In celebrating three years of his administration, President Bola Tinubu included, among his achievements, an increase in revenue from N16.8 trillion in 2022 to N35 trillion in 2025. An increase of over 100%.

Shockingly, while Nigerians expected a reduction in borrowing with the exponential increase in revenue, the opposite is the case. In just three years, President Bola Tinubu’s government seems to be obsessed with excessive and imprudent borrowing, with our total debt currently about N200 trillion—a deeply disturbing increase of over N100 trillion.

In addition to the exponential increases in both revenue and debt, it is also important to note that Nigeria has earned far more than the budget revenue targets due to global and regional geoeconomic and political tensions.

Alarmingly, even with the astronomical increase in both revenue and debt, almost all key socio-economic and governance indicators are worse than in 2023. Multi-dimensional poverty has increased from 87 million people in 2023 to over 140 million people in 2025. Rapidly increasing unemployment and a decline in GDP per capita from $1,597 in 2023 to $1,223 in 2025, and the list goes on.

Just more and more hardship for Nigerians! The question Nigerians and even the international community are asking is, “Where did all the money go?”

Nigerians deserve a detailed and transparent explanation of what happened to our economy and financial resources since 2023, and a stop to the imprudent, unaccountable, and opaque management of our common patrimony.

A new and productive Nigeria is POssible, and Nigeria will be OK!

– PO

May 31, 2026

Participants at the 2026 Biafra Remembrance Day Zoom Conference have called for a strategic redefinition of the Biafra struggle, emphasizing political engagement, inclusiveness, non-violence, and ideological clarity as the pathway forward.

The conference, held under the theme “Biafra: 56 Years After – Changing the Narrative,” brought together political leaders, activists, stakeholders, and advocates to review the state of the Biafra movement and chart a new course for the future.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the conference, participants observed that the continued agitation for Biafra is largely a consequence of the failure of successive Nigerian governments to fully implement the policy of Reconstruction, Rehabilitation and Reconciliation (3Rs) announced after the Nigerian Civil War.

The conference noted that many agitators lack a clear understanding of Biafra as an identity, an ideology, and a territorial aspiration, stressing the need for political education and ideological reorientation.

Participants rejected the “Biafra or Death” slogan and other zero-sum approaches, describing them as unrealistic political strategies. They advocated for practical engagement, strategic planning, and clearly defined alternatives capable of advancing the aspirations of the people under changing political circumstances.

A major concern raised at the conference was the perceived Igbo-centric nature of the current Biafra movement. Delegates emphasized that historical Biafra comprised not only the Igbo but also the Akwa-Cross and Ijaw/Coastal peoples.

The conference paid tribute to non-Igbo Biafrans who played significant roles during the Nigerian Civil War, particularly Frank Opigo, the Ijaw man credited with naming Biafra, and called for the inclusion of all constituent ethnic nationalities in any genuine Biafran project.

Participants also identified a widening gap between agitators and political leaders and urged stakeholders to build stronger cooperation in pursuit of the political and economic interests of Biafran people.

The conference reaffirmed that while Biafrans remain Nigerians by citizenship, they share a common indigenous identity and historical experience that must be respected and protected.

On ideology, delegates emphasized that Biafra should be understood as a project founded on justice, fairness, equity, accountability, self-reliance, community development, and good governance. They urged Biafrans to begin implementing these values in their daily lives rather than waiting for the realization of a sovereign state.

The gathering unequivocally rejected violence, armed confrontation, and the militarization of the struggle, reaffirming its commitment to peaceful, democratic, political, and diplomatic engagement.

Participants also condemned all forms of criminality and warned against associating criminal activities with the Biafra movement.

The conference encouraged stakeholders to study international self-determination movements, including developments surrounding the 2017 Catalonian Declaration, while adapting relevant lessons to local realities.

In what many observers described as a significant shift in direction, the conference declared that the era of flag marches, symbolic demonstrations, and street protests has largely passed, giving way to strategic political participation, policy advocacy, institution-building, civic education, and constructive democratic engagement.

The conference further affirmed the secular nature of the Biafra struggle, insisting that it should remain inclusive and not be controlled by any religious denomination.

To address misconceptions surrounding the Biafra question, participants resolved to intensify public sensitization and political education. They also agreed that the forum would henceforth meet on a fortnightly basis to sustain dialogue and strategic engagement.

The conference concluded that the future of the Biafra project lies in inclusiveness, non-violence, political participation, ideological clarity, justice, equity, self-reliance, and good governance.

