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The Ogun State Police Command has confirmed the tragic death of 31-year-old Sunday Jimoh, a resident of Laditan in Oja-Odan, who drowned in a well on February 22, 2025, at about 10:00 am.
The spokesperson for the state police command, CSP Omolola Odutola, disclosed this in a statement released on Sunday.
Odutola said the incident was reported by Kabiru Aladeshayi Ayigbere, a resident of the Junction Area, Oja-Odan, who stated that he witnessed the deceased attempting to enter a well beside his shop.
She explained: “Jimoh reportedly insisted on retrieving a phone that had accidentally fallen into the well, despite warnings against the dangerous act.
“Regrettably, while Aladeshayi was away, Jimoh entered the well and drowned.
“Upon receiving the report, detectives swiftly responded to the scene, and rescue experts were contacted to recover the body. A preliminary investigation found no signs of violence, confirming that the incident was an unfortunate accident.
“The family of the deceased has been notified, and they requested to bury the remains in accordance with Muslim rites.
“The Ogun State Police Command expresses its deep condolences to the family and loved ones of the deceased and urges the public to exercise caution when dealing with such hazardous situations.”
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike on Saturday dared the National Working Committee, NWC, of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, challenging their stance on the South-South zonal congress.
DAILY POST reports that members of the PDP, who are loyal to Wike, conducted the South-South PDP Zonal Congress on Saturday in Calabar, Cross River State, despite a court order against the exercise.
Recall that a High Court, sitting in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, had issued an interim injunction preventing the zonal congress from taking place.
But Wike and those in his camp, including a former Governor of Cross Rivers State, Donald Duke, participated and voted at the Congress.
However, the party’s NWC distanced itself from the zonal congress, saying PDP is not in any way involved in the “said gathering in Calabar”.
The main opposition party insisted it has not conducted its South-South Zonal Congress.
However, while presenting a goodwill message at the congress, the former Rivers State Governor said there has never been a congress or convention where all delegates participated.
The FCT Minister charged delegates at the Congress to elect officials who will defend and protect the party.
He said, “The South-South Zone is the strongest zone of the PDP in Nigeria. It has always been and will always be. There is no part of the constitution that says congress should be postponed because of a wedding or travelling.
“There has never been a congress where every delegate was present. I want to assure you that this is the final zonal congress of the South-South Zone. After the election today, no other zonal congress will hold.
“This is our job, our terrain, and we are not new to this. Nobody can intimidate me and I don’t need to be a governor. Let us put ourselves together in truth and ensure our party remains united and we can only be united when we are truthful”.
[DailyPost]
Communal crisis is looming in Akure, the Ondo State capital as the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi, move to implement an Appeal Court judgment which declared the Iralepo of Isikan to be a Quarter Chief in Akure.
The Iralepo was upgraded to a Class C monarch under the administration of late former Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu.
After the death the late Iralepo of Isikan, High Chief Olu Ojo., the Akure monarch appointed Chief Henry Gbenga as the next Iralepo in line based on his power(s) to appoint Minor Chiefs in Akure kingdom but Prince Olugbenga Ojo who was picked by the Omowa Isikan (kingmakers) was installed as Oba.
In 2022, the state government issued a White Paper which recognised Iralepo stool as a Class C Oba.
However, the Court of Appeal declared that it was unlawful to admit the Chieftaincy title of Iralepo into Part 1 of the Chiefs Laws of Ondo State as a recognised Chief with the consent of the Deji of Akure.
It also granted an order of perpertual injunction restraining the Ondo State Government from appointing or installing anyone as the Iralepo of Isikan Quarters.
Less than 48 hours after the court’s ruling, the Deji of Akure ordered immediate suspension of Ojo as the Iralepo of Isikan and cautioned him to desist from parading himself under any guise.
Oba Aladetoyinbo announced appointment of Adeyeye as the new Iralepo of Isikan Quarters, Akure.
A statement by spokesman to the Akure monarch, Michael Adeyeye said Ojo was requested to vacate the traditional palace of the Iralepo of Isikan with immediate effect and hand over all palace properties within his possession to the appropriate quarters for proper documentation.
According to the statement, “In view of the installation and appointment of High Chief Gbenga Henry Adeyeye as the new Iralepo of Isikan quarters, he is now entitled to wear all paraphernalia of office attached to the stool of the Iralepo of Isikan while Mr. Gbenga Ojo is advised to desist from parading himself in whatever manner.
“We wish to inform Mr. Gbenga Ojo that any violation of the afore-stated shall be met stiffer penalties including committal proceedings.”
Oba Aladetoyinbo subsequently presented certificate to the new Iralepo and witnessed by the Omowa of Isikan.
