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The Widening Gap between the North and the South
By Jude Opara
Since the amalgamation of the Northern and Southern protectorates by the British, there has been a kind of contestation between the two groups of who gets what and who does what.
It is also true that what really encouraged the British administrators to amalgamate the two entities was for ease of administration and economic advancement because while the South was posting surplus balance sheet, the North was mostly in deficit.
They felt it would make their task easier by joining the two protectorates into one country hence the birth of Nigeria in 1914.Many people including the foremost nationalists have at one time or the other doubted the rationale behind the binding together of two distinct people who have different world views into one country.
Sir Ahmadu Bello once bemoaned the union and described it ‘as the mistake of 1914’ while similarly, Chief Obafemi Awolowo also dismissed Nigeria as ‘a mere geographical expression.’ Even at the height of the 1966 crisis, General Yakubu Gowon declared that ‘the basis of the unity Nigeria was no longer in existence.’
However, over time the country had managed its differences including religious and cultural diversities and progressed as one entity.
In fact since after the civil war, when the military held sway, nobody would have thought that successive leaders could still drive the state in such a way that as we speak there are different members of the unit opting to leave the union.
We have seen the members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and lately the Yoruba nation agitators all asking for independence.
But beyond this, there seems to be another frontier of agitation which is even more devastating to the existence of the country as we have been witnessing the growing gap between the North and South.
Recently, the governors of the states in the South rose from a meeting in Lagos to reemphasize their earlier resolution in a meeting in Asaba, Delta State two months ago. In the meeting, they among others banned Open Grazing in their region, called for creation of State Police and to cap it all demanded for the restructuring of the country in such a way that the component units (states or regions) will take charge of their resources and pay an agreed tax to the federal government.
So the latest meeting in Lagos went a step ahead to give the states a September 1st deadline to put in place laws banning Open Grazing, they also demanded for a rotation of the presidency between the North and the South.
Expectedly, some elements in the North will not have any of that. Less than 24 hours after 17 governors in the South came out with their resolution, the Northern Elders Forum (NEF) and a coalition of Northern Youths out rightly rejected the position of the governors.
The Director of Publicity, Dr. Hakeem Baba-Ahmed in a statement said the North would not be compelled into yielding a democratically elected office.
Baba-Ahmed, further sounded that as far as the North was concerned, the idea that it would be indirectly threatened or intimidated or blackmailed into giving up an office which he said should have been settled democratically will not work.
NEF also described the decision of the southern governors as an expression of sentiment that could be best discussed within a political process.
“We are running a democratic government and decisions over where the next president comes from are basically decisions that will be made by voters exercising their rights to choose which candidate best serves their interest.”
Similarly, the Youths from the 19 Northern States and Abuja, under the auspices of Arewa Youth Forum (AYF) in their submission advised the Southern Governors to first settle the agitation and impasse in their region before talking about the presidency in 2023.
In a communiqué, Chairman of the forum, Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu, accused the Southern Governors of not showing concern on how Nigeria would come out of the present predicament of insecurity and economic hardship but were only concerned about where the President would come from.
The communique advised the governors to employ all available means to settle the problems ravaging their region before considering which region would produce the President come 2023.
On the other hand, southern groups like the apex Igbo socio-political organization, the Ohanaeze Ndi’Igbo, the Pan Yoruba socio-political group, the Afenifere and the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), have all commended the governors for their position on the state of the nation.
Now, it has become a North versus South battle. The country is adversely being affected by the needless and endless contestation of who and how the country should be governed. Each time the president comes from one region, at the twilight of his regime, people from the other part will begin to lay claim to the presidency of the country.
It is a well known fact that in 2015, the North had a consensus that since former President Goodluck Jonathan who saw off the first tenure of his principal, the late President Umaru Yar’Adua contested and won in the 2011 election, that power must return to the region. Then they did not talk of the people deciding who will be the president through an election. Then nobody talked about competence or otherwise of those who were seeking the prime job, all they wanted was that power should come to the North.
Ordinarily, there is no part of this country that cannot boast of competent and erudite candidates that can effectively lead the country, so creating the impression that it is only a section of the country that can produce such men and women is a disservice to the country because by so doing, competent people are being shielded away from the seat of power.
Again, if successive governments and especially the present administration had made concerted efforts to truly unite the country, may be nobody would have been calling for the rotation of the presidency.
The government of President Muhammadu Buhari has been serially criticized as being sectional. Many people especially from some parts of the country will swear that nepotism under this administration has been elevated to an all time height.
