News

Chibok Girls: 11 Years Of Anguish, Broken Promises

Published

12 months ago

April 14, 2025

Today marks 11 years since the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State – an event that shook the world’s conscience and gave birth to the global hashtag movement, #BringBackOurGirls.

Yet as we reflect on this grim anniversary, the stark reality confronts us: 96 girls remain in captivity, their futures stolen, their families trapped in an unending nightmare. This represents not merely a tragedy, but a profound national failure that strikes at the very foundation of our social contract as a nation.

The Chibok abduction exposed the hollow core of our security architecture and the inability of successive governments to fulfill their most fundamental obligation – protecting the lives of citizens, particularly the most vulnerable.

That 96 young women remain missing after more than a decade of promises, military operations, and international assistance speaks volumes about our national priorities and competence. Each passing year without their rescue is not just another statistic but a continuing indictment of our collective failure.

What is perhaps most disturbing about the Chibok abduction is that it was not an isolated incident but the harbinger of a horrifying new normal.

In the intervening years, school kidnappings have become almost commonplace across northern Nigeria. According to Amnesty International, at least 17 mass abductions have occurred since 2014, with over 1,700 children seized from their schools by armed gunmen.

Save the Children’s data paints an equally alarming picture. These children – whose only “crime” was pursuing an education – have been subjected to unspeakable trauma, including sexual violence and forced marriage.

The psychological impact of these abductions extends far beyond the immediate victims. Entire communities now live in fear, with parents forced to make an impossible choice between their children’s education and their safety.

Schools have become targets rather than sanctuaries, and the promise of education as a path to a better future rings hollow when the classroom itself may become a gateway to captivity or death.

This climate of fear has further deepened educational inequalities in a region already lagging behind the rest of the country in educational attainment.

The response from successive governments has been a masterclass in ineffectuality. Grand pronouncements about imminent rescues have given way to uncomfortable silences. Military operations have yielded limited results.

President Bola Tinubu’s administration now inherits this shameful legacy. While the abductions predated his presidency, the continuing captivity of the Chibok girls and many others now falls squarely within his remit. The government must demonstrate that it places a higher value on these young lives than its predecessors did.

In the considered opinion of this newspaper,the broader issue of school security demands equally urgent attention.Schools in vulnerable areas remain soft targets, with inadequate security measures and slow response times when attacks occur. A nation that cannot guarantee the safety of its children in pursuit of education is a nation that has abandoned its future.

Yet the crisis cannot be addressed through security measures alone. We must confront the underlying factors that have created fertile ground for extremism and banditry. Poverty, inequality, environmental degradation, and poor governance have all contributed to the security vacuum in which groups like Boko Haram and criminal gangs operate with impunity.

Any sustainable solution must address these root causes while simultaneously strengthening security responses.

For the few dozen Chibok girls who have managed to escape or been released, the journey to recovery has been arduous. Reports that at least 20 released girls were forced to marry former Boko Haram fighters highlight the complex challenges of reintegration. These young women require comprehensive support – psychological, educational, and economic – to rebuild lives shattered by their ordeal.

As we mark this somber anniversary, we must recommit ourselves to bringing home the remaining 96 Chibok girls and all others still in captivity. Their continued absence is a daily rebuke to our national conscience and a reminder of our collective failure.

Every day that passes without their rescue diminishes us as a nation and undermines our claims to sovereignty and competence.

Beyond rescue efforts, we must fundamentally reimagine our approach to school security. Schools in vulnerable areas need not just guards but comprehensive security protocols, early warning systems, and rapid response capabilities.

Most fundamentally, we must recognize that the Chibok abduction and the many similar incidents that have followed represent not just security failures but governance failures. They reflect a state that has retreated from its essential functions, leaving citizens – particularly those in marginalised communities – vulnerable to predation.

Reclaiming these core state responsibilities is essential not just for addressing the immediate crisis but for rebuilding the social contract that underpins our national existence.

Eleven years is an unconscionable length of time for children to remain in captivity. Eleven years of anguish for their families. Eleven years of promises unfulfilled. As a nation, we cannot allow this shameful situation to persist. The remaining Chibok girls and all abducted Nigerian children deserve nothing less than our total commitment to their rescue and to ensuring that no other child faces their fate.

