Financial experts and economists have told President Bola Ahmed Tinubu that Nigeria’s 3.19 percent Gross Domestic Product growth rise in the second quarter of 2024 has failed to reflect on the living conditions of citizens.

This comes as the National Bureau of Statistics on Monday disclosed that the services sector pushed Nigeria’s economy to achieve two consecutive GDP growth of 3.19 percent in Q2 up from 2.98 percent recorded in the preceding quarter.

The GDP growth rate is higher than the 2.51 percent recorded in the corresponding quarter in 2023.

According to the NBS data, the industry and services sectors contributed more to the aggregate GDP in the second quarter of 2024 compared to the corresponding quarter of 2023.

Only the services sector contributed 58.76 percent to the total GDP.

A further analysis showed that while the non-oil sector contributed 94.30 percent in real terms to the Nation’s GDP, the oil sector was 5.70 percent in Q2 2024.

Meanwhile, despite the GDP growth, economists query why the two consecutive rises in economic activities have not impacted the living conditions of Nigerians.

This collaborates with the Director General of the World Trade Organization, WTO, and Nigeria’s former Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala’s recent statement that the country’s economic fortunes recorded a reversal since 2014 with steady GDP growth decline.

Recall that NBS July’s data indicated that inflation slowed down to 33.40 percent from 34.19 percent in June 2024.

Meanwhile, prices of goods and services have remained high for the majority of Nigerians despite policy interventions by President Tinubu’s government.

Speaking with DAILY POST on Monday on the development, Prof Segun Ajibola, a renowned economist and former President and Chairman of the Council of Chartered Institute of Bankers said that Nigeria’s macroeconomics variables have yet to have the desired impact on the living conditions of Nigerians.

According to him, macroeconomic indicators such as GDP must touch the micro indices to change the narrative.

He urged that the government needed to gear towards transmitting the mechanisms between the macro level such as GDP and the micro level such as household income, and consumption.

He added that the country’s rate should be holistic and all-encompassing across the primary (such as agriculture, mining); secondary (manufacturing) and tertiary (services) sectors to have a balanced, fully integrated growth trajectory that can more easily translate to development.

“The truth however is that the macro variables may not have the desired impact on the living conditions of the people unless the macro performance is cascaded down to the populace, especially the masses that are eking out a living.

“The macro must touch the micro to change the narratives. It is the end that justifies the means.

“The improved growth rate is good news no doubt. As a country, we need to work on the transmission mechanisms between the macro level such as GDP and micro level such as household income and consumption, so as not to be entangled in the trap of growth without development, which is ravaging many developing nations.

“It is also important for growth to be driven across the primary (such as agriculture, mining); secondary (manufacturing) and tertiary (services) sectors to have a balanced, fully integrated growth trajectory that can more easily translate to development”, he told DAILY POST.

On his part, a financial analyst and the Chief Executive Officer of SD & D Capital Management, Gbolade Idakolo said that the latest GDP growth is not a pointer that the economy is out of the woods.

Idakolo stressed that the figure is at variance with reality.

In his words, “The economy, in reality, is shrinking and needs a drastic measure to bounce back”, he told DAILY POST.

“The NBS GDP is at variance with reality just like the inflation rate decline. The statistical data used by NBS does not take into cognizance the declining productivity in the economy.

“Most businesses are closing while some are downsizing or relocating because of the harsh economic environment.

“The CBN has continued to increase the interest rates while the Naira continues its downward slide against the US dollar.

“The government needs to rejuvenate the economy by implementing policies that would increase the capacity of SMEs, big businesses and the manufacturing sector.

“The single-digit interest rate loan facility promised by the Federal government should be jumpstarted, as well as the plans for the agricultural sector.

“The GDP figures are not a pointer that the economy is out of the woods. The government should be comparing NBS data with independent sources to have a fair idea of how the economy is performing”, he added.

Also, Prof Godwin Oyedokun, a don at Lead City University in Ibadan said the growth rate might differ across different regions of Nigeria.

“To gain a more comprehensive understanding of the factors driving the industrial sector’s growth, it would be helpful to analyze: Regional Variations: Growth rates might differ across different regions of Nigeria.

“Sector-Specific Data: A breakdown of growth rates within the industrial sector (e.g., manufacturing, construction, mining) would provide more insights.

“Business Surveys: Surveys of businesses in the industrial sector can reveal their experiences, challenges, and expectations.

“By conducting a more in-depth analysis, it would be possible to identify the specific factors contributing to the growth in the industrial sector and assess its sustainability in the face of ongoing challenges”, he told DAIlLY POST.

[DailyPost]

The United Kingdom has increased the number of organisations licensed to sponsor workers on the worker and temporary worker immigration routes.  

Checks by The Nation, show that the list which was updated on Friday, August 23, has 119,195 approved companies.The approved updated list now contains 119,195 companies.  

Interested Nigerians are advised to visit the listed company’s website and search for available vacancies.

A breakdown shows that the approved companies are in technology, commerce, education, media and advertisement, and engineering sectors, among others.

According to the UK government, a Skilled Worker visa allows you to come to or stay in the UK for an eligible job with an approved employer.  

“You must have a job offer from an approved UK employer before you apply for a Skilled Worker visa.

Approved employers are also known as sponsors, because they are sponsoring you to come to or stay in the UK.”  

Here is a list of some of the approved companies: 

1. McMullan Shellfish
2. (IECC Care) Independent Excel Care Consortium Limited
3. *ABOUTCARE HASTINGS LTD
4. £ ESS LTD
5. @ Architect UK Ltd
6. @ Home Accommodation Services Ltd
7. @ Home Accommodation Services Ltd
8. @ Ur Eaz Ltd
9. @@@ FILER LIMITED
10. [AI] INFINITI LIMITED
11. `Brunswick Stores Limited
12. #NAME?
13. 003 Ltd
14. 007 Taxi Limited
15. 0086 Ltd
16. 00Nation Limited
17. 00Nation Limited
18. 01 ACCOUNTING SERVICES LTD
19. 012 Global Ltd
20. 023 LTD
21. 09 Care Limited
22. 0xA Technologies Ltd
23. 1 ACE TRAINING LIMITED
24. 1 ALS LIMITED
25. 1 AND 1 ROUGAMO LIMITED
26. 1 And 5 Tech Ltd
27. 1 Answer Insurance Services LTD.
28. 1 Bishops Avenue Limited
29. 1 Digitals Europe Limited
30. 1 Eclipse Care Solutions Limited
31. 1 Green Foods Ltd
32. 1 Homecare ltd
33. 1 Indus Limited
34. 1 Key Solution Limited
35. 1 Kings Dental Limited
36. 1 Life London Limited
37. 1 MODEL MANAGEMENT LONDON LIMITED
38. 1 Oak Home Care
39. 1 Oak Leisure Ireland Ltd
40. 1 PhysioUK Limited
41. 1 REPAIR LTD
42. 1 Stop Print Ltd
43. 1 STOP REC LIMITED
44. 10 Europe Limited
45. 10 Europe Limited
46. 10 Squared Ltd
47. 100 Percent Cornwall Ltd
48. 100 SHAPES LTD
49. 100% HALAL MEAT STORES LTD
50. 1000 Trades Limited
51. 1000heads Ltd
52. 100Starlings Ltd
53. 101 A+D Ltd.
54. 101 Harley Street LTD
55. 101 Healthcare ltd
56. 101 Ways Limited
57. 1010 Restaurant @ The Blacksmiths arms
58. 105 West Architects Ltd
59. 1066 PLUMBING AND HEATING LTD
60. 107 Cannon Street Limited

