Close your eyes and imagine Nigeria without security personnel – police and military. Will there be law and order? Will you and I be able to sleep with our eyes closed? Would we be able to travel in comfort without being ambushed by the bad boys? What would have been the state of crimes and criminality in Nigeria? Will foreign investors be coming to do business in Nigeria? Don’t you think the much-condemned japa syndrome would have quadrupled with everyone fleeing to saner climes? Sincerely, without the Nigerian Armed Forces, Nigeria would have disintegrated. This country would have been in what the great philosopher, Thomas Hobbes, called the State of Nature, where life is short, poor, solitary, brutish and nasty.

Yes, Nigeria still faces a Herculean task in terms of insecurity. Crimes and criminality daily occur and many Nigerians are living under perpetual threat from bandits, kidnappers and insurgents. Nonetheless, governments at all levels are trying their best to bring the situation under control. It is noteworthy that insecurity is a global phenomenon. Even theocratic states like Saudi Arabia and Vatican City have their fair share of crimes and criminality. I completely agree that the Nigerian government can do more and should bring about a society of peace and tranquility where people can live without let or hindrance.

Today, January 15 marks the celebration of 2025 Armed Forces Remembrance Day.  According to Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, “The Armed Forces Remembrance Day, also simply known as Remembrance Day, is observed on 15 January to commemorate the servicemen of the Nigerian Armed Forces. It also honours veterans of World War I and II as well as the Nigerian Civil War. In 2024, the name was changed to “Armed Forces Celebration and Remembrance Day”. This is to celebrate members of the Armed Forces still serving and remember the fallen heroes thus correcting the notion that the day is meant mainly for the fallen heroes.”

Indeed, serving, retired, incapacitated and dead members of the Nigerian Armed Forces namely those of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force and Nigerian Nany deserve accolades. They fought in the First and Second World Wars and battled the separatist Biafra Army for three years from 1967 to January 15, 1970, to keep Nigeria one. They have been fighting against other separatist movements such as the Niger Delta Avengers, Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta, Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra better known as MASSOB and more recently Indigenous People of Biafra aka IPOB agitators. Members of the Oodua Peoples Congress and Yoruba Nation Agitators are not also spared by the Nigerian military who have relentlessly quelled their rebellion.

If not for the Nigerian military, Boko Haram insurgents, Islamic State in West Africa Province popularly called ISWAP and Lakurawa ideologues would have overran Nigeria and set up their model Islamic Caliphate here. It is the Nigerian Armed Forces that have been repelling their attacks and thwarting their inimical expansionist agenda. It is worth mentioning that if the task of internal security had been left to the Nigerian Police and Department of State Services alone, the security situation of Nigeria would have worsened. That is why personnel of the Nigerian military have been deployed across all the 36 states of the federation to complement the Nigerian Police who are already overwhelmed given the fact that they are understaffed and not well-resourced financially and materially.

According to Thisday newspaper of September 11, 2016, more than any other period in the nation’s history, the Nigerian Armed Forces are engaged simultaneously in at least 10 major internal security operations across the six geo-political zones of the country. These major internal security operations include the war against terrorism, deadly herdsmen, cattle rustlers, kidnappers, oil thieves and pipeline vandals, and the joint police/military security outfits against criminal activities, such as armed robbery in the 36 states of the federation. The various operations involve huge deployment of military assets and manpower and are being prosecuted simultaneously at a period of dwindling national revenue and protracted war against terrorism and insurgency.

In the North-East, there is Operation Lafiya Dole, which handles the overall counterterrorism and counter-insurgency operations. This has dovetailed to other specialised operations like Operation Crackdown to wind down the war against insurgents and clear the remnants of the Boko Haram sect in Sambisa Forest; Operation Gama Aiki, which serves the same purpose in the northern part of Borno State and Operation Safe Corridor, set up for the de-radicalisation and rehabilitation of repentant Boko Haram terrorists.

The North-Central has Operation Safe Haven stationed in Plateau State with an area of operation extending to Benue, Kogi, Nasarawa and Kwara States to quell ethno-religious conflicts and other criminal activities. There is also Operation Sara Daji and Operation Harbin Kunama in the North-West, established to battle the criminal activities of armed bandits, cattle rustlers and robbers operating particularly in Zamfara, Kaduna and fringes of Sokoto, Kebbi, Katsina and Kano States.

