Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 elections, says Nigeria needs to invest more aggressively in the health sector.

In a statement to commemorate the 2024 World Health Day, Obi said health remains critical to human development.

He noted that as one of the critical measures of the human development index, health contributes immeasurably to the development of the humans and the progress of a nation.

He said Nigeria’s “poor investment” in the health sector has continued to manifest in many ways.

“Our obvious neglect of our health sector, especially the primary health sector has continued to result in so many unpleasant outcomes for the nation,” he said.

“With Nigeria ranking 14th out of the 18 African countries with poor health systems and also ranking 157th out of the 167 countries measured on health systems, we need to invest more aggressively in the health sector.

“We are today, among the countries with the highest infant mortality rates. The current life expectancy in Nigeria is 56 years, obviously among the lowest in the world.

“Healthcare in Nigeria is increasingly becoming out of the reach of most Nigerians due to its high cost.

“Our budget of N1.3 trillion for the health sector, in a country of about 218 million people, is still not enough to make a serious impact in the sector and still falls below the 15 percent commitment specified in the 2001 Abuja Declaration.

“With the continual decline in our health sector, we need to make more aggressive investments that will improve the lives of the people.

“Aside the negative impacts on the citizens of our lack of investment in the health sector, the attendant capital flight arising from health tourism remains worrisome.

“It is reported that Nigerians spend over $1.5bn on Medical Tourism Annually. Such a volume of funds, if retained in our economy would have impacted positively on the nation and helped us to save the much-needed foreign exchange.”

He added that the World Health Day presents another opportunity for leaders to reflect on their vision and prioritise investment in critical areas of human development for the ultimate good and development of the nation.

“The resources wasted on frivolities and unnecessary expenditure should now be invested in health, education and pulling people out of poverty. Our vision in New Nigeria is to build a healthy and productive nation, and it is possible,” he added.

• Modalities to Deploy Security Boats is priority - Mobereola  

The Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Ambassador Juan Ignacio Sell has declared that the Spanish Government is desirous to deepen cooperation with Nigeria through further collaboration with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA. Ambassador Juan made this declaration while inspecting the two new Bulletproof Security boats, built for NIMASA by a Spanish Company, Aresa. This is just as the Director General of NIMASA Dr. Dayo Mobereola says deploying the vessels is priority. 

Ambassador Juan said, “This is one more milestone in the cooperation between Spain and Nigeria for maritime security. The Spanish government sees Nigeria as prime in attaining security in the Gulf of Guinea.  We also have a naval ship present in the Gulf of Guinea to enhance security. The message from our President back home is for the Embassy to seek more partnership with Nigeria in the Maritime Sector. The creation of the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry by President Bola Tinubu GCFR is a sign that this administration is committed to harnessing the Ocean potentials and Spain is ready to support Nigeria all the way. This is why I came from Abuja to see the DG”, he said. 

On his part, the NIMASA DG noted that Management under his leadership will fast track the deployment of the patrol Boats as soon as possible. He also welcomed the partnership with Spain noting that security in the maritime domain cannot be done in silos. 

“Maritime security cannot be done in silos by any country. Collaboration plays a major role in achieving safety and security in the maritime domain. We appreciate the gesture from the Spanish Government and we will explore areas of collaboration particularly in terms of both human and infrastructural development. We will work out the logistics so that these vessels can be deployed immediately. I am confident that they will be instrumental not just to enhance security in Nigerian waters, but also shore up revenue accruable to the Federal Government as Port calls by vessels will increase, and Fishing in Nigerian Coastal waters will become a major industry in Nigeria.

The 8 passenger, 13.2 meters long Security Boats with a fuel capacity of 3000 liters is fully air-conditioned with a range of 500 Nautical Miles. They are powered with two 2,300 Horsepower outboard engines with a maximum speed of 45 Knots and 25 Knots at cruising speed. NIMASA now has seven fast intervention bulletproof Aresa boats to be deployed soon.

Osagie Edward, FNIPR  

Assistant Director/Head, Public Relations

NIMASA 

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

April 7, 2024

Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola (right) and the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Ambassador Juan Ignacio Sell shortly after an inspection of two new Aresa enforcement boats acquired by NIMASA in Lagos.

Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola (right) presenting a souvenir to the Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria; His Excellency, Ambassador Juan Ignacio Sell during a visit by the Ambassador to NIMASA headquarters in Lagos.

R-L: Executive Director Operations, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, Engr. Fatai Taiye Adeyemi; Spanish Ambassador to Nigeria, His Excellency, Ambassador Juan Ignacio Sell; Director General, NIMASA, Dr. Dayo Mobereola; Executive Director, Maritime Labour and Cabotage Services, NIMASA, Mr. Jibril Abba and Executive Director, Finance & Administration, NIMASA, Mr. Chudi Offodile. After an inspection of two new Aresa enforcement boats acquired by NIMASA in Lagos.

“Fading away like the stars of the morning,
Losing their light in the glorious sun,
Thus would we pass from the earth and its toiling,
Only remembered by what we have done.”

I am certain that Horatius Bonar, the prince of Scot­tish hymn writ­ers did imagine less as to how this inspirational work of his, will become so famous, centuries after him. Indeed, only minds infected with insanity can argue the contrary with reference to this great hymn of Dr Bonar. Truth be told! Men, women, boys or girls, especially those whose journeys have ended on planet earth, will only be remembered by what they have done, be it good or evil.

