The long-awaited student loan programme will take off on Friday with 1.2 million students in federal tertiary institutions across the country, the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Education Loan Fund, Akintunde Sawyerr, has said.

Sawyerr, who spoke at a pre-application sensitisation press conference in Abuja, on Monday, said 1.2 million students in federal universities, polytechnics, colleges of education, and technical colleges would benefit from the first phase.

Data obtained from the National Universities Commission website indicated that the nation has 226 federal tertiary institutions comprising 62 universities, 41 polytechnics, 96 monotechnics and 27 colleges of education.

President Bola Tinubu, on April 3, signed the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act (Repeal and Re-Enactment) Bill, 2024, into law.

The assent was sequel to the separate considerations by both the Senate and the House of Representatives of the report of the Committee on Tertiary Institutions and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund.

The executive bill titled, ‘A bill for an Act to repeal the Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Act, 2023 and Enact the Student Loans (Access to Higher Education) Bill, 2004 to Establish the Nigerian Education Loan Fund as a body corporate to receive, manage and invest funds to provide loans to Nigerians for higher education, vocational training and skills acquisition and related matters,’ was signed in the presence of the leadership of the National Assembly, ministers and major stakeholders of education.

The Act empowers the Nigeria Education Loan Fund to provide loans to qualified Nigerian students for tuition, fees, charges and upkeep during their studies in approved public tertiary institutions and vocational and skills acquisition establishments in the country.

The new law which repealed the Student Loan Act, 2023, removed the family income threshold so students can apply for loans and accept responsibility for repayment, according to the Fund’s guidelines.

Access to education

Speaking after he signed the bill, Tinubu said no Nigerian, regardless of their background, would be excluded from obtaining quality education.

“This is to ensure that no one, no matter how poor their background is, is excluded from quality education and opportunity to build their future,” said the President at the State House, Abuja.

Although the government initially announced that the scheme would be launched in September, it suffered several delays leading to an indefinite postponement.

The Presidency had linked the delay to Tinubu’s directive to expand the scheme to include loans for vocational skills.

Last Thursday, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund announced May 24 as the official date for the opening of the portal for loan applications.

Addressing journalists on Monday, ahead of the opening of Friday’s portal, Sawyerr said, “There are approximately 1.2 million students in federal tertiary institutions owned by the government. Today, by inference, 1.2m students maximum at the federal level (will benefit), but there might be an opportunity to increase the capacity in terms of more institutions, and when we begin to bring in state-owned institutions, then the numbers can go up.’’

He explained that only students whose institutions had uploaded their data on the Fund’s dashboard would be eligible to apply.

While calling on students in federal tertiary institutions to visit the website, www.nelf.gov.ng to apply from May 24, the CEO added that students in state universities and vocational skills centres could apply at a later date.

He said the requirements to apply include the admission letter from the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board, National Identity Number, and Bank Verification Number as well as completed application forms from its website.

“The loan application process has been streamlined to ensure easy access for all eligible students in federal tertiary institutions. Applicants can access online support to assist with any questions or concerns during the application process.

“We believe that education is a vital investment for the future. We envisage that the student loan initiative of Mr President is a testament to this commitment,” he said.

One of the key features of the programme, he stressed, is the absence of physical contact between the loan applicant and NELFUND.

‘Portal user-friendly’

According to him, the portal provides a user-friendly interface for students to submit their loan applications conveniently.

He encouraged students in federal tertiary institutions to take advantage of the opportunity to secure the required financial assistance for their education, even as he urged the applicants to submit their applications as soon as possible to ensure timely processing.

He revealed that in addition to the interest-free loan, applicants will also receive monthly stipends for upkeep.

He, however, did not state the amount, saying, “That figure will be capped. And we will look very closely at each application and make a decision based on several factors as to what fees will be paid to them.’’

“The fees for the institution are going to be paid not to the students but to the institution. And that will be paid at the maximum of that fee per session. We will only pay for a session at a time because people drop out of institutions, they change institutions,” he clarified.

The NELFUND boss also pointed out that the institutions have vital roles to play in providing the Fund with data on fees payable by students at the departmental, faculty and other levels.

