National
Weak Governance, Judiciary Hurting Nigeria’s Image — Jonathan
… Says no investor wants corruption
…We must promote inclusion, equity, diversity – Mutfwang
Former Nigerian President, Goodluck Jonathan, has warned that a compromised judiciary and poor governance deter investment and diminish Nigeria’s global reputation.
He made the remarks at the 2025 Haske Satumari Foundation’s annual colloquium in Abuja, which focused on promoting social development through diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Jonathan criticised the actions of key political actors, stating that the decisions made by the executive, legislature, and judiciary shape how Nigeria is perceived internationally.
“No serious investor will bring their money into a country where the judiciary is compromised—where government officials can dictate court judgments,” he said.
Referring to the political situation in Rivers State, he invoked an Indian proverb: “If someone is truly asleep, you can wake them up. But if someone is pretending to be asleep, waking them up becomes impossible.”
“In Nigeria today, key actors—from the executive to the legislature and judiciary—know the right course of action, yet they refuse to take it. They are merely pretending to be asleep.”
The former president highlighted the abuse of power across all branches of government, stressing that governance decisions have far-reaching consequences.
“I always remind people that the actions of those in power affect everyone. Sometimes, people act as if their decisions have no personal consequences. But no one wants to invest in an environment where their financial assets are at risk,” he added.
Jonathan linked Nigeria’s poor global perception to failures in governance, rather than solely blaming criminal activities such as cyber fraud.
“Many assume our poor reputation is only due to fraudsters like ‘Yahoo Boys’ or the 419 scam. While such activities play a role, they are not the only factor. If we truly want to build a nation where our children and grandchildren can thrive, we must be willing to make sacrifices. Doing the right thing may come at a cost, but we must be prepared to pay the price,” he stated.
In the ongoing debate over the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers State, Jonathan refrained from making direct comments.
“There is often an expectation that former presidents must comment on the actions of sitting presidents. However, traditionally, former leaders around the world rarely issue public statements on the decisions of their successors because of the potential tensions such remarks could create. This is a global practice—look at the United States, for example. Former presidents seldom comment on the governance of their successors,” he explained.
In his welcome remarks, the founder of the Haske Satumari Foundation, Kudla Satumari, stressed the importance of diversity and inclusion in national development.
“If you look at our society today, you will see how equity is critical to development. Every one of us faces some form of marginalisation. This colloquium amplifies the voices of those who feel excluded, ensuring that all forms of marginalisation are addressed,” he said.
Also, Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State, represented by Plateau State University’s Acting Vice-Chancellor, Shedrach Best, echoed the sentiments.
“The role of good governance is to promote inclusion, equity, and diversity. Plateau’s experience offers lessons for Nigeria in managing diversity. There were times we failed to manage our diversity well, and it led to conflict,” he said.
Mutfwang invited Nigerians to visit Plateau State, highlighting its cultural and natural attractions.
“Nigeria’s minorities may not have oil deposits, but we have tin and other precious minerals. Our diversity and good weather make the Plateau a unique and hospitable place,” he said.
Kenyan Senator, Crystal Asige, delivering the keynote address, underscored the systemic barriers preventing persons with disabilities (PWDs) from fully participating in politics, governance, and economic life.
“These issues are not confined to a single nation; they are prevalent across jurisdictions worldwide, including Nigeria and Kenya,” she said.
Asige said that despite legal frameworks promoting inclusivity, enforcement remains weak, leaving PWDs marginalised in politics, employment, education, healthcare, and social protection.
“The political landscape remains impenetrable for us. Political parties often sideline disability issues instead of integrating them into broader discussions. The restrictive mindset that PWDs should only engage in disability matters prevents us from assuming leadership roles in other critical sectors,” she stated.
The Northern Youth Congress of Nigeria (NYC) has honoured Dr. Ibrahim Aminu Trader, Executive Director of the Regional Sustainable Energy Centre of Excellence for Sub-Saharan Africa (RSECE), with its coveted Northern Elders Award of Excellence, “Garkuwan Marayun Arewa,” in recognition of his outstanding service to youth empowerment, national unity and social development.
The prestigious award, which translates to “Shield of Northern Orphans,” was conferred during a colourful ceremony at the RSECE headquarters in Abuja.
The event drew a cross-section of youth leaders, civil society groups, and stakeholders from the public and private sectors.
National President of the NYC, Ambassador Auwalu Mohammed Majiri, commended Dr. Trader’s enduring commitment to nation-building.
