Chess player Tunde Onakoya is planning to attempt to break the world record for longest chess marathon, currently set at 61 hours by two Norwegian players.

Onakoya, who is going against US National master Shawn Martinez, aims to set a new record of 70 hours from April 17 to April 20 at Times Square, New York, USA.

He said his goal goes beyond breaking the record but to inspire the world and raise support for a noble cause of building the biggest free school for homeless children in Nigeria.

Onakoya will be joined by some of his trained children from Chess in Slums Africa initiative, who will participate in the record attempt for a few hours, showcasing their talents and potential.

The event is also open to chess players in New York City, who are invited to challenge Onakoya and his team.

Onakoya wrote: “There is a new world record for 61 hours set by two Norwegian players. On the 17th of April, we will attempt to break that record and set a new one for 70 hours

“My dream is to inspire the world, and raise support to build the biggest free school for homeless children in Nigeria.

“I won’t be doing it alone. I’ll be playing alongside these kids who have shown all of us that it is possible to do great things from a small place. (They will only join in for a few hours). This is an open call to every chess player in New York City to come and challenge them”.

Onakoya broke the Guinness World Record for the longest chess marathon in April, 2024, surpassing the previous record set by Norwegian players Hallvard Haug Flatebø and Sjur Ferkingstad in 2018.

The Norwegian duo played for 56 hours, 9 minutes, and 37 seconds.

Onakoya partnered with US chess master Shawn Martinez, exceeded this record on April 20, 2024, achieving an impressive 60-hour marathon.

[Punch]

•Fagbemi drafts S’Court response, PDP berates President, Ibas, Tompolo hints at Fubara’s return

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), has sprung into action and commenced drafting the response of President Bola Tinubu to the People’s Democratic Party’s governors’ suit challenging the declaration of emergency rule in Rivers State.

The PDP governors, on their part, have engaged 11 Senior Advocates of Nigeria and six other attorneys to battle the Federal Government at the Supreme Court on what powers the President has to declare emergency rule in a state and suspend a democratically elected institution of the state.

The SANs hired by the governors include Bolaji Ayorinde, Eyitayo Jegede, Kamaldeen Ajibade, J.A Mumuni, Musibau Adetunbi, Samuel Atung and Yunus Abdulsalam.

The others are M.S. Atolagbe, Ezenwa Ibegbunam, Chiamaka Anagu, Olakunle Lawal, Abduljalil Musa and H. A. Adeleke.

The PDP governors are also contesting the appointment of a sole administrator by the President to manage the affairs of Rivers State pending the duration of the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara.

President Bola Tinubu had on March 18, 2025, declared a state of emergency in Rivers State and suspended Governor Fubara, his deputy, Mrs Ngozi Odu, and all elected members of the Rivers State House of Assembly for an initial period of six months.

Following the suspension, Tinubu appointed Vice Admiral Ibok Ete Ibas (retd.) as the sole administrator to oversee the affairs of Rivers State during the period of the suspension.

Meanwhile, the Senate and House of Representatives supported the President’s decision through a voice vote.

Consequently, 11 PDP governors sued the President and the National Assembly before the Supreme Court, challenging the President’s powers to declare an emergency rule and suspend elected officials in a state.

The 11 states whose governors instituted the suit are Adamawa, Enugu, Osun, Oyo, Bauchi, Akwa Ibom, Plateau, Delta, Taraba, Zamfara, and Bayelsa states.

The governors in the suit marked SC/CV/329/2025, among others, asked the Supreme Court to determine “Whether upon a proper construction and interpretation of the provisions of Sections 1(2), 5(2), 176, 180, 188 and 305 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria can lawfully suspend or in any manner whatsoever interfere with the offices of a Governor and the Deputy Governor of any of the component 36 States of the Federation of Nigeria and replace same with his own unelected nominee as a Sole Administrator, under the guise of, or pursuant to, a Proclamation of a State of Emergency in any of the State of the Federation, particularly in any of the Plaintiffs States?

