A dramatic incident unfolded at Lagos Airport on Saturday when a woman tore up her husband’s international passport shortly after their arrival from abroad.

The act, seen by many as vandalism of government property, has ignited public outrage and prompted calls for legal action.

The woman could be heard responding in rage after being asked why she tore the passport, “Is it your passport?”

She later then told off her transfixed husband as she held the kids’ hands out of the walkway, “If you want to sleep there, sleep there, this is Nigeria, this is where you will be”.

Officials could then be heard consoling and telling her husband to calm down and not say anything in response to the outburst of the woman.

The woman’s actions have been widely condemned as both a public display of emotional distress and a serious offense, given that a passport is a document owned by the Nigerian government.

@STDpicks wrote on X, “Hope she knows it’s a crime for destroying government property and she can go to jail for it.”

@__jaidz: I don’t know why some women think so shallow, she just acted without even weighing the consequences. I wont be surprised if she later was sorry for this and re think she did a very wrong thing. Women need to stop doing things based on emotions and think logically sometimes all this weaker vessel sh!t is just ignorance and pathway for stupidness.

@fortunateozuyak: May we not be humiliated by the women we settled for as wives!

@OloriOfOloris: “We need to hear the other side of the story first before jumping into conclusion.”

@Xperience_Snr: She’s not afraid of him. She’s not afraid of any consequences. This is not the first time she’s abusing him. She doesn’t respect him. She sees him as a weak man. She’s in command. The man should do a DNA on all the kids especially the last one. She’s clearly cheating on him.

President Bola Tinubu has been charged by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP), to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN) and appropriate anti-corruption agencies, to promptly and thoroughly investigate the spending of $1.5 billio World Bank loan obtained by the 36 states and Abuja for poverty reduction and social protection across the states.

SERAP said, “Suspected perpetrators of corruption and mismanagement should face prosecution as appropriate, if there is sufficient admissible evidence, and any proceeds of corruption should be fully recovered.”

SERAP also urged him to direct Fagbemi and appropriate anti-corruption agencies to promptly investigate the alleged mismanagement of the Chinese loans of $3.121bn obtained by the Federal Government.

In the open letter dated 10 August 2024 and signed by SERAP deputy director Kolawole Oluwadare, the organisation said, “Ensuring accountability for the spending of World Bank loan and Chinese loans would build trust in democratic institutions with the ultimate aim of strengthening the rule of law.

“Impunity for corruption in the management of World Bank loans and Chinese loans will continue as long as high-ranking public officials go largely unpunished for their alleged crimes.

“It is by pursuing these allegations and taking the evidence before the court that the truth will be revealed and justice best served.

“There are reports that the $1.5bn World Bank loan to the 36 states and Abuja and the $3bn Chinese loans obtained by the Federal Government may have been mismanaged or diverted, and in any case remain unaccounted for.

“Investigating and prosecuting allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the spending of World Bank loans and Chinese loans would be entirely consistent with the Nigerian Constitution, and the country’s international anti-corruption obligations.

“We note that while a governor may enjoy immunity from arrest and prosecution, he does not enjoy immunity from investigation. Any criminal allegation against a sitting governor can and should be investigated pending the time the governor leaves office and loses immunity.

“The findings of such investigation can also be the basis for initiating impeachment proceedings against the governor.

“Your government has the legal obligation to ensure accountability for the spending of the loans obtained from the World Bank and China. SERAP is concerned about the continuing lack of transparency and accountability in the management of World Bank loans and Chinese loans obtained by the states and the Federal Government.

“We would be grateful if the recommended measures are taken within 7 days of the receipt and/or publication of this letter. If we have not heard from you by then, SERAP shall consider appropriate legal actions to compel your government to comply with our request in the public interest.

“SERAP is concerned about years of allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the spending of World Bank loans and Chinese loans obtained by Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Government as well as the entrenched impunity of perpetrators.

“These allegations have undermined the ability of governments at all levels to address the debilitating poverty and economic inequality across the states and the Federal Capital Territory.

“Section 15(5) imposes the responsibility on your government to ‘abolish all corrupt practices and abuse of power’ in any part of the country. Section 15 defines ‘government’ to include the government of the federation, or of any state, or of a local government council or any person who exercises power or authority on its behalf.

“The Nigerian Constitution and human rights treaties to which Nigeria is a state party impose obligations on your government to probe and prosecute allegations of corruption in the spending of World Bank loans and Chinese loans, and to ensure access to justice and effective remedies for victims of corruption.

“Allegations of corruption and mismanagement in the spending of these loans and other loans have rendered already impoverished citizens incapable of satisfying their minimum needs for survival.

“Prevention of corruption in the spending of World Bank loans and other loans are serious and legitimate public interests. There is a legitimate public interest in ensuring justice and accountability for alleged corruption and mismanagement in the management of these loans.

“According to our information, the World Bank on 15 December 2020 approved a $1.5 billion loan for Nigeria’s 36 states and Abuja for social protection and strengthened state-level COVID-19 response. The loan aims to help the states and Abuja build a resilient recovery post-COVID19 and to reduce poverty.

“Specifically, the loan aims to increase access to basic education, quality water and sanitation services; improve primary healthcare; and increase the coverage and effectiveness of social assistance programs, promote women’s empowerment and reduce maternal and child mortality across the states.

“The $1.5 billion World Bank loan is for two projects. The first is Nigeria Covid-19 Action Recovery and Economic Stimulus – Program for Results (Nigeria CARES) which aims to help increase access to social transfers and basic services, as well as provide grants to poor and vulnerable households. The project is financed through an International Development Association (IDA) credit of $750 million.

