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Osun: Adeleke, ex-Senate spokesman clash at Eid praying ground

Vincent Ufuoma
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Osun: Adeleke, ex-Senate spokesman clash at Eid praying ground

OSUN State governor, Ademola Adeleke, has blamed a former spokesperson of the Nigerian Senate, Ajibola Bashiru, of masterminding an alleged plot to assassinate him on Wednesday, June 28.

The alleged assassination attempt occurred at the Muslim praying ground in Osogbo, the state capital, where the governor had gone to commemorate this year’s Eid celebration with muslims.

The governor, in a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, also blamed leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state for the alleged assassination attempt.

The statement shared with The ICIR said Bashiru occupied the space reserved for the governor at the prayer ground and refused to vacate it after he was persuaded to do so.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members at the praying ground, who demanded respect for the governor, were assaulted.

“The government particularly notes with shock and surprise the role played by former Senator Ajibola Bashiru who took over the space reserved for the Governor at the prayer ground. All efforts to get the former Senator to vacate the space proved abortive,” the statement said.

“PDP members who agitated for respect for the office of the governor were beaten up. It was a scene of chaos by the time the governor arrived for the prayer.

“The government was even more shocked that thugs armed to the teeth were spotted all over the praying ground with security information that they were imported to eliminate the governor and key government functionaries.”

The statement added that the governor was surrounded by armed thugs upon his arrival at the venue, prompting security personnel to escort him into his vehicle for safety.

According to the statement, Adeleke made a second attempt to enter the praying field, but he was encircled by armed thugs, forcing him to finally leave the praying ground.

Following the incident, reports emerged that the governor escaped an assassination attempt.

Reacting to the development in the statement, Adeleke called for calm and expressed gratitude to God for protecting him and his team.

He directed security agencies to arrest those responsible, regardless of their positions, and ensure that they face the full consequences of the law.

“My good people of Osun, I appeal for calm and urge us to continue to celebrate the Sallah festival in peace. I am safe by the special grace of God

“I have directed security agencies to arrest those behind the incident and get them to face the wrath of the law. The Commissioner of Police has been directed to arrest those involved no matter how highly placed.”

Spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, Yemisi Opalola hung up when she was contacted by The ICIR for inquiries. She also did not respond to messages sent to her through SMS and WhatsApp. The messages were delivered.

Also, the former Senate spokesperson Bashiru could not be reached for commencements as his phone number indicated that it was unreasonable.

Lawyer faults Tinubu’s large convoy, says no gov should move with more than 5 cars

Marcus FATUNMOLE
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Lawyer faults Tinubu’s large convoy, says no gov should move with more than 5 cars

A LAGOS-BASED human rights lawyer, Inibehe Effiong, has suggested that no governor in Nigeria should have more than five vehicles in his convoy.

He gave the recommendation following the large convoy that welcomed and accompanied President Bola Tinubu out of the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, in Lagos, on Tuesday, June 27.

The President arrived at the airport from London, where he went on a private visit after attending the signing of a New Global Financial Pact with other global leaders in Paris, France, between June 22 and 23.

Tinubu returned to Nigeria (Lagos State) to celebrate today’s Eid-el-Kabir (Sallah) with his family, friends and political allies.

Among the dignitaries who received the President at the airport were the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, and All Progressives Congress (APC) Governance Advisory Council members.

Reacting to the long convoy that snaked through the streets of heavily-populated Lagos with attendant gridlocks, Effiong wrote on his Twitter and verified Facebook Page on Wednesday, June 28: “Mr Bola Tinubu’s convoy in Lagos is another reminder that the political class is not ready to make the sacrifices which they expect from citizens. A nation that has a devastating debt burden shouldn’t be run this way. Those defending the monstrous convoy don’t wish Nigeria well.

“The fact that other officials were in the convoy does not justify such monstrosity. The fact that two governors and the NSA (National Security Adviser) were reportedly part of the convoy does not justify the number of vehicles in the video. It is absurd. Tinubu could have insisted on reducing the vehicles.”

He accused the President of removing fuel subsidy to save cost but was “wasting limited resources on frivolity. No governor should have more than five vehicles in a convoy,” Effiong said.

He noted that the country could keep making ‘silly’ excuses for its wastefulness, stressing that its people would bear the consequences through continuous suffering. 

