Lagos-Ibadan railway route to generate N1.1bn annually by Kariola Mustapha

The Federal Government will be raking in about N1.1bn yearly from the operations of the newly launched Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge railways. This is based on the analysis of data obtained from the Nigeria Railway Cooperation by our correspondent on Tuesday. At the moment, the Nigerian Railway Corporation operates two trains on the route, and each of them makes one return trip. This makes it four trips daily. One of the trains is a diesel multiple units. It has two motor cars and eight coaches. The breakdown of the coaches is one first-class coach, two business class coaches and five standard class coaches. The train takes off from Ibadan to Lagos and returns to Ibadan the same day. The second train is made up of three business classes and five standard classes. It takes off from Lagos to Ibadan and returns to Lagos the same day. For the first train with eight coaches and a return trip to Ibadan, it is expected to make a total of N3,524,000 daily. Findings show that a passenger on the first-class section which has just one coach and 24 pays N6,000 per seat. Multiplied by the number of seats and the return trip, the first class coach is expected to fetch corporation a total of N288,000 daily. The business class has two compartments of 56 seats and 68 seats. The price for each seat is N5,000 and N3,500 respectively. If each of the compartments is filled up per trip, it will fetch total of N560,000 and N467,000 for a return trip respectively. This sums to a total of N1,036,000 daily. The standard class has five coaches, each carrying 88 passengers. At the rates of N2,500, it will be generating the sum of N2.2m daily. Following the same structure, the second train with its three business classes and five standard classes is expected to generate N3,712,000 daily on its return trips. The NRC customer care correspondent confirmed that it works six days weekly, adding the corporation was considering Sunday services beginning from this week. Given the current six-day reality, it is expected that the Federal Government will be generating about N1,103,200,000 yearly from the operations of the two trains available on the newly inaugurated routes. The Lagos-Ibadan train only has one stop at Abeokuta. Our correspondent gathered that other stops such as Agege, Ijoko, Kajola, Omi-Adio would be opening shortly. PUNCH.

How I stabbed Super TV CEO to death, 21-year-old UNILAG student speaks by Kayode Oyero

A 21-year-old undergraduate of the University of Lagos, Chidinma Ojukwu, has narrated how she stabbed the Chief Executive Officer of Super TV, Usifo Ataga, to death in the Lekki area of Lagos State. She spoke at the Lagos State Police Command headquarters in Ikeja on Thursday after she was paraded as a suspect by the state Commissioner of Police, Hakeem Odumosu. Odumosu said Ojukwu was arrested at her parents’ residence in the Yaba area of the state on Wednesday night. Ojukwu, a 300-level student of Mass Communication, said she had been in a romantic relationship with 50-year-old Ataga for about four months before the ugly incident occurred on June 15, 2021, at a Short Service Apartment, situated at No 19, Adewale Oshin Street, Lekki, Phase 1, Lagos. The undergraduate said she and Ataga were “having fun” when an argument broke out and she stabbed him twice. A remorseful Ojukwu said, “We were in the lodge smoking. He was trying to make advances on me. I was tired and he became violent on it. I let him have his way. Towards afternoon, he ordered roofies. We took it together and ate food. He became high. I was still not happy with the first one (sex) that we had, so, I was staying on my own, smoking and drinking. He, too, was on his own. “He came to me and I was like I am not happy with what he did. I was like, ‘You don’t help me, you don’t assist me with anything, you are just playing with me around’. He was like, ‘Take my ATM and withdraw what you want’.” The undergraduate, ashamed, couldn’t look directly into the camera, as she said, “He later became violent trying to get to me and I was resisting and defending myself. At some point, he hit my head on the wall and I also retaliated. “At some point, he was chasing me around the kitchen cabinet. I took a knife and stabbed his neck. I approached the door and he followed me. I stabbed him twice on the neck side. I threw the knife to the bed and he was going for it but I also went for it. He dragged the knife with me and it broke and he fell on the floor.” The undergraduate also disclosed that after stabbing the late CEO, she withdrew N380,000 from his account using his ATM card. While the owner of the rented apartment where the tragic incident took place had been arrested, Odumosu said Ataga’s accounts had been blocked to prevent further withdrawals by those taking advantage of his untimely death to deplete the accounts. Odumosu added that investigation is ongoing, adding that “the case will be charged to court as soon as investigation is concluded”.

