Quincy Jones, a legendary figure in music whose 70-year career saw him excel as an artist, bandleader, composer, arranger, and producer, has passed away at the age of 91.

Jones died on Sunday night at his home in Bel Air, California, as confirmed in a statement from his representative, Arnold Robinson, shared with Entertainment Journalists. No cause of death was provided.

“With full but broken hearts, we share the passing of our father and brother, Quincy Jones,” the Jones family said. “This is a profound loss for our family, yet we celebrate the extraordinary life he lived, knowing there will never be another like him. He was truly one of a kind, and he will be dearly missed. We find comfort and pride in knowing that the love and joy that defined him were shared with the world through everything he created. Through his music and boundless spirit, Quincy Jones’ heart will beat for eternity.”

The news hit like a somber note. When I heard Quincy was dead, memories stirred deep within me, and nostalgia came rushing in, transporting me back to a time when Nigeria’s entertainment industry was not just thriving but vividly and excellently documented. This was not just about the individuals like Quincy who gave the industry its pulse and its rhythm. It was about an era when entertainment journalism in Nigeria brought life to our screens, papers, and minds.

In those days, reading about stars like Quincy and other music legends was an experience that extended beyond just the headlines. We saw their world through the pens of journalists who crafted stories with skill and respect for their craft. Publications like “Prime People”, “Vintage People”, “Quality”, and “Climax” coupled with entertainment pullout published in various daily newspapers in those days brought the stars closer, uncovering the lives of musicians, actors, and entertainers in a way that was both captivating and insightful.

In fact, these newspapers and magazines were the trusted voices of our entertainment industry, setting high standards for the quality and integrity of celebrity reporting. They not only celebrated the stars but also critically engaged with the challenges, the growth, and the changing tides in the industry. It was through these pages that we saw Quincy and other entertainers rise, evolve, and make waves both locally and internationally. The writers behind these publications saw entertainment as a serious beat, one that required dedication, research, and, most importantly, respect for those it covered.

Back then, entertainment journalism held an esteemed place. It was journalism in the true sense of the word, where stories were verified, sources were genuine, and the integrity of reporting mattered deeply. It was an era that respected the artist, the fan, and the reader. They told stories not for shock value but for the impact, for the historical record, and for the sheer love of documenting our culture.

Quincy’s passing has reminded me of this golden era, a time when every article, every interview, and every feature brought us closer to the stars while upholding the profession’s standards. Today, with digital media’s fast pace and the rise of social media “gossip” sites, much of that integrity has been lost, replaced with sensationalism and a rush to break the story first, often at the expense of accuracy and respect.

As we say goodbye to Quincy, perhaps it is time to reflect on what entertainment journalism could and should be. Let his legacy remind us not only of his talents but of an era that documented his and others’ lives with dignity, dedication, and a commitment to storytelling that today’s entertainment journalists can learn from and, hopefully, aspire to replicate.

Without a doubt, the recent passing of Quincy, a celebrated figure in the entertainment industry, has reignited conversations about the significance of entertainment journalism and its role in capturing the vibrant essence of showbiz. His legacy not only highlights the impact of influential personalities in the industry but also serves as a poignant reminder of a time when entertainment reporting thrived on authenticity, creativity, and deep engagement with artists. As audiences reflect on the golden era of showbiz reporting, characterized by in-depth stories and genuine connections with celebrities, there is a growing recognition of the need to revive this form of journalism to bridge the gap between entertainment and its audience.

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, where sensationalism often overshadows substance, the revival of entertainment journalism is both timely and essential. As fans crave insightful narratives that celebrate the artistry and human experiences behind the glitz, a renewed focus on quality reporting can enrich public discourse about the entertainment industry. This revival can also encourage new talent in journalism to embrace the craft’s rich storytelling traditions, fostering a more meaningful relationship between entertainers and their audience. Quincy’s death underscores the urgency of this endeavor, challenging journalists to reclaim their role as storytellers and curators of culture in a rapidly changing media environment.

The Sokoto State Government has issued a warning regarding the rise of a new terrorist faction in the region, identified as LAKURAWAS.

The State Deputy Governor Idris Gobir revealed this during a meeting with participants from Course 33 of the National Defence College, Abuja, who were on a study tour in Sokoto.

Naija News reports that Gobir explained that the group operates with a religious ideology and is equipped with advanced weaponry.

“Our assessment shows that LAKURAWAS is active in about five local government areas across the state,” he noted.

Gobir expressed concern over this development, especially as the state is already grappling with widespread banditry.

“The threat is expanding,” he said, adding that security agencies are working diligently to counter this new danger.