The ICIR reported how the President suspended fuel subsidy on May 29 after taking the oath of office.

The end of the subsidy regime was accompanied by a surge in the pump price of premium motor spirit (PMS), otherwise known as petrol.

The price increase, which went as much as over 200 per cent in some states, attracted a commensurate rise in prices of some basic goods and services.

2024 Olympics: How 30-year-old law on alcohol sale will affect fans

Dotun OMISAKIN
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2024 Olympics: How 30-year-old law on alcohol sale will affect fans

AS the date draws closer for the commencement of the 2024 Olympics in Paris, France, there are indications that a law established in 1991 may take a toll on alcohol consumers.

The 1991 Evin Law prohibits the sale, distribution and introduction of alcoholic beverages in sports and physical activity establishments.

The law means that alcohol will not be sold in any of the venues at next year’s Olympic and Paralympic games in Paris.

According to Insidethegames, although organisers of this year’s Rugby World Cup in France negotiated an exemption, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) is not seeking to have the law lifted for the Olympic games.

However, beer, wine and spirits will be allowed to be served in VIP and corporate hospitality areas at stadiums.

Fans call for lift of ban on alcohol sale in French stadiums 

Many fans in France have called on the authorities to allow alcohol to be sold at regular areas in stadiums across the country. They complained about the hypocrisy in allowing alcohol sale only in VIP areas.

In 2019, France’s then Health Minister Agnès Buzyn suggested that alcohol should also be banned from VIP areas, but the suggestion was quickly rejected following intense opposition from the drinks industry.

There are, however, several loopholes in the law which mean wine, beer and cider are regularly sold at events for certain sports, such as rugby.

The law also allows local mayors to grant a limited number of exceptions to the law each year.

Japanese beer company negotiate to sell alcohol during Rugby World Cup

Japanese beer company Asahi has signed up as sponsor of the Rugby World Cup, due to take place between September 8 and October 28, in France and beer will be sold openly during the 48 matches to be played in the competition, as is done in normal domestic or international rugby games in France.

However, so far, there are indications that organisers of the Paris 2024 Olympics will not be taking advantage of any of the loopholes to allow alcohol sale during the games.

Alcohol was also banned from stadiums at the last Olympic Games in Tokyo, but in the end spectators were not allowed to attend venues due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Beer and wine were available at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics in London and Rio de Janeiro, respectively.

Last November, on the eve of the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, organisers announced that beer would not be available for sale in stadiums.

Previously, ticket-holders – according to FIFA’s fan guide – were told they would be able to buy Budweiser at the Brand Activation Areas within the stadium perimeter three hours prior to kick-off and one hour after the final whistle.

Inside the actual stadiums, fans were only able to buy Budweiser Zero – which is non-alcoholic – and Coca-Cola.

51 Nigerian universities make new African ranking

Theophilus ADEDOKUN
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51 Nigerian universities make new African ranking

FIFTY-ONE Nigerian universities have been ranked among the best in Africa in the Times Higher Education Sub-Saharan Africa University Rankings.

The rankings, which followed a survey conducted by Times Higher Education, was published on Monday, June 26.

Covenant University, Ota, Ogun State, was ranked as Number 7 out of a total of 121 Sub-Saharan Africa universities, and the first in Nigeria.

The other Nigerian universities that made the ranking are Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (26th), Benson Idahosa University (30th), Nnamdi Azikiwe University (31st), Redeemer’s University (35th), University of Ibadan (36th), CRUTECH (37th), OAU, Ife (39th) Umaru Musa Yar’Adua University (43rd), Adeleke University (45th), and Ahmadu Bello University (46th).

Also on the list are University of Benin (47th), Landmark University (49th), Babcock University (50th), Ajayi Crowther University (51-60th), Bells University of Technology (51-60th), Federal University Kashere (51-60th), Federal University Lokoja (51-60th), Gombe State University (51-60th), Lagos State University (51-60th), University of Port Harcourt (51-60th), Baze University (51-60th), Delta State University (61-70th), Elizade University (61-70th), Niger Delta University (61-70th), Abia State University (71+), Alex Ekwueme Federal University, Ndufu-Alike (71+), Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Ikere (71+), Bauch State University (71+), Bayero University (71+), Edo State University (71+), LAUTECH (71+), Lead City University (71+), NOUN (71+), Glorious Vision University (formerly Samuel Adegboyega University (71+), Veritas University (71+), and Yusuf Maitama Sule University, Kano (71+).

