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Okpaleke and the Journey to Rome

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By Valentine Obienyem

The journey to Rome was pleasant and joyous: a Nigerian and the Bishop of Ekwulobia, Most Rev. Dr. Peter Okpaleke was among the 20 Cardinals so-created by Pope Francis. It was really a glorious interlude for a country where news items are subsumed in the shocking – kidnapping, beheading, rape and rapine. There is no vocabulary of decadence that is not accommodated by our dear country.

Indeed, one of those afore-mentioned shocking news was the rejection ten years ago (7th December, 2012) by Ahiara Diocese of Bishop Okpaleke’s appointment as their Bishop and his prevention from canonical possession of the Diocese. This led to his resignation on 19th February, 2018.

At a point, when seen through the prisms of the world, he was considered as the most tortured Bishop in Nigeria, he did not appear so, but continued to pursue his episcopate. When he was eventually appointed a Cardinal, joy was universal. It appears to be the Pope’s unique method of lifting one up as an example of Christian living, apostolic patience and deep humility.

It is by no means easy to appoint a Cardinal. During the 1563 Ecumenical Council of Trent, Pope Pius IV exposed to us the minds of Popes when appointing Cardinals. His words:”Nothing is more necessary to the Church of God than that the Holy Roman Pontiff apply that solicitude which by the duty of his office he owes the universal Church in a very special way by associating with himself as cardinals the most select persons only, and appoint to each church most eminently upright and competent shepherds; and this the more so, because our Lord Jesus Christ will require at his hands the blood of the sheep of Christ that perish through the evil government of shepherds who are negligent and forgetful of their office”. Cardinal Okpaleke was appointed due to the plenitude of Apostolic virtues.

The fore-going explains why over 300 Nigerians from across the Federation attended the Consistory at which Opkaleke received the Red Hat.
The organisation of the event was itself superb. Professor Fr. Anthony Chiegboka, Fr. Christian Umeojinaka, Fr. Lawrence Nwankwo, Fr. Michael Muonwe, Fr. Nicolas Abazie, among other priests were at their best. Even in a hurriedly written piece, my I recognize the presence of Fr. Emmanuel Udechukwu. Before other priests I did not mention their names including some of my old teachers will start raising objections, May I inform them that I served Fr. Emmanuel Udechukwu at mass in the early eighties. He in fact took me to the seminary for registrations at Akpu.

We must also respectfully appreciate the presence of our Governor, Prof. Charles Soludo. His actions at the event yet again mirrored his good wishes for the state. In fraternal spirit, he joined us at masses and shared our happiness as we celebrated Fr. Alphonsus Ezeoke at 60.

Many other distinguished Anambrarians and Nigerians were also in Rome, to mention everybody would empty the pen, but we remember, especially the presence of two traditional rulers the Cardinal specially recognized: Igwe Ohazulume of Amesi, Eze P. C Iwu from Ahiara and his own Igwe, Igwe Raphael Okpaleke.

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Thanks to the organisers, some of who I had mentioned for maximizing the trip. Rather than pay millions of Naira to partake in the Consistory only, they artfully turned it into a pilgrimage. Thus, the opportunity was taken to visit the historic and religious sites of Rome. Some of us even sallied forth beyond Rome. I read what Fr. Augustine Nnadi wrote about the visit to his lover – St. Maria Goretti. Those of us in love with classics, went as far as Naples, where I visited the ruins of Pompeii, a UNESCO heritage site, as well as Mt. Vesuvius, which erupted in AD 79 and with the molten magma that escaped its confines, buried the city of Pompeii that was later excavated. In spite being an active volcano, why does the Italian Government still allow people to live within the vicinity of that catastrophe?

However, since our visit was primarily about the Cardinalet, let us do a little exposition for fuller understanding and appreciation of the lofty position our brother has been elevated to, being effectively the Prince of the Church.

Lend your ears to experts in Church history they would tell us that time was when even laymen were appointed Cardinals. They would tell us about so many changes that institution had undergone, with different Popes promulgating various bulls to effect those changes. An example was In 1059, when through the bull entitled “In Nomine Domini”, Pope Nicholas XII granted Cardinals the right to elect new Popes. We have even seen Popes exercising their powers to set aside Church Laws by appointing more Cardinals than prescribed.

