Personality in Focus
Odinkalu Dismisses Ahmed Bako’s Lecture As Worse Than Anti-Climax
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Legal practitioner and human rights activist, Mr. Chidi Odinkalu, has come hard on Professor Ahmed Bako, describing his recently delivered inaugural lecture as an exercise worse than an anti-climax.
In a lengthy writeup that reviewed the totality of Bako’s lecture, Odinkalu revealed as follows:
Thanks to (all) who have offered up views on Prof. (Ahmed) Bako’s Inaugural.
I was honestly minded to un-look after reading it twice for reasons that will follow shortly. But given the depth of your effort, I want to offer a limited and deliberately narrow complement.
For a relatively short Inaugural Lecture delivered on the eve of retirement after nearly 45 yrs teaching & researching Nigerian history, this text is riddled with distressing errors of text, context, sub-text, & texture.
I say nothing of errors of intellectual method – it explores no alternative explanations or interpretations for its limited sourcing & evidence. So the lecture seems to be embarrassingly devoid of basic intellectual curiosity too.
One major error that caught my eye on p. 13: “The Igbos embarrassed modern education….” I presume he meant to say “embraced”.
That is 10 pages after he puts Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the category of Igbo “separatist” groups on p. 3. It goes on…. If this was an error of commission, it’s evidence of prejudice. If it is one of omission, it is worse than embarrassing. Either way, it is totemic of the lecture.
All over the text, you see such and worse embarrassments.
On pp. 45-46, in support of his suggestion that the Igbo drove host-community competitors from the marketplace, he cites a rental incident, claiming that rent in 1974 and 1986 was in ££:
“My view is that because of ethnic solidarity, Igbo traders gradually marginalized or even displace (sic) large number of Hausa traders. A typical example of a Hausa man displaced by the Igbo was Alhaji Abubakar Makwarari. He became a textile retailer in 1974 in a stall he rented from Alhaji Salisu Barau Zage at the cost of *£6,000* per annum. In 1986 he was ejected due to his failure to pay the new rent of *£30,000* . Chief David Obi Oknokwo (sic) paid the stated amount and occupied the stall. Many other Hausa traders such as Lawal Sulaiman (Minister), Alhaji Yahya etc were displaced by the Igbo who were ready to pay high rents….”
On the face of this text, this is evidence of his pursuit of a pre-determined single narrative: Alhaji Salisu Barau Zage who on this evidence shafted his own brother in order to collect the Igbo man’s money lacked agency or responsibility. He fell victim to the presumed sorcery or wickedness of the blighted Igbo man.
That is a segue to the substantive issues. Underlying his thesis is the claim that the Igbo embraced education for purposes of domination and not development. Avoiding for the moment any contest over meaning here, he provides no authority or evidence for this claim. He takes this over the top on pp.39-40: “What needs emphasis during this time was the fact that searching for economic power and dominance make the Igbo to be desperate and aggressive. Desperation is what make (sic) them to not only be disliked by host communities in several of the areas of their dominance in Northern Nigeria but to pushed (sic) some young Igbo into criminal activities.”
He asserts this as fact with no effort to back it up with evidence, authority, or comparison. And the text is littered with such carefree attitude to prejudice as fact.
He also complains somewhat about the insularity of the Igbo and how that has been a source of blowback. But yet he also explains – without appearing to know that that was what he was doing – that this was an outcome of colonial-era segregations which effectively rendered Sabon-Gari into an ethnic ghetto.
Interestingly, the exception to the treatment of Sabon-Gari as a ghetto was Mal. Abacha Maiduguri, the father of Gen. Abacha. That is no accident because the Kanuri were also outsiders among the Karnawa and that has some antiquity. That is another story altogether.
On the whole, the lecture is worse than an anti-climax. If this is what passes for history and what has been taught for over 4 decades, one can only lean back with the jaws askew.
But I also don’t want to be too unkind about the lecture. The man has done his best. Now and again, there are some accidental nuggets in parts of the paper (such as the reference to the Ajie Ukpabi Asika interview of 1971 or the Newswatch interviews with survivors of 1985 but they appear entirely accidental and not followed up or developed. So, it is a useful read and a useful source of intelligence: If a university professor supposedly specialized in history offers this up, the rest can be imagined.
In the end, an Inaugural in my view and experience is essentially a celebration of a thread of intellectual forage. The reason I was minded to un-look is that I will not knowingly rejoin to a paper to which it is impossible to attribute a quote of more than one sentence without two [sics].
Of course, there is no rejoinder to the fact that the Pound was abolished in Nigeria in 1973 and, therefore, that in 1974, rent in Kano was not rendered in £££.
And if he believes that Ohanaeze Ndigbo is a separatist organisation, that is his view. But that would, presumably also, be applicable to Arewa, or the Egbe or MBF or any number of ethnically defined associational groups in Nigeria; which would then beg the question: why does the Igbo one call for any form of his attention if he is not going to make the effort to distinguish those others from Ohanaeze.
If a man – or anyone at that – has spent over 40 years of his life spouting this kind of stuff even with the best of intentions as seems evident on the face of this paper, I will take pity on him and pity even more the students who endured it.
