In April 2010, the Osun State Police Command arrested 6 young persons for armed robbery. 4 defendants namely Dare Sunday (15), Adedeji Samuel (15), Ojo Dare (16), Adeyemo Akeem (14) were released for undisclosed reasons. However, Segun Olowokere and Morakinyo Sunday were eventually arraigned in October 2012 on an 8-count charge of armed robbery. Upon arraignment of the duo, the police informed the trial court the the 4 defendants had jumped bail without any evidence that they were declared wanted!

In the course of the trial, the defence counsel contended that the 2nd defendant (Morakinyo Sunday) was non compos mentis. The trial judge dismissed the allegation of insanity of the second defendant and proceeded with the trial. However, in the judgment, it became clear that the trial judge was not sure that the second defendant was sane. Thus, in his judgment delivered on December 17, 2014, the trial judge held as follows:  

"1. In view of the age of the two convicts, it is hereby recommended to the Governor that it may please him, he should commute the death sentence and life imprisonment to (say) 10 years IHL.

2. The medical officer in charge of the prison where the second convict, Morakinyo Sunday is being kept is hereby ordered to investigate his level of insanity. If the convict shall be found to be insane and constitutes a danger to fellow inmates and prison officials, the 2nd convict shall be transferred and kept in an asylum where destitutes are being kept. He shall remain there at the pleasure of the Governor. I so order. "

Although, we are not sure whether the prison authorities investigated "the level of insanity" of the second defendant as ordered by the trial judge, the recommendation that the sentences of life imprisonment and death passed on the two convicts be commuted to 10 years jail was not brought to the attention of former Governors Rauf Aregbesola and Gboyega Oyetola by the Ministry of Justice and the prison authorities. 

If the sentences had been commuted to 10 years imprisonment, both convicts would have walked out of the Kirikiri Maximum Correctional Centre two and a half years ago. Unfortunately, the convicts and their parents did not know that the trial judge had recommended that the sentence of death penalty be commuted to 10 years imprisonment. 

However, it was reported last week that Governor Ademola Adeleke had pardoned Segun Olowokere. On account of the pardon, he has since been released from prison custody. While Segun Olowokere is currently breathing the air of freedom, his colleague, Morakinyo Sunday is still languishing in his condemned cell in the Kirikiri Maximum Correctional Centre. 

Since Segun Olowokere and Morakinyo Sunday were convicted for the same offence of armed robbery and sentenced to death, the law requires that they be treated equally as section 42 of the Nigerian Constitution has prohibited any form of discriminatory treatment of citizens. We are therefore compelled to urge Governor Adeleke to exercise his prerogative of mercy in favour of Morakinyo Sunday by granting him pardon, as soon as possible.

While US President-elect Donald Trump's administration will have far-reaching implications for America and many of its allies, Africans can expect a continuation of past trends. America has long neglected the continent, viewing it mainly through the lens of corporate interests, and that is unlikely to change.

PRETORIA – US President Joe Biden’s recent trip to Angola was only his second to Africa, following his appearance at the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Sharm El-Sheikh. Coming near the end of his presidency, the visit perfectly captured America’s disregard for the continent. To the United States, Africa is an inconvenient theatre of strategic rivalry, demanding attention only for its valuable minerals and raw materials.

Under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama, the US established a military presence in more than a dozen African countries as part of a largely ineffectual counter-terrorist strategy against al-Qaeda and Islamic State affiliates. And during Donald Trump’s first presidency, the US paid hardly any attention to the continent.

Although Biden did host a US-Africa Leaders Summit in Washington in 2022, his administration did not bother to seek African input when shaping the event’s agenda or drafting a strategy toward Sub-Saharan Africa. The latter focused largely on containing China’s presence on the continent, while paying lip service to Africa’s development and security needs. The US State Department’s Bureau of African Affairs has remained massively under-resourced.

Although China is America’s third-largest trade partner and second-largest creditor, the US frequently warns Africans that it is a “malign” influence advancing “its own narrow commercial and geopolitical interests” on the continent. True, China sometimes pursues one-sided deals – as it did in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) – and it has a military base in Djibouti. But this hardly compares to America’s overwhelming military presence in the region. Moreover, America accounted for 16% of arms sales in Africa between 2019 and 2023, compared to China’s 13%.

China’s focus has been more on development, with its Belt and Road Initiative funding the construction of roads, bridges, and railways across Africa. And China remains Africa’s largest bilateral trade partner, with turnover reaching $282 billion in 2023, four times more than Africa-US trade. In addition to lending African governments $160 billion over the last two decades, Chinese-backed projects now account for 20% of Africa’s industrial output and nearly one-third of new infrastructure projects worth more than $50 million. The overwhelming majority of African debt is owed to Western creditors. Only seven of 22 debt-distressed African countries owe more than one-quarter of their public debt to China.

Unlike China, the US views Africa primarily through the lens of its multinational corporations. US funding mechanisms are maddeningly bureaucratic and slow compared to China’s flexible and fast approach. The US-led G7 Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment has produced mostly talk and little action.

Biden’s visit to Angola was supposed to showcase the Lobito Corridor, a project (backed by $803 million in US loans) to renovate the 1,700-kilometer (1,056-mile) railway linking Angola to land-locked cobalt and copper mines in the DRC and Zambia. But if the US was sincere about promoting Africa’s development, it would work with China, which is renovating the Tanzania-Zambia railway it built in 1975. Ironically, exporters of cobalt to China could end up benefiting the most from America’s Lobito Corridor project.

On the matter of global governance, the US has pushed for two African permanent seats on the UN Security Council; but these, notably, would not come with the veto power enjoyed by other permanent members (the US, China, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom). More positively, Sub-Saharan Africa was awarded a 25th seat on the International Monetary Fund’s Executive Board in July (though Mexico still received more in IMF loans last year than all 55 African countries combined). But US-dominated institutions like the World Bank and the World Trade Organization remain hostile to debt suspension and trade preferences that would benefit African countries.

Similarly, the Biden administration has contributed funding to peacekeeping efforts in Africa, and it backed a UN Security Council resolution last December to use funds from the UN’s regular budget to support African-led operations on “a case-by-case basis.” However, it has balked at using these funds for the African Union force in Somalia (now in its 17th year), and is instead pushing to fund a mission in Sudan – where there currently is no peace to keep or any realistic prospect of such a force being deployed. Worse, the US has turned a blind eye to reported arms sales to Sudan’s genocidal Rapid Support Forces by its ally, the United Arab Emirates.