The point to note here is that the Sacred College, also called the College of Cardinals, is very important in the lives of Popes. This body acts as advisers to the Pope. He, in the spirit of apostleship, asks their advice whenever needed.

We have three classes of Cardinals, namely: Cardinal Deacons, Cardinal Priests and Cardinal Bishops. Cardinal Deacons from where Francis Cardinal Arinze started, are either officials of Roman Curia or priests who at over 80 years are no longer qualified for the Conclave. Cardinal priests, which are the designations of other Nigerian Cardinals like our own Okpaleke, are mostly Diocesan bishops though some are also Curia Cardinals. Cardinal Bishops which Francis Cardinal Arinze eventually became are the highest-ranking cardinals who were appointed titular Bishops of one of what is called Suburbicarian Sees as in that of Velletri-Segni for Arinze.

The Pope meets the Cardinals officially in the consistories. Consistories could be essentially ordinary or extra ordinary even if it is secret, semi-secret or public.

It is at secret consistories that new Cardinals are named; and the Pope gives them their sapphire rings as a symbol of their offices. If a Cardinal comes from a far country, the Pope assigns him an honorary position as the head of a diocese in Italy. Okpaleke is the Cardinal priest of Santi Martiri dell’ Uganda a Poggioreale Ameno, with which he would maintain a titular relationship. At secret consistories, the Pope creates Cardinal Camerlengo, that is, Chancellor of the Catholic Church. Assisted by the Vice-Camerlengo, they head the office known as the Apostolic Camera. The Camerlengo’s function is limited to the period of “Sede Vacante”, when he expectedly presents the state of the finances of the Papacy to the College of Cardinals, as they gather for the Conclave.

In semi-public consistories, the Pope, Cardinals and Bishops meet. This consistory discusses candidates for beatification and canonization. It took place on the 27th, immediately after the reception of red hats by the new princes.

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It is pertinent to note here that Popes sometimes appoint Cardinals “in Pectore”; that is secretly to avoid his being victimized in places the Church is still under persecution. If not named publicly, his position expires with the death of the Pope, otherwise he takes position based on when he was appointed.

The major function of the College of Cardinals is the election of a new Pope. This was done by only Cardinal Bishops until 1179, when the Third Lateran Council extended it to the entire body of Cardinals.
When a Pope dies, a member of the College must verify his death. He touches the forehead of the Pope thrice with a silver mallet and calls him by his baptismal name. He then announces that “the Pope is truly dead”. In the interim, the Sacred College takes over his functions.

During the election of a new Pope, the College of Cardinals is known as “The Conclave”. While in the conclave, the Cardinals severe any relationship with the outside world. On the day of the election, mass of the Holy Ghost is celebrated for guidance in decision-making. The actual voting takes place in the Sistine Chapel (erected in the Palace of the Vatican by Pope Sixtus IV in 1473). Some of us had the privilege of visiting the Chapel while in Rome.
The Conclave begins between the 15th and 18th day after the death of a Pope. After voting, if a new Pope is not elected, the scrutinies (ballots) are burnt with a mixture of straw) to produce black smoke. When eventually a Pope is elected, the straw is burnt alone to produce white smoke. Then, outsiders will shout “Viva il Papa” (“Long Live the Pope”). The Cardinals will then pay their first homage to the Pope-Elect. The senior Cardinal Deacon (Protodeacon) will then step out on the balcony of St. Peter’s Church and announce to the people in Latin: “Habemus Papam” (“We have a Pope”). The Pope makes his first appearance and gives his blessing: “Urbi et Orbi” (to the City and to the World”).

The Pope-Elect chooses a day and a place for his installation – they have often chosen St. Peter’s Church. On that day, the Pope is carried on a portable throne in a procession from the Vatican to Saint Peter. The Protodeacon places the “Pallium” on the new Pope and after the mass, places a three-tiered crown (Tiara) on the Pope’s head. He then gives his blessing. The Cardinals will pay a second homage.

However, in 1978, Pope Paul I eliminated many of these traditional ceremonies. He walked in the procession and chose to have a pallium placed over his shoulders, symbolizing his pastoral responsibilities as the head of the Church. Later, Pope John Paul II and other Popes followed the Pauline example.

