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Category: Politics

Nigerian gov approves N10bn for pension arrears

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Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, has approved the release of ₦10 billion to offset long-standing pension arrears owed to retirees in the state.

 

The move, according to the government, is aimed at clearing arrears that accumulated before the current administration came into office.

 

The approval was announced following a strategic meeting between the governor, the State Pension Board led by its chairman, Sir Edwin Ogidi-Gbegbaje, and the state chairman of the Association of Contributory Retirees, Comrade Anthony Ozu Osanekwu.

 

The governor also announced the constitution of a special oversight team to ensure accountability and transparency in the disbursement process. The team will monitor the implementation of the payment and ensure that funds reach the intended beneficiaries promptly and fairly.

 

During the meeting, the governor emphasised the importance of addressing longstanding issues affecting the state’s retirees, particularly concerning backlogs of unpaid pensions and the transition to the contributory pension scheme.

 

“So far, my administration has disbursed a total of ₦36.4 billion in pension payments, averaging ₦1.4 billion monthly. Since taking office, the state has not defaulted in its monthly pension obligations.

 

The ₦10 billion allocation is aimed at clearing a significant portion of these outstanding liabilities, signalling a major step toward financial justice for retired civil servants in Delta State.

 

“Our retirees are men and women who gave their best years in service to the state. It is only just that they receive what is duly owed to them, and under my watch, their welfare will remain a top priority.”

 

The development has been welcomed by retiree groups and pensioners across the state, who have long advocated for a resolution to the lingering pension arrears.

Babachir turned against Tinubu after missing out on VP slot – Wike

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  The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has alleged that former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Babachir Lawal, became critical of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu after being sidelined in the race for the vice-presidential slot.   Wike made the claim while addressing political developments within the All Progressives Congress (APC), stressing that Lawal’s recent attacks on Tinubu stemmed from personal grievances rather than genuine concerns.   According to the minister, Lawal had expected to be considered for the vice-presidential position but turned against the president after his ambition did not materialize. When Mr President chose his vice-presidential candidate, I was one of those Babachir Lawal visited. He came to my house in Port Harcourt. What was his anger?   “His anger was that he thought Mr President would have chosen him as the vice-presidential candidate. Having not done that, he let loose,” Wike said on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme on Tuesday.   Lawal recently criticised the Tinubu administration for its performance and governance style.   According to Wike, Lawal’s discontent was evident from the way he reacted. “It was very clear, we are not kids. Even a child who is intelligent would know where your anger is,” the minister said. Wike further faulted Lawal’s criticisms of the President and described his comments as disrespectful. He advised that if Lawal had issues with Tinubu, there was “nothing wrong” in addressing them directly with the president.   Wike said he had once respected Lawal but was disappointed by his recent outburst.   “There are people I have had respect for; you find out that you are just holding them in high esteem for nothing. While I was a governor, I used to think that people like Babachir Lawal are people you should have respect for, until I started observing things. I never knew that he is not a man you can take for his words,” he stated.   The minister faulted Lawal’s choice of words against the President, saying, “I watched the interview and the unpalatable words he used against Mr President, how he said that Mr President is full of himself. It is really unfortunate.   “A man will come out on national television not to genuinely criticise what Mr President has done wrong, but to accuse him simply because he had a relationship with Mr President before.   “That does not give him the latitude to come on national television to say a President of a country is full of himself. He doesn’t even call him ‘President’; he just says ‘Bola’. If you had a problem with Mr President before he became President, there is nothing wrong with finding a way to sort it out.”   Wike also stressed that governance is collective and urged Nigerians to engage ministers and advisers rather than expect direct access to the President.   “When you say Mr President is unapproachable, government is unapproachable, what do you call government? I am the minister in charge of the Federal Capital Territory. Must everybody reach Mr President? Is that the way the government runs?   “If everybody in this country refuses to reach out to ministers or special advisers and just wants to see Mr President, how many people can he attend to at a time? I am a minister. If you have a problem regarding activities in the FCT, have you tried to reach out to the FCT minister?”   When asked if the administration was approachable, he replied, “Of course.”   Wike’s comments followed Lawal’s recent description of Tinubu and his government as “unapproachable.” The former SGF, who has been a vocal critic of the administration, also said he would not have coped if he were in the cabinet, adding that he would have either resigned, been sacked, or even “killed”. Lawal also faulted the government’s economic policies, particularly the removal of fuel subsidy in 2023, arguing that Nigerians had yet to benefit and alleging that the subsidy was still being secretly paid despite official claims to the contrary.