The Deputy Governor highlighted the state’s ongoing collaboration with federal security forces to safeguard lives and properties.

He emphasized various measures the state government has implemented to address these security challenges and hoped that insights from the National Defence College study tour would help authorities understand the evolving threats and devise effective strategies for securing peace.

Air Vice Marshal Titus Zuwahu Dauda, leader of the visiting delegation, provided background on the college, which was founded in 1992 as Nigeria’s premier military institution.

He explained that the college trains officers from the military, police, and strategic agencies, preparing them for high-level responsibilities. So far, 2,982 participants have graduated, including representatives from 30 African and Asian nations.

At the tour’s conclusion, Dauda stated, the team would present an oral and written report on their observations and recommendations for improving security in the state.

[NaijaNews]

Xabi Alonso returns to Anfield for the first time on Tuesday, as his Bayer Leverkusen side take on Liverpool in the Champions League, the trophy he helped the Reds win in 2005.

Alonso played 210 games for Liverpool between 2004 and 2009, with the highlight undoubtedly being the miracle comeback in the Reds’ Champions League final win over AC Milan in Istanbul.

The Spaniard scored Liverpool’s third goal in seven minutes to bring them level to 3-3 before they went on to win on penalties.

Alonso, 42, remains hugely popular with Liverpool fans and could have been in the home dugout had things gone differently.

Last season, after Jurgen Klopp’s shock decision to leave the club, Liverpool fans – who had taken notice of Alonso’s incredible run at Leverkusen – were hoping he could be headed to Merseyside.

Alonso though knocked back the reported interest from Liverpool as well as from former sides Real Madrid and Bayern Munich to stay at Leverkusen, who he had on track for a first-ever German top-flight title.

Alonso still speaks fondly of his time as a player on Merseyside and after Friday’s scoreless draw with Stuttgart, he said he was eagerly awaiting his return.

“Champions League at Anfield? It doesn’t get much better than that,” he said.

“This game means a lot to me. It will be a big game. To play in the Champions League, at Anfield, it’s difficult to experience anything better.

“The atmosphere is great. Liverpool is one of the best teams in Europe at the moment. It’s a huge challenge but a beautiful challenge for us.”

Any regret at missing out on Alonso is likely to have subsided among Liverpool fans, given their impressive start under Dutchman Arne Slot.

With 13 wins and a draw from 15 matches – officially the best start of any new Reds manager – Slot has Liverpool sitting top of the Premier League table.

In Europe, Liverpool are alongside Aston Villa as one of only two sides to have won three from three.

[Leadership]

Danielle Trenney, a 39-year-old project manager from western Pennsylvania, is so anxious about Tuesday’s U.S. presidential election that she decided to put up a Christmas tree early this year to distract her family.

Trenney said she knew of other families doing the same in Bellevue, a Pittsburgh suburb and an electoral hotbed prized by  Democrat Kamala Harris and Republican Donald Trump, rivals in a race that analysts say will go down to the wire.

Bunecke, 68, a retired graphic designer who plans to vote for Trump. Bunecke is so sick of the anger, the constant calls from pollsters and the campaign ads bombarding her in the battleground state of Pennsylvania that she would instead tune out completely.

In recent days, Reuters correspondents spoke to more than 50 voters across the seven competitive states that will determine the next president. They encountered an electorate on edge: worried about how the country would look should their preferred candidate lose, worried the other side would make trouble, and worried the political divide would only grow deeper.

Some turn to religion, others to yoga, swimming or lifting weights. Some follow the news closely, while others have shut off their TVs and smartphones to lose themselves in books or take long walks outdoors.

“I wish my smartphone were smart enough to know I’ve already voted,” said Lynn Nicholson, 72, a Harris voter in Marietta, Georgia, who has found refuge from the deluge of campaign ads through walking, gardening and photography. “It’s overwhelming.”

Todd Harrison, 49, of Canton, Georgia, a pest control specialist leaning toward Trump, said he has stopped watching sports on TV because of the barrage of political ads.

“The closer I get to the election, the madder I get,” Harrison said.

Many voters worried about what could happen after the election, especially if Trump lost. They fear a wave of lawsuits and court hearings, demonstrations, and even violence.

Trump claims the only way Democrats can win is by cheating. Harris has said she is ready to confront Trump if he prematurely declares victory.

Sherry Gay-Dagnogo, a 57-year-old Harris supporter in Detroit, said she is concerned about what Trump’s incendiary rhetoric could provoke.

“It’s like he’s igniting a base of violence in advance,” she said. “It’s scary.”

However, Lillian Hall, a 68-year-old former teacher and retail store owner from Hendersonville, North Carolina, and a Trump supporter, said she was scared there would be rioting if Harris lost.

