Opinion

Call For 2015 Election Postponement: Nigerians React

Published

11 years ago

January 26, 2015

Mr. Chris Finebone – APC State Publicity Secretary
That call by the National Security Adviser is most unfortunate. We in APC are not surprised that officers of the Jonathan administration are terrified at the massive failure staring them in the face in the forthcoming presidential election hence the call to see how to stem off their impending loss. For us, there are no credible and verifiable reasons why the elections should be postponed.

Monday Wehere – National President Community Newspaper Publishers Association of Nigeria (CONPAN)
For and for most, I saw the comment myself. The unfortunate thing is that he did not tell Nigerians under what capacity he was speaking, whether he was speaking as the chieftain of security in Nigeria or he was talking as a traditional ruler or as a person. That is why I find it somehow difficult to react to that.
However, there is no provision in the constitution which says that certain number of Nigerians must have PVC before elections could be conducted. Now, America is about 350 million people and in any election you hardly have about 50 million people voting. In most case only about 14 million people vote in a presidential election in America. So, for you to say that elections should be postponed just because some people have not gotten their PVC, to me it does not hold water. Again, why I will not support such suggestion is this. I came back from Abuja recently, because of the forthcoming election, everything is stalled. Nothing is moving. There is no key person holding a key position in the federal government that can commit himself now to any matter of national importance because they don’t know their fate, whether they will stay. So there is a lacuna. There is a hill, so, I can say that call he is making should not be accepted.
The only way I could have said let’s take him serious was assuming INEC is saying, “Sorry, we have not done what we were supposed to do, please give us enough time.” Then we can listen to INEC chairman. But INEC say they are ready for the elections. So if INEC is ready, they should go ahead and do the election. Even President Jonathan cannot stop the election now because INEC says they are ready. The only way President Jonathan can even advise INEC to postpone it is if INEC is saying now that they are not ready.
So I don’t think his advise should be accepted without him giving any security reason or any other cogent reason why it should be postponed. That is the problem we are having in this country. A lot of us are saying Jonathan is not performing. Dasuki has not even received that kind of power to make such statement. This is a matter that would have been discussed at the National executive council after which if the need be, INEC would have mandated him to talk to the press. How can he on his own make such statement? That tells you that they are not working with Jonathan. If this man is working with Jonathan he cannot just come and make such statement. So you can imagine the kind of problem Jonathan is having, that he is working with those who are not supporting him. How can he make such a statement without consulting Mr. President? If he had done that Mr. President would have advised him not to make such statement. Now he has said it, he is now trying to put the country into problem.
And I want to disagree with the opinion of the APP that Dasuki’s call for the postponement of the election is a play by PDP to rig the election. Dasuki was not mandated by the PDP. He did not also speak on behalf of the federal government. APC should have known that what Dasuki said was his own personal opinion. As a PDP man, I know that if you postpone the election now it will not even favour us, because we are set, we have done a lot of home work. So the election must hold because INEC said they are ready and we are also ready.

Mr. Ifeanyi Ezinwo -Publisher
Dasuki is a responsible Nigerian, holding a very sensitive office where he has access to a lot of information. So for him to make that kind of comment, I wouldn’t want to dismiss it in a hurry, unless we are assuming that he is not a serious person, that he is a person who speaks flippantly. He might have predicated his conclusion on very sensitive and important matter like we had, on the distribution of voter’s card. I am not in his mind but I want to believe that he might have considered that volume of cards that a yet to be collected and just a posed that with the time and the way things are going and felt that it might be reasonable to postpone it.
My own position is that we should not be in a hurry to condemn him although INEC had said that they don’t have any plans to postpone the elections. But the issue is, can INEC guarantee us that every registered voter can have his card before the election? And if paradventure, as at the time we are going in for election we still have millions who have not got this card, what is going to be the likely implication of disenfranchising that large number of people? So, I want to believe that what Dasuki said should be a food for thought for INEC and all the relevant state holders. Because if tomorrow now, maybe about 15 million did not collect their cards and they do the election and Jonathan wins, Buhari will say, “OO! the people who would have voted for me were disenfranchised”. Some of those who were disenfranchised can go and begin to demonstrate that thing were not allowed to vote. Some of them may even disrupt the election. It’s possible, depending on their number in certain areas. It could become a political tool.
So, I want to say that people should not dissipate energy condemning the man. Rather, if possible they should invite him, invite INEC and maybe some people from the National Assembly who would put heads together in search of solution. If it is possible for everybody to get his voters card fine. But if it is not possible, then they have to think of what to do to make sure everybody gets voters card.
My own position is that whatever that is worth doing is worth doing well. If we want to have a credible election nobody should be disenfranchised. If huge number of people are disenfranchised, I don’t know how it will look like. Can we say that we have conducted a credible election that is all inclusive? So I want to suggest that instead of the stakeholders passing bulk, they should sit down with INEC and see how they can contribute ideas to make sure that all those who are registered get their voters card.