But the Olisa of Isikan, Chief Kayode Oluyi, said the ancient throne of Iralepo was not any child’s play susceptible to the theatre of absurdity.
Chief Oluyi said the Iralepo of Isinkan has only been appointed by the people of Isinkan and never by the Deji of Akure nor subject to his approval.
“We implore our people to peacefully go about their businesses and not do or be involved in anything that would portray the great peace loving people of Isinkan as discourteous rabble rousing bumpkins.
“While we take due cognizance of the judgment of the Court of Appeal and exercising our further rights in that respect under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, we wish to assure all that the throne of the Iralepo of Isinkan is not vacant as Oba Oluwagbemiga Ajimokunola Olofin-Adimula (Arulewolasi III), the Olusi Obarisa, remains, and sits on the throne and in the palace of the Iralepo of Isinkan.”
The Olu of Aladodo, Ayodeji Fatoki, said no Deji has ever installed or removed any Iralepo of Isinkan.
He said: “Deji wants to cause crisis in the state capital”.
Caption: Akure Monarch presenting Certificate to his appointed Iralepo of Isikan
[TheNation]
Labour Party presidential flagbearer in the 2023 election, Peter Obi, has said that he did not exhibit any sign of desperation to make the leadership of the party believe he craves a ‘free ticket’ or ‘special treatment’ ahead of the 2027 election.
Obi, who spoke through his media aide, Ibrahim Umar, was reacting to a recent interview where the National Publicity Secretary of the LP, Obiora Ifoh, denied that the party was planning to field Obi, Abia State Governor Alex Otti and some 2023 candidates in the next poll.
The rebuttal comes a few days after the factional National Publicity Secretary of the party, Abayomi Arabambi, announced that the LP would field the former Anambra State governor to stop President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
When contacted to clarify if LP is truly planning to field Obi in 2027, the National Publicity Secretary of LP, Obiora Ifoh, debunked it.
While indicating that the narrative was flawed, Ifoh told our reporter that the report couldn’t have emanated from the Julius Abure camp.
However, when asked how Obi was taking the ‘no automatic ticket’ threat by Abure, Umar said his principal did not bother himself with such trivialities.
He said, “Our principal, Peter Obi, remains steadfast in his commitment to democracy and the well-being of all Nigerians. He has consistently championed the importance of good democracy, and healthy competition, recognizing that these elements are essential for a thriving democratic setting.
“It is crucial to note that Peter Obi has never sought a free ticket or special treatment. Instead, he has always emphasised the need for a level playing field, where individuals can compete fairly and freely. We urge our supporters and the general public to stay focused on the issues that truly matter, rather than being swayed by misinformed narratives.
“Peter Obi’s dedication to promoting good governance, economic growth, and social justice remains unwavering. Let’s work together to build a brighter future for Nigeria, one that is guided by the principles of democracy, fairness, and equality.
“Our principal’s actions and decisions will continue to be driven by these values, ensuring that Nigeria remains on a path towards prosperity and greatness.”
[Punch]
From the 2Baba divorce saga, we are now into stories and speculations about what is happening in beautiful actress, Regina Daniel’s life. It began with oh! Regina has just deactivated her Instagram account and next, she stepped out without her ring. That got social media users sensing trouble in her marriage as the 6th wife. Now, this is where I must say that I don’t fancy the life of celebrities at all. No privacy!
So far, so much has been blown open and written about the actress within a short time. One of her colleagues, Chika Ike was placed at the centre of the entire drama. She was accused of trying to make her way into pa Ned’s life as the 7th wife. They said Regina isn’t okay with that. Because of that, many people are criticising her for deactivating her Instagram account based on mere rumour. Trust me, Bloggers have been on a rampage since the rumour started. This could honestly be the reason she deactivated that account; fear of backlash. Nigerians can be mean sometimes. One of the bloggers posted a statement allegedly made by Chika on the matter. “Ned isn’t the father of my child. I’m not about to be anyone’s 7th wife! Polygamy isn’t for me. I’ve been pregnant for months now and no one had a clue until I announced it. Keep digging and coming up with your false news. I don’t care. My privacy is my peace and no one can unsettle me.” Then, why share glamorous maternity pictures online if you wanted it private?
Well, there’s also a statement said to be from the Director of Communications, office of Sen. Ned Nwoko, making the rounds on social media, dismissing the rumour about Chika’s involvement in the family.
If you ask me, what’s the fuse all about if the man in charge wishes to get a seventh wife? Was there an undertaking that he will stop at number six?
Whether the gossip about possible ‘trouble in paradise’ is true or not, let’s just dive into some comments on social media. Netizens seem to know too much.