Down South, the military has a major operation codenamed Operation Delta Safe, which was formerly Operation Pulo Shield. It is now complemented by the Nigerian Army’s Operation Crocodile Smile and the Navy’s Operation Tsera Teku. These operations are all aimed at crushing the resurgent Niger Delta militancy and other acts of criminality like oil theft, vandalism, and bunkering in the region. In the South-West, there is Operation Awase with a mandate to contain the criminal operations around the Ogun-Lagos axis, particularly in Arepo, where illegal oil bunkering and pipeline vandalism are regular occurrences. South-East has Operation Iron Fence to combat armed robbers, hooligans and kidnappers. In addition to all these operations is Operation Mesa, which is a Joint Task Force operation against all forms of criminal activities in all the states of the federation.

Without these military operations, Nigeria could have gone to the tatters. Now, this is why there is a need to celebrate our living and fallen heroes. They sacrificed their comfort and lives so that you and I can move freely and actualise our noble dreams. Imagine the sub-human conditions under which the Nigerian military operates. Thousands of them have been killed in combat and ambush by the bandits and insurgents. Several thousand have been temporarily and permanently incapacitated in the course of serving their fatherland.  These serving and fallen heroes deserve better welfare than they currently receive. Yes, there is annual ritual of holding thanksgiving services in mosques and churches and laying of wreath at the national monument erected in their honour. However, something needs to be done by the authorities about prompt payment of salaries and allowances of serving military officers.

Most pitiable is the delay in the payment of the pension and gratuity of retired military personnel. Just last week, Tuesday, January 7, 2025, news media widely reported that retired military personnel barricaded the entrance to the Ministry of Finance in Abuja with canopies and chairs, demanding the full payment of their long-overdue entitlements. This protest follows a similar action in December, during which the retirees shut down the ministry over the government’s failure to settle their claims. For months, the retirees were told there were no funds to clear their entitlements, despite an official approval for payment. They are owed a 20 per cent to 28 per cent salary increment covering January to November 2024. The retirees are also demanding payments for other outstanding benefits, including palliatives for the period between October 2023 and November 2024, an additional N32,000 added to their pensions, a bulk payment of the Security Debarment Allowance, and a refund of pension deductions from the salaries of medically boarded soldiers. This is simply heart-wrenching!

A recent video footage projects Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni as a library with tomes of economic information that could turn the fortune of Africa around, if the leaders understand his thrust and have the spunk to wean the peripheral economies of their countries away from the tethers of the metropolitan economies and look inward for appropriate economic solutions.

Anyone who knows the pedigree of President Museveni, from his days as a political science student, student union leader and founder of the University Students’ African Revolutionary Front at Makerere University in Tanzania, would not be surprised at his revolutionary submissions.

He eventually became the leader of a failed Ugandan version of Fidel Castro’s 26th of July Movement that launched a protracted guerrilla campaign that led to the eventual resignation of Cuba’s President Fulgencio Batista on January 1, 1959.

In 1980, Museveni lost his presidential bid to rule Uganda to incumbent President Milton Obote. He later rallied opposition political parties into the National Resistance Movement that won the Uganda Bush War to become Ugandan President in 1986, after the decisive Battle of Kampala.

Though Museveni is now a dictator and has ruled Uganda since 1986, you cannot dispute his profound insight on how best to turn the economies of African countries around and free them from the grips of Euro-America’s International Monopoly Capital.

First, he explains that “the crisis… in Africa is because of philosophical, ideological (and) strategic mistakes, which we have been talking about since the 1960s”. He worries that agencies like the World Bank are preoccupied with “sustainable development,” which he thinks is a limiting paradigm.

Then he argues, “Africa does not need (what he sarcastically describes as) ‘sustainable underdevelopment,’ (but) needs socio-economic transformation.” He adds, “The main reason why there is no (economic) growth (in Africa) is because the growth sectors are not funded (by the multilateral lending institutions).”

He identifies four areas that African countries must concentrate on to achieve a low cost of production that will enable their economies to grow: These are railway transportation, electricity, low interest rates for the manufacturing sector and integration of the people into what he described as the “money economy”.

He explains that by starting with transportation: “You must have low transport cost… (which) comes from the railway.” He asks, “If you don’t fund the railway, how do you get low transport costs? Where will low-cost transport come from if you don’t have a railway?”