The foregoing partly represents the operation of the papacy, so wonderfully organized. In fact, if art were the organization of government, the Papacy is the most imposing master-piece in history.
This does not mean that the papacy is perfect. It has its own troubles like other institutions manned by the sons of Adam. We have had anti-Popes, Avignon Papacy, Popes who were epitomes of moral degeneracy amidst many achievements. A parody book was written by Erasmus – the famous man regarded as having laid the reformation egg that Martin Luther eventually hatched – about a Pope, Julius II who, when he got to Heaven was prevented by St. Peter from entrance on account of his poor representation. Erasmus said he took the name Julius II not in honour of Julius I, but in emulation of Julius Caesar. In his book, “The Prince”, Machiavelli held him up as an ideal Prince.

It was some of the troubles of the Papacy that led to the erection of its high wall, as well as produced the Concordant and Lateran Treaty.

Beyond witnessing on the 27th of August, 2022 with Cardinals Arinze, Onaiyekan , other bishops, priests and seminarians, the reception of the Red Hat by Peter Cardinal Okpaleke, we also explored the spiritual, political and artistic riches of Rome. It was another opportunity to observe how nations prepare themselves for greatness with whatever is available to them. Italians like the people of Isreal, are making full use of their rich historical past by packaging them in tourism through which they make billions of Dollars annually. Has Nigeria as a country tried to harness things unique to her?

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As we traversed Rome, we observed some key elements of the city. Determined that the Roman origin would not be outshone by rival lores, our guide told us how two twins, Remus and Romulus – half-history, half-myth, born at Castel Gandolfo by the mystery of history – came to Rome and established a city there.

The tale resonated when we visited the Pope’s summer residence at Castel Gandolfo, overlooking the beautiful and volcanic Lake Alban of 200 metres deep. For me, it was face-to-face with history having heard about Castel Gandolfo from our then Spiritual Director, the saintly Fr. Paul Nwaelom in the eighties. The scenic beauty of the lake tempts even those that do not know how to swim to jump into it. It has beautiful and attractive beaches. In Nigeria, such lakes would be centres of sacrifice to known and unknown gods!

At Castel Gandolfo we saw the old Church of St. Thomas of Villanova. Being on a Sunday, mass was going on. Our guide explained that the village is inhabited by 500 people and had, since 17th Century been used by the Popes until Pope Francis, who only visited the castle twice, turned it into a museum. This was how they stopped the customary complex and mystifying ceremony of installation of a new a Pope. Why strip the Church of little mysteries that clothe her with spiritual mystiques?

At Castel Gandolfo, we raised the issue of how meticulous Italians try to preserve their old landmarks. For Fr. John Umeojiakor that is the soul of tourism. He is pained, like most of us how Nigerians destroy old memories for no cogent reasons. Because Fr. Umeojiakor lived in Austria for a long time, he is conversant with conservation and restoration. Let him tell us his experience: “When I wanted to renovate the Church I shepherded, I had to, according to the law, inform the ‘Denkeschutz’. You do such subject to their approval which flows from one’s commitment to use a certified restorer for the renovation”. In Nigeria, we have seen priests demolish Churches that would have today become tourist attractions for bigger, unneeded Churches.

From Castel Gandolfo we visited the town of Fracasti which our all-knowing guide described as the most popular town in Alban Hills known for wine and olive oil. Relating the true position of things at home, one of us said that in Italy, they use olive oil to cook, while in Nigeria, we use it for “casting and binding” the ubiquitous Satan. Fracasti hosts one of the Suburbicarian dioceses within the Cathedral of St. Peter. We also saw the Villa of Tusculum which now hosts reception for events.

On the 2nd day after the consistory, we took off to the Catacomb of Domitilla. Catacombs are part of the history of Christianity and remind us of what early Christians suffered and how they propagated and held on to their faith regardless.