Mr. Innocent Nweke – Public Servant
Well, to me as a person, in view of what is going on in the country right now, Boko Haram insurgency, threats here and there, the President, those in government and all the parties should come together resolve various issues first before talking about election. It is then that we will know that they are ready to take us to the polls.
However, if INEC says they are ready for the elections, then they should go ahead. They are the people to tell us what to do. And we are ready to do just that if INEC says they are ready, that everything is in order. let them set out some day for people to go and collect their PVCs. The people that considered it important went out to get their PVCs and they got them. I was in Abuja but I had to come back to Port Harcourt to make sure I got mine. And government gave some holidays for the collection of the PVCs, yet many people refused to go and collect. So even if you give them till next year, many people will not get it. So if INEC says they are ready, they should work with the number they have and do the election. Besides, not everybody that gets the PVC will go out for the election. Of course, even many of the people that have collected their PVC will not all go out to cast their votes on the election days.

Mr. Israel Walezi – Businessman
It was announced that everybody should go and collect their PVC and government declared holidays for that. INEC has given the dates for the elections since last year and they said everybody should go and collect his/her PVC. For me, the election should go on. If you take a look at the country now especially Rivers State, you will find out that everything is not moving well because of this election. No projects are going on. Everywhere in the country, things are stand still because our leaders are involved in politics. Many civil servants have not been paid for months because of this election. I believe when this election is done with, things will normalise.

Mr. Nwachukwu Jeremiah – Transporters
They should not postpone the election. If they postpone the election, they will give chance for corruption and People will rig the election.
What I mean is that, if they postpone this election, people will use the opportunity to do some funny things. So the election should go on. If some people could not collect their PVCs and they are willing to vote, they should be allowed to use their temporary voters cards and cast their votes. Their names are there on INEC list, so they should make use of it.

Opinion

Policy Intervention: More Than Administrative Reform

Published

3 days ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Quote:”This policy intervention proves that education reform is not just about administration, but about restoring dignity, equity, and integrity to the learning process.”

On September 24, 2025, the article” A Growing Emergency: How Marked-Up Textbooks Are Sabotaging Nigeria’s School Children”, written by King Onunwo, was published in The Tide Newspaper. In the said article, the writer expressed pains in what he viewed as ‘a silent but damaging practice’ taking root in homes across Nigeria, one that threatens the academic future of millions of children in primary and secondary schools. From the paintings of the writer, this seemingly minor convenience where older siblings complete their homeworks directly inside their school textbooks, may seem harmless on the surface. On the contrary, it is creating a dangerous ripple effect. What used to be a normal practice—siblings reusing textbooks year after year to ease the financial burden on families—has now turned into a nightmare. The writer could best describe its impact in our educational system as a stumbling block for students, and a ticking time bomb for the education system and to say the least, a source of distress for countless parents.

The core message of the article is that writing homework and classwork inside textbooks has evolved from a harmless household habit into a national educational crisis that is quietly undermining learning outcomes in Nigeria. Specifically, the article argues that: marked-up textbooks sabotage learning by denying younger students the opportunity to think independently, practice problem-solving, and engage meaningfully with lessons. Economic hardship has normalized textbook reuse, but misuse has turned a cost-saving strategy into an educational disadvantage. The problem is systemic, not merely individual, reflecting failures in policy enforcement, public awareness, and educational support structures. Hence, government’s intervention is urgently required, including regulations, awareness campaigns, textbook audits, penalties, and subsidized writing materials.

