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Femi Falana Charges Youths to Defend Their Future, Hold Leaders Accountable
Femi Falana Charges Youths to Defend Their Future, Hold Leaders Accountable
… Receives SAM Title from UNIAbuja Law Students
By: Michael Mike
Human rights lawyer and activist, Femi Falana has challenged Nigerian students and youths to take responsibility for defending their own future and holding leaders accountable for the country’s growing inequality and governance failures.
Speaking on Thursday during the conferment of honorary title of “Senior Advocate of the Masses” on him by the law students of the University of Abuja, Falana
expressed disappointment at what he described as the growing apathy among Nigerian youths toward national issues, contrasting it with the activism and courage that defined students of his generation.
He said: “I hardly want to go to campuses these days to address students, because I have come to the conclusion that Nigerian youths are not prepared to fight for their own future.
“When we were undergraduates, we had dreams and we fought to create a future for ourselves.”
He however lamented that corruption and mismanagement had crippled opportunities once available to young Nigerians, recalling how graduates in his time were guaranteed jobs even before completing their studies.
He reminisced that: “Before we wrote our final exams, employers came to our campuses to recruit us.
“By the time you finished your youth service, you had four or five job offers with car and housing loans waiting.”
Citing recent revelations by the National Assembly that over N210 trillion could not be accounted for in the books of government agencies, Falana wondered why such news had not provoked outrage among young Nigerians.
He said: “I read a story last week, which in our case, would have forced us to surround the National Assembly.
“Last week, the National Assembly revealed that above N210 trillion cannot be explained. That is enough to pay the nation’s humongous debts, create job opportunities for all of us, pay all our loans that have become debt traps, and give us hospitals without having to travel abroad.”
He added that: “And I’m challenging you, because we are going to take up that matter. But I’m here. So we are going to cross-fertilise ideas.”
Falana also used the opportunity to examine recent national controversies, including the altercation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a military officer in Abuja.
The newly decorated SAM, while condemning the officer’s obstruction of the minister’s statutory duties, however faulted the minister’s use of abusive language, saying public officials must respect citizens’ dignity.
Falana reminded law students of their moral and professional obligation to defend the oppressed and insist on accountability from those in power.
Earlier, the Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on National Assembly matters (House of Representatives) Hon. Ibrahim Olarewaju, had, in his goodwill message, described Mr. Falana as one of the best things that ever happened to legal profession in Nigeria.
Olarewaju recounted his personal experience working under Falana, recalling how the Senior Advocate’s open-door policy and commitment to nurturing young lawyers left an indelible mark on generations of practitioners.
He said: “Mr Falana will give you every opportunity you desire in life. You call him once, he picks your call. Even as busy as he is, he finds time to mentor and guide.
“He’s one man who grows people to the height they want.”
He also reminisced about Falana’s long-standing relationship with Nigerian students, narrating an incident from 1997 at the University of Ilorin when students defied restrictions to host the fiery lawyer for a lecture.
He said: “We blocked all entrances to the university because we wanted to see him. The government didn’t want Falana to speak, but we insisted. When he finally arrived, the police had no choice but to let him in. “That day, we made history.”
The Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Abuja, Prof. Uwakwe Abugu, described Falana renowned human rights activism as a “rallying point of justice in Nigeria” and “an immortal figure in the fight for social equity.”
Abugu commented Falana for his lifelong dedication to defending the rights of the downtrodden and promoting justice beyond the courtroom.
He noted that his interventions had restored hope to countless Nigerians, especially students unjustly treated by authorities.
He lauded the veteran lawyer’s humility and commitment to mentorship.
President of Law Students Association of Nigeria (LAWSAN), Uniabuja chapter, Muhammed Akingbolu, disclosed that the conferment of SAM on Femi Falana, was in recognition of his decades-long commitment to justice and public interest litigation.
He made the disclosure in his remarks during the Faculty’s 2024/2025 Legal Year Opening Ceremony in Abuja on Thursday.
The event was attended by legal practitioners, academics, and students who gathered to celebrate Falana’s enduring legacy in Nigerian jurisprudence and activism.
The LAWSAN President described Falana as a becon of hope, justice and a rare legal mind whose life embodies courage, humility, and mentorship.
Femi Falana Charges Youths to Defend Their Future, Hold Leaders Accountable
Cross River: Army foils abduction, rescues victims from suspected sea pirates
By: Zagazola Makama
Four passengers abducted by suspected sea pirates on the waterways between Nigeria and Cameroon have been rescued unharmed by the Nigerian Army, security sources confirmed.
The incident occurred on 2 December 2025 when Ebuka Clinton, Alice David Albino, Usin Divine, and another passenger boarded a commercial speed boat from Ikang Beach, Bakassi, to Isanghele Fishing Pond in Cameroon.
They were intercepted and taken hostage by suspected sea pirates to an unknown location on the waterways.
On spotting a Nigerian Army patrol boat, the assailants fired sporadically and abandoned the victims in their attempt to escape to the Cameroonian creeks using another speed boat.
