On December 6, Ukrainians commemorated the Armed Forces Day. It is an occasion used annually in honouring their “brave defenders who protect their homeland from Russian aggression.” I happened to be at the Ukrainian embassy that Friday where the Ambassador of Ukraine to Nigeria, Ivan Kholostenko, said the heroes being honoured “safeguard not only Ukraine but also the broader world.”

“On this day, we express our deepest gratitude to all those who defend the freedom and future of our country, ensuring peace and security for millions around the globe. The Embassy of Ukraine in Nigeria commemorates the heroes with an exhibition. Faces of men and women who risk everything for their homeland and peace around the globe are looking from the pictures of the exhibition,” Kholostenko said.

The most important element of the composition of the exhibition is the blue-yellow Ukrainian flag, which he said “bears the imprint of heroism and love for the motherland – the signatures of the heroes, soldiers of the 4th Battalion of the Slovozhansk Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, who defended Kharkiv from invaders.”

The national pride was palpable as he spoke. “The battle for Kharkiv became an example of heroism and self-sacrifice, when Ukrainian soldiers rebuffed the superior forces of aggressor, preventing them from turning the city into a monument of repression and cruelty. The flag has travelled all the way to Nigeria to serve as a symbol of courage and love for the motherland.”

Of course, Ambassador Kholostenko was talking about the Russia-Ukraine war which is almost in its third year now. He blamed Russia for the aggression and for deploying hunger as a component of its war strategy.

“By unleashing an unprovoked and brutal war against Ukraine, Russia is using hunger as a way to put pressure on the world. The courage of the Ukrainian defenders allows Ukraine to fulfill its role as a guarantor of global food security and produce grain. This grain is delivered to the countries of Africa and Asia, which have felt the consequences of Russia’s aggression the most.”

It is a testament to how much the world has fractured since the United Nations, UN, came into existence on October 24, 1945 that bloody conflicts such as the war the Ukrainian envoy was bemoaning still remain a global spectacle. On that historic day 79 years ago, four years of painstaking planning morphed into an international organisation designed to promote global peace, justice and better living for all humanity.

The negotiations were particularly conscientious in the U.S. where President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, FDR, convinced Americans that an international organisation was the best means to prevent future wars and the U.S. Senate approved the UN Charter by a vote of 89 to 2. On June 26, 1945, 50 countries signed the Charter in San Francisco. Poland signed on October 15, 1945, becoming one of the original 51 member states.

The overarching goal of the new organisation, which rose from the ashes of the League of Nations, was to reduce international tension, promote human rights, lower the chance of other large-scale conflicts, promote peace, justice, and better living for all mankind.

Frustratingly, almost eight decades thence, and 193 member states to boot, the world is teetering on the brink of another large-scale conflict with the debilitating invasion of Ukraine by Russia and Israel’s genocidal onslaught on Palestinians.

Fortuitously, just as all eyes were on President Roosevelt eight decades ago, all eyes are on U.S. President-elect, Donald Trump, for a solution. The fact that many acknowledge that Trump is no Roosevelt has not dampened expectations.

On the hustings, Trump blamed the two wars on the foreign policy failures of the Biden administration, with a promise to end them in 24 hours if re-elected. Now that his dream has come true, the global community is waiting on him.

Meanwhile, Trump, in his usual bombast, is ratcheting up the rhetoric. “I think we have to solve the Ukraine problem with Russia,” he told the French magazine, Paris Match, this week. “Both countries are losing numbers that nobody can believe. Hundreds of thousands of soldiers are being killed,” Trump said, responding to a question about his top priority on the international stage. “And the Middle East is of course a big priority. But I think that the Middle East is a less difficult situation than Ukraine with Russia. But those are the two situations that we have to solve and we have to solve them quickly. A lot of people are dying.”

On Saturday, Trump met with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris, during the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, his first international trip since his dramatic political comeback. After the highly anticipated meeting, he wetted global appetite for peace when he wrote on his Truth Social platform that “there should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin.”

It is in the interest of both countries that the bloody conflict is ended. As Trump rightly noted, both Ukraine and Russia are paying a dire price. Only 18 months into the conflict, officials of the Biden administration aver that both countries had lost a staggering number of troops estimated at over 500,000, including the injured. Ironically, the troop toll was heavier on the Russian side in a war Putin said would end in a matter of days.

But more Ukrainian civilians have died since the war is waged mostly on Ukrainian soil, with fighting and air strikes inflicting over 30,000 civilian casualties, while 3.7 million people are internally displaced, and 6.5 million have fled Ukraine and 14.6 million others need humanitarian assistance.

There is no doubting the fact that Ukrainians desire peace and are willing to collaborate with Trump and, indeed, the international community to realise that goal, yet, one question concentrates their minds right now. What will be the terms of the ceasefire that Trump is touting? Will it guarantee enduring peace? This is important because without justice and equity, peace becomes an illusion.

Ukrainians deserve a peaceful homeland, immune to Russia’s wilful aggression, a point poignantly made by President Zelenskyy last Sunday in a post on the Telegram messaging app: “When we talk about an effective peace with Russia, we must talk first of all about effective peace guarantees. Ukrainians want peace more than anyone else. Russia brought war to our land.”