Recall that history which knows everything, told us that the nascent Christianity was troubled on many fronts, especially from Roman Emperors. Being pagans, they tried to exterminate Christians at all cost. It was so intense that in AD 67, Emperor Nero killed St. Peter and St. Paul. When Rome burnt (AD 64-65), Nero accused and persecuted Christians. In AD 96, Emperor Domitan tried to surpass the records of Nero by his brutal killing of Christians, some by brutal cudgeling. Emperor Diocletian in AD 303, 23rd February, published a general edict ordering the destruction of Christian Churches and writings and reduced Christians to slave status. The list of hostile acts, if one wishes, could go on ad-infinitum

The Catacomb of Domitilla was one of the places Christians secretly worshipped and buried their dead. It is the only Catacomb in Rome which has an underground Basilica dedicated to the Holy Martyrs, Nereo and Achilleo. There, we celebrated mass led by Fr. Anthony Chiegboka.

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In spite of a brief relapse during the Emperorship of Julian nick-named the apostate, a turning point for Christians was, however, recorded in AD 314. With the help of his mother, St. Helena, Pope Sylvester (314-325) converted Constantine to Christianity. As a postscript, he initiated the transformation of pagan Rome into a Christian state. Constantine stopped the crucifixion and breaking of legs in the Roman Empire (AD 315); and declined to celebrate the “Ludi Saeculares” at Rome because of their pagan association (AD 314). Constantine exempted the clergy of Roman Empire from taxation (AD 315; recognized the jurisdiction of ecclesiastical courts (AD 318); forbade magic (AD 320); and prohibited heretical gatherings and divorce (AD 331). The culminating act of his conversion was the building of the first St. Peter’s Basilica above the crypt (tomb) of St. Peter in 325. The modern St. Peter’s Basilica was, however, started in 1506 by Pope Julius II and dedicated in 1626 by Pope Urban VIII. Pope Alexander VII (1655-1667) was to erect the magnificent colonnade of the plaza at St. Peter’s.

The tour of St. Peter really proved it as the biggest Church in the world. The inside is very expansive and magnificent. It is the burial site of over 100 persons, including Popes and notable individuals.
St. Peter’s Basilica is one of the papal Basilicas and among the four major Basilicas of Rome. The other Major Basilicas (all of which are also Papal Basilicas) are the Basilicas of St. John Lateran, St. Mary Major and St. Paul Outside the Walls.

We were exposed to the fact that the Archbasilica of St. John Lateran is highest in rank above St. Peter’s which is not actually a Cathedral. St. John Lateran is the seat of the Pope as the Bishop of Rome. The Pope holds most of the events that ordinarily should take place there at St. Peter’s because of its location – the Vatican. However, the other major basilicas and important buildings such as the Castel Gandolfo enjoy extra-territorial status.

Everywhere we went in Rome, we were faced with classical history, especially for those of us that studied with the “A New Approach to Latin”. Talk about the Colosseum, the Forum, Trajan Column, the Tiber as central to Rome as Seine to Paris, Arcs of Constantine, it was a worthwhile experience.

With the knowledge of classics, one easily noticed that some of the streets in Rome were named after famous people in Roman history, such as Aurelius, the philosopher-Emperor, and Gracchi, among others. I did not see the names of those who, in spite fighting to re-barbarise Rome like Julian, being conferred with such honour like in our clime, where the devil’s incarnates even achieve post-humous honour through the strength of the Naira.

Throughout our stay in Rome, most of us lamented the state of Nigeria, how a chasm exists between the development in Italy and our country. Some even made it a point of prayer that Mr. Peter Obi who was also in Rome should succeed as President and start building Nigeria as other statesmen do for their countries. “Imagine, since we arrived, I have not heard any driver sound the horn”, one of us observed. He was also marvelled at how vehicle drivers respect Pedestals.

A town of endless sounding of the bells, we do not know what some of those bells represent. As the tourism capital of Italy, one could see how concerned the Italians are about Rome. I noticed no black man drives taxi in Rome!

Well-planned and very neat, one observed the mature taste of Italians. The music in their taxis are always calm and mellifluous, without any tinge of “ayaga yaga”. The are heavy smokers and some of them, tongue in cheek, appear to have learnt smoking before weaning. Jealous and over protective of their women, they are also proud of their country and appear not to be interested in knowing about other countries. They remind us of a Moroccan traveller, who, after returning from a trip to Europe, exclaimed “ What a comfort to return to civilization.”

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Rome is about developing one’s strong points. They have so much developed tourism by realizing that it is its own unique investment. Even their tour guides are properly trained such that they understand the import of their trade. Beyond provision of employment, they talk about their country with cheeks bursting with pride.

