News
Ezekwesili, Rawlings, Others Call For Reshaping of Africa’s Political Landscape to Build Future Political Leaders

By: Michael Mike
A call has been made for the reshaping of the political landscape in Nigeria and the entire Africa continent to allow future leaders superior supportive environment to acquire the knowledge of governance.
The call was made by former minister of education, Obiageli Ezekwesili at the 2024 Africa Conference hosted by the School of Politics, Policy and Governance (SPPG) in Abuja.
Ezekwesili who is also the Founder, School of Politics, Policy and Governance, speaking at the conference with the theme: “Good Governance In Africa: Leaders and Citizens Driving Systemic Change,” said the forum was put in place to change and upgrade the mindsets of future leaders in Africa.
She noted that: “When governance whether at the local level, state or national level in your countries, you don’t govern for the population that you immediately see, you govern for Africa. We want you to immediately have that mindset of the Africa solution that will be exponential in impact as well as as interconnected.
“Academic research findings show clearly that Africa’s development challenge is primarily because of the absence of good governance, and if research gives you evidence of what your malady is or the cause of your malady, what you must do as a sensible group of people is to address your malady.
“So, since poor governance is our malady as a people, as a continent, the research that I did then gives me an insight into how to address the malady. And the critical part of it is to begin the development of an entirely new political mindset and culture,” she added.
The Keynote Speaker Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings called for more involvement of women and youth in politics, decision making and governance in Africa.
She said the time for sitting on the fence is over, stating that: “People who felt that they have something to offer their countries must also consider that grassroot does not mean illiterate, grassroot does not mean not knowledgeable, that is the foundation of everything. And if you feel that you are too big to be at the grassroot level, that is what you will see at the end when other people you feel are not as enlightened as you are will decide who you subsequently have to choose as your leader because you have decided not to take part at the grassroot level of the primary choice of who your leaders should be.”
The Chief Executive Officer, School of Politics, Policy and Governance, Alero Ayida-Otobo said the barrier of development is absence of good governance, as such there was need to develop entire new political architecture that will bring in productive leaders.
She said: “The weight of this single mandate is enormous and us on every single one of you because you came and you are hearing this, you are now going to be held accountable to deliver the future.
“Many times, those that are value-driven, those that are disruptive in their thinking, they feel alone and they feel there is no body around them. What we want to do is to build a platform that they can stand on, then connect them.”
The 2024 Africa Conference, a prelude to the graduation ceremony of the fourth graduates of the School of Politics, Policy and Governance brought together value-oriented politicians from Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Egypt, Tunisia, Zimbabwe among other African countries to brainstorm on how to reposition the continent’s politics and governance.
Ezekwesili, Rawlings, Others Call For Reshaping of Africa’s Political Landscape to Build Future Political Leaders
News
Fresh Babcock graduate found dead in hostel, police begin investigation

Fresh Babcock graduate found dead in hostel, police begin investigation
By: Zagazola Makama
The Ogun State Police Command has commenced investigation into the sudden death of a 20-year-old fresh graduate of Information Technology from Babcock University, Ilisan Remo.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the deceased, identified as Akawa Boluwatife Samuel, was brought to the Babcock University Teaching Hospital by his roommates on Wednesday and was confirmed dead by the medical doctor on duty.
Police detectives who visited the scene said one of the deceased’s roommates, Adili Leonard Chimdindu, disclosed that Boluwatife had complained of cold and difficulty in breathing on July 27, and was advised to visit the University Medical Centre.
According to him, they were on campus to complete their clearance process ahead of graduation, and the deceased had planned to return home soon.
He further stated that the deceased was in good spirits the previous night and played games on his laptop until around 11:00 p.m. He was, however, found unresponsive by morning.
Photographs of the deceased were taken, and the statement of his elder brother, Akawa Toluwanimi John, was recorded.
The body has been deposited at the university morgue for autopsy and preservation, while investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of death.
Fresh Babcock graduate found dead in hostel, police begin investigation
News
Community leader decries terrorists’ occupation of 7 Plateau communities