Abdul Oroh and a Durable Coalition for Hope in Nigeria-by Chidi Anselm Odinkalu

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  Abdul Oroh is an unlikely avatar of the Nigerian dream. An Afenmai from Ivbiaro in Owan West Local Government Area of Edo State in the south-south of Nigeria, Abdul had the privilege of seeing Nigeria’s promise at independence and its descent to the edge of the proverbial precipice. Born in August 1960, he was less than two months old at the celebrations when the country attained independence on 1 October 1960.   Six and a half decades later, Abdul has worked his way through many careers, managing not to quit any. After a decade as a senior journalist and editor in some Nigeria’s leading newspapers (including the Guardian and Vanguard), Abdul spent the next decade leading Nigeria’s best known human rights organization, the Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO) during and after uniformed military rule. He then went into active politics, becoming elected as a member of the House of Representatives on the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP). Thereafter, he joined the executive arm of government at the state level, becoming the longest serving commissioner in the administration of Adams Oshiomhole in Edo State. Abdul trained as a lawyer and remains in active legal practice.

President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Engr (Dr.) Jani Ibrahim, (left), being received by the Executive Secretary of the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, (TETFUND), Arc Sonny Echono, OON, when he led a delegation to the organisation, today

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Key takeaways from our tour of Enugu and Ebonyi states, by Bayo Onanuga

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We returned to Abuja on Saturday after a three-day working tour of Enugu and Ebonyi States as members of the National Communication Team, led by Alhaji Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation. During the visit, we engaged with the governors and key officials of both states, held town hall meetings with citizens, and delivered messages from President Bola Tinubu, highlighting his achievements and commitment to lifting Nigerians out of poverty, particularly through the Renewed Hope Ward Development Programme. We also inspected a range of federal and state projects, both completed and ongoing.

 

Our first key takeaway was the unanimous acknowledgement by the governors and citizens that the Tinubu administration is actively executing various projects in both states, as in other parts of the country. It is reassuring to see that the South East, like other regions, has not been left behind, as President Tinubu has ensured equitable distribution of federal projects..

 

In Enugu, the Federal Government has established a world-class oncological centre for the treatment of cancer. Major ongoing road projects include the Enugu–Port Harcourt Highway, Enugu–Onitsha Highway, the reconstruction of the 9th Mile–Umulumgbe–Ukehe–Opi Junction, and the iconic Eke Obinagu Flyover in Emene, which would resolve longstanding traffic gridlock in the area.

 

Minister Idris highlighted that the Port Harcourt–Aba railway project has been completed, delivered, and is currently operational. Additionally, the Federal Executive Council has approved $3 billion for the completion of the 2,044km Eastern Rail Line, projected to unlock N50 billion in annual trade for the region. Furthermore, $508 million has been earmarked for the upgrade and modernisation of Eastern Port infrastructure.

In Ebonyi, portions of the Calabar-Abuja Super Highway have been completed, while work is progressing on the other parts of the road.

 

Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi and Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu acknowledged that their states have never witnessed the level of federal intervention currently being experienced under President Tinubu. Governor Nwifuru noted that this is the first time since the creation of Ebonyi State in 1996 that the Federal Government has made such a significant impact.

 

Our visit coincided with the commissioning of several landmark projects in Enugu, including modern bus terminals and 100 CNG buses by Governor Mbah. While he did not formally invite us to the ceremony, at an earlier meeting with the National Communication Team, Governor Mbah expressed his gratitude to the Tinubu administration for increased revenue allocations resulting from the removal of fuel subsidies and the re-engineering of revenue collection by the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

 

Governor Nwifuru shared a similar perspective, stating that his administration has been able to undertake many new projects without resorting to borrowing. Notably, he is establishing an ICT University in Oferekpe, developing several housing estates, and expanding the state’s road infrastructure, which he inherited from his predecessor. His signature project, the Vanco Flyover and twin underground tunnels in Abakaliki, is expected to be completed in 2026. This landmark project, the first of its kind in the Southeast—and indeed in Nigeria—is poised to become a tourist attraction.

