No fewer than 450,000 Nigerians have applied for Federal Government jobs, The PUNCH has learnt.

In January 2025, the Federal Government, through the Federal Civil Service Commission, announced the commencement of recruitment into various positions within the Federal Civil Service.

A newspaper advertorial signed by the Director of Recruitment and Appointment, Ogaba Ede, listed over 70 vacant positions.

Some of the listed positions include: Administrative Officer, Planning Officer, Programme Analyst, Procurement Officer, Senior Computer Engineer, Dentist/Dental Officer, Population Programme Officer, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Education Officer, and Senior Youth Development Officer.

Other positions are: Fisheries Officer, Animal Health and Technologists, Sports Officer, State Counsel, Nursing Officer, Radiographer, Higher Technical Officer, Dietician, Dental Therapist, Assistant Education Officer, Auditor, Cultural Officer, Printing Officer, Tourism Officer and Senior Instructor.

Also on the list of positions are Psychologist, Biomedical Engineer, Surveyor, Aerodrome Engineer, Computer Engineer, Geologist, Programme Analyst, Statistician, and Foreign Affairs Officer.

A statement by the Head of Press and Public Relations at the FCSC, Taiwo Hassan, disclosed that only eligible Nigerians could apply for the available positions through the commission’s official recruitment portal.

The application deadline, initially set for March 10, was later extended to March 17, 2025.

During the registration process, many applicants lamented difficulties in accessing the recruitment portal.

Providing an update on the exercise, a senior commission official who was not authorised to speak publicly told our correspondent that the number of vacancies was fewer than 10,000.

The official added that shortlisted candidates would soon be contacted to write a Computer-Based Test in their respective states.

“Over 450,000 applied for the last recruitment exercise. We have fewer than 10,000 vacancies.

“Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Anyone who does not receive a message didn’t make the shortlist.

“They will soon start to receive messages. The shortlisted candidates will sit for a CBT examination, which will be conducted in their various states.

“There will be no rescheduling. Candidates will see their results immediately after completing the exams,” the official said.

When contacted, the FCSC spokesperson said the commission would release information on the recruitment exercise in due course.

“We will make the information on the recruitment exercise available to the public soon,” he said.

Punch

It was a bloody weekend in parts of Benue State, following the killing of over 46 persons by rampaging armed herdsmen in two separate attacks on communities in Apa and Gwer West Local Government areas of the state.

This came as no fewer than 15 persons also lost their lives, and closed to 200 houses completely razed in a communal clash between the people of Mbakine and Ojumole, also in Gwer East Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered from an eyewitness that the crisis in Apa started Sunday afternoon, when armed herders invaded Ijaha Ibele Ochekwu, in Apa council, killing two persons and injuring several others.

The source said: “After that incident, people fled for their lives and, when they thought it was all over about 5p.m., the herders launched a full scale attack on Edikwu Ankpali community.

“They shot and killed the defenceless people including women and children who were running for their lives. The attack was totally unprovoked.

“As we speak, 28 bodies have been recovered from the scenes of the attacks and many persons have been moved to hospitals for medical attention.”

Similarly, the marauders also stormed Tse Antswam community in Naka, the headquarters of neighbouring Gwer West council Sunday about 7p.m., shooting at everything in sight.

It was gathered that the attack in the area which is home to thousands of Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, in thecouncil created pandemonium in the entire Local Government Headquarters.

According an eyewitness, that attack which lasted about two hours claimed over 18 lives and while many have been declared missing and several others battling for their lives after sustained severe injuries.

Chairman of the Gwer West Traditional Council, Daniel Abomtse, who lamented the persistent attacks on his subjects by armed herders said that the armed men came in a guerrilla style and attacked Tse Antswam.

According to him, “As I am talking to you now, 18 corpses have been recovered and many people sustained varying degree of injuries.

“In fact, the way some people were butchered, I doubt if they will survive. Search is still on because many ran into the bushes with gun wounds and some also entered the well to escape the herdsmen.”

The monarch said that the community attacked was opposite a military check point on Naka-Makurdi road.

Meanwhile, 15 deaths were recorded in a bloody communal clash between the people of Mbakine and Ojumole in Gwer East LGA.

