In Fight Against Criminal Elements Nigeria media practitioners, especially the Crime Reporters have been tasked to collaborate with law enforcement agencies and individuals in the task of riding the country of criminal elements. The Olowu Kuta of Kuta, Osun State, HRH Oba Dr. Hammed Adekunle Makama Oyelude who made the call in Lagos, noted that the country is challenged by myraids of security challenges over the years. Speaking at the Annual Lecture/Award ceremony of Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN), held at Sheba Event Centre, Ikeja, however acknowledged the dedication of members of the Association in the discharge of their duties.
He also charged the media practitioners to be more dedicated, emphasising that the reward of more work is hard work. His words, ” As you all know that our country is challenged by the myraids of security challenges over the years. I want to acknowledge what the Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria has been doing collectively and individually to report crime and follow to logical conclusion ; they should also know that the reward of hard work is more work. “Towards this end, I will implore you that more than ever, you work with the law enforcement agencies and well-meaning individuals in order to rid the country of undesirable elements formenting trouble”.
Daniel Bwala, the newly appointed Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Policy Communication, has clarified his earlier controversial stance on the 2023 presidential election. Speaking during an interview with Arise News from 20:38, Bwala admitted that his initial claim that Tinubu’s victory was corruptly secured was politically motivated. “I no longer believe Tinubu corruptly won the election,” he declared.
“Then, I was playing politics. I didn’t care.”When asked whether his new position was influenced by his recent appointment in the Tinubu administration, Bwala firmly rejected the notion. “Not because I’m working for him,” he said. “Let me give you an example: when did I start working for him? Two, three weeks ago? In the past one year, what was I talking about?” He emphasized that his change in perspective was not about political alignment but about upholding legal principles and respecting the judicial process.Bwala noted that the President is the leader of the entire nation, and it is possible to commend him from across political divides.
“The fact of the matter is, the President is the President of Nigeria. You can still stay in your party and commend the President if he does something right,” he said. He also pointed out that democracy allows for dissent, even within a ruling party.Addressing his past comments, Bwala explained that his earlier remarks were made before the election tribunal and Supreme Court had delivered their verdicts. “I made that comment immediately after the election, even before we went for tribunal,” he stated. He reiterated his commitment to the rule of law, adding, “Whether he bought [the election] or not was ran through a judicial process, and it was rested. We call it res judicata.The judgment of the Supreme Court is binding on all authorities, and everybody abides by that.”
The program prioritizes educating road users on the significance of compliance with traffic laws, discouraging reckless driving, and maintaining discipline to avert accidents and alleviate congestion on Lagos roads.At the official launch, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Transportation, Hon. Sola Giwa, reaffirmed the administration’s dedication to ensuring smooth vehicular movement across the metropolis.“The Yuletide season is synonymous with festivity, but it also heralds increased road usage.
This campaign aims to reinforce motorists’ obligations to prioritize safety, thereby reducing accidents and traffic disruptions,” he stated.The Female Elite Corps, a highly trained cadre within LASTMA, will execute the campaign through dynamic roadshows, community interactions, and dissemination of educational materials across key traffic hotspots, including Ikeja, Surulere, Epe, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island, Agege, Lekki, Egbeda, Obalende, and Apapa. Furthermore, motorists and commuters will receive real-time updates and compliance tips via LASTMA’s digital platforms, ensuring seamless communication throughout the campaign.The initiative underscores pivotal traffic regulations such as: strict observance of traffic signals and road signage, abstinence from driving under the influence of alcohol or narcotics, adherence to lane discipline and prohibition of one-way driving and Ensuring vehicles are roadworthy prior to undertaking any journey.
Hon. Giwa encouraged motorists to cooperate fully with LASTMA officials and report traffic violations through the agency’s toll-free helpline, 080000527862.He urged all road users to embrace responsible driving habits, fostering a safer, more harmonious holiday atmosphere for all residents and visitors in Lagos.
The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd, mni, has called for a new Journalism orientation that uses the power of the pen as an instrument to mould and unite the Nigerian nation for rapid development. DIG Argungu noted that the era of gorilla journalism should give way for Developmental journalism adding “it should no more be a profession for fishing out negative energies but one in partnership with both the Government and the people in building an egalitarian and prosperous nation”In his goodwill message at the 8th Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, TRIENNIAL National Delegates conference in Owerri today, November, 27th 2024, the PSC Chairman said the Journalists as the watchdogs of the society should be in the forefront of providing the checks and balances “in our democratic space.