His discussion about electricity, which he describes as the second (low) cost pusher, starts with a query: “If you don’t fund electricity and you talk about sustainable development, what are you talking about?” He insists, “We must have low-cost electricity, not exceeding five cents per kilowatt hour.”

Though he did not explain how cheap electricity tariffs can be achieved, everyone knows that the tariffs of municipal electricity companies are usually cheaper than the cost of running personal electricity generators. Cost accountants and electricity engineers will know how to achieve his low-cost electricity idea.

He makes his case for cheap cost of capital, or low interest rate, for borrowings from development banks, instead of commercial banks, for the manufacturing sector, with the declaration that “The only person who can borrow from a commercial bank and pay back is a trader”.

His final argument is an insight into most African citizens being “outside of (what he calls) the money economy”. He notes that before 2013, more than 68 per cent of Ugandan homes “are in what is called subsistence sector”, and disclosed that from 2013, “61 per cent of the people were in the ‘money sector”.

Of a truth, those at the subsistence level of the economy will only work and eat. If they are farmers, they will only produce food crops and no cash crops that can be exchanged for money in the local and international commodities markets.

Whereas those who operate in the “money economy” will produce on a large scale for trade, even if they will consume a portion of their produce. If they are farmers, they will produce cash crops that will command high returns in the commodities market.

Then he reveals his disdain for African civil servants and policy advisers who seem to have taken the economic principles enunciated by Europhilia Adam Smith to heart. He complains, “Our civil servants talk about import support,” and declares with emphasis, “But I don’t want to import. I want to export!”

One of the major submissions of “The Wealth of Nations”, the seminal book written by Adam Smith, is that peripheral economies, like those of the Third World or the “Economic South,” must be encouraged to accumulate foreign currency to finance their importation of consumer goods from the metropolitan economies.

And, by the way, that neo-colonial device, is the foundation of the mercantilist exchange rate that requires more of the currency of a weaker nation for the stronger currency of a richer nation. An unproductive economy needs the currency of a more productive country.

This process of increased demand for foreign currency automatically raises the value of the currency of the selling nation. Thus, the exporting country trades two commodities, its currency, which must be bought at a premium, and its manufacture or produce that the weaker economy does not produce.

However, this scheme is reversed against Third World countries: If America wants to buy Nigeria’s petroleum, it does not have to first acquire the naira. It simply plunks its dollar onto the laps of Nigeria, almost with a take-it-or-leave-it attitude.

India, whose economy appears to have substantially moved away from the subsistence Third World level, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, appears to have discovered an obvious paradigm that many Third World countries appear not to have discerned, or discovered.

Interestingly, the railway, one of President Museveni’s favourite planks for economic development, leads the pack of physical, social, educational and digital infrastructure that headlines India’s paradigm shift out of poverty.

This is followed by a deliberate policy to remove as many citizens as possible from the clutches of poverty, by using a policy of inclusiveness that uses banking, housing, healthcare and even cooking gas, to migrate citizens to what President Museveni calls the money economy.

By encouraging innovations and manufacturing startups and removing archaic laws that hinder the growth of commerce, to enable the economic ecosystem to deliver more, Prime Minister Modi was able to up the performance of the Indian economy.

It is about the same way Dr Jumoke Oduwole ran the Office of Ease of Doing Business to prime the Nigerian economy to perform more optimally under the watch of former President Muhammadu Buhari. But somehow, the government of Mai Gaskiya did not deliver much on this score.

Anyway, between the praxis or practical application of the insights and theories of President Museveni and Prime Minister Modi, members of Nigeria’s economic management team should be able to tease out Nigeria’s road to economic recovery.

And while they are at it, they might think about the phenomenal Italian “economic risorgimento” that led to Italy’s blitz of economic growth, industrialisation and modernisation that occurred within a magical six years, between 1958 and 1963!

If members of President Tinubu’s economic team can swing this magic, their names may be etched in gold.

The National Bureau of Statistics, Nigeria’s key agency for data dissemination, is still reeling from a cyberattack on its official website, which occurred on December 18, 2024.

As of January 14, 2025, the website remains inaccessible, raising doubts over the timely release of its much-anticipated Consumer Price Index and inflation data, typically published on the 15th of each month.

The hack came just days after the NBS released its controversial Crime Experience and Security Perception Survey, which revealed that Nigerians paid an estimated N2.3tn in ransom within a year.