“The second is the State Fiscal Transparency, Accountability and Sustainability Program for Results (SFTAS), which aims to help increase the efficiency in spending, strengthen revenue mobilization, and enhance accountability in public resource management to strengthen state-level COVID-19 response.

“The project is financed through an International Development Association (IDA) credit of $750 million.

“According to the Debt Management Office, the total borrowing by Nigeria from China was USD$3.121 billion, as of March 31, 2020. The USD$3.121 billion loans are for 11 projects including the Nigerian Railway Modernization Project (Idu-Kaduna section); and Abuja Light Rail Project.

“Others include the Nigerian Four Airport Terminals Expansion Project (Abuja, Kano, Lagos and Port Harcourt), Nigerian Railway Modernization Project (Lagos-Ibadan section) and Rehabilitation and Upgrading of Abuja – Keffi- Makurdi Road Project.

“According to the Debt Management Office, Nigeria’s total public debt stock, including external and domestic debts, increased by ₦24.33 trillion in three months alone, from ₦97.34 trillion ($108.23 billion) in December 2023 to ₦121.67 trillion ($91.46 billion) as of March 31, 2024.

“The debt represents external and domestic loans obtained by the Federal Government, the 36 state governments and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).”

Barring any last-minute change, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun of the Supreme Court is set to emerge as the next chief justice of Nigeria (CJN).

If she assumes the office, Kekere-Ekun would become the second female justice in Nigeria to hold the exalted position after Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, who was CJN between July 2012 and November 2014, spending 28 months in office.

The current occupant of the office, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, who assumed office on June 27, 2022, will formally bow out on Thursday, August 22, 2024, after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 70 years.

As the most senior justice of the Supreme Court after Ariwoola, Justice Kekere-Ekun is favoured to clinch the position.

The incoming CJN, who is 66 years old, may stay up to four years compared to the average of two years most of her predecessors held the position.

After 11 years at the Supreme Court, Justice Kekere-Ekun will not only become the next CJN but also head the National Judicial Council (NJC), which oversees the appointment, promotion, and discipline of judges across the country.

Justice Kekere-Ekun was born on May 7, 1958 and obtained her LL. B in 1980 from the University of Lagos and LL.M from the London School of Economics and Political Science in November 1983. She was called to the Nigerian Bar on 10th July, 1981.

From 1985 to 1989, she was in private practice and was later appointed a Senior Magistrate Grade II, Lagos State Judiciary in December 1989. She was appointed a judge of the High Court of Lagos State on July 19, 1996. She served as the chairman of the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal, Zone II, Ikeja, Lagos, from November 1996 to May 1999.

Kekere-Ekun

Kekere-Ekun was elevated to the Court of Appeal on 22nd September, 2004, where she served in various Divisions and as the presiding justice of two Divisions of the appellate court (Makurdi and Aku) in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

She was elevated to the Supreme Court of Nigeria as the fifth female justice of the apex court and sworn in on Monday, July 8, 2013.

She has attended numerous courses and seminars within and outside Nigeria and received several merit awards.

Justice Kekere-Ekun is also a life Bencher, a member of the International Association of Women Judges and its president.

LEADERSHIP Sunday reports that the judiciary has been in the eye of the storm, notably since the country returned to democratic rule in 1999.

With Justice Kekere-Ekun assuming office in the next few weeks, the succession battle in the Supreme Court may be rancour-free for the first time in five years.

Justice Walter Onnoghen, who served as CJN between 7th March, 2017 and 25th January 2019, left controversially after he was accused of failing to declare his assets.

His successor, Justice Tanko Muhammad, who assumed office on 25th January, 2019, followed almost the same pattern after his fellow justices accused him of unfair treatment, particularly in the area of their welfare. He voluntarily resigned on the grounds of ill-health on 27th June, 2022.

The CJN is the head of the government’s judicial arm. He presides over the country’s Supreme Court and the National Judicial Council.

The outgoing CJN (Ariwoola) was appointed acting CJN on 27th June, 2022 upon Justice Tanko Muhammad’s resignation and was confirmed by the Nigerian Senate on 21st September, 2022.

The Supreme Court of Nigeria is the highest, and its decisions are final. The president nominates the CJN upon the recommendation by the NJC, and is subject to confirmation by the Senate.

The CJN holds office at the pleasure of the Nigerian constitution and can only be removed from office due to death or on attainment of age 70, whichever comes first, or by impeachment by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, which requires a super majority of the Senate members.

Short Stay In Office Based On Rules – Senior lawyers

In the last 15 years, seven CJNs have presided over the affairs of the nation’s judiciary, which is about an average of two years each for the occupants of that office.

Lawyers have, however, lamented the short stay in office of the CJNs.

According to them, an average of two years in office is not enough to bring about the needed reforms in the country’s judiciary.

However, some senior lawyers who spoke to LEADERSHIP Sunday were quick to assert that the CJN’s office is not a political appointment.

According to them, it is regulated by law.

A former attorney-general and commissioner for justice in Imo state, Chief Chukwuma-Machukwu Ume (SAN), said the apex court is not a political party whose programmes and policies are personal.

According to him, the CJN is an administrator and is not expected to bring his agenda to run the court.

“The court is regulated by law, and the law is the law; there is nothing you can do about it. The Supreme Court is not a political party where one man is expected to bring his agenda to the table after winning election,” he said.