“Whether the consequent threat by the first Defendant acting on behalf of the President to the States of the Federation, including the Plaintiffs’ States, to the effect that the offices of the Governor and Deputy Governor of the States can be suspended by the President by virtue of a Proclamation of a State of Emergency, is not in contravention of the provisions of Sections 1(2), 4(6), 5(2), 11(2) and (3) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and inconsistent with the principles of constitutional federalism?”

On Sunday, The PUNCH gathered from a source in the AGF’s office that legal teams were working on the response to the suit.

“As we speak, my colleagues are in the office working on the processes,” the source said.

The Supreme Court has yet to fix a date for the hearing.

Ex-Rep kicks

Meanwhile, a Federal High Court sitting in Port Harcourt has fixed May 12 for a substantive hearing in a suit challenging the suspension of Governor Siminalayi Fubara and members of the State House of Assembly.

The suit was filed by a former member of the House of Representatives, Farah Dagogo.

To forestall difficulties in serving the defendants personally, the court granted an order for substituted services and fixed May 12 for the hearing.

In the case with suit No: FHC/PH/CS/50/2025, and before Justice Adamu Turaki Mohammed, the plaintiff, Dagogo, had on April 9 approached the court seeking reliefs connected to actions bothering on the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State and consequent suspension of the state governor and members of the State House of Assembly that involved President Bola Tinubu, the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, the Senate, the Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass, and Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd.), the Sole Administrator for Rivers State.

In the motion ex parte filed on April 8, the plaintiff’s legal team, led by C. I. Enweluzo, SAN, requested the court to grant permission for substituted service of the originating summons and other related court processes.

According to him, this was necessitated by difficulties in serving the defendants personally.

Justice Mohammed, after reviewing the affidavit sworn by Solomon Ayotamuno, a litigation assistant at Liberty Chambers, and hearing arguments from the Plaintiff’s counsel, including Femi Adegbite, Monday Dayi, Daso Jack, and D. Bakweri, granted the application and directed that a hearing notice be issued, and adjourned the case to May 12, 2025, for substantive hearing.

The court also ordered that all relevant court documents be served on the defendants through DHL courier service to their last known addresses.

The affected addresses include: The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria at Aso Rock Presidential Villa, Asokoro, Abuja; The Senate President and the Senate of the Federal Republic at the National Assembly Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja; the Speaker of the House of Representatives at the same Assembly Complex, and Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (retd) at the Rivers State Government House, Old GRA, Port Harcourt.

Ad-hoc committee

The House of Representatives will on Tuesday inaugurate an ad-hoc committee to take over the legislative functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly, The PUNCH has learnt.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the spokesman of the House, Akin Rotimi, noted that the presidential proclamation of the state of emergency on Rivers presented to the National Assembly was subjected to rigorous legislative consideration and duly amended to strengthen democratic safeguards and uphold the principles of checks and balances.

“One of the most consequential amendments was the designation of the National Assembly-rather than the Federal Executive Council-as the oversight authority for all regulations issued under the emergency arrangement.

“In line with Section 5 of the State of Emergency (Rivers State) Proclamation, 2025, and pursuant to Section 11(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the House has constituted a dedicated ad-hoc committee to monitor implementation and ensure that governance in the state remains within the bounds of constitutionalism and rule of law,” the statement read in part.

According to Rotimi, the committee will be chaired by the House Leader, Prof. Julius Ihonvbere, while the House minority whip will act as the deputy chairman.

Other members of the committee include Isiaka Ibrahim, Idris Wase, Muktar Betara, and Sada Soli, Abiodun Faleke, Amos Daniel, Erhiatake Ibori-Suenu and Blessing Onuh.

Others are Iduma Igariwey, Shehu Rijau, Oluwole Oke, Etinosa Amadi, Patrick Umoh, James Barka, Alex Egbona, Isa Anka and Fatima Talba.

