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Will Tinubu’s Best Performing Minister, Tunji-Ojo, Bite the Bullet?

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By Eric Elezuo

This is not the best of times for another of President Bola Tinubu’s ministers, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, as divergent opinions fill the media space over his alleged involvement in the financial saga surrounding Mrs Betta Edu and the Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation ministry.

Tunji-Ojo has been reputed in various quarters as one of the best hands so far in the Tinubu administration, and his performance so far has outweighed his initial status, and lent credence to youth involvement in governance. To many, he is the starboy of the government, and to a few others, he should bite the bullet or dance the same music Edu is dancing presently.

The now embattled Minister for Interior, has been under the radar of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for his alleged link in a N438 million scandal with the ministry of Humanitarian Affairs.

Tunji-Ojo has, however, refuted claims suggesting his involvement as a signatory in the company implicated in the N438 million contract allegations linked to the now suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Betta Edu, saying he resigned from the company in 2019.

A leaked memo circulating online indicated that a company, allegedly owned by Tunji-Ojo, received N438 million designated as ‘consultancy fees’ from Edu.

“I am not a signatory to the company.

“And actually, I was shocked because the company in question was a company where I was a director. About five years ago, I had resigned from my directorship,” the Minister defended.

Until his appointment as Minister of the Interior, alongside 41 others, Tunji-Ojo represented Akoko North East/North West Federal Constituency of Ondo State in the House.

So far, Tunji-Ojo has been termed the ‘starboy’ of the Tinubu-led administration, following various achievements his office had made within six months of appointment. Some of which include: clearing a heavy backlog of passports and implementing a new platform that would allow a renewing of one’s passport from the convenience of one’s home, amongst others.

As the Minister of Interior, Tunji-Ojo oversees the affairs of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Prisons Service, and the Federal Fire Service.

He is also responsible for ensuring the security and welfare of Nigerians, as well as promoting the harmonious coexistence of the diverse ethnic and religious groups in the country.

This recent alleged affiliation with the N438 million scandal has in a way tainted his good record of performance that even won him some awards in 2023.

However, most media platforms have gone down memory lane to relive the event to brought the minister to national limelight. He was the former chairman of the House of Representatives committee on Niger Delta Development Commission of the ‘off your mic’ fame, that clashed with the then Minister of Niger Delta Affairs, Godswill Akpabio, over allegations of corruption and mismanagement of funds in the commission.

During the televised probe, Akpabio had accused Tunji-Ojo and other members of the National Assembly of benefiting from contracts awarded by the NDDC, a claim that Tunji-Ojo denied and challenged Akpabio to provide evidence.

The probe also witnessed a dramatic scene when Akpabio was asked to “off his mic” by Tunji-Ojo while he was making some revelations and accusing members of the National Assembly of being beneficiaries of the NDDC fund.

Tunji-Ojo later stepped down as the chairman of the committee, citing the need to protect his integrity and that of the House.

The minister was last week summoned by the president, ostensibly to ascertain yhe veracity or otherwise of his claim of innocence.

Tunji-Ojo, who is a lawyer and a businessman, was first elected into the House of Representatives in 2015. He was also the chairman of the House Committee on NEDC/North East Development Commission.

A flashback detailed noted that the payments was said to have been made to the company founded by the Minister include, N279 million Naira for the verification of beneficiaries on the national social register and an additional N159 million Naira for the same purpose.

The company, which was registered on March 3rd 2009, still has the Minister and his wife, Abimbola, listed on the CAC website as directors.

Again, the Senate President Godswill Akpabio, back in 2020, named the Interior minister who was at the time a lawmaker and chairman of the house committee for the NDDC as one of the many National As­sembly members who benefitted from numerous NDDC contracts. The minister denied the allegation.

A defence of the minister’s capability and non-involvement in the alleged financial infractions is summarised in the statement of the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria, who described the recent strident media campaign calling for the sack of Tunji-Ojo, as “smacks of unpatriotism and insensitivity for Nigerians who have had nightmares attempting to access basic services in their fatherland”.

In a press statement signed by Ajagun Opeyemi, the Coalition observed that the plot against Tunji-Ojo is being sponsored by some cabals to discredit Tinubu’s administration.