 

Governor Nwifuru also emphasised that the iconic road project was awarded to a Nigerian construction company, indicating that the state was ahead of the Federal Government in supporting local businesses and buying Nigeria-made products.

 

The climax of our Ebonyi visit was the Town Hall meeting at the Ecumenical Centre in Abakaliki. The event, attended by a vibrant crowd—party faithful, including many women in colourful attire—transformed from a simple meeting into a lively carnival atmosphere. Minister Idris delivered the President’s message of renewed hope, while Governor Nwifuru outlined his achievements since assuming office two years ago.

 

We concluded our tour of the states with a courtesy visit to the Minister of Works, Engr. Dave Umahi, who provided additional insights into the extensive road and bridge projects being undertaken by the Tinubu administration across the South East and the nation. He clarified recent online reports, stating: “What I brought to the Federal Executive Council was a technical report on the state of the Third Mainland and Carter Bridges in Lagos, and proposals for their preservation. We will soon invite construction companies to submit suggestions on how the Federal Government can best safeguard these critical assets.”

 

Our tour of Enugu and Ebonyi reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to inclusive development and underscored the visible progress being achieved under President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.

 

-Onanuga is Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy

 

How Okonjo-Iweala disappointed those who don’t wish Nigeria well – APC G3

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A support group of the ruling All Progressives Congress, the APC Grassroots Governance Group, APC G3, on Friday said the credit given to the present administration by the Director-General (DG) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has left the opposition and naysayers confused and stranded.

 

Recall that during a visit to the Presidential Villa on Thursday, the WTO Chief lauded President Bola Tinubu and his team for stabilising Nigeria’s economy.

 

According to her, “We think that President Bola Tinubu and his team have worked hard to stabilise Nigeria’s economy, and you cannot really improve an economy unless it is stable,”

“Nigeria now needs to grow the economy and we need to build social safety nets, so that people who are feeling the pinch of the reforms can also have some support to be able to weather the hardship.

 

APC G3 National Coordinator, Amechi Chuks-Oyema in a press release on Friday, said the group and well meaning Nigerians supporting the policies of President Tinubu have been proved right.

 

He said: “What the opposition and naysayers wanted to hear is that the country is going down the slope. They are confused and stranded as the Director-General (DG) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, gave us a true state of our economy.

 

“So, President Tinubu has to be given the credit for the stability of the economy. The reforms have been in the right direction. What is needed next is growth.

“We should note that President Tinubu inherited $4 billion in forex reserves, $7 billion in unmet obligations, ₦30 trillion Ways and Means debt, a debt servicing burden consuming 96% of government revenue

 

“Since assumption of office forex reserves have climbed toward $40 billion, Oil production rose from under 1 mbpd to 1.8 mbpd, $14 billion in national debt and $7 billion in forex obligations have been cleared

 

“GDP grew 3.13 percent in Q1 2025, with a 7 percent growth target by 2027, Nigeria posted a positive trade balance for the first time in decades.

 

“Record counter-terrorism operations, Governors in Abia, Enugu, Zamfara and beyond revived long-abandoned projects without new borrowing, thanks to federal reforms.

“We in APC G3 have always said that despite the initial pains, the policies of the present administration, with the support of the people will bring Nigeria out of the present economic challenges

 

“True, these reforms have exacerbated cost-of-living strains, but they were inevitable to avert a descent into crises resembling Venezuela or Zimbabwe.

 

“We urge the opposition, naysayers, some media houses etc to acknowledge these gains instead of dredging alarmist negativity in perpetuity.”

Caprecon Foundation Empowers Youth with Skills and Hope 

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By Halima Abdulazeez

 

Caprecon Foundation, led by Dr. Dollin Holt and his dedicated team, continues to make a remarkable impact. Their recent efforts in Warri focus on creating environments and resources that help young people grow creatively, an invaluable gift in today’s distraction-filled world.

 

The foundation’s commitment is clear: *“charity begins at home.”* Caprecon established a branch in Warri and launched a beginners’ skills acquisition program offering training in hairdressing, pedicure, manicure, and pastry making. These courses, aimed at equipping final-year students of the College of Commerce, Warri, emphasize practical trades alongside academic learning.

Dr. Holt vividly recalls how his grandparents instilled the importance of learning a trade alongside education, a lesson he now passionately shares. As the world shifts to value vocational skills, these programmes provide young people with tools for economic independence.