“I think there’ll be anger like we’ve not seen yet if Trump wins,” Hall said.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted last month found widespread worries that the U.S. could see a repeat of the unrest that followed Trump’s 2020 election defeat when the then-president’s false claim that his loss was the result of fraud prompted hundreds of followers to storm the U.S. Capitol.

Some 74% of registered voters who responded to the Oct. 16-21 survey said they were concerned extremists would commit acts of violence if they were unhappy with the election results. Democrats were most likely to think that: 90% agreed, compared with 64% of Republicans and 77% of independents.

A few voters said in interviews they were trying to channel their anxieties by helping to get out the vote for their candidate.

Shirley Easton, an 85-year-old Tucson, Arizona, resident who described her mental state as “scared out of my mind,” said she had been mailing postcards to persuade people to vote for Harris.

Easton said she feared for the future of her seven granddaughters after the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 reversed its landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that legalised abortion nationwide.

“For my grandchildren, I’m terrified,” she said.

Lisa Fields, 60, a marketing professional, was so concerned that she travelled from her Manhattan home on Saturday to knock on doors for Trump in Delaware County, a critical suburb of Philadelphia.

She hopes Trump will bring peace to the Middle East and the country will become more unified regardless of who wins.

“We need to come together for the greater good. And I’ll focus on that the day after because while I disagree with people voting the other way, they’re entitled to, and that’s the beauty of America,” Fields said.

Other voters said they were trying to disengage from the election as much as possible.

Jean Thomson, 63, an executive coach in Marietta, Georgia, who voted for Harris, said the dozens of political flyers that arrive in the mail go straight into her trash.

“I don’t even look at them,” she said, adding she was meditating and spending more time in nature to cope with her stress. Only some people were headed to the woods.

When the results start rolling in on Tuesday, “I will be watching with my Xanax and my bottle of Sauvignon Blanc,” said Gillian Marshall, a 55-year-old Lyft driver in Scottsdale, Arizona.

Marshall, a Democrat who said she voted for Harris, echoed a sentiment nearly universal across political divides: “I just want this nightmare to be over.”

Source: Reuters

Housing deficit is causing untold hardship on the people of Kogi State amid the present economic hardship in the country, DAILY POST reports.

Kogi, which shares boundaries with about 10 states in the country, is hosting the popular River Niger and River Benue.

The strategic location of the state has made people settle down quickly since it was created in 1991 under the then Military regime of General Ibrahim Badamisi Babangida.

The issues of housing before now were a little bit fair for both the indigenes and civil servants working with the Federal and the State governments.

Unfortunately, it is now a nightmare for people who do not have their own house to get accommodation.

Some governors built houses for civil servants to ameliorate their sufferings.

Recall that during the then military administration of Colonel Paul Omeruo, (9th December 1993 – August 22 1996), he built Adankolo Estate, Colonel Augustine Aniebo, (August 1998 – May 1999) built what is now known as Aniebo Quarters, which is housing more than 300 Civil Servants both serving and retired in Kogi State.

Additionally, during the Civilian regime of Late Prince Abubakar Audu, (May 29th 1999 – May 29 2003) workers heaved a sign of relief concerning accommodation problem as his administration built first and second 200 housing units, Lokongoma Phase one, and two, Workers village, legislative quarters, while Ibrahim Idris, (May 29 2003 – 6th February, 2008) built 500 housing units and Captain Idris Ichalla Wada built flood estate for people affected by the 2012 flood in Kogi State.

The immediate past administration did not build housing estate for workers.

DAILY POST observed recently that a single room that used to be N40,000 depending on the area now goes for N80,000 to N100,000.

Also, one room and parlour self contain that is usually given out by landlords for N120,000 to N150,000 is now going for N350,000 to N450,000.

House rent for two and three bedroom flat is above N600,000 which is out of the reach of civil servants and other low income earners in the State.

Residents Lament

Some residents, including civil servants, disclosed that the skyrocketing rent, if not checked immediately by the State Government, could lead many residents into depression.

Abdullahi Umar, a resident of Adankolo said, “it is alarming the way landlords are increasing the prices of house rent.

“In Nigeria today, we are faced with hardship, many of us can’t send our children to school again. Now, house rent has hit the roof. Who did we offend in this country?

“Kogi State is even worse because the landlords don’t have pity on Kogites that are managing to earn a living.

“Imagine that I was paying N35,000 for one room, but I woke up one morning and my landlord said the house rent has increased to N90,000 without doing any renovations.

“This is the height of wickedness. We barely feed two times in a day and we are still battling with rent wahala. This must stop”.

