Home Blog Page 167

Jonathan: Boko Haram once chose Buhari as negotiator

Mustapha USMAN
-
0
Jonathan: Boko Haram once chose Buhari as negotiator

FORMERPresident Goodluck Jonathan has revealed that Boko Haram insurgents once nominated his successor, Muhammadu Buhari, to represent them in peace talks with the Federal Government.

Jonathan made the disclosure on Friday, October 3, in Abuja at the public presentation of Scars, a book authored by former Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor, according to media reports.

He stressed that his administration established several committees to explore dialogue with the insurgents, noting that in one of such instances, the group named Buhari as its preferred negotiator.

“One of the committees we set up then, the Boko Haram nominated Buhari to lead their team to negotiate with the government,” Jonathan said. “So I was feeling that, oh, if they nominated Buhari to represent them and have a discussion with the government committee, then when Buhari took over, it could have been an easy way to negotiate with them and they would have handed over their guns. But it was still there till today.”

The former president added that Buhari’s inability to defeat the group after assuming power showed that the crisis was more complex than often portrayed.

“If you conduct research and interview many people, you will only get part of the story, but never the full story of Boko Haram. I was there. Boko Haram started in 2009 when I was vice president. I took over in 2010 and spent five years battling the insurgency until I left office.

“I thought that after I left, within a reasonable time, General Buhari would wipe them out. But even today, Boko Haram is still there. The issue of Boko Haram is far more complex than it is often presented.

“So, it’s a bit complex, and not a matter of a single story. But I believe, as a nation, we have to look at the Boko Haram issue differently from the conventional approach. I believe one day we’ll overcome it. Once again, let me thank General Irabor for this, because I always appreciate people who document events clearly. That way, when we write our own accounts, we can borrow from such documentation,” he said.


He said Boko Haram, whose activities began in 2009 when he was vice president, was not simply a product of poverty or hunger, stressing that his administration employed multiple approaches that failed to end the insurgency,” he said.

He said Boko Haram, which began in 2009 when he was vice president, was not simply a product of poverty or hunger, stressing that his administration employed multiple approaches that failed to end the insurgency.

Jonathan further described the 2014 abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls as a “permanent scar” he ‘will die with,’ and urged that future governments adopt a carrot-and-stick approach to resolving the crisis.

He further expressed hope that leaders of the sect might one day document their actions, just as actors of the Nigerian Civil War did, to provide greater understanding of the insurgency’s motives.

“What did they really want? Our chairman once raised the issue when he interviewed some of them, and they gave him certain perspectives. But I pray that one day, some of the Boko Haram leaders may be literate enough to document what they have done, so that people will truly understand what they wanted. It is similar to the story of the Nigerian Civil War.”

Background

Boko Haram, which refers to itself as Jama’at Ahl al-Sunna li al-Da’wa wa al-Jihad, was founded in the early 2000s by Mohammed Yusuf became violent after his death.

The group carried out a string of deadly attacks during Jonathan’s presidency (2010–2015), including the bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Abuja in 2011 and multiple assaults on churches, mosques, and schools. 

Also, in April 2014, more than 270 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State, were abducted by the terror group,

When Buhari assumed office in 2015, he pledged to end Boko Haram ‘within months.’ His administration initially recaptured territories held by the insurgents and announced their ‘technical defeat’ in 2015. 

However, the group splintered into factions, including the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), which has since become the dominant force in the region. 

In July 2025, The ICIR reported that both the Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) and ISWAP had conducted over 300 attacks in the North-East region since the beginning of 2025.

The report stressed that while JAS was responsible for the highest number of attacks, ISWAP overran at least 16 military bases in Nigeria within the first six months of 2025.

Morocco Gen Z protests enter day six with calls for government’s dismissal  

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
-
0
Morocco Gen Z protests enter day six with calls for government’s dismissal  

Mass protests in Morocco have continued for the sixth day on Friday, driven by the youth-led movement GenZ 212, which is calling for the government’s removal. 

