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​”IT IS TIME FOR THE YOUTH TO ARISE! – Barr. Olumide Akindiya

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It is sorrier to say that Nigeria is still an underdeveloped country after independence in 1960. It is time for us, the youth of Nigeria to show a sign of positive responsibility to make Nigeria great. Agreed that we have not failed Nigeria as our elders have in handling this country, but we are not yet exceptional in morality, readiness for power, shunning corruption, upholding unity, shunning ethnicity and upholding other positive brands for a better Nigeria. Although we have also been victims of bad governance by being unemployed, helpless, lack of motivation, frustrated and we seem to lack ideas and creativity owing to lack of support and encouragement, yet we should not be promoter of excuse.

Youth arise! We can succeed – There are great and creative youth on the streets and every nook and cranny of this country. We can prove to our failed leaders that we can do it better politically, economically, socially, and morally. That if giving political appointment, we can stand out; in any arm of government, we can do it right. Our time has come and we must be responsible; have right perception and altitude towards Nigeria. Change begins with us too as youth and we must change whatever deprives us from achieving our purpose and potentials as Nigerian citizens. It is a collective responsibility and we, the youth should be ready. No manna from Heaven in Nigeria, your destiny is in your hands – occupy your presence in order to take over your future!”

Challenging words from Olumide Akindiya, a Nigerian Lawyer and a youth in Nigeria.
Who is this Olumide Akindiya – for his audacity or confidence to challenge or advice the Nigerian youth?

 

ABOUT OLUMIDE AKINDIYA:
Olumide Akindiya born on August 17, 1980 hails from a royal family in Iloka Oke-Oniyo Quarters in Ikole, Ikole Ekiti North LGA, Ekiti State entitled to the throne of Elekole of Ikole, Paramount Ruler of Egbe-Oba Kingdom/land. Being one of the princes, they are called “Omo Owa”. However, Olumide grew up in Orile-Oshodi, Lagos State. While his father grew up in Lagos too owing to his grandfather’s demise after his father’s birth. Olumide is the last born and the only son of Chief J. A. Akindiya HOA (Odofin Ilayan of Ikole Ekiti) and Pst. (Mrs.) C. A. Akindiya. While growing up as a kid, he was fortunate to  exhibit some talents such as drawing, composing poems, writing short stories and mental argument.
Education:

He had his early education at Afariogun Primary School, Bolade Grammar School but finished his secondary school at Latoro High School, Abeokuta in Ogun State in 1998. He earned his Bachelor of Law (LL.B Hons) from Lagos State University, Ojo, Lagos State in 2008. Before his admission to LASU his father died in 2002 leaving him with his old mum and elder sisters still he hustled to cope with his education from his father’s estate with financial support from outsiders. He attended Nigerian Law School, Lagos Campus and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2009. 
NYSC/Radio programme:

He was posted to Ministry of Justice, Dutse in Jigawa State before reposted to Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Dutse, two months later by the ministry to assist in rendering legal aid to poor indigents in the State. He also co-anchored a radio programme called ‘You & the Law” in Freedom Radio 99.5FM at Dutse during his service year organised by Corps Legal Aid Scheme (CLAS). 
Olumide as a practising Lawyer & Law office:

After his NYSC in 2010, he worked in a law firm, Ademola Ijaoba & Co. Legal Practitioners at Ikeja in Lagos for a year before establishing his own law firm, ‘Olumide Akindiya and Co. Legal Practitioners in 2012 offering general legal services till date. The law firm started with zero naira from part of  professional fees used to incorporate Olumide Akindiya & Co. and meeting places then for clients are his house used as office, courts, eateries, etc before sharing law office with a senior at Obafemi Awolowo Way, Ikeja same year. At present, the law firm shares office with another law firm at Ajao Estate off Murtala Muhammed Int’l Airport Road, Lagos. Apart from having some judgments to his credit in Magistrate Courts, High Courts & Federal High Court for his law firm, he has handled more than forty cases from 2012 till date for his law firm personally besides some cases with senior learned colleagues. This is excluding to cases he handled under Legal Aid Council of Nigeria (Dutse branch); Corps Legal Aid Scheme (NYSC) as corp member & under the Law Firm of Ademola Ijaoba & Co. as a legal practitioner under pupilage in 2011. Some of those cases were pro bono (no professional fees charged) based on economic inequality. He offers free legal advice to all through different mass and social media. Free legal services to poorer Nigerians and certain upcoming entertainers and celebrities. Few of them are Joe EL Amadi of Kennis Music, K-Solo, Tiwa Banks, Tito Da Fire, Mariam Bakare aka Aponbepore, Femi Oyewale of Sahara Weekly Magazine, etc.
His columnist’s years:

In maximising his potentials besides law practice, law office management, composing poems and writing, he accepted to be a law Columnist with Hallmark Newspaper in a weekly column titled ‘ASK THE LAWYER’ every Tuesday where he discussed different legal topics & law-related issues from June 10, 2014 to September 2015. The column comprised 34 articles/topics and 42 publications. The column stopped owing to change of name to Business Hallmark Newspaper and some topics in the newspaper. At present, he intends to be a Columnist with Sahara Weekly Magazine with the column tagged “Law Voice & Views.” Apart from articles on these columns, he has written several articles on local newspapers, magazines and law blog sites.
Olumide as a Poet:

Being a poet from his childhood, he has composed and published a lot of poems inside The Nation Newspaper and websites. During his first exclusive interview with The Nation Newspaper in 2008 on his poetry works, he handed over 40 poems for publication. Still has a lot of unpublished poems for public benefits. Some of his poems include: Night of Gunfire, Legal Wahala, Dear Mama, Substantial Justice, If Only, World of Ignoramus I & II, Play House (in honour of his late father), Heroic Musician Burial (in honour of legend Fela Anikulapo Kuti), Foreign Beauty and so on.
Consultancy services:

He is a general counsel and legal adviser to individuals, companies, magazines & co-operative society.
Public speaking:

As accidental public speaker, he has given public (law) lectures at public and awards events in Lagos, Kaduna and Abuja.
Interviews:

He equally accepts interviews on his personal capacity on any media be it on TV, radio or on newspaper on legal issues, state of the nation, matters arising, etc.
Olumide as a Writer:

Before being a law columnist then, he had writing law books from 2014. In fact, his first novel which he could not conclude was written with a pen in 2001 in 60 leaves and 40 leaves note books. That was his first mistake as a writer who wanted to write a unique novel. At present, his unpublished books include:

1. Suspect and Defendant in Nigeria: Criminal Culpability, Plight, Constitutional Rights & Enforcement;

2. Fundamental Rights & Other Legal Writings (Compilation of many of his articles with additional information and authorities)

3. Legal Wahala & Other Poems. (Comprising 60 poems)
Research work:

His current, legal research work is:

Guide on Lagos State Tenancy Law 2015.
Awards:

His awards include: Service to Oshodi Community (Oshodi CDA Award & Scholarship 2015, Lagos). Amazing Inspiration to African Youth through Education and Tenacity based on his column (MyMagMySwag Award 2015, Lagos). Legal Personality of the Year for adding values to humanity (Peace Achievers Award 2015, Abuja). Best Entertainment Supporting Lawyer (Kaduna Entertainment Award 2015, Kaduna) Enterprising Legal Icon of the Year (ECA Award 2015, Abuja). All of them from June, 2015 to December, 2015. On behalf of the law firm: Best Entertainment Supporting Legal Firm in 2016 (Kaduna Entertainment Award 2016, Kaduna). He had the priviledge to receive these awards with Amb John Fashanu, Gov. Nasir El-Rufai, Alh. Ibrahim Coomassie (Former AIG), Access Bank, Hon. Dakuku Peterside, Leo-Stan Ekeh, Femi Aderibigbe aka Kwame, AY, Don Jazzy, Davido, Kiss Daniel, Godwin Enakhena, Toyin Ibitoye, Yemi Alade, Oritse Femi, Ayo Adesanya, Koffi & other personalities.
Professional affiliation:

A member of Nigerian Bar Association, lkeja branch.
Marital life: 

Olumide got married to his love, Esther in 2016 legally and the marriage is blessed with a son, Prince Adewale. 
Hobbies:

His hobbies include: writing, mental argument, poems, legal research, table tennis and snooker.
While chatting with him, he hope youth should participate effectively in this coming election in 2019.

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Ramadan 2026: Let’s Be United, Shina Akanni Urges Muslims.

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Ramadan 2026: Let’s Be United, Shina Akanni Urges Muslims.

 

As Muslims all over the world begins the 30 days compulsory fasting and prayer today,top Fuji Musician Aare Sir Shina Akanni Aroworeyin Scorpido has congratulates them for witnessing another month of Ramadan.

 

Akanni advised them to follow the teachings of the the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) which is peaceful co existence among themselves and their neighbor ‘because Islam is Religion of peace”.

 

He said the month of Ramadan is an holy month therefore Muslims should try as much as they can to maintain peaceful coexistence among themselves and others and that they should see themselves as ambassador of peace.

 

While praying for Nigeria,Aare Sir Shina Akanni Aroworeyin Scorpido said he believes that there will be an economic turnaround soon because what’s is happening now are signs of thought times that never last “if we can pecevere things will get better”.