The lyrics of this remarkable hymn suggest that we all have our choices as to what we want humanity to remember us for when we are no more. For my dear mentor, master, friend and brother, Barr. Oronto Natei Douglas (OND), he chose the part and path of good. Since 9^th April 2015 when Oronto transited to the heavenly realm, friends, acquaintances, family members, relatives and loved ones have continued to remember him for his good works when he lived on earth.

9^th April 2024 is Oronto’s ninth memorial. To many of us who had the rare privilege to interact and work closely with this amiable soul, our hearts are heavy with remembrance and reverence for a man who left indelible marks on the landscape of environmental activism, political and social justice in Nigeria. Oronto Douglas, a prominent lawyer, environmentalist, and human rights advocate, continues to be celebrated for his unwavering commitment to defending the rights of marginalized communities and protecting the natural heritage of the Niger Delta region. As Nigerians honor Oronto’s ninth memorial, it's essential to reflect on his remarkable legacy and the enduring impact he had on the land and its people.

Born on the 9^th of October 1966, in Okoroba Community of the great Ebela Kingdom of the Ogbia Nation in Southern Nigeria, Oronto Douglas was intimately connected to the land and its people from a young age. As he grew, he learnt about his beautiful environment with kin interest. The more he learned, the deeper he fell in love until he became one with the land. Growing up in the midst of the region's rich biodiversity and witnessing firsthand the social and environmental injustices perpetrated against its inhabitants, he developed a deep sense of responsibility towards both the land and its people. This profound connection shaped his life's work and inspire him to become one of Nigeria's most vocal advocates for environmental sustainability and social equity.

Oronto Douglas's journey as an activist began as a child in his native home of Okoroba and gained momentum during his time as a student at the Rivers University of Science & Technology Port Harcourt, where he became actively involved in Civil Liberty Organization, student politics and grassroots movements advocating for democracy and human rights. It was his passion for justice and equality that led him to pursue a career in law, using the legal system as a tool to fight against oppression and exploitation. However, it was his tireless efforts to address the environmental devastation in the Niger Delta that would define his legacy.

The Niger Delta, often referred to as the "Heart of Nigeria," is a region of immense ecological significance, blessed with abundant natural resources, including oil and gas reserves. Yet, paradoxically, it is also one of the most environmentally degraded and economically impoverished regions in the world, largely due to decades of oil exploration and exploitation by multinational corporations. Douglas was at the forefront of the struggle to hold these corporations accountable for their actions and to demand justice for the communities affected by their operations.

As a founding member of the Environmental Rights Action/Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN), Douglas played a pivotal role in raising awareness about the environmental and social impacts of oil extraction in the Niger Delta. Through grassroots mobilization, legal advocacy, and international networking, he effectively challenged the impunity of oil companies and government agencies complicit in environmental degradation and human rights abuses. His efforts helped to galvanize a global movement in support of environmental justice and the rights of indigenous peoples.

Beyond his environmental activism, Douglas was also deeply committed to promoting sustainable development and empowering local communities to assert their rights and assert control over their resources. He believed fervently in the principles of environmental stewardship and community self-determination, advocating for participatory decision-making processes that prioritize the needs and aspirations of ordinary Nigerians. His vision of a just and equitable society where both people and the planet thrive continues to inspire generations of activists and changemakers.

Additionally, OND’s contributions to the enthronement and strengthening of democracy in Nigeria are as significant as his environmental activism. His commitment to justice extended beyond environmental concerns to encompass broader societal issues, including the struggle for democracy and good governance.

In the tumultuous era of military rule in Nigeria, Douglas emerged as a fearless pro-democracy activist, using his legal expertise and grassroots organizing skills to challenge the authoritarian regime of that time. He was actively involved in the pro-democracy movements of the 1990s, which sought to restore democratic governance and respect for human rights in Nigeria.

During the dark days of military dictatorship, Douglas risked his personal safety and freedom to speak truth to power, advocating for the rule of law, freedom of expression, and the rights of citizens to participate in the political process. He played a crucial role in mobilizing civil society groups, student organizations, and other stakeholders in the struggle against military oppression, often at great personal sacrifice. The dictators tried to stop him. They locked him up and tortured him, but once they let him go, he spoke even louder and wrote even stronger against them. Oronto’s words were a great source of strength to the oppressed people of Nigeria. In him, communities and minority groups found their voice.

One of Douglas's most notable contributions to the democratization process in Nigeria was his involvement in the legal defense of political activists and prisoners of conscience including Ken Saro Wiwa. As a human rights lawyer, he provided legal representation to individuals who were detained or persecuted for their opposition to the military regime, ensuring that their voices were heard and their rights protected in the face of state repression.

Moreover, OND was among those instrumental in advocating for electoral reform and the establishment of democratic institutions that would uphold the principles of transparency, accountability, and electoral integrity. He recognized that free and fair elections were essential for the consolidation of democracy in Nigeria and tirelessly campaigned for electoral justice and reforms that would ensure the people's right to choose their leaders without interference or manipulation.

Following the transition to civilian rule in 1999, Douglas continued his efforts to strengthen democracy in Nigeria by monitoring elections, promoting civic education, and advocating for political participation among marginalized groups, including women and youth. He understood that democracy is not merely about holding elections but also about fostering a culture of democratic governance, respect for human rights, and inclusive development.