According to an eyewitness, the crisis which started as a minor quarrel between two youths at a market place on Friday, escalated, weekend, claiming 15 live and leading to the burning down of over 200 houses in the Ojumole community.
It was gathered that the waring parties who were Igede and Tiv speaking people of Gwer East had lived together in peace for over 100 years before the weekend.

Confirming the development, Igede Youth Leader, Andyson Egbodo, who expressed shock at the level of destruction and number of casualties in the crisis said: “We are shocked about what happened.

“The incident happened in Gwer East between Ojumole and Mbakine communities in the LGA. In that LGA, the Akpacha Council Ward is an Igede speaking community and they have all been living peaceful like brothers and sisters with their Tiv neighbours for over 100 years without any crisis. That is why everyone is shock about what happened which started as a minor disagreement, it was uncalled for.

“It all started on Friday and escalated to Saturday. The entire of Ojumole was burnt down, 15 persons were killed including women and children.

“Thank God for people like the Gwer East Local Government Council Chairman who has been in touch with us, the Assembly member and the House of Representatives member, who have all moved quickly to stem the crisis.

“Already, a meeting has been called at Aliade, the council headquarters to seek peaceful resolution of the crisis.”

Confirming the attacks in Gwer West and Apa LGAs, the Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet said: “Tactical teams have been deployed and already on ground and are on top of the situation. I will get back to you after getting further and accurate information please.”

Vanguard

The Federal Government has declared Friday, June 6, and Monday, June 9, 2025, as public holidays to mark the Eid-ul-Adha (Eid-el-Kabir) celebration.

This announcement was made by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, in a statement released on Monday through the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani.

The minister extended warm congratulations to Muslims in Nigeria and around the world, urging them to reflect on the values of sacrifice and faith as demonstrated by Prophet Ibrahim (Peace be upon Him).

He also encouraged Muslims to use the festive period to pray for peace, unity, and prosperity in Nigeria.

Tunji-Ojo reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to people-centered reforms under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, aimed at putting Nigeria back on the path of progress and development.

He called on all Nigerians to support the administration’s efforts in building a stronger, more united, and prosperous nation.

Three people reported killed and dozens wounded near aid site in Gaza, medics say

Israeli fire killed at least three Palestinians and wounded dozens of others near an aid distribution site operated by the U.S.-based Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, local health authorities said on Monday.

The Israeli military said it was aware of reports of casualties and the incident was being thoroughly looked into.

It said in a statement that troops operating overnight in Rafah, which is under full Israeli military control, in the southern Gaza Strip, had fired warning shots "to prevent several suspects approaching them", adding the incident took place about 1 km (0.6 miles) away from the aid distribution site.

The GHF, a private group sponsored by the United States and endorsed by Israel, said there had been no fatalities or injuries at its distribution site or the surrounding area.

Reuters could not independently verify what took place.

The reported incident was the latest in a series underscoring the volatile security situation that has complicated aid delivery to Gaza, following the easing last month of an almost three-month Israeli blockade.

On Sunday, Palestinian and international officials said at least 31 people were killed and dozens wounded near the same site, one of four operated by the GHF in Rafah.

U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said on Monday he was appalled by reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza on Sunday, and called for an independent investigation.

The Israeli military denied firing at people gathering to collect aid, and the GHF said Sunday's distribution was carried out without incident, describing reports of deaths as fabricated by Hamas.

In a separate statement, the Israeli military said that in the past day its forces expanded ground operations in the Gaza Strip, killed gunmen, and dismantled weapons storage facilities and military infrastructure above and under the ground.

Meanwhile, the Gaza health ministry said Israeli strikes across the enclave had killed 51 people and wounded 500 others in the past 24 hours. Local health authorities said at least 16 of those were killed at a house in Jabalia, in northern Gaza, earlier on Monday.

RISK OF FAMINE

The GHF said Monday's deliveries raised the number of meals it has distributed since it began operations to nearly 6 million.

The United Nations has said most of Gaza's 2 million population is at risk of famine after an 11-week Israeli blockade on aid entering the strip.

The GHF launched its first distribution sites last week and said it would launch more.

