress for Progressive Change, a political party once formed by Mohammadu Buhari, the country’s immediate-past president, who is mainly responsible for the lapses that earned Nigeria the CPC’s designation. ‘Country of Particular Concern’ (CPC), is a classification of the US Secretary of State on a country that causes severe violations of religious freedom, under the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998, as amended in 1999. America is said to be given the right by the UN to expedite disciplinary actions about the CPC. The news of the CPC derisive classification and Trump’s razor-edge assertion of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Nigeria as a ‘disgraced country’, had spread fast like the Harmattan’s bushfires or the tinder wintry fires that roasts American country sides all-year-round. It is only a sane person who would be disturbed that the fire he set on a portion of the bush, in the flammable season, is the same that had spread far and wide, causing tangible destructions, in the shoddy manner Abuja had mismanaged its security. China had threatened brimstones, thus encouraging Muslim extremists, who proclaim that Trump dare not undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty, with his ‘threat to invade’ the country. Isn’t it the same Asia country that Senator Adams Oshiomhole recently accused on the floor of the Senate, as instigating illegal mining operations in the country, backing by armed bandits that carry out kidnapping, ethnic and religious persecution, against the people? The Russians, not minding its bitterest war against its Ukraine neighbour, also warned Trump. Nevertheless, a Conservative Caucus and lawmaking body of Canada supported Trump’s decision. Ezekiel Dachomo, the intrepid clergy from Plateau State, whose relentless advocacy puts his life on the terrorists’ cliff, with other activists, was the one who attracted Ted Cruz, a Republican Senator and a coterie of foreign humanists on the genocide matter, had chided the Christians Association of Nigeria (CAN) and Nigerian government, as playing the poker that resulted in the deaths, maiming, arsons and railroading of millions of Nigerians into IDP exiles. But Pastor Enoch Adeboye, leader of the mega Redeem Christian Church of God, had yanked aside his cassocks to advise an unsettled President Tinubu to play it soft, and not to be hoodwinked that China, Russia and the United Kingdom would come to his aid, should Trump make good his threat. Adeboye pleaded for 90 days of grace, for Tinubu to flush out the multitudes of Boko Haram, ISIS, ISWAP and the Fulani militants that have laid a deadly siege for over a decade. Although notable clergies from the mosque and church, alike; had towed the line of peace as Pastor Adeboye, a headstrong Ahmad Abubakar Gumi and the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jubrin, in a ‘bravado of guilt’, had told Trump to do his worst. Gumi is the outspoken bearer of Abyssinian long beard, who’s frequently accused of ‘a hand in the gloves’ with known terrorists and was allegedly repatriated from Saudi Arabia on terrorism claims. And in what pundits regarded as shocking and an un-presidential, a former Head of State, Abdulsalami Abubakar, who is acclaimed to be an Ambassador of Peace, bluntly scolded that “Trump is trying to disintegrate Nigeria, with his comments that threaten our hard-won unity”. One would have thought that he and his fellow ex-head of state, Ibrahim Badamasi Banbagida (IBB), who couldn’t rescue their Niger State, from the terrorists’ stranglehold, are glad that Trump’s intervention would eventually rid their people of the menace. Obviously, General Abubakar would be in the swelling league of those who accuse Trump of persecuting the Muslim faith. Why the claims of attempted violation of Nigeria’s sovereignty by Trump, , when the same country is complicit of the genocide on tens of thousands of souls; children, women, able-bodies and the aged that are butchered in cold blood? Does it truly merit to be called a sovereign state? Which sovereignty where a large section of its security outfit hobnob those who massacre the same ordinary people they sworn to protect? Can there be autonomy in a country where terrorists rule over some of the country’s un-governed spaces? Yet, numerous organizations and credible voices across the northern religion and its political divides are united that President Trump couldn’t be faulted that Nigeria’s current president, Bola Ahmed Tinubu had been disinterested at stopping the excessive killings. Trump had reminded all that Tinubu and his associates in APC, once visited him in the White House in 2014, accusing the then government of President Goodluck Jonathan of committing same genocide against Christians, for which they sought his cooperation to remove Jonathan from office. Trump asserted that that visit was what prompted the CPC designation. The “US strikes will make sense if they are directed at terrorist groups like Boko Haram, ISIS, and ISWAP, who have been killing both Muslims and Christians. Trump and the US will be hailed if this is the objective”. Intoned, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, Executive Director of the Muslim

