Politics
Prioritise Citizens’ Wellbeing To Avoid Dire Consequences, Don Warns Political Elite
A Professor of Comparative Political Economy at the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Adelaja Odukoya, has emphasised the urgent need for Nigeria to work towards the well-being of its citizens, warning that the consequences of a failed state would be catastrophic for both the leaders and the populace.
Prof. Odukoya sounded the warning while delivering his inaugural lecture at the university titled “Armageddon.” He decried the selfishness and greed of the political elite, accusing them of amassing unnecessary wealth at the expense of the masses while perpetuating an unjust socio-economic system that widens the gap between the rich and the poor.
The professor noted that Nigeria and Africa, despite their abundant human and material resources, remain plagued by poverty, insecurity, disease, malnutrition, illiteracy, and poor governance due to corruption and the greed of the ruling class.
He called for a collective effort from intellectuals, professionals, and citizens to produce selfless leaders who would steer the continent toward progress and development, cautioning that Africa must not descend into global irrelevance.
Prof. Odukoya also strongly criticized the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) for overcharging prospective students seeking admission into tertiary institutions through its mandatory Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME).
He described JAMB’s centralized examination system as outdated and a violation of university autonomy.
“We are practically allowing JAMB and its registrar, Professor Ishaq Oloyede, to get away with blue murder by intruding into university operations and exploiting hapless admission seekers through endless spurious charges,” Prof. Odukoya stated.
He further condemned the board for functioning like a revenue-generating agency, insisting that the funds it accumulates belong rightfully to the universities.
“JAMB has become a behemoth whose utility has expired. It’s time we held a requiem mass for it,” he said, advocating that universities be allowed to admit students independently.
Prof. Odukoya pointed out that despite two million candidates sitting for the exam annually, only a quarter gain admission, even as JAMB continues to declare surpluses from the exercise.
“The world has moved beyond centralized admission systems,” he noted, urging Nigeria to adopt more inclusive and efficient models.
In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor of UNILAG, Professor Folasade Ogunsola, represented by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics and Research), Professor Bola Oboh, praised Prof. Odukoya for his scholarly contributions and fearless advocacy for the marginalized.
“Professor Odukoya is a thoroughbred alumnus of UNILAG and continues to serve the university meritoriously in several capacities,” Prof.Ogunsola remarked.
The lecture underscored the pressing need for reforms in Nigeria’s political and educational landscape to ensure a more equitable society.
Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has appointed Nigerian music legend, Innocent Idibia, popularly known as TuFace, as his Technical Adviser on Entertainment and Community Outreach.
In a viral video on Wednesday, Governor Alia praised TuFace for all the support towards his administration.
The Governor stated that TuFace can do more.
He stated, “On behalf of the Benue State Government and our very good people, we want to give you some more responsibility plus the ones you have been doing because you have the capacity to do some more and help us chart a way forward to improve other people’s lives and to gain more from your wisdom and advice as well.
“So, I’m pleased to announce that we will make you a Technical Adviser to the Governor on Entertainment and Community Outreach.”
Governor of Delta State, Rt Hon Sheriff Oborevwori, has officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The announcement was made following a closed-door meeting at the Government House in Asaba on Wednesday.
The Governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with The Tide’s source.
Similarly, the defection of former Governor Ifeanyi Okowa was announced on Wednesday in Asaba by Senator James Manager, following a meeting that lasted over six hours at the Government House.
Senator Manager said all PDP members in the State, including the Governor, former Governor Okowa, the Speaker, the state party chairman, and all local government chairmen, had agreed to join the APC.
“We cannot continue to be in a sinking boat,” he said.
The decision to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) followed extensive consultations with political stakeholders and was made in the interest of Delta State’s long-term development.
Governor Oborevwori, who won the 2023 gubernatorial election on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was received by senior APC officials in what political analysts are already describing as a strategic realignment with far-reaching implications ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria has condemned the recent wave of killings in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger State and most recently, Kwara State, calling on the federal and state governments to take urgent steps to stem the tide.
Chairman, Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, stated this in a statement issued in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Rt Hon. Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the gruesome killings had led to tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met. The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.
“While we acknowledge that defence and national security fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal Government, we must stress that every level of government bears responsibility for the security and welfare of the people. State governors, in particular, must rise to the occasion and fully understand that governance is not limited to road construction and ceremonial functions. True governance is rooted in the protection of lives, the preservation of order, and the alleviation of suffering,” he said.
He called on state governments to complement the efforts of the Federal Government by making and enforcing enabling laws for community policing and other grassroots-driven security models.
According to him, States must develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth engagement in the fight against insecurity.
The conference also urged the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies.
“Millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis. It is imperative that relief initiatives—targeted, transparent, and impactful—are rolled out without delay. Dialogue, not distance, must define the relationship between the government and its people at this critical time.
“The Conference of Speakers affirms its commitment to supporting all legislative actions necessary to restore security, promote justice, and foster inclusive governance across the country. The killings in Benue, Niger, Plateau, Borno, Kwara, and any part of Nigeria must not be allowed to continue unchecked. Justice must prevail, and peace must be restored.
“Let it be known: the safety, dignity, and well-being of every Nigerian must remain the top priority of all arms and levels of government,” Rt Hon. Ogundoyin said.