By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha

With the current socio-economic and political quagmire that Nigeria found herself, the Anambra state Chairman of Civil Liberties Organization, CLO, Vincent Ezekwueme, warned that only good leaders with the fear of God can change the narrative through the conduct of  free, fair and credible election devoid of manipulation.

He made the disclosure while reacting to the attainment of 64 years of Nigeria  Independence, adding that problems are purely on leadership and not the rule.

In a press release he signed with his secretary, Chidi Mbah and Hyginus Udensi, treasurer and made available to newsmen in Onitsha, CLO called on  political leaders to be patriotic, humane, selfless and fanatic when it comes to the welfare of the people while discharging their constitutional duties..

According to Ezekwueme, “Nigeria more than ever before needs reformative and transformative servant leaders that will actualize lofty ideas of our founding fathers.

“We appeal to both Federal, State, and local governments to reduce drastically, outrageous cost of governance, salaries and allowances of political office holders, improve security, create jobs and skills acquisition centres, ensure poverty eradication and put an end to youths restiveness and unemployment.

“The greatest essence of government is for the protection of lives and properties of its citizens. Government should ensure food security, tackle herders/farmers clash, banditry, kidnapping ,armed robbery and violent crimes in the country.

“Nigeria government and Nigerians must ensure socio-economic and political justices and conduct transparent elections that will reflect wishes and aspirations of the majority of the electorate. Let us join hands together and live above self, religion, ethnicity, tribes and clans cleavages in order to actualize Nigeria of our dreams, hope and aspirations.

“We equally extol relentless  selfless sacrifices and services rendered by our founding  fathers towards actualizing our Independence which include, Sir Tafawa Balewa,.Nnamdi Azikiwe, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Alhaji Aminu Kano, Chief K.O.Mbadiwe, Okotie Eboh and others too numerous to mention,” he stated.

By, Yagana Ali, Yola 

The 13th Adamawa State executive Council meeting saw significant developments aimed at bolstering the Nigerian Law School in Yola. 

The State Government, through the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, James Iliya, announced the award of a contract for the state’s intervention in the construction of four hostel blocks at the Law School. 

The project, valued at N855,247,976.81, is expected to be completed within 12 Months and has been awarded to three contractors.

Established in 2013, the Nigerian Law School Yola, which started with 200 students, now accommodates over 400 students.

Commissioner of Housing, Abdullahi Prambe, emphasized that this intervention reflects the Governor’s concern for the school, which is the only law school in the North-East region.

 Prambe noted that the increasing number of students has led to significant accommodation challenges, which the new hostels aim to address, thereby allowing students to focus better on their studies.

 He also highlighted that the state government, through the Ministry of Water Resources, has tackled water scarcity issues at the school.

Speaking on the project, Commissioner of Justice Afraimu Jingi praised the Governor’s decision, noting that the new hostels are crucial, especially as many students come from other states. 

Jingi described the council meeting as both memorable and important, noting the Governor’s commitment to eliminating challenges faced by law students during their mandatory one-year program.

Afraimu Jingi, a member of the Council of Legal Education expressed gratitude for the state government’s assistance, underscoring the importance of supporting legal education to enhance the effectiveness of the legal system.

By, Umar Ardo

The failure of President Bola Tinubu to address any of the demands of the nationwide protesters in his national broadcast is wrong and fraught with serious political consequences within our democratic milieu; whatever reasons that may have informed the decision. 

These consequences are nine and severe, and mainly political. 

First, granted the president may be adopting a strategic stance by appearing calm and unflappable to avoid escalating tensions, as quickly responding to their demands might be giving them more legitimacy that could potentially embolden further protests and demands, like the Kenyan situation. But a cogent counterargument to this reason makes the decision politically unwise. 

Clearly, ignoring the demands of the protests, like the president did, would only exacerbate public anger and frustration that would lead to more intense and widespread unrests. But acknowledging the protests would have demonstrated that the government is listening to its citizens, potentially calming tensions. But by appearing detached, the president risks losing public trust and support, making it harder for him to implement future policies.

Second, by not addressing the protesters’ demands directly but, as it were in his broadcast, emphasizing his commitment to long-term benefits of his economic reforms against short-term hardships, the president is prioritizing policy agenda over hushed public sentiments. However, political expediency demands that in situations such as the ones impelling the protests – hunger and poverty – long-term reforms should be pursued while simultaneously addressing immediate public concerns. Balancing both illustrates a holistic approach to governance and capacity to lead well under pressure. Conversely, by ignoring public sentiment the president is unwittingly undermining the very reforms he is trying to implement, as public cooperation and support that are crucial for successful policy execution would be lost.

Third, the president’s advisers might be counseling him to maintain a composed demeanour to project stability and control, that addressing the protests head-on might be interpreted as being weak and indecisive. But maintaining a composed demeanour does not preclude acknowledging public grievances. Addressing the protests demands can be done in a way that would project stability and control without appearing weak in any way. But his failure to engage rightly indicates an aloofness or disregard for people’s sufferings, hence weakening government’s legitimacy.

Fourth, the president’s non-engagement with the protesters is also a sign of underestimating the scale and impact of the protests, thinking that they will dissipate without substantial intervention. But such approach will only lead to exacerbating the situation. Accurate and timely intervention in such concerns is essential for effective governance.

Transparent communication and proactive engagement can always help manage public expectations and mitigate acrimony.

Fifth,  not withstanding the president’s vast experience in politics, which he may be employing to weather the storm, expecting that the public outcry will simply vanish on its own as his envisioned reforms benefits take effect, however, failure to address pressing public concerns erodes political capital over time. Also, public dissatisfaction will lead to loss of support from key political allies and the general populace. It will equally lead to a loss of credibility, making it difficult for the president to govern effectively.