According to Time Higher Education, 88 universities had enough student survey responses, overall score and rank, while 33 have incomplete data and pillar scores, but were not ranked overall.

The organisation explained that the ranking was developed through extensive engagement with university leaders across the region, under a project initiated by a consortium of African and international higher education institutions.

It stated that a hybrid methodology was used to account for the diverse strengths of the universities by focusing on the  elements of teaching, impact and research.

According to the methodology, the ranking was based on five pillars – resources and finance (20 per cent); access and fairness (20 per cent); teaching skills (20 per cent); student engagement (20 per cent) and Africa impact (20 per cent).

Factors considered include disability access and support, skills-building that institutions provide, practical learning courses and experiential learning.

Others include student engagement schemes like work-readiness institutions provide to students, and intellectual growth as citizens.

The acceptability of researches produced by institutions and their adoption by other researchers in Africa were also considered as criteria for the evaluative ranking.

The delegation from Nigeria that attended the event where the ranking was released, in Accra, Ghana, was led by the Chairman of the Nigerian Universities Ranking Advisory Committee, Peter Okebukola, a professor.

Commenting on the performance of Nigerian universities in the ranking, Okebukola, a former executive secretary of the National Universities Commission (NUC), noted that Nigerian universities did well while stressing the need for improvement.

Okebukola assured that Nigerian universities would leap to the lead by the the next and subsequent editions of the Sub-Saharan Africa university rankings.

“We will continue to improve on the metrics through better quality teaching, especially with the incoming Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards Research and provision of better services for our students,” he said.

Experts proffer solutions to insecurity in Nigeria

Mustapha USMAN  and  Beloved JOHN
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Experts proffer solutions to insecurity in Nigeria

SECURITY experts who participated in a Twitter Space organised by The ICIR on Tuesday, June 27, have proffered solutions to the high level of insecurity in Nigeria.

They also charged President Bola Tinubu’s government to urgently tackle security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, communal and pastoral clashes, across the country.

The Twitter Space was themed ‘Insecurity: Setting Agenda for Tinubu’s Government’.

Government should address root causes of insecurity 

One of the experts, a Researcher at the Institute for Security Studies, Malik Samuel, advised the Tinubu administration to address the root causes of insecurity.

“The President should address root causes of insecurity. He should look at insecurity not just as a threat to national security but also as a threat to the people.

“He should focus on the safety and the welfare of the people. Instead of focusing on military force, address the issues driving the violence. Address the issue of governance and corruption.

“No group in Nigeria possess the capacity to take on the state. It is really about dealing with the drivers first.”

Corruption in the defence sector should be tackled

Malik also urged the government to deal with corruption in the defence sector.

“A good way to start is to deal with corruption in the defence sector,” he said, adding that there is a correlation between corruption and insecurity.

Learn from previous administrations

The security expert further advised the President to learn from how previous administrations handled insecurity and toe a different part. “He is on the right path with his recent appointments, but the strategies that will be adopted are more important. The President must also demonstrate good leadership,” he said.

Weaken terrorists

The security expert spoke of the need for government to weaken the terrorists operating in the country. 

According to him, the government should look at cutting the source of their income and supplies from outside the country.

“Terrorist groups like ISWAP should be driven out of their comfort zone. We all know where these guys are located. We know that they are on Lake Chad Island. What is stopping the government from uprooting them from these places? Take them out of their comfort zone, and ISWAP will struggle financially. While at this, the government should ensure that the livelihood of civilians is not affected to avoid pushing the people back to the extremists.”

Government should listen to the people

Also speaking at the Twitter Space, a Senior Security Analyst at SBM Intelligence, Confidence MacHarry, advised the government to listen to the people.

“These (security) issues are issues that can be avoided if the government listens to the people. As we see in the Gombe State case, the government often doesn’t listen and would instead do what is on its mind. Eventually, they escalate the conflict, which is blown out of proportion. The government needs to learn to listen to the people.”

President, governors should be impartial 

The security expert added: “Anyone controlling the security agencies is to be seen as impartial. That partiality and affinity towards one particular ethnic group seem to offset the balance of power. For example, in Akwa Ibom, the governor Emmanuel Udom, he was accused of trying to illegally alter the state boundary to favour his LGA over a rival LGA. This is one of the issues in response to increased conflict.