The secretariat of the committee, according to the statement, will be headed by Prof. Jake Dan-Azumi.

He noted that the development “underscores the resolve of the House of Representatives to uphold the supremacy of the Constitution and ensure that the extraordinary measures undertaken during the emergency period remain subject to legislative oversight, guided by transparency, accountability, and the best interest of the good people of Rivers State.”

Dickson visits Fubara

Also, former Governor of Bayelsa State, Seriake Dickson, lauded Fubara for remaining peaceful and calm despite the political development in Rivers State.

Dickson, now a Senator, stated this when he visited Fubara at his residence in Port Harcourt.

Fubara and his predecessor and estranged political godfather, now Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, have been enmeshed in a prolonged disagreement, which snowballed into a major political crisis.

According to a post on Facebook, Dickson, a member of the PDP, said he and his host discussed “extreme political development in the state.”

He added, “I appreciated his (Fubara’s) calmness and peaceful disposition amidst unprecedented turbulence.”

Senator Dickson also shared pictures and a short clip of the visit on his Facebook page.

During the visit to Fubara, Senator Dickson commended the people of Rivers State for maintaining peace amidst “extreme and rare political development”, noting, “It may very well be the peace of a graveyard which, any little trigger can alter the balance of peace in the state and across the Niger Delta region.”

He urged the Ijaw people to remain peaceful and resist any provocation or incitement to violence.

He added, “They should refrain from violence and destructive tendencies, particularly the destruction and vandalisation of strategic oil and gas infrastructure in the region, which tends to cause further pollution-damage to our already compromised environment, slow down the pace of economic development and activities in the region, and create fiscal challenges for the government at all levels in the country, especially at this time when the global economy is experiencing unprecedented instability with consequences for all nations.

“The Ijaw Nation is not at war with the President or the APC-led Federal Government. On the contrary, the Niger Delta and the Ijaw Nation have always stood for a restructured and truly federal Nigeria, where power is properly devolved, accelerated infrastructure and human capital development, environmental justice and fairness for all, and an inclusive Nigeria.

“On all these issues, we are encouraged to see the President as a partner from his antecedence and not a foe, irrespective of party differences as some may portray.”

Tompolo breaks silence

Chairman, Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Government Ekpemupolo has broken his silence on the state of emergency declaration in Rivers State, assuring that the suspended “Governor Siminalayi Fubara will return to his post.”

Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, while speaking during his 54th birthday celebration held at Aziza Temple in Gbaramatu Kingdom, Warri South West Local Government Area on Saturday, noted with concern that people had been accusing him of betraying the Ijaw nation for being silent on the suspension of Fubara.

“Talks are ongoing to resolve the differences between both Wike and Sim Fubara,” he stated. “I have sat on the throne of my father and all that is lost will return to glory.  The Ijaws will never be conquered people. If the Ijaws choose to go to war, the heavens will join us.  I have never fought a battle and lost.

“Let’s continue to support President Tinubu, he will bring all the good things we desire to the Ijaw nation. He is not a bad person.”

Ekpemupolo added, “On the issue in Rivers State, because I have not spoken, they said I have betrayed the Ijaw nation, but l cannot betray the Ijaw nation. I have spent all my life fighting for the Ijaw but we have passed the stage of responding to Wike’s kind of statement.  We are no longer at that level.

“I assure you that Governor Fubara will return as Governor.  We are already discussing.  Both he and Wike are like son and father.  Before he became governor, many Ijaws were against him, yet Wike was instrumental to his emergence, just like we also supported Wike.

“And just like l will not accept rebellion from my son, l will also not cause more problems.  Wike is angry, but he has to bring his temper down for the good of all.  We will dialogue and resolve all lingering issues, and again, Fubara will return to his seat.

