The already troubled Nigerian Universities educational system is in for a bigger trouble. The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy has approved the implementation of a 40% auto deduction from the Gross Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of all Partially Funded Federal Government Institutions in line with the Provision of Section 62 of Finance Act, 2020 with effect from November, 2023. It was reported in some dailies that a memo to that effect dated October 17 with reference R&I/2045/T/252 and entitled “Implementation of 40% Automatic Deduction from Internally Generated Revenue of Partially Funded Federal Government Institutions.” signed by…
Author: Sunday Onyemaechi Eze
The unwarranted physical assault on the person of Joe Ajaero – President of Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) in Imo state was barbaric and totally condemnable. Ajaero was in Imo to lead a protest rally slated to demand for better wages and welfare of workers who are owed about 48 months of salaries, pension and arrears. The union leader was arrested at the Imo state Secretariat of NLC by the police, taken away, roundly assaulted and dehumanised. A video trending online and front page pictures of national dailies showed a swollen bloodshot face in the right eye of the veteran unionist.…
The vanity of godfatherism in Nigerian politics is boldly engraved on the crisis currently rocking Rivers State. It should have been very clear to politicians by now that imposing their preferred candidate on the people does not guarantee any peace or mutual respect between the godfather and godson. The selfish arrangement to rule by proxy and remain politically relevant from all indication has remarkably failed when the godson takes oath of office. However, in their desperate bid to cover up traces of corruption while in office, politicians recruit supposed minions who will do their biddings after bowing out. Siminalaye Fubara,…
Efforts to get justice and overturn the victory of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressive Congress (APC) at the February 25 polls by Peter Obi of Labour Party (LP) and Atiku Abubakar of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) finally ended in fiasco at the Supreme Court. The apex court as envisioned simply toed the line of the lower tribunal, upheld the election of Tinubu and dismissed the appeals of both petitioners for lacking in merit. What this implies according to the seven-man Justices led by James Iyang Okoro was that the election was free, fair, credible and had substantially…
The recent Kano Police Constabulary recruitment of those called ‘repentant criminals’ is the latest amnesty granted rogue elements in Nigeria. A total of fifty (50) members of the notorious Kano based gang groups and hardened criminal elements engaged in thuggery (Fadan Daba) and other social vices in the state have been enlisted. The idea behind the development, according to investigations by Daily Post – an online newspaper revealed that; “it was aimed at using the repentant criminals against their colleagues who have refused to repent and shun criminal activities.” Another reason according to the police is repentance from the old…
On October 7, the world woke up to a surprised and unprovoked attack on Israeli territory by the Palestinian led Hamas group resulting to death of scores and destruction of properties. Hamas was said to have launched over 5000 rocket propelled attacks on Israel lasting several hours. Sources from Aljazeera quoted Mohammed Deif, head of the Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas as saying, “we announced the start of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and we announce that the first strike, which targeted enemy positions, airports and military fortifications exceeded 5,000 missiles and shells.” At least 1200 civilians were reported dead,…
“Exposed: How Tinubu Forged His Certificates,” was the cover page story of The Source Magazine edition of October 4, 1999. The same magazine subsequently reported a week later, “Tinubu Is a Criminal – Deserves 10 years in jail” – Gani Fawehinmi. Invariably, even as the then governor of Lagos State, this same certificate forgery case had reared its ugly head. But Tinubu deployed every underhand tactics and powers at his disposal to frustrate any attempt to unveil the truth. However, he should have known that, a wise man should not fall twice at the same spot. The thief can easily…
Big Brother Naija is a live-in-house reality TV show featuring a group of housemates who compete over a coveted star prize and other brand sponsored consolation wins. The star prize for the 2023 season tagged all-star season was N120 million. BBNaija has a huge number of following especially among the youths. The show is sustained by viewers and those who constantly vote to keep their favourite housemates in the house till the end. Biggie’s Diary Session with housemates illuminates the hidden intentions, interactions, actions, expectations and behaviours in the house. It is a game of intrigues governed by strict rules.…
“Music is the food of the soul” – Arthur Schopenhauer The sudden death of Ilerioluwa Aloba, 27 years old young Nigerian musician – also known as MohBad – which shook the foundation of the Nigerian music industry was avoidable. It is an invite to protect our societal values. Until his death, he was a member of the Marlian Record Label owned by Azeez Fashola – Naira Marley. Naira Marley’s notorious gangsterism, embarrassing street philosophy and values dares acceptable societal norms. His fans are also notoriously deranged, gullible students and disciples of depravities. Their weird belief stops them from going to…
“Democracy is a device that ensures we shall be governed no better than we deserve” – George Bernard Shaw Leadership failure is at the heart of the problem with African democracies. Others are authoritarian monarchy in the garb of democracy and sit-tight syndrome by those at the helm of affairs, glaring impunity, and corrupt enrichment of leaders, failed institutions and many more. Over the years democracy has produced the worst form of government accomplishments in Africa. Gross under development, poverty and the incurred debt burden weighing down Africa on account of financial recklessness of leaders, failed policies and decayed infrastructure…
