Opinion

Buhari Fails Again In Sudan

Published

3 years ago

May 1, 2023

When Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, unleashing the greatest refugee crisis since the end of World War II, about 5000 Nigerian students were taken unawares with nowhere to run to; and no help in sight from the Nigerian Embassy in Ukraine, or the Buhari government at home. What ensued was a fiasco that saw many Nigerians trekking for many days to get to the Hungarian border. These Nigerian students studying in Ukraine found themselves in the middle of a war that had nothing to do with them, rather, their only crime was being in the wrong place at the wrong time; especially, when viewed through a Russian lens.

In spite of the outcry from parents and well-meaning Nigerians, evacuation began two weeks later, by that time a reasonable number of the Nigerian students have managed to cross into neighbouring countries on foot. They were failed by their government. In fact, it was a miracle that we did not record any death, but a government should only hope for a miracle as icing on the cake, only after it has done everything within its power with the intelligence at its disposal. But our government dropped the ball; and even though the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Geoffrey Onyeama, praised the Nigerian Ambassador to Ukraine, Shina Alege on his official Twitter handle, calling him indefatigable, the truth remains, that they had enough window to have initiated an evacuation before the first Russian bomb dropped in Ukraine.

It is barely one year since the Ukrainian invasion, and less than 30 days to the end of President Buhari’s administration, and what do we see in Sudan? A Nigerian government with a fresh experience, but lacks the ability to transform that experience into functional knowledge capable of solving the same problem a year later. From what we can observe, there is only head scratching, and scrambling from pillar to post, while some Nigerian students caught up in the crossfire are contemplating heading to Ethiopia. The only difference here is the Nigerian Ambassador to Sudan, but all the other major players are the same. Mr. Geofrey Onyema is still the Minister for Foreign Affairs, while Hon. Abike Dabiri still occupies her position as Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).

What is currently playing out in Sudan, where the number of Nigerian students is estimated to be above 10,000 is a déjà vu. It appears as if we have not learned anything from our Ukrainian experience of a year ago. Should Nigerians at home believe that the signs of imminent hot conflict were not there? Or, is it that our military attachés at the embassy were asleep at their duty post? If they indeed gathered quality intelligence, was it disseminated promptly to all those with the power to act on it? If intelligence was indeed shared promptly to all those in position to act, including the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Ambassador to Sudan, and the Chairman, NIDCOM, why do we now hear of setting up of a panel after about 400 persons have already been killed and 3500 injured in the conflict?
As the situation continues to deteriorate, other countries have been given a window to evacuate their people, but in our own case, a panel is being set up instead of getting the relevant agencies to work in synergy to bring our children back home. Our capacity as a country to fail at critical times of need in recent times is indeed unprecedented; because when I compare the Ukrainian debacle of a year ago and the ongoing fiasco in Sudan, it is very easy to note that Nigerian students are at the centre.

However, these students are largely from the working-class families of the country whose parents are nowhere near the corridors of power, most of them are civil servants whose only goal is to ensure their wards graduate before their retirement without recurrent ASUU strikes. This is an issue for another day.
Nigerian students suffered in Ukraine, and now thousands more of their counterparts are stranded in Khartoum and other parts of Sudan just because they are not the children of the Nigerian elites. Of course, ostentatious Nigerian elites cannot afford their children to attend universities where the tuition fee is only $1000 for foreign students. Nigerian elites whose children are schooling abroad are in UK, US, and Canada, but the most painful part is that some of these students are even on government scholarships that were denied other students with better academic standing. This is Nigeria, a country where anything is possible, especially the perpetuation of evil by those in power.
Unlike the Ukrainian situation, most parents whose children are schooling in Sudan have the Muslim month of Ramadan to thank due to the month-long vacation during this period. According to some estimations, as many as 6000 Nigerian students were already home for the Muslim Holiday before the fight broke out on April 8. Sadly, after two weeks, other students are yet to know their fate. There is no telling the level of trauma these students are currently passing through while our government tries to get its acts together.