Twitter suspension lawful – FG Agency Reporter

The Federal Government has said that its decision to suspend the activities of Twitter is well founded in law and it has not breach the citizens’ rights by so doing. The Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed made this known in a presentation to the House of Representatives Joint Committee on the Suspension of Twitter in Nigeria. A copy of the paper presented to the Committee by the minister at the National Assembly on Tuesday was made available to the News Agency of Nigeria. In the presentation, the minister contended that Twitter activity in the country is in violation of public interest and negate some provisions of Terrorism Act as well as Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA). The minister said Twitter suspension is in line with national and international laws which give Nigeria the power to regulate its cyber space and give all necessary orders designating any computer system, network or application as forming part of its national infrastructure. Mohammed, a lawyer, contended the freedom of expression guaranteed in Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution is not absolute. He explained that Section 49 of the same Constitution permits restrictions of civil liberties in the public interest stressing,“public Interest takes precedent over individual interest’’. “The operations of Twitter in the Nigerian social space is not legally permissible when it is used in airing of information that endangers the life and security of the majority of citizens of Nigeria. “This is in light of the fact that the platform affords IPOB, an organisation already proscribed by the Federal High Court, to champion its seditious and terrorist based activities “The principles of law are clear on the exercise of personal human rights in the face of national security threats which affects the larger citizen,’’ he said. The minister also argued that the federal government is empowered to take all reasonable steps to defend its cyber space where it perceives or finds that a Cyber-crime, is threatened to be committed or has been committed. He said both national and international statutes empower the federal government to regulate and promote the security of the Nigerian cyber space, including but not limited to organisation and user’s assets. “Organisation and ​user’s assets include connected computing devices, personnel, infrastructure, applications, services and telecommunications systems. “It also included the totality of transmitted and/or stored ​information within the Nigerian cyber-Space/environment including social media such as Twitter, Facebook…, applications, internet platforms, and cloud computing platforms,’’ he said. Mohammed stressed that where a seditious act has been committed against the Federal Government through the Cyber Space the perpetrators shall be liable. The minister noted that the rights to freedom of expression on the Twitter platform is qualified by the provisions of sections 5(1) and (2) of the Terrorism Act of 2011. He said the sections provide that any person who directly or indirectly solicit or render support for commission of an act of terrorism commits an offence liable on conviction to not less than 20 years. “This include incitement to commit a terrorist act through the internet or any electronic means or through the use of printed materials or through the dissemination of terrorist information”. Mohammed said the operation of Twitter as business entity in Nigeria without fulfilling the conditions precedent by registering with the Corporate Affairs Commission is illegal. He said CAMA, the primary law governing businesses in Nigeria provides that a foreign company must take necessary steps to obtain incorporation as a separate entity before engaging in any business. “Until so incorporated, the foreign company shall not carry on business in Nigeria or exercise any powers of a registered company as provides in Section 78 (1) of CAMA, 2020. “Hence, flowing from this background a foreign Company as Twitter cannot be clothed with the legitimate rights to operate as a company registered in Nigeria, as they are not licensed accordingly,’’ he said. The minister said that the State Security Services (SSS) which provided the lawful basis for the suspension of Twitter acted in line with its power of prevention and detection of any crime against the internal security of Nigeria. He reiterated government position to the committee that the ban on the operation of the micro blogging platform, Twitter, is in the interest of the country. NAN reports that the Federal Government on June 4 suspended indefinitely, the operations of the micro-blogging and social networking service, Twitter in Nigeria. Mohammed who announced the suspension cited the persistent use of the platform for activities capable of undermining Nigeria’s corporate existence. He said the Federal Government had also directed the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) to immediately commence the process of licensing all Over the Top (OTT) and social media operations in the country. Following the outcry that greeted the suspension by a section of Nigerians the House of Representatives had referred the case to the joint committee which in turn summoned the minister for interrogation. (NAN)

Zambia’s Kenneth Kaunda was the last of Africa’s ‘philosopher kings’ by Nic Cheeseman Sishuwa Sishuwa

Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia’s “founding father” and first president, has died in a military hospital in Lusaka where he was being treated for pneumonia. Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia’s “founding father” and first president, has died in a military hospital in Lusaka where he was being treated for pneumonia. Aged 97, he was the last of the generation of leaders who secured independence for their countries from colonial rule and went on to govern through their own distinctive political and economic philosophies. Like the continent’s other “philosopher kings” — Ghana’s Kwame Nkrumah, Kenya’s Jomo Kenyatta, Tanzania’s Julius Nyerere, Senegal’s Leopold Senghor — Kaunda’s vision for Zambia’s post-colonial future left a profound imprint on society that lasted well beyond his time in power. He will be remembered variously as a freedom fighter who supported liberation struggles across Southern Africa, a nation-builder who avoided divide-and-rule politics, a bad economist who presided over decades of decline, a repressive leader who enforced an unpopular one-party state and an elder statesman who peacefully accepted defeat having lost the 1991 general elections. He was all of these things, embodying both strengths and weaknesses, successes and failures. Yet above all, he is likely to be remembered, against the backdrop of his often corrupt and repressive successors, as a man who was ultimately willing to put the national interest ahead of his own. The rise to power Kaunda, popularly known as KK, was born in Chinsali to parents who were teachers; and, significantly, to a father who came from what is now Malawi. This gave Kaunda a distinctive position in Zambian political life. On the one hand he hailed from an area dominated by the Bemba and spoke the Bemba language, and so could effectively mobilise one of the country’s largest ethnic groups. On the other hand, his mixed heritage encouraged him to stay above ethnic politicking and to seek to balance the representation of different groups in his cabinet. Having initially followed in his parents’ footsteps as a teacher, Kaunda resigned in 1951 to become the organising secretary of the Northern Rhodesian ANC in the Northern Province. In time, he became disillusioned with the moderate stance of ANC leader Harry Nkumbula and quit in 1958 to set up the rival Zambian (ZANC). This new political vehicle, which argued for rapid decolonisation, was quickly shut down by the colonial government, and Kaunda was imprisoned for nine months. Upon his release, and with a reputation bolstered by the time that he had spent in jail, Kaunda took up the leadership of the United National Independence Party, which had been formed while he was in detention. By pushing a more radical message and developing a strong structure in urban areas along the line of rail, UNIP quickly eclipsed the ANC and so it was Kaunda who emerged as the country’s first Prime Minister and then President following independence in 1964. In power, Kaunda sought to strike a delicate balance by not offending the country’s powerful trade unions — which frequently demanded improvements in pay and conditions — international donors, who wanted to see a reduction in government spending, its religious leaders who exerted a strong influence over Zambian hearts and minds, and the country’s different ethnic groups, each of which feared being outmanoeuvred by the others. The multiple compromises this resulted in are well demonstrated by his professed ideology, Zambian humanism, which was leftwing without being explicitly socialist, focused on the struggle for human progress without being “godless”, and was community minded while rejecting the principle of tribalism. This was not simply a political manoeuvre — Kaunda really did believe in these things, and was in many ways more of a moderate than his counterparts elsewhere on the continent. Yet, in consistently trying to balance these competing pressures, Kaunda