Opinion

Voice of Emancipation: Britain’s Complicity in Nigeria’s Problem

Published

4 years ago

July 30, 2021

Eric

By Kayode Emola

One could look at Nigeria’s problem today and wonder why a country whose people’s talents are so abundant that their benefits are felt across the world; why should such a country be experiencing one of the greatest challenges in the world. It would be expected that these numerous talents, currently scattered abroad, could have been utilised in their home country of Nigeria for the benefit of their kinsmen and country, but alas this is not the case. The shame is that many more talented people living in Nigeria will die without realising their potential, not because of any fault of their own, but because of detrimental decisions made by external forces. By today, it has ceased to be news that Nigeria has overtaken India as the poverty capital of the world – this occurred in 2018 and ever since, a further 6 million people are added to the list of those in poverty every year. What is more shocking is that of those countries, like Britain, who have historically benefitted, and even still today continue to benefit from the rot pervading Nigeria, instead of these countries helping to address the problem, Britain is, in fact, demonstrating to the rest of the world that it is intrinsically involved in Nigeria’s problem.

I am not a person who dwells on people’s body language or the behaviour of government officials nor am I ever focused on “the mood or perception of the people”. However, my stay in Britain has made me realise that these things do matter, especially if it affects other people. When I first came into Britain nearly a decade ago, I and my fellow people with dark skin landed in a country that needed change. The mantra of the then Home Secretary (who later became Britain’s Prime Minister) was “Hostile Environment”. This hostile environment was not directed towards people with lighter skin, but solely to those with dark skin. Many of my friends who had previously been granted a two years post study visa found that the implementation of new legislation made it near impossible to meet the conditions required to remain, and so were forced to relocate to Canada, USA, Australia or Europe. Some others had no choice but to return back to Nigeria where, due to the failing system, their talents went to waste. Others still relocated to anywhere they can find comfort.

The hostile environment meant that a particular set of people were caught in the crossfire. These were the “Windrush generation”: legitimate Britons who could not prove their identity because their stay in Britain was undocumented. Even some who could provide the required evidence were still deported because Britain was fixated on getting migration numbers down. We can say the specific targeting of the Windrush generation had nothing to do with migration numbers, but rather everything to do with the colour of their skin. I believe non dark skin people were also deported but the proportion cannot be compared to the numbers of dark-skinned people who suffered from the hostile environment. Britain would do well to remember that when you put out a policy, it is not just about numbers, it is about people and these people too do matter.

Back to the mood or body language perspective and the unending hardship befalling the Nigerian people. The global ruling powers are aware of the systemic genocide happening in Nigeria under the current leadership of President Muhammed Buhari. Yet, it would appear that most of their citizens are naively unaware, a fact underscored by the lack of western media coverage of the situation. The fact that this is going on in plain view of the western world leaves one to wonder if the world has lost its sense of morality. Various groups and individuals have shouted from the rooftops and to the highest authorities of the world, but no one seems to be listening.

More concerning still is the reaction of players on the global stage to the recent events taking place in the last two months. First, the extradition of a British citizen, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, from a third country (Kenya) – action which if it were undertaken by an individual would be classed as a terrorist act. Next, the invasion of the house of a Yoruba freedom fighter, Sunday ‘Igboho’ Adeyemo, by the Department of State Service (DSS). In the course of this operation, two of his associates were killed and twelve other people illegally detained without charge, still remaining in custody to date. One would have expected a country such as Britain to sternly condemn these actions, but instead Britain shocked observers the world over by inviting the two principal African countries involved to Britain for a meeting in 10 Downing Street.

Whilst it is not clear what happened or what was said behind closed doors, the actions of the current government in Britain appear to suggest to the world that it is complicit in the atrocities going on in Nigeria. When Nigerian activist Ken Saro Wiwa was executed in a sham trial in 1995, the then Prime Minister of the UK, Sir John Major, sent out a strong message to the Nigerian government, even going so far as to suspended Nigeria’s membership of the Commonwealth. The current Nigerian government has committed more crimes than those of previous governments, yet continues to go scot-free with no consequences. If Britain wants the world to believe it does not condone any act of terrorism or slavery, these acts that it ostensibly came to Africa in the 19th century to bring an end to, then these recent actions do not back up that sentiment. If they want to maintain their image, now is the time to put their words into action and prove it to the world.