One major issue of concern is the alarm raised by the UN in the case of violence against women and girls, regarding rape in particular. No parent wants to contemplate the idea of their daughter being turned into a sex slave in the theater of war. More so, in a country like Sudan which is a major centre of modern slavery. The trauma is markedly increased for parents with people’s children in that country at a time like this. But truth be told, these are people who have been let down by their country. Most of these people, as I stated earlier, have found themselves in this precarious position, not by their choice, but by the deliberate actions of Nigerian government as it concerns the funding of tertiary education in the country.

From this same government which left students at home for more than eight months, dillydallied while our students in Ukraine trekked for days to the Hungarian border, should we expect anything after two weeks of the unfolding civil war in Sudan? Yes. This is President Buhari’s last stand, the last major humanitarian crisis he would ever manage in his life; and therefore a rare opportunity to leave the Office of the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in spite of his innumerable failures. Consequently, he should rise to the occasion and bring whatever he has learned diplomatically, during his many travels to salvage the situation.

The statement by National Emergency Management Agency, that the situation in Sudan is complex amounts to nothing because every rational person understands that every theater of war is multifaceted and complex. Therefore, it is no excuse. The bottom line is that the people in charge of the responsible agencies must justify their pay. They have to justify the huge amounts spent on international conflict management.
As Nigerians, we shall hold him completely accountable if any thing happens to our children in Sudan, especially for any loss of life. We are tired of lots of talks and political speech without any substantive action to back it up. President Buhari should use all his diplomatic channels to extract a safe window from the warring parties. We know he was already tired from the outset of his government, in a few days he will have more than enough time to rest; but for now, he should not sleep until the last student has been airlifted from Sudan.

After the new government has been sworn in on May 29, there should be a post-mortem on the Sudan fiasco just a year after Ukraine’s. Nigerians reserve the right to know why our embassy in Khartoum failed to warn the federal government of the imminence of the conflict, especially given the fact that all the students could have been moved out of the country during the month of Ramadan. We need to know the role played in this failure by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and NIDCOM. People must be held accountable for putting our children in harm’s way either by their actions, or inaction. Last year it was Ukraine, today Sudan, tomorrow, who knows? The National Assembly must, on our behalf be interested to find the cause of this recurrent national dysfunction.

By: Raphael Pepple

Opinion

Monthly Environmental Sanitation Imperative

Published

22 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

Quote: “A clean environment is not a government gift; it is a civic duty that protects our health, preserves our cities, and reflects our national character.”

For many Nigerians who grew up in the 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, the last Saturday of every month followed a familiar pattern. Roads were deserted, markets closed, and residents swept compounds, cleared gutters, cut overgrown weeds, and disposed off refuse. The monthly environmental sanitation exercise became a national ritual that promoted cleanliness, discipline, and civic responsibility. As an environment correspondent about two decades ago, I joined officials of the Rivers State Ministry of Environment on sanitation monitoring tours across Port Harcourt and surrounding communities. Although enforcement officers were sometimes accused of excesses, the exercise succeeded in creating public awareness about the importance of keeping our surroundings clean. Over time, however, the practice faded away in many states.

In its absence, indiscriminate dumping of refuse, blocked drainages and environmental neglect became increasingly common. Today, heaps of waste line roads, markets and motor parks, while gutters clogged with plastics contribute to perennial flooding. Given the mounting environmental challenges facing Nigerian cities, there is no better time to revive environmental sanitation. Its return is no longer a matter of nostalgia; it is a practical necessity for public health, environmental safety, and sustainable development. Poor sanitation remains a major cause of disease. Stagnant water and uncollected waste create breeding grounds for mosquitoes, flies and rodents, increasing the risk of malaria, cholera, typhoid and other infections. Floodwaters contaminated by refuse also expose communities to serious health hazards.

Rapid urbanisation has worsened the situation. Cities such as Lagos, Port Harcourt and Abuja are expanding faster than their waste management systems can cope. As populations grow, so does the volume of waste generated daily. Monthly sanitation exercises can help rebuild environmental consciousness. Beyond cleaning streets, they remind citizens that environmental cleanliness is a shared responsibility. They also offer an opportunity to educate children and young people about hygiene, public health and community participation. Critics argue that the old sanitation policy restricted movement and was sometimes abused by security personnel. Those concerns were valid, but they do not invalidate the concept itself. Rather than abandon it, governments should reform the programme to make it more humane, participatory and transparent.

