Abuja – The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has highlighted Africa’s growing progress in trade services within the continent, noting improvements in cross-border financial and commercial activities.
Comptroller-General of the NCS, Bashir Adeniyi, made the remarks on Monday during a dinner organised for participants of the Customs–Partnership for African Cooperation in Trade (C-PACT) conference in Abuja.
The C-PACT is a collaborative initiative between the NCS and the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), aimed at repositioning African trade. Supported by the World Customs Organisation (WCO), the initiative seeks to establish a transparent and agile customs framework that promotes lawful trade and sustainable economic growth.
The conference, themed “Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges”, was officially declared open by President Bola Tinubu and will run until Wednesday.
Adeniyi noted that financial services across Africa were improving, particularly with the launch of the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System (PAPSS) by Afreximbank, which facilitates easier cross-border currency flows.
“Earlier today, we learned about the fact that our financial services are crossing borders. The entertainment industry is crossing borders. What we now need to do is to ensure that our goods, that we manufacture within our regions, can also cross borders with the same ease,” Adeniyi said.
He also urged for active engagement of customs administrations in implementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement and emphasised the importance of cross-country trade facilitation and integration.
As President of WCO, Adeniyi expressed confidence that the conference would provide a platform for dialogue between customs administrations and private-sector stakeholders, fostering cooperation and advancing practical outcomes for continental trade integration.
Recent data underline Adeniyi’s optimism. According to Afreximbank’s 2025 African Trade Report, intra-African trade reached US$220.3 billion in 2024, up 12.4% from the previous year, while total African merchandise trade rose by 13.9% to US$1.5 trillion.
Yet, experts note that Africa still has a US$77 billion gap between current trade and its potential, indicating room for growth, especially in value-added goods.
The 4th Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF 2025), held in Algiers earlier this year, also highlights the continent’s trade momentum, concluding with US$48.3 billion in investment deals. The fair focused on innovation, value addition, and green industrialisation — aligning with C-PACT’s goal of fostering lawful trade and sustainable growth.
In West Africa, Nigeria’s intra-African trade surged to US$18.4 billion in 2024, nearly doubling from the previous year, driven by commodities such as refined petroleum and industrial goods.
Meanwhile, PAPSS is making cross-border payments easier in local currencies, reducing reliance on foreign currencies and lowering transaction costs for businesses.
In her closing remarks at the dinner, Caroline Niagwan, Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs (Tariff and Trade), described the gathering as a meaningful moment of connection, emphasizing the importance of building trust and understanding to improve trade facilitation.
“We have come together not just as institutions, but as people committed to improving trade, strengthening cooperation, and ensuring that borders become gateways of opportunity rather than obstacles,” she said.
Highlights of the dinner included a musical performance by a cultural troupe from Algeria and a spoken-word presentation, providing a relaxed atmosphere for attendees to share experiences and build collaborative relationships.
Equities Market Opens Week Lower, N1.173 Trillion Lost in Capitalisation
The Nigerian equities market opened the week on a negative note on Monday, losing N1.173 trillion or a 1.26 per cent decline.
The downturn was largely driven by profit-taking in major stocks, including Dangote Cement, Enamelware, Transcorp Power, AIICO Insurance, and Guinea Insurance. Market capitalisation closed at N92.328 trillion, down from the opening value of N93.501 trillion.
The All-Share Index (ASI) dipped by 1,853.82 points, or 0.26 per cent, ending at 145,159.77 compared with 147,013.59 on Friday.
Despite the overall decline, market breadth remained positive, with 28 stocks gaining against 24 losers.
Top Gainers:
Sovereign Trust Insurance led the gainers with a 9.97 per cent rise to close at N3.20 per share.
NCR Nigeria followed closely, gaining 9.96 per cent to N28.15.
Tantalizer continued its upward momentum, rising 9.81 per cent to N2.35 per share.