The full list of approved companies can be found here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/66c84b0007733cc4df618245/2024-08-23_-_Worker_and_Temporary_Worker.csv

[TheNation]

The Asset Management and Corporation of Nigeria has said Arik and Aero Contractors airlines may be merged and converted to a national carrier.

The AMCON Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Gbenga Alade, stated this on Monday at an interactive session with media executives in Lagos.

According to Alade, both Arik and Aero Contractor are owing so much money that they may not be able to pay.

He stated that the corporation presented the idea of converting Arik and Aero Contractor to the former aviation minister but it was rejected.

“The former management of AMCON presented the idea of converting Arik and Aero to a national carrier. But the former aviation minister did not buy the idea. We will present it again because that is the best option.

“Unfortunately, the special purpose vehicle that was created by the former management of AMCON for the conversion of Arik and Aero to a national carrier had been sold. But we can create another SPV this,” he explained.

Recall that the former Minister of Aviation, Hadi Sirika, launched the Nigeria Air three days before the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The development had elicited concerns among stakeholders over the ownership arrangement which gave Ethiopian Airlines a 49 per cent equity stake in the company.

The Federal Government had a 5 per cent equity, while a consortium of three Nigerian investors had 46 per cent.

Reacting to the deal in June 2023, the House of Representatives asked the Federal Government to suspend the operations of Nigeria Air, describing it as a fraud.

In August 2023, the incumbent minister, Festus Keyamo announced that the national carrier project was suspended till further notice.

Keyamo said, “It remains suspended. It was never Air Nigeria. It was not Air Nigeria. That’s the truth. It was only painted Nigeria Air. It was Ethiopian Airlines trying to flag our flag.

“If it is so, why not allow our local plane to fly our flag? So nobody should dispute that it was Nigeria Air.

“Air Nigeria must be indigenous, must be wholly Nigerian, and must be for the full benefits of Nigeria, not that 50 per cent of the profit is for another country.”

Recently, a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos halted the sale of Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines.

The court declared null and void, the sale of the shares of Nigeria Air to Ethiopian Airlines after determining the issues in the suit.

Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa ordered that the Federal Government’s plans to establish a national carrier, Nigeria Air, should be halted.

The judgment was delivered in favour of the Registered Trustees of the Airline Operators of Nigeria and five other aviation industry stakeholders.

At the briefing on Monday, Alade said the present status of Arik and Aero Contractors had been giving him sleepless nights.

“Believe me, it is a very difficult problem to resolve, and it is giving me sleepless nights, particularly Arik.

“Arik is owing so much that they cannot pay,” he stated.

Speaking further, Alade said, “There is a way out. We have met all their major international creditors. Afreximbank is one of them. They (Arik) are owing Afreximbank about $52m.”

After negotiations, he said the airline was only willing to take $8.5m out of the $52m.

“However, where will that $8.5m come from? Where? AMCON doesn’t have money of his own to put there? And then they negotiated and said, okay, ‘let’s take some of the engines of those things away in full and final settlement’. And the truth is that, if they took those engines away, Arik is finished.

“But we said ‘no, we cannot allow you to take it away. Let AMCON give you a kind of bank guarantee. And we will stretch it so that three planes are flying now and by the Lord’s grace, by February next year, we want to make seven planes fly for Arik,” he stated.

The PUNCH recalls that the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency grounded aircraft owned by Arik over a court order instituted by the airline’s creditor and billionaire businessman, Arthur Eze.

Eze had approached the court in protest against his unpaid $2.5m by the founder of Arik Air, Johnson Arumemi-Ikhide.

In a statement by the spokesperson of NAMA, Abdullahi Musa, the agency said the development stemmed from an enforcement action by the FCT High Court on July 19, 2024, which involved attaching Arik’s planes to secure the debt.

In 2016, AMCON took over the management of Aero Contractors after it dissolved the board of the company, appointing a manager to run the affairs of the company in an interim capacity.

AMCON said in a statement by its media consultancy firm that the decision to take over the management of the company was in furtherance of its responsibility of acquiring eligible bank assets and putting them to economic use in a profitable manner.

Similarly, Arik Air, founded by Mr Arumemi Johnson, was taken over by AMCON in 2017 after the carrier’s management failed to honour its debt obligation running into several billions of naira.

AMCON had taken over debts from local banks owed by Arik.

Last year, the corporation asked the owners of Arik to present a credible debt resolution plan to the bad debts manager if it hopes to recover the company from the Federal Government.

AMCON’s asset recovery efforts

In a move to recover outstanding debts of nearly N5tn, Alade announced plans to engage international asset tracers to locate and recover assets hidden by recalcitrant debtors offshore including those masqueraded under special purpose vehicles.

Alade stated that since the new management took over about five months ago, they have successfully collected approximately N100bn from several high-profile debtors and revised the sale of some assets.

He emphasised that the organisation had been receiving strong support from President Bola Tinubu, the Central Bank Governor, the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Attorney General of the Federation, and the National Assembly in their efforts to recover debts transferred by banks to AMCON during the different phases of eligible bank asset acquisition.

The AMCON CEO mentioned that the chairman of the House Committee on Finance had pledged to name and shame obligors, who had yet to repay their debts at a major stakeholders’ conference that would be held before the end of the year.

He revealed plans to organise a conference where senior officials from the Central Bank of Nigeria, relevant ministries, banks, and the judiciary would be invited to discuss the challenges posed by non-performing loans in the country.

He expressed confidence that resolving issues surrounding assets in the oil and gas sector would boost production, generate more foreign exchange, and create employment opportunities for citizens.

He noted that the corporation had achieved remarkable results in two of those assets in less than five months.

In the power sector, he disclosed that AMCON had made significant progress in one of the biggest distribution companies and an abandoned power project in Kaduna.

Alade emphasised the potential impact of addressing power challenges in Nigeria, stating that some banks with approximately 400 branches across the country spend as much as N500bn annually on diesel for their generators.

He believed that tackling the power sector would significantly improve the overall business environment.

According to Alade, AMCON is also working on assets in the telecommunications sector, aiming to revive dormant assets and bring them back into operation.