During Trump’s first term, he famously referred to African countries as “shitholes” and never set foot on the continent or held a summit with African leaders. In contravention of a UN plan to organize a referendum on self-determination in Western Sahara, his administration recognized Morocco’s 1975 annexation of the phosphate-rich territory. Now, several of his advisers are reportedly keen on recognizing Somaliland (a self-governing part of conflict-wracked Somalia), which could further destabilize the Horn of Africa.

More positively, the first Trump administration sought to mediate a dispute between Egypt and Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. And Trump withdrew America’s 700 soldiers from Somalia on the eve of his departure, though the Biden administration reversed that decision.

But the writing is on the wall. Recognizing that the US Africa Command is not prepared to risk the lives of American soldiers in dangerous counterterrorism operations (it prefers to use African troops as cannon fodder), Niger’s military junta recently ordered the closure of America’s $100 million air and drone base. Likewise, France’s decade-long counterinsurgency force in the Sahel has collapsed. The US would be unwise to try to throw a lifeline to the French, lest it be tarred with the same neo-colonialist brush.

Perhaps the best that Africa can hope for from an isolationist Trump administration is a further withdrawal of US troops from Africa. Greater US cooperation with China would benefit everyone, but that seems unlikely.

Adekeye Adebajo, a professor and a senior research fellow at the University of Pretoria’s Centre for the Advancement of Scholarship in South Africa, served on UN missions in South Africa, Western Sahara, and Iraq. He is the author of Global Africa: Profiles in Courage, Creativity, and Cruelty (Routledge, 2024) and The Eagle and the Springbok: Essays on Nigeria and South Africa (Routledge, 2023).

Dear Fellow Nigerians,

On this joyous Christmas Day, I extend my heartfelt greetings to Christians across Nigeria and worldwide as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, as narrated in the Holy Scriptures.

Christmas embodies the fulfilment of divine prophecy and symbolises the triumph of love, peace, and unity. It is a poignant reminder that light can emerge even in the darkest times, bringing solace and hope. This belief resonates with people of all faiths. Indeed, God is with us.

Recent tragic events in Ibadan, Okija, and Abuja deeply sadden us, and our thoughts are with those who continue to suffer from these heartbreaking incidents. We earnestly pray that such misfortunes do not revisit our families and communities and that the lives of innocents are never again cut short.

I offer my deepest sympathies to the families enduring pain and loss this year, whether from floods, fires, or accidents. May we all find comfort and solace in our faith, the support of loved ones, and the abiding presence of Jesus Christ. Our compassionate and merciful God stands with the weak, the brokenhearted, and the sick.

As we celebrate this blessed season, let us be mindful of those facing difficulties. They are not far from us—our neighbours, family members, and the people we encounter daily, whether in places of worship, markets, offices, or boardrooms.

Kindness transcends financial status. Those with modest means and those with abundance need a smile or a word of encouragement.

We must also honour our brave troops, who risk their lives to safeguard our nation. They deserve our prayers and steadfast support.

Let us extend similar support and prayers to our nation's leaders. With your backing, we can serve our country diligently and strive for prosperity.

Nigeria is on a promising path of restoration and progress, with every indication pointing toward a bright future. In the spirit of this season, let us renew our hope and belief in a prosperous Nigeria.

For those travelling during this festive period, I wish you safe journeys. Rest assured, the government is taking all necessary steps to ensure our transportation routes are secure and convenient. We also provide free train services and subsidized road transport costs on 144 routes nationwide to ease your travels.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a joyous and prosperous New Year.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu

President, Federal Republic of Nigeria

President Tinubu’s engagement with the media Monday night was his first since his inauguration last year and it was quite telling in a few ways. For a man of his age, he showed a keen mental alertness that belies his obvious physical frailties. If the President did not have the benefit of advance questions, I give him kudos. He performed relatively better than what we saw during the campaigns. But this was not close to the PMQs (Prime Minister’s Questions) we see every Wednesday in the British parliament. That one is the most brutal two hours in the life of every British prime minister. Tony Blair describes it as dreadful in his memoire. The media chat was far less rigorous than what Presidents go through in the White House Briefing Room. There were seven journalists who asked 12 questions in the one-hour show last night. Reuben Abati, who introduced himself as the moderator, made introductory remarks on the recent mass deaths from stampedes for food, and asked the first question along that line. The president blamed the organizers of these events for the rowdiness and shoddy preparations and criticized Nigerians for not conducting themselves orderly when they see free food. Tinubu said that he had been sharing food at his Ikoyi home for years, but there has never been a stampede and wondered why there are no deaths or rush at food stamp centers in other countries. There were other questions on elimination of fuel subsidy; huge debt servicing ratio in the 2025 budget; insecurity; inflation; cost of living crisis; foreign direct investment; tax reforms; food security and the new livestock ministry; and corruption – all predictable areas. But there was not a single question on foreign affairs.

Under Tinubu as ECOWAS chairman, the regional bloc almost disintegrated with the exit of three countries (Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso) last year. Two weeks ago in Abuja, ECOWAS Heads of States finally and regrettably accepted their departure after discretely begging them for a year. No doubt, the leadership of ECOWAS clearly mismanaged the relationships with these countries in the wake of military coups that dismissed their democratically elected leaders. Next year marks the 50th anniversary of the founding of the West African organization. It was quite a miss that the Nigerian President was not taken to task by the assembled journalists on how he handled the crisis in ECOWAS. On the domestic front, I expected questions on the debilitating political crisis in Rivers State in which the FCT Minister is the main actor. How could the president be comfortable with what’s going on in Rivers? There were only three follow-up questions – one from Maupe Ogun-Yusuf of Channels and the two from Babajide Kolade-Otitoju of TVC, a network owned by the president. Ogun-Yusuf’s follow-up was on why subsidy was not removed in phases while Kolade-Otitoju pressed the president on his unwieldy cabinet size despite his rhetoric on cutting the cost of governance.