“This recognition is rooted in Dr. Trader’s consistent efforts to empower young people and his unwavering role as a bridge-builder in Nigeria’s journey toward unity and peace,” he said.
Dr. Trader, who has a storied career in public service and finance, expressed deep gratitude to the NYC.
He described the recognition as “humbling,” adding that his passion for uplifting the next generation remains central to his work.
“As someone who became the first Northerner to graduate at the age of 19, and having held top roles in the civil service and banking sector, I understand the power of opportunity,” he stated.
“Through RSECE, I continue to support youth initiatives and encourage entrepreneurship as a tool for nation-building.”
The award serves as a powerful endorsement of Dr. Trader’s leadership, humanitarian values and grassroots impact, particularly among marginalised communities.
His honour, according to observers, stands as a beacon of hope and a call to action for others committed to Nigeria’s collective progress.
National
Talata Mafara Resident Praises Tinubu, Matawalle For Eliminating Bandit Leaders Jijji, Kachallah Sagili
Residents of Talata Mafara Local Government Area in Zamfara State have expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu, Minister of State for Defence Dr Bello Matawalle, National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, and Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa for their roles in the elimination of two notorious bandit leaders
The operation, which targeted Jajji Ɗan Auta and Kachallah Sagili, has been hailed as a significant step towards restoring peace in the troubled region.
Yakubu Ibrahim Mafara, speaking on behalf of the Talata Mafara community, issued a statement on Friday commending the concerted efforts of the Nigerian government and security forces.
“We are very grateful to Matawalle, Tinubu, NSA, and others,” he said, reflecting the community’s relief and optimism following the operation.
The statement underscored the profound impact of the operation on the local population, which has long endured the terror inflicted by bandit groups in Zamfara State.
The operation took place on Thursday in Maikwanugga, a community within Talata Mafara Local Government Area, where security forces, alongside local vigilante groups, conducted targeted patrols along the Mafara axis.
According to the statement, reports indicate that Jijji Ɗan Auta and Kachallah Sagili, both feared bandit leaders responsible for numerous attacks, kidnappings, and extortion in the region, were neutralised during the operation.
” Their deaths have been described as a turning point for the community, which has suffered years of violence and insecurity.
“The killing of Jijji Ɗan Auta has brought relief and fresh air into our community,” Yakubu said, echoing the sentiments of residents who have lived under the shadow of banditry for years.
The operation is seen as a direct response to the escalating violence in Zamfara, where armed groups have terrorised rural communities, disrupted livelihoods, and displaced thousands.
The community’s gratitude reflects growing confidence in the government’s commitment to tackling insecurity in Nigeria’s northwest.
Meanwhile, the operation was a collaborative effort involving the Nigerian military and local vigilantes, who have increasingly played a critical role in intelligence-gathering and community defence.
The patrols in the Mafara axis were part of a broader strategy to dismantle bandit strongholds and restore normalcy to Zamfara, a state that has become a hotspot for banditry and kidnapping in recent years.
“The elimination of Jijji Ɗan Auta and Kachallah Sagili is expected to weaken the operational capacity of bandit groups in the region.”
The Nigerian military has called for stronger collaboration with relevant agencies to ensure proper documentation of individuals entering the country, citing the role of foreign herders in escalating violence in regions like Plateau and Benue States.
Maj.-Gen. Markus Kangye, Director of Defence Media Operations, made the appeal during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
“There are agencies responsible for this, and we need to collaborate effectively,” Kangye said, emphasizing the importance of a joint framework to tackle insecurity.
“Those entering Nigeria must be properly documented and accounted for.”
He said recent attacks by armed herders in Plateau, Benue, and other parts of the country have left dozens dead and displaced thousands, particularly in farming communities.
Kangye revealed that investigations point to foreign herders as the primary perpetrators of these violent attacks, with their distinct speech patterns and physical features setting them apart from local herders.
“The Hausa language spoken in Nigeria differs significantly from that in Mali, the Central African Republic, or Ghana,” he explained.
“When we apprehend these herders and terrorists, their speech and appearance—sometimes even their hair—indicate they are not from Nigeria.”
He noted that the Shuwa Arabs in Borno are the only Nigerian community with some similarities to Sahel-region herders, but even they are distinguishable.
While acknowledging that some Nigerian herders contribute to conflicts by encroaching on farmlands, Kangye stressed that the majority of the violence is driven by foreigners crossing Nigeria’s porous borders.
“The ongoing killings reported in certain areas are primarily committed by individuals who have infiltrated our borders,” he said.