[Punch]

A Texas judge on Monday ordered a temporary pause on a policy that would streamline the process for spouses of US citizens to obtain legal status in the country, a blow to one of US President Joe Biden’s biggest immigration reform policies.

Judge J. Campbell Barker granted a 14-day administrative stay in a case brought by the Republican attorneys general of 16 US states challenging the Biden administration’s policy.

In June, Biden announced the new policy, which streamlined a pathway to citizenship for an estimated half a million immigrants married to US nationals.

The 16 states bringing the lawsuit, however, say the policy is costing them millions of dollars in public services — including healthcare, education and law enforcement — used by the immigrants.

“The claims are substantial and warrant closer consideration than the court has been able to afford to date,” Judge Barker wrote in his order.

“This is just the first step. We are going to keep fighting for Texas, our country, and the rule of law,” said Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, whose state is party to the case, in a post on social media platform X after the order.

The Biden administration has been struggling to address immigration, a hugely divisive issue for many Americans ahead of November’s presidential election, which will see Vice President Kamala Harris take on Republican Donald Trump.

The Democratic Party is walking a fine line of seeking to be tougher on illegal migrants while also introducing reforms to the country’s inefficient immigration system.

Trump’s campaign for the White House has centred on portraying the United States as under assault by what he calls a migrant “invasion.”

• ‘Extreme measure’ –

The new rules would streamline the process for those who already qualify for permanent residence by removing a requirement that they leave the country as part of the application process.

The rules applied to those in the country for at least 10 years and married to a US citizen before June 17, 2024, and also applied to an estimated 50,000 stepchildren of US citizens.

Those approved would be granted work authorization and the right to stay in the United States for up to three years while they apply for a green card, which is a pathway to full citizenship.

Monday’s ruling suspends the granting of this “parole in place” status, but does not halt the government from continuing to accept applications for the status.

In a statement, US Citizenship and Immigration Services confirmed it would continue to take applications but would not grant any until the stay was lifted.

“The District Court’s administrative stay order does not affect any applications that were approved before the administrative stay order was issued,” USCIS said.

Immigrant rights group Justice Action Center said the order was an “extreme measure.”

“To halt a process for which Texas has not been able to provide an iota of evidence that it would harm the state is baffling,” said group founder Karen Tumlin.

“This is heartbreaking for our clients and the thousands of couples who hope to benefit from this process and be able to live without fear that their family will be separated.”

The Justice Action Center earlier Monday filed a motion seeking to intervene in the lawsuit to defend the programme.

Barker wrote that the court did not “express any ultimate conclusions about the success or likely success” of the plaintiffs’ case while the stay is in place.

The court announced an expedited hearing schedule in the case, but Barker noted that the two-week stay would likely be extended while proceedings are underway.

AFP.

BEYOND the protests, there are a number of issues the government should pay attention to:

One, though the protesters might have different motives, they seem all united by alienation from the government and even the state system. Rather than use blackmail and strong-arm tactics, government should use credible opinion polls to articulate and aggregate the various grievances against it and the state – and then evolve sustainable strategies on how to address as many of them as it can.

Boxing shadows or creating enemies where they do not exist will only exacerbate the legitimacy crisis around the government. It will be a mistake for the government to believe that it can successfully stifle speech using intimidation and blackmail. Our history shows that such a strategy has a very short shelf life – as Buhari, in his first coming as a military dictator, and Abacha – can testify to. In his second coming – as a civilian President- a coalition of those Buhari disdained as a dot in a circle and those Femi Adesina called ‘wailing wailers’, fought back in their own ways such that even before Buhari completed his eight-year tenure, he openly complained that he was tired, and would, on leaving office, want to be as far away as possible from Abuja and politics. 

The truth is that citizens, in the face of oppression by those who wield state power, often adopt asymmetric strategies to fight back. This can range from misinformation, caricature and outright fake news. In this age of social media where anyone who owns a mobile phone can be a publisher, citizens are especially empowered to fight back oppression. I believe that for a government which currently has a  low social capital owing to the harsh effects of its economic policies, its policy somersaults, propaganda and non-inclusive style of governance, what it needs is more friends and less enemies. It needs to find a way of winning over the hearts and minds of as many Nigerians as possible.

Two, while it is not unusual for a relatively new government to start on a wobbly note, the government, for now at least, seems confused on what it wants to achieve. For instance, while it said it wanted to implement the Oronsaye Report (which recommended the merging of ministries and departments and abrogation of some) it also runs the largest cabinet of 48 Ministries and recently created another – the Ministry of Livestock Development.

Similarly, while the Tinubu government initially seemed desirous of moving away from the cantankerous mode of public communication of the Buhari era, by appointing the very urbane and affable Mohamed Idris as the Minister of Information and Chief Ajuri Ngelari as the government’s Spokesman, it also contradicted this by appointing the self-confessed ethnic irredentist Bayo Onanuga as Special Adviser on information and strategy.

By so doing, it negated  what would have been a new and courteous approach to public communication  to complement the commendable bridge-building efforts by the wife of the President, Senator Remi Tinubu   and a few others in the government. Similarly, some of the policies of the government raise confusion on whether Tinubu wants to be remembered as a great Nigerian President or simply wants to be more popular than the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo in Yorubaland.

Three, President Tinubu should be mindful of two key features of Nigeria’s democracy since 1999 which has always backfired but which our politicians remain funnily crazily attracted to: these are god-fatherism and clannishness. With the exception of Tinubu in Lagos, nearly all political godfathers invariably fall out with their political godsons, raising questions of why politicians remain fixated on selecting and bankrolling their successors. For clannishness and ethnocentrism which Buhari took to a previously unseen level, and which Tinubu seems eager to match, if not better in the negative, this also usually boomerangs.

For instance, some of the most vicious critics of the Buhari government were Northern Muslims who were supposed to be the beneficiaries of his clannishness. Similarly, even before the protests started on August 1, many Yorubas, openly say the clannishness in Tinubu’s mode of appointments and governance  “does not represent who we are”. In fact, that many of the faces of the protests are from the Yoruba ethnic extraction is enough to warn the government that Yorubanisation of political life will not be enough to buy Yoruba adulation.  If anything, it will likely backfire because there is a spark of the divine in all of us which makes most people to abhor injustice. Besides, clannishness attracts odium to innocent members of an ethnic in-group even when they are opposed to the leader’s nepotism.

Four, the protest has now shown that no part of this country has a monopoly of providing poor leadership to the country. In fact, that the protest was organised under the banner of #EndBadGovernance is instructive. At least for now, there seems to be a consensus that the Tinubu government is grossly underperforming. And since most Nigerians appear to believe that the fundamental problem of the country is “squarely that of leadership” (apologies to Achebe), the use of innuendo to blame the North (which has produced most of the country’s leaders), has now come under critical scrutiny.

