Opinion

REQUIEM FOR THE QUINTESSENTIAL “OMO ISALE EKO” : ALHAJI WASIU ADEGBENRO ANJOUS

Published

16 hours ago

March 21, 2025

Admin

BY BOLAJI AFOLABI

Last week, was the 10th week in 2025. That over two months had gone in quick successions is surprising. For the writer, it was not a pleasant week. Characterized by shocking and fearful developments. A family friend survived a sudden health scare. Two other persons were involved in near-death road mishaps. Two painful deaths. In the early hours of Tuesday, a phone call announcing the death of a friend’s elder brother; Reverend Pius Femi Oladele did not only jolt but elicited moody mode. Questions, puzzles, and posers kept running through my heart; begging for responses. Still in a foul state of pain, and confusion, a late-night message woke me up. Professor Tunde Olusunle of the University of Abuja, who was my former boss at the Office of Public Affairs, The Presidency, broke the news of the death of Alhaji Wasiu Adegbenro Anjous.

The writer’s immediate response was that of doubt, disbelief, and disapproval. Within fast and racy minutes, the message was read numerous times. Why do good people die? Why has death taken Anjous? What may have happened? All night, through the early morning of the next day; being Saturday and usually set aside for long hours of jogging, sleep became scarce and scant. Reminiscences of the last phone call, chats, and messages with Anjous kept re-appearing, and re-echoing in one’s consciousness.

Wasiu Adegbenro Anjous, whom many preferred to call Alhaji, having fulfilled one of the foremost Islamic rights by visiting Mecca very early in life, was a perfect example of peoples man. Given his cosmopolitan upbringing; born and raised in Lagos by parents who were exposed and educated, Anjous was very friendly, extremely accessible, and genuinely loving. He was simple, charismatic, and fair-minded in his dealings and interactions with people. He was a likeable personality, very outgoing, and highly sociable. Though extremely knowledgeable and intelligent, he preferred to remain humble, unassuming, and welcoming during discussions, and exchange of ideas. His sense of humor, candour, and laughter were easily noticeable, and often times disarmingly contagious.

Fate and faith brought Anjous, the writer, and few others in our group together. How? When? Where? After his inauguration on May 29, 1999, at the beginning of the Fourth Republic as Nigeria’s President, Olusegun Obasanjo gave approval to initiatives to deepen public affairs management in the new government. Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, and Prof. Tunde Olusunle; who were presidential adviser; and presidential senior assistant respectively, were said to have been the architects of the presidential benevolence. Obviously concerned and worried about how to accommodate professionals who worked in the media and publicity directorate of the Obasanjo presidential campaign organization; by the way, Ugochukwu and Olusunle were the Director, and Press Secretary respectively, and the urgent need to rejig information management, they both met, canvassed their thoughts, and got approvals thereafter. This led to the mass appointments of many people including those from the Obasanjo’s media and publicity team, and others who benefitted from the gesture that was driven by Ugochukwu and Olusunle’s far-thinking attributes and advocacy.

After being deployed to the office of Olusunle, few of the new “government pikins” including Tumo Ojelabi; Vincent Oyefeso; Ebele Aghaonu; Beatrice Edet; Taiwo Akinyemi, and the writer resumed formally on August 21, 2000; a Monday. Barely a week later, precisely August 29, which was a Tuesday, close to lunch time, a tall, handsome, broad-shouldered man clad in sky blue kaftan and trouser, well-embroidery black/white cap, and matching black sandals walked into the well-light, and air-conditioned office. After exchange of pleasantries, like a ready combatant he declared, “I am Anjous. Oga (Olusunle) told me we have new colleagues, and that is why I’m here. To formally meet with you, and introduce myself. I pray that we will enjoy working together as colleagues.”

Impressed by his simplicity and humility, the newbies took turns to appreciate the “august visitor.” Not done, Anjous ordered snacks and drinks to consummate the new relationship. As a passing shot, he said, “today is my birthday. If you don’t mind I’ll come after office hours for us all to mark the day somewhere in town.” A few hours later, we were at the popular “Tiv Joint” behind the National Library around Area 2, Garki District. We all savoured numbers of neatly spiced and fresh-from-oven chicken with “criminally cold” beverages, and other drinks. One recalls with nostalgia that few of us still did “take away” on the promptings of Anjous. The experience became a regular, and timely fixture for about seven years.

