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‘NITEL’s Woes: Result of Mismanagement, Govt Interference’

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The current comatose state of the Nigerian Telecommunications (NITEL) was caused by its management which was induced by multiple government interferences.

  This was the view of the book: “The story of NITEL: A Giant In Comatose”.

The views of the book, written by a former IT editor with Daily Independent Newspaper, Mr. Aaron Ukodie, was supported by two current NITEL staff, who felt sorry for the state of NITEL, after a thorough review of the book was done at the book launch in Lagos recently.

Addressing a number of participants, who attended the book launch, he narrated the sorry state of NITEL in a brief summary, and concluded that the story of the company, the nation’s national carrier, beginning from 1985 could not be told in a day.

He described NITEL as a giant in comatose, said it went down as a result of multiple interferences by government and corruptive tendencies and maintained that this sorry position could still be revived if government begins to show sincerity of purpose in its interest in the ailing company.

He also said, government companies could still be run well if there are less government interferences.

Supporting this view, deputy general manager in charge of operations for Adegboyega Babalola, Mr. Adegboyega Babalola said, the company could still survive and compete with other telecom companies if government shows more commitment to its true survival.

Also speaking at the book launch, deputy general manager in charge of NITEL SAT 3, Mr. Innocent Nwokocha, said he was glad when he was told that a book on NITEL was being launched.

According to him NITEL deserves a book launch for the reference purposes owing to the pivotal roles it played in the nation’s economy in the past.

Nwokocha regretted that NITEL, which was once a money making organisation, had turned out to be a burden to government, owing staff salaries for over 22 months.

Reviewing the book, Enyi Moses-Nwagwu, Chief Executive of IT World, who declared himself a witness of the unfolding events that have contributed to the woes of the company, commended the author for his courage to write about NITEL, which he said, many Nigerians had long written off.

According to Enyi “It is really disheartening that NITEL that used to be a money spinner has become a money “guzzler”. He said it is worrisome that a company that once boasted of billions and billions of naira has been so castrated that it presently owes over 22 months salary arrears. “It is in fact heart breaking that NITEL has been so sucked that those who sucked the company dry are today richer than the company itself”, he added.

He also said, Ukodie and other ICT journalists were well-placed to tell the story of NITEL because they were privileged to witness history as it unfolded. “To cover NITEL in those days as journalist was no mean task because it was fraught with dangers. “In the first place the company staffs were barred from speaking or interacting with journalists”. “If any NITEL staff was seen discussing with us and a story breaks the next day, the staff stood the chance of losing his or her job.

According to Mr. Enyi, the story of NITEL should have been the story of Telecommunication in Nigeria. Perhaps it was up to the year 2000 when telecommunication in Nigeria suddenly acquired a life of its own, veering off at a tangent unfettered to the queasy giant while abandoning NITEL to its taciturn fate.

“Obviously the bane of NITEL, he said, has been directionless and unpatriotic leadership. “Given different circumstances, the emasculate giant can spring back to life”, he said. “NITEL holds enormous potentials as it begs for an informal leadership imbued with patriotism and the task unencumbered by indecision, inconsistencies in policy formulation and implementation, political patronage, government interference and meddling, government bureaucracy, ethnocentrism and corrupt practices”.

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MWUN Backs Nigeria’s Bid For IMO’s Category C Seat

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The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) has pledged its full support for Nigeria’s bid to return to Category C of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council.
It also commended the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) for its transformative role in maritime security and governance.
Speaking in Lagos over the weekend, President-General of the Union, Comrade Francis Bunu, lauded NIMASA’s significant achievements, particularly in combating piracy in the Gulf of Guinea.
 He noted that the Agency’s efforts have significantly improved safety and stability on Nigerian waters.
“We now have peace on our waters, and this achievement is commendable. It also enhances regional stability and boosts investor confidence,” Bunu stated, citing NIMASA’s commitment to maritime safety as a key driver of Nigeria’s growing prominence in global maritime affairs.
Comrade Bunu further pledged that MWUN would mobilise support through its international affiliates to advocate for Nigeria’s IMO Council bid, emphasising that the country has both the expertise and leadership to make meaningful contributions on the global maritime stage.
“Nigeria is long overdue for a return to the IMO Council. A vote for Nigeria is a vote for Africa”, he asserted.
He also commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for establishing the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry, describing it as a “bold and visionary step” that will unlock investment opportunities and create employment across the maritime sector.
“The creation of the Ministry is a strategic move that aligns with global trends. It opens new economic frontiers and supports our youth through job creation and skills development within the blue economy space”, Bunu stated.
Reaffirming the Union’s commitment to collaboration, the MWUN leader assured stakeholders of continued engagement aimed at fostering industrial harmony, particularly within the dock labour sub-sector.
“Under my leadership, MWUN will continue to work with all maritime stakeholders to ensure peace, progress, and sustained sectoral growth”, he pledged.
As the world looks ahead to the 2025 Day of the Seafarer, themed “Our Ocean, Our Obligation, Our Opportunity”, Bunu emphasised the importance of sustainable ocean governance and the critical role of seafarers in global trade.
“MWUN remains steadfast in its advocacy for seafarers’ rights, decent work conditions, and responsible stewardship of our ocean resources. Nigerian seafarers deserve our gratitude for their immense contributions to global commerce”, he said.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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Food Security: FG To Review Nigerian Agric laws