In this thinking, there is always the unproven assumption that the leadership problem of the country would be solved when the South, in particular, the “progressives” (a moniker appropriated by South-West politicians when they were in the opposition) come to power. So far it has not happened under the Tinubu presidency. Even the “reforms” embarked by the Tinubu government are mere uncritical rehash of the policies implemented by the Babangida government between 1986 and 1993 when the country adopted the IMF/World Bank supported structural Adjustment Programme, and which only succeeded in further impoverishing the country and emasculating the middle class.

Alan Greenspan, who served for five terms as chairman of the Board of Governors of the US Federal Reserve Bank (August 11 1987 to January 31 2006)   – the equivalent of our Central Bank- was famously quoted as saying that he owed his success during his tenure to the fact that he always did the opposite of the advice he received from the two Bretton Woods institutions (i.e. the IMF and the World Bank). President Tinubu should seriously consider that approach. It may amount to committing class suicide for him. But that would be the surest way of putting himself on the path of being a great Nigerian President.

*Jideofor Adibe is Professor of Political Science at Nasarawa State University, Keffi.

Afeez Adedigba, the taxi driver who went viral for wearing his wife’s dress while operating a ‘Micra’ taxi in Ibadan, Oyo State, has revealed the reason behind his surprising choice of attire.

In a viral video, Adedigba was spotted driving while wearing his wife’s clothing.

In an interview with a media personality, Ayo Adams, on Monday, the driver explained that his clothes were soaked by the rain, so the quickest solution was to wear his wife’s dress, which was readily available. 

He said, “This is not the only cloth of my wife that I have. They are about two. The first time I took the dress, it was raining heavily, and all my clothes were drenched. I had no choice but to take hers since I was still interested in working that day.

“So now, I wear the dress when it rains and put on mine when it stops. That’s why it is always in my vehicle.’

He revealed he was unfazed by passengers’ comments, adding that he was focused solely on earning money and delivering it to the vehicle’s owner.

“It has been quite an age I’ve been driving this micra. And I only seek God’s favour on the job. I moved to driving when I couldn’t raise funds to start the sales of tyres that I learnt at a tender age,” he said.

Adedigba also shared that he has one wife and four children, who motivate him to work hard to provide for their needs.

[Vanguard]

https://www.tiktok.com/@theayoadams/video/7407547331412888837

“ I’m gradually losing my life. I don’t even know how to call people for a job. Please, Nigerians, forgive me.”

It’s been four months since Nollywood star Junior Pope died in a boat mishap while shooting ‘The Other Side of Life,’ the ill-fated movie by burgeoning filmmaker Adanma Luke.

Expectedly, Ms Luke has experienced a series of life-altering incidents since the unfortunate incident, which claimed the lives of five persons on her movie set.

First, the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) suspended her for breaching safety protocols. The police also launched an investigation while filmmakers and actors boycotted her productions.

Before the incident, the 34-year-old producer was known for producing movies such as Iga (Love in Chain) (2020), Narrow Affection (2023), and School Trouble (2014).

Ms Luke’s suspension, which was recently lifted, did little to ease the public outcry and grief. Things got heated on Monday when Ms Luke revealed that she was becoming mentally unstable and sought forgiveness from Nigerians

In an emotional Instagram live video on Monday, the Nollywood producer shared that she could no longer put on a brave face for those still mourning and appealed to Nigerians to consider her side of the situation.

“I don’t have much to say; I’m just here to say I’m sorry,” she said, visibly distressed. “I’m sorry, Nigerians. I’m sorry I took away your loved ones from what people are saying.

“I’m very sad. As much as I try to be strong, I still don’t see myself being strong. I’m so sad that this had to happen on my set. I’m so sad they had to work for me at that time. I’m not God.”

Destined to happen

The 34-year-old producer expressed her regret over the tragedy, explaining that the location had been frequently used for filming without any prior incidents.

“It has been destined to happen. It is meant to happen, but then why me? I never liked the internet or drama, but this puts me out there. A lot of people, a lot of people, have been dragging me. A lot of people have been calling that Adanma don’t talk, let this die down, don’t talk, but I go through a lot. I go through so much. I’m trying to heal, but it’s not coming back. We all love JP (Junior Pope). We all love other people who also lost their lives, my crew members.

“I didn’t do it on purpose. I have been filming at that location, that particular place, for a very long time. Why it had to happen to me is what I don’t know. Every morning, I see myself on the prayer altar asking God, why me? Why me? Why me? Please, Nigerians, I’m sorry—the whole world. We all love JP. We all love JP. I’m sorry.”

Boat plight

The Anambra-born actress recounted her experience on the set, noting that specific issues were overlooked despite her efforts to ensure safety.

She said: “I haven’t visited Asaba in the past two years until that incident. When I wanted to shoot that job, I asked for a better location, and they took me there. The first time I went there, I wondered what was up. Why are they not providing life jackets for us? We had to see the place before we went to the principal shooting.

“Then my PM (Production Manager) told me that ‘that is how they do it there and that a lot of people have been crossing, that nothing has happened, that they’ve been shooting there.’ I wasn’t the first person to shoot a movie there. They shoot there all the time. I wasn’t even filming in the water. It was a means of transportation to the place. It’s not like I did it on purpose. It wasn’t my duty, but I’m taking all the blame. I’m carrying all the crosses. But please, Nigerians, I’m sorry. It has happened.”

No vacation

Adding to the pressure, the embattled producer has had to defend herself against rumours suggesting she went on vacation after the tragedy.

This newspaper’s checks on Ms Luke’s Instagram posts from around the time of the incident reveal a series of comments from trolls discouraging her from moving forward with her life.

Despite not posting for a while after the incident, many have used the platform to blame her, demanding that she remain burdened by guilt over the tragedy.

Addressing the backlash, the Slayers Wears CEO said: “People are even saying I went on vacation. I’m here for business. I travel to help myself. I’ve been indoors, doing nothing, and yet still catering for the families that lost their loved ones.

“Where do you expect me to get all this money from? I need to work. I need to make money. My baby was not even up to three months when this thing happened. You all can’t even imagine what I went through. But please, Nigerians, forgive me. Forgive me. I know I can’t bring back the dead, but…I’m sorry, please.”

Despite offers from friends to take her on a break to regain her sanity, the producer admitted she’s unable to find peace. She said: “My friends are even telling me to come. Just come. Let’s take you on a vacation. Let’s go. But I couldn’t. I couldn’t because they wanted me to get my sanity back. They want me to be okay, but it’s not coming. I do not see myself doing all that.

“I’ve been doing this. I didn’t even know what depression was until this whole incident happened. I’m gradually losing my life. I’m regretting a lot of things. I don’t even know how to call people for a job. Please, Nigerians, forgive me. Forgive me for employing people for a job. I don’t know what to say, but I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I’m losing my life.

