Opinion
There Was a Country – Ostia Chidoka.
Being a reflective thought of a PDP Chieftain, Ostia Chidoka.
“As I visited my Muslim friends and enjoyed sumptuous ram-themed dishes commemorating the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) in total obedience to God’s directive to sacrifice his son, I wondered why the two Abrahamic religions in Nigeria have not elicited obedience to rules as a matter of course. As I pondered, I remembered a story I heard recently that reminded me that we were not always a lawless country.
“I had to use Chinua Achebe’s book title to tell this story of a meeting I had with a Man a few days ago. He is from Yobe and in his 60s. In the course of our discussion, he mentioned that he spent one year at Nike Grammar School Enugu in 1976. I got curious. How did that happen? Was your father a federal civil servant or soldier? He answered in the negative.
“In the early 70s Borno state and Anambra state had a student exchange program that after the state common entrance examination those selected for the exchange program got two admission letters one to a school in Borno and the other to a school in Enugu.” I listened with rapt attention.
“In his case, he got admitted to a school in Maiduguri and Nike Grammar School in Enugu. His father, an uneducated man who lived in present-day Yobe, elected that he should go to Enugu. He was sad as this was a few years after the war, and he had grown up on a diet of widely held false notions fed by war propaganda about Igbo people.
“His father took him to Kano and put him on a Bus to Enugu. He was barely 12 years old. He cried most of the journey. An Igbo man seating next to him promised to take him to Nike Grammar School upon arrival at Enugu. He kept his promise.
“At Nike Grammar School, he was received warmly but was told he came a week early as the school had not resumed. The principal handed him over to a teacher and he stayed in his house for one week.
“On resumption, other Borno students arrived by a Bus provided by the Borno State Ministry of Education. All the Exchange program students stayed in school from the first term to the third term before going home. During the first and second term holidays, the school looked after them, provided meals, and ensured they were comfortable.
“At the end of the third term, the Anambra State government provided a Bus that took them to Maiduguri and handed all of them over to the Borno State Ministry of Education. It was an experience for him. To his regret, he changed schools to GSS Maiduguri without his father’s consent.
“Upon school resumption, he left home and resumed at GSS Maiduguri. When his father found out, he was disappointed. He asked him why he did not return to Enugu. The young man said it was far. He further asked him whether he was mistreated in Enugu. He answered in the negative and said he enjoyed it but the distance from home and the fact he had to spend a whole year before coming home was an issue for him.
“His father told him that he sent him to Enugu because he wanted him to be bigger and better than him and his mates around their home. He sent him because he believed that he had the capacity to withstand the difficulties which is why he did not send the sister. As a true Muslim, his father told him, he believed that he had not hurt anyone knowingly in his life, and as such no evil will befall his family no matter where they go. His father told him that those who have friends across Nigeria will be the leaders of the Nigeria of the future.
“At GSS Maiduguri, he bonded with the Anambra students on the Exchange Program, who was excited that he was at Enugu for one year.
“His one year in Enugu redefined his perception of Igbo people and framed his future interactions with other Nigerians. To this day, he maintained contact with his Igbo friends at Nike Grammar School. Three of them ended up as Lecturers and are still in touch with him. Some of the Igbo students at GSS Maiduguri are still in touch with him and consider him a brother. A few years back he got in touch with one of them, who is now a Pastor in Umuahia.
“I was sober as his narration ended. I had never heard of this student exchange program between States in the 1970s. The story was another sad testament to our failure as a nation. I thought can I send my 11-year-old son alone on a bus from Enugu to Maiduguri today even with mobile phones and GPS tracking? Can a government school in any part of the country be entrusted with students for one whole year without parental visits?
“Our bureaucracy is badly damaged almost irretrievably. As a nation, we took a wrong turn at some point and need to press the reset button NOW. The idea of a deliberate and intentional promotion of national integration should be pursued with renewed vigour. Unity in diversity should be a national aspiration and a measurable indicator of our journey to nationhood.
“The man who told me this story is today the Acting National Chairman of the PDP, Ambassador Umar Iliya Damagun, former Nigerian Ambassador to Romania. He wished he finished at Nike Grammar School, and I wish his father was alive to see how his vision for his son turned out.
“There was indeed a country!”
Opinion
Dr. Mulade Laments Poor Developmwntal State of Delta Oil-producing Communities Despite Huge 13% Accruals
By: Divine Perezide
The living conditions and developmental stayts of Delta citizens have once again come under review in comparing dividends versus 13% derivation funds amidst other federal allocations. Observers believe that the people of Delta State have continued to suffer untold hardship despite the 13% oil derivation funds accruable to the oil-rich State, popular human and environmental rights activist.
CAddi his voice to this assertions is Comrade Chief Dr. Mulade Sheriff, a foremost environmental rights and good governance advocate.
According to Mulade, the Ibe-Sorimowei of Ancient Gbaramatu kingdom, an oil-prospecting Kindom in Warri South-West Local Government Area, “the funds do not translate into significant development in oil-producing communities, where residents often experience environmental degradation, poor infrastructure and neglect from goverment at all levels”.
The activist alleged that “the sufferings of Deltans are aggravated by those who manipulated the 13 percent derivation to the detriment of others, especially the host communities”.
Mulade made the assertions while speaking with journalists at the Africa for Peace Games village, Ugolo/Osubi, in Okpe Local Government Area on Sunday.
He said, “People of oil producing communities are wallowing in untold hardship as the reality affects all Deltans who should ordinarily benefit massively being part of oil producing states such as Akwa-Ibom, Rivers, Cross River, Edo, Bayelsa, Abia, Ondo, Imo, Anambra, and recently, Lagos State.