@bellaTheBomba wrote, “Chika Ike gave birth for Ned Nwoko and Regina has deactivated her Instagram.” This netizen seems to know a lot. Hmmnnn!
West @flygodT replied, “I’m just surprised she actually has feelings for him.”
Ifeayichukwu @ Myka_veli commented, “I don’t understand women at all. Regina Daniels and Chika Ike had the opportunity to choose the most eligible bachelors in Nigeria owing to their status as celebrities plus they’re good looking. Why choose an old man with 5 wives over young bobos?”
Olucih @Phatbabeluu wrote, “Regina Daniels would have made good money on her own without attaching herself to that grandpa. She had great prospects.”
Brooda John @ Nigeriangod wrote, “Chika Is the real senior wife cos she has been there long before Ned married other wives. She didn’t want to marry him then cos she said she had to return to school for her master and establish other business. So, Ned sent her to Harvard University.” Really?
Morris Monye commented, “As far back as 2012, if you visited Ned Nwoko at his country home near Onicha-Ugbo, you would see Chika Ike around. She has always been his woman.”
[Vanguard]
Nasir el-Rufai, former governor of Kaduna, says the north must forge an alliance with the south-south to “save” Nigeria.
Speaking on Friday during a condolence visit to the family of Edwin Clark, the late elder statesman and Niger Delta advocate, who died on February 17, el-Rufai said the north and south-south had a strong historical political partnership.
“In the 60s, 70s and 80s, the traditional political partners of the north was the south-south. Let us not forget that. Let us go back to that. Let us save this country because it really requires saving. We need a rescue operation,” el-Rufai said.
Ahead of the 2027 general election, there have been talks of coalitions and alliances with politicians across opposition parties holding “strategic meetings”.
El-Rufai, who was led to the condolence visit by Atiku Abubakar, said the former vice-president deserves credit for spearheading economic reforms during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.
Abubakar was vice-president to former president Olusegun Obasanjo government from 1999 to 2007.
The former governor has been meeting members of opposition parties in recent weeks.
In January, el-Rufai met with Hamza Al-Mustapha, ex-aide to late Sani Abacha; Shehu Gabam, national chairman of the Social Democratic Party (PDP); and other politicians in the nation’s capital.
Segun Showunmi, a former spokesperson of the Atiku Abubakar campaign organisation, said the meeting was to strategise ahead of the 2027 elections.
There have been speculations that el-Rufai has been working to pitch his political tent elsewhere.
Last month, el-Rufai said the distance between him and the All Progressives Congress (APC) is “widening”.
[TheCable]
•Narrates how he disarmed Dimka during 1976 coup
FORMER Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has disclosed that former President Olusegun Obasanjo opted to leave the Army after he was asked to succeed former Head of State, Murtala Muhammed, following the failure of the 1976 coup that claimed Murtala’s life.
IBB made this disclosure in his autobiography, A Journey in Service while giving accounts of the events that followed the attempt to forcefully take over the Murtala’s military administration by a group of mutineers led by Lieutenant-Colonel Bukar Dimka.
Following Murtala’s death, IBB, in chapter 5 of his book entitled “The Murtala Muhammed Years,” narrated that the Supreme Military Council met the following day to discuss the succession plan but the council was divided over the choice of Obasanjo and Theophilus Danjuma, both of whom, at the time, were Lieutenant-Generals and most senior military officer.
IBB disclosed that though the pendulum of the SMC swung in Danjuma’s direction, he rejected the offer and suggested that Obasanjo, who was Murtala’s deputy and a ‘senior’ Lieutenant-General, should succeed Murtala.
According to him, Obasanjo, instead, opted to retire from the Army to pave the way for Danjuma’s ascension as Head of State, but such move led to a stalemate as Danjuma rejected the suggestion, insisting that Obasanjo should succeed the late Head of State.
IBB narrated on page 99 of his book: “The next day, the SMC met in Lagos to pick a successor to General Muhammed. We knew it would be either General Obasanjo or General Danjuma since, as Lieutenant-Generals, they were the most senior. As I recall, the pendulum swung in favour of General Danjuma at the start of the deliberations. Everyone present, including Obasanjo, thought Danjuma should take over.
“But somehow, Danjuma cast his lot with Obasanjo, insisting that as Muhammed’s deputy and a ‘senior’ Lieutenant-General, Obasanjo should succeed Murtala Muhammed. Obasanjo refused and offered, if I recall accurately, to retire from the Army to enable Danjuma to emerge as Head of State. There appeared to be a momentary stalemate. But that soon faded away. Faced with the insistence of Danjuma, everyone caved in, and Obasanjo accepted the challenge to succeed Murtala.
