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Nigeria Must Stop Normalising Past Evils – Farotimi Knocks ‘Statesman’ Label For IBB

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Human Rights lawyer and activist, Dele Farotimi, has faulted the description of former military president, Gen. Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (rtd.), known as IBB, as a statesman, insisting that such accolades only help to legitimise the ‘evils’ he claimed were inflicted on Nigerians during Babangida’s regime.

In a terse statement via his verified 𝕏 account on Tuesday, Farotimi accused Nigerians of engaging in what he described as mutual affirmation strategies that sanitise leaders with a questionable legacy.

“Not telling these ruinous cretins exactly what they are contributes towards the normalization of the evils that they have visited on the people. This mutual affirmation strategy is what has helped to sustain the evil. IBB is no statesman, and you can stop lying to yourself,” he wrote.

Adesina’s Birthday Tribute That Sparked Debate

It was reports that Farotimi’s comments came shortly after former African Development Bank President, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, celebrated Babangida in a birthday message, hailing him as one of Nigeria’s “foremost elder-statesmen.”

Adesina, in his tribute, praised the former military ruler’s “patriotic fervour, devotion and commitment to Nigeria’s peace, unity and progress,” while wishing him good health on the occasion of his 84th birthday.

Adesina wrote: “I congratulate Nigeria’s former Head of State, H.E. General Ibrahim Babangida, GCFR, on the occasion of his 84th birthday. As one of Nigeria’s foremost elder-statesmen, you continue to inspire the nation with your patriotic fervor, unrelenting devotion and unreserved commitment to the peace, unity and progress of Nigeria. Your life is characterized by total service marked with resilience.

May God continue to grant you good health, strength, vitality, and happiness, surrounded with the love of your family and all who love you, today and always. Happy Birthday Sir! With much love from Yemisi and I. Akin.”

The public commendation, however, sparked reactions online, with Farotimi standing out as one of the most critical voices against what he sees as an attempt to whitewash history.

Babangida’s Controversial Legacy

It was reports that IBB, who ruled Nigeria from 1985 to 1993, remains one of the country’s most controversial leaders.

His regime is remembered for the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election, widely adjudged to have been won by Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola (MKO Abiola).

While supporters often describe him as a pragmatic leader who introduced economic reforms such as the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP), critics argue that his policies entrenched corruption, worsened poverty, and deepened Nigeria’s socio-political crises.

Farotimi’s fiery post, however, has reignited the debate over how Nigerians should remember Babangida-as an elder statesman deserving of national honour, or as a leader whose actions left lasting scars on the nation.

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Uganda reaches agreement with US Govt to take in migrants

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Uganda has entered an agreement with the United States to take in nationals from third countries who may not get asylum in the U.S. but are reluctant to return to their countries of origin, the foreign affairs ministry said on Thursday, August 21.

President Donald Trump aims to deport millions of immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally, and his administration has sought to increase removals to third countries, including by sending convicted criminals to South Sudan and Eswatini.

“This is a temporary arrangement with conditions including that individuals with criminal records and unaccompanied minors will not be accepted,” Vincent Bagiire Waiswa, the ministry’s permanent secretary, said in a statement.

Waiswa added that Uganda would prefer to receive people from African nationalities under the agreement.

“The two parties are working out the detailed modalities on how the agreement shall be implemented,” he said.

On Wednesday, another Ugandan foreign affairs official had denied a U.S. media report that the East African country had agreed to take in people deported from the United States, saying it lacked the facilities to accommodate them.

Uganda, a U.S. ally in East Africa, also hosts nearly two million refugees and asylum-seekers, who mostly hail from countries in the region such as Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Sudan.

In July, five immigrants from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Yemen and Cuba, who Washington said had been convicted of serious crimes, were flown to Eswatini, where they are now in a high-security prison. The deportations are being challenged by a group of Swazi and southern African NGOs, with a high court hearing scheduled for Friday.

Also in July, eight men from various countries were deported by the US to South Sudan, via Djibouti, where they were held for weeks in a shipping container. Meanwhile, more than 250 Venezuelans were repatriated to Venezuela after being sent to a notorious El Salvador prison in March without due process.

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FRSC rewards officer for rejecting 104 bribes in one month

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The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has honoured Assistant Route Commander Babatunde Owoeye of the Osun State Sector Command for his exemplary integrity in July 2025.

The commendation was held during a ceremony on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at the Osun State Command headquarters.

Records show that Owoeye rejected bribes from traffic offenders on 104 separate occasions.

He also turned down bribe attempts 18 times in May and 38 times in June, reflecting a consistent commitment to ethical conduct in service.

Speaking during the ceremony, Sector Commander Leye Adegboyega lauded Owoeye, stating that his conduct mirrors the FRSC’s long-standing policy against corruption and extortion among its personnel.

Adegboyega added that the recognition aligns with the anti-corruption agenda of the Corps Marshal, Sheu Mohammed, as well as the commission’s broader efforts to promote professionalism and accountability.

“For his exceptional integrity, Assistant Route Commander Babatunde J. Owoeye has been awarded a commendation and a cash gift of N250,000. He recorded 104 ‘Attempt to Corrupt Marshal on Duty’ (ACS) cases in July alone — a feat that is unprecedented in the command’s history,” Adegboyega said.

The FRSC reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on bribery and assured the public that honesty and discipline within its ranks would continue to be recognised and rewarded.

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Africa could become a renewable superpower – UN chief

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United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has called for greater investment in green energy across the Africa, saying the continent has everything it takes to become a “renewable superpower.”

Speaking at the Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD), Guterres stressed the need to mobilize finance and technology to ensure Africa’s natural wealth benefits its people and to build a thriving renewable energy and manufacturing base.

“Green power in Africa lowers energy costs, diversifies supply chains, and accelerates decarbonization for everyone,” he said.

Guterres warned that mounting debt should not hinder development and urged increased concessional finance and greater lending capacity from multilateral development banks.

He added, “Africa has everything it takes to become a renewable superpower, from solar and wind to the critical minerals that power new technology.”

The conference brought together African leaders and Japanese officials, with discussions on clean energy, economic partnerships, and long-term investment opportunities.

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