News

OPINION: The Streets Are Empty

Published

1 year ago

September 10, 2024

By Suyi Ayodele

Is the president back in the country from China? If he is back, how many vehicles did he see while riding his limo from the airport to the Villa? If he saw the roads empty, it was because of him and the ‘boldness’ he celebrated in Asia last week. Smile has left the streets.

May be, I should use one of the most destructive wars in Yoruba history, the Ijaye War, as the allegorical platform to deliver my message to the president.

The Ijaye War (April 10, 1860-March 17, 1862) was one of the fiercest Yoruba internecine wars fought in human history. The war and the huge losses from both camps and their allies show that when there is hunger in the land, the people take desperate actions. History records that during the war, which the Ibadan forces won, one of the Ibadan warlords, Balogun Ogunmola, caused a census of his slave-soldiers to be carried out so that he would know how many men he lost on the battlefield. He was ingenious in doing that. The old warrior got basket weavers to make a giant basket, and he put the cap of every slave-warrior of his that was killed in the basket. When the last gunshot was fired on March 17, 1862, Ogunmola had 1,800 caps in his basket, all of slave-soldiers “exclusive of freeborn soldiers; and that was for one single chief; what then of the whole of Ibadan army and those of the provinces; what of the Ijayes, the Egbas, the Oyos and the Oke Ogun people, and Ijebus engaged in this!” (See: The History of the Yorubas, the Rev. Samuel Johnson,402-432).

The late Yoruba historian, Johnson, narrated this ugly incident in the quoted book above under two sub-headings: “Circumstances that led to Ijaye War”, and “When Greek Meets Greek”. Aare Ona Kakanfo Kurunmi, who led the Ijaye Army started the battle on a good note. Alaafin Atiba, had towards the twilight of his reign, proclaimed a new succession that changed the tradition of the Crown Prince being buried along with his father. Alaafin Atiba got all Ibadan warlords to support the new plan and stand by the Crown Prince, Adelu, to succeed him. Upon the demise of Atiba, his son, Adelu, was made king. But the Generalissimo of Yorubaland, Aare Kurunmi of Ijaye, felt that it was not proper to change the ancient landmark. Adelu, he reasoned, must die alongside his father according to the dictates of the custom. There was a stalemate. One thing led to the other and Alaafin Adelu had no choice than to declare war on his own Aare. To wage the war, Ibadan warlords were mandated to fight the Alaafin battle.

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The lead warrior in Ibadan then, Basorun Oluyole, felt that the matter could be resolved without a fight. Besides, Oluyole told the Ibadan warriors, Ijaye people were relations of Ibadan, and Aare Kurunmi was old and feeble, having very little time to spend. But the Alaafin had ordered a battle, which must be a battle. Kurunmi on his own did not help matters. While it was agreed that his insistence on Adelu’s death after his father, Alaafin Atiba, was right under the custom, he forgot to realise that every good leader must always recognise the tide of times and how the people he leads swim. Aare Ona Kakanfo was Aare only because he had other warlords who were loyal and ready to obey him. Any Aare becomes vulnerable when his war commanders have different opinions on matters of common interest. Rather than reason along the tide of time, Kurunmi chose to impose a blockade on Oyo. He also did not allow the movement of foodstuffs and other goods to Ibadan. He imposed heavy taxes on traders along those axes. There was inflation at the beginning, and then acute famine later. Life became unbearable for the people.

There was hunger in the land because of the artificial famine imposed by Kurunmi. Ibadan mobilised against him. Balogun Ogunmola led that expedition. It was devastating! All those who were hungry joined the army. Kurunmi did not only lose the battle, his first son, Arawole, and four other siblings, died in the battle. Ibadan’s Balogun Ibikunle was said to have shed tears on account of Arawole’s death. Kurunmi was the one who suppressed the Fulani incursion to Yorubaland. He was not expected to suffer such a calamity at that ripe age. But he suffered the fate because he felt he was fighting a noble cause. He did not choose his time well. Many historians also believed that Aare Kurunmi was not as altruistic as he was projected. The Ijaye war, they reasoned, brought out his true character. Rev. Johnson recorded that character portraiture of Kurumi, as “When Greek Meets Greek (pg. 409), an adaptation of the 17th century play, “Death of Alexander the Great”, otherwise known as “The rival Queens”, where the clause, “When Greek meets Greek, then comes tug of war”, was first used.