“With the question of the Head of State settled, the choice of substantive Deputy to Obasanjo and Chief of Staff (Supreme Headquarters) had to be resolved. I don’t recall that it was tabled before the SMC. But I suspect that General Danjuma, as Chief of Army Staff and ‘de facto’ deputy to Obasanjo during those early days, decided, presumably after consultations, to name Lt-Col. Shehu Musa Yar’Adua as Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters. And in an exercise that would have rattled a few within the military, especially those senior to him, Yar’Adua was promptly promoted to Brigadier and, subsequently, Major-General.”
The elder stateman also narrated how he disarmed late Dimka and other mutineers who had taken over the Radio House, adding that in the ensuing gunfight, Dimka escaped but his aide-de-camp, 2nd Lt Garba, was killed among other casualties.
“Meanwhile, I returned to General Danjuma to give him a report of my encounter with Dimka. Danjuma was furious. He ordered me back to the Radio House with a reiteration of his earlier instructions to ‘flush Dimka out of place immediately.
“I returned to Radio House with Chris Ugokwe, better equipped and prepared. By now, we had been joined by, among others, Mike Otuwa, James Ojokojo, John Shagaya and Jack Iketubosin.
“But first, I had to reach out to my friend and classmate, Sani Sami, who commanded the Brigade of Guards, to handle a difficult assignment. The Brigade of Guards’ barracks provided easy access to the Radio House. But again, I had to be careful since I wasn’t sure whether the Brigade was still loyal to the government.
“Sani Sami and I consulted and agreed that there should be minimum destruction. And that we would do what we were taught as cadets in situations involving a civilian population to ensure that civilians got out of the way and didn’t get injured.
“Once that was done, we moved in, cordoned off the area and engaged the mutineers in a gun battle. There were casualties in the ensuing armed confrontation, including Dimka’s ADC, 2nd Lt Garba. Also, one of the other vital plotters, Major Ibrahim Rabo, was arrested by Major Yomi Williams as he tried to escape and was promptly taken to the Bonny camp for interrogation. But, somehow, Dimka, quite inexplicably to this day, managed to escape from the scene unharmed,” IBB recalled.
He added that “Later that evening, the Federal government announced that the coup attempt had been quashed and declared seven days of national mourning in Murtala’s honour. The next day, February 14, General Muhammed was buried in Kano at a ceremony witnessed by thousands of mourners and members of the SMC, including Major-General Bisalla, who would later be implicated in the coup attempt.
“The national outpouring of grief and support following the assassination of Murtala was unprecedented. In his short six months in office, Murtala Muhammed had become a folk hero, endearing himself to many. Angry, grief-stricken students of the Universities of Ibadan, Benin and Lagos held violent street demonstrations in protest against his killers.
“Organised Labour movements, civil society organisations and even market women issued statements of solidarity for the Murtala Muhammed administration. Afterwards, the GOC of the 1 Division in Kaduna, Major-General Alani Akinrinade, issued a strong statement of support from Lagos for Murtala, and virtually all other military installations in the country followed suit by disassociating themselves from the coup.”
[Nigerian Tribune]
Lagos State Police Command has confirmed the rescue of six abandoned children in a residential apartment in an estate in the Ejigbo area of Lagos.
The state Police Command’s spokesperson, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed this to newsmen yesterday in Lagos.
He remarked that, “On 18/2 /2025 at about 1200hrs, the case was transferred from Ejigbo police station to the Gender Unit Ikeja in which there was information received that six children were staying alone in a residential house, within an estate in the Ejigbo axis of Lagos.
“The children aged 7-13 years have been rescued and are currently in protective shelters through the Ministry of Youth and Social Development.
“Information so far revealed their mother is currently abroad for medical treatment and left them in the care of a caregiver.”
He added that effort was in top gear to reach out to their mother while investigation is ongoing to get more facts about the matter.
He, however, affirmed that a case of conspiracy and defilement was transferred from Okokomaiko Police Division to the Gender Unit desk in Ikeja.
He narrated that a woman simply identified as Deborah aged 32 years reported that her daughter (name withheld) aged 14 was defiled by her husband, Samuel Alfred (her stepfather) aged 38, and his friend Ikechukwu Obi aged 30.
Meanwhile, he stated that the survivor is about nine months pregnant.
Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, has disclosed that he was not an ‘A’ class student in his secondary school years.
He said in Chapter 2 of his new book, “Journey of Service”, while recalling events at his secondary school days at Provincial School Bida, now Government College, Bida.
