In late February 2025, a group of former African heads of state and finance experts gathered in Cape Town, South Africa, to sign the Cape Town Declaration – a bold call for a comprehensive debt relief program for African nations. This initiative, led by the African Leaders Debt Relief Initiative (ALDRI), comes at a time when Africa’s economy is shackled by a debt burden that is suffocating development, forcing governments to prioritize repayments to Western and private creditors over essential services like education, healthcare, and infrastructure.

The numbers are staggering. As of 2021, Africa’s external debt had skyrocketed to $824 billion, with many countries spending over 60% of their GDP servicing these loans. In 2025 alone, Africa is projected to spend $74 billion on debt repayments – money that could instead fund schools, hospitals, and roads. But this crisis is not a simple case of financial mismanagement; it is a direct continuation of a system of economic subjugation that was established during colonial rule and perfected in the post-independence era through institutions like the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank.

For decades, African nations have fought to break free from Western economic dominance, and many visionary leaders have proposed radical solutions to liberate the continent. Among the most ambitious efforts were those led by Muammar Gaddafi, who sought to establish a gold-backed African currency, an African Central Bank, and an African Organization of Natural Resources – initiatives that, had they succeeded, could have ended Africa’s dependence on Western financial institutions.

The colonial origins of Africa’s debt crisis

Africa’s modern debt crisis cannot be understood without revisiting its colonial past. European powers extracted resources worth trillions of dollars from the continent while offering little in return in terms of industrial development. When independence movements swept across Africa in the mid-20th century, colonial powers did not simply leave. Instead, they imposed odious debts on newly independent nations, ensuring their continued economic dependence.

Take, for example, the case of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). When Belgium finally relinquished its grip on the country in 1960, it left behind a destroyed economy and almost no national wealth. Patrice Lumumba, the first prime minister, attempted to nationalize the country’s resources to benefit its people. The response from the West? A CIA-backed coup that led to his assassination. In his place, the US and Belgium installed Mobutu Sese Seko, who accumulated billions in debt while plundering national wealth. The people of the DRC are still paying for this crime.

During the 1980s and 1990s, the IMF and World Bank imposed Structural Adjustment Programs (SAPs) on African nations, forcing them to slash public spending, privatize state enterprises, and open their economies to foreign investors. These policies, disguised as “economic reforms,”crippled Africa’s public sector, increased unemployment, and destroyed local industries – while Western corporations made a fortune.

The debt trap today: A modern form of colonialism

Fast forward to 2025, and Africa remains trapped in an economic structure that benefits Western financial institutions, multinational corporations, and private creditors. According to the African Development Bank (AfDB), nearly 49% of Africa’s debt is now held by private lenders (expected to rise to 54%). Unlike concessional loans from the AfDB or the World Bank, these private loans come with interest rates that are five times higher than those paid by Western nations.

And then there’s the “Africa premium” – the absurd phenomenon where African countries are charged higher interest rates despite having lower default rates than Western economies.

AfDB President Akinwumi Adesina has repeatedly condemned this financial racism, stating, “There is no economic justification for why Africa, which has some of the lowest default rates, should be punished with higher borrowing costs.”

Gaddafi’s vision: Africa’s path to economic sovereignty

Not all African leaders have accepted this system of economic servitude. Some have tried to overthrow the Western-controlled financial order, and none more so than Muammar Gaddafi. It is in fact undeniable that Gaddafi was one of the most visionary proponents of African economic independence.

Gaddafi’s most radical proposal was the creation of an African currency backed by gold, known as the Gold Dinar. This would have eliminated Africa’s dependence on the US dollar and euro, allowing African nations to trade with one another in a currency based on their own resources.

Western powers understood that such a move would undermine the supremacy of their financial systems. A leaked Hillary Clinton email revealed that one of the main reasons for NATO’s intervention in Libya in 2011 was to prevent Gaddafi from launching the gold-backed currency.

Gaddafi also proposed an African Organization of Natural Resources (AONR), an institution that would have unified Africa’s resource management and ensured that the continent’s wealth was controlled by Africans, not foreign corporations. And his most ambitious economic project was the establishment of an African Central Bank (ACB), headquartered in Nigeria. The ACB would have served as an alternative to the IMF and World Bank, issuing African currencies and financing development without reliance on Western financial institutions.