“You are required to enjoy the freedom to exercise all this important National assignment and like Ceaser”s wife should rise above suspicion”DIG Argungu’s goodwill message was presented on his behalf by Mr. Ikechukwu Ani, Head, Press and Public Relations of the Commission. He said it is the duty of the Journalists to support the Government at all levels to succeed as “this success will bring the required dividends of our growing democracy”.The PSC Chairman said the Commission holds the Nigerian Journalists in high esteem and will always support all efforts that will sustain it’s independence. “I also know that this Government in its respect for freedom of association and expression has allowed the Journalists to operate without hindrance”He however declared that the Journalists on their own “should reciprocate Government’s good gesture by playing to the rules and regulations guiding their conduct”.
He congratulated the outgoing President of the National body, Dr. Chris Isiguzo for the visibility and direction he has given the Union and prayed that the Conference will produce new leaders who will not only sustain this success but improve on it”.DIG Argungu assured that the Commission will continue to hold the Union and its Members in high esteem and will also continue to partner with them in the overall interest of the nation.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, has relocated its headquarters to its new facility, which is being developed in phases in Jahi area of Abuja. The facility, which is the first phase of the national headquarters project expected to be completed with the 2025 budgetary provisions, was officially unveiled during an interdenominational service within the complex on Wednesday 26th November 2024. Speaking during the brief ceremony, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (Rtd) said the development represents a phase in the transformation and recalibration of NDLEA into a modern and result-oriented anti-narcotic Agency, a process that began in January 2021.
“I’m glad we have finally moved in to occupy this facility after initial budgetary constraints. Even though this is the first phase of the new headquarters project, we are hopeful that we will be able to complete the process with next year budget. This is not 100% completed but it is sufficiently functional for us to move in because I was determined to move in before the end of 2024 because with the expansion of the Agency the headquarters also expanded, and in our old location we could not accommodate everyone. I have had to post out scores of officers due to lack of space for them to work.
“It was for this reason that the management took a unanimous decision that since it is not 100% ready and we need it, we should make it a low-key inauguration ceremony. This will enable us relocate some of our directorates still operating outside Abuja into one facility to consolidate our operations for efficiency, effectiveness and seamless coordination”, Marwa stated. While stating that the old head office in Gimbiya, Garki area of the FCT will continue to serve as the headquarters annex, the NDLEA boss expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continued support and encouragement to the Agency to be in a position to achieve its mandate of curbing substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking in the country.
“The support we are getting from our international partners and local stakeholders especially President Bola Tinubu, the National Assembly, the Judiciary and the citizenry, is not just to appreciate our efforts but to encourage us to do more and I believe this new work environment will motivate you to surpass past feats”, Marwa told a crowd of excited management staff, officers and men of the Agency at the ceremony. He commended his predecessor for starting the process of getting a befitting headquarters for the Agency. In his welcome remark, Secretary to the Agency, Shadrach Haruna, commended Marwa for providing inspiring leadership that has in three years transformed NDLEA into the same class with its counterparts across the world in terms of professionalism, capability and capacity.
“The commissioning of our headquarters today is part of the incremental but well-laid agenda for the repositioning of the Agency by the chairman. We have witnessed some monumental achievements since 2021, including increasing the staff strength of the Agency from 5,000 to 15,000. Promotion of officers, opening up of vacancies, payment of accumulated allowances to staff and widows of our fallen officers, the recent amendment of the Agency’s enabling law by the National Assembly, and many more. Christian and Islamic prayers were offered for President Tinubu and Nigeria while a commemorative plaque was unveiled to mark the event.
When he was asked at dinner with associates and officials last week, how he intended to celebrate his 78th birthday, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, GCON, retorted that he had never decidedly marked the date over time. “For me, it is an occasion for thankfulness to God, for reflection and prayers, and for reaching out to the less privileged,” he explained. “The American University of Nigeria, (AUN), Yola, adopting an American model, hosts me to a “Founder’s Day” event every year, as part of the convocation activities of the institution. If you’ve followed the pattern over time, there is usually a guest speaker who delivers a lecture on issues of local and global relevance.
I’m also allocated a slot to address the gathering as the Founder of the institution.” Continuing, Atiku noted: “Participating in the graduation ceremony of youngsters the age of my grandchildren fills me with tremendous joy.” Further still, Atiku submits: “I’m delighted that the vision of the AUN, that of availing young people from across the globe, world-class, American-style education in an African context, is being achieved. The university is cosmopolitan in every sense of the word with respect to the diversity of the faculty and the students. The last time I checked, we had about a dozen nationalities in the university community. The President is usually an American. Apart from Nigerians, there are students from South Africa, Rwanda, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Niger, Uganda, Cameroun, and so on. AUN is training world class, future professionals and leaders, who will drive the future of Africa and the world at large. That alone gives me tremendous joy and fulfilment.”While Atiku is entitled to his idea of commemorating his birthday, his associates and staff had their own plans. The AUN programme is scheduled for Saturday November 30, 2024.