    On  our way we are going to fight On our way we are going to war If it happens, we die on the battlefield Never mind we shall meet again Kóláwolé agbára únbẹ A lè ja o Fuji icon, Abdulrasaq Kóláwolé Ilori, popularly known as General Ayinla Kollington, waxed the above lyrics in his 1986 album, E Bá Mi Dúpé. Kollington left the Military as a non-commissioned officer. When such a man says he is heading to the front lines, his relations have every reason to worry, given his limited or non-existent experience he possessed in real combat. But the fuji crooner’s case is far better than the position of Femi Fani-Kayode (FFK), former Minister of Aviation, who, on Sunday, warned the United States of America, USA, that there would be war should the Big Brother, US, make good its threat to intervene in Nigeria’s plight in the hands of insurgents, militarily. Here is what FFK said about the impending military action threatened by President Donald Trump of America: “… if he carries out his abominable threat, there will be a war. We shall not leave the country, but we will fight it out with them…” When a man promises to give you a cloth to wear, our elders caution that you should first look at the rag your would-be benefactor puts on. What is FFK’s pedigree that he would threaten war with the US? Who prepared pounded yam for him and asked him not to worry about the soup with which to eat it (ta ló gún iyán fún un tó ní t’obè ò sòro)? Could it be that the Ile Ife-born politician listens more to the lyrics of Kollington above? Or is there an intoxicating spirit somewhere ministering to his sanguinary needs? FFK’s father, the Late Chief Victor Babaremilekun Adetokunbo Fani-Kayode, known simply as Remi Fani-Kayode, was elected the Deputy Premier of the defunct Western Region in 1963. His principal was the late Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Samuel Ladoke Akintola. Remi Fani-Kayode was so powerful in the Akintola administration that he was nicknamed, Fani Power. He was, indeed, a great power wielder, consummate politician, brilliant lawyer and alternate Premier of the most cosmopolitan region. He was romanticised such that friends and foes feared him. But on the night of January 15, 1966, some young military boys under the leadership of the late Major Kaduna Nzeogwu, decided to overthrow the government of Alhaji Tafawa Balewa, Nigeria’s first Prime Minister. When the soldiers struck in Ibadan, capital of Western Region, the man known as Fani Power was picked up effortlessly! Accounts of that mid-night raid across the capitals of the three regions of Nigeria and Lagos, say that Chief Remi Fani-Kayode did not fire a single catapult at the mutinous soldiers who came for him! Neither did he scratch the skin of the soldiers with his fingernails. Remi Fani-Kayode simply obeyed as he was thrown, like a bag of Kano onions, into the trunk of the van the soldiers rode to his place. Those who witnessed that era and who knew Fani Power, say that FFK is nowhere near his father in terms of reach, boldness and dexterity. Yet, when the old Fani-Kayode saw guns, his ‘boldness’ evaporated as he begged for his life and led the rampaging soldiers to the residence of his principal, Akintola, where the late Yoruba Generalissimo was said to have shot several times at his assailants before he was overpowered and killed. Almost six decades after his father surrendered willingly to a few Nigerian soldiers that came for him at the dead of the night, FFK is boasting that should Trump make good his threat to send troops to our shores, “We shall not leave the country, but we will fight it out with them!” Pray, from whom did he inherit the boldness? Has he ever used a catapult to kill a lizard before such that he would boast of a full-blown war with the US? How did we get to this stage in our nation’s history that the American President, Trump, would have to warn our government to wake up and halt the ‘genocide’ of Christians in the country, otherwise, America would rise to the occasion? In a series of tweets over the weekend, Trump threatened to send military help, promising that he would be coming to Nigeria “gun-a-blazing.” I checked the semantic implications of the phrase, “gun-a-blazing”, and my dictionary says it means: “to do something with great energy, force, and enthusiasm or be very aggressive…” Ask me a hundred times, I will tell you that Trump means business. Yes, the motive may not be altruistic; it can never be, not with the Western world. But his choice of diction