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Edo 2024: Time to End the Hopeless and Helpless Technocratic and MoU Mirage,

Edo 2024: Time to End the Hopeless and Helpless Technocratic and MoU Mirage,
By Augustine Osayande
As the Edo 2024 elections approach, there is a growing call to move beyond the current technocratic leadership and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) that have dominated the developmental space of the state in the past eight years. Many critics, including this writer, have long argued that the administration of Governor Godwin Obaseki failed to deliver meaningful progress for the state. The so-called technocratic and MoU approach has become a mirage, offering promises of development that remain unfulfilled for the people of Edo State.
As Governor Godwin Obaseki’s tenure draws to a close, the people of Edo State are left with a pressing question: what were the tangible outcomes of the numerous MoUs signed during his administration?
One notable MoU was with China Harbour Engineering Company Limited (CHEC) for the development of the Gelegele Seaport and other transport infrastructure. This ambitious project promised to be a game-changer for Edo’s economy by enhancing the state’s connectivity and boosting trade. Yet, the public remains eager to see whether these promises have translated into visible progress or if they remain unfulfilled aspirations.
Similarly, the partnership with Sunora Foods was heralded as a transformative initiative aimed at attracting $100 million in foreign direct investment and creating 25,000 jobs. This MoU raised h4opes for significant agro-economic development. However, it is crucial for Edo citizens to assess whether these projections have materialized into real opportunities for employment and economic growth in the state.
Another significant MoU was signed with the Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation and the Private Sector Health Alliance of Nigeria (PSHAN) to improve healthcare delivery. Healthcare is a critical area of public concern, and the impact of this agreement on the quality and accessibility of healthcare services in Edo is something that residents will undoubtedly scrutinize.
The MoU with Oando Clean Energy Limited for the deployment of electric buses to enhance the state’s transportation system was a bold step towards sustainable development. Yet, with Obaseki’s tenure ending, there is a lingering question of whether these green initiatives have taken root or if they remain at the planning stage.
In the agricultural sector, the MoU with Heifer International Ltd and Amo Farm Sieberer Hatchery Ltd aimed to boost the poultry value chain in Edo. This initiative was expected to enhance food security and create jobs, but how far these goals have been met remains to be seen.
Edo State’s partnership with SIEMENS for economic development, and the tripartite deal involving the Chinese Government and Yongxing Steel Company to bolster vocational and technical education, were both touted as forward-thinking initiatives designed to strengthen the state’s human capital and industrial base. However, Edo citizens are still waiting to see the concrete benefits of these partnerships.
The agreement with Radisson Hotel Group for a N19.6 billion world-class hotel project promised to enhance the state’s hospitality industry and attract tourism. The potential for economic growth through such investments is immense, but residents are eager to know if these projects are on track or have stalled.
Furthermore, the MoU with EHA Clinics to improve primary healthcare delivery and the partnership with LAPO Microfinance Bank for the disbursement of N300 million to MSMEs across the 18 Local Government Areas were both aimed at uplifting the socio-economic standards of the state. As Obaseki’s administration concludes, the effectiveness and reach of these initiatives will likely be a key measure of his legacy.
Ultimately, while Governor Obaseki’s administration has signed numerous MoUs with the promise of transformative change across various sectors, the real test lies in the execution and visible outcomes of these agreements. As Edo State looks towards the future, its citizens deserve a transparent assessment of these initiatives to understand their true impact on the state’s development.
With few days to the end of Obaseki’s eight-year administration, it is crystal clear that this model has not effectively addressed the fundamental challenges facing the state, such as poverty, unemployment, inadequate infrastructure, and poor public services. The technocratic governance has resulted in policies that are disconnected from the realities of everyday citizens, creating a sense of hopelessness and helplessness among the populace.
Another prominent characteristic of the outgoing Obaseki administration has been the reluctance of many Senior Special Assistants (SSAs) and Special Advisers (SAs) to recognize that good governance and quality leadership are not bound by political party lines. Instead of embracing constructive criticism as a tool for improvement, these officials often resort to dismissive behavior, targeting those who offer guidance or critique.
