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Editorial

Israel, Hamas War: Call For Truce

Published

2 years ago

on

On October 7, there were surprise attacks by Palestinian Hamas terrorists in southern Israel. The attacks,
originating from the Gaza Strip, involved land, sea, and air incursions as well as missile launches, claiming over 1,400 Israeli lives and the capture of more than 203 hostages. These coordinated assaults resulted in retaliatory airstrikes by Israel on Gaza, causing further casualties. The sequence of events has raised concerns about a possible escalation, potentially involving more parties engaged in hostilities.
This onslaught represents the largest number of Jews killed in a single day since the Holocaust, and currently ranks as the third-deadliest terrorist attack of all time, exceeded only by Islamic State massacres in Iraq and Syria, and the 9/11 attacks in the United States. On October 8, Israel declared a state of war for the first time since 1973 and has engaged in a bombing campaign targeting the Gaza Strip, with a ground invasion soon to follow.
Israeli airstrikes have led to the deaths of more than 2,800, with over 3,000 injured, and 650,000 displaced. Unfortunately, the casualty numbers are expected to rise as Israel has begun to deploy additional troops to the Gaza border, signalling the start of what could be a prolonged conflict. At the northern flank of Israel, Hezbollah and Islamic Jihad fighters have begun launching rocket strikes from Southern Lebanon and Syria, with retaliatory strikes from Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). The situation is deeply concerning, and efforts must be made to find a peaceful resolution to prevent further loss of lives and suffering.
The ongoing war in the Middle-East serves as a stark reminder that global peace remains elusive, despite the apparent calm in many regions. The Israel-Hamas confrontation is merely the latest chapter in a complex and longstanding conflict that defies easy resolution. Historical, political, religious, and territorial factors intertwine, resulting in decades of tension, violence, and immense suffering.
Endorsed by the United Nations, the United States and its allies, and backed by pragmatic Arab nations like Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait, the creation of autonomous Palestinian two-state entities is seen as a durable, consensus-driven peace solution. This strategy also entails acknowledging Israel’s right to exist within its pre-1967 boundaries and promoting a harmonious cohabitation between the Israel and the Arab nations.
About 21 years ago, Saudi Arabia embarked on a diplomatic endeavour by introducing the Arab Peace Initiative. This proposal successfully brought together Arab states, offering Israel recognition, regional legitimacy, and security in exchange for certain concessions. The blueprint has garnered support from the current US President Joe Biden administration, and most western leaders. The friendly tone of this initiative aims to foster peaceful relations and promote stability in the region. Already, some Arab nations have normalised relations with Israel, with Saudi Arabia at the verge of signing a diplomatic pact with the Jewish state before this bizarre incident.
We unequivocally condemn the unprovoked attacks by Hamas terrorists against Israeli civilians. There is never any justification for terrorism. We extend our condolences for the Israeli lives lost in these attacks, and call for the exercise of utmost restraint while avoiding exposing civilians to further risks. Although it is the right of Israel to defend itself, we warn of serious repercussions as a result of the escalation of violence, which would negatively affect the future of truce efforts.
The world is unfortunately at the beginning of an inevitably protracted war that has already claimed the lives of countless innocent Israelis and Palestinians, with more heavy losses to come. Just on the eve of last Wednesday’s Biden visit to Israel and Jordan, where issues around how to manage the humanitarian crisis were to be ironed out, a hospital holding thousands of displaced and injured Gazans was bombed, killing hundreds, according to Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health. This incident put a wedge on the Jordan leg of the visit, thereby making any interface with Egyptian President, Mohammed Al-Sisi; Palestinian President, Mahmood Abass; and Jordanian King impossible.
Indeed, we cannot overemphasise the fact that there is an urgent need for peace. To achieve lasting peace, it is important to address the root causes of the conflict and ensure the rights and safety of all parties involved. This requires genuine efforts and a comprehensive strategy to end the recurring violence and establish a peaceful future.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be held culpable for the ongoing attacks that Israel is experiencing. Rather than prioritising the vital task of protecting his nation, Netanyahu was engrossed in irrelevant judicial reforms. This preoccupation has resulted in a diversion of his attention from fulfilling his constitutional obligation to safeguard Israel and its people. The prolonged emphasis on these reforms has created a division within the country, as evidenced by the large-scale protests witnessed in recent months.
The two-state solution is the most viable path to lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians. However, the political and on-the-ground changes in Israel and the Palestinian Territories over the past three decades have made it increasingly difficult to achieve this goal. Israeli and Palestinian leaders lack the necessary resources to engage in productive negotiations and reach a bilateral agreement, making it difficult to achieve a mutually satisfactory resolution.
Thousands of Palestinians are fleeing to already overwhelmed areas in the south of Gaza through unsafe conditions that could especially pose a risk to children, at least, 447 of whom have already been killed in Israeli air strikes since past 13 days. As some families in the northern part of Gaza Strip make their way south with hope of finding a safer place and basic necessities, Israel should observe international laws that are meant to protect children and vulnerable people. The main pillars of protection for children during armed conflict of this nature are the Geneva Conventions.
Allies of Israel and the Palestinians have a critical role to play in de-escalating the conflict, and should take the lead in mobilising the warring parties to the negotiation table. We commend Lebanon for its seeming neutral stance on the conflict, as it consistently expresses its unwillingness to be drawn into the war. The Lebanese government prioritises maintaining security and stability within the country, and it has warned its citizens against making provocative statements.
Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, and other fellow Arab nations should take the initiative to garner international support to facilitate a ceasefire and the resumption of peace negotiations. We warn Iran and its proxies to turn a new leaf, and avoid unprecedented catastrophe that full-scale regional war may unleash. We acknowledge that a large majority of individuals on both sides yearn for peace, therefore, concerted efforts should be made to overcome those who endorse violence. Immediate action should be taken to enforce a ceasefire and ensure the provision of humanitarian assistance.
Those responsible for war crimes should face justice. This includes taking necessary measures to compel Hamas and Islamic Jihad elements in Gaza to release the hostages they currently hold. Israel should distance itself from the hardliners and religious fanatics within their midst who have been violating existing treaties, UN resolutions, and occupying Arab land. These conflicts must be addressed as the world is currently grappling with several such conflagrations, such as the Russian aggression against Ukraine. The war must not escalate any further. The human toll is already enough!