“I’ve done a lot that is not even there on the ground. I’ve done a lot that people don’t come out to say on social media. But once it comes to Ada, ‘Ada did this.’ They’ll want to kill me. I believe that if anything happens to me now, everybody will now rest.”

Background

PREMIUM TIMES reported that the tragic boat accident claimed Actor Junior Pope alongside four other crew members in the Anam River in Anambra on 10 April. Before Junior Pope’s death, he expressed concerns about the lack of life jackets during river crossing.

A preliminary report by the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) on 25 May revealed that the driver’s distraction caused the accident and that the boat was not certified by the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).

In response to the incident, the Actors Guild halted movie shoots nationwide on 11 April and launched an investigation. The guild also introduced new safety standards in bylaws and lifted the temporary ban on riverine filming in July.

On 13 April, Adanma Luke said she was traumatised over the incident, revealing that she narrowly avoided being on the ill-fated boat due to a last-minute change in plans. She confirmed that while life jackets were available, Junior Pope refused to wear one because it was dirty.

Junior Pope was buried in his hometown of Ukehe, Enugu State, on 17 May, while other victims, including sound engineer Precious Ofurum and makeup artist Abigail Fredrick, were interred in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states, respectively.

[Premium Times]

Shafi’u Umar Tureta, an aide to Aminu Tambuwal, a senator, has been remanded in a correctional facility for allegedly insulting Ahmad Aliyu, governor of Sokoto, on Facebook. 

Tureta was charged before a magistrate in Sokoto on Monday.

According to Premium Times, Fatima Hassan, the magistrate, barred journalists from covering the proceedings.

The police’s first information report (FIR) shows that the government charged Tureta with circulating injurious falsehood and engraving matter known to be defamatory, which was said to have contravened the Penal Code.

The aide was said to have committed the offences in July.

Tureta was also accused of sharing a document that purportedly showed that Aliyu scored F9 in English Language in the senior school certificate examination (SSCE).

The aide was also said to have posted a video showing the spraying of dollar notes during the birthday celebration of Fatima, the governor’s wife.

Tureta was also accused of sharing videos to mock the governor for not “being fluent in English”.

Tureta is the special assistant on local and digital media to Tambuwal.

Tambuwal served as governor of Sokoto from 2015 to 2023. The former governor is currently a senator representing Sokoto south.

THE ARREST 

Armed security operatives reportedly invaded Tureta’s residence on Sunday to effect the arrest.

In a statement on Monday, Amnesty International Nigeria called for the “unconditional release” of the aide, adding that the arrest is “unacceptable”.

The human rights organisation said the Sokoto government intends to remand Tureta on “bogus” charges.

“This surge in human rights violations by the Sokoto state government is unacceptable and must end now,” Amnesty said.

“Instead of targeting critical voices, the government of Sokoto state must prioritise addressing poverty, out-of-school children littering the streets of Sokoto and ending rampant insecurity that had left eastern part of the state at the mercy of gunmen, with hundreds killed in Isa and Sabon Birnin LGA and thousands displaced.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto also condemned Tureta’s arrest, adding that it is not a crime to post public videos of a governor.

“We, first of all, wish to draw the attention of the Governor to the fact that the visuals in question must have been recorded by camera men attached to his own office or his family and initially leaked to the public by the same personnel,” Hassan Sahabi Sanyinnawal, Sokoto PDP spokesperson, said.

“It is also not a crime under Nigerian law to make public, videos of the Governor’s public engagements or of events attended by his family, however embarrassing they may be.

“It is therefore, his task or that of his aides to ensure that such materials do not get to the public arena.

“The PDP wishes to caution the Sokoto State Government of its fast worsening human rights record, occasioned by its notoriety for harassment and assault on dissenting opinion.

“We hereby, counsel Ahmed Aliyu to turn his energy towards improving on the dismal performance of his regime, rather than the desperate struggle to stifle freedom of expression in the state.”

[TheCable]

After reading the book, Stepping on Toes: My Odyssey at the Nigerian Ports Authority, written by the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Bala Usman, I could not help the nudging feeling of triumph at how, finally, sunshine emerges in the horizon of national rejuvenation.

In a country grappling with challenges of declining institutional memory and opaque governance, the book – chronicling her 60-month stewardship at the country’s top blue economy institution – is both an educational resource and timely   exposé with potential to trigger positive revolution in the country’s bureaucratic ecosystem.

Chronicled, step by step, in the seventeen chapters is the meandering path of a trailblazer, who found herself thrown into a world that was not kind to the feminine kind, as the first female Chief of Staff to the governor of Kaduna State, and then as the first MD of the NPA in its first 61 years of existence.

As the chapters unfold, we meet a battle-tested woman who was prepared for the task, especially through her experience at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) when she was wrongfully accused by her former boss, Dr Aliyu Modibbo, then cleared by the Department of State Security (DSS) and eventually posted to the Abuja Enterprise Agency as the Chief Executive Officer – which became the ascending rung of her action-packed career trajectory.

Bala-Usman had one advantage going for her, which is her experience in partisan politics at the earlier years of her career when she contested for the House of Representatives seat representing the Musawa/Matazu Federal Constituency of her home state, Katsina.  Perhaps, this provided her an edge, as the political experience hones one’s instincts, and makes you able to think on your feet and to stand your ground when it mattered the most.

In my estimation, Stepping on Toes is a statement of defiance against a superior force that was intent on herding a zealous reformer into the wrong path. Hence, the takeaway, that as young people struggling to make a change, we must not be pushed to the wrong direction, even when these powers are the ones that gave us the privilege, the platform and the voice in the first place. We must stay true to what we believe is best for our nation despite the pressure from the sharks in the water.

The book documents many reforms and milestones which, ordinarily, would have gained accolades and promotion, for Bala-Usman in (former) President Muhammadu Buhari’s government known for anti-corruption; but which ironically became a thorn in the flesh to some vested interests, and eventually led to her witch-hunt and subsequent ‘sack’.

As she assumed office on July 18, 2016, the MD initiated a collaboration with BudgIT, the open governance technological platform, in order to ensure that key research, industry policies and innovations were effectively communicated, and that critical data was generated and made available to the public. A Revenue Invoice Management System aimed at improving service offering, partner, partner relationships, creating an efficient payment method, maximizing revenue and eradicating loss associated with fraud and revenue leakage was also launched.

She also immediately engaged in resolving a dysfunctional scaling system which resulted in junior officers on higher steps of their grade level earning more than their seniors by grade. “This irregularity meant that staff, especially those in positions considered lucrative, were prepared to do everything possible to stop their own promotion,” it expatiated.

Interestingly, chapter 6, entitled, “Apapa traffic congestion and Eto”, unveils the issue of an underground economy, reportedly worth over N12b annually, which was built around corrupt practices by officials of task forces around the Apapa ports. This depicts the failure of successive task forces set up by the federal and state governments to tackle the traffic congestion around the ports, especially at the Lagos axis; and a pointer to how people profiteered from the chaos at the ports.

