society
NUSA Leadership Pays Respect to Late President Muhammadu Buhari at Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg
NUSA Leadership Pays Respect to Late President Muhammadu Buhari at Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg.
By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
In a solemn display of patriotism and respect, the leadership of the Nigerian Union South Africa (NUSA) visited the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg to sign the condolence register and honor the memory of Nigeria’s former president, Muhammadu Buhari, who passed on recently. The visit, led by the President General of NUSA, Advocate Smart I. Nwobi, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Hon. Ekos Akpokabayen, and the Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President General, Hon. George Omagbemi Sylvester, represented a significant moment in the collective response of the Nigerian diaspora to the loss of a national figure.
The NUSA delegation’s presence at the consulate was more than a formality; it was a strong message to the world that Nigerians abroad remain deeply connected to the affairs of their homeland. Despite the challenges of distance and foreign obligations, the spirit of nationalism remains unshaken among Nigerians in South Africa and around the world. The condolence visit was also an opportunity for NUSA to affirm its continued commitment to engaging with Nigeria’s diplomatic institutions and to stand in solidarity with fellow citizens during moments of grief and transition.
Mourning a Controversial Yet Historic Leader President Muhammadu Buhari remains one of the most significant figures in Nigeria’s post-independence political history. A military general turned democratic president, Buhari governed Nigeria in two pivotal eras, first as a military head of state from 1983 to 1985, and later as a civilian president from 2015 to 2023. His legacy, though polarizing, is indelible. Buhari’s admirers see him as a leader who stood against corruption and advocated for fiscal discipline. His critics argue that his administration presided over some of Nigeria’s most challenging economic and security crises.
Nonetheless, leadership at the highest level comes with unavoidable complexities and Buhari’s place in the national story is undeniable. He symbolized a generation of leaders who transitioned from authoritarianism to democracy, reflecting both the resilience and contradictions of the Nigerian state.
In our condolence message at the consulate, we acknowledged the contributions of the late President Buhari to Nigeria’s evolving political landscape. We extended our deepest sympathies to the government and people of Nigeria, as well as to the bereaved family. We noted that regardless of political affiliations, moments like this require national reflection, healing and unity.
NUSA: A Diaspora Voice of Unity. The visit to the consulate by NUSA officials is in keeping with the organization’s longstanding tradition of involvement in key national developments. Whether in celebration or mourning, NUSA has consistently stood as a reliable voice of Nigerians in South Africa. Our presence at the consulate sent a clear message that the diaspora community remains emotionally, spiritually and politically connected to the homeland.
As Nigerians in South Africa grapple with their own local realities, they remain deeply engaged with what happens in Nigeria. The mourning of President Buhari’s death across various Nigerian communities in the diaspora reflects the profound attachment to the idea of Nigeria not just as a geographical entity, but as a collective destiny shared by millions around the world.
The Role of the Diaspora in National Healing. The passing of a former president opens a chapter of reflection for any nation. It presents an opportunity for honest assessment of national progress, challenges and future direction. For Nigerians in the diaspora, this moment calls for more than mere commemoration; it calls for rededication to the nation-building project.
Nigeria continues to face economic challenges, political instability and widespread insecurity. The diaspora, estimated to remit over $20 billion annually, represents one of the most potent, untapped forces for national transformation. Organizations like NUSA are crucial bridges between Nigeria and its global citizens and their active participation in national discourse, policy advocacy and international representation is needed now more than ever.
The leadership of NUSA believes that paying respect to past leaders, regardless of their imperfections, is part of the moral and cultural responsibility that binds Nigerians across tribes, faiths, and ideologies. In times of national mourning, unity becomes more than a slogan, it becomes an obligation.
Upholding the Dignity of the Nigerian Image. In recent times, Nigerians abroad have had to defend their image against stereotypes, discrimination and sometimes xenophobia. Events such as this condolence visit remind host nations and the global community that Nigerians are a people of deep values, with strong cultural traditions of respect, honor and national pride.
President Buhari’s death may have sparked diverse opinions, but it also brought to the fore the importance of peaceful transition and the sanctity of national institutions. As the consulate opened its doors to receive condolence messages from citizens, the atmosphere was filled with reverence a moment for reflection on the cost of leadership and the burden it places on every public servant.
We at NUSA understand that the image of Nigeria is not only shaped by the headlines or government actions back home, it is also defined by how we, the diaspora, carry ourselves abroad. The respectful and dignified manner in which our delegation conducted the condolence visit serves as a reminder that patriotism knows no borders.
