Departure Points

(1) The Amalgamation Roots
Conceptually and objectively speaking, all the evidence of a predisposition to endemic corruption looms large in Nigeria today. The sad reality is that there is no silver lining in the horizon, which in itself fuels more corruption as those opportuned to be in position of authority scampers to insure themselves against the promise of a bleak tomorrow. This is why corruption has become cyclical. The roots of the culture of nepotism and corruption lie deep in the foundational amalgamation ideology of robbing Peter to pay Paul, so to say; the legitimisation and prioritisation of the consumption culture of unearned income and the lack of positive correlation between productivity and reward.

Here is the meaning of what I have just said. “As early as 1898, the British considered combining the then-three protectorates to reduce the administrative burden on the British and allow the rich south to effectively subsidise the much less economically prosperous north. (This is what Lord Lugard was referring to in his infamous description of how a marriage between the “rich wife of substance and means” (the south) and the “poor husband” (the north) would lead to a happy life for both. Some have suspected that Lugard was also referring to the political supremacy of the North over the South”
This was the ideology of raw nepotism infused into the bloodstream of Nigeria by the British upon which the existence of Nigeria was predicated. From this raison d’être emerged the entitlement syndrome of the Northern ruling class and their collaborators from the rest of Nigeria. The new age embodiment of this mentality is no other than former President Muhammadu Buhari and his unprecedented nepotism. He would absolve Abacha from the charge of stealing even as he was receiving and taking custody of proceeds of Abacha’s crime. If the Tinubu presidency is having problems with this constituency today it is on account of not adequately yielding to this entitlement syndrome.

The power rotation principle can be construed as ‘tragedy’-it is a response mechanism to political conflict not an optimal strategy. It is a suboptimal compromise in the effort to defuse real and potential situations of conflict and ensure that such situations degenerate into less attractive possibilities’¹. As it is often the case with Nigeria, this utility has morphed into the dysfunction of becoming an instrument of legitimising incompetence and corruption. It has become birds of the same feather with the grossly abused federal character provision. It is a recognition and acceptance of the bane of overcentralisation of power and an escapist deflection from coming to terms with federalism. .

(4) Resource curse syndrome
‘Countries like Venezuela and Nigeria (the companies we keep) are often cited as examples of the resource curse, where despite their wealth in natural resources, they face significant economic and social challenges’. The contemporary manifestation of the resource curse syndrome in Nigeria is what is called the oil subsidy scandal. The curse here is, first and foremost, the inability of this government to hold anyone accountable given the surfeit of evidence. Rather than hold anyone accountable the government is reinforcing the prior scandal with its own collusion. I do not know Mr Mele Kyari but I marvel at the mystery behind his retention. Every performance index keeps on degenerating under his tutelage yet he remains untouchable. One does not need to dislike this government to conclude that they are in cahoots with this man. It doesn’t make sense otherwise.

From the South came the counterattack by Professor Itse Sagay “This is a wake-up call on the people of the oil-bearing region. For instance this is the time to come together and fight intellectually for the anomaly in the uneven allocation of oil blocs in the country. You will observe that because of the long stay of the north in power at the centre, they manipulated the process and cornered these blocs to the disadvantage of the south; today, you have all juicy oil blocs in the hands of the north. Now that Jonathan is there, I would not want to sound being immodest by calling for a revocation of the blocs allocated to the northern businessmen, but from the look of things, they have decided to take the entire South for a ride, so Jonathan should ensure that he corrects this imbalance by allocating more oil blocs to people in the South to make up for the inequity in the sector.”

But contrariwise, these forms of corruption are completely absent in the primordial public. Strange is the Nigerian who engages in embezzlement in the performance of his duties to his primordial public-town union. To put your fingers in the till of the government will not unduly burden your conscience and people may well think you are a smart fellow and envy you your opportunities. To steal the funds of the (ethnic) union would offend the public conscience and ostracise you from society.’
The sum of my argument today is that the challenge confronting Nigeria, especially corruption, is a cyclical systemic crisis. In the short term, the solution to this crisis is simple but elusive. It is as simple and elusive as requesting President Bola Tinubu to done the garb of a radical reformer. For instance a President with the mentality of issuing an executive order that within a year all federal government motor vehicles should be sourced from Nigerian car manufacturers. To survive Nigeria needs a shock therapy.

Nigerians are the most resilient people I know. Despite these killings, our population is always on the increase. I expect the population to plummet. Killings everywhere. One is either killed by bandits or kidnappers. If one escapes being killed by ISWAP, they might be ambushed by Boko Haram. However, Killings by these agents of death are nothing compare to the lives that have been lost to hunger, malnutrition, sickness, and depression due to hopelessness. Everyday, countless number of Nigerians die of poverty and hunger. Many who are not clearly in the poverty cycle are depressed due to the fear of being drawn into the ever expanding cycle of poverty. All this, courtesy of Tinubu’s strangulating policies. Yet, he does not give a damn.

Under Tinubu who is said to be a democrat, democrats are being locked up for being democrats. Their offence? They protested against hunger and bad governance by carrying placards. This simple expression of democratic right has become treasonable offence in Nigeria under Tinubu. While protesters are easily tracked and arrested, gun wielding terrorists terrorize and kill Nigerians as if they had the support of government. They make calls to negotiate ransom even as government continues to appoint minister of communication.

My sense is: “protest against bad governance and hunger is perceived to be protest against government and Tinubu. That is treasonable and could be punishable by death. But since bandits, kidnappers, and terrorists are not against the government, they are only killing common Nigerians—farmers and the bloody poor—no problem.” As rapt listeners, all that you hear from Nigerian government when these agents of death commit their atrocities is: “We will deal with them,” “it is condemnable,” “perpetrators won’t go unpunished,” “government promises justice for victims of attack” etc. That is all. As usual, the government has reacted to the recent killings in Yobe State where more than hundred Nigerians were reportedly killed with these nice words. And that is all. Is it not cowardice to flex muscles against placard-carrying protesters and turn a blind eye when terrorists strike?

There is no disputing the fact that Nigeria is hellish under Tinubu. Though the eternal Hell is for arrogant sinners, Tinubu, with his cold policies, has successfully created his own personal “Hell” in Nigeria for all. What qualifies one to be in Tinubu’s Hell is to be a civil servant, petty trader, self employed, unemployed, underemployed, to be poor. To keep the long list short, once one does not belong to the ruling class, he or she is most likely qualified to be in Tinubu’s “Hell.”

Recently, Steve Hanke, a professor of applied economics at Johns Hopkins University described Tinubu as “arrogant, ignorant, and incompetent.” Though many Nigerian newspapers reported Hanke’s remark, I have not seen any rejoinder to Hanke’s characterization of Tinubu from any of his “brilliant” technocrats and spokespersons. Could that be a tacit approval of Hanke’s characterization of their boss? Hanke cringed at the arrogance and callousness that propelled Tinubu to purchase aircraft with about 150 billion naira at a time Nigeria’s inflation rate has gone haywire. He wrote: “Meanwhile, I accurately measure Nigeria’s inflation at a SHOCKING 114%/yr. “This far exceeds official figures in Nigeria.

