society
GBAJABIAMILA: THE MAN WHOSE LEGISLATIVE WORK IS CHANGING NIGERIA’S EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE
*GBAJABIAMILA: THE MAN WHOSE LEGISLATIVE WORK IS CHANGING NIGERIA’S EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE*
By Toby Prince
In the very words of Nelson Mandela, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
This same view was echoed by Malcolm X, who asserted that “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.”
While these quotes capture the essence of education as a tool for personal growth, societal change, and empowerment, they perhaps informed Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila’s drive towards leveraging legislative representation as a viable tool for societal reconfiguration and educational reformation.
Today, the facts, as they say, speak for themselves.
Indeed, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila is no stranger to lawmaking. He has been making positive impact and driving national development for several years through effective legislation.
Fundamentally, Chief Femi has been instrumental in the sponsorship of numerous and wide-ranging Bills, with many already passed into law. During the 9th Assembly, as an astute and patriotic legislator, he sponsored a number of people-oriented Bills within his first year.
Notable among those Bills were the Legislative Houses (Powers and Privileges) Act (Amendment) Bill 2019, the Emergency Economic Stimulus Bill 2020 (Quarantine Act (Repeal and Re-enactment) Bill 2020), and the Nigeria Local Content Development and Enforcement Bill, 2020.
Instrumentally, he also sponsored a number of Constitution alteration Bills, such as the Electric Power Sector Reform Act (Amendment) Bill 2019, the Physically-Challenged (Empowerment) Bill 2019, and the Presidential (Transition) Bill 2019.
Others include the Labour Act (Amendment) Bill 2019, the Employees (Unpaid Wages Prohibition) Bill 2019, and the Federal Highways Act (Amendment) Bill 2019.
Although it did not see the light of day at the time, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila in 2016 first introduced what is known as the Students Loans (Access to Higher Education) Bill, later adding security-focused legislation such as the Armed Forces Act (Amendment) Bill 2021 and the Police Act (Amendment) Bill 2021.
Very few Nigerians, especially those outside certain circles, are aware that Rt. Hon. Femi was instrumental in the establishment of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps through his sponsorship of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Act (Amendment) Bills 2021.
An ardent anti-corruption fighter, he introduced the EFCC Act (Amendment) Bill 2021, the ICPC Act (Amendment) Bill 2021, along with the Customs and Excise Management Act (Amendment) Bill 2021, the ECOWAS Small Arms Convention (Ratification and Enforcement) Bill 2021, and the National Security Agencies Act (Amendment) Bill 2021.
A committed social justice and security advocate, he pushed for the empowerment and reinvigoration of the Armed Forces through the Armed Forces of Nigeria Trust Fund Bill 2021.
Irked by the funding deficit in the agricultural value chain, Rt. Hon. Femi sponsored the National Agricultural Development Fund Bill 2021.
An objective patriot, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila sponsored the South West, North Central, North West, and South East Development Commission Bills 2021. He was also the first to design a technologically driven archive and study centre for the National Assembly, through the establishment of a National Assembly Library by sponsoring the National Assembly Library Trust Fund Bill 2021.
Rt. Hon. Femi’s diverse legislative inputs, with solid impacts, also include contributions to the reformation of the health sector, sponsoring legislations such as the National Electronic Health Record System Bill, and strong advocacy for the amendment of the NAFDAC Act to include provisions for a Nigeria Food Safety and Hygiene Surveillance Corps, as well as an amendment to the National Health Act of 2014—laws he believed were obsolete.
Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila’s legislative impact is made even more profound by his flagship sponsorship of the Student Loan Scheme.
The bill, first introduced in 2016 and signed into law in June 2023, created the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, offering interest-free loans to indigent students in public tertiary institutions.
It covers tuition, textbooks, and other essential fees, with repayment starting two years after employment, thereby easing the financial burden on families across the country. It has greatly mitigated the difficulties faced by both students and parents in the pursuit of higher education in the country.
Through the introduction of the Student Loan Fund, the pursuit of education has become accessible and inclusive for all citizens, without discrimination of any kind and the elimination of socioeconomic barriers.
Weaving an intricate tapestry of national governance and influencing rapid catalytic social change, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila, through a confluence of insightful and visionary leadership, has, by his initiative and resilience, eliminated the harsh financial conditions that precariously remained a stumbling block to the pursuit of education by millions of Nigerians.