The lack of follow-ups was obvious when Tinubu insisted that he does not regret doing away with fuel subsidy, despite the pains it brought, and went on to assert that the government ‘’has been meeting its obligations in the last three months without going to the NNPC ’’. What does this mean? Nobody asked. Essentially, the President meant that despite non receipt of oil revenues in the last three months, the government has been functioning – a tribute to the efficacy of the administration’s fiscal policies. But in real terms, the president was celebrating the inability of NNPC to fulfill its obligations. This was an opportunity for the journalists to ask questions on the oil industry; oil theft; the integrity and competence of the management of the state oil company. NNPC is supposed to receive and remit oil revenues to the consolidated fund as the Constitution stipulates, just as other incomes from VAT, company income tax, port charges and other taxes. These are then shared monthly to the federal government; the 36 states; FCT and the 774 LGAs. The inability of the NNPC to account for crude oil sales and remit to the federation account means that the country is depending on debts raised through expensive junk bonds in the European markets to meet its obligations. Another lose end of the night was the inability of the President to drill down on his controversial tax reform bills and explain them clearly to Nigerians. These proposals have generated quite a storm across a section of the country with many leading politicians expressing doubts about Tinubu’s true intents. I had expected the president to marshal out his argument on why he is introducing a new sharing formula for VAT, for example, and other innovations embedded in the bills. He glossed over the question as if the people complaining are insignificant lot.

I was glad that Ogun-Yusuf brought up the issue of corruption. For me, corruption, incompetence and decadence are the major afflictions of this country. The President said some of his policies like the students loan scheme are meant to discourage corruption since people steal in order to pay school fees and meet other personal demands. Not quite correct. Public officials who steal billions to build housing estates, shopping malls and luxury items are not motivated by the need to meet basic requirements. A former governor once boasted to me that he had already kept aside N1 billion to each of his four children and that they would never have access to the money until they reach adulthood. That’s one of the reasons they steal – to build cash empires sand portfolios of real estate for their children! Overall, it is commendable that Mr. Tinubu has finally decided to speak to Nigerians directly, instead of through long and disdainful press releases from his media team. I look forward to the day a Nigerian leader will walk stand before the State House press corps and take questions from the correspondents covering the Villa. The Media Chat arrangement is getting too vapid.

In light of the recent image challenge involving prominent figures like Femi Falana and Afe Babalola, and the subsequent insinuations directed at the Nigerian Judiciary and the legal profession in general, it is evident that managing one's reputation is more crucial than ever for lawyers. In today’s digital age, reputation is everything. Whether representing high-profile clients or handling sensitive cases, a lawyer’s reputation can make or break his or her career. Public relations (PR) firms specializing in managing legal professionals’ image play a crucial role in managing and enhancing a lawyer’s image, navigating complex media landscapes, and helping them stay connected with their clients and the public.

For lawyers, their reputation is one of their most valuable assets. The public perception of a lawyer or law firm can be the deciding factor for potential clients looking for representation. Clients seek not only legal expertise but also someone they can trust to handle their sensitive matters with discretion and professionalism. In a landscape where news travels fast, with attendant misinformation spreading like wildfire, maintaining a positive and trustworthy public image is essential.

In fact, a PR firm focused on legal services understands the intricacies of legal ethics, confidentiality, and the importance of maintaining a professional image. These firms work closely with lawyers to ensure their public persona aligns with their values, expertise, and ethical standards. By doing so, PR firms help lawyers create a positive and trustworthy image that can attract new clients and foster long-term relationships with existing ones.

Without a doubt, PR firms develop strategies that highlight a lawyer’s successes, areas of expertise, and unique qualifications. For instance, if a lawyer has won a significant case or received an award, a PR firm will ensure that these achievements are communicated effectively to the public. Whether through press releases, social media, or interviews, PR professionals help lawyers showcase their accomplishments while maintaining professionalism. This not only enhances the lawyer's reputation but also positions them as leaders and experts in their field.

Against the foregoing backdrop, it is expedient to opine that law firms and legal service providers exist in a complex industry that is often difficult for marketing or PR firms to navigate. This is why, until very recently, legal PR has been overlooked by law firms.

With the number of law tech startups and scale-ups growing at an exponential rate, law firms are struggling to stand out. As such, the need for legal PR and marketing is indispensable. 

Without a doubt, one of the key roles of a PR firm is to craft a compelling narrative that resonates with the public. This involves understanding the lawyer’s career journey, values, and vision, and then communicating these elements in a way that builds a strong, relatable brand. By telling the lawyer's story in an engaging and authentic manner, PR firms can humanize the lawyer, making them more approachable and trustworthy in the eyes of potential clients.

In the legal profession, crisis situations can arise unexpectedly as Nigerians recently witnessed in the scandals that involve two prominent legal practitioners in the country. These scandals show that lawyers may find themselves involved in high-profile cases that attract media attention, sometimes for reasons outside their control. When such situations occur, a lawyer having a PR firm on his or her side is critical. A skilled PR team can help manage any potential damage to a lawyer’s reputation by providing clear communication, crafting thoughtful responses, and controlling the narrative.

Without any iota of exaggeration, PR firms for lawyers are experts in crisis management. They are trained to handle media inquiries, mitigate negative press, and develop strategies to recover from a PR setback. They work behind the scenes to ensure that a lawyer’s reputation is protected, and the public’s perception remains positive, even when challenges arise. This includes managing public statements, coordinating with media outlets, and ensuring that the lawyer's side of the story is presented accurately and fairly.

In fact, effective crisis management involves proactive communication. PR firms help lawyers prepare for potential crises by developing communication plans and training them on how to respond to various scenarios. This preparation ensures that when a crisis does occur, the lawyer is ready to address the situation calmly and professionally, reducing the risk of reputation damage.

In today’s digital world, a strong online presence is essential for success in the legal profession. Clients often turn to search engines and social media platforms to find lawyers and assess their credibility. A PR firm specializing in legal services can help lawyers build and maintain a digital presence that reflects their expertise and professionalism.

PR firms assist with content creation for websites, blogs, and social media accounts, ensuring that lawyers are actively engaged with their audience. By managing social media profiles, writing thought leadership articles, and positioning lawyers as experts in their respective fields, PR firms help create a digital footprint that fosters credibility and trust. This digital engagement not only attracts new clients but also reinforces the lawyer's reputation among peers and existing clients.

A strong digital presence also involves optimizing online visibility. PR firms work on search engine optimization (SEO) to ensure that a lawyer's website and online content rank highly in search results. This makes it easier for potential clients to find the lawyer and learn about their services. By maintaining an active and optimized online presence, PR firms help lawyers stay relevant and competitive in an increasingly digital world.