Prestige Assurance and Eunisell Interlinked appreciated by 9.70 per cent and 8.52 per cent to close at N1.47 and N79, respectively.
Top Losers:
Dangote Cement and Enamelware led the losers, each shedding 10 per cent to close at N534.60 and N40.50, respectively.
Transcorp Power fell 4.66 per cent to N43.00.
AIICO Insurance declined by 4.11 per cent to N3.50, while Guinea Insurance dropped 3.97 per cent to N1.21 per share.
Trading Activity: Total turnover for the day stood at 388.2 million shares worth N31.14 billion, traded in 28,492 deals. This was lower than Friday’s volume of 4.89 billion shares valued at N42.2 billion across 24,152 transactions.
Notable Trades:
Tantalizer recorded the highest trading volume with 57.12 million shares exchanged.
ARADEL posted the highest trading value at N21.50 billion.
Abuja – The International Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA) Nigeria has warned that women’s underrepresentation is weakening the country’s legislature and slowing national development.
At the 2025 FIDA Law Week, Mrs. Chioma Onyenucheya-Uko, FIDA Abuja Chairperson, said women occupy just 3.62% of federal legislative seats, calling this “alarming and unacceptable.” She urged the adoption of reserved seats for women, describing it as a structural correction, not a handout.
“Excluding women is not tradition; it is a choice. A legislature without women is like a choir missing half its voices,” Onyenucheya-Uko said.
Mrs. Wendy Kuku (SAN), Chair of the Law Week Committee, added that countries like Rwanda, Chile, and New Zealand show that women’s leadership strengthens democracies and accelerates development.
FIDA is calling on political actors, civil society, and male allies to push for meaningful reforms that make women’s voices ordinary, not exceptional, in Nigeria’s Legislature.
New partnership aims to equip future leaders with skills to tackle corruption, public fund mismanagement, and emerging financial threats.
he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the National Defence College (NDC) have agreed to collaborate on revamping the College’s curriculum to reflect Nigeria’s evolving security and governance landscape.
During a courtesy visit to EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede in Abuja, NDC Commandant Rear Admiral Ahmed emphasized the need for a curriculum update to better prepare participants in public fund management and strategic governance.
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Ahmed lauded EFCC’s expertise in fighting economic crimes and requested the agency’s input in designing the new course content. “We want participants to learn how to manage public funds effectively so that they are ready for leadership roles,” he said.
Olukoyede welcomed the proposal, highlighting EFCC’s readiness to support the initiative and noting emerging threats such as cryptocurrency fraud, which caused global losses exceeding $2 trillion last year. “There are areas where our work overlaps, and collaboration will help strengthen Nigeria’s fight against financial crimes,” he said.
Abuja — Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Mr. J.B. Daudu has called for urgent reforms in Nigeria’s correctional system, emphasizing the need for secure and functional facilities to maintain societal stability. He made the remarks at the 7th Annual Criminal Law Review Conference, where he also launched Volume 1 of his book, J.B. Daudu SAN through the Cases.
Dauda said the book reviews key cases and judgments he has argued in Nigeria’s superior courts since his call to the Bar. He stressed that society’s stability depends on properly managing individuals prone to disrupting public order.
“Correctional institutions are central to the smooth operation of any socio-economic and political system. Their current state requires massive public investment to ensure they fulfill their role,” he said.
He urged both federal and state governments to construct multi-purpose correctional centres—one per local government or three per state—following the 2022/2023 constitutional amendment placing prisons on the concurrent legislative list. According to Dauda, effective use of these centres could significantly reduce criminality nationwide.
Former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, SAN, reviewed the book, calling it “a timely and invaluable resource” for Nigeria’s legal community. He highlighted that the book provides insight into Dauda’s advocacy style, his strategic submissions, and instances where his arguments were later adopted by courts. Notable cases featured include Abdullahi Baba v. Nigerian Civil Aviation Training Centre (1991) and Abu Muhammad v. the State (1991).