Its aid plan, which bypasses traditional aid groups, has come under fierce criticism from the U.N. and humanitarian organisations, which say the GHF does not follow humanitarian principles.

The Palestinian NGOs Network urged a boycott of what it called the "U.S.-Israeli aid mechanism" in protest over the killings on Sunday.

At Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, relatives of Hussam Wafi, a 37-year-old father-of-six, who was killed near the aid site on Sunday, arrived to pay their last respects before burial. Wafi's brother Ali said the victims were driven by hunger.

“The U.S. and Israel, what do they tell us? Go and get your food and water, and the aid. When the aid arrives, they hit us. Is this fair?" Wafi told Reuters.

"They were going peacefully, they were killed. They went to get food and water for their children, to get a can of hummus or fava beans, a box or whatever is available, and they got shot, they died,” Wafi's neighbour, Abu Youssef, told Reuters.

CEASEFIRE TALKS TO RESUME

Israel and Hamas, meanwhile, traded blame for the faltering of a new Arab and U.S. mediation bid to secure a temporary ceasefire and the release of Israeli hostages held in Gaza by Hamas, in exchange for Palestinians in Israeli jails.

On Monday, a Palestinian official close to the mediation effort said Hamas leaders were in constant contact with Egyptian and Qatari mediators in Cairo and Doha.

Israel says it accepts a temporary truce to release hostages, but that war can only end once Hamas is driven out of Gaza.

Israel began its offensive in Gaza in response to the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 people, mostly civilians, according to Israeli tallies, and saw 251 taken as hostages into Gaza.

Israel's campaign has devastated much of Gaza, killing more than 54,000 Palestinians and destroying most buildings. Much of the population now lives in shelters in makeshift camps.

Reuters

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Russian and Ukrainian chief negotiators held secret private meeting

Vladimir Medinsky, the head of Russia’s diplomatic delegation at the Istanbul talks, held a private bilateral meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Rustem Umerov, which played an “important role” in preparing the general session of negotiations on Monday.

The second round of direct talks between Moscow and Kiev concluded on Monday after more than an hour. Prior to the formal session, Medinsky and Umerov held an unannounced meeting that helped facilitate the broader negotiations.

“There was a meeting. It played an important role in the preparation of the general session,”Medinsky told reporters, without offering further details. A source who requested anonymity told RT that the private conversation lasted around two and a half hours.

During the talks in Istanbul, both sides exchanged memorandums outlining their respective proposals for resolving the conflict. Kiev’s delegation took Russia’s draft document for review and is expected to issue a formal response at a later date, Medinsky said following the session.

The two sides also agreed to their largest prisoner-of-war exchange to date, according to Medinsky. The swap will involve all sick and severely wounded POWs, as well as all prisoners under the age of 25, and “will include at least 1,000 people from each side, possibly more,”the presidential aide noted.

In addition, Moscow will unilaterally return the remains of 6,000 Ukrainian service members to Kiev next week to allow for a proper “Christian burial,” he added. Russia has also proposed a multi-day ceasefire in several frontline areas to facilitate the recovery of fallen soldiers’ bodies and prevent potential disease outbreaks as temperatures rise with the onset of summer.

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Ukrainian strikes cut power to Russian-held areas, officials say

Ukrainian shelling and drone attacks triggered power cuts over swathes of Russian-controlled territory in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions in the south of Ukraine, Russia-installed officials said early on Tuesday.

Officials said there was no effect on operations at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station - Europe's largest nuclear facility which was seized by Russia in the weeks after Moscow's February 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Russian officials running the plant said radiation levels were normal at the facility, which operates in shutdown mode and produces no power at the moment.

Russia-installed governors in the two regions said the Ukrainian attacks prompted authorities to introduce emergency measures and switch key sites to reserve power sources.

Power was knocked out to all parts of Zaporizhzhia under Russian control, Russia-installed Governor Yevgeny Belitsky wrote on Telegram.

"As a result of shelling by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, high-voltage equipment was damaged in the northwestern part of the Zaporizhzhia region," Belitsky wrote.