All in all, the journey to Rome was fulfilling and humbling. Some of us who attended the reception at Urban University were moved to tears when Bishop Paulinus Ezeokafor spoke of the Cardinal as his son and assured him of his continued support and goodwill. Thought the highest ranking active prelate in Nigeria today, the Cardinal spoke at the occasion, and stylishly answered the most perplexing question that before then left enquirers scratching their heads in perplexity when he said “Archbishop Valerian Okeke remains my Metropolitan.” And the Metropolitan assured him of the support from Nigerian Bishops. Here in remembered St. Paul’s “ecce quam bonum, et quam iucundum habitare fratres in unum.”

At this juncture, we ask: what lessons do we learn from the trip to Rome? Like the wise one said, education comes one-fourth from school, one-fourth from others, one-fourth from ourselves and one-fourth from travel. As we return to Nigeria, may those of us privileged to ascend positions of leadership learn positive lessons from the trip.

What else, however lengthy, this piece would not capture the impressive edifice of Catholicism nor say all that needed to be said. Therefore, a weary writer may sympathize with Tai T’ung, who in the thirteenth century issued his “History of Chinese Writing” with this words: “were I to await perfection, my book would never be finished”.

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Opinion

Must they embarrass Tinubu with Malian Super Eagles coach?

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By Ikeddy ISIGUZO

BURKINABE military leader Captain Ibrahim Traore was the star attraction at Tuesday’s inauguration of Ghana’s President John Mahama. Dressed in a military attire, Traore had a holstered pistol at his waist. He was widely cheered in his show that analysts rightly concluded was an affront on democracy and a defiance of ECOWAS’ stance that military administrations should give way to elected governments.
At the event where wild applauses greeted Traore was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, also President of ECOWAS, that in July 2023 issued orders to the military government in Niger Republic to leave within seven days. ECOWAS was reportedly mobilising a military intervention to restore civil rule in Niger Republic. ECOWAS imposed sanctions limiting trade and communication with Niger Republic, but these have been lifted.
Burkina Faso and Mali, Niger Republic’s immediate neighbours, ensured that the sanctions did not work.
“Visible weapon by a (Head of State) at such an important event, although seen as an assertion of power could also be a symbol of intimidation and raises concerns about… how we enforce our security laws internally,” a Ghanaian analyst Barnabas Nii Laryea wrote on Facebook. “This was insanely dangerous thing to do. It’s not about trust. For national security reasons, this was very reckless and shouldn’t be allowed again,” Seth Dough, a Ghanaian lawyer, posted on X.
Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic are all under military rule after a string of successful coups, Mali (2021), Burkina Faso (2022), and Niger Republic (2024). On 6 July 2024 they formed the Alliance of Sahel States, a confederation. It is against neo-colonialism in Africa and the world. It also disagrees with French and ECOWAS policies, deeming them contrary to the interests of the Alliance.
ECOWAS was concerned that if the three French-speaking countries succeeded they may entice the military in other ECOWAS States to join their agenda. Some former French colonies in West Africa are buying into the agenda of the three countries that would leave ECOWAS in a matter of weeks.
A more global concern was the presence of Russian mercenaries in Mali. The French forces that were fighting terrorists in the Sahel were driven away by Mali. The Russians replaced the French and are believed to be harvesting the mineral resources and influence that were once France’s. Assimi Goïta, interim President of Mali, is the actual leader of the Alliance as his coup appears to have set off the others.
Traore knew what he was doing when he turned up in Accra in miliary gears, and armed. His manner of attendance spoke of war, power, military rule as the counterpoint to civilian governments. He was representing the Alliance of Sahel States as the only Head of Government that was present. The Prime Minister represented Mali.
For the Burkinabe leader, Accra was a grand farewell to ECOWAS. There were “two regional leaders in Accra”, Tinubu and Traore. If ECOWAS wants peace, the Alliance was ready – and also prepared for war. Tinubu took all these in. Nigeria’s commitment to ECOWAS is high. Beside hosting the headquarters, Nigeria last month cleared 19-year outstanding obligations of N85 billion and $54 million which included part of 2024 dues.