The protests gained momentum following reports last month of eight pregnant women dying at a public hospital in the southern city of Agadir.

GenZ 212, whose key organisers have not been identified, relied largely on the online messaging platforms, including TikTok, Instagram and the gaming application Discord to organise demonstrations.

“Moroccan youth are taking to the streets to call for functioning hospitals, quality schools and decent jobs. They’re rejecting billions being spent on stadiums for the World Cup, while basic services are collapsing,” a researcher and secretary general of the Moroccan Association for Human Rights, Tahani Brahma, told journalists, noting that “Most importantly, Moroccan youth do not want promises, they want their rights.”

On Wednesday, security forces fired on protesters in Leqliaa, a small town near the southern city of Agadir, leaving three people dead.

Morocco’s Interior Ministry said the three people were killed while attempting to seize police weapons, a claim that witnesses have not confirmed. 

Moroccan Association for Human Rights reported that the protests have left hundreds injured, and around 1,000 people have been arrested since the protest started on September 28.

Meanwhile, the interior ministry said more than 400 young people had been arrested since the protest started, adding that 80 public and private buildings as well as hundreds of cars had been vandalised.

The group accused the government of failing to uphold citizens’ constitutional rights and address essential social needs, calling for the government’s removal in a constitutional provision that grants the king authority to appoint and dismiss the prime minister and cabinet.

GenZ 212 has also demanded the release of everyone detained over what it describes as peaceful demonstrations, while continuing to emphasise that it does not endorse the violence and vandalism reported in various towns and cities.

Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, leader of the National Rally of Independents, held a meeting on Tuesday with coalition partners Fatima Zahra Mansouri, Mohamed Mahdi Bensaid, and Nizar Baraka.

“After reviewing the developments linked to youth expressions in online and public spaces, the government affirms that it listens carefully to and understands the social demands.

“We are ready to respond positively and responsibly through dialogue and discussion within institutions and public forums, and by finding realistic, implementable solutions that serve the interests of the nation and citizens,” they all said in a communique.

Health Minister Amine Tehraoui told parliament on Wednesday that several reforms are in progress but admitted they remain inadequate to fully address the sector’s shortcomings.

Through chants like “Stadiums are here, but where are the hospitals?” and placards, protesters have drawn attention to the billions being invested in preparations for the 2030 World Cup, contrasting it with the severe underfunding and poor state of many schools and hospitals.

Last October, Morocco was selected alongside Portugal and Spain to host the 2030 centenary World Cup, with six venues designated in Morocco, three in Portugal, and 11 in Spain.

Expenditure on building new stadiums and upgrading existing ones for the World Cup and the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations is projected to surpass €5 billion.

With Morocco set to host the Africa Cup of Nations later this year and parliamentary elections approaching in 2026, growing attention is being focused on the country’s stark economic inequalities.

While Morocco has seen recurring peaceful protests over economic and social conditions, this week’s unrest marks the most violent demonstrations since 2016–2017, when clashes erupted between protesters and security forces in the northern Rif region.

Morocco has now joined the growing list of countries where Gen Z-led protests have emerged in recent weeks.

The ICIR reported in September that the wife of former Prime Minister of Nepal, Rajyalaxmi Chitrakar, was killed in violent Gen Z protests sparked by a social media ban after Monday’s killing of 19 people.

The protests began on September 8 when thousands of young people stormed the city, wielding weapons and setting ablaze the Supreme Court, the Attorney General’s office, the Prime Minister’s residence, Parliament, and several homes of politicians. 

Barely two weeks after the Nepal protest, the police in Madagascar had to declare a dusk-to-dawn curfew after violent protests by Gen Z on September 26, sparked by recurring power outages and water shortages.

In Antananarivo, hundreds of mostly young protesters took to the streets, but the demonstration was forcefully broken up as police fired rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse the crowd.

Court orders police to suspend tinted glass permit enforcement

Bankole ABE
-
0
Court orders police to suspend tinted glass permit enforcement

THE Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, has ordered the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to suspend enforcement of the controversial tinted glass permit policy, pending the determination of suits challenging its legality.

