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Open letter to President Tinubu on Nnamdi Kanu, other matters
By Izuorah Anichebe
Your Excellency,
Permit me to extend my deepest commendations for the strides your administration has taken thus far in navigating the turbulent waters of governance. Leadership, especially in a nation as complex as ours, is no small burden, and the weight of expectation is heavy. Yet, your administration has taken intentional steps towards repositioning Nigeria, which is grappling with economic realities, security concerns, and the age-old question of national unity. Many of us still believe in the promise of your presidency, that you will be the statesman who rises above the politics of expediency and steers Nigeria toward justice, equity, and reconciliation.
But history beckons, Your Excellency. A moment presents itself, one so rare, so profound, that how you respond will define your legacy for generations to come. I write to you with an urgent appeal, not merely as a citizen, but as a witness to the echoes of our past and the shadows they continue to cast upon our present. This is an appeal for justice, healing, and national redemption. An appeal for the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu through the instrument of the Presidential Prerogative of Mercy.
Mr President, we are living in a time when history is finally unveiling itself. The recent publication of A Journey in Service by former Head of State, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has shattered a long-held falsehood—one that has been used for decades to justify the marginalisation and persecution of the Igbo Nation.
For years, the January 15, 1966 coup has been branded an “Igbo coup”, a narrative carefully woven to sow discord, distrust, and division. But General Babangida, an elder statesman who lived through that era, has now set the record straight. The coup, as he revealed, was not an ethnic conspiracy but an ideological revolt against corruption and political decay. Its architects sought to cleanse Nigeria of misgovernance, with the intent of placing Chief Obafemi Awolowo—a Yoruba statesman—as head of state.
Yet, this truth was buried beneath propaganda. The coup was twisted into an ethnic agenda, inflaming tensions that culminated in the Civil War—a war in which over three million Biafrans perished. This single distortion of history has fuelled decades of marginalisation, distrust, and resentment. In the aftermath, those who bore the brunt of this falsehood were never compensated, never reintegrated, and never truly accepted as equal stakeholders in the Nigerian project.
It is this unaddressed historical injustice that gave birth to men like Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Your Excellency, let us speak the truth without fear. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not in detention because he is a criminal; he is in detention because Nigeria has refused to confront its past. He is the voice of a people who have, for too long, felt unheard, unseen, and unwanted. His incarceration is not merely his burden to bear—it is the burden of an entire generation that has grown disillusioned with a country that refuses to acknowledge its wounds.
Keeping him in prison does not solve the problem. It deepens it. His prolonged detention fuels the insecurity in the South-East, emboldens radical elements, and entrenches the perception that Nigeria is a country unwilling to embrace reconciliation.
But there is a path forward—a path that only a leader with the heart of a statesman can walk. Grant him his freedom, and you will not only be liberating a man; you will be opening the door to healing a broken region.
Beyond the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, there are steps your administration can take to cement its legacy as one that chose unity over division, healing over resentment, and justice over convenience:
Declare May 31 a National Day of Remembrance: The Civil War remains a wound in our national psyche. Millions perished, yet their memory is left unhonored, their sacrifices unrecognised. Let us have a day where Nigeria bows its head in solemn remembrance—not in blame, not in bitterness, but in truth.
Reintegrate the Igbos as equal stakeholders: The South-East, despite its contributions to national development, remains politically marginalised. Let this era be one in which that injustice is corrected—not as a favour, but as a recognition of their rightful place in the country they helped build.
Tackle the root causes of agitation: The call for self-determination is not born of malice; it is born of frustration. A restructured Nigeria, where no region feels like a mere appendage, will not only end these agitations but will unlock the full potential of our diverse nation.
Restore stability and economic growth in the South-East – The Southeast, once a commercial powerhouse, has been destabilised by insecurity—an insecurity that has worsened with Kanu’s continued detention. His release will de-escalate tensions, encourage dialogue, and ultimately boost Nigeria’s economy as the region reclaims its place as a hub of commerce and industry.
Your Excellency, leaders are remembered not for the problems they inherited but for how they chose to resolve them. The decision before you is not merely political—it is a moral reckoning. To release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is to say to the world: Nigeria is ready to heal. It is to demonstrate that your presidency is one of justice, wisdom, and unity.
This is your moment to etch your name alongside leaders who chose courage over fear, reconciliation over vendetta, and nation-building over political expediency. History watches.
May Chi-Ukwu grant you the wisdom to see, the courage to act, and the legacy that endures beyond time.
Yours in the service of truth and justice,
News
NiMet DG Anosike urges service providers to move beyond institutional compliance to measurable impacts on citizens
The Director-General and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), Professor Charles Anosike, has called on public institutions to move beyond regulatory compliance and certifications to delivering measurable results that create lasting value for citizens.
The DG/CEO of NiMet, who was represented by the Director, Engineering and Technical Services, Engr. Hamid Olayinka Abdulkareem, made the call during his keynote address at the 3rd National Quality Improvement Summit and Awards, organised by the Quality Improvement Institute of Nigeria (QIIN) in Abuja on Thursday 12 November 2026. Speaking on the theme, “Quality: Powering Performance – Moving Beyond Compliance to Measurable Results,” Professor Anosike emphasised that institutional credibility must be earned through consistent service delivery, accountability, innovation and continuous improvement.