Anjous gave true meaning to friendship and relationship. He was the rallying point of his numerous colleagues; former and present; old and young; female and male. It was almost a taboo to see him walking alone. From resumption to the close of work, the office will always have one or more people with him, or waiting to see him. A completely detribalized Nigerian, he had friends that cut across tribes, ethnicity, and geographical locations. For religion, he was totally, thoroughly, and truly tolerant. Even as a practicing Muslim, Anjous, once in a while participates in morning devotions in the office. He was that good, easy-going, simple and calm. Through him, as new intakes, we knew some staff in The Presidency; within a short time. Though one can’t recall their surnames, it includes Alhaji Bashir; Alhaji Balogun; Akpan; Chukwuma; Hajia Khaltume; Toyin aka Gashi; Jaclyn; Andoor; Ijeoma; Abubakar; Rasheed; Shola; Titi; Isong; Adigun; Yusuf; Morgan; Joshua; Kemi; Vivien; Manasseh; Ade, and numerous others.

Anjous was an experienced civil servant, very versatile with a rich knowledge and understanding of the rules, regulations, ethos, and nuances of the bureaucracy. Described as an encyclopedia of information about the service, he was the go-to person by colleagues and friends who desire to find solutions, and responses to knotty issues, and challenges in their various beats. Given his long years of experiences, and mobility in the civil service, with a massive network of friends across MDAs, Anjous, within the snap of fingers knows who to call for any inquiry, request, and information. For his reliability, delivery, and problem-solving skills, he was an unofficial advisor to some presidential appointees, colleagues, and friends. Having worked in various sensitive and powerful MDAs, and offices; particularly during the IBB and Abacha regimes where he was one of the aides to the late Alhaji Aliyu Mohammed, who was the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, his data base of institutional memories, sequence of events, and other necessary details did not come as a surprise.

One of the major attributes of Anjous is building and nurturing friendship. His guiding principle was, “your friend is my friend.” It is always almost possible to see him in one part of the country or the other; mostly weekends for one social event or other related functions. Given this rare, and enviable attribute, aside Yoruba and English, he could fairly speak or have passing understanding of Hausa, Igbo, and few other languages. One recalls his persistence that “we have to be there for our colleague, and show love to her,” during the traditional wedding ceremony of Ebele; whom he called EB, which took place in Ozobulu, Anambra state, in the last few days of 2002. He did not only attend but dragged two other friends to attend the traditional and marriage solemnization of my friend, and brother, DCM (then SRC) Oladele Femi, in Ilorin sometime in 2001. The writer cannot forget his solidarity, love, and gesture at the wedding ceremonies of two siblings in Kaduna, at different years. How about the writer’s wedding in Lagos, where Anjous did not only attend but also mobilized some of his friends in Abuja and Lagos.

Arguably, the writer was the closest of the “class 2000” to Anjous. Realizing that both shared few attributes; in some ways, it was naturally easy to flow together. That he was interested in anything about the writer was not an over-statement. Unknown to many people, in 2008, he was one of the first-three individuals who broached the idea of publishing to the writer. He was full of ecstasy, and excitement when “Rethinking Nigeria” was formally presented to the public in June 2015. Indeed, in the past four years, as late as January 2025, aware the writer was working on three books, Anjous always sought to know the launch-dates. Back in August 2004, at the Holiday Inn, on the outskirts of Athens, Greece; as part of the Federal Government delegation to the Olympics, facilitated by Olusunle, while savouring lunch, Anjous spoke gently; “Mr. B (his moniker for the writer), I advise you not to stay long in civil service. Your potential and gifting can find better fulfillment outside government bureaucracy.” Years later, after exiting civil service, the writer and Anjous had breakfast together somewhere in Garki, and he stretched his hands, saying, “I congratulate you for the wise, and bold decision.” That is vintage Anjous; no inhibitions, straight from the heart.