The sensitive nature of the report has fuelled speculation about a possible link between the survey’s release and the cyberattack.

Following the breach, the NBS took to its official X (formerly Twitter) account to confirm the incident, assuring the public that efforts were underway to restore the website.

The agency advised users to disregard any information from the compromised platform until the situation was resolved.

Despite these assurances, the prolonged downtime has disrupted access to critical economic data, sparking concern among policymakers, analysts, and investors who rely heavily on the bureau’s statistics for decision-making.

In a related development, the NBS has announced plans to introduce three new indexes in its monthly CPI.

The new additions are expected to be part of the rebased CPI.

The continued inaccessibility of the NBS website, however, casts doubt on how this critical report will be disseminated.

NBS spokesperson Joel Ichedi did not immediately respond to calls and WhatsApp messages from our correspondent on Tuesday.

However, he earlier told The PUNCH that the delay in restoring its website was due to a thorough investigation of the incident and the extended holiday period, which has hindered timely recovery efforts.

He assured the site will soon be accessible to Nigerians as efforts are ongoing to restore it.

The PUNCH earlier reported that the National Bureau of Statistics has earmarked N35m in its 2025 budget proposal for “Capacity Building on Cybersecurity and Data Centre Management.”

In addition to the cybersecurity allocation, the NBS’s 2025 budget proposal includes several other projects aimed at improving its operational efficiency, modernising infrastructure, and enhancing service delivery.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Marketing Research Association recently pledged to develop private-sector alternatives to ensure the availability of economic data in situations like this.

The association emphasised the importance of diversified data sources to mitigate the impact of disruptions from official agencies.

As the NBS battles with the attack on its website, The PUNCH observed that the Central Bank of Nigeria has moved its Monetary Policy Committee meeting previously scheduled for January 27 and 28, 2025.

The updated calendar on the apex bank’s website showed that the committee will meet five times this year, with its first meeting slated for February 17 and 18, 2025.

[Punch]

…Says Nigeria can’t afford to be left behind

The Director-General of the World Trade Organisation, WTO, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has advocated a decentralised approach to electricity supply in Nigeria.

She spoke on the critical role of Artificial Intelligence in socio-economic development at the 10th convocation ceremony of the African University of Science and Technology, AUST, in Abuja, yesterday.

According to the nation’s former Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Nigeria must increase internet access for her citizens to be able to upskill them in AI, a feat that would not be possible without access to constant power supply and that Nigeria could not afford to be left behind in AI.

She said: “Underpinning all that, of course, is access to reliable electricity power supply. Power outages and constant interruptions might prove a more challenging constraint in Nigeria and other African countries to internet access and AI adoption than anything else.

“In other words, we could lay out the smartest approaches to the adoption of AI, like the federal government and AUST are trying to do, but find that efforts undermine our lack of access to the very basics – electricity infrastructure.

“Here, I would propose that we take a more decentralized approach to electricity provision in the country in light of the improved affordability of renewable energy.

“Each production, consumption and learning unit that is able should try to create its electricity supply through renewables. I’m proud to learn that AUST is embarking on this path, with feasibility studies for hydro and solar sources that can carry the campus. The issue is to mobilize the N200 million needed to make this happen.”

Put AI regulations

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala, one of the university’s founders, noted that it was necessary to put regulations in place to guide the use of AI to ensure data security.

“We also need to bear in mind that relying on AI-driven systems could pose challenges to data sovereignty and security. Many African economies currently depend on foreign technology providers for AI tools and platforms, potentially raising concerns about privacy, governance and the protection of sensitive information.

“All these risks, combined with limited regulatory frameworks in many African countries, including Nigeria, underline the need for robust oversight and ethical guidelines tailored to local context.

“Nigeria and other sub-Saharan African nations must work hard, so they can overcome the lag in AI readiness. We score 0.34 on the IMF’s AI Preparedness Index, which evaluates factors such as digital infrastructure, workforce skills, innovation, economic policies and ethical regulations.

“Putting in strong regulatory guardrails is crucial to ensuring that AI serves as a tool for inclusive and sustainable development, rather than a source of new vulnerabilities. So on the road ahead, let me try to bring my talk to a conclusion,’’ she said.