Another resident, who identified herself as Hajia Mulikat Adomu, averred that the government should come up with a policy that would checkmate the excesses of landlords in the state.

According to her, some landlords were deliberately frustrating and inflicting pains on their tenants.

“Just because we don’t have any option, they keep treating us like rags.

“Government should please come to our aid. I believe when the government builds housing estate for residents and civil servants at a subsidized rate, it will ameliorate the sufferings of the masses and stop the consistent exploitation of the people by landlords,” she opined.

Landlords prefer renting houses to Yahoo Boys – Estate Manager cries out

Mr Peter Suleiman, Chief Executive Officer, Good Trust Estate Management Limited, says many landlords in Lokoja, the Kogi State Capital, now prefer to rent their houses to suspected advance fee fraudsters (Yahoo Boys), as tenants.

This, according to him, is because the yahoo boys can afford such exorbitant rent at the detriment of tenants running legitimate and genuine businesses.

In a chat with journalists recently, the estate expert, who appealed to the state government to urgently check the excesses of the landlords, noted that their action meant exploitation of genuine potential tenants.

Suleiman argued that the unhealthy development encouraged crime in the state.

He also expressed concern that as the landlords charged exorbitant rent, they failed to add value to their houses to make such structures conducive for the tenants.

He said: “It is quite unfortunate that landlords in Lokoja and its environs prefer to give their houses to yahoo boys instead of law abiding citizens.

“Just recently, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, apprehended some yahoo boys in Lokoja.

“Since they now know that staying in a hotel will expose their nefarious activities, they now prefer renting houses.

“When they approach these landlords, they can pay a higher amount.

“If you approach these landlords for house, they will open up to you that if you are not a yahoo boy, they won’t give you their house, because they are not sure if you can pay the next rent. Also, they will insist that you pay for two years.

“The essence of them insisting on Yahoo boys is that they know these guys will not complete their duration before exiting.

“What is now the hope of the common man who is doing genuine business? This is promoting cyber fraud.

“Everybody cannot do cyber fraud or yahoo yahoo as they all call it.

“The Kogi State Government should as a matter of urgency, come up with a policy to checkmate the excesses of these house owners in Lokoja, and other parts of Kogi State.

“This is necessary before all our children see advance fee fraud as the best line of making money,” he said.

Suleiman also lamented the prevalence of fake house agents operating in the state.

“These fake house agents masquerading around are the people deceiving the landlords by bringing Yahoo boys who will pay heavily for house rent.

“Kogi State is a civil service state and does not deserve this level of exploitation amid this harsh economy.

“Recently, I was managing one house, the landlord called me that he has jerked up his rent from N150, 000 to N600,000.

“I now asked, what are the modalities for this sudden increase when there is no renovation in the house?

“He told me openly that in the compound next to him, an agent brought some boys that paid N700,000 for house rent, and that do I expect him to still retain the old price?

“This is barbaric, satanic and should be stopped.

“If not urgently addressed, Kogi State will be snowballing into a hub of cyber fraud simply because of the mindset of these landlords who want to amass quick wealth for themselves without considering the implications,” he said.

Meanwhile, Suleiman has proposed 1000 housing units for civil servants in Kogi State.

In a statement sent to DAILY POST on Monday, he noted that Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo will be writing his name in gold when he builds the housing estate for civil servants to address the issues of housing deficit.

The Estate developer said “Things are very hard as we speak. Nigerians generally finds it difficult to feed themselves daily, aside paying exorbitant house rent.

“This 1000 proposed house units will cushion the suffering of civil servants in term of accommodation.

“It will save them from the consistent exploitations of landlords.”

Kogi govt. warns landlords against patronizing Yahoo Boys

Meanwhile, the Kogi State government has cautioned landlords in the state against renting their houses to internet fraudsters, popularly referred to as Yahoo Boys.

The State Security Adviser, Navy Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd), gave the warning during an interactive session with journalists in Lokoja.

He warned landlords that their houses risked demolition if they continued to give the apartments to Yahoo Boys.

According to him, “Security agencies will soon go after houses and hotels used by Yahoo Boys.

“Appropriate sanctions will be handed to affected landlords and hospitality facilities”.

He revealed that the government, in partnership with security agencies, had identified houses built with proceeds of criminal activities and those housing men of the underworld, insisting that such houses would soon be demolished.

Omodara urged residents to assist government and security agencies with necessary information to arrest internet fraudsters in the state.

[DailyPost]

Scores of terrorists roaming the area where Shiroro-Kaduna transmission line is located have been killed by the troops of the Nigerian Air Force who were deployed to provide cover for electricity workers repairing the line.

