Blog

Two years have passed since the dark clouds of the Okuama tragedy gathered over the creeks of Delta State. The brutal ambush and killing of 17 Nigerian Army personnel in March 2024 was a national catastrophe that no civilised society should tolerate. It sparked a military reprisal that levelled Okuama, with many detained.

In the immediate aftermath, the Delta State Government, under Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, moved with commendable speed to douse the fires of military vengeance. By establishing an Internally Displaced Persons, IDPs, camp at Ewu and mediating between a wounded military and a shell-shocked community, the state government sought to bridge a chasm of blood and distrust. 

We find it deeply troubling that we are still discussing the extra-judicial detention of Okuama’s leaders in 2026. Despite multiple orders from the Federal High Court for the military to produce these individuals for trial— Professor of Physics, Arthur Ekpekpo; Ewu Development Union President, Belvis Adogbo; Dennis Amalaka and Mabel Ohwemu—the Armed Forces have maintained a wall of silence. The reported death of James Oghoroko in custody is a sore that cannot heal.

Let us be clear: the Nigerian Armed Forces are an appendage of constitutional authority. Though the military operates its own justice subsystem, it is strictly for military personnel, not civilians. It is still under our Constitution. To detain citizens indefinitely, in defiance of court warrants, is an act of military impunity that belongs to a bygone era of khaki-clad dictators. It is a subversion of the very democracy these soldiers took an oath to protect.

We call on President Bola Tinubu, as the Commander-in-Chief, to intervene immediately. The “no election” ultimatum issued by the Okuama community has a deeper symbolism—a feeling that they have been treated as outcasts in their own country. We implore the president to direct the military to hand over these detainees to the Nigeria Police or the appropriate judicial authorities.

If there is evidence of their involvement in the 2024 killings, let it be tested in the hallowed chambers of a court, not in the darkness of a military dungeon. Continued detention will not bring back the fallen heroes; it only erodes the moral high ground of the state. 

Finally, a word of caution to the citizenry: the ghosts of Odi and Zaki Biam still haunt our history. The Okuama experience is a harsh reminder that when the uniform is desecrated, the consequences are often indiscriminate and devastating for the innocent. We must respect those who stand in the gap for our security.

However, the state’s response to crime must always be measured by the yardstick of justice. Anything less is not a victory for security but a defeat for the law. Allow the law to take its course; it is the only way to achieve true closure.  

The post Justice for Okuama detainees appeared first on Vanguard News.

By ‘TONYE TIMI 

As Governor Sheriff Oborevwori prepares for re-election in 2027, his government will once again become the focus of critical discourse both as incumbent and as the most consequential player in a dramatically changed political environment in Delta State. Gone are the fist pumping slogans of PDP and welcome the chants of APC and the pivot to the federal centre. There will be a lot to talk about his tenure so far as governor and much more to engage discourse on the tumultuous political developments in the state. 

The governor has obviously recorded some mountain of achievements to stand for him with pride. 

First, he has managed the state finances far better than anyone expected and then the infrastructural growth in three years has surprised even the most ardent critic of his ascendancy to the governorship of the state in 2023.

All round, Gov. Sheriff has reasons to hold his head high when with the academic and professional class who expressed doubts about his capacity to hold the state economy and politics together considering the high borrowings prior to the handover to him in 2023. He should be proud of the new state he is working to create. A state which continues to record progress with his growing stamp of performance.

At the beginning of his tenure, the fear was palpable in economic cycle that Delta State has over borrowed -that the economy being handed over to Oborevwori was too leveraged and too exposed to banks. The fear of debt overhang on the state, raised the spectre of economic collapse during the tenure of the new governor, coupled with the political turmoil of the time. The prognosis was not very promising for the state.

Sheriff put a lie to the expectations of pessimists who expected that his government will be buried in debts -that he would spend his first tenure paying and settling conflicts with restless creditors. 

The first pleasant surprise was his announcement barely six months of his taking office that he was contracting Julius Berger, the respected civil engineering company in the country to build flyover bridges in Warri metropolis which was eventually completed and paid for in record time. Those well laid out bridges created the image of Sheriff as a strongman governor with big ambitions, wrestling creditors to the ground while insisting on building enduring structures for the future of his state.

