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Nigeria needs new Constitution, not amendments – Ezekwesili

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A former Minister of Education and Chief Executive Officer of Human Capital Africa, Dr Oby Ezekwesili, on Thursday knocked the National Assembly over its ongoing constitutional amendment efforts, which she described as a charade and a conduit pipe to waste public funds.

Ezekwesili lamented that Nigeria’s political space, along with much of Africa’s, has been hijacked by what she called a criminal enterprise gang that now dictates the direction of governance in their interest, while the welfare of the larger populace suffers.

The former minister stated this on Thursday in her keynote address, titled “Reworking Nigeria’s Federalism: Perspectives on Restructuring and Fiscal Federalism,” delivered at the 7th Penpushing Anniversary and Annual Lecture in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

She argued that instead of heeding widespread demands for a new constitution capable of correcting imbalances and inequalities in the current system, the National Assembly chose to pursue a process that would yield little or no meaningful change.

Ezekwesili explained that agitations for secession, widespread insecurity, unemployment, poverty, and poor governance could only be addressed through a people-driven constitution that guaranteed devolution of powers, equity, and justice across ethnic and regional lines.

“The ongoing constitutional amendment cannot work; it cannot address our problem. It is a charade and a sheer waste of resources.

The demand for a new constitution is a matter of life and death,” she said.

Using a construction analogy, she stressed the futility of trying to fix a flawed structure with patchwork solutions.

“For instance, when the engineer tells us that the foundation of a building is structurally defective, is it not to take the whole building down? Because it will continue to constitute an endangerment to the people.

“You won’t say, ‘Oga, can we just do some little adjustment to the building?’ No, it won’t work.

“And this is the same with nation-building. So this expensive charade that the National Assembly is embarking on and spending money on won’t take us anywhere,” she added.

Ezekwesili called on the media to take the lead in advocating for a new constitution that reflects the will of the people.

“The media should take the front seat and be at the vanguard of a demand for a new constitution.

“We must have a constitutional conference that enables the people of this country to have honest conversations around things that will make us make progress and make Nigeria work for all of us.

“If there is anything that will come out of this annual lecture, it must be that the media should be at the vanguard of a push for a constitutional conference, one that will enable the constituent parts of this country, a constituent assembly elected by the people, to sit, discuss the issues that make fiscal federalism work, and come out with proposals eligible for a constitution, which will then be put before the people to vote on in a referendum.

“This is what Kenya did after almost collapsing. Since then, you never hear them talking about break-ups, they talk about the need for good leaders.”

Ezekwesili emphasised that good governance is not a mystery and can be replicated in Nigeria if the political will exists.

“There is nothing mysterious about good governance. This thing has been done elsewhere and could be replicated here in the country.

“Unfortunately, today’s politics has been hijacked. What we now have is a criminal enterprise gang, and this is not only in Nigeria but across the continent.

“A criminal enterprise gang has taken hold of politics and excluded society. These people just sit at the table and slice governance in the direction that suits them. But that must not be allowed to continue,” she added.

The former minister also linked the quality of politics to the economic development of nations, warning that no real progress could be made in Africa without significant improvement in the quality of political leadership.

According to her, a true fiscal federal structure would not only promote regional autonomy and accountability but also satisfy demands for self-determination without jeopardising the unity of the country.

“Fiscal federalism will boost productivity, improve leadership capacity, and foster genuine collaboration among the regions,” she said.

Also speaking at the event, the immediate-past Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Amb Sarafadeen Ishola, stated that Nigeria’s current federalism, while adopted in principle, failed in practice.

“It neither delivers the autonomy expected by the federating units nor promotes the developmental competition required for national growth,” he said.

Amb Ishola, who chaired the occasion, emphasised that true federalism entailed not just devolution of power but also responsible governance, institutional clarity, fiscal equity, and citizen-driven accountability.

“Nigerians must not see restructuring as a sectional agenda but embrace it as a national rebirth strategy to address key challenges facing the country,” he added.

Earlier, the founder of Penpushing Media, an online platform, Mr Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji, said the annual lecture was designed to elevate national discourse and inspire solutions to Nigeria’s most pressing problems.

He said Penpushing Media continued to grow while contributing significantly to improving the national narrative through credible journalism and impactful philanthropic activities.

He added that the platform had helped train over 80 Mass Communication students from various institutions and instituted an annual award for the best graduating students in the field.

The event also featured goodwill messages from former spokesman to the late President Muhammadu Buhari, Mr Femi Adesina; Chair of the Penpushing Editorial Board and former Lagos NUJ Chair, Funke Fadugba; and the Planning Committee Chair, Dr Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi, among others.

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Trump administration cuts energy projects, freezes New York funding

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The Trump administration has announced plans to terminate dozens of clean energy projects and freeze billions of dollars for major projects in New York, intensifying a stand-off with Democrats over a US government shutdown.

US media outlets described the moves announced by the energy and transportation departments as part of the administration’s efforts to pressure Democrats in Congress to agree on a deal to end the shutdown.

US President Donald Trump had raced to enact hard-right policies even before the shutdown began after midnight on Tuesday, threatening mass firings and to slash government departments, and blaming Democrats for Congress’ failure to resolve a funding stand-off.

The Department of Energy announced on Thursday “the termination of 321 financial awards supporting 223 projects, resulting in a savings of approximately $7.56 billion for American taxpayers.”