This year’s edition of the event has Peter Obi, CON, former Governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of the Labour Party, (LP), as guest lecturer. Atiku’s birthday is on Monday November 25, 2024. They could at least get him a cake and lay out lunch buffet for him. By the time Atiku descended into the main lounge in his house that day to go observe the midday prayer, the *Dhuhr,* associates had begun to congregate. Adamu Maina Waziri and Ibrahim Bio, both former Ministers in the administration of former President Umaru Yar’Adua; Kolawole Ogunwale, who formerly represented Osun Central in the Senate, and Sajo Mohammed, former Director of Compliance at the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, (NLRC), were waiting. So was Ekene Onwuka, one of Atiku’s proteges. A spontaneous birthday song rent the air as the “birthday boy” blew the candle of the cake to the applause of his “hosts.” At lunch, the influx of dignitaries was such that guests who arrived earlier had to constantly yield their seats to newcomers. Reminds of “shifting cultivation,” one of several templates of crop farming which we learnt in elementary school. Senator Ben Obi, CON, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of AUN and Emeka Ihedioha, CON, former Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives and Governor of Imo State, kept faith.
Dino Melaye, former Senator representing Kogi West District; Jide Adeniji, a former Managing Director of the Federal Emergency Road Maintenance Agency, (FERMA), and Maxwell Gidado, SAN, Professor and former Special Adviser to Atiku, joined the party. In the event that Atiku thought that was all, more faces showed up when it was time for a photoshoot after lunch, at the entrance of his home. Mohammed Kumalia, two-term Member Representing Maiduguri Metropolitan Constituency and Kola Ologbondiyan, Emeritus spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), were in the house. They joined Atiku’s ever loyal principal officers, notably Dr Azu Ndukwe, Chief Physician; Dr Andy Okolie, Head of Special Duties; Ibrahim Zango, Emeritus diplomat and Principal Secretary; Siddiki Buba Jauro and Eta Uso, Special Assistants on Domestic Affairs Information Technology respectively.
You run through the list of attendees at the impromptu birthday and the cosmopolitanism of Atiku rings through. Atiku then personally invite his other aides: Security personnel; protocol officers; police escorts; kitchen staff; drivers, to join him for the photoshoot. The “birthday programme” thereafter shifted to Atiku’s office wing within his princely complex, even as telephone calls kept coming, customised birthday cards popping up and new arrivals, streaming. Abdul Ahmed Ningi, Senator Representing Bauchi Central Zone; Musa Elayo Abdullahi, Minister of State for Justice under the Obasanjo/Atiku administration; Abdullahi Mai Basira, former PDP National Financial Secretary and Michael Ikeagwonu Ugochinyere, Member Representing Ideato federal constituency, Imo State, all stopped by. Atiku didn’t need to crack his head at any point before engaging with his guests. He knew everyone by name and so addressed them as they shook hands with him and exchanged robust pleasantries, a smile ever playing around his lips.
The highpoint of the unscheduled birthday was the presentation to Atiku, a branded t-shirt of the high-flying English Premier League, (EPL) football club, Arsenal, by Eta Uso, one of his aides. I always knew Atiku was a “Gunner,” the moniker with which we Arsenal friends are known. His doctor, Azu Ndukwe, is as passionate. Atiku knows I’m one as well, and this is one of our areas of mutual convergence. Arsenal was playing this tricky game which we watched together in his comfy living room, one of those midweek evenings. Atiku had to go observe the *Isha’a* prayer so he assigned me the responsibility of monitoring proceedings so I could brief him after the supplication. “Analyst Tunde, what are the scores,” he shot at me immediately he returned. “We are two goals up, Your Excellency.” His face lit up, you would think he had stakes in the club! So Eta Uso presented this specially branded Arsenal jersey to Atiku, cameras and that flashlights clicking away, that afternoon. That was the prompter to other Gunners in the house who wanted to share the joy of the moment with the celebrant.