He has also brought enduring substantial leverage, solace, and a sustainable financial lifeline to millions of families, resonating renewed hope.
His visionary reform initiative through the Students Loan Fund implicates all conversations surrounding the entire educational sector, changing narratives from ‘whether’ a child should go to school to ‘how’ the country can consistently fund an all-inclusive higher education, making Rt. Hon.
Femi a beacon and cornerstone of definitive equity, a reason for assured skills for future generations of Nigeria, and a vanguard for predictable development for a prosperous Nigeria.
His paradigm shift in educational funding—where the burden of payment is on the government—underscores the socialist posture of the All Progressives Congress and aligns with the Renewed Hope Agenda of the President Tinubu administration, as it also makes way for more citizens to pursue higher-quality education, devoid of the constraints of inordinate financial demands, ensuring that education, in the context of the President Tinubu-led government, becomes instead of a privilege a fundamental right accessible to all, thereby emboldening the concept of free higher education.
His dedication and strong commitment resonate with the imperatives of education as a cornerstone of national development, the empowerment of future generations, and a necessary tool for fostering accountability, responsibility, and patriotism, while ensuring the elimination of vices and insecurity.
The involvement of university authorities in the entire process is not just industrious and innovative but reawakens a stronger sense of responsibility, while students become direct stakeholders in the education project, demystifying any hidden agenda in the training of Nigerian children and promoting adaptive synergy.
To mitigate the risk of default in a high-unemployment environment such as ours, the law has introduced inbuilt, workable, time-tested safeguards, recovery mechanisms, and phased repayment schedules, implementable only after the graduand is employed.
Presently, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila has become a defining force in Nigeria’s education reform, and his Student Loan Act is the flagship of that legacy.
The impact is not just visible but far-reaching, with the consensus that the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) is successful, given the disbursement of over ₦161 billion to more than 864,000 students, with over 1.3 million applications recorded, showing massive demand and a growing sense of hope for access to higher education.
The 2024 amendment removed the stringent family income cap and guarantor requirements, expanded the scope to include living expenses (upkeep allowances), and introduced loan forgiveness in cases of death or misfortune, making the scheme more inclusive and humane.
Regionally, the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) has recorded unbiased impact, with disbursements reaching institutions nationwide.
The North has been among the biggest beneficiaries, while the South East has lagged in some cases due to verification delays in certain institutions. The South West and South South have seen appreciable disbursements, with leading universities recording substantial allocations for thousands of students.
Aside from NELFUND, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila has been a consistent advocate for girl-child education and higher academic standards for public officers. His aim is to eliminate mediocrity from public offices and entrench standardization capable of leading to holistic development.
Consequently, he has promoted the Back to School JumpStart, a digital learning initiative that provides laptops, tablets, and sanitation tools to various schools in Surulere and other zones.
Certainly, Rt. Hon. Gbajabiamila is a beacon of educational renaissance, whose advocacy goes far beyond granting just loans to students but creating a desirable ambience for learning—such as improving educational infrastructure, enhancing teacher training and retraining, and increasing sustained funding for the sector—all leading to a robust and more holistic transformation that aligns with 21st-century global benchmarks.
Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila’s leadership inspires confidence that our nation, in all areas of national development, is capable of navigating the complexities of implementing any ambitious program successfully, thereby redefining the future prospects of the country and our perspectives.
*Prince writes from Abuja
society
Lagos Task Force: Understanding Its Mandate And Role In Society
Lagos Task Force: Understanding Its Mandate And Role In Society
In societies grappling with evolving security challenges, the relevance of specialised policing units cannot be overstated. The Lagos State Environmental and Special Offence Unit aka Task Force is not established as an ornamental structure within the law enforcement system; it is a deliberate response to urgent threats that conventional policing frameworks often struggle to contain swiftly. The mandate of this unit is clear: restore order, enforce compliance with the law, and respond with precision to emerging patterns of crime that threaten public safety.
In predominantly urban areas like Lagos, criminal trends have grown more sophisticated and, at times, more brazen. From organised street gangs to opportunistic offenders, the strain on regular policing units is evident. It is within this context that Task Force operates, bridging the gap between routine patrol and rapid-response enforcement. Their presence serves not only as a deterrent but also as a visible assurance that the state retains control over law and order.