One of the victims, Blessing Bassey Edem of Ikang, sustained a bullet injury on her right buttock. She and the other passengers were later rescued and conveyed to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital for treatment, where they are reported to be responding to medical attention.
Authorities are monitoring the waterways to prevent further abduction attempts.
Cross River: Army foils abduction, rescues victims from suspected sea pirates
Military
NSCDC Intensifies Anti-Corruption Fight, Inaugurates New Heads of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit
NSCDC Intensifies Anti-Corruption Fight, Inaugurates New Heads of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit
By: Michael Mike
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) has reinforced its commitment to combating corruption by inaugurating new heads of its Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit (ACTU) and unveiling a robust Corruption Prevention Strategy.
Commandant General (CG) of NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Audi on Wednesday charged the newly inaugurated ACTU heads to lead by example, enforce compliance without fear or favour, and resist undue pressure by upholding the values of integrity, transparency, and accountability.
The CG, represented by the Deputy Commandant General (Administration), DCG Adeyinka Ayinla, delivered the keynote address at a one-day sensitization workshop, inauguration ceremony, and integrity award event held at the Corps’ National Headquarters in Abuja.
Audi stated that the new NSCDC Corruption Prevention Strategy is designed to reduce misconduct, promote due process, and reinforce internal discipline within the Corps. He applauded the support of President Bola Tinubu, through the Minister of Interior, Honourable Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo.
Also speaking at the event, the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC), Dr. Musa Aliyu, stressed that corruption undermines service delivery, erodes public confidence, distorts development priorities, and weakens the security architecture of a nation.
Aliyu, represented by Mr. Olusegun Adigun, assured the NSCDC of the Commission’s continued partnership in championing preventative measures across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), and appreciated the Corps for its strong anti-corruption posture.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NSCDC ACTU, Acting Commandant Audrey Obeh, described the gathering as a “transformative moment” and a testament to the Corps’ dedication to integrity and national development. She commended the Commandant General for his visionary leadership, which has provided an enabling platform for the ACTU to thrive.
“The inauguration of ACTU Heads, integrity awards, and unveiling of the NSCDC corruption prevention strategy all demonstrate how we are intentionally strengthening the pillars of accountability within our system,” Commandant Obeh stated.
A key highlight of the event was the presentation of integrity awards to deserving officers and staff.
The CG of NSCDC, Prof. Ahmed Audi, received the Integrity Champion and Visionary Award.
The erstwhile Chairman of NSCDC ACTU, Commandant of Corps Remi Ekundayo, bagged the Distinguished ACTU Chairperson Emeritus Award.
Other recipients included ASCII Amanze Abraham Onyedikachi (ACTU Integrity, Ethics and Compliance Award), and CSC Aremu Rafiu (Kwara State Command), CSC Akinwande Adesola Comfort (Oyo State Command), SC Umar Abubakar Ladan (Borno State Command), and SC Yusuf Ibrahim Yusuf (Jigawa State Command), who all received the ACTU Outstanding Performance and Distinguished Service Award.
Goodwill messages were also delivered by representatives from sister agencies, including the Controller General of Immigration, the Director General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), and the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC).
NSCDC Intensifies Anti-Corruption Fight, Inaugurates New Heads of Anti-Corruption and Transparency Unit
ICRC to commission first wheel chair assembly plant in Borno
By: Bodunrin Kayode
In response to increased demands for easy movement by physically challenged people in Borno state, the international committee of the red cross (ICRC) will soon commission a centre for the assembly of varieties of wheel chairs for their needs.
The centre which is located at the pompomari bypass axis of the maiduguri metropolis will be commissioned before the end of December.
This was made known by the head of the physical rehabilitation centre of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) Surajo Jabo during the celebration of the international day of persons with disabilities under the theme Fostering Disability -inclusive societies for advancing social progress
He urged the Nigerian society to remember that inclusivity is the very foundation of sustainable development, social cohesion and human dignity for all which is why his organization has eight out of 24 staff who are physically challenged
Surajo noted that the centre will be able to employ about 1000 people at a time when the plant starts producing before the end of the year.
He said that about 3500 people have benefitted in terms of Prosthetic limbs in the centre from November 2020 when they started till date.
The coordinator stated that at least 300 requests are on the table waiting for their own share while the demand has increased from 25 to 30 cases monthly.
Serajo posited that about 12 cases of military personnel have also been fixed and still counting even as the insurgency war rages on.
On challenges, he told this reporter that due to the high demands for the artificial limbs, there has been an increased need for more support which is why they have extended their partnership with a lot of non governmental organizations to keep the good work going on.
Supporting his claim, Dr Babagana Waziri who is the founder for the centre for inclusion, support and advocacy for disables said that he has also been supporting challenged people in the area of health care, social inclusion, well being, and humanitarian partnership.
He added that its time the government recognized the needs of challenged people because they will always have special needs which society cannot turn away from.
The UMTH has been the major prosthetic support centre for the entire north east region of Nigeria taking care of both military and civil residents in the 16 year old insurgent war.
ICRC to commission first wheel chair assembly plant in Borno
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