 

Further demonstrating their dedication, Caprecon in collaboration with the 1987 graduates of College of Commerce, Warri, donated a library to the college, enhancing learning resources for the next generation.

 

This work is driven not by ego but by a genuine desire to give back. Dr. Holt thanks the Caprecon Warri team for their hard work and encourages everyone to contribute to their communities whenever possible.

Finally, we all should care deeply about the children in our communities. When given a sense of belonging, children feel valued and grow into responsible adults. Many vices we see today stem from alienating our young people from society’s core. Caprecon Foundation is always ahead in restoring dignity to everyone through its far-reaching projects.

 

Halima Abdulazeez is a poet, advocate for free expression, Treasurer of PEN International Nigeria, Communication Strategist for the Caprecon Foundation, and a Doctoral Candidate at the University of Lagos. She lives in Lagos and can be reached at +234-8034816865 or umuhfaisal@gmail.com.

Global echoes of Nigeria’s best innovators 

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By Ayo Oyoze Baje

 

 

Quote:

 

“Technology helps solves the problem of access and quality in education. It can go where good teachers will refuse to go and give students the benefit of the same quality of education that the best schools enjoy.”

 

-Adeboye Oshinaga ( Co-founder Youngsoul

Disrupt Africa — December 2014 )

 

 

There must be something unique about the Nigerian DNA. That indomitable Deoxy-ribo-Nucleic-Acid is

creative, innovative, ingenious, resilient; solid and strong; always standing tall like the anthill

in the eye of the global academic storm. If in doubt, consider the recent feats of both Miss Faith Odunsi and Nafisa Aminu. On her part, the former, a 15 year – old girl who represented Nigeria at the Global Mathematics competition beat the representatives of countries such as the United States of America, USA, United Kingdom UK,China and several others to become the World Best. In fact so smart and confident she was at providing the answers that the judges who were awed by her fast and accurate answers dubbed her as “the Calculator”.

 

 

Not long after, the 17–year old Nafisa Abdullah Aminu, a student from Yobe State, Nigeria, emerged as the world’s best in English language skills at the 2025 TeenEagle Global Finals held in London, United Kingdom. Nafisa, who represented Nigeria through Nigerian Tulip International College (NTIC), Yobe, outperformed over 20,000 students from 69 countries, including many from native English-speaking nations.

 

 

Unable to hide his astonishment, world -renowned music star Akon.gushed: “This is not a fluke but confirms that Nigerians are one of the most intelligent people in the world”. That is the heart of the matter. The point being made here is that Nigeria boasts of some of the world’s best brains in virtually all fields of human endeavour.

 

 

For instance, Nigerian team of five girls won the $10,000 Junior Gold Awards at the 2018 Technovation World Challenge. The girls from Regina Pacis Secondary School, Onitsha, Anambra State Nigeria represented Nigeria and Africa at the World Technovation Challenge in the Silicon Valley in San Francisco, USA.The girls included Jessica Osita,

Promise Nnalue, Nwabuaku Ossai, Adaeze Onuigbo and

Vivian Okoye. The team, led by Uchenna Onwuamaegbu Ugwu defeated representatives of other technological giants including the USA, Spain, Turkey, Uzbekistan and China to clinch the gold medal.

 

 

In a similar technological achievement, back in 2015, Ogbonnaya Bassey’s Solarkobo power generator won the prestigious Young Innovators Prize as the best out of 124 applicants from 34 countries. The event was in Budapest, Hungary for the Telecommunications World event. But are we, as a nation making the best use of their astounding creative ingenuity? That is the million naira question. But the answer,sad to say is an emphatic “no”! That is where the challenge lies.

 

 

Mention the names, Professor Philip Emeagwali, Prof. Gabriel Oyibo, Samuel Achilefu, Babajide Alo, Ayodele Olaiya and Col. OveimoOvadje (Retd) and they ring a crisp-clear bell in the hallowed halls of creativity, globally. So are those of Jelani Aliyu, Brino Gilbert, Shehu Saleh Balani, Shaheed Adepoju,Seyi Oyesola and Ndubuisi Ekekwe. For instance, Emeagwali is regarded as one of the founding fathers of the internet as we know it today. For that feat he was awarded the Gordon Prize, normally reserved for 18 scientists. On his part, Gabriel Oyibo, the Kogi state -born genius who is an engineer, researches and physicist broke the thirty year jinx that Albert Einstein could not solve He unravelled the Grand Unified Field Theory. That was in 2002. He is an expert that the United States Aeronautics and Space Administration ( NASA ) based in Massachusetts Institute of Technology has immensely gained from.