In addition to his grassroots activism, Douglas also served in various official capacities within the Nigerian government, including as a Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Research, Documentation and Strategy. In this role, he worked to promote good governance, transparency, and accountability in the administration while advocating for policies that would benefit the Nigerian people, particularly those in marginalized communities.

Oronto Douglas's dedication to democracy and human rights in Nigeria earned him admiration and respect both at home and abroad. His unwavering commitment to justice, coupled with his courage and integrity, made him a beacon of hope for all those who yearned for a democratic and egalitarian society. Though he may no longer walk among us, his legacy continues to inspire Nigerians to strive for a future where democracy thrives, and the rights and dignity of all citizens are upheld.

The man Oronto was a man of the land and the people. His love for the land was to the extent that everywhere he travelled to, he took his love with him such that strangers were drawn to the land, and they saw what he saw and felt what he felt. He fought for the land and the oppressed people of Nigeria. He fought with words and not the bullet. He spoke and wrote, and the world heard from him about the wicked attacks on the land and its people.

In his works, children were given their pride of place and honour. He built and equipped schools with modern facilities for them. The objective was to create an enabling environment for teaching and learning so that the children would grow to use words like him in continuation of the call for environmental and social justice. He gathered the entertainers and artists of the land and provided a stage for plays and songs to be written about the land.

Oronto Douglas's untimely passing on the 9^th of April 2015 robbed Nigeria of one of its most passionate voices for justice and sustainability. However, his spirit lives on in the countless lives he touched and the enduring impact of his advocacy. As we commemorate his ninth memorial, let us not only honor his memory but also recommit ourselves to the ideals for which he so passionately fought. The struggle for environmental justice and human rights in the Niger Delta and beyond continues, and Oronto Douglas's legacy serves as a guiding light for all those who dare to dream of a better world.Top of Form

In the words of Dimeari Von Kemedi, “Once there lived a man, Oronto Natei Douglas, we called him OND and he really lived”.

May the Almighty God continue to rest OND’s soul in perfect peace and uphold his family in safety and progress.

Engr. (Chief) Ipigansi Okumo is the Chairman of the Ogbia Brotherhood Unity Branch – Abuja & Northern Nigeria, and a member of the Ogbia Study Group. He worked with Oronto Douglas for about two decades.

No fewer than 5043 secondary school learners in Ogun State Students have been trained on how to use the abacus counting machine skills to solve addition and subtraction Mathematical problems, so as to enable them to break the world record. 

The programme organised by International Academy For The Gifted (IAGIFTED), in collaboration with Ogun State Government, held at Dipo Dina International Stadium, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

Giving an insight to the programme, the wife of the Ogun State Governor, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun said it is imperative to encourage learners to adopt usage of abacus skills for mathematical calculations, noting that it would not only enable them compete favourably with their mates in other nation of the world but also take our educational system to a higher pedestal. 

Mrs. Bamidele noted that Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics (STEAM) education is only essential tool for personal and professional development for driving innovation and economic goals, hence the reason for Prince Dapo Abiodun government's commitment towards ensuring that every child have access to effective STEAM teaching.

The First Lady of Ogun State described education as the key to unlocking the potentials of the youths and empowering them to become agent of change in the society.

Mrs. Abiodun said "I extend my heartfelt thanks to the organiser of this very special programme, Prof. Adewale Solarin, which was to commemorate his 70th Birthday Celebration for the vision in championing STEAM education and for putting Ogun State on the world field. I am pledging my full support to this great vision of yours." 

In his speech, the Commissioner for Education, Science & Technology, Prof. Abayomi Arigbabu submitted that Prof. Solarin was acadmia par excellence, due to his academic prowess and expertise, can be referred to as Grand Father in academics, because he has nurtured and produce Professors, who have also mentor other Professors and PhD holders, appreciating him for his greatness, unrelenting efforts and a shared vision.

 Speaking, The Vice Chancellor, Tai Solarin University of Education, Prof. Oluwole Banjo affirmed that the feat Prof. Solarin have recorded in his chosen field, and his contribution to National Development will forever remain indelible, praying God to continue to shower his blessings on him and grant him the grace to enjoy the fruits of his labour in good health and sound mind.

Responding, the visioneer of the programme and Chairman IAGIFTED, Professor Solarin explained that the selected over 5000 learners were gathered to have Largest Mathematics Lesson Class, as well as teaching them on the simultaneous usage of Asian Abacus with both hands, in order to develop both sides of their brain in solving Mathematical problems, saying the event was organised to mark his 70th birthday and retirement from active academic service. 

The highlight of the programme includes competition on usage of abacus, where Master Isaac Rilwan and Miss Damaris Oyediran won the male and female categories respectively and were presented with trophies as King and Queen of STEAM.

Strangely this essay had its foundations in 1968 and was in its original form published in the old Daily Times. Writing under the topic 'THE EDUCATION WE WANT MUST HAVE TECHNICAL BIAS' Tai Solarin said "I have been asked to say briefly what I think of our education now and in the future.

Quite strange that we are already in that future and we still do not know what kind of education we want to run, is it Universal Basic, or Universal Primary, is it Unity Schools owned by government or the Unity schools owned by Businessmen that want to declare profit after each academic calendar year rather than improve the quality of students and teachers and the education dispensed.