We need investments to benefit from AI

The WTO boss urged investments in ICT infrastructure to enable Nigerians enjoy the benefits AI provides.
Her words: “I’ve been saying throughout that for people in Nigeria and across the continent to fully harness the gains from AI, we need investments. Investments in basic infrastructure first and foremost, investments in regulatory frameworks, in digital literacy, in upskilling our young people, in creating appropriate business ecosystems and more.

“But I’m confident that with foresight and careful planning for implementation, Nigeria and Africa can do it.”

She said over the past few years, AI had evolved from being a technological curiosity to becoming a force within industry and within people’s lives.

“It has already starting to redefine how we live, learn, work, and trade. AI has been likened to the advent of electricity, a transformative force that reshapes everything it touches.

‘’In my view, it’s already clear that AI is the most disruptive and transformative technology since the advent of the Internet a generation ago. It will transform the nature of work.

“It will change existing jobs. It will create new ones we had not thought about. And yes, it will probably take some jobs away.

‘’The potential gains are enormous. The consultancy, Pricewaterhouse estimates that AI could boost global economic activity by up to $15.7 trillion, or roughly 15% by 2030. They predict that this growth will not be confined to the industrialized north.

“The global south, including Nigeria, has much to gain. But countries across the developing world will need to be proactive to seize this potential, and we cannot afford to be left behind,’’ Okonjo-Iweala added.

[Vanguard]

Fire has gutted Focus Holiday Inn, an upmarket hotel in the Garki area of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital city.

Eyewitnesses said the fire, which began around 3am, started from a section of the building before engulfing the three-storey structure.

Personnel of the fire service are currently trying to put out the fire.

There are no reports of casualties at the time of filing this story.

Fire incidents have become commonplace in the federal capital territory (FCT) recently. On November 2, 2024, fire razed a telecommunications facility in the Maitama area of the city.

On November 13, a popular fitness centre in Gwarinpa was also gutted by fire.

Air Peace, Nigeria’s leading airline, has once again demonstrated its commitment to global safety standards by receiving its sixth consecutive International Air Transport Association (IATA) Operational Safety Audit (IOSA) certification. Speaking at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Patrick Fatokun, IATA’s Regional Director for West and Central Africa, commended Air Peace for consistently meeting the stringent safety requirements.

Dr. Fatokun in his statement mentioned that when it comes to global safety standard, Air Peace stands shoulder to shoulder with aviation giants and the best airlines in the world. He noted that the IOSA certification process, conducted by independent external auditors, is one of the most rigorous assessments in the industry, designed to ensure compliance with international safety and operational standards. According to him, Air Peace has not only maintained but surpassed expectations, earning a reputation for safety that places it on a pedestal in the international aviation sectors.

Dr. Fatokun further emphasized that achieving and renewing the IOSA certification is no small feat, as many airlines struggle to maintain compliance after initial success. He urged other Nigerian airlines to follow Air Peace’s example, noting that prioritizing safety and operational integrity would elevate the entire industry and enhance Nigeria’s reputation in global aviation.

In his statement, the Chairman/CEO of Air Peace commended the Nigerian government, particularly the Minister of Aviation, for creating a supportive environment that encourages the growth of local airlines. He called on other airlines to strive for IOSA certification, which not only validates their safety processes but also positions them as credible competitors on the global stage. According to him, this milestone is not just a badge of honor for Air Peace but also a source of pride for Nigeria, showcasing the country’s ability to produce world-class airlines capable of holding their own among global giants.

Dr. Onyema, further expressed his profound gratitude to God, the staff, and the management for their relentless efforts in sustaining this remarkable milestone. He described the certification as a testament to Air Peace’s unwavering dedication to operational excellence and its commitment to prioritizing the safety and comfort of passengers.

As Air Peace continues to raise the bar for safety and operational excellence, the airline remains a shining example of what can be achieved through vision, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of global standards.

[Vanguard]

Comrade (Dr.) Segun Osoba - remember him? He celebrated his 90th birthday last week Thursday at his country home of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state. Family, friends, comrades and students of the Marxist ideologue gathered to give him 90 hearty cheers. Comrade, as we fondly called him, was a Senior Lecturer in the Department of History at the then University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), aka Great Ife.

The story is told of how, because of his Leftist activism, he was passed over again and again for his professorship until he decided, no more, even when he was approached to now put in his papers. This reminds us of the same treatment meted out to legal luminary, Chief Gani Fawehinmi, who was glossed over repeatedly for the Senior Advocate of Nigeria title until Great Ife students decided to award him the Senior Advocate of the Masses title!