indicates a man who will do what he has said. And, sincerely, I pray that it doesn’t get to that level. Should it happen, the jubilation among Nigerians will make the jubilation when General Sani Abacha expired to pale into insignificance. This will be so, not necessarily because Nigerians are less patriotic. But more because the present administration has not demonstrated any strand of leadership in protecting the lives of the people! Trump went ahead to say: “I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it is going to be fast, vicious and sweet.” Other top Pentagon officials and political advisors of Trump had also spoken in that direction. It appears an American interest is at risk in Nigeria. The signs are ominous enough for any serious government to ignore. More worrisome is the fact that the Tinubu government’s vuvuzelas who are always quick to respond in aggressive manners to this kind of threat, are loudly silent! The US, we all know, does not joke with its interests, anywhere in the world. Moreso in “a disgraced country” like Nigeria as Trump christened us. Who do we blame for this? Nobody should be naive enough to think that the US is

President Theodore Roosevelt, (October 27, 1858-January 1919), was the 26th president of the United States. He served from 1901-1909. When asked to rein in his 19-year-old daughter, Alice, whose conducts had become so embarrassing to the people, the man known as TR, had this to say: “I can do one of two things. I can be President of the United States, or I can control Alice Roosevelt. I cannot possibly do both.” Children of the mighty and most powerful, in some instances, are pains to their parents. Yoruba sociology of parenting categorises children based on their behaviours in the public. There are some children regarded as àkóìgbà, which refers to the category of children who are patently impervious to correction. An àkóìgbà child, though well-brought up, remains an outcast in behaviour. He or she behaves in manners that negate the home training given from the cradle. The second categorisation is the àbíìkó or àbíìpabé children. These are the ones whose antisocial behaviours can be excused because the fault lies with poor parenting. An àbíìkó or àbíìpabé child receives no home training and as such, has nothing going on for him or her in terms of good upbringing. In the real street lingo, they are called born throwey (born and throw away). There are some known as omo òwúrò alé. Children in this category are the ones who were given the normal proper family training but, along the line, abandoned those lofty morals due to bad influence and adopted behaviours that conflict with their family. The beauty of an omo òwúrò alé is that timely intervention can save the situation and bring them back on track. The worst category is the omo pàpànlagi. Those in this typology are lost, completely – nothing can change them. They attach no importance to family values and have no sense of shame. When an omo pàpànlagi exhibits his or her characters in the public place, the opprobrium is always on the family. Unfortunately, majority of members of his or her family are of good accounts, good characters and enviable dispositions. The question is: how does an omo pàpànlagi acquire the bad behaviour? When a child displays any character that indicates an error in his or her upbringing, the African society has a way of correcting that. In most cases, the reaction of those who experience the detestable character is to send the unruly child back home. This method, I dare posit, is common in Yorubaland where the saying: Òde la ti únkó omo tí kò ní èkó(a bad child receives lessons in good conduct from outsiders) holds sway. Back to Alice Roosevelt. Two biographers, Colin McEvoy and Tyler Piccotti, in a July 23, 2025, piece titled: Hunter Biden and the 8 Most Problematic Presidential Children of All Time, say of Alice thus: “Although her actions might seem harmless by today’s standards, Alice Roosevelt was such an unconventional woman during her day that she repeatedly made headlines and caused headaches for her father Theodore Roosevelt…. Alice smoked and swore in public, which was practically unheard of among female socialites at the time. She also attended and placed bets at horse races and took her pet snake to parties. Before William Howard Taft became president, Alice buried a voodoo doll of Taft’s wife Nellie in the White House front yard, earning herself a ban from the nation’s capital.” Alice was so notorious that she featured again in another article by the Newsweek, The Most Problematic Presidential Children, published a year earlier on June 13, 2024. That notoriety by Alice informed why Americans called on their president to do something about the behaviour of his daughter, and he quipped the opening quote. Nigeria has its fair share of Alice Roosevelt. Noemie Emery, on