A strategic shift: Africa and BRICS

If Africa is serious about breaking free from Western economic hegemony, it must seek alliances beyond the West, and BRICS offers the best alternative. BRICS nations represent a significant share of global economic power, controlling over 31.5% of global GDP (PPP) as of 2024, surpassing the 30% held by the G7.

Why BRICS? First of all, it gives access to alternative financing: the New Development Bank (NDB), established by BRICS, provides loans without the colonial-style conditionalities of the IMF and World Bank. Then, it can build a way to reduce dollar dependence, as BRICS is actively promoting trade in local currencies, which aligns with Africa’s own push for currency independence.

We also speak of technology transfer and industrialization: China and India, as emerging industrial giants, can provide investment in infrastructure and technology transfer without the exploitative conditions imposed by the West.

Apart from that, BRICS means fairer trade terms, because, unlike Western trade agreements, which favor multinational corporations, BRICS partners have shown more willingness to negotiate mutually beneficial deals.

Africa must not simply replace Western dependency with another form of subservience. The relationship with BRICS must be strategic, ensuring Africa gains real leverage. First, African nations must demand technology transfer instead of being raw material suppliers. Then AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area) should be expanded to create a strong internal African market before seeking external trade partnerships. And finally, Africa should collectively negotiate with BRICS rather than entering fragmented, nation-by-nation agreements that weaken its position.

The struggle continues

The West killed Gaddafi’s dream of economic independence, but it remains Africa’s duty to resurrect it. The 21st century must be about dismantling financial colonialism – and forging new alliances that serve African interests. BRICS offers a promising alternative, but ultimately, Africa’s economic liberation must come from within. The continent must unite, own its resources, control its currency, and dictate its economic future – or remain forever shackled to the whims of foreign creditors.

RT

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced a two-year exemption from import duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) for critical raw materials used in pharmaceutical production, as part of a presidential initiative to boost local healthcare manufacturing.

Key Details of the Exemption

The tariff relief, authorized by President Bola Tinubu and implemented through the Minister of Finance, Olawale Edun, covers:

- Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients

- Excipients

- Packaging materials

- Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets

- Rapid Diagnostic Kits

- Reagents

Eligibility Criteria

The exemption is specifically targeted at:

- Manufacturers recognized by the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare

- Companies with a valid Tax Identification Number

Monitoring and Transparency

The Nigeria Customs Service has committed to:

- Compiling quarterly reports on importations

- Tracking details of importers, quantities, and values of imported items

- Ensuring the policy meets its intended objectives of strengthening local healthcare infrastructure

Purpose of the Initiative

The government aims to:

- Reduce the cost of medical equipment and consumables

- Stimulate local investments

- Enhance local manufacturing of healthcare products

NCS National Public Relations Officer, Assistant Comptroller Abdullahi Maiwada, emphasized that the policy requires collaboration from importers, manufacturers, and government agencies to successfully develop Nigeria's healthcare sector.

The exemption will be in effect for two years, providing a significant opportunity for local pharmaceutical manufacturers to expand and improve healthcare product production.

The Federal Government has announced Monday and Tuesday as public holidays to celebrate this year’s Eid-el-Fitr, marking the end of Ramadan.

The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani, made the declaration in a statement issued on Wednesday.

Eid-el-Fitr, a major Islamic festival, is observed by Muslims worldwide after completing 29 or 30 days of fasting during Ramadan.

In his message, the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, called on Muslims to uphold the values of self-discipline, compassion, generosity, and peace. He stressed the importance of love, forgiveness, and unity in fostering a harmonious society.

Tunji-Ojo also urged Nigerians to pray for the nation’s peace, stability, and prosperity during the festive period, adding that Eid-el-Fitr should serve as a reminder of unity and collective progress.

The minister encouraged citizens to celebrate responsibly while extending kindness to the less privileged through charity, in line with the spirit of Ramadan and Eid.

On behalf of the Federal Government, he extended warm Eid Mubarak wishes to all Muslim faithful, praying that the blessings of the season bring joy, success, and fulfillment to everyone.

Hundreds stage Gaza protest against Hamas after conflict resumes

Hundreds of Palestinians have protested in northern Gaza to demand an end to war, chanting "Hamas out," social media posts showed, in a rare public show of opposition to the militant group that sparked the latest war with its October 7, 2023 raid on Israel.

