Ideas leave a trail.

I am deeply saddened by the multiple loss of lives and disruption of activities in Maiduguri, Borno state capital which has just been hit by a devastating flood disaster. It is heartbreaking to think about the families who have been bereaved or torn apart, the homes that have been destroyed, and the livelihoods that have been ruined. I can only imagine the pain and suffering that the people of Maiduguri are going through right now. My thoughts and prayers are with them, and I hope that they find the strength and resilience to get through this difficult time. In times like these together as a nation, we must support each other. I urge the federal and state governments to do everything within their powers to provide aid and relief to those affected by this natural disaster . We need to work together to rebuild and restore the communities that have been damaged. May God console and protect the people of Maiduguri, and may He give them the courage and hope they need to face the days ahead. -PO

Upon my return from my trip to Kigali, I honoured a longstanding invitation and birthday promise to @KayodeAkintemi by sitting down with him for an in-depth conversation about our dear country. I urge my fellow OBIdients and Nigerians to watch and offer corrections where necessary. Leadership is about listening and learning. @NewsCentralTV Wednesday, 8 PM (WAT) DSTV 422 and Startimes 274. -PO

Yesterday, in Benin, Edo State, I joined the Labour Party gubernatorial candidate, Barrister @OlumideAkpata, alongside his running mate, Alhaji Yusuf Kadiri, to rally support for the upcoming Edo State Governorship election, scheduled for Saturday, September 21st, 2024. Our campaign is a crucial part of our mission to engage directly with the people, sharing our vision of hope and transformation for a new Nigeria. As I have always emphasized, it is essential that we vote for the right candidates—those who demonstrate competence, capacity, consistency, and compassion to serve. Together, we can build a new Edo State and a Nigeria that is POssible. -PO

In pursuit of my desires and soul-searching for solutions for our country’s and continental challenges, I was in Kigali, Rwanda , over the weekend. I had several meetings, planned and some sudden with notable people in the development sector, and discussed a range of issues, especially from personal to sports and food insecurity. Most of the comments, I had resonated well with belief for example, whenever I talk about productivity, I maintain that our productivity is low and my emphasis remains on our country moving from consumption to production. The Former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Hailemariam Desalegn @HMDessalegn shared that in their dealings with the Chinese, they found that the Chinese produce 6-7 times what the Ethiopians can produce, and they decided to do something about it. Today, he recounted: "I can comfortably say that the average Ethiopian produces 60-70% of what the Chinese can do." At the height of my meetings, and engagements was a gracious opportunity to meet with the legendary Rwanda President @PaulKagame, with whom I had very useful discussions on things that resonate with me every day, especially what is required for Africa to move forward. He remains committed to the management of scarce resources and serving the people faithfully, which resonates with me deeply. Finally, I spoke at the Sherrie Silver Foundation's "The Silver Gala". While looking around the hall, I saw a continent on the rise if only we could have the right Leadership and invest in the entrepreneurial, innovative energy of our youths. Overall, my experience in Kigali have reinforced my belief that the new Nigeria is possible and that Africa, the continent, is on the rise and unstoppable. -PO

On this International Literacy Day, I join the global community to remind us of the importance of education, which I have consistently maintained, is the most effective tool for development in any nation. For us in Nigeria, I have consistently argued that education is the greatest investment the government can make for the development of our Nigerian society. The obvious lack of commitment to educational growth in the country has continued to unleash many dire consequences on the nation. As I have always said, the society we abuse today will take its revenge on us tomorrow. We cannot have an army of over 18 million out-of-school children roaming the streets and not be worried about crime and insecurity in the nation. Even with our about 62% literacy rate as claimed by the government, we still significantly fall below the 87% global average. This, therefore, is a poignant reminder of the urgent need to prioritise investment in education, especially at the basic level. For a country with about 81,520 schools at the primary level and 23,550 schools at the secondary level, the N251.47 billion budgeted for Universal Basic Education remains low. Let me, once again, cite a scenario I had earlier painted before. Imagine using N160 million to buy vehicles for the legislators, the total of which came to about N60 billion. Local Car manufacturers, Innoson would have sold the same vehicles with about a 50% discount, saving us 50% of that cost, which would be about N30 billion and above all, transacting with INNOSON would not have involved foreign currency. At the N10 million cost of building 5 classroom blocks in a primary school for basic education, the saved amount would have given us 3000 structures which will go a long way in reducing the number of our children without classrooms and currently learning under the trees. This would have helped us to drastically reduce the number of out-of-school children who are roaming the streets today. With the ongoing discussions about the minimum age requirement for admission into universities, I do not wish to argue for or against it. I am more particularly concerned with aggressively cutting down the cost of governance and channelling the resources into the critical areas of education, and health and pulling people out of poverty. I encourage us, the political leaders, to prioritise investment in education for our collective progress. A New Nigeria Remains POssible. -PO