The interim order, delivered on Friday, October 3, in Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/103/2025, followed a motion filed by human rights lawyer John Aikpokpo-Martins, who is challenging the constitutionality of the policy.

Justice of the Federal High Court directed the police authorities to “respect judicial processes pending further proceedings in the matter,” effectively halting the nationwide enforcement of the directive.

Kunle Edun, a senior advocate of Nigeria who led the petitioner’s legal team, described the ruling as a significant step toward upholding the rule of law while the substantive issues in the case are being heard.

The ICIR reported that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) cautioned the police against disobeying court processes on the issue.

In a statement issued on Friday, October 3, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law (SPIDEL), the association reminded the Force of a pending suit filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025), challenging the same policy.

The NBA disclosed that copies of the originating summons and a motion for interlocutory injunction were served on the police on September 25, but expressed concern that the authorities went ahead to announce that enforcement would begin on October 2.

“Consequently, we admonish your good office to allow the rule of law to prevail by halting any further attempt to enforce a policy whose legality is a subject for judicial determination,” the NBA stated.

The association further warned that proceeding with the enforcement could amount to contempt of court, adding that disciplinary and contempt proceedings may be initiated against erring officers, including Force spokesperson CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, for statements considered to undermine the judiciary.

The ICIR reports that the tinted glass permit scheme has remained contentious for years. The Police initially suspended issuance of permits in 2022 following widespread complaints of extortion and abuse by officers at checkpoints.

However, in April 2025, the Force announced that it had resumed issuance through the Police Specialised Services Automation Project (POSSAP). The IGP later set August 12 as the compliance deadline, which was extended to October 2.

The police defended the policy, citing the Motor Vehicles (Prohibition of Tinted Glass) Act of 1991 and national security concerns. But civil rights groups, motorists, and lawyers faulted the initiative, arguing that factory-fitted tinted windows were common and that enforcement created loopholes for corruption.

In Delta and Sokoto States, the Police Commands had only days earlier announced that it would commence full enforcement of the tinted glass regulations on October 2, alongside bans on unauthorised sirens, strobe lights, and defaced number plates.

The development has once again highlighted recurring conflicts between law enforcement practices and constitutional rights.

In its past reports, The ICIR documented how motorists complained of harassment during earlier enforcement drives, with officers demanding bribes or threatening arrest despite the suspension of permits at the time.

Legal experts note that the Warri ruling, reinforced by the NBA’s position, represents another test of the Police Force’s willingness to respect judicial oversight.

Analysts have also argued that if the court’s directive is ignored, it could deepen public mistrust in the institution and expose the Force to contempt proceedings.

Meanwhile, the matter is expected to return to court for further hearing, where the legality of the tinted glass policy will be decided. Until then, the court order remains binding on the Police, requiring full suspension of enforcement, The ICIR reports.

UK names Mullally as first female Archbishop in England

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
-
0
UK names Mullally as first female Archbishop in England

PRIME Minister of the United Kingdom Keir Starmer’s office has announced Dame Sarah Mullally as the new Archbishop of Canterbury on Friday, with the formal consent of King Charles, becoming the first woman to lead the Church of England.

“The Church of England is of profound importance to this country. Its churches, cathedrals, schools, and charities are part of the fabric of our communities,” Starmer said, noting that “The Archbishop of Canterbury will play a key role in our national life. I wish her every success and look forward to working together.”

Meanwhile, a day for her enthronement ceremony is yet to be announced.

A historic departure from the past, The ICIR reports that this is the first time in nearly 500 years of history that the church nominated a woman to lead it.

The Archbishop of Canterbury is widely regarded as the spiritual head of the Anglican Church worldwide.

They also play a significant role in public life, holding a seat in the UK Parliament’s House of Lords.

In this capacity, they take part in debates, address national and global issues, including matters of religious freedom and offer responses to events of national significance.