If I were one of Tinubu’s praise singers, I will rejoinder Hanke and I will make it brief. I would have penned the following: “Dear Prof  Steve Hanke, do you think Nigeria is a sane country like America—economically speaking? In fact, our lawmakers and executives have no problem with replacing 19 year old jet with 15 year old jet at a whopping sum of$100million.Maybe you are not aware, one of our prominent clerics (“men of God”) considered the decision to buy presidential jet the best of all decisions taken by this administration even as the masses die of hunger. For your information, all the economic sense you can think of is nonsense in Nigeria under Èmi lo kàn. Therefore, you do not need to tell us that our president is arrogant, ignorant, and incompetent.”

When I learnt that fuel price has been hiked again, my spontaneous remark is the title of this column “Let Tinubu Kuku Kill all of us Kawai. “Honestly, I was crestfallen and that was conspicuous in my mood. I became moody instantly and I am yet to recover as I write. I thought of my earnings that can now hardly feed myself and my little kids—this is after making all the adjustments you can think of. I thought of those whose earnings are way below mine, those without regular earnings, and those who do not have any source of income. The two words in the title “kuku” and “kawai” are Yoruba and Hausa words respectively. I may not be entirely accurate in my translation of them into English. They convey the meaning of “simply” as in “Let Tinubu simply kill all of us.

Describing the terrible outcome of salary negotiation between NLC and FG in my column titled “Protesting Hardship and the N70K Minimum Wage, “I wrote:” In a word, the FG won. In another word, the NLC lost. To crown it all, the masses are in trouble.” To those whose foresight could not guide to understanding the trouble in the 70k minimum wage and the failure of NLC, this is the time to understand.

While 70k itself is a ridiculous offer which the FG is yet to, PMS (fuel)now sells for almost N1000/litre at NNPCL filling stations while other filling stations sell a litre more than N1000. Plan to increase VAT also from 7.5% to 10% is in the offing. It means Nigerians are in a new phase of hardship under the man who “built” Lagos. Rate at which prices of commodities will rise can only be imagined. What about transport fare? I learnt the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu asked civil servants to work from home for three months. So, what happens after three months? Do we even have the facilities to work from home? How do doctors and nurses work from home? How do policemen work from home? What about those in the private sectors who are not civil servants? What about traders whose shops are in markets far away from home?

We are in a deep mess. The 81 year old professor of economics, Hanke, said this about Tinubu few months ago. He (Tinubu), according to Hanke, is the Master of Economic Disaster. It is as if Hanke has invested enough time to study Tinubu and his policies. In his recent caricature of Tinubu, Tinubu is depicted piloting his new presidential jet and globetrotting while his country burns. If I were a member of Tinubu’s family, I will be ashamed of myself. Even as a citizen, I am ashamed to admit that a citizen of another country makes such huge mockery of our president and many agree with him. But do we blame Hanke?

Tinubu and his family are obviously living in opulence while the masses burn in the Hell he created. The Muslim-Muslim clerics who have access to Tinubu should please meet him in camera, hold his hand, and advise him that he must learn how to show empathy—or at least sympathy. They should tell him that when Umar Ibn Khattab was the Caliph and things were tough in the year of Ar-Ramadah (year of famine), Umar (RA) said, reacting to hunger in the land, “I do not like to eat in an extravagant manner. How can I be concerned for the people if I do not suffer what they suffer?” They should also tell Tinubu that when the price of ghee became very high, Umar (RA) ate olive oil. He could not eat, yogurt or milk which he considered too expensive until people could afford it. His hunger caused his stomach to rumble but he would say, “Rumble as much as you like, for by Allah you will not get ghee until the people eat it!”

Can Tinubu be like Umar? Many would say it is impossible.

Me: with God, everything is possible. The only thing those clerics need to do is their part.

No one should accuse me of stupid optimism. May God help Nigerians and guide our rulers.

As Nigeria’s economy continues to falter, with inflation rising, fuel subsidies removed, and the naira struggling, many citizens are left asking: “If this is what we are experiencing in just under a year, what will the next three years hold for us under President Bola Tinubu’s administration?”

The reason for the foregoing question cannot be farfetched as the last few months have been anything but easy for Nigerians. The pain is palpable, from soaring food prices to an unrelenting fuel crisis and a general cost-of-living increase that shows no signs of slowing. After the initial optimism that greeted Tinubu’s government, largely stemming from his campaign promises to create jobs, stabilize the economy, and bring back investor confidence, reality has set in, and it is not pretty.

Against the foregoing backdrop, it will be recalled that when Tinubu was campaigning ahead of the election that ushered him to office that he vowed to turn things around. His slogan, “Renewed Hope”, resonated with voters eager for a leader who would tackle the problems that have plagued the nation for years. Yet, within the first year of his tenure, since he took office on May 29, 2023, Nigerians are left asking whether the “hope” is being renewed or extinguished.

Without a doubt, the removal of the fuel subsidy, though economically logical in the long term, has sent shockwaves through the economy, causing a ripple effect in transportation, food prices, and general goods. While government officials argue that this move was necessary to plug the leak of billions of Naira in subsidies, the reality on the streets is dire. Citizens are yet to feel the benefits promised to accompany this policy change, even as trust in the government is rapidly waning.

Another point of concern is the government’s reliance on loans from international organizations like the World Bank and bilateral agreements with countries like China. These loans, although meant to fund critical infrastructure and economic growth projects, have done little to alleviate the immediate suffering of the common man.

As recently gathered, Nigeria is the leading debtor to the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) in Africa and ranks third globally, as per the Bank’s financial statement. By June 30, 2024, Nigeria’s debt to the IDA had risen by 14.4%, from $14.3 billion in FY2023 to $16.5 billion in FY2024.

The question Nigerians are increasingly asking is whether these debts will ever translate into tangible benefits or whether they will simply burden the nation for decades to come. Many fear that the next three years will see a government saddled with debt while citizens remain trapped in a cycle of poverty.

In an attempt to cushion the economic blow, the government rolled out palliatives such as cash transfers and food distribution. However, these efforts have been criticized as too little, too late, with many citizens questioning whether the aid is reaching the right people. In some regions, complaints abound that these palliatives are being distributed along party lines or are inaccessible to the poorest that need them most.

As a Nigerian who is worried over the deplorable situation, just as not a few Nigerians are also worried, the assumption remains that if Tinubu’s government cannot find a more effective way to provide relief to those struggling to survive; the remaining three years will be marked by increasing dissatisfaction and growing poverty.

In fact, Tinubu’s administration still has time to course-correct. This is as economic reforms, if implemented effectively, could stabilize the economy and provide relief. However, reforms require time to yield results, and time is not something the average Nigerian can afford.

Not only that, investments in local production, agriculture, and infrastructure development is touted as potential game-changers. But as Nigeria’s history has shown, the success of such programs hinges on political will, transparency, and eliminating corruption. Without these, any reform is destined to fall short of expectations.

With three more years ahead, it is critical for the government to shift focus from policies that disproportionately affect the vulnerable to ones that promote inclusive economic growth. Strengthening social safety nets, ensuring fair distribution of resources, and cracking down on corruption will be essential for instilling hope.

But the question lingers: “If the first year under Tinubu has seen this level of economic hardship, what can Nigerians realistically expect in the years to come?”

The government may still have time to redeem itself, but it will take decisive action, accountability, and a genuine focus on the welfare of the people. Otherwise, the next three years could feel like a lifetime of economic struggle for millions of Nigerians.

