Nigeria Times

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has been commended for raising the bar in governance and giant strides in infrastructure, education, empower initiatives as well as the planned return of monthly sanitation programme in the state.

The Convener of Campaign for Dignity in Governance, Razaq Olokoba gave the remarks following a periodic governance review under Sanwo-Olu on Tuesday in Lagos.
In his assessment, Olokoba described the governor as a trailblazer and leader whose legacies are impacting the country. Additionally that Sanwo-Olu has set a high standard with the level of transformation going on in Nigeria’s commercial capital.

He noted that the World Bank’s recent commendation of Sanwo-Olu for the significant transformation witnessed in the state over the past five years was a clear testament that the governor is doing exceptionally well. At the same time, highlighting Sanwo-Olu’s exploits in the education sector, environmental protection, youth employment, and entrepreneurship, amongst others.

“When a global financial institution like the World Bank is singling out a governor for praise that says a lot, and I can confirm without a doubt that Gov. Sanwo-Olu has performed in enhancing the quality of life for residents and his commitment to upgrading infrastructure to boost socio-economic development is second to none.

“Lagos State Government under his leadership is transforming the transportation landscape of Lagos, which has become a model for a modern city. The administration’s delivery of intra-city rail infrastructure and investment in waterways have greatly enhanced the state’s economic prospects.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to improving education was a central promise of his campaign and today has been actualized through the EKOEXCEL program, designed to address the learning crisis in Lagos public primary schools.

“As we talk, the programme has uplifted pupils from low-income families to performance levels comparable to their peers in upper-middle-income countries. In over five years, EKOEXCEL has dramatically reduced learning poverty, transforming the educational landscape of Lagos State.
“Lagos government under Sanwo-Olu also aligned with the urgency for actions to mitigate the effects of climate change and reduce carbon footprints. The signing of two waste conversion initiatives secured significant foreign investments.
The idea of returning to monthly clean-up exercises in Lagos state is a cheery development and shows that the Lagos state governor is a listening leader.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu also came up with a novel idea which has the potential to transform the fortunes of the youths. The initiative tagged, ‘EMPOWER LAGOS’ was part of economic efforts to curb youth unemployment and empower artisans, indicating that residents have the chance to learn technical and vocational skills that open the door to employment and entrepreneurial opportunities.
I can confirm to you that millions of Lagosians are benefitting from this programme, jobs have been created in millions since the initiative took off, “He stated.

The Lagos State House of Assembly has firmly advised the suspended chairman of Alimosho Local Government Area, Jelili Sulaimon, and his lawyer, Dr. Abdul Mahmud, to prioritize legal principles over emotional responses regarding the recent suspension. This statement comes in light of Mahmud’s criticism of the Assembly’s unanimous decision to suspend Sulaimon during a plenary session on October 7, 2024, and the subsequent legal action he has initiated against the Assembly.

In a response signed by Hon. Stephen Ogundipe, the chairman of the Committee on Information, Strategy and Security, the Assembly emphasized the importance of understanding the legal framework governing local governments in Lagos State. The Assembly highlighted that the creation and governance of local governments must adhere to established laws, particularly referencing Section 7 of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria.

The Assembly asserted its legal authority, noting that the Local Government Administration Law grants it the power to suspend officials after conducting investigations, requiring only a simple majority of votes from Assembly members. The Assembly stressed that the recent suspension was justified and adhered to the rules governing local government administration in Lagos State.

Ekiti State Governor, Abiodun Oyebanji, has criticized Nigeria’s leadership recruitment process, attributing the country’s challenges to voters’ focus on ethnic, religious, and geopolitical biases. Speaking at the 11th Annual Public Lecture of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Yaba, Lagos, Oyebanji expressed concern over the nation’s tendency to choose leaders through a “try-by-error” system.

He argued that many leaders in Nigeria rise to power without the right aptitude or merit, often selected based on privilege or geopolitical factors, rather than experience and proven ability. Oyebanji urged Nigerians to prioritize merit in leadership selection to improve governance.

On the 30th of September 2024, a video surfaced online, featuring the notorious terrorist Bello Turji—this time, not with his characteristic bravado, but in a startling display of vulnerability. The once-defiant bandit was seen pleading for forgiveness and calling for dialogue with the Federal Government, signaling his desire to end armed violence in Zamfara State. He accused the Governor of Zamfara, Dauda Lawal, and the Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, of politicizing insecurity, yet conveniently neglected to acknowledge the undeniable military gains made since Matawalle led the Service Chiefs to Sokoto.