The MD solved this knotty imbroglio with the development and deployment of the Electronic truck call-up software, known as Eto, which reduced human interaction in management of trucks, thereby tying off avenues for graft, and ultimately restored sanity to the ecosystem.

In chapter seven, “Dredging of Calabar channel”, the author revealed how the country was saved from paying $22Million USD to a company that made claims in a job it did not perform. According to the book, “The company claimed it carried out the dredging activities between November 14 and January 2015, but neither the Harbor Master nor the Port Hydrographer was aware of any dredging activity at the time. The company did not at any time communicate with the management of the NPA during these purported dredging activities.”

In chapter eleven, “Dismantling OMSL’s secure anchorage area”, the reader comes face to face with the reality of rent-seeking economy in Nigeria. A private company had set up and was operating a Secure Anchorage Area (SAA) within the Lagos Pilotage District for about four years without any legal relationship with the NPA, generating tens of millions of US dollars without remitting any to the coffers of the NPA or any government agency.

It is instructive to note that, regarding the supposed security the vessels using the SAA were being provided, it is the statutory responsibility of the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to provide this service at no cost to vessel owners. When Bala-Usman finally pulled down the sham rentier edifice, she was accosted by hoodlums, who claimed she had “taken away food from them”, threatening to physically harm her.

Curiously, instead of her boss giving her accolades for her most intense efforts at sustaining the spirit of good governance and anti-corruption the Buhari government was known, hers became an albatross. Things came to a head in chapters 14 and 15, when Bala-Usman realized, to her utmost shock and dismay, that her own boss was not happy with her.

Integrated Logistics Limited, otherwise known as Intels, had a contract to monitor and collect revenues of the NPA, in the service boat management operations, since 1997 until 2020 when the contract expired. However, at the expiration of the contract, and as the NPA was about finalizing a tender’s process for a fresh contract tenure, the then Minister of Transportation, Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, directed Bala-Usman to stop, asking for “restoration of suspended contracts between Intels and the NPA”.

The letter from the Director General of the Bureau for Public Procurement, Mr Mamman Ahmadu, as he weighed in, was instructive: “the correct procedure is that contracts should be won through a proper procurement process that complies with the provisions of PPA, 2007. Furthermore, there is need to avoid the kind of monopoly being enjoyed by Messrs. Intels, which has cascaded into the entitlement mentality being demonstrated by the firm.”

Personally, Stepping on Toes inspires me to keep asking questions. Hadiza Bala Usman did not stop, even when the handwriting on the wall was clear. Eventually, she was told to ‘step aside’, a term that is a novelty in Nigeria’s public service rules.

However, even before the investigative panel finally cleared her of the trumped-up charges of non-remittance of $165millionUD into the Consolidated Revenue Fund, the court of public opinion had already set her free, having seen through the entire charade.

My organization, Connected Development (CODE) and its flagship project, Follow The Money, started by asking questions. Then, in 2012 when I first asked for monies voted to save the children of Bagega in Zamfara State, officials at the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Mines and Ministry of Environment, asked, “Who are you? Who sent you? Why are you asking?”

So, because no single kobo that was approved had got to this community, I started the online hashtag campaign #SaveBagega, which finally attracted the attention of the world, and made former President Goodluck Jonathan do the needful.

From that day, we never stopped helping the government to close leakages where the monies could have been wasted. For instance, in 2019 alone, we saved the Nigerian government N50 billion. This is why Stepping on Toes is a timely and indispensable resource for those who want to change the narrative, not only in my beloved country, but in the other twelve African countries where we operate, inspiring citizens to make a change, one community at a time.

Hamzat Lawal (Hamzy!) is a renowned activist and campaigning currently mobilizing, organizing and leading a group of young people in bringing needed changes across African communities using Follow The Money. He is currently the Chief Executive of Connected Development (CODE).

On Tuesday, August 9, 2022, Kenya held its general election during which the President, governors, senators and members of the National Assembly were elected. The results of the elections were announced on August 15, 2022. William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto (57) had 7,176,141 votes, that is 50.5% of the total votes while Mr. Raila Odinga (79) had 6,942,930 votes, that is 48.8%. The results were announced by Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (1EBC). 

On September 5, 2022, Kenya’s Supreme Court affirmed the election of Mr. William Ruto as President of Kenya. He was sworn in on September 13, 2022 as Kenya’s fifth post-independence President. 

On March 24 this year, Senegal, a country not too far from us with a population of 18million people held its Presidential election. A former tax Inspector, Bassirou Diomaye Diakhar Faye (44), was elected President. His party had 54% of the total votes. He was sworn in on April 2 in Dakar.

On May 29 this year, South Africa had its Presidential election, the ruling party, African National Congress (ANC), won 159 of 400 seats—short of 201 seats needed to have a majority. After winning 40% of the total votes, the African National Congress was forced into coalition with Inkatha Freedom Party and the Democratic Alliance. 

On June 29, the ANC Leader, Mr Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa (71), a billionaire and the 13th richest man in South Africa, was sworn in as the President of the Republic. 

On February 25 last year, Nigeria had its Presidential election. On March 1, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced the results. Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu of APC scored 8,794,726 votes, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar of PDP scored 6,984,520 votes, Mr. Peter Obi of Labour Party had 6,101,533 votes while Alhaji Rabiu Kwankwaso of NNPP scored 1,496,687 votes.

Asiwaju Ahmed Tinubu scored 38.61% of the total votes cast, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar scored 29.07%, Mr. Peter Obi scored 25.4% while Rabiu Kwankwaso scored 6.40%. There were 93.4 million registered voters. The turn out was only 26.71 % in a country that is assumed to be over 200 million.  

Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu scored 25% of the votes cast in 30 states more than 24 states Constitutionally required. He was sworn in on May 29 last year as President of the Republic.

The election was not confirmed by the Supreme Court until October 26 last year. In short, President Tinubu GCFR waited for over five months as President, in suspense.

Definitely something fundamentally is wrong with our constitution. There are many defects in our 1999 constitution. My worry is that the constitution guarantees winner takes all. The constitution guarantees politics of exclusion. As it is now, unless you are very very close to the executives or you belong to a caucus of the ruling party in the centre or in the states, you can never be given an opportunity to serve however brilliant, competent or patriotic you are. Certainly, Nigeria’s problem did not start with the implementation of the 1999 Constitution but it had made worse our problems. 

Our journey in the Presidential system of government began on October 18, 1975, when the then Head of State, Brigadier General Murtala Mohammed GCFR (8 November 1938 – 13 February 1976), inaugurated the Constitutional Drafting Committee, headed by Chief Frederick Rotimi Alade Williams SAN (16 December 1920 – 26 March 2005) at the Nigeria Institute of International Affairs, Victoria Island, Lagos. Professor Akinwande Bolaji Akinyemi (82) from Ilesha in Osun state, was then the Director General of the Institute. 