That is why the recent decision by the Lagos State Government to reintroduce monthly sanitation deserves commendation. Even if participation is largely voluntary, the move sends a strong signal that environmental responsibility must be taken seriously. Other states should emulate this initiative. In Rivers State, the Rivers State Waste Management Agency has intensified efforts to improve waste collection and restore Port Harcourt’s reputation as the Garden City. Reintroducing monthly sanitation would complement these efforts and deepen public involvement. At the federal level, policies such as the Digital Waste Marketplace, the Plastic Waste Policy and the National Waste Management Network are commendable. However, environmental sanitation remains one of the most direct and visible ways to mobilise citizens toward cleaner communities.

The exercise, however, must be supported by efficient waste management infrastructure. Citizens cannot be expected to maintain clean surroundings if there are inadequate waste bins, irregular refuse collection, and limited recycling facilities. Governments at all levels should invest in modern waste management systems, properly fund sanitation agencies, and promote recycling programmes. Waste sorting should become standard practice to reduce the volume of refuse ending up in landfills and drainage channels. Countries such as Singapore, Sweden and South Korea have demonstrated that waste can become a valuable economic resource. Recycling industries in these countries create jobs while protecting the environment. Nigeria can adopt similar strategies and turn waste into wealth.

Environmental laws must also be enforced consistently. Regulations against illegal dumping exist in many states but are rarely implemented. Offenders should face penalties, but enforcement must be fair and free from extortion. Urban planning is another critical factor. Poor drainage systems, overcrowding and inadequate sewage infrastructure worsen sanitation problems. Governments must prioritise road construction, drainage maintenance and orderly urban development. Markets deserve particular attention. They generate enormous quantities of waste every day, yet many lack organised disposal systems. Local councils and market associations should work together to establish effective waste collection arrangements in commercial centres. Religious institutions, schools, traditional rulers and civil society groups also have important roles to play.

Environmental responsibility should be taught and reinforced as a social value. Community leaders can help change attitudes by consistently promoting cleaner habits. This issue is even more urgent in an era of climate change. Flooding, erosion and extreme weather events are already threatening many Nigerian communities. Poor waste disposal worsens these challenges by blocking waterways and reducing urban resilience. A clean environment also offers economic benefits. Well-maintained cities attract investors, tourists and businesses. Reduced disease outbreaks lower healthcare costs and improve productivity among workers and students. More importantly, cleanliness reflects national values. A nation that allows public spaces to deteriorate projects an image of disorder and neglect. Nigerians deserve cleaner streets, healthier neighbourhoods and safer communities.

Reviving environmental sanitation will not solve all environmental problems overnight, but it can serve as a powerful starting point. Combined with effective waste management, public education and stronger infrastructure, it can restore environmental consciousness across the country. Ultimately, environmental cleanliness is a shared responsibility. Government must provide leadership, infrastructure and enforcement, while citizens must demonstrate discipline and civic commitment. From disposing of household waste properly to keeping drains free of obstruction, every Nigerian has a role to play. If Nigeria is serious about protecting public health, reducing flooding and building livable cities, the return of monthly environmental sanitation is a step whose time has come.

By: Calista Ezeaku

Opinion

God’s Intentionality in Ecological System

Published

22 hours ago

May 18, 2026

The Tide

Quote:”Every component of creation is interdependent, demonstrating that God designed nature as a balanced system in which each part contributes to the wellbeing of the whole”.

From the very first chapter of Scripture, the Bible presents a profound truth: creation was not accidental, random, or without meaning. The universe emerged from the deliberate counsel of an all-wise God who fashioned every aspect of life with purpose and precision. The heavens were stretched out by His command, the earth was carefully positioned, the seas were bounded, and every living creature was assigned a distinct role within a perfectly coordinated ecological system. When God surveyed His completed work, He pronounced it “very good,” affirming that creation was whole, harmonious, and exactly as He intended. The natural world remains a visible testimony to God’s intentionality. The sun provides warmth and energy at the right intensity to sustain life. The moon governs tides and seasons. Trees absorb carbon dioxide and release oxygen.