“But you see that Bayelsa, as we are all here, our eyes are there, that is our home.  If you try Bayelsa, you will die. I and Governor (Douye) Diri may differ in opinion, but we are Ijaws. Bayelsa is the home of all Ijaws.  Those who are still carrying guns against their fellow Ijaws, it’s time to love ourselves.”

Forty-seven years ago, Nigerian students took a stand against military dictatorship. They insisted that every child should have a right and access to education. They, therefore, rejected increases in school and feeding fees, insisting that education should not be commercialised.

An enraged military regime sent out soldiers against the students. What followed was a massacre.

The Murtala-Obasanjo regime zeroed in on four student leaders: Segun Okeowo, Bukar Mbaya, Offiong Aqua, and Ekpein Appah, leader of the University of Benin, UNIBEN, Students Union. Appah had most infuriated the Head of State, General Olusegun Obasanjo and his Deputy, General Shehu Yar’ Adua.

However, while the first three were generally known, Appah appeared to be a shadowy figure. After their detention for months and expulsion from school, he seemed to have fallen off the earth’s surface.

To mark the 47th Year of the uprising which comes up this Thursday, April 17, 2025, I drew Appah out of his shell in Kiama, Bayelsa State to present the uncommunicative hero to the world.

He had attended primary schools in Kiama, Abeokuta, Lagos, Enugu and Kaduna; secondary school in Yenagoa and higher school in Port Harcourt, before being admitted into UNIBEN in the 1976/77 Session. His active participation in student unionism was fortuitous. He was an off-campus student and the Students Union had decided that those students should be represented in the parliament. So he came to represent the off-campus students.

Appah teamed up with some other students to present a candidate for the union presidency. Their candidate won, but turned out to be a disappointment. So Appah moved a motion for his impeachment. The union then decided to re-write its constitution. He was made the Chair of the Constitution Review Committee. The Committee visited universities like Ibadan and Lagos to apprise itself of their student union constitutions. When he returned, he found that in his absence, the student union had decided to put in place a Caretaker Committee, and he had been presented as the Chairman.

This was when the NUNS was consulting various groups against the military’s decision to commercialise education. UNIBEN students were in full support of the student agitations and Appah immediately joined other national student leaders. They met a delegation of the military regime led by General Yar’Adua. In Ekpein’s analysis, the talks broke down because General Obasanjo believed that Chief Obafemi Awolowo, who was agitating to be elected President on a programme for free education, was the brain behind the students agitation. So, the ruling Supreme Military Council was insistent that it would make no compromise.

Appah insisted there was no such external influence, and that indeed, there was no influence from any quarters as the students were well informed about local and international issues which were often debated across campuses. He said the NUNS position was that if the leakages in public expenditure were blocked, there would be enough money to fund and maintain free education. The NUNS had listed some of those leakages.

He said the students also felt that if Ghana, which did not have the resources of Nigeria, including oil wealth, could provide free education, there was no reason why Nigeria could not do same. The students insisted that there could be no increase in school fees without the military consulting them, their lecturers and parents.

Appah said when ABU students and other citizens were shot in Zaria, the anger of the students and the Nigerian populace could no longer be contained.

Students decided nationwide to carry out symbolic burial of the victims. Appah told me what happened next in UNIBEN: “We had two campuses: Ekenwa and Ugbowo. We carried coffins from Ekenwa to Ugbowo. The police stopped us on the Lagos-Benin highway and ordered us back. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Aliyu Attah, who later became IG (Inspector General of Police, 1990-93) told us the police would not allow us to proceed. I told him he should either allow us or shoot us.

He argued that the burial we wanted to carry out was merely symbolic, so there was no issue whether we actually carried out the burial or not. I replied that in Africa, burials can be symbolic. It was a tense situation as some of the students were military personnel on in-service training and had guns. I myself carried a knife for self-defence.