-Leadership

Education

NFVCB Boss Urges Stronger Distribution Channels As Coal City Film Festival 2026 Opens In Enugu

Published

4 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Olumide Ojo

The Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Dr Shaibu Husseini, has called for stronger distribution frameworks within Nigeria’s film industry to ensure that locally produced content achieves global visibility.

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‎Dr Husseini made this call while delivering the keynote address at the opening ceremony of the 2026 edition of the Coal City Film Festival, held in Enugu.
‎Welcoming participants to the festival, Dr Husseini expressed his personal delight at hosting the event in Enugu, his birth state, noting the city’s rich cultural heritage and longstanding contributions to Nigeria’s creative landscape.
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‎He commended the festival organisers, particularly the Festival Director, Uche Agbo, for their resilience and commitment in sustaining the initiative.
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‎ According to him, the Coal City Film Festival has grown into a significant cultural platform and a must-attend cinematic event in South East Nigeria.
‎Speaking on the festival’s theme, “Local Stories, Global Screens,” Dr Husseini emphasised the importance of authenticity in storytelling. He noted that films rooted in local realities, languages, and cultural truths often resonate more strongly with global audiences.
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‎He cited notable Nigerian productions such as “King of Boys” by Kemi Adetiba, “The Wedding Party” by Mo Abudu, “Anikulapo” by Kunle Afolayan, “Black Book” by Editi Effiong, and “Lionheart” by Genevieve Nnaji as examples of culturally grounded stories that have gained international recognition on platforms such as Netflix and at global film festivals.
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‎While acknowledging the growth in film production across Nigeria, the NFVCB boss identified distribution as a major bottleneck in the industry. He observed that many high-quality films struggle to reach audiences both locally and internationally due to limited distribution channels.
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‎Dr. Husseini therefore urged film festivals across the country to evolve beyond networking platforms into active marketplaces where filmmakers can secure distribution deals. He stressed that festivals must attract distributors, exhibitors, streaming platforms, and marketers to create tangible opportunities for filmmakers.
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‎“Film festivals must become gateways to distribution where filmmakers leave not just with applause, but with real opportunities,” he said.
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‎Reaffirming the Board’s commitment to industry development, Dr. Husseini stated that the NFVCB has continued to reposition itself as a partner in progress by engaging stakeholders, improving classification processes, and promoting a balance between creative freedom and social responsibility.
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‎However, he raised concerns over increasing non-compliance with regulatory requirements, noting that some filmmakers bypass the Board by releasing unclassified films or operating without proper licensing.
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‎He reiterated that all films and video works must be submitted to the NFVCB for classification and registration before being released on any platform, including digital platforms such as YouTube.
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‎“This is a legal obligation, and the Board will not hesitate to take decisive action against defaulters,” he warned, adding that regulation is essential for protecting the industry, audiences, and national values.
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‎Looking ahead, Dr. Husseini assured stakeholders of the Board’s continued collaboration with filmmakers and festival organisers to build a structured, sustainable, and globally competitive Nigerian film industry.
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‎He concluded by commending the organisers of the Coal City Film Festival for their vision and contribution to Nigeria’s cultural economy, urging filmmakers to continue telling authentic stories that can resonate across global screens.

-Leadership

News

Wike Reaffirms Nigeria–EU Ties, Moves To Reclaim Encroached Diplomatic Lands

Published

10 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Olumide Ojo

The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening its relationship with the European Union, while announcing steps to recover diplomatic lands in Abuja allegedly taken over by land grabbers.

Wike made this known on Thursday during a courtesy visit by the EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Gautier Mignot, in Abuja.

He emphasised the importance of sustained cooperation between Nigeria and EU member states, noting that the partnership aligns with the broader policy direction of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

“We will continue to engage EU member countries to further strengthen bilateral relations,” the minister said.

Addressing concerns over diplomatic land allocations, Wike disclosed that several plots originally designated for EU countries had been unlawfully occupied over the years. He noted that the FCT Administration has begun reclaiming such lands.

“We discovered that some lands allocated to EU member countries were taken over by land grabbers. In recent weeks, we have moved to recover those lands by removing illegal structures,” he stated.

He added that the government would formally communicate with the affected countries to determine their continued interest in the properties and ensure rightful ownership is restored.

“We are writing to those countries. If they still intend to retain the lands, we are willing to return them. We will not allow land grabbers to take advantage,” Wike said.

The minister also commended the EU for its contributions to governance and justice sector reforms in the FCT, particularly in court digitalisation and improved justice delivery.