 

The Scorpido crooner who recently released a hip hop single titled “Magbelo” said he is currently working on a complete album which will be released before the end of the year.

 

Aare Sir Shina Akanni Aroworeyin Scorpido whose last album ‘ABCD” is still in hot demand said that his next album will be a pot pouri of all kinds of music because his brand of Fuji music is a blend Fuji , Hip-hop,Apala ,Highlife and others.

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The Enemies Within:  Jonahs Are Not Manageable — Dr. Chris Okafor

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The Enemies Within: 

Jonahs Are Not Manageable — Dr. Chris Okafor

…….“To remove Jonah, you must bring Jesus into the matter.”

 

When a “Jonah” enters a person’s life, confusion, gossip, blackmail, betrayal, and the pull-him-down syndrome often follow. But the moment Jesus Christ is invited into the situation, the storm subsides and stability is restored.

 

 

This was the central message delivered by the Generational Prophet of God and Senior Pastor of Grace Nation Global, Dr. Chris Okafor, during the midweek non-denominational Prophetic Healing, Deliverance and Solutions Service (PHDS) held at the international headquarters of Grace Nation Worldwide in Ojodu Berger, Lagos, Nigeria.

 

The Clergyman also declared that Nothing Happens Without Spiritual Influence

 

 

In his sermon titled “The Enemies Within,” Dr. Okafor declared that nothing happens without spiritual involvement. According to him, every visible battle has an invisible root.

 

 

Referencing the biblical story of Jonah, the Man of God explained that Jonah’s presence on the ship gave access to a contrary spirit that tormented everyone onboard.

 

Despite the losses suffered by innocent traders and sailors, the storm persisted because of one man’s disobedience.

However, he noted that when Jesus speaks into a situation, every storm must obey. Just as Christ rebuked the storm and it ceased, so too will the storms in believers’ lives subside when He is invited into their “boat.”

 

*The Impact of a Jonah*

 

Dr. Okafor further emphasized that “Jonahs” are difficult to manage. When such individuals are present in one’s circle, progress becomes delayed.

 

 

What should ordinarily manifest quickly may be prolonged or frustrated because someone close—someone who understands you deeply—may be operating as a spiritual adversary.

 

 

He explained that negative narratives, unnecessary battles, and unexplained setbacks often begin when a “Jonah” gains access to a person’s inner circle.

 

*The Solution*

 

“To remove Jonah from the boat of your life,” the Generational Prophet declared, “you must invite Jesus Christ into the matter.”

 

 

 

According to him, when Jesus takes control of the boat, the plans of the enemy are overturned.

 

What was designed for downfall becomes a testimony. No storm or battle can succeed where Christ reigns, and the enemy is ultimately put to shame.

 

 

 

 

The midweek service witnessed a strong prophetic atmosphere, with the power of God evident through deliverance, restoration, and divine revelations.

 

 

 

The Generational Prophet ministered deeply in the prophetic, calling out names, villages, and addressing alleged spiritual strongholds, as many lives were reportedly restored—all to the glory of God.

 

By Sunday Adeyemi

 

The Enemies Within: 
Jonahs Are Not Manageable — Dr. Chris Okafor

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FROM BORDER TO MARKETS: HOW NIGERIA’S REFORMS ARE REWRITING AND MODERNISING TRADE FACILITATION By O’tega Ogra

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FROM BORDER TO MARKETS: HOW NIGERIA’S REFORMS ARE REWRITING AND MODERNISING TRADE FACILITATION

By O’tega Ogra

On the surface, the 2026 World Customs Organization (WCO) Technology Conference in Abu Dhabi, held in the last week of January, followed a familiar script: flags, formal sessions, carefully worded speeches. But beneath the choreography, something more consequential was unfolding. As customs chiefs and trade officials compared notes on the future of borders, Nigeria arrived not with theory, but with a working proposition.

 

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Modernisation Project, being implemented through Trade Modernisation Project (TMP) Limited, unveiled to a global audience of customs administrators and policy leaders a window into how Africa’s largest economy is confronting one of the most complex challenges in public administration: reforming the machinery of trade while it is still running.

 

For decades, customs reform was treated largely as a technical exercise—frequent patches here, shoddy fixes there; new software in one corner, revised procedures in another. Nigeria’s presence in Abu Dhabi signalled something different. TMP Limited, working in partnership with the NCS, advanced the argument that trade is a cornerstone of economic development and must be supported by organic, sustainable partner ecosystems. Such ecosystems deliver speed and trust, revenue and credibility, and secure borders without stifling commerce.

