society
AMBODE: A TESTIMONIAL
By Yemi Ajayi
Before the advent of the Fashola administration, driving through Oshodi, which I had to do to get to my office then at Fatai Atere Way, was one of the most harrowing experiences I had to go through five days a week.
The two alternative routes to my office, passing through Ikorodu Road to connect Ilupeju By-pass or through the Airport Road to link up Ladipo via Five Star, were to say the least equally unattractive. The traffic on those alternative routes was as hellish as that of Oshodi.
Then, one Sunday after the first New Year of having Fashola as governor, I drove through Oshodi on my way to work and my “flabber was gasted.”
The orderly chaos that was the defining persona of Oshodi was totally absent. I was confronted with a new Oshodi devoid of its characteristic heavy human and vehicular traffic. There were phalanxes of policemen here and there to prevent a breach of the peace after a dawn demolition of illegal structures that also provided habitats for criminals who tormented motorists and passers-by.
That singular act marked the beginning of my romance with Fashola. I became his implacable supporter. He had by restoring order to Oshodi not only reduced my commuting time from home to work, my daily fuel consumption dropped by as much as 55%.
In a nation devoid of a standard metric for measuring performance of public office holders, it also set for me a template in assessing leaders.
It is in that light I’m viewing the ongoing crisis of succession in Lagos State being championed by those trying to deny Fashola’s successor, Akinwunmi Ambode, the conventional right of first refusal.
Many reasons have been pushed into the public space on why Ambode must give way to Jide Sanwo-Olu, the favourite pick of Tinubu’s political machinery, the Mandate Group, and they range from the ridiculous to the sublime.
Unfortunately, none of the reasons I’ve come across so far has much to do with majority of Lagosians on whose votes Ambode is in office.
As someone who has lived in Lagos for almost 40 years, I can say that Ambode has added to the building blocks of the foundation laid by his predecessors. Lagos to me is better now in terms of infrastructure and service delivery in some areas than it was before.
The governor has wormed his ways into my heart, and those of millions of others, with the construction of inner road network especially within the Ifako-Ijaiye Alimosho corridor.
Within my Alakuko neighbourhood, there are at least nine ongoing inner road projects. Some of them are in areas where the residents had lost hope of ever feeling government’s presence.
He has made interventions in other areas such as tackling Lagos perennial traffic congestion through the construction of laybys, flyovers and pedestrian bridges.
I can’t forget my first day of driving through Ojodu-Berger in a bid to access the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway. It was a detour I had to grudgingly make as that route is one I avoid like a plague for its notorious traffic.
But on this day, I had to take my chances as all alternative routes to access the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway through Agidingbi to connect Otedola Underpass were choked with traffic.
Surprisingly, the Ojodu-Berger axis was not only uncharacteristically free from traffic, I could’ve missed my way due to the changed landscape that followed the reconstruction of the area. The reconstruction had not only led to the removal of all traffic impediments, but saw to the expansion of the road.
There is no doubt that while Ambode had done well in the area of infrastructure, his performance has been average in other areas, especially in refuse disposal. Many residents are also not happy with his administration with the hike in Land Use charges.
However, as a property owner, I can say that the hike in the Land Use charges isn’t as hurtful as it was made to be, especially after the governor bowed to public outcry and ordered a review.
Although what I paid as Land Use charges is now far higher than what I had been paying in the last eight years, I don’t need to rob a bank or take a loan to pay up.
But his performance notwithstanding, there has been an intense campaign to ensure he doesn’t return in an election that is his to lose.
The governor has been accused of not deserving a second term for not servicing the greed of APC leaders in the state, among others.
But in all this, where stands the interest of the electorate who put in Ambode in office and whose welfare is the purpose of governance?
Unfortunately, the electorate are being railroaded to rally behind his main challenger for the post, Jide Sanwo-Olu.
Certainly the APC leaders are pursuing a selfish agenda which they’re deceitfully dressing as a push for better life for Lagosians.
For what it’s worth, Ambode might not have done well in all areas of governance, but he has performed well enough to earn a second term in office.
Those who’re pushing the argument that he should go and test his popularity at the party’s direct primary are being disingenuous in their advocacy. The direct primary, abinitio, has been rigged for him to lose.
That argument would have had any veneer of credibility if all other elective posts had been thrown opened for contest.
So far, I’m not aware that Senators Remi Tinubu and Adeola (Yayi) have any serious challengers for their tickets. That is so because the party establishment has decreed it be.
If it’s sauce for the senators and others, it should be sauce for Ambode.
There is no doubt that the political fortune of Ambode and President Muhammadu Buhari are tied together, which is the more reason why good reasoning should prevail in this matter. More worrisome to me is the economic impact of this needless impasse when all of us know that instability in Lagos would have spiral effects on the national economy.
It’s therefore morally and political expedient to allow the governor finish the good work he has been doing.