It is now glaringly obvious to the world that the fate of the hundreds of millions of voiceless people in Nigeria who are trapped in poverty does not matter to Britain. Britain’s concern is that the regular supply of resources from Nigeria continues to flow freely to them unhindered. In addition to the flow of raw materials, Britain also gladly drains the “brightest and the best” talent from Nigeria for the sake of their own development, further depleting the country of resources that could otherwise be used for the progression of their home nation. This cannot be deemed morally right and is an attitude that should be condemned by all worldwide who consider themselves to be people of virtue or proponents of freedom and democracy. Why is the President of Nigeria, who has denied innocent people their freedom, be allowed to freely come into Britain and even have access to the Prime Minister? It shows that the love Britain professes to have for the Nigerian people is nothing more than lip service. The Nigerian people cannot rely on Britain’s compassion to advocate for them, and so they need to rise and stand up for themselves.

Whilst Britain is paying lip service without genuine action to address the atrocities being perpetrated by the Buhari regime, the Yoruba, Igbo and other indigenous people will continue to protest against this injustice. The British people freely held a referendum in 2016 to determine if they wanted to continue their membership of the European Union – a referendum in which the current Prime Minister heavily supported the ‘Leave’ side of the campaign. How can a country and a ruler who so ardently support the right to independence and self-determination of their own people now be the same Britain that stands in the way of over 100 million Yoruba and Igbo people having their own independent countries? A country that championed freedom from the democratic body that is the EU, for the sake of “taking back control of our own country”, will not uphold the right to freedom from the Fulani caliphate, a caliphate that is hell-bent on subjugating the rest of Nigeria in perpetual slavery, but rather offers their endorsement?

The Prime Minister of the UK should realise that the Yoruba and Igbo people are not paupers confined to one corner of West Africa. Rather we are global citizens scattered across several countries of the world, no thanks to the several years of victimisation we’ve suffered in Nigeria. We now employ this advantage of our global presence to help us push for our own independent country, and by God’s grace we will get it. Britain needs to realise that it is in their own interest to begin to forge separate relationships with the southern and northern people independently. The Yoruba people have never been conquered and we will not accept any form of subjugation by any peoples of the world. We will do, and are doing, everything within our power to resist this new form of neo colonisation by Britain. Britain needs to respect our views and stop this attitude of ‘divide and rule’ that they have implemented since the colonial era. Our generation asks for one thing: mutual respect. I do not believe that is too much to ask. Our mass global protest has only just begun. We will not sit down, and we will not be silent. We will press the UK and the rest of the world, who will continue to have us as their guests on a regular basis, until they see the need for justice. Until concrete action is taken. My message to my brothers and sisters: continue to stand strong. We have never been vanquished and we will not start now.

Opinion

How Dr. Fatima Ibrahim Hamza (PT, mNSP) Became Kano’s Healthcare Star and a Model for African Women in Leadership

Published

2 days ago

December 6, 2025

Eric

By Dr. Sani Sa’idu Baba

My dear country men and women, over the years, I have been opportune to watch numerous speeches delivered by outstanding women shaping the global health sector especially those within Africa. Back home, I have also listened to towering figures like Dr. Hadiza Galadanci, the renowned O&G consultant whose passion for healthcare reform continues to inspire many. Even more closer home, there is Dr. Fatima Ibrahim Hamza, my classmate and colleague. Anyone who knew her from the beginning would remember a hardworking young woman who left no stone unturned in her pursuit of excellence. Today, she stands tall as one of the most powerful illustrations of what African women in leadership can achieve when brilliance, discipline, and integrity are brought together.

Before I dwell into the main business for this week, let me make this serious confession. If you are a regular traveler within Nigeria like myself, especially in the last two years, you will agree that no state currently matches Kano in healthcare delivery and institutional sophistication. This transformation is not accidental. It is the result of a coordinated, disciplined, and visionary ecosystem of leadership enabled by Kano State Governor, Engr Abba Kabir Yusuf. From the strategic drive of the Hospitals Management Board under the meticulous leadership of Dr. Mansur Nagoda, to the policy direction and oversight provided by the Ministry of Health led by the ever committed Dr. Abubakar Labaran, and the groundbreaking reforms championed by the Kano State Primary Health Care Management Board under the highly cerebral Professor Salisu Ahmed Ibrahim, the former Private Health Institution Management Agency (PHIMA) boss, a man who embodies competence, hard work, honesty, and principle, the progress of Kano’s health sector becomes easy to understand. With such a strong leadership backbone, it is no surprise that individuals like Dr. Fatima Ibrahim Hamza is thriving and redefining what effective healthcare leadership looks like in Nigeria.

Across the world, from top medical institutions to global leadership arenas, one truth echoes unmistakably: when women lead with vision, systems transform. Their leadership is rarely about theatrics or force; it is about empathy, innovation, discipline, and a capacity to drive change from the inside out. Kano State has, in recent years, witnessed this truth firsthand through the extraordinary work of Dr. Fatima at Sheikh Muhammad Jidda General Hospital.