 

 

In fact, it was the ground-breaking development of a set of high-technology cancer visualizing goggles made by the Nigeria -born Prof, Samuel Achilefu that assisted surgeons to view cancer cells in real -time while operating their patients. That won him the prestigious St.Louis Award in 2014. And another Nigerian, Jelani Aliyu who designed the Chevrolet Volt electric car that became General Motors’ leading brand based on its green energy policy now sweeping across the world.

 

 

Oh yes! It is good to note that our own Silas Adekunle, a 34-year-old Nigerian engineer, made history as the world’s highest-paid robotics engineer with MekaMon, the first intelligent gaming robot. Can you beat that? Not at all

 

 

What with another Nigerian-American, Dr. Osato Osemwengie, known as the “US Drone Builder,” boasting of 4 PhDs and 7 Master’s degrees. The true academic heavyweight, is now considered one of the most educated minds on the Planet Earth. Salute to this legend, a true Pride of Edo state. Most delighted as we are to be linked with these amazing talents with awesome capabilities, one’s persisting worry is that while the products of their creative ingenuity are positively impacting the techno-econonic space in other countries, Nigeria, their fatherland is being denied of such.

 

 

It would be recalled that yours truly has been consistently raising concern about this critical issue through several opinion essays since year 2002. First was: ‘ The Challenge of Local Intentions 1 and 2 ‘(Daily Times of October 18 and November 1, 2002 ) followed by ‘ Usually Our Best Brains’ 1 and 2 ( Daily Times, July 18 and August 1, 2003 ). That was before: ‘Turning Brain-drain to Economic Gain ( July 23, 2004). Between then and now there have been others such as ‘Making the Best Use of Our Best Brains’ ‘, ‘Maximizing the Potentials of Our Young Inventors and Jelani’s Challenge to Nigeria ‘ yet our political leaders are yet to see the wisdom in one’s clarion call!

 

 

Now is the time to start benefiting from Ogbonnaya Bassey’s Solarkobo, a renewable power generator that costs six times less than the normal fuel generator. So we should from the invention of Saheed Adepoju, the co-founder of Encipher Limited whose INYE-1, a 7-inch resistive screen tablet offers three hours of battery life and allows HDMI output to HDMI capable devices. And we should also gain from Ndubuisi Ezekwe’s microchips used in invasive surgical robots. He is the Founder of the First Atlantic Semiconductors and Microchips Ltd. The list goes on.

 

 

While these Nigerian-born inventors are making their marks on the global landscape there are salient questions for our political helmsmen and policy makers to find solutions to. Can we keep making waves in the field of technology with the abysmally low funding of education? Can we maximize the hidden potentials from our youths with some 13.2 million out of school children out there roaming the streets and used as cannon fodders for all manner of insurgency?How do we avoid the embarrassment of the recent technical glitches in JAMB and WAEC results that have brought forth the need to institute sustainable infrastructural development here in the education sector?

 

 

To move forward out of the wood we must take the all-important issue of educational development seriously. A law to make the 26% allocation to education, as recommended by UNESCO compulsory at both the state and federal government levels has become necessary. Also, the provision of funds for infrastructural development, recruitment of more teachers, their retraining on information technology and providing the enabling environment for talents to grow as well as funding of research institutes, and adequate grants for researches at the

universities have become the sin qua non to our technological and economic development.

 

 

This is yet another clarion call on the government in power, this time as led by President Bola Tinubu to constitute a bi-ennial Summit with our best brains in science and technology as innovators and inventors to fashion the solutions to our myriad of challenges, to benefit Nigerians.

Drug war: Why President Tinubu ‘ll continue to strengthen NDLEA – NSA Ribadu, AGF Fagbemi

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By Ebinum Samuel

 

Commend Marwa’s leadership as Agency empowers strategic commands, formations with 48 new vehicles

It’s a milestone made possible by the President’s strategic support, says Marwa

 

The National Security Adviser Mallam Nuhu Ribadu has said that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will continue to strengthen the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) because of its strategic value to the success of the country’s national security architecture.