According to Sawyerr, the agency is also working with security agencies to ensure that people do not take advantage and defraud the process.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has called on state governments to ensure responsible and transparent use of the matching grants allocated for the implementation of the Universal Basic Education Commission programme.

The Executive Secretary of UBEC, Dr Hamid Bobboyi, emphasised the directive during the inauguration of a six-day training programme for accountants and auditors from UBEC and State Universal Basic Education Boards in Abuja.

Addressing the participants, Bobboyi condemned the undue pressure often placed on financial officers by state officials, urging SUBEBs’ financial officers to uphold integrity and resist such pressures to avoid compromising standards.

“The training aims to update participants on the revised accounting manual and to provide a comprehensive understanding of financial infractions and sanctions,” Bobboyi stated, adding, “This knowledge is essential for ensuring effective service delivery in basic education.”

Highlighting the mandates of UBEC and SUBEBs in implementing the Universal Basic Education programme, Bobboyi stressed the importance of a robust accounting system to ensure the judicious use of government funds.

He stressed the imperative of fidelity to accountability regarding the management of the Federal Government’s UBE Intervention Fund.

To achieve these objectives, continuous enhancement of professional competence among UBEC and SUBEB staff is necessary, he noted.

Bobboyi lamented that despite previous training efforts, there has been limited improvement in financial practices.

He cited findings from regular quarterly financial monitoring by UBEC, which revealed poor record-keeping and infractions against established guidelines.

He explained that the findings and recommendations from these monitoring activities had been communicated to SUBEBs for corrective actions.

Bobboyi stressed the importance of adhering to existing rules and guidelines to ensure accountability and transparency in financial transactions.

“As finance officers, it is your duty to comply strictly with these government stipulations. Engaging in or condoning wrongdoing will not be excused. Remember, reports from UBEC’s financial monitoring can be requested by agencies enforcing compliance with laws and regulations,’’ he warned the officials.

He further urged the participants to fully engage with the training and return to their offices equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to improve accounting practices at both the commission and boards.

To protect the FGN-UBE Intervention Fund, the Director of Finance and Accounts at UBEC, Adamu Misau, noted that a new sanction regime developed in 2022 had been approved for implementation.

The delay in its implementation, he said, was to ensure all financial managers received adequate training, which the current programme aimed to provide.

“We expect that by the end of this training, financial officers will be better prepared to manage the FGN-UBE Intervention Funds responsibly, adhering to financial regulations and due process,” Misau concluded.

Police in Anambra state have detained a 30-year-old teacher for allegedly causing an 8-year-old student to fall into a coma due to physical assault.

Naija News gathered that the Anambra state government has permanently shut down Landmark School Mgbakwu in the Awka North Local Government Area.

The disclosure was made by the Commissioner for Education, Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, during a press briefing in her office on Monday.

The school’s proprietor and the teacher implicated in the incident, Faith Nwonye, were summoned to provide clarification on the events resulting in the assault of the primary two pupils.

Following the meeting, Chuma-Udeh clarified that the decision to shut down the school was not solely due to the disturbing incident but also stemmed from its unlawful operation.

She conveyed her sorrow regarding the situation, expressing concern that the victim’s likelihood of survival, currently hospitalized, stood at 20 percent, as indicated by the medical professional.

The Commissioner said: “We received this unfortunate incident from an illegal school in Mgbakwu that a child was beaten to a coma over the weekend.

“On behalf of the State Government, we invited the proprietress of the illegal school as well as the teacher who purportedly beat the child.

“We’ve handed the matter to the police for further investigations, as we await Mr Governor’s directives.

“Meanwhile, the school is closed down indefinitely because it’s not supposed to exist in the first instance.

“Any parent who is enrolling his/her child in an illegal school is doing so at his/her own peril.

“To the proprietors of private schools, anyone running an unapproved school in Anambra is a criminal. It’s a criminal offence to run an illegal school in the state.

“Whether the school is legal or not, it’s criminal to beat a child. According to the doctor, the chances of survival of the child is 20%.

“As soon as the police are done, the teacher will face other institutions against child rights. She’s going to have the full wrath of the law brought upon her over her actions.

“Anambra state abhors violence to children, women, and any other person. It’s not part of this administration and Mr. Governor is against such.”

Super Eagles of Nigeria midfielder, Alex Iwobi has stressed that he has no regrets for choosing his ancestral home over England in international football.