In less than 2 years, Dr. Fatima has emerged as a phenomenon within Kano’s healthcare landscape. As the youngest hospital director in the state, she has demonstrated a style of leadership that mirrors the excellence seen in celebrated female leaders worldwide, women who inspire not by occupying space, but by redefining it. Her performance has earned her two high level commendations. First, a recognition by the Head of Service following a rigorous independent assessment of her achievements, and more recently, a formal commendation letter from the Hospitals Management Board acknowledging her professionalism, discipline, and transformative impact.

These acknowledgements are far more than administrative gestures, they place her in the company of women leaders whose influence reshaped nations: New Zealand’s Jacinda Ardern with her empathy driven governance, Liberia’s Ellen Johnson Sirleaf with her courageous reforms, and Germany’s Angela Merkel with her disciplined, steady leadership. Dr. Fatima belongs to this esteemed lineage of women who do not wait for change, they create it.

What sets her apart is her ability to merge vision with structure, compassion with competence, and humility with bold ambition. Staff members describe her as firm yet accessible, warm yet uncompromising on standards, traits that embody the modern leadership model the world is steadily embracing. Under her stewardship, Sheikh Jidda General Hospital has transformed from a routine public facility into an institution of possibility, demonstrating what happens when a capable woman is given the opportunity to lead without constraint.

The recent commendation letter from the Hospitals Management Board captures this evolution clearly: “Dr. Fatima has strengthened administrative coordination, improved patient care, elevated professional standards, and fostered a hospital environment where excellence has become the norm rather than the exception”. These outcomes are remarkable in a system that often battles bureaucratic bottlenecks and infrastructural limitations. Her work is proof that effective leadership especially in health must be visionary, intentional, and rooted in integrity.

In a period when global discourse places increasing emphasis on the importance of women in leadership particularly in healthcare, Dr. Fatima stands as a living testament to what is possible. She has demonstrated that leadership is never about gender, but capacity, clarity of purpose, and the willingness to serve with unwavering commitment.

Her rise sends a powerful message to young girls across Nigeria and Africa: that excellence has no gender boundaries. It is a call to institutions to trust and empower competent women. And it is a reminder to society that progress accelerates when leadership is guided by competence rather than stereotypes.

As Kano continues its journey toward comprehensive healthcare reform, Dr. Fatima represents a new chapter, one where leadership is defined not by age or gender, but by impact, innovation, and measurable progress. She is, without question, one of the most compelling examples of modern African women in leadership today.

May her story continue to enlighten, inspire, and redefine what African women can, and will achieve when given the opportunity to lead.

Dr. Baba writes from Kano, and can be reached via drssbaba@yahoo.com

Opinion

Book Review: Against the Odds by Dozy Mmobuosi

Published

4 days ago

December 4, 2025

Eric

By Sola Ojewusi

Against the Odds is an ambitious, deeply personal, and unflinchingly honest memoir that traces the remarkable rise of Dozy Mmobuosi, one of Nigeria’s most dynamic and controversial entrepreneurs. In this sweeping narrative, Mmobuosi reveals not just the public milestones of his career, but the intimate struggles, internal battles, and defining moments that shaped his identity and worldview.

The book is both a personal testimony and a broader commentary on leadership, innovation, and Africa’s future—and it succeeds in balancing these worlds with surprising emotional clarity.

A Candid Portrait of Beginnings

Mmobuosi’s story begins in the bustling, unpredictable ecosystem of Lagos, where early challenges served as the furnace that forged his ambitions. The memoir details the circumstances of his upbringing, the value systems passed down from family, and the early encounters that sparked his desire to build solutions at scale.

These foundational chapters do important work: they humanize the protagonist. Readers meet a young Dozy not as a business figurehead, but as a Nigerian navigating complex social, financial, and personal realities—realities that millions of Africans will find familiar.

The Making of an Entrepreneur

As the narrative progresses, the memoir transitions into the defining phase of Mmobuosi’s business evolution. Here, he walks readers through the origins of his earliest ventures and the relentless curiosity that led him to operate across multiple industries—fintech, agri-tech, telecoms, AI, healthcare, consumer goods, and beyond.

What is striking is the pattern of calculated risk-taking. Mmobuosi positions himself as someone unafraid to venture into uncharted territory, even when the cost of failure is steep. His explanations offer readers valuable insights into:
• market intuition
• the psychology of entrepreneurship
• the sacrifices required to build at scale
• the emotional and operational toll of high-growth ventures

These passages make the book not only readable but instructive—especially for emerging

African entrepreneurs.

Triumphs, Crises, and Public Scrutiny
One of the book’s most compelling strengths is its willingness to confront controversy head-on.

Mmobuosi addresses periods of intense scrutiny, institutional pressure, and personal trials.

Instead of glossing over these chapters, he uses them to illustrate the complexities of building businesses in emerging markets and navigating public perception.