Emeka Ihedioha, Dino Melaye, Jide Adeniji and I, all rose to join Atiku in celebrating a birthday gift, otherwise simple, but which meant so much to him. Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote is equally a very well known Arsenal aficionado who once contemplated buying over the London-based club. High flyers are human after all, and indeed share some of the fascinations of regular people. After witnessing just how beautifully an unplanned milestone unfolded, you could not but wonder what the colour of the event would have been if it had been intentionally structured. For a man with such overflowing bank of goodwill, onshore and offshore; for a man who has remained a constant in Nigeria’s political dynamics nearly 20 years after he left office; for a man who stands strong and stolid despite serial betrayals and short circuiting over time even by allies, that will be the ultimate carnival.
This is wishing the enigmatic *Gooner* Atiku Abubakar, *Wazirin Adamawa,* Prime Minister of Adamawa, a million happy returns of his special day. May pleasant surprises denominate our pathways in life as we rejoice with those who celebrate.
Tunde Olusunle, PhD, a Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (FANA), teaches Creative Writing at the University of Abuja
The Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Matthew Kukah, has described President Bola Tinubu, his predecessor, Muhammadu Buhari, and most past Nigerian leaders as products of an “accidental leadership cycle.”However, the Presidency last night, countered the Bishop, saying that President Tinubu should not be classified among accidental leaders, asserting that he was prepared for the job.
The Vanguard reports that Kukah explained that many of the leaders assumed power without adequate preparation, particularly in a world where the demands of governance are constantly evolving.Kukah spoke on Sunday while delivering a keynote address during the commissioning of the new Start-Rite School building and the 4th Amaka Ndoma-Egba Memorial Lecture in Abuja.Reflecting on Nigeria’s leadership history, Bishop Kukah highlighted a recurring pattern of unpreparedness among the country’s leaders.He said: “If we look at Nigeria’s leadership journey, you will find that almost every leader who came to power did so by accident”.“President Bola Tinubu, despite claiming to be prepared for the role, is clearly struggling. We are still trying to find our footing. He took over from Buhari, who had already disengaged from governance.“Buhari succeeded Jonathan, a man who never envisioned himself as president but was thrust into leadership due to circumstances. Jonathan took over from Yar’Adua, who planned to return to teaching after his governorship.“Yar’Adua succeeded Obasanjo, who was unexpectedly released from prison to become president. Before that, Obasanjo replaced Abacha, who was poised to rule indefinitely until nature intervened. Abacha followed Shonekan, a business executive abruptly drafted to lead the country.
The cycle is evident, and the missing link in all of this is knowledge and preparation.”He argued that while Nigeria had embraced democratic principles like “one man, one vote,” its democratic process has repeatedly failed to deliver competent leadership.He stressed that modern leadership requires a deep understanding of the evolving environment and challenges.Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Buba Marwa, emphasized the need to cultivate leadership qualities early in life.He attributed many of Nigeria’s challenges to failures in leadership and accountability.Marwa also shed light on a disturbing trend within the drug trade, revealing the involvement of visually impaired individuals in trafficking illicit substances.“Recently, the NDLEA uncovered a cartel involving visually impaired individuals,” Marwa disclosed.“We arrested a blind man transporting a large consignment of cannabis from Lagos to Kano.
During interrogation, he claimed he didn’t know the package’s contents and provided the name of another blind individual in Lagos. This led us to another blind man, and eventually, we traced the ultimate handler, who was also blind.”While Marwa refrained from sharing additional details about the cartel’s operations, he acknowledged the unique challenges posed by such cases.The NDLEA boss also paid tribute to Senator Ndoma-Egba, Chairman of the Board of Advisory for Start-Rite School, for organizing the lecture in honour of his late wife, Amaka Ndoma-Egba.“Amaka Ndoma-Egba was a visionary who established this school to prepare students for a dynamic and ever-changing world,” Marwa said.Founded in 2008 with just seven pupils, Start-Rite School has grown into a leading institution in Abuja, now serving over 800 students across nursery, primary, and secondary levels.The event emphasized the need for a renewed focus on leadership development and education to address Nigeria’s governance challenges and societal issues.Tinubu is a reformer, not accidental leader —PresidencyReacting to the assertion by the Catholic Bishop of Sokoto Diocese, the Presidency described Tinubu as a reformer, who is touching many areas.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said: “He (Tinubu) is not an accidental leader, he is doing his best to ensure that we have a turnaround in this country.“Does he look like one at all? What I am saying is that, the man is not an accidental leader, he was prepared for this office. He even said it himself that he prepared for it and that he is doing his best to ensure that this country is lifted higher than he met it, he is doing his best.“Because he prepared himself for the office, he is doing a lot of reform, he is touching every area and he is trying to make sure that this country is being turn-around.”For those who said that the President is an accidental leader, that is the reason he is struggling, Onanuga said, “Tinubu has shown that he is a reformer and reforms are not done in quick fixes, it takes time for you to turn things around and he is doing it.“He is doing reforms and he is the first to acknowledge that people will be affected and he is doing everything possible to ensure that those who are affected are also helped so that they will not be left behind.“He is reforming a lot of things in Nigeria, you are talking about taxation, you are talking about the oil sector, so many reforms the man is carrying out,” he added.
