Prof. Nnamchi (on suit), Chief Nnaji (on white)

As Chief Uche Geoffrey Nnaji, Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Innovation, Science, and Technology, marks another year, tributes have continued to pour in, the most notable coming from the Member representing Enugu East/Isi-Uzo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Prof. Paul Sunday Nnamchi.

In a heartfelt birthday message on Sunday, Prof. Nnamchi hailed Nnaji as “a man of rare vision, noble bearing, and unwavering resolve,” describing the minister’s leadership as a quiet but powerful force in Nigeria’s march towards technological advancement.

“Birthdays may mark the passage of time,” the lawmaker noted, “but the lives of men like you are measured by the impact they leave on their nation’s path.”

According to the federal lawmaker, Nnaji has brought “clarity, conviction, and purpose” to a ministry he described as central to Nigeria’s future.

In an era often characterised by noise and political spectacle, Nnamchi praised the Minister’s preference for “quiet substance over show, legacy over convenience.”

“While others see office as entitlement, you have embraced it as duty; transforming space, not just occupying it,” the message read.

“With each policy and principled silence, you have shown that real leadership speaks not in volume, but in value.”

Nnamchi, a professor and seasoned public servant saluted the Minister’s contributions to national development.

He expressed hopes for divine guidance and enduring impact in the years ahead, adding that the people of his constituency recognise and honour the Minister’s service.

“May history remember your name among the builders of Nigeria’s renaissance. Happy Birthday, Honourable Minister. May your journey ahead be rich in wisdom, honour, and impact. We are doing it better for the people, with the people.” he added.

President Bola Tinubu has announced his intention to visit Benue State on Wednesday to sympathize with residents affected by the recent wave of deadly attacks.

The announcement comes amid growing criticism over the President’s silence and absence following the killing of scores of people in the state by suspected marauders.

“I will adjust my programme and go see Benue people on Wednesday,” Tinubu said on Monday during the inauguration of the Greater Abuja Water Supply Network in the Federal Capital Territory.

The President expressed condolences to families who lost loved ones in the attacks and called on residents of Benue to remain united in the face of adversity.

He encouraged them to rise above division and embrace harmony.

He said, “He urged the people of the state to manage their diversity, anger, and frustration and live as one united people.”

Benue State, often described as Nigeria’s food basket, has faced persistent attacks believed to be carried out by suspected herdsmen.

While the violence has lasted for years, the past few weeks have seen a dramatic spike in killings, with over 160 residents reportedly murdered across several communities.

Tinubu’s planned visit follows widespread condemnation, including from prominent opposition leaders like Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi.

They criticized the President for not visiting the state earlier and for what they described as the government’s inadequate response to the crisis.

Public outrage has intensified over the government’s handling of the situation.

Pope Leo XIV condemned the recent attacks, describing them as “extreme cruelty.” His statement added to the growing global concern surrounding the crisis.

Meanwhile, Nigerian youths have taken to the streets in protest, demanding an end to the bloodshed and urging the government to act decisively.

Opposition figures have not relented in their criticism.

Peter Obi accused the administration of “ignoring Benue” and said it reflected “no value for human lives.”

Atiku Abubakar also blamed the government for failing to protect citizens, saying, “We must hold leaders accountable.”

On Sunday, Tinubu directed Nigeria’s security chiefs to enforce his earlier instructions to restore peace in Benue.

Responding swiftly, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, arrived in the state on Monday with senior police officials and ordered the deployment of more tactical units to affected areas.

The IGP is expected to meet with Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia and other key stakeholders before returning to Abuja.

Governor Alia, while addressing the situation, extended sympathy to all those affected, including families of the dead, the displaced, and farmers who lost their land.

He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to collaboration with the Federal Government, stating that he would work “to end the orgy of violence.”

Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, has sharply criticized President Bola Tinubu for what he described as a lack of “leadership empathy” over the recent mass killings in Benue State and the devastating flooding in Niger State.

Taking to his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, Obi questioned why the President had not physically visited either state, despite the tragic loss of lives in both incidents.

“Sadly, the evidence is right before our eyes,” Obi wrote.