“I recommend this publication to researchers, policymakers, and all who care about justice administration in Nigeria,” Adoke said.
Lokoja, Kogi State – Former Kogi Governor Alhaji Idris Wada, along with several prominent politicians, has officially joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), in a move Vice President Kashim Shettima described as a reflection of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to national unity and inclusivity.
“This Is Not a Victory of One Ego Over Another”
Speaking in Lokoja during the formal reception, Shettima said:
“This is not a victory of one ego over another. What we are witnessing is an alignment with a broader national vision and a platform of stability.”
He described the APC as a political home where progressives converge to build a renewed Nigeria and urged new members to use the party as a platform for service and development, especially in Kogi State.
“We shall deepen peace in Kogi. We shall expand development. We shall uphold the promise of a renewed Nigeria,” Shettima added.
A “Triumph of Reason”
Shettima hailed the defections as a “triumph of reason” and commended President Tinubu for attracting credible leaders from across the country. Drawing a symbolic connection between Lokoja—the confluence of the Niger and Benue Rivers—and political unity, he emphasized the movement as a step toward stability and national alignment.
The Vice President also praised Governor Usman Ododo for providing continuity and people-driven governance, and former Governor Yahaya Bello for a dignified democratic transition, calling the cooperation between the two leaders a “reassuring national example of political maturity.”
Governor Ododo Welcomes New Members
Governor Ododo described the defectors as “men of value, character, and integrity,” and expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and Vice President Shettima for their support.
“We are here to receive the decampees into the progressives’ family and to express our appreciation to our leaders who have laid the foundation for continued good governance,” Ododo said.
APC National Chairman: “Rescue from a Sinking PDP”
APC National Chairman Prof. Nantawe Yilwatda framed the defections as a lifeline for those disillusioned with the opposition.
“We are here to provide a platform for those stranded in the sinking ship called PDP. I welcome you to the family of progressives. You have taken a wise choice in your political life,” he said.
Wada Cites Tinubu’s Performance as Motivation
Speaking on behalf of the defectors, Wada highlighted the APC’s achievements in infrastructure, economic reforms, and social investment as key reasons for joining.
“APC is leading Nigeria in the right direction. Fuel prices are dropping, the exchange rate has stabilized, and the naira is appreciating,” he said.
Notable Attendees
The reception drew several high-profile dignitaries, including:
Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Audu
Former Minister of State for FCT, Dr. Ramatu Aliyu
Senator Smart Adeyemi
Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu
New York, November 17, 2025 — The United Nations Security Council on Monday adopted a resolution endorsing a U.S.-proposed peace plan for Gaza and authorizing the deployment of a temporary international force in the enclave, following two years of war between Israel and Hamas.
Resolution 2803 (2025), sponsored by the United States, passed with 13 votes in favour and none against, while China and Russia abstained.
UN Security Council
The text of the resolution welcomes the Comprehensive Peace Plan unveiled by U.S. President Donald Trump on September 29, which outlined a 20-point roadmap for ending hostilities and rebuilding Gaza. The plan’s first phase led to a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel several days after its announcement.
Creation of Gaza Board of Peace
The resolution further welcomes the creation of a Board of Peace (BoP), described as a “transitional administration” responsible for overseeing reconstruction efforts and political stabilisation in Gaza.
It authorizes the BoP to establish a temporary International Stabilisation Force (ISF) “to deploy under unified command acceptable to the Board of Peace.” The ISF, the resolution says, will operate “in close consultation and cooperation” with Egypt and Israel, with member states contributing personnel and resources.
Speaking after the vote, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, thanked Council members for supporting what he called “a new course in the Middle East for Israelis and Palestinians and all the people of the region alike.”
“Today’s resolution represents another significant step towards a stable Gaza that will be able to prosper and an environment that will allow Israel to live in security,” Waltz said.