Community leader decries terrorists’ occupation of 7 Plateau communities
By: Michael Mike
The Waziri Mushere and community leader in Plateau, Chief Yohana Margif has raised alarm over terrorists’ current occupation of seven villages in Mushere community after displacing the inhabitants from their ancestral homes.
Margif in a statement issued on Friday, expressed his shock over the new development, and listed the occupied villages as Hokk, Kaban, Kadim, Nawula, Dulu, Mbor and Margif.
According to him, the seven communities, which are all in Mushere Chiefdom of Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau state were recently attacked and ravaged by the terrorists, who killed many of the inhabitants and displaced thousands.
He said that for over three months now, the beleaguered communities had been under relentless terrorist attacks and siege, forcing them to flee their incestral homes to take shelter at Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDP) camps.
Margif said that the Fulani invaders, who have taken over their villages, are shockingly building their tents with their cattle gracing on their farms with impunity.
He noted that this was in spite of the state government’s claim that no part of the state was under terrorists’ occupation.
He said: “Am still in a state of shock by the governor’s claim that no part of Plateau State is under the control of bandit terrorists.
“My people have been forced to live in the wilderness at this critical period of the year when they are supposed to be in their farms.
“The terrorists who were previously called unknown gunmen are now known, as they have now set up tents in our lands on which their cattle are grazing, which is visible for everybody to see,” he said.
The Labour Party chieftain and gubernatorial hopeful, who lost his bid for the Plateau State governorship seat in the 2023 elections, stressed that terrorists who have built tents and are openly carrying guns around can no longer be regarded as unknown.
He said that the reality on ground contradicted the governor’s assertion as these communities have been practically and brazenly taken over by terrorists, who have usurped their lands and livestock.
“Enough is enough of this, government has abdicated its responsibility of protecting its citizens for too long.
“Now that the terrorists’ identity is known, let the relevant authorities direct the security agencies to go after them, so that our people can return to their ancestral homes.
“The Plateau State government must take immediate and decisive actions to restore peace and security of the communities because the people deserve protection, justice and the right to live in their ancestral homes without fear,” he emphasised.
Margif suggested that government should immediately direct security agencies to flush out the terrorists from the seven affected communities and smoke them out of their well-known sanctuaries in surrounding hills.
He also urged relevant authorities to take decisive steps to address the humanitarian challenges by providing relief to the distraught inhabitants who are currently taking shelter at lDP camps.
Community leader decries terrorists’ occupation of 7 Plateau communities
News
Gombe Gov. urges corps members to support state devt

Gombe Gov. urges corps members to support state devt
Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State on Friday urged corps members deployed to the state to contribute meaningfully to its development during their service year.
He made the call while declaring open the 2025 Batch ‘B’ Stream I Orientation Course at the temporary NYSC orientation camp in Akko Local Government Area.
The governor represented by the Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Mr Inuwa Ibrahim, described corps members as critical stakeholders in nation-building.
Yahaya noted that the immediate past set of corps members had contributed significantly through community development projects, youth mentorship, and empowerment programmes.
“As you serve in Gombe State, I encourage you to be part of our developmental process, contributing to the transformation of our state and the empowerment of our youth.
“Your predecessors did well in nation-building, and it’s our collective responsibility to continue on this positive path,” he said.
He assured the corps members of a safe and conducive environment to enable them serve effectively and impact their host communities positively.
“Gombe State is a safe haven, and we guarantee a conducive working environment for your activities and programmes during your service year,” Yahaya added.
In her remarks, Mrs Chinwe Nwachuku, the NYSC State Coordinator in Gombe, urged the 940 corps members to participate actively in all camp activities as a foundation for their service year.
She encouraged them to adhere to camp rules, shun negative behaviour, and uphold the core values of the NYSC.
Nwachuku also appreciated the Gombe State Government, stakeholders, and residents for their continued support and commitment to the success of the NYSC scheme in the state.
Gombe Gov. urges corps members to support state devt
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