At this juncture, it is germane to opine that bemoaning Tinubu’s performance in this context, particularly given the fact that his government is still under a year, may have seemed premature in normal circumstances, but the reality on the ground speaks volumes about the level of hardship Nigerians are enduring. The recent petrol price hike by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has added fuel to an already raging fire of economic difficulties. This is as many households are grappling with skyrocketing transportation costs, higher food prices, and overall increased living expenses, leaving little room for patience or optimism. It is no surprise that the public is frustrated, as daily survival has become a pressing concern for most.

The petrol price hike, which has become a recurring feature of Tinubu’s administration, has only compounded the pain. With each increase, the ripple effects are felt across various sectors of the economy, hitting the most vulnerable citizens the hardest. Public transportation fares have risen dramatically, and essential commodities have become even more expensive.

For the average Nigerian who was already struggling to make ends meet, this latest increase is seen as a crushing blow, amplifying the sense of helplessness and desperation in communities nationwide.

While economic reforms often take time to yield positive results, the pace at which these hardships are unfolding is leaving little room for hope. Many Nigerians believe that the government’s promises of long-term relief and economic stability are not enough to justify the current suffering. Tinubu’s administration faces mounting pressure to address these immediate concerns and provide tangible solutions before the frustration boils over into widespread unrest.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has stated that foreign exchange (forex) illiquidity has been a significant factor influencing the fluctuation in prices of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), which are governed by unrestricted free market forces, as provided for in the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

Speaking on TVC News' “Journalists' Hangout” show on Thursday, the Executive Vice President of Downstream, NNPC Ltd, Mr. Adedapo Segun explained that the current fuel scarcity was expected to “subside in a few days as more stations recalibrate and begin selling PMS.”

He said Section 205 of the PIA, which established NNPC Ltd, stipulated that petroleum prices were determined by unrestricted free market forces.

According to him, “The market has been deregulated, meaning that petrol prices are now determined by market forces rather than by the government or NNPC Ltd. Additionally, the exchange rate plays a significant role in influencing these prices.”

On the commencement of lifting PMS from the Dangote Refinery, Segun said that the NNPC Ltd was awaiting the September 15th timeline provided by the refinery.

Segun, who said no right-thinking individual would be comfortable with the current fuel scarcity, added that the NNPC Ltd had nearly a thousand filling stations nationwide and was collaborating with marketers to “ensure that stations open early, close late, in order to maintain adequate fuel supply to meet the needs of Nigerians.”

He assured Nigerians: “We are also engaging relevant authorities to ensure products diversions are prevented and timely deliveries to all stations are ensured. The scarcity should ease in the next few days as more stations recalibrate and begin operations.”

Olufemi Soneye

Chief Corporate Communications Officer

NNPC Ltd.

"Greatness is not measured by what a man or woman accomplishes, but by the opposition he or she has overcome to reach his goals." -Dorothy Height
In my little way and from my very small window and little corner, I enjoy celebrating people – dead or alive,great or not so great. These are historic personalities who symbolise the words of Ralph Waldo Emerson: “Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail”.
There are names that echo through time, names that, when spoken, bring to mind the essence of who that person is and what he stands for. Chief Kanu Godwin Agabi, SAN, CON,is one such name. And if you did not know, "Agabi" itself carries a delightful metaphor in his native Bekwarra tongue. It simply means something sweet, awesome and utterly adorable. In the Holy Bible, Agabi means love and affection. He has yet another name which can frighten any gate-crasher. That is his first name, “Kanu”. Kamanu, Akanu or Kamalu is of Igbo origin shortened to Kanu. It simply refers to the traditional Igbo god of thunder and lightning. It is equivalent to the more familiar name of the same deity called Amadioha or Amadiora. In Sierra Leone, Kanu simply refers to “high god”, the supreme being and originator of all things who is said to live in the distant skies. But our own Kanu is not a supreme being. Thank God he lives amongst us here on earth, not in the distant skies. We are happy with this. Yes, the name fits him like a glove, because here is a man whose legacy is as sweet and affectionate, as it is monumental. But that is not all. In case you were to take his love, affection and sweetness for granted, you are stopped dead on your tracks by his middle name,Godwin. And he has won many battles and wars alike because his God always wins.His sweetness and affection easily translate into generosity.

I remember one of my many visits to Chief Agabi many years ago as if it were just yesterday. It was at his office in Mabushi, Abuja, a place that buzzed with the energy of legal brilliance. He had the kind of aura that simultaneously made you feel both at ease and in awe. Such apparent contradiction! Imagine my surprise when, during our conversation, he fished out and casually handed me an iPad. Now, you have to understand that this was a time when the iPad was still a very vague concept to many; a sleek piece of technology that felt then more like a futuristic dream than reality. It was my first time of beholding and touching an ipad. Yet, here was Chief Agabi, gifting me one as if it were as ordinary pen or handkerchief. It was my first iPad ever, and I carried it around for years like the treasure it was; not just because of its uniqueness then, but because of who gave it to me. Thank you sir.
"The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing."- Socrates

That moment was quintessentially Agabi-generous, forward-thinking and always ahead of the curve. His generosity is not just about material gifts; it is in his wisdom, his deep pieces of advice and his uncanny ability to make you see the world a little differently from yours after every conversation with him.This is what I cherish most. And if you have ever had the pleasure of being in his company, you would discover that he is as witty as they come. He once told me, with a twinkle in his eye, that the only reason he became a lawyer was because his mother did not trust doctors! Of course, that may not have been completely correct,but it was vintage Agabi, SAN, a man who could blend humour with wisdom in a way that leaves you both laughing and thinking deeply.
But let us take a step back to where it all began. Born on the 9th of July, 1946, in the small village of Adim, in Odukpani Local Government Area of Cross River State, Nigeria, Chief Agabi’s beginnings were as humble as mine. Perhaps, mine was even more humbling. Yet, from these modest roots, a giant of the legal world would emerge.
"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can." - Arthur Ashe

Chief Agabi’s early education took him to St. John’s Primary School, Gboko, and later St. Benedict’s Primary School, Ogoja. These were simple schools in Southern Nigeria, but they were the fertile ground where his intellect first took root. From there, he moved on to Maryknoll Secondary School, Okuku, Osun State and Methodist College, Uzuakoli,Abia State. It was during these formative years that the young Kanu began to show signs of the greatness that would later come to define his life. He was not just a good student; he was a youthful leader, the kind of person who could inspire others with sharp vision and raw determination.

I imagine that even then, the young Agabi must have had the same twinkle in his eye that I saw when he handed me that iPad. It is the look of a man who knows he is destined for something extraordinary, even if the world hasn’t caught up to that fact yet.