“Let justice be done; though the heavens fall.” – Lord Mansfield (1772) The much awaited verdict of the Presidential Election Petition Court (PEPC) has come and gone. It was certainly an unfortunate addition to the league of controversial electoral jurisprudence of our time. This came after a never experienced legal fireworks between counsels to parties closely monitored and keenly-followed by citizens to ensure there was no miscarriage of justice. In its judgment, the tribunal roundly dismissed the petitions filled by Allied People’s Movement (APM), People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) challenging the declaration of Bola Tinubu as the…
Nyesom Ezenwo Wike took oath of office as the 17th minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) together with other 47 newly appointed cabinet members at the presidential villa, Abuja early last week. Wike, a staunch member of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) was the immediate past governor of Rivers State. He was the arrow head of the breakaway G5 governors of the PDP consisting of former governors Samuel Ortom, Ifeanyi Ugwauanyi, Okezie Ikpeazu, and the incumbent governor of Oyo State Seyi Makinde. As the leader of the G5 Splinter group of PDP governors opposed to Atiku Abubakar’s candidacy in…
Major-General John Ochai assumed office as the 32nd Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, (NDA) Kaduna – the pioneer Military Academy in West Africa on July 26. His appointment was sequel to the recent redeployment of some senior officers of the Nigerian Army by the Chief of Army staff (CoAS), Lt. Gen. T.A. Lagbaja. General Ochai took over from Major-General Ibrahim Manu Yusuf who bowed out after 33 years of meritorious service to the nation. May I together with your family, friends and well-wishers sincerely congratulate you on this new appointment. The Nigerian Defence Academy is an educational cum military…
The acclaimed role Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) plays in protecting the interest of workers and citizens in governance structure is fast eroding. The guiding popular aphorism that, “what affects one affects all” do not seem to apply anymore. NLC known for its active, consistent, dogged, tenacious and focused activism has since turned out a 21st century lame duck. The generational people-centric and socialist disposition of protecting the interests of workers and strongly advocating for living wages and general citizens’ welfare is completely lost in recent times. NLC is now a shadow of itself – a toothless bulldog. With the crop…
Out of the forty-eight ministerial nominees sent to the Senate for screening and confirmation by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Mallam Nasir el-rufai, the immediate past governor of Kaduna State failed to make the final list. His problem begun when Sunday Karimi, the Senator representing Kogi West Senatorial District waved a petition bothering on security against the former governor. At that point it was clear to el-rufai himself that he was at a cross-road as he sought the leave of Senators to address the issue. However, the Senate President Godswill Akpabio seemed to have saved the situation by emphasising that even…
The tendency of Nigeria to fight her neighbours is not in the nation’s guidelines on foreign relations. Suffice it to say that any war against Niger will have huge negative impact on Nigeria. Prosecuting the impending war involves unfortunately a waste of time, men, material, energy and scarce resources. It is instructive to mention that Nigeria foots over 70% of ECOWAS bill. As usual, other nations look up to Nigeria to still play the big brother role. However, Nigeria is in a fix at the moment. She is at war with herself. The rising cost of living occasioned by fuel…
Governor Peter Mba’s effort to end the ongoing sit-at-home in Enugu is a right step in the right direction. Mbah had earlier in June declared an end to sit-at-home in the state, effective from June 5, 2023, saying such orders were restricting creativity, entrepreneurship, and productivity in Enugu State. The governor said, “there is no time to waste. The clock has started ticking on the mandate you gave me and deliverables I promised. A time comes in the lives of a people when they must decide whether they genuinely want to move forward or remain stuck with the conditions of…
The removal of fuel subsidy by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the first day of assumption of office was ill-timed, out-rightly ill-advised and uncalled for. The president and his team was in a better position to understand that without an enabling environment, a team on ground to drive policies, decisions made without right thoughts are always counter-productive. Nigeria is unfortunately a nation where government does not function as expected even when a team is in place let alone when there is none. The decision had upon announcement immediately jolted the foundation of the market forces and sent shock waves through…
Politics in Nigeria is majorly parochial and highly defined by both deep ethnic and religious sentiments. Every election cycle, brings with it these sentiments manifestly in greater frenzied proportions. Politicians win or lose by taking undue advantage of both. Always exploiting the obvious fragile, weak ethnic fault lines and sensibilities of their teeming supporters is the only strategy they often apply to win. Lieing more often than not to gain support is prevalent. It is also a north and southern supremacy battle to control the levers of power. One can confidently say that Nigerian politics is anchored on personal or…
How are the mighty fallen is a popular global maxim. This is a sad moment and anti-climax of events in the lives of the powerful on account of their actions and inactions which gives them out as subjects of disgrace and public opprobrium. Many influential men have walked through this inglorious descent path while discovering though very late the meaning of vanity. This is the case of Godwin Emefiele, ex-Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). This calm, humble looking man was typically blinded by the lucre of power, money and influence. The aphorism that power corrupts and absolute…