He added that the International Stabilisation Force “will help stabilise the security environment, support the demilitarisation of Gaza, dismantle terrorist infrastructure, decommission weapons, and maintain the safety of Palestinian civilians.”
Algerian Ambassador Amar Bendjama welcomed the initiative and acknowledged the efforts undertaken by President Trump to advance peace in the region. However, he stressed that “genuine peace in the Middle East cannot be achieved without justice for the Palestinian people, who have waited for decades for the establishment of their independent State.”
Bendjama noted that the resolution had received broad support from Arab and Muslim countries, adding that “the Palestinian Authority at the highest level has openly welcomed the initiative.”
Explaining Russia’s decision to abstain, Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said the Council was, in essence, “giving its blessing to a U.S. initiative on the basis of Washington’s promises.”
He warned that the resolution handed “complete control over the Gaza Strip to the Board of Peace and the ISF, the modalities of which we know nothing about so far.”
China also abstained but did not issue an immediate statement following the vote.
Background
The two-year Gaza war, which began in late 2023, resulted in thousands of casualties and large-scale destruction across the enclave. The newly endorsed U.S. plan seeks to stabilise the territory, initiate reconstruction, and pave the way for eventual Palestinian self-governance under international supervision.
The International Stabilisation Force, to be drawn from multiple countries, is expected to begin deployment within weeks, pending agreement on its command structure and mandate duration.
“What happened between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and Navy Lieutenant A.M. Yerima is unfortunate. When Wike arrived at the site of the disputed land in Abuja, the officer explained that he was simply obeying lawful orders. Wike should not have exchanged words with the officer; he ought to have addressed his concerns through the officer’s superiors. He is our colleague, and he could have reached out to us to resolve whatever issue there was.
“The officer’s action was lawful—he was trained to be disciplined, loyal, and obedient to orders. Therefore, the young officer merely carried out his duty, which is worthy of commendation. He did not commit any offence under military regulations. If you observe carefully, he spoke respectfully and conducted himself properly.
FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike in near fisticuff with an officer of the Nigerian Navy
“There is, therefore, no offence under military law for which he should be charged. Wike should not have engaged him in an altercation, especially out of respect for the uniform he was wearing. Anyone who disrespects a soldier indirectly disrespects the President, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. There is, therefore, no basis for any punishment against the officer. This is not about supporting the military to act disrespectfully towards civilians. The Minister should understand that every officer has superiors.
“I gathered that he called the Chief of Defence Staff, who advised him to wait for an investigation. However, he did not wait and instead went straight to the site. As a leader, he ought to have exercised patience and waited for the outcome of the investigation. Wike also contacted the Chief of Naval Staff, who assured him that an inquiry would be conducted. Yet again, he did not wait. It was supposed to be a one-day inquiry, but he chose to go there and confront them. Now that the Chief of Naval Staff has visited the area—since it involves a land dispute—the matter will be investigated to determine who owns the lawful documents. If the land has been revoked, there are established procedures to follow diplomatically.
“We [the Ministry of Defence] have not received any formal complaint from Wike, but I called him after the video went viral and advised that he should have spoken with me before going there, rather than confronting the officers directly.”
A Matter Effectively Closed
I have chosen to reproduce the words of Alhaji Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, because of what they represent. Although he mentioned the need for further investigation, the tone and tenor of his statement suggest that the matter is effectively closed—and the naval officer has nothing to worry about. Lt. Yerima, by every indication, acquitted himself well. He was professional and measured in his conduct during that very public confrontation with a “super minister” known for his loquacity.
To reinforce the sense that the matter is closed, one only needs to recall the words of the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, who stated that his ministry and the armed forces “will always protect our officers on lawful duty.” Badaru added: “We will not allow anything to happen to him so far as he is doing his job, and he is doing his job greatly well.” The defence minister made this statement during a ministerial briefing for the 2026 Armed Forces Remembrance Day in Abuja. Let that sink in.