The Coalition noted as follows:

“The Coalition of Civil Society Organisations in Nigeria has observed with keen interest the needless sensationalism, unjustified vilification and mass cyber-bullying of the performing Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo in recent times over an allegation of corruption which is currently being investigated by the relevant agencies of government.

“From our observation and surface preliminary investigation as a coalition saddled with the responsibility of being the conscience of the public, we discovered with concern, a desperate desire and manipulative orchestration by vested interests to hang the dog, hence it has been branded a bad name. Simply put, Dr. Tunji-Ojo has become a victim of bruised egos who have been cut off from feeding fat in a corrupt system as a result of the giant reforms he has brought to bear in the Ministry of Interior since his assumption of office.

“Ladies and gentlemen of the press, as a civil society organisation, we are not oblivious of the fact that while many of us pray for the status quo to change in the overall interest of our country, others are working day and night to ensure that the misery of Nigerians does not go away. The contactless passport application and even home delivery being championed by the minister has come with a heavy price against his image, a result of which we are seeing today.

“Tunji-Ojo at the risk of sounding inmodest is the star boy of this administration by the virtue of the record he has has set so far among every member of the cabinet. He has demonstrated an iron-cast capacity that he came prepared for the job and ready to leave a lasting footprint. We are not surprised at the pull-him-down syndrome playing out at the moment. His resignation from the company in question before contesting for House of Representatives is in total compliance with the Federal Civil Service rule of the Federation.

“We must commend President Bola Tinubu for not bowing to the emotions being vaunted out on the media spaces with the intention to stampede him into taking hasty actions and get the very performing Minister of Interior off track. As a leader with a discerning sense of judgment, he has held a closed-door session with the minister which we believe is in connection with this allegation. Additionally, he has ordered the EFCC to carry out a thorough investigation. Instead of the mob seeking to feast on the flesh of the minister to wait patiently, they are busy calling for his suspension, a demand that has no basis in law but just a strategy to bring down the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by labelling his Ministers as corrupt.

“We must also put it on record that it is neither the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu nor the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo that is the prime target. Our source, which we do not wish to disclose here has informed us that insatiable power mongers are stoking these baseless confusions to discredit the government of President Bola Tinubu just for their selfish political interests. They are people who have been serially rejected by Nigerians yesterday, today, and in the future.

“The call for the suspension of the Interior Minister smacks of unpatriotism and insensitivity for Nigerians who have had nightmares attempting to access basic services in their fatherland, including the international passport.

“We are all witnesses to the far-reaching innovations the Minister has brought to bear in the ministry since assumption of office. For the first time in recent history of our country, we saw a minister who mobilized his friends and associates to raise funds, amounting to hundreds of millions of Naira to offset the fines of prison inmates, give them freedom, and decongest the prisons.

“Under his leadership, the Ministry has cleared a heavy backlog of passports and implemented a new platform that would allow Nigerians renew their passports from the convenience of their homes. In the coming weeks, Nigerians will start receiving their passports at their doorsteps. Who would have believed that this would be possible in this country?

“It is therefore our appeal that the President does not succumb to this orchestrated plot to blackmail his government and project it as a corrupt one. He has demonstrated readiness to allow the Rule of Law take its due course and we have no doubt Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo will be exonerated as he continues in his excellent service delivery for our people.

“On behalf of the over seventy Civil Society Organisations in the coalition, we wish to exonerate the Hon Minister of Interior, Hon Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo of all allegations leveled against him and therefore request Mr President to disregard the calls for his removal.”

As President Tinubu has noted that there would no sacred cows, it is imperative that a wholistic investigation be carried out, and whoever is culpable should bite the bullet.

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UBA Reinforces Commitment to Rewarding Customer-Loyalty with N400m Bonus

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UBA Rewards Customer Loyalty with Over ₦400 Million Bumper Account Anniversary Bonus
…Reinforces commitment to rewarding customers for consistent savings
Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has rewarded thousands of customers with over ₦400 million in anniversary bonuses under its flagship UBA Bumper Account, reaffirming the Bank’s unwavering commitment to rewarding customer loyalty and promoting a strong savings culture.