June 25, 2003, details misbehaviours of the children of the mighty and powerful in Why Have So Many Presidents’ Kids Gone Wrong? A reading of the portraits of the children mentioned in the piece will resonate with what Nigerians have experienced in the hands of spoilt brats of their leaders. Something close to Emery’s piece occurred the penultimate week in Edo State. What played out in the sacred palace of the Oba of Benin, last Thursday, between the Benin monarch, Omo N’Oba N’Edo Uku Akpolokpolo Oba Ewuare II, and the self-imposed Iyaloja General of Nigeria, Mrs. Folasade Ojo-Tinubu, daughter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, calls for sober reflection. Every society defines its own structure. The Benin people of Edo State are a peculiar lot. When our elders say how we behave here is a taboo in another land (bí a ti únse níbí, èèwò ibòmíì), they probably have the Benin people in mind. That is exactly what the Benin sovereign, Oba Ewuare II, did to Mrs. Folasade Ojo-Tinubu, when she came calling to the Benin Palace with the misadventure of Iyaloja of all Edo Markets. The uniqueness of the Benin Palace lies more in the carriage of the oba. The Omo N’Oba is the epitome of the culture, tradition and custom of the Benin people. In him, the people find their essence. His personage speaks royalty in all ramifications. Thus, what one can do and get away with in many palaces, will no doubt attract severe sanctions if done in the Omo N’Oba’s palace. If there is any Black nation that still holds to its foundational culture, give it to Benin. Everything in the ancient city, and by its people, revolves round the monarch. He, like the modern-day executive president, is the fountain of honour. The Omo N’Oba owns every inch of Benin land. He creates dukedoms and appoints Dukes to oversee them in trust. He is the law, the judge and jailer! The Benin palace operates a new level of protocol. For instance, the Omo N’Oba does not wait for anybody. The oba, hailed as Umogun, determines who he sees. And when he sits in his court, the entire kingdom bows in deference. In any of his court sessions, he determines the proceedings.

  By Igbotako Nowinta “Therefore, Barr. Richmond Jolomi Omagbemi is a star in the pantheon of the gifted, embodying resilience and charismatic spirit. The monumental milestone he has achieved at the University of Delta, Agbor, as a trail blazer is a testament to his infectious leadership. With fire in his chest, the man is a reform driven administrator, setting a new standard of performance within the university community, hence he was one of those honoured recently by the graduating students of Department of History and International Studies, University of Delta, Agbor. Through grace and strength, reason and imaginations, Barr. Richmond Omagbemi’s popularity has reached far beyond the walls of the University of Delta, and he has indeed lit a perpetual path for others to struggle to emulate or beat.It is indeed glaring that, the legacy he has set in motion is one of courage and transformation, as a result of his outstanding contributions, accomplishments, and innovations in the field of administration” The Registrar, University of Delta, Agbor, Barr. Richmond Jolomi Omagbemi, broke a significant glass ceilings, in his career, on Thursday August 21st, 2025, when he was honoured with an award of “Doyen of administrative excellence”. The Department of History and Political Science, University of Delta, Agbor, in finding Barr. Omagbemi worthy of recognition said, the following about him:” For your examplary leadership, administrative foresight, and unwavering dedication, which greatly enhanced administrative excellence and student – centred policies”. The uniqueness of the above recognition was more scintillating given the fact that it was done during the first – ever Induction Ceremony of the graduating students of Department of History and International Studies, University of Delta, Agbor, into the Historical Society of Nigeria (HSN). The glamorousness of the above epochal event could not be over emphasized, given the fact that, it was held at the 1000 Capacity Hall, on the main campus of the University, where the erudite professor of history, Prof. Eddy Erhagbe, delivered a thought provoking lecture for the benefits of the students, with the theme:”Relevance Redefined: Explaining Career Opportunities for History Graduates In Today’s Competitive Environment”. Moving forward, now, it is crucial to know, how Barr. Richmond Omagbemi “Carved His Canyon”, even before he emerged as the Registrar, University of Delta, Agbor.Talking about carving canyon, let me quickly explain. The noun canyon refers to a deep ravine that has been cut into the earth’s surface over a long period of time by erosion from a running river. Also known as a gorge, it usually has very steep walls with rocky cliffs. One