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Why Buhari Should Consider Jonathan’s Confab Report -Prof Anya
L-R:President Muhammadu Buhari (left), Anambra State Governor, Willie Obiano (2nd left), formerAbia State Governor /publisher of The Sun newspaper, Dr Orji Uzor Kalu (2nd right), and Police IG, Mr Solomon Arase, at the 2015 National Security Summit in Abuja on Monday
Pro Chancellor and Chairman of Council, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Professor Anya O. Anya, yesterday, advised President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently consider the implementation of the report of the 2014 National Conference, which was convened by former President Goodluck Jonathan.
Professor Anya made this appeal at the 2nd Memorial Lecture of the first Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Akoka, Prof. Eni Njoku, organised by Ndigbo Lagos in collaboration with the Igbo Students Union (ISU), UNILAG chapter, held at the main auditorium of UNILAG.
Delivering the lecture entitled: “Nigeria and the Future: The Challenge of National Development and National Integration in the Age of Change Political Dynamics, Democratic Pluralism and Change in the Age of Transition,” Anya said the call became necessary as the outcome of the confab is a national agenda of fundamental importance to Nigeria’s future.
Anya, who chronicled the social, economic, cultural and political history of Nigeria, however decried that corruption which is the major focus of the Buhari administration is a systemic problem, noting that the Nigerian system induces corruption and can only check it.
Also pointing that Nigeria’s major challenges are national development and national integration, the President of Ndigbo Lagos, however lamented that the nation currently lacks a pan-Nigerian leadership elite with a common vision, shared values and a generally accepted national agenda.
He said: “A broad-based leadership elite will include political leaders, thought leaders, intellectual leaders, business leaders, leaders in arts, journalism and traditional leaders. Such a leadership elite must have a codified and accepted rules of conduct and of engagement as well as agreed processes for recruitment into the leadership and conditions for exit.
“There is no serious nation that does not have such a leadership elite. Nigeria has paid a high price for the lack of such selfless and self-perpetuating leadership devoid of personal, sectional and sectarian considerations. It is such an elite that can always return us to the essence and being of the putative nation,” he said.
Anya, who said Jonathan’s confab was a near equivalent of the aborted Vision 2010 of former Head of State, Late Gen. Sani Abacha, affirmed that Nigerians were awaiting what President Buhari will do with the report.
His words: “We now have a near equivalent situation in the Report if the recent National Conference convened by former President Jonathan. Whatever may have been Jonathan’s motivation and designs for the conference, the final result certainly was beyond his expectations and designs. It is now a national agenda of fundamental importance to the future of Nigeria.
“What will President Buhari do with it? While we await what the answer to this question may be, it is important to underline an important outcome of the national conference. Nations such as Indonesia and Malaysia who faced similar challenges of national integration and economic development ameliorated the situation when they devolved power to lower levels of authority and pursued a deliberate policy of regional development and integration.
“The National Conference came to similar conclusions with regards to Nigeria and if for no other reason, I would plead wit President Buhari to consider this Report with statesmanly sense of responsibility and patriotic duty beyond the exigencies of politics in the national interest.”
Meanwhile, present at the occasion were former Military governor of Imo and Lagos States, Rear Admiral Ndubuisi Kanu (retd.); Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State; the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academic and Research), University of Lagos, Prof. Babajide Alo, who represented the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Rahamon Bello; former UNILAG Vice Chancellor, Prof. Ibidapo Obe, who represented former Interim President, Chief Ernest Shonekan; Prof. Eni Njoku (jnr); former Minister of Finance, Dr. Kalu Idika Kalu; President, Igbo Students Union (ISU), UNILAG, Okwudiri Ikwunemere among others.
Earlier, in his opening remarks, Prof. Bello, who was represented by Prof. Alo commended the university’s Igbo Students Union (ISU), for honouring UNILAG’S first Vice Chancellor, Prof. Eni Njoku with the annual lecture series.
He said: “Being our first Vice Chancellor, with all the impacts he made on the university and its immediate community, the management of UNILAG will do everything humanly possible to continue to honour him.”
The Organised Labour yesterday, called on the Federal Government to ensure inclusiveness in policy making and guide against erosion of rights, such as free speech and association.
The President, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Mr Joe Ajaero made the call at the 2025 Workers’ Day celebration held at the Eagle’s Square, Abuja.
The Tide source reports Ajaero and the President, Trade Union Congress, Mr Festus Osifo delivered a joint statement on behalf of the organised labour at the event.
Ajaero described May Day as, not only a moment to honour workers’ sacrifices, but also a platform to demand justice and accountability from those in public office.
He frowned at the alleged suppression of protests, and the erosion of rights of workers by some agents
According to him, workers have a duty to resist economic injustice, insecurity, and policies that undermine their dignity.