The tone is reflective rather than defensive, inviting readers to consider the thin line between innovation and misunderstanding in environments where the rules are still being written.

This vulnerability is where the memoir finds its emotional resonance.

A Vision for Africa

Beyond personal history, Against the Odds expands into a passionate manifesto for African transformation. Mmobuosi articulates a vision of a continent whose young population, natural resources, and intellectual capital position it not as a follower, but a potential leader in global innovation.

He challenges outdated narratives about Africa’s dependency, instead advocating for
homegrown technology, supply chain sovereignty, inclusive economic systems, and investment in human capital.

For development strategists, policymakers, and visionaries, these sections elevate the work from memoir to thought leadership.

The Writing: Accessible, Engaging, and Purposeful

Stylistically, the memoir is direct and approachable. Mmobuosi writes with clarity and intention, blending storytelling with reflection in a way that keeps the momentum steady. The pacing is effective: the book moves seamlessly from personal anecdotes to business lessons, from introspection to bold declarations.

Despite its business-heavy subject matter, the prose remains accessible to everyday readers.

The emotional honesty, in particular, will appeal to those who appreciate memoirs that feel lived rather than curated.

Why This Book Matters

Against the Odds arrives at a critical moment for Africa’s socioeconomic trajectory. As global attention shifts toward African innovation, the need for authentic narratives from those building within the system becomes essential.

Mmobuosi’s memoir offers:
• a case study in resilience
• an insider’s perspective on entrepreneurship in frontier markets
• a meditation on reputation, legacy, and leadership
• a rallying cry for African ambition

For readers like Sola Ojewusi, whose work intersects with media, policy, leadership, and social development, this book offers profound insight into the human stories driving Africa’s new generation of builders.

Final Verdict

Against the Odds is more than a success story—it is a layered, introspective, and timely work that captures the pressures and possibilities of modern African enterprise. It challenges stereotypes, raises important questions about leadership and impact, and ultimately delivers a narrative of persistence that audiences across the world will find relatable.

It is an essential read for anyone interested in the future of African innovation, the personal realities behind public leadership, and the enduring power of vision and resilience

Opinion

Redefining Self-leadership: Henry Ukazu As a Model

Published

5 days ago

December 3, 2025

Eric

By Abdulakeem Sodeeq SULYMAN

In a world filled with talents and unique gifts, nurturing oneself for an impact-filled living becomes one of the potent metrics for assuming how one’s life would unfold – either in the nearest or far future. I am sure the question you may be curious to ask is ‘what is the important quality that has shaped the life of every individual who has unleashed their ingenuity?’ Apparently, our society is filled with numerous people, who missed the track of their life. Their iniquity is boiled down to one thing – failure to lead oneself.

Realising how important it is to be your own leader has been the springboard for every transformative life. Notably, this also becomes the premise for appreciating and celebrating Henry Ukazu for setting the pace and modeling self-leadership in this era, where self-leadership is under-appreciated by our people. Self-leadership itself engineers purposeful and impactful living, turning individuals to sources of hope to others.

This is exactly what Henry Ukazu symbolises. The name Henry Ukazu is akin to many great things such as ‘Unleashing One’s Destiny,’ ‘Finding One’s Purpose’ and ‘Triumphant Living.’ Regardless of the impression one have formed about Henry Ukazu, one thing you cannot deny is his ability to be pure to nature and committed to his cause. Henry Ukazu is one of the rare people who still believed in the values of the human worth and has committed every penny of his to ensure that every human deserves to live the best life.

The trajectory of Henry Ukazu’s life is convincing enough to be choosing as an icon by anyone who chooses to climb the ladder of self-leadership. Oftentimes, Henry Ukazu always narrate how he faced the storms of life when birthing his purpose. He takes honour in his struggles, knowing full well that every stumbling blocks life throws at him helped in building himself. If not for self-leadership, he will not found honours in his struggles, let alone challenging himself to be an example of purposeful living to others.

Without mincing words, Henry Ukazu’s life has been blessed with the presence of many people, with some filling his life with disappointments, while some blessing him with immeasurable transformations. Surprisingly, Henry Ukazu has never chosen to be treating people negatively; rather he would only choose the path of honour by avoiding drama and let common sense prevail. That’s one of the height of simplicity!

Dear readers, do you know why today is important for celebrating Henry Ukazu? Today, 3rd December, is his birthday and with all sincerity, Henry Ukazu deserves to be celebrated because he has chosen the noble path, one filled with honours and recognitions for being an icon of inspiration and transformation to the mankind. As Henry Ukazu marks another year today, may the good Lord continue shielding him from all evils and guiding him in right directions, where posterity will feel his role and impacts!

Many happy returns, Sir!