That is the crux of the matter. The Ukrainian envoy to Nigeria is on the same page with President Zelenskyy.

“Ukraine’s position on peace remains firm. Ukraine desires peace more than anyone does. Ukraine did not start this war and never wanted it. If Russia stops fighting – there will be peace. If Ukraine stops fighting – Ukraine will cease to exist.

“Thus, the peace must be lasting and just. Ukraine is ready to seek diplomatic solutions, but only on the condition of full adherence to the United Nations Charter. Additionally, Ukraine requests effective and reliable security guarantees from international partners to prevent future aggression,” he said in a statement forwarded to me on Wednesday.

To underscore their quest for peace by building trust with the incoming U.S. administration, Zelenskyy’s top aide, Andriy Yermak, met with key members of the Trump team on a two-day trip recently. Will such deft diplomatic maneuvering thaw the diplomatic ice and prod Trump in the direction of a ceasefire that will guarantee lasting peace?

Trump insists that he is pushing the Russian leader Vladimir Putin to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine. “Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness,” he wrote on social media. And that is true. The question is: Would Putin and Russia also want to make a deal and stop the madness? Trump says he knows Vladimir well and that this is his time to act. “China can help. The World is waiting!”

Indeed, the world is waiting and as Zelenskyy cautioned, Ukraine needs a “just and robust peace that Russians will not destroy within a few years.”

Reducing military aid to Ukraine and pulling the U.S. out of NATO as Trump has threatened will indubitably hamstrung Kyiv’s fighting capacity. That cannot guarantee peace. Kremlin’s incessant reference a decree by Zelenskyy from October 2022 that declared the prospect of any talks “impossible” as long as Putin was Russia’s leader is also a smokescreen to camouflage Putin’s aversion for talks with Ukraine. That decree came after Putin proclaimed four occupied regions of Ukraine to be part of Russia, in what Kyiv and the West said was a clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty.

Truth remains that Russia is the aggressor. And any deal that does not guarantee lasting and just peace for Ukrainians will be a repudiation of the 79-year-old UN Charter.

When Aleppo, Syria’s second largest city fell on Friday, November 29, 2024 , I thought it was a big blow, but that the Syrian Armed Forces would quickly recover and fight to retake it. However, in the following days, as the Syrian military melted away in the face of advancing Islamic terrorist rebels of al-Qaeda, Islamic State, ISIS and al-Nustra, now called the Hayat Tahir al-Sham, HTS, I was worried.

The Syrian government announced that its troop withdrawals were tactical and strategic moves. But it reminded me how the Taliban in Afghanistan raced through towns and cities within a few days before arriving at the gates of Kabul on August 15, 2021. They then entered the city without a fight.

My fears were confirmed on Sunday morning December 8 when a friend called to inform me that the rebels had entered Damascus. We discussed for about an hour as I tried to convince him that the fall of President Bashir al-Assad’s government is a tragedy of monumental proportions as it was the glue that held the country together. So, it will be a miracle if the country does not disintegrate.

First, it was the liberal Assad government, despite its frailties  that had kept the vicious Islamic terrorists from power. So Syria would now be run under a backward regime that would make it a virtual crime for Syrians to be Alawite Muslims, minority Christians, marginal nationalities or liberal-minded.

The HTS leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa alias Abu Mohammed al-julani, had at various times been the right hand man of ISIS leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi,  headed al-Qaeda in Syria and founded the terrorist al-Nusra Front which later changed its name to Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, JFS.

Only myopic Western leaders think robing Syrian Islamic terrorists in cassock would turn them into born-again liberals or democrats. 

Secondly, it was the Assad administration that kept expansionist Israel from rolling down the Golan Heights it seized in 1967, to occupy more Syrian territory. Now, within three days of Assad’s fall, Israel has rolled out its thanks, seizing more Syrian lands, claiming it wants to build a buffer between the Golan Heights it is occupying and the new regime in Damascus.

Thirdly, the fall of Assad would give Turkey which already occupies 8,835 square kilometres of Syria, the opportunity to further expand, using its surrogate Syrian National Army.

Fourthly, Assad’s absence may make the Syrian Democratic Forces, SDF, and its Kurdish Peoples’ Protection Units, YPG, fighting alongside Christian minorities, breakaway and establish a state of their own. Although currently, the SDF and the new regime in Damascus are not at loggerheads, the likely advance of the Turkish military and militia may force them into a war of survival.

The fall of Assad also presents an uncertainty for the US and its troops in Northern Syria who are holding over 40,000 ISIS combatants and their allies in various prisons. These prisoners and the jihadists now controlling Damascus, belonged to the same group and share the same jihadist ideology.

Yet another major factor in the unfolding tragedy is that the defeated Syrian armed forces, except for those who may defect to the new forces, have not been decimated. They are virtually intact. Some of their heavy arms have already been delivered to their allies in Iraq.