Alex Iwobi was born in Lagos, Nigeria but was raised in London and had his basic football education at Arsenal Football Academy. He graduated from the academy and started his professional football career at the club.

Due to his skills and enormous potential, Alex Iwobi represented England at Under-16, Under-17, and Under-18 levels. Despite that, he opted to play for the Super Eagles of Nigeria.

Iwobi made his international debut for Nigeria on March 25, 2016, against Egypt in an African Cup of Nations qualifier.

Since then, the former Everton versatile midfielder who now plays for Fulham has gone on to become one of the most prominent members of the national team.

“I wouldn’t say I have any regrets. I’d like to say I respected England, they gave me a lot of opportunities and I was able to do them proud,” Alex Iwobi told Hotsports Nigeria.

“But I feel more at home with Nigeria. I feel this is where I’m at home and where I represent, like my family, everyone. I’ve grown up in a Nigerian culture so I’d say that I have no regrets about picking Nigeria over England

“I’ve been here for a while now and I’m familiar with the team. Even from the first time I came here they always made me feel welcome.

“I’m always enjoying myself not just when we are playing matches but in training. In the camp, it’s like one big family so it makes it easier for me to express myself and join in.

“I’m enjoying my time and hopefully there’s more years to come as well.”

ABUJA – The China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC) has handed over phase one of $50 million dollars worth Federal University of Transportation Daura, Katsina State to the Nigerian government.

The Chairman of CCECC, Jason Zhang, hinted that the completion of the Federal University Daura, marked a significant milestone in the realisation and dedication through deliverance of long-expected vision, noting that the existence of the university would strengthen the relationship between Nigeria and the Republic of China.

According to him, “Federal University of Transportation, Daura is an investment by CCECC with the total amount of $50 million dollars as one of the ways in given back to Nigeria, to help in technical advancement.”

Zhang during the handover in Abuja explained that the implementation of this project has provided more than 600 jobs, and many technical exchange programs were conducted.

Responding, the Minister of Transportation who hosted the handing-over ceremony of the Federal University of Transportation, Nigeria (Phase 1), which was built by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) and donated to Nigeria, stated that the completion of the Federal university Daura is indeed a huge achievement and of significant value for economic growth and social well-being through societal development.

Building the university he said was part of the corporate social responsibility by the Chinese contracting firm, CCECC.

A Kenyan man has allegedly committed suicide following the outcome of the 2023/24 English Premier League season, which Manchester City won on Sunday, May 19.

In a viral video seen by Pulse, the deceased, who was wearing an Arsenal FC jersey, was spotted in a position that seemed like he had hung himself to death.

It was gathered that the unknown man, whose identity is yet to be determined, was an Arsenal fan.

Man City and Arsenal entered the season's final day knowing that a slip from either of them would cost them the title.

However, Man City entered the final day of the season with a two-point advantage over Arsenal, with 88 and 86 points, respectively.

A win for Man City against West Ham at the Etihad would seal them a record fourth consecutive EPL title, while Arsenal also required a must-win against Everton at the Emirate stadium and a slip from Man City to secure their first EPL title in 20 years.

Man City eventually won the title after defeating West Ham 3-1, while Arsenal needed a late winner in stoppage time to defeat Everton 2-1.

However, the tragic video of the Arsenal fan who killed himself has sparked mixed reactions amongst netizens on social media.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of TotalEnergies, Patrick Pouyanne, has explained why the company is investing a whooping sum of $6 billion in energy projects in Angola over Nigeria.

Pouyanne, who spoke with panellists of the Africa CEO in Kigali, Rwanda, said the inconsistency in policymaking decisions led to the diversion of the project from Nigeria to Angola, a country with a more stable policy framework.

The oil boss stated that although the Niger Delta is the most productive region in West Africa, the erratic policy environment has made investment untenable.

He added that TotalEnergies has not conducted oil exploration in the region for 12 years.

“Nigeria loves to open topics without closing them. You love to debate. There is always a new legislature in Nigeria about a new petroleum law. When you have such permanent debates, it’s difficult for investors looking for long-term structure to know what direction to go.