I really think this person who calls himself very dark man had better just verily calm down.
His recent push towards national recognition on the back of his wahala with the notorious Bobrisky seems to have given him an elevated ego.
His ego seems to have gone over the roof pushing him towards issues that he really does not have the capacity to engage talkless of playing the self acclaimed ombudsman that he has positioned himself to play.
This latest storm which he has generated is his claim of a mising N500m from an account domiciled in well respected Access Bank
Usually, I really mostly ignore this person, since he showed to the world that he didnt understand the very simple meaning of defamation.
Securing a private recording of a conversation illegally , rushing to the media with it and screaming- I cannot believe that the great Femi Falana……showed me that this was a person not to be taken too seriously
So when I stumbled on this his latest gambit, I made to scroll pass until I noticed 3 banks being mentioned
GTB, Keystone and Access, these made me tarry to listen to him.
He didnt make a lot of sense as expected. He was technically out of his depth and looked quite ridiculous pontificating very boldly about processes he didn’t have a clue on.
Apparently, in his position as the average Joe’s ombudsman, he was handed down a case of a man who had died interstate.
The man according to him, on his dead bed had told his sister that he had cash in these banks.
He listed the three banks and dropped the Bomb shell that he had N500m in Access Bank
Firstly, an experienced adult not prone to social media hype would first raise an eyebrow as to the possibility of someone with that kind of amount dying Interstate.
From experience, as a wealth advisor, I would say that possibility was not to say the least random.
Upon his passing, the sister dutifully obtained a letter of administration which empowered her to be the beneficiary of her late brother’s estate.
According to this very dark person, the sister got lucky with GTB and Keystone where she was able to claim the funds.
But when it got to Access, there was trouble.
He claimed in his widely viewed rants that at first Access Bank denied existence of the account and it was not until the woman went into fisticuffs with the branch manager before they accepted that a tiny sum was in that account
Wait, the sister was initially said to have written to CBN who durifully assisted her in securing the brothers BVN which enabled her trace the funds to these three banks.
Now according to him, when it got to the account with the purported N500m, Access like the power grid broke down again.
Then another round of hara kiri and a statement was released with a healthy balance of N1 or so.
Very Dark Person like those empty headed TV Judges now sat to judgement
According to him, some years in the statement were misisng and as such Access Bank must tell him what happened to those transactions in those years.
It didnt cross his little mind that just may be this person didnt transact in those years especially when his balance was showing a robust N1 as a clear balance.
With that ‘piece of evidence’ he went to town on Access Bank asking Nigerians to be careful of the Bank and basically just pushing for a run on the Bank.
I have seen a statement issued by Access Bank confirming that first and foremost, the said acct – 2229502270 is what is known as a Yellow Tier account, meaning that it cannot hold more than N300, 000 at a time and as such, the N500m claim to his sister could have been caused most likely by the hallucinating effects of the drugs he was going thru at the time before his passing.
The statement went ahead to explain how they had cooperated with authorities on the matter since 2022 including complying with a High Court decsion on the matter.
Despite all of these, this very dark person still climbed on his high horse to attempt a shake down on the Bank
Or whatelse can we call it. An account that cant hold more than N300k, a bank balance of N1 confirming the dynamics of the account and its posible non use in those years that he could not see in the released statement of account.
Immediately, I saw the Access Bank report, I rushed back to VDMs post to see the viewing numbers it had reached and possibly read some commentries from the public
As at the time, I am writing, about 184,000 people had viewed with 18,000 comments representing about 10% of the views showing huge interest in the matter by this sample size and 11,000 people sharing it.
By VDMs standards these are paltry figures showing either a lack of interest by his public or a growing irritation at his penchant of jumping at every issue no matter what.
But my major concern is the huge 10% who viewed and commented.
Majority of the commentary where hapless and hairbrained.
At first glance you will want to shrug and move on but then you realise that Access Bank has a strong retail foundation you begin to see these things differently and you begin to understand why the Bank moved in very decisively and effectively to put a wet blanket on this fire.
