Editorial
No To National Census In 2018

Recent reports credited to the National Population Commission (NPC), revealed that the commission has proposed 2018 for the national census exercise, after the last one in 2006, which till date is still riddled with controversies.
The commission’s Chairman, Chief Eze Duruiheroma reportedly told the Senate Committee on Population and National Identity that the NPC was ready to conduct a fresh national head-count, if only the Federal Government would oblige the body N222 billion budget proposal to execute the exercise, next year.
The NPC’s boss further said that but for paucity of funds, the head-count would have been held in 2016, a decade after the last exercise, in line with best international practice and convention. A shift to 2017, he further said, was still not feasible due to dearth of funds.
Explaining the commission’s financial predicament, the NPC’s helmsman said that for the commission to do a thorough job this time, all logistics: manpower, finance, surveys, researches, documentations, sensitisation, publicity, training and re-training of personnel, among others, must be put in their proper perspective in order to avoid the anomalies that characterised past exercises. We cannot but agree entirely with Duruiheroma.
While The Tide appreciates the hiccups usually associated with the smooth, successful and a generally acceptable head-count exercise, our experiences in post-Nigeria independence era, especially in the last two or three decades, indicate that the Chief Duruiheroma-led commission must as a matter of national expediency and priority conduct a credible census, generally acceptable by all segments of the country, despite the differences in geography, history, politics or religion.
To achieve this, therefore, the timing of the census must be taken into serious consideration. We are aware that the 2019 general elections timetable was recently released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and for this reason, a national project such as census cannot and must not clash with another very vital national project such as general elections.
We are particularly appalled by the insensitivity of NPC to propose or fix a census a year preceding a general election, especially against the backdrop that Nigerian political gladiators being who they are, are most likely to hijack such exercise for their political interest. Cases abound in the past where the politicians short-changed the process of conducting census for their personal or party interest and we don’t want a repeat of such anomaly this time around.
Perhaps, and more importantly is the fact that it will be very weighty for the Federal Government to embark on the two capital-intensive programmes (census and elections) within such a short period. Enough spacing is imperative and therefore, we recommend such.
Our candid position is that a new administration other than the current one, after its inauguration should conduct the next census when the elections and litigations that follow may have been resolved and the new government settles down for serious business.
Without any prejudice, we fully endorse the views expressed by no less a personality than a top-ranking member of the APC-led Federal Government, Yakubu Dogara, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who posited that conducting census in 2017 will obviously create much anxiety and heighten tension amongst the political class. We salute his courage, wisdom and boldness.
The Tide, indeed, shares Dogara’s sentiments as we believe that if the census exercise is conducted next year, it could precipitate national crisis that could mar the 2019 general elections.
Besides, the nation’s economy is in dire strait and could hardly carry two gigantic national projects of such magnitude.
Our take, therefore, is that Nigeria cannot and must not embark on a crash programme of conducting a head-count without adequate planning and funding that would translate to a hitch-free and successful exercise.
Between 1962 and 1963, the then Tafawa Balewa administration made several attempts to conduct a census but to no avail.
In 1973, the military dispensation conducted one but it was greeted with cynicism and controversies and was eventually cancelled. Nigerians, till date, are still striving to accept the result of the last head-count of 2006.
Hence, we must get it right this time or never.
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Addressing Unruly Behaviours At The Airports

It began as a seemingly minor in- flight disagreement. Comfort Emmason, a passenger on an Ibom Air flight from Uyo to Lagos, reportedly failed to switch off her mobile phone when instructed by the cabin crew. What should have been a routine enforcement of safety regulations spiralled into a physical confrontation, sparking a national debate on the limits of airline authority and the rights of passengers.
The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) wasted no time in condemning the treatment meted out to Emmason. In a strongly worded statement, the body described the incident as “a flagrant violation of her fundamental human rights” and called for a thorough investigation into the conduct of the airline staff. The NBA stressed that while passengers must adhere to safety rules, such compliance should never be extracted through intimidation, violence, or humiliation.