You may call it esprit de corps, but several retired generals from both the North and the South—including former Chiefs of Defence Staff and Army Staff, Generals Lucky Irabor and Tukur Buratai—have spoken in Yerima’s defence. They even called for a public apology from Wike to both Yerima and the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Tinubu, for dishonouring a military officer commissioned by the President himself.
Lawyers, Silence, and Political Optics
Notable voices have weighed in on the Wike–Yerima confrontation over the disputed plot of land in Abuja last Tuesday. Some are lawyers—senior and junior—while others are political commentators and public intellectuals. A few have argued in favour of Wike, citing the 1999 Constitution (as amended), but the majority have faulted him, emphasizing due process, the rule of law, and the impropriety of resorting to self-help, as appeared to be the case here.
As usual, the legal community has been divided—lawyers seldom agree on anything, even when the law seems straightforward to the “unlearned.” For most of the past week, they have been doing what they do best: lawyering. Their disputations may be intellectually stimulating, but one must not take them too seriously. Often, their arguments are shaped by convenient partisanship masquerading as constitutional fidelity.
By the way, has anyone noticed the deafening silence from Wike’s colleagues in the Federal Executive Council? Nearly fifty cabinet members, yet not one has publicly spoken in his defence. Does this silence reflect how they truly regard the Minister? As for President Tinubu, who appointed Wike “on our behalf,” the Minister may well be beyond reproach or removal—for obvious political reasons.
The Politics of 2023 and the Future of 2027
Wike appears untouchable—because of the past (2023) and the future (2027). President Tinubu, ever the political strategist, prioritizes electoral victory by any means necessary—the Machiavellian creed that the end justifies the means. And Wike fits perfectly into that school of thought.
Tinubu “discovered” Wike in 2023, when the latter was nearing the end of his governorship of oil-rich Rivers State. Having fallen out with his own party, the PDP, Wike was eager to prove his relevance. Tinubu needed a foothold in the Niger Delta and, by extension, the national electoral map. In that year’s presidential election, Wike reportedly “delivered” Rivers State to Tinubu—an opposition candidate—in defiance of his own party’s standard-bearer, Atiku Abubakar.
An APC governor from the North, astonished by Wike’s performance, allegedly remarked that his party merely begged for 25 percent of the votes but received an overwhelming—and inexplicable—victory. Unsurprisingly, the PDP still won the subsequent governorship election by a landslide, demonstrating the complex web of political transactions that define Nigerian elections.
In essence, Wike paid with the votes of Rivers people for his current position in a supposedly opposition-led federal government. That, in part, explains his “untouchable” aura. He remains a crucial asset for the 2027 elections—and the President knows it.
The Rivers Factor and a Trail of Conflict
Wike has long been a person of concern throughout his political career—from his days as Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, to Minister, to Governor, and now to FCT Minister. Since assuming office in August 2023, controversies have dogged both his official and personal conduct.
He installed Siminalayi Fubara as his successor in Rivers State but soon fell out with him. Earlier this year, he was linked to political violence that led to a temporary declaration of emergency in the state, suspension of all elected officials—including the governor and lawmakers—by President Tinubu. The crux of the matter was political control. Wike openly claimed he nominated all elected officials, purchased their nomination forms, and installed them in office. The implication: Rivers State belongs to him.
A chastened Fubara has since been reinstated under conditions widely reported to include a promise not to defect to the APC as its leader and to forgo a second-term bid.
Throughout his political journey, Wike has sparred with nearly everyone who once aided his rise—from former President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Patience, to his predecessor, Rotimi Amaechi. His rift with Atiku Abubakar and the PDP leadership over the 2023 presidential ticket further cemented his image as a combative political loner.
On Saturday, he and his loyalists were reportedly expelled from the PDP—a move he predictably dismissed with scorn. Wike is, as the Igbo say, an ikiri—a tenacious creature that never lets go once it bites. But the real casualty may be the PDP itself, now adrift and internally fractured.