These big projects jolted the entire state to a new reality of great possibilities, big ideas and performances. Delta State had stayed too long in the mud, plodding along like a never-do-well, building roads that wash away with the rains and investing in power projects that never bring a watt of electricity to the people. Sheriff has shown himself to be unafraid to dream big for Delta State and pursue those dreams in time to achieve the rapid development of the entire state

He has deepened and expanded his impressive big project count to include four flyover bridges in Warri, Effurun, Ughelli and Agbor, covering the three development zones of the state. He made bold to hire the services of Julius Berger, by far the biggest and most consequential civil engineering company in the country. Unprecedented in the history of development in the state, the governor was able to bring this construction giant to Delta State to begin the implementation of lasting development projects in the state. 

In many sectors, the man is trying to pursue the public good, easing the movement of goods and services necessary to improve commerce, stamping strong footprints in tertiary education by building a new impressive campus of Southern Delta University at Orerokpe. He is also expanding facilities and institutions in public health with the construction of a new College of Health Technology at Ovrode, Isoko North Local Government. He is also constructing a top of the class building of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at the Southern Delta University, Ozoro. The completion of the trans-Warri road has finally opened rural communities for trade and supplies with the urban communities in that sector of riverine Delta.

Sheriff has demonstrated boldness in the pursuit of development in the state, refusing to be restrained by doubts and delays or indecision. He has been able to set goals and demonstrated audacity in action not seen in previous governments in Delta State. The governor has demonstrated an independence of mind in actions which has made it impossible to circumscribe his rule as feared at the beginning of his tenure.

 In these three years, Sheriff has proven himself to be a man of his own, untethered to anyone’s dominance. This has helped him to win the trust of both the creditors to the state as well as the people he governs and has not denied his people the benefits of democratic rule. 

This is the sense in which Oborevwori shares a commonality with Ronald Reagan, the cowboy actor who became president of the USA in 1980. He was pivotal both for the dominance of the American economy and culture in the eighties; he was also crucially instrumental in America’s defeat of the Soviet bloc in the Cold War and the disintegration of the Soviet Union. 

But Reagan was initially underrated by the pompous American establishment as a man of the streets and outdoors, not schooled in the language and traditions of the recondite political institutions.

Sheriff’s experience and knowledge of the streets and outdoors of Delta are no different from Reagan’s experiences with the everyday life of the working American people. Scoffed at initially by the technocratic class as was Reagan, Sheriff has gone ahead to prove that experience of the real world will always be relied upon for superlative performance in office. 

Sheriff is building a new sense of pride in Delta State, creating superior structures across the state to foster pride in a new sense of belonging; also creating new standards of governing performance that reflects superiority of thoughts and willful actions. These willed actions do not rely on pouring asphalt on the roads and pretending to call it tarred but procuring the best engineering minds and working with technical and professional hands to deliver world class engineering projects.

Sheriff has just succeeded in pivoting Delta State to the federal centre, to the embrace of federalism and has moved the state away from the provincialism that dominated the thoughts and actions of the old PDP establishment in the state. The people watch to see how the courage reflected in this pivot will work for the state but Sheriff’s hope is to build a new federalist spirit into the political optics of the state as Delta State is so underrepresented in federal institutions in Nigeria. 

Sheriff wants to correct the inherent underrepresentation of Delta State in the federal political space, a state that is so central to the nation’s economic survival with its massive oil revenue contributions to the national economy.

Delta State needs bold actions from its ruler, decisive and unequivocal actions, not the tentative grandstanding of pseudo intellectuals who have occupied the seats of power in the state. Who by the time they are done with showboating and intellectualising, projects are already abstracted and abandoned. We recall the Oghareki Power Project, the Warri Industrial Business Park, the many years of inaction on the Asaba-Ughelli Road, the many years of asphalt pouring on the Warri-Agbor Road, the Kwale Power Project and many others that liter the state. These abandoned projects have wasted scarce developmental resources and dissipated energy and focus.

Sheriff has demonstrated laser focus and speed in project conceptualisation, construction and delivery, dispensing with the abstraction of ideas and dissipation of energy, trusting on the men of expertise to draw up project works and execute action.

The boldness and confidence in contracting Julius Berger who everyone believes is the biggest and the best civil engineering firm in Nigeria to implement civil works in the state is an aspect of that boldness that is reflecting on the development strides in the state.

Sheriff is a welcome relief in restoring confidence to the grit and boldness in action in government. We can only hope that the people renew his mandate to continue to build the state and restore its pride of place in the comity of states in Nigeria.