Attah then told us the Commissioner of Police, Etim Inyang, later IG (1983-86) wanted to see us. We told Attah we would see the CP but would not trek to the Police Command. So they provided vehicles. We had started our march at 7am and did not leave the Police Command until 3pm. They carried us back to Ekenwa where we held a strong rally. During the rally, only one car was destroyed. It was an official car with the inscription, ‘Bendel State Hospital Board’, which was burnt.”

The regime which prided itself as being strongly anti-Apartheid, was livid when Appah in a letter to General Obasanjo wrote that while Apartheid South Africa was killing Blacks, he could not use Nigerian guns to kill Nigerians.

Appah was invited to see the Police Commissioner from where he was whisked to the Kingsway Road, Lagos offices of the secret Nigeria Security Organisation, NSO. He was then moved to the NSO Headquarters on Awolowo Road where he met detained lecturers like Ola Oni, Bade Onimode and Laoye Sanda. He was later moved to the Kirikiri Maximum Prison where he spent a total 49 days. He said he had a lot of introspection in prison as he had no access to books.

Appah said of his release: “ One day, the warder said I should come out and I was just left outside the Kirikiri (prison) gates. I walked to the road, and took a taxi to my brother’s residence at Number 230, Ojo Road, Ajegunle.”

After schools were reopened, he was about taking his examinations when an announcement was made expelling him. He was not allowed to return to school until 1982 when he was admitted by the University of Ibadan, to read Classics and Philosophy.

The Ibadan students were unaware of his presence on the campus until the campus press came to interview him. His former co-detainee, Bade Onimode, a Professor, then called him and said: “You can’t hide.”

On the current state of the country, including 18.3 million out-of-school children, Appah told me in our April 12, 2025 interview: “Wherever we are, whether in the village, town or country, we must be able to fight for it. Until you die, there is no rest. Until he died, Fidel Castro did not rest, Mandela did not rest. We must be ready to die for our society; Jesus died for his country.”

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto State has expressed concern regarding the administration of local government funds under the current All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government.

The concerns were raised on Saturday by the PDP State Chairman, Hon. Bello Aliyu Goronyo, during a meeting with party executives from the state, zonal, and local government levels at the PDP secretariat in Sokoto.

During the meeting, Hon. Goronyo highlighted what he described as a need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of local government resources. He claimed that many local councils in the state are experiencing financial constraints, which he attributed to governance challenges.

He further noted that such financial difficulties, if not addressed, could hinder development efforts and affect the delivery of essential services in local communities.

The PDP also commented on the state of basic infrastructure, pointing to issues such as limited access to potable drinking water in parts of Sokoto metropolis. Goronyo called on the current administration to prioritize the welfare of residents by addressing these needs.

Despite the party’s concerns, Hon. Goronyo expressed optimism about the PDP’s prospects in the 2027 gubernatorial elections, stating that the party is committed to offering what he described as a more responsive and people-oriented alternative.

“We believe the people of Sokoto State deserve quality leadership and improved living conditions,” he said. “The PDP remains focused on providing solutions that meet the needs of our communities.”

As political activities begin to intensify ahead of the 2027 elections, the PDP has reiterated its commitment to engaging citizens on key governance issues while working to regain the trust and support of the electorate.

 [Vanguard]

Here are the seven top business stories you need to track this week — April 14 to April 18.

FG SAYS NAIRA-FOR-CRUDE OIL DEAL WILL CONTINUE 

The federal government says the naira-for-crude deal will continue after the first phase ended on March 31.

The ministry of finance announced on April 9, after a meeting between the technical sub-committee on the crude and refined product sales in naira initiative, Wale Edun, minister of finance, and Zacch Adedeji, the chairman of the committee and the executive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

“The stakeholders reaffirmed the government’s continued commitment to the full implementation of this strategic initiative, as directed by the Federal Executive Council (FEC),” the ministry said.

‘NIGERIA INSULATED FROM GLOBAL TARIFF SHOCKS’ 

Edun, also said Nigeria is well-positioned to withstand global trade disruptions, including the new United States import tariffs.