In 1968 Solarin wrote "A good many of us spat on the education we had yesterday, and ofcourse what passes for education today. And there is, certainly, a stratum of our society that looks back, nostalgically, at the quality of yesterday's education". How many of us today can argue that this is not the truth, even the generation that had its education in 1990 now looks back with nostalgia.

In 1968, he opined that by and large, most of us believed that there was very much missing in the content of our yesterdays' education. What we have today, in spite of innovations and the bold attempts to re-orientate it, remains, as it was yesterday, orthodox, slow foot, myopic.

It is 2024, can we honestly call the situation any better, rather after the billions of Naira committed at a rate incomparable, the system, the sector is more slow foot, myopic and orthodox than then.

Our educational system today only sharpens the head to near pin end quality and this is even rare but it also makes the possessors limb atrophied by long disuse. Our education is money centered. It is an education which goads the possessor asking "what can my country do for me?" not as J.F.Kennedy requests immortally, "what can I do for my country?

In 2024, we are left to define the quality of education we want for tomorrow when our peers have gone far in Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, neighboring Ghana has even refused to wait for us.

Solarin had asked that we bring functionality into our education. He said that "There is, I think, only one significant thing we want in our education for tomorrow-FUNCTION. That we arm our children with functional education" In my words, today the education is not functional, we have unemployable graduates, and my apologies, totally useless school leavers.

While Tai anchored his stand on State owned schools as an atheist, I advocate government's participation as a matter of social contract and responsibility to the people. That way we could boast an education that 'LIVES'.

Do we have an education in which a possessor wants to elevate the less privileged that surge him round, the answer is no. Today what is the value of the education given to a young man who lives or is doing his mandatory service year in a guinea worm infested area and yet is incapable of causing a revolution in the lives of the villagers by transforming their drinking water into healthy supply? Today every graduate desires Shell, Chevron, MTN, GTBank and the rest jostle for pensionable Ministry jobs; excluding those not in politics as educated thugs.

What is the use of education given in physics to a young girl when the lights go out; she does not know what to do to get light again. In Nigerian education, how many graduates can carry aloft an oasis of light, very few because the education is short on quality and is therefore poor? 

We are of the opinion that our education should be one that gives the 3-Rs Reading, Writing and Rithmetic. During the formative years, our kids should be made to know that they are members of a society to which they owe so much not the present Tokunboh arrangement, they must be initiated into all the faculties of operations carried out by adults only that sadly and unfortunately the operations of this generation is corruption.

The bitter truth is that we are reeling out nonsense from our Primary stage to the highest level of education. We are cursed with a leadership that is at loss to what the cure is. We have developed a set of students whose parents bribe up the academic ladder because teachers will teach nonsense after all. Our schools today at best are filled with frustrated persons that are still holding the chalk for lack of what to do next. Every year no one is really taking stock of the number of University manpower leaving the shores of this nation never to return and we just sit and term it brain drain, when in truth it has become a complete DRAIN, brain and belly, soul and spirit.

Today, how many young people want to go home and at the beginning of the year cut the bush in readiness for the New Year’s planting; making of garri or pounding the yam or preparing the 'ewedu' soup? If these children do not participate how can they be integrated into the society, if all the values they see are big cars, big mansion, how they integrate should not be surprising.

We cannot guarantee any form of free education, most Governors have turned state bursary allocations into political tools, that is when it is not intelligently and crookedly sent to England to buy a mansion in cash.  Government at the center is confused, one minute it is a 6-3-3-4 system, now we hear it would be 9-3-4, only Allah knows if the next one won’t be 16-16-16. 

Till this moment no one has explained the rationale behind the change, the merits or otherwise why we had to abandon the last system which was barely practiced for a decade plus. A nation that jokes with the education of its youth and its citizens would have itself to blame not just in the future but in the immediate.

Today, agricultural science is a theoretical subject and schools do not even have farms any more, University of Agriculture takes more students for law than Agricultural Extension courses.

Why do we like to lie to ourselves.I never will know, I can authoritatively tell you that in the whole of Plateau State, Abia, Kano and Osun States by random sampling no public school has a functional up to date complete computer unit, internet with functional printers, and Governors will tell you how they have transverse from Galilee to Riyadh in improving education and the government at the center is preaching info-tech and AI.

Parents do not even know what their wards are doing in school; “let me see your homework” is now a strange phrase in families. Who really cares, the Ibos to Alaba in droves, and our Yoruba brothers to the mechanic workshop and how about us in the North, it is worse because our leaders are fighting for a place at the center. 

There are no apprentices by calling but because of a lack of choice. An uneducated populace is one of the recipes for catastrophic socio-eco-political, cultural and steady decline, a nation where anything will always go. 

The Boarding system in which was the best is gradually fading or negatively modernized, it was where we learnt to queue up, collect our food, sit down at prescribed tables and organize the cleaning of those tables; washing up by all who partook of the food. It was a system that inculcated in students honesty PROMAX!

So, very recently one of my adult sons, was at the park, having dropped his friend off to board a vehicle to Abuja, he was accosted by a deaf and dumb woman who asked for a token, I am sure many of us must have experienced them. He dipped his hands into his pocket and gave her a token, and as he walked into his car. He heard the woman say “Thank you”!

The words of Tai Solarin should conclude this essay..."the education being given to our children today, will give us a newer and nobler Nigeria." If that today was 1968, suffice to say that there is a problem in the land educationally with the kind of education being given in 2024 where dumb people speak— May Nigeria win!