He said, “Looking back now, some 62 years after we left school, it is evident that we enjoyed ourselves at Bida. We studied hard but also enjoyed ourselves. I was far from being an ‘A’ student. At best, I was a good average student! Even at that time, I had no illusions about my capabilities. I knew what I thought my strengths and weaknesses were.
“But I also knew that collectively, the class of ’62 made the best of its years at Bida, partly because, as I said earlier, our teachers compelled us to soar even beyond heights that seemed hitherto unattainable.”
IBB said his classmates would remember him for different reasons.
They include, “The so-called ‘rebellion’ I led, I believe, in 1959 when we were in Form 3 (or was it Form 4). At that time, Bida was unbearably hot.
“Whenever that happened, senior students would camp their beds outdoors at night to escape the heat, abandoning us, junior students, in our steaming hot rooms.
So, one day, in defiance of the seemingly unfair established rule, I led the junior students to move their beds outside to enable them enjoy the cool air too. Suddenly, all hell broke loose.”
The former military president recalled that the head boy, Garba Paiko (Dada), the son of his primary school Arithmetic teacher, Yakubu Paiko, confronted him.
“The head boy had known me from Minna, and his father had put me under his care. But that
didn’t stop him from taking umbrage at me for ‘leading’ the protest and breaking an established school convention,” he said.
General Babangida said after they deliberated on the matter, he gave in to his point of view and allowed the junior students to stay outside whenever it was unbearably hot, saying the incident probably earned him the respect of a handful of students.
An on-air personality, Chinedu Ani Emmanuel, also known as Nedu Wazobia, has denied recent allegations of fraud and financial misconduct regarding the Nedu Scholarship Foundation (NDSCHF).
At a press conference held in Lagos, Nedu reaffirmed his unwavering dedication to education, philanthropy and social impact, while announcing decisive legal action against false claims aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
Allegations against Nedu began after a reality TV star and comedian, Aderombi Adedayo Martin, better known as Deeone, alleged on a podcast that social media critic, Martin Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, was gay.
Subsequently, several accusations surfaced online claiming that Nedu had misappropriated donations meant for the scholarship initiative.
Nedu, while addressing the allegations through the agency that manages his brand, Tokindrumz, emphasised that all funds for the NDSCHF initiative were managed by a globally recognised social enterprise, ensuring full accountability and at no point did Nedu personally handle or control donations.
Chief operations officer of Tokindrumz, Sarah Williams said, “For the sake of clarity, I’d like to state that I don’t know where they got this information from. But I’d like to state that Mr Nedu did not commit any form of fraud or mismanagement of funds.
“Mr Nedu did not handle any of the funds that were made available for this project. It wasn’t paid to him; he did not see the money. He made it clear that he did not want any donations sent to his personal account to maintain transparency and build his legacy,” Williams emphasised.
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The Special Adviser to Ekiti State Governor on Political and Inter-party Affairs, Chief Jide Awe, has expressed confidence that President Bola Tinubu would serve out his two terms of eight years, saying serving eight years of two terms have since become a norm in the country.
He also said that all Nigerian systems and institutions will be rid of corrupt practices when there are stiffer penalties and sanctions for those found wanting.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with LEADERSHIP Sunday in Ado Ekiti, the state capital, Awe posited that it has become a sort of norm for anybody who emerged as president from any of the six geo-political zones to against all odds rule the country for eight years.
The special adviser to the governor who was reacting to the opposition from some quarters to the call by the APC national chairman, Abdullahi Ganduje that the North should support President Tinubu’s reelection bid in 2027 said the continuity would stabilise the country’s democracy.
He said, “It is becoming a norm that each of the geo-political zones in this country will spend two terms, and that of Bola Tinubu will not be an exception. If he is able to clear all the ugly tables within a very short time, which I believe he is doing, the second term is sure for him. And if we are doing that in this country, it will make our democracy stable. Whoever is there will try as much as possible to do his best possible so that when he comes out again seeking people’s votes, willingly they will render it.”
The APC chieftain added that there will always be opposition in any democratic setting which makes democracy to flourish.
“When there is opposition, that will keep the government in power on its toes and move forward. Opposition will have their say but the majority of the people will have their way.
“So, if people are opposing and criticising the government of the day, it is a good radiance and it is welcomed and that will keep whoever is in the position of authority abreast of all the activities.
So, I think our democracy is okay with whatever level of opposition that we have. All we need is that the opposition will not get to the level of destruction.”
Director-General of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, conducted an inspection of the agency’s Enforcement Office in Apapa, Lagos, on Saturday, focusing on illicit pharmaceuticals seized from the Idumota Open Drug Market.
During the visit, Adeyeye noted that the NAFDAC warehouse had reached full capacity, with the overflow of confiscated drugs spilling into the director’s office due to the sheer volume of seized items.