Reactions and comments about the sudden and shocking demise of Anjous have been tearful, encouraging, and inspiring. Chief Onyema Ugochukwu, pioneer Chairman, Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) said, “it is unbelievable that we have lost a man that was so committed in all he was doing. He was such a hardworking and dedicated staff member who contributed his quota while at The Presidency.” Olusunle wondered why, “Anjous died at this period of time. He was a very reliable, dutiful, and multi-tasking staff whose knowledge of the civil service proved very useful.” For Chief Dickie Ulu, “what a shame! Anjous dead? Why? What is this? I’m lost for words.” DCM Oladele Femi of the Federal Roads Safety Corps, (FRSC) described him as, “a very friendly, helpful, and humble person. He was very open, and a peaceful man.” Ojelabi, a retired Director in the federal civil service, and one of the “class 2000” reasoned that, “only God gives and takes when He wills. Anjous touched many lives, he positively impacted on the lives of people. He was a friend to all, with no form or shade of discrimination.” Ebele, a serving Federal Director, and former colleague of Alhaji quipped, “it is unbelievable that he is dead. Somebody who was always full of life, accessible, and committed to friendship….it is a sad development.” Yes, we are hurting and grieving. Perhaps, the timeless words of departed legends may be trite at this moment. Abraham Lincoln said, “in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count…it’s the life in your years,” and Irving Berlin added that, “the song is ended, but the melody lingers on.”

Indeed, Anjous’ life was a gift to us; his family, friends, and colleagues and we all will not only carry his sweet memories with us forever but ensuring that we sustain his service to mankind wherever we are, and in any way possible. Though we weep, we wail, we mourn but we cannot forget his good virtues, and death may have taken his body, but the love we all shared with him remains paramount.

Adieu, man of the people!
Adieu, the original “Omo Isale Eko!!!!

BOLAJI AFOLABI, a Development Communications specialist was with the Office of Public Affairs, The Presidency, Abuja.

Opinion

In pursuit of 70% broadband penetration

Published

2 days ago

March 19, 2025

ADMIN

By Sonny Aragba-Akpore

Despite the rising depletion of data used by subscribers,the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) says there is nothing to worry about.

It has however asked network operators to audit their networks to have an understanding about what is really wrong.
While subscribers groan over the data depletion and the associated poor services,the NCC claimed that broadband penetration peaked at 45% in January 2025.
NCC said that in January 2025, figures showed Nigeria’s broadband penetration stood at 45.61%, with a surge in internet usage driven by rising demand for digital services, though infrastructure and costs remain challenges.

This is still below the 70 % mark, despite a surge in data usage.
The NCC reports that mobile internet subscriptions stood at 141.67 million, while broadband subscriptions were 98.88 million in January 2025.

Internet usage has seen a significant increase, reaching an all-time high of 1,000,930 terabytes in January 2025.
This surge is driven by increased reliance on digital services like video streaming, social media, remote work, and fintech innovations.

The rise is stifled by Poor infrastructure and high phone and internet costs as major issues, according to Global System of Mobile Communications Association (GSMA).
Only about 29 percent of Nigerians (about 58 million) use the internet regularly.
What this means is that attaining 70% broadband penetration by 2025 is a pipe dream especially taking into consideration infrastructure deficit and poor network penetration leading to just 29% internet connectivity.
The Federal Government sought to address the country’s significant broadband penetration gap by implementing the National Broadband Plan (NBP 2020-2025).
The NBP aims to achieve a broadband penetration target of 70% and population coverage of 90% by 2025.

The Nigerian Broadband Alliance for Nigeria (NBAN) initiative brings together government agencies, private sector leaders, non-profits, and civil society to accelerate broadband penetration in Nigeria.
The NCC is driving this and supporting high-speed broadband connectivity through various initiatives.

These include licensing InfraCos, licensing 2.3GHz spectrum for wholesale wireless last-mile services, and streamlining regulatory processes.
But the Infracos initiative remains in the box despite huge financial incentives to actualise it.
In 2020 when the NCC initiated the National Broadband Plan (NBP)a 25-man committee, headed by Ms. Funke Opeke, Managing Director/CEO of Main One Cable Company Limited, was inaugurated to coordinate the development of the new National Broadband Plan.