“In reality, the Niger Delta is the most prolific part of West Africa. But if you look at what happened, because of these debates, there has not been a single exploration in Nigeria for 12 years.

“It’s important to have a debate and then settle it and put a framework on the table that investors can trust.

“We have countries that have perfectly integrated policies like Angola. So, we go to Angola and announced a very large $6 billion projects in the beginning of the week because there their framework is stable. So we know where we go,” Pouyanne said.

Insecurity, lack of talent stifling investment
In addition, Pouyanne said that insecurity and the lack of human capital are two of the main issues facing investment in the country.

According to him, investors need the guarantee that their investments are secured and not exposed to violence and demolition.

He also added that the firm is training individuals to boost human capital and required talents needed in the oil and gas sector.

“What are the challenges? Security comes first. For a CEO like me, security of my people is of utmost important. Fortunately, we have customs in the Niger Delta to deal with it.

“We also have finding talent has a difficulty. In some countries like Nigeria and Rwanda, we find difficult to find talent. Some of them have difficulty in education. And we can contribute to that. That’s some of the things we do, training people,” he said.

What you should know
In December 2023, TotalEnergies said it would invest as much as $6 billion in Africa’s biggest oil producer in the years ahead.

The energy firm said it will target deep-water projects and gas production at a time when international oil companies (IOCs) are shifting attention away from onshore to offshore operations in Nigeria.

Pouyanne had told President Bola Tinubu during a meeting in Abuja that the French company is in support of the current administration’s policies and push to resolve insecurity issues in the industry.

Nigeria contributes eight to 10% of TotalEnergies’ global output and is home to more than 18 per cent of its overall investments.

However, the company has been finding it difficult to get the oil major to retain its interest in offshore assets, which has been problematic for IOCs because of their vulnerability to insecurity and vandalism.

In February, Nairametrics reported that the firm announced plans to sell its minority stake in a major Nigerian oil joint venture.

The firm said It wants to divest its share of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) and is looking to reshape its portfolio since producing oil in the Niger Delta is not in line with its health, security and environmental policies.

A sixty-three-year-old woman, Chinyere Nkwocha, has been arrested for operating a baby factory in Abia State.

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP), said the baby factory was uncovered by the Department of State Services (DSS), Abia State Command.

Ten victims were rescued from Umunkwa village, located in the Umuafai Ndume Ibeku area of Umuahia North Local Government, Abia State where Nkwocha operates.

The victims, aged between one and 24 years, included seven young girls, six of whom are pregnant, one lactating mother, and two boys who are minors.

NAPTIP said the suspects and the victims have been handed over to its Abia State Liaison Office for further investigation and appropriate action.

The Director-General of NAPTIP, Prof. Fatima Waziri–Azi, expressed concern over the increasing incidences of the buying and selling of babies and the proliferation of baby factories across the country.

She said in recent times, there have been alarming reports and public outcry regarding the sale of babies and the existence of facilities specializing in trapping young girls, recruiting men to impregnate them, and subsequently selling the babies after delivery.

Waziri-Azi in a statement by the Communication Officer of the agency, Adekoye Vincent, stated that the factories operate covertly and prey on the desperation and vulnerability of unsuspecting victims.

She said the operators of the factory often lure people with promises of financial gain or false assurances of care and support.

The Director-General, while commending the Abia State Command of the DSS for the successful operation, urged the public, especially parents, to be vigilant and ensure that their wards do not fall victim.

She also encouraged communities to continue collaborating with Law Enforcement Agencies in combating the crime by reporting all cases of human trafficking to NAPTIP through its toll-free number, 0703 0000 203, or short code 627 (MTN & AIRTEL Only).

Mr. Sunday Adeyemi, a school owner in Ibadan, has reportedly disappeared with funds earmarked for students’ WAEC and NECO exam fees, leaving their educational prospects in jeopardy.

The shocking revelation came to light through Adejoke Lasisi, the founder of Planet 3R, who took to Facebook to share the distressing news.

According to her post, many parents had gone to great lengths, even borrowing money, to ensure their children could take these crucial exams.

However, their hopes were shattered when they discovered that the school had not registered their children for the exams despite collecting the fees.


Adejoke’s post was fueled by both anger and personal experience, as her younger brother had once been a victim of a similar incident. Fortunately, her family managed to rally support and funds to re-register him for the exams.


