Seats of Power: Aides, hyenas and why some level of dictatorship is needed in a growing democracy

Handlers could be full of mischief or just manipulators. Most Leaders don’t have a full grasp of what is going on.  While their ‘loyal’ aides feast on the ignorance of the citizens out there. Keeping a very sick leader and packaging him at the expense of the economy and security of the state is usually in the selfish interest of these close aides and allies.

 

I remember how two Ministers would sneak in their letters of requests in their Agbada or Suite to prevent aides of the President from frustrating the needed approvals. They always succeeded because the President would give his approvals once the paper is pulled out from the hidden chests. Unfortunately, the President won’t even ask why it wasn’t submitted officially through the appropriate channel. This happens to those somehow closer to the President. 

 

I expected to hear some of such revelations from the Ministers and officials who had this experience. 

 

We blame the President, Governor and their likes, yet we spare the real perpetrators of this impunity and injustice, especially Civil Servants. 

 

I remember the case of late General Sani Abacha. They knew he couldn’t function anymore at optimum capacity, yet they lied to Nigerians, packaged him and even had special makeup artists to cover his obviously changed face. 

 

I remember the case of late President Umaru Yaradua. It was so bad that even during the campaign he was absent. He was called to respond to the allegations of terminally ill during one of the campaigns. When he was secretly flown out, it was rumored that he was already dead. 

 

In the case of Goodluck Jonathan, it was neither sickness nor death, but a case of his government being hijacked by men and women who called the shots behind his back! 

 

Fast forward to late President Buhari, we all know the story. He narrowly escaped death in the second year of his first term. Instead of resigning and transmitting power to his deputy, these hyenas and jackals packaged him again for a second term in office, all that was to sustain their “choppings” at the detriment of the nation where they could no longer comprehend nor take decisive actions. 

 

A case of the subsidy removal! Aides prevented Jonathan and Buhari from taking the bull by the horn. Thank Goodness for President Tinubu who didn’t wait to get a second opinion from close allies. 

 

The injustice done our nation by powerful cabals cannot be put squarely on an ailing or not too courageous leader! 

 

Call him a Dictator because he takes action without recourse to the Business men in power, so be it! Some level of dictatorship is needed in a growing democracy particularly in a third world country like ours. 

 

May God recalibrate the minds of our leaders and give them the courage to say “No” just when it is needed!

 

Chief Obiaruko Christie Ndukwe is an Abuja based political analyst and Commentator

 

Prince T.J.T Princewill Appointed as Chairman, Board of Trustees – University Of Port Harcourt Alumni Association

The University of Port Harcourt Alumni Association has formally inaugurated its Board of Trustees for the 2025–2029 tenure in a landmark ceremony on Friday.

 

The event, attended by members of the National Executive Council, Chapter Presidents, and distinguished alumni from across the globe, was described as historic by stakeholders, as the Association continues its drive to reposition itself as a force for societal impact and institutional advancement.

 

In his keynote address, National President of the Alumni Association, Senator Darlington Nwokocha, former minority whip in the Nigerian Senate, described the inauguration as a defining moment in the association’s evolution.

 

“Today, we constitute a Board that will serve as the moral compass, legal backbone, and strategic guardian of our Association’s long-term vision,” he said.

 

The newly inaugurated Board of Trustees is chaired by Prince Tonye T.J.T Princewill, a prominent politician, business leader, and longtime supporter of the UNIPORT Alumni Association. Other members of the Board include Dr. Patterson Ogon, Hon. Anayo E. Nwonu, Mr. Samson Akpibere, Mr. Austin Okeze, and Ms. Chiadikobi Emmanuella-King.

 

Senator Nwokocha praised the individual and collective credentials of the Board members, stating that their ratification by Congress is a reflection of the immense trust and credibility they command within the alumni community.

 

“We will look to you for wise counsel, critical review, and strategic alignment as we embark on our vision to Reconnect, Reinvest, and Reposition the Uniport Alumni Association,” he added.

 

The President also unveiled four flagship projects set to drive the association’s developmental agenda in the years ahead:

            1.         A High Flyer Scheme and Premium Hostel to promote academic excellence;

            2.         The establishment of a Library, Museum, and Alumni Hall of Fame;

            3.         A functional Agric Hub for food production and entrepreneurship;

            4.         An Alumni Bakery and Bottled Water Plant to promote social enterprise and sustainability.

 

Responding on behalf of the Board, the Chairman, Prince Tonye Princewill, expressed deep humility and a strong sense of responsibility in accepting the appointment.

 

“We are here not to preside, but to serve; to serve as stewards of integrity, guardians of trust, and partners in the progressive transformation of this association,” Princewill said in his acceptance speech.

 

He emphasized the Board’s commitment to work in close partnership with the National Executive Committee to ensure alignment, transparency, and accountability in the implementation of the association’s strategic goals.

 

“Beyond the letters of the constitution lies a deeper obligation: to lead with compassion, to act with integrity, and to ensure that every decision we take strengthens the foundation of this association for future generations,” he added.

 

Some notable alumni of the institution include:

 

1. Former President Goodluck Jonathan

 

2. Former Governor Rotimi Amaechi

 

3. Former Governor Nyesom Wike

 

4. Governor Sim Fubara

 

5. Governor Alex Otti , just to mention a few.

 

The inauguration ceremony closed with a renewed call for unity, excellence, and collective purpose among all alumni, as the University of Port Harcourt Alumni Association embarks on what many described as a new era of relevance and impact.

 

Members of the board will serve for a single term of four years.

 

Source: Nwaorgu Faustinus

 

Customs Tincan Island Port Revenue up by 29.85%, as Comptroller.Onyeka Rakes in Over N747 Billion in Half year 2025

By Bon Peters

 

The Nigeria Customs Service Tincan Island Port Apapa  Lagos says it has generated over N747 Billion Naira in the first half of 2025, representing 98.03% of its expected revenue Collection for the half year of 2025.

 

This disclosure was contained in a press release issued, signed and made available to newsmen by the Command's Public Relations officer Oscar Ivara in Lagos Thursday.

 

The statement noted, "the Nigeria Customs Service Tincan Island Port Command has announced the collection of N747,079,233,259.91 as revenue for the first half of 2025."

 

Commenting on the development,the Customs Area Controller of the Command, Comptroller Frank Onyeka disclosed that the figure indicated a remarkable surplus of N171,719,786,247.68 when compared to the first half of 2024, which stood at N575,359,447,011.23.

 

According to him, "this figure   represents a growth of approximately 29.85% increase and has achieved a 98.03% of the expected collection for the first half of the year 2025."

 

Comptroller Onyeka added that  " in January 2025, the Command generated the sum of  N116,412,735,766.23  as against N88,430,128,122.76  in the same period of 2024, while in the month of February, the Command recorded a  total of N103,254,292,293,823.23,  above that of the previous year which stood at N100,253,187,122.76."

 

He further stated that, the months of March to May 2025 witnessed an increase in the command's revenue with the collection of  N128,266,643,816.08, N145,020,168,704.83, N128,446,323,224.79 respectively.

 

The statement also explained that those figures quoted above also showed an increase when compared to the Command’s expected monthly revenue target of  N127, 055,833,289.88 and those of March to May 2024 which stood at  N115,108,066,256.20, N95,703,614,360.55, N92,671,603,418.04 respectively.

 

Our Correspondent equally gathered that in  June 2025,  a total of N125, 679,068,853.75 was generated surpassing the figure recorded in corresponding period of the previous year 2024, which stood at N83, 192,847,758.97.

 

On the new B'odogwu platform, Compt Onyeka informed that “in the first half of the year, the Command received 3,450 Single Goods Declarations (SGDs) under the new B'Odogwu clearance system and has successful processed and exited 2,749 entries."

 

He averred that since the innovation and its successful implementation, the Command had organized several online and physical trainings and workshops to provide first-hand knowledge to all stakeholders on the operations of the system.

 

On the number of vessels that called at the Port, the Tincan Island Port Customs boss disclosed that a total of 282 vessels called at the Command in the first quarter of the year, with import tonnage comprised of Bulk cargoes such as bulk wheat, bulk malt, lab chemical, drilling rods, bulk sugar, aluminum nitride, general cargoes among others.

 

On Anti-Smuggling activities, the Area Controller hinted that the Command recorded significant progress in its drive towards safe-guarding the nation and her citizens from the threat of unwholesome items through the arrest and subsequent handover of illicit drugs, Arms and Ammunition even as he noted  the Command confiscated and successfully handed over illicit drugs worth over N8, 053,125,000.00 to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

 

He attributed the feat to the timely interception of 2 x 20ft containers of which were separately found to contain 128 packets of Cannabis Indica, 97 packets of crystal methamphetamine, and 1,735 packets of Cannabis Indica with a combined total weight of over 1,000 kilogram.

 

He further stated that with the combination of thorough physical and Non-Intrusive inspection examinations, the Command uncovered Arms and Ammunition and other military equipment concealed in a 1x40ft container which was conveying Four (4) used vehicles.

The items recovered according to him include:

“i.          Ruger P345 Pistol Reg. No. 664 – 75425

ii.         23 GEN 4 Austria Pistol Reg. No. TO 6252

iii.        100 Rounds of live Ammunition of 9mm

iv.        34 Rounds of blank Ammunition of 9mm

v.         4 Rounds of Blank Ammunition

vi.        5 empty Magazines

vii.       2 Handcuffs

viii.      One small iron touch light."

 

The statement noted that to ensure proper handling of the items, the Customs Area Controller has handed them over to the Department of State Services (DSS), Tincan Island Port Command, alongside the consignee and the declarant.

 

According to Comptroller Onyeka, the handover exercise underscored the commitment of the Command to uphold and promote National Security by safeguarding National Borders against the influx of hard drugs and proliferation of small arms and light weapons, as well as promoting inter-agencies collaboration with all security agencies operating in the port.

 

To ensure a harmonious working relationship with stakeholders, at the Port, the statement said that the Area Controller has engaged with various stakeholders as demonstrated in a strong commitment to fostering inclusive dialogue and collaboration through sustained engagement with a diverse range of key partners in the maritime and trade ecosystem.

 

Those engaged included terminal operators, captains of industries, Government agencies operating at the port and beyond, Customs licensed agents, international organizations, civil society groups, and private sector representatives among others.

 

He further explained that “these engagements were designed to ensure that policies, operational changes, and reforms were communicated and feedback received, noting that "the interactive sessions with the captains of industries were geared towards attracting and enhancing trade benefits to the Command and so far, it has yielded positive results."

 

He continued by stating that he had used the entire medium to urge stakeholders to always ensure proper declaration of their consignments in order to enhance trade facilitation.

 

He also reiterated that as part of the command's efforts to promote transparency and keep the public informed about developments and activities at the port, the Command had actively engaged the press by organizing regular briefings and open forum.

 

Appreciating the Comptroller General of Customs, Compt Onyeka used the medium “to congratulate and appreciate his boss and leader, the Comptroller General of Customs and Chairman WCO Council, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR psc (+) on his recent appointment as the Chairman of the World Customs Organization (WCO) Council and his unwavering support to the Command,” even as he described his election victory as “divine."

 

While equally thanking all Customs partners operating within the port,  he however  promised to always promote conducive business environment urging officers and men of the Command to continue to show acts of  bravery and competence admonishing  that the success of the Command is dependent on their collective and professional contribution