Lord Evans of Weardale, who oversaw the process of selecting Justin Welby’s successor, described it as a “great privilege” to chair the Crown Nominations Commission.

“I would like to thank all those who took part in this process, particularly those who took time to share their views in the consultation and the members of the commission who worked so diligently over several months,” he said.

The Church had gone nearly a year without a leader following Justin Welby’s resignation over his handling of a prolific child abuse case.

“As I respond to the call of Christ to this new ministry, I do so in the same spirit of service to God and to others that has motivated me since I first came to faith as a teenager.

“At every stage of that journey, through my nursing career and Christian ministry, I have learned to listen deeply – to people and to God’s gentle prompting – to seek to bring people together to find hope and healing,” she said in her first speech address, where she acknowledged the ‘huge responsibility’ of her new role.

Mullally, who is the 106th cleric to be in the position, said, “We’re witnessing hatred that rises through fractures across our communities,” reacting to the wake of Thursday’s deadly attack on a Manchester synagogue, which was a day before her appointment.

She said the Church is responsible for standing with the Jewish community against antisemitism.

“Hatred and racism of any kind cannot be allowed to tear us apart,” she added.

She urged the Church to grow in confidence in the gospel, to proclaim the love found in Jesus Christ, and to let that love guide its actions.

“And I look forward to sharing this journey of faith with the millions of people serving God and their communities in parishes all over the country and across the global Anglican Communion.

“I know this is a huge responsibility, but I approach it with a sense of peace and trust in God to carry me as He always has,” she added.

Mullally’s background 

At 63, the newly appointed Archbishop had already been breaking new ground in her field long before she was ordained as a priest.

Mullally, who served for over seven years as the Bishop of London, the Church’s third most senior position and the first woman to hold the role, made history in 1999 when she became England’s youngest-ever chief nursing officer.

The Church of England has only allowed women to be ordained as priests since the mid-1990s, yet some senior bishops remain openly opposed to women entering the priesthood, let alone leading the Church.

By law, Archbishops of Canterbury must retire at 70, which may be one reason Mullally was not widely seen as a frontrunner for the role.

Married with two children, she spent over 35 years in the NHS before she became a priest in 2006.

Though she was already volunteering in the Church at the time, it was only a few years later that she chose to pursue the priesthood and was soon entrusted with helping to reform how the institution handled cases of abuse.

In 2012, she was appointed canon treasurer at Salisbury Cathedral, and three years later, in 2015, she became Bishop of Crediton in the Diocese of Exeter.

During her tenure as Bishop, she was regarded as drawing on her background as an NHS administrator to help modernise the diocese.

Since becoming Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally has chaired a group tasked with guiding the Church of England’s deliberations on whether to allow blessings for same-sex marriages.

Mullally described the decision to finally allow priests to bless same-sex couples in 2023 as “a moment of hope for the Church”.

“I know that what we have proposed as a way forward does not go nearly far enough for many, but too far for others,” she said.

NBA warns Police against enforcing tinted glass policy

Mustapha USMAN
-
0
NBA warns Police against enforcing tinted glass policy

THE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has warned the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) against proceeding with the enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy, despite a pending court case.

A statement by the Association, on its X handle, on Friday, October 3, stated the association is demanding an immediate abatement of all acts in disregard of the court.

In a letter dated October 1, 2025, and addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, NBA, through its Section on Public Interest and Development Law, SPIDEL, reminded the Force of Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1821/2025 filed at the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the legality of the policy.

It also noted that it has further resolved to proceed with contempt and disciplinary proceedings against any erring officers.

The association stated that copies of the originating summons and a motion for interlocutory injunction had been served on the police since September 25, but noted with concern that police authorities had continued to issue public statements suggesting that enforcement would begin on October 2.

Recall that the NBA had earlier filed a suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja, challenging the constitutionality and legality of the tinted glass permit policy. 