Northern Gaza has been one of the most devastated areas of Gaza. Most buildings in the densely populated area have been reduced to rubble and much of the population has moved several times to escape the conflict.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was quick to say the protest showed Israel's decision to renew its offensive was working in Gaza, where Hamas police - the group's enforcers - have once again disappeared after emerging during a ceasefire.

"Out, out, out, Hamas get out," chanted those seen in one of the posts published on X, apparently from the Beit Lahiya region of Gaza, on Tuesday. It showed people marching down a dusty street between war-damaged buildings.

"It was a spontaneous rally against the war because people are tired and they have no place to go," said one witness, who spoke on condition that his name not be used for fear of retribution.

"Many chanted slogans against Hamas, not all people but many, saying 'Out Hamas'. People are exhausted and no one should blame them," he said.

The posts began circulating widely late on Tuesday. Reuters was able to confirm the location of the video by buildings, utility poles and road layout that matches satellite imagery of the area. Reuters was not able to independently verify the date of the video. However, several videos and photographs shared on social media showed protests in the area on March 25.

Social media activists circulated a video they said was of a protest by hundreds of people in Shejaia, a suburb of Gaza City, on Wednesday calling for the dismissal of Hamas, indicating the anti-Hamas protests may be spreading. Reuters could not verify the authenticity of the video.

Senior Hamas official Basem Naim said people had the right to protest at the suffering inflicted by the war but he denounced what he said were "suspicious political agendas" exploiting the situation.

"Where are they from, what is happening in the West Bank?" he said. "Why don't they protest against the aggression there or allow people to take to the streets to denounce this aggression?"

The comments, reflecting tensions among Palestinian factions over the future of Gaza, came several hours after the rival Fatah movement called on Hamas to "respond to the call of the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip". Fatah leads the Palestinian Authority (PA) in the occupied West Bank.

POLITICAL TENSIONS

More than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli campaign in Gaza, Palestinian officials say. It was launched after thousands of Hamas-led gunmen attacked communities in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,200 people and abducting 251 as hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Much of the narrow coastal enclave has been reduced to rubble, leaving hundreds of thousands of people sheltering in tents or bombed-out buildings.

Hundreds of thousands of residents who had fled to the south of Gaza earlier in the war returned to their ruined homes in the north after a ceasefire took effect in January.

Now, Israel has issued new evacuation orders after relaunching its offensive on March 18.

"All Gaza is in ruins and now the occupation ordered us to leave the north again, where to go?" the witness at the protests said.

Since Israel resumed its strikes on Gaza, saying its goal was to completely dismantle Hamas, nearly 700 people, mostly women and children, have been killed, according to Palestinian health officials.

Hamas deployed thousands of police and security forces across Gaza after the ceasefire took effect in January, but its armed presence has sharply retracted since Israel's major attacks resumed. Fewer police were present in some areas, while members and leaders of the armed wing went off the radar to avoid Israeli airstrikes.

Palestinian analyst Akram Attallah said Hamas, which kept a lid on public opposition before the war, would have few options to clamp down on demonstrations if they gained momentum.

"The people are exhausted and paid with their lives and property, and the group is facing a devastating Israeli military offensive that makes it weaker to crack down on the protesters even if it wanted to," he said.

Hamas took control of Gaza in 2007 in elections that swept out the Fatah group of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. It has ruled the enclave since then, offering little space for opposition.

The two movements have been at odds for years and have failed to bridge differences over the postwar future of Gaza, which the PA says must come under its authority.

Hamas, while expressing readiness to step back from an active part in government, says it must be involved in selecting whatever administration comes next.

Reuters

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE

Rubio says US will evaluate Russian demands for Black Sea ceasefire

The United States will evaluate demands made by Russia after Moscow had agreed "in principle" to a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with Ukraine in the Black Sea to allow safe navigation, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday.

The U.S. announced separate Black Sea agreements with Ukraine and Russia on Tuesday - following talks in Saudi Arabia - to ensure safe navigation, stop attacks, and prevent the use of commercial vessels for military purposes.

Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. U.S. President Donald Trump - who took office on January 20 - has been pushing for an end to the war amid a rapid U.S. rapprochement with Moscow that has alarmed Kyiv and European allies.