The legal profession is highly competitive, and public perception plays a significant role in a lawyer’s ability to attract clients and maintain a successful career. Working with a PR firm can help lawyers enhance their reputation, manage crises, and build a digital presence that attracts new clients. By collaborating with experienced PR professionals, lawyers can ensure their reputation remains strong and their services in high demand.

PR firms also help lawyers build and maintain professional relationships within the legal community. By organizing events, facilitating networking opportunities, and promoting the lawyer's involvement in professional organizations, PR firms can enhance the lawyer's visibility and credibility among peers. This not only helps in gaining referrals but also positions the lawyer as an active and respected member of the legal community.

Finally, PR firms help lawyers develop long-term strategies for growth and success. This involves continuous reputation management, ongoing content creation, and regular assessment of the lawyer's public image. By maintaining a proactive approach to public relations, lawyers can adapt to changing trends, address new challenges, and consistently present themselves as trusted and reputable professionals.

In conclusion, the role of PR firms in enhancing the reputation and building trust for lawyers cannot be overstated. From managing public perception and highlighting achievements to crisis management and building a strong digital presence, PR firms provide

The popular saying, “The morning foretells the evening,” seems to defy logic in Nigeria’s case. The economy, which turned frosty after President Bola Tinubu introduced radical reforms 18 months ago, now appears to be thawing rather than worsening, contrary to the predictions of critics.

Rather than witnessing a continued decline in living standards, as many feared, Nigeria seems to be gradually recovering from decades of stagnation. The current glimmers of hope—despite the widespread discontent initially caused by Tinubu’s reforms, such as the removal of petrol subsidies and the unification of multiple foreign exchange rates, which led to a sharp naira devaluation—suggest that the hardships Nigerians endured may finally be easing.

The steady improvement in the economy, driven by the president’s Renewed Hope agenda, appears to validate the Machiavellian notion that “the end justifies the means.” That is because the once-frozen economy, disrupted by these difficult but necessary reforms, is now showing signs of recovery.

This progress may also reflect Nigerians’ gradual acceptance of the transition from a subsidy-dependent consumption economy to a production-based one. The assertion above is validated by the fact that by plugging longstanding financial leakages and laying the foundation for harnessing untapped economic potential, the administration is driving a paradigm shift that promises to benefit Nigeria in the long term.

What the above scenario indicates is that, the Renewed Hope agenda, though painful in the short term, seems to be yielding lasting benefits as Nigerians adjust to the adage “no pain, no gain,” and the criticisms that resulted in branding Tinubu as “T-Pain” early in his administration are waning. In fact, increasingly, people are beginning to appreciate the broader vision behind President Tinubu’s policies and their potential to serve the majority’s interests over time.

This shift in public perception is evident in the stabilizing sociopolitical and economic landscape. For instance, the naira-to-dollar exchange rate, which had reached a staggering ₦1,750/$1, has improved to roughly ₦1,600–₦1,650/$1. This movement is closing in on the ₦1,500/$1 target set by Tinubu in the 2025 appropriation bill presented to the National Assembly on December 15.

What makes these positive developments even more noteworthy is that they are happening less than 18 months into Tinubu’s presidency. While many anti-Tinubu politicians and citizens clamored for immediate results from his reforms barely a year into office, advocacy from some of us and the voices of the likes of Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, who called for patience and endured criticism as government sympathizers, have been vindicated.

Clearly, the early signs of recovery are evidence of the principle that reform outcomes require time to reach fruition. Hence in less than two years—often considered a reasonable benchmark for policy impact—Nigeria’s economic indicators are shifting. Like traffic lights, these signals are moving from red to amber, with the potential to turn green as Tinubu approaches his second year in office in May 2025.  

Positive Socioeconomic Developments Indicate Progress Despite Initial Hardship

Recent socioeconomic improvements in Nigeria highlight the impact of a series of bold policy actions that hold significant potential to alleviate the hardships many Nigerians have endured due to reform-induced challenges. These developments, signaling economic recovery, include:

✓ Reduction in pump prices for petrol and diesel.

✓ Strengthening of the naira against foreign currencies.

✓ Decline in religious insurgency and banditry.

✓ Decrease in herder-farmer clashes and overall insecurity.

✓ Significant reduction in crude oil theft, coupled with increased oil production and exports, boosting foreign exchange reserves.

✓ A rise in foreign direct investment, exemplified by Shell’s commitment to invest $5 billion in the Bonga deep-sea oil asset.

✓ Introduction of a ₦70,000 minimum wage for federal civil servants.

✓ Adoption of compressed natural gas (CNG) as a less expensive alternative to petrol and diesel for mass transportation.

✓ Establishment of the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) to enable indigent Nigerians to pursue higher education by covering tuition fees and living expenses, thereby democratizing access to education.

These positive indicators reflect President Tinubu’s commitment to managing Nigeria’s complex economy, which often defies conventional economic principles. However, it is important to acknowledge the significant sacrifices Nigerians have endured since the administration began implementing its reform agenda on May 29, 2023.

One of the most recent developments that offers hope is the announcement on December 18, 2024, of a ₦200 reduction in the price of diesel by Dangote Refinery, lowering the cost from ₦1,200 to ₦1,000 per liter. Similarly, last month, the refinery reduced the price of petrol (PMS) by ₦20 per liter.

Given the critical role of petrol and diesel in facilitating transportation, powering factories, and supplying electricity to homes and businesses, these price reductions are expected to positively impact the economy. While the immediate effects of these reductions are not yet apparent—evidenced by the latest Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report showing inflation rising from 33.88% to 34.60%—their long-term benefits are anticipated to ease the economic burden on Nigerians.

In essence, while the price reductions in these essential commodities (PMS and AGO) are yet to fully translate into tangible benefits, they are expected to lower transportation costs and provide relief to Nigerians struggling under severe economic hardship. However, these benefits may take time to materialize, as some fuel stations have yet to adjust their prices to reflect the reductions announced by Dangote Refinery.

Once the price adjustments are fully implemented, subsequent NBS reports may capture a downward trend in inflation rates. For now, food inflation remains high, driven by rising prices of staples such as onions, tomatoes, and peppers. These increases can be attributed to seasonal demand during the festive season, high transportation costs due to fuel price hikes, and other supply chain disruptions.