Rivers irrigate the land and quench thirst. Bees and butterflies pollinate crops. Birds disperse seeds. Animals maintain biodiversity. Every component of creation is interdependent, demonstrating that God designed nature as a balanced system in which each part contributes to the wellbeing of the whole. Nothing was made without significance, and nothing was left to chance. Among all created beings, humanity occupies a unique and privileged position. Unlike plants and animals, man was created in the image and likeness of God. This divine imprint endowed human beings with intelligence, moral consciousness, creativity, and the capacity for relationship with their maker. It also established mankind as the steward of creation. God granted humanity dominion over the earth, not as a license for reckless exploitation, but as a sacred trust to cultivate, protect, and preserve the world He had declared good.

Dominion, in God’s original intention, was to be exercised with wisdom, compassion, and responsibility. Human beings were meant to care for the land, use natural resources judiciously, and ensure that all forms of life flourished in accordance with divine order. The earth was to be managed as a trust from God, not plundered for selfish gain. Unfortunately, this divine mandate has been grossly misunderstood and widely abused. It is deeply regrettable that man has deviated so drastically from God’s original intention. Instead of stewardship, humanity has too often embraced greed. Instead of preservation, there has been exploitation. Instead of gratitude to the Creator, there has been reckless consumption and abuse of the environment. Across the world, forests are felled indiscriminately, rivers are contaminated, and fertile lands are stripped of their productivity.

Species disappear as habitats are destroyed. Air pollution threatens public health, and climate change disrupts weather patterns and livelihoods. What God created as a life-supporting ecosystem is increasingly treated as a disposable commodity. In Nigeria, the consequences are especially painful. Oil spills in the Niger Delta have devastated farmlands, poisoned rivers, and destroyed fishing communities. Poor waste management clogs drains and contributes to flooding. Erosion eats away homes and roads. Illegal mining and logging scar the landscape. In many cases, communities suffer while those responsible evade justice. At the root of much of this destruction is corruption. Funds earmarked for environmental protection, sanitation, and erosion control are often diverted for personal enrichment. Regulatory agencies are compromised through bribery.

Powerful individuals and corporations place profit above human welfare. Corruption thus becomes not only a moral failure but an assault on God’s creation. This environmental abuse is also a tragic expression of man’s inhumanity to man. When water is polluted, children fall sick. When farmlands are destroyed, farmers lose their means of survival. When rivers are contaminated, fishermen are plunged into poverty. When floods and erosion displace families, communities are torn apart. The burden of environmental degradation falls most heavily on the poor and vulnerable, while future generations inherit a diminished world. Yet, despite humanity’s failures, there remains hope for restoration. God’s purpose for creation has not changed. He still calls His people to responsible stewardship and righteous living. When individuals and nations return to God’s principles, they begin to view the earth not as an object to exploit, but as a sacred trust to preserve.

Responsible stewardship means protecting natural resources, planting trees, reducing pollution, disposing of waste properly, enforcing environmental laws, rejecting corruption, and treating others with justice and compassion. It requires governments to act with integrity, businesses to operate ethically, faith communities to teach creation care, and citizens to take personal responsibility for the environment. Creation care is therefore more than an environmental concern; it is a spiritual obligation. Our treatment of the earth and of one another reflects the sincerity of our reverence for God. To exploit nature, oppress the vulnerable, and enrich ourselves through corruption is to rebel against His purpose. To protect creation and uphold justice is to honor the Creator and participate in His original design. The world God made was declared “very good.” It is our solemn duty to ensure that our actions preserve rather than destroy that goodness.

By: Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi

Opinion

Confronting National Development In Chinese Style

Published

6 days ago

May 13, 2026

The Tide

Quote: “China’s rise was not a miracle. It was the result of deliberate planning, disciplined execution, and a national determination to make poverty reduction the foundation of national development.”