In 1969, Chief Agabi took the next step on his journey of life by enrolling at the University of Lagos to study law; a decision that would set him on a course that would help shape the legal landscape of Nigeria. During his time at the university, he not only excelled academically, but also became a prominent figure in student union politics. As the President of the Ogoja Provincial Students Union, he demonstrated the leadership qualities that would later make him a respected figure in both the legal and political arenas of Nigeria.
"The law is reason, free from passion." – Aristotle

After successfully completing his training at the Nigerian Law School in Lagos, Chief Agabi was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1972 ( I was then a form three secondary school student), becoming a Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. His early career was marked by an unwavering commitment to justice and a keen understanding of the lawyer’s role in society. It was not long before his talents blossomed, and he began to ascend the ranks of the legal profession.
As his reputation grew, so too did the responsibilities placed upon his slim shoulders. Chief Agabi served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of NICON, Niger Insurance Company Limited and National Properties Limited. His leadership in these roles was marked by a rare blend of wisdom and pragmatism, traits that would later serve him well in the years to come.
In 1997, in recognition of his immense contributions to the legal profession, Kanu Godwin Agabi was conferred with the prestigious rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). This was not just a title, but a testament to his excellence in the legal field, a recognition that he had not only achieved excellence by mastering the law, but had also become one of its foremost champions.
TWICE A GIANT

"In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity." – Albert Einstein
Now, here is a tale that is as sweet as it is remarkable: Agabi was appointed Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice not once, but twice! If that does not speak to his brilliance and resilience, I do not know what does. The first time was in 1999, under President Olusegun Obasanjo. This was a period when Nigeria was transitioning from military to civilian rule, a time fraught with challenges and uncertainties. It was the kind of moment that could make or break a nation’s legal framework. And who did they turn to? None other than Chief Kanu Agabi.
His first tenure as Attorney General was nothing short of transformative. One of his most notable achievements was his push for legal reforms. He understood, perhaps better than anyone else at that time that the law must evolve with the times if it was to serve the people effectively. He advocated for changes that would strengthen the judiciary and ensure that the rule of law was upheld across the nation.
"The best way to predict the future is to create it." – Peter Drucker

One of the most courageous actions he took during this time was his call for a modification in the strict application of Sharia law in Nigeria. In March, 2002, he famously wrote to the governors of the northern states, urging them to ensure that Sharia law was applied in a way that did not discriminate against Muslims for being Muslims or violate the principles of equality before the law. He had made this statement against the backdrop of some judgements delivered under Sharia law that were brazenly discriminatory against Muslims. Notably, in one of the judgement, a lady, Amina Lawal, was sentenced to death by stoning for giving birth outside wedlock. This was no small feat, and it took a man of immense courage and conviction to take such a critical stand. He famously wrote thus, “A Muslim should not be subjected to a punishment more severe than would be imposed on other Nigerians for the same offence and equality before the law means that Muslims should not be discriminated against."

Then he became Minister of Solid Minerals. While holding that second sensitive ministerial portfolio, it appeared as if the universe had not had enough of his sheer brilliance.Agabi was again reappointed Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice in 2002, following the tragic assassination of Chief Bola Ige. This second appointment was a testament to the trust and confidence that the nation had in his abilities. And once again, he valiantly rose to the occasion, navigating the complex legal and political challenges of the time with the same grace and effectiveness that had marked his first tenure.

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." -Winston Churchill
His time as Attorney General was marked by several high-profile cases and legal battles, many of which tested the very fabric of Nigeria’s legal system. But in true Agabi fashion, he faced these challenges head-on, armed with nothing but his sharp mind, his intellect, deep sense of justice and, of course, that signature wit. In March 2002, Kanu wrote in a letter to Nigerian state governors that the application of strict Islamic or Sharia law was unconstitutional, since some judgments passed under Sharia discriminated against Muslims. That month, Amina Lawal, a young Nigerian woman accused of giving birth to a child out of wedlock was sentenced to death by stoning, a punishment that was confirmed in August 2002 by a Shari'ah court of appeals in Funtua, Katsina State. Kanu came under immense pressure from Amnesty International to abolish the death penalty in Nigeria.

In May,2003, the Attorney General urged a Federal High Court in Abuja to order the arrest of the National Assembly leadership, and to imprison them for contempt of the court. He appealed to the court to set aside the anti-graft bill which the National Assembly had passed into law despite a presidential veto.
Nigeria had not had enough of him as Obasanjo again appointed him Special Adviser on Ethics and Good Governance. At the 2005 National Political Reform Conference where I first met Agabi,I headed the drafting sub-committee that knocked together matters agreed upon by the Civil Society Committee. Agabi’s paper on ethics and morality was a magnum opus; a nullus secundus. It was a reservoir of knowledge about ethical resurgimento and renaissance. He made his points without being fussy, dictatorial or overbearing.

A LEGACY WOVEN IN SWEETNESS
"The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example."- Benjamin Disraeli.
If you ever wondered what it is like to leave a legacy that stands the test of time, just take a look at Kanu Agabi's trajectory.His contributions to Nigeria’s legal and political landscape are like threads woven into the fabric of the nation’s history. But what makes his legacy truly sweet, pun intended, is the way he has touched the lives of so many, often in ways that go beyond the courtroom.
Take for example, his mentorship of young lawyers. Agabi did not just blaze a trail; he made sure that others could follow in his footsteps. He has mentored countless legal professionals, many of whom have gone on to become giants in their own right. And he did it not with an air of superiority, but with the humility and generosity that have always defined him. Humility? He wears it like a second skin.
"You make a living by what you get, but you make a life by what you give."- Winston Churchill
And let us not forget his philanthropy. Remember the Trinity Towers in Abuja? That massive complex he built to house law firms, many of which operate rent-free? It is just one example of how Kanu Agabi, gives back to the society. He does it gladly. But here is the kicker; he did not just stop at providing office space; he makes sure that lunch is served free to everyone in the complex from Monday to Friday. The food is cooked in his Asokoro home and taken to his office at Mabushi, Abuja. Now, if that is not sweet, I do not know what is!
Chief Agabi’s generosity extends to education as well. He has funded scholarships, built schools and supported various educational initiatives, particularly in his home Ogoja region of Cross River State. His goal has always been to ensure that the next generation has the opportunities that he had,or better opportunities that he could only imagine or dream of as a young boy in Adim Village, but could not have.

"The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. Intelligence plus characterthat is the goal of true education."- Martin Luther King Jr.
But perhaps what I admire most about Chief Agabi is his unwavering belief in the importance of integrity in leadership. He once said, and I quote, "There is nothing wrong with our Constitution. Even if it is a broken-down vehicle, it is the vehicle that we have. However good the Constitution is, it is not a self-enforcing document; it requires good people to enforce it." Truer words have never been spoken.
This belief in the power of the Constitution and the need for ethical leadership has been a guiding principle throughout his career. It is what has made him not just a great lawyer, but a great man. And it is why his legacy will continue to inspire long after we’re all gone. While I share Agabi’s beautiful espousement of the imperative of integrity in leadership, I humbly disagree with him (and we have done this countless times),on his stance that there is nothing wrong with the 1999 Constitution. Sir, everything is wrong with it. The fact of its being defacto does not make it dejure. It is an illegitimate document, a mere schedule attached to Decree No. 24 of 1999. It does not derive any legitimacy from the Nigerian people through a popular plebiscite or referendum such as to make it home-grown and autochthonous. His allegory of the broken-down vehicle is very apt here. When the knocked engine of a vehicle defies all repairs and solution, you discard it for a brand new serviceable vehicle,rather than continually pour water in a basket.Such is with our illegitimate (not illegal) Constitution. No referendum was carried out on the Constitution as the Midwest Region did on 10th August, 1963 to exit Western Region.Series of referendum have been carried out by many countries across the world to give their Constitutions legitimacy – Iran, Iraq, South Africa, Egypt, Tunisia, Algeria, Denmark, Switzerland, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Eritrea, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Austria, Chile, Columbia, Ethiopia, Germany, Greece, India, Italy, Iceland, Morocco, Namibia, Russia, Romania, Spain, Sudan, Sweden and Zimbabwe. The list is countless. That is the only way to go.Merely trimming the branches of a tree that cracks the wall of your house ( serial amendments of the Constitution) can not stop the cracks. They will widen. The solution is to uproot the entire tree,roots and branches. Nigeria needs a people-driven Constitution, owned by them and legitimised by them.