“So far, nothing has been done as regards N1.3trillion Naira of the 13% Derivatives paid to the Delta State Government within the eight years tenure of the immediate past governor of the State, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa.
“Despite the bold steps taken by stakeholders, the case has suffered some setback becuase of political interferenc. But the push is not over.
“The Niger Delta region is still suffering from massive infrastructure decay, widespread poverty and environmental degradation, among numerous others as the 13% Percent derivation funds are not used for the development of oil-producing and bearing communities.
“The funds are now budget tools being used by most of the states, instead of using the funds for the actual purpose they were meant for”.
Mulade spoke further, “Delta State is a major beneficiary of the 13% derivation fund which is a constitutional provision in Nigeria that mandates 13% of the revenue generated from natural resources be allocated to the oil-producing states.
“As one of the country’s most significant oil-producing states, Delta State consistently receives the highest share of the derivation fund among all eligible states.
“In the first five months of 2025, Delta received ₦185.16 billion, the largest allocation among the nine oil-producing states.
“Between June 2023 and May 2024, Delta State’s share amounted to ₦211.69 billion.
“The state also received a significant 29% of the total 13% oil derivation funds distributed across the country from 2015 to 2023.
“The funds do not translate into significant development in oil-producing communities, where residents often experience environmental degradation, poor infrastructure and abject poverty.
“Delta State had reportedly withheld a large portion of the derivation funds from the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC), the agency responsible for developing oil-producing communities”.
It will be recalled that the Delta State Oil Producing Areas Stakeholders Forum recently despatched an open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu raising similar allegations.
Its quiet unfortunate that DESOPADEC currently exist on newspapers, paid media houses and has become a tool for government to compensate political foot soldiers, he lamented.
By: Derick Peretengboro
Prominent Nigerian businessman and philanthropist Obinna Iyegbu, widely known as Obi Cubana, has delivered an inspiring message to young Nigerians, urging them to channel their energy into overcoming poverty rather than engaging in unhealthy rivalries.
In his advice, Obi Cubana emphasized that true growth is not determined by how long someone has been pursuing a venture but by how effectively they execute it. He cautioned youths against unnecessary competition, stressing that in life, “overtaking happens,” and as such, everyone should be treated with respect and important.
“The race isn’t between you and anyone, but against you and poverty forever, and be a role model to the next generation,” he said.
The message was shared during his visit to Enviable Tricycles, Enviable Transport, and Enviable Logistics Ltd., where he highlighted the need for resilience, focus, and the pursuit of excellence as key tools for empowerment and nation-building.
Observation note that Obi Cubana’s call resonates at a time when young Nigerians are seeking practical ways to navigate economic challenges and build sustainable futures.
Opinion
“Dr. Otuaro’s Successful Deployment Of Over 142 Niger Deltans For Onshore And Offshore Postgraduate Studies Highly Commendable” – Ozobo
Call for support towards Otuaro
By Divine Perezide
Popular Niger Delta activist Comrade Ozobo Austin, known within his close circle as the ‘king of the dragons,’ has expressed deep satisfaction with the leadership style of Chief Dr. Dennis Brutu Otuaro PhD, Administrator of the Presidential Amnesty Programme (PAP), especially for the timely deployment of 142 beneficiaries to pursue postgraduate studies in the United Kingdom on Offshore Scholarship.
Ozobo said Dr. Dennis Otuaro has upgraded the face to the Niger Delta Presidential Amnesty programme for ex-agitators which was completely bastardized by the previous administrations, adding that Otuaro’s people-centric leadership as PAP Administrator has set the agency apart to to envy of all. He also wondered if any other agency of the Federal Government has performed well like the PAP is currently doing.
While commending him, Ozobo said Dr Otuaro is detribalised, accommodating, most friendly and performing administrator of the programme, adding that the PAP beneficiaries, critical stakeholders and all Niger Delta youths should encourage him to do more for the beneficiaries of the program.
He also appealed to people with genuine concerns and challenges to approach Otuaro through the appropriate channels, adding he has shown demonstrable will to address every genuine concerns relating to the Presidential Amnesty Programme.
Ozobo, alias the ‘senior advocate of the Niger Delta oppressed people’ also urged Dr. Dennis Otuaro to continue his good works and should not listen to the campaign of calumny by sponsored voices by enemies of Niger Delta, assuring that all well-meaning Niger Deltans were behind him.
The activist further congratulated the successful delegates, urging them to use the opportunity to build their future and avoid engaging in activities that could truncate their studies abroad by the foreign authorities.
Recall, Dr. Otuaro earlier emphasised that the students were carefully placed in competitive and professional courses designed to contribute to socio-economic growth, aligning with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, adding that the initiative aimed to bridge the human capital development gap in the Niger Delta region.
However, at the flag-off event, the beneficiaries expressed gratitude to PAP for the opportunity, promising to make good use of the training and serve as worthy ambassadors of their families, communities, and the Niger Delta. Some officials, including the Technical Assistant to the PAP Administrator, Edgar Daniel, and the Head of PAP’s Education Department, Dr. Charles Ariye, delivered talks on social and cultural challenges, diplomatic and security considerations, and academic demands of studying in the UK.
The programme has also distributed laptops to scholarship recipients to support their research and academic work abroad. PAP’s focus on human capital development in the Niger Delta region is expected to yield long-term benefits, contributing to the area’s socio-economic advancement.
Ozobo’s commendation speaks volumes of the positive impact of PAP’s efforts under Dr. Otuaro’s leadership.