of the most famous examples is the Grand Canyon, which was cut by the Colorado River. The phrase “a man carves his canyon” is a metaphorical expression. It suggests that through effort, perseverance, and actions over time, a person shapes their own path or destiny—much like how natural forces carve out a canyon through persistent action. Implies individuals create their journey through choices and hard work. Like water carving a canyon, steady effort leads to significant outcomes. Highlights shaping one’s life through actions. What of the term “pantheon”? It has a rich history and multiple meanings:The Pantheon was a temple in Rome dedicated to all the gods of ancient Rome. A pantheon can refer to a collection of gods or deities worshipped by a particular culture or religion. In modern usage, a pantheon can describe a group of highly respected or celebrated individuals in a particular field, such as science, art, or sports. The word “pantheon” comes from the Greek words “pan” (all) and “theos” (god). Over time, the term has evolved to encompass broader meanings, including a building or structure dedicated to honoring notable individuals or deities. A pantheon can represent a collection of ideals, values, or cultural heritage. In various contexts, the term “pantheon” conveys a sense of reverence, admiration, or celebration. Therefore, Barr. Richmond Jolomi Omagbemi is a star in the pantheon of the gifted, embodying resilience and charismatic spirit. The monumental milestone he has achieved at the University of Delta, Agbor, as a trail blazer is a testament to his infectious leadership. With fire in his chest, the man is a reform driven administrator, setting a new standard of performance within the university community, hence he was one of those honoured recently by the graduating students of Department of History and International Studies, University of Delta, Agbor. Through grace and strength, reason and imaginations, Barr. Richmond Omagbemi’s popularity has reached far beyond the walls of the University of Delta, and he has indeed lit a perpetual path for others to struggle to emulate or beat. It is indeed glaring that, the legacy he has set in motion is one of courage and transformation, as a result of his outstanding contributions, accomplishments, and innovations in the field of administration. In demonstrating leadership, mentorship, or role-modeling, long-term commitment, perseverance, and passion for his work, Barr. Richmond Jolomi Omagbemi has simply broke barriers and helped magnificently to reshape the future of University of Delta, Agbor.

    After settling KWAM 1 with ambassadorial epaulettes, it appears that National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) President, MC Oluomo, is next to receive Baba’s blessings. With the approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) at its meeting last week, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be building six motor parks (aka bus terminals) across the country. Our President is a personality prone to hilarious performances. He has introduced another phony enterprise into the business of state with the planned ‘Modern Bus Terminals’ in the six geo-political zones of Nigeria. Please pay attention to the qualifier, ‘modern’ because what follows is pure superlative! When the government is deliberate in its dictions, using adjectives to qualify its head words, you should know that it has something up its sleeves. The motor parks are evenly distributed this time around. The ‘dot on the map’ zone got its own fair share. There is no ojooro, no magomago, no wuruwuru! The principle of ‘Federal Character’ is at its best element. There will be one bus terminal in Kano. That will take care of the seven states in the North-West. One will be in Gombe for the six states of North-East. The Confluence Town, Lokoja, Kogi State will have one for the entire people of the North-Central zone. Down South, Abeokuta, Ogun State, will have one for all the children of Oduduwa in the South-West. The Ndigbo will all travel to the commercial city of Onitsha, Anambra State, to enjoy the proposed state-of-the-art bus terminal. The oil-rich Niger Delta is taken care of, also. Their motor park is going to be tucked in the belly of Ewu in Esan Central Local Government Area of Edo State. Never mind the distance; never bother about the 9.3 hours travelling hours between Sokoto and Kano; a mere 537-kilometre distance. The government has the magic wand to bridge the gap and extend the dividends of the bus terminals to everybody. Fela Anikulapo Kuti called it “government magic”! This government works wonders! Ógbenután! Now the main gist. Each motor park, the government said, would cost ₦23.6 billion. Please don’t shout! Yes, the bus terminals will be built with bricks and mortar. It will merely cost the country an arm, a leg and several pints