Violation of education equity was also fingered as children are academically punished due to circumstances beyond their control—birth order and family income. King Onunwo opined that small oversights can cause large-scale damage, and ignoring such “minor” issues threatens Nigeria’s broader educational goals. Ultimately, he called for a national textbook integrity policy to protect learning materials and ensure fairness in education. Deductively, the writer ‘s feelings and emotional tone conveyed a deep concern and alarm, repeatedly framing the issue as a “growing emergency,” “ticking time bomb,” and “quiet academic crisis.” which signals a genuine fear that the problem if unchecked, may have irreversible consequences.

The writer ‘s tone is outrightly that of an advocate, not a neutral observer, speaking with a strong sense of justice, emphasizing on education as a right, meaning that children should not be academically disadvantaged by family circumstances, hence, the need for society to protect educational tools.The repeated calls for “immediate,” “urgent,” and “no time to waste” action showed impatience with delays and excuses. The writer believes every academic term lost worsens the damage. It is not just about textbooks—it is about educational dignity, equality, and systemic responsibility. The closing metaphor (“the handwriting is on the wall”) reinforces the writer’s belief that the consequences are already visible and that failure to act would be inexcusable. By responding decisively to growing concerns around the misuse and rising cost of learning materials, the Federal Government has demonstrated that thoughtful advocacy still matters—and that public interest writing can indeed influence policy in meaningful ways.

The recently unveiled education policy banning disposable workbooks and mandating the use of durable, reusable textbooks is a commendable step in the right direction. It directly addresses the very issues raised by King Onunwo and other concerned writers and parents who have long warned about the silent damage being done to Nigeria’s school children through poorly designed textbook practices and unchecked misuse of learning materials. For years, families—especially those with multiple children—have struggled under the weight of repeated textbook purchases. Worse still, the culture of writing directly into textbooks turned what should have been reusable learning tools into single-use items, sabotaging younger siblings who inherited books already filled with answers, errors, and confusion. The new policy does not merely reduce costs; it restores the integrity of textbooks as reference materials meant to guide thinking, not replace it.

By insisting on standardized, high-quality textbooks designed to last four to six years, the government has effectively validated the core argument of education advocates: that sustainability, affordability, and quality learning are deeply interconnected. The decision to prohibit the bundling of disposable workbooks—often used as a commercial tactic to force annual purchases—is particularly laudable. It signals a shift away from profit-driven educational practices toward child-centered learning. Equally important is the policy’s emphasis on strengthening assessment and quality assurance for instructional materials. This tackles another long-standing problem: superficial textbook revisions that compel parents to buy “new editions” without meaningful improvements in content. Such practices have eroded trust in the system and placed unnecessary financial strain on households already stretched thin.

Beyond textbooks, the introduction of a uniform academic calendar and the rationalization of graduation ceremonies show a broader sensitivity to the hidden costs of schooling. These reforms recognize that education expenses are not limited to fees alone but are compounded by traditions and inconsistencies that quietly drain family resources. This policy intervention is more than administrative reform; it is proof that government can listen, reflect, and act when issues are clearly articulated and grounded in lived realities. It affirms the value of public-interest writing as a bridge between citizens’ experiences and policy action.While implementation and enforcement will be the true test, the direction is encouraging. Parents, teachers, and school administrators must now play their part to ensure that these reforms translate into real change in classrooms across the country.

In acknowledging and addressing the concerns raised by writers, educators, and families, the government has taken a vital step toward protecting the learning future of Nigerian children. It is a reminder that when the handwriting on the wall is read early enough, it is still possible to rewrite the story—for the better.However, kudos to Federal Government for the intervention, but it should not end on the table rather should be given accelerated attention in order to ensure full implementation.

By: Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi

Opinion

Redefining New Year Resolutions

Published

3 days ago

January 19, 2026

The Tide

Quote: “Transformation begins the moment intention meets action.”