While these developments indicate progress, more time is needed for the full benefits of Tinubu’s reforms to materialize. Nevertheless, they offer hope for greater economic stability and relief for Nigerians in the near future.

Tinubu’s Economic and Sociopolitical Strategies Show Promise Amid Challenges

Key drivers of Nigeria’s current high food inflation include rising transportation costs, seasonal demand, and supply chain disruptions, which have made basic cooking ingredients unaffordable for many vulnerable Nigerians. However, as the reduced costs of petrol and diesel take effect, and with the festive season coming to an end, coupled with continued security improvements, inflation may see a significant drop by the first quarter of 2025. While it may not reach the 15% target set by the Director of Budget in the Presidency, my good friend Dr. Tanimu Yakubu, the concerted efforts of various government departments—from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to the Ministry of Finance—make it unlikely to remain at its current elevated levels.

Notably, Nigeria’s debt service ratio has dropped to 65%, down from 97% when President Tinubu assumed office 18 months ago, just as the globetroting allegations against President has been vitiated by the fact that lndian Prime minister Naranda Modi and German president Frank-Walter Steinmeier have reciprocated Tinubu’s visits.

These are heads of strategic countries that are major trading and technology partners and they were in Nigeria to discuss partnerships that would benefit our nation tremendously.

That said, some analysts have suggested wrongly or rightly that Dangote Refinery’s recent price cuts for petroleum products may be part of a competitive strategy against importers. Nonetheless, businesses with significant investments—such as Dangote, which staked $20 billion in a state-of-the-art refinery—often start by charging high prices to recoup their investments. Similar trends were observed in Nigeria’s telecommunications sector, where companies spent heavily on cutting-edge technology and spectrum licenses, making SIM cards initially expensive before prices dropped significantly. With additional refineries, such as the NNPC facilities in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna, gradually resuming operations, fuel prices are expected to decline further, aligning with earlier assurances that l gave to the public that although in Nigeria we believe what goes up hardly comes down, petroleum prices will surely come down from their current high.

As we all can attest , efforts to stabilize the naira against foreign currencies have also gained traction. A bill to prohibit the use of foreign currencies for local transactions, such as school fees and rent, has advanced significantly in the National Assembly. Combined with increased local refining capacity of petroleum products, this measure is expected to reduce domestic demand for foreign exchange which hitherto channeled into fuel imports.

Notably, the CBN reported an increase in foreign reserves from $38.3 billion in September to $40.08 billion by November 7, 2024. This boost, the highest in two years, provides sufficient coverage for nine months of imports and supports further currency stabilization.

Overall, President Tinubu’s bold economic policies, such as subsidy removal and currency devaluation, have spurred these positive changes. Despite the immediate hardships, these reforms are beginning to yield results, with further momentum anticipated from recently proposed tax reform bills currently under review in the National Assembly. These initiatives suggest a comprehensive approach to economic reform, unlike past efforts, such as the introduction of Structural Adjustment Program (SAP) in mid 1980s under Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, which adopted a piecemeal approach.

If the current reforms are managed effectively, these policies that l had coined “Tinubunomics” but did not go down well Aso Rock Villa, could provide long-term relief for Nigerians. The concept of “Tinubunomics” was a focus when Tinubu’s economic policies were reviewed on 8th May during the launch of my book, Leading From the Streets: Media Interventions by a Public Intellectual, 1999–2019. At the event, the theme “Tinubunomics: What’s Working, What’s Not, and Why” was explored and it generated a heated panel discussion. One panelist vexatiously claimed the economy was in “the red,” and the statement went viral. Today, it is unlikely that the same claim would be made, as the unfolding effects of the reform measures indicate long-term potential for recovery and relief. 

On the sociocultural front, Tinubu has taken steps to address allegations of marginalization and promote inclusivity. For instance, renaming the National Arts Theatre after Professor Wole Soyinka which drew critism with those against it alledging nepotism and the naming of University of Abuja after General Yakubu Gowon, an Angas man from north central Nigeria zone underscores a commitment to equity and merit. Similarly, the appointment of Sylvester Nwakuche, an Igbo man, as Acting Controller General of Immigration highlights Tinubu’s efforts to correct perceived ethnic imbalances in federal appointments.

In addition to that, the recent release of some Igbo youths detained for IPOB-related offenses signals a thawing relationship between the federal government and Biafran agitators.

To further cement national unity, Tinubu could consider releasing IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu as a gesture of goodwill during the yuletide season. Such a move could resonate with the Igbo community, much like Muhammadu Buhari’s posthumous honor for MKO Abiola in 2018 by changing democracy day from 29 May to 12 June the day the presidential election was presumably won by MKO Abiola but was annuled by the military, won acclaim from the Yoruba people.

Looking ahead, 2025 holds promise for economic recovery and sociopolitical stability, provided Tinubu remains committed to his reform agenda and he woos and receives more support from a broader spectrum of Nigerians. Frankly, as the nation navigates these challenging times, there is hope that brighter days lie ahead.

On that note of optimism, I wish Nigerians and readers worldwide a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Magnus Onyibe is an entrepreneur, public policy analyst, author, democracy advocate, development strategist, alumnus of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA, and a former commissioner in the Delta State government (2003–2007).

For further discussions, please visit www.magnum.ng.

The first Presidential Media Chat with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will be broadcast at 9 p.m. on Monday, December 23, on the Nigerian Television Authority and Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria.

All television and radio stations are requested to hook up to the broadcast.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

Nigerians are buying Dangote Petrol at a reduced price of N935 per litre across MRS filling stations nationwide, N105 cheaper than the price sold at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited retail outlets, DAILY POST reports.

Checks by DAILY POST on Sunday revealed that MRS filling stations in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, have commenced dispensing petrol to motorists at N935 per litre from N1060.

This indicates a N125 price cut. This is the situation at MRS retail outlets along Kubwa Expressway, Lugbe, in Abuja.

This comes as Dangote Refinery on Saturday announced that it has commenced a partnership with MRS to sell petrol at N935 nationwide.

The Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria also confirmed the development in a statement by its president, Abubakar Maigandi, on Sunday.

Outside Lagos State, the new N935 per litre petrol price was expected to kick off on Monday; however, as of Sunday, MRS filling stations in the nation’s capital have started selling at the price.

With the development, MRS retail fuel price templates are now cheaper than Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited retail outlets, which stand at N1040 per litre.

This means Nigerians now buy petrol between N935 per litre and N1,100.