It was learnt that the terrorists, who were planning to wreck more havocs on the critical facilities and possibly kill the electricity workers were neutralised on Friday when the fighter jets of the force rained airstrikes on them.

Daily Trust had reported how 17 Northern States were thrown into darkness for more than one week following destruction of electricity towers, a major conduit supplying electricity to the North the area by the adversaries.

But President Bola Ahmed Tinubu directed the National Security Adviser, Minister of Defence and the Service Chiefs to order troops to provide cover for electricity workers to enable them to carry out necessary repairs on the damaged infrastructure.

Giving an update Monday night, the spokesman of NAF, Olusola Akinboyewa disclosed that the intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions carried out by the service confirmed the presence of terrorist fighters in the area.

Akinboyewa, an Air Commodore, explained that they were converging to disrupt the repair of the transmission line, adding that the terrorists were subsequently engaged and several of them were killed in the process.

[DailyTrust]

The Federal Ministry of Works has directed Julius Berger, the contractor handling Section One rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway, to evacuate the project site.

This followed a 14-day final termination notice issued to the company on Monday, dismissing any possibility of further negotiations.

The ministry said the termination was based on non-compliance with the reviewed cost, scope, and terms, stoppage of work, and refusal to remobilise to the site, as directed.

It noted that negotiations had been ongoing for several months without any significant progress.

A statement by the Director of Press and Public Relations, Mohammed Ahmed, disclosed this information on Monday in Abuja, stressing that the decision was reached during a management meeting of the ministry at its headquarters.

Recall that the works ministry had in the last 13 months been in constant talks with the company, in order to reach an amiable position on the said alignment but to no avail.

The latest development follows an earlier threat by the minister to revoke the contract that was awarded to the company in 2018 when former President Muhammadu Buhari was in power.

While the Kaduna-Zaria section has been completed and the Zaria-Kano section is almost done, the Abuja-Kaduna section has recorded 27 per cent progress in six years.

At an event penultimate week, Umahi accused Julius Berger of playing politics with the highway to make the current administration look bad.

Despite these efforts, an agreement was not reached between both parties, with the construction company not attending the scheduled meeting on Monday.

The statement read in part, “Based on non-compliance with the reviewed cost, scope, and terms, stoppage of work and refusal to remobilise to the site, as directed, the Federal Ministry of Works has issued a 14-day Notice of Termination to Messrs Julius Berger Plc for the Rehabilitation of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway in FCT, Kaduna and Kano States, Contract No.6350, Section I (Abuja-Kaduna),  today, November 4, 2024.

“Nigerians may wish to know that the Contract for the Rehabilitation of the Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway, which was divided into three Sections was awarded to the company on December 20, 2017, and flagged off by the former Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Babatunde Fashola at an initial sum of N155.75bn on June 18, 2018. Sections II (Kaduna – Zaria) and III (Zaria – Kano) were partially completed and handed over during the twilight of the administration of former President  Muhammadu Buhari.

“Since then it has been one variation and augmentation or the other and finally, the present Minister of Works directed the redesigning and re-scoping of the Section I of the contract. The alignment was divided into two with one phase redesigned to be on continuously reinforced concrete pavement, while the remaining with asphaltic pavement.

“Approval for Section I, Phase 1 for a length of 38km on the concrete pavement was given to Messrs Dangote Industries (Nig.) Ltd, while the remaining 127km remained with the substantive contractor. Phase 1 was flagged off on October 17, 2024, with a 14-month completion period.”

Mohammed further explained that a request to rescope the project was approved by the Federal Executive Council but the contract’s terms were not agreed upon by the contractor.

He added, “Due to the stalemate of the contract and, most importantly, the desire of President Bola Tinubu, as encapsulated in the Renewed Hope Agenda infrastructure initiative, to see to the completion of this laudable project, also to alleviate the sufferings of Nigerians plying the road, the ministry re-scoped it and got the approval of the Federal Executive Council.

“The award for the Re-scoping and Downward Review of Contract for the Rehabilitation of Abuja-Kaduna-Zaria-Kano Dual Carriageway in FCT, Kaduna and Kano States, Contract No.6350, Section I (Abuja-Kaduna) in favour of Messrs Julius Berger Plc from the sum of N797.26bn to N740.79bn was granted by FEC on September 23, 2024, and conveyed to the company on October 3, 2024.”

With the latest development, this means the Works Minister, David Umahi has revoked 11 contracts in 16 months.

[Punch]

Emeritus Catholic Archbishop of Abuja,  Cardinal John Onaiyekan, has asked politicians and traditional rulers in the country to lead with the fear of  Almighty God.