Signatories

– Ndubuisi Anaenugwu – Good Governance Ministry (GGM)
– Mazi Ikechukwu Bismarck Oji, MNSE, COREN – Founding Secretary-General, Eastern Peoples Congress (EPC)
– Comrade Uchenna Madu – Leader, MASSOB
– Comrade Obi Emekekwue – Political Leader
– Comrade Nkiru Nwezi (Iron Lady) – Women Leader, GGM

Source: 2026 Biafra Remembrance Day Zoom Conference Communiqué.

The Governor of Anambra State, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, has extended his administration’s commitment to urban renewal to Nnewi, a key commercial and industrial city in Anambra State. During a visit by the governor with his team members to Nnewi on Wednesday, which lasted for nearly two hours, he assured that his administration has turned its gaze on Nnewi to ensure that the town gets the needed facelift befitting of its status as a city in Anambra State. The governor was received by the Nnewi North local government chairman, Hon. Echezona Anazodo, who was joined by the local government chairmen of Nnewi South and Ekwusigo, Hon. Van George Ezeogidi and Hon. Chimezie Obi, respectively.

Governor Soludo, who visited four different locations for an on-the-spot assessment of the sites before concluding suitable projects for each of the locations, assured that Nnewi will be prepared for the future under his watch. The first point of call for the governor was the Nnewi roundabout, where the former governor, Mr. Peter Obi, had commenced a building structure for a mall, but was later abandoned and left for nearly a decade and half. Governor Soludo, while on this location, took his time to tour the entire space and assured that his government will give Nnewi a deserved facelift and convert the abandoned project into something viable and of public interest within the lifeline of his administration. From there, the governor proceeded to the Nnewi post office, where he also inspected the surroundings. Thereafter, he walked to the roundabout to take a full view of the surroundings. Standing on the Nnewi roundabout, the governor observed that Nnewi needs to expand and prepare for the future if it is to maintain its status as a city. “Nnewi has grown, and we are going to bring life into it,” he pledged.

The Government of Anambra State, under Governor Soludo, intends to build a central intra and inter motor park, as well as an open arena with greenery and an ambiance for relaxation in Nnewi. Commenting on this vision, the Governor said that “Nnewi must have an area, an open arena that is conceived for leisure and relaxation. If you don’t have it in any place, it is not a city,” Governor Soludo said.

Governor Soludo also visited a government property along Eme Court road in Nnewi, one of the places being considered for an urban renewal project that will uplift the city status of Nnewi. Speaking briefly at the location, Governor Soludo said that “Nnewi needs something like Ekwueme Square in Awka.” This, the governor emphasized, is because “There are basic things you see before you call a place an urban centre”. The governor also noted that urban renewal is tough work to do because it involves demolition. “We are intentional about our cities. Urban regeneration is a tough thing to do. That’s why I started in Ekwulobia, where more than 500 houses and 14 petrol stations, including a shrine, were demolished. In Isuofia, they said the shrine said Isuofia would rather go instead of going. But we did it. We did that for the Anambra of the next generation,” Professor Soludo said.

Finally, the governor equally visited an expanse of land between Umudim Nnewi and Ukpor, formerly earmarked for an estate project, where he concluded his over an hour tour of Nnewi. In his further remarks, Soludo noted that the government ought to have planned for the future of Nnewi long ago. “What we are doing now ought to have happened 60 years ago. We are regenerating. We are rescuing our cities. In the next 10 years, we are expecting about 35 million people in this place,” Soludo said, reiterating the need to plan for the future.

Governor Soludo’s visit underscores a significant and deliberate effort to match his urban renewal vision in Nnewi with what is on the ground in the commercial city. With the assessment concluded, various extensive urban renewal projects are expected to commence soon.

By Ebuka Onyekwelu, Ph.D

I am deeply shocked and heartbroken by the condition in which these abducted school children are, as seen from their flagellated bodies. It is a painful reminder of the depth of insecurity in our land.

I have always made it clear that the society we abuse today will take its revenge on our children tomorrow. When I first began making that statement, some of these children were not even born. This is a classic example of how the abuse of governance and society today can produce devastating consequences long after the abusers are gone.

It is on the same line that I argue that the loans our leaders take today will hurt our children in the future, as many of them will mature for repayment and consequences long after we are gone.

To those holding these children, I make a direct appeal to your conscience. Remember that these are innocent children – sons and daughters of people who have placed their hopes, dreams, and entire future in them. In every one of them, you will find reflections of your own children, your own family, and your own humanity.

No grievance, no hardship, no justification can ever outweigh the sanctity of a child’s life and innocence. Whatever path has led to this moment, there is still room for remorse, for humanity, and for a change of heart.

I therefore appeal to your sense of mercy: release these children immediately. Let them go. Return them safely to society to reunite with their families.

– PO