THE SWEETNESS OF JUSTICE
"Justice delayed is justice denied." – William E. Gladstone
Kanu Agabi is a man who has spent his entire life ensuring that justice is not just a concept, but a reality for all Nigerians. His legal career, marked by numerous high-profile cases, has consistently demonstrated his commitment to fairness and equality before the law.

One of the most notable moments in his career was his defence of human rights during his tenure as Attorney General. He was a vocal advocate for civil liberties, and he made it clear that the government had a duty to protect the rights of its citizens. His work earned him respect both within Nigeria and on the international stage, where he was recognized as a champion of human rights.
"The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." - Martin Luther King Jr.

His stance on legal reforms was not just about changing laws; it was about changing lives. He understood that the law must serve the people, and he was relentless in his pursuit of a legal system that was fair, just, and accessible to all. His efforts in promoting legal reforms, particularly in the area of human rights, have had a lasting impact on Nigeria’s legal landscape.
But Agabi’s legacy is not just about the cases he won or the reforms he championed. It is about the people he helped, the lives he touched and the example he set for future generations. He has shown us that the law can be a force for good, that it can be used to protect the vulnerable, to challenge the powerful, and to bring about meaningful change. Sapara Williams (“A lawyer lives for the direction of his people and the advancement of the cause of his country”); and Professor Dean Rosco Pound (“Law must serve as an instrument of social engineering”) must be very proud of Agabi from their cold graves.

THE SWEETNESS OF MEMORY
As I reflect on the life and legacy of Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, I am reminded of the many ways in which he has shaped not just the legal profession, but the lives of those who have had the privilege of knowing him. Whether it is through his mentorship, his philanthropy, or his unwavering commitment to justice, Chief Agabi has left an indelible mark on the sands of time.
And for me, the memory of that day in his office when he handed me an iPad, my first iPad ever, will always be a reminder of his generosity, his forward-thinking nature and his ability to make everyone around him feel valued and appreciated.

"What you leave behind is not what is engraved in stone monuments, but what is woven into the lives of others." – Pericles
Sir, I will never forget that early February,2024 encounter in your office when in the course of our discussion, you broke down and wept like a baby,just to push across a point to me. I got the point. And it changed a lot of things about my perception of life. I thank you sir.
"A great man is one who leaves others at a loss after he is gone."- Paul Valery

Agabi is a man who will be remembered not just for what he achieved, but for how he achieved it. His legacy is one of sweetness of kindness, generosity and a commitment to making the world a better place than he met it. And in the end, that is the greatest legacy of all.Chief Agabi and I have clashed in many cases (both civil and criminal).And he has equally led me in many. In all these, he displayed uncommon humility and mentorship. Many a time he left me to handle the very sensitive cases because in his usual words, “Brother Mike, you are more than competent and capable to handle this case; my absence will mean nothing”. "Brother Mike"; yes,you heard me right. He does not just call me Mike,which he is eminently entitled to, but must add " Brother". Thank you sir for your confidence in me. Thank you for your humility.

So here is celebrating Chief Kanu Agabi, SAN, CON,a man whose names means sweetness and awe, and whose life has been a testament to the power of living with integrity, purpose, dignity and a deep love for humanity. His story is one that will be told for generations to come, and his legacy will continue to inspire long after we are all gone. This ode may have come a little late in celebrating your 78th birthday (9th July, 1946). But sir, please, forgive me, as you would always say in court whenever you want to enrapture judexes you appear before with your booming baritone voice . Forgive me sir.

…Says govt to take full responsibility for music legend’s upkeep

….Ejeagha: Mbah honoured me, prepared ground for Gwo gwo gwo ngwo trend

Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, on Monday, commissioned four newly constructed and reconstructed roads in Abakpa Nike, in Enugu metropolis, among them the Mike Ejeagha Crescent where the music legend lives and the adjoining, popular Obinagu Road, which he renamed him.

Other roads commissioned were Texaco Bus Stop-Ifo Road, and Nkpor Street.

Mbah, who also used the occasion to visit Ejeagha at his residence, announced that the government would henceforth take full responsibility for his upkeep, describing him as a living legend.

“Recall that when you gave us your mandate, we told you that you had kept your own part of the deal and that the burden had downshifted to us to fulfill our own part of the social contract.

“Recall further that we made a firm pledge that all the roads in the urban areas in Enugu must be paved.

“Recall also that last year,n we awarded 71 urban roads and 10 rural roads. Those 71 urban roads had since been completed, but some of the roads we are commissioning today are not part of those 71 roads.

“In the course of constructing or reconstructing those 71 roads, we identified, in January, some roads, which were not initially captured, hence needed to be treated as an emergency.

“So, we are commissioning four roads here today and all those roads are quite significant.

“But one of those roads stands out. It is the road that leads to the home of one of our great legends and icons.

“We have always told people that Enugu State is the home of legends. It is not just sporting legends. We also have the music icons. And we have one man, Mike Ejeagha, who, through his folk songs, have largely brought memories of years gone by to our doorsteps. He is a man who reminds us of our golden heritage as a people.

“When we talked about Enugu as being the centre of art and culture, this is a man, who brought Enugu to that epicentre. So, we are here to celebrate him while he is still living with us.

“So, in honour of him, this Obinagu Road, the entire stretch of the road leading to his home, is named after him and will now be known as Mike Ejeagha Road,” he stated.

Mbah, however, stressed the commissioned roads here was only the beginning of a new era for road infrastructure across Enugu State.

“We want to assure residents of Abakpa and Enugu State that we are not done yet. If you have followed our events, you would have noticed that recently, we also awarded contracts for the construction of 141 roads and 20 rural roads. And I can also tell you that Abakpa is not left out.

“Very soon, we will commence the dualisation of Penocks junction on the Enugu-Onitsha all the way to Opi-Nsukka. That contract has been awarded and work will soon commence.

“I want to assure you that the commitment we made to serve you with every fibre of our being can never be lost on us. We are going to work for you with everything we have,” the governor concluded.

Earlier in their remarks, the Commissioner for Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Gerald Otiji, and the Special Adviser to the Governor on Project Development and Implementation, assured the governor and residents that the roads were constructed with durability and convenience of road users in mind.

“The typical road cross section of Obinagu Road and Mike Ejeagha Crescent comprise 300 to 600mm-thick sub-grade, 150mm-thick sub-base, 150mm-thick stone base course, 50mm-thick asphalt wearing course, and 600 by 600 to 900 by 900 reinforced concrete drainages and culvert,” he stated.

Meanwhile, receiving the governor at his residence, Ejeagha, who spoke through his son, Emma Ejeagha, and daughter, Elizabeth Ugwu (Nee Ejeagha), said that Mbah had honoured him beyond his lifetime.

“Previous governments made promises, however nothing happened. But Mbah never made any promise to us. We only woke up and heavy equipment were all over the place. And like a dream, we have brand new roads. Not long after, Gwo gwo gwo ngwo started trending,” Emma Ejeagha stated.

Also, elated residents, who turned out in their numbers, commended the governor for the roads, noting that the Infrastructure would impact their businesses and lives positively.