Former French colonies in ECOWAS are sympathetic to the Alliance’s grievances. Cote d’Ivoire, once a bastion of French interests, is with Burkina Faso. Ivorian President Alassane Dramane Ouattara is originally from Burkina Faso and his interests in France have waned. Guinea is a perennial enemy of France. The French stripped Guinea of every moveable asset before its independence in 1958.
Senegal, and Chad, Nigeria’s north eastern neighbour, where they share the Lake Chad, have similar views with the Alliance. Chad is not renewing its defence pact with France, and like Senegal has spoken in strong terms against French troops on African soil.
Chad needs Niger’s cooperation to fight Boko Haram. The Alliance is willing to help. Chad while breaking up with France lamented that France did not assist its troops when 40 of them died in a Boko Haram attack.
The departure of the three-member Alliance from ECOWAS on 29 January 2025 is only 17 days away. President Tinubu would bear the infamy of the one under who ECOWAS that would be 50 on 28 May – a day to Tinubu’s second year in office – disintegrated. What a record!
Tinubu’s heightening relationships with France transverse trade, defence, and a pointed attention on mining of solid minerals which Mali, Chad and Niger Republic once provided for France.
In fairness to Tinubu, he inherited ECOWAS’ 15-member bloc that started degrading with the departure of Mauritania in December 2000. It gave no reason. Some say that the increasing signing of protocols that involved members in the internal affairs of others inconvenienced Mauritania. One such policy could be the proposed regional currency.
The intensity of Tinubu’s chumminess with France has made him an impartial arbiter in ECOWAS. But for the Atlantic Ocean on our southern border, Nigeria is entirely surrounded by French-speaking countries, who also dominate the numbers in ECOWAS – Republic of Benin, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Cote d’Ivoire, Liberia, Mali, Gambia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo. The question is how much longer would the other five remain in ECOWAS.
Cape Verde and Guinea-Bissau though Portuguese-speaking, are too close to Senegal that they too have French-speaking tendencies.
The English-speaking countries are not much different. The Gambia depends on Senegal’s port in Dakar for imports, some of which go all the way to Burkina Faso, Mali, and parts of Niger Republic. Ghana is interested in the security of its northern border which it cannot protect without great relations with Burkina Faso. Was that what informed Traore’s Accra performance?
An ignored power bloc in ECOWAS is the 52-year-old Mano River Union that preceded ECOWAS. It joined Guinea, Liberia, Cote d’Ivoire, and Sierra Leone to explore the economic benefits of the 320-kilometre Mano River that originates from the Guinea Highlands in Liberia. Finances and the long wars in Liberia and Sierra Leone slowed down the Union but it is still flowing.
On the same Tuesday that Traore was embarrassing Tinubu in Accra, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF, was making one of the most thoughtless decisions in Nigeria’s football history, by appointing former Malian coach, Éric Sékou Chelle, as Head Coach of the Super Eagles. His coaching abilities are too vacuous to merit an examination.
A Malian to manage a major national asset at the peak of the international row with Mali over ECOWAS?
We assume that security agencies, and the Foreign Ministry are involved in screening foreigners appointed at this level. Is it possible that nobody noticed that Chelle is from Mali which with Burkina Faso and Niger Republic have been exceptionally hostile to Nigeria since 2023?
Whoever engaged Chelle is embarrassing the President, if not Nigeria.

Finally…
PRESIDENT Tinubu is on his third trip to UAE in 17 months. Is that not too many trips to one country?
THE National Assembly needs to over-sight the $52.88 million Nigeria has just received from the US as “recovered assets”. The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi has explained that $50m of the money would be deployed through the World Bank for rural electrification. He said the remaining $2m would be used by the International Institute of Justice to expand the justice system and combat corruption. Who decided that? And the remaining $.88m is obviously too small to deserve accounting?
WHY are we praising the Federal Government for establishing five more aviation schools when it cannot finance one school?

