National

Obasanjo’s botched 3rd term bid stirs another controversy at Edwin Clark’s book presentation

Published

2 years ago

August 19, 2023

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s Third term ambition that was knocked out in 2006 has sparked off another controversy at the public presentation of Chief Edwin Kaigbodo Clark’s autobiography on Thursday when the book reviewer Professor Osarenwen Osumbor disagreed with a reproduced account from another book, ‘The Accidental Public servant’

He described El-rufai’s account in his book as a fiction and fallacy adding that the account in the book about himself was not true.

Obasanjo, in 2006, had sought to extend his tenure beyond the constitutionally-allowed two terms of four years each.
The former president, who was also the country’s military ruler between 1976 and 1979, wanted the National Assembly to amend the 1999 Constitution to enable him prolong his stay in office.
El-Rufai’s ‘Accidental Public Servant’ book in which is a tell-all memoir, reflected on a life in public service to Nigeria, the enormous challenges faced by the country, and what can be done while calling on a new generation of leaders to take the country back from the brink of destruction.
However, the book also captured the aborted third term saga where a reference was made to Osumbor who was also a senator at the time.
Osumbor while reviewing the book “Brutally Frankly’ had faulted the author for an extensive quotation of excerpts from Mallam El-Rufai’s book “The Accidental Public servant” which he described as pure fiction and fallacious.

“The most serious shortcoming is the author’s copious reproduction, reference to and reliance on the statements and opinions of other people many of which may be unreliable and unverifiable.
“An example of this is at page 559 where he quoted in extenso excerpts from Mallam El-Rufai’s book “The Accidental Public servant.
“In the relevant portion, the author refers to a discussion at Aso Villa between President Obasanjo, Senate President Ken Namani and others as they mulled the idea of stopping live television broadcast of the Senate debate of the Third Term.

According to him, Chief Tony Anenih is quoted to have said that he will get Professor Osunbor to move the motion.

He went on –

“The following day, we learnt that Professor Osunbor went to the clerk of the Senate and asked that a motion be raised of urgent national importance, with no topic. This allowed – any senator can move to table a motion of urgent national importance” with no further detail. The clerk put the motion in the order paper. On the appointed day, Professor Osunbor fell miraculously ill and had to be admitted to hospital, so there was nobody to raise the motion”.

“This is pure fiction and fallacious. First, it is the prerogative of the President of senate to decide whether to allow a motion of urgent national importance and if satisfied, would direct the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Business to put it on the Order Paper.

“The Clerk of Senate has nothing to do with it. At any rate, a motion on the modality of Senate Debate will be a matter of privilege which can be raised by any Senator without notice at anytime and once the relevant Order has been invoked it cannot be refused and must be allowed by the Senate-President, much less the clerk of Senate.

Osumbo while extricating himself said, “At no time have I fallen miraculously ill and from 1999 when I entered Senate till date, I have never been admitted to any hospital.
“Importing such falsehoods into a book diminishes its quality.”

He however described the book as an excellent literary work, rich in political history (ancient and contemporary) of Nigeria.

“It deserves to be in every library as an invaluable reservoir of knowledge. The finishing is good and the memorable pictures which adorn some 35 pages speak more than a thousand words.
However he observed that there was a big omission. “The author tells us that his great-grandfather had 100 wives, his grandfather had 40 and his father had 7 but he was silent on the number of wives he himself had married. Maybe he is still counting.”

“BRUTALLY FRANK makes very interesting reading. The author’s clear memory and recollection of dates, names, places and events is impressive and phenomenal. This could partly be attributed to good record keeping.

“The book is not without flaws, though minor, many of them typo and spelling such as “constant tenants” instead of “customary tenants (p. 64), “Justice Omo Eboh” written as “Omoibo” (p. 159) and “Awkunanaw” written as “Okunanu” (p. 167).
“At times, the language is intemperate such as using the word “stupid” (P.359), this is obviously in anger but not appropriate in a book.

The event that took place at the International Conferecmnce Center, Abuja, chaired by former Head of State Gen(rtd) Yakubu Gowon, had President Bola Tinubu; Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP); Maryam Abacha, wife of the late former head of state; Adeyeye Ogunwusi, Ooni of Ife; Ado Bayero, Emir of Kano, Theophilus Danjuma, former Nigeria’s chief of army staff; among personalities in attendance.

National

Young Nigerians should Join ‘Voices of Our Heritage’ Writing Contest, Musawa

Published

4 days ago

February 18, 2025

National Update

Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa

Young Nigerian writers have been urged to participate in the “Voices of Our Heritage” national writing competition, an initiative aimed at fostering creativity and cultural appreciation.
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, who made the call said the competition is open to students aged 10-18, adding that it is seeking to discover and nurture emerging literary talents.
The special adviser to the minister on Media quoted her to have indicated that the initiative is targedted at empowering young writers to create, publish, and even earn from their digital books, promoting both entrepreneurship and job opportunities.

“This competition is about preserving our cultural heritage while shaping the future of our nation,” she stated.

Organized as part of the 2024-25 National Young Authors Fair (NYAF), the competition welcomes entries from primary, secondary, and university students. Registration closes on February 20, 2025, with submissions open until March 20, 2025.
Winners will be announced on April 10, 2025, with the top 10 receiving ₦250,000 each, along with book publication, national recognition, and distribution.

The competition aligns with the Ministry’s vision to promote cultural heritage, creativity, and education through strategic partnerships.

For registration, visit: https://www.yaf.bribooks.com/ng/2024/student.

National

Okebukola Hails Nigeria’s Milestone in Global AI Revolution

Published

5 days ago

February 17, 2025

National Update

Peter Okebukola

***As 306 Stakeholders Participate in Inaugural AI Awareness Day

Nigeria has taken a bold step in the global Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution as key stakeholders gathered to explore the nation’s role in AI-driven education and policy development.

The National Coordinator of the 2025 AI Awareness Day, Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola, described the event as a major milestone, highlighting Nigeria’s potential to emerge as a leader in AI research, education, and application.

Held virtually on February 17, 2025, the inaugural AI Awareness Day in Higher Education was co-hosted by the Virtual Institute for Capacity Building in Higher Education (VICBHE), National Universities Commission (NUC), National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN), Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), Okebukola Science Foundation (OSF), and the Association of African Universities (AAU).

The event brought together 306 participants, including heads of regulatory agencies (NUC, NBTE, and NCCE), scholars from universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education, policymakers, educators, and AI practitioners.
Discussions focused on AI’s transformative role in higher education, best practices, and ethical AI deployment in Nigeria.

The event, chaired by Professor Yakubu Ochefu, former Secretary-General of the Committee of Vice-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, centered on raising awareness about AI’s role in higher education transformation, assessing Nigeria’s progress in AI education and its contribution to global AI research and celebrating achievements in AI research and education within Nigerian institutions.
Other areas of focus included exploring the integration of AI into university curricula, research, and administration and discussing AI-driven innovations to address national educational challenges.
The event featured a symposium, the launch of the AI in Higher Education in Africa Newsletter, and the presentation of the three-volume Handbook on AI and Quality Higher Education.
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of awards to recognise outstanding contributions in AI research, education, and policy within the Nigerian higher education system.

The first position in the Best Institutional AI Policy in Higher Education Award in the universities category was won by Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. Second and third positions were won by Lagos State University, Ojo and Federal University of Technology, Minna respectively.

In the polytechnics category, the first prize went to Living Spring College of Technology and Innovation, Osogbo. For the Best AI Researcher in the universities category, Prof. Olatunji Sunday Olusanya of Adekunle Ajasin University came first. Dr. Salau Ayodeji of Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti and Dr. Awotunde Joseph Bamidele of the University of Ilorin came second and third respectively.