•Dr. Timi is the Executive Director, Corporate Services of the South/South Development Commission.

The post On Oborevwori’s bold move to refocus Delta appeared first on Vanguard News.

A Professor of Fisheries and Aquaculture, Dominic Odedeyi, has said that Nigeria could save over $1billion annually from fish importation and significantly boost its economy if the nation’s fisheries resources are properly maximised. He made this declaration while delivering the 58th Inaugural Lecture of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, Ondo State. The lecture, titled: “From […]

THE Ogun State Institute of Technology (OGITECH), Igbesa, has successfully hosted its 1st Annual Registry Workshop, marking a landmark in the institution’s commitment to administrative excellence and capacity development. The workshop, themed ‘Contemporary Higher Education Registry: The Imperatives of Reskilling and Upskilling’, held from March 31st to April 3rd, 2026, at the Prince Dapo Abiodun […]

Recently, policymakers, development partners, diplomats, and agricultural experts convened to mark a milestone that few development institutions sustain: four decades of continuous engagement in Africa’s agricultural transformation. The Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA), celebrating its 40th anniversary globally and 34 years of work in Nigeria, used the moment not only to reflect on its legacy but […]

A leading agribusiness organisation specialising in cocoa processing and other farm produce, Johnvents Group, has launched its Environmental Charter, marking a major step in translating sustainability policy into actionable operations across the company. The Charter provides a structured framework to guide environmental performance across the Group, emphasis ing resource efficiency, waste management, pollution prevention, and […]

By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Ogun State Area Unit, has strongly has called on Governor Dapo Abiodun to reconsider his plan to return public schools to missionary bodies, saying that the move is capable of triggering far-reaching educational and social consequences.

The group, in a press statement said it received the governor’s declaration, made while hosting Catholic leaders, including the Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria with “profound alarm and unrestrained indignation.”

Governor Abiodun had announced that missionary schools in the state would be handed back to their original owners, a development MSSN insists undermines the principles of fairness, inclusivity, and constitutional responsibility.

Reacting, the MSSN said, “the return of public schools to missionary bodies is inimical to the educational welfare of Muslim students, injurious to inter-religious harmony, and fundamentally at variance with the constitutional obligations of a government elected to serve all citizens without religious distinction.”

The society called on the governor to reconsider the decision “in the interest of peace, unity, and sustainable educational development in Ogun State.”

MSSN dismissed the state government’s description of the move as a “partnership,” arguing that it amounts to the outright transfer of publicly funded institutions to religious organisations.

“A genuine partnership requires mutual contribution and shared accountability. What is being proposed is a unilateral surrender of public assets built with taxpayers’ money,” the statement said.

“It is not partnership, but privatisation of public education along religious lines.”

The group further questioned the legality of the proposed policy, noting that public schools were taken over by the government to ensure equal access to education for all citizens, regardless of religious background.

According to MSSN, “Governor Abiodun lacks the constitutional authority to transfer publicly funded institutions without legislative backing or a clearly defined transition framework.”

Citing Section 18 of the 1999 Constitution, the group stressed that the responsibility for providing free and compulsory education rests squarely on the government.

The student body warned that returning schools to missionary control could expose non-Christian students to discrimination and compulsory religious practices.

It also expressed concern that school fees could rise beyond the reach of low-income families, thereby restricting access to education.

MSSN raised alarm over the potential impact on teachers, many of whom are civil servants with long-standing entitlements.

“Transferring these schools does not transfer government obligations to teachers. Instead, it threatens job security, career progression, and pension rights,” the group stated.

It added that the transition could disrupt academic activities, including examinations and record-keeping, particularly for students in critical classes.

The society further warned that the move could erode the long-standing tradition of peaceful coexistence in the State.

“Ogun’s public schools have historically been neutral grounds fostering unity across religious lines. This policy risks institutionalising division and breeding generational resentment,” MSSN cautioned.

“We demand the immediate withdrawal of this declaration, not as a concession, but as a necessity to preserve the integrity of public education and the unity of Ogun State,” the statement read.

The MSSN reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing the matter until a “satisfactory resolution” is reached, insisting that public schools “belong to all citizens, irrespective of faith.”

The post Ogun: MSSN opposes plan to return missionary schools appeared first on Vanguard News.