President Bola Tinubu extends his congratulations to Alhaji Alliyu Babatunde Oduwole, an Ijebu prince, as he marks his 80th birthday.

Alhaji Oduwole, an active citizen and believer in Nigeria's potential for greatness, has embarked on many lofty advocacies to promote public accountability, peace, and dialogue.

In 2015, he created a plethora of fora to discuss 'Project Nigeria'; held citizen-engagement meetings, and submitted a memorandum on constitutional amendments to the National Assembly in 2022.

In 2018, he founded the United Muslim Community Care Foundation to feed indigent Nigerians of all religious persuasions. The foundation has been feeding many families during this Ramadan and providing them with some stipends.

As Alhaji Oduwole marks this milestone birthday, the President wishes him good health and renewed vigour in his service to humanity.

Chief Ajuri Ngelale 

Special Adviser to the President 

(Media & Publicity) 

April 7, 2024

Yesterday marked his golden priestly anniversary (50 years). I was among those who were under his guidance, both as a mass server and in the seminary. Unfortunately, after representing Mr. Peter Obi at three events, I arrived late as his representative at the event after the homily by another of our great teachers, Bishop Jonas Benson Okoye. However, I caught the reverberations of the sermon upon my arrival. OSTENDE said it was the first time he observed the emotional side of our Lord Bishop, thus prompting my request for the video. I just finished listening to it after today's 6 am mass. I appreciate the sentiments expressed by the bishop. The sermon's summary is that Monsignor Mgbemfulu is a priest in both fact and name.Prompted by the foregoing, may I repost my article on him in 2020, when he retired after 40 years in the seminary? I was humbled when Msgr said that this article inspired him to pen down his autobiography, which was one of the books presented at the anniversary. Read on!

Sylvester Mgbemfulu: a Priest and a Teacher - Valentine Obienyem

We cannot study our subject, Monsignor Sylvester Mgbemfulu in isolation, but must first look at the subtle interplay of culture, tradition and heritage all of which helped shape his outlook and even concept of reality. 

Among these influences, perhaps after his parents, there is his home-town. Born on the 30th of September, 1945 inUgbene, in today’s ANorth Local Government Area of Anambra State, he attended primary schools in Ugbene, Ugbenu and Nando. These towns of relatively same level of development, tucked away from civilization at that time, may have contributed to his shyness. After his primary education, he stayed in the village helping his parents in their vocations, especially farming and fishing. He still recognizes the species of fish by their silent cries, speed and other aquatic characters which only fishermen understand.  

While in the village, like other children, as testified by some of his age-mates such as Chief Simeon Dilinyeru, he was awed by the periodic visit of early priests to the area for spiritual ministration. At this point, he started yearning to become like them, particularly, as revealed by his immediate elder brother, Mr. Longinus Mgbemfulu, with the support of his father who saw it as a good omen that he was born on a day one of those priests first visited their community. Fortune smiled his way when, in 1962, another of his elder brothers, Hon. Mmee David Mgbemfulu took him to Aba to join him as a vendor of newspapers. The movement to Aba exposed him to another stream of influence as one experiences with the movement from primitivism to modernism.   

As a young boy, Mons as he is fondly called by his people, seemed ready-made for the priesthood. This was attested to by his people of Ugbene, including his brothers and age mates and brothers who contend that he was made for the priesthood and nothing else. Speaking to them, this writer figured out that Mons has always been calm, reserved, soft-spoken and inclined to sanctity. Simeon Dilinyeru reveals that they “grew up together and went to school at the same time. At that time some people were against his becoming a priest but we knew that he would eventually become one because of the holiness of life that was decipherable even at that young age. Rather than struggle for anything, he would let it go”. 

From Aba, Mons was enrolled at All Hallows Seminary, Onitsha in 1963. In 1968, he moved on to Bigard Memorial Seminary, Enugu. Due to the Civil War, the Seminary was largely peripatetic, moving from one town to the other as dictated by the uncertainties of the war. Eventually, he was ordained on the 20th of April, 1974, by Francis Cardinal Arinze, then the Archbishop of Onitsha. We can, therefore, say of him just like all priests and ex-seminarians who imbibed the right training, that he was moulded by the best institution for that purpose – the Seminary. There, his body and mind, character and disposition in life were profoundly formed. He was undoubtedly presented with the usual opportunity to devour books hungrily, to imbibe sound discipline, to think clearly, to inspire holiness by living a holy life, to realize how sweet and noble it is to work for God and perhaps as sometimes the case, he got intoxicated by over-dose of religiosity.

Even as a young priest, the priestly vows of obedience, poverty and chastity made the greatest meaning for him and he resolved to succeed rather than fail with them. As a new priest, he received the gift of a motorcycle from his people, which he put to full use in the propagation of the gospel. Seeing the competition of virtues in him, Cardinal Arinze took special interest in him and sent him to St. Paul’s Seminary, Ukpor as the Rector, after a stint as the Assistant Parish Priest to Monsignor William Obelaguat St Mary’s Catholic Church, Inland Town, Onitsha. Following Mons’ progress and love for education with keen interest, the Cardinal sponsored him to the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) to study Chemistry.