When leaders fail to be realistic and practical, the people they lead suffer untold hardship. Nigerians have now gotten to that level that nobody can bamboozle them with tales of the superlative performances of their President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, while he was the governor of Lagos State, at the start of this political dispensation in 1999. All the media hype and third-party whitewashing of President Tinubu as the man with the magic wand are gone. The people have now realised that the fable of “Tinubu built Lagos” is nothing but a ruse; a nauseating lead up the garden path! Tinubu, we have all come to realise, and almost too late, does not even know how to hold an ordinary hand trowel; he cannot set the bricks and mortar in the right shape. He built nothing, and he has no capacity to build anything! His’ is a case of “When Greek meets Greek.” He has engaged in character impersonation, and confounding trickery for too long. The follies of his real personage as an ego-driven individual with uncommon pretensions to superior agenda and love of the common good have all fallen like badly arranged cards. The reality of the failure of his identikit as the man who has what it takes to get the nation out of the woods is too damning for us. It is a case of what affects the eyes, equally affects the nose (òrò tó bá ojú ti bá imú). Nobody is spared of the president’s ineptitude – lovers, haters and those on the fence! We are all victims of the man’s latent incapacities. Pity!

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This is not the time for blame game. It is also not the time for anyone to say: “did we not warn you?!” Yes, it is true that not a few of us indeed warned about the calamity a Tinubu presidency would be. We were labelled with all sorts of names. Today, only a very few are still holding on to the ‘superior’ judgement of Tinubu above other contenders for the presidency in 2023. Those are the very few who are pathologically impolitic because they don’t want to accept that they made an error in their political choice. Some genuinely believed President Tinubu could reshape Nigeria’s troubled history and shift the narrative. Those ones have my sympathy. There is nothing wrong in investing one’s trust in another individual. Those genuine supporters of Tinubu with the belief that the man has all that it takes to make a difference, are like the proverbial chameleon. Our elders say nobody blames the chameleon for the failure of its child to dance very well. The blame goes to the child (Alágemo ti bí omo tán, ààmòójó kù s’ówó omo Alágemo).

The problem with the Tinubu presidency now is the same problem Aare Kurunmi had a few centuries ago. President Tinubu is behaving like Kurunmi, who failed to flow with the tides of time. Like Kurunmi, Tinubu is also imposing artificial famine on Nigerians. Life is now almost unbearable under the watch of the one they told us is the wisest man after the Biblical Solomon. It is shocking, and completely paralysing, that the president has not realised that his reckless pronouncement of “Subsidy is gone”, made on May 29, 2023, at his inauguration, is the reason Nigerians are suffering now. It is appalling that the president has failed to realise that Nigerians are dying, the way Aare Kurunmi sang in his war cry, before the Ijaye War broke out thus: “A frog is kicked and lies on its back/We shall all die by myriads” (A ta òpòló n’ípàá, ó sùn kakàá/ gbogbo wa ni yíòò kú beere – pg. 405)! If the president knew this, he would not be boasting of taking “bold steps” to set Nigeria on the right path- same bold measures he has refused to take in curbing the profligacy of his administration. Kurunmi was also taking a bold step when he insisted that Adelu must die alongside Alaafin Atiba. That was what the custom prescribed. But he failed to juxtapose what the custom demanded with what the situation then warranted. Kurunmi paid dearly for that failure of judgement.

Must President Tinubu suffer the same fate? Yeah, every Nigerian knows that there has never been anything like a fuel subsidy. Nigerians know that, unlike the government of other sane climes, no government in Nigeria has ever paid any subsidy for the populace to enjoy. The question is: can Tinubu, in good conscience, swear that he stopped fuel subsidy for a day since he made that impulsive pronouncement in May 2023? How much was a litre of petrol before the “subsidy is gone” misadventure, and how much is it now? If the president actually stopped the subsidy, can he please tell us how much he has saved from that? And what has he done with the savings from the stoppage of subsidy? The high cost of fuel today is because Tinubu created artificial scarcity of the product with his May 29, 2023, pronouncement. The vultures around him are now feeding fat on the pain of the people. History is certainly not going to be kind to those profiteers in and outside the government!

Who is close to the President and can take the message to the one who sits in Aso Rock, that the streets are not smiling? What type of music does President Tinubu listen to? What do those around him tell him about the anguish and abject want in the land? Why is the music of hypocrisy louder than the daily pathetic wail of the people? When will President Tinubu hear that Nigerians are now comparing his administration with that of his immediate predecessor, the very lethargic General Muhammadu Buhari, and are saying: Buhari time nor beta pass this Emilokan? When will the music of anguish on the streets become audible to the president? When will Tinubu hear the people’s song of sorrow, to wit: Láyé Ònálù, li a ró òkan lé òkan/Láyé Kúrunmí li a ró ‘gba ró ‘gba/ L’áyé Adélù ni ìpèlé di ìtélè ìdí (During Onalu’s reign, we changed our dresses frequently/During Kurunmi’s, we used the finest of clothes in their hundreds? It is the time of Adelu that the smaller outer cloth becomes our best dress)? When will our president make life bearable for the people? Just WHEN?