Another question that has continued to beg for answers is why some people are finding it difficult to support a return to the kind of administration we had in the past when the regions had the opportunity of handling their own affairs to an extent. That system encouraged development and healthy competition among the federating units.
Then, the government at the centre was not very tempting because it was the regions that were funding the federal government through their taxes. But today, the system we are running encourages the mad scramble for the centre. It is a mockery of federalism for the states to always run to Abuja every month to share money from the federation account.
While the South is clamouring for a return to such a system that allowed people to operate and develop at their pace, the North seems to be speaking from both sides of the mouth on the issue. It is noted that at times you will hear some people from the North saying they are not afraid of restructuring but their action also points to the contrary.
The North cannot continue to pretend they don’t understand why people will call for rotational presidency because it is an opportunity for other segments of the country to also have stake at the nation’s leadership.
Many people have questioned why students from the North always have their cutoff points into the colleges and universities drastically cut down for them while those from the South need to score higher to get into the same institutions. So why do the North not kicking against the reduction of cutoff points for their children?
The North should not continue to grow grey hairs about some things the people of the South want to implement to better their lot. For instance, in the North they introduced Sharia Courts; they have continued to ban the trade and consumption of alcohol and the South has not tackled them for that, so they should also realize that just as they believed that some of these laws are good for them, the South has the right to introduce laws that they feel are good for them too.
By Tochukwu Jimo Obi
Sixty six years after independence, Nigeria should be asking itself a question that can no longer be postponed: what exactly has become of the great promise of our nation? A country blessed with enormous human and natural resources should not, at this stage of its journey, still be struggling with problems that ought to have become distant memories.
As we mark 66 years of independence, this should be more than another occasion for colourful ceremonies, patriotic speeches and celebrations. It is a time for sober reflection as a people, to examine where we are, where we ought to be and, most importantly, how best to move Nigeria forward.Undoubtedly, Nigeria is not where it used to be. There have been significant developments in different sectors of the economy and society, and successive administrations have introduced policies and programmes aimed at addressing the country’s challenges. However, we must also acknowledge that we are certainly not where we ought to be, considering the enormous human and natural resources available to us. A nation blessed with abundant natural resources, a large youthful population and considerable human capital should be able to provide a higher standard of living for its citizens.
At 66, Nigeria should have no reason to still be battling with inadequate power supply, dilapidated roads, massive unemployment and widespread hunger. These are challenges that have persisted for decades, despite the huge resources committed to addressing them. While some of our past and present leaders may have done, or may still be doing, their best, the reality remains that their efforts alone have not been enough to solve the numerous problems bedevilling the nation. What Nigeria requires is sustained commitment, effective institutions, accountability and policies that go beyond individual administrations.
Corruption and insecurity also continue to pose serious challenges to national development. Resources that should be channelled towards infrastructure, education, healthcare, job creation and other essential services can be undermined by corruption and poor accountability. Similarly, insecurity discourages investment, disrupts economic activities and threatens the lives and livelihoods of citizens. We cannot continue like this as a nation. There must be a collective determination to strengthen institutions, uphold the rule of law and confront the factors that continue to undermine national development.
Unfortunately, the people themselves appear to have become accustomed to many of these perennial problems. This has contributed to a situation where some citizens fail to demand accountability from leaders or make effective use of their democratic power during elections. Democracy gives citizens the opportunity to choose their representatives and to replace those whose performance does not meet their expectations. Elections should therefore be about competence, integrity, policies and the ability to serve the public interest, rather than personal loyalty or temporary benefits.
Sycophancy has also become increasingly visible in our political space. Some people praise leaders excessively for personal gain, defend actions they would ordinarily condemn and, in some cases, sell their votes during elections, only to complain about bad leadership afterwards. Citizens must understand that leadership and followership are interconnected. When voters trade their electoral power for immediate personal benefits, they may be contributing to a system that makes it more difficult to demand responsible governance later. The ballot should be treated as an important instrument for shaping the future of the country.
As Nigeria marks this 66th anniversary, our leaders at all levels must put the interest of the nation at the centre of their decisions and actions. Religious, political and ethnic considerations should not be allowed to take precedence over the collective interest of Nigeria. Diversity should be a source of strength rather than a reason for division. Those entrusted with public office must remember that political positions are temporary, while the consequences of decisions taken in office can affect generations yet unborn.
The people also have an important role to play in moving Nigeria forward. Citizens must obey the law, reject corruption, participate responsibly in elections, demand accountability and contribute positively to their communities. Professionals must give their best in their respective fields, young people must be encouraged to pursue productive opportunities, and the private sector must continue to contribute to economic development. Nation building cannot be left entirely to government. Every Nigerian has a responsibility to contribute to the Nigeria we desire.