Another lawyer, Barrister Abdul Balogun, said rules for succession to the CJN’s office have already been laid down.

“Laws and rules guide the judiciary, and any attempt to deviate from them is a call to lawlessness, which will negatively impact the country’s judiciary.

“In the judiciary as a whole, it is a laid down rule that the most senior assumes office upon a vacancy in the leadership of any court from the customary court to the Supreme Court. So, any attempt to deviate from that is a call for chaos in the system,” he said

In the last 15 years, the country has produced seven CJNs. While some of them left an indelible mark in office and in the minds of Nigerians with their policies and reforms to the country’s judiciary, others had their tenures characterised by controversies.

Aloysius Iyorgyer Katsina-Alu (2009- 2011)

From his very first day in office, there was controversy after he was sworn in by his predecessor. He was the first CJN to be sworn in by his predecessor, Justice Idris Legbo Kutigi (rtd), due to the unavailability of the then ailing President Umaru Yar’Adua, who did not hand over powers to then Vice President Goodluck Jonathan.

Yar’Adua never returned to the country until his death. Justice Katsina-Alu’s tenure as the CJN was also marked by his controversial battle with the then President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Isa Ayo Salami (rtd), who the NJC later suspended.

Dahiru Musdapher (2011-2012)

His tenure as CJN was crisis-free; rather, he brought some reforms that impacted positively on the judiciary. Some of his reforms are still being implemented today. The Jigawa State-born Musdapher was appointed Chief Justice Nigeria on August 27, 2011, and sworn in by former President Goodluck Jonathan on August 29, 2011.

He served as Chief Judge of Kano State between 1979 and 1985.

Musdapher, a native of Babura town, served as a member of the Court of Appeal between 1985 and 2003 and later joined the Supreme Court.

During his tenure, he admitted that the judiciary needed radical surgical reforms and called on all Nigerian judges to rise above the daunting challenges by restoring hope and confidence in the judicial system.

MARIAM ALOMA MUKHTAR (2012 – 2014)

Justice Mukhtar could be described as a judge who came, who saw and, to an extent, reinvigorated the fervor to stamp out the burden of corruption that has, in no small measure, weighed down the scale of justice in Nigeria.

She spent barely 28 months in office. She took over from Justice Dahiru Musdapher on July 15, 2012.

Undisputedly, no administration in the judiciary ever attempted to fight corruption like Mukhtar, during whose short regime about seven judges were sacked.

Remarkably, no woman had attained that position since 1963, when the Federal Republic of Nigeria was proclaimed, and Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe became its first President.

The situation deteriorated to the extent that an ex-CJN and a sitting president of the Court of Appeal publicly poked themselves over an alleged plan to subvert justice in a gubernatorial dispute involving Sokoto State.

Consequently, on July 11, 2012, while answering questions from the Nigerian Senate, Justice Mukhtar admitted the presence of bad eggs at the top echelon of the judicial arm of government, even as she vowed to fight and expose such persons before her exit from office.

A few days after she assumed duties, Justice Mukhtar reviewed 337 petitions filed against judicial officers before the NJC.

Hence, it was not surprising that seven justices were sacked within two years of her tenure.

MAHMUD MOHAMMED (2014 – 2016)

Justice Mohammed was also less controversial in his about two years in office as CJN.

He was born on November 10, 1946, in Jalingo, Taraba State.

He studied for his Bachelor’s degree in Law (LL.B) at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, graduating in 1970. After that, he attended the Nigerian Law School in Lagos and was subsequently called to the Bar in 1971.

He began his career in the public service with the Ministry of Justice of the defunct North-eastern and Gongola States and served on the Gongola Bench.

WALTER ONNOGHEN (2017 – 2019)

Justice Onnoghen began his tenure as CJN on a controversial note and ended it on the same note. When he was appointed in acting capacity, it appeared that former President Muhammadu Buhari never wanted him to become the substantive CJN as it took him several months to confirm his appointment.

In fact, it was Professor Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), the former vice president who acted as president when Buhari was away on a medical trip, that confirmed Onnoghen’s appointment.

Midway into his tenure as CJN, he was accused of corruption and removed from office after he was asked to resign.

His resignation from office followed the recommendation of the NJC for his early retirement. The recommendation was sent to Buhari, who readily accepted it.

Justice Onnoghen faced trial at the Code of Conduct Tribunal over allegations of false declaration of assets.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) also accused the former CJN of receiving illicit payments and bribes from lawyers. He denied all the allegations.

Not a few Nigerians read political undertone in his tribulation, especially as the 2019 general elections were fast approaching.

IBRAHIM TANKO MUHAMMAD (2019 – 2022)

Like his predecessor, Justice Tanko Muhammad assumed office on a controversial note and also exited under questionable circumstances.

After Justice Onnoghen was eased out, many believed it was to prepare Justice Muhammad to become the CJN. Some believed the former president tainted Onnoghen with a corruption tag to make way for Muhammad, also a northerner.

Like Onnoghen, he could not finish his tenure, but due to ill health.

There was confusion in the media over his resignation. However, after many weeks of denial and confusion, it was later confirmed that he resigned as CJN on health grounds.

Shortly before his resignation, he officially reacted to the allegations of uncaring attitude levelled against him by his fellow justices in the apex court.

In his first official reaction, he admitted that the Supreme Court, like any other establishment in the country, had been hit by a devastating economic crunch and the court’s leadership under him could no longer meet some of its obligations to the justices, especially in welfare.