That he declined to be decorated with the title of “Professor” took nothing away from Comrade (Dr.) Segun Osoba. He was one of the fiery Marxist scholars that made Great Ife the hotbed of vibrant student union activism in his days. Those were also the years when the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) was a force to reckon with not only within the Great Ife campus but also nationwide. Whenever Ife ASUU sneezed in those days, the government of the day caught a cold!

It was, therefore, not an error that when the Murtala Muhammed/Olusegun Obasanjo military junta decided to give the country a new constitution in 1978, Comrade (Dr.) Segun Osoba was one of the “50 wise men” saddled with the responsibility. Together with another Leftist scholar, Dr. Yesufu Bala Usman, the two broke ranks with the other conservatives that made up the preponderance number of the constitution drafting committee to author and submit their own minority report, which was pro-people as opposed to what many Nigerians regard today as the Lugardian Constitution (as amended time and time again) but which has failed to solve the country’s myriad problems.

Osoba and Usman had posited that "our people need a country, Nigeria, operating at full capacity and unshackled by the thieving activities of a good-for-nothing ruling class". This is more apposite today than it was in 1978!

In recognition of Comrade (Dr. ) Segun Osoba’s contributions to national development (which includes decades of mentoring generations of Nigerian youths, of whom yours truly is one), President Bola Ahmed Tinubu felicitated with him on his 90th birthday. The State House press release titled “President Tinubu greets Dr. Segun Osoba at 90” runs thus:

“President Bola Tinubu congratulates Dr. Segun Osoba, a renowned historian, activist, and scholar, on his 90th birthday today January 9. The President celebrates the respected scholar on this momentous occasion and describes him as one of Nigeria's finest minds. After many years of activism and scholarship, Dr. Osoba retired from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, as a history lecturer in 1991. He has been operating from his hometown, Ijebu-Ode, in Ogun state ever since.

“President Tinubu lauds Osoba's efforts in advancing the frontiers of knowledge, promoting scholarship, and inspiring generations of Nigerians. The President also commends the eminent historian, a staunch advocate of social justice and good governance, for contributing to Nigeria's constitutional development. He recalls his membership in the committee that drafted the 1979 Constitution, which laid the foundation for the Second Republic. Notably, Osoba and Dr. Yusuf Bala Usman produced a minority report recommending no immunity clauses for Presidents and governors and a minimum age of 30 to be eligible to run for office. The military government rejected the entire report at the time.

“President Tinubu thanks Dr. Osoba for his intense patriotism in serving the nation and prays to God Almighty to grant him many more years in good health”.

Well, Comrade (Dr.) Segun Osoba and Dr. Bala Usman’s minority report, which was rejected by the military junta of the time, may yet become the stone which the builders rejected but which eventually became the head of the cornerstone (Psalm 118: 22).

A major highlight of the celebration was the launching of a collection of the celebrant’s speeches and papers titled “Critical and contentious issues in the modern and contemporary history of Nigetia: Collected writings of Samuel Olusegun Osoba” Another highlight was the toast to the good health of the celebrant- "For he is a jolly good fellow" - which was rendered to the admiration of all in the Ijebu language of the celebrant, after which speaker after speaker insisted on hearing from the celebrant.

Comrade (Dr.) ignited the fire of a revolutionary activist, which old age has done little to diminish. Going down memory lane, he said all his lifetime, he has dedicated himself to the struggle for a better society, the upliftment of the downtrodden and the unrelenting fight against oppression. “I spent my life trying to help people achieve their potentials. If you do that, the ruling class will grind you to dust". He added that Nigeria is well endowed but the only problem is leadership. "The ruling class is the problem", he said, but Comrade reiterated that he remains unchanged and unperturbed, even in old age.

What a better way to demonstrate this than the enthusiastic way he sang the “Victory Song” when his comrades in the house raised the song! His voice suddenly rang out, even without a microphone, and with clenched fist he sang along with the others: "There is victory for us/There is victory for us/In the struggle for Africa/There is victory for us/Forward, ever/Backward, never/In the struggle for Africa/There is victory for us! E soleto! E Africa!"

Here is wishing Comrade (Dr.) Segun Osoba many more years of celebration in good health and happiness!

