News

Make Leadership Attractive to Youths with Rate Your Leader App, Popoola Tells Buhari

Published

6 years ago

January 11, 2020

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Following the meeting between President Muhammadu Buhari and selected members of Nigerian Youths from the All Progressives Congress (APC) where he told the teeming youths to be prepared for leadership, Techpreneur and Founder Digital Democracy Project and Rate Your Leader app, Mr. Joel Popoola, has advised the President to lure and prepare youths towards leadership with the democracy app, Rate Your Leader.

Popoola was speaking in reaction of the President’s demonstrated sincere desire to see that a younger generation takes over the leadership of the nation as he prepares to wind down his administration.

“It is a good thing that the President is desirous of relinquishing power to a prepared generation of youth for leadership, however, these youths must understand the seriousness of leadership before they could undertake the task.

“The President should therefore, as a matter of urgency make leadership attractive to these youths by allowing the use of Rate Your Leader app which allows elected and elector interaction devoid of abusive languages,” he said.

Popoola noted that most youths are intimidated by the larger than life status of their elected representatives, and see them as demigods who cannot be reached or spoken to. But with the app, the communication gap between the politicians and their constituents is bridge, and each could feel the heartbeat of the other.

He therefore, urged the President to leave a legacy of enduring participatory democracy where all eligible registered voters have direct unhindered access to the representatives. “By so doing leadership will automatically become attractive to the youths, and they will prepare to serve without persuasion”.

Buhari had at the meeting acknowledged the contributions of youths to the development of the country, saying they would certainly take control of the reins of power one day, and asked them to brace for the leadership role ahead of them.

“Whether we like it or not, we will someday hand over to Nigerian youths. And you have to brace yourself for leadership,” he said.

He stated that to prepare themselves to lead a country like Nigeria, the youths must keep a broader view of the country by preaching religious and ethnic unity.

He noted that having learnt a bitter lesson from the 1967-1970 Nigerian Civil War, people preparing for leadership roles must not allow anyone to deceive them by promoting disunity among Nigerians.

Buhari said, “Some interest groups will come up with ethnic, religious issues, but you have to look at the broader picture.

“We had a civil war that killed over two million Nigerians, and we learnt our lessons. Nigeria is one country, and no one should take our firmness for granted.”

He also recalled how he joined politics, saying he took the decision after coming of out jail, post the 1985 military coup.

Buhari added that his background was checked and it was discovered that he committed no crime while serving as petroleum minister, military governor and head of state.

“After I was released and nothing was found on me I took an interest in politics. This is what pushed me into partisan politics; to serve with integrity, the President said, according to a State House statement by his media aide, Mr Femi Adesina.

Rate Your Leader App has solved the problem of accountability among political office among holders. And will open channels of interactions between the elected public office holders and the electorates thereby mitigating challenges associated with lack of communication between a particular representative and his/her constituents, fake news and fabrications or half truths, which are known to be the bane of democracy.

With constant interactions between the elected officials and people of their constituencies, needs are therefore prioritised and even development across borders ensured.

The Rate Your Leader app is already in operation in England where it has achieved a level of success, and is due to be launched in Nigeria in a few weeks time.

News

IGP Disu Removes Benjamin Hundeyin As FPRO

Published

12 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, has reportedly removed Benjamin Hundeyin as the Force Public Relations Officer (PRO) and replaced him with a new appointee, though the name hasn’t been officially announced.

Hundeyin was previously serving as the Lagos Command PRO before being promoted to the national role.

This move comes as part of Disu’s efforts to revamp the Nigeria Police Force and improve its public image.

As the 23rd IGP, Disu has emphasized professionalism, accountability, and transparency, warning officers that there will be no tolerance for misconduct or abuse of power.

News

Assets Declaration: Court Dismisses NDLEA’s Case Against Abba Kyari

Published

13 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday, dismissed a case filed by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), against suspended DCP Abba Kyari on allegations bordering on non-disclosure of assets.

Justice James Omotosho dismissed the suit, filed against Kyari and his younger brothers, Mohammed Kyari and Ali Kyari, for failure of the anti-narcotic agency to prove its case beyond reasonable doubt.

The judge held that the burden of proving a case beyond reasonable doubt falls in the prosecution which it had failed to do so.

The ruling covers only asset declaration allegations. Other cases including drug related offences are still ongoing.

News

NDLEA Nabs UK-wanted Drug Lord after 15-Year Hunt

Published

19 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Eric

The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) has arrested a 58-year-old fugitive drug lord, Uzoma Valentine Ilomuanya, who had been on the wanted list of Nigerian and British authorities for over 15 years.

His arrest was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by spokesman of the agency, Mr. Femi Babafemi.

Ilomuanya, according to the agency, was apprehended in Lagos on Monday, February 23, 2026, following what officials described as a high-stakes, well-coordinated operation by officers of the Agency’s Special Operations Unit.

He was first arrested in February 2003 in the United Kingdom and later convicted for drug trafficking.

He was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment but released after serving two years following a successful appeal.

In July 2011, Ilomuanya was again arrested in the UK for drug-related offences.

Though granted administrative bail, he absconded and fled to Nigeria, evading further prosecution.

In November 2018, NDLEA operatives arrested him in Nigeria after uncovering two clandestine methamphetamine laboratories — one at his country home in Obinugwu, Orlu Local Government Area of Imo State, and another at his residence in Lagos.

During the operation, officers recovered 77.960 kilograms of methamphetamine and extensive drug production equipment.

He was subsequently charged before a Federal High Court in Lagos but later jumped court bail, remaining on the run until his latest arrest.

Reacting to the development, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Brig. Gen. Mohamed Buba Marwa (rtd), described the arrest as a major breakthrough in the agency’s sustained crackdown on drug trafficking networks.

“This arrest serves as a stern warning to those who think they can hide behind borders to escape justice. Whether you jump bail in London or set up clandestine labs in your village, the long arm of the NDLEA will eventually catch up with those who choose to undermine the health, security, and future of our nation,” Marwa said.

He added that the Agency remains committed to strengthening intelligence-led operations and deepening international collaboration to prevent Nigeria from becoming a safe haven for global drug cartels.

Marwa commended officers of the Special Operations Unit for their professionalism, resilience, and diligence in tracking down the fugitive, stressing that the NDLEA remains unwavering in its resolve to dismantle drug trafficking networks operating within the country.

The agency is expected to proceed with legal action against Ilomuanya in the coming days.