OLUKAYODE ARIWOOLA (2022 -2024)

Justice Ariwoola took the oath of office as the acting CJN at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on June 27, 2022.

He is, arguably, one of the finest CJNs the country has produced with his policies and programmes for the judiciary. However, like some of his predecessors, his tenure is fraught with controversies, especially as the judiciary under him came to be seen as being in the pockets of the political class.

In fact, retiring Supreme Court justices in his tenure used their valedictory speeches to lampoon the judiciary under his watch and so many Nigerians have lamented that the present judiciary dispenses judgement rather than justice.

Whoever takes the mantle after Ariwoola will have a herculean task repairing the battered image of the judiciary in order to restore the confidence of the people in that arm of government.

Tertiary institutions in Nigeria are an important component of the nation’s educational system, offering advanced learning opportunities beyond secondary schooling.

Over the years, the argument around whose school or even alma mater was the best usually dominate the trends. Everyone’s university is the best, inasmuch as it fulfil the essence of its establishment. However, some universities stand out among their peers.

In this article, we utilised the Times Higher Education (THE) rankings for 2024 to come up with a list of the top 10 universities in Nigeria. Important to note that these top 10 universities in no particular order:

1. University of Ibadan

The University of Ibadan is a public research university in Ibadan, Nigeria. The university was once a college of the University of London. The college was established in 1948 as University College Ibadan, one of many colleges within the University of London. It is a public university in Nigeria and one of the oldest.

2. Covenant University

Covenant University is in Ota, Ogun state, Nigeria. This university started in 2002. It is a private school with Christian beliefs. Bishop David Oyedepo, who also started the Living Faith Church Worldwide, founded it.

3. Obafemi Awolowo University

Obafemi Awolowo University is a federal university in Ile-Ife, Osun State. The university was founded in 1961 and classes commenced in October 1962 as the University of Ife by the regional government of Western Nigeria, led by Samuel Ladoke Akintola.

4. Ahmadu Bello University

The Ahmadu Bello University is a public research university located in Zaria, Kaduna State. It was opened in 1962 as the University of Northern Nigeria.

5. University of Lagos

The University Of Lagos (UNILAG) is a public research university in Lagos. It takes a slot on the list of 10 best universities in Nigeria due to a long-standing status of giving the best in class learning and research.

It offers over 110 undergraduate and 129 postgraduate programs. Its top programs include business, engineering, law, and environmental sciences.

Furthermore, UNILAG offers health sciences, management sciences, education, and arts programs.

6. University of Nigeria, Nsukka

The University of Nigeria is in Nsukka, a vibrant town in Nigeria’s southeastern part. The University of Nigeria has 15 academic faculties offering undergraduate and graduate courses. You can take a course in agriculture, medicine, and management sciences. Also, the University provides engineering, arts, humanities, and social sciences.

7. University of Benin

The University of Benin is known for its commitment to academic excellence. Its most popular alumni are Babatunde Fashola, a lawyer and former Lagos State Governor; and Tom Ilube, a British entrepreneur.

The University of Benin has 15 faculties offering over 80 undergraduate and graduate programs. You can pursue engineering, law, medicine, education, arts, management sciences, or humanities.

8. Federal University of Technology, Minna

The Federal University of Technology is a top-tier public institution in the bustling city of Minna. FUT stands among the top 10 universities in Nigeria for offering highly-marketable technology courses.

The University has over 48 undergraduate and 119 postgraduate programs.

Its top programs include agriculture, engineering, innovative technology, and information and communication technology.

9. University of Ilorin

University of Ilorin, also known as UNILORIN, is a federal government-owned school in Kwara state, North Central Nigeria. It’s known for its strong programs in business, law, and medicine.

10. University of Port Harcourt

The University of Port Harcourt was established in 1975 as University College, Port Harcourt. It’s known for its strong programs in petroleum engineering, business, and environmental sciences.

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, has come under fire for castigating the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, over the recent nationwide protest against bad governance tagged #EndBadGovernmentinNigeria, which later turned violent, particularly in the Northern States.

In a release titled “On Governor Bala Mohammed’s Latest Trade and Truculent Buffoonery,” former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Barr. Yakubu Dogara opined that the Governor’s recent utterances were uncalled for and unnecessary.

According to him, “No doubt, these are trying moments in Nigeria, with lots of nerves in the air and lots of spitting into the political wind. The job of leaders, irrespective of the political tribe they belong to, is to ensure that we bring this crisis to a responsible end by appealing to governments at all levels to scramble to meet some of the legitimate demands of the protesters, most especially hunger and pervasive insecurity in the national interest.”

Yakubu Dogara stressed that “it is certainly not a time to engage in blowing all the dog whistles at once in the irresponsible manner Gov. Bala Mohammed did.”

The former Speaker declared that, “For me, it didn’t come as a surprise because I had long ago, both in writing and on live TV, denounced him as a thug who speaks in the manner of thugs and understands only the language of thuggery.”

“I am penning these lines to further disavow him and to tell those who don’t know that, although Gov. Bala Mohammed is one of us, he is not all of us. Bauchi State is home to tested leaders who were not raised like mushrooms and who will not dare speak or operate in a manner that reveals contempt for rules, precedent, order, stability, and national cohesion. But Gov. Bala Mohammed does not only do so; he thrives in it,” he added.

According to him, “Not long ago, I said of him, ‘any time the Governor speaks either by himself or through his aides, it is always an outburst of profanity which debases and demeans all of us.'”