“The key reason there seems to be a massive decline in state capacity is the absence of institutional trust. Nigeria naturally is a low-trust environment, and the trust in government capacity is diminishing.”

Government should address injustice

MacHarry further advised that government at all levels should address injustice.

“Justice has to be seen to be done. And this is the problem Nigeria’s political elite do not grasp. You should not only be saying you’re going to bring justice to the victim’s family, you have to demonstrate; people have to see that you are doing justice. If a court order says this property belongs to this ethnic group, it should be effected in the country’s gazette. If the other group try to make trouble, the government must deploy state capacity to crush that problem.”

According to him, the ban on sit-at-home in the South-East won’t work if the government fails to address the root cause of the conflict, stressing that the government must put in the work to make sure there is no sit-at-home instead of making a declaration.

“The high rate of employment in the region has influenced the increase in violent non-state actors. The government should address unemployment and provide many other basic amenities absent in the region before announcing an end to sit-at-home.”

Tinubu should avoid starting a new war

He warned that Tinubu shouldn’t start a new war like the previous administration did.

To avoid escalating insecurity, MacHarry advised that the Army should not be deployed to quell crises that require the attention of the Police.

He also suggested that political issues should be addressed politically, rather than with military force.

“In the US, there is a lot of talk about scorecards, and a President is rated much more highly if he doesn’t start a new war in Africa or the Middle East.

“This government has to stop this bad streak of new Federal Governments starting new wars. What the Tinubu government should be doing is solving political issues politically. The police should address issues that need the police.

“It should only use the military in situations where it is absolutely certain that the police cannot carry out peacekeeping operations.”

Tinubu returns to Nigeria after overseas trips

Oghenekevwe UCHECHUKWU
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Tinubu returns to Nigeria after overseas trips

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu returned to Nigeria Tuesday evening after attending the New Global Financial Pact summit in Paris, France, and embarking on a short personal visit to the United Kingdom (UK).

Following his inauguration as Nigeria’s new leader on May 29, Tinubu embarked on his first official trip overseas on Thursday, June 22.

After the two-day summit, Tinubu proceeded to the UK on a personal visit, although the specifics of the trip were not disclosed.

Tinubu arrived the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos from London, UK, at at exactly 05:13 pm local time on Tuesday, June 27, and was received by supporters and high-ranking members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Those present at the airport to receive him included: the Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila; Acting Inspector-General of Police Olukayode Egbetokun; National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; senators and Members or the House of Representatives from Lagos State.

Tinubu was also welcomed by members of the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Navy as his convoy made its way from Ikeja to his private residence in Bourdillon, Ikoyi.

The President who did not participate in this year’s Hajj exercise holding in Saudi Arabia, is expected to join fellow Muslim faithful for the Eid prayers at the Obalende Eid Prayer Ground, located at Dodan Barracks on Wednesday, June 28.

The rituals of Hajj 2023 commenced on the evening of Sunday, June 25, and will continue until the evening of Friday, June 30.

During this period, millions of muslims from around the world gather in Mecca to perform sacred rites, symbolising unity, humility, and devotion.

Reports suggest that Tinubu’s trip to the UK might have been motivated by a more pressing health concern.

Nigerian leaders usually seek medical attention or consultation abroad.

Sierra Leone: Bio declared winner of presidential election

Oghenekevwe UCHECHUKWU
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Sierra Leone: Bio declared winner of presidential election

IN a tightly contested race, Sierra Leone’s incumbent President Julius Maada Bio has been declared the winner of the country’s presidential election, according to the election commission.

The process leading up to the announcement has been marked by disputes and tensions.

Chief Electoral Commissioner Mohamed Kenewui Konneh announced on Tuesday, June 27, that Bio secured 56.17 per cent of the vote in the Saturday, June 24, election, ensuring his re-election.

His main challenger, Samura Kamara of the All Peoples Congress (APC), came in second with 41.16 per cent of the vote.

“By the powers invested in me… I hereby certify that Bio Julius Maada… (is) duly elected president,” stated Konneh, confirming Bio’s victory.

The announcement follows days of conflicting claims from both parties, with Kamara asserting that he was on an “irreversible path to an overwhelming victory”.

He also alleged that security forces had fired live bullets during a celebration at his party’s headquarters on Sunday, a claim denied by the police.