Mbah equally did some Gwo gwo gwo ngwo dance steps to the delight of residents.

For a long time, I have advocated for the federal government to privatize the oil and gas sector, which has been tightly controlled since oil was first discovered in commercial quantities in 1956 in Oloibiri, now in Bayelsa State. I reiterated this point in my column last Tuesday, August 27th, in an article titled "Understanding the Toxic International Petrol Politics in Nigeria," where I shared the following perspective: "Currently, there are five fully operational modular refineries: Aradel in Port Harcourt, WalterSmith in Imo State, Edo Refinery and Duport Midstream in Edo State, and OPAC in Delta State, with a combined processing capacity of less than 20,000 barrels per day."

I further noted: "These smaller refineries are expected to benefit from President Bola Tinubu's recent directive to sell the 445,000 barrels per day of crude oil, previously reserved for local refining, in naira. This crude oil reserve was intended to supply the four NNPCL refineries, which have been non-functional for over a decade despite consuming over $25 billion in turnaround maintenance without producing even a single liter of petrol."

I concluded my appeal with advice that the refineries should be transferred to the private sector, as NNPCL lacks the capability and efficiency to operate them profitably: "Hopefully, the current administration will recognize the wisdom in my advocacy for selling the struggling government-owned refineries to private sector players who can operate them more efficiently, as I have argued in numerous media interventions over the past decade."

I have consistently argued that the government has no business-in-running- businesses. Following the commissioning of the Dangote Refinery by former President Muhammadu Buhari on May 22 of last year, I wrote an article advocating for the sale of the struggling NNPCL-owned refineries. The article, titled "Tinubunomics: Time To Sell The Petroleum Refineries," was published on August 15, 2023, and directly addresses the current situation.

If NNPC Ltd had fully committed to selling its controlling interest to private investors, it would demonstrate that the nation's leadership is serious about truly opening up the oil and gas sector. Beyond that, the move would have alleviated the burden on ordinary Nigerians who have long suffered from fuel shortages, a crisis that has plagued the sector since its inception and even to date that queues have returned to petrol stations again causing avoidable anguish on motorists.

In the piece, I made the case as follows:

"The universal principle that government has no business in business is crucial in solving the current energy crisis affecting both our leadership and citizens. It's unnecessary to reiterate that government operations are inherently inefficient due to the bureaucratic hurdles typical of public sector governance. Such complex processes are ill-suited for running the business of refining petroleum products, a task that requires the intricate coordination of human expertise and advanced technology."

I further argued:

"Operating an oil refinery demands a high level of agility and quick decision-making to achieve optimal outcomes. In addition to the government's inability to act swiftly, which hampers progress, there's the fundamental difference in the objectives of government operations versus business operations."

I also pointed out:

"The primary role of government is to organize and protect its citizens for progress and prosperity. It achieves this by ensuring compliance with the rule of law, which both leaders and the governed must respect. This adherence to the rule of law is essential for establishing and maintaining law and order, benefiting all members of society and legitimizing the government.

What this means is that the government is not driven by efficiency or speed but by its capacity to provide equity and justice for citizens, as well as uphold governance principles and ethics for the greater good of the society."

To support my argument with an ideological foundation, I referenced a well-known philosopher:

"As John Locke stated, the purpose of government is 'to secure and protect the God-given inalienable natural rights of the people.'"

I further reinforced my point by explaining the appropriate role of government in a market-driven capitalist economy like ours:

"Among other responsibilities, the government essentially provides the legal and social framework within which the economy operates. This means that the government is not meant to be a business operator but rather to ensure a level playing field for businesses to compete."

Expanding on the issue, I contrasted the ideal scenario I was advocating with the reality at the time the original piece was written about a year ago:

"Unlike the forces that drive business, where companies thrive on competition with similar service providers to gain a market advantage and thereby add value to society, the situation in Nigeria was quite different. The government had been the sole investor in oil and gas refining since oil was discovered in Oloibiri, modern-day Bayelsa, in 1956, creating a monopoly that stifled value creation."

I then reflected on the situation:

"That was the unfortunate state of affairs in Nigeria until the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) came into effect last year. This was followed by President Tinubu's inauguration speech on May 29, which marked the end of the petrol subsidy."

Additionally, I noted:

"Before these changes, the Federal Government's monopoly in the oil and gas sector was like an albatross hanging over it. Unlike the goals of government, the primary objective of any business is to meet the needs and wants of society while generating profit."

After having firmly opposed the idea of government involvement in business just a year ago, it was a remarkable and welcome surprise that our nation’s oil giant, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Ltd (NNPC Ltd), has now recognized the merit of the argument. On Friday, August 30, NNPC Ltd announced that it is inviting private sector operators to bid for the management and operation of the Kaduna and Warri refineries.

This announcement, made by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mr. Olufemi Soneye, stated that the company is seeking both short- and long-term Operations and Maintenance (O&M) contracts for the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) and the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company (KRPC).

Elaborating on the initiative, he outlined the scope of work for the O&M contracts, which will include but not be limited to:

- Long-term and short-term production/operations planning
- Production and operations execution
- Monitoring, reporting, and optimization of operations
- Maintenance planning (short-term)
- Maintenance execution
- Reliability and inspection
- Process and control engineering
- Quality Control, Quality Assurance, and Laboratory
- Specialist engineering
- Health and Safety
- Environmental management
- Turnaround maintenance planning and execution
- Minor projects
- Non-hydrocarbon Procurement
- Sub-contractor management
- Inventory and warehouse management

The NNPC Ltd spokesperson further mentioned that the company's goal is to enhance the refining process to ensure quality by utilizing the latest technology, including Computerized Maintenance Management Software (CMMS) and Warehousing Management Systems (WMS).

While this move falls short of the complete or partial sale of the refineries, which l have been advocating for and was initially implemented by former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2007 before being reversed by his successor, the late President Umar Yar’Adua, this new initiative is still a positive step. As the saying goes, "Half a loaf is better than none."

The basis for my argument that existing oil refineries should be sold to private investors stems from the widespread belief among Nigerians that the government's business is- nobody's- business. In other words, government-owned businesses are often neglected or mismanaged. The poor performance of government-owned enterprises in Nigeria further supports the idea that, in a market-driven capitalist economy, the government should not be involved in business—a principle widely accepted in management theory.

There are exceptions to this rule, such as in monarchical systems like Saudi Arabia, where ARAMCO, a state-owned company, remains highly profitable, generating $100 billion in 2023. This success can be attributed to the unique nature of a monarchy, where loyalty to the king means that the government's business is effectively the king's business, as the king embodies the state.

Moreover, other state-owned oil companies in market-driven economies, such as Petrobras in Brazil ($25 billion profit), Sonatrach in Algeria ($5.5 billion), and Petronas in Malaysia ($19 billion), have also shown significant profitability. The concerns about NNPCL's underperformance are heightened when compared to these companies, especially since NNPCL, operating in a similar market-driven environment, reported a profit of N2.297 trillion ($3.3 billion) in its 2023 annual report. Given that Nigeria is OPEC’s sixth-largest oil producer, NNPCL has the potential to perform much better and is currently underachieving.

Similarly, government involvement in business is mandatory in China due to its communist orientation, which represents another exception to the general rule that governments should not engage in business. Unfortunately, in Nigeria, the belief that "government business is nobody's business" has become ingrained among public servants, leading to significant negative impacts on the profitability of publicly owned organizations.

