WHEN INDUSTRY MOVES LIKE NATION-BUILDERS
Otega Ogra & Tope Ajayi

There is a particular kind of silence that greets progress in Nigeria—when food prices fall, inflation slows, the country is positively recognised, debts paid, or things begin to work. It is the kind of silence that would rather a good story stay buried than be told. But make no mistake, what we are seeing in the market today is not magic. It is the outcome of vision from the Tinubu-Shettima administration, backed by execution.

When President Bola Tinubu signed off on a six-month waiver to allow the importation of select food items, it was not an act of political theater. Rather, it was visionary economic strategy at play. That singular decision broke a cartel of hoarders who had turned food insecurity into an immoral enterprise. But strategy alone does not and cannot lower the cost of rice. What does is when industry leaders respond not with hesitation but with urgency.

Last week at The Aso Villa, the seat of the Presidency in Abuja, Abdul Samad Rabiu did not just show up to thank President Bola Tinubu. He came prepared and showed up with results. He brought evidence—bag by bag, commodity by commodity—of how Mr President’s policy met action. Rice that once cost N110,000 now sells for less than 80,000. Flour is down. Maize is down. And for once, the loudest people in the room are the ones who used to profit from scarcity, not the ones breaking it.

What happened here was disruption. The BUA team as well as other major Nigerian manufacturers and industrialists who heeded President Tinubu’s call, understood the assignment. They flooded the market, shattered the economics of hoarding, and exposed a truth few want to say: sometimes, the real enemy is not the system. It is the silence and sabotage that follows reform.

But Alhaji Rabiu did not stop at food. He announced a second move upon the advice of fellow billionaire industrialist, Aliko Dangote which was just as consequential. In an economy reeling from FX volatility, energy price surges, and imported inflation, cement manufacturers have decided to freeze the price of cement, not for everyone, but for every contractor working under the government’s Renewed Hope infrastructure projects. This is not charity at play. This is alignment.

Cement isn’t just a product. It is the bloodline of infrastructure. By holding the price steady for public works under the Renewed Hope Agenda, BUA Cement, Dangote Cement, Lafarge and new entrants, Mangal Cement didn’t just make a corporate gesture. They bought the government fiscal room, time, and momentum. That is what nation-building looks like when it wears a private-sector face.

It gets deeper. Cement manufacturers are resuscitating the Cement Technology Institute of Nigeria, pledging up to N20 billion annually to train artisans, real human capacity, not PowerPoint plans. We live in a Nigeria where for the longest time, conversations about growth rarely touch skills. This novel move is therefore a bet on people because when people are trained, projects do not just get built but they endure.

President Tinubu alluded to something important during that meeting. He did not just commend BUA. He called the actions of the private sector who have taken a bet on Nigeria throughout this period, “economic patriotism.” Whilst many sit on the sidelines waiting for stability before they act, it matters when Nigerians step in to create it.

Nigeria does not just need big men. It needs bold moves. What Rabiu and his peers are doing from freezing prices, and disrupting hoarding, to funding technical skills is not corporate PR. It is policy execution by other means and, that is what separates firms that extract value from those that build it.

In this phase of Nigeria’s transformation, we will need more of the latter. Those who understand that the private sector is not a spectator sport. That stability is not gifted but engineered. And that to win the confidence of 250 million people, you must show, not tell, that the future of Nigeria is under construction.

And if we tell these positive stories loud and well, if we stop whispering good news while bad actors shout, we may just shift the national mood from despair to resolve.

We make bold this statement because, when industry starts to move like this, it is more than just a market correction. It is a clear signal that the tide is turning positively.

As President Bola Tinubu says, the future of Nigeria will be a future built by Nigerians, for Nigeria, and indeed, Africa. No one will build our Nigeria or Africa for us but ourselves. The time is now.

Why Gen. Buratai will always remain in the minds of Nigerians-Enyioma

From………

Lance Corporal Chikere Vitus Enyioma, an admirer of the former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Tukur Buratai has given reasons why Nigerians would not forget the retired Army boss in a hurry.

In a statement, Enyioma explained “I joined the Nigerian Army in 2014 with the full intention of serving my country diligently. My first posting was to 1 Division Kaduna, where I was influenced by a common belief among the junior ranks—that our generals didn’t care about us.

“However, that perception changed when Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai assumed full command and began to truly work and serve both Nigeria and the Nigerian Army.