"There is no electricity throughout the region. The Energy Ministry of Zaporizhzhia region has been instructed to develop reserve sources of power. Health care sites have been transferred to reserve power sources."

In adjacent Kherson region, farther west, Russia-appointed Governor Vladimir Saldo said debris from fallen drones had damaged two substations, knocking out power to more than 100,000 residents of 150 towns and villages in Russian-held areas. Emergency crews working to restore power quickly, he said.

For many long months in the winter, it was Ukrainian towns and villages that endured repeated electricity cuts as Russian attacks focused strikes on generating capacity.

Each side has repeatedly accused the other of launching attacks on the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant and running the risk of a nuclear accident.

The U.N. nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said last week in response to a Ukrainian complaint that it saw no sign that Russia was preparing to restart the Zaporizhzhia plant and connect it to the Russian grid.

The IAEA has stationed monitors permanently at Zaporizhzhia and Ukraine's other nuclear power stations.

As President Bola Tinubu marks his second year in office—having assumed power in 2023—his anniversary speech paints a picture of progress and optimism. However, a critical examination of his administration’s policies and their impact on Nigerians reveals a stark contrast between his words and the daily realities of 2025.

Economic Woes

The President’s address highlighted accomplishments such as a narrowed fiscal deficit, increased revenue generation, and an improved tax-to-GDP ratio. Yet these gains have failed to translate into better living standards for ordinary Nigerians.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), inflation stood at 28.5% in January 2025, with food inflation climbing to 32.1%. This has severely eroded purchasing power, making it difficult for many Nigerians to afford basic necessities.

The Naira has also depreciated significantly—by over 60% against the US dollar since early 2023. As of February 2025, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) pegged the official exchange rate at ₦800 to the dollar, while parallel market rates were notably higher. This gap has made access to foreign exchange difficult for businesses, leading to shortages of imported machinery and exacerbating inflationary pressures.

Poverty and Insecurity

Despite the President’s claims of progress, poverty and insecurity remain widespread. The World Bank projects that 42% of Nigerians—over 92 million people—will live in poverty in 2025. This grim reality starkly contrasts with the administration’s narrative of economic progress.

Security has also deteriorated. Banditry, kidnapping, and terrorism continue to plague large parts of the country. According to the Global Terrorism Index, Nigeria ranked 12th out of 163 countries in 2024 in terms of terrorist impact. Kidnappings have surged, leaving many citizens in constant fear.

When the Tinubu administration assumed office on May 29, 2023, it pledged to tackle insecurity swiftly. However, by September 2024, a report by Beacon Consulting documented a disturbing rise in violence: 13,346 people killed and 9,207 abducted.

Despite allocating a staggering ₦6.11 trillion in the 2025 budget to address insecurity, results have been minimal. The situation has worsened, especially in Plateau and Benue states, which remain among the hardest hit. Armed groups operate with impunity, and the military—once a symbol of national strength—now struggles to contain the crisis. Alarming reports suggest sabotage from within, with allegations of insurgents acquiring weapons from military sources.

At this point, for the government to give itself high marks is not only insensitive—it’s dangerous. Many citizens have abandoned their farms, forests lie deserted, and daily survival is uncertain. A government that cannot be honest with itself has already failed its first test—and cannot hope to find meaningful solutions.

Disconnection from Reality

The President’s speech reflects a troubling disconnect from the lived experiences of ordinary Nigerians. The narrative of progress and achievement does not align with the widespread struggle for food, healthcare, and education. The government’s repeated self-appraisal—claiming success while ignoring widespread hardship—underscores this disconnect.

Meanwhile, actions by the administration seem more focused on consolidating power than serving the people. The coercion of political figures and the destabilization of opposition parties undermine democratic institutions and erode public trust.

Insincere Promises

While the President promises a brighter future, the evidence on the ground suggests otherwise. Policy choices so far have deepened poverty, and survival has become a daily challenge for many Nigerians. A United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report shows a decline in Nigeria’s Human Development Index (HDI), a key measure of national well-being.

How can a family of five survive when a bag of rice costs ₦65,000, while their combined income is meager? The President’s talk of growth sounds hollow to the millions who can’t afford three meals a day and must trek long distances to work.