"After our meeting (in Saudi Arabia) ... the Russians detailed a number of conditions that they want to see met in order to do that, so we're going to evaluate that," Rubio told reporters on Wednesday during a visit to Jamaica.

He said U.S. officials would work to "more fully understand what the Russian position is, or what they're asking in exchange, and then we'll present that to the President (Trump)" and make a decision about the next step.

Russia's demands are well-known. The conditions listed in a statement by the Kremlin on Tuesday - including the lifting of restrictions and sanctions on a major agricultural bank, exporters of food and fertilizer and on Russian vessels - largely mirror demands made by Moscow two years ago during talks to extend a Black Sea deal first agreed in July 2022.

RUSSIAN DEMANDS

The 2022 deal was brokered by the United Nations and Turkey to allow the safe Black Sea export of Ukrainian grain. Under an accompanying three-year pact, the U.N. agreed to help facilitate Russia's food and fertilizer exports.

Russia quit the Black Sea deal in July 2023, complaining that demands related to its food and fertilizer exports had not been met. U.N. officials have continued to work with Russia to try and address its export concerns.

In a letter to the U.N. in March 2023, Russia said it wanted the Russian Agricultural Bank (Rosselkhozbank) reconnected to the SWIFT payments system. The bank was cut off from SWIFT by the European Union in June 2022.

Russia also said it wanted a resumption of supplies to Russia of agricultural machinery and spare parts; lifting restrictions on insurance and access to ports for Russian ships and cargo; and unblocking accounts and financial activities of Russian fertilizer companies.

While Russian exports of food and fertiliser are not subject to Western sanctions, Moscow has said restrictions on payments, logistics and insurance have amounted to a barrier to shipments.

Rubio noted on Wednesday that Russia's demands involved the lifting of some EU sanctions. The European Commission said on Wednesday that the withdrawal of all Russian forces from Ukraine would be one of the main conditions to lift or amend sanctions.

After U.S. and Russian officials met in Saudi Arabia, the White House said in a statement on Tuesday that as part of a ceasefire deal it had agreed to "help restore Russia's access to the world market for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lower maritime insurance costs, and enhance access to ports and payment systems for such transactions."

RUSSIAN PERSPECTIVE

Russian forces strike Ukrainian military airfields, UAV assembly workshops over past day

Russian forces struck Ukrainian military airfields, an equipment repair plant and UAV (unmanned aerial vehicle) assembly workshops over the past day in the special military operation in Ukraine, Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday.

"Operational/tactical aircraft, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, missile troops and artillery of the Russian groups of forces struck military airfield infrastructure facilities, a military hardware repair enterprise, UAV production workshops and control posts, ammunition depots and massed enemy manpower and equipment in 143 areas," the ministry said in a statement.

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicts 55 casualties on Ukrainian army in Belgorod area

Russia’s Battlegroup North inflicted roughly 55 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility in the Belgorod direction over the past day, the ministry reported.

"In the Belgorod direction, Battlegroup North units struck massed manpower and equipment of three mechanized brigades, an assault brigade and an assault regiment of the Ukrainian army and two territorial defense brigades in areas near the settlements of Krasnopolye, Ugroyedy, Prokhody, Miropolskoye and Petrushevka in the Sumy Region," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost an estimated 55 personnel, two armored combat vehicles, a motor vehicle and an artillery gun in that frontline area over the last 24 hours, it specified.

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicts 250 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup West inflicted roughly 250 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy artillery guns and three ammunition depots in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup West units improved their forward positions and inflicted losses on formations of three mechanized brigades, an assault brigade and an airborne brigade of the Ukrainian army in areas near the settlements of Lozovaya and Petropavlovka in the Kharkov Region, Nadiya in the Lugansk People’s Republic, Kirovsk and Yampol in the Donetsk People’s Republic and in the area of the Serebryanka forestry," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost an estimated 250 personnel, a US-made HMMWV armored vehicle and two pickup trucks, it specified.

In addition, Russian forces destroyed three artillery guns and three ammunition depots of the Ukrainian army, it said.