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Editorial

In Support of Ogoni 9 Pardon

Published

6 days ago

on

November 3, 2025

By

The posthumous pardon granted to the Ogoni 9 on the 1st of October, along with the national honours conferred on the Ogoni 4 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is commendable. It is a bold and humane initiative that signals a readiness to confront the difficult truths of Nigeria’s past. It also speaks to a willingness to mend fractured relationships and begin the process of national healing. This decision, though long overdue, has been widely welcomed and recognised as a considerable gesture of reconciliation.
For the Ogoni people, the development holds profound emotional meaning. Many families lost loved ones to the crisis that engulfed Ogoniland in the 1990s. To see the Nigerian state finally acknowledge that these individuals were wronged is a source of solace. This act affirms that the nation remembers the pain and sacrifices of its citizens, even when they are long gone.
It is widely accepted that the crisis divided the Ogoni people considerably. The internal fractures that emerged during the struggle for environmental justice prevented the area from realising its developmental aspirations. Communities were split, brothers turned against one another, and the collective strength of the Ogoni nation weakened. Despite various interventions from government, non-governmental organisations and international agencies, the deep wounds remained largely unhealed.
Past administrations, particularly at the federal level, failed to demonstrate the political will required to meaningfully address the grievances of the Ogoni people. While statements of sympathy were made and committees were set up, concrete steps were too often absent. The sense of abandonment festered and deepened. In contrast, President Tinubu’s action represents a recognition that a grave error was committed, one that cost lives and damaged a people’s connection to the Nigerian state.
The concerns of the Ogonis, especially regarding environmental pollution and land degradation, remain pressing. The establishment of Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP) was intended to address these concerns, yet progress has been slow and uneven. It is time to ensure that the clean-up and environmental restoration are treated as matters of urgency. In equal measure, the Ogoni people must also give peace a fair chance. They have suffered greatly and lost many illustrious sons. A cycle of distrust cannot be allowed to define their future.
Reconciliation requires both justice and forward-looking commitment. Therefore, the Ogoni people must embrace unity and abandon practices that perpetuate division. They must consider the development opportunities available when they work together with the government. For Ogoniland to thrive, both sides must show willingness to move forward.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, deserves acclaim for his contributions toward restoring peace among the Ogonis. His efforts to encourage dialogue and his support for the newly established Federal university in the area reflect a practical commitment to development. We urge him to sustain this approach and continue to stand as a bridge between the state and the Ogonis.
The pardon and the posthumous honours must now create avenues for deeper engagement between Ogoni leaders and the Nigerian state. The proposed return of oil exploration in Ogoniland must be approached inclusively and transparently, ensuring that the people benefit meaningfully from their resources. Economic development must not come at the expense of dignity or community welfare.
However, unity among the Ogoni people themselves is an essential condition for progress. It is disheartening that some have rejected the President’s gesture. This moment should serve as a rallying point rather than a trigger for further division. If Ogoniland is to progress, it must speak with one voice on matters of collective interest.
It is worth noting that several Presidents have come and gone since the execution of the Ogoni 9. Yet it is President Tinubu who chose to take this courageous step. In doing so, he has attempted to correct one of Nigeria’s darkest and most shameful episodes. He has also sent a clear message that the state can, indeed, admit when it has erred.
The pardon signals a broader preparedness to redress past injustices. For too long, Nigeria has professed the intention to build equity while failing to address historical grievances. If national unity is to be genuine, it must be grounded in accountability. President Tinubu’s gesture marks a momentous shift in that direction.
For the Ogoni people, the pardon provides a measure of comfort. It affirms that voices long stifled can still be heard. It also offers hope to other marginalised communities still waiting for justice. Nigeria’s diversity will only become a strength if all groups are assured that they matter.
To ensure that this gesture is not dismissed as mere political theatre, the Federal Government must make good its commitment to the Ogoni clean-up exercise. Words must translate into sustained action. The Ogoni environment must be restored, livelihoods must be rebuilt, and trust must be re-established. Only then will the pardon and posthumous national awards become a true foundation for peace and renewal.
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Editorial