However, despite the suit being active, the NPF declared its intention to commence enforcement of the tinted glass directive beginning October 2, 2025

This followed the NPF announcement in August to further extend the grace period for the enforcement of the tinted glass permit policy to October 2, 2025. 

Meanwhile, reacting to this, the  NBA-SPIDEL stressed that once a motion for injunction has been served, the law requires parties to maintain the status quo until the case is decided. 

It also warned that any attempt to proceed with enforcement would amount to contempt of court.

“Consequently, we admonish your good office to allow the rule of law to prevail by halting any further attempt to enforce a policy whose legality is a subject for judicial determination.

“The NBA is aware of a contemptuous press release issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, presenting the Nigeria Police Force as obstinately proceeding with the enforcement of the policy despite the pendency in court of the suit challenging the legality of the same.

“We wish to make it clear that the action of Mr Hundeyin inciting the enforcement of the policy, which is subjudice, is an egregious act of disregard for and contempt for the majesty of the court. The NBA will therefore not hesitate to commence contempt/committal proceedings against CSP Benjamin Hundeyin if he fails to desist from clear utterances meant to downplay the authority of the court in the public domain,” the letter added.

What to know about US furloughs, federal job cuts, shutdown

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
-
0
What to know about US furloughs, federal job cuts, shutdown

THE United States government shutdown began early Wednesday, October 1, after lawmakers and President Donald Trump were unable to reach a deal on the federal budget.

Trump threatened mass firings and to slash government departments, marking the first government shutdown of his current term since a similar halt during his previous administration and blaming Democrats for Congress’ failure to resolve a funding stand-off.

The stalemate revolved around democratic calls for increased healthcare funding, resulting in a suspension of financing for numerous government operations.

Both Republicans and Democrats have pointed fingers at each other for the deadlock, which is anticipated to impact hundreds of thousands of government employees and millions of Americans dependent on federal services.

In a statement issued late Wednesday, October 1, the Department of Energy (DOE) said it would revoke 321 financial awards tied to 223 projects. While it did not specify which projects were affected, the department noted the grants came from six of its offices overseeing clean energy, efficiency, grid deployment, advanced research, manufacturing, and fossil fuels.

The shutdown has halted operations across numerous federal departments and agencies, amid sharp partisan divisions in Washington, raising concerns about its duration and potential impact.

Many federal employees are now placed on temporary unpaid leave unless their work is classified as “essential”, and some “excepted” personnel may be required to continue working without pay until funding is restored.

Reports indicate that once the shutdown ends, furloughed employees typically receive retroactive pay under the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019.

However, this time, the new wrinkle is that the administration is proposing permanent lay-offs in addition to routine furloughs. 

Why the US Embassy in Nigeria is pausing social media updates

On Wednesday, The ICIR reported that the United States Embassy in Nigeria has announced that it will halt routine updates on its social media channels following the lapse in appropriations. 

It further stated that essential consular services such as passport issuance and visa processing will continue in the US, at embassies and consulates abroad, “as the situation permits.”

The Embassy also warned that service disruptions might emerge if the funding stoppage continues. 

This move is not unique to Nigeria, as US diplomatic missions globally are receiving the same constraints under the lapse in appropriations. 

The Embassy’s social media feeds are an important channel of public diplomacy, alerting US citizens abroad and local audiences about security, visa notices, and outreach. The pause means fewer updates, potentially lengthening reaction times or leaving gaps in information flow.

Furloughs and layoffs

The government announced on Wednesday that it has halted funding for several major New York transit projects, including the Hudson Tunnel and the Second Avenue Subway, as the Department of Transportation investigates whether small-business contractors involved are participating in improper diversity programs.

On Tuesday, the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) informed New York transit officials that the Second Avenue Subway extension and the Hudson Tunnel reconstruction must undergo a review to “ensure nondiscrimination.”

USDOT said it targeted the two New York projects located in a Democratic-run state in part because of their symbolism, noting that $18 billion in federal funding remains earmarked for them, though it is unclear how much of that involves Disadvantaged Business Enterprise programs currently under review.