“Later, I was transferred to Abuja and had the rare opportunity to serve directly in his office as an office orderly. I witnessed firsthand the incredible demands of serving as the Chief of Army Staff. I remember a specific week when he worked day and night without rest. During a particularly intense period of operations against insurgents, he broke down after a night of nonstop work and back-to-back high-level meetings.

“I was sent by his MA and I had to rush downstairs to get the medical representative, who administered treatment to help him recover. To my surprise, as soon as he regained his strength, he returned immediately to his desk to continue working.

“Throughout my time working in his office, I never saw him take a leave or even a break. Under his leadership, long-forgotten allowances were restored, Many non-commissioned officers were promoted or commissioned. Soldiers were given access to both military and civilian education programs—of which I was a beneficiary.

“He also expanded housing schemes and introduced mortgage opportunities for personnel. Lt. Gen. Buratai redefined what it meant to serve with commitment and vision, and every other Staff officer under him was equally busy.

“Under Buratai’s leadership, the Nigerian Army successfully reclaimed large swathes of territory previously under Boko Haram’s control in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe States. Major highways like the Maiduguri-Bama and Damaturu-Maiduguri roads were reopened, allowing for the restoration of civil governance in formerly overrun regions.

“He initiated the creation of vital commands and formations to improve rapid response, including Nigerian Army Special Forces Command, Army Aviation Corps. These formations enhanced operational flexibility and strengthened counter-insurgency efforts.

“Under his tenure, the Army acquired modern armored vehicles, artillery systems, and combat drones, significantly increasing its firepower and tactical capabilities.

“Establishment of Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB). Founded in 2018 in Biu, Borno State, NAUB focuses on advancing military education and research, supporting innovation and technology in military operations.

“Buratai championed soldiers’ welfare by introducing; Housing initiatives and educational opportunities.

Enhanced healthcare services which gave birth to one of the Best hospitals in Abuja ( COMMAND AND NAOWA HOSPITAL). These improved the morale and effectiveness of the troops.

“Promotion of Civil-Military Relations: He emphasized mutual trust and understanding between the Army and civilians, strengthening nationwide collaboration and public support.

“Support for Democracy; During election periods, Buratai ensured the Nigerian Army upheld constitutional order, playing a neutral and stabilizing role in Nigeria’s democratic processes.

“Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches; established agricultural projects to boost food security for soldiers and provide alternative welfare support for their families.

“Nigerian Army Institute of Technology and Environmental Studies. He founded this institute to train soldiers in technical and environmental disciplines, supporting their post-service careers.

“Advocacy for Cultural Integration in Security; after his retirement, Buratai actively promoted using Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage to enhance national security, emphasizing that no indigenous culture supports criminality.

“Army Structural Expansion Under Buratai. New Divisions

6th Division (Amphibious)– Port Harcourt, Rivers State

8th Division – Sokoto State.

“New Brigades and Units:16 Brigade– Yenagoa, Bayelsa State

17 Brigade – Katsina State

63 Brigade – Delta State

2nd Brigade – Akwa Ibom State

42nd Engineering Brigade

Fort Muhammadu Buhari Forward Operating Base – Daura, Katsina State

331 Artillery Tactical Forward Operating Base – Buratai, Borno State

Forward Operating Base, Okene – Kogi StaSpecialized Institutions and Facilities.

“Nigerian Army Aviation School,

Nigerian Army War College, Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC)– Abuja

Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri – Modern military housing in Abuja

“Here is a list of some infrastructural projects constructed or initiated under Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff (2015–2021). These projects span military bases, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, roads, housing, and operational commands, reflecting his strategic focus on capacity building, welfare, and professionalism.

“Army Headquarters Command Structures. Remodeling and modernization of Army Headquarters Complex in Abuja.Renovation and expansion of Command Officers’ Mess in Abuja

“New Divisions and Formations Infrastructure. 6th Division Headquarters– Port Harcourt, Rivers State (including barracks and support facilities). 8th Division Headquarters – Sokoto State (administrative blocks, housing, operational centers).

“Brigades and Units Infrastructure:

16 Brigade Complex– Yenagoa, Bayelsa State.17 Brigade Complex– Katsina State.63 Brigade Complex– Asaba, Delta State.2 Brigade Forward Operating Base (FOB) – Ikot Abasi, Akwa Ibom State

1 Brigade Headquarters Complex – Gusau, Zamfara State.13 Brigade Complex– Calabar, Cross River State

“Specialized Institutions: Nigerian Army University Biu (NAUB) – Biu, Borno State

Nigerian Army War College– Abuja

Nigerian Army Resource Centre (NARC) – Abuja. Nigerian Army Aviation School– (location development under construction). Nigerian Army Institute of Technology and Environmental Studies – Makurdi, Benue State

“Medical Infrastructure: Renovation and expansion of 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital – Kaduna

Upgrading of Military Hospital – Port Harcourt, Establishment of new medical facilities in several divisions including Lagos, Abuja, and Maiduguri

Field hospitals were constructed in combat zones in the Northeast.