Strike: Heeding ASUU’s Demands

Published

2 weeks ago

on

October 27, 2025

By

The recent warning strike declared by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) on October 13, though short-lived, has once again drawn national attention to the lingering crisis in Nigeria’s tertiary education sector. The strike was intended to last two weeks, but was suspended after appeals by eminent Nigerians. However, ASUU has warned that if the Federal Government fails to take concrete steps in addressing the issues, the union may have no option but to embark on an indefinite strike. This is a fearful prospect.
At the heart of this recurring crisis is the non-implementation of the 2009 agreement that the Federal Government willingly signed with the union. It is disheartening and embarrassing that more than a decade after that pact was reached, it remains a subject of dispute. The failure to uphold the terms of the agreement reflects a deeper malaise in the country’s governance culture: the inability to honour commitments.
That students and parents had begun to believe that ASUU strikes were gradually becoming a relic of the past makes the situation more regrettable. There was a general sense of relief after previous strikes ended, with many hoping that meaningful progress had been made. Unfortunately, the old cycle appears to be repeating itself. This latest action represents a huge setback for the education sector.
Historical records show that ASUU strikes have seldom benefited anyone. For students, the consequences are painful and lasting. Academic calendars are disrupted; graduation timelines become uncertain; careers are stalled before they even begin. Research activities, many of which are time-sensitive and tied to grants or international collaborations, are abruptly halted.
It is all the more lamentable that this impasse concerns a long-concluded agreement on the welfare of lecturers and the funding of universities. That successive governments have failed to honour commitments they voluntarily undertook raises questions about the seriousness of Nigeria’s leadership regarding education. Why should an agreement take over a decade to fully implement?
The constant resort to industrial action also highlights the plight of students, who remain the innocent casualties in this tussle. Many of them come from struggling homes, and their futures hang precariously in the balance each time universities are shut down. The insensitivity displayed by authorities in allowing matters to deteriorate to this level is deeply troubling.
Indeed, this development raises broader concerns about the Federal Government’s crisis management capability. The perception is that government officials are unbothered because their children are not affected by strikes; many school abroad or attend expensive private universities locally. This is a sad reflection of the decline in confidence in public institutions.
University lecturers should ideally be devoting their time to research, mentorship, publications and innovation. Instead, many are forced to expend creative energy on survival. It is no secret that some lecturers, faced with poor remuneration and harsh economic conditions, resort to unethical means such as demanding payment from students. When the system fails, moral decay becomes inevitable.
The salary disparity between Nigerian lecturers and their counterparts in other African countries is glaring. A Nigerian lecturer reportedly earns the equivalent of between $300 and $600 per month depending on rank, while a lecturer in Ghana earns about $1,200 on average. In Kenya, salaries range around $1,000 monthly, and in South Africa, they are higher, with lecturers earning between $2,000 and $3,500 monthly. Such disparities contribute to brain drain and low morale among Nigerian academics.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government has continued to expend enormous sums on non-essential ventures. Billions have been spent on luxury vehicles for political office holders, frequent foreign trips, inflated contracts and poorly managed subsidy schemes. These funds, if redirected, could strengthen university infrastructure, boost research grants and improve staff welfare.
It is therefore crucial for the government to adopt a more proactive approach. The usual threat of “no work, no pay” will not resolve the crisis; rather, it deepens mistrust. ASUU has demonstrated time and again that it cannot be cowed into submission. Genuine dialogue, not intimidation, is the only path forward.
The union’s persistence is fuelled by the government’s perceived insincerity. ASUU is not asking for anything new; it is simply requesting that promises already made be fulfilled. This scenario mirrors the broader challenge of governance in Nigeria, where stakeholders grow tired of endless promises and little delivery.
If this situation is allowed to escalate, the consequences could be dire. Students forced out of academic activity for long periods may become vulnerable to crime, drug abuse and social vices. The nation can ill afford another contributing factor to youth restiveness at this delicate time.
The Minister of Education must handle this matter with urgency and diplomacy. Nigeria is already grappling with economic distress, insecurity and political tension. A full-scale ASUU strike would only deepen national instability. The authorities must act now—honour agreements, restore trust, and place education where it truly belongs: at the centre of national development priorities.
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Editorial