The NSA stated this in his remarks at the commissioning of 46 new vehicles distributed to strategic commands and formations of NDLEA on Wednesday 13th August 2025 at the Agency’s national headquarters in Abuja where he also commended the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, Brig Gen Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd) and his team for their sustained commitment, discipline and energy in transforming the NDLEA into a result-oriented force against one of the most destabilising threats to Nigeria’s national well-being: illicit drugs.

In his words, “I commend the Chairman, General Mohamed Buba Marwa, for his discipline, commitment, and transformative leadership. Under his watch, NDLEA has become a result-oriented force addressing the grave threats posed by illicit drugs that undermine our national security, social stability, and public health.

“This event is not just about commissioning vehicles, without the mobility to swiftly reach danger points, intercept traffickers and move resources where they are most needed, our fight is severely constrained. The link between drug trafficking and insecurity is systemic. Criminal gangs thrive on drug profits, Insurgents and armed groups fund their activities with it. Countless young Nigerians fall victim to addiction, with devastating consequences for families and communities.

“This is why the renewed Hope Agenda of Mr. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu prioritizes drug control as a pillar of our national security strategy. The President’s unwavering support through funding, inter-agency cooperation, and policy alignment has directly enabled today’s milestone.

“These vehicles will be deployed nationwide to amplify NDLEA’s operational presence, strengthen deterrence, and ensure that no trafficker escapes justice. As the lead agency for drug control, arrest, seizure, and investigation and prosecution, NDLEA will continue to receive the full backing of the Office of National Security Adviser, which will also coordinate its efforts with other security and regulatory agencies, including the National Police Force, Nigerian Customs Service, NAFDAC.

He challenged NDLEA officers to view the commissioning as a call to action: to do more, remain vigilant, act within the law and uphold the highest standards of professionalism. ““The NDLEA is not only building lives, but also restoring dignity and shaping national policy. In light of the pandemic, this commissioning is a call to action. Use these resources responsibly, act within the law, and remain vigilant.”

In his welcome address, the Chairman/Chief Executive of NDLEA said the event is symbolic of the continuous effort to reposition the Agency as a modern, efficient and respected organization as well as a reflection of the sustained commitment of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to equipping institutions that stand on the front line of the country’s national security and public health.

“To that extent, today’s event is a milestone, as NDLEA is now counted among a distinguished group of security and drug law enforcement agencies around the world that are not only visible in their operations but equally respected and making impacts”, Marwa noted.

He expressed appreciation to President Tinubu for his unwavering and strategic support for the Agency. “The procurement of these vehicles was made possible by the fiscal backing of this administration, which continues to demonstrate strong resolve in addressing the root causes of insecurity and social dislocation. Under the Renewed Hope Agenda, the President has prioritised national stability, institutional reform and the safety of every Nigerian life. That trust motivates us to deliver even more”, he stated.

While explaining the importance of the fight against substance abuse and illicit drug trafficking to national security, Marwa said “We know from both intelligence and experience that drug abuse and trafficking are central to many security challenges in the country. The link is undeniable: kidnapping, armed robbery, insurgency and cult violence are all fuelled by illicit substances. Drug trafficking emboldens perpetrators, strips away moral restraint and replaces hope with recklessness. No serious approach to national security can ignore drug control, and this is why we pursue our mandate with focus, determination and the results are there to show.”

He noted that in just two years of President Tinubu’s administration, the NDLEA has achieved significant results. “We have arrested 40,887 drug offenders, including 45 drug barons leading to the seizure of over 5.5 million kilograms of assorted illicit substances, all recovered from our streets, communities, warehouses, border routes and ports nationwide, with 704.445 hectares of cannabis farms, hidden deep in forests, destroyed. We have equally secured the conviction of 8,682 traffickers and kingpins alike, ensured their assets forfeitures to the Federal Government through the court process, thus sending a clear message that drug crimes attract legal consequences.

“Equally important is the fact that 24,173 drug users have been treated and rehabilitated in our 30 rehab centres located across the country while 8,698 War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) sensitisation activities aimed at preventing people from going into substance abuse were carried out in schools, worship centres, work places, motor parks, and communities among others within the same period. These clearly created a fair balance between our drug supply reduction and drug demand reduction efforts.”