One striking example is the growing concern over the activities of “Omo Taku,” a loosely organised group whose notoriety has been linked to harassment, extortion, and street-level violence. For many residents, encounters with such elements have resulted in physical harm, financial loss, and, in tragic instances, untimely deaths. The intervention of police Task Force Units in curbing this menace has therefore been both necessary and impactful. Through targeted raids, surveillance, and enforcement operations, these units have begun to dismantle the operational networks of such groups, restoring a measure of safety to affected communities.
Similarly, the issue of one-way traffic violations has evolved beyond mere recklessness into a public safety crisis. What might appear as a simple traffic infraction has, over time, claimed lives and caused irreversible damage to families. The enforcement efforts of the Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit in this regard are not acts of overreach but essential measures aimed at preserving life. By confronting these violations head-on, they send a clear message that indiscipline on the roads carries consequences.
However, the conversation around police task forces is incomplete without acknowledging the tensions that sometimes arise between these units and the public. Incidents such as the allegations against the CSP Akerele-led task force, Lagos State Environmental and Special Offences Unit have heightened scrutiny and, in some quarters, eroded trust. While such developments warrant investigation and accountability, they should not obscure the broader necessity of Task Force Units. Rather, they present an opportunity for institutional reform, improved training, and stronger community engagement.
Citizens, on their part, have a role to play in shaping the effectiveness of these units. Cooperation, lawful conduct, and constructive feedback can significantly enhance outcomes. A society where laws are routinely disregarded creates fertile ground for conflict between enforcement agencies and the public. Conversely, a culture of compliance reduces friction and allows task forces to focus on genuine threats.
Ultimately, police task forces exist not as adversaries to the people but as instruments of collective security. Their mandate is rooted in the protection of lives and property, and their success is intertwined with public cooperation and institutional accountability. As communities continue to navigate the complexities of safety and order, the need for such specialised units remains not only relevant but indispensable.
society
NSCDC CG, Audi Abubakar Deploys Advanced Tactical Operational Gadget Nationwide, Commits to Renewed Hope Mandate
NSCDC CG, Audi Abubakar Deploys Advanced Tactical Operational Gadget Nationwide, Commits to Renewed Hope MandateLLP
The Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Professor Audi Abubakar, has distributed a substantial cache of advanced operational equipment to heads of state formations during the annual strategic meeting held at the NSCDC National Headquarters in Abuja on March 27, 2026, while simultaneously issuing a stern warning that the corps will not tolerate any act of indiscipline, with severe sanctions awaiting any officer found wanting.
Addressing the gathering of state commanders and senior officers, Abubakar began by expressing profound gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the renewal of his tenure as Commandant General, framing this renewal as a call to intensify efforts and urging officers to uphold best practices while embracing discipline with unwavering diligence.
He emphasized that the corps is entering a new strategic phase where conduct must reflect the highest standards of professionalism, reiterating the administration’s commitment to rewarding loyalty, resilience, and dedication to duty. The Commandant General highlighted significant progress made in addressing long-standing welfare issues that had previously dampened morale, noting that since assuming office, his leadership has successfully rectified challenges related to unpaid salary arrears and stagnated promotions, thereby boosting personnel motivation and operational effectiveness across formations.
Professor Abubakar also outlined key achievements recorded under his watch, particularly in the realm of critical infrastructure protection and economic sabotage, disclosing that the corps has overseen the destruction of over 400 illegal refineries, conducted numerous arrests, and secured successful prosecutions against smugglers and illegal miners, reinforcing its mandate as a lead agency in protecting Nigeria’s critical assets and natural resources.
In a major highlight of the event, the Commandant General unveiled and distributed a comprehensive suite of modern operational tools designed to enhance surveillance, response times, and officer safety, emphasizing that these resources are part of a broader strategy to integrate technology into everyday operations.