Speaking to journalists after the inspection, she highlighted that the agency’s primary mission is to protect public health.
“We are not disturbing trade; we are protecting lives. We cannot, because of trade, let people continue to die needlessly. What NAFDAC is doing is exactly what it is mandated to do. There is no politics in this operation!” she asserted.
Adeyeye also revealed that many shops within these markets operate illegally, lacking proper registration with the Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria.
Justifying the agency’s heightened enforcement activities in Onitsha, Aba, and Idumota, she disclosed that over 1,000 personnel are actively engaged in removing counterfeit, expired and unregistered medicines from circulation.
ON JUNE 12: How civilian governors plotted against military Handover
Former military president, General Ibrahim Babangida, retd, has said that former Head of State, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, retd, was overthrown in 1985 because he personalised leadership.
Sunday Vanguard recalls that Buhari was one of the leaders of the military coup of December 1983 that toppled ex-President Shehu Shagari.
But 40 years after Babangida seized power from Buhari through a palace coup, the former military administrator who ruled for eight years between 1985 and 1993, said Buhari and his deputy, the late Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon, displayed a “holier-than-thou” attitude, which led the country to a brink.
Babangida, who revealed this in his book: ‘A Journey in Service’, explained that Buhari opposed the civil populace and his constituency, the military.
Change in leadership was necessary
His words: “The change in leadership had become necessary as a response to the worsening mood of the nation and growing concern about our future as a people. All through the previous day, as we flew from Minna and drove through Lagos towards Bonny Camp, I was deeply reflecting on how we as a nation got to this point and how and why I found myself at this juncture of fate. By the beginning of 1985, the citizenry had become apprehensive about the future of our country.
The atmosphere was precarious and fraught with ominous signs of clear and present danger. It was clear to the more discerning leadership of the armed forces that our initial rescue mission of 1983 had largely miscarried.
We now stood the risk of having the armed forces split down the line because our rescue mission had largely derailed. If the armed forces imploded, the nation would go with it, and the end was just too frightening to contemplate. Divisions of opinion within the armed forces had come to replace the unanimity of purpose that informed the December 1983 change of government.
In state affairs, the armed forces, as the only remaining institution of national cohesion, were becoming torn into factions; something needed to be done lest we lose the nation itself. My greatest fear was that division of opinion and views within the armed forces could lead to factionalisation in the military. If allowed to continue and gain root, grave dangers lay ahead.
Antagonise the civil populace
“My predecessor in office, Major General Muhammadu Buhari, and his deputy, Brigadier Tunde Idiagbon, had separated themselves from the mainstream of the armed forces by personalising what was initially a collective leadership. They both posited a ‘holier than thou’ attitude, antagonising the civil populace against the military. Fundamental rights and freedoms were being routinely infringed upon and abused. As a military administration, we were now presiding over a society that was primarily frightened of us. We were supposed to improve their lives and imbue the people with hope for a better future.
Instead, we ruled the nation with a series of draconian decrees. An administration intended to reflect the collective will of the armed forces as a national institution came to be seen as the private personal autocracy of a stubborn few. Like most military coups, our leadership change was informed by widespread disquiet among the civil populace. Ordinary people were experiencing severe economic hardship. The general economic and social conditions the people lived under were worsening by the day.
Essential goods and supplies were scarce.
“Yet arbitrary controls in all aspects of economic life and an ancient resort to barter in international trade meant that the nation’s financial woes would not end soon. Draconian decrees led to the abuse and severe limitation of basic freedoms as people were clamped into indefinite detention, most times for minor infractions. Punishment for crimes against the state had led to the pursuit of mechanical legalistic justice against the dictates of natural justice. As the Chief of Army Staff, I was under undue pressure from the rank and file to seek ways of reconnecting the government to society lest we lose the nation itself.
Integrity of the Armed Forces
“On several occasions and instances, even the very integrity of the armed forces was being called into question. A disciplinary case involving allegations of divided interest against some senior officers was decided without due recourse to the Army Council. Instead of waiting for a report and investigation from the Army leadership, the affected officers were unceremoniously relieved of their commission, and their military career of so many years was abruptly ended without any input from the Army as their institution of origin. I objected to this arbitrariness and disregard for due process. I confided in some senior colleagues that I would rather resign my commission than continue in office as Chief of Army Staff without input into decisions that concern the careers of personnel under my command.