The White House Budget Director, Russ Vought, said Wednesday that the Trump administration is also scrapping nearly $8 billion in climate-related funding affecting 16 states, including California and New York.

The DOE announced Wednesday that it intends to withdraw $7.56 billion in financing for hundreds of energy projects it says would not deliver adequate returns for taxpayers.

Labour unions have sued, arguing that threatened layoffs during a funding lapse exceed legal authority. 

Estimates suggest that roughly 750,000 federal employees could be furloughed under the current shutdown scenario. Some media reports put the number higher when including workers forced to work without pay. 

According to reports, the share of employees furloughed will be particularly high in some agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services, where 41 per cent of its workforce may be furloughed. 

Department of Transportation, with more than 11,000 employees, could be furloughed, and the Federal Communications Commission, which reported having suspended most operations and furloughed 81 per cent of staff. 

The longer Congress fails to pass funding bills, the more severe the impacts on federal employees and diplomatic missions will be.

What’s next?

Whether threatened layoffs beyond furloughs proceed, and how courts or unions respond, is a key legal and political question. 

However, the Senate will return on Friday to vote on bills to reopen the government.

“I keep telling them: When they have eight or 10 — preferably 10, or more — when they have a critical mass, let me know if there’s a conversation they want to have,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune said.

He maintained that he would not negotiate the details of an extension while the government remains shut down. However, when asked if he was willing to engage with Democrats on how health care talks could proceed after the shutdown or on advancing full-year spending bills, Thune responded, “We are.”

“Some of those conversations are happening,” he added. “With our members and their members, there’s a lot of back-and-forth going on right now about some of the things they would like to see happen.”

However, President Donald Trump’s administration on Wednesday did not make conciliatory gestures.

The pressure tactics came as the 15th government shutdown since 1981 suspended scientific research, financial oversight, environmental cleanup efforts and a wide range of other activities.

Here’s what to know about National Theatre renamed Wole Soyinka Centre

Mustapha USMAN
-
0
Here’s what to know about National Theatre renamed Wole Soyinka Centre

FOLLOWING the recommissioning of the newly designed National Theatre in Lagos on October 1, 2025, the iconic cultural landmark has officially been renamed the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts.

The unveiling, which coincided with Nigeria’s 65th Independence Day celebrations, marks the completion of about ₦68 billion renovation supported by the Bankers’ Committee, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Lagos State Government, and the Ministry of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy.

President Bola Tinubu, who first announced the renaming in July 2024, hailed Soyinka as a living repository of history, knowledge, and courage, recalling his decades-long role as a pro-democracy champion and outspoken critic of maladministration.

Wole Soyinka, a world-renowned playwright, novelist, poet, essayist, and Africa’s first Nobel Laureate in Literature (1986), has long been celebrated for his artistic brilliance and fearless activism.

Tinubu described Soyinka as “one of the finest minds of his generation,” a figure who embodies the highest ideals of human enlightenment while remaining resolute against injustice, oppression, and corruption.

“Today, I join the world to celebrate his profound influence on generations of writers, scholars, and activists who have been inspired by his work. I celebrate him for giving us the spark to fight and confront military dictators in our country.

“I am, accordingly, delighted to have the honour to announce the decision of the Federal Government to rename the National Theatre in Iganmu, Surulere, as the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts,” the president said.

Here are key things to know about the centre:

Built in the 70s:

Originally completed in 1976, the theatre hosted the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC 77), one of Africa’s most historic cultural events.

It’s also the primary centre for the performing arts in Nigeria.

Landmark design

Although decades of neglect saw the theatre’s facilities deteriorate, its architecture, which was inspired by a military officer’s hat, remains one of Lagos’s most recognisable features. The monument is located in Iganmu, Surulere, Lagos.

The construction of the National Theatre began under the military administration of General Yakubu Gowon and was completed during the regime of General Olusegun Obasanjo. It also originally featured a 5,000-seat Main Hall with a collapsible stage and two cinema halls.