Governor Lawal, despite his criticisms of Matawalle, has repeatedly traveled to Abuja, over 500 kilometers from his state capital, to launch a series of unfounded accusations against the Minister, blaming him for the state’s security challenges while conspicuously omitting recognition of the notable victories that have been achieved since Matawalle’s intervention.

In response, Dr. Bello Matawalle delivered a candid and unyielding rebuttal, presenting the facts to the Nigerian public. He reminded the nation that he is the only political figure from Zamfara State who has taken a solemn oath on the Holy Quran, categorically denouncing any association with banditry or its supporters. In a bold challenge, he called upon his critics, including Dauda Lawal and Gen. Aliyu Gusau, to do the same—if indeed they are free from any connections to the bandits. To date, none have accepted this challenge, leaving much to be inferred about their support for the insurgency in the region.

But I digress. Let us return to the matter at hand—the sudden shift in Turji’s stance. For a terrorist leader who, only weeks ago, boasted of his capacity to challenge the Nigerian Armed Forces, this reversal is no coincidence. Something significant has clearly shaken him.

Consider the context: six days before Turji’s plea, his associate, Kachalla Sani-Black—a feared bandit leader commanding over 150 loyal men—was neutralized in a precisely executed ambush by the local police in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State. Not only was Sani-Black eliminated, but his sons also met their demise alongside him, sending a powerful message to other criminal elements.

Before Sani-Black’s elimination, another key bandit leader, Baleri Fakai, along with 30 of his strongest fighters, was taken down in the same region. Days prior, on the 12th of September, the Nigerian Air Force Special Forces struck a decisive blow by eliminating the infamous Halilu Sububu, a terrorist whose attacks on a military base in Katsina in 2021 resulted in the deaths of numerous soldiers. Sububu had since unleashed terror across Sokoto, Niger, and Kaduna States. His demise, followed by the neutralization of another bandit, Halilu Buzu, demonstrated the coordinated efforts of Nigeria’s military forces in dismantling the leadership of these insurgent groups.

Then came the elimination of Sani Wala Burki, a notorious terrorist responsible for years of violence in the Safana and Batsari Local Government Areas of Katsina State. His death on the 14th of September was yet another major victory achieved by the Nigerian Armed Forces.

So, what explains this sudden spate of victories? What transformed the tide of battle in the North-Western region, where terrorists have been neutralized one after the other?

The turning point came on the 1st of September 2024, when Dr. Bello Matawalle, Minister of State for Defence, led the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other senior military leaders to Sokoto on a Presidential directive. Tasked with the mission of eradicating banditry in the North-West, Matawalle, a leader known for his courage and resolve, embarked on an intensive operational tour with the service chiefs. He spent over a week on the ground, receiving strategic briefings and collaborating with troops to craft a comprehensive plan to restore peace in the region.

It was in the aftermath of this high-level visit that Nigerians began to witness the cascading military successes that have since garnered national attention. Whatever strategic directives Matawalle provided to the troops, they executed them with precision, delivering the results he has since reported back to President Tinubu.

For those observant enough to read between the lines, the attacks on Dr. Bello Matawalle by his predecessor, Dauda Lawal, reek of jealousy—an attempt to detract from the remarkable progress achieved under Matawalle’s leadership. The spate of victories over banditry is undeniable, and attempts to undermine these achievements are little more than distractions.

Even Senator Shehu Sani, a known critic of Nigeria’s political elite, commended Matawalle’s efforts. In a recent statement, he dismissed the criticisms aimed at the Minister of State for Defence and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, as counterproductive distractions in the ongoing fight against terrorism. “Why are some people unhappy that bandit leaders are being eliminated?” Sani asked. “Anyone genuinely committed to ending the reign of kidnappers and murderers should support these efforts, not engage in frivolous criticisms.”

It is evident that individuals like Governor Dauda Lawal are less than pleased with the recent military successes in Zamfara and beyond. But as history has shown, true leadership rises above such petty grievances.

In the coming days and weeks, it is widely expected that the once loquacious Bello Turji’s fate will be sealed, and the Nigerian Armed Forces will continue their pursuit of him until he, too, is eliminated. The momentum generated since Dr. Matawalle’s strategic tour of the North-West has reinvigorated the morale of our troops. This is the unmistakable hallmark of effective leadership.

On the 2nd of October 2024, as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu departed for his annual leave in the United Kingdom, he was seen exchanging firm handshakes with Dr. Bello Matawalle and National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. The confidence in their exchange was palpable, and one could almost imagine the President’s words: “Whatever you’re doing, you’re doing it right. Finish the job, Matawalle. Bring Turji to his knees and secure our nation.”

Nathaniel C. Adoji writes from Kaduna State.