Surveillance
“In response, I was placed under surveillance, with the privacy of my communications and those of my family constantly monitored. This tense atmosphere culminated in the unanimous decision of a broad spectrum of senior and middle-level officers to change the nation’s leadership. The processes associated with this change were completed without bloodshed by midnight on August 26, 1985. ON AUGUST 27, 1985, I assumed office as the nation’s new leader, fully aware of the many challenge confronting the country. I had no illusions about the direction in which to move the country. I had long-standing convictions about Nigeria born of many decades of comprehensive consultations with a broad spectrum of compatriots from nearly all walks of life. Having been part of all previous government changes, I had become quite familiar with the wishes and aspirations of our people and developed a template of what needed to be done, at least from my modest perspective. The new administration’s determination was informed by a genuine desire to end the cycle of instability in both the politics and general history of the nation. I made this clear in my inaugural address to the nation.”
The former military leader also expressed regret leaving behind the late General Abacha, as the most senior military officer to work with the Interim National Government led by Earnest Shonekan, describing his action as a ‘grave mistake’.
Babangida denied knowing or having anything whatsoever to do with ABN, led by Senator Nzeribe, whose activities contributed immensely to the annulment of the June 12 election won by MKO Abiola.
Babangida admitted in the book: “While mapping out our strategies for the way forward, our credibility deficit persisted, compounded by several seemingly unrelated events. In March 1992, a hitherto unknown group named Association for Better Nigeria (ABN) emerged, headed and funded, we later found out, by the wealthy Igbo maverick Arthur Nzeribe, calling for four more years for the administration.
“The emergence of the group personally took me by surprise. But we were, as a government, so immersed in our credibility crisis that no one believed that I, or a member of our government (at least, to my knowledge at that time), had a hand in the group’s activities, especially also, as Chief Arthur Nzeribe was personally known to me. It was difficult in the circumstances that we now found ourselves having to persuade an already sceptical Nigerian population that we were not behind the campaign for an extension to military rule.
“It was a bewildering experience, even more so because, as we later found out, ABN was not even a formally registered organisation then. As I will show later, figuring out the real forces behind this shadowy organisation took a long time.
“Our problem of what to make of ABN’s activities was compounded by behind-the-scene pressure from various groups, including the political class, for us to remain in office! Recall that the elected State Governors had assumed office in January 1992.
“Suddenly, in our search for a way forward, some of the State Governors who had been elected through a process that we were trying to fine-tune for the Presidential elections were telling us, like ABN, to postpone the Presidential elections. I was alarmed. Yet, the same governors (with the possible exception of one or two) went back to their party Conventions to say that I had a hidden agenda to extend my stay in power! At moments like that, being President of a beautiful country like Nigeria became frustrating. You wished you didn’t have to confront these challenges in those rare, lonely moments.
“But our challenges were far from diminishing. If anything, they multiplied. While still engulfed by the shadowy activities of ABN and troubled by the unsolicited ‘advice’ of some state governors to extend our stay in office, we were suddenly confronted in May 1992 by a wave of communal, industrial, labour and student unrest on a scale that was frighteningly disturbing. The communal conflict in Zangon-Kataf in Kaduna State quickly spread like wildfire to other parts of the state. In Lagos and other parts of the country, violent protests over the effects of the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) had claimed lives.
Confession
Babangida alos recalled all the attempts made by Abacha and other unnamed senior military officers to truncate the transition programme in Nigeria at the time and confessed that he made a big gaff by allowing the former head of state to remain in power after he left office in 1993.
Babangida noted: “Without question, one of my biggest headaches at this time was Sani Abacha. I knew that Abacha was ambivalent about a return to civil rule. But I thought, in retrospect now, naively, that he would support our transition to civil rule programme.
“As I said earlier, Abacha and I had come a long way. We were good friends, and he had indeed been nice to me. As I have said elsewhere, he saved my life once and also risked his life to ensure that I took over in 1985. I could never forget those details.
“I obviously didn’t know everything about him! For instance, I was alarmed to discover that he and a handful of others mobilised negative opinions against me within the military, portraying me as the problem. That campaign was geared towards a violent military coup to remove me as President forcefully.
“Without question, the idea of an ING was a contraption, something of a compromise between the fierce Abacha-led opposition to the June 12 election results and the position that the election results be allowed to stay, one that will succeed our government after the August 27, 1993, exit date.
“To legally actualise that decision, the government directed Professor Ben Nwabueze and Clement Akpamgbo to draft an enabling law, Decree 61 of 1993, the legal framework for the ING. Although the political parties had suggested a few other names for headship of the ING, we, as a government, were okay with letting the Transition Council Chairman, Chief Ernest Shonekan, head the ING.
“Desirous of not being a stumbling block of any type, and as a personal sacrifice, on August 17, 1993, I announced my desire to ‘step aside’ and go into retirement during my address to a joint sitting of the National Assembly.