“Barracks and Residential Housing Projects; Muhammadu Buhari Cantonment, Giri – Abuja (state-of-the-art barracks and officers’ quarters)

Army Housing Estate – Kurudu, Abuja

Massive renovation and new construction of soldiers’ accommodation across all 6 geo-political zones

Construction of Forward Operating Base (FOB) Barracks– Buratai town, Borno State

“Forward Operating Bases (FOBs): FOB/171Bn Daura – Katsina State

FOB Okene – Kogi State

FOB Buratai– Borno State

Numerous FOBs in the Northeast, enhancing real-time response to insurgency.

“Army Farms and Ranches: Establishment of Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches in several divisions, providing food and economic support for troops.

“Roads and Internal Transportation; Construction of internal road networks within new barracks and cantonment

Upgrading of military access roads and connecting roads in conflict zones for logistics and troop movement

“Training and Capacity Building Centers: Modernization of Depot Nigerian Army – Zaria, Establishment of Command Science Secondary Schools in multiple states, Construction of training ranges and simulation centers across Army divisions, Renovation of military churches and mosque.

“These infrastructure projects were executed as part of Buratai’s vision to professionalize the Nigerian Army, improve troop welfare, and enhance operational readiness. They also reflect a balanced focus on education, healthcare, housing, logistics, and combat efficiency.

“Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai’s legacy is not just in what he built but in how he inspired countless soldiers, myself included, to believe in the military institution again.

“He served tirelessly, restored honor to service, and laid a strong foundation for future generations of the Nigerian Army.

“I recalled how Harvard University Boston USA became an annex of the Nigerian Army in building and shaping the intuition of military officers across the rank beyond the traditional strategic institution like the Defense College NIPSS etc. I am a beneficiary and can proudly be rated. Allah bless our legend of yesterday, today, and tomorrow”.

NBA Ikorodu condemns systemic pressure on rape victims, says justice must never be negotiated

By Ifeoma Ikem

The Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Ikorodu Branch has condemned the systematic pressure on rape victims and also added that justice must not be negotiated no matter who is involved.

In a statement signed by Tessy Osakwe, the

alternate chairman of the committee against Domestic violence, child’s rights and persons living with disabilities of the Nigerian Bar Association, of the ikorodu branch,noted that there has been troubling tales of rise in the withdrawal of rape cases by victim’s parents before justice is served.

She said that the branch through its Domestic Violence Committee, Child’s Rights Committee, and Persons Living with Disabilities Committee, expressed deep concern over this disturbing trend which happens due to societal, family, institutional, or even economic pressure.

“Our committees have observed, with alarm, that many survivors particularly children, women, and persons with disabilities are often compelled to abandon legal proceedings due to threats, shame, victim-blaming, or interference from influential individuals seeking to shield perpetrators from accountability.

“This act of silencing victims not only denies them justice, but also emboldens offenders, perpetuates impunity, and weakens public confidence in the justice system.

“We remind the public that rape is a criminal offence under Nigerian law, and its prosecution is not subject to private negotiation or family settlement’’.

“Every victim has the right to be heard, protected, and supported throughout the legal process,’’ she added.

The branch, therefore, called on the law enforcement agencies to act with independence, integrity, and diligence in rape investigations and ensure survivors are not intimidated.

“Judicial officers and prosecutors should offer timely and trauma-informed legal support to victims; traditional and religious leaders should refrain from encouraging “out-of-court settlements” in rape cases and instead support survivors in seeking justice.

“The Lagos State Government, through the Ministry of Justice and Office of the Public Defender should expand survivor support services, including safe shelters, psychological care, and legal aid.

“The media to maintain sensitivity in reportage and protect the identities and dignity of survivors.

“And the Civil society and community groups create safe spaces for survivors to report abuse without fear or shame’’.

She promised the survivors and their families that they are not alone as the NBA Ikorodu Branch stands with them.

“Justice may be delayed, but with courage, support, and advocacy, it must not be denied,’’ she assured.