The plan was focused on recommendations in four critical pillars: Infrastructure, Policy, Demand Drivers, and Funding & Incentives.
The plan was officially launched by Dr. Isa Ali Pantami, Nigeria’s Minister for Communication and Digital Economy, in March 2020 at that time.

The plan was to ensure that the price of 1GB of data was not more than N390 (2% of median income or 1% of minimum wage).

The NBP 2020-2025 aimed to increase broadband penetration to 70% and ensure 90% of the population had access to affordable and reliable internet, with data speeds of at least 25Mbps in urban areas and 10Mbps in rural areas.

The goal was to boost broadband penetration from its coverage of 37.8% in 2020 to over 70% within five years(2025).
Its aim was to ensure that at least 90% of Nigeria’s population had access to affordable and reliable broadband.
The plan aimed to deliver data download speeds of at least 25Mbps in urban areas and 10Mbps in rural areas.

Despite the crisis of trying to actualise the 70% broadband penetration by 2025 ,government launched the Nigerian Broadband Alliance in February 2025 but acknowledged the problems.

“Many of the networks remain underutilised. In numerous parts of the country, the capacity of existing fibre infrastructure far exceeds the demand. This is primarily due to a lack of access to necessary infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas, compounded by significant barriers to broadband adoption.

“These barriers include limited access to devices, lack of awareness, inadequate digital literacy, cumbersome regulatory processes, and power supply challenges. This underutilisation of existing infrastructure hinders our digital transformation and also negatively impacts the return on investment. This creates a vicious cycle—one that we must break in order to realise the full potential of broadband and its contribution to our digital economy.”
In his keynote address, Dr. ‘Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation & Digital Economy, who was represented at the event by Dr. Aminu Maina, Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC), said, “Despite our collective goals of achieving 70 per cent broadband penetration by 2025; Delivering minimum data speeds of 25 Mbps in urban areas and 10 Mbps in rural areas; Expanding population coverage to 80 per cent by 2027; Increasing broadband investments by 300–500 per cent by 2027, including the growing availability of fibre networks, Nigeria faces an unfortunate paradox.

The National Broadband Alliance for Nigeria (NBAN) initiative brought together government agencies, private sector leaders, non-profits, and civil society to accelerate broadband penetration in Nigeria. It aims to transform broadband into a catalyst for socio-economic development by aggregating demand across key sectors including educational institutions, healthcare facilities, religious centres, and markets.

The event was attended by representatives of the private and public sector agencies including Dr. Vincent Olatunji, National Commissioner/CEO, Nigeria Data Protection Commission (NDPC); Prof. Ibrahim Adeyanju, MD/CEO, Galaxy Backbone Limited; Jane Egerton-Idehen, MD/CEO, Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT); and Tola Odeyemi, Postmaster General/CEO, Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST).
There were 37.2 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants in Europe in 2024, the highest figure among global regions. The Americas recorded the second-highest broadband penetration rate at 26.6 subscriptions, while the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States) region had 25.3.

Meanwhile, Africa continues to lag far behind, with less than one fixed subscription per 100 people. Fixed wireless access (FWA) technology has been highlighted as a potential solution to Africa’s lack of fixed infrastructure, allowing the delivery of high-speed internet without the need for fixed networks.
As of 2023, Africa had the lowest Broadband Penetration Rate globally, averaging around 28% [World Bank]. However, several countries, including South Africa (70%) and Morocco (52%), boast higher rates than Nigeria [DataReportal, April 2024].

European nations generally enjoy much higher Broadband Penetration Rates. Leading countries include Iceland (99.8%), Finland (98.4%), and Denmark (98.2%) [Speedtest Global Index, 2024].
North America: North American countries like Canada (94.2%) and the United States (93.7%) have exceptionally high Broadband Penetration Rates according to Speedtest Global Index, 2024.