Adieu! Comrade Benedicta (Bene) Madunagu

Marxist theoretician, revolutionary activist, foremost feminist and humanist, our inimitable comrade, Professor Benedicta Madunagu translated from mortality to immortality on November 26, 2024, aged 65. Funeral obsequies begin tomorrow Thursday, 16 January, 2025, to culminate in interment on Friday, 17 January, 2025, in Calabar. We will miss her!

Bene fought a good fight and left indelible marks on the sands of time. Together with her friend, husband, ideological soulmate and comrade, Edwin, they were two of the university lecturers that the Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo military junta victimised for their principled and active support for the student movement, the National Union of Nigerian Students (NUNS), led by the irrepressible Segun Okeowo, in 1978’s Ali Must Go student nationwide revolt against the commercialization of education by the Obasanjo military junta.

Bene, Edwin and a host of other Leftist and conscionable lecturers and administrators were branded by the ultra-conservative, reactionary and retrogressive Nigerian government as “teaching what they were not paid to teach”, for which they were sacked from their jobs, but which the courts later reversed. Alhaji Shehu Shagari 's administration upheld the court judgment.

Bene’s transition has left a void which the Nigerian Left will find hard to fill but we take solace in the fact she raised and nurtured other cadres who are continuing with the struggle. They say to live in the heart of others is not to die; Bene lives on in the hearts of other revolutionaries who will keep the revolutionary torch burning. Comrade Che Guevara spoke for every revolutionary activist when he said, “Wherever death may surprise us, let it be welcome if our battle cry has reached even one receptive ear and another hand reaches out to take up our arms”

Bene’s battle cry reached an uncountable number of comrades during her active years of revolutionary struggle; and more than one hand reached out for the arms that she doggedly did battle with. So, she lived a worthy and fulfilled life of a proud and accomplished revolutionary. This is our consolation, strength and fortitude as we grapple with this irreparable loss .

Sleep well, comrade! The task that you lived, laboured and died for shall be pursued with urgency and utmost vigor. Aluta continua! Vitoria a certa!

FEEDBACK

I disagree that stampedes are the result of hunger. Rather, I will say stampede has been with us for a long time. I can recall that the introduction of the “War Against Indiscipline” was as a result of stampedes at various service points. And stampede has never been a factor of something free. Even where a Nigerian needs to pay for services rendered, there will still be stampedes! I remember that was why I rejected taking up an appointment in Lagos in the early 1980s - except the employer would be ready to provide accommodation within the premises of my workplace! While in the university, UNIFE (now Obafemi Awolowo University), I used to visit my sister in Lagos in the late 70s. Each time I wanted to go out, she would give me a sound warning not to forget to hold firmly to my wristwatch, necklace and other valuables while rushing to board a taxi/bus because there was always a need to rush; otherwise, one would be left behind. Later, I discovered that in most urban areas of today, stampedes are also common. And in all of these circumstances, one would still have to pay for the services rendered. The point I have tried to make here is that stampede was not, and should not, be tied to hunger or T-pain alone because it has always been part of us. - Kola Oloye.

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[TheCable]

A day after her election, the new Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Mojisola Lasbat Meranda, on Tuesday, visited members of the Governor’s Advisory Council, GAC, for their blessings”.

Meranda told newsmen she went to “brief them about what happened at the House of Assembly yesterday (Monday) and to seek their blessings, which we have gotten”.

The endorsement came just as Meranda, sought the cooperation and support of the council members to succeed.

GAC, created by President Bola Tinubu, is the highest decision-making body of the party on the state.

GAC’s endorsement was given when Meranda and some key principal officers met at Lagos House, Marina.

Speaking to newsmen after a closed-door meeting, the Speaker said: “We briefed the GAC about what happened at the state House of Assembly and to seek their blessings which we have gotten.”

Meanwhile, the GAC, led by Tajudeen Olusi, declined to brief the press.

However, it was gathered that the state governor, Bababjide Sanwo-Olu, left Nigeria on Monday night for an official event.

Recall that former Speaker, Mudashiru Obasa, who is currently abroad, was impeached by members of the House of Assembly on Monday (yesterday) over various misconducts and financial misappropriations.

[Opinion Nigeria]

In the labyrinth of Nigerian politics, power is often perceived as an infinite resource, wielded by those who can hold onto it for as long as possible. Yet, history has repeatedly shown that the longer one clings to power, the more vulnerable they become to the political tides that eventually wash them away. The recent impeachment of Mudashiru Obasa, the erstwhile Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, is yet another testament to this reality.