According to Abubakar, he disclosed that Inline with the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Renewed Hope Mandate, the equipment distributed to all the state formation includes three drones for aerial monitoring, operational backpacks equipped with mini tablets, solar chargers, GPS coordinate trackers, and situation room connectivity packs to monitor personnel movements in real-time, alongside one hundred bulletproof vests, one hundred helmets, two hundred pairs of combat boots, one hundred pairs of knee and ankle caps, twenty operational goggles with night vision capabilities, two hundred pairs each of agro rangers uniforms, blue conventional uniforms, white uniforms, two hundred berets with corresponding belts, fifty shocking batons, twenty chain cutters, torchlight batons, five pen recorders, twenty body cameras, ten binoculars, water dispensers for administrative duties, copies of the code of conduct, the NSCDC Act, and the Standard Operating Procedure manual.
He stated that these gadgets are provided to ensure the smooth delivery of duties, adding that in this new strategic phase, the corps is deploying advanced technological equipment to address insecurity, combat banditry, illegal mining, and illegal logging. The Commandant General warned that the shared gadgets must not be circumvented for different uses but should be strictly employed for corps duties, declaring that anyone found violating this directive would be dealt with accordingly.
He further emphasized that in line with the Renewed Hope mandate, the corps will focus on capacity building and training to ensure officers exhibit professionalism and integrity, while protecting critical assets and infrastructure remains the core mandate.
Abubakar concluded by stressing the importance of intelligence sharing and inter-agency collaboration, stating that the corps will intensify efforts to exchange intelligence with sister security agencies to ensure coordinated and efficient operations, thereby strengthening collective security efforts across the nation.
The strategic meeting, which drew heads of formations from all thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory, also served as a platform for reviewing the corps’ operational blueprint for the coming year, with a focus on aligning its activities with national security objectives and ensuring that the newly deployed equipment translates directly into measurable outcomes in the fight against economic sabotage and infrastructure vandalism.
society
Harvest of Babies 2026: It Is God’s Will for All to Be Fruitful — Dr. Chris Okafor
Harvest of Babies 2026:
It Is God’s Will for All to Be Fruitful — Dr. Chris Okafor
“God is not moved by sentiment, but by principle.”
The much-anticipated family liberation conference of Grace Nation Global, Harvest of Babies 2026, has commenced on a strong note, with reports of over 700 miracle babies declared during the ongoing programme.
The four-day event began on Wednesday, March 24, 2026, drawing millions of participants from across the world through Liberation TV and other Grace Nation online platforms.
Fruitfulness as a Divine Mandate
Speaking on Day Two of the conference, the Generational Prophet of God and Senior Pastor of Grace Nation Worldwide, Christopher Okafor, described fruitfulness as a foundational command from God.
Preaching on the theme “Fruitfulness,” he emphasized that the first mandate given to humanity was to be fruitful, stressing that this principle extends beyond childbearing to every area of life.
“It is the will of God for everyone to be fruitful,” he said, “not only in the area of the womb but in all aspects of life.”
He further described barrenness—whether physical, spiritual, or economic—as contrary to God’s intention for His people.
“Wherever barrenness is broken,” he noted, “it is by divine intervention. God confirms His Word, not human opinion.”
The Principle Behind Fruitfulness
Dr. Okafor explained that fruitfulness is governed by principles, not emotions.
“God is not moved by sentiment,” he stated. “He responds to principles.”
According to him, one of the key principles is service and commitment to God. He emphasized that unanswered prayers may sometimes be linked to a lack of genuine service or alignment with divine expectations.
“To be fruitful, you must understand the principle of service,” he said. “When you serve God sincerely and make Him your covenant focus, fruitfulness becomes evident in your life.”
He added that true devotion involves serving God wholeheartedly, both in spirit and in action, noting that such commitment attracts divine provision and establishes lasting results.
Testimonies and Manifestations
The conference has reportedly witnessed significant moments of healing, deliverance, and restoration. One notable testimony involved a woman who had reportedly been unable to relieve herself for over five weeks and was scheduled for a major medical procedure. Following prayers, she experienced immediate relief, an outcome participants described as a remarkable intervention.
Several other testimonies of breakthroughs and restoration were also recorded during the session.
Continuing the Conference
The Harvest of Babies 2026 conference continues at the international headquarters of Grace Nation Worldwide in Ojodu Berger, Lagos, with daily sessions attracting both physical and virtual attendees.
Organizers say the programme is focused on prayers for fruitfulness, deliverance from negative patterns, marital breakthroughs, financial stability, and the fruit of the womb.
Participants are encouraged to join the ongoing sessions, with the belief that divine intervention can bring transformation in every area of life.
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