The school owner’s actions were described as a betrayal of trust, especially considering he had operated “The Lord’s Favour” school for more than two decades.

It was revealed that Mr. Adeyemi had allegedly sold off his properties, including his home and the school itself, to finance his escape abroad, leaving the students and parents in a state of disbelief and hardship.

Adejoke concluded her post by emphasizing that while everyone has the right to seek opportunities abroad, it should not be at the expense of others, especially when it involves breaching trust and jeopardizing the futures of innocent students

Media Vita In Morte Sumus (In the midst of life we are in death.) This is a Gregorian chant that I often recall whenever there is an accident, a sudden, shocking abbreviation of life in the midst of hope and promise, a most tragic reminder of man’s mortality. Life as either a chemical or biological process must come to an end when it will, but it is the time and manner of it that leaves the lasting imprint on our memory. The tragic death of the President of Iran, Ebrahim Raisi (63), his foreign Minister, Hossein Amirabdollahian (60) and seven others in a helicopter crash on Sunday evokes these thoughts afresh, as well as frightening memories. 

Nigeria was thrown into shock in February this year when the tragic news was reported that Herbert Wigwe, Group Managing Director and CEO of Access Holdings had died in a helicopter crash in the United States along with his wife, Chizoba, his 29-year-old son, Chizzy and his lawyer, Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo on their way to the Super Bowl in Las Vegas. The quartet had a great future ahead of them. Wigwe had just completed a university, the Wigwe University in his home town of Isiokpo, Rivers State, through which he planned to raise educational standards and provide opportunities and quality. He and Ogunbanjo were full of life. The death of three members of a family in one tragic accident was beyond comprehension. Nigerians and the international community mourned. The week before his death, I had received a phone call from Herbert, sharing his views about a subject we had discussed on The Morning Show. He was a kind, affable gentleman, completely without airs. I know many people in high places who are just full of hydrogen, with blown up ego. Not Wigwe. 

“Reuben, I am travelling, but when I get back next Wednesday, I will call you”, he had said.  He did not return. I was at a wedding party when news of the accident broke. It sounded like a fairy-tale but soon it was confirmed. Jesus! I was supposed to leave the wedding party and rush to a birthday party. I could not bring myself to go to that other party. I checked my phone. The call from Wigwe was still on my call log. How can somebody that spoke with me just a few days ago, die like that?”, I asked. There was an outpouring of tributes from every segment of society that he was involved with proving the maxim, that a man’s worth is not determined by the length of his life, but the impact that he makes. As Abraham Lincoln put it: “In the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” Thucydides says: “What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments but what is woven into the lives of others”. 

Herbert Wigwe’s life was short, but his impact was profound. As was the case also with Kobe Bryant, American professional basketball player, five-time NBA Champion, two times NBA Finals Most Valuable Player and NBA Most Valuable Player (2008), one of the most outstanding men on America’s basketball court. He died in a helicopter crash on January 26, 2020, along with nine others, including his 13-year-old daughter, Gianna. They were going for a basketball game in Thousand Oaks, California. 

And now again, in the past few days, there has been yet another case of a helicopter crash involving prominent persons in Iran: the President, the Foreign Minister and seven others.  They were returning from a diplomatic mission to Azerbaijan, namely, the inauguration of a dam at the Eastern border which was attended by President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan. It took a search and rescue party led by the Iranian Red Crescent Society, scouting around for 15 hours, before it was confirmed yesterday morning that the wreckage of the helicopter had been found, and there were no signs of life. President Ebrahim Raisi was a prominent political and religious figure in Iranian politics. He and the late Foreign Minister were aligned with the conservative and hardline factions in Iranian politics. Raisi had served as a prosecutor in his early years, and as a member of a panel of judges, the so-called Assembly of Experts which sanctioned the execution of political prisoners. He later became Attorney General of the Republic. He ran for the Presidency in 2017, but lost to the more moderate Hassan Rouhani. He would be lucky in 2021 when he won, and became President in what was a controversial election with low voter turn-out. It was believed that his emergence as President was carefully managed by his mentor, the man who has the final say in all matters in Iran, the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khameini.  He was looking forward to running for a second term in office in 2025. And now he is dead.  As is the case with the death of all prominent public figures, there has been a surfeit of tributes from the Middle East, the EU, India, Russia, China, Hamas, Hezbollah, Malaysia, Pakistan, France, Turkey and the UN. Syria and Lebanon have announced three days of mourning. 