Ajayi, a journalist, writes from Lagos
*Amadi Lawrence: The Brand Whisperer Behind Starstation’s Creative Renaissance*
Lagos, Nigeria – In a country teeming with talent and ambition, it takes more than just vision to stand out. It takes grit, strategy, and an instinct for storytelling. These are the qualities that define Amadi Lawrence, the dynamic CEO of Starstation, a fast-rising, top-rated management and media company based in Lagos.
For over a decade, Lawrence has been the unseen hand behind some of Nigeria’s most compelling branding, artist development, and content marketing campaigns. From launching new products to repositioning personalities, his work has consistently revolved around one core belief: stories move people—and people build brands.
> “Since 2011, I’ve worked closely with leading organizations, companies, and high-profile individuals,” Lawrence said. “My goal has always been to help them shape their presence and achieve remarkable growth across advertising, marketing, and public relations. It’s not just about visibility—it’s about impact.”
At the heart of this impact is Starstation, the firm he describes as “the brainchild of absolute passion, years of experience, and utmost dedication.” More than just a consultancy, Starstation is a powerhouse of creativity, branding, and strategic management—blending innovative thinking with deep emotional intelligence to help clients tell their stories in a powerful and authentic way.
> “Starstation is a top-rated innovative management company that helps brands and talented artists rediscover their mission, live their core values, and clarify their positioning,” Lawrence explained. “We are creatives who love telling inspiring stories about the brands we serve.”
From artist and event management to business analysis, brand storytelling, and corporate strategy, the firm delivers a wide spectrum of professional services. And with each project, they aim to go beyond the ordinary.
> “We live in a time where common thinking reigns supreme,” Lawrence said. “At Starstation, we challenge that. We value potential over predictability. We exist to reignite the fire within restless brands—to challenge their status quo and stoke their belief in an uncommon future.”
This future-driven philosophy is evident in the company’s track record. Whether crafting compelling content for a campaign, building a disruptive brand identity, or managing an event that leaves a lasting impression, the Starstation team approaches each task with a clarity of purpose—and a hunger to elevate their clients.
Lawrence’s personal journey reflects that same sense of purpose. Having worked in artiste management, content creation, and branding, he has cultivated an instinctive feel for market dynamics and audience psychology.
> “Whether I’m building a brand from scratch or re-energizing an existing one, I always focus on authenticity,” he said. “People can tell when something is real—and when it’s just noise. That’s why our campaigns are built on truth, values, and strategy.”
His style of leadership combines mentorship and innovation. He doesn’t just execute projects—he empowers the people behind them. Many of the talents who passed through Starstation have gone on to build solid, independent brands of their own.
> “I believe in collaboration,” he added. “I believe in helping people discover their voice—and amplifying it. That’s what makes the work fulfilling.”
As the digital landscape evolves, Lawrence continues to embrace new trends while staying grounded in storytelling.
> “The tools may change, but the core remains the same,” he said. “People will always connect to stories, values, and vision. That’s what we deliver—every single time.”
For companies, individuals, and talents seeking to rise above the noise, Starstation is more than a service provider—it’s a creative partner and strategic guide. And at its helm is Amadi Lawrence: a man driven by passion, purpose, and the audacity to imagine a future beyond the ordinary.
> “The future,” he concludes, “belongs to the uncommon. That’s why we’re here—to help brands discover that part of themselves and lead with it.”
As a media partner, Starstation continues to shape the narratives that define success in Nigeria’s ever-evolving creative and corporate space—one brand at a time.
…from military rule to mismanaged democracy, Nigeria’s crisis runs deeper than any one president.
By Femi Oyewale
ENOUGH OF THE PROMISES: Nigerians Demand Security, Not Speeches
By George Omagbemi Sylvester
When President Bola Ahmed Tinubu once again summoned Nigeria’s service chiefs to Aso Rock for yet another high-level security meeting, Nigerians collectively sighed not with relief, but with exhaustion. We have been here too many times before. The statements are recycled. The directives sound familiar. The assurances ring hollow.
This is not leadership; it is theatre.
The tragic truth is that the Nigerian people are not just tired, they are angry, disillusioned and traumatized. They are tired of being the collateral damage in a war their government pretends to be fighting. They are tired of being promised security while bandits roam free, terrorists regroup and kidnappers demand ransoms without consequence. The real crisis is not just the violence; it is the normalization of that violence.
The Grim State of Insecurity: A Nation Under Siege
Between 2015 and 2024, Nigeria has recorded over 63,000 conflict-related deaths, according to the Council on Foreign Relations’ Nigeria Security Tracker (NST). In 2023 alone, over 4,800 Nigerians were killed in violent incidents, while more than 3,600 were kidnapped. States like Zamfara, Kaduna, Plateau, Borno, Niger and Benue have become synonymous with bloodshed. From Boko Haram insurgents in the Northeast to bandits in the Northwest, to killer herdsmen in the Middle Belt and separatist agitators in the Southeast, the entire federation is under siege.