The APC has expressed concerns about the transparency and inclusiveness of the electoral process, criticising the electoral commission for not providing detailed information about the origin of the ballots from polling stations or districts.

The party issued a statement on Monday, June 26, condemning what they referred to as “fake and cooked up results”, rejecting the outcome and reiterating their claim of victory.

European Union (EU) observers, in a press conference on Monday, highlighted a lack of transparency and communication by the electoral authority, which contributed to mistrust in the process.

They also reported instances of violence at several polling stations during voting and counting stages.

The June 24 election, the fifth since Sierra Leone’s civil war ended in 2002, took place against a backdrop of high unemployment, inflation, and escalating violence.

Bio, a former coup leader from the 1990s, emphasised education and women’s rights during his first term, but faced mounting frustration over the country’s economic challenges.

Last year’s violent protests, triggered by rising prices, reflected the enduring cost-of-living crisis that the APC sought to capitalise on in their bid for votes.

However, Sierra Leone’s economic downturn, with widespread underemployment and over half of the population living in poverty, has hindered prospects of recovery, as highlighted by the World Bank.

Bio’s administration has faced increasing criticism for the country’s debilitating economic conditions, an area where Kamara pledged to bring improvement.

The challenges ahead for Sierra Leone’s re-elected President include addressing the economic hardships and fulfilling the aspirations of a nation striving for progress.

Boat mishap: Operators, officials face sanctions over death of medical students

Mustapha USMAN
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Boat mishap: Operators, officials face sanctions over death of medical students

FOLLOWING the boat mishap that claimed the lives of three medical students in Calabar, Cross River State, operators and officials connected to the development face sanctions from the state government.

Thirteen medical students under the aegis of the Nigeria Medical Students Association (NiMSA) had on Saturday, June 24, boarded a boat at Marina Resort as part of their annual health week programmes. But the boat cruise turned tragic after the vessel capsized.

A total 10 out of 13 medical students were rescued immediately by the Naval officers, while the remaining three drowned. Their bodies were discovered two days after the incident.

The students, who were from various Universities across the country, were scheduled to visit the marina resort, slave trade museum and the Tinapa tourist resort as part of the boat cruise on Saturday.

The ICIR gathered that the first set of student tourists had a safe landing but raised concerns, and were assured of safety by the operators of the Marina Resort.

After the second group of 13 students tourists boarded the boat, the engine reportedly shut off some minutes into the journey, giving way for water to enter the boat at an uncontrollably rapid speed and amount. 

This situation led to the sinking of the boat and caused the death of the three students, consisting of two males and a female.

Announcing their demise on its Twitter account, NiMSA revealed that the two male students, Mustapha Tukur and Hamza Kabir, were from the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, while the female student, Aisha Celestine Ogwu, studied in University of Uyo.

The state Commissioner of Police, Gyogon Grimah, confirmed the development on Monday, June 26, noting that “The three corpses of the missing students have been recovered. The police have been working day and night to rescue the missing students.”

Incident was a result of negligence, incompetence -NiMSA

The Nigerian Medical Students’ Association (NiMSA) has blamed Saturday’s incident on the operators of the Marina Resort.

The association, in a statement by its President, Ejim Clement Egba, explained that the “ugly, avoidable and extremely traumatizing incident causing so much anguish to the medical students community nation wide was as a result of negligence, incompetence and the lackadaisical attitude of the crew members and the management of Marina resort.”

He also highlighted some other factors that contributed to the boat mishap.

“Factors that contributed to this occurrence include: leaky boat, poor condition and integrity of the vests, poorly maintained engines resulting in the engine going off during the trip, fuel finishing before they got back to shore, little or no supervision by management, poor regulation and monitoring.

“I and the leadership of NiMSA swiftly ensured that all those rescued were taken to the hospital for prompt and adequate medical attention. While on that, I also led a delegation to the Naval base base and search teams were again sent out with the aim of rescuing the three remaining students. We have reached out to the marine police as well as the indigenous divers.

“I had since converged an emergency briefing with all the delegates, explicitly explaining measures instituted and ongoing actions actions by security agencies to recover our colleagues. All the delegates involved had since been discharged in good condition but for one who is still being observed, though will be discharged soon as he is stable and ambulant.”