Its statement on the matter has been carried, I noticed by a slew of very influential online platforms including Nairaland with its massive followership.
In all of these, I didnt see where he tried to reach out to Access Bank to hear their own side and just like he did with the Falana’s jumped into the fray on the strength of one side of the story.
Two things, I would say at this juncture-
Our society needs many Very Dark men. People who are bold enough to tackle the system and its powerful people but in doing this, they must be intelligently armed with technical capacity, a fair sense of balance and be guided with a good understanding of social justice
This was a banal play to the gallery in an immature show of youthful exuberance oblivious of its possible impact on his target.
The second thing I would like to say is the sensitive nature of the banking system-my first constituency.
The Financial system trades on trust and confidence. Anything that goes at that base would weaken the system and we all would be the worse for it.
For a Very Dark Man with his newly minted image and huge followership should be very deliberate in his approach to his work and be a little bit more circumspect in his engagements.
Thankfully, this has been resolved and lessons have been hopefully learnt by all parties cos this was a very silly dark thing to attempt.
The war against official corruption in the police, the battle cry of DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd, mni, Chairman, Police Service Commission is spreading like wild fire with the dividends already trickling down.DIG Argungu had declared at his assumption of office that he would not tolerate corruption at both the Commission and the Nigeria Police Force and had quickly launched whistle blowing Policy in the Commission. He had also presented himself for official scrutiny and declared that the whistle should be blown on him if found wanting in the line of duty.The Commission has recently noted some positive signals from Nigeria Police Officers who have stood against corruption in the face of tempting offers.
The PSC Chairman DIG Hashimu Argungu rtd, mni, in reaction to the pleasant developments said it is a battle that must be won in the interest of the Nigerian nation.The Commission notes the recent rejection of the whopping sum of N174million by detectives of the Raider team from Zone 2 Command Lagos and the swift recovery of N10million from some Police men from Zone 16 Command Headquarters, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State as refreshing signposts of the deepening of his zero tolerance for Corruption in the service.CSP Ngozi Braide had led her team from Zone 2 Lagos, to arrest a suspected Internet fraudster Patrick Akpoguma in Lagos and courageously played along, collecting a huge sum of 100 000 dollars an equivalent of N174million in bribe which she subsequently registered as evidence and arrested the fraudster for investigation. Ikechukwuu Ani, the spokesman of the Commission said DIG Argungu wishes to commend the Inspector General of Police for the current positive dispositions of the Officers and Men against the lure of corruption.
He assured that Police Officers who distinguish themselves and take the war against corruption to the next level would in no time be recognised by the Commission and appropriate benefits extended to them.The PSC Chairman said although the Commission will not engage in special promotions, it has the powers to give accelerated promotion based on merit and performance.
He tasked Police Officers to continue to do their best to advance the nation’s security architecture. DIG Argungu noted that Nigeria must be freed of insurgency and terror.
Rest assured of convivial reception whenever you stop by his address in Abuja or back home in Umulenso, Umuahia, Abia State. Kolanuts, bitter kola, *añara,* (egg plants), and *ose oji,* (groundnut and pepper paste), receive you as is standard *Igbo* cultural practice. You savour the best of beverages, subject to your choice. The finest of *Cognac XOs and VSOPs* were preferences in years past. Properly *aged whiskeys* have become more fashionable as we all age and manage our wellness parameters. Wine connoisseurs and subscribers to softer liquids will also have their fill. Undoubtedly, he is a man of style.
His sitting room typically snowballs into a theatre of vibrant discourse and robust conversations. The subject could be anything: Economy, politics, international affairs, sports and more. Get set to engage this pseudo-encyclopaedia. You will be amazed at the sharpness of his memory, the width of his insights and the depth of his interventions. He makes sure to congratulate me whenever my favourite team in the English Premier League, (EPL), Arsenal, excels. He also sympathises with me when the outcome of a game is dampening and I wear a long face. He is that perspicacious.For his humongous attainments in life and the reverence he commands, Onyema Ugochukwu is a very humble, sober, maybe shy, temperate personality. He bestrode the corridors of the pristine *Daily Times of Nigeria Plc* with his towering frame. But he is a most amiable gentleman, an intuitive economist, a thorough-bred journalist, a painstaking administrator and thrifty personality. He is a diligent and loving husband, a caring and concerned father and a doting and grateful grandfather. He cherishes his quietude and abhors noise making. But he “loses” the battle when his grandchildren, predominantly boys for now, come visiting like they did on his recent 80th birthday.