Rural communities have been abandoned. Highways have become death traps. Urban centers are no longer safe. Nigerians live in fear not because they are weak, but because their leaders have failed to make safety a priority.
Presidential Promises Are Not Bulletproof Vests
President Tinubu came into power with promises of security reform. On May 29, 2023, during his inauguration, he boldly declared that “security shall be the top priority of our administration because neither prosperity nor justice can prevail amidst insecurity and violence.” Yet, as of May 2025, that promise remains largely unfulfilled.
Yes, the president meets with service chiefs. Yes, there are occasional “military successes” trumpeted by the state media. But these are mere tokens in a crisis that requires transformation not tweaking.
You cannot bomb terrorism out of existence while corruption is left intact. Security is not merely about bullets and battalions; it is about intelligence, accountability, justice and trust. It is about rooting out the rot in the system that allows terrorists to be released from jail, while victims receive shallow condolences.
Empty Meetings, Empty Results
Every time there is a mass abduction, a military ambush, or a deadly attack on civilians, the federal government reacts the same way:
A security meeting is convened.
The President is “briefed.”
Service chiefs are “directed” to “intensify efforts.”
The same faces appear in the same photos.
Nothing changes.
These meetings are not solutions, they are distractions. They offer optics, not outcomes.
How many Nigerians must die before action is taken? How many villages must be razed before strategies become realities? How many schoolchildren must be kidnapped before the government sees the urgency that citizens feel every single day?
As Chinua Achebe once warned, “A man who brings home ant-infested firewood should not be surprised when lizards start to visit.” Our leaders have invited chaos by tolerating impunity. And now, Nigeria is crawling with lizards of lawlessness.
A Deafening Silence on Accountability
Nigeria’s political elite have mastered the art of talking without saying anything. They issue statements without solutions, sympathize without sincerity and govern without results.
Why, for instance, has no service chief ever resigned or been dismissed for gross security failures? In civilized democracies, such dereliction would trigger resignations, probes and prosecutions. In Nigeria, it earns a promotion or a national award.
In the words of Professor Wole Soyinka, “Only in Nigeria do criminals get rewarded while victims are forgotten.”
This culture of impunity must end. If the military hierarchy cannot secure Nigeria, then it is time for a national overhaul not another presidential handshake.
The Economic Cost of Insecurity
Beyond the human toll, insecurity is decimating Nigeria’s economy. According to the Nigerian Economic Summit Group (NESG), the country loses over $10 billion annually due to conflict-related disruptions. Farmers cannot access their land due to fear of attacks, which has worsened the food crisis and driven inflation to an alarming 33.2% as of April 2025.
Foreign investors flee at the first hint of instability. Tourism is virtually nonexistent. Domestic businesses relocate or shut down. The World Bank notes that insecurity has become one of the top three obstacles to Nigeria’s economic growth, alongside corruption and poor infrastructure.
A nation without security is a nation without a future.
2025 Is Halfway Through: Why Only Excuses?
It has been nearly two full years since this administration took office. Nigerians are not unreasonably impatient they are rationally demanding results. The APC government has exhausted its grace period.
No more “renewed hope” slogans. No more speeches about “resilience” and “commitment.” Nigerians are not a people who need to be told to endure. They need a government that knows how to act.
As the popular street saying goes: “Na security we wan chop?” No. But without security, no one can chop.
What Must Be Done?
If the Tinubu administration truly desires to end this cycle of bloodshed, it must take the following concrete actions:
Reshuffle and professionalize the military leadership. Promotion must be based on performance not political loyalty.
Invest in local intelligence and surveillance technology. Drones, satellite monitoring and community-based intelligence must be prioritized.
Strengthen state policing frameworks. Centralized policing has failed. Each state must be allowed to manage its own internal security with federal collaboration.
Prosecute collaborators and financiers of terrorism. Enough of the hidden sponsors; name and shame them.
Ensure victims get justice and compensation. Healing starts with acknowledgment.
Quotes to Remember
Nelson Mandela: “Safety and security don’t just happen; they are the result of collective consensus and public investment.”
Barack Obama: “Security and opportunity are two sides of the same coin.”
Thomas Jefferson: “The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.”
But what use is vigilance when those at the top are asleep?
Let the Bullets Stop. Let the Lies End.
Nigerians are not asking for miracles. They are demanding what every responsible government should provide: the right to life, peace and liberty. If this administration cannot guarantee that, then history will judge it harshly not for what it promised, but for what it failed to deliver.
Let the bullets stop. Let the bloodshed end. Let results speak louder than rhetoric.
Nigeria deserves peace. And Nigerians demand nothing less.
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