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Food for Living: #EndSARS Movement: The Way Forward
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By Henry Ukazu
Dear Destiny Friends,
It is no longer news that Nigeria has been trending for the wrong reasons. Almost all major news platforms in the world and world leaders have aired their views with respect to the ongoing protests in Nigeria. For the record, CNN, BBC, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal as well as world leaders like Bill Clinton, Hillary Clinton, Joe Biden and Members of UK Parliament just to mention a few have raised their voices in different capacities, advising the Federal Government of Nigeria and precisely the President Muhammadu Buhari, to arrest the situation by adhering to the legitimate demands of the #EndSARS protesters.
For the benefit of my readers who are not aware of the origin of this article, please take time to read my last week article, #ENDSARS in Nigeria, for a better understanding. It is important to mention that nothing brings a nation down more than insecurity and instability. When there is a total breakdown of law and order, it will be difficult for any nation to move forward, and also, it will be difficult for investors to invest therein. This is the true state of Nigeria at the moment. Globally, the number one responsibility of any President or leader of a country is the protection of lives and property of its citizens. As it stands now, the protection of lives and properties of the citizens of Nigerians is no longer a priority of the government. It is no longer news that the lives and properties of Nigerians have been destroyed and one begins to wonder if we have a functional government. This is because human lives seem to be of no value if we look at the way thugs and security agents killed peaceful protesters.
It’s important to mention that October 20, 2020 will remain indelible in the minds of Nigerians and the world globally because it was on this date, the military unleashed live bullets on unarmed peaceful protesters who were protesting at the Lekki Tollgate. The shootings were sadistic, draconian and insensitive. In saner climes, the President, Vice President, Governor of Lagos State, Chief of Army Staff and other key officials of the cabinet ought to have resigned, but the reverse is the case in Nigeria.
The level of impunity in Nigeria is at an alarming rate. It is disheartening to note that security officials in Nigeria can kill a citizen they are meant to protect and say with impunity nothing will happen, and mostly likely that’s the honest truth. It’s so sad and unfortunate to note that human lives has little or no value again in Nigerian
Due to the pressure from the international community and well-meaning citizens of Nigeria, the President Muhammadu Buhari was compelled to address the citizens after the bloody massacre, but the most heartbreaking and disheartening news the President gave to Nigerian was not being able to commensurate with the families of those who lost their loved ones, but he was quick condemn the killings of security officials. One begins to wonder if the president has empathy, even if the President doesn’t have empathy what happens to this sympathy? He didn’t speak like a leader who has blood flowing through his veins.
One begins to wonder what’s the way forward for the protesters. The youths have shown that they have what it takes to lead if you look at the way and manner they have conducted themselves during these protests. The organization was well coordinated. They had provision for Legal Aid, medical personnel, relief for victim’s brutality, mental health support, food and relief for fallen heroes. That said, many people are still wondering what’s the way forward? Many youths and concerned Nigerians are worried about the future of the protesters because they see hope in the energy and spirit of the youths.
It’s important to note that the youths have achieve some monumental progress namely: they made the government to disband ENDSARS police officers, the government accepted their five for five demands, the government has made effort to persecute erring officers who weren’t diligent in performing their duties and most importantly, they made the President to address the Nation even though the speech was nothing to write home about.
Again, I ask what’s the way forward for the #endSARS protesters? Many youths are worried about how to proceed. Here are my humble thoughts. Let’s be clear, every protest must have a leader(s)and every movement or protest must be structured. Even though some schools of thought are against having clear leaders so it won’t be hijacked and to the extent he/she is no longer alive or available, the movement can still proceed, however it’s pertinent to mention that without a clear cut leadership of the protest, it will he hard to coordinate the movement, the advantages of having a leadership is much better than not having a leadership structure. Here are my humble thoughts on why a leadership structure is needed.
1. A good leadership will help to direct and inform the protesters on the way forward
2. A good leadership structure will be in a better position to negotiate when need arises
3. A good leadership will give credibility to the movement in addition to ensuring it’s not hijacked
4. A good leadership will elaborate in detailed format what we stand for, our missions and visions
5. A good leadership will provide authentic information as opposed to fake news been peddled by rumor mongers
The list is literally endless. The question now becomes how can this work?
1. Structure:
We need a good structure that will articulate the direction of the protest, the guidelines of the protest and modus operandi of the movement. Without a good structure, the movement will look like a ship without a captain or a moving car without a direction.
2. Administration
We need a good administration that will run the internal affairs of the movement. A good administration can be likened to the parts of the body working for the well being of the body. As you may know, if any part of the body is not working well, other parts will be affected. A good administration is a like a blind spot which sees and hears what other people can’t see or hear and then report to the appropriate quarters for action
3. Resources
No doubt, we need resources to make the movement work. Without resources, it will be hard to get anything done. We are not fighting with ordinary mortals; we are fighting against forces in government uniforms. Resources are like blood and fuel in human beings and cars. Without blood and fuel, it will be hard for a human being and car to function very well. Again, if the agents of the government shut down any part of the campaign to raise money in Nigeria, those in diaspora and well-meaning people who are interested in developing and bringing change to the system can actually contribute meaningfully.