In contrast to the apathetic attitude often seen among Nigerian public servants toward state-owned assets, citizens in China exhibit a strong sense of ownership over public enterprises due to a deep-seated patriotism reinforced by the country's communist ideology. This ideological commitment has made government involvement in business highly successful in China. A prime example is the construction firm China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), which plays a central role in the nation's infrastructure development projects across Africa, including road construction, railways, and ports in Nigeria.

On the other hand, in Nigeria, where there is a notable lack of patriotism, particularly within the public and civil service, government dominance in business has historically led to poor outcomes. This was the case until the government began to relax its control over businesses, starting with the unbundling efforts during General Ibrahim Babangida's military regime.

During that period, industries such as broadcasting and banking were privatized, a trend that continued under President Olusegun Obasanjo's civilian administration. Obasanjo further opened up sectors like ports and telecommunications to private investment, and more recently, the electricity sector has also been liberalized.

A common thread among these privatized entities and newly accessible sectors in Nigeria is that they have all become profitable, significant job creators, and contributors to GDP growth. Additionally, they have become more substantial sources of tax revenue following the government's decision to allow private investment.

The situation highlights the risks associated with the prevailing belief in Nigeria that "government’s business is nobody’s business," a notion deeply ingrained in the mindset of many Nigerians, especially public and civil servants. This attitude often leads to the reckless management of state-owned enterprises, which has resulted in their failure.

In contrast, businesses where the government holds only a minority stake have generally thrived. For example, the Nigerian Liquefied Natural Gas (NLNG) company, which operates in partnership with international oil companies (IOCs), has been a significant revenue source for the NNPC.

To address the challenges of government-owned businesses, it is crucial to move away from the mindset that government assets are inherently neglected. This attitude underlies issues such as corruption and the mismanagement of public utilities, and government-run businesses such as banking services when the likes of UBA,FirstBank and Unionbank, electricity provider NEPA, telecommunications company NITEL, and the airline Nigeria Airways were under the control of the government.
Following the unbundling of the aforementioned assets to private investors, they have become profitable not only to the investors but they are also creating employment and paying taxes to the government.

Despite NNPC's transformation into NNPCL and its shift towards a market-driven approach, it still operates with bureaucratic constraints typical of government agencies. Rather than pursuing a full sale of the refineries, NNPCL is opting for a concession strategy, inviting private sector bids for the management of the Warri and Kaduna refineries.

Given the problematic history of corruption, such as the crude oil-for-refined products swap scandal under former Minister Diezani Alison-Madueke, it is concerning that NNPCL is not opting for a complete sale to private investors with the necessary expertise and funding. This cautious approach seems to ignore the lessons from previous failures in managing government assets.

Fortunately, the Petroleum Products Importers Association has expressed interest in pooling resources to acquire one of the refineries. This initiative should be encouraged. Private sector operators are likely to use the refinery more effectively compared to leasing it to an operator who might exploit the system, as seen with the mismanagement of toll gates on highways.

Selling the refineries or their controlling shares outright to new buyers could also enable Nigerian retail stations to expand into neighboring countries and address the problem of petroleum product smuggling across our borders. The example of OVH's purchase and sale by NNPCL Retail, and its subsequent merger, demonstrates the potential for Nigerian buyers to extend the franchise to neighboring countries, similar to how Citgo, a Venezuelan brand, once operated in the U.S.

Smuggling may persist due to the lack of a formal framework for selling petrol across borders. The type of innovative approach required for this expansion is best handled by private sector investors. Therefore, President Bola Tinubu should consider transitioning from the proposed concession of the Warri and Kaduna refineries to a full sale to experienced entrepreneurs.

Over the past fifteen months, President Tinubu has revised several policy initiatives he deemed suboptimal. Concessioning the refineries is less effective than a complete sale, and reversing this decision would likely earn him a commendation from industry stakeholders and the public. Given Mr.President's responsiveness to Nigerians' needs such as increasing the amount paid to the poor through conditional cash transfer and returning some of the subsidy on petrol pump prices, there is hope that he will take the necessary steps to stop NNPC ltd from engaging in this latest gambit which spells doom for the oil behemoth that is supposed to be our country’s cash cow but still punching below its weight. As Oliver Goldsmith wisely said, "Hope is not a bait; it covers any hook."

Magnus Onyibe, an entrepreneur, public policy analyst, author, democracy advocate, development strategist, alumnus of Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy, Tufts University, Massachusetts, USA, and a former commissioner in Delta state government, sent this piece from Lagos, Nigeria.

To continue with this conversation and more, please visit www.magnum.ng

...As Ekiti Hosts Inaugural Meeting of Security Advisers of neighboring States

The Governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, on Thursday took a significant step towards enhancing regional security by convening a meeting of special advisers on security from Ekiti, Ondo, Kogi, Kwara, and Osun States.

The initiative aims at strengthening the security architecture of the states who share boundaries and ensuring the protection of lives and properties within their borders.

The meeting, held at the Bawa Lodge at the Ekiti State Government House, was chaired by the Special Adviser on Security to Ekiti State Governor, Brigadier-General Ebenezer Ogundana (rtd).

Attendees included Mr. Olugbenga Atiba, Senior Special Assistant on Security, Ondo State; Commander Jerry Omodara, Kogi State; Brigadier Samuel Ojo (Rtd.), Osun State; and Brigadier General S.T. Bello, Kwara State, with Dr Adetunberu Oludotun, Director General Jomeland Security, Ekiti State as Secretary.

In his remarks, Gen. Ogundana emphasized that the meeting was convened at the directive of Governor Oyebanji in response to rising trans-border insecurity. He highlighted the importance of collaboration among the neighboring states, particularly in tackling inter-border crimes, where criminals evade prosecution by crossing state lines.

Gen Ogundana stressed that intelligence-sharing would be key in controlling such criminal activities and ensuring the safety of residents.

The retired General stated further that the inaugural meeting marked the beginning of massive collaboration among the states, adding that future meetings would involve local governments in the border areas in order to enhance cooperation among security personnel.

He also noted that security efforts were being intensified across Ekiti, including farm settlements, to encourage farmers to return to their businesses without fear. This, he said is to enhance food security.

“We are committed to ensuring peace across Ekiti State and in all our neighboring states”, Ogundana assured, stressing that improved security climate is a driver for increased investment, particularly in the agricultural sector.

“Without adequate security, there will be no investment, and we have seen big-time agro investors showing interest in Ekiti.”

Ogundana also addressed the recent food insecurity challenges, expressing hope that such issues would not recur this year due to proactive measures taken by the state, including resolving disputes between herdsmen and farmers.

He urged residents to go about their daily activities without fear of being kidnapped, reiterating the government’s commitment to safeguarding lives, property, and ensuring a conducive environment for investors.

The meeting is set to continue periodically, with further discussions held virtually as needed, to stay ahead of potential security threats.

Yet, if Yenagoa was Nigeria’s chaos capital, it didn’t show in the voice of Esueme Dan-Kikile, the general manager corporate affairs of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), who never once wavered in his commitment to me to read my book there.

When anxiety and prejudice nearly prevailed, I yielded to Dan-Kikile’s reassuring calmness and my nagging curiosity for adventure. 