The NBS reports Nigeria’s unemployment rate at 35% in Q4 2024, leaving many without access to decent work or a pathway out of poverty.

A Call to Action

Now is the time for bold, concrete actions—not just lofty promises. The President’s speech should serve not only as a reflection but as a call to tangible reform.

To address the economic crisis, the government must prioritize policies that encourage economic diversification, foster a business-friendly environment, and invest in human capital. This includes promoting agriculture to boost food security, supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through access to finance and training, and reforming regulatory frameworks to attract investment.

To tackle insecurity, the government should focus on strengthening security institutions through better training, equipment, and morale, while improving intelligence capabilities. Root causes such as poverty, unemployment, and social inequality must also be addressed.

Conclusion

President Tinubu’s second-year speech may have sounded hopeful—but Nigerians are living a different story. The gap between policy rhetoric and reality is wide and painful. Nigerians are enduring hardship, economic distress, and growing insecurity. It is time for leadership to rise to the moment—not with words, but with action. Anything less is a betrayal of the trust Nigerians placed in this government.

** Dayo DaSilva, a media professional and newspaper publisher, wrote from Abeokuta, Ogun State.

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We have taken note of recent public statements made by Ms. Hadiza Bala Usman, the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), who was removed from office. In her comments, she accused BUA Group and our Chairman, Abdul Samad Rabiu, of breaching a concession agreement and distorting facts. These claims were made in response to our Chairman’s interview and article, “Two Years of President Tinubu: A Business Perspective” (watch at https://bit.ly/pbatbua), which celebrated Nigeria’s reform trajectory and referenced prior instances of arbitrary disruptions to business operations, without naming anyone – a situation that has now been curtailed by President Tinubu’s no-nonsense approach to bringing sanity and stability to the business environment in Nigeria.

Ordinarily, we would not engage, but the distortions in her response necessitate this factual clarification, especially as they relate to her actions during her tenure as MD of the NPA.

THE CONTRACT AND WHAT SHE OMITTED

BUA entered into a valid long lease agreement in 2006 with the NPA to rehabilitate and operate Terminal B at Rivers Port in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Long before Ms. Usman’s appointment, BUA had begun formal engagement with the NPA to address outstanding remedial works and infrastructural deficiencies. These discussions were near conclusion when she assumed office.

Rather than build on that process, Ms. Usman ignored BUA’s requests and obligations under the agreement. In 2016, BUA wrote to the NPA under Article 8.4 of the lease, mandating concessionaires to report environmental and safety concerns and to seek approval for remedial works. Rather than act constructively, Ms. Usman used that letter as a pretext to issue a termination notice and summarily shut down the terminal, without providing any prior warning, consultation, or invoking the dispute resolution clause.

She forgot or failed to disclose in her response that the NPA, under her leadership, was itself in material breach of core obligations including failing to hand over critical portions of the port, leaving derelict iron ore on the berths, failing to dredge or repair quay walls, and neglecting to provide mandatory security. These lapses were significant impediments to BUA’s operations and, as a result, led to disputes between the parties.

ILLEGALITY, CONTEMPT, AND DISREGARD FOR CONTRACTUAL MECHANISMS

After the unlawful termination, BUA approached the Federal High Court, which promptly granted an injunction restraining the NPA from proceeding with termination. The NPA itself then referred the dispute to arbitration, as stipulated in Section 17.3 of the agreement, which clearly states:

“Any dispute, controversy or claim… shall be exclusively and finally settled pursuant to the dispute resolution process prescribed in this Article.”

Despite this, Ms. Usman, against the advice of her agency, unilaterally decommissioned the berths, thereby violating both the agreement and a court injunction. To be clear, the concession agreement granted her no such power to decommission. If she believes otherwise, we invite her to publicly cite the specific clause that authorizes this action.

To further compound the illegality, BUA—after providing the guarantees and indemnities requested by the NPA—was permitted to resume operations briefly. Merely three weeks later, the terminal was again shut down, this time by Ms. Usman’s instruction. This left no doubt that her actions were motivated not by due process, but by personal animosity and abuse of office.