risked pleasing no one. He failed to make the country less dependent on copper, but this didn’t stop damaging trade union strikes. Meanwhile, leaders from the Bemba rejected his efforts at ethnic balancing, complaining that they had not been sufficiently rewarded for the prominent role that they played in securing independence. As economic conditions worsened, the greatest threat to UNIP was not defeat by the ANC, but rather that a group of Kaunda’s supposed allies would break away to challenge his rule. When his long-time friend and former vice-president, Simon Kapwepwe, left to form the United Progressive Party (UPP), Kaunda realised that a UPP/ANC alliance might defeat UNIP, and so began proceedings to introduce a one-party state in 1972. Freedom fighter Kaunda officially justified the one-party state on the basis that it was necessary because the country was at war. This was self-serving, because the real motivation was domestic not international, but it contained an element of truth. Kaunda had offered support to liberation movements in Southern Africa, offering fierce criticism to foreign leaders who supported white minority rule such as Britain’s Margaret Thatcher, and so feared attacks from apartheid South Africa. Zambia also suffered in other ways. When sanctions were placed on Ian Smith’s Rhodesia, it cut off landlocked Zambia from important trading routes, making a challenging economic situation even more difficult. Initially Kaunda and UNIP’s legitimacy as nationalist heroes allowed them to ride this out but, as the economy continued to suffer, popular support ebbed away and the government was increasingly forced to use repression instead of cooptation and persuasion. Some dissidents were beaten and locked up,others fled the country. By the late 1980s, Kaunda had run out of ideas, UNIP’s official structures were little more than a fiction, and the one-party state was on borrowed time. A leader reborn This is the point at which most incumbent leaders agreed to reintroduce multiparty politics only to use violence, censorship, and intimidation to manipulate the polls and stay in power. But Kaunda took a different path, and in so doing revived his reputation. UNIP tried to manipulate the elections but without the repression seen in places such as Kenya and Togo. The result was a landslide defeat, after which Kaunda gracefully accepted defeat and congratulated his successor. That act allows Zambians to remember KK as a leader who twice put the national interest before his own — in the 1960s and in the 1990s. The relatively poor performance of the leaders who succeeded him only served to boost his political rehabilitation. His immediate replacement, Frederick Chiluba, stole hundreds of millions of dollars and tried to use the fact that Kaunda had Malawian ancestry to claim he was not really Zambian and bar him from contesting the 1996 general election. Viewed against the backdrop of current President Edgar Lungu, who stands accused of dividing the country while mishandling the economy and rigging elections, Kaunda’s record appears to be considerably more impressive. The memory of Kaunda as a nation-builder will also be sustained by the contrast between his manner and the brash style of the contemporary political class. Despite being a national liberation hero, Kaunda never lost his human touch. We interviewed him and saw at first hand his modest lifestyle and lack of pretension. It was a reminder of a less cynical and more idealistic time when leaders were not assumed to be corrupt, arrogant and flashy. As some of those who have taken to social media to share their thoughts on his death have pointed out, it was characteristic of Kaunda that at a time when so many of Africa’s elite fly to the United States or India for medical treatment, he was treated and died in a Zambian hospital. When Zambians observe 21 days of national mourning, they will not just be grieving for KK, but also for a lost era of hope, national pride and human dignity.