After 19 years of mental pictures, mostly from unflattering news reports, I decided to face the demon. By a quirk of fate, I used the longer route – Warri to Yenagoa. What a trip this second missionary journey turned out to be!

If a picture is worth a thousand words, one travel mile is worth two thousand. Words sometimes fail to describe the joys and excitement of new faces, places, sounds, and smells of travel. 

Jonathan was “king”

The last time I visited, former President Goodluck Jonathan was governor. The state was nine years old, and there was only one road in and out of the capital. 

Bayelsa, located in southern Nigeria, edges the Atlantic Ocean. It was the hotbed of militancy by youths who, sometimes at the behest of politicians, took hostages for ransom and blew up oil and gas pipelines as bargaining chips. Its people are mostly fishermen and farmers whose environment and toils have been ruined for decades by oil spills and the ravages of gas flaring.

This visit felt different from when I landed at the airport in Warri, Delta State, for the three-and-a-half-hour drive to Yenagoa. 

The East-West Road

After over N350 billion and 18 years, the construction of the East-West Road, highway to the six states in the Niger Delta region and gateway to the East is still on. They say it would take nearly three times that amount, and God knows how long to finish. 

This was what Senate President Godswill Akpabio said four years ago when he was Minister of the Niger Delta Affairs – that the road, which NDDC was handling under his supervision, would cost about N1 trillion naira to complete.

Large portions of it were still impassable as of last week. Where you could drive freely for a mile or two, you had to look out for barricades and sand-filled drums at makeshift checkpoints where the security men and local youths appear to have agreed on a joint approach and a standard extortion formula. 

“Tollgate ahead, off the mic!”

If this sounds confusing, you haven’t heard the more confusing part. Extortion doesn’t only happen on the highway. Four years ago, just before Akpabio said the East-West Road might cost N1 trillion to finish, a “tollgate” was mounted for him inside Nigeria’s parliament in Abuja.

A joint session of Nigeria’s Senate and House of Representatives was conducting an audit of the NDDC, and the Commission had not completed the East-West Road after many years and billions of naira spent. As Akpabio proceeded to open the can of worms after hinting that the contracts for the road were awarded to companies belonging to his interlocutors, the committee chairman and current Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo interjected: “Off your mic! Honourable Minister, it’s OK, off the mic!”

That interjection became the national joke for killing any potentially embarrassing thing that should be said. Talking too much is against the convention at any tollgate – whether in Abuja or on the East-West Road. Off the mic, pay the toll, and move.

Akpabio, an accomplished toll collector, should have known the tradition. According to a NEITI report in 2013, the NDDC received about N400 billion between 2007 and 2011, which is almost one-quarter of its 20-year existence. If the Commission were a state with a revenue of N168 billion in 2011, for example, it would be the sixth highest earning in the country, displaced only by Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Delta and Rivers. 

Yet, as the car taking me to Yenagoa drove by, the most prevalent evidence that the Commission is working on the East-West Road is the enormous square slabs, each engraved with its name erected shamelessly within every two kilometres or so. It would be a surprise if this work is finished in another 18 years, even if Nigeria robbed a Chinese bank for N1 trillion.

Waterfront and petrol queues

After nearly three hours of driving, we finally arrived in Yenagoa, turning off at the Yenagoa-Mbiama part of the East-West Road at Igbogini Junction onto Glory Drive. The driver said the new road was constructed last year. The one-road state capital had a new access road, which I later learned was the third.  

In Yenagoa, the makeshift food shops on wooden stilts at the waterfront at the end of Alamieyeseigha Road, just a stone’s throw from the imposing Content Board Tower, were great. The food, smell, neon lights, music, and the energy of the solicitous food vendors courting mostly young customers were hard to resist. 

The place reminded me of Tampa Bay in Florida – if, for a moment, from behind any of the wooden shacks, you looked far beyond the large waterweeds and abandoned wooden canoes at the shore to the Ocean just at the horizon. 

On our way to the venue of the book reading at Golden Tulip the next day, we saw long queues of vehicles snaking for miles from a nearby NNPC filling station where drivers were waiting to buy petrol. 

It’s heartbreaking that residents in this state, home of Oloibiri, where crude oil was first discovered in Nigeria and home to the country’s fourth highest concentration of oil wells, must go through this to buy petrol. My driver said drivers unable to buy petrol the same day would leave their vehicles at the station and return the next day. They are used to it. I shook my head.

Read the book!

The book reading was electrifying. It was attended by a fine collection of students from four universities in the state with their teachers. Accomplished writers and professionals from other walks of life were present, too. The audience’s enthusiasm and determination to seize the moment for their own good were remarkable. 

Dan-Kikile spoke from the heart about NCDMB’s passion for upskilling capacity at institutional and individual levels; the moderator, Dr. Doubra Timi-Wood of Channels TV, made the reading a shared moment of intimacy, and the audience loved it. 

The cure for my lethargy was facing my fears. I’m glad I did.

China’s President Xi Jinping has committed $50 billion in financial support and promised increased military cooperation to Africa over the next three years.

Speaking at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing, Xi outlined his vision for strengthening ties with the continent, which he declared is experiencing its most favorable period in history.

In his 10-minute speech, Xi outlined ten key areas for future cooperation, including infrastructure connectivity, trade, security, and green development.

The focus on green technology aligns with China’s broader goal to expand its export of green technologies, reflecting its evolving strategic interests. Xi proposed elevating diplomatic relations with all African nations to a strategic partnership level, a move he believes will mark the apex of China-Africa relations CNN first reported.

Some context 

The substantial $50 billion pledge includes a mix of credit funds, assistance, and private investment from Chinese firms.

This new commitment surpasses the $30 billion pledged three years ago and, while lower than the $60 billion pledged in 2015 and 2018, it aims to reaffirm China’s dedication to the continent. In addition, Xi announced another $280 million in aid, split evenly between military and food assistance.

The $140 million allocated for military aid is the largest sum earmarked for this purpose at the Forum to date, signaling a heightened focus on security in the bilateral relationship.

The Forum, which includes leaders such as South Africa’s Cyril Ramaphosa, Kenya’s William Ruto, and Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu, comes at a critical juncture. The event highlights China’s ongoing strategic interest in Africa amid increasing competition from the US and Europe. Xi’s speech and pledges are seen as part of China’s effort to counter Western influence and secure its position as a rising global power.

What to know 

Xi also stressed the importance of China and Africa working together to address global challenges such as conflict, climate change, and the geopolitical rivalry over critical minerals. South Africa’s Ramaphosa praised China’s “solidarity” with Africa, emphasizing the continent’s hope and opportunity amidst these global challenges. “These challenges affect all nations but are more often severely felt on the African continent,” he said.

However, there are concerns about how Xi’s pledges will align with the expectations of African leaders and the practicalities of implementing these promises. Analysts have pointed out difficulties in tracking the fulfillment of past commitments, which could complicate the assessment of this new pledge. Beijing’s extensive past investments, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative, have faced criticism for contributing to debt burdens in several African nations. While Xi did not address these debt issues directly, the current pledge is seen as a strategic maneuver to underscore China’s continued commitment amid growing global competition.

Xi’s emphasis on security cooperation, including a promise to train 6,000 military personnel and 1,000 law enforcement officers, reflects Beijing’s broader ambitions in Africa. This push for greater security ties comes as China seeks to expand its strategic partnerships in a region that has become increasingly important to its geopolitical and economic goals.

[Nairametrics]