He said the achievements of the past two years reflect both the resilience of the Agency’s personnel and its growing capacity. While noting that the fight against illicit drugs is far from over, the NDLEA boss said the “illicit drug economy continues to evolve, exploiting vulnerable youths, porous borders and sometimes complicit actors. To remain effective, our response must also evolve – with sharper intelligence, stronger community engagement and, critically, improved mobility and logistics.”

In his remarks, Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN commended President Tinubu for making the achievements recorded by the leadership of Marwa at the NDLEA in the past two years possible. According to him, “Without an understanding President, it would be very difficult to have this type of gathering today. So, my first appreciation goes to him. There is a very, very close nexus between drug trafficking and all the crimes that we have.

“The Chairman has chronicled some of the effects of these illicit drugs. They embolden criminals. And when the thing wears off, then you discover that they are just ordinary mortals like you and I. And that is why attention ought to be given to this fight against illicit drugs. And when I follow NDLEA activities; the arrests, the fights they put on, you know, I’m always very happy. The credit, of course, goes to the leadership by Gen Marwa.

This is not your first time of doing this. You have done it elsewhere and you are doing it again. I’m always very pleased.

“And you know, of course, my position when it comes to NDLEA, whenever we are asked to showcase our report card, I’m very quick to say put NDLEA first. This is what you have done. So, I’m happy about what you are doing. And the morale of the staff you are boosting is very important. If there is no morale booster, you can’t get anything done.”

Also speaking, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa said “the NDLEA has consistently demonstrated courage, professionalism and resilience in confronting the threats posed by drugs and substance abuse in very challenging circumstances. The procurement of these operational vehicles is therefore a significant boost to the Agency’s operational response capability and overall effectiveness in the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse. It is my firm belief that this investment will translate to greater deterrent to those who seek to profit from this destructive trade.”

In his goodwill message at the occasion, the Director General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun congratulated President Tinubu for putting the likes of Marwa in positions of leadership in various agencies. He said the event is a testament to Marwa’s leadership style and belief in Nigeria.

“Today marks a remarkable event in our lives. BPP is a worthy partner of NDLEA. The vehicles you see today were thoroughly done through due process. In fact, I am going to say NDLEA, for me, is an example for other agencies of government. So, I congratulate the entire management of NDLEA for leading the way. We can testify to you that these vehicles have gone through standardizations and they are meant for fit, for purpose.

A total of 38 SUVs were distributed to Zonal Commands, Strategic Commands and State Commands across the country while 10 sedan cars were given to 10 directorates.

No fewer than 15 newly promoted Commanders of Narcotics (CN) were decorated with their new rank of Assistant Commander General of Narcotics (ACGN) by the NDLEA boss at the end of the ceremony.

23 KG and a Dream

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By Yomi Olusunle

 

The world felt like it was holding its breath. I stood in the cold fluorescent light at Manchester Airport, dragging a suitcase that weighed exactly 23 kilograms. My heart was heavy with dreams I wasn’t sure I had the right to say out loud. Taking those first steps on British soil was strange and electric. My skin tingled with possibility but my mind was stretched tight between excitement and fear.

 

Inside that suitcase were rolled-up sweaters and secondhand books. But more than that, it held the blueprint for a future I was determined to build. I hoped to become a woman who created her own happiness. I wanted to build something big that felt global but personal. Mostly, I wanted to prove to myself that joy was possible and waiting for me.

 

I was a Black woman, an immigrant, and a brand new Master’s student at Nottingham Trent University. I felt people watching me, quietly deciding where I fit or if I fit at all. I faced racism and sexism more times than I can count. I got sick and still kept going. When the world got heavy, I heard my parents’ voices across the ocean reminding me I was more than the limits others tried to put on me. Their love was my shield.

 

Some nights I stayed up late, writing articles for the World Economic Forum. I wasn’t sure if anyone was reading, but I kept writing anyway. Diane von Furstenberg’s words stayed with me. She said, “I knew the woman I wanted to be.” I decided I would know her too.

 

 

*Switzerland*

 

Almost five years later, July 2025 unfolded like a prayer answered. That month was full circle, a clear proof of God’s existence and his plans unfolding in ways I could never have scripted. I received an email from the World Economic Forum inviting me to the Global Shapers Annual Summit in Switzerland. They covered everything from travel to accommodation to meals. It was a dream come true and a milestone in my journey.

 

Switzerland was more than a place. It was a symbol of grace and second chances. It reminded me of Tina Turner’s story. Reinvention, courage, and finding love where the air is crisp and lakes are impossibly blue.