Baba Buhari: Benign bullying or battering? (1) By John Ekundayo

“The national interest is predetermined by geopolitics or the history of a country. Important political leaders never just followed their interests – they were concerned about the interests of their people.” – Joseph Nye, Harvard University, emeritus professor of political science Universally, and in Nigeria’s context, the family is headed by a father. It is almost in our lexicon both in the north and south, to refer to the number one person in the family as Baba. In the context of this column, ab initio, Nigeria is viewed with a metaphoric lens depicting it as a particular large and extended family comprising so many children with Baba as the head of the house. The house has felt the absence of the father for some time with many underlying cases that need attention on the table. However, Baba, in his own perspective, seemingly has competent and capable aides to put the house in order. Hence, nobody should sound to be an alarmist as there is nothing to worry about since he was getting adequate and regular feedback from these spokespersons. Alas, the children of the house seemingly exasperated cried out to hear, see and feel their Baba probably his fatherly disposition laced with empathy will sooth their pain and angst! To the majority of them who thought they knew their Baba in and out, they are in sync with the thought of Malcolm X who opined: “You’re not to be so blind with patriotism that you can’t face reality. Wrong is wrong, no matter who does it or says it.” In essence, the Baba they know will call a spade a spade thereby putting the house in order otherwise the house might turn into a “house of commotion”! Baba, finally appears! The long-awaited time has come! The household was packed with expectations. However, rather than Baba emphatically listening to the whole house, it was seemingly like vouching and rooting for one section of the big family held together by multicultural, multiethnic and multireligious ties. Afterall, it was John F. Kennedy, former USA President, that stated that “the rights of every man are diminished when the rights of one man are threatened.” It was the rational thinking of some brothers within the family that Baba will adjudicate fairly and build trust and confidence in the clan again. It was obvious to the others within the family that Baba’s prejudice or predisposition, at whatever cost, for her preferred son is to be dignified by the others whether they like it or not. Objectivity was thrown to the winds with Baba’s obsession for his beloved son who has virtually wronged most members of the clan with impunity. Baba’s Interviews and Backlash This allegory or metaphor depicted above captured Baba Buhari’s interviews, both on Arise Television and NTA. Most Nigerians were jolted to reality and the interviews seemingly did more damage within the polity rather than healing hurts and providing succour for some Nigerians who have suffered losses as a result of banditry and criminal herdsmen’s horrendous acts. It is imperative that the confidants and close friends of the president let him know this. This is my perception as an informed follower within the polity. Without mincing words, the interviews seemingly bully or batter the psychic of many citizens across the country, albeit benignly! It is high time that someone very close to Baba summoned enough courage to let him know the genuine feelers and feedback at the grassroots regarding the true state of the country regarding open grazing and devolution of powers otherwise referred to as restructuring. The southern states governors, aftermath of Baba’s interviews, have vowed not to rescind their stand and stake (11th May Asaba Declaration) especially on ban on open grazing as it is in tune with the 1999 Constitution. How do we get out of this conundrum? Baba Buhari should be fatherly in content, conduct and context to keep the filial bond intact. Bullying and Battering Baba Buhari as the head of the family need not be reminded that the safety and security of his household is paramount as one of his onerous duties and no one member should be threatened whether within or without as it is presently happening almost on a daily basis. Is Baba aware that there are foreign herders who foment friction and fights resulting in loss of limbs and lives all over the country incessantly? The interviews, seemingly made Nigerians to decipher Baba Buhari’s heart for open grazing referring to an archaic and antiquated gazelle of the first republic (later found to be published in 1964 under the laws of the northern region unknown to the 1999 constitution). This is seemingly like bullying the governors of the southern states to submission as the president has spoken! It is on record that the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and Governor of Kano State, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, consented to the communique of the southern governors on ban on open grazing. Benue State already has a law banning open grazing even at the threat to Governor Ortom’s life! In addition, with cacophonies of calls for secession, this is the best time to rejig and rethink restructuring as enshrined in the APC manifesto. Can APC as a party deny this? Finally, in the NTA’s interview, Baba gave a tacit nod to devolution of power referring agitators to approach the National Assembly on the constitution amendment. However, there are about 200 bills, according to the Punch newspaper publication of 30th March 2021 awaiting the president’s assent! Can Baba be trusted that any proposed amendment will be signed into law before this regime expires on 29th May 2023 especially as per electoral matters, fiscal federalism, devolution of power, etc. Conclusion Conclusively, the feelers as expressed by many citizens including elder statesmen (Edwin Clark, Wole Soyinka, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Olu Adebanjo, etc.) aftermath of Baba Buhari’s interviews, are nothing to cheer about. Moreover, the implication for his party, APC, is also dire as 2023 beckons! He should know that he is not the president of the north. The President and his men in the corridor of power should wake up to reality. Succinctly stated, the north of 2015 and 2019 is not the same as that of 2021! Baba is not also the president of the Fulanis even though in the words of the noble laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, Baba Buhari, is their patron. In the words of Soyinka, it is high time he told the herdsmen their business should be done with decency depicting the present age and not apparently endangering citizens’ lives. In his interview with BBC, the noble laureate stated that he could no longer live in his beloved house as the herdsmen found the place so alluring for unrestricted grazing. What has the government done to this? Any hope for myriads of ordinary citizens in Benue, Kaduna, Zamfara, Oyo, etc. who, or their loved ones, have been killed, kidnapped, raped by rabid herdsmen; had their houses razed and farmlands rampaged? It is instructive to point out that trust is a currency needed by leaders to engage with followers in a dynamic influential relationship in order to ensure accomplishing mutual outcomes. Dare one say that this trust is waning across some sections of the country? Baba Buhari, as the father of this house, called Nigeria, should be reminded of the words of Aristotle: “It is not enough to win a war; it is more important to organize the peace.” Time is ticking! A stitch in time saves nine!! Nigeria needs a pathway of peace to progress!!! Dr. Ekundayo, J. M. O., can be reached via 08155262360 (SMS only) and drjmoekundayo@hotmail.com

THREAT TO ATTACK DELTA: Dein of Agbor visits Presidency to express concern By Emma Amaize

