Survivors of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) from different parts of Nigeria have shared their harrowing experiences of FGM which according to them has impacted negatively on their lives.

The women shared their experiences at a one-day seminar to mark the 2024 International Day on Zero Tolerance for FGM organized by Centre for Children’s Health Education, Orientation and Protection (CEE-HOPE) in collaboration with Hearts100.

According to Ref World, an international charity, in Nigeria, the estimated prevalence of FGM among women aged 15 to 49 is 24.8 per cent. Also, over 20 million women and girls in the country have undergone FGM. This represents 10 per cent of the global total of FGM cases.

Even though the majority of them were mutilated as children, they all shared that they continue to feel the negative impacts of the act in their adult lives.

Ololade Ajayi, a gender rights activist and founder of DOHS Care Foundation for Vulnerable Women and Children, related her FGM experience back in Ekiti State and how it continues to impact her marriage. “My saving grace is that I have an understanding husband because like every other victim, FGM affects our sex life,” she said.

Mrs. Ajayi went on to narrate first-hand experiences of victims back home during her childhood in Ekiti, including those who died due to bleeding while others had infections including sepsis, infertility as well as various forms of psychological trauma and how many of the victims were stigmatized or blamed for the ordeals.

Speaking in a similar vein, eminent gender rights advocate and founder of the Tonia Bruised But Not Broken Foundation, revealed the difficulties of coping in her marriage in the aftermath of FGM carried out on her in childhood as well as a rape experience with an uncle which are some of the spurs for her current work fighting for abused women and children.

Another speaker and also a survivor, Yinka Kenny, Executive Director of the Yinka Kenny Girls Foundation, said health workers especially nurses cut babies at hospitals without the consent of their parents and said the practice must be stopped. She also encouraged school girls at the seminar to speak up against FGM. ‘Your voice is your power, don’t let anyone shut it up,’ she said.

Mrs. Bridget Simon, a trader from Ifelodun community narrated her