Also, the Alawites, a liberal Muslim movement which produced Hafez al-Assad, the father, and Bashar al-Assad the son as rulers of the country in the last half century, may build their own regional militia force that may be backed by Iran, Iraq and Russia.

Apart from the Americans and the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, NATO, with military interests in Syria, there are the Gulf States, including Jordan, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia which had funded the establishment of ISIS primarily as a force to destabilise Syria and overthrow the Assad government. After ISIS became a Frankenstein monster and a beast to be put down, these regional powers continued to maintain links with its off shoots like the HTS that now holds power in Damascus.

Syria under Assad had its problems like all other countries, but the crises that led to its civil war was a contrived one. It was one of the countries the West and US pencilled down for regime change under various guises. The others included Iraq under Sadam Hussien, Afghanistan with Mullah Muhammad Omar as leader, Libya under Mouammar Ghadafi, Sudan with President Omar al-Bashir and, Iran. All those leaders are gone, remaining the leadership in Iran.

I have tried to understand the world and why we have ended up almost in a cul-de-sac. The overthrow of Assad gave me an added perspective. A world led by Western elites and their US first cousins, cannot but be a confused one because their philosophy is not about development, but acquisition and control.

This is not about their attempts to conquer the rest of humanity, slavery, colonialism and leading humanity into two World Wars, with a drive towards a nuclear-powered Third World War. It is more about being partially blinded by a myopia that sees weaponising religion thrice over, and expecting a different outcome.

The unfolding tragedy in Syria has its origins in the December 24, 1977 to February 15, 1989 conflict in Afghanistan. It was part of the Cold War battles. Pro-Soviet Union governments ran Afghanistan, and the US and its allies concluded that the best way to remove them and impose a Pro-capitalist government, was by mobilising Muslim youths across the world to carry out a jihad against the Afghan government which they labelled atheists. These youths became known as Mujahedeen and they succeeded in taking out the pro-Soviet regime, but could not agree on a new government.

When the Mujahedeen fighters returned to their various countries, their mainly conservative governments were afraid as they were battle-tested fighters who were outside the regular armies. When they moved against the returnees, the youths fled. Many re-assembled under a new internationalist organisation called al-Qaeda. It was led by US favourite, Osama Bin Laden. The al-Qaeda which was given refuge in Afghanistan, was later accused of masterminding the 911 attacks in US. For this, the US and its allies, invaded Afghanistan for two decades. When it was decided to invade Syria, the US and its Gulf allies, created ISIS and al-Nustra Front from al-Qaeda. ISIS like a mad dog turned against its owners and created a short-lived Islamic Caliphate spanning Iraq and parts of Syria.

So, having failed to learn from those experiences, the West, US and their allies are hailing the HTS Islamist jihadists.

The world is likely to wake up tomorrow to the reality that ousting Assad for the Islamic fundamentalists, was a grave error.

Ajax Amsterdam FC have announced a crowdfunding campaign to support Tijjani Babangida following the tragic loss of his family in a car accident. 

On May 9, Babangida, who was in the books of Ajax for seven years, was involved in a car crash along the Kaduna-Zaria highway.

The ex-footballer was with Ibrahim, his younger brother, alongside his wife, son, and maid when the accident happened.

Ibrahim was said to have died on the spot. Fadil, Babangida’s one-year son, succumbed to the injuries from the crash a few days later. The wife lost an eye and had to undergo face reconstruction surgery, and the maid also fractured a leg.

Babangida has moved to the Netherlands since the incident with his wife getting medical care in the country.

In a documentary released on Thursday, Ajax revealed that Babangida’s “many good friends from football” had launched a crowdfunding campaign.

The fund is aimed at helping Babangida navigate the trauma of the accident.

“Six months ago, Tijani Babangida’s world collapsed. In a serious car accident, he lost his one-and-a-half-year-old son and his younger brother, while his wife was seriously injured,” the documentary caption read.

“‘Baba’ can count on the support of many good friends from football. They are helping him with everything and have started a crowdfunding campaign.”

Babangida was contracted to Ajax for seven years. He won an Eredivisie title in 1998 and two Dutch Cup trophies, scoring 20 goals in 77 appearances for the club.

[TheCable]

As the Director-General of the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) , yours comradely bear witness that almost one thousand participants registered and participated at the 10th Labour Summit held on Tuesday 26th in Ilorin. The Honourable  minister of Labour and Employment, Barrister  Nkeiruka Onyejeocha  was the  Chief Host of the significant event, convened by the esteemed premier Michael Imodu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS) statutorily mandated to build capacity of workers, employers and government officials in labour and industrial relations through training and research, to promote industrial harmony for sustainable development”.

In 2003 MINILS  initiated annual   National Labour Relations Summit (NLRS). It complements the Institute’s regular week- long  seminars and In-plant/Tailor-made courses in labour relations. The National Labour Relations Summit (NLRS) is a two decade long Annual largest gathering of the critical mass of  stakeholders  in Nigeria’s  labour  relations system. Scores of thousands of participants had attended the summits with distinguished presence of labour leaders, ministers, governors, local and international partners in the labour market. The summit deliberates on employment issues with the main objective of setting agenda for the  promotion of industrial harmony, social justice in work places and productivity for national development.