“Recently, we witnessed severe flooding in Niger State that claimed nearly 200 lives, with many still missing. Yet, not even a single presidential visit, this, in a nation where the scene of the tragedy is less than an hour away by helicopter.”

He also referred to the wave of violence in Benue State, where over 200 people, including civilians and soldiers, were reportedly killed by suspected marauders in a series of recent attacks.

“Just days ago, over 200 Nigerians, innocent men, women, children, and even soldiers, were massacred in Benue State.”

“Again, no presidential visit. No physical presence at the scenes of pain. No genuine national mourning. No leadership face to comfort the grieving or give hope to the people.”

Drawing comparisons with international examples of empathetic leadership, Obi said:

“In India, after a plane crash killed nearly 200 people, the Prime Minister was physically at the scene within hours. In South Africa, when floods claimed 78 lives, the president went personally to the affected communities, stood with them, and took responsibility.”

He emphasized, “That is leadership with compassion. That is leadership that understands the value of human life.”

“But here in Nigeria, we have normalised leadership without empathy, without accountability, and without a human face.”

Obi went further to argue that Nigeria’s leadership woes stem from a system that fails to prioritize competence and integrity when electing leaders.

“That is why I insist: Nigeria does not just need another president; Nigeria needs a leader, a leader with competence, capacity, character, and compassion. Until we choose leaders on these principles, the cycle of pain will only continue,” he asserted.

Addressing the root of the leadership crisis, Obi warned against the continued habit of voting along ethnic and religious lines.

“Leadership of a nation is such that it’s either succeeding or failing, none can be hidden.”

“There are critical areas of leadership that must exist for a nation to move forward, and these are summed up in four Cs: Competence, Capacity, Character and Compassion. Where these four are non-existent, there is no magic you can do.”

He added, “It’s in this line that I have always maintained that we must move away from voting based on tribe and religion, and begin to vote for people with competence, capacity, character, and compassion, because we have all seen, painfully, what leadership without these qualities has done to our country.”

Obi concluded his message by stressing the urgent need for purposeful leadership that blends knowledge, experience, and emotional intelligence.

“Competence because Nigeria today needs a leader who understands the issues, who has the knowledge, experience, and clear ideas to solve them.”

“Capacity because it is not a ceremonial position; it requires strength, stamina, and the mental energy to confront our complex challenges.”

“And above all, leadership must be rooted in character and integrity because without integrity, public trust collapses, corruption thrives, and selfishness takes over.”

“But perhaps most importantly, we need compassion, because when a leader lacks compassion, human lives are treated as statistics, and suffering is ignored.”

Justice Muhammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has refused a request by the Federal Government to issue a bench warrant for the arrest of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan.

The lawmaker had failed to appear in court for the commencement of her trial on defamation charges.

The prosecution, led by government counsel David Kaswe, had sought the arrest order, but the judge dismissed the application on the grounds that the charge had not been properly served.

Kaswe admitted in court that the charge was only handed over to Akpoti-Uduaghan’s lawyer earlier that same morning.

Justice Umar ruled that “it would be unjust to expect the senator to appear in court when there was no prior service of the charge or a hearing notice on her directly.”

He further described the prosecution’s request as “unfounded and premature.”

The judge disagreed with Kaswe’s argument that service on the senator’s legal representative was adequate to infer her awareness of the proceedings.

He emphasized that due process must be observed in criminal trials, especially when an individual’s liberty is at stake.

“Proper procedures must be followed in criminal matters, especially where personal liberty is at stake,” the court held.

Following the dismissal of the arrest application, the prosecution applied for substituted service, requesting that the charge be officially served through Akpoti-Uduaghan’s counsel, Johnson Usman (SAN).

Justice Umar granted the application and scheduled the next hearing for June 30, when the senator is expected to be formally arraigned.

The defamation case arises from remarks made by Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan during a live television interview.

In the interview, she accused Senate President Godswill Akpabio and former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello of plotting to assassinate her.

The suit is being prosecuted by the Federal Government through the office of the Attorney General of the Federation.

In addition, a related defamation case stemming from the same televised comments is currently pending before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.