Cardinal Onaiyekan gave the charge in his homily at a mass in the chapel of the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, Delta State in commemoration of Saint Charles Borromeo, the Italian Cardinal often described as the “loving reformer.” 

He said leaders in various positions of authority should be conscious that the Almighty God gave them such leadership responsibilities, adding that they should lead in accordance with the will of God.

At the service were His Royal  Majesty Emmanuel Sidedo, Abe 1, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom, his chiefs and others.

Onaiyekan said he was elated that the monarch and several others in his kingdom were Christians.

He said: “Saint Charles Borromeo lived during the time of the Protestant Reformation, and had a hand in the reform of the whole church during the final years of the Council of Trent.

“Although he belonged to the Milanese nobility and was related to the powerful Medici family, Charles desired to devote himself to the Church. In 1559, when his uncle, Cardinal de Medici was elected Pope Pius IV, he made Charles cardinal-deacon and administrator of the Archdiocese of Milan.

“At the time Charles was still a layman and a young student. Because of his intellectual qualities, Charles was entrusted with several important offices connected with the Vatican, and later appointed secretary of state with responsibility for the papal states. The untimely death of his elder brother brought Charles to a definite decision to be ordained a priest, despite his relatives’ insistence. Soon after being ordained a priest at age 25, Borromeo was consecrated bishop of Milan.

“Charles took the initiative in giving a good example. He allotted most of his income to charity, forbade himself all luxury, and imposed severe penances upon himself. He sacrificed wealth, high honors, esteem, and influence to become poor.

“During the plague and famine of 1576, Borromeo tried to feed 60,000 to 70,000 people daily. To do this, he borrowed large sums of money that required years to repay. Whereas the civil authorities fled at the height of the plague, he stayed in the city, where he ministered to the sick and the dying, helping those in want.

“Work and the heavy burdens of his high office began to affect Archbishop Borromeo’s health, leading to his death at the age of 46.”

[Vanguard]

A military officer who served as Nigeria’s aviation minister between 1985 and 1993 during the Ibrahim Babangida years once remarked that air travel was a luxury not meant for the poor. At the time, this comment sparked public outrage for its apparent insensitivity. Yet, more than thirty years later, that statement has proven eerily prophetic, as air travel has become increasingly inaccessible to most Nigerians.

In Nigeria, the significance of air travel is even more profound. With an underdeveloped transportation infrastructure and the risks posed by road and rail travel, air travel has become both convenient and necessary. Despite this importance, soaring ticket prices are reversing decades of progress, making air travel a luxury for the wealthy again. The soaring costs threaten the accessibility of air travel for the average Nigerian, restricting mobility and posing a barrier to economic inclusion.

This problem cannot be delayed for another day. It demands immediate attention and action. This reality is compounded by Nigeria’s unique economic and infrastructural challenges, which have made alternatives to air travel scarce, unsafe, or unreliable. As air travel becomes increasingly out of reach, so do the social and economic benefits it brings, from tourism to job creation. To restore air travel as a widely accessible service, Nigeria must address its infrastructural, regulatory, and economic challenges with targeted reforms and strategic investments. These investments, if made wisely and with a long-term vision, could transform the current state of air travel in Nigeria, making it more affordable and accessible for all.

The limited alternatives to air travel make Nigeria particularly reliant on its aviation sector, especially given the poor state of the country’s road infrastructure. According to a 2023 report by Nigeria’s National Bureau of Statistics, approximately 60% of the nation’s roads are classified as “poor,” with many roads riddled with potholes, lacking signage, and without proper maintenance. These conditions are not only inconvenient but also dangerous, as travelling on these roads can lead to vehicle breakdowns, accidents, and exposure to kidnappings and banditry.

Between January and July 2024, over 500 cases of kidnapping were reported along Nigerian roads, highlighting the severe security challenges that plague ground transportation. Rail infrastructure, though expanding, remains limited, covering only 3,500 kilometres compared to India’s 65,000 kilometres, a stark illustration of Nigeria’s lag in connecting its vast geography. Water transportation is similarly underutilised, with infrastructure inadequacies and safety concerns making it an unreliable option for most Nigerians. Air travel holds unique importance in this environment as a safe and efficient means of connecting people and goods across the country.

However, the cost of air travel in Nigeria has surged in recent years, making it unaffordable for most Nigerians. For instance, the price of a one-way flight between Lagos and Abuja has risen from around ₦75,000 (approximately $47) in 2020 to over ₦170,000 ($100) today, effectively pricing out the average citizen.