This approach fails to acknowledge a fundamental truth: effective governance benefits everyone, not just members of a specific political party. When a government prioritizes the delivery of democratic dividends—such as improved infrastructure, better public services, robust economic growth, and enhanced living standards—the positive impact is felt across the entire population, transcending party affiliations.
Good governance is about serving the public interest and meeting the needs of the people, regardless of their political leanings. By fostering an environment where all feedback is valued and constructive dialogue is encouraged, leaders can drive forward policies and initiatives that truly serve the common good. It is essential for future administrations to recognize that inclusive leadership and accountability are key pillars of sustainable development, and that true success in governance is measured by the tangible improvements in the lives of all citizens, not just those who support a particular political ideology.
The call is now for a shift towards leadership that prioritizes inclusivity, grassroots engagement, and a people-centered approach, where decisions are made with direct input from the communities they affect. This change is seen as essential to break free from the cycle of unmet promises and to pave the way for a more hopeful and prosperous future for Edo State. Look
As Edo State gears up for the 2024 elections, the debate continues over the best path forward—whether to maintain the status quo or to embrace a new direction that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of its citizens. The call to end the “hopeless and helpless technocratic mirage” is a rallying cry for those seeking a leadership that not only speaks of change but delivers it in tangible, impactful ways.
Augustine Osayande PhD contributed this piece from Abuja via austinelande@yahoo.com
Edo 2024: Time to End the Hopeless and Helpless Technocratic and MoU Mirage,
News
Nigerian Air Force Neutralises Terrorists in Successful Air Interdiction at Maisani

Nigerian Air Force Neutralises Terrorists in Successful Air Interdiction at Maisani
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai have executed a coordinated strike on a major terrorist enclave located at Maisani in the Timbuktu Triangle general area of Borno State, killing several ISWAP terrorists.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the air interdiction mission conducted on May 4, 2025, at approximately 1800 hours, was informed by credible intelligence and sustained surveillance, targeted terrorists’ structures cleverly concealed and camouflaged under thick shrubs in the area.
The sources said that using advanced platforms, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) conducted a focused Air Interdiction (AI) mission, resulting in the destruction of the identified enemy hideouts and the neutralisation of an unconfirmed number of insurgent fighters.
According to the sources, Post-strike Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) obtained from our Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platforms confirmed that the airstrike achieved its intended objectives, dealing a significant blow to terrorists.
Nigerian Air Force Neutralises Terrorists in Successful Air Interdiction at Maisani
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Nigeria Looks to World Bank to Tackle Challenges of National Capital Accounting

Nigeria Looks to World Bank to Tackle Challenges of National Capital Accounting
By: Michael Mike
As the world marks the 2025 Environment Day, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) has appealed to the World Bank for support on capacity building, data and in addressing the challenges poised by Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) in the country.
Head of Department, National Accounts Energy and Environment at the NBS, Dr. Baba Madu made the appeal at the 2025 Natural Capital Accounting (NCA) Conference on Thursday in Abuja with support from the World Bank in. collaboration with the NBS and the Federal Ministry of Environment.
Madu while noting that the NCA was a new area Nigeria must exploit to further boost the nation’s economy, said for Nigeria to grow and be at par with other developed nations, there was need to account for her natural resources.
He said: “NCA has been tasked with the crucial role of integrating natural capital into economic measurement. It is impossible to measure the economy accurately without accounting for natural resources. Issues such as environmental degradation, afforestation, desertification, and climate change all directly impact productivity.
“Productivity in turn, influences output—one of the core components of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). These environmental factors must be reflected across all economic activity sectors to present a more accurate picture of national output.”
While stating that Nigeria currently has data on NCA in Nigeria, the NBS official however raised concerns over the huge data gap from relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) in the environment sector.
He said: “We are not doing badly but we need to improve on what we are doing. In terms of data sources, I can tell you there’s a big gap because these are new areas needed to be exploited.”