Following the altercation, Emmason found herself arraigned before a Magistrate’s Court and remanded at Kirikiri Maximum Security Prison, a location more commonly associated with hardened criminals than with errant passengers. In a surprising turn of events, the Federal Government later dropped all charges against her, citing “overriding public interest” and concerns about due process.
Compounding her woes, Ibom Air initially imposed a lifetime ban preventing her from boarding its aircraft. That ban has now been lifted, following mounting public pressure and calls from rights groups for a more measured approach. The reversal has been welcomed by many as a step towards restoring fairness and proportionality in handling such disputes.
While her refusal to comply with crew instructions was undeniably inappropriate, questions linger about whether the punishment fit the offence. Was the swift escalation from verbal reminder to physical ejection a proportionate response, or an abuse of authority? The incident has reignited debate over how airlines balance safety enforcement with respect for passenger rights.
The Tide unequivocally condemns the brutal and degrading treatment the young Nigerian woman received from the airline’s staff. No regulation, however vital, justifies the use of physical force or the public shaming of a passenger. Such behaviour is antithetical to the principles of customer service, human dignity, and the rule of law.
Emmason’s own defiance warrants reproach. Cabin crew instructions, especially during boarding or take-off preparations, are not mere suggestions; they are safety mandates. Reports suggest she may have been unable to comply because of a malfunctioning power button on her device, but even so, she could have communicated this clearly to the crew. Rules exist to safeguard everyone on board, and passengers must treat them with due seriousness.
Nigerians, whether flying domestically or abroad, would do well to internalise the importance of orderliness in public spaces. Adherence to instructions, patience in queues, and courteous engagement with officials are hallmarks of civilised society. Disregard for these norms not only undermines safety but also projects a damaging image of the nation to the wider world.
The Emmason affair is not an isolated case. Former Edo State Governor and current Senator, Adams Oshiomhole, once found himself grounded after arriving late for an Air Peace flight. Witnesses alleged that he assaulted airline staff and ordered the closure of the terminal’s main entrance. This is hardly the conduct expected of a statesman.
More recently, a Nollywood-worthy episode unfolded at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, involving Fuji icon “King”, Wasiu Ayinde Marshal, popularly known as KWAM1. In a viral video, he was seen exchanging heated words with officials after being prevented from boarding an aircraft.
Events took a dangerous turn when the aircraft, moving at near take-off speed, nearly clipped the 68-year-old musician’s head with its wing. Such an occurrence points to a serious breach of airport safety protocols, raising uncomfortable questions about operational discipline at Nigeria’s gateways.
According to accounts circulating online, Wasiu had attempted to board an aircraft while he was carrying an alcoholic drink and refused to relinquish it when challenged. His refusal led to de-boarding, after which the Aviation Minister, Festus Keyamo, imposed a six-month “no-fly” ban, citing “unacceptable” conduct.
It is deeply concerning that individuals of such prominence, including Emmason’s pilot adversary, whose careers have exposed them to some of the most disciplined aviation environments in the world, should exhibit conduct that diminishes the nation’s reputation. True leadership, whether in politics, culture, or professional life, calls for restraint and decorum, all the more when exercised under public scrutiny.
Most egregiously, in Emmason’s case, reports that she was forcibly stripped in public and filmed for online circulation are deeply disturbing. This was an act of humiliation and a gross invasion of privacy, violating her right to dignity and falling short of the standards expected in modern aviation. No person, regardless of the circumstances, should be subjected to such degrading treatment.
Ibom Air must ensure its staff are trained to treat passengers with proper decorum at all times. If Emmason had broken the law, security personnel could have been called in to handle the matter lawfully. Instead, her ordeal turned into a public spectacle. Those responsible for assaulting her should face prosecution, and the airline should be compelled to compensate her. Emmason, for her part, should pursue legal redress to reinforce the principle that justice and civility must prevail in Nigeria’s skies.
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