I commend the management and staff of MINILS for the 2024 revival of the summit which held last in 2013, some eleven years ago. The 2024 Summit assumes special importance. It is over a year, since

 the historic inauguration of President Tinubu as the 6th democratically elected President. An assessment of the labour dimension of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the administration is more than a partial commitment. Precisely “Because I was involved”(apology to late Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu).

On Monday, December 19, 2022 as the Director of Labour Directorate of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, I facilitated and set the tone at the Townhall meeting of Presidential candidate Bola Tinubu with Organised Labour at Chida Hotel Conference Centre in Abuja. Adjudged as the best and well attended by the leaders of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) then Presidential candidate Bola Ahmed Tinubu in no hold barred 4 hour session unfolded his Action Plan for a Better Nigeria. Ashiwaju’s quotable quote hinted at far reaching reforms with labour support  if elected;  “I seek a Nigeria where sufficient jobs with decent wages give people the chance to live better lives. Where the private sector thrives, we will not disrupt it. However, where the private sector cannot do it alone, my government will take the lead in lending a helping hand.”. Tinubu said his administration would make fiscal and monetary policies work for the workers and Nigerians so they can have a good life. True to his promise, President Bola Tinubu has come of age as an audacious reformer. He has initiated far reaching social and economic reforms within the framework of the comprehensive 8-point Renewed Hope Agenda. The objective to reposition Nigerian economy, tackle poverty headlong, achieve sustainable development and improve living standards of Nigerians. The most controversial are the immediate removal of the controversial Trillion-naira per annum subsidy payment on petrol products and liberalization of the foreign exchange market aimed at   blocking leakages in petroleum downstream sector, freezing  resources to fund critical areas like healthcare, education and infrastructural development. Expectedly the impact of the reform measures on the labour market with respect to employment, cost of living and general welfare have elicited mixed reactions.Enthusiastic supporters of the reforms on the one hand have pointed to the emerging benefits. On the other hand   critics allude to the adverse effects of rising inflation and worsening wage income poverty, caused by massive Naira devaluation. The 10th Labour Summit offered a  veritable platform to assess constructively the impact of the reform Renewed Hope Agenda on the future of work. Hence the Theme:The Future of Work and Renewed Hope Reform Agenda: Issues and Perspectives The Discussants included representatives of organized labour, employers, labour market institutions namely National Productivity Centre (NPC), National Directorate of Employment (NDE) NSITF moderated by Professor Emeritus labour, Dave Otobo Studies and age long friend of MINILS.

The  “Ilorin consensus” is that Nigeria needs reform and complete transformation from poverty to prosperity. With 70 per cent living below the poverty line, we don’t need a sermon to critically re-look at policies that hitherto pushed the majority on the margin. It was time to reverse the paradox of deprivation amidst abundant opportunities. So much work undone, yet so much youth unemployment and abysmal underemployment. To this extent participants commended  President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for being a change agent. The ongoing national and international debate on the reform is healthy for Nigeria. “Development”is back in discourse.  NBS NIgeria’s GDP  in the 3rd quarter has moved to 3.46 percent gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate, a sign that reform is yielding fruit. But it’s not over until Nigeria achieves minimum of  1trilliin dollar economy, double digit growth rates as desired by President Tinubu. The GDP must be driven by revival of labour intensive manufacturing sectors like textile and automobile factories. However industrialization is impossible without electricity. No thanks to addictive national grid collapses! Let’s  make and buy Nigeria. National  budgets must finance national development not other countries. Following the removal of subsidy on imported fuel, the 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) Dangote refinery is now a reality. Port Harcourt Refinery has finally commenced operations after undergoing renovation and modernisation that began in 2021 after the Federal Government secured a $1.5bn contract to rehabilitate the facility. There is indeed now alternative to unacceptable wholesale products imports that put pressures on Naira value. Renewed Hope indeed !. Innovative compressed natural gas (CNG) now powers buses and tricycles worth N100 billion to ease the transportation. There has been massive campaign for digital literacy to promote youth employability in the growing digital economy. MINILS has been part of the youth employability capacity building through skill acquisition.

For the first time in annals of Nigeria’s educational system, Federal Government launched a student loan scheme to serve as the platform for access to funds by prospective students.There  is growing optimism in the decisions taken by President Tinubu’s administration that reforms are not only desirable but inevitable for national development. Indeed there is an urgent need for a bipartisan national partnership for national development.

All the above call for continuous constructive engagement among the stakeholders. Regular dialogue, education and evaluation are essential to address the impact of the reforms on job creation, decent work, industrial harmony, productivity and compensation in the world of work., some features of the future of work are already here and Nigeria is not spared of its unsavory auguries. Already, Al (artificial intelligence), robotics, big data and increased computer powers are displacing human labour and big players – advanced countries and their big enterprises are strategically positioning to benefit from its trade-offs and complementarities. Remarkably, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has demonstrated significant sensitivity by initiating a number of profound measures to mitigate the adverse impact of reforms on costs of living, transportation and wages of the workers.