4. Strategy
The last but not the least is a strategy. Without a good strategy, it might be difficult to achieve any meaningful progress. You cannot underestimate the importance of strategy. In politics, strategy is very important for the success of any political campaign. Campaign can be likened to a Business Model Canvas (B.M.C). Our strategy must only be known by the internal agents who will then direct the people on where the next step. For example, we can decide when to go online and when to go on the street, we can decide on a particular dress code etc. Strategy involves reaching out to those in diaspora, learning from the elders who have been there before us in the fight for self-actualization, negotiating where need be and planning for the future.
In conclusion, I will strongly advise every patriotic citizen and lover of Nigeria not to give up because we have come a long way. The protest is not a sprint, but a marathon. I strongly believe, if we can brainstorm and articulate ideas on how to re-strategize the protest, I believe we will have a good chance of achieving our aim.
Henry Ukazu writes from New York. He works with the New York City Department of Correction as the Legal Coordinator. He’s the author of the acclaimed book Design Your Destiny – Actualizing Your Birthright To Success and President of gloemi.com. He can be reached via info@gloemi.com
A Federal High Court in Abuja has nullified the leadership of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) led by former Senate President David Mark, declaring the caretaker committee illegal.
The court also invalidated all actions taken by the committee, including the nomination of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar as the party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 general election.
Delivering judgment on Thursday, November 5, the presiding judge, Peter Lifu upheld a suit filed by Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman (North-East) of the party, who challenged the process through which Mark and other members of the caretaker committee assumed control of the party.
The court granted the reliefs sought by Gombe, effectively invalidating the actions taken by the Mark-led leadership.
Gombe had argued that following the resignation of the party’s former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, he was entitled to assume the party’s leadership in his capacity as the former deputy national chairman.
The plaintiff also sought the nullification of decisions taken by the Mark-led leadership, arguing that its emergence violated the ADC constitution and provisions of the Electoral Act.
In the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025, the ADC, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Mark, Aregbesola and Nwosu were listed as defendants.
The ruling invalidates the process through which the ADC conducted its presidential primary that produced Atiku as its flag bearer for the 2027 election.
Abubakar had subsequently selected former Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi as his running mate ahead of the presidential election scheduled for January 16, 2027.
Background
Thursday’s judgment is the latest development in the prolonged leadership crisis within the ADC, which began after the party’s former National Chairman, Nwosu, handed over its leadership to Mark and Aregbesola in July 2025.
The handover took place during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja on July 2, 2025. It was followed by a National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting on July 29, 2025, where Mark and Aregbesola formally emerged as the party’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively.
The party maintained that the process complied with its constitution and was monitored by INEC. However, the transition triggered opposition from members of the party, resulting in multiple legal challenges over who should control its leadership ahead of the 2027 general election.
One of the challengers was Nafiu Bala Gombe, a former National Deputy Chairman (North-East) of the party, who approached the Federal High Court in Abuja in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1819/2025. He argued that following Nwosu’s resignation, he was entitled to assume the party’s leadership and challenged the process through which Mark and Aregbesola emerged.
The dispute subsequently went through the Court of Appeal, which issued an order directing the parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum pending the determination of the substantive case.
Relying on the appellate court’s directive, INEC removed Mark and Aregbesola’s names from its official portal, effectively withdrawing recognition of the Mark-led leadership.
The matter eventually reached the Supreme Court, which, on April 30, 2026, set aside the Court of Appeal’s order. The apex court described the directive as “unnecessary, improper and unwarranted” and returned the substantive leadership dispute to the Federal High Court for determination.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, INEC restored Mark and Aregbesola’s names to its official portal as the ADC’s National Chairman and National Secretary, respectively, pending the determination of the substantive suit.
Meanwhile, a separate challenge to the Mark-led leadership was brought by Leke Abejide, a member of the House of Representatives, in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1637/2025.
On July 2, 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja dismissed Abejide’s suit and upheld the Mark-led leadership.
Delivering judgment, the judge, Musa Liman, held that the dispute concerned the internal affairs of a political party and was non-justiciable.
Source: ICIR
The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 27-year-old man, identified as Victor Edet Yellow Duke, over the alleged attack on the convoy of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, in Calabar.
The incident occurred on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, around Watt Market Roundabout, along the Calabar Road axis of the capital capital, while Obi’s convoy was returning from the palace of the Obong of Calabar to Metropolitan Hotel, venue of the party’s presidential town hall meeting.
According to a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, the attack occurred at about 2:20pm when suspected hoodlums, reportedly armed with machetes and sticks, emerged from the Calabar Road and Clerks Alley axis and attacked vehicles in the convoy.
The statement disclosed that the attackers smashed the windshields of some vehicles, adding that the exact number of vehicles affected was yet to be established.
Following the intervention of security operatives, one of the suspected attackers, Victor Edet Yellow Duke, was arrested, while others reportedly fled the scene.