Several factors are responsible for these soaring prices, with currency exchange rates playing a significant role. Since most aeroplane spare parts are priced in US dollars and airline operations are generally denominated in US dollars and other stronger currencies, the declining naira means that Nigerian passengers must pay more. Aviation fuel, which now constitutes 40 percent of airline operating costs, has seen a price increase of over 300 percent since 2020 due to limited refining capacity and global oil price fluctuations.

Additionally, Nigerian airlines are subject to over 15 separate taxes and regulatory fees, ranging from value-added tax to passenger service charges. These fees significantly increase the cost of doing business for airlines, ultimately passing on the burden to consumers. Inflation, which has remained above 30% in recent years, compounds these issues, reducing Nigerian consumers’ purchasing power and further limiting air travel access.

These rising costs have profound implications, particularly for a nation where freedom of movement is vital for economic and social inclusion. The aviation sector is not just a mode of transportation but a key driver of economic growth and social mobility. Affordable air travel enables Nigerians to access jobs, markets, and opportunities far beyond their immediate surroundings. When air travel is reserved for the wealthy, it limits social mobility and restricts the benefits of a connected society. However, if made affordable and accessible, air travel can promote social inclusion by providing access to remote and underserved regions, improving living standards and supporting poverty alleviation. This promising vision underscores the importance of restoring affordability and accessibility to air travel in Nigeria.

Given these challenges, Nigeria must adopt a comprehensive approach to restore affordability and accessibility to air travel. First, substantial investment in alternative public transportation infrastructure is essential. This could be achieved through public-private partnerships. Expanding and maintaining long-distance roads and rail networks would relieve demand pressure on air travel and provide more affordable options for Nigerians. Nigeria could look to countries like India, where extensive railway networks connect rural and urban areas, providing a reliable and low-cost alternative to air travel. Improving water transportation could also offer new solutions, as Nigeria has over 10,000 kilometres of inland waterways that could be leveraged to move goods and people efficiently. Developing these alternatives would improve mobility and foster healthy competition within the transportation sector, potentially driving down air travel costs and opening new economic and social development opportunities.

Another critical issue is the insecurity that has plagued Nigeria’s transportation network, particularly on roads and waterways. Banditry, kidnapping, and piracy make these modes of travel dangerous, prompting more Nigerians to rely on air travel for safety, which increases demand and, consequently, costs. By addressing security concerns in road, rail, and water travel through increased policing, surveillance, and enforcement measures, the government can make these alternatives safer and more viable. This would reduce the demand for air travel, creating a more competitive environment that could lead to more affordable fares.

The government’s role in this process is crucial, and its intervention is necessary to restore affordability and accessibility to air travel in Nigeria.

Regulatory reforms are essential for creating a more efficient and less costly aviation sector in Nigeria. By streamlining administrative and regulatory processes, we can reduce airline operational expenses, leading to lower consumer costs. Countries like South Africa have demonstrated the benefits of streamlined regulations, where simplified frameworks reduce costs without compromising safety standards. In Nigeria, reforming the aviation sector to reduce bureaucratic hurdles could enhance affordability. Tax reform would also provide significant relief. The government could reduce airlines’ operating costs by reducing aviation-related taxes, potentially lowering passenger ticket prices. In the long term, these changes could stimulate the aviation sector, boosting job creation, economic activity, and increased connectivity. This potential for positive change should inspire us to push for these reforms.

Competition within the air travel market is another vital component of affordability. By promoting the entry of new airlines, Nigeria can foster a competitive environment that generally leads to lower prices for consumers. For example, competition between national carrier Kenya Airways and local airlines has created more affordable options for consumers in Kenya. Nigeria’s recent signing of the Cape Town Convention, an international agreement facilitating aircraft financing, presents an opportunity to attract new airline entrants and encourage a more dynamic aviation market that benefits travellers.

Minister of aviation Festus Keyamo is critical in spearheading efforts to make air travel accessible and affordable for all Nigerians. To reduce air travel costs in Nigeria, the minister of aviation can adopt several strategies targeting taxes, fuel costs, competition, infrastructure, and innovation. Reducing aviation taxes, fees, and redundant charges would lower airline operating costs, allowing for more affordable fares. Subsidies on aviation fuel or investment in local fuel production could stabilize and reduce fuel costs, a significant airline expense. Additionally, establishing a foreign exchange window for aviation could mitigate currency volatility.

Encouraging competition is also essential. Lowering entry barriers and incentivizing low-cost carriers would make more affordable options available. Bulk procurement of essential airline parts, collective insurance, and fuel-efficient operations could further decrease airline costs, benefiting consumers. Establishing strong infrastructure alternatives, like high-speed rail, road, and water transport, would relieve demand pressure on the aviation sector, thereby driving down prices.