First unlike some past reforms  which “deformed” the public service through indiscriminate mass retrenchment of public employees, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has commendably ensured security of public service, avoided the pitfall of the least resistance of downsizing and retrenchment. Just like the former  President Muhammed Buhari who notwithstanding CIVID:19 commendably retained jobs and paid public servants during lock down. Significantly the President in response to protests by organized labour on the adverse impact of reform, initiated  policy measures to address the plight of the workers impaired by inflation and devaluation. There was the   Presidential  wage award of N35,000 to federal workers for six months and cash transfer of N25,000.00 monthly to some millions of the poorest and most vulnerable Nigerians for three months. The Most historic of the interventions is the enactment of 2024 National Minimum Wage Act of N70,000. This followed an intense  6 month long  tripartite (plus) collective bargaining process between the government, organized labour and employers of labour. I salute the 10th National Assembly,  President Bola Tinubu and Honourable Minister of Labour Nkeiruka Onyejeocha for the speedy enactment of the  6th National minimum wage Act since 1981 with a 3 year cycle from the old 5 year drag. All hail the state governors and private employers who have paid the minimum wage backed by law. Organized labour is right to put legitimate pressures on States and employers who refuse to pay the legally permissible least wage precisely because It  is illegal. But as significant as minimum wage is, it is not a living wage. President Bola Ahmed is fully committed also to living wage. I suggest that organized labour should continue the engagement through social dialogue and collective bargaining with the government on how to a have wage-job- led economic growth. Minimum and living wage should be complimented my minimum productivity and minimum discipline in the public service.

•Issa Aremu mni is the Director General, Michael Imoudu National institute for labour studies (MINILS), Ilorin.

Ekiti Agro-Allied International Cargo Airport (EAICA) Ado-Ekiti has received the approval of the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to commence non-scheduled flight operation effective December 15th, 2024.

The NCAA, in a letter dated December 11, 2024 and addressed to Ekiti State Governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, said the approval of the non-scheduled operations under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) at the airport is for a period of six months- December 15, 2024 to June 15, 2025.

The letter, which was signed by NCAA Acting Director General Civil Aviation, Capt. Chris Najomo, was in response to the state government’s application for flight operational permit for the airport.

According to NCAA, the approval for a six months non-schedule operation at the airport is to enable the NCAA validate the implementation of the pending findings and to allow Ekiti State Government time to rectify a few outstanding Corrective Action items indicated in the agency’s last inspection report.

As part of compliance steps towards the commencement of the non-scheduled flight operations at the airport, operations are to be in agreement with relevant agencies for provision of essential services, including Air Traffic Services, Aerodrome Rescue and Fire Fighting Services, Aviation Security and Meteorological services.

It will be recalled that the State government had earlier signed MoUs and Service Level Agreements with these federal aviation agencies.

The Government of Ekiti State welcomes NCAA’s approval for the non-scheduled flight operation, which allows private jets and other chartered flights to land and take off from the airport between 6.00am to 6.00pm (or sunrise to sunset), preparatory to the final approval for commercial flight operations.

Most new airports are usually given non-scheduled flight approval to allow them clear audit gaps in their compliance before final approval for flight operational permit.

Governor Biodun Oyebanji describes the NCAA’s approval as a welcome development and a justification for the state’s investment in the airport project, which was designed to boost Ekiti State’s socioeconomic development by making the state more readily accessible.

Governor Oyebanji had earlier in the year assured stakeholders that the Ekiti airport would become operational before the end of the year.

Yinka Oyebode
Special Adviser (Media) to the Governor, Ekiti State

The news from Ghana was not how John Dramani Mahama’s opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), defeated Nana Akufo-Addo’s ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The news was how Akufo-Addo managed to survive a full second term. Towards the end of his first and for much of his second term in office, he governed with his head on the block, just waiting for the axe to fall.

His party’s loss in the December 7 presidential election was a defeat foretold. It was barely two years after Akufo-Addo assumed office in 2017 when doubts about his party’s viability began to surface. It shouldn’t have been so.

His predecessor, the John Atta-Mills/Dramani government, made such a mess. Apart from divisions within the NDC, it was further weakened by a series of serious corruption scandals, the most remarkable of which were the government’s involvement in the transfer of $11 million and £9 million paid by a party financier and a litany of failed promises.

Dramani’s loss to Akufo-Addo relieved the loser, who only managed to finish Atta-Mills’ term after the latter died in office.

Hero to zero

As I wrote in a 2022 article, Akufo-Addo was off to a flying start. From New York to Beijing and Paris, he became the new face of the African Renaissance, saying the right things wherever he went on the global stage and raising a $3 billion Eurobond for Ghana’s restructuring that overperformed its order book by $21 billion.

Despite his best efforts, COVID-19 and the Russia-Ukraine War put Ghana in a tight spot. The country’s predicament was worsened by poor fiscal discipline, unstable commodity prices, and a capitulation to pressure from Labour to increase public sector wages to unsustainable levels.