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicts 310 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup South inflicted roughly 310 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two US-made counterbattery radar stations in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup South units gained better lines and positions and inflicted losses on manpower and equipment of eight mechanized brigades of the Ukrainian army, a territorial defense brigade and two National Guard brigades in areas near the settlements of Novoolenovka, Romanovka, Minkovka, Chasov Yar, Druzhba, Kalinovo, Zarya, Katerinovka and Tarasovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost an estimated 310 personnel, two armored combat vehicles, three motor vehicles, a 155mm M777 howitzer and two AN/TPQ-36 counterbattery radar stations of US manufacture in that frontline area over the last 24 hours, it specified.

In addition, Russian forces destroyed two electronic warfare stations, a warehouse of unmanned aerial vehicles and a fuel depot of the Ukrainian army, it said.

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicts over 480 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Center inflicted more than 480 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed two enemy tanks and two armored combat vehicles in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup Center units improved their tactical position and inflicted losses on formations of a mechanized brigade, a jaeger brigade, two assault brigades, an unmanned systems brigade, an assault regiment, an assault battalion, the Vostok Special Operations Center of the Ukrainian army, a marine infantry brigade and a National Guard brigade in areas near the settlements of Mirolyubovka, Kotlino, Dimitrov, Zverevo, Krasnoarmeisk, Uspenovka, Udachnoye, Grodovka, Alekseyevka, Nadezhdinka and Novoaleksandrovka in the Donetsk People’s Republic," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost more than 480 personnel, two tanks, two Kozak armored combat vehicles, five motor vehicles, two field artillery guns and an electronic surveillance station in that frontline area over the last 24 hours, it specified.

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicts 150 casualties on Ukrainian army in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup East inflicted roughly 150 casualties on Ukrainian troops and destroyed three enemy artillery guns in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup East units kept advancing deep into the enemy’s defenses and inflicted losses among manpower and equipment of four mechanized brigades, an airmobile brigade of the Ukrainian army, a marine infantry brigade and two territorial defense brigades in areas near the settlements of Shevchenko, Voskresenka, Fyodorovka, Novopol, Razliv and Zelyonoye Pole in the Donetsk People’s Republic and Gulyaipole in the Zaporozhye Region," the ministry said.

The Ukrainian army lost as many as 150 personnel, three motor vehicles and three field artillery guns, including a Swedish-made 155mm Archer self-propelled artillery system in that frontline area over the last 24 hours, it specified.

In addition, Russian forces destroyed a materiel depot of the Ukrainian army, it said.

Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr destroys over 65 Ukrainian troops in past day

Russia’s Battlegroup Dnepr destroyed more than 65 Ukrainian troops and a US-made multiple rocket launcher in its area of responsibility over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Battlegroup Dnepr units inflicted losses on formations of two mechanized brigades, a mountain assault brigade, three coastal defense brigades of the Ukrainian army and two territorial defense brigades in areas near the settlements of Sadovoye, Pridneprovskoye, Antonovka and Vesyoloye in the Kherson Region, Malaya Tokmachka, Orekhov and Kamenskoye in the Zaporozhye Region," the ministry said.

"More than 65 [Ukrainian] military personnel, seven motor vehicles, a US-made MLRS rocket launcher and two ammunition depots were destroyed," it specified.

Russian air defenses down 58 Ukrainian UAVs, two JDAM smart bombs over past day

Russian air defense forces shot down 58 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles and two JDAM smart bombs over the past day, the ministry reported.

"Air defense capabilities shot down two JDAM guided aerial bombs and a rocket of the HIMARS multiple launch rocket system of US manufacture and 58 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles," the ministry said.

Overall, the Russian Armed Forces have destroyed 659 Ukrainian warplanes, 283 helicopters, 48,462 unmanned aerial vehicles, 601 surface-to-air missile systems, 22,499 tanks and other armored combat vehicles, 1,532 multiple rocket launchers, 22,987 field artillery guns and mortars and 33,368 special military motor vehicles since the start of the special military operation, the ministry reported.

Reuters/Tass

During an interview on Channels TV on Monday, Wole Soyinka responded to critics who have been taunting him to “say something” about the present administration. In the interview, he said, “People should stop trying to work on my timetable for me. I had not swallowed an alarm clock. I don’t see why I should put my alarm on and say: ‘One year has passed, now, I must make an assessment’ if there is nothing I feel like talking about and if I am busy elsewhere.” Following his earlier statement when he visited Bola Tinubu at Aso Rock in 2023, that he only criticises a government after its first year, it must be disappointing to his monitors that they cannot put their hands in his mouth and force out words.