Sixth, even if the president plans to address the protests issues at a later stage, delaying engagement can worsen the situation, as people may feel ignored and undervalued. Only timely communication can prevent the escalation of unrests.

Seventh, if the president is not taking the protests seriously because he perceives them as politically motivated rather than as genuine expressions of public discontent, it could have serious consequences as it can alienate genuine protesters and exacerbate feelings of disenfranchisement. Engaging with all segments of society is therefore crucial for inclusive governance. Besides, acknowledging and addressing genuine grievances will always help distinguish between legitimate concerns and politically motivated actions, thereby strengthening government’s position. Proactive communication that addresses public grievances while outlining future plans can build trust and patience among the populace.

Eighth, though Nigeria has a long history of protests and civil unrests and the government might be relying on historical precedents where protests were managed without major policy changes, this strategy is risky as each protest has unique dynamics and drivers. Ignoring current protests based on past experiences is therefore a serious miscalculation given the driving forces of the protests – hunger and poverty! Hence, proactive and adaptive responses to current issues can prevent the repetition of past mistakes and demonstrate a forward-thinking approach to governance by the president. 

Finally, refusal to engage will portray the president as tending to rely on the state’s 

security forces to repress the protests. Other than the fact that this strategy is unlikely to succeed as the protests appear nationwide, it will also turn the president from a democrat to an autocrat. Nothing good would come out of this other than coalescing massive oppositions against the government and create chaos and instability. 

While these arguments may seem speculative, in reality they are not. They highlight the complexities and considerations that might inform a leader’s public response during periods of significant civil unrest such as the ones currently raging across the country. In other words, the president is better off addressing these issues than not.

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha 

As hunger protest commenced nationwide today, Mr Chinedu Ononiba, the Transitional Chairman of Njikoka Local Government Council Area, Anambra state, has. Said that good application of wisdom is a vital tool to defeat hardship .

Commending the people for recognition of their right to peaceful protest, he stated that it is a pillar of democratic governance as enshrined in Nigeria constitution.

 Ononiba urged the protesters to reflect on the outcome of EndSARs Protest and apply quality wisdom in making their demands.

Admitting that there is economic meltdown in the country he is of the view that its application for good reasoning would yield more results than confrontation with the authorities.

Ononiba comnended the security operatives in the state for conducting themselves professionally across the communities under Njikoka Council area.

He said that no negative  protest reports have come in from communities under his Council  that include, Nimo,Enugwu-Ukwu, Nawfia, Abba,Enugwu-Agidi and Abagana.

Ononiba said further that everywhere has remained Peaceful though without much vehicular movement in the areas, even as most local markets are not open to customers.

In a related development, Mrs Grace Anagor, a trader at Nkwo Enugwu-Ukwu said that they stayed away from market as a way to protest the hardship experience.

” I am surprised that at this age and time that security operatives are scattered everywhere to scare people from crying out to their leaders.

” I am sure that president Bola Tinubu has known the truth, by sending out troops of security personnel across the country which is a sign of successful Protest,” she said.

Mr Chinedu Udeh from Nawfia community in Njikoka said that he complied with call to Protest saying it is a just course.

Udeh said that Protest must be done in the streets not by destruction of public properties. 

” I am a transporter but I am home now resting and playing with my children today.

” I beg the government to reduce cost of living,  solve the problem of electricity and fuel for life  to be easy,” he said. 

Earlier,Mr Nnaghe Itam, Anambra police Commissioner sad that police will regulate public assemblies and protect peaceful protesters.

Itam said that police will not deny the protesters their rights to peaceful protest as well will not allow molestation of those not Protesting.

He said any act to disruptive peaceful co-existence of the people will be resisted.

By Ene Ene, Calabar 

The  Nigerian Institute of Town Planners, NITP,  has warned its members against approving defective building plans.The warnings were handed down as a result of the recent building collapse across the Country 

Giving the warning in Calabar weekend during the Eastern Zonal Assembly meeting of the Institute, First National Vice President of the Institute, Dr Ogbonna  chime said town planners are the final authority in approving building   plans and when such buildings collapse, those who signed the approval for such edifices are all culpable.

“Poor physical planning are disasters both to buildings, residential areas and industrial sites and failure to raise alarm when defective plans are presented for approval,  the town planner who is the one who  the final takes the final decision if he  goes ahead to approve such defective plans, when such plans fail and buildings collapse, he is to also to  be held liable among those behind the project”

Chime said there are frequent loss of crops to flooding and fire disasters, depletion of soil, and other natural disasters caused by poor and other illegalities during site approval and such should be avoided to stop frequent loss of lives to such disasters.

“There should be synergy between public and private town planners for the sake development and protection of lives and property because a of work for the same goal”

He said friendship, relationships, or classmates fellowship should be kept aside when it comes to approving building plans to safeguard lives

The Cross River State Commissioner for Lands and Urban Development, Chief Francis Ekpenyong said the state is prepared to partner with town planners  because they are professionals who are an integral part of development.

“Town planners are an indispensable partners in  development of the state and we take their advice and contributions very seriously in siting  projects and residential areas and our doors are open at all times to work with them”

Chief Ekpenyong said the government has plans to establish housing estates across the three Senatorial districts of the state to ease accomodations in urban centres and the town planners will play a cardinal role in the project execution of those housing schemes.

Dr Sam Emri, the Chairman, NIPT Cross River State chapter said the town planners are  ready to work assiduously for the growth of the state and country st all times and called on the authorities to always take town planners into confidence while executing projects whetter roads, residential areas and urban expansion schemes to avoid disasters.

He said the government should be wary of  non-registered town planners but deal with those who have the mark of authority of the Institute to avoid environmental hazards.