A short TikTok video by @ancientchinaforever recently offered a compelling summary of China’s remarkable transformation from one of the world’s poorest nations to a global economic powerhouse. In just a few minutes, it captured a lesson that developing countries like Nigeria cannot afford to ignore: meaningful development does not happen by chance. It is the product of vision, consistency, and a deliberate commitment to confronting poverty. In 1981, according to the World Bank, nearly 88 percent of China’s population lived in extreme poverty. The country was overwhelmingly rural, industrially weak, and lacking in modern infrastructure. Millions of people had limited access to quality healthcare, education, and basic social services. Yet China refused to accept poverty as its destiny. Its leaders made a strategic decision to treat poverty reduction as the starting point of national development.

Rather than relying on slogans or isolated welfare programmes, they created a coordinated system that mobilised government institutions at every level toward one overriding goal: improving the living conditions of ordinary citizens.

This was the turning point in China’s history. Poverty alleviation became a national mission. Clear targets were established, responsibilities were assigned to provincial and local governments, and officials were evaluated based on measurable results. Data was used to identify poor households, monitor progress, and adjust strategies where necessary.In effect, China built what may be described as a national development machine.The first major reforms focused on agriculture. Through the household responsibility system, farmers were given greater control over their land and allowed to sell surplus produce after meeting government quotas.

This policy created incentives for productivity and innovation. The results were dramatic. Agricultural output rose significantly, rural incomes increased, and millions were lifted out of poverty.With food security improving, China turned to industrialisation. The government established Special Economic Zones, most notably in Shenzhen, to attract foreign investment and promote export-driven manufacturing. What was once a small fishing community quickly transformed into one of the world’s leading industrial and technology hubs. Factories created millions of jobs, drawing workers from rural areas into expanding urban centres. China soon became the manufacturing capital of the world, producing electronics, textiles, machinery, and consumer goods for global markets.The revenue generated from industrial growth was reinvested in infrastructure and human development.

China understood that development requires more than factories. It demands modern infrastructure that connects people, goods, and markets. Massive investments were made in roads, railways, airports, seaports, electricity, and telecommunications.

Today, China’s high-speed rail system, modern cities, and efficient logistics networks stand as visible proof of decades of purposeful investment. Equally important was China’s commitment to education and healthcare.Schools were expanded, literacy improved, and vocational training equipped workers with the skills needed in a modern economy. Healthcare reforms reduced preventable diseases and protected families from being pushed deeper into poverty by medical costs.These investments ensured that economic growth translated into tangible improvements in living standards.

Another defining feature of China’s development model was policy continuity. Through successive Five-Year Plans, national priorities were clearly outlined and pursued over decades. While leaders changed, the core development agenda remained consistent. This stability encouraged investment, strengthened institutions, and allowed long-term projects to be completed. Unlike countries where each administration abandons the policies of its predecessor, China sustained a clear sense of direction.The results have been extraordinary. According to the World Bank, China has lifted more than 800 million people out of extreme poverty—the largest poverty reduction effort in human history. A broad middle class has emerged, and the country has become the world’s second-largest economy. Chinese companies such as Huawei Technologies and Alibaba Group now compete at the forefront of global innovation.

China’s journey has not been without challenges. Rapid industrialisation has contributed to environmental degradation, regional disparities, and demographic pressures. However, these challenges do not diminish the scale of its achievement. They underscore the complexity of transforming a nation of over one billion people. For Nigeria, China’s experience offers valuable lessons. First, poverty reduction must be treated as a strategic national priority rather than a campaign promise. Second, development requires long-term planning and policy continuity. Third, sustained investment in agriculture, infrastructure, education, and healthcare is essential. Fourth, institutions must be strengthened to ensure accountability and measurable outcomes. Finally, leadership must combine vision with disciplined execution. Nigeria is richly endowed with natural resources, entrepreneurial talent, and a youthful population.

What remains missing is a coherent and consistent development strategy that places national interest above politics. China’s transformation demonstrates that development is not a matter of luck. It is the outcome of clear priorities, effective institutions, and unwavering commitment. For countries still grappling with poverty and underdevelopment, China stands as compelling proof that when a nation confronts its challenges with strategic intent and collective discipline, extraordinary progress is possible.

Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi