Editorial
Task Before Eguavoen, Amuneke
Few days ago, the football ruling body in Nigeria, Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) confirmed the duo of ex-
internationals, Austin Eguavoen and Emmanuel Amuneke as substantive technical heads of the national team, Super Eagles. This followed the not-so- successful outing of the national team under the tutelage of Eguavoen in interim capacity at the recently concluded 33rd edition of the African Cup of Nations ( AFCON) tagged Cameroon 2021, and the failed attempt to engage Portuguese tactician, Jose Peseiro. While Eguavoen remains the Technical Adviser and Head of the coaching crew, Amuneke was drafted as the coach.
At the Cameroon 2021 Championship, Eguavoen and the Super Eagles, after flying off the blocks in impressive fashion ended up flattering to deceive. They won all their group matches to raise the expectations of not only Nigerians but their fans across the globe. But the Eagles came unstuck in the very first knock out stage and game against their counterparts from Tunisia.
That is why, we think that the combination of Eguavoen and Amuneke could not have come at a better time, especially as the final qualifying matches for Qatar 2022 World Cup looms by the corner. Indeed, the Super Eagles team, as presently constituted, boasts of young and enterprising talents that have the potential to become world beaters, if only technically and tactically sound minds could work to weave their talents into a consistent formidable unit in the field of play.
We are glad that the new gaffers played the game to the highest level and have proved themselves as technical managers with relative successes. Both played professional club football with reputable sides in Europe, played for the national team and won the Nations Cup in 1994, with Amuneke also winning the Olympic football gold medal in 1996.
As coaches, both have some cognate experience to fall back on. While Eguavoen has been in the saddle of the Super Eagles before now and has the record as the only coach to have seen the team eke out perfect record in group matches as the AFCON in more than one edition, the recent disappointment of Cameroon 2021 should be handy. Amuneke, on his part, has brought world youth football glory to the country as an assistant and substantive coach of the Golden Eaglets in 2013 and 2015. He also broke new grounds, leading the Taifa Stars of Tanzania to their second African Cup of Nations outing in 2019, 39 years after their debut outing in 1980.
Now, therefore, we think is the time for both coaches to bring their experiences to bear on the national team and steer it to greater height and glory, beginning with the momentous two-legged encounters with neighbours and archrivals, Ghana, next month. The Black Stars of Ghana are the last hurdle between Nigeria and an appearance at the next mundial and qualifying for the biggest football rendezvous in the world is non-negotiable. It is indeed an acid test for the Eagles’ handlers and inkling into what their tenure holds for the national team and Nigeria.
We expect Eguavoen and Amuneke to close ranks and work with mutual respect and unity of purpose to ensure that their names are not only written in gold but serve as positive milestones for indigenous coaches in their quest for opportunities in the continent and beyond. These we believe are achievable with clearly stated goals, programmes and methods, which should have long, medium and short term strategies.
Over the years, it is on record that the NFF tended to treat indigenous coaches with less respect than their expatriate counterparts. While we are not encouraging confrontational attitude or insubordination, we expect that, as professionals, the coaches have a clear contract with stipulated rule of engagement in place in order to avoid the cataclysmic developments that have inundated past arrangements.
Being ex-players, Eguavoen and Amuneke must be ready to enforce discipline in the Super Eagles without being unduly high handed in order to have and maintain a peaceful dressing room. In fact, the onus lies on the coaches to provide leadership and act as role models for the players, without hesitating to whip into line any one that steps out of order, no matter his status in the team.
Hassan Shehata, who won multiple Nations Cup title for Egypt, Djamel Belmadi of Algeria, who led Algeria to the title at the penultimate AFCON, our own late Stephen Keshi, who won with the Super Eagles in 2013 and Aliou Cisse, coach of current AFCON Champions, Teranga Lions of Senegal are some examples of indigenous coaches to have led their countries to glory. Taking some leaves off their books, especially, Cisse, who stuck to his beliefs and methods to finally achieve with Senegal, would not be a bad idea. The duo should strive to be shining examples of ideal local coaches with capacity.
Apart from a healthy working relationship between both men on and off the field, we demand fair and firm disposition from them in scouting, selecting and fielding players for the national team. The practice of favouritism or double standard should not find room in the choice of personnel to prosecute one match or another. Also, some Nigerian coaches have in the recent past run foul of FIFA rules and stand against corruption, match-fixing and other forms of bribery, Eguavoen and Amuneke must at all times maintain high moral grounds against any matter that may blemish their integrity.
The two coaches will, at the end of the day be judged by how far they would have taken the national team to the next level and their ability to identify, wean and integrate new players to the Super Eagles. We, therefore, think that while going for the best legs to represent the country in the national teams, products of the domestic league must not be forgotten players from the Nigerian Professional Football League, (NPFL) should not be outrightly dismissed as second class players but ought to be given ample opportunities to prove themselves among the litany of usually favoured foreign- based counterparts.
For sure, Nigerians are looking up to the coaches to bring positive vibes, especially better technical depth, good spirits and undivided commitment to the team. The Super Eagles are being expected to re-enact their exhilarating performances of the past and hopefully hit the form that saw them captivate the world at Tunisia ’94 AFCON and the FIFA World Cup of 1994 in the United States of America.
As the country looks to be part of the party come Qatar 2022 World Cup, Eguavoen and Amuneke must make a loud and clear statement of intent with the upcoming final qualifiers against the Black Stars of Ghana in March.
The news of the Koton Karfe prison break in Kogi State, were met with a degree of resignation, underscores a
deeply troubling and recurrent crisis within Nigeria’s correctional system. The escape of 12 inmates, despite the swift recapture of a few, serves as a reminder of the vulnerabilities plaguing these facilities. This incident is not an isolated event, but rather the latest chapter in a well-documented history of prison breaches across the country.
From the Ikoyi riot in 2004 to the more recent, and devastating, escapes linked to the #EndSARS protests, the pattern is clear: Nigerian prisons are struggling to maintain security and prevent inmates from absconding. The chilling detail of an escaped inmate immediately murdering a witness further highlights the grave consequences and potential societal impact of these failures. The sheer scale of the problem, with over 5,238 inmates escaping during 15 jailbreaks in just two years, demands urgent and comprehensive attention.
Nigeria’s correctional system is in dire need of comprehensive and urgent reform, as evidenced by a confluence of deeply troubling issues. Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s observation regarding the increased frequency of jailbreaks since the transition from Nigeria Prisons Service to Nigeria Correctional Service highlights a systemic failure in maintaining secure facilities and rehabilitative programmes.
Furthermore, public trust is eroded by credibility crises, such as the alleged premature release of crossdresser Bobrisky in 2024, suggesting potential corruption or preferential treatment within the system. Adding to this already alarming situation is the overwhelming number of awaiting-trial inmates. Of the approximately 79,863 individuals currently incarcerated, a staggering 70 per cent (53,254) are yet to be convicted, pointing to severe inefficiencies and delays within the judicial process.
Perhaps, most damning is the revelation that children constitute a reported 30 per cent of the correctional population, a statistic that shames the nation and underscores the urgent need for age-appropriate justice and rehabilitation mechanisms, moving away from simply warehousing vulnerable youth within an overburdened and ineffective system.
The penal system, fundamentally toxic at its core, suffers from a crippling combination of systemic neglect and inherent flaws. Severely underfunded and perpetually overcrowded, prisons are often characterised by crumbling infrastructure, inadequate healthcare access, and absence of meaningful rehabilitation programmes. This confluence of detrimental factors cultivates an inhumane environment that actively undermines any potential for reform, instead fostering resentment and potentially hardening inmates into more serious criminals.
The strain on resources is painfully evident even in the most basic provisions, clearly illustrated by the inadequacy of feeding allowances. While the Federal Government’s recent increase of the daily allowance from N750 to N1,125 per inmate represents a step forward, it remains grossly insufficient to provide proper nutrition, showing the pervasive and deeply ingrained nature of the problem.
The justice system is plagued by systemic inefficiencies and ethical breaches, which creates a breeding ground for injustice and exacerbating societal problems. Unacceptable delays bog down the courts, compounded by archaic manual record-keeping systems that lead to lost files and impede the swift administration of justice. The integrity of evidence is further compromised by the alleged admission of forced confessions without proper verification, raising serious concerns about due process.
This flawed system allows for the regular arrest and detention of innocent individuals, who then suffer the indignity of prolonged incarceration. Compounding these issues are credible reports of dehumanising treatment of detainees, and allegations of collusion between security agents and magistrates to unlawfully prolong custody. These failures erode public trust and create a dangerous cycle, plausibly contributing to the rise in violent crime as prison escapees, potentially radicalised or hardened by their experiences, may resort to armed robbery, banditry, terrorism, and kidnapping.
The justice system’s deep-seated flaws cultivate a breeding ground for further crime and erode public safety. Crippled by systemic delays, reliance on antiquated manual processes, and the alarming acceptance of potentially coerced confessions, the system frequently fails to deliver justice and protect the innocent. The routine arrest of innocent individuals, followed by prolonged and unjust detention, points to a broken process ripe for exploitation. Dehumanising treatment within detention facilities, coupled with alleged collusion between security agents and magistrates to circumvent due process, fosters a climate of mistrust and fuels resentment.
This dysfunction extends beyond individual injustices, potentially contributing to broader societal problems. The escape of prisoners, some of whom may then engage in violent crimes demonstrates the tangible threat these failures pose to public safety. The tragic events at St. Francis Catholic Church in Owo, allegedly perpetrated by escaped ISWAP members, serve as an illustration of the devastating consequences stemming from a broken and permeable justice system.