A Time for Collective Reflection. As the nation reflects on Buhari’s complex legacy, this is also a time for Nigerians to examine their roles in shaping the future. President Buhari’s tenure was marked by both achievements and failures. From the fight against Boko Haram to the controversial fuel subsidy removals, from infrastructural strides to rising unemployment, Nigerians will remember him through various lenses.
What remains unchallenged is his place in history as one of the few Nigerians to have led the country both in khaki and in agbada. Whether you admired his stoic leadership or disagreed with his economic policies, Buhari’s death reminds us of the human frailty behind the politics and the need to always strive for better governance, equity, and justice.
In A Nutshell: A Final Salute. The Nigerian Union South Africa, through its visit to the consulate, has not only paid respects to a former president but has reaffirmed its belief in the unity, dignity and future of Nigeria. We salute the memory of Muhammadu Buhari, while calling on all Nigerians, at home and abroad, to recommit to a peaceful, just and prosperous nation.
We call on current and future leaders to learn from the past not to repeat its mistakes, but to draw strength from its lessons. The road to greatness for Nigeria is long, but with unity, sacrifice and bold leadership, it remains achievable.
As we lowered our heads at the consulate and etched our names in the condolence register, we did so not just for a man, but for a country we all deeply love; a country whose journey continues, shaped by the hands of all its sons and daughters, wherever they may be.
Written by George Omagbemi Sylvester
Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to the President General, NUSA
Published by SaharaWeeklyNG.com
FRSC@ 38: SHEHU MOHAMMED STEERING NIGERIA’S ROAD SAFETY REVOLUTION TO GREATER HEIGHTS
By Deputy Corps Marshal Bisi Kazeem (Rtd) fsi, MNIM, anipr
When Mallam Shehu Mohammed assumed leadership as Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), he inherited not just an institution with history, but a national mandate that touches every family, every highway, and every community in Nigeria. At 38 years, the Corps stands tall as Africa’s model road safety agency, and under his stewardship, that legacy is not merely preserved, it is being boldly redefined.
Nigeria’s highways were once synonymous with fear. Before 1988, the World Health Organisation ranked Nigeria among the most dangerous countries in the world to drive. It was a troubling indictment that demanded courage and clarity of purpose. The establishment of the FRSC under Decree No. 45 of 1988 laid the foundation for reform. But sustaining and advancing that reform across decades requires visionary leadership, the kind now exemplified by Mallam Shehu Mohammed.
Today, under his command, the Corps is consolidating its position as one of the most technologically advanced and operationally efficient law enforcement institutions in Nigeria. With renewed strategic focus, the present leadership has deepened the Safe Systems Approach built on people, processes, and technology, ensuring that safety interventions are not reactive, but preventive and intelligence-driven.
One of the defining hallmarks of his administration is accelerated digital transformation. Within six months, over 3,000 personnel were trained to strengthen operational competence and technological adaptability. More than 95 per cent of the Corps’ administrative and operational processes are automated, supported by over 30 web-based applications that enhance traffic governance nationwide. From the National Crash Reporting Information System (NACRIS) to the upgraded e-ticketing platform, innovation is no longer optional; it is institutional culture.
Emergency response under the current Corps Marshal has become faster and more coordinated, with nationwide response time reduced dramatically from 50 minutes to 15 minutes. The 122 toll-free emergency line and 24-hour National Call Centre continue to serve as lifelines for distressed road users, reflecting a leadership that understands that every second counts.
Strategic stakeholder engagement has equally flourished. Safe corridor initiatives have been strengthened, collaboration with transport unions intensified, and enforcement around articulated vehicles tightened. The result is a significant reduction in tanker-related crashes, a development that speaks to deliberate policy direction and disciplined implementation.
Under Mallam Shehu Mohammed’s leadership, data has become a central pillar of enforcement and planning. Through strengthened collaboration with the National Identity Management Commission, the National Bureau of Statistics, and the Nigeria Customs Service, the Corps has advanced harmonized data systems that support evidence-based interventions. Transparent weekly crash trend reporting now guides targeted deployment and corrective strategies.
Nigeria’s standing on the global stage has also been reinforced. The country remains an active participant in the renewed UN Decade of Action for Road Safety (2021–2030) and continues alignment with international road safety conventions. These achievements build on the solid foundation laid by past leaders from Olu Agunloye and General Haladu Hannaniya to Chief Osita Chidoka, Dr. Boboye Oyeyemi, and Dauda Ali Biu, but under the present Corps Marshal, the momentum has unmistakably intensified.
Operationally, the Corps’ footprint now spans 12 Zonal Commands, 37 Sector Commands, over 300 Unit Commands, over 700 Station Offices, 59 Zebra Emergency Ambulance Points, and presence in all 774 Local Government Areas of Nigeria. Yet beyond physical structures lies a stronger institutional spirit, one driven by discipline, professionalism, and accountability.