Recall that in the past week, both Dangote Refinery and NNPCL had reduced their ex-depot prices of PMS.

While Dangote Refinery reduced its ex-depot price to N899.50 per litre from N970, NNPCL dropped its price to N899 per litre from N1030. The development impacted retail prices of petrol.

Aliko Dangote, the president of Dangote Group, had lauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support in the implementation of crude-for-naira sales to domestic refineries, which influenced the recent petrol price reduction.

[DailyPost]

As part of efforts to prevent tragedies at public events, several states have started the implementation of strict precautionary measures, The PUNCH reports.

This comes after 67 people, 35 of them children, died in stampedes in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital; Okija, Anambra State and Abuja during a funfair and food distribution ceremonies.

In the rush to secure free food items from the organisers, some of the participants were trampled upon, resulting in fatalities. While 35 children were confirmed dead by the police in Ibadan, 10 people died in Abuja, while 22 were reported killed in Okija.

In a decisive action, the Lagos State Government mandated individuals and groups to register with state safety agencies when planning for events expected to host more than 250 attendees, both during and after the Yuletide.

The government emphasised that failure to comply with this directive would result in sanctions for event organisers.

At a media briefing on Sunday, the State Commissioner for Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Relations, Gbenga Oyerinde, and his counterpart in the Ministry of Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotosho, alongside heads of state safety commissions, stressed the importance of adequate crowd control measures in preventing tragedies.

“The Lagos State Government is seriously concerned about the stampede incidents in Oyo, Anambra, and Abuja. Any individual, group, or organisation planning to distribute items or host large gatherings must obtain clearance from the state government and register with the safety commissions,” Omotosho stated.

He added that event organisers could also request ambulances from the state government at a reasonable fee.

Oyerinde encouraged residents to utilise the state’s toll-free emergency lines, 767 and 112, for prompt assistance during emergencies.

The Director-General of the Lagos Safety Commission, Lanre Mojola, announced that the registration process for large gatherings had been streamlined online.

Also, Ondo State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr. Olukayode Ajulo, SAN, on Sunday introduced new crowd control guidelines for law enforcement, event organisers, and local authorities on Sunday.

Ajulo explained that the guidelines were established under the legal authority of the Constitution of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Ondo State Administration of Criminal Justice Law 2015, and the Nigeria Police Act 2020.

The directives partly read, “Law enforcement must assess risks for all public gatherings, considering factors like expected attendance, venue suitability, and potential security challenges.

“Also, organisers are required to inform local authorities of their events in advance, providing details such as the venue, expected crowd size, and timing.

“Adequate police and security personnel are to be assigned to events to monitor proceedings and prevent incidents.  Others are event organisers and law enforcement must maintain open communication channels for real-time updates.   Tools like CCTV cameras and drones may be used to monitor crowds.”

It added, “Events with over 300 participants must have on-site medical teams, ambulances, and emergency response plans. Organisers must ensure attendees have access to drinking water and mobile toilets.

“Events must be held in venues with multiple access points to allow for easy movement.

“Organisers and participants must comply with Nigerian laws, and violations will attract legal consequences.”

Ajulo stated that all stakeholders must work together to ensure compliance with these directives.

“These measures are designed to prevent avoidable tragedies. Our aim is to create a safer and more organised environment for public events in Ondo State.”

Also, Governor Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State called for more structured and safer approach to distributing relief materials to prevent stampedes and loss of lives.

Soludo, in a statement on Sunday signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, expressed grief on the tragic loss of lives and sympathised with families of those who lost their loved ones.

 “The event was with the noble intention of sharing relief materials to the  less privileged during this festive season. However, the resulting tragedy underscores the urgent need for a more structured and safer approach to distributing such assistance to prevent stampede and loss of lives,” he said.

He urged individuals and groups engaged in charitable activities to prioritise the safety and wellbeing of beneficiaries.

“It is strongly advised that future distributions of relief materials be conducted in a more organised and decentralised manner, with adequate crowd control measures in place.

“This may include establishing multiple distribution points within the community to reduce overcrowding at a single location.

“Implement a system to prioritise vulnerable groups such as the elderly, pregnant women, children and people with disabilities; as well as employing trained personnel to manage crowds.

“Ensure orderly queues, provide assistance to those in need; and conduct public awareness to educate the public on safety protocols during such events,” he said.

Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, has also taken measures to forestall similar incident in the state.

In a statement Sunday issued by the Special Adviser to the Governor, Media and Publicity, Ferdinand Ekeoma, on ‘Public Safety Alert’, Otti stated, “Organisers of any event that would require a large crowd of people, should get across to the Abia State Homeland Security or Local Government Authority for the necessary guide and support to ensure safety of attendees.”

The statement added, “The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, wishes to commiserate  with the families and loved ones of victims of stampede that happened in Oyo, Abuja and Anambra.

“Following this frightening upsurge in cases of stampede being witnessed in different parts of the country, especially this festive period, as a result of challenges with crowd-control by organisers and participants in different events/programmes, the Governor wishes to call on organisers of all kinds of programmes that would require a reasonable crowd, to make sure they put in place all safety measures to avoid a stampede of any type that may lead to loss of lives.

“The government also wishes to strongly warn against any unethical practices like spraying or throwing of money, or gift items into a crowd of people, given its propensity to lead to a stampede.

“The government shall come down very hard on any person or group that ignores this safety directive.”

Also, the Akwa Ibom State Government said it had taken measures to avoid stampede in the state by decentralising palliatives sharing that attracts large crowd in the state.

The state commissioner of Information and Strategy, Ini Ememobong, who spoke to one of our correspondents in Uyo, said during palliatives sharing the state ensures LG chairmen coordinate the distribution to avoid large crowds in any particular area.

He said, “We have been sharing palliatives this season but we distribute them to the local governments. The LG chairmen distribute to villages. We are sending 20 bags of rice to every village. That way we are dissipating the crowd, so people are not gathering in large numbers. If they are gathering, they are gathering in their villages and it’s just a sizeable number of people who can gather in the village

“So, this is our own logistics plan which has been operationalised for a long time now and it’s working for us.”

Kogi State Government also applied measures similar to that of Akwa Ibom State.

The state information Commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo, said, “The state government commenced the distribution of foodstuffs since last week to enable the citizens to enjoy their Christmas and New Year holidays.