Although the specifics of Obasa’s impeachment remain murky, the circumstances leading to his political downfall allow for informed speculation. His story is one of a man who rose to prominence, commanded authority, and, some might say, overstayed his welcome. While it is too early to dissect the entire saga with absolute clarity, one thing is certain: his impeachment serves as a stark reminder to politicians of the perils of holding on to power for too long.

Mudashiru Obasa, a seasoned politician, enjoyed a meteoric rise in Lagos State politics. Representing Agege Constituency 1, he climbed the political ladder with a combination of ambition, strategy, and an uncanny ability to build alliances. His tenure as Speaker began in 2015, making him one of the longest-serving Speakers in the history of Lagos State.

Obasa’s tenure was marked by legislative reforms, budget approvals, and significant influence within the political structure of Lagos. He was seen as a loyal foot soldier of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly in a state known for its complex political dynamics. However, his reign was not without controversy. Allegations of financial impropriety, mismanagement of funds, and high-handedness became a recurring theme, tainting what could have been a legacy of excellence.

While official reasons for Obasa’s impeachment may not have been fully disclosed, several factors might have contributed to his political demise.

Reports of financial impropriety had long dogged Obasa’s tenure. These allegations included mismanagement of Assembly funds, questionable contracts, and extravagant spending. Although Obasa consistently denied these claims, they likely created fractures within the Assembly and eroded trust among his colleagues.

In a similar vein, Lagos politics is often shaped by intricate power plays within the APC, where loyalty to party chieftains can determine political survival. Obasa’s increasing autonomy and perceived dominance within the Lagos Assembly might have been seen as a threat to the broader interests of powerful stakeholders in the party.

Long-serving leaders often struggle to maintain unanimity among their colleagues. Obasa’s prolonged stay as Speaker might have bred resentment among lawmakers who felt marginalized or stifled in their political aspirations. The eventual decision to impeach him may have been the culmination of years of silent dissent.

The role of public perception in Nigerian politics cannot be understated. Obasa’s alleged opulent lifestyle and the Assembly’s reported lack of transparency may have alienated the electorate. With Lagos residents increasingly vocal about accountability in governance, lawmakers may have felt compelled to act to preserve their own reputations.

It is not uncommon for impeachments in Nigeria to be orchestrated as part of a larger political game. Obasa’s removal could be linked to an attempt to reposition Lagos politics ahead of the next election cycle, with party leaders possibly seeking to consolidate control by replacing him with a more pliable figure.

Obasa’s impeachment is not an isolated incident in Nigerian politics. It mirrors the fate of several politicians who have overstayed their welcome in positions of authority. The longer a politician clings to power, the more likely they are to make enemies, both within and outside their circle.

Perpetual power breeds complacency, arrogance, and sometimes, a disconnect from the people one serves. It blinds leaders to the shifting sands of political alliances and public sentiment. Obasa’s fall is a cautionary tale for leaders who believe their positions are unassailable.

Obasa’s impeachment marks a turning point for the Lagos State House of Assembly. It sends a strong message that no leader, no matter how entrenched, is immune to accountability. For lawmakers, it is a reminder that the electorate expects transparency, integrity, and humility from their representatives.

For Lagosians, the impeachment raises questions about the effectiveness of governance in the state. It underscores the need for vigilance in holding leaders accountable and ensuring that public offices are not used for personal enrichment.

The story of Mudashiru Obasa’s rise and fall is a classic tale of power, ambition, and the eventual reckoning that comes with overreach. While he undoubtedly achieved significant milestones during his tenure, his inability to read the writing on the wall cost him dearly.

For Nigerian politicians, Obasa’s impeachment should serve as a sobering lesson: power is not perpetual. Leadership is a privilege, not a right, and those who hold public office must do so with humility, accountability, and a focus on serving the people.

As the dust settles on Obasa’s political career, one hopes that this episode will inspire a culture of introspection among Nigeria’s political elite. The era of leaders clinging to power in seeming perpetuity must give way to a new dawn of responsible governance, where the people, not personal ambition, are at the heart of every decision.

In the end, Obasa’s story is a reminder that power, no matter how firmly held, can slip away in an instant. For those still holding on, it is a call to reflect, to serve, and to let go when the time comes.