Speaking at the recent corporate governance forum organised by the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) in Abuja, the minister said while oil and minerals are exempted from the tariffs, the broader economic impact could be felt through declining oil prices

He stressed that Nigeria remains relatively insulated due to early reforms and a shift in economic strategy.

‘PETROLEUM IMPORTS DECLINED BY 23%, NON-OIL IMPORTS FELL BY 12%’

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has announced a balance of payments (BOP) surplus of $6.83 billion for the 2024 financial year.

CBN, in a statement signed on Wednesday by Hakama Sidi-Ali, its acting director of corporate communication, said the balance of payments in 2024 represents a surplus compared to the deficit of $3.34 billion recorded in 2023 and $3.32 billion in 2022.

According to the CBN, the current and capital accounts recorded a surplus of $17.22 billion in 2024, driven largely by a goods trade surplus of $13.17 billion.

“Petroleum imports declined by 23.2% to $14.06 billion, while non-oil imports fell by 12.6% to $25.74 billion,” CBN said.

FAAN PHASES OUT PHYSICAL LUGGAGE SCREENING AT LAGOS AIRPORT 

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has phased out physical luggage screening at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos.

This follows the installation of advanced Rapiscan screening machines and surveillance systems at key checkpoints within both the old and new terminals.

FAAN said the new technology is aimed at streamlining security processes and reducing pre-flight check-in time.

NERC FINES EIGHT DISCOS N628M FOR OVERBILLING UNMETERED CUSTOMERS 

The Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) has sanctioned eight power distribution companies (DisCos) for noncompliance with the capping of estimated bills for unmetered customers.

The affected DisCos, according to a statement, are Abuja, Eko, Enugu, Ikeja, Jos, Kaduna, Kano, and Yola.

NERC said the companies overbilled customers in violation of energy caps set by the regulator for the third quarter of 2024 (July to September).

NCC PROPOSES NEW GUIDELINES ALLOWING SUBSCRIBERS TO RECLAIM AIRTIME ON INACTIVE SIMs

The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has introduced a new draft requiring telecommunications operators (telcos) to develop solutions that prevent customers from losing their unused airtime.

The NCC announced the ‘Draft Guidance on Unutilised and Unclaimed Recharges’ during a high-level virtual stakeholders’ engagement forum on Tuesday.

The commission said the aim is to strengthen consumer protection in Nigeria’s rapidly evolving telecom sector.

‘NIGERIA’S OIL RESERVES DROPPED TO 37.28BN BARRELS IN JANUARY’ 

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) says the nation’s crude oil reserves, including condensate, dropped to 37.28 billion barrels as of January 1, down from 37.5 billion barrels in 2024.

The commission said Nigeria’s gas reserves also hit 210.54 trillion cubic feet (tcf) during the same period, up from 209.26 tcf in 2024.

In a statement on April 11, Gbenga Komolafe, NUPRC’s chief executive officer (CEO), said oil and condensate reserves stood at 31.44 billion barrels and 5.84 billion barrels, respectively — amounting to 37.28 billion barrels.

[TheCable]

The Presidency has observed, with dismay, the increasing number of billboards in some cities promoting the 2027 campaign for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima.

Worth noting is that some of these billboards with pictures of the President and his wife, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, emblazoned on them are springing up in Abuja and Kano in particular.

While President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima greatly appreciate their teeming and loyal supporters across the country for their enthusiasm and continuing support, the two leaders do not support any campaign that breaches the laws of the land.

The electoral law that guides the conduct of elections and political campaigns forbids any form of campaign for the 2027 general elections. Premature campaigning can undermine the integrity of the electoral process and create unfair advantages. As law-abiding leaders, President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima do not support any action that undermines our institutions and the electoral process.

Until the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) sets the timetable for the 2027 elections, the President has not endorsed or authorised anyone or any group to mount a 2027 campaign for him through any media channel—be it Out-of-Home, print, digital, radio, or television.