I have just read the disheartening reports of the deadly tanker explosion which occurred today at Agaie Local Government Area of Niger State where no fewer than 30 human lives were lost and about 50 cattle burnt. This unfortunate incident is occurring less than 24 hours after a similar tanker explosion caused serious damages in Ibadan, Oyo state capital on Saturday. I am pained by the loss of human lives, and other means of livelihood in the two tragic events. I thank the safety and emergency agencies that arrived the scene for search and rescue operations. I sincerely condole with all the affected families who lost their loved ones to this tragedy. I equally commiserate with the government and people of Niger and Oyo States over this tragic occurrence. May God comfort them, and all of us, who share in the pains of this sad incidents in our nation. I pray God Almighty to forgive the sins of the dead and grant them eternal rest, and grant quick and full recovery to the injured. -PO

Yesterday, I had the honour and privilege of joining other renowned guests, young artists, speakers, and change agents across the African continent and beyond to witness the incredible work the Rwandan-born British @SherrieSilver is doing through her Foundation, Sherrie Silver Foundation. Through entertainment, choreography, dance, and music, Sherrie's passion and dedication to the transformative power of education and healthcare and her work in lifting people out of poverty deeply resonates with me. For me, Africa is not just a continent of challenges; it is a continent of limitless possibilities and opportunities, if we can unleash the entrepreneurial and innovative spirit of our youth. I extend my deepest gratitude to my dear little sister, Sherrie Silver, for her relentless efforts in living a life of impact and service to humanity. Her work is a source of encouragement to me as a political leader striving for a new Africa, especially in New Nigeria that is possible, and I assure her of my unwavering support. -PO

Again, I am very saddened by yet another devastating news of the horrific killing of several innocent people in Mafia Village in Tarmuwa Local Government Area of Yobe State. This heinous act of violence is a stark reminder of the gravity of our security situation and the urgent need for a paradigm shift in our approach to the challenge. The relentless killings, maiming, and displacement of innocent Nigerians are a clear indication that our current security architecture is failing. We must acknowledge this reality and take bold steps, as I have always maintained, by declaring war on insecurity before it consumes us completely. -PO

Induced by my belief that sports are a critical area for commitment and investment that can help lift millions of our youths out of poverty while contributing to the development and unity of our dear country, I recently toured the much-advertised Kigali Sports City in Rwanda alongside Nigerian-born Masai Ujiri, the trailblazing President of the NBA’s Toronto Raptors. The tour began with a visit to the arena, a world-class facility known for its cutting-edge design and construction. This venue, where the 2022 CHOGM (Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting) was held, generates enough revenue to operate independently, without recourse to government funding. Next, I visited the stadium, a 45,000-seater facility built and commissioned a few months ago. What truly left me in awe, however, was the ongoing construction of a complex comprising a hotel, a mini-game village, open areas for engagements, and a sports bar, all part of what is named "Zaria Court,” developed by Masai Ujiri. He explained the significance of the name, revealing that he was born and raised in Zaria, Nigeria. His love for Zaria fuels his desire to see such facilities in Nigeria, particularly given the size and potential of the country. He remarked that such developments should exist in most states or, at the very least, in each of the six geopolitical zones. Unfortunately, he pointed out that neither the National Stadium in Lagos nor the one in Abuja is in good condition. I couldn't help but reflect on the power and potential of Nigerian youth in sports, entertainment, and other sectors. Facilities like these could tap into that potential and provide development opportunities. Regarding our national stadiums, especially the one in Surulere, Lagos, Masai Ujiri encouraged redevelopment and active management of the facility. With proper management, these facilities could pay for themselves, just as they are doing in Rwanda. While driving back to my hotel, I couldn't help but think about how we can kickstart such projects, creating jobs, changing the narrative in sports and entertainment, and contributing to building the new Nigeria that we all know is POssible. -PO