To be fair to him, Soyinka has not been exactly silent on Nigeria’s situation. He criticised Tinubu’s decision to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State, but his intervention was tame, lame, and lacking characteristic edginess. The Soyinka who once referred to President Goodluck Jonathan as “Nebuchadnezzar” because of a police siege on the National Assembly resorted to prevarications on Rivers’ state of emergency. Time truly changes everything. If Jonathan were Nebuchadnezzar, the enslaving king who lost his sanity at the height of his brutal reign, then to which biblical figure can one similarly liken Tinubu, under whose watch Nigerians have confronted a severe economic crisis and recorded an unparalleled number of human rights abuses? Rehoboam, perhaps. That was the king who ill-advisedly refused to lighten the strenuous taxes his predecessor had tolled the people, incited a public rebellion, and ended up balkanising a united kingdom.

Everyone, including the critics taunting Soyinka for bringing less than the blunt edges of his sharp wit to political discourses, knows he is in an awkward situation under the present administration. He and Tinubu are friends, and their close relationship reportedly started during their NADECO days. Ordinarily, it is hard for a social critic to take down a close friend in power. It is even harder for a man like Soyinka, who has set a high bar of radical public engagement, to continue to meet his own standards now that his buddy is the President. While he has built a towering profile around being an anti-establishment figure, he is part of the political establishment now, even if he does not hold any official position in Tinubu’s administration. He can no longer maintain his previous ideological stance on political issues, and he should make that clear to the public rather than promising to speak when he finally has something to say. There is nothing he will ever have to say on any issue that has to do with Tinubu’s administration that will not be considered tainted and even cynically prejudged, so why bother?

Perhaps if Soyinka had known that a day would come when Tinubu would become the President, he would have been more measured in his criticisms of previous administrations. He would not be in the awkward position where they jab him to prove his patriotic commitment to the nation by criticising an oppressive government now run by his dear friend. The past cannot be helped, but he should also be able to clearly state to the public on whose behalf he has advocated for years, why he would hang up his boxing gloves this time around. It will not be a crime, nor will it mean he has lost the patriotic zeal that pushed him into lifelong social advocacy; it would just be practical under the circumstances. It is not enough to say, “I will speak when I have something to say,” but you must also be accountable enough to the public to point out your closeness to the political subject, how it compromises you, and why you would take a pass on political commentary. Without being upfront about why you have nothing to say during an oppressive reign when you would have had more than enough to say if your friends were not involved, you damage your public image and legacy. Respecting the public enough to be honest about your limits under the circumstances means you can frame your actions as courtesy to a friend rather than leave them to be interpreted as cowardice or hypocrisy.

One of the several fallouts of the ascendance of the All Progressives Congress to the national stage from being a regional party is that it forcefully retired many anti-establishment figures. Many of them cut their critical teeth railing against the Peoples Democratic Party machine that was in power for 16 years. While at it, they also fraternised with the Alliance for Democracy/APC, the political party that also defined itself against the state. Their mutual affiliation was logical for reasons ranging from ethnic sentiment to the lush funds Tinubu provided from Lagos’ purse. When the APC won the Presidency in 2015, many of them found themselves in the uncomfortable position where they could either maintain their oppositional stance (and risk offending their APC allies) or become apologists for a government that duplicated every political action for which they once attacked the PDP. Before many could figure out their roles under the dispensation, the dynamics of Nigerian political opposition changed. The old guard was replaced by a younger generation who quickly made it clear they would have nothing to do with them.

Soyinka was one of those who soldiered on, although one can argue that his criticisms of the Muhammadu Buhari administration curiously coincided with the sidelining of Tinubu among the APC establishment. While I do not think he is a card-carrying member of the APC, Soyinka’s political posture since 1999 has favoured the AD/APC political class more than any other collective in Nigeria. Now that the same Tinubu has made it to the Presidency, Soyinka is in an even more complicated place. There is no winning for him under the circumstances other than acknowledging that some personal relationships necessarily compromise us. The writer E.M. Forster once said, “If I had to choose between betraying my country and betraying my friend, I hope I should have the guts to betray my country.” This should be one of the times when choosing your friend over your country is the right thing to do.