They wholly and effectively took over his house, spontaneously converting into a functional “amusement park!” But you could discern from his face the joy of grandfather-hood as he and his wife of 45 years, Joyce Ugochukwu, a veteran medical practitioner, try to moderate the energetic enthusiasm of the toddlers. Regular callers like us, those we call *ama’la* in Igbo, home boys that is, knew Ugochukwu would commemorate his ascent to the octogenarian hierarchies this year. I have been associated with him for about 35 years now since the charismatic media revolutionary, Yemi Ogunbiyi gave me a job in the Daily Times in 1990. I was adopted by both paragons and I have never been far from them. I have a fair idea of milestones close to their hearts. Ugochukwu’s Abuja home underwent a tangible makeover which he always complained to me upset his equilibrium while the process was on. Just in case he thought the lawn in front of his house where a number of family events took place in the past would suffice for his 80th, however, his children, select kinsmen and friends had other plans. Ugochukwu’s trajectory commands thanksgiving in every way. He was the third of seven children. Except for his immediate younger sister, Chinyere Achinivu, all the others are no longer with us.
More touching is the fact that none of his siblings attained the age of 70, nay 80. There was therefore no shying away from celebrating the goodness of God. From New York, New Jersey, Washington DC, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Umuahia, Warri, family members, relatives, in-laws, friends, former colleagues were already streaming into Abuja days before the programme. Boisterousness and festivity enveloped the air, setting the stage for a memorable event.A thanksgiving service was held at the Methodist Church Nigeria, Cathedral of Unity, Wuse Zone 3, Abuja, Saturday November 9, 2024, the very date of Ugochukwu’s milestone and was attended by former President Olusegun Obasanjo. Flagbearer of Labour Party, (LP) during the 2023 elections, Peter Obi and former Permanent Secretary and Ambassador at various times, Godknows Igali and his wife, were also present. Obasanjo used the opportunity to pay tribute to Ugochukwu who was his Director of Publicity back in 1998, when he, Obasanjo, first dabbled into partisan politics. He acknowledged the name-calling Ugochukwu endured from his kinsmen at the time. They could not fathom why he chose to work for Obasanjo, when former Vice President Alex Ekwueme also from the Igbo country, was contesting the same election.
He celebrated Ugochukwu for his multisectoral contributions to national development. He lauded him in particular for emplacing a sustainable road map for implementation by the Niger Delta Development Commission, (NDDC), as foundation Chairman, over two decades ago. *Rainbow Marquee and Event Centre* in Garki, Abuja was the venue of the reception. Days before, Ugochukwu was apprehensive about the cavernous size of the auditorium, noting it might just be half empty with the kind of restrictions placed on attendance. By the time he and his family joined his guests straight from church, however, Ugochukwu was astounded. He barely could believe what his “eyes were telling him.” The marquee was brimming and bustling. His guests by the way were not from the mass of those admonished by the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, to *eat wherever they found food!* Sometimes in life, we never know the depth of veneration we command in people’s hearts, until we are privileged to be honoured at events like Ugochukwu’s. What could have been more gratifying than having former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP), Senator Ahmadu Ali and his wife Marian and former Governor of Imo State, Achike Udenwa, topping your guest list? Senator representing Ugochukwu’s Abia Central Zone, Austin Akobundu, who chaired the programme, and the Member Representing the Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency, Obi Aguocha, were in attendance. Enyinnaya Abaribe, Senator for Abia South Zone, was represented by his wife, Florence Nwamaka, while former Deputy Governor of Abia State, Oko Chukwu Ude, also graced the occasion.