He also stated that “A leader is supposed to nurture and inspire the people he leads into positive action as opposed to indulging in wanton self-adulation and praise.”

Yakubu Dogara stressed that “Bala Mohammed has run Bauchi State for a little over six years now with no functional social amenities. Bauchi State under him is one of the states with the highest number of out-of-school children in Nigeria, yet he has built no functional school.”

According to him, “Just one example: my Alma Mater, the famous Bauchi Teachers College, located right under his nose, now lies in ruins. Let him tell the world which of the hospitals in the state is fully functional and how many doctors he has employed. The list is endless.”

“Yet, in the midst of the destitution and squalor that Bauchi State found itself under his watch, he has built the biggest government house for himself and his family and the best family house in Northern Nigeria, if not in the whole country,” he added.

The former Speaker continued, “Next, he wants to build flyovers in a city that has no traffic congestion, albeit for KEKE and OKADA riders. If anyone has ever wondered what the bottom of misgovernance looks like, this is it.”

According to him, “The irony is that when the youths he has refused to build schools for—who have no access to affordable healthcare and employment opportunities—choose to revolt, it is PBAT’s policies that are blamed. What a display of a ravenously wayward sense of entitlement.”

“Just merely looking at what H.E. Nyesom Wike achieved in just one year as FCT Minister, which totally dwarfed what Bala Mohammed achieved in his six years as FCT Minister, is an open rebuke to his inept and visionless leadership, which is now self-evident in Bauchi State,” he added.

According to him, “Governor Bala Mohammed, as a renowned crass opportunist, knows how to extort and exploit people and situations. I once wrote about this, and I quote a line: ‘So much for the motion on the doctrine of necessity, as if some of us didn’t know the events that preceded it and the main drivers of the motion.'”

He advised, “The Governor ought to know, or should be told, that moving against an ailing and bedridden President who was desperately in need of prayers instead, in the manner which he did, was not an act of courage but cowardice.”

He challenged, “Let him name any motion he moved against the government while late President Umaru Musa Yar’adua was well and in charge. To hit someone who you know will have no chance of hitting back is the master strategy of a wimp, and only wimps get paid for it. After taking up the FCT ministerial portfolio as payment for the hatched job, in the manner a hunting dog is served some portion of the meat of its prey, is it not shameful to flaunt that as an achievement? History has never been kind to those who stabbed the vulnerable.”

“To buttress the point being made, when Gov. Bala Mohammed was in court after rigging himself into office and desperately needed PBAT to save him, he was busy singing his praises to the highest heavens and telling the world how amazing PBAT was, not even minding the fact that he is the Chairman of the PDP Governors Forum,” he added.

Yakubu Dogara added, “Just months after PBAT saved him, he has turned around to describe the President as ‘now inept, incompetent, and incapable of running Nigeria.’ I will even invite him to chair our 2027 presidential campaigns if he continues this way.”

He concluded, “This level of unbridled disrespect is unparalleled. In months, Gov. Bala Mohammed has transmuted from being a Hallelujah boy to the undisputed cheerleader of a pack of wolves who are trying so hard to soil the President beyond redemption.”

According to him, “It is good that the world gets to know what we are up against in Bauchi State and the price we are paying for foisting a tasteless joke on the state and elevating a cavorting charlatan to the position of Governor.”

He stressed that “Dignity still matters in public office, and it’s unlikely that Gov. Bala Mohammed will ever have it. Yet, his graver vice is cowardice, reflected in a willingness to lie to the public to please and appease, heedless of the inevitability of its contradiction an hour later and the consequences thereof.”

“Right now, he has turned Bauchi State into a prison of mirrors where his revealed lies are answered with new lies. Those who think he misspoke are dead wrong because that is who he has always been, and as Maya Angelou said, ‘When someone tells you who they are, believe them.'”

He concluded by stating that, “As it is, we wait to see whether the ‘Kaura 2027’ his cult followers printed on their gowns will be a POLITICAL scandal or an execution DATE.”

The UK government says visa applications have dropped from 141,000 to 91,000, about 35.46 percent, since changes to the immigration policy came into effect.

In December 2023, the government introduced new rules to the reduce immigration from a record 1.22 million.

The changes, which came into effect in January 2024, banned international students from bringing dependants, except those on postgraduate research courses or government-funded scholarships.

According to statistics by the Home Office, study visa applications between January to July 2024 reduced by 16 percent compared with January to July 2023.

Similarly, there were 13,100 applications from dependants of students between January and July 2024 —about 81 percent fewer than January to July 2023.

The country also recorded an 80 percent fall in the number of applications for health and care worker visas within this period

The move was part of the government’s broader effort to curb immigration, which reached a record high of 1.22 million last year.

The impact of these restrictions has been particularly pronounced in the education sector.

Between January and July 2024, study visa applications dropped by 16 per cent compared to the same period in 2023.

More significantly, there was an 81 per cent decline in visa applications from the dependants of students, reflecting the sharp effect of the new rules.

The healthcare sector has also been severely affected, with applications for Health and Care Worker visas plummeting by 80 per cent during the same period.

This followed a surge in applications aftercare workers were added to the skilled worker visa category in 2022.

The Executive co-chairman of the National Care Association, Nadra Ahmed, expressed concern that many healthcare workers are now opting to relocate to countries with less restrictive immigration policies.

Despite these challenges, the UK government remains steadfast in its commitment to controlling immigration, while simultaneously focusing on developing a “homegrown workforce” to address the nation’s shortage of skilled workers.