Today, I was one of the panellists at the Africa Food Systems Forum 2024 held in the Rwandan capital Kigali. At the session, I reiterated my long-held position that food insecurity in Africa is intrinsically linked to human insecurity. Using Nigeria as an example, I emphasized that solving food insecurity is a major path to general security in the country. By investing in agriculture and food-related productivity, Nigeria will not only be addressing the hunger will also create huge job opportunities for the teeming unemployed population, especially the youths in their productive age. Reducing reliance on food imports will help ease the strain on our currency, steady exchange rates, and rein in inflationary pressures driven by high food costs. To further elucidate the untapped potential in our food production chain, Bangladesh, with approximately 148,000 square kilometres less than 1/6th of Nigeria's about 923,768 square kilometres, produces 35-40 million tons of rice annually. In contrast, Nigeria produces only 3-4 million tons of rice, which is roughly 10% of Bangladesh's rice production. This disparity which is similar to the African situation highlights the untapped potential of Africa's agricultural sector and underscores the need for investment. Food insecurity, if addressed properly in Africa, can be a catalyst for enhancing human security and promoting overall development. With significant investments in agriculture and food systems, we can create jobs, reduce poverty, and tackle hunger simultaneously. We can even feed basic food processing industries and thus create even more jobs. By focusing on sustainable agricultural practices and value-chain improvements, we cannot only ensure food also empower communities and promote economic growth, leading to a more prosperous and secure Africa. We must prioritize food security to unlock the continent's potential and address the pressing issues of human insecurity. An Africa that feeds itself is at the center of our aspiration. -PO

Today, I had the honor of opening the doors of Chief Gani Fawehinmi's Gallery and Library and launching two books: 'Chief Gani Fawehinmi: The Enigma' and 'Gani Fawehinmi Library and Gallery', 15 years after his demise held at the Gani Fawehinmi Library and Gallery, Alausa, Lagos State. Chief Fawehinmi was not just a legal luminary, but an embodiment of courage, integrity, and an unyielding advocacy for justice. Standing here, in a space dedicated to his legacy, I am reminded of the values he so fiercely defended: truth, equality, and the rule of law. His life continues to inspire us, urging us to challenge the status quo, fight for the oppressed, and never compromise in our pursuit of a better society. Today’s gathering was evidence of his enduring impact, not just on the legal community, but on every Nigerian who believes in justice. I look forward to seeing the legacy of Chief Gani Fawehinmi continue to thrive through this remarkable work and the minds it will inspire. -PO

Following my recent comment on the Nigerian woman living in Canada, who made very distasteful comments against her fellow Nigerians in Canada. While condemning such a level of tribal and religious division, I have received a barrage of reactions from people, many of who tried to justify their actions. Some explained that her comments were in reaction to earlier hateful comments made by another Nigerian and reportedly directed at other Nigerians of the Igbo ethnicity which I also now condemn in the strongest terms. As I mentioned then, and still maintain now, tribal tension and religious division must not be allowed to grow among us. Such divisive and hateful comments and behaviours against one another should have no place among us. We must remain one united nation, focused on solving the myriads of challenges facing us as a nation. We must unite against the further polarisation of our nation along tribal, religious and political lines, and focus on finding lasting solutions to the challenges of high insecurity, unbearable high cost of living and leadership failure that has continued to weigh us down. With faith in our nation, may we embrace unity and peace, so that we can achieve true progress, growth and development in our nation. On one united and peaceful nation, shall the New Nigeria stand. It is POssible. -PO

Today, I joined other notable Nigerians in Katsina State to attend burial prayers in honour of Late Hajiya Dada Habi Yar Adua, the esteemed matriarch of the Yar'Adua family in Angwan Yar'Adua, Katsina State, who recently passed away. https://t.co/v1SgZH592i

It's with a heavy heart that I received the news of the death of Hajiya Dada, the mother of the late President of Nigeria Umaru Musa Yar’adua and the Former Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, Gen Shehu Musa Yar'Adua. https://t.co/GWNHbOzcom

Nigerians must stop at nothing in demanding for transparency in the operations of government especially critical agencies like the state-owned NNPCL whose activities appear to be shrouded in secrecy. The conflicting reports on subsidy payments have left Nigerians in the dark,

https://t.co/dd74FbwgxX

Today, I joined my very dear elder brother, and friend, @AtedoPeterside, and the entire Peterside Family, at Opobo Town in Rivers State for the Funeral Thanksgiving Service of their beloved mother, Princess Patricia Gbolaba Awune Peterside. https://t.co/EmqG0Sh3dd

The delightful news of the recent promotion of Nigerian-born Kelechi Ndukwe, to the rank of Captain in the US Navy, reinforces my stand that every Nigerian, irrespective of tribe or religion, can attain great heights in life when given the right support.

I am sincerely delighted by the story of a young Nigerian, Auwalu Ahmed Dankade, an employee of a handling company at the Malam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano, who recently returned $10,000 he found while cleaning an aircraft.

Today in Lagos, I joined family, friends and other mourners to pay my last respects to the late iconic song star, my very dear elder sister, Onyeka Onwenu, who was laid to rest. I still recall, with pain, her final moments before she took the final bow on 30th July, https://t.co/FeRmtp11VJ