News

Senate Confirms Ex-CDS Musa As Defence Minister After Five-hour Screening

Published

29 minutes ago

December 3, 2025

Editor

The Senate on Wednesday confirmed the appointment of a former Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa (retd.), as Nigeria’s new Minister of Defence following a rigorous five-hour screening by lawmakers.

During the confirmation hearing, Musa faced tough questions on recent security lapses, including the withdrawal of troops from Government Comprehensive Girls Secondary School, Maga, in Kebbi State, shortly before the abduction of schoolgirls on November 17.

The incident sparked national outrage.

Musa assured the Senate that he would immediately set up a full-scale investigation into the troop withdrawal once he assumes office.

He also vowed to probe the recent killing of a brigade commander in Borno State, Brigadier General Musa Uba, and other attacks targeting military officers.

He said, “It is very unfortunate and really painful. I want to assure Nigerians that we will not stand by and have terrorists have the capacity to do such.

“We are going to go after them fully, working together with all the security agencies and Ministries, Departments and Agencies (of government). We are going to investigate fully.

“The Armed Forces have a way, and then from the defence, we are going to make sure that we continue with the oversight over their activities.”

The nominee highlighted gaps within the armed forces and called for enhanced funding, strengthened community engagement, and coordinated inter-agency operations.

He also emphasised the need to protect schools through the Safe Schools Initiative and a zero-tolerance approach to terrorism and banditry.

The screening session saw moments of tension in the chamber.

Senator Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) suggested Musa be allowed to “take a bow and go,” prompting protests from lawmakers, including Senator Garba Maidoki (PDP, Kebbi South).

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, intervened, urging a thorough screening and noting that Nigerians and the international community were closely watching the process.

Musa, nominated on Tuesday by President Bola Tinubu following the resignation of Defence Minister, Badaru Mohammed, on health grounds, pledged to prioritise the protection of lives and national territory.

“I pledge to do my best to ensure that Nigeria is secure and safe.

“We need the support of everyone, every Nigerian, working together as a team, because it’s going to be a team effort.

“The enemies we are dealing with are evil forces that don’t mean well for this country and have no respect for human lives… If we don’t work together, we will allow them to perpetrate the evil acts they have been doing,” he said.

His confirmation comes amid heightened concerns over nationwide kidnappings, insurgency and mass abductions.

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NUC Gets €3m Loan To Start ICT Projects In Varsities

Published

1 hour ago

December 3, 2025

Editor

This initiative, known as the Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project, aims to upgrade digital infrastructure, strengthen ICT capabilities, and promote digital literacy in these institutions.

The National Universities Commission says it has received €3m as the first tranche of the $40 million loan secured from the French Development Agency to support Information, Communication and Technology projects in 10 selected universities across the country.

Executive Secretary of the commission, Abdullahi Ribadu, announced this during the inaugural meeting of the 13th NUC Board on Wednesday at the commission’s headquarters in Abuja.

Ribadu noted that since he assumed office about a year ago, the commission has pushed forward initiatives centred on research, entrepreneurship, digital transformation and skills development across Nigerian universities.

“We have secured $40 million loan from the French Development Agency for the ICT Blueprint Project in 10 selected universities. We have strengthened – only yesterday, the director confirmed to me that the first tranche of €3m has been deposited in our CBN account to kick-start the process.

“We have strengthened internal financial management, expanded access to university education through the licensing of new private universities, and approved new programmes and units.

“We have also supported the take-off of publicly funded universities, expanded open and distance learning centres, and continued system-wide quality assurance exercises. Currently, the 2025 Accreditation Exercise is ongoing.

“These priorities continue to form the foundation of the Commission’s direction, and I am seeking your support in advancing them,” he said.

Ribadu assured the board of the commission’s full cooperation, saying the management stands ready to draw from the members’ expertise.

“We will rely on your wisdom to guide us as we carry out our duties. I am confident that your collective experience will strengthen the commission’s capacity to guide the Nigerian university system at a time when higher education continues to evolve.

“We also look forward to using your networks to help advance projects and partnerships that will benefit the Commission and the entire university system,” he added.

On his part, Chairman of the 13th NUC Board, Emeritus Professor Oluremi Aina, thanked President Bola Tinubu for his sustained support for the university sector.

He said the board is assuming its mandate at a time of transition for higher education, with global standards rising and expectations increasing.

Aina outlined five central pillars that will guide the Board’s work, covering performance evaluation, improved university rankings, digital literacy, research and institutional reforms.