BUA subsequently filed contempt proceedings and was looking at estimated losses in excess of $10 million. These proceedings were only withdrawn out of respect for national interest and following the intervention of well-meaning Nigerians within and outside the government.

PRESIDENT BUHARI WAS NOT MISINFORMED—HE ACTED ON FACTS AND LAW

Ms. Usman’s claim that former President Muhammadu Buhari was “misinformed” when he reversed her actions is false, disrespectful, and disingenuous.

Following a meeting that our Chairman had the privilege of holding with Buhari in 2018, he presented the matter to the President, who then directed the Office of the Attorney General of the Federation to conduct a thorough legal review and investigate the situation. The AGF invited all parties, including Ms. Usman, to several meetings. We never saw her at any of them. Nevertheless, the AGF proceeded to undertake a comprehensive review of the contract, the litigation, the arbitration clause, and all correspondence and actions by BUA and NPA. The legal advice (attached herewith) found that the termination was unlawful, the decommissioning was without any legal basis, and that BUA’s rights should be reinstated. It was on this basis that Buhari ordered the reversal of her unlawful actions. His intervention preserved the sanctity of the contract, saved over 4,000 jobs, and BUA’s $500 million integrated investment cluster involving flour, pasta, and sugar processing facilities which were all dependent on terminal access. For this, we remain deeply grateful to former President Buhari.

As our Chairman said in his interview, imagine if he wasn’t privileged to have access. Nonetheless, this culture of impunity has been significantly curtailed under President Tinubu’s leadership, as many are aware they could be dismissed or imprisoned if they abuse their positions.

POST-HADIZA: DUE PROCESS RESTORED, INVESTMENT RESUMED

Following Ms. Usman’s removal from office, the NPA, under new leadership, implemented the AGF’s position. In 2022, BUA was granted formal approval to resume reconstruction works. The contract was awarded to TREVI, and BUA has since invested over $65 million—entirely self-funded and with no recourse to public funds or subsidies. Work is ongoing and completion is expected in the first quarter of 2026.

THE REAL DANGER: INVESTOR CONFIDENCE AND RULE OF LAW

We must state clearly that this matter goes beyond BUA. Had Ms. Usman’s actions been allowed to stand, it would have sent a disastrous signal that contracts in Nigeria are worthless, court orders are optional, and public institutions or individuals can act unilaterally without consequence. We must never return to that era. Nigeria’s reform success today is rooted in respecting contracts, due process, and investor confidence—principles being restored under President Tinubu’s administration, under which BUA has committed over $1 billion in new investments across energy, food processing, manufacturing, infrastructure and social interventions.

We wish to emphasise that Ms. Usman is entitled to her opinions, irrespective of how distorted they may be. However, she is not entitled to distort the facts or rewrite history. We do not seek a public spat and would like her to concentrate on fulfilling her duties in her new role under the strong leadership of President Tinubu. We therefore simply restate the facts that Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman had no authority to decommission Terminal B unilaterally. She also acted in defiance of a court injunction and contractual procedure and her actions caused significant economic loss of over USD10 million, reputational risk to BUA, and investor concern for Nigeria.

Our core message remains the same: public office should be viewed as a position of trust rather than a platform for personal biases. Those granted public power need to resist the temptation to let prejudice, ego, and vendetta influence their actions.

If Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman believes she acted lawfully, we challenge her to cite the specific clause or clauses that guided her unlawful actions. If not, let the facts remain where they belong — in the public record.

In its latest statement, entitled: “Flouting Contractual Obligations, Defying Court Orders and Disregarding Arbitration: The Facts Behind Hadiza Bala Usman’s Abuse of Office as NPA MD,” the BUA Group accused the former Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) of disobeying court orders and violating the terms of the agreement with the company. Again, this statement peddles half-truths and outright falsehoods.

The first point to note is that contrary to the company Chairman’s claim in his article that “One day, we woke up to a letter stating that the concession had been revoked…there was no warning, no issue, no conflict,” Ms Bala Usman has provided evidence that the BUA received a series of default notices and warnings before the notice of termination was served on the company. This clearly shows that the Chairman lied when he said, “…There is no issue, no warning and no conflict.”