The payout, one of the largest loyalty rewards under the Bumper Account initiative since its launch, saw qualifying customers receive anniversary bonuses directly into their accounts, demonstrating UBA’s resolve to create lasting value for customers who consistently save with the Bank.

The UBA Bumper Account is a unique savings product that rewards customers simply for maintaining and growing their savings. Every year an eligible account reaches its anniversary, customers receive a cash bonus, making disciplined saving both rewarding and beneficial over time.
Speaking on the milestone, UBA’s Head, Retail Products, Tomiwa Sotiloye, said the Bank remains committed to ensuring that customers benefit directly from their relationship with UBA.

“At UBA, we believe customer loyalty deserves meaningful recognition. Every bonus paid is our way of saying ‘thank you’ to customers who continue to trust us with their financial aspirations. Surpassing the ₦400 million milestone reflects our commitment to creating products that not only help customers save but also reward them in tangible ways. It is another demonstration that when our customers grow, we grow with them.”

He added that both new and existing customers can open a UBA Bumper Account seamlessly through https://on.ubagroup.com/bumper-tc, any any UBA branch, the UBA Mobile Banking App, by dialing *919#, or online, positioning themselves to qualify for future anniversary rewards.

Also speaking, UBA’s Group Head, Brands, Marketing and Corporate Communications, Alero Ladipo, said the Bank’s customer-centric philosophy continues to shape its product offerings.

“The UBA Bumper Account reflects our unwavering commitment to putting customers first. We deliberately design products that reward responsible financial behaviour while delivering real value. Crediting over ₦400 million directly into customers’ accounts is not just a payout; it is evidence of our promise to make banking more rewarding and to continually appreciate the confidence our customers repose in us.”

The UBA Bumper Account remains one of the Bank’s flagship retail savings products, combining competitive savings benefits, digital convenience and attractive loyalty rewards. It forms part of UBA’s broader strategy to deepen financial inclusion by encouraging sustainable savings habits while delivering exceptional customer experiences.

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Dele Momodu Leadership Centre Hosts Media Scholar, Prof Abiodun Adeniyi

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By Anjorin Fehintola Stella

We often measure leadership by the institutions people build or the positions they occupy. Yet, during his visit to the Dele Momodu Leadership Centre, Professor Abiodun Adeniyi repeatedly returned to something less visible but perhaps more enduring; the responsibility of documenting one’s life and thoughts. He spoke as someone who understands, at a personal level, what is lost when experience is left unrecorded. His emphasis on documentation was not stylistic advice for writers. It was an argument about memory itself, about how societies retain or lose the wisdom of the people who pass through them.

Ideas disappear when they are undocumented because memory, at the collective level, is fragile and selective. A society does not remember everything that happens within it, it remembers what is written down, repeated, taught, or institutionalised. An undocumented thought, however brilliant, dies with the person who held it, or worse, drifts into vague anecdote, stripped of its original precision. This is why oral cultures, for all their richness, often struggle to transmit complex ideas across generations with fidelity. Professor Adeniyi’s point, then, was not simply about personal record-keeping. History remembers people largely through what they leave behind, not through what they intended to leave behind. Intention without artefact disappears.

When he spoke about travelling, it would be easy to reduce his words to a fondness for movement or exposure. But the deeper claim runs further than that. Travel disrupts familiarity. It exposes individuals to different ways of living, thinking, governing and imagining society. Professor Adeniyi suggested that travelling remains one of the simplest yet most profound forms of education because it broadens not only knowledge but perspective. A person confined to one environment mistakes the local for the universal. Movement across geographies forces a confrontation with alternative logics, alternative arrangements of power, family, and meaning, and that confrontation is often where genuine learning begins.

Perhaps the strongest advice he gave concerned the pursuit of a doctorate. When Aare Dele Momodu spoke of his desire to pursue a PhD, Professor Adeniyi’s response challenged a growing culture in which academic qualifications are sometimes pursued as symbols of prestige rather than vehicles of inquiry. A PhD earned for the title that follows a name produces a credential without a contribution. A PhD earned out of genuine curiosity produces new knowledge and, more importantly, sustains the kind of intellectual restlessness that defines a thinking life. Professor Adeniyi’s counsel was that one should choose a field that strikes them professionally and personally, something that connects to lived purpose rather than social signalling, because the value of advanced study lies in the questions it forces a person to keep asking long after the degree is conferred.