Therefore, we urgently call on individuals and groups funding this 2027 political campaign through the ongoing deployment of materials on billboards nationwide to cease immediately.

President Tinubu and his deputy are fully committed to delivering the ongoing task of nation-building they have set for themselves. This commitment is evident in their focus on economic revitalisation, human capital development, infrastructural renewal, social investment, and national security.

When INEC signals that the processes for the 2027 elections can start, President Tinubu will duly inform Nigerians of his plans.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President,

(Information & Strategy)

We hereby express the heartfelt sympathy of the members of the Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB) with the Government and people of Benue and Plateau State for the loss of lives in the genocidal attacks unleashed on unarmed citizens by terrorists, bandits and gunmen. It is unbelievable that the nation's security forces have failed to defeat the ill-equipped gunmen terrorising unarmed people in Benue and Plateau states.

Under the former Buhari administration, the Northern Governors Forum and Southern Governors Forum collectively resolved to ban open grazing in the country. In accepting the resolution, the federal government adopted ranching as a solution to the violent clashes between herders and farmers. The federal government gave N6.2 billion to the Katsina State Government for ranching. Our call on other state governments then to demand for the same amount and for the same purpose fell on deaf ears.

However, instead of further relying on the nation’s security forces, the Benue and Plateau State Governments followed the example of Governor Rotimi Akeredolu SAN of blessed memory by settling up State Security Agencies. The allegation that the security outfits are not well funded should be addressed by the Benue and Plateau State governments. As a matter of urgency, the operatives of both security agencies should be well trained and well motivated to rout out the merchants of death operating in both states.

Furthermore, we have confirmed that between January and December 2024, the combined teams of the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigerian Armed Forces arrested over 1,000 suspects for their involvement in banditry, kidnapping, killing and other violent crimes committed in Benue and Plateau State. In addition, not less than 100 dangerous criminal suspects have been nabbed by the security forces between January and March 2025.

We are, however, disturbed to note that most of the arrested suspects were briefly detained and released either conditionally or unconditionally. Hence, the killing and abduction of innocent persons have continued unabated. It is high time that open grazing was banned by the Governments of Benue and Plateau States.

We call on the Attorneys-General of Benue and Plateau states to charge all suspected killers before the appropriate courts for the contravention of the various provisions of the Penal Codes applicable in both states.

Without any further delay, the federal government should establish ranches in Benue, Plateau, and other states and ban the movement of cattle in the Federal Capital Territory and all states of the Federation.

Femi Falana SAN,
The Chair, Alliance on Surviving Covid-19 and Beyond (ASCAB)

President Bola Tinubu has directed relevant education regulatory bodies to intensify efforts in clamping down on illegal tertiary institutions operating across Nigeria.

Speaking at the 14th convocation of the National Open University of Nigeria in Abuja on Saturday, the President ordered the National Universities Commission, the National Board for Technical Education, and other agencies to take decisive action against what he described as “certificate millers” undermining the credibility of the education sector.

Tinubu, who was represented by the Director of University Education at the Federal Ministry of Education, Rakiya Ilyasu, warned that the integrity of the academic system must not be compromised.

“At this juncture, it has become imperative to reiterate that this administration remains committed to strengthening the integration of all agencies involved in the administration of education to enhance efficiency and quality,” the President said.

He added, “The National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the National Universities Commission (NUC), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and the National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) are working in alignment to improve the quality of education and ensure that cases of forgery and unrecognised institutions both within and outside the country have no place in our education ecosystem.

“I therefore charge the heads of these agencies to remain steadfast in upholding government’s resolution to safeguard our education sector from quack and fake institutions as the integrity of our academic system must not be compromised and that the activities of certificate millers are checked and put to a stop permanently.”

At the convocation, 51 inmates from correctional centres across the country graduated from NOUN, including 41 undergraduates and 10 postgraduates.