 

When I landed in Geneva, the city felt like it was made just for moments like mine. The Alps stood tall and proud, shining under the sun. The lakes stretched out so far and so blue they seemed to be holding my dreams in their reflection. The air smelled fresh and full of hope.

 

The summit gathered over 500 hubs from all over the world, with thousands of young leaders committed to making change. We shared stories, debated ideas, and brainstormed solutions for climate change, technology ethics, and social justice.

 

As the curator for the Birmingham hub, I carried the pride of my city and community. My role was to connect voices, encourage collaboration, and carry our stories forward. It was a responsibility I took seriously but also a reminder of how far I’d come.

 

Even surrounded by brilliance, the quiet moments stayed with me the most. Early mornings watching sunlight pour through my window, wandering cobbled streets older than my dreams, evenings by Lake Geneva where swans drifted slowly and reminded me that patience and grace still matter.

 

*Leeds and Doncaster*

 

Coming back to England, life found a new rhythm. The next chapters unfolded not just in cities, but in the people and moments that lived in them.

 

Leeds was where my not so little brother graduated. My parents flew in from Nigeria just to see him walk across that stage. Standing there with them, I felt how much every achievement means when your people are there to witness it.

 

Doncaster was slower, softer. I spent time with my aunt and cousins. We drank tea from mismatched mugs, laughed late into the night, and talked until the words ran out. My older brother, always ready for an adventure, pushed us toward the next story to live.

 

 

*London*

 

London was next, full of noise and life and family chaos.

 

We wandered Borough Market, chasing the smell of fresh bread and spices. In Peckham, I tried plantain ice cream for the first time. It was weird and wonderful. Sometimes joy is right outside your comfort zone.

 

There was laughter, heated debates, silly arguments, and hugs to make up for them all. London became the city where our family stories grew, messy and beautiful.

 

 

*Jaiye Collective*

 

If Switzerland was where my dreams flew high, *Jaiye Collective* is where my heart beats steady.

 

It started small, in my Birmingham living room, during days when depression and loneliness made the world feel heavy. I needed connection. I wanted a safe space where people could laugh and feel seen.

 

*Jaiye* was that space. At first, just a handful of friends and a playlist of our favorite songs. But it grew. People came from all over the UK, Ireland, Sweden, Paris, Abuja, and the United States. Every event felt like magic. Music, laughter, conversations that turned strangers into family.

 

The world can be cold and hard sometimes. Especially for immigrants like me. Politicians are tightening borders and stirring fear. There is more suspicion, more walls, and more questions about who belongs and who doesn’t. It can feel like a lonely fight just to be seen and heard.

 

But *Jaiye* is our act of warmth. Community here is a choice we make with every dance, hug, and moment of truth. When my parents watched me prepare for

one of our events, seeing their pride was like reaching another peak.

 

 

*Full Circle, and Still Walking*

 

From Switzerland’s mountains to Leeds’ graduation halls, Doncaster’s kitchens, London’s streets, and back to Birmingham’s glowing rooms, this journey is about hope that refuses to die and the people who cheer you on no matter what.

 

But even now, I have fears. I still feel lost sometimes. Loneliness still knocks on my door, uninvited but persistent. As I evolve, I’m outgrowing people and I’m losing friends. People who once knew me but don’t anymore. It’s a strange kind of sadness that no one talks about.

 

I worry about the future, about not living up to the woman I said I’d be. I worry about how to hold my dreams and my fears at the same time without breaking. Most of all, I worry about losing myself in the middle of it all.

 

But alongside all that, there’s this fire. A fierce excitement for the doors waiting to open and the stories still waiting to be told. I pray I never lose sight of who I am – the messy, soft, complicated, beautiful me. The one who dreams big, laughs loud, falls hard, and keeps standing up.

 

When I first rolled that suitcase onto unfamiliar soil, every step was a leap of faith. Now, I live inside the story I’m still writing. It’s full of risk, love, and my parents’ unshakable belief in me. Their support is the sound beneath every win, their pride the light that touches every summit.

 

Dreams planted in uncertain soil don’t just survive. They bloom into something breathtaking.

 

And I’m still blooming.

 

 

*Yomi Olusunle, MSc, British Psychogical Society (BPS) accredited pychologist, Board member and writer*