On graduation in 1981, while waiting to resume in the Seminary of the newly-created Awka Diocese under the pastoral care of Most Rev. Dr. Albert Obiefuna, Mons was posted as an Assistant Parish Priest to St Patrick’s Cathedral, Awka which then covered many towns. During this period, this writer served Mons at mass at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Dodo, Oji River. We then usually referred to him as the Short Priest. He was about five feet tall, but the authority and majesty of the priesthood make him seem taller. Mons has maintained his stature over the years without any extra ounce of flesh to burden him simply because he is exceedingly temperate in food, drink and other worldly indulgences.

The following year, 1982, his long sojourn in the Seminary began at St. John Bosco Seminary, Isuaniocha. Except for three years he was in the USA on sabbatical, he was in the Isuaniocha Seminary for thirty-eight years variously as the pioneer Rector, Academic Dean, Co-ordinator of Science Laboratories, Spiritual Director, from which he retired in 2020, after reaching the canonical years of seventy-five. Only priests that are manifestly free from every kind of corruption and superior to the consideration of money can stay in such an environment for almost forty years without some protest. On the 17thof December, 2020, during his send-off at Isuaniocha, Mons exposed his inspiration in his address: “One of the past Rectors of this seminary, Very Rev. Fr. Ikem Oliobi did inspire me with the newspaper cuttings he used to paste on the walls of his living and sitting rooms. One of such cuttings read: ‘Bloom where you are planted’. What a statement with lots of lessons”.  

With the fore-going, the search for Mons’ secret of remaining in the seminary during his pastoral work ended. The popular view about his long stay in the seminary was captured by a priest of the diocese, Rev. Fr. Dr. Cosmas Ebebe this way: “For his many years of teaching in the Seminary, some priests used to joke that he has been ‘forgotten’ there because his location remained the same when other priests were given new postings”.

But his stay in the seminary was eventful and could be seen from the reactions of many of the students that passed through him. Each epoch had its own identity of Monsignor Mgbemfulu. During the writer’s own time, 1987 to 1989, we called him “Omo”. The set of the late 1990s nick-named him “Sawan”. The Chemistry laboratory was his second home; and the students joked he did not buy fuel for his brown Corolla panel van but rather mixed some chemicals in the lab. with which he powered the car. As a teacher, he is Chemistry-intoxicated as he could be seen now and then fiddling with specimen, opening and closing the descanter or pouring one chemical into a test tube. His name provided chemistry with a synonym. 

Fr. Obinna Dike remembers his first day in the Chemistry lab., where he usually had his lectures and how Mons welcome the class with the song: “ Come and see American Wonder”. Was it meant to frighten them? Not at all; knowing Mons, it was a joke he used to welcome some of his students who were thinking about what Chemistry had to offer. 

Whatever impression students had of him, mostly informed by the exuberance of the youth, one thing is clear: Monsignor is a person that can reason and be reasoned with. He is possessed of great personal warmth and what can be called spiritual charm. 

The sentiments of his former students were summed up by the Chairman of Old Boys of the seminary and a lecturer at Oko Polytechnic, Mr. Celestine Ostende Oguegbu in a compact paragraph: “Permit me to remark that throughout his stay in this Seminary, he was an outstanding tutor and committed to promoting excellence in both our education and spiritual life. Monsignor is ever smiling, always tolerant and eager to help when students have things bothering their minds”. Earlier, in an eloquent exordium, he had described Monsignor as “great teacher of teachers”. Bursting with compliments, Mr. Tochukwu Oboboegbunam described him as a “rare synthesis of ability and integrity”.

Though he occupied all positions available in the seminary, one constant thing was that he remained the Chemistry teacher and the Chemistry lab. was his office and second home, thus echoing by his life-style, the statement credited to Democritus: “I would rather discover a single demonstration in Geometry than win the throne of Persia”. Sometimes, it was even rumoured among Seminarians that the secret of his looking young every day could be explained on the possibility of Mons having discovered through chemical mixtures an elixir to look younger which he kept to himself and periodically sipped in the chemistry lab. 

The end of the story is that Mons was married to Chemistry as to the priestly vocation; and for years was one of the resource persons for JAMB and WAEC on the subject. Unable to separate himself from Chemistry, let us sample some lines in his address during his send-off party, where, referring to his preceding statement, reduced it to some Chemical analysis: “… the statement takes me to one of the topics of study in practical Chemistry, ‘Theory of Indicators’. Under the topic, we observe that an indicator is selected such that its end-point will be close to the stoichiometric point of the acid-base titration it indicates and that choice of an indicator depends on the strength of acid and base to be titrated. Due to the fact that many acid-base indicators are plant pigments, plants of the same type have flowers of different colours in soils of different pH. So every indicator has a pH range at which it changes colour, i.e., at which it indicates and this is the basis for choice of indicator in volumetric analysis. When this natural law of behaviour of plants is applied in the deployment of personnel in the Church and government, the result will be a wonderful beautiful mosaic of outcome. Let every administrator take good note of this. Everyone has the potential to bloom where he/she is planted and if planted within the right pH range of his God-given talents”.  

From the fore-going, we imagine what long marriage to Chemistry has done to Mons! He sees life and living from the prisms of Chemistry. Fr Ebebe got it right when he said: “He was perhaps the best Chemistry teacher of his days”. He reminds us of Napoleon Bonaparte, who expressed part of his strategy in mathematical formula: “The strength of an army, like the amount of momentum in mechanics, is estimated by the mass times the velocity”. We are profoundly influenced by what we do well.