“The outgoing government also felt that it would be proper for the Service Chiefs to retire, namely Lt-General Ibrahim, Air Vice-Marshal Akin Dada, Vice-Admiral Dan Preston Omatsola, and Aliyu Attah. One didn’t need to be a soothsayer or an astute political scientist to see that Chief Shonekan would have a tough time on the job.
Although a former Chief Executive of UAC/Unilever, I feared he might lack the political astuteness to handle the impending national challenges. The situation was further complicated because, like Abiola, Shonekan was an Egba-Yoruba, which meant the new Interim government would be unpopular in Abiola’s strongest hold, southwestern Nigeria.
“Partly for the reasons stated above, we decided to provide adequate support to the new government by retaining critical top military officers from the outgoing Transitional Council I had headed, essentially as ‘enforcers’ for the new interim government.
“Accordingly, Lt-Generals Joshua Dogonyaro (as Chief of Defence Staff), Aliyu Muhammed Gusau (as Chief of Army Staff), and Brigadier John Shagaya (as GOC First Division) were retained.
“Problematic as it seemed, General Abacha also retained his position as the Chairman of the Joint Chief of Staff and, presumably, as enforcer-in-chief for the new government! But as we all now know, that was a grave mistake,” Babangida admitted.
Babangida also reflected on the controversial cancellation of the governorship primaries of the two political parties in 1991, saying that it was marred by allegations of rigging and other electoral malpractices.
He gave justification for the cancellation, saying, “The rescheduled primaries were successfully held in five states on December 3, 1991, but only after we had arrested and detained some 13 political ‘godfathers’ within the two parties, among them Maj-General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, Alhajis Abubakar Rimi, Maitama Yusuf, Lateef Jakande, Lamidi Adedibu, Chiefs Bola Ige, Jim Nwobodo, C. C. Onoh. Arthur Nzeribe, Olusola Saraki and Solomon Lar”.
The world of billionaires showcases a fascinating dichotomy with many of the youngest billionaires inheriting their fortunes from family wealth.
Some, however, are self-made individuals who have managed to carve out their own financial success through innovation, entrepreneurship, and strategic investments.
Regardless of how they attained their wealth, these young billionaires are not just amassing fortunes—they are shaping industries, influencing economies, and redefining the future of business.
Here is a closer look at the five youngest billionaires in the world, according to the Forbes Real-Time Billionaires List as of January 2025:
1. Clemente Del Vecchio (Age: 20 | Net Worth: $5.8 Billion | Country: Italy)
Clemente Del Vecchio, the youngest billionaire in the world, inherited his wealth as the son of the late Leonardo Del Vecchio, the founder of EssilorLuxottica, the world’s largest eyewear company. With a controlling stake in the business empire, Clemente has joined the ranks of Italy’s wealthiest individuals at a remarkably young age. While much of his fortune comes from inheritance, he has also shown interest in investment opportunities, particularly in luxury brands and fashion startups.
2. Livia Voigt (Age: 20 | Net Worth: $1.3 Billion | Country: Brazil)
Livia Voigt’s fortune comes from her family’s stake in Weg S.A., a multinational company specializing in electrical equipment and automation. Her grandfather, Werner Ricardo Voigt, co-founded the company, which has since become one of the largest industrial manufacturers in Latin America. Despite her young age, Livia is expected to play a more active role in the family business in the future, with interests in corporate governance and industrial innovation.
3. Kim Jung-youn (Age: 20 | Net Worth: $1.2 Billion | Country: South Korea)
Kim Jung-youn is one of the youngest billionaires in South Korea, inheriting her wealth from her late father, Kim Jung-ju, the founder of Nexon, a leading video game company. Nexon is responsible for developing popular online games such as MapleStory and Dungeon & Fighter. Despite inheriting her stake in the company, Kim has remained largely private about her future plans in the gaming and technology sectors.
4. Kevin David Lehmann (Age: 22 | Net Worth: $3.2 Billion | Country: Germany)
Kevin David Lehmann inherited a controlling stake in dm-drogerie markt, Germany’s largest drugstore chain, from his father, Guenther Lehmann. The family business, founded in 1973, has grown into a retail giant with thousands of stores across Europe. Although Kevin maintains a low profile, his wealth continues to grow as the company thrives in the highly competitive retail sector.
5. Luca Del Vecchio (Age: 23 | Net Worth: $5.8 Billion | Country: Italy)
Luca Del Vecchio, like his younger brother Clemente, inherited a vast fortune from their father, Leonardo Del Vecchio, the legendary Italian businessman behind EssilorLuxottica. With their family’s deep roots in the eyewear industry, both brothers hold significant stakes in the company, which dominates the global market for luxury eyeglasses and lenses.