The Supreme Court of Nigeria, in a landslide judgement on local government autonomy, ordered that the four-year tenure enjoyed by executives be extended to the offices of all local government chairmen across the country.

This is contained in the Certified True Copy (CTC) of a judgement delivered by Justice Mohammed Garba and six others on May 11, 2024.

Garba said that some states have, by their various illegal actions, starved the local government councils in their states to the extent that most of them cannot exercise their constitutional powers or perform their statutory functions.

The Justice described the situation of the LGA in the country as “one tier of government’s inhumanity to another tier of government.”

Garbage said that LGAs in Nigeria, unlike branches of incorporated bodies or entities, are constitutionally the third tier of government in the Federation.

According to him, their political and financial independence is duly guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).

The Justice said that Section 2(2) of the Constitution provides that “Nigeria shall be a Federation consisting of States and a Federal Capital Territory.”.

He further stated that 36 states in the country are specified, in alphabetical order, by Section 3(1) of the Constitution.

He said that Section 3(6) of the Constitution provides that “there shall be 768 local government areas in Nigeria,“ while Section 1(2) of the Constitution provides that “Nigeria shall not be governed, nor shall any person or group of persons take control of the Government of Nigeria or any part thereof, except in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution.”.

The Justice, however, said that in respect of the six Area Councils of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, there is template legislation by the National Assembly.

He said that by way of sections 108, 109, 110, and 113 of the Electoral Act (2022), the dissolution (tenure of area councils), the vacation of seats of members, removal of the chairman or vice chairman, recall, etc. were addressed. And elections to the area councils are promptly conducted or held by the Independent National Electoral Commission.

“It is, therefore, unfortunate that some states do not even bother about conducting elections into local government councils as required by the relevant laws of their Houses of Assembly.

“Under Section 135(3) of the Constitution, the tenure of four years for the president, provided for by Section 135(2) thereof, shall be extended for periods not exceeding a period of six months at any time by a resolution of the National Assembly if it is not practicable to hold elections.

“By the same token, by a law of a State House of Assembly, the tenure of local government councils can be legally extended for any reason, such as insecurity or war, if it becomes impracticable or impossible for elections into the local government councils to be conducted.

“The mandate given to an elected local government council is the mandate of the electorate of that local government area, and if the tenure is extended, it is the people’s mandate that is extended.

“If the tenure of a local government council is truncated, as it is the norm now, it is an illegal termination of the electorate’s mandate, and it is not to be encouraged but roundly condemned.

“By the doctrine of separation of powers, it is the constitutional duty or function of the Legislature to make laws, which include amendments and repeals, and the duty of the judiciary is to interpret the laws to achieve the intended purpose of the legislation,” he said.

The one million-man march planned by leaders of the #EndBadGovernance protest flopped on Saturday across the country due to low turnout.

In different parts of Nigeria, protesters shunned their usual meeting points, which had been occupied by security agents.

Organisers of the protest had said the march would signal the end of the 10-day protest against economic hardship.

In preparation for the march, security agencies deployed operatives into cities as roadblocks were mounted.

Low turnout in Abuja

The security situation was the same on Saturday as the police mounted barricades on all roads leading to Eagle Square, the venue where the protesters intended to converge for the protest.

Although protests were held in the Lokogoma and Apo areas of the FCT, the turnout was noticeably lower compared to previous events.

The protest waned in the FCT after security forces targeted leaders, arresting and shooting at protesters.

After there was calm, protesters returned to the streets.

The youth, who began their demonstration as early as 7 am were chrousing ‘End hunger’ and ‘Reverse fuel subsidy removal,” among others.

Rivers police patrol

In Rivers, protesters were absent on the streets of Port Harcourt and its environs.

It was the third day in a roll that residents refused to come out over fear that the demonstration would be hijacked by hoodlums.

This came as operatives of the Rivers State Police Command embarked on a show of force with huge presence in strategic parts of the state. 

The state spokesperson, Grace Iringe-Koko, in a statement on Friday night, had said some miscreants were planning to hijack the one million-man march to loot and attack peaceful residents.

One of our correspondents, who monitored the state on Saturday, reported that cops were seen in patrol vans as security was intensified.

Police patrol vans were also mounted at the gate of the Federal Secretariat, while several operatives hung around in vigilance in the event of any untoward incident.

When contacted, one of the supporters of the protest, Gogo Wellington, said he did not show up due to fear of violence.

He recalled with bitterness how some persons tried to attack some protesters.

“For that reason, we decided not to come out to avoid any clash.

“We hope that the government will be up and doing and immediately address the problems,” he added.

Kaduna, Kano, Katsina stop protest 

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that residents of Kaduna, Kano and Katsina States shunned the one-million-man nationwide protest.

NAN added that hordes of people were seen going about their business activities.

Markets, motor parks, supermarkets and other economic activities were going on unfettered.

Commercial motorists and motorcyclists were also busy conveying passengers to and from their various destinations.

The Kaduna State Government insisted that unverified processions were not permitted in the state for reasons of public safety and security.

The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, gave the warning in a statement on Saturday. 

In Kano, some of the residents of Kano metropolitan local government areas said they would not participate again in any form of protests in the state.

The police and military personnel were also deployed in strategic locations in the state.

In Katsina, protest organisers complied with the order issued by the police and the state government that banned all forms of protests and unlawful assembly.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, said the order was still in force across the state.

He said the measure was aimed at preventing further escalation of violence, vandalism, and looting of private and public property.