The event also featured the conferment of honorary degrees on the President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen.

Tinubu further tasked NOUN to lead the country’s transition into a digitally skilled economy, urging the university to embrace full online learning in line with its Open and Distance Learning model.

[Punch]

Former Nigeria international and member of the 1980 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad, Adokiye Amiesimaka has said that his former teammate and captain at the national team, late Chairman Christian Chukwu lived his full life.

Reacting to the news of Chukwu’s passing, Amiesimaka said, “Chukwu lived his life, my condolences. I will reach out to the family. But what I detest is the hypocrisy of the Nigeria Football Federation. I read somewhere that they were expressing sorrow. That’s utter rubbish, they are not sincere. Do you know they were owing him? Except he was paid recently, they owed him for years; his due reward for services rendered, and they have the audacity to express grief over his death.

What a shame.” Continuing the former winger said, “for me I am happy I had the opportunity of knowing him and playing alongside him at the national team and we had an excellent relationship. Even after football we enjoyed a wonderful relationship.

I even represented him in some legal matters here in Port Harcourt.” The former international said it is always sad when one loses a friend but I want to dwell on the fact that we had sweet memories then as members of the Green Eagles. We had a wonderful experience and I am happy we won the Africa Cup of Nations in 1980 for the first time 45 years ago March 22, this year. I thank God for that privilege. On his part, Sylvanus Okpala, another member of the 1980 Green Eagles squad said, Chukwu’s passage was a sad story.

“It’s so unfortunate that Chukwu has passed on. When Onochie Anibeze buried his mother February, we were all there together, singing and dancing.” He said he would remember Chukwu as a gentleman. “I never saw him quarrel with anybody since the first day I knew him.”

Continuing, Okpala said Chukwu was one of the finest footballers he has ever met. ” As a defender he was very calculative. An attacker could hardly beat him. And he was a free kick specialist too.” He recalled that the late Chukwu made Enugu Rangers what it is today. “He joined Rangers in 1973 and grew through the ranks to become the face of Rangers and a national icon. We have lost him.”

Devastated Okala mourns Chukwu

Emmanuel Okala, former Nigeria international goalkeeper, says he is “devastated” by the death of Christian Chukwu in the early hours of yesterday. ‘Chairman’ Chukwu captained the then Green Eagles to Nigeria’s first-ever Africa Cup of Nations title in Lagos in 1980, following a 3-0 victory over Algeria in the final of the 22nd edition of the continental showpiece.

He also captained Rangers International to victory in the African Cup Winners’ Cup in 1977, and later helped Nigeria win the 1985 FIFA U-17 World Cup in China as Assistant Coach to the late Sebastian Broderick-Imasuen. Chukwu, MFR, was Technical Director of Enugu Rangers International FC until his passing. The club is currently vying for a possible eighth NPFL title. Following news of Chukwu’s demise, Completesports.com reached out to his close friend and former Rangers teammate, Emma Okala, who is almost the same age as the late defender.

The Okosi, Onitsha-born lanky shot-stopper expressed heartbreak over Chukwu’s death, noting their decades-long friendship and professional camaraderie. “I’m devastated. This is sad news for me”, Okala said. “You know how close I was to him. From our days at Rangers, we’ve been Chukwu: Amiesimaka attacks NFF over unpaid allowances together—so closely knit. “We spoke just two days ago. I’m not in a position to confirm his death formally, as only the Chairman of the Ex-Rangers Forum, Pastor Igwe Okolo, is in a position to do that,” Okala added, his voice filled with emotion.

Okala is just a few months younger than Christian Chukwu. When contacted, Pastor Igwe Okolo confirmed the passing of the 74-yearold Obe, Nkanu-born centre-back but declined to offer further details. “Yes, my brother, Chukwu has passed on. May his soul rest in the perfect peace of God,” Igwe Okolo said before ending the call.

[Vanguard]