He declared the stand of the then Supreme Military Council on that day. 

The following were his declarations (a) unambiguous commitment to a federal system (b) Elimination of “cut-throat political competition based on a system or rule of winner-takes all,” characteristic of Nigeria’s political past. (c) De-emphasising of institutionalized opposition to the ground in power and development of “consensus politics and government” based on a community of all interests. (d) Decentralisation of power e) Evolution of a free fair electoral system to ensure adequate representation at the centre (f) Depoliticisation of the census (g) The formation of “genuine and truly national political parties.” However, because of the “harmful effects of a proliferation of national parties,” criteria were to be evolved whereby their number could be limited. Interestingly but in vain (echoes of Ghana’s “Union Government”, “the Supreme Military Council is of the opinion that if during the course of your deliberations, and having regard to our disillusion with party politics in the past, you should discover some means by which government can be formed without the involvement of political parties, you should feel free to recommend.” But this was to be as much a non-starter as the Constituent Assembly ‘s decision to insert a clause outlawing military coups. 

(H) Establishment of an executive presidential system, in which the President and the Vice-President would be elected and granted clearly defined powers. The method of their assumption of office would have to “reflect the federal character of the country.” So, too, would the choice of members of the Cabinet, who need not in future be drawn from the legislature alone.

(I) Constitutional restriction on the number of new States. 

On January 11, 1976, General Murtala Mohammed attended the Addis Abba extraordinary summit conference of the Organisation of African Unity (O.A.U.) on the liberation struggle in Africa. On that day he gave a speech titled “AFRICA HAS COME OF AGE”. The speech was a denouncement on America’s role in Angola. He declared “Mr. Chairman, Africa has come of age. It is no longer under the orbit of any extra continental power. It should no longer take orders from any country, however, powerful. The fortunes of Africa are in our hands to make or mar. For too long have we been kicked around; for too long we have been treated like adolescents who cannot discern their interests and act accordingly. For too long has it been presumed that the African needs outside “experts” to tell him who are his friends and who are his enemies. The time has come when we should make it clear that we can decide for ourselves; that we know our interests and how to protect those interests; that we are capable of resolving African problems without presumptuous lessons in ideological dangers, which more often than not have no relevance for us, not for the problem at hand.

Nigeria has come to this Assembly determined to co-operate with you, Mr. Chairman, and with all member States to put a stop to foreign interference in our Constitutional matters, As an African nationalist of distinction, I trust you will guide our deliberation to fruitful conclusions of which our people will be proud of. I thank you.”

To me the denouncement of America by General Murtala Mohammed looked contradictory when on October 18 1975 he has just forced on us without a referendum or a plebiscite, the American Presidential system of government. 

Maybe if he has not been assassinated, thirty-two days after his speech in Addis Ababa on February 13, 1976, we would not have adopted or retained the Presidential system of government today. His successor, General Olusegun Obasanjo carried on with that policy, without review.

On September 21, 1978, the then Head of State, General Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR, promulgated Decree Number 25 which proclaimed the 1979 Presidential Constitution. Twenty-four hours earlier, he dissolved the Constituent Assembly. 

In a broadcast to the nation on that day, General Obasanjo declared, “we have accepted the Presidential form of government and the supporting structures and institutions which go with the system. We have accepted the principle of separation of powers between the executive, the legislature and the judiciary and the clauses entrenching the powers, functions and the independence of each of these estates of the realm. We believe that the fundamental principles and directives of state, the provisions of safeguarding the rights and liberties of individual and such other provisions meant to ensure greater sense of accountability and probity in public life, are essential elements in giving a new and fresh sense of direction to our national life. 

In short, the Supreme Military Council saw the constitutional document as a most commendable framework within which party-political activities can be resumed. Indeed, in the light of our experience in government, we went further to make such minor adjustments as we believe necessary to ensure the effective and efficient functioning of government, come October, 1979.

We have also made some other amendments which we believe were necessary to strengthen the continued existence of a disciplined and just society as well as ensure consistency and continuity of national policy. I am sure, you are now all very conversant. Essentially, these amendments concern:

(a) The strengthening of the judiciary by relieving the judicial officers of the responsibility for mundane administrative matters which detracts them from the more important business of efficient and quick dispensation of justice (b) Bringing the conditions of service of judicial officers in line with those of other public officers, while bearing in mind the special nature of the judicial service (c) Consciously using certain institutions such as the Armed Forces, the Federal Courts as-vehicles to stress and promote the indivisible unity of the nation rather than the competitive aspect of a Federalism 

(d) Ensuring consistency and continuity of our national policy on such matters as the development of indigenous languages, the promotion of such notions as equal access to justice and maintaining a non-expansionist foreign policy based on co-operation and peaceful co-existence with our neighbours. 

We are, of course, aware, and I am sure that no member of the Constituent Assembly can claim that the constitution is a perfect document. Neither is the Supreme Military Council claiming that all the necessary adjustments which the general public may consider desirable or necessary have been made. But I believe that the essential thing has been done: that is to have a document which, despite all its imperfections, is capable of launching us in the right direction. 

Of course, the constitution as a living document, can be changed, as and when necessary, in the light of the experience gained in working it. This, I believe, is the most we can hope for, given all the circumstances including the short-time constraint, in which the constitutional issues were debated, discussed and approved.

The coming months would pose testing challenges not only to the participants in the ensuing political activities, but also to the mass media who have responsibility of interpreting and informing the public of the issues, as well as correctly conveying the public mood to those vying for political leadership. 

I am sure you will rise to the occasion and not let the nation down.”

It is left for all to judge whether the hopes of General Murtala Mohammed and General Olusegun Obasanjo had been met with the implementation of the Presidential System of Government. 

That is not to say that the process for the Presidential Constitution went unchallenged, of course it was challenged. I remember that two members of the Constitutional Drafting Committee wrote a minority report disengaging themselves from the Presidential System of Government. They were Dr. Y. Bala Usman, then Senior Lecturer in History at the Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria and Dr. Segun Osoba, then Senior Lecturer in History at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife. Their reports were not considered by the Constituent Assembly. The then Chairman of the Constituent Assembly, Mr. Justice Egbert Udo Udoma (21 June 1917 – 2 February 1998) made sure that their minority report did not see the light of the day. 

I remember three of my colleagues who covered the proceedings of the Constituent Assembly at that time, Femi Ogunsanwo of THE DAILY TIMES, Mohammed Haruna of THE NEW NIGERIA, Tunde Thompson of DAILY SKETCH and myself tried in vain to get a copy of the minority report. 

Since then, till today, there has been a clamour that the Presidential System of Government is not suitable for us. It is getting stronger these days. Let us take an example with the issue of our culture and tradition.