Mons was kept in the Seminary precisely because of his virtues and the seminary provided the right pH range for his development through time and he really bloomed through his work. Again, Fr. Cosmas Ebebe was apt: “Msgr. Sylvester Mgbemfulu is a consummate, humble, hardworking and service-oriented priest. He was called to the altar of the Lord as a priest but he ascended to altar of holiness by his submission to God and to authority in the Church. He keeps the laws of God and so does not find it impossible to keep human regulations”. Mons’ Parish Priest and a retired Army Officer, Rev. Fr. Ignatius Ukoh said of him: “Monsignor is an example of what priests should be: obedient and completely detached from material things. He stayed long in the seminary with apostolic patience, forming the young ones, teaching and being faithful to the Church”.

In 2015, some old priests, including Mons that had served the Church in various capacities were elevated to Monsignors. What are the attributes that qualifies one to become a Monsignor and what are the criteria? Purely an honorary title, it is often bestowed by the Pope on the recommendation of bishops, on priests who have distinguished themselves in the service of the Church. Monsignor Sylvester Mgbemfulu’s elevation shows that he really bloomed to fruition where he was dropped. 

Another criterion for naming one a Monsignor is the age factor. At a time we started witnessing very young priests being named Monsignors, Pope Francis in 2014 made it mandatory that for any priest to be so named, he must have reached the age of sixty-five. Yes, at sixty five, everybody can effectively and objectively measure one’s contributions on its own very terms. This is a welcome development. It is not about the magnitude of our achievements, but the fact that we did our best and put up utmost sacrifice where we found ourselves. The children of these days and those that attended Isuaniocha in late 2000 may not understand what the town was or looked like when Monsignor started his apostolate there. It was then devoid of all the trappings of modern development including electricity. As a student, when it rained, no vehicle plied the road to the town from Awka. One could just imagine how many times Mons slept outside the school because the rains prevented him from getting back to the station. For a priest like Mgbemfulu, his apostolic triumphs lay neither in the Naira he has made nor the mansions he has erected, but on how many times rains denied him access, how many priests he has formed for God and how many souls he has saved. Even in his home-town of Ugbene, his people said of him: “Mons was instrumental to so many people that embraced Christianity in Ugbene, our town”. His niece, Onyinye Mgbemfulu said: “Mons taught us so many things, namely, how to pray, respect for sound values and love for education”. Profoundly fond of him, his elder brother, Mr. Longinus Mgbemfulu said he was the best brother anyone could ever hope to have; not in terms of material things to gain from him, but his concern for one’s salvation. 

Beyond preaching Christ to his people, he also identifies with them in various other ways, especially in infrastructural development. He loves his town, attends meetings with them and contributes to the development of the area. He was the Special Assistant to Archbishop Albert Obiefuna on the construction of access road to the Ugbene and other neighbouring communities in the 1980s. He contributed perhaps more than any other person to the construction of the bridge over the Ezu River to access Ugbene from Amanuke. Simeon Dilinyeru reveals that he was granted the honorific title of Ike Ugbene because of his devotion to the progress of the town: “He joins the town’s meeting every December, and we rely on him to know the truth at times of doubt or deliberate falsehood. Once he says what he knows, everybody believes. There is nothing that goes on in the town that he is not rightly informed”.

On their expectations, still representing the voice of this people, Dilinyeru said they had long awaited his ascendancy to the Episcopacy, but are handicapped to do anything about that since it is the prerogative of Rome.

If popularity is determined by how widely one is known, Msgr. Mgbemfulu, from his little corner, is unarguably the most-known priests among other priests of Awka and Ekwulobia Dioceses. This is so because priests ordained in the 1990s till date in both dioceses passed through him.   

Mons is also profoundly charitable within his limited means. He made a lot of sacrifices for the good of students but always within what he could afford; and that defines true charity. Again, let Fr. Ebebe who worked with him as Auxiliary let us into Mons’ considerate nature: “His selflessness is perhaps his most hidden virtue but counting in his Favour before God. When I did one year apostolic work at St. John Bosco Seminary, after graduating in Philosophy in 1984/1985, Fr Sylvester Mgbemfulu was on the staff as the Chemistry teacher. A senior Seminarian, Mr. Peter Okoye from Nanka had severe liver problem and was declared terminally ill. The course of his treatment entailed taking him to University Teaching Hospital Enugu once a week while he remained hospitalized at St Joseph’s Hospital, Adazi Nnukwu. The problem of taking the seminarian to Enugu in a private vehicle rather than use of public transport came up for discussion. Fr. Mgbemfulu donated his one and only panel van for the service. He gave what he had for the course of charity. When I got to Adazi Hospital, the hospital Chaplain and manager who had a relatively brand new Peugeot 504 was touched by the kind gesture of Fr. Mgbemfulu and in following his footsteps asked that I left the panel van at Adazi and conveyed the sick seminarian with his 504. That began my weekly journey of driving Fr. Mgbemfulu’s car to Adazi and driving the 504 to Enugu with the sick seminarian. It lasted for some months before the seminarian later died. His selflessness spoke loudly to other priests. Secretly, many of us admire him for his obedience, humility, and holiness of life. We cherish his whole-hearted cheerfulness and his detachment from material things. He is a loving saint for whom we are praying for his final perseverance. Sometimes, some of us say, ‘I wish I had the good disposition of Fr. Mgbemfulu’.”