A court ruling against holding the party’s Ibadan convention underscores how the PDP’s legal and political machinery remains compromised. In Abuja, many judges are whispered to be “Wike’s judges,” highlighting his alleged influence over the judiciary.
Money, Power, and the Capital Territory
Wike’s public persona is equally polarizing. His frequent, combative media chats—lavishly funded from the FCT’s coffers—have become theatrical displays of arrogance. Barely two months after his appointment, he reportedly secured presidential approval to exempt the FCT from the Treasury Single Account (TSA) policy, giving him free rein over the territory’s internally generated revenue—beyond public scrutiny.
Allegations have since swirled around him: the revocation and reallocation of prime land to cronies and family members, misuse of public resources (including taking his children on official foreign trips), and failure to fully declare assets, notably properties in the United States allegedly registered in his wife’s and children’s names. He has also been accused of using public venues for partisan political events, including hosting a factional PDP meeting at the FCDA conference hall. Wike, for his part, has strenuously denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
A Dangerous Moment for Civil–Military Relations
The Wike–Yerima spat, however, carries deeper implications—especially against the backdrop of an alleged coup plot reportedly involving northern military officers. Although the government insists the arrests were disciplinary, many Nigerians remain skeptical.
The vehement defence of Lt. Yerima by northern political figures, including the Defence Ministers, raises its own concerns. And then came the cryptic post from the Nigerian Defence Headquarters’ X (formerly Twitter) account, in bold uppercase letters:
“IT IS AN HONOUR TO SERVE IN THE NIGERIAN MILITARY. UNSHAKEN. UNBENT. UNBROKEN.”
Make of that what you will.
Meanwhile, the National Assembly is reportedly considering legislation to make the military answerable not only to the President but to all tiers of civilian authority.
In a manner of speaking, may Wike not become Nigeria’s Achilles’ heel in this fragile and fractious democracy of twenty-six years.
About the Author
Ugo Onuoha is a veteran journalist, former Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Champion Newspapers Ltd, columnist, and public affairs analyst. His works often explore governance, power dynamics, and civic accountability in Nigeria’s evolving democracy. He writes from Lagos.
Nigeria’s media industry is mourning the loss of one of its most iconic figures, Mr. Dan Agbese, a respected journalist, columnist, and co-founder of the defunct Newswatch Magazine. He passed away on Monday morning in Lagos at the age of 81.
Family sources confirmed that Agbese died peacefully after a brief illness. His passing marks the end of an era in Nigerian journalism, particularly for those who followed Newswatch during its influential years in the 1980s and 1990s.
Agbese, together with Dele Giwa, Ray Ekpu, and Yakubu Mohammed, co-founded Newswatch in 1984. The magazine broke new ground with its fearless investigative reporting and bold political commentary, setting new standards for press freedom in Nigeria.
A graduate of the University of Lagos and Indiana State University in the United States, Agbese was widely admired for his clarity of thought, professionalism, and deep insight into national issues. Throughout his long career, he championed ethical journalism and mentored many young reporters who would later become media leaders.
Tributes have poured in from journalists, politicians, and civil society figures across the country. Many have described his death as “a monumental loss to the Nigerian press.”
In a statement, the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) commended Agbese for his “unwavering commitment to the pursuit of truth and the defense of press freedom,” calling him “a beacon of integrity and inspiration.”
Funeral arrangements are expected to be announced by the family in due course.
Former Niger State Governor, Dr. Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, has said that Nigeria’s founding father, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, made critical political compromises that preserved the country’s unity and prevented its early disintegration.
Dr. Aliyu Babangida
Aliyu made this remark at the 6th Annual Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe Award Lecture held in Abuja to mark Azikiwe’s 121st posthumous birthday. The lecture, themed “The Power of Pan-African Unity: Strengthening Nigeria’s Role in African Integration and Development,” drew scholars, statesmen, and diplomats.