This is not the first time friendship has put Soyinka in an awkward position where he has to self-justify. In 2016, during one of the many squabbles between Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi and his successor Nyesom Wike, it was revealed that the former had spent N82m (about $165,000) to host him to a dinner. Wike’s boys pulled that detail out from official records for no other reason than to embarrass Soyinka, whose intervention in the Rivers matter was perceived as fighting Amaechi’s battles. Soyinka’s response was to deny it was his “business to probe into the catering and logistical implications of the hundreds of institutions and governments all over the world to whom I acknowledge an immense debt of unsolicited recognition over the years”. Yes, while no reasonable person expects a Nobel Prize winner to ask such questions when he is hosted at a dinner, the right thing would have been to condemn such an inordinate expense made in your name. By not calling out Amaechi’s corruption, he fell into Wike’s well-laid trap to make him choose between his friend and the strict moral principles for which he is renowned.

Now he is in another situation that warrants choosing between his friend and his principles, and I suggest he chooses the former. We can borrow the immortal wisdom of Ogbuefi Ezeudu in Things Fall Apart, who told Okonkwo: “That boy calls you father. Do not bear a hand in his death to remind him this unpleasant task needs not to involve him.” Soyinka was right that other people—the Falanas, Sowores, and the Baiyewus—are already doing a good job without him. The thing is, by looking away from his friend’s administrative shortcomings, he will also be losing the moral right to comment on any other leader after Tinubu. He should make peace with that.

Punch

Rodger Dean Duncan

It’s been said that character is what we do when we think no one is watching and how we treat people who can’t do us any good.

As a careful observer of character for more than six decades, Robert L. Dilenschneider understands that better than most. The former president and CEO of strategic communications giant Hill & Knowlton, he’s had an up-close-and-personal view of human behavior in circumstances ranging from tragedy to triumph.

Bob has shared his observations in several books. His latest is Character: Life Lessons in Courage, Integrity, and Leadership.

In examining character, he considers eight components: leadership, innovation, resilience, breaking barriers, courage, loyalty, integrity, and openness and transparency. How did he land on those particular components?

“Character is the bedrock of leadership, and in studying significant figures from history, I found that these eight traits were essential to their success,” he says. “Leadership isn’t just about making decisions. It’s about guiding others with integrity. Innovation is the ability to push boundaries, as Steve Jobs did. Resilience defines those who rise from adversity, like Nelson Mandela. Breaking barriers is the hallmark of pioneers like Margaret Chase Smith. Courage sustains action when the path is difficult, loyalty builds trust, integrity is the moral compass, and openness and transparency ensure credibility. Each of these traits is not just a virtue but a necessity for those seeking to shape the world in a meaningful way.”

In today’s topsy-turvy political and business climate, what can leaders do to face the challenge of leading with integrity?

Bob says integrity is the foundation of trust, and trust is the currency of leadership. “Look at figures like Colin Powell, who led with conviction, or Dwight Eisenhower, who balanced military strength with moral responsibility,” he says. “Leaders today must hold fast to their principles while embracing transparency. They must speak the truth—even when inconvenient—because honesty builds enduring respect.”

How does staying true to personal values help a person navigate crises or challenges in a professional setting?

“Staying true to one’s values provides a guiding light in moments of uncertainty,” Bob says. “Anwar Sadat took an extraordinary risk in making peace with Israel because he believed in the larger goal of stability for his people. Similarly, Eleanor Roosevelt championed human rights despite opposition. When challenges arise, those who rely on deeply held values rather than momentary pressures emerge with their character intact. Personal values give clarity amid chaos.”

From the example of Anwar Sadat, what can leaders learn about change?

“Sadat exemplified the courage to redefine leadership,” Bob says. “He understood that actual progress requires bold action—sometimes at significant personal risk. His decision to seek peace rather than continue the conflict with Israel was an extraordinary act of vision. Leaders can learn that change is not about appeasement but about conviction, about knowing when the right course demands a break from tradition. It’s in these moments that leadership is tested.”

Leadership, of course, is more about behaviors than titles. How does the example of Mother Teresa reinforce that reality?