• ISIGUZO is a major commentator on minor issues

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Opinion

Kyari, refineries and a green ribbon, by KEN UGBECHIE

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Mele Kyari, a geologist and Group CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has dug his way into the tunnel of history. Within a space of two months, he announced the successful revamp of two refineries. In November 2024, Port Harcourt refinery came on stream. The following month, December, Warri refinery burst back to life. Both are not performing optimally, yet. But the journey has only just begun. Kaduna refinery is projected to begin production later this year. And if all goes well, a substantial percentage of the nation’s local petrol consumption would be sourced in-country. The implication on forex, job creation and economic reflation is enormous, positively.
So what? Some Nigerians have asked this question. I won’t even tag them naysayers. There is a tincture of justification in their rage. But if such Nigerians did not rage against those who in the past brought the refineries – Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna – to ruins, they should not shudder at the celebratory dance of President Bola Tinubu and his laudation of Kyari and his team for achieving both the improbable and the impossible. After many years of redundancy, after several failed attempts to restream the moribund refineries with billions of dollars wasted in the fitful misadventures, someone has finally belled the cat. Such a person deserves a worthy pat on the back.
Little wonder, President Tinubu was gushing at the news of Warri refinery cracking back to life. Here, I salute the wisdom of Tinubu in keeping Kyari on his job. Against a crude and virulently malicious campaign to get Kyari out of the way, Tinubu ignored the mob and renewed Kyari’s tenure. One of the missteps of the past was a high and volatile turnover of leadership at the nation’s oil and gas behemoth. Commonsense management will tell you that job insecurity, at any level, is antithetical to sustainable planning for long term goals. Fixing a refinery, especially one that has been rendered comatose for many years (with some bolts and parts gone rusty) is not a one-hour flight. It’s a long-distance haul, requiring patience, precision and meticulous planning. Had Kyari been shoved aside to fit the script of his ‘enemies’ and political mandarins seeking to give ‘wise’ counsel to Tinubu, these refineries would never have come on stream. In the stereotypical Nigerian way, the new management would have reviewed the contract, reworked the papers and even re-awarded aspects of the contract to another corporate. Herein is the wisdom of Tinubu in retaining Kyari highly commendable.
As more Nigerians push for the refineries to attain 100 percent production efficiency, it is apposite to state what Kyari did differently. How did Kyari succeed where many others in the past failed woefully?
Dateline: October 21, 2021, NAF Conference centre, Abuja: Kyari was Special Guest of Honour at the All Nigeria Editors’ Conference. He spoke off the cuff on the subject, “Insecurity as it affects the Oil and Gas sector.” He showed a good grasp of the malaise that has afflicted the Nigerian oil and gas industry. He, however, raised a banner of hope that under his watch, “things are now done differently.” He said issues of refineries not working, crude oil theft, among others, are all traceable to the Nigerian elite which include the editors and everyone present at the event.
Kyari said that refineries had become comatose because the leadership elite had been doing things the wrong way over the years by relying on the builders of the refineries to come to Nigeria to fix the refineries. This model, he explained, does not happen anywhere because there are specialists whose business is to fix such refineries. They are not the builders but their job is to fix them when they break down. He called such companies EPCs (Engineering, Procurement and Construction). He gave an analogy: “You cannot ask Toyota to come down to Nigeria to fix your Toyota car. You give it to a technician. This is the error we have been repeating over the years.”
He credited President Muhammadu Buhari for giving his management the free hand to do the right thing. “This is the first time in history that NNPC and its subsidiaries are allowed to do things the way things should be done. Now, I can confirm to you that we have taken responsibility and we will fix the refineries. We have started the process, contractors have been mobilised to the Port Harcourt refinery, while the same process for Warri and Kaduna refineries will be concluded by the end of this year,” he told a now excited crowd of over 200 editors, representatives of several government agencies including security agencies and the private sector. He got a standing ovation afterwards.
Fast forward. Three years later at the twilight of 2024, two of the refineries had become operational once again all because Kyari walked a different path. It’s no magic. Just focussed, honest leadership. Kyari had been sincere as the helmsman of the NNPC even to his own hurt. The first NNPC honcho to open the ledger for public scrutiny. He did not only audit NNPC accounts, he got them published. And for once in ages, Nigerians got to know the assets, liabilities, strength and weaknesses of the company they own. Kyari has shown that he is a different breed of leader, a transformational leader who has used the same personnel at NNPC, in the same country, against the same headwinds to achieve milestones, some once thought unattainable.
Retaining Kyari, a man he did not appoint, is one of the smartest decisions of President Tinubu. Kyari bestrides two worlds in Nigeria’s oil and gas history. The pre-PIA (Petroleum Industry Act) and the post-PIA, a delicate transition that required experience, emotional intelligence, industry knowledge, and leadership savvy. If the transition was a kind of exam for him, the geologist, earth scientist of crude oil marketer of renown simply aced it. He proved one thing: Nigeria’s challenges can be surmounted by Nigerians.
He deserves all the Presidential plaudits and a green ribbon around his neck as a memorial of national honour.