Professor Abiodun did not reserve his counsel for matters of scholarship alone. Turning to the younger staff in the room, Professor Adeniyi offered something closer to reassurance than instruction, that everything they are currently going through, the uncertainty, the striving, the sense of being far from where they hope to be, is a phase both he and Aare Dele Momodu have lived through themselves. It was a reminder that ambition rarely moves on a straight or visible timeline. The goals and dreams that feel distant now are not denied, only delayed, and what stands between the present moment and their fulfilment is simply time and dedication, applied without pause.

 

Underneath all these threads, travel, documentation, the meaning of scholarship, was a single, unifying idea about legacy. Legacy isn’t what people say about you. It’s what remains after you leave. This distinction matters because praise is temporary and circumstantial, shaped by mood, politics, and memory’s natural decay. What remains, however, is structural. It is the book on a shelf, the institution still running, the idea still being taught.

This is where the conversation returned, inevitably, to the Centre itself. The library. The scholars’ rooms. The conversations. The institution. Professor Adeniyi appeared genuinely moved by what he encountered, not by the scale of the buildings, but by what the buildings were designed to hold. Perhaps that is why Professor Adeniyi appeared genuinely moved by the Centre. It was never merely about architecture. It was about permanence. Buildings become legacy only when they preserve ideas.

Every visit leaves footprints. Some are physical. Others are intellectual. Professor Abiodun Adeniyi’s visit left the latter.

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Lagos Govt Sues for Calm As Flood Ravages City, Okays Dredging of 28 Channels

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The Lagos State Government has appealed for calm following persistent rainfall and flash floods across many parts of the State over the past two weeks, announcing the immediate dredging of 28 additional primary drainage channels to improve flood control.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu approved the emergency dredging intervention as part of efforts to strengthen the state’s drainage network.

The Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, said the recent downpours are an extreme weather event that produced an unusually large volume of rainfall within a short period, overwhelming drainage systems in some locations and causing temporary flooding in parts of Victoria Island, Lekki, Ikeja, Gbagada, Mushin, Mafoloku and other communities.

According to him, the situation was not peculiar to Lagos; several African countries and parts of North America also experienced heavy rainfall and flooding during the same period.

Wahab, however, said Lagos presents a more complex hydrological challenge because of its extensive network of lagoons, rivers, creeks and tidal water bodies, coupled with its high rainfall intensity.

He explained that the interaction between the Atlantic Ocean, Lagos Lagoon and inland waterways, especially during high tide, naturally slows the discharge of storm-water into the sea, leading to temporary flooding in low-lying areas during exceptionally heavy rainfall.

The commissioner assured residents that the government was closely monitoring drainage infrastructure, flood-prone areas and major channels across the State.

He added that emergency response agencies have been deployed to affected areas to facilitate the quick recession of floodwaters and provide necessary support to residents.

Wahab said the government would continue to invest in drainage construction, channelisation, desilting, and other flood-control infrastructure, but stressed that residents also have a responsibility to support these efforts.

He urged residents to stop dumping refuse into drains, canals and waterways, warning that blocked drainage channels and illegal reclamation of wetlands contribute significantly to flooding.

He also cautioned against building on drainage alignments and engaging in activities that could obstruct the free flow of storm-water.

The commissioner said the increasing frequency of extreme rainfall events across coastal cities is a clear indication of the impact of climate change.

“Lagos is not exempt from these realities. However, the State Government remains steadfast in its commitment to building a flood-resilient city through sustained infrastructure development, environmental enforcement and active collaboration with residents,” he said.

Wahab described flood management as a shared responsibility, urging residents to keep drainage channels free of debris and to report any activities that could obstruct storm-water flow.

He also advised motorists to avoid driving through flooded roads during heavy rainfall and urged residents, particularly those in flood-prone communities, to comply with weather advisories and safety instructions issued by relevant government agencies.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting lives and property through proactive flood management measures and called for continued public cooperation in building a cleaner, safer and more resilient Lagos.

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