“Mother Teresa led not through political power but through action. She embodied the idea that leadership is not about commanding authority but about inspiring people through service and example. Her life showed that authenticity, selflessness, and dedication to a cause can have a more profound impact than any title.”

Steve Jobs helped introduce an amazing array of paradigm-breaking products. Bob explains how that example of innovative thinking can help leaders in non-technical fields.

“Jobs demonstrated that innovation is not just about technology. It’s about vision, perseverance, and an uncompromising focus on excellence. He rejected complacency and continuously sought ways to improve. Leaders in any field can learn from their ability to anticipate needs before they are recognized, challenge assumptions, and embrace calculated risks. The key lesson: Never settle for the status quo.”

“Both of these men displayed resilience in the face of overwhelming odds,” Bob says. “Mandela endured decades in prison yet never lost his belief in reconciliation. Hawking defied physical limitations to redefine our understanding of the universe. Entrepreneurs face setbacks, but success comes from the ability to adapt, persist, and see opportunities where others see obstacles. Their lives show that true visionaries do not let adversity dictate their destiny.”

Bob quotes basketball legend John Wooden as saying, “Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.” How can today’s political and business leaders benefit from adopting that perspective in their own behaviors?

“Wooden’s words remind us that true success is built on character, not perception,” Bob says. “In today’s world of social media and immediate judgment, it’s easy to focus on reputation management. However, leaders who prioritize doing what is right over what is popular leave a lasting legacy. John McCain’s unwavering loyalty to his fellow soldiers is a perfect example—he made difficult choices based on principle, not public opinion. Those who lead with integrity will ultimately be remembered for their actions, not for fleeting headlines.”

What role does self-awareness play in an individual’s effort to build personal character, and what are the steps to strengthening that skill?

Bob says self-awareness is the foundation of personal growth. “It requires a willingness to reflect on strengths and weaknesses, seek honest feedback, and remain open to learning. Great leaders—from Eisenhower to Katherine Graham—understood that acknowledging mistakes is a sign of strength, not weakness. To strengthen self-awareness, individuals must practice humility, actively listen, and continuously self-improve. The more you understand yourself, the better you’re equipped to lead authentically.”

What’s the greatest challenge to character in today’s world?

Bob says it’s distraction—losing sight of long-term values in the face of short-term pressures. “In a time of instant gratification, we must remind ourselves that character is built over a lifetime. Daily decisions—how we treat people, stand by our principles, respond in times of crisis—shape the legacy we leave behind.”

Forbes

The cost of agricultural produce has seen dramatic price increases in March, with pepper experiencing a staggering 225% price surge and tomatoes rising by 114%, according to recent market findings.

Daily Trust investigations revealed significant price changes across major markets in Lagos and Ogun states.

Abdulahi Yerima Shehu, a pepper seller in Ogba market, detailed the price transformations: a big bag of pepper has rocketed from N80,000 to N260,000, while a small bag increased from N20,000-N23,000 to N110,000. Tomatoes saw a similar trend, with prices climbing from N18,000-N21,000 to N45,000.

Another vendor, Bala Yaro from Abeokuta, reported slightly different but equally substantial increases. He noted pepper bag prices rising from N100,000 to N165,000, and tomato prices increasing from N35,000 to N45,000.

Consumers are feeling the pinch of these price hikes. Moyosore Salami lamented the expensive peppers, noting that even with the increased prices, the produce quality remains inconsistent, with baskets containing both ripe and unripe items.

Food security expert AfricanFarmer Mogaji explained the price surge, citing multiple contributing factors:

- Reduced cultivation areas for pepper compared to other crops

- Diminished farmer interest during the dry season

- Limited land availability

- Challenging climate conditions

- Increased logistics costs

Mogaji highlighted that farmers are more inclined to focus on crops like rice and wheat due to available support, while pepper and tomato cultivation has become less attractive.

The expert urged Southwest governors to support farmers in pepper and tomato cultivation, pointing to successful models in northern states.

Despite the challenging market conditions, some sellers remain optimistic. Abdulahi Yerima Shehu expressed hope that prices might stabilize in the coming weeks, stating, "The market is moving well, even though it is expensive, my customers are trying."

The dramatic price increases underscore the ongoing challenges in agricultural production and food security in Nigeria, calling for strategic interventions to support farmers and stabilize food prices.