He said, “As we settle into this assignment, but permit me to present what I call five pillars that I believe will help guide our stewardship. One, evaluation of NUC performance.

“We must examine in detail the Act that buffered and laid the foundation for the NUC. We also need to be conversant with the various amendments to the act, its vision and mission, guiding principles and ethics.

“Then we must study the commission’s operational challenges and landmark achievements. Going forward, we should compare ourselves against global standards, not sentiments, not history, and where we fall short, how we fall short, and why we must adjust boldly. Two, aligning with the renewed hope agenda of the present administration, the president has made education a pillar of national rebirth with the establishment of the fund and other initiatives.

“The signal sent to the world is that Nigeria is ready to reset and rebuild. Through our assignment, we must lead other key stakeholders in the higher education sector. In pragmatically resolving the naughty and nagging agitation of the academic staff union and other university unions.

“Advancements must also be made to enhance digital literacy and especially the use of artificial intelligence, AI, as tools to strategically reposition the universities nationally and internationally. Overall, it will also be a priority for the 13th board to work with the management for radical improvements in both the global and webometric ranking of our universities.”

He added, “Three, identifying and dismantling obstacles to university quality. Governance deficiencies, fund constraints, research stagnation, et cetera, must no longer be accepted as normal. Our duty is to reform and make progress, not to manage decline.

“Four, reviewing existing funding and exploring new channels for sustainable funding. Nigerian universities cannot thrive on ingenuity alone. The board must intensify the research for alternative funding sources. Strengthen utilisation and explore emerging and local opportunities.

“And five, investing in the welfare and capacity of NUC staff and regulatory infrastructure. The system cannot overperform its operators. Credible accreditation and monitoring require strengthened conditions of service and protected regulatory independence.”

Aina added that the board would fully leverage technology in its operations.

“We will seek to leverage technology to ease our burden through the adoption of digital platforms for the advancement of our collective objectives. And I have a charge for the board.

“This board, in whom I am well-pleased, carries with it the weight of expectations and aspirations of the Nigerian people,” he said.

Earlier this year, the French Development Agency provided a €38 million credit facility to the National Universities Commission to support the digital transformation of 10 federal universities in Nigeria.

This initiative, known as the Blueprint-ICT-Dev Project, aims to upgrade digital infrastructure, strengthen ICT capabilities, and promote digital literacy in these institutions.

News

Satguru Maharaj Pledges To Facilitates Kanu Release If…

Published

2 hours ago

December 3, 2025

Editor

The founder of One Love Family, Satguru Maharaj Ji, has vowed to get the incarcerated leader of the proscribed Igbo group, Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, released if the Biafra radio and sit-at-home order are stopped.

Maharaj Ji stated this while speaking in an interview granted to his temple’s in-house radio on Wednesday.

According to him, the IPOB leader was culpable of the terrorism charges levelled against him, and anyone guilty is liable to a death sentence.

He said, “We are, however, grateful that the matter has been put on hold in the sense that, by the accusations, it is always going to be death, looking at the level of crimes attached to him, with the way and manner the constitution is written. Anybody who is accused of doing such a thing (terrorism) is sentenced to death. It is only out of grace that Kanu was able to escape.

“So now it has to be by political settlement before he (Kanu) can be released, and it will be addressed in so many ways. For anyone advocating for his pardon, they have to take positive steps. In other words, they must not do so with empty hands; they should stop the Biafra radio wherever it is. Secondly, the sit-at-home order should be stopped, and the judgment should be accepted while the Igbo elders go behind the scenes to analyse and explain to the President.

“Today, the Igbos have been brought to the central realms of politics by Tinubu. And the Northern caliphate is not happy about it. They are not excited about the commission they were given…They should stop the propaganda that the East is about to be Islamised. When those are done, I know how to watch it out, Kanu will come out. I will help facilitate his release.“

The cleric joined the likes of Abia State governor, Alex Otti, activist Omoyele Sowore, and other South-East leaders to intensify efforts to secure the release of detained Kanu through a political arrangement, assuring residents of the region that “all hope is not lost.”

On Tuesday, Otti met Tinubu at the State House, Abuja, after visiting Kanu in the Sokoto prison facility, where the IPOB leader is serving his sentence.

Otti’s meeting with the President is believed to be part of ongoing engagements aimed at securing the release of the detained Kanu.

Recall that Kanu bagged a life sentence instead of the death penalty after the presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, handed down the sentence on counts one, two, four, five, and six.

The judge also handed Kanu a 20-year jail term on count three, with no option of fine, and a five-year jail term on count seven, with no option of fine.

Justice Omotosho delivered the judgment after convicting Kanu on all seven counts of terrorism offences.