 In the third Schedule of the 1979 Constitution, the following were named as members of the Council of state. They were “the President, who shall be the Chairman; the Vice-President, who shall be the Deputy Chairman; all former Presidents of the federation and all former Heads of the Government of the Federation; all former Chief Justices of Nigeria are citizens of Nigeria; the President of the Senate; the Speaker of the House of Representatives; all the Governors of the States of the Federation; the Attorney-General of the Federation; and one person from each state, who shall as respects that State be appointed by the Council of Chiefs of the State from among themselves”. 

In part II Section 178 of the same 1979 Constitution declares that there shall be a State Council of Chiefs which shall comprise of “a Chairman and such number of persons as may be prescribed by Law of the House of Assembly of the State; the Council shall have power to advise the Governor on any matter relating to customary law or cultural affairs, intercommunal relations and chieftaincy matters; the Council shall also have power to advise the Governor whenever requested to do so on---(a) the maintenance of public order within the State or any part thereof and (b) such other matters as the Governor may direct”.  

If you look at the 1999 Constitution, one will notice the absence of the institution of traditional rulers. No institution represents our culture better than the institution of traditional rulers.

The Russian novelist Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn wrote that "to destroy a people you must sever their roots ". James Baldwin added that " know from whence you came, if you know from whence you came, there are absolutely no limitations to where you can go".

The Wikipedia tells us constantly that people without culture and tradition are a lost people yet our constitution has deleted that vital institution out of existence.

Traditions are a vital part of how we interact with the world around us. They provide a sense of identity and belonging that helps to shape our culture and our lives. Valuing your traditions is an important part of developing a strong sense of self and understanding the cultures that shape us.

At the core of traditions is a shared set of beliefs, values, customs, and rituals that are passed down from generation to generation. These traditions can be passed down through family, religion, or even communities. They serve as a reminder of who we are and our connection to the past. By valuing traditions, we honor the people who came before us and the struggles they faced in order to make our lives better.

Valuing your traditions also helps to connect you to your cultural roots. It allows us to appreciate and celebrate the unique qualities of our heritage. This can be done through learning about traditional foods, stories, and practices. Learning about these things can help us to understand our identity and how we fit into the larger cultural landscape. This can also help build bridges between generations and foster a sense of unity amongst family members and communities.

Traditions also provide a sense of purpose and can help guide us in making decisions about our future. They can provide us with a framework for making decisions that reflect our values, beliefs, and customs. Valuing our traditions helps us stay true to who we are and reminds us of the importance of preserving our culture for future generations.

Valuing your traditions is an important part of developing a strong sense of self and understanding the cultures that shape us. It allows us to appreciate and celebrate the unique qualities of our heritage, provides us with a framework for making decisions that reflect our values, beliefs, and customs, and helps create bridges between generations and cultures. Taking time to honor your traditions can bring immense joy and fulfillment in life, so don't forget to value them!

Traditions are an important part of our lives. They give us a sense of belonging and identity, provide us with a connection to our past, and help us to better understand our place in the world. In short, they are essential to our lives and the way we live them.

The importance of traditions lies in the fact that they provide continuity in our lives. They give us a sense of roots and belonging, as well as providing structure and stability. They also foster a sense of community, as we join together in celebrating and honoring our shared history. Traditions also provide us with important moral lessons and values, teaching us about respect for others, loyalty, responsibility and other important life skills.

Traditions are also important because they can help to preserve culture. By keeping the same customs, language and rituals alive, we ensure that our culture does not fade away with time. By celebrating holidays, attending special events or participating in traditional activities, we keep our culture alive and thriving.

Traditions also help to create a stronger bond between individuals or groups of people. Participating in traditions gives us an opportunity to come together and celebrate something special while connecting with each other on a deeper level. Many times, these connections can last long after the initial event ends. It is these connections that help to build strong communities and relationships throughout society.

 Traditions are an important part of life that allow us to connect with our past, build strong communities, teach valuable life skills, and help preserve our culture for future generations. It is important to value the positive aspects of our traditions while recognizing when it is time to let go of outdated ones. By doing this, we ensure that our traditions remain alive and relevant for many years to come.

Traditions are an integral part of any culture, providing a sense of identity, continuity, and community. Valuing your traditions is essential to preserve the shared values and practices that are unique to each cultural group. keeping traditions alive is essential for passing on knowledge and history from one generation to the next, helping to shape the future of that culture.

A clamour to change this Constitution today is being championed by so many people because they know that it is unworkable for us. 

Among the many who want this change are Ambassador Tunde Adeniran, Senator Uba Sani, Mr Femi Falana SAN, Chief Wole Olanipekun SAN, Senator Shehu Sani and many more including my boss, Chief Olusegun Osoba, two-time governor of Ogun state, whom I served as Oyo state Editor, when he was the Managing Director of Kwara state owned NIGERIAN HERALD forty-nine years ago. The name that strikes me most is that of Chief Eleazar Chukwuemeka Anyaoku (91) from Obosi in Anambra state. He married an Egba Princess, Ebunola Olubunmi Solanke in 1962. At ninety-one, the struggle to change our Presidential System of government may turn out to be his last struggle. He led a delegation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in THE VILLA recently in his crusade for a change of the constitution.

Chief Emeka Anyaoku had his education at the Merchants of Light School, Oba and the University of Ibadan. He attended courses in Cambridge, England, Institute of Public Administration, London, Cavillam Institute, France; management trainee, later regional assistant, Commonwealth Development Corporation, London and Lagos, 1959-1962, joined Nigerian Diplomatic Service, 1962, member, Nigeria Permanent Mission to the UN, New York, 1963-1966, assistant director, International Affairs Division, Commonwealth Secretariat, 1966-1971, director, International Affairs Division, 1971-1975, assistant, secretary-general, Commonwealth Secretariat, London, 1975-1977, deputy secretary-general, Commonwealth Secretariat, London, 1977-1983, Minister of External Affairs, November-December, re-appointed deputy secretary-general , Commonwealth Secretariat, 1989, assumed office July 1990; deputy chairman, later vice-president, Royal Commonwealth Society, London since 1972, member, Committee of Management, Institute of Commonwealth Studies, University of London, 1972, former director and chairman of the African Centre, London, member of the governing councils of the overseas Development Institute (ODI), The International Institute for Strategic Studies, London, and Save the Children Fund; secretary for the committee reviewing Commonwealth inter-governmental organisations, 1966, secretary for the Commonwealth Observers Team covering the Gibraltar Referendum, 1967, and secretary to the Commission to find a resolution to the 1969 Anguilla crisis, lead secretariat team accompanying Commonwealth Eminent Persons Group to Southern Africa, 1986. Dr. Emeka Anyaoku holds the Chieftaincy title of the Obosi of Nnanyelugo.  

When people like Chief Anyaoku talks, I am sure they know what they are talking about. He and his likes should be encouraged in their condemnation of the Presidential Constitution that we are operating.