According to the police, “the suspect has subsequently been transferred to the State Police Headquarters by operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit, VCRU, for discreet investigation and to prevent possible reprisals or further breakdown of law and order.”
The Command confirmed that “normalcy has since returned to the affected area.”
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident, directing officers to identify and apprehend other individuals allegedly involved in the attack.
The police, however, cautioned against drawing conclusions from the arrest, emphasising that “the arrest does not establish the suspect’s guilt.”
It added that the suspect remains entitled to the presumption of innocence pending the conclusion of investigations and any subsequent judicial proceedings.
The Command also reassured residents, political stakeholders and visitors of adequate security across the state, stressing that “all political parties, candidates and their supporters would receive equal protection irrespective of their political affiliations.”
Obi’s media aide, Ester Umoh, had earlier raised the alarm on social media that the NDC flagbearer had been attacked.
“Thugs are trying to attack our convoy,” she said while raising the alarm over the incident.
News
Nigeria-EU Investment Partnership: Boost Africa Highlights Mouthwatering Opportunities for Entrepreneurs
What happens after investment reaches an African business?
Beyond the financing figures and commitments, how does capital translate into business growth, innovation, jobs and economic opportunity?
These questions took centre stage as the European Investment Bank (EIB) showcased the achievements of Boost Africa at the Nigeria–EU Global Gateway Investment Partnership Lab, held on the sidelines of the 32nd Nigerian Economic Summit in Abuja.
The event, convened by Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning in collaboration with the EIB’s Boost Africa team, brought together government officials, European development institutions, investors and private-sector leaders to explore how strategic partnerships and innovative financing can accelerate Nigeria’s economic
development.
In his remarks, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, Nigeria’s Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, emphasised the importance of mobilising private investment to support Nigeria’s economic transformation.
H.E. Gautier Mignot, European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, highlighted the importance of translating investment partnerships into concrete opportunities, including stronger support for Nigeria’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Bringing the Boost Africa story to life
A major highlight of the event was the session “Boost Africa: From Capital to Impact,” which brought together representatives of development finance institutions, venture capital funds and Nigerian businesses to examine what investment has made possible.
The session opened with a short video introducing Boost Africa and its contribution to supporting innovative African enterprises.
Moussa Nakoulima, EIB Regional Head for West and Central Africa, provided an
overview of the initiative, highlighting its achievements and the role of development finance in mobilising investment for African entrepreneurs.
Launched as a joint initiative of the EIB and the African Development Bank, with support from the European Union, Boost Africa combines investment through venture capital funds with technical assistance to strengthen Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The initiative has attracted more than €100 million in EIB investment commitments to
venture capital funds, supporting enterprise development across sectors including
technology, financial services, agribusiness and renewable energy.
From investment funds to growing businesses
Moving from the institutional perspective to the investment ecosystem, Daisy Leich, Director of Strategy at TLcom, shared insights into the role of venture capital in supporting African businesses.
Her contribution highlighted why financing alone is not enough. For growing enterprises, access to strategic guidance, expertise and networks can be just as important as access to capital. The discussion then turned to two Nigerian businesses whose experiences illustrated the opportunities that investment can help unlock.
Michael Babalola, Director of Operations at Beacon Power Services, shared the
company’s experience of developing technology-driven solutions for the energy sector, demonstrating how innovation can help address operational challenges in electricity distribution.
Representing ChipMango, Hamilton discussed the company’s work in developing Nigeria’s semiconductor engineering capabilities and creating opportunities for local talent to participate in the global technology industry.
Together, these perspectives illustrated the journey from development finance to venture capital investment and, ultimately, to businesses delivering practical solutions.
They also reinforced an important distinction: Boost Africa supports enterprises through its investments in venture capital funds, helping create the conditions for innovative businesses
to access financing and grow.
Looking ahead: Building on Boost Africa’s experience
Beyond reflecting on achievements, the session also provided an opportunity to discuss the future of financing for African innovation.
Participants were introduced to Boost Ventures, a successor initiative intended to build on Boost Africa’s experience and expand financing opportunities for innovative African businesses.
Backed by a €129 million European Commission guarantee, the initiative represents a further commitment to strengthening Africa’s venture capital ecosystem and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs.
For Nigeria, where innovative businesses continue to develop solutions across critical sectors, sustained access to investment, expertise and strategic partnerships will remain essential.
Investment as a catalyst for lasting impact
The Boost Africa session reinforced a central message of the Nigeria–EU investment
partnership: development finance can play a catalytic role in mobilising private investment and helping businesses realise their potential.
By bringing together the institutions providing finance, the funds investing in enterprises and the businesses translating investment into solutions, the discussion offered a practical picture of how development partnerships can contribute to economic growth. The story of Boost Africa is ultimately not only about how much capital has been invested, but about what that investment has made possible: stronger businesses, new capabilities, innovative solutions and opportunities for Africa’s future.
Learn more at
https://www.eib.org/en/products/mandates-partnerships/boost-africa/index