US Vice President JD Vance urged the Vatican Monday to “stick to matters of morality” amid an escalating row between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo over Iran.

“I certainly think that in some cases, it would be best for the Vatican to stick to matters of morality… and let the President of the United States stick to dictating American public policy,” Vance told Fox News’s “Special Report with Bret Baier.”

AFP

The post Vatican should ‘stick to matters of morality’ – US VP Vance appeared first on Vanguard News.

By Shina Abubakar

The Students’ Union of Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU, has commenced a 72-hour lecture boycott over hitches experienced in transportation, as the buses donated by the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, commenced operations.

The university’s spokesperson, Abiodun Olarewaju, had last week appealed to the students’ union leadership to give the management time to resolve issues arising from the deployment of the 50 buses and 30 tricycles for transporting students within the campus.

The union, in a statement issued by the President and Secretary, Adelani David and Habeeb Oke, dated April 13, instructed students to boycott all academic activities from Monday to Thursday, April 16th, 2026.

According to the union, the decision was reached following its one-week observatory mode, and the subsequent joint meeting of the Central Executive Council (CEC), Hall Executive Council (HEC), and the leadership of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC).

The students’ leadership added that the current transportation system introduced by the university management has continued to subject students to severe conditions, including inadequate coverage of the campus, persistent shortage of operational tricycles and buses, overcrowding and discomfort and insufficient drivers.

It therefore demands, “provision of more vehicles to cater for the over 35,000 members of the University community. Immediate reintroduction of the existing transport system until more buses are introduced.

“Proper implementation of the new transport system to guarantee adequate, affordable, and reliable intra-campus mobility for all students. Full consultation with the Students’ Union leadership before any further major changes to campus transportation.”

The Students’ Union leadership further disclosed that it will review the situation at the end of the 72-hour boycott, after which, “possible mass protest/march shall be considered if the management fails to address the demands satisfactorily within this period”.

The post OAU students begin 3-day lecture boycott over transportation hitches appeared first on Vanguard News.

Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick blasted referee Paul Tierney for sending off Lisandro Martinez in Monday’s 2-1 defeat against Leeds.

Martinez was dismissed in the second-half at Old Trafford after the United defender pulled the hair of Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Tierney showed the Argentine a red card after VAR officials told him to consult the pitch-side monitor.

United were trailing to Noah Okafor’s first-half double when Martinez was dismissed.

And although Casemiro got one back for Carrick’s side, they were unable to avoid the second defeat of his 11-match reign.

“I thought the boys, the way they went about it, they stayed positive and fought to get something out of it after another shocking decision to send off Lisandro,” Carrick said.

“Two games in a row we’ve had decisions like that go against us but this one was one of the worst I’ve seen.”

Claiming Calvert-Lewin’s initial contact with Martinez had played a role in the centre-back’s reaction, Carrick said: “You can throw your arm in Martinez’s face and then as he’s off balance because of that, he’s half grappling, he half touches the back of his hair which pulls the bobble to come out.

“I don’t even know what it looks like. It’s not a pull, it’s not a tug, it’s not aggressive. He touches it and he gets sent off.

“Worst of all, he gets sent to overturn it, a clear and obvious error. Shocking.”

Martinez could face a three-match ban and, asked if United would appeal, Carrick said: “I am going to have to discuss it but I think it is a bad decision.”

Carrick was also frustrated that Calvert-Lewin got away with a strong challenge on United defender Leny Yoro in the build-up to Okafor’s opener.

“We obviously conceded when Leny Yoro gets a forearm smash in the back of the head and they score the first goal,” he said.

“They didn’t decide to overturn that decision. That was a big moment in the game.”

United remain in third place in the Premier League, seven points ahead of sixth-placed Chelsea in the race to qualify for the Champions League via a top-five finish.

With one win in their last four games, United travel to Chelsea on Saturday for a crucial clash in the battle for Champions League places.

“This is one game. We’ll certainly look at it and look to improve. We’ve got another big game, an important game next week and a big end to the season,” Carrick said.

“We’re in a really good position. Tonight’s disappointing, we didn’t want to lose and we didn’t want the referee’s decisions to be so bad against us but we move on.

“We’ve got a big end to the season and there’s a lot to be positive about.”

AFP

The post Carrick labels Martinez red card as ‘worst decision’ ever appeared first on Vanguard News.