Basketball icon, Hakeem Olajuwon will, this week feature on CNN’s African Voices Changemakers, a 30 – minute magazine programme sponsored by telecommunications company, Globacom.
The twelve-time NBA All-Star,and two-time NBA champion will, in a chat with CNN’s Larry Madowo shares his inspiring journey from Nigeria to the United States, where his extraordinary talent earned him the iconic nickname “The Dream.”
The 7-foot center who discovered basketball in 1978 at the Muslim Teachers’ College, Lagos was born in Lagos, Nigeria, on January 21, 1963 later relocated to the United States in the early 1980s to play college basketball for the University of Houston Cougars.
Olajuwon’s professional career launched when the Houston Rockets selected him as the first overall pick in the legendary 1984 NBA draft, which also featured top basketballers like Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, and John Stockton.
Beyond his historic club career, he won an Olympic gold medal with the United States national team in 1996 and was named one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History. His outstandibg career secured him inductions into both the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008 and the FIBA Hall of Fame in 2016.
Olajuwon was further celebrated on the NBA’s 75th Anniversary Team in October, 2021. He retired as the league’s all-time leader in blocked shots (3,830), remaining one of only four players in NBA history to record a quadruple-double and the absolute leader in 5×5 games.
African voices comes up on DSTV Channel 401 this Saturday at 12:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m. (West African Time), with repeats scheduled for Sunday at 4:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Monday at 4:00 a .m.and 6:45 p.m., Tuesday at 6:45 p.m., and continuing next week on Saturday at 12:00 a.m. and 8:30 a.m., Sunday at 4:30 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., and Monday at 4:00 a.m..
The President of the National Association of Nigeria Travel Agencies (NANTA), Dr. Yinka Folami, has commended the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) and its Director General, Dr. Ola Awakan, for putting together an impressive outing for Nigeria at the just concluded WTM London 2026, held at ExceL London between November 3 and 5, 2026.
Speaking on behalf of NANTA, the umbrella body for travel agencies in Nigeria, Dr. Folami said the NTDA’s outing was not just impressive, it was historic, it was dignified, it was Nigeria at its best.
Dr. Folami, who was represented in London by NANTA’s First Deputy President, Mustapha Mohammed, leading a high-powered NANTA delegation, with NANTA as the only association with a dedicated presence at the NTDA stand at WTM London, said he watched with pride as NTDA led Nigeria’s participation, with the endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who had commended Awakan for his immersive storytelling, collaboration and innovation in his first year in office.
He said: “On behalf of NANTA, I want to commend the Director General of NTDA, Dr. Ola Awakan, for putting together an impressive outing for Nigeria at WTM London. He did not just take Nigeria to London, he took Nigeria back to the world. After years of absence, after years of invisibility, Nigeria was seen, Nigeria was heard, Nigeria was engaged. The NTDA stand was a true national showcase. The storytelling was compelling. The partnerships were strategic. The visibility was real. This is what leadership looks like. This is what commitment looks like. And NANTA is proud to have stood side by side with NTDA in London.”
Dr. Folami noted that Nigeria’s participation at WTM 2026 enabled the country to present its tourism assets to a global audience, raising the profile of key destinations and products while opening new market possibilities, advancing collaboration, innovation and storytelling in promoting Nigeria’s tourism potential.
The NANTA President was emphatic: NANTA’s support for NTDA is not a one-off, it is a commitment.
“I want to assure Dr. Awakan and the entire NTDA that NANTA under my leadership will continue to support his leadership of NTDA. We will always partner with NTDA and other government tourism agencies to harness, develop, grow and market Nigerian tourism assets and destinations. That is our mandate. That is our promise. Government cannot do it alone. Private sector cannot do it alone. But together, government and private sector can put Nigeria where she belongs – on the world map, and on the world market.”
“We handed over in 2024 because we believe the goal is not who owns Nigeria’s stand, but that Nigeria has a stand. And now that NTDA has taken up the baton with such excellence, NANTA will stand beside NTDA – wherever Nigeria needs us, we will be there.”
In a special tribute, Dr. Folami appreciated Elizabeth Agbola, Founder and CEO of NTT Global Destinations, who worked hand in hand with NTDA to birth the return of Nigeria to the global tourism trade event.
“I want to specially appreciate our sister, Elizabeth Agbola, who worked hand in hand with Dr. Awakan to birth this return. Behind every successful outing, there are silent workers, there are bridge builders, there are people who make calls, and who encourage support for greater good. Elizabeth is one of them.
Dr. Folami prayed for greater visibility for Nigeria in international tourism expositions across the world.
“My prayer is that this WTM will not be a one-off. My prayer is that Nigeria will be at FITUR in Madrid, at ITB in Berlin, at Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, at WTM in London, every year, with a bigger stand, with a bigger story, with bigger results. Visibility is not vanity. Visibility is business. If you are not seen, you are not sold. And Nigeria must be seen. Nigeria must be sold. May God give NTDA, NANTA, and all of us, the grace to sustain this momentum.”