Edo residents shun demonstrations

The Civil Society Organisations, organisers of the #EndBadGovernance protest in Edo State, could not gather people for a rally on the final day of the protest.

The group, which had chosen Ring Road as its protest venue, withdrew from the protest on the third day, stating that they would review their strategy.

The state capital, Benin, was peaceful on Saturday, with residents going about their business unhindered.

Oba Market and Lagos Street, the major commercial hubs, experienced a surge of activity as people conducted their transactions.

Similarly, Uromi in Edo Central and Auchi in Edo North were also peaceful, with no protests taking place in those areas.

Kola Edokpayi, speaking on behalf of the Concerned Civil Society Group in Edo, confirmed that there were no plans to resume the strike on Saturday.

 Plateau protesters meet gov

Meanwhile, a coalition of youths in Plateau State presented its demands to the state Governor, Caleb Mutfwang, on Saturday, for transmission to President Bola Tinubu. 

A representative of the group, Mr Sam Ode, stated that the demands required the input of both the state government and the Federal Government.

“For the state government, we demand an immediate reduction in the cost of governance. We also request an explanation of how the various palliatives and funding from the Federal Government are being utilised.

“We further call on the state government to implement the minimum wage recently signed into law by the president and to reduce the school fees of tertiary institutions.

“For the Federal Government, we urge the president to end corruption, reverse the pump price of fuel to N300, and also reverse the hike in electricity tariffs,” Ode said.

Ondo gov candidate arrested

Meanwhile, men of the Ondo State Police Command have arrested no fewer than nine youths who took part in the #EndBadGovernance protest in Akure, the Ondo State capital on Saturday.

It was gathered that the protest, which happened at the NEPA Roundabout area in Akure, the state capital, was disrupted by men of the state police command. 

According to one of the protesters, Tope Temokun, some of those arrested are the governorship candidate of the African Action Congress, Kunle Ajayi; Patrick Owolabi, Oluwatobi Akinkuotu, Kolawole Kumuyi and Olalekan Oladehinde.

He said, “The arrest that took place is highly condemnable and stands condemned. If the police has any evidence of violence from the protesters, it should come out with it.

Group threatens to continue protest

But a group, Nigerian Patriotic Front Movement, Northern chapter, threatened to begin an indefinite protest after the curfew in the state is lifted.

The Secretary of the NPFM, Anas Adamu, said the group would resume the protest because the President, Bola Tinubu, failed to address their demands 10 days after the commencement of the nationwide protest.

He said, “We are all aware that Nigeria is facing a major governance and economic crisis, which the government of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu has, in 15 months, exacerbated.”

Protesters consider suing FG

The Director of Mobilisation, Take it Back Movement, Damilare Adenola, said the group would reconvene to review its strategies.

He said, “It’s indeed concerning that the government hasn’t implemented any of the organisers’ demands yet. After today, we need to regroup and reassess our strategy. Here are a few possible next steps: Continue to build momentum through online campaigns and social media engagement. Organise targeted advocacy efforts, meeting with key stakeholders and policymakers.”

Adenola said the group would also be considering lawsuits or petitions to demand the needed reforms.

One of the organisers, Juwon Sanyaolu, said he was certain there would be another round of protests.

He said, “We will go back to our internal organs, consult with Nigerians, and other organisers on the next step of actions. But one thing is certain: we will be returning to the streets, and very soon.”

On his part, the Initiator of Creative Change Centre, Omole Ibukun, stated that his group would step up its awareness, mobilisation, and collective actions through other means and prepare for another round of protests should the government refuse their demands.

 ‘Release all detainees’

The Osun State Civil Societies Coalition said another round of protests was coming if the Federal Government did not reverse the removal of subsidy on petrol and electricity.

The coalition, which is an umbrella body of 30 organisations in the state, also called for the release of all protesters arrested and detained by the security operatives.

The chairman of the OCSC, Waheed Lawal, said broader and well-organised protests would be held if the President didn’t return subsidy and ensure the release of these detained protesters.

 Youths seek justice

A group of youths under the aegis of the Take It Back Movement, on Saturday, held a protest march in Osogbo, Osun State, demanding an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of some protesters.

The group assembled at Olaiya Junction, Osogbo, as security operatives took over Freedom Park, earlier planned to be the convergence point.

After moving to Olaiya Junction, Osogbo, the protesters, armed with a large banner with the inscription, ‘End bad governance in Nigeria,’ were addressed by their spokesperson, Victor Lijofi.

They later moved through Fagbewesa Street and returned to their take-off point before dispersing.

But despite the presence of the protesters in the area, there was a free flow of traffic and business activities went on unhindered.

Twenty-seven states and the Federal Capital Territory have yet to set up committees to implement the recently approved N70,000 minimum wage.

The states are Plateau, Kebbi, Sokoto, Nasarawa, Bayelsa, Delta, Osun, Ekiti, Zamfara, Benue, Enugu, Taraba, Gombe, Kogi, Enugu, Adamawa, Niger, Anambra, Imo, Ebonyi, Oyo, Akwa Ibom, Bauchi, Katsina, Kaduna, Cross River and Yobe.

However, seven other states — Kano, Kwara, Ogun, Borno, Jigawa, Ondo, and Abia — have set up implementation committees. Only Lagos and Edo claimed to have started paying the minimum wage.

Recall that President Bola Tinubu signed the new minimum wage into law on July 29, 2024, after meeting with leaders of the Nigeria Labour Congress and the Trade Union Congress of Nigeria.