“I am aware of your support, especially in strengthening the administration and dispensation of justice. We will continue to partner with you to deepen these initiatives,” he added.

On requests for land allocation for local EU staff, Wike assured that applications would be considered based on due process, stressing that such processes must ultimately benefit the public.

He further addressed infrastructure concerns at the IBB Golf Club, confirming that a caretaker committee has been constituted, with rehabilitation works expected to commence soon.

In his remarks, Mignot described Nigeria as a key strategic partner for the EU, noting that both parties are entering a new phase of deeper engagement.

“The European Union remains one of Nigeria’s foremost trade and development partners. Our relationship is strong, mutually beneficial, and evolving into a more significant phase,” he said.

He highlighted ongoing EU-supported programmes in the FCT, including judicial reforms, court digitalisation, human rights initiatives, and support for victims of gender-based violence.

Mignot also invited the FCT minister to engage further with EU ambassadors to explore collaboration in areas such as waste management, urban planning, and water infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Wike recently ordered the demolition of buildings illegally constructed on land designated for foreign embassies in the diplomatic zone of Katampe Extension, Abuja.

He explained that the land, originally allocated on March 18, 2008, for residential use by diplomatic missions, was later encroached upon by an unauthorised developer who commenced construction without approval from the Federal Capital Development Authority.

The affected diplomatic missions include Thailand, Bulgaria, Syria, Somalia, Serbia and Montenegro, Japan, Austria, Switzerland, Senegal, and the Palestine Liberation Organisation.

-Leadership

News

Inspector-General Disu Submits 75-Page Framework On ‘State Police’ To Senate As Push Gains Momentum

Published

10 hours ago

March 27, 2026

Olumide Ojo

According to a statement issued on Thursday by Ismail Mudashir, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Deputy Senate President, the document titled “A Comprehensive Framework for the Establishment, Governance and Coordination of Federal and State Police” was presented at Jibrin’s office within the National Assembly complex.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has submitted a 75-page framework on the establishment of State Police to the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibrin, in a fresh move to advance decentralised policing in Nigeria.

The report was delivered on behalf of the IGP by Prof Olu Ogunsakin, who chairs the Nigeria Police Force committee set up to develop modalities for instituting State Police.

Disu said the document encapsulates the Force’s professional input following extensive consultations and a thorough evaluation of the legal, operational and administrative implications of decentralised policing.

“The report covers the considered views, professional insights and strategic recommendations of the Force, derived from extensive consultations and a careful assessment of the operational, legal and administrative implications of instituting State Police in Nigeria,” Disu said.

“It is our expectation that the contents of this report will meaningfully contribute to ongoing deliberations and assist in shaping informed, balanced, and pragmatic decisions on this critical aspect of national security architecture.”

The police chief noted that the framework has been formally submitted to the Senate Committee on the Review of the 1999 Constitution as the Nigeria Police Force’s official contribution to the ongoing constitutional amendment process.

Responding, Senator Jibrin commended the IGP for what he described as a proactive step aligned with the security agenda of Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“The Deputy President of the Senate commended the IGP for his proactiveness on the establishment of State Police in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda to fully secure the country,” the statement read.

He assured that the Senate Committee reviewing the Constitution would carefully examine the framework alongside other submissions as part of efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s legal foundation.

The proposed framework is expected to outline the operational structure, governance model, and coordination mechanisms between federal and state policing systems— marking a significant step in ongoing efforts to overhaul Nigeria’s security architecture.

SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Disu inaugurated an eight-member committee in March to drive the implementation of State Police, declaring that the reform was irreversible.

At the inauguration in Abuja, the IGP insisted that decentralised policing “has come to stay,” dismissing concerns that it could threaten the roles of existing police personnel.

“State Police has come to stay, and the police should be able to contribute their part in making it succeed. The police are not afraid, our jobs are not being taken,” he said.

He described the committee’s assignment as urgent and critical, giving members one month to submit their report amid rising security challenges across the country.

Disu stressed that the move towards State Police is aimed at strengthening internal security by bringing law enforcement closer to communities and enabling faster, more targeted responses to threats.

“Across the nation, we continue to confront evolving security challenges. These require innovative thinking, strategic collaboration, and the willingness to explore reforms,” he added.

The push for State Police has gained renewed momentum following President Tinubu’s assurance that the plan would not be shelved, urging stakeholders to support the initiative.

-Sahara