Instead of apologising to the public and to Ms Usman for the false statement he made, his organisation brought forth another statement brandishing a new set of lies and misleading information regarding their breach of contractual obligation to the NPA.

BUA’s latest statement claimed that the NPA failed in its obligation but the Authority was not required to rebuild the berths. On the contrary, this was part of the concessionaires’ obligations.

It is also curious that the company’s claim to lack security did not prevent it and all other concessionaires from making full commercial use of the facility at any time.

The claim that the Authority disobeyed the order of the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, which granted an injunction to BUA, is also untrue!

The NPA obeyed the court order and allowed BUA access and continued use of the facility from January 2018, when BUA secured the injunction, until June 2019, when it was decommissioned due to safety concerns raised by the company itself.

In the 18 months between January 2018, when the company secured the court injunction and June 2019, BUA berthed 117 vessels comprising liquid and dry bulk cargos. This data refutes the claim that the NPA flouted court orders.

The total number of vessels BUA berthed also indicates that it made full commercial use of the terminal despite the poor quay walls and low draft.

However, on 16 May 2019, BUA Ports and Terminals Limited wrote to the NPA informing it that the “jetty is in a state of total dilapidation and urgent need of repair or reconstruction…. The company further stated in the letter that “our engineers have advised us that the jetty is liable to collapse at any moment…”

Upon receiving this letter, the former Managing Director sought the advice of the Engineering Department of the NPA.

The Department advised her office that the situation described in BUA’s letter raised serious safety concerns. It went further to recommend that the Authority should decommission the jetty pending the submission and approval of the reconstruction details. We took this action to prevent accidents, especially since any incident would affect the adjoining quays and facilities of other concessionaires.

The NPA has a duty to ensure the safety of lives and properties on its facilities, and this was what it did with the decommissioning of the jetty based on the professional advice of the Engineering Department.

Contrary to BUA’s claim that the former MD, “against the advice of her agency, unilaterally decommissioned the berths…,” at no point did the management take any decision without the advice of the relevant department. For the records, even the termination notice issued to the company emanated from recommendations of the Legal Department of the NPA.

Ms Bala Usman also reiterates that BUA’s access to former President Muhammadu Buhari and his subsequent intervention was based on the manipulation of facts and misinformation. How do you factually justify the continued refusal to comply with a contractual obligation which was due to commence in 90 days for 10 years?

It is also false that the NPA did not attend the mediation meetings called by the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice. Staffers of the Legal Department of the Authority represented the Authority at the meeting.

It is interesting to note that BUA states with pride that it commenced a contractual obligation it was required to fulfil in 2006, in 2022, which is 16 years after the obligation was due!

For the records, the NPA diligently pursued the arbitration process (which it initiated despite the delay by BUA) with BUA at every material time. It is, therefore, unfortunate that the company would accuse this same management of disregarding the process.

The foregoing facts impugn BUA’s serial attempts to mislead the public and present itself as a victim in the media, while in reality, it operates with the air of a conglomerate that considers itself above the laws of the land.

Ms Hadiza Bala Usman’s tenure as managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) was driven solely by a commitment to Nigeria’s best interests. Guided by this principle, she insisted on the strict enforcement of all contractual agreements — standards to which she and her management team held the NPA itself accountable.

The actions of an organisation that blatantly refused to honour its obligations while exploiting access to higher authorities reflect the impunity with which many Big Companies operate in Nigeria. Such conduct not only undermines the rule of law but also reeks of vindictiveness — an attempt to smear the reputation of individuals who serve the nation with integrity and diligence.