At the dawn of a new year and throughout its early days, millions of people across the globe make promises to themselves—to improve, to grow, and to transform. The New Year carries a unique sense of renewal, hope, and possibility. It offers a clean slate on which aspirations are rewritten and goals are redefined. But beyond the excitement and optimism lies an important question: what truly gives power to these resolutions, and how can they be sustained to positively impact individuals, families, and teams?

New Year resolutions emerge from different platforms, perspectives, and points of need. For many, the focus is personal growth—acquiring new skills, practicing mindfulness, improving physical health, or cultivating emotional resilience. Others prioritize relationships, seeking to strengthen bonds with family and friends, heal broken connections, or build new ones. Career development also ranks high, with goals such as professional advancement, job transitions, skill enhancement, or entrepreneurship. Financial stability—saving money, paying off debt, investing wisely—remains a major concern, while some individuals turn to creativity, exploring new hobbies, talents, or artistic pursuits.

Regardless of the resolution, a clear roadmap is essential. Transformation begins with reflection—understanding personal values, clarifying what truly matters, and identifying the change one desires to see. This process often involves shedding unproductive habits and mindsets to create room for growth. Setting specific and achievable goals, then breaking them into manageable tasks, increases the likelihood of success. Equally important is establishing an accountability system—whether through self-monitoring, trusted partners, or structured reviews—to sustain commitment over time.

New Year resolutions embody the power of intentional living. They allow individuals and groups to pause, evaluate past actions, and consciously chart a new course. When intentions are clearly defined, it becomes easier to identify growth areas, develop a realistic plan, maintain motivation, cultivate healthy habits, and strengthen relationships. Setting SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—ensures that resolutions are practical and purposeful rather than vague aspirations. In addition, prioritizing self-care enables the mind, body, and soul to function optimally, providing the stamina needed for long-term success.

Many resolutions require learning something new—whether acquiring professional skills, developing hobbies, or broadening intellectual capacity. For personal growth, this may include learning a new language, reading more books, or gaining knowledge that enhances competence and confidence. Involving family members in shared goals strengthens bonds and encourages collective responsibility. Regular family activities, open communication, shared meals, and intentional time together help instill values such as kindness, empathy, discipline, and accountability.

Career-focused resolutions may involve enrolling in online courses or certification programs, improving digital literacy, or networking with professionals in the same field. Financial growth requires discipline—creating and adhering to a budget, building a savings plan, investing wisely, and paying off debt systematically. When creativity or leisure is the focus, starting a journal or blog, learning an instrument, engaging in arts and crafts, or pursuing writing can be both fulfilling and therapeutic.

For families and teams, resolutions foster unity and shared purpose. When goals are collectively set and pursued, they promote collaboration, trust, and mutual support. Teams that align their resolutions with shared values experience improved productivity, morale, and accountability. Clear communication, regular progress reviews, and celebrating small wins reinforce commitment and sustain momentum throughout the year.

However, common pitfalls must be avoided. Unrealistic expectations often lead to discouragement and failure; goals should be challenging yet attainable. A lack of planning or strategy undermines even the best intentions, while poor accountability increases the risk of giving up prematurely. To make resolutions stick, it is important to track progress using journals, planners, or digital tools; celebrate milestones; remain patient with setbacks; and review goals periodically to adjust when necessary.

As the year unfolds, may our goals, hopes, and resolutions inspire meaningful change. Resolutions are not merely seasonal rituals—they are journeys of growth and discipline. With intentional planning, focused action, and collective effort, individuals, families, and teams can thrive, transform, and make lasting strides toward a better future.

By: Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi

Opinion

Trans-Kalabari Road: Work In Progress

Published

1 week ago

January 12, 2026

The Tide

Quote:”This Dream project is one of the best things that have happened to the people and residents of Degema, Asari Toru and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas in recent times.”

This is the concluding part of this story featured in our last edition.