Idris Addulrahim- The Story of a Disabled Labourer When one thinks of ability in disability – Idris Abdulrahim easily comes to mind. Industrious Physically Challenged Disabled Labourer Thrives in Dan-Hawakin, Kawo, Kaduna State. In fact, he has despite his challenge remained resolute and determined in his quest to defile the odds against him. Idris, a father of three who is approximately 41 years old, experienced a motor accident in 1997 when he was around fifteen years old. As a result, doctors had to amputate his right leg to save his life. At the time of the accident he was an…
Finally, fuel subsidy has been removed. It is gone according to the president Bola Ahmed Tinubu. This is one such removal in the history of the nation without any contingency plan or measures to cushion the effect. The removal was ill-timed and at the same time additional burden. The ripple effect of even a mention of removing subsidy always take drastic toll on Nigerians. Now, it has already started with the exponential increase in the pump rice, market products, hike in transport fare and general cost of living. Good as the spin doctors of this government would want us believe…
The case of David Okemini Ugbo’s organ trafficking plot preferred against Senator Ike Ekweremadus, a popular Nigerian politician and former deputy president of the Senate, his wife Beatrice and Obinna Obeta – a medical doctor in the United Kingdom came to a sad conclusive end on May 5 with the conviction of the three by a judge at the central criminal court also known as old Bailey. Ekweremadu aged 60 bagged a jail term period of nine years and eight months. His wife will serve four years and a fraction of months while Obeta – the doctor was jailed for…
Eventually, the 2023 general elections have come and gone. The winners have emerged as well as gallant losers. Like the previous elections in the country, it was a potpourri of interesting and bizarre episodes. The elections witnessed the good, the very bad and the ugly. Political periods in Nigeria always brings out the best and unfortunately the beasts in all of us. Politicians manipulated their supporters and took advantage of the national fault lines to play divisive politics and fan the embers of violence. This election to say the least was highly manipulated and fraught with irregularities. It revealed the…
There is this palpable feeling of injustice after the 2023 Presidential and National Assembly elections. The nation is sad, very sad. Unlike in 2015 when Buhari defeated the then incumbent, Goodluck Jonathan, it was fun and boisterous all over the country especially in northern Nigeria. People felt that their votes counted. Many Buhari’s supporters merried all through the week in clubs, markets and streets; sacrificed rams, cows, waxed songs while some named their male children born at that period after him. A winner must emerge in every contest, however, the process through which the winner emerged matters a lot. Many…
An attempt to delve into what is the place of Ndi Igbo in Lagos and contemporary Nigeria is vital on account of its currency – most especially as the nation goes through yet another electioneering process. The need to know is anchored on the false narrative bandied in the public spaces about the Igbo man planning to take over Lagos. This is utterly amusing. The allegation is specifically borne out of selfish interests and political mischief. Why is it only during elections that the issue of Igbo domination of cities and take over come up? The nation needs to come…
The just concluded February 25 presidential elections will go down in the annals of Nigeria as the most crooked, manipulated and rigged. The much promised and expected free, fair, credible and transparent election never saw the light of the day. The election was awfully conducted to say the least. It ran short of anticipated fairness and transparency. It was a well-choreographed electoral fraud. The uploading/transmission of results electronically from the Poling Units as stipulated by the Electoral Law 2022 as amended was the expected game changer. Many Nigerians who never trusted the electoral process became ardent believers and champions of…
No Nigerian tribe is collectively good or exclusively evil. People, individually are! We need to appropriately address the false narrative and perception that one tribe or the other is either kind, nice or cruel. I write this piece with every sense of objectivity, respect, responsibility and conviction that the information shared below would persuade your prejudiced instincts to reckon well enough that most fairy tales we hear about others may not be true after all. I was born in Enugu and attended early and tertiary education in the state and I can confirm that many Igbos are kind hearted. Some…
The Peter Obi factor is an emerging phenomenon which cannot be wished away as we count down to the 2023 general elections. This factor has altered the already existing political equation thus is one which will substantially shape the outcome of the coming elections. It is an uncommon movement beyond the comprehension and control of those involved including Obi himself. This is a divine journey to take Nigeria back from the political shacks, shackles of poverty, underdevelopment and misery. A man some of the mainstream political system and class once made a public caricature of having no structure is now…
“Go up to the mountain, and bring wood, and build the house; and I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified, saith the LORD. …and the LORD stirred up the spirit of Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and the spirit of Joshua the son of Josedech, the high priest, and the spirit of all the remnant of the people; and they came and did work in the house of the LORD of hosts, their God.” – Haggai 1: 8, 14. It was a moment of joy for the good people of Ezi-Ukehe, Igbo-Etiti Local Government…