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Opinion

Justice, Not Dele Farotimi, Incarcerated in Ado-Ekiti

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By Ebuka Ukoh

As a Social Worker and Researcher, I feel for the soul of any country that oppresses its people. Therefore, I must lend my voice in condemnation of the unjust incarceration of Mr. Dele Farotimi, an activist lawyer and advocate for justice and human rights.

His plight exemplifies the fragility of individual freedom in the face of institutional power and exposes the deep imbalance in Nigeria’s social justice system. I never met Farotimi except through his works. So, I write this as a duty to Nigeria, my beloved country.

Barr. Farotimi’s arrest and subsequent prison detention are a chilling reminder of the systemic flaws that plague Nigeria. Here is a man whose life’s work has been a relentless pursuit of equity and accountability, yet he has become a victim of the very system he seeks to sanitise. His incarceration is emblematic of a broader issue: the silencing of dissent and the weaponisation of legal frameworks to stifle voices of reason and resistance.

The Chief Magistrate’s Court in Ado-Ekiti denied bail to Farotimi, in the suit filed by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun, for alleged cybercrime, including defaming the founder of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Chief Afe Babalola, SAN. The presiding magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, adjourned the ruling on the bail application to December 20. The police counsel, Samson Osobu, had earlier flawed the bail application as incomplete and not properly filed.

Farotimi’s arrest sparked public outrage. The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, Omoyele Sowore, called for his immediate release in a tweet on his X handle.

“It is pertinent that the Nigerian police are notified that the institution cannot continue to be used to settle personal scores, and we, the citizens of Nigeria, would no longer tolerate such a situation,” Sowore stated. In the same vein, Femi Falana, SAN, condemned the arrest, describing it as illegal. He urged Farotimi’s unconditional release.

Farotimi’s plight is a tragic chapter in the narrative of injustice in Nigeria. In a society where power dynamics dictate access to justice, the scales are invariably tipped against those who dare to challenge the status quo. His incarceration is not just an attack on his person; it is an affront to the principles of democracy and the rule of law. When a nation’s legal and social institutions are co-opted to serve the interests of the powerful few, the very fabric of society begins to unravel.

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I am committed to the dignity and worth of every individual. My profession encourages advocacy for the disenfranchised and oppressed. The treatment of Barr. Farotimi compels us to question: What does justice mean in a system where the powerful can manipulate outcomes to their favour? And what is our responsibility in the face of such systemic injustice?

The imprisonment of a crusader like Barr. Farotimi is a stark call to action. It highlights the need for comprehensive reform of Nigeria’s justice system, starting with measures to ensure transparency, accountability, and the independence of the judiciary. Advocacy organisations, civil society groups, and international bodies must join forces to demand his immediate release and the establishment of safeguards to prevent similar abuses in the future.

Moreover, we must challenge the cultural acceptance of oppression and silence. Farotimi’s incarceration is a litmus test for all Nigerians: Do we remain silent and complicit, or do we rise to defend the fundamental rights that underpin our humanity?

The soul of a nation is reflected in how it treats its people, especially those who speak truth to power. Today, Nigeria stands at a crossroads. Our choice will determine whether justice remains a fleeting ideal or becomes a tangible reality for all. As Barr. Farotimi endures this injustice, let us not allow his voice [and those of countless others] to be silenced. Let us, instead, amplify these voices in a united call for equity, justice, and the restoration of our collective dignity.

Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere; the world is watching. May we rise to the occasion and ensure that the soul of Nigeria is not lost to the darkness of oppression but shines brightly as a beacon of hope and justice for generations to come.

• An alum of the American University of Nigeria, Yola, Mr. Ukoh is a PhD student at Columbia University, New York.

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