Good road network helps farmers to convey their agro-allied products to commercial hubs where buyers and sellers meet periodically to transact business. Road network engineers and motivates people resident in unfriendly geographical terrains, like riverine areas, to own property and shuttle home with ease. Some people will prefer living in their own houses in a more serene and nature-blessed communities to living in the city that is fraught with pollution, and other environmental, social and economic hazards. Prior to the cult epidemic that ravaged parts of Rivers State, the Emohuas, Elemes, Ogonis, and Etches were known for rural dwelling. Most public servants from these areas do their official and private transactions from their villages. For them it was comparatively easier to live in the village and engage in a diversified economic endeavours through farming, fishing or other lucrative business without outrageous charges and embarrassment associated with doing business in Port Harcourt, where land is as scarce as the traditional needle.

That is why the decision to construct the Trans-Kalabari Road by the administration of Dr. Peter Odili was one of the best decisions that administration took. When Dr. Odili vacated office as the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi took over and awarded contracts for continuation of the road project which in my considered view is the felt need of the people of Degema, Asari Toru and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas. Unfortunately, Rt. Hon. Amaechi’s efforts to drive the project was sabotaged by some contractors some of whom are Kalabari people. The main Trans-Kalabari Road is one project that is dear to the people and residents of Degema, Asari Toru and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas of Rivers State. This is because through the road commuters can easily access several communities in the three local government areas. For instance, the road when completed will enable access to eight of the ten communities in Degema Local Government Area, namely: Bukuma, Tombia, Bakana, Oguruama, Obuama, Usokun, Degema town and the Degema Consulate. It will also link 15 of the 16 communities in Asari Toru Local Government Area. The communities are: Buguma, the local government headquarters, Ido, Abalama, Tema, Sama, Okpo, Ilelema, Ifoko, Tema, Sangama, Krakrama, Omekwe-Ama, Angulama. The road will also connect 14 of 17 wards in Akuku Toru Local Government Area, and other settlements. It is interesting to note that It is faster, and far more convenient and economical for the catchment Communities on the Trans-Kalabari Road network to go to the State Capital than the East West Road. The people of the three local government areas will prefer to work or do their transactions in Port Harcourt from their respective communities to staying in Port Harcourt where the house rent and the general cost of living is astronomically high.

Consequently, development will seamlessly spread to the 28 out of 34 communities of Degema, Asari Toru and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas. The only Communities that are not linked by the road project are Oporoama in Asari Toru, the Ke and Bille Communities in Degema Local Government Area and the “Oceania” communities of Abissa, Kula, Soku, Idama, Elem Sangama of Akuku Toru Local Government Area. But because of the economic value of the unlinked Communities to Nigeria, (they produce substantial oil and gas in the area), the Federal, State Governments and the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), can extend the road network to those areas just as Bonny is linked to Port Harcourt and the Lagos Mainland Bridge is connecting several towns in Lagos and neighbouring States.Kudos to previous administrations who had constructed the Central Group axis.

However, what is said to be the First Phase of the Trans-Kalabari Road project is actually a linkage of the “Central Group” Communities which consists of Krakrama, Angulama, Omekwe. Ama, Omekwe Tari Ama, Ifoko, Tema, Sangama. It is the peripheral of the Trans-Kalabari Road. The completion of the Main Trans Kalabari project will free Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor areas from congestion. It will motivate residents and people of the three local areas to contribute to the development of their Communities. If the Ogonis, Etches, Emohuas, Oyigbos, Okrikas, Elemes can feel comfortable doing business in Port Harcourt from home, residents and people whose communities are linked to Port Harcourt through the Trans-Kalabari Road will no doubt, do likewise. The vast arable virgin land of the Bukuma people can be open for development and sustainable agricultural ventures by Local, State and Federal Government.

It is necessary to recall that the Bukuma community was host to the Federal Government’s Graduate Farmers’ Scheme and the Rivers State Government moribund School-to-Land Scheme under Governor Fidelis Oyakhilome. Bukuma was the only community in Degema, Asari Toru and Akuku Toru Local Government Areas that has the capacity to carry those agricultural programmes. However the lack of road to transport farm produce to Port Harcourt and facilitate the movement of the beneficiaries of the scheme who lived in the community which is several miles away from the farms, hampered the sustainability of the programme. The main Trans-Kalabari Road remains the best gift to the people of Degema, Asari Toru, and Akuku-Toru Local Government Areas. Kudos to Sir Siminilayi Fubara.

By: Igbiki Benibo