“Catering for the welfare of the citizens is what we have been doing almost on a quarterly basis, so we have developed a template to ensure we do not harm the people we are seeking to help.

“We take the foodstuffs to each Local Government Area and from there, they take it to each ward and finally to each polling unit. By so doing, we deal with a very organised and manageable number of people.

“This is the reason we have never experienced such stampede when distributing food items in the state.”

The Rivers State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Joseph Johnson, said they had placed measures down to ensure such tragedy don’t happen in the state.

He stated, “I’m sure that the states that these incidents happened, including the FCT, didn’t envisage that things would turn out that way, especially at this period of the year that people are celebrating.

“But for us as a government what we will do is to leverage on what has happened and forestall it should we have that situation. I believe strongly that we will have a better approach to it because our state is wonderful.”

The Delta State Government said it “received with deep shock and sorrow, the news of the recent stampedes in some parts of the country.”

The state Commissioner of Information, Ifeanyi Osuoza, stated, “We are therefore calling on all those who wish to organise such charity events during this festive period to ensure and put in place, stricter measures in crowd management and control during large gatherings, as this is very important for safeguarding lives and prioritising the welfare and wellbeing, especially those of children who most of these events are meant for, at public events.”

In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH, a nursing mother, who identified herself as Amarachi, said her child sustained injuries during the Abuja incident.

She recounted her journey from Mpape, a community about 9 to 11 kilometres away, to the church in hopes of receiving rice for Christmas.

“This is not my first time attending such a programme. The church provides us with rice every year. So this year, I came with my neighbour. I never anticipated such a crowd. I only came to collect the rice for Christmas. I thank God that I didn’t lose my life or that of my child,” she said.

A source at Maitama Hospital, who requested to remain anonymous due to lack of authorization to speak to the press, informed our correspondent on Sunday that most of the patients brought in from the incident were discharged the previous day.

The source confirmed that two children with serious injuries are still receiving medical care but are expected to be discharged soon.

However, one of our correspondents was denied access to the ward where the children were being treated.

Consequently, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, expressed concern over the recorded deaths and advised event organizers to involve the police in future events.

Reacting, the PDP National Publicity Secretary described it as heartbreaking that, despite Nigeria’s abundant resources, citizens have allegedly been subjected to an agonizing life where they die struggling for food.

He stated “Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) describes the widespread food stampede in the country as an ugly testament of the alarming level of misery, poverty, hunger, starvation, sense of hopelessness and desperation for survival currently plaguing our nation under the overtly insensitive, corrupt and rudderless Tinubu-led All Progressives Congress (APC) government.

“The Party laments the tragic stampede at private events in Oyo and Anambra States as well as the FCT, Abuja which claimed the lives of about 60 vulnerable citizens including children in their desperate struggle for food as a result of the pervasive hunger in the land occasioned by the anti-people policies of the APC administration.

“The PDP is devastated that the APC-led administration has wrecked our once thriving economy and pushed millions of Nigerians deeper into abject poverty and hunger with many citizens, not being able to afford their daily meals, now resorting to suicide and desperate measures including slavery mission abroad and fighting for crumbs for survival.

“It is heartbreaking that despite our abundant resources as a nation, Nigerians have been subjected to agonizing life where they die struggling for food.”

Ologunagba further stated that the situation in the country reinforces the view of the APC as a party of “political vampires and buccaneers” who allegedly have no respect for human life and instead take pleasure in the suffering and death of citizens, including innocent children.

The PDP Publicity Secretary criticized the ruling APC for allegedly failing to make the necessary investments to strengthen the productive sector, especially in agriculture and food production.

The statement read in part “This also explains why the APC administration has rejected all advice and suggestions by the PDP and other well-meaning Nigerians to review the hasty implementation of the suffocating policies of abrupt increase in the price of petroleum products and the floating of the Naira, despite the crippling consequences on the productive sector and life-discounting effect on the citizenry.

“More provoking is that instead of deploying the nation’s resources for the wellbeing of the people, the APC leaders are engaged in massive looting through direct pillaging of government vaults, budget padding, contract inflation, oil subsidy scam, palliative racketeering and phony programmes which have no benefit to the lives of the citizens.

“The PDP calls on Nigerians to hold the Tinubu-led APC administration responsible for the remote cause of these tragic occurrences for which it must recompense.

“Our Party insists that any administration that is sensitive and cares for the people would have since introduced intervention programmes to ease the suffering and improve on the welfare of the masses which is the primary purpose of government.”

In addition, PDP Deputy Youth leader called for President Tinubu’s resignation over the incidents.

Osadolor, in an exclusive interview with our correspondent, expressed that he expected President Tinubu to use the opportunity of these deaths to apologize to Nigerians for his failure to lead and manage the economy, and to resign with dignity.

He stated “Well, I believe that the incidents are a referendum on the maladministration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. It vividly showcases all that we have been saying—that this government has lost its grip on economic policy and there is no full security under this administration.

“Nobody ever envisage that anyone will die of hunger and stampede for food like this in this country. Even Ukraine, which has been fighting a war for almost two or three years now, cannot have a food stampede because there is food security and the President is managing the economy very well.

“I would expect that President Tinubu would seize the occasion of the deaths of these people to apologise to Nigerians for his failure to lead and manage the economy, and resign honorably. It is a matter of honor and dignity for him.

“It is most unfortunate that our people are dying of hunger and our President has no response to any of this. I am fully aware. I am more than convinced that life has never been as bad for Nigerians in this country as it is now. This government has failed woefully, and Nigerians are dying in large numbers because they cannot cope.”

On his part, the CUPP National Secretary stated that President Tinubu’s APC-led administration has not made any intentional efforts to improve the lives of Nigerians.

In an exclusive interview with our correspondent, Ahmeh called for comprehensive and realistic plans to address Nigeria’s economic challenges.

He stated “It is the failure of leadership that the leaders are not objective enough. Their priorities are not right, and they are not doing what is possible to take Nigeria from being a perpetual struggle to a country where there is a breakfast for the world—where we eat enough and export to the world, because we have about 39.6 million arable hectares of land.

“The government is supposed to provide an enabling environment for farmers to survive, and for farmers to involve investment to drive in the agricultural sector. We have the capacity to do so, but then we start to see this kind of thing because there is no intentionality by the APC President Tinubu led administration to rescue Nigeria from this issue of hunger and malnutrition that is occurring across Nigeria, both in the north and the west and beyond.