Prince Audu is partnering the National Steel Council of Nigeria in his initiative of repositioning the nation’s steel industry which is already attracting public commendations, and targeted at meeting the yearning of industry players.

The summit plan was disclosed in a programme schedule made available to newsmen by the Executive Secretary, National Steel Council, Ambassador M. Musafari on Monday in Abuja, with the theme: Rethinking, Retooling and Revitalizing the Steel Industry for Production Sufficiency By 2034.

Musafari while commending the Minister, noted that Prince Audu is working tirelessly to ensuring a holistic improvement of the steel industry as “Steel remains the catalyst for industrialization in the world”. Adding that with the programmes lined up by the Ministry of Steel Development the sector is at the verge of remarkable improvement.

“I have been with the Honourable the Minister of Steel Development and all I can see is a man working extra-hard to change the course of history with regards to steel industry. He understands what is at stake and vibrant enough to take on the task.

“Prince Audu have also re-echoed that repositioning the steel sector will play a crucial role in the ongoing steel sector revival efforts under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“It will interest Nigerians to know that the Ministry of Steel Development under Prince Audu is also aiming to ensure all dormant steel plants become operational and for Nigeria to begin steel production before the end of President Tinubu’s tenure, while focusing on drastically reducing Nigeria/s over 10 million metric tonnes importation of steel annually,” Musafari revealed,

According to Musafari, the high-powered summit aims to bring together Stakeholders in the Steel Industry in Nigeria to foster open dialogue, discuss critical issues, encourage collaboration, align goals, set priorities, and focus on shared challenges to drive progress and lay the foundation for a cohesive, forward-thinking steel sector.

He revealed that the Federal Government having identified the importance of such an auspicious event is solidly behind it; hence President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu will both be part of the summit as special guest of honour and keynote speaker respectively.

Speaking on why the steel sector needs revamping, Musafari noted that there have been many false steps in fixing the Nigerian steel industry, but with a genuine focus on the steel sector Nigerian economy stands to gain massively.

Adding that the primary objective of the programme is to generate ideas and views to determine the strategic options available to Nigeria in achieving the major goal of ensuring self-sufficiency in steel production.

Part of the objectives of the summit read:
“The Summit brings together Stakeholders in the Steel Industry in Nigeria to foster open dialogue, discuss critical issues, encourage collaboration, align goals, set priorities, and focus on shared challenges to drive progress and lay the foundation for a cohesive, forward-thinking steel sector.

“Effective stakeholder engagement is critical for the steel industry. It enables Stakeholders to consider diverse perspectives, align priorities, and foster collaborative solutions to complex challenges. By actively engaging with all Stakeholders the National Steel Council will champion the process to build trust, mitigate risks, and drive sustainable growth.

“President ‘Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ translates into renewed hope across the country and the economy. This brings into focus the Steel Sector of the Nigerian economy. There have been many false steps in this regard, with little change in the industry. It is now time to effect a positive change that aligns with Mr. President’s Agenda, the yearning of industry players and Nigerians at large.

“Ajaokuta Steel Complex (ASC), came into existence at the same time as the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). In the intervening decades, the FCT has grown in leaps and bounds. Whereas, ASC which was supposed to be the bedrock of Nigeria’s industrialization and economic growth has remained comatose. At the moment only 800 hectares of the 24, 000 hectares of land set aside for ASC is in use.

“Under the Renewed Hope Agenda of our visionary President, the National Steel Council has been mandated to commence the process for revitalizing ASC and jumpstarting Nigeria’s prosperity and growth under the auspices of an INDUSTRIAL PARK housing several entities in diverse fields and serving as a convergence for industries, security structures, airport, seaport, educational institutions, and ancillary services”.

Government functionaries expected at the programme include: Managing Directors of Nigeria Railway Cooperation, Bank of Industry, Nigeria Port Authority, Nigeria Mining Cooperation, NASREA, Raw Materials Development Council, and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Steel Development.

Expected Stakeholders are Production Processes and Value Chain Related Activities Entities; End Users (Stevedoring/ Construction Coys & Fabrication Yards); Importers; Engineering Companies; The National Assembly; Ministries, Departments, and Agencies of Government; Security Agencies; Research & Development Entities; Quality Assurance & Standardisation Entities, etc; Miners; Energy Providers (Gencos, Discos, NERC); Logistics and Transport Entities (Railways, Haulage Companies & Shippers); Manpower Resourcing Entities, Infrastructure Companies, etc; Commercial Banks; Development Bank; Bank of Industry; Bank of Agriculture; Insurance Companies; Investors and others.

The date of the summit is to be made public soon.