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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
Security forces arrest suspect with 800 rounds of ammunition in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Security forces in Zamfara State have arrested a 25-year-old suspect, Mannir Adam, for allegedly transporting 800 rounds of AK-47 ammunition concealed in the fuel tank of a motorcycle.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect, a resident of Yankuzo village in Tsafe Local Government Area of the state, was intercepted at about 7:50 p.m. on Tuesday along the Gusau–Funtua highway.
He was arrested at a security checkpoint in Yankara while riding a red Boxer motorcycle.
According to the sources, a search conducted by the operatives led to the discovery of 800 rounds of live ammunition for an AK-47 rifle, which had been carefully hidden inside the motorcycle’s fuel tank.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspect allegedly picked up the ammunition from the Bawa area in Saminaka Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
He was reportedly transporting the ammunition to Kucheri village in Tsafe Local Government Area of Zamfara State, where it was suspected to be destined for armed bandits operating in the area.
Security sources described the arrest as a major breakthrough in efforts to disrupt the supply of arms and ammunition to criminal groups terrorising communities in Zamfara and neighbouring states.
The suspect is currently in custody while further investigations are ongoing to identify and apprehend other members of the network involved in the illegal arms supply chain.
Security forces arrest suspect with 800 rounds of ammunition in Zamfara
Police arrest robbery suspects, recover firearms in Plateau
By: Zagazola Makama
The Police Command in Plateau has arrested two suspected armed robbers and recovered firearms during an intelligence-led operation in Jos North Local Government Area.
Police sources said the suspects were arrested on March 9 at about 9:15 p.m. by a team of operatives acting on credible intelligence.
The suspects were identified as Emmanuel Yakmoe of Angwan Rukuba and Alfred Song of Furaka Junction, both residents of Jos North.
According to police, a locally fabricated pistol was recovered from the suspects at the time of their arrest.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the suspects had allegedly robbed one Nandi Budadi Taki of his iPhone 16 Pro Max at gunpoint.
Further investigation led to the recovery of an additional Beretta pistol from Yakmoe at his residence in Angwan Rukuba.
Police said the suspects had confessed to the crime, adding that discreet investigation was ongoing.
The command also said efforts were being intensified to arrest other members of the robbery syndicate and recover additional weapons.
Police arrest robbery suspects, recover firearms in Plateau
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Leadership Amid Turbulence: The Stewardship of Dr. Lucky Ikharo at the National Assembly Service Commission
Leadership Amid Turbulence: The Stewardship of Dr. Lucky Ikharo at the National Assembly Service Commission
By Ayo Ajayi
In times of institutional uncertainty, leadership is often tested not by comfort but by crisis. At the National Assembly Service Commission (NASC), Abuja, such a moment emerged amid internal tensions and the spread of misinformation among sections of the workforce. At the centre of this storm stood the Commission’s Secretary, Dr. Lucky Ikharo, whose calm disposition and administrative experience have helped steady the institution through turbulent waters.
For many within the Commission, the period has been marked by a mix of rumours, misrepresentation, and what some observers describe as half-baked narratives circulating among staff who may not be fully informed about the workings of the system. In such an atmosphere, maintaining discipline, order, and institutional focus requires more than routine administration—it demands patience, clarity of purpose, and steady leadership.
Dr. Ikharo has sought to provide exactly that. Known among colleagues for his methodical approach to public service administration, he has remained focused on ensuring that the Commission continues to function effectively despite the distractions created by internal disagreements and misinformation.
His journey within the National Assembly bureaucracy reflects years of dedication to institutional development.
Dr. Ikharo joined the National Assembly Service Commission in 2002 as an Assistant Chief Administrative Officer. Through diligence and professional commitment, he steadily rose through the ranks of the public service, eventually attaining the position of Director in 2017.
Dr Lucky Ikharo was among the pioneer staff members entrusted with the responsibility of coordinating the Commission’s Meeting Secretariat, a role he diligently handled for over nine years. In that capacity, he played a critical role in ensuring the smooth organization and documentation of the Commission’s high-level deliberations.
Following this period, Dr. Ikharo broadened his administrative horizon by serving in various departments within the Commission. These experiences exposed him to the diverse operational dynamics of the institution and helped shape his deep understanding of its administrative processes.
Dr. Ikharo serves as the Secretary to the Commission. His journey through different strategic units of the organisation has positioned him well for the role, affirming the popular saying that he is indeed a round peg in a round hole.
Over the years, he has held several strategic positions within the Commission. Between 2017 and 2019, he served as Director of Promotions, Discipline and Appeals, a role that placed him at the heart of staff management and administrative justice within the organisation. He later served as Director of Procurement and General Services from 2019 to 2020, overseeing critical operational and procurement processes of the Commission.
Beyond his administrative responsibilities, Dr. Ikharo is also a fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Training and Development (NITAD), reflecting his commitment to professional development and capacity building in public service.Observers say his leadership style is defined by calm engagement rather than confrontation. At a time when rumours and internal tensions threaten to distract the Commission from its statutory mandate, his stewardship has focused on maintaining stability, reinforcing administrative procedures, and ensuring that the institution continues to carry out its responsibilities to the legislature and the Nigerian public.
Indeed, leadership within public institutions often unfolds quietly, away from public applause. Yet it is precisely in such moments of internal turbulence that the character of a public administrator becomes most visible. For Dr. Lucky Ikharo, the challenge has been to keep the Commission steady, demonstrating that experience, patience, and commitment to institutional integrity remain essential pillars of effective public service leadership.
Leadership Amid Turbulence: The Stewardship of Dr. Lucky Ikharo at the National Assembly Service Commission
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