State government’s reaction

The Cross River State Governor, Bassey Otu, has ordered an investigation into the boat accident, vowing to punish any government official found culpable.

A statement on Saturday, June, 24, by spokesperson to the governor, Emmanuel Ogbeche, said Otu decried the safety standards at the resort adding he will sanction anyone found guilty of compromising safety.

”To imagine that the boat was overcrowded and some of those on it were without life jackets is of even greater concern and the more reason why the state government will be investigating the incident.

”All those found culpable of having compromised on safety standards will face the wrath of the law.

“As a government, we remain committed to protecting lives and providing an enabling environment for business, tourism.”

NIWA arrests operators

Meanwhile, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), on Monday, June 26, announced the arrest of the operators of the boat that crashed while conveying the students during the boat cruise for offences bordering on overcrowding and engine malfunctioning.

A statement released by the organisation said the jetty has been sealed as the boat was not duly registered with NIWA. It added that the jetty was also not approved by NIWA. 

Parts of the statement read: “NIWA has since arrested the operators and sealed the jetty as the boat is not duly registered with NIWA, and the jetty is also not approved by NIWA. The 11 rescued victims were taken to hospital and they are now okay and discharged.

“We commiserate with the families, friends, loved ones, and the Medical Students Association for the loss of the three students. We pray to God Almighty to grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss and may the gentle souls of the departed rest in peace.

“We feel very sad to announce that NIWA’s search and rescue team recovered the three missing corpses of the medical students that were involved in the boat mishap on Saturday, June 24, 2023, in Calabar waterways.”

NUC approves new varsity for Kogi 

Marcus FATUNMOLE
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NUC approves new varsity for Kogi 

THE National Universities Commission (NUC) has approved a new university for Kogi State.

The university will be sited in Kabba, one of the major towns in the state.

Kabba is in the Kogi West senatorial district.

The new institution will be the second owned by the state, coming after the State University in Ayingba, Kogi East.

It will be the 62nd state university in Nigeria, and brings the total number of universities in the country to 265.

The ICIR reports that Nigeria has 51 federal, 61 state and 147 private universities before the approval of the new school.

Sharing the approval letter, signed by the Executive Secretary of the NUC, Abubakar Adamu Rasheed, a professor, Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello wrote on his Facebook Page on Tuesday, June 27, “Let’s continue to do more,” as he exchanged pleasantries with the government officials.

The letter with the reference number NUC/ES/52NOL.13/117 was dated June 26, 2023.

It has the title, “Recognition of Kogi State University, Kabba,”

NUC’s letter conveying the approval of the Kogi State University, Kabba, to Governor Yahaya Bello

Part of it reads, “Consequent upon receipt of your letter of intent dated June 19, 2023, and the formal presentation today of the Strategic documents, including the relevant gazetted law, academic brief and physical master plan, I write, on behalf of the National Universities Commission (NUC), to inform His Excellency, that with effect from Monday, June 26, 2023, Kogi State University, Kabba, has been recognised as the 62nd State-owned University and 265th University respectively, in the Nigerian University System.”

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The NUC pledged to support the institution. It also advised the state government to take ‘full’ advantage of the professional and technical advice that the commission is statutorily required to provide on the university’s establishment, funding and operation.

“By a copy of this letter, the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB), the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) and the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) are being notified of the establishment of the university.”

 

Reactions trail renaming of airports after Buhari, Awolowo, others

Vincent Ufuoma
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Reactions trail renaming of airports after Buhari, Awolowo, others

THE renaming of 15 airports in Nigeria by President Bola Tinubu has generated diverse reactions among individuals and groups in the country.

The Federal Ministry of Aviation, in a memo dated June 1, 2023, signed by Director of Airport Operations Joke Olatunji, announced the President’s decision to rename the airports as part of reforms in the aviation sector.

The Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) was directed to implement the decision.

The Maiduguri Airport was renamed after the immediate past President Muhammadu Buhari, and the Port Harcourt Airport after the first premier of the defunct Western Region, late Obafemi Awolowo, while the Nasarawa Airport was used to immortalise the late founder of the Sokoto Caliphate, Usman Dan Fodio.

The Benin Airport was renamed after late Oba of Benin, Oba Akenzua II; Ebonyi Airport after late Senate President Chuba Okadigbo, and the Ibadan Airport after late Premier of the old Western Region, Ladoke Akintola.