Opinion

Emergency Rule: How so called leaders led Fubara into a bottomless pit

Published

3 days ago

March 19, 2025

Admin

By Emmanuel Agaji

On Tuesday, President Bola Tinubu vividly and clearly displayed rare leadership qualities as he ended the unnecessary display of naked murder of democracy in Rivers State.

The president after several interventions to make a now former Governor Siminalayi Fubara to see reason had to use the big stick to trouble shoot the poor state of things in Rivers State.

He politely reminded Fubara of how he bulldozed a democratic structure (Rivers Assembly Complex) and 14 months after the structure remained untouched, the lawmakers were not paid one dime.

Quoting all the relevant portions of the Supreme Court verdict on Rivers headache, Tinubu had no choice than to do what most presidents consider a last option.

Giving Mr President a clearer view about what to do was the action of the militants last Monday night when they set a major pipeline on fire.

Barely 24hours after, precisely on Tuesday, another pipeline was punctured by same militants who had boasted to destroy oil installations immediately after Supreme Court verdict.

Asari Dokuboh a big beneficiary of Tinubu’s legacy for so many years was one of the first to threaten to demolish oil installations and even one strand of hair was not touched in his head.

Tinubu being a true democrat patiently watched as the events unfold as so many videos of hooded militants real or fake trended on social media networks threatening to turn Rivers into a massive inferno.

Mr President felt undaunted and kept his cool still watching the trend until Monday night that they touched his very sensitive nerve by destroying a major pipeline.

The so called leaders that Fubara swore an allegiance with continue to spur him that he has their backing.

Like a drunken sailor, Fubara followed his leaders and even after the Supreme Court verdicts that tied him from head to toe he continued to follow them sheepishly.

Last Tuesday, they met with Mr President and sought for an amicable resolution of the Fubara imbroglio but less than one week after oil installations were attacked.

The leaders instead of creating avenues for reconciliatory talks with the lawmakers and their well known leader stoked the fire to high heavens.

They called Nyesom Wike names that are unprintable and even sent a memo to Mr President all in a bid to discredit him.

These so called leaders were not there when Wike single handedly delivered their Ijaw brother instead he was tagged a hater of Ijaw Nation.

Wike’s polite response must have taken them unawares when he reminded them that if it’s true he hated the Ijaw people how come he made their son Fubara a governor?

Till date, even till tomorrow, the question is still begging for an answer as the leaders have no ready made answer to it till eternity.

The leaders gave him hope where there was no hope and led him into a bottomless pit.

Fubara was a nobody in Rivers politics, Wike made him somebody.

Clothed and bathed Fubara with hyssop to make him adorable, even his Ijaw kinsmen rejected him but against all odds Wike delivered him.

Wike never knew Fubara was a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Emmanuel Agaji, a public affairs analyst wrote from Port Harcourt in Rivers State.

Opinion

ABDULSALAMI, WIKE AND JUNE 13

Published

1 week ago

March 14, 2025

ADMIN

By Tunde Olusunle

Since Nigeria’s last military ruler, Abdulsalami Abubakar handed over the reins of power to a democratically elected government on May 29, 1999, his visage has undergone very remarkable transmutation. Abubakar, a four-star General, handed over to a more senior colleague, Olusegun Obasanjo, who previously led Nigeria as military Head of State, between February 1976 and October 1979. Abubakar, hitherto known for his clean-shaved chin characteristic of the martial vocation, has since worn a luxuriant grey beard. He had a long and successful career in the military which spanned 36 years. The first three years of his military stewardship were spent in the Nigerian Airforce. This was before he switched over to the Nigerian Army in 1966. Every morning in the course of his remarkable career, he stood before the mirror in his bathroom to give himself that smooth, clean face. Rare exemptions from this norm in the armed forces were small numbers, more specifically from the Nigerian Navy. Perhaps because they regularly have to be on the waters and seas, they had something of an exemption from the age old tradition of clean chins in the military trade.