At 66, the question, therefore, is not simply which way Nigeria, but what kind of Nigeria do we want to leave for the next generation? The answer lies in our collective willingness to change the things that have held us back, strengthen the institutions that sustain democracy and development, and place national interest above personal, political, religious and ethnic considerations. Nigeria has the resources, talent and potential to achieve greatness. What is required is the collective will to translate that potential into reality. As we celebrate 66 years of independence, let us renew our commitment to building a peaceful, prosperous and united nation. Nigeria shall be great again.
Tochukwu Jimo Obi, Obosi Anambra state.
By Tambaya Julius, Abuja
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has concluded the final phase of its 2025 recruitment exercise, with nearly 3,000 shortlisted candidates undergoing screening in an exercise the Service said recorded improved coordination and efficiency.
The two-week exercise, held at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Gwagwalada, Abuja, commenced on September 7 and ended on September 19, 2026.
Candidates shortlisted for the Assistant Superintendent of Customs II (ASCII), Inspectorate and Customs Assistant cadres underwent documentation, physical fitness assessments and medical screening as part of the final stages of the recruitment process.
The exercise was conducted in batches, a measure introduced by the Service to reduce congestion and ensure smoother movement of candidates through the various screening points.
Speaking on the exercise, the Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Human Resource Development, Frank Onyeka, said the Service had addressed challenges identified during the earlier phase of the recruitment process.
According to him, measures were introduced to improve coordination and reduce congestion at the screening centres.
“We have put measures in place to reduce congestion and ensure a smoother process this week. The gaps identified last week have been addressed, and we do not expect them to recur this week,” Onyeka said.
He urged candidates to remain disciplined and comply with the procedures established for the exercise.
The Service also introduced personalised screening forms as part of efforts to strengthen verification and minimise discrepancies in candidates’ records.
The Deputy Comptroller of Customs and member of the recruitment coordinating team, Adamu Musa, said each shortlisted candidate was provided with a form containing personal information and details required for the various stages of the screening.
He said the approach represented a departure from the previous system in which candidates received forms at the screening venue.
“Any candidate that has been shortlisted has a form designed especially for him, unlike in the past where you come, they issue you a form, and then some people along the way go and even change some of the records,” Musa explained.
According to him, the forms contained candidates’ names and other details covering sports, medical assessment, documentation and related requirements.
“So, once the candidate comes, you just verify what you already have from the system,” he added.
Musa said the new arrangement had made it easier for officials to authenticate candidates’ information while reducing opportunities for alterations and discrepancies.
The recruitment team also assessed candidates against established requirements, including age, physical fitness and drug screening.
Musa disclosed that candidates who test positive for hard drugs, exceed the stipulated age requirement or are found to have physical conditions that could affect their ability to perform their duties may be disqualified, subject to the final decision of the Service’s management.
He also stressed the importance of continuous recruitment and manpower development, noting that the expanding responsibilities of the Customs Service require personnel capable of responding to emerging challenges.
According to him, a well-trained workforce remains important to the Service’s responsibilities in national security, border protection, revenue collection and trade facilitation.
The Service also warned candidates and members of the public against relying on unverified information about the recruitment exercise.
Musa urged applicants to obtain recruitment updates only through the official communication channels of the Nigeria Customs Service, including its official website and verified social media platforms.
He warned that fraudsters could exploit the recruitment process by circulating fake announcements, misleading applicants or making unauthorised demands.
The warning comes as the Service moves towards the next stages of the recruitment process following the completion of the final screening exercise.
With the introduction of personalised forms, batch screening and tighter verification procedures, the NCS said it had strengthened the process to improve efficiency, reduce congestion and protect the integrity of the recruitment exercise.
Post Recapitulation: NAICOM Holds First Quarterly Staff Meeting
By Tony Obiechina, Abuja
The Commissioner for Insurance, Olusegun Ayo Omosehin, at the weekend presided over the Quarterly Staff General Meeting of the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), the first such gathering since the successful conclusion of the insurance industry’s recapitalization exercise.
The meeting brought together management and staff to review the achievements recorded during the recapitalization programme and to align on the Commission’s strategic direction for the period ahead.
Participants also used the occasion to discuss issues bordering on staff welfare, institutional effectiveness, and the overall growth of the organization.
In their deliberations, the Commission reaffirmed its commitment to stronger regulation and supervision of the insurance sector, continuous capacity building for staff, and sustained operational excellence.
NAICOM said in a statement on Saturday that the resolutions reached at the meeting would help drive the emergence of a more resilient, competitive, and trusted insurance industry in the country.
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