Lagos, Edo

Speaking with our correspondent on Saturday, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, said the state had been paying more than the minimum wage before it was passed into law.

He said, “When you look at the minimum wage that was paid in Lagos before, the least state worker earned about N77,000. So, if they said the minimum wage is now N70,000, we have no problem with it at all because Lagos has been paying more than that, and we will continue to pay.”

The Edo State Government also said it had started paying the minimum wage.

Kwara, Kano, others set up committees

On August 1, 2024, Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq of Kwara State, who also doubles as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, set up an 18-member tripartite committee to work out modalities for the new minimum wage payment.

The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Rafiu Ajakaye, said the committee, comprising representatives from the state government, labour unions, and the Organised Private Sector, had started meeting.

Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano also set up an advisory committee on the new minimum wage, while the Jigawa State Government set up a 10-man minimum wage committee on Thursday, August 8.

Similarly, the Borno State Government recently inaugurated a 22-member panel, while the Ondo State government said its committee on the new minimum wage was working hard to ensure its implementation.

The Oyo State Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade, also said the state set up a committee a few months ago to advise the government on the matter.

He said, “Oyo State government set up a committee a few months ago, comprising labour stakeholders and government officials, to advise on the implementation of the minimum wage.”

The Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, on Friday, said the state set up a committee before the Federal Government signed the bill into law.

“We are making provisions for the salary increase in line with the new minimum wage,” he added.

We can’t pay – Gombe, Kogi

However, the Gombe State Governor and Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Inuwa Yahaya, said the lean allocation to the state would make it difficult for him to pay the new wage.

Speaking on Tuesday during a meeting with stakeholders on the nationwide protest, ‘#EndBadGovernance, Yahaya said, “I cannot pay the N70,000 minimum wage, and I suspect many other states are in the same predicament.”

Similarly, the Kogi State Commissioner for Finance, Ashiwaju Ashiru Idris, said no date had been fixed for the implementation of the minimum wage by the state.

Responding to our correspondent’s inquiry, the commissioner said he had no information about when the state would commence payment.

We’ll negotiate – Plateau, Kebbi

Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Musa Ashoms, however, said the government would make its position known on the matter after negotiating with organised labour.

The Kebbi State Governor, Dr Nasir Idris, also said his administration was ready to have a fruitful discussion with the state union leader on the new minimum wage.

His Chief Press Secretary, Ahmed Idris, while speaking with one of our correspondents on the telephone, said, “By the grace of God, our governor will sit with the labour union and come out with modalities to ensure that he puts a smile on the faces of the civil servants.”

During a recent town hall meeting on the nationwide protest, Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu, also promised to pay the new minimum wage.

He said, “On our part, I want to assure you that the Sokoto State Government is ready to implement the new National minimum wage as approved by Mr. President. Undoubtedly, our country is facing quite a number of challenges that include economic downturn, inflation, cost of living, as well as insecurity, among other challenges.”

Speaking with our correspondent in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, on Wednesday, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Abdullahi Sule on Public Affairs, Peter Ahemba, explained that the state government had rolled out plans to begin the payment.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Bayelsa State governor, Daniel Alabrah, also told our correspondent on Thursday in Yenagoa that Governor Douye Diri had earlier in the year, during the Workers’ Day celebrations, declared that the state would pay any amount agreed upon by the Federal Government and labour.

But he pointed out that the state government may not pay any arrears because the new minimum wage bill was only recently signed into law by the president.

We’ll set up committee soon – Osun, Delta, Benue

Speaking with Sunday PUNCH, the spokesperson for the Osun State Governor, Rasheed Olawale, said a committee for the implementation of the minimum wage would be set up next week.

He said, “Mr Governor has before now said Osun will pay the minimum wage as he is committed to the welfare of the workers and the people generally. A committee on the implementation of the minimum wage will be set up next week. We are committed to it.”

The Delta State Government also said it would set up a committee for the new minimum wage.

The state Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza, stated this in an interview with one of our correspondents on Saturday.

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue also said that his administration would pay the new minimum wage, and block every leakage to ensure its smooth implementation.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), has confirmed that some officials of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) have been arrested over the ₦90 billion hajj subsidy.

The spokesperson of the commission, Demola Bakare, told TheCable that some NAHCON officials were arrested by the commission on Wednesday for “refusing to honour an invitation” by the anti-graft agency.

Bakare debunked the claims that ICPC shutdown NAHCON’s office, emphasising that the commission operates within legal boundaries.

He declined to name the arrested officials, noting that they were assisting the commission with useful information.

Bakare said, “We are investigating officials of the National Hajj Commission because they either failed or refused to honour the invitation. We therefore paid them a friendly visit.

“We didn’t shut down the commission as reported by some journalists. ICPC operates within the confines of the law.

“Officials arrested, which I can’t name, were released on bail and would henceforth be helping the investigation process until concluded.”

The spokesperson of NAHCON, Fatimah Usara, while speaking on the arrest, said it was not unusual for officials to be queried after hajj operations.

She said, “Some of the commission’s relevant staff had been making presentations to the ICPC when demanded.

“And this is a thing that the commission considers normal because it happens after every hajj until any doubt is cleared. It’s nothing new.

“The Head of Procurement had an invitation which he didn’t honour so two days ago, on Wednesday precisely, the ICPC sent the relevant officers to him, him alone.

“In fact, NAHCON accommodated them to wait for him to report to work, which they did. And when he came, they left together. No one entered any office at all. They waited outside.”