He has been described as a martyr who died while serving the nation by the Iranian state media. In the face of the testy relationship between Iran and the US and its allies, Raisi was a fierce nationalist, rabidly anti-Israel and anti-America. In the on-going conflict between Israel and Hamas, his sympathies were with the latter. Whatever praises may have been heaped on him in Iran and the Islamic world, Raisi championed a policy of oppression. It was under his watch in 2022, for example, that a 22-year-old woman, Mahsa Amini was detained, and allegedly killed in detention for wearing a loose headscarf. In the course of the mass protests that followed, more than 500 people were killed, over 22, 000 others were detained. He is praised however for the diplomatic truce that was reached with Saudi Arabia last year. 

In all the three cases of deaths resulting from helicopter crashes cited above: one common thread is that every accident occurred as a result of the malfunctioning of the helicopter and weather issues as well.  In the Wigwe case, the reports cited poor weather, rain and showers in the area of the crash, on the edge of the Mojave Desert Preserve. When Kobe Bryant died in a helicopter accident at Calabasas, investigators also cited poor visibility and low cloud ceiling in addition to pilot error. Preliminary investigations into the crash in Iran have indicated challenging weather conditions and technical fault. In a political twist to the Iran incident, former Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif blames US sanctions for the crash.  The truth is that Iranian aircraft cannot be serviced with spare parts, due to sanctions, and hence, the fleet belong to the pre-1979 Revolution era, old and deteriorating. The helicopter that crashed did not even have a functional signal system. Besides, the Bell 212 that crashed is US-made. 

 In all three, the aircraft crash landed and burst into fire. But the thing about death, is that even “in the midst of death, there is life, and that should shock us” – a reversal of the original saying by James Koester. My simple interpretation of that is that even when loved ones die, despite the pain and the anguish, life moves on nonetheless. Human beings have leant the art of clinging to life. The finality is individual, personal. The community grieves and returns to the art of living. Herbert Wigwe died on Friday, February 9, 2024. By Monday, February 12, the Board of Access Holdings Plc had announced Ms. Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer.  By March 14, the company re-appointed its co-founder, and non-executive chairman, as Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings in a substantive capacity. Kobe Bryant’s wife, Vanessa has at every turn memorialized and honoured her husband, Kobe but she and her three surviving daughters have embraced life with equanimity. The family naturally feels the pain of death most, some people never heal, but still life goes on. 

In Iran, the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khameini had urged the nation not to worry, and that “there will be no disruption in the country’s work”. Iran has declared five days of mourning, and the first official state funeral will take place today. Meanwhile, the Cabinet of ministers has met, and replacements have been announced. Article 131 of the Iranian Constitution prescribes that in the event of the death of the President, the first Vice President assumes office, hence Mohammed Mokhber is now the Acting President of Iran. Ali Bagheri Kani, former Deputy Foreign Minister is also now the Acting Foreign Minister. Within 50 days, the Constitution prescribes that a new election must be held to elect another President.  So, even in Iran life goes on. What remains is the country’s next election in early July. Who will be Iran’s next President? A hardliner or a moderate and what would be the implications of the choice among likely candidates at a time Iran faces serious economic, regional and global challenges? 

Helicopters are scary things, from the swirling blades that you have to be mindful of as you board or disembark, to the fact that they are very shaky most of the time when they are air-borne especially when there is a little shift in the weather condition. Helicopters are not as stable as regular planes. One of the reasons I felt all hope was not lost when the Jonathan administration left office in 2015 was that I would not have to travel in those machines again, at least not as part of regular duty routine. In 2012, it was a really sad moment for the Nigerian government when General Andrew Owoye Azazi, National Security Adviser, Governor of Kaduna State, Patrick Yakowa, and four others died in a Navy helicopter crash in the forest of Okoroba in Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State on their way to the Port Harcourt International Airport. The helicopter burst into flames; its occupants were burnt beyond recognition. Every Nigerian President and senior government officials use the helicopter a lot, to cover distances, and in our time, the helicopter was the regular shuttle from the airport to the Villa, or to some nearby locations. On more than one occasion, going to the same Bayelsa state from Port Harcourt, we have had quite some anxiety. 