For the polytechnics category, Mr. Mohammed Modiu of Yaba college of Technology came first. Mr. Salami Ayo of Federal College of Education, Iwo came first in the colleges of education category.

Other awards include the Best Programme in Artificial Intelligence. For the universities category, the B.Sc. Computer Science of Thomas Adewumi University came first. Programmes of four universities tied in the second position. These are B.Sc. Management Information Systems of Covenant University, Ota; B.Sc. Industrial Mathematics (Computer Option) also of Covenant University, Ota; and B.Sc. Computer Science of the University of Benin.

The first position in the universities category for the Best AI Application for Enhancing Teaching and Learning went to Prof. Onyenwe Ikechukwu Ekene of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. Five scholars tied in the second position. These are Dr. Oguntosin Victoria of Covenant University; Dr. Oluwakemi Olurinola of Olabisi Onabanjo University; Professor Busari Mutiu of Federal University of Agriculture Abeokuta and Professor Ibezim Nnenna of University of Nigeria, Nsukka. In the polytechnic category, first prize went to Dr. Okikiola Folasade of Yaba College of Technology.
For the colleges of education category, first prize was earned by Dr. Usman Stephen of Ipere College of Education Agyaragu, Nasarawa State, while Mr. Bako Mahmud Malam of Adamu Tafawa Balewa College of Education Kangere Bauchi State came second.
Other awards were presented for Best AI Programme and Best AI Application for Teaching and Learning across universities, polytechnics, and colleges of education.
Key resolutions include expanding the AI Awareness Day to all levels of the educational system; development of a strategic plan to ensure that Nigeria plays a leadership role in the global development of AI; strengthening the implementation of the AU strategic plan on AI; and forging strong public-private partnerships, investing boldly in our people and infrastructure.

Others are that the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, NITDA, other agencies of government and other stakeholders should involve the National Association of Artificial Intelligence Practitioners (NAAIP) in policy making, implementation and other matters of Artificial Intelligence; and that within the 30% institutional allowance in the CCMAS, Nigerian universities should be encouraged to start GST courses on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in place of or in addition to the existing computer appreciation courses.
The successful launch of the AI Awareness Day marks a turning point in Nigeria’s AI journey, reinforcing the country’s commitment to leveraging AI for educational excellence, innovation, and national development.

National

Diplomatic Fallout: Ribadu’s Outburst Sparks Criticism Over Nigeria’s Foreign Policy Approach

Published

1 week ago

February 14, 2025

National Update

Sule Lamido

A fresh controversy has emerged over Nigeria’s handling of diplomatic affairs, as former Jigawa State Governor, Sule Lamido, takes aim at National Security Adviser (NSA) Nuhu Ribadu for his public condemnation of Canada’s visa denials to Nigerian military personnel.

Lamido, a seasoned politician and former foreign minister, expressed frustration over what he described as a pattern of missteps in Nigeria’s foreign policy under the current administration. He argued that the NSA’s public outburst against Canada was both unnecessary and damaging to the country’s international reputation.

“This is yet another example of our rookie approach to foreign relations,” Lamido stated. “Rather than resorting to public accusations, the appropriate response would have been for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to summon the Canadian High Commissioner and address the issue through official diplomatic channels.”

The ex-governor warned that Ribadu’s actions had not only failed to resolve the issue but had also drawn unnecessary public attention to an embarrassing situation. “Our foreign relations must be handled with tact and professionalism. The NSA should not be taking over the responsibilities of the Minister of Foreign Affairs,” he said.

This latest episode comes amid broader concerns over Nigeria’s international standing, following strained relations within ECOWAS and a series of diplomatic missteps on the global stage. Analysts now worry that such uncoordinated responses could weaken Nigeria’s position in international affairs.

With Nigeria’s diplomatic credibility on the line, calls are growing for a more disciplined and strategic approach to engaging with foreign nations—one that prioritizes diplomacy over public confrontations.