The founder of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Chekwas Okorie, has revealed that the protracted crisis in the party denied the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra the opportunity of becoming a lawmaker in the House of Representatives.

The separatist leader Is currently standing trial for treason and perpetuating falsehoods against the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, mainly through broadcasts on the controversial Radio Biafra outlet and social media.

Although he has repeatedly pleaded not guilty, the IPOB leader has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since June 2021 when he was forcibly repatriated to the country from Kenya.

The court also turned down Kanu’s application seeking to either be put on house arrest or transferred to a custodial centre pending the hearing and determination of his trial.

According to The Punch, Reacting to Kanu’s travail, Okorie said that things might perhaps have turned out differently if the leadership crisis rocking the party for over 22 years had not put paid to the Biafra agitator’s political ambition in 2004.

The APGA pioneer chairman described Kanu as a passionate and determined young man when he pronounced him as the chairman of the party in the United Kingdom.

He said, “Let me tell you this. Maybe it will be new to many people. If APGA did not have crisis, there would have been no IPOB. I will tell you why. I was the one who appointed Nnamdi Kanu as chairman of APGA in UK in 2002. He was very young and sees me as a father. I saw his passion.

“His interest was to go for House of Reps in his constituency come 2007 election. By then, the opportunity for 2003 had gone. So, I said that for the passion and commitment he showed in this party, I earned the right to offer him a choice of first refusal for that constituency ticket for 2007.

“But as I told you earlier, a crisis broke out in December 2004. So, there was no 2007 anymore. Everybody, including Nnamdi Kanu, led the delegations from the UK because we had APGA in Europe, America and other places.

Nigeria’s President, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has approved the naming of the M18 road infrastructure in Guzape District, Abuja after renowned novelist, Chinua Achebe.

Tinubu made this known during his address at the inauguration of the road in Abuja on Saturday, June 8.

This was contained in a post by Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Social Media, Olusegun Dada.

He wrote: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu Commissions the M18 road infrastructure in Guzape District of Abuja. Names road after Nigerian Novelist and Poet, late Professor Chinua Achebe.”

More to come…

In the bustling city of Lagos, where the Atlantic breeze meets the relentless energy of its people, Honourable Tokunbo Wahab stands as a testament of visionary leadership and environmental stewardship.

His appointment as the Commissioner for the Environment and Water Resources has heralded a new era of ecological consciousness and sustainable development in Nigeria’s most populous city.

Commissioner Wahab’s journey to the forefront of Lagos’ environmental crusade is as inspiring as it is transformative. A seasoned lawyer and a passionate advocate for justice, his legal prowess is matched only by his commitment to public service. His rich background in legal practice, has made him a strong advocate for equity, fairness and justice which he has displayed severally wherever he finds himself. TK’s legal acumen, paired with his passion for community service, has made him an invaluable asset to Lagos State.

Tokunbo Wahab has taken the reins of the Lagos State Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources with a clear mandate: to innovate, sustain, and lead the city into a greener future.

His tenure as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education laid the groundwork for his innovative approach to governance, culminating in his smooth transition to the environment sector.

Wahab served as the Special Adviser to the Governor on Education. During this tenure, he spearheaded transformative educational policies, enhancing the quality of tertiary education and improving teaching standards across the state. His transition to the environment sector was seamless, bringing with him a wealth of experience in policy development and implementation.

Since his swearing-in on September 13, 2023, ‘Star Boy’ Wahab, has been at the helm of pioneering initiatives aimed at revitalizing Lagos’s environmental policies. His holistic approach addresses critical issues such as water resources management, waste reduction, and urban planning with innovative solutions that balance economic growth with ecological preservation.

Under his leadership, the Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has introduced eco-friendly programs and enforced regulations to protect natural resources, earning him accolades from environmentalists and the citizens of Lagos alike. His efforts to integrate environmental consciousness into the fabric of Lagosian life are reshaping the city’s relationship with its environment.

From the introduction of eco-friendly programs to the enforcement of regulations that protect natural resources, his work is shaping a sustainable blueprint for Lagos’s future.

What distinguishes the unique administrator, is his unwavering connection with the people he serves. He understands that effective environmental policy is not just about legislation; it’s about the lives and livelihoods of the millions who call Lagos home. His inclusive leadership style ensures that every Lagosian has a stake in the city’s environmental future.

As Lagos navigates the challenges of urbanization and climate change, Commissioner Wahab’s role becomes increasingly pivotal. His dedication to creating a livable, sustainable city for all is a beacon of hope for a greener, more resilient Lagos.

Celebrating his achievements is not merely a recognition of his contributions but a call to action for all Lagosians to join in the movement towards a sustainable future. It is not only about acknowledging his contributions but also sounding it clear that Wahab has remained one of the shinning stars of Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s government that keeps inspiring a collective effort towards a better Lagos.

Kunle Rasheed, a journalist, is reporting live from his inner mind in Lagos