Akufo-Addo’s party paid upfront for the country’s misery. Multiple protests rocked the streets of Accra and other major capitals, and voters couldn’t wait to bury the NPP with any remaining claims of good deeds at the polls.

Beyond elections

However, the election meant something more for the subregion than about angry and tired Ghanaian voters removing an incumbent government.

In the last four years, the subregion has been plagued by military coups reminiscent of a bygone era. Mali, Niger, Guinea and Burkina Faso have formed an arc of Delinquent States, with three of them sundering the decades-old Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) by creating a parallel Alliance for Sahelian States in defiance of the regional powerhouses and even the AU.

Successful elections and transitions in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal, Nigeria, and Ghana have offered a counter-narrative. It’s all the more heartening that the ruling party’s candidate in the election, Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia, did not wait for the official result before conceding defeat, reinforcing a trend started in 2015 by Nigeria’s former President Goodluck Jonathan.

Job for powerhouses

The successful transition is good news for regional economic stability. Although the four break-away states constitute half of the ECOWAS area and only seven percent of economic activity within the zone, the economic sanctions imposed on them by the subregional group impacted swathes of the primarily poor populations across the region, where informal cross-border trade, mainly in food, make up about 30 percent of regional trade.

Stable transitions in Ghana and Nigeria, the region’s two economic powerhouses, would allow ECOWAS to reassess its options – a significant point in the agenda as the sub-regional group meets in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja, this week.

Delinquent Four on the agenda

Should ECOWAS continue to engage the breakaway states in its efforts at faster regional integration, especially in light of the fragile relations between these states and France, in an era where Russia and China are lurking and the US is self-absorbed? Or has the time come for the group to chart a new course and accept a future without the four breakaway states?

That would not only be an economic decision. It also carries significance for subregional security. Burkina Faso and Mali are out of the ECOWAS multinational joint task force. Protracted or failed elections in Ghana would have further weakened the group’s crisis response mechanism at a time when Nigerian military authorities are grappling with new security threats from Lakurawa, an ISIS franchise.

It’s unlikely that the new government in Accra, on the watch of Mahama, one of the mediators during the post-election dispute in The Gambia in 2016, would depart significantly from the leading role that Ghana has played in subregional peace support operations, which goes back to its role in ECOMOG in the 1990s.

Go to court!

At a more granular level, there are other reasons why Ghana’s election matters, especially in relations between Abuja and Accra. Already, the commentariat in Nigeria is holding up Ghana’s election as a model for the election management body in Nigeria. Apart from former President Jonathan’s pre-emptive concession of defeat nine years ago, Nigeria is perhaps the continent’s capital of disputed elections.

Of course, Nigeria’s election management body needs to raise its game. Fundamentally, however, the chaos reflects the winner-takes-all mentality among Nigeria’s political elite, which has increasingly seduced the courts to decide elections. Often, when Nigerian politicians taunt their opponent to “go to court” after an election, they are confident of a favourable outcome.

Ghanaian Jollof

Nigerians also envy Ghana’s rise as the new destination for big business, a prospect that could only have been enhanced by the smooth election. Despite Ghana’s economic crisis, Nigeria has lost several fintech and manufacturing companies to its western neighbour in the last three years.

Guinness, for example, has moved its operational headquarters to Accra, while others, such as Afprint, President Industries and Aswani – all in the textile sector – are reportedly contemplating relocation. Because of Ghana’s stable and predictable political environment, tech giants, including Google, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook, have not hidden their preference for it despite Nigeria’s significant market size.

Whether, apart from its business attraction, Ghanaian jollof would also best Nigeria’s jollof in the unending cuisine war between both countries in the next four years under Mahama remains to be seen.

Voters’ psyche

If there’s anything that the outcome of Ghana’s election teaches, even beyond the subregion, it is that voters don’t forgive politicians who leave them feeling worse off. You may have saved them from COVID-19, the fallouts of global conflicts elsewhere, or the headwinds afterwards. However, what weighs on their mind when they cast their ballot is whether they’re feeling better off today.

That was why Rishi Sunak lost to Keir Starmer in Britain, and Vice President Kamala Harris lost to Donald Trump in the US. It was also why Akufo-Addo survived his second term by the skin of his teeth but failed to hand over the baton to his deputy in Ghana.

The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, recently claimed that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu sleeps well at night, assured by the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio. Speaking during Akpabio’s 62nd birthday celebration, Bamidele emphasized Tinubu’s confidence in Akpabio’s ability to provide good leadership. While these statements were intended as a celebration of camaraderie within Nigeria’s political elite, they inadvertently highlight a glaring disparity. Tinubu and his inner circle may sleep soundly, but can the same be said for millions of Nigerians facing unprecedented economic hardships?  

The rising cost of living, economic instability, and dwindling public services have left many Nigerians tossing and turning in frustration. If President Tinubu and the Senate leadership truly wish to lead a nation where everyone sleeps well, their focus must shift toward actionable policies that directly alleviate the struggles of the people.  