Onetime military governor of the old Niger State who would subsequently become Chief of Naval Staff, Admiral Murtala Nyako, was the first military officer I noticed spotting a beard. Subsequently, Emmanuel Olu Omotehinwa, a Rear Admiral, (of blessed memory); Jubril Ayinla, a Vice Admiral, and Amadi Ikwechegh, a Commodore, were other officers whose profiles were defined by their well-kept beards. It would seem Abdulsalami Abubakar was in a great hurry to transmute into a new brand, in retirement. He really coveted a change of looks. Barely had he quit the political stage therefore, than he emerged with his now characteristic brand new grey look. In nearly 26 years now, Abubakar has settled into farming, which seems to be the pastime of many former military leaders. Obasanjo blazed the trail with his famous *Otta Farms,* back in the early 1980s. Nyako earned the alias *Baba Mai Mangoro,* (father and farmer of mango on an industrial scale), on account of his humongous investment in agriculture back home in Adamawa State.

Africa is one continent where the allure of political power has culminated in the transmutation of many leaders into sit-tight despots. Abdulsalami Abubakar won global plaudits for pursuing and delivering transition to democracy within a relatively short period of 11 months. He had promised the world at the United Nations General Assembly, (UNGA) in September 1998, that he was a man of his words. He decidedly therefore, differed from the rhetoric of one of his predecessors who popularised the duplicitous refrain: *This administration will not stay a day longer in office than necessary.* Abubakar delivered to global adulation, with hopes that Nigeria with its enormous human and natural capital, could provide the desired leadership to unlock the potentials of Africa. Nigeria previously exhibited aspects of its capacity and capability when it almost singlehandedly funded and led a 10-nation multinational military force between 1990 and 1999, to restore peace and democracy in Liberia and Sierra Leone. It was the first ever such Africa-initiated and driven military coalition, which was largely successful.

Abdulsalami Abubakar thereafter, became the toast of the world. He has chaired the Commonwealth Observer Group for Zimbabwe’s parliamentary election; served as Special Envoy of the United Nations Secretary-General to the Republic of Congo, and led the Carter Centre delegation for the monitoring of the Zambian national elections. Abubakar has functioned as President of the African Strategic and Peace Research Group; as Economic Community of West African States, (ECOWAS); Facilitator/Mediator for the Liberian Peace Talks, and Special Envoy of the Chairman of the African Union, (AU) to Chad and Sudan. He has been the Commonwealth Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Gambia; Member of the AU High-Level Implementation Panel on Sudan, (AUHIP), and is presently working for the AU on negotiations in Sudan.

In August 2023, Abubakar, now a renowned statesman, led the ECOWAS delegation put in place by Nigeria’s President, Bola Tinubu, to intervene in the political crisis in neighbouring Niger Republic. Within weeks of his inauguration as Nigerian President, Tinubu was entrusted with the leadership of the regional body and the Nigerien crisis was the first test of his problem-solving capability. The Abdulsalami Abubakar team engaged with Nigerien putschists, who toppled the democratic government hitherto led by President Mohammed Bazoum, in Niger Republic, in consonance with its mandate at the time. Accompanied by the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, himself a retired Brigadier-General, Abubakar’s group held bouts and bouts of meetings in Niamey, with the coup leader and former head of the presidential guards, Abdourahamane Tchiani, to no avail. Such has been the ever growing international stature of Abdulsalami Abubakar.

Back home, Abdulsalami Abubakar continues to avail Nigeria his time and aggregate experience in various ways. He chairs the National Peace Committee, (NPC), which is principally committed to the peaceful conduct of elections. The NPC routinely brings together political gladiators to a common table, admonishing them to commit to eschewing rancour and violence, during the electoral process. He is the Chancellor and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of *PAMO University of Medical Sciences,* located in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. He has continued to receive honours and accolades from various agencies and institutions. On October 15, 2016 for instance, the Abeokuta-based *Crescent University,* honoured him with a doctorate in Public Administration. Such is the manner of ascendancy Abdulsalami Abubakar’s stock has continued to elicit.