The NANTA President also called on other players and associations to support government efforts to promote tourism in Nigeria.
“I am calling on all other players, all other associations – FTAN, NATOP, ATPN, hoteliers, tour operators, airlines, state tourism boards – let us support government efforts to promote tourism in Nigeria. Let us stop grumbling. Let us stop competing for who owns Nigeria. Let us compete for who serves Nigeria better. Government has done its part at WTM. Now we must do our part. Let us bring our products, let us bring our packages, let us bring our investments, and let us make Nigeria the destination of choice in Africa.”
Finally, Dr. Folami commended NANTA members and all stakeholders who came out in numbers to support NTDA and Nigeria’s return to WTM.
“To our NANTA members who travelled to London, who committed financial support to NANTA, who paid their way, who manned our stand, who marketed Nigeria with passion, I say thank you. To our NANTA BOT Chairman Alhaji Aminu Agoha, supported by BOT Member Alhaji Kabir Maiwada, who visibly graced the event with their support and presence, I say thank you, and To all stakeholders, FTAN, NATOP, AITEC World, the media, the diaspora community in the UK who stormed our pavilion, I say thank you. You came out in numbers to support NTDA and Nigeria’s return to WTM. You proved that when Nigeria calls, her children answer. This victory belongs to all of us.”
Dr. Folami concluded with a message of hope: “Nigeria is back. And by the grace of God, Nigeria is here to stay. NANTA will always partner with NTDA. NANTA will always put Nigeria first. That is not just our slogan. That is our legacy.”
Personality in Focus
Khaira Bala Emerges Winner of 16th UBA Foundation Essay Competition, Gets N15m Grant
Khaira Bala emerges winner of16th UBA Foundation Essay Competition, wins N15m
Khaira Ojima Bala of Metro International School, Abuja, has been crowned as Nigeria’s top secondary school essayist for 2026, emerging as the winner of the 16th edition of the UBA Foundation National Essay Competition
Khaira, 15, was announced as the winner during the grand finale of the competition, where she received a N15m educational grant to study at any university in Africa. The event was held on Tuesday at UBA House, Marina, Lagos, and had a large audience which included finalists, parents, students, teachers and judges.
An elated Bala dedicated the award to her parents. “I am so happy right now. My parents have sacrificed so much for my education, and this award belongs to them as much as it belongs to me,” she said. “I also want to thank the UBA Foundation for believing in young people like me and giving us a platform to share our ideas.”
Unwanabasi Otobon Udom of Topfaith International Secondary School placed second, receiving N10 million, while Flourish Chibunumoma Ndamzi of University of Port Harcourt Women Association International Secondary School came third, receiving N7.5 million.
God’sfavour Ezekiel Udo of Federal Government Girls College, Ikot Obio Itong, and Uchenna Olivia Anyanwu of Coral Impacts International School, Abuja, came 4th and 5th, receiving N5 million and N3.5 million, respectively.
The 20 finalists emerged from over 15,000 entries submitted by senior secondary school students across Nigeria, as they wrote on the topic: “No nation can develop without food security. How can Nigeria deal with this problem?”
They also had the opportunity to be part of a one-day writing boot camp with the judges.
This year’s grants total N41 million, an 82% increase compared to the N22.5 million grant awarded last year, following the Foundation’s expansion of the number of winners from three to five as well as an increase in the value of each award.
All the 20 finalists also received several consolation prizes, including modern laptops to aid with their homework and research work. Their UBA accounts were also funded with N20,000 each as a token of appreciation from the bank’s Group Managing Director, Oliver Alawuba.
Speaking at the event, UBA’s Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, told the 20 finalists that they were all winners and urged them to see their selection as proof of what hard work and curiosity can achieve.
“You were selected from more than 15,000 students, and you earned this place through your hard work, your curiosity and your determination. We do this because we believe in the future of this continent, and the best investment we can make in that future is in our youth,” Alawuba said. “This is corporate social responsibility, but it goes beyond that. UBA is more than a bank; it is an institution that plays a great role in the future of Africa. How can we say the future is Africa if our young people are not the ones driving it?”
Alawuba explained that the higher grants were a response to rising costs. “As inflation increases and it becomes more difficult to see a child through school, we have raised the amounts to make sure these students get to school. For us, that is important,” he said.
Alawuba also noted that the Foundation would consider writing workshops for participating schools as the competition grows, to build competence, confidence and critical thinking among students.
The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, UBA Foundation, Bola Atta, who thanked parents, teachers and the judges for their support, described education as the surest investment in Africa’s future.
“Over 16 editions, we have watched our finalists go on to excel in universities and careers across the world, and that is the impact we set out to achieve,” Atta said. “So far we have spent over N3bn on this competition in the past 16 years and increasing the number of winners and the value of the grants means more young people can now pursue a university education without the burden of cost. We will keep strengthening the competition so that it continues to reward original thinking.”
The UBA Foundation is the corporate social responsibility arm of UBA. The National Essay Competition, which began in Nigeria in 2011, now runs in other African countries where the Bank operates, alongside the Foundation’s work in education, healthcare, economic empowerment and environmental sustainability.