But it was in Switzerland that we had real anxiety about flying in a helicopter in a mountainous region. It was January 2013, I think. We had travelled to Switzerland to attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, something we did every year. But the weather was truly harsh that particular year. We landed in Geneva and hopped into the helicopter to take us straight to Davos. When we were airborne, it turned out that the weather was almost zero. It was so foggy up there we could not see anything ahead. And this was in Switzerland with the mountains or the Swiss Alps as they are otherwise called. We all became anxious. There was panic written all over our faces, including the President’s.

“It is not good for a President to die in a helicopter crash, and in a foreign country”, President Jonathan said, trying his best to remain Presidential. It is not good for a Special Adviser to die in a helicopter crash either, I thought quietly to myself. 

“But sir, these are oyinbo people sir and this is their country. They will know the terrain very well, and I think they have good technology.” 

The President directed there and then that on our way back from Davos, if the weather was still foggy, we would all return to Geneva by road. No helicopter ride in that kind of foggy weather. 

Later that year, July 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan was in China on a five-day state visit. It was a significant trip to strengthen bilateral relations between Nigeria and China. We were well received and everything went well. The hospitality was great. The chemistry was right. But I recall that one of the programmes on our list could not take place. We were to visit a particular province, but the issue came up that we would have to go in a Chinese aircraft, flown by Chinese pilots, because the route to the province is mountainous and even only carefully chosen and trained pilots are allowed to fly on that route. Mountains again, after the experience in Switzerland? The Foreign Affairs people and the PAF Commander had to find a diplomatic way of standing down that part of the trip. Besides, it would have been odd to allow another sovereign and its pilots to take over the management of the movement of the Nigerian President. Nonetheless, President Jonathan’s visit to China was successful. It prepared the grounds for the deepening of bilateral relations between both countries. There were no more issues with helicopters and foggy weather for a while, except when we had a bird strike stopping our aircraft in South Africa and we had to change planes, and yet another bird strike during the 2015 election campaigns in Northern Nigeria, and an aircraft had to be brought from Abuja to take us back.  In life, we survive only by chance. 

Helicopter crashes have claimed the lives of many prominent state officials in the line of duty, including President Rene Ortuno of Bolivia (1969), Prime Minister Rashid Karami of Lebanon (1984), Burundi Defence Minister Colonel Firmin Sinzoyiheba (1998), due to poor weather, President Ibrahim Nasir of the Maldives (2008), Vice President John Garang of Sudan (2005), and Chief of Kenya’s military, General Francis Omondi Ogolla (2024). There is also a long list of leaders across the world who died in plane crashes. Between man, technology and nature, there is a lot about man’s inability to master and control the universe. There have been survivors though: In February 2019, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo of Nigeria escaped unhurt from a helicopter crash in Kabba, Kogi State.  In Iran, two helicopters travelling with President Ebrahim Raisi made it back to Tehran safely. Life is complex, the mysteries within it are far more so. May the souls of all departed persons find peace eternal.   

A member of the Northern Elders Forum (NEF), Prof Usman Yusuf, has accused former President Muhammadu Buhari of neglecting his home state, Katsina, throughout his eight-year tenure.

Yusuf, who spoke while appearing on a Channels Television programme on Sunday, noted that Buhari’s administration executed legacy projects in different parts of the country but failed to do any meaningful projects in the North West zone.

The former Executive Secretary of the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) said even though the northern region had a “good representation” in Buhari’s government, there was nothing to show for it.

Yusuf insisted that Buhari did not do much to develop in his home state, Katsina and North generally, stating that he couldn’t even complete the Abuja-Kano highway for eight years.

He said, “The chief of staff was the one who pushed for the creation of the NEDC. Now, there is a Vice President, National Security Adviser and others from the north. What are they doing to address this issue? But we complain in the North West that we had a president that we never got anything from.

“Go to Katsina today where I come from, there is nothing to show we had a president for eight years. In the North West, let him tell us what he has done.”

Yusuf also blamed the governors of the northern region for the poor level of development of the region.