of blood. That is not too much of a pain to inflict by a government that is far away from reality! But the beauty of it all is that the bus terminals will be beautifully decorated and equipped with world-class facilities and equipment. When completed, Angels would no longer want to fly. Our Celestial brethren will travel our roads with us. That itself gives us peace of mind. Nothing can be safer than to be in the same bus with the Angels, the Malaikas and the principalities in high places! We are lucky folks, aren’t we? No sarcasm is intended. Methinks that every Nigerian that will commence and terminate his or her journey at the bus terminals (please add modern), is guaranteed of his or her safety. How? Aso Rock Villa will be able to monitor every vehicle that leaves each of the bus terminals (or is it bus stop sef?). I put my shirt on it! It is a sure banker! A ₦23.6 billion bus terminal must have security gadgets that should be able to monitor our present, our progress and our future! If it is otherwise, then it is a waste of resources, and President Tinubu blocks wastages! Nigeria is an ojúmó kan, àrà kan (one day, one stunt) country. We don’t run out of damfool ideas here. The only thing in short supply is a leadership with depth. A complacent followership equally promotes inept leadership. We are gradually gravitating towards the precipice of a failed nation. Many people believe we are already one! President Tinubu may end up the luckiest president by the time he completes his tour of duty. He is one president who treats the country like his personal estate. And he gets away with it, all the time. Nobody questions him, nobody interrogates his policies. Nobody has the temerity to say: “Baba Seyi, you are not fair to us.” In Aso Rock Villa, where he lives at our expense, Tinubu marks off the number of the strokes he has administered to our backs. Then, he takes his champagne. Or is it freshly tapped palm wine? He asks the boys to go back to procure more canes for future flogging. We are completely pummelled! How does he do that; how does he achieve that total appropriation of the people’s resilience? We simply swallow whatever pill the President forces down our throats. We agonise like the proverbial woman being pleasured by a man with a big phallus. And nothing more. She merely waits in palpable trepidation for the next round of tortuous grinding. Nigerians have been conditioned to be perpetually complacent by a government that trades in poverty and profits by inflicting pain! We blech. We stretch. We look for any available pillow to rest our weary heads. Then we wait for the next round of dosage. Our ruiners of this epoch are not just mean, wicked and audacious; they are inorganic, pathologically cold-blooded! That the Tinubu administration is heavily transactional is no longer ‘a topic for future symposium’ (apologies to Fela). That itself is not the real problem, not the real bad case, here. The brazen way the administration goes about its Mr-Giwa-is-a-trader activities is the most irritating. The citizenry appears completely battered such that not a whimper is heard from them anytime the government comes up with its nothing-go-happen policies. By the approval given by the FEC last Wednesday, the six motor parks, colourfully presented to us as “Modern Bus Terminals’, will be built for the sum of ₦142,028,576,008.17. Nigeria’s FEC is the gathering of all ministers and any appointee of cabinet rank. Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali, the Minister of Transportation, told us FEC approved the project. By simple Arithmetic formula of Division, the cost of each terminal is

  Empirical observations have led me to the notion that, in any society, the proponents of separatism are those who are least developed in consciousness.   When the American South decided to secede, they were more backward and still relied on slavery for their economic progress. They believed subterfuge to exist.   When a child is born, he clings to his mother. As the child grows, he recognizes his relatives, his village, his clan and his tribe. More growth prepares him to interact with other people who are different from him.   The ability to negotiate these intricacies is what we call development. Some groups want to negotiate these interactions with subterfuge, domination and oppression. It takes love and imagination to navigate the intricacies of these interactions to avoid creating animosities.   In our present world, the Europeans used violence and oppression to do these interactions. These led to slavery, racism, apartheid and colonization that we are still dealing with today.   It is a sign of immaturity when people cannot get along with others for mutual coexistence. The white people invented racism for this because they lack the ability and maturity to get along with other people.   