The multi-purpose National Theatre spans approximately 23,000 square metres and rises to a height of over 31 metres. Its architectural design was inspired by the Palace of Culture and Sports in Varna, Bulgaria.

Leadership and management 

Since its commissioning, the National Theatre has been overseen by various management teams. Between 1991 and 1999, it was headed by Jimmy Folorunso Atte, followed by Babafemi A. Osofisan (2000–2004), Ahmed Parker Yerima (2006–Aug 2009), Kabir Yusuf (2009–2016), among others.

The current General Manager, Akerele Tola, assumed office in 2024, according to reports.


Initial attempts at revival

One of the first major pushes to revive the National Theatre came in 2001, when then-President Olusegun Obasanjo announced plans to privatise the landmark. The proposal was met with fierce opposition from the arts community. The push to privatise the theatre resurfaced in 2007, sparking a wave of meetings, demonstrations, rallies, and protests against the proposed sale or concession of the facility.

The idea resurfaced years later under Minister of Culture Edem Duke. A committee was set up in September 2012 to look into the possibility of Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the management of the facility, but that later proved abortive.

Senate intervention to preserve the theatre

In December 2017, the Nigerian Senate reportedly called on the federal government to halt plans to sell or transfer ownership of the National Theatre in Iganmu and Tafawa Balewa Square in Lagos.

Lawmakers declared both facilities, alongside the President’s House at Marina, the Prime Minister’s Lodge in Onikan, and the National Assembly Complex in Lagos, as national monuments that must be preserved.

A Costly overhaul:

The recent facelift cost reportedly over ₦68 billion, with the Bankers’ Committee providing the bulk of funding. According to reports, the renovation exercise commenced in July 2021. The refurbished centre now includes state-of-the-art performance halls, cinemas, art galleries, solar-powered systems, fire safety installations, elevators, and advanced audiovisual technology.

Between Bauchi Gov’s big dream and citizens’ bigger concerns

James EMMANUEL  and  Fatimah QUADRI
-
0
Between Bauchi Gov’s big dream and citizens’ bigger concerns

ON Monday, September 30, the Bauchi State governor, Bala Mohammed, celebrated the completion of the International Conference Centre in the state while sharing photos of the newly completed space on X.

The governor said the completion of the International Conference Centre under his leadership showed Bauchi’s progress toward becoming modern and unstoppable.

“I dared to dream big for Bauchi, and I delivered. The International Conference Centre, built from start to finish under my leadership, is proof that the extraordinary is possible when vision meets courage. This is our Bauchi, fearless, modern, unstoppable,” Mohammed wrote on X.

However, the announcement attracted backlash from users in the comments section, many of whom questioned why the governor chose to focus on such a project instead of addressing high-priority issues.

@AminuMakama asked: “Have you tried to visit schools that are few meters away from this edifice and see the condition they are in, Sir?”

@tonario commented: “This is good but a focus on human capital development and industrialisation is better.”

Similarly, @udombiokoro questioned: “What’s it with international conference centers every governor wants to build?”

It is pertinent to note that Enugu State completed its own conference centre in December last year, Governor Ahmadu Fintiri recently held a groundbreaking event for a similar project in Adamawa State, and just a few days ago, President Bola Tinubu commissioned a new conference centre in Imo State.

As netizens argued that the project is not the priority of the Bauchi State government, the debate now turns to a pressing question: what should truly be the priority for Bauchi State?

According to the 2022 National Personnel Audit (NPA) Report, the education sector in Nigeria faces significant infrastructure and resource gaps. The pupil–teacher ratio stands at 54:1 in primary schools and 20:1 at the junior secondary (JSS) level. Sanitation facilities are grossly inadequate, with 868 pupils sharing a toilet in primary schools and 367 per toilet in JSS.

Furniture shortages are also evident, as one seat is shared by 11 pupils in primary schools and five in JSS. Only 40 per cent of public primary classrooms and 53 per cent of JSS classrooms are considered to be in good condition. 