Highlighting NiMet’s commitment to international quality standards, the DG/CEO disclosed that the Agency secured ISO 9001:2015 certification for aeronautical meteorological services at Yola, Osubi and Owerri airports in July 2026, alongside the successful recertification of five other airports, bringing its total number of QMS-certified airport stations to eight. He stressed that quality assurance in meteorological services is critical to aviation safety, agricultural productivity, disaster preparedness and national economic development.
Professor Anosike further highlighted the integration of the Balanced Scorecard Performance Management System into NiMet’s 2026–2030 Strategic Plan as a significant step towards strengthening institutional accountability. He explained that the framework connects strategic objectives with measurable performance indicators, ensuring that organisational success is assessed not merely by activities undertaken but by results achieved and value delivered.
He urged institutions to invest in people, technology and stakeholder partnerships while embedding quality management into their organisational culture. According to him, sustainable institutional excellence requires leadership commitment, continuous evaluation and a deliberate shift from procedural compliance to measurable public impact.
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Joint Aviation Unions Appoint Keyamo Grand Patron of Renewed Hope Support Group, Present ITF Position Paper Ahead of ICAO Conference
The Honourable Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN, today received a high-powered delegation of aviation labour unions under the Joint Aviation Trade Union Forum (JATUF), led by its Chairman, Comrade Ben Nnabue, in Abuja.
The delegation comprised top executives of the National Union of Air Transport Employees (NUATE) and other aviation unions, including the Air Transport Services Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (ATSSSAN), National Association of Aircraft Pilots and Engineers (NAAPE), and Association of Nigerian Aviation Professionals (ANAP). The unions are affiliates of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).
Other members of the delegation included Comrade John Ogbe, Vice Chairman; Comrade Alale Adedayo, Vice Chairman; Group Captain Bunmi Gandeh, Vice Chairman; and Comrade Hector Nnadi, Secretary of the Forum.
The visit was primarily to formally present the position paper of the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) to the Minister, seeking Nigeria’s support for a motion advocating the integration of social sustainability, decent work and meaningful workers’ engagement into the global civil aviation framework at the forthcoming Seventh Worldwide Air Transport Conference (ATConf7) of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), scheduled to hold in Montreal, Canada, from November 16 to 20, 2026.
According to Tunde Moshood, Special Adviser to the Hon. Minister on Media and Communications, the proposed motion, which has received Nigeria’s nod, underscores the need for the international aviation community to recognise that the sustainability and long-term success of civil aviation go beyond infrastructure development, technological advancement and economic growth to include the welfare, rights and professional development of the workforce that sustains the industry.
The unions stressed that the future of international civil aviation must be built on a framework that balances economic competitiveness with social responsibility, recognising aviation workers as indispensable stakeholders in the growth, safety and efficiency of the industry.
The Minister’s reception of the position paper further demonstrates Nigeria’s commitment to constructive engagement with organised labour and the promotion of policies that strengthen the aviation sector while protecting the interests of its workforce.
In a related development, the delegation also formally presented the Minister with an invitation to serve as Grand Patron of the Renewed Hope Aviation Support Group (RHASG), under the umbrella of the Strategic Collaboration for the Re-Election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR.
The nomination, made on behalf of the Board of Trustees, National Executive Council and entire membership of the organisation, recognises the Minister’s leadership, professional competence and capacity for strategic coordination.
The group congratulated Keyamo on his recent appointment as Director of the Directorate of Air Transport Mobilisation for the All Progressives Congress (APC) re-election campaign, describing the appointment as a testament to the confidence reposed in his leadership abilities, organisational experience and commitment to effective mobilisation.
According to the group, the Minister’s wealth of experience in managing complex responsibilities, coupled with his strategic understanding of the aviation industry, makes him well-positioned to provide political leadership, guidance and direction to the organisation.
The appointment as Grand Patron is intended to strengthen the group’s strategic direction and consolidate support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and his anticipated re-election bid.
The development marks another demonstration of the growing intersection between organised aviation labour, industry stakeholders and broader national development objectives, with the Minister continuing to engage stakeholders on issues that affect the growth, sustainability and future of Nigeria’s aviation industry.
The Kano State governorship candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, NDC, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, has appointed a former Kano State Chief of Staff, Gwani Alhaji Shehu Wada Sagagi, as Director-General of his 2027 governorship campaign.
The appointment was announced in a statement issued on Wednesday by Ibrahim Garba Shuaibu, spokesperson to the NDC governorship candidate.
According to the statement, Gwarzo also named Alhaji Adamu Ali Ibrahim Kibiya as Secretary of the Campaign Directorate and Engr. Sunusi Usman Dambatta as Deputy Director-General.
Sagagi, a former Commissioner for Investment, Commerce and Industry and ex-chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Kano State, is expected to lead the campaign’s activities ahead of the 2027 election.
The appointments take immediate effect, while the full membership of the campaign council will be announced later.
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