Programme Leader on Sustainable Development at the World Bank, Vina Vutukuru, said there was need to jointly
explore the vital role of national accounting in national development plans and to brainstorm on how Nigeria could institutionalize it.
He said: “Establishing the national capital accounting as part of the national account system will allow us to measure the economic value of ecosystem services such as clean air, water and biodiversity which are essential for our well-being and economic prosperity.”
Vutukuru commended Nigeria for having “very bold ambitions” as far as responding to climate change was concerned saying, “That shows the commitment of the policy makers here towards the issue of climate.
“But I think to back up that aspiration and the aggressive goals that Nigeria has set for itself, the foundational thing for those goals to materialize those objectives to come true is a very strong natural account system.”
Head of Media, National Council on Climate Change Secretariat (NCCCS), Chioma Azie who represented her Director General, Dr. Nkiruka Maduekwe at the event, described Nigeria as a very ambitious country, stressing that natural resources was instrumental to achieving all the objective of climate action.
She said: “Technology, policy reforms, behavioral changes has a role to play but natural resources is very key because they’re underpinning the mitigation and adaptation for climate action.
“If you look at Nigeria’s NDC, the NCA is an avenue to provide raw materials that we could use to develop mitigation and adaptation strategies.
“If you look at what we have done in terms of this NDC in 2020.which is the second leg of the NDC, we identified a lot of mitigation activities within this mentioned sectors of ours. In agricultural sector we talked about smart agriculture. What is smart agriculture without natural resources?
“We talked about biomass, what is biomass without natural resources? We also spoke about land use changes and that is natural resources, we talk about natural solutions and we talked about also afforestation, reafforestation. Those are mitigation potentials of our NDC. So, we cannot achieve our NDC without SEEA.
“What you cannot be able to account for is recorded as if it is not done so if we know what is existing in terms of the reservoirs we have for natural resources, it can inform the scope of the mitigation activities we’re going to be imputing in the NDC 3.0,” she said.
Nigeria Looks to World Bank to Tackle Challenges of National Capital Accounting
News
NIMC Insists All Its Verification Services, Functional, Accessible

NIMC Insists All Its Verification Services, Functional, Accessible
.. Says Police Service Commission Not Denied Access
By: Michael Mike
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has said all its verification service platforms are functional and accessible to all partners including all security agencies.
The Commission, in a statement on Thursday by its spokesman, Dr. Kayode Adegoke said it is aware of the purported ”inability of the Police Service Commission (PSC) to access the NIMC verification server,” insisting that the “information is not only misleading but also inaccurate.”
Adegoke said: “To set the record straight, the NIMC granted verification access to all Nigerian Police formations for the verification of the National Identification Number (NIN). The NPF, PSC and other security agencies have been enjoying uninterrupted verification services for over five years.
“NIMC has provided top-notch verification services for recruitment into the Nigeria Police Force, as conducted by the PSC and at no time have there been any complaints or issues regarding NIN Verification by the NPF or PSC.”
Adegoke, in the statement, claimed that: “The Commission has a robust and harmonious working relationship with the Nigerian Police Force and the Police Service Commission. The Information Communications and Technology (ICT) department of the Nigeria Police Force is actively managing the long-standing verification and integration service between the NIMC and all Nigeria Police formations. NIMC will continue to provide flawless verification services for the purpose of recruitment, security mapping, cybercrime control, and any other security matters.”
He explained that: “The framework by which NIMC provides services to the security agencies was recently restructured for standardization and effective implementation, following consultation with the Office of the National Security Adviser, and NPF has confirmed the verification services have continued to be available. We therefore believe that any service interruption experienced by PSC may be due to internal matters.”
He promised that: “NIMC is committed to providing excellent verification services to the PSC, NPF and all its partners but the terms and conditions inherent must be adhered to for uninterrupted flow of service.”
NIMC Insists All Its Verification Services, Functional, Accessible
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