Out of 3,055 public primary schools, just 194 have toilets, while only 425 of 751 public JSS schools are equipped with them. Furthermore, access to learning facilities remains limited, with only three per cent of public JSS schools having laboratories and four per cent possessing libraries.

Similarly, the 2022 Nigerian Multi-Dimensional Poverty Index (NMPI) highlights the scale of exclusion, revealing that 55.7 per cent of school-age children (6–15 years) in Bauchi State, equivalent to about 1.37 million children, are out of school.

Beyond education, broader socio-economic indicators also paint a troubling picture. The 2023 Nigeria Labour Force Survey (NLFS) Annual Report places Bauchi State’s unemployment rate at 4.2 per cent, pointing to limited job opportunities and persistent underemployment.

Poverty remains widespread, with 5.71 million people classified as poor according to the 2022 NMPI.

Maternal health outcomes are particularly alarming. Bauchi records a maternal mortality rate of 1,732 per 100,000 live births, meaning that for every 100,000 live births, 1,732 mothers lose their lives. This figure is among the highest in the country and significantly above national and global averages.

The ICIR reported that Yankari Game Reserve in Bauchi State, once renowned for its warm springs, elephant herds, and rich biodiversity, has suffered years of neglect and poor management. Visitors now lament deteriorating facilities, unreliable electricity, and inadequate maintenance, while weak promotion has further diminished its appeal. The reserve has also become a haven for terrorists, poachers, and intruders.

While the International Conference Centre may symbolise ambition and modernity, the statistics on poverty, education, unemployment, and maternal mortality highlight urgent needs that demand greater attention.

For many residents, the real measure of progress will not be in grand structures, but in whether governance translates into improved living conditions, better schools, access to healthcare, and opportunities that lift people out of poverty.

 

Philippine’s earthquake death toll rises to 72, with 20,000 displaced

Nanji Nandang VENLEY
-
0
Philippine’s earthquake death toll rises to 72, with 20,000 displaced

THE Philippines’ government said the death toll from Tuesday’s 6.9-magnitude quake in the central Philippines has climbed to 72, as search efforts for the missing slowed and rescuers shifted their attention to 294 injured and the 20,000 displaced.

National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council spokesman Junie Castillo disclosed this on Thursday, October 2.

Castillo said that the bodies of the three victims were pulled from the rubble of a collapsed hotel overnight Wednesday in the city of Bogo.

“We have zero missing, so the assumption is all are accounted for,” Castillo said, adding that some rescue units in Cebu province have been told to “demobilise”.

He explained that 294 people were injured, about 20,000 displaced, and nearly 600 houses destroyed across northern Cebu, with many residents forced to sleep on the streets as hundreds of aftershocks continue to rattle the area.

“One of the challenges is the aftershocks. It means residents are reluctant to return to their homes, even those houses that were not (structurally) compromised,” Castillo said.

On Thursday, Cebu provincial governor Pamela Baricuatro called for urgent assistance, stressing that thousands of people needed clean drinking water, food, clothing, temporary shelter, and volunteers to help organise and distribute relief supplies.

According to the regional civil defence office, over 110,000 people across 42 quake-affected communities will require aid to rebuild their homes and recover their livelihoods.

Large parts of the area are still without power, while dozens of patients have been forced to take shelter in tents outside the quake-damaged Cebu provincial hospital in Bogo.

President Ferdinand Marcos, accompanied by senior aides, travelled to Cebu on Thursday to assess the damage.

He also toured a partly damaged housing project in Bogo that had been built for survivors of Super Typhoon Haiyan in 2013, one of the Philippines’ deadliest natural disasters.

The Philippines experiences earthquakes almost daily, as it lies along the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” a zone of frequent seismic activity that extends from Japan through Southeast Asia and across the Pacific basin.

While most tremors are too minor to be felt, powerful and destructive quakes occur unpredictably, with no existing technology able to forecast their timing or location.

1...166167168...3,440Page 167 of 3,440