The Nigerian prison system faces a multitude of challenges, but glimmers of hope shine through. The graduation of 1,229 inmates from the National Open University of Nigeria serves as powerful evidence of rehabilitation’s potential when individuals are afforded proper educational opportunities. To further bolster this potential and address systemic issues, a shift towards true federalism with devolved prison management is necessary.
If states and local government areas establish their own custodial centres, a decentralised system can be created where suspects are housed closer to their respective jurisdictions, potentially easing overcrowding at the federal level. Simultaneously, the Federal Government must deliver on its promise to construct new custodial centres and relocate existing ones from densely populated areas. This infrastructural improvement, coupled with a rigorous vetting process to prevent wrongful incarceration, will significantly reduce the burden on the system.
Nigeria should look beyond its borders, studying and adopting best practices in prison modernisation from countries with successful rehabilitation-focused correctional systems. By prioritising rehabilitation over mere punishment, and implementing strategic reforms, Nigeria can transform its correctional system into one that fosters positive change and contributes to a safer society.
Yesterday was Easter Sunday, a day when Christians around the world celebrate their belief that Jesus Christ rose from the dead after being crucified and buried. The day is a moment for deep reflection and spiritual renewal. The Lenten season before Easter promotes self-examination, fasting, and prayers to help believers grow closer to God. This time of reflection leads to the joyful celebration of resurrection. The Risen Christ represents hope and the promise of life after death, highlighting themes of love, sacrifice, forgiveness, and reconciliation.
For those who truly understand Easter as celebrating life’s victory over death, the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth—unjustly executed by Roman authorities—represents justice overcoming injustice, love conquering hatred, and divine compassion transcending human malice. This Easter message challenges humanity broadly and Nigerians specifically. Amid politics often devoid of morality, Easter calls us to prioritise the power of love over the love of power.
This year, Nigerians marked Easter amid a climate of insecurity, with citizens facing abduction for ransom on streets and from homes, and murder on farms and in places of worship. For many years, Nigeria has been entombed in darkness of injustice, sealed with the heavy stone of oppression. This oppression weighs down millions of citizens, preventing them from realising their God-given potential. Our national history reflects disturbing uncertainty and unnecessary, avoidable hardship for many.
Many individuals who pursue or currently occupy positions of public office have unfortunately succumbed to a distinctive form of blindness that accompanies power—a perceptual impairment that renders them unable to recognise a fundamental truth: that no nation built upon the foundation of injustice can truly endure or thrive in the long term. This deliberate refusal to see reality clearly has, over generations, enabled and perpetuated destructive cycles of inadequate governance, institutional failure, and widespread suffering among the very populations these officials have sworn to serve.
Beyond Easter’s religious festivities, we must confront the reality that our population has often fallen prey to dubious religiosity, fake patriotism, and criminally deceitful politics. Nigeria stands as a land immensely blessed by the Creator yet mindlessly damaged by negative attitudes of both leaders and citizens. Despite abundant natural endowments, our country remains populated by impoverished people.
An alarming number of young Nigerians are succumbing to despair. They see no future in their homeland and actively seek opportunities to leave a country that offers little hope to its children. Yet, Nigeria can and should rise from this tomb of hopelessness—Easter’s celebration symbolises precisely this restoration of hope in seemingly impossible circumstances.
Our collective hope must be rekindled and nurtured back to full strength. All Nigerians—from those in the highest positions of leadership to everyday citizens in communities across the nation—need to work diligently and conscientiously toward rebuilding and restoring genuine hope for the younger generation who represent our future. This essential task requires tangible, meaningful actions that clearly demonstrate a sincere commitment to positive, sustainable change rather than continuing the pattern of empty rhetoric and unfulfilled promises that has too often characterised past efforts.
If we genuinely wish to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection and apply its meaning to our national situation, we must resolve to operate differently. We must commit to building a nation where oppression has no place, where elections proceed without acrimony or ethnic profiling, where voter intimidation and vote buying are eliminated, and where results reflect the true will of the people.
Easter encapsulates the profound message of new beginnings and spiritual renewal, challenging us to apply these transformative principles to the rebirth of Nigeria by wholeheartedly embracing and actualising our lofty ideals. Indeed, the generations yet unborn, who will inherit the Nigeria we shape today through our actions and commitments, deserve nothing less than a thoroughly transformed country that lives up to its full potential as the giant of Africa.
For this new Nigeria to emerge, each citizen must commit to living with a completely renewed attitude. We must embrace transformation at both personal and collective levels. The journey toward national renewal begins with individual change—in our homes, workplaces, and communities. Easter should be understood not merely as a celebration but as a sacred obligation to our nation and one another. It represents a profound opportunity for rebirth and restoration. Just as the Easter story speaks of sacrifice leading to new life, our nation requires our collective sacrifice and dedication to experience true renewal.