Regional collaboration, such as Open Skies agreements with neighbouring countries, could increase route options and affordability. Supporting local maintenance and training programs could reduce dependence on foreign expertise, lowering labour expenses. Lastly, encouraging digital solutions and a subsidized frequent flyer program for low-income travellers could make air travel more accessible.

Beyond infrastructure and regulatory reforms, establishing an online complaint mechanism for passengers could improve transparency and accountability within the aviation sector. A similar initiative in India, called AirSewa, allows passengers to submit grievances directly to authorities, ensuring faster response times and promoting a consumer-focused airline industry. Implementing a similar platform in Nigeria would empower passengers to voice their concerns and encourage airlines to improve service quality.

These initiatives, combined with streamlined licensing, local skill development, and efficient operations, would reduce air travel prices and foster excellent connectivity and economic growth in Nigeria. Such a comprehensive approach would make air travel more affordable and accessible for a more significant population.

Nigeria’s aviation sector faces complex challenges, but with targeted reforms and strategic investments, air travel can once again become a service for all rather than a luxury for a select few. Addressing infrastructure, security, taxation, and regulation limitations will require commitment and vision, but the potential benefits are vast. By making air travel accessible, Nigeria can enhance its connectivity, create economic opportunities, and ensure that all citizens benefit from a modern, mobile society. Restoring air travel as a bridge to opportunity will open economic possibilities and solidify Nigeria’s commitment to equal access, inclusion, and national growth. Through these efforts, Nigeria’s aviation industry can take off, empowering millions and supporting the country’s journey toward a more connected, prosperous future.

Forget former Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Forget Representative Adam Schiff. I’m Trump’s enemy within. I accept it as a badge of honour.

Lucky you if you are not one of us. I envy you.

Maybe you are not one of us today. But you will definitely join our ranks tomorrow. It is just a matter of time.

You will join us when you feel he has gone too far. And you show any desire for a bit of restraint, just a tiny bit. He will see your repulsion for his excesses as a sign of weakness.

You will get this “enemy within” badge of honour when you think enough is enough. It will happen when you disagree with any aspect of his vision of America.

He wants to use the military to intimidate me. He will try. Some of you will cheer him on. Some of you will make excuses for him. And some will explain away his stab at the heart of the American creed. But he will not win.

He won’t win because he does not know the US military. He sees the commissioned officers. He does not see the non-commissioned officers like us. We obey the commander-in-chief’s orders under one condition – that it does not go against the Constitution of the United States of America, which we swore to defend.

I bet you he doesn’t know that part. Nobody has told him that his power ends where the power of the Constitution starts.

We will tell him when the time comes.

Forget the Haitians and the insult he threw at them about eating dogs, cats, and pets. Forget the Congolese he accused of sneaking out of their prisons in Kinshasa and entering a raft for a 10,000-kilometer journey to the United States. Forget the Venezuelans he accused of taking over estates in the suburbs. Forget the Porto Ricans, whom his people at their love fest at Madison Square Garden in New York said came from “an island of floating garbage.” I’m on Trump’s list of those poisoning the blood of America.

He will want to deport me. He will want to deport you. He will want to deport any of us whose ancestors came not from his grandfather’s part of Europe. He will try, but he cannot wipe off our footprints on the beaches of Virginia.

He will try to separate the air we breathe in and out from the stream of American air, but the air will not obey him.

Let me be loud, just this time. I don’t want you to say nobody told you. I don’t want you to say that you didn’t hear.

The phenomenon of Trump is not a new character in America. We have seen characters like him before. And more are coming.

They typically crawl out of their dark holes during significant national changes and social and economic distress. They disappear when the sunshine reappears.

Trump has already changed America in more ways than we care to count. When the publishers of the Los Angeles Times and Washington Post newspapers fear endorsing a candidate in the US presidential election, you know this is no longer your grandfather’s America.

America will survive another four years of Trump.

The wound will heal. But the scars may never disappear. Like an ugly ring on the bark of a tree, it will remain a reminder to generations yet unborn of that time when Americans became so small they allowed fear to win.

History assures us that progress does not follow a straightforward path. Its road is zigzag. But in the end, humanity advances.

Like the stock market, we will survive the crashes and keep moving up. We will leave behind, inside abandoned graves, those who are allergic to change and the ones who defy the natural course of evolution.

One hundred years from now, the children and grandchildren of the Haitian people in Springfield, Ohio, who Trump accused of eating dogs, cats, and pets of the people who live there, will become governors in Ohio and presidents of the United States of America.

Americans living then will read stories of our time and shake their heads in disbelief. They will declare our era the Dark Ages.

So, fear not. You can be sure that we, the people, shall prevail in the end.

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