Since the removal of fuel subsidies, Nigeria’s economic landscape has become a nightmare for many. Transportation costs have more than doubled, food prices have soared, and inflation has pushed even basic necessities beyond the reach of many households. Small businesses, the backbone of Nigeria’s economy, are collapsing under the weight of these economic pressures.  

For most Nigerians, the removal of the fuel subsidy was not just an economic adjustment; it was a seismic shift that disrupted daily life. While the government touts the potential long-term benefits of this policy, the immediate consequences have left a nation on edge. Families are skipping meals, children are dropping out of school, and people are losing jobs. The daily struggle to make ends meet has robbed millions of their peace of mind.  

If Nigeria’s leaders are genuinely interested in fostering a nation where everyone can sleep well, they must focus on policies that prioritize the welfare of the people. 

Against the foregoing backdrop, it is expedient to opine that areas that demand immediate attention cut across economic stabilization, transparent use of palliatives, Job Creation and Youth Empowerment, Affordable Healthcare, Education for All and Security and Safety. Another area that demands immediate attention is inclusive governance.

In fact, the soaring cost of living is one of the greatest challenges Nigerians face today. Leaders must implement robust economic policies to stabilize inflation and reduce the burden of daily expenses. This includes, subsidized public transportation, to ease the pressure of high fuel prices on commuters. Also is price controls on essential goods so as to ensure that basic necessities remain affordable for all. Also is the need for support for small businesses, including tax reliefs and grants, to help them survive and thrive in the current economic climate.  

Again, the government should ensure there is always transparent use of palliatives. This is as the government has at different periods announced palliatives to cushion the effects of subsidy removal, but these efforts have been marred by concerns over transparency and equitable distribution. Therefore, leaders must ensure that these palliatives reach those who need them most. This can be achieved by establishing an independent body to oversee the distribution of palliatives.  

The foregoing can be achieved by using technology to track and verify recipients, ensuring the process is transparent and inclusive as well as providing regular updates to the public on the progress and impact of these measures.  

In fact, unemployment remains a significant challenge, especially among Nigeria’s youth. Leaders must focus on creating jobs through policies that encourage investment in sectors like agriculture, technology, and manufacturing. Additionally, vocational training and entrepreneurship programs can empower young people to become self-reliant.  

Without a doubt, access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right, yet many Nigerians cannot afford even basic medical services. The government must invest in healthcare infrastructure and introduce policies that make healthcare affordable and accessible. This includes expanding the National Health Insurance Scheme and ensuring rural communities have access to medical facilities.  

Also, it should not be forgotten that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, yet many children are out of school due to rising costs. Leaders must prioritize education by providing free or heavily subsidized education at the primary and secondary levels, offering scholarships and financial aid for tertiary education. Also is investing in school infrastructure and teacher training to improve the quality of education.  

In a similar vein, no one can sleep well in a nation plagued by insecurity. From banditry to kidnapping, the lack of safety remains a significant concern for Nigerians. The government must strengthen security agencies, improve intelligence gathering, and foster community policing to ensure every Nigerian feels safe in their home.  

In fact, leadership must be inclusive and responsive to the needs of all Nigerians, regardless of their socioeconomic status. Leaders should actively engage with the public through town halls, community visits, and open dialogues to understand their challenges and craft policies that address them.  

Above all, for Nigerian leaders to create a nation where everyone sleeps well, they must embrace a new era of governance that prioritizes the people. This requires empathy. Leaders must understand the struggles of ordinary Nigerians and ensure their policies reflect this understanding.  

Also is for leaders to be exhibiting a high sense of accountability. This is as transparency in governance is essential to rebuild trust between the government and the people. Therefore, Leaders must be held accountable for their actions and promises.  

Similar to the foregoing, leadership must be driven by a clear vision for a prosperous Nigeria, with long-term strategies that address the root causes of the nation’s challenges.  

President Tinubu may sleep well, but true leadership is about ensuring that everyone else does too. The challenges Nigeria faces today are daunting, but they are not insurmountable. With the right policies, actions, and mindset, Nigerian leaders can foster a nation where peace of mind is not a privilege for the few but a right for all.  

The question remains: “Will Nigerian leaders rise to the occasion?” “Will they work toward a future where the struggles of the masses are eased, where opportunities abound, and where every Nigerian, regardless of their status, can sleep well at night?” Until these questions are answered with action, the divide between the leadership and the people will persist, and the dream of a peaceful, prosperous Nigeria will remain just that, a dream.

Social media, once dismissed as a frivolous pastime, has evolved into a powerful tool for communication, commerce, and even activism. Its transformative impact on society and economies worldwide is undeniable. Countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada have already recognized this reality, incorporating social media studies into their university curricula. Yet, Nigerian tertiary institutions appear to lag behind, clinging to traditional approaches that fail to address the dynamic realities of the digital age. To stay relevant in a rapidly changing world, Nigerian universities must embrace social media as a body of knowledge worthy of academic study, placing it under the broader umbrella of Mass Communication.