Speaking on the theme of the day, the NLC President underscored the need for Nigerian workers to reclaim the civic space and resist policies that contribute to worsening economic conditions.
“Our theme this year – “Reclaiming the Civic Space in the midst of Economic Hardship – reflects the urgent need for citizens to protect democracy and push back against repression.
“The civic space, where Nigerians express their concerns and challenge injustices is shrinking.
“If we fail to reclaim this space, the foundation of our democracy risks collapse,” he said
Ajaero, therefore, urged workers to unite and resist division, fear, and despair.
He also urged them to mobilise and organise for change, declaring that the right to demand better conditions is non-negotiable.
“Without workers, there is no society; without labour, there is no development. We must take our place in the fight for economic justice and democratic governance.”
Speaking in the same veins, Osifo said workers are the backbone of the nation—the educators, healthcare providers, builders, farmers, and innovators who sustain its economy -.
He stressed the need for the labour to reclaim the civic space even in the midst of economic hardship.
The Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) has disassociated itself from a fraudulent site requesting payments from candidates who missed the ongoing 2025 Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
The board said that the site, “Copyrightwriter Personal J Rescheduling Flw” and account number 8520641017 at Sterling Bank, associated with it, are scam.
The disclaimer is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja on Thursday by the Board’s Public Communication Advisor, Dr Fabian Benjamin.
Benjamin said the account is being exploited to defraud unsuspecting candidates who missed their UTME.
“We issue this urgent notice to inform the public about this nefarious scheme targeting candidates who were unable to participate in the UTME.
“Some unscrupulous individuals are deceitfully soliciting payments of N15,700 under the false pretence of offering rescheduling services for the examination.
“Let us be unequivocal: this, it is a blatant scam, and we are confident that the public will not fall prey to such cheap and regressive tactics.
” The individuals behind this scam have no affiliation with JAMB or any legitimate government agency.
“The account details provided in these communications are entirely fictitious and bear no connection to any official processes; they exist solely for the purpose of perpetrating fraud,” he said.
Benjamin called on Sterling bank to take immediate and decisive action against this criminal activity.
According to him, JAMB has reported the matter to the relevant security agencies and actively pursuing those responsible for this deceitful act.
He further said that “JAMB does not reschedule examinations for candidates who miss their scheduled tests due to reasons unrelated to the Board’s actions”.
He, however, said that the Board is conducting a thorough investigation for candidates whose biometrics failed during verification and were thus unable to sit for the examination.
He said those without discrepancies would be invited to retake the examination at no cost , stressing that “no cost is required”
“It is imperative to understand that JAMB does not charge any fees for examinations after a candidate has completed their registration.
“We strongly urge all candidates to remain vigilant and not to succumb to these fraudulent schemes.
“Protect yourselves and report any suspicious activity immediately,” he explained.
The Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) has expressed its willingness to partner with the United Nations (UN) to accelerate the development of the Niger Delta region.
Dr Samual Ogbuku, Managing Director of the NDDC, made the appeal in a statement issued by the commission’s Director of Corporate Affairs, Mrs Seledi Thompson-Wakama, in Port Harcourt on yesterday.
According to the statement, Ogbuku sought the UN’s support during his visit to the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator (UNRHC), Mr Mohammed Fall, at the UN regional office in Abuja.
He called on the global body to provide the NDDC with technical assistance and expert services to support the region’s development.
“We are eager to collaborate with the UN, recognising that the state governments in the region and the NDDC alone cannot achieve the level of regional development required,” he said.
Ogbuku identified key areas where support would be needed, including the provision of portable and affordable drinking water powered by high-tech solar energy sources.
He also highlighted the importance of reforesting the mangrove swamps, which have been severely damaged by decades of environmental degradation caused by oil exploration in the Niger Delta.
“Although the NDDC has made progress in providing solar-powered streetlights across the region, we still require UN support in delivering solar energy solutions for residential buildings.
“We also wish to explore the possibility of installing solar mini-grids in homes across communities, which would boost local commerce and trade,” he added.
The NDDC managing director further appealed for increased UN involvement in areas such as healthcare, education, youth training, gender development, and food security.
Ogunku stated that such interventions would significantly enhance the standard of living in the region.
In response, Fall affirmed the UN’s readiness to collaborate with the NDDC to fast track development in the Niger Delta.
He assured that the UN would support initiatives in food security, job creation, education, and renewable energy, among other areas.
“We aim to approach development in the Niger Delta holistically, rather than focusing solely on environmental pollution.
“This is merely an entry point; however, the UN’s development vision aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which are designed to positively impact various aspects of people’s lives,” Fall stated.
He assured the NDDC of continued and fruitful engagements to drive the region’s development.