Back in October 2021, I had written about the tragic inferno which consumed the *Ebeano Mall,* a one-stop shop for residents of the districts abutting its location in Abuja. It was widely adopted as the indigenous variant of *Shoprite,* in districts contiguous with its location. The wholesale destruction was ascribed to the mischief of a little girl shopper who reportedly lit a match stick and threw it in a section of the huge store, where explosive products were kept. This culminated in a huge fire and bomb-like blasts. This subsequently brought *Ebeano Supermarket* down and has remained bothersome to me, given the magnitude of this private investment. I was listening to the radio in my car one of those days as I drove around trying to clear a mental block. I heard that that same edifice which was razed to rubble during that unfortunate incident, had indeed reinvented itself like the Sphinx! Out of curiosity, I decided to course through the Apo/Gudu/Gaduwa/Lokogoma conjoined districts in Abuja, so I could see with my own eyes the magical resurrection of the supermarket.

As I drove, my eyes caught this huge billboard on the road linking Gudu market with the *Ebeano* end of the road. It is a single lane which I was told was built by the proprietor of *Ebeano Supermarket,* in exercise of corporate social responsibility. Uncovered concrete drainages, run on both sides of the road. Sand silts in the drains were being evacuated as I moved and patchwork on failed sections of the road by direct labour was in progress. The billboard I saw announced that the shop was indeed back. The gridlock at the Lokogoma end of the road meant commuters could only snail along. I looked at the same signboard again and observed that the road we were plying, is named *Abdulsalami Abubakar Road* after all! I read the board a second time and was reminded that it is indeed the geographical memorabilia assigned to the name of the former Head of State.

As you drive around Nigeria’s capital Abuja, names of prominent Nigerians, Africans and global figures reverberate from signages across the city. They rejig your sense of history and geography as they beam from street and road markers. The Ahmadu Bellos, Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsis, Yakubu Gowons, Obafemi Awolowos, Murtala Mohammeds, Olusegun Obasanjos, TY Danjumas, Shehu Shagaris, Alex Ekwuemes, Muhammadu Buharis, Ibrahim Babangidas, Ebitu Ukiwes, Sani Abachas, Atiku Abubakars, Umaru Yar’Aduas, Goodluck Jonathans, Bola Tinubus, Oladipo Diyas, Mike Akhigbes, breathe from major roads and monuments. The Nelson Mandelas, Sam Nujomas, Robert Mugabes, Jimmy Carters, Bill Clintons, Margaret Thatchers, Andrew Youngs, Jesse Jacksons and similar global figures are immortalised by the affixing of their names to reputable landmarks.

Abdulsalami Abubakar was one of the dignitaries who attended the public launch of Babangida’s memoir, *A Journey in Service* last February. Babangida used the opportunity to clarify his role in the contentious annulment of the *June 12, 1993 presidential election* won by Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola, under his regime. This has continued to generate robust conversations, especially against the backdrop that Babangida put the blame squarely at the doorstep of Sani Abacha, his Chief of Defence Staff and Minister of Defence who is not with us to state his side of the saga. Abacha torpedoed the *Interim National Government, (ING),* which Babangida hurriedly put together as he scurried off in retirement to his home state, Niger. General Abdulsalami Abubakar turns 83 on *Friday June 13, 2025.* For his uncommon integrity in fulfilling his promise to berth democracy timeously in Nigeria, for his continuing service and commitment to Nigeria and the world at large, a road named after him in Abuja, the capital city of his country deserves a planned face-lift.

With the approach of *Abdulsalami Abubakar’s 83rd birthday on Friday June 13, 2025,* Nyesom Wike the Minister for the Federal Capital Territory, (FCT), needs to “bake” a very befitting “cake” to commemorate the event. Abubakar midwifed the uninterrupted democracy we have savoured in nearly 26 years now, much as the citizenry have been successively shortchanged by various regimes. Wike will do well to visit, assess and energise the professional and proper development of the subsisting backwater road, which is presently festooned with the name of Abdulsalami Abubakar. Let’s give honour to whom honour is due. Let’s
acknowledge this unobtrusive patriot now that he is very much with us. This is the most appropriate time he he will appreciate such an honour. We need to act expeditiously. We needn’t dither until the grey- bearded, soft-spoken old soldier goes the way of our forebears.

*Tunde Olusunle, PhD, Fellow of the Association of Nigerian Authors, (FANA), is an Adjunct Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Abuja.*