This season imposes upon us the responsibility to rise from the dark tomb into which greed and selfishness have pushed us, embracing a new life dedicated to truth, goodness, and love. If Nigerians continue with business as usual—maintaining corrupt practices and self-serving attitudes—there would be no legitimate cause for celebration. Indeed, the true meaning of Easter for Nigeria lies not in festivities alone but in our collective determination to resurrect our nation from its current challenges toward a brighter, more hopeful future.
Last Friday, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) destroyed fake, counterfeit and substandard drugs worth over N1 trillion in Awka, the Anambra State capital. Recall that for one month, NAFDAC shut the Onitsha Drug Market, restricting shop owners from coming to the market, barricading it with military personnel, while officials broke into and ransacked shops in search of fake drugs.
NAFDAC’s Zonal Director for South-East, Dr. Martin Iluyomade, revealed some of the drugs destroyed to include Analgin, Tramadol, and various paediatric pharmaceuticals, which had been stored in prohibited areas or were banned by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Iluyomade said the closure and raids of the markets where the drugs were confiscated was in response to public complaints regarding the prevalence of fake, substandard and counterfeit drugs in the South-East.
He said: “Many of these drugs are banned, such as Analgin and certain paediatric medications, and they were stored in places that violate WHO regulations. It is our responsibility to ensure that these products are safe and fit for human consumption. These drugs were transported in a 140-foot truck, valued at over N1trillion, and were supposed to be stored at specific temperatures. However, they were kept in markets that do not meet the required standards.
“The volume of drugs found in these two markets could destabilise the country, and many of these are narcotic drugs associated with criminal activities. People who consume these drugs are not only harming themselves but also using them to commit crimes, which contributes to the growing insecurity in our country.”
Unfortunately, that is the chilling reality of counterfeit drugs, and it is a problem NAFDAC is relentlessly fighting. This dramatic action underscores the monumental scale of the problem and the unwavering commitment of NAFDAC to protect public health. The massive destruction highlights the pervasive nature of the counterfeit drug trade and the resources NAFDAC dedicates to combatting it.
Counterfeit drugs are dangerous, even deadly. They can contain the wrong dosage, the wrong active ingredients, or even harmful substances. Imagine taking a pill you believe will cure your illness, only to find it contains something entirely different – something that could worsen human condition or even kill. That is the terrifying reality of the counterfeit drug market.
The insidious world of counterfeit medications poses a grave threat, as these fake drugs often harbour toxic fillers or entirely different, untested chemicals. The consumption of such substances can trigger a cascade of adverse reactions, varying from minor allergic responses to catastrophic organ failure, leaving vulnerable individuals severely harmed. In this critical battle for public health, NAFDAC stands as our frontline defender.
Through tireless monitoring, rigorous inspections, and decisive action against those who peddle these dangerous fakes, NAFDAC acts as a vital gatekeeper, ensuring the safety and efficacy of the medications we depend on. Supporting NAFDAC’s mission is paramount, as it directly equates to safeguarding the lives and well-being of our Nigerians by preventing the proliferation of these harmful and potentially lethal counterfeit medications.
Given the breadth and criticality of NAFDAC’s mandate – regulating everything from food and drugs to cosmetics and medical devices – it is imperative that the Federal Government bolsters the agency’s resources and capabilities. This monumental task, encompassing the entire lifecycle of regulated products from importation to usage, demands substantial investment in infrastructure, advanced technological tools, and a highly skilled workforce.
Under-resourcing NAFDAC risks compromising its ability to effectively monitor and enforce regulations, potentially leading to substandard or counterfeit products entering the market, with devastating consequences for public health and safety. Therefore, increased funding, enhanced training programmes, and optimised operational systems are essential to fortify the agency’s effectiveness and ensure it can continue to protect the Nigerian populace.
No doubt, NAFDAC currently faces numerous hurdles in fulfilling its mandate. These challenges range from inadequate funding and outdated equipment to a lack of personnel and poor training. Insufficient funding directly translates to limited capacity for effective inspection, testing, and enforcement. Imagine trying to police a vast country with only a handful of officers – the task becomes virtually impossible. This lack of resources allows substandard and even dangerous products to enter the market, posing serious risks to public health.
The Federal Government must prioritise NAFDAC’s needs and take decisive action to support, equip, and empower this vital agency. NAFDAC is a cornerstone of public health in Nigeria and its health and economic well-being depend on its support. By providing financial, technological, and human resources, the government can strengthen the organisation’s capacity to protect Nigerians and contribute to national development. Tinubu’s administration must ensure that NAFDAC had the tools it needs to succeed. The lives of millions depend on it.