Making Rivers’ Seaports Work

Published

3 weeks ago

on

October 17, 2025

By

When Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, received the Board and Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), led by its Chairman, Senator Adeyeye Adedayo Clement, his message was unmistakable: Rivers’ seaports remain underutilised, and Nigeria is poorer for it. The governor’s lament was a sad reminder of how neglect and centralisation continue to choke the nation’s economic arteries.
The governor, in his remarks at Government House, Port Harcourt, expressed concern that the twin seaports — the NPA in Port Harcourt and the Onne Seaport — have not been operating at their full potential. He underscored that seaports are vital engines of national development, pointing out that no prosperous nation thrives without efficient ports and airports. His position aligns with global realities that maritime trade remains the backbone of industrial expansion and international commerce.
Indeed, the case of Rivers State is peculiar. It hosts two major ports strategically located along the Bonny River axis, yet cargo throughput has remained dismally low compared to Lagos. According to NPA’s 2023 statistics, Lagos ports (Apapa and Tin Can Island) handled over 75 per cent of Nigeria’s container traffic, while Onne managed less than 10 per cent. Such a lopsided distribution is neither efficient nor sustainable.
Governor Fubara rightly observed that the full capacity operation of Onne Port would be transformative. The area’s vast land mass and industrial potential make it ideal for ancillary businesses — warehousing, logistics, ship repair, and manufacturing. A revitalised Onne would attract investors, create jobs, and stimulate economic growth, not only in Rivers State but across the Niger Delta.
The multiplier effect cannot be overstated. The port’s expansion would boost clearing and forwarding services, strengthen local transport networks, and revitalise the moribund manufacturing sector. It would also expand opportunities for youth employment — a pressing concern in a state where unemployment reportedly hovers around 32 per cent, according to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS).
Yet, the challenge lies not in capacity but in policy. For years, Nigeria’s maritime economy has been suffocated by excessive centralisation. Successive governments have prioritised Lagos at the expense of other viable ports, creating a traffic nightmare and logistical bottlenecks that cost importers and exporters billions annually. The governor’s call, therefore, is a plea for fairness and pragmatism.
Making Lagos the exclusive maritime gateway is counter productive. Congestion at Tin Can Island and Apapa has become legendary — ships often wait weeks to berth, while truck queues stretch for kilometres. The result is avoidable demurrage, product delays, and business frustration. A more decentralised port system would spread economic opportunities and reduce the burden on Lagos’ overstretched infrastructure.
Importers continue to face severe difficulties clearing goods in Lagos, with bureaucratic delays and poor road networks compounding their woes. The World Bank’s Doing Business Report estimates that Nigerian ports experience average clearance times of 20 days — compared to just 5 days in neighbouring Ghana. Such inefficiency undermines competitiveness and discourages foreign investment.
Worse still, goods transported from Lagos to other regions are often lost to accidents or criminal attacks along the nation’s perilous highways. Reports from the Federal Road Safety Corps indicate that over 5,000 road crashes involving heavy-duty trucks occurred in 2023, many en route from Lagos. By contrast, activating seaports in Rivers, Warri, and Calabar would shorten cargo routes and save lives.
The economic rationale is clear: making all seaports operational will create jobs, enhance trade efficiency, and boost national revenue. It will also help diversify economic activity away from the overburdened South West, spreading prosperity more evenly across the federation.
Decentralisation is both an economic strategy and an act of national renewal. When Onne, Warri, and Calabar ports operate optimally, hinterland states benefit through increased trade and infrastructure development. The federal purse, too, gains through taxes, duties, and improved productivity.
Tin Can Island, already bursting at the seams, exemplifies the perils of over-centralisation. Ships face berthing delays, containers stack up, and port users lose valuable hours navigating chaos. The result is higher operational costs and lower competitiveness. Allowing states like Rivers to fully harness their maritime assets would reverse this trend.
Compelling all importers to use Lagos ports is an anachronistic policy that stifles innovation and local enterprise. Nigeria cannot achieve its industrial ambitions by chaining its logistics system to one congested city. The path to prosperity lies in empowering every state to develop and utilise its natural advantages — and for Rivers, that means functional seaports.
Fubara’s call should not go unheeded. The Federal Government must embrace decentralisation as a strategic necessity for national growth. Making Rivers’ seaports work is not just about reviving dormant infrastructure; it is about unlocking the full maritime potential of a nation yearning for balance, productivity, and shared prosperity.

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