It said in a statement that those projects — overseen by the Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations, the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy and other bodies — “did not adequately advance the nation’s energy needs… and would not provide a positive return on investment of taxpayer dollars.”

However, recipients of federal funding have 30 days to appeal against a termination decision, and some have already begun the process, the statement said.

It did not list the projects in question.

In a post on social media platform X, Russell Vought, who heads the powerful Office of Management and Budget, called the slashed projects “Green New Scam funding” that was used to advance “the Left’s climate agenda”.

He listed the states affected by the decision. They include California, New York and 14 others — all blue states where Trump failed to win in the 2024 presidential elections.

California Governor Gavin Newsom said the Trump administration had decided to cancel “up to $1.2 billion” slated for a major hydrogen energy project, threatening tens of thousands of jobs.

“In Trump’s America, energy policy is set by the highest bidder, economics and common sense be damned,” Newsom said in a statement, vowing to keep pursuing a “clean energy strategy… no matter what DC tries to dictate.”

In New York — the home state of top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries — the Department of Transportation announced on Wednesday it was freezing nearly $18 billion in federal funding for two major infrastructure projects, the Second Avenue subway and Hudson Tunnel.

The move takes aim at diversity, equity and inclusion policies, according to the department’s statement, saying that subsidizing projects with “race- and sex-based contracting requirements… is unconstitutional, counter to civil rights laws, and a waste of taxpayer resources.”

The funds would be frozen until a “quick administrative review is complete,” it said.

“Thanks to the Chuck Schumer and Hakeem Jeffries shutdown, however, USDOT’s review of New York’s unconstitutional practices will take more time,” it added, saying that the department “has been forced to furlough the civil rights staff responsible for conducting this review.”

New York Governor Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, said in a statement that halting funding for “critical infrastructure projects” was “political payback and an attack on New York.”

“Donald Trump has been clear: he is intent on using his reckless government shutdown to hurt the American people,” she said.

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Shettima returns to Abuja after attending UNGA, meetings in Germany

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has returned to Abuja after representing President Bola Tinubu at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and high-level engagements in Germany.

The vice president’s aircraft touched down at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, in the early hours of Thursday, where he was received by senior government officials.

During the week-long engagements, Shettima delivered the President’s national statement at the UNGA, calling for comprehensive reforms of the global body.

Vice President Kashim Shettima is being welcomed some government officials at the airport. Photo: State House

He also advocated Africa’s sovereignty over its estimated $700 billion mineral resources and strengthened Nigeria’s partnerships with the United Kingdom, the Gates Foundation, and other international stakeholders.

In New York, Shettima met with UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who commended Nigeria’s bid for a permanent seat on the UN Security Council.

The vice president also showcased Nigeria’s $200 billion energy transition opportunities to global investors and assured members of the Nigerian diaspora of continued engagement in the Tinubu administration’s policies and programmes.

He later proceeded to Germany for further strategic meetings before returning to the country.

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Lagos unveils artisan certification to curb building collapse

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The Lagos State Materials Testing Laboratory has launched a new certification and training programme for artisans in the construction industry as part of efforts to stem the spate of building collapses in the state.

The initiative, known as the Certified Structural Integrated Programme, was unveiled at a stakeholders’ forum held in Ese-Offin and Badagry, where block moulders, bricklayers, concrete mixers, steel fabricators and welders converged to pledge support for safer construction practices.

In a statement on Thursday by the Lagos Government, General Manager of LSMTL, Olayinka Abdul, said the programme marked a decisive step in tackling recurring tragedies linked to substandard construction materials.

“Without artisans, there is no construction. But with you, we have the power to ensure every construction is safe, sound, and secure. We need to earnestly curb episodes of collapse in high-water-prone communities, and we do not want such in your community. It ends today,” he said.

According to the statement, the CSIP is a five-year assessment programme aimed at certifying construction materials as fit-for-purpose.

It will also produce an official directory of approved block moulders, concrete mixers and steel fabricators, to whom developers will be directed for supplies.

“This is not just about enforcement; it is about partnership and empowerment. Together, we can forge an unbreakable alliance that makes Lagos a model for building safety and integrity,” Abdul added.

Technical experts at the forum highlighted the scientific backing for the initiative. Director of the Soil and Geotechnics Unit, Engr. Abimbola Adebayo, stressed the need for mandatory soil tests before construction.

Similarly, Kayode Akinfeleye of the Technical Services Department advised builders to ensure architectural drawings are obtained and preserved, describing them as “a core requirement in the Lagos building process.”

Artisan guild leaders welcomed the initiative. Chairman of the National Association of Block Moulders of Nigeria, Alhaji Fabiyi Oyeleke, described frequent collapses as “disheartening” and commended the forum as a step in the right direction.

On his part, Chairman of the Lagos State Bricklayers Association, Mr. Fashina Aro, noted the peculiarities of Lagos’s swampy terrain and urged all stakeholders to ensure materials and soil tests are completed before bricklayers commence work on any site.

Building collapse has been a persistent challenge in Lagos, with many lives lost and substantial property damage over the years.

In recent incidents, emergency responders have had to rescue workers from collapsed structures.

PUNCH Online reports that rescue teams pulled eight workers from the debris of a collapsed building in September.

Reports by the Building Collapse Prevention Guild show Lagos accounts for about 55% of recorded building collapse incidents in Nigeria over the past several decades.

In response, Lagos has taken steps to strengthen bodies like the Lagos State Building Control Agency, enhancing enforcement, monitoring, and regulation of building standards.

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