His Majesty, the Dein of Agbor Kingdom, Delta State, has stormed the Presidency in Abuja to lodge his concerns over the warning by unidentified Fulani Jihadists to cause mayhem at Agbor and Asaba, the state capital, over Governor Ifeanyi Okowa’s strong support for the ban against open grazing of cattle ratified by Governors of the 17 Southern States. The Agbor monarch confirmed to Vanguard, yesterday, that he met weekend, with the Chief of Staff to the President, Prof Ibrahim Gambari to discuss the threat, general insecurity in the country, and proffer solutions. Dein of Agbor, who just returned from overseas, is expected to continue with further consultation on the way out with Governor Okowa, who he said “has been an amazing example of humility, wisdom and fortitude as he continues to pilot the affairs of Delta.” He was very appreciative of the early support and prayers already received from the new, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Chief Patrick Ukah. The Chief of Staff, disturbed by the threats by faceless Jihadists, as narrated by the monarch, called for understanding and support by all so that the hydra-headed issue of insecurity facing the country could be addressed once and for all. He, however, expressed his strong confidence in the capacity of the President to find a lasting solution to the insecurity situation in the country; and assured the monarch that the Delta State situation, and particularly that of Agbor, were not being taken lightly. Both front-runners shared their thoughts on the many possible ways of tackling the insecurity situation, and agreed that there was urgent need to bring all stakeholders together for a peaceful and meaningful dialogue. Professor Gambari assured His Majesty that he would continue to contribute his quota in the Presidency by doing the job expected of him. He also assured him that he would continue to preach and promote peaceful co-existence among all the sub-national parts of the country, as well as implore leaders at that level to collectively take measures to restore law and order in their states, as well as the safety of citizens and visitors. They agreed that lessening the fear, tension and uncertainties in the country are crucial, as it will afford the Federal Government the much desired environment to seek for lasting solution to the worrying state of insecurity. They discussed other issues of concern in the country, including the state of the economy and social infrastructure. ALSO READ: COVID 19: Nigeria receives $1m equipment from Saudi Arabia However, they agreed that for government to make significant impact in the economy, there was need to restore confidence that Nigeria is still safe to do business in. While thanking the Chief of Staff for his unalloyed patriotism to Mr. President and the country, HM stressed “the need for all citizens to join hands towards the reduction of tension and uncertainties that pervade the nation.” “I thank the elders, men, women and youths of Agbor as well as the various tribes and people that have made Agbor their home, including the Hausa and Fulani communities for showing such restraint, trust and confidence in him in the face of the threat. I enjoin you all to continue to support him in the rebuilding of Nigeria.” The Dein also expressed gratitude also to the DSS, Commissioner of Police, Delta state, Ari Mohammed Ali, Divisional Police Officer, DPO, Agbor, Rex and especially Ime Udofia whom he referred to as an exceptional Area Commander “for his stern but peaceful approach to the security situation under his command.” Vanguard News Nigeria

Moghalu charges Ndigbo to look beyond Buhari, explains why secession will fail By Lawrence Njoku (Enugu) and Ibrahim Obansa (Lokoja)

Anambra guber aspirant bemoans leadership disconnect from citizens A former presidential candidate, Prof. Kingsley Moghalu has charged Ndigbo to look beyond the President Muhammadu Buhari administration and plan towards repositioning the South East region beyond his era.

Insisting that the Buhari government would end in the next 23 months, he also stated that the current secession agitation might not succeed now due to several constitutional, international and other extraneous factors. Moghalu, who spoke on What Do The Igbo Want at the inauguration ceremony of the Igbonine Socio-Cultural Organisation in Enugu yesterday, insisted that although Ndigbo were committed to an indivisible Nigeria, time was ripe for the rest of the country to prove their commitment to a country anchored on equity, fairness and justice. Lamenting the situation of the Igbo since the end of the civil war, he stated that while the region had survived economically, Moghalu, who had declared his intention to run for the 2023 presidential election, said it had become difficult for the South East to survive politically, due to the psychological impact of defeat in the civil war. He said the situation had brought several choices on the people of the region including constitutional restructuring to true federalism with significant autonomy for regional or state governments, demand for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction, secession (Biafra) and allowing the status quo to remain. Moghalu, who is a former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), argued that although restructuring was inevitable for Nigeria to survive, President Buhari’s public opposition to it would make it difficult to be realised during his time in office. On a Nigerian president of Igbo extraction, Moghalu stated that it was essential to stabilise the country and secure full reconciliation after the Nigeria civil war, regretting that the option was, however, under attack from some forces outside the South East region. He also decried the situation in which the two major political parties in the country-the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) were not committed to allowing a president from the South East region. IN a related development, Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Dr. George Moghalu, yesterday, declared that one of the major challenges to the development and advancement in the country was the disconnect between government and the people. Moghalu, who is a governorship aspirant in the November 6, 2021, Anambra State gubernatorial election, disclosed this in Lokoja, Kogi State, while addressing journalists, maintaining that his mission was to restore the people’s confidence in governance through good leadership. “So, my mission mainly, is to restore confidence, restore the people’s confidence in government before infrastructure development.” The people will be willing to work with the government once their confidence is restored. It is about engagement. “When people see the honesty, commitment and dedication of their leaders, there is no way they won’t listen to the government. Insecurity, insurgence and other challenges will also attract my immediate concern,” he said. On his chances in the APC governorship primaries, he said: “I have offered myself and I know I have what it takes. I believe strongly that power belongs to God and he gives it to whosoever He pleases at His own time. I’m confident that by the grace of God, I will make it.”