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The Federal Government has taken steps to review Nigeria’s agricultural laws to promote the development and enhance food and nutrition security in the country.
The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Aliyu Abdullahi,  stated this recently at the opening of the stakeholders’ workshop and input on the Nigeria Agricultural Laws Reform in Abuja.
Abdullahi said these laws, which are the subjects of review or amendment, have been enacted for a very long time to provide the legal frameworks for the promotion and development of the agricultural sector.
“The sector’s dynamism is evident in the shift from traditional farming practices to more modern techniques, diversification of crops and livestock, as well as adaptation to changing weather patterns.
“This is in addition to the challenges of insecurity, climate change and high input costs which continued to affect agricultural inputs.
“In view of the above, it is imperative to formulate legal frameworks to facilitate the key aspects of improvement in Nigerian agriculture aimed at addressing the problems affecting the sector”, he said.
Noting government policies and initiatives are aimed to boost agricultural production to meet the food needs of the growing population, Abdullahi said efforts were being made to support small holder farmers through access to finance, training and technology.
He also said there was growing awareness of the need to address gender inequality in agriculture and empowering women to participate in decision-making and access resources.
The Minister further said the review of the Nigerian Co-operative Societies Act was a priority, as it was intended to feature among the President’s legacy achievements under his Cooperative Revamp and Reform Initiative.
According to him, “Federal Government’s approach to agriculture is multifaceted, encompassing policy development, financial support and infrastructural development.
“The goal is to create a thriving and sustainable agricultural sector that can contribute to food security, economic growth and overall well-being of Nigerians”.
In his remarks, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, said a strong and robust legal framework was crucial for the agricultural sector.
Earlier, the Director, Legal Services in the ministry, Mr. Isimbabi Garba, underscored the urgent need to reform and reposition Nigeria’s legal framework to support a modern, vibrant, and resilient agricultural economy.
Garba said the event also represented a significant step towards strengthening the country’s agricultural sector and ensuring food security for the nation, adding, “Agricultural law reform is crucial to Nigeria’s economic growth, food security and sustainable development.
“The law plays a significant role in shaping the agricultural sector, and updating our laws will help us address emerging challenges and opportunities”.
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Okpebholo Charges Committee To End Herders, Farmers Clash In Edo … Inaugurates Boundary Committee

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Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has charged the newly established Livestock Control Committee to bring to an end the pervasive clashes between herders and farmers.
He gave the charge while inaugurating the 27-member committee, headed by a retired army general, Cecil Esekhaigbe.
The Governor gave the committee a clear mandate, which include tackling the pressing issues of security and land disputes in the State.
“There is a task that we need to handle carefully while this assignment is being carried out. We have to carry it out with the fear of God so that we can have the best time and result. We can see what is happening today. Herders clash here and there.
“You have to confine them to a particular location. That is the essence of this committee. I have people with a wealth of experience on the committee. So, I believe that with God on our side, we are going to achieve our purpose”, he said.
In his remark, Chairman of the committee, General Esekhaigbe (rtd), outlined the committee’s specific terms of reference which include, “regulating the movement of livestock within the State; inspecting, certifying, and registering all ranches; and controlling the activities of cattle herdsmen within various communities.
“I know security is one of the pillars of your five-point agenda, and we all know that one of the causative factors of insecurity in Nigeria as a whole is farming.
“We will do our best to make sure that our assignment, which has been given to us, is carried out to the best of our abilities. And to ensure that these community clashes in farmers’ areas  will not be mentioned in our dear state.”
In a related development, Governor Okpebholo also inaugurated a high-powered Boundary Committee, chaired by the State Deputy Governor, Dennis Idahosa.
The committee is tasked with the responsibility of addressing persistent boundary disputes affecting communities within the State and those bordering neighbouring States.
“I am happy to see this moment because communities, especially the ones that share boundaries with us, have issues that border on clear landmarks.
“We have Lagos, we have Ondo, we have Delta, we have Kogi State. So, we have boundary crises here and there. For this reason, I think the people before me today are the best to handle this task for the betterment of the Edo people,” Okpebholo stated.
Responding, the Boundary Committee Chairman, Dennis Idahosa, assured that the committee will “ensure accurate boundary demarcation, promote peaceful coexistence among communities, and foster development in the areas affected by conflicts while collaborating with all stakeholders and actively engaging with citizens in fulfilling our mandate.”
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