Globally, institutions like the University of Southern California (USC) and the University of Florida offer specialized programs in social media as part of their communication and media studies departments. USC, for example, provides a Master’s in Digital Social Media, which equips students with the skills to navigate and leverage social platforms for strategic communication. Similarly, Birmingham City University in the UK offers degrees in Social Media Management, underscoring the relevance of these courses in modern education.

These programs explore the multifaceted nature of social media, from its role in shaping public discourse to its impact on marketing strategies. By providing a structured academic framework, they prepare students to harness social media’s potential in diverse fields, including journalism, advertising, public relations, and political communication.

In contrast, Nigerian universities have yet to fully embrace social media as a legitimate field of study. This gap is concerning, given the pervasive role of platforms like Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok in shaping public opinion and driving societal change.

The integration of social media studies into Nigeria’s tertiary institutions is not just an academic necessity but a strategic imperative. Social media is no longer merely a medium for casual interaction; it has become a primary channel for news dissemination, brand communication, and political engagement. 

In fact, there are several reasons why Nigerian universities should prioritize this discipline:

First and foremost, it will prepare students for the Job market. Without a doubt, the global job market is increasingly demanding digital skills, and proficiency in social media is now a critical requirement. Careers in digital marketing, social media management, content creation, and data analytics are flourishing. By offering courses in social media studies, Nigerian universities can equip students with the skills needed to excel in these roles. Graduates would be better prepared to compete for jobs both locally and internationally, addressing Nigeria’s high unemployment rates.

Secondly, social media studies would promote digital literacy. In fact, digital literacy is no longer optional; it is a necessity for navigating the modern world. Social media studies can teach students how to critically analyze online content, distinguish credible sources from misinformation, and responsibly engage with digital platforms. This knowledge is particularly crucial in Nigeria, where the spread of fake news has far-reaching consequences for society and governance.

Without a doubt, social media has proven to be a powerful tool for societal change, from mobilizing voters during elections to organizing protests against injustices. By studying social media, students can learn how to effectively use these platforms to advocate for social justice, promote civic engagement, and contribute to national development. Nigeria’s future leaders need to understand the dynamics of social media to harness its potential for positive change.

The rise of social media has revolutionized entrepreneurship. Many young Nigerians have built successful businesses by leveraging platforms like Instagram and TikTok for marketing and sales. Offering social media courses would provide aspiring entrepreneurs with the tools to effectively brand their businesses, reach their target audiences, and analyze consumer behavior. This would contribute to the growth of Nigeria’s economy by fostering innovation and creating jobs.

Without a doubt, education systems worldwide are evolving to reflect the realities of the digital age. Universities in countries like the United States, Canada, and the UK are already offering specialized programs in social media. By failing to adapt, Nigerian institutions risk falling further behind, making it difficult for their graduates to compete on a global stage. Incorporating social media studies would align Nigerian universities with international standards, enhancing their reputation and attracting more students.

One of the criticisms often leveled at Nigerian tertiary institutions is the disconnect between academic programs and industry needs. Social media studies offer an opportunity to bridge this gap. By collaborating with industry experts and incorporating real-world case studies, universities can ensure that their curricula are relevant and practical. Graduates would leave school with skills that are immediately applicable in the workforce.

Though, there is no denying the fact that social media has its downsides, including cyberbullying, addiction, and the spread of harmful content, but by studying social media, students can gain a deeper understanding of these issues and learn strategies for mitigating them. This knowledge would empower them to use social media responsibly and advocate for ethical practices online.

At this juncture, it is expedient to opine that universities should collaborate with industry experts and international academic institutions to design curricula that address the theoretical and practical aspects of social media. Core subjects could include social media strategy, digital content creation, analytics and metrics, ethics in digital communication, the role of social media in crisis management and case Studies on Social Media Campaigns

In a similar vein, integrating social media as a body of knowledge into Mass Communication should be a matter of urgency as it is indispensable.  In fact, positioning social media studies as a subset of Mass Communication would ensure its seamless adoption, leveraging existing expertise within Nigerian institutions. This approach would also attract students already interested in communication and media studies.

Also, establishing partnerships with tech companies, advertising agencies, and media houses would provide students with practical exposure and real-world experience. Internship opportunities would allow students to apply their knowledge in professional settings, enhancing their employability.

Close to the foregoing viewpoint is that to effectively teach social media studies, universities must invest in modern technology. This includes high-speed internet, multimedia labs, and access to analytics tools. Such investments would not only benefit social media programs but also improve the overall quality of education.

In fact, universities should launch campaigns to educate prospective students and parents about the importance of social media studies. Highlighting success stories of individuals and businesses that have leveraged social media can help dispel misconceptions and generate interest in the field.

On the way forward, it is germane to opine that the world is moving at a breakneck pace, and social media is at the forefront of this transformation. Nigerian tertiary institutions must rise to the occasion by integrating social media studies into their mass communication curricula. By doing so, they will not only keep pace with global educational standards but also equip their students to thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Without a doubt, social media is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. It is high time Nigerian universities recognized its significance and gave it the academic legitimacy it deserves. By embracing social media studies, they can prepare a generation of students who are not only digitally literate but also capable of leveraging technology for personal, professional, and societal advancement.