So did former Health Minister, Professor Alphonsus Nwosu and his wife; former Senators representing Abia Central, Chris Adighije and Nkechi Nwogu, and running mate to Ugochukwu during his gubernatorial quest in 2006/2007, Chinwe Nwanganga and his wife. Other dignitaries at the event included Olusegun Runsewe, former Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, (NCAC); Nebolisa Emodi, retired Permanent Secretary, State House Administration and Reverend Benson Ezem, Chairman of *Cosmo Base Group* and his wife. Uba Agadaga, former Member of the National Assembly Service Commission, (NASC); Nonso Ogbunamiri, a Lagos-based *multipreneur;* Umeh Kalu, SAN, former Attorney-General, Abia State and Handel Okoli, also a renowned attorney and adviser in the Obasanjo/Atiku government, made it to the event. Segun Ilori, Legal Adviser, Green Energy Ltd, and Tivlumun Nyitse, Professor and former Chief of Staff in Benue State, honoured the programme. Emeritus Librarian, the septuagenarian Tunji Okegbola; adviser to the former Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Nwosu and his wife; long-serving media adviser to Babatunde Fashola, SAN, former Lagos State Governor, who was also Works Minister, Hakeem Bello, topped the *Daily Times alumni* who celebrated their senior colleague. Paul Mumeh, media aide to former President of the Senate, David Mark; Joe Ibekwe, Convener of the FLED International Leadership Institute, and longtime Ugochukwu photographer, Tumo Ojelabi, all of them *Timesmen,* showed up for their former boss.From the NDDC family, “ancient and modern,” came former Managing Director who was also pioneer Special Adviser to the President on the Niger Delta Amnesty Programme, Timi Alaibe. There was also the former NDDC Commissioner for Cross River State, Professor Eyong Nyong; the recently retired legal adviser to the Commission, Steve Igbomuaye and former protocol head, now multibillionaire entrepreneur, Julius Rone representing the old era. Incumbent Chairman of the Commission, Chiedu Ebie; Managing Director, Samuel Ogbuku; Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Boma Iyaye, topped the present generation of the NDDC leadership. Not forgetting the Corporate Affairs Director of the organisation, Seledi Wakama.The NDDC solidarity was as remarkable in numbers as it was in goodwill.
They supported the production of two books to commemorate the event. Obasanjo wrote the Foreword to one of the books, *Galvanising Development in the Niger Delta: Selected Engagements by Onyema Ugochukwu,* jointly edited by this writer and the eminent journalist, John Araka. The second publication, a dedicated anthology of tributes to Ugochukwu, titled *Testaments and Testimonials: Celebrating Onyema Ugochukwu at 80,* was edited by Tunde Olusunle. The work is an anthology of about 90 attestations to Ugochukwu, predominantly by professional colleagues, old and young. Hakeem Bello one of the contributors to the volume, fittingly describes it as a “collector’s item.”What better way to profile an anthology with contributors from the media like: Yemi Ogunbiyi; Dan Agbese; Tola Adeniyi; Felix Adenaike; Lade Bonuola; Olu Obafemi; Chidi Amuta; Godini Gabriel Darah; Ben Obi; Dare Babarinsa and Ayo Akinkuotu? Tributes from Solomon Odemwingie; Emma Agu; Lanre Idowu; Omar Farouk Ibrahim; Lanre Idowu; Ohi Alegbe; Nduka Nwosu; Gbenga Adefaye; Eniola Bello; Idang Alibi; Gboyega Okegbenro; Olusegun Adeniyi; Segun Ayobolu; Segun Ilori; Lizzy Ikem, Angela Agoawike and Martins Oloja also feature. Gbenga Ayeni; Tunde Rahman; Al Bishak; Salisu Na’inna Dambatta; Lawal Ogienagbon and Dan Akpovwa, equally celebrate Ugochukwu in this volume.Ugochukwu’s globality resonates from the pages of this book. You find a man who is Igbo by birth and origin, but pan-Nigerian in thought and outlook. Ugochukwu’s colleagues, friends and associates come from all over.
Tunde Ipinmisho, an Emeritus Editor who served under Ugochukwu in *Daily Times* always remarks about Ugochukwu’s politeness and culturedness: “He tells you “thank you” for whatever you do for him, no matter how little,” Ipinmisho says. The *319-page* innovative assemblage of tributes, is indeed a treasure trove. The two books presented at the programme were published by the rising Ibadan-based *Kraft Books Ltd* and reviewed by Gbenga Ibileye, Professor of English at the Federal University Lokoja, (FUL). They were formally presented at the reception and handed over to guests for free, consistent with the desire of the honoree. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar noted at the event, that at the height of his famous acrimony with former President Olusegun Obasanjo, Ugochukwu refused to take sides. According to him, Ugochukwu was a conciliator who tried as much as he could, to mediate between both sides. He described Ugochukwu as an “extremely dedicated and passionate Nigerian, a credible and perfect gentleman.” Turning to Mrs Ugochukwu on the table they all sat, Atiku said: “Madam, you are very fortunate to have him.” He prayed for good health and many more years for Ugochukwu. Akobundu expressed utmost delight at the rare honour of chairing Ugochukwu’s landmark, a legend he defers to as *Dee,* (elder in Igbo) and leader.” The revelry flowed over to the home of the Ugochukwus, late into the night, with still a lot to savour.
Tunde Olusunle, PhD, Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (FANA), teaches Creative Writing at the University of Abuja