Other airports affected by the renaming include Akure Airport, which now carries the name of Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu, and Dutse Airport, renamed after Muhammad Nuhu Sanusi. Gombe Airport has been dedicated to Zakari Maimalari, while Ilorin Airport now bears the name of a late military general, Tunde Idiagbon.

The Kaduna Airport was renamed after Hassan Usman Katsina, and the Makurdi Airport after Joseph Sarwuan Tarka. Minna Airport was renamed after Abubakar Imam, while Osubi Airport was dedicated to Alfred Diete Spiff. Yola Airport now carries the name of Lamido Aliyu Mustapha.

Full list of renamed airports 

1. Akure Airport – Olumuyiwa Bernard Aliu

2. Benin Airport – Oba Akenzua II

3. Dutse Airport – Muhammad Nuhu Sanusi

4. Ebonyi Airport – Chuba Wilberforce Okadigbo

5. Gombe Airport – Brigadier Zakari Maimalari

6. Ibadan Airport – Samuel Ladoke Akintola

7. Ilorin Airport – Gen. Tunde Idiagbon

8. Kaduna Airport – Hassan Usman Katsina

9. Maiduguri Airport – Gen. Mumammadu Buhari

10. Makurdi Airport – Joseph Sarwuan Tarka

11. Minna Airpor – Mallam Abubakar Imam

12. Nassarawa Airport – Sheikh Usman Dan Fodio

13. Osubi Airport – Alfred Diete Spiff

14. Port Harcourt Airport – Obafemi Jeremiah Awolowo

15. Yola Airport – Lamido Aliyu Mustapha

According to the memo, these name changes will come into effect on July 1, 2023.

The ministry called for all necessary arrangements to be made to facilitate a smooth transition.

The announcement has triggered contrasting opinions within the country. While some individuals lauded the move as a means of acknowledging the contributions of notable Nigerians to the nation’s history and progress, others criticised it as a political ploy and a misallocation of resources that could have been better utilised for airport infrastructure and services.

Reacting to the development, a Twitter user @sheethjamaal, said the renaming of the airport will immortalise those that fought for the nation.

 

The renaming of the Port Harcourt Airport after Awolowo and the Nasarawa Airport after Dan Fodio sparked a lot of angry reactions on social media, mostly from residents of the two states.

A Twitter user, Nnamdi Onu, who said he didn’t understand the rationale behind the development, pointed out that the South-South region boasts a significant number of notable individuals, such as former President Goodluck Jonathan, who the Port Harcourt could have been named after.

Patrick Anum, from the Middle Belt, called on residents of Nasarawa State to resist the move to name the airport in the state after Dan Fodio, who he said was responsible for the murder of thousands in the region in the course of the Islamic jihad which he led.

The Pan-Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF) equally condemned the renaming of the Port Harcourt Airport after Awolowo.

PANDEF spokesperson, Ken Robinson, while acknowledging Awolowo’s contributions to the country, particularly to the South-West, noted that renaming the airport after him was an insult to the Niger Delta, the South-South, and particularly the people of Rivers State.

“The general perception of PANDEF, particularly the renaming of Port Harcourt Airport after the Awolowo, is that it is inappropriate and misplaced,” Robinson said in an interview with The ICIR.

“It is insulting to the people of not only Rivers State but also to the people of the South-South. Awolowo, with due respect to his personality and contribution to the South-West, has no relationship and correlation to the people of the Niger Delta, South-South and Rivers State.

“Why should we have people from Rivers State, Niger Delta and South-South, who had attained high national and global recognitions and then you ignored them and named the Port Harcourt airport after Awolowo? It is most unfortunate.”

The group, which vowed to mobilise its people to resist the decision, called on Tinubu to rescind the decision and find a worthy son of the region or the state to rename the airport.

Other individuals who criticised the renaming of the airports, argued that the focus should be on addressing the pressing challenges in the aviation sector, such as dilapidated infrastructure, inadequate facilities, and poor service delivery.

Attempts to get responses from the Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Afenifere proved fruitless. The ICIR made numerous unanswered phone calls to Ohanaeze spokesperson, Alex Ogbonnia, and he also did not reply to a message sent to him via WhatsApp.

Similarly, calls made to Afenifere spokesperson, Sola Ebiseni, were unsuccessful, and as of the time of filing this report, he has not responded to a WhatsApp message sent to him.

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