** Niran Adedokun is the media and communications adviser to Ms Hadiza Bala Usman.

Growing up, kids always called me “scary.” Not because I was intimidating, but because I was too anxious to do a lot of things they did, especially hard things. I admit, it’s a big reason why I still don’t know how to swim at the age of 25.
I still feel terrible about dropping my hobby of playing the viola because learning sheet music was difficult. Especially because embracing challenges in life can make you successful and may be what ultimately fulfills you most, according to Lisa Su, CEO of $190 billion chipmaker Advanced Micro Devices.
The best piece of career advice she ever received was to “run towards the hardest problems,” Su, 55, said during a commencement speech at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on May 10. “That’s where you find the biggest opportunities, where you learn the most, where you set yourself apart, and most importantly, where you grow.”
The advice, which came from IBM executive John Kelly, is what drew her to AMD, Su said. “When I joined, it was clear the company had a mixed track record. But I saw the potential, the people, the vision and the opportunity to help lead a company that mattered. ... It was actually my dream job.”
“Hard problems stretch you. They demand focus, creativity and determination. ... They give you confidence, they give you growth and they give you impact,” she added. “When you choose the hardest challenges, you choose the fastest path to growth and the greatest chance to make a difference.”
Su doesn’t advocate pursuing something solely because it’s hard. Instead, look for opportunities to learn new skills that interest you and allow you to “make an impact,” she said.
I had a mentor give me similar advice in college and in my early career. It’s why I changed my major at the end of my junior year, even though graduating on time while taking all my necessary course work would be difficult. (I did it, though!) 
It’s why I moved across the country by myself to chase my journalism dreams — and why I raised my hand to host a TV show last year though I had no hosting experience. (I did that too! Stream CNBC’s “Millennial Money” on Peacock!)
Some of the most rewarding accomplishments in my life have come from embracing challenges and doing the hard things. I don’t think I’d be nearly as successful had I not pushed past my risk-averse nature.

Your turn: What hard problem will you take on?

CNBC

The pan-Yoruba socio-political organization, Afenifere, has issued a scathing midterm assessment of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, declaring that his government has "woefully failed Nigerians," turning the promised "Renewed Hope" into a "nightmare of regressing hopelessness and despair."

In a strongly worded press release signed by its leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and National Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye, Afenifere accused the Tinubu administration of "economic deforms," reckless policies, and a lack of empathy for ordinary citizens suffering under worsening living conditions.

Key Condemnations in Afenifere’s Report

1. Economic Collapse – The report highlights a drastic decline in Nigeria’s GDP, which the IMF projects will crash to $188.27 billion in 2025, down from $363.8 billion under Buhari and $574 billion during Jonathan’s tenure. Over 7 million businesses have reportedly shut down since 2023.

2. Debt Explosion – Despite subsidy removal and naira devaluation, Nigeria’s public debt has surged by over N100 trillion in two years, from N87.91 trillion in 2023 to a projected N187.79 trillion in 2025. In dollar terms, debt rose from $108.23 billion to $142.47 billion.

3. Poverty Catastrophe – The World Bank estimates poverty has risen from 38.9% in 2023 to 54%, with 133 million Nigerians now living in poverty. GDP per capita has collapsed from $3,222 in 2014 to a mere $806 in 2025, with 33 million facing starvation.

4. Housing Crisis – About 30 million Nigerians are homeless, while 108 million live in substandard housing. The government’s plan to build 20,000 houses annually is deemed grossly inadequate for a population growing by 6 million per year.

5. Profligate Governance – Despite economic hardship, the government has refused to cut costs, instead increasing spending on luxuries like a new presidential jet, N160 million cars for each lawmaker, and unchecked constituency projects.

6. Insecurity Surge – Over 10,000 Nigerians have been killed under Tinubu’s watch, with two new terrorist groups emerging. Afenifere blames the refusal to allow state police for escalating violence.

7. Democratic Erosion – The administration is accused of centralizing power, weakening federalism, and suppressing dissent, with opposition figures defecting to the ruling party to avoid persecution.

"Tinubu’s Economic Reforms Have Become Economic Deforms"

Afenifere particularly criticized Tinubu’s "unforced errors,” including the hasty removal of fuel subsidies and floating the naira without cushioning effects, which they say have "inflicted unmitigated suffering" on Nigerians.

The group dismissed government claims of progress as "massive propaganda", accusing officials of shifting blame to global factors while ignoring policy failures.

Call for Reflection and Redemption

While Afenifere described Tinubu’s performance as an "academic failure deserving withdrawal," it urged the president to "reflect, love Nigeria, and change course" ahead of 2027.

"No amount of propaganda will erase hunger and poverty," the statement declared. "Only selfless leadership can save Nigeria, not prebendalist and hedonistic governance."