“We need a very realistic plan that can actually remove us from this disgraceful episode that is affecting Nigerians. About 67 Nigerians have died, lost their lives because of hunger.

“Because this government have failed to set right priorities and a lack of having the interest of the masses at heart. The current leadership has become so selfish, so self-centered, and irresponsible. They’re not responsible to the yearnings and aspirations of our people, or to the plight and poverty of our people. They’re not interested. The leadership continues to live in luxury while our people suffer. This is a call to action.”

Morseso, the LP national youth leader wondered why people of a country could be allowed to die in a disastrous manner as a result of the hardship brought about by the reforms of the President.

He stated “My heart goes out to the parents of the victims. When you look at those who have died, the majority of them are handicapped people, poor, old people and children. Those families, no matter how much Tinubu mourns, can never recover from this loss. It is impossible.

“How can people lose their lives just because of some cup of rice with fee days to Christmas? This has further shown that we have a government that is not compassionate. It shows the government is not really working for the people. It’s quite unfortunate and pathetic.

“This government has failed the people. We have not had it this bad before. This is not something we should be projecting this to the international community. It doesn’t look good for Nigeria. May God make a way for those who lost their parents and children in that tragedy.”

The Peoples Redemption Party also lamented that the incidents starkly highlight the alarming conditions that many Nigerians are compelled to face.

In a statement released in Abuja, the Acting National Publicity Secretary urged Nigerians to redeem their bad choice by ensuring that the APC and PDP are not allowed to return to office in 2027.

Ishaq further said the Federal Government and the President in particular should be held accountable for the escalating hardships following the removal of the fuel subsidy and implementation of other policies that have impacted the most vulnerable in society.

He said, “Such anti-people policies have plunged countless families into abject poverty, forcing them to make desperate choices just to survive. We equally strongly call on the Nigerian electorates to at every next opportunity vote out the APC and its twin sister, the PDP that have brought poverty and misery to our lives.

“The scenes of chaos and panic at these gatherings underline the extreme poverty and desperation that exist in our society—conditions that have been exacerbated by years of persistent and systemic misgovernance.

“While we mourn the lives lost and share in the grief of affected communities, we must also recognize that these tragedies are indicative of a societal crisis. The happenings expose a failure to prioritize the welfare and safety of citizens amidst increasingly dire socio-economic conditions.”

However, the National Publicity Director of the APC disagrees, stressing that it would be unjust to hold the President responsible for the ‘unfortunate’ incidents.

According to him, incidents like stampedes happen all over the world, especially when adequate security measures are not put in place.

He said, “It’s unfortunate the initiatives resulted in stampede. But if you look at the issue of generosity all over the world, even in missions, churches, mosques and religious institutions where hands of fellowship or generosity are extended to the public, it always results in stampede if there is no adequate security measure.

“By nature, human beings are insatiable. The more they get, the more they want. So this is not the failure of the government, but actually the failure of adequate arrangement to contain the situation. The organisers did not anticipate such a thing. That probably explains why they did not provide adequate security.

“If you are to arrange a distribution of food, money or palliative, even in the villa where you have the seat of government, there will be stampede if there is no adequate arrangement. People will always want to take more. In advanced society, even in the US and Britain, you have such situations.

“So it is not just an issue of people starving or a situation of terrible hardship. If there is no proper structure in place to organise and make arrangement for distribution of amenities, they will always want to rush thinking that it will not go round. It is unfortunate that it happened, but I think we just have to look at the issue of security henceforth.”

CAN mourns

Meanwhile, on Sunday, the Federal Government and the Christian Association of Nigeria offered their condolences to the families of the deceased.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the incidents as deeply saddening and expressed solidarity with the victims’ families and others affected.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and all those affected by these unfortunate incidents,” Idris said in a statement issued by his media aide, Rabiu Ibrahim.

He emphasised the need for organizers of such activities to prioritise safety measures to prevent similar occurrences.

The minister advised all individuals and organizations planning charitable events during the festive season to collaborate with the police and the National Emergency Management Agency for effective crowd control and security.

Idris also cautioned against politicising the incidents, stating that the stampedes are unrelated to the economic reforms introduced by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

He highlighted that similar tragedies have occurred in the past and called for a focus on unity and shared responsibility rather than assigning unwarranted blame.

 “It is worth noting that similar unfortunate occurrences have been recorded in the past, before the current administration, as such, making any attempt to link these tragedies to the President’s reforms is unfounded and disingenuous,” he said.

The minister reiterated that the administration’s reforms aim to promote sustainable economic growth and improve the lives of all Nigerians, particularly the most vulnerable, without causing additional distress.

In a statement on Sunday titled “A Heartfelt Response to the Tragedy at Holy Trinity Catholic Church”, CAN President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, described the death of the individuals as “not just statistics” but a representation of real families who were hurting.

Okoh further said that the incident was part of a troubling pattern, noting two other instances of stampedes recorded in Oyo and Anambra States during the week, adding that the incidents highlighted “the challenges of managing large crowds during charitable events”.

He called for togetherness and support for the grieving families, while stating that the concern shown since the sad incident highlights our shared humanity

Part of the statement read, “The National Leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) is disturbed by the tragic events at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Maitama on Saturday morning. We have learned that at least ten people, including children, lost their lives in a stampede while trying to seek help from the church.”

“This tragedy is not just statistics; it represents real families who are hurting. Each person lost was someone’s beloved family member. We wish to express our heartfelt condolences to the Catholic Church and to the families affected by this terrible incident. We stand together with you in this time of sadness and prayer.”

“This incident is part of a troubling pattern, as Nigeria has experienced two other tragic stampedes this month. On December 18, during a Christmas funfair at a school in Ibadan, a stampede resulted in the deaths of 35 children, with six others critically injured. The event aimed to distribute cash and food to over 5,000 children. This tragic event is currently under investigation, focusing on better crowd control measures.”

“Just a few days later, another stampede occurred during a rice distribution event at a centre in Anambra State. Reports indicate that at least 22 people lost their lives, and 32 others were injured. These heartbreaking incidents highlight the challenges of managing large crowds during charitable events. In the face of these tragedies, we recognise the importance of coming together to support those who are grieving. It is crucial that we listen to one another, share our feelings, and offer help in any way we can. This is a time for compassion and understanding as we help one another heal.”

[Punch]