From a nation once ranked among the most unsafe for motorists to a continental pacesetter in road safety management, Nigeria’s transformation story is inseparable from the strength of its leadership. At 38 years, FRSC is not simply celebrating longevity; it is celebrating purposeful stewardship.
Mallam Shehu Mohammed represents a generation of reform-minded leadership committed to smarter mobility systems, data-driven enforcement, and people-centered safety administration.
His tenure reflects continuity with courage sustaining the Corps’ proud legacy while boldly steering it toward greater innovation and measurable impact.
The road ahead is demanding. But under his steady command, Nigeria’s highways are safer, its systems smarter, and its future brighter.
Fashion/Lifestyle
Introducing “Atupaglowco” : Where Fragrance Meets Feeling; The Story of Our Beginning
Introducing “Atupaglowco”: Where Fragrance Meets Feeling; The Story of Our Beginning
Every great journey begins with a sense of anticipation. For us, it began with a simple belief that a space should do more than exist, it should speak comfort and glow.
In a world filled with noise, stress, and endless motion, we realized something powerful. Fragrance can transform not just rooms, but moods. A familiar scent can calm anxiety. A warm aroma can turn a house into a home. A gentle glow can bring peace after a long day. This realization gave birth to “Atupaglowco.”
Atupaglowco was not created to sell diffusers, room sprays, or candles. It was created to create experiences. To create moments. To create atmospheres where people can breathe, reflect, and feel whole again.
The name itself represents more than a brand. It represents warmth. It represents light. It represents presence. We remember the early days, the planning, the testing of scents, the moments of doubt, and the moments of excitement. Each candle poured was a step of faith. Each fragrance blended was a piece of our vision coming to life. We weren’t just building products; we were building something meaningful.
Our diffusers were designed to quietly fill spaces with elegance.
Our room sprays were crafted to instantly refresh and revive environments. Our candles were made to bring calm, beauty, and a soft glow into everyday life.
Atupaglowco was born from passion, patience, and purpose. This launch is not just the start of a business. It is the start of a movement to help people create spaces they love. Spaces that inspire rest. Spaces that inspire joy. Spaces that glow.
We believe fragrance is personal. We believe glow is emotional. We believe every space deserves both.
Today, we proudly introduce Atupaglowco to the world.
This is only the beginning.
Ajadi Hails Oyo Speaker Ogundoyin at 39, Describes Him as Beacon of Purposeful Leadership
A leading governorship aspirant of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State, Ambassador Olufemi Ajadi Oguntoyinbo, has congratulated the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adebo Edward Ogundoyin, on the occasion of his 39th birthday, describing him as “a symbol of resilience, maturity and purposeful leadership in Nigeria’s democratic journey.”
In a congratulatory message made available to journalists on Tuesday, Ajadi praised Ogundoyin’s steady rise in public service, noting that his emergence as Speaker at a relatively young age reflects the possibilities of responsible youth leadership when combined with discipline, vision and service.
“Rt. Hon. Ogundoyin’s leadership has shown that age is not a barrier to excellence,” Ajadi said. “At 39, he stands tall as one of the most impactful Speakers in Oyo State’s history—calm, inclusive and deeply committed to democratic ideals.”
Ogundoyin, who represents Ibarapa East State Constituency under the Peoples Democratic Party, has served as Speaker since 2019 and was re-elected to lead the 10th Assembly in June 2023. His tenure has been marked by legislative stability, improved executive–legislative relations and youth-inclusive governance.
Ajadi commended the Speaker for fostering unity within the Assembly and prioritising laws that strengthen grassroots development across Oyo State. “His humility, accessibility and focus on people-oriented legislation have earned him respect beyond party lines,” he said. “He exemplifies the kind of leadership Oyo State needs—one anchored on service, accountability and progress.”
The governorship aspirant further described Ogundoyin as a rallying point for young Nigerians aspiring to public office. “In a country searching for credible leaders, Ogundoyin’s story offers hope,” Ajadi added. “He has shown that when young leaders are trusted with responsibility, they can deliver stability and results.”
Ajadi wished the Speaker many more years of good health, wisdom and greater service to Oyo State and Nigeria at large, praying that his leadership journey continues to inspire a new generation of public servants.
Ogundoyin, one of the youngest Speakers in Nigeria, has continued to attract goodwill messages from political leaders, civil society actors and constituents, as Oyo State marks another year in the life of a lawmaker widely regarded as a steady hand in the state’s legislative affairs.
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