Aliyu, who chaired the National Planning Committee for the event, noted that the early post-independence years were fraught with ethnic tension and political uncertainty, but Azikiwe’s pragmatic leadership helped stabilize the nation.
“Zik was a Nigerian even before Nigeria gained its independence. He was at the forefront of the struggle. As a realist, he made necessary compromises to ensure the survival of the nation,” Aliyu said.
He recalled that before the 1966 coup, Azikiwe entered a political alliance with the NPC, becoming Nigeria’s first ceremonial president. Similarly, during the Second Republic, Azikiwe’s NPP formed an alliance with the NPN, again promoting unity across party and regional divides.
“Anyone who loves this country must do so regardless of the challenges,” Aliyu said. “If we were to choose where to be born, many might not choose Nigeria. But since it was not our choice, we must love the country where our Creator placed us.”
Aliyu said Azikiwe’s patriotism remains a moral lesson, adding that all faiths teach love of one’s country as a virtue.
His comments come amid renewed calls for Pan-African revival across the continent. Recently, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, speaking at a summit in Accra, Ghana, urged African leaders to revisit the ideals of Azikiwe and Kwame Nkrumah, lamenting that “Africa has lost the spirit of unity that once inspired its liberation movements.”
Umar-Kogo Calls for Moral Rebirth
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Mainasara Umar-Kogo, Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), called for a moral rebirth and a return to Pan-African values.
He lamented that despite the foundation laid by figures like Azikiwe, Nkrumah, and Nelson Mandela, Africa remains trapped in corruption, disunity, and leadership failures.
“Let us be honest with ourselves,” Umar-Kogo said. “What kind of house have we built after Zik? A house divided by ethnic strife cannot endure. A house corroded by corruption cannot inspire.”
He added:
“A house without justice cannot lead. If Nigeria must be the cornerstone of Africa, its own house must be in order. A divided, corrupt, or lawless Nigeria cannot unify or inspire Africa.”
Umar-Kogo stressed that Pan-Africanism was not just an economic project but a moral and political mission, calling for leaders who embody integrity, courage, justice, and service.
In a related development, the African Union (AU) announced plans to honour Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe at its 2026 Summit in Addis Ababa for his “extraordinary contribution to continental unity and liberation struggles.” The honour will coincide with the AU’s Year of African Renaissance, aimed at celebrating post-independence visionaries who championed African cooperation and identity.
Call to Immortalise Zik’s Legacy
Chief Chineme Onyeke, Director-General of the annual lecture series, said the event was established to ensure that nations not only remember their heroes but sustain the dreams they inspired.
He disclosed that the organisers plan to establish the Zik Centre for Leadership and African Studies — a research and training institution to nurture ethical and visionary leaders.
“We appeal to the Federal Government, through the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, to support this vision by allocating land for the project,” Onyeke said. “History does not remember us by our titles or speeches, but by the values we uphold and the institutions we build.”
His remarks align with a recent Federal Ministry of Education announcement that the lives and philosophies of Nigeria’s founding fathers — Azikiwe, Ahmadu Bello, and Obafemi Awolowo — will be included in the revised Civic and History Curriculum for secondary schools. According to the ministry, the goal is to “restore historical awareness and civic pride among young Nigerians.”
Zik’s Widow Urges Preservation of History
Prof. Uche Azikiwe, widow of the late statesman, commended the organisers for keeping her husband’s ideals alive.
She called for more efforts to document Nigeria’s political history and the contributions of its founding fathers.
“Most of our problems stem from the fact that we do not know what happened in the past,” she said. “Even as Zik’s wife, I learned new things here today. If we truly knew our history and the foundation of this country, Nigeria would have been something entirely different.”
Prof. Azikiwe urged the inclusion of accurate historical accounts in schools, saying a nation without a clear memory of its past risks losing direction and identity.