Apartheid, colonialism and other attendant evils are the results of the immaturity of the white race which they consider as progress and development. But this is a form of immaturity, because it shows the inability to evolve and interact. In Africa we call it tribalism.   Racism and tribalism are nothing but the inability to grow. When people lack the ability to interact with others, they engage in ethnic reductism. This immaturity is what is considered as progress. In actuality; this represents the child who is afraid to go beyond the city limit. It is a mark of inferiority if you have the need to regale others with your superiority.   We need to grow beyond the confines of our tribe. The earth is our garden. True bravery is when we develop the ability to go beyond our tribes to engage other children of God in planting love in this great garden. Love breeds this courage. The lack of love leads to recessions into a familiar abode where our tribe becomes supreme. We become selfish. This lack deprives us of the courage to interact. We become arrested in a primitive state where it becomes difficult to move beyond the walls of the cave. This puts us in a state of psychological retardation. When perchance, we venture out, we are timid and crude and look at every difference as threatening. We raise our guards to police the fear within. We then succumb to the primitive notion that only dwellers in our cave are worthy of consideration. We become loud and vexatious as we try to prove that all the wisdom of God are bestowed on our tribe. We make it difficult for others to live peaceably with us as we tell them we are the chosen ones who are divinely ordained.   The truth is that we are still that child that refuses to grow up and wants to solve every problem with tantrum and subterfuge.   When others push back against our itinerant actions, we stamp them with epithets. We tell the world they are jealous. The truth is that this belligerent child is afraid of its underdevelopment and cannot see beyond his village. He will use any opportunity he gets to hurt others by fortifying himself with members of his clan who are ensconced in primitive materialism, that we have made the definition of our existence. . This is the origin of all our ills.   Racism, tribalism and separatism are considered as progress and civilization, by the practitioners. This is the great illusion of our time. Most apostles of separatism lack the ability to form the common bond that is necessary for progress. They lack love which is the glue that is necessary for any relationship to yield progress. In every situation, they will present mediocrity as progress. When they fail, they use their brute ideology to rewrite history and create a tyranny within. The tribalist or racist has the ethos of a cave dweller. His vision cannot extrapolate beyond the walls of the cave. He finds his security only amongst members of his cave (tribe). Recession to the cave becomes his idea of progress. He may occupy a high station, but he still has the aroma of the cave dweller.   Dr Austin Orette writes from Houston Texas

It is a rare quality to possess a personality that captivates the attention and goodwill of members of staff who work under any Chief Executive in organisations, be they public or private. The Managing Director of the Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Engr. Umar Ahmed Farouk by all standards, seems to enjoy such privilege, having been widely accepted and commended by all departments in the agency since he assumed office on December 13, 2023. For Farouk Umar, the allure of his name and his professional demeanour distinguish him as a unique aviator with a wealth of technical knowledge and experience. He has been in the system, knows the system and is now recalibrating the system rapidly. In an era when communication in Nigerian Airspace was almost being interrogated, Farouk came in boldly and in the past 18 months, the NAMA boss has continuously focused on improving communication in Nigerian airspace, enhancing safety standards, and addressing power challenges within the agency. This bold steps have contributed in no little measure, to modernise the country’s airspace communication architecture under the current leadership. Welfare It would be recalled that few months after resumption, the Chief Executive paid serious attention to the NAMA workers condition of service with special focus on their wages and salaries, a feat which the members of staff considered as unprecedented and highly commendable. As it is, NAMA members of staff are happier with the new welfare package regime under Farouk’s watch. Since his first few months in office, staff welfare has always been a key priority for the MD . As an insider, he quickly recognised that long-standing issues like unpaid housing arrears, relocation allowances, and stagnated promotions were affecting morale and productivity. Despite huge debts owed by some airlines, Farouk took deliberate and drastic steps to improve things in NAMA. Beyond economic gains, Farouk has instituted an effective leadership framework, where concerns can be raised without fear, ultimately ensuring safety is a core value and not just a compliance effort. Through careful planning, better financial discipline, and clear understanding of the system, the NAMA boss has been able to provide most of the needs, as it concern staff welfare and wellbeing.   Training Right from onset and as a professional with technical background, the NAMA MD had declared that training and training was going to be a priority in the agency for both senior and junior staff. Since then Farouk has walked his talk. Just in May this year, the agency flagged off a two-week on-the-job training (OJT) for Air Traffic Safety Electronics Personnel (ATSEPS) of the Department of Communication, Navigation and Surveillance Power Systems. The training, which held simultaneously in Lagos, Abuja and Kano stations of the agency, cuts across all facilities managed by the department. As part of its objectives, the OJT is designed to expose participants to practical experiences in welding, installation of air-conditioning compressors, topping up refrigerants into air-conditioning and cooling systems, as well as installation and maintenance of solar power systems. It also involves carrying out preventive and corrective maintenance of UPS, AVRs, inverters and overhauling of generating sets. Speaking while declaring the training Farouk, noted that the OJT was necessitated by management’s commitment towards increasing the capacity of the agency’s technical and operational staff. According to him, “this would ensure that our communication, navigation and surveillance infrastructure across the country continues to perform seamlessly, efficiently and optimally in line with the International Civil Aviation Standards and Recommended Practices (ICAO SARPs).” He also expressed optimism that the knowledge gained by participants would ensure that there is uninterrupted power supply to all the agency’s installations in Nigeria as a critical component of the safety of air travel. Safety Under farouk’s watch, safety has been the bedrock of his admiration and core principle as he has put measure in place to continuously improving communication in Nigerian airspace, which ultimately enhances safety standards. The agency has also provided fora for inter-agency collaboration in order to ensure safety at all times. A good case in point is when the agency in July, 2025 activated Search and Rescue Simulation (SARS) exercise, a crucial component of Nigeria’s aviation safety protocol, designed to test operational preparedness and enhance response times in the event of real-life aviation emergencies. A review of the exercise which was conducted at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, (NAIA) Abuja was adjudged as a resounding success and a clear indication that NAMA is totally commitment to ensuring a coordinated and effective response to any airspace-related emergencies. Earlier in June this year and to reinforce it’s effectiveness of emergency plans, communication protocols, and coordination between different agencies and departments, NAMA also conducted an Aircraft Emergency Table Top Exercise to enlighten aviation stakeholders on how to manage aircraft emergencies and disasters. This very successful mock exercise geared towards enlightening aviation stakeholders took place at the MMIA, Lagos bringing together key stakeholders in emergency management and Search and Rescue Units drawn from all the aviation agencies, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Department of State Security (DSS) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). Other agencies that attended that eventful exercise were the Federal Fire Service (FFS), National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Lagos State Emergency Management (LASEMA), Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Lagos State Ambulance Services (LASANBUS), Nigerian Police Force (NPF), etc. Beyond coordination of sister agencies in terms of emergencies, Farouk, in many other ways has demonstrated his total commitment to safety and efficiency. He has many times, without number, emphasised the importance of adhering to international best practices and standards, ensuring that NAMA’s operations are guided by a strong safety culture Last Line Indeed, it is obvious that good leadership is not a 100 metres dash race but a well coordinated, conscious and deliberate efforts of a committed leader. This is exactly what Farouk is doing in NAMA. With what is presently on ground, it is self evident that, ab initio, Farouk was focused directly on stabilising the system, earning the trust of staff and stakeholders,