 

 

That argument resonated in a room increasingly aware that global trade is no longer defined solely by tariffs and treaties, but by data, interoperability, and the quiet efficiency of systems that simply work.

 

The annual WCO Technology Conference has, in recent years, become a barometer for the direction of global trade governance. This year’s discussions reflected a shared anxiety: supply chains are more fragile, compliance risks are rising, and governments face mounting pressure to collect revenue without discouraging investment. Customs administrations now sit at the intersection of all three.

 

Nigeria’s response has been to attempt a full reset.

At the heart of this effort is the NCS Modernisation Project, implemented through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with TMP Limited as the concessionaire. The project seeks to replace fragmented technology deployments and manual processes within the Nigeria Customs Service with a single, integrated framework. This is anchored on B’Odogwu, a Unified Customs Management System (UCMS) that brings together cargo clearance, risk management, payments, and inter-agency collaboration. The ambition is sweeping—and so are the stakes.

Alhaji Saleh Ahmadu, OON, Chairman of TMP, framed the initiative as nothing less than an institutional reconstruction, designed to position the NCS at the forefront of global customs administration technology, aligned with international standards and assurance frameworks.

“Digital trade modernisation is not just about upgrading systems,” he told participants in Abu Dhabi. “It is about upgrading trust, predictability, and confidence in how trade flows through our borders.”

That choice of words matters. Nigeria’s economy has long struggled with the perception gap between its size and the ease of doing business. Investors cite delays. Traders complain of opacity. Government points to revenue leakages. In this context, customs reform becomes as much a credibility project as a technical one.

Saleh’s message was timely and direct: modern trade demands modern customs. Data-driven processes, automation, and risk-based controls are no longer luxuries; they are prerequisites for competitiveness in a world where capital moves faster than policy.

The institutional face of this digital transformation is the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, who led Nigeria’s delegation to Abu Dhabi. His message reflected a subtle but important shift in how customs leadership now understands its role.

“Customs administrations today must evolve from gatekeepers to facilitators of legitimate trade,” Adeniyi said. “Nigeria’s customs modernisation project reflects our determination to place the Nigeria Customs Service at the centre of national economic transformation.”

It is a familiar refrain globally, but one that carries particular weight in Nigeria, where customs revenue remains a critical pillar of public finance. Automation, Adeniyi argued, is not about weakening control; it is about strengthening it through intelligence rather than discretion.

Risk management systems reduce unnecessary physical inspections. Integrated platforms limit human contact. Data analytics improve compliance targeting. When executed well, the result is faster clearance for compliant traders and tighter scrutiny for high-risk consignments.

In Abu Dhabi, peers from Asia, Europe, and Latin America listened closely to Nigeria’s presentation. Reforming customs in a small, open economy is one thing. Doing so in a market of over 200 million people, home to some of Africa’s busiest ports and its largest economy, is quite another.

Nigeria’s engagement emphasised that customs modernisation is embedded within a broader economic reform agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR. Simplifying trade procedures, strengthening revenue assurance, and aligning with international standards form part of a wider effort to reposition the economy for investment-led growth.

What makes the project particularly noteworthy is its insistence on end-to-end coherence. Rather than digitising isolated functions, the reform aims to connect agencies, harmonise data, and reduce duplication across government—an all-of-government approach that acknowledges an uncomfortable truth: trade friction is often created not at the border, but between institutions.

The WCO 2026 Technology Conference offered Nigeria more than a platform; it provided a stress test. Questions from peers were pointed. How will change be sustained across political cycles? How will capacity be built? How will entrenched institutional behaviours be unlearned?

The responses were pragmatic. Reform is being phased. Training programmes are ongoing. International benchmarks are being adopted not as slogans, but as operating standards. There were no claims of perfection—only a clear statement of intent.

“Our engagement here underscores Nigeria’s commitment to international cooperation,” Adeniyi noted. “We are learning, sharing, and contributing to global conversations on the future of customs administration.”

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That contribution matters. As Africa moves to deepen regional trade under continental frameworks, customs efficiency will determine whether integration succeeds in practice or remains aspirational on paper. Nigeria’s experience, if successful, could offer a valuable template for other developing economies navigating similar constraints.

In Abu Dhabi, the mood was cautious but curious. Reform fatigue is real in many countries. Yet there was a growing sense that Nigeria’s effort—precisely because of its scale and difficulty—deserves attention.

Borders are rarely glamorous. But they are decisive. In choosing to modernise its borders in public, under global scrutiny, Nigeria is signalling something beyond technical competence. It is signalling seriousness.

And in global trade, seriousness still counts.

O’tega Ogra is Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, responsible for the Office of Digital Engagement, Communications and Strategy in the Presidency.

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