Many people corroborate Fr. Ebebe’s position. I heard a former Acting Rector of the institution telling how Mgbemfulu challenged the spirituality of the priests that worked with him. He said that while in the Seminary, Mons’ magna silencia started at 4am daily, when he would always be seen in the Fathers’ chapel meditating and praying even before others woke up. Most Fathers who worked with him, like Fr. Barr. Clement Muozoba, remembers him very well as a priest who hates oppression, extravagance and display. “No one”, Fr. Muozoba says, “ever questioned his assiduous devotion to his many tasks”. Fr. Anthony Umeh also expressed the character of Mons with great exactness: “His quiet, staid character, his modest simplicity and indiscourageable honesty and just nature won him the hearts of many who have worked with him”. Indeed, he is the living embodiment of Aeschylus poetic line: “for not seeming just, but being so”.

Mons has a shy disposition and that could be noticed even at first meeting with him, but like St. Francis of Assisi, he loves nature and cherishes its company. Once not in the lab., he would be busy under the mango trees watching and appreciating nature. The guinea fowls that found sanctuary in the Seminary fly off when anybody is at sight except Monsignor Mgbemfulu. Even at the point of leaving the Seminary, he was thinking about what happens to them and made a final plea for the animals in the following words: “As I retire from the seminary, I shall miss the fraternal company of the priests on the staff, my classes, the chemistry laboratory which has become my second home, the mango trees especially those behind the lawn tennis courts and our harmattan season cherished and welcome but evasive guests: the guinea fowls who have been given sanctuary in the Seminary over the years and for whom I plead on their behalf that the tradition is not allowed to die”.

As a priest, though soft-spoken, every word that came out of his mouth is loaded with wisdom. As a student, this writer carried a note-book and biro at all times to catch ideas or wise sayings in their flight. I just came across one of my jottings thus: “Today being Sunday, the 25th of September, 1988, Fr. Mgbemfulu during his Sunday Homily said that ‘self-preservation is the greatest instinct in man’.” Such are bits of wisdom contained in his utterances and those of formators everywhere. Such words leave powerful impressions upon one’s emotions.

As he enjoys his deserved retirement at St. Felix’s Catholic Church, Nibo, I am sure the place will become a pilgrimage for the Old boys and others in society. Who would not like to visit such a person for diverse reasons: to thank him for remaining an exemplary priest, for his contribution to education in the State, for the training received under him, among others?

The first pilgrimage to the great priest was on the 4th of January, 2021 by the former Governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi. During the visit, he thanked Mons for his contributions to education in Nigeria. In reply, Mons, pleasantly surprised, thanked Mr. Obi for championing education revolution in the State through the return of school to the church. 

As we cherish the example of Msgr. Mgbemfulu’s life, let us endeavour to learn from him and pattern our lives after his. This is the best legacy to learn from him.

Obienyem, Special Adviser to Mr. Peter Obi, wrote from Lagos.

The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organization, Afenifere, has decried the over 200 per cent electricity tariff increase, saying that it will thwart the current administration’s effort at boosting the economy as businesses will shrink.

Afenifere, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Jare AJayi on Saturday.

Afenifere spokesman then wondered how comment by President Bola Tinubu that there is no driver of the economy that is bigger than the private sector during meeting with some organization’s CEO, some days ago can come to past when the amount to be paid per kilowatt hour (kWh) of electricity jumped from N68 to N225 just within 24 hours of its announcement.

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) on April 4 announced that from the following day, electricity consumers on Band A would begin to pay N225 per kilowatt hour as against N68 they have been paying up till then.

Taking a swipe at this decision, Afenifere submitted that it is erroneous to say that only those who are direct enrollees in a particular Band utilize the power being supplied through that band.

“For instance, a Band A consumer is likely to have people in his/her household or place of work where the power is being consumed. Meaning that if 1.5 million is the figure the government has as enrollees on Band A, the number of people who depend on the power coming therefrom would be about five times that figure.

“Besides, by calling on players in the power sector to ensure that people get what they are paying for is like putting the cart before the horse”, Part of the statement read.

The statement further pointed out that virtually everywhere in the country there is the poor supply of electricity and low quality of the commodity sometimes.

Afenifere noted that if relevant government agencies are to be sincere with Nigerians, what they should do is to first ensure regular and efficient supply of electricity before acceding to increase in payment for services that are being poorly rendered.

According to the statement, “A rough calculation indicated that a person on Band A who was paying an average of N50,000 per month (on N68 per kWh) would now have to pay N170,000 for the same service. Note the increase!

“It is noteworthy that the Ministry and its agency, the NERC, are interested in the revenue that would be generated rather than first ensuring regular and efficient supply.

“This is in contradistinction to the claim that the government agencies care about the pains of Nigerians. It is clear that rather than exploring ways to reduce the cost of producing energy thus reducing the pains of Nigerians, the relevant government agencies are passing the price of their own inefficiency on the people.

“For instance, increase in the cost of gas was used as the reason for the hike in electricity tariff.

“Yet, it is clear that even the present cost of producing gas, and by implication electricity, can be made more efficient.

“In other words, both the price of gas as well as electricity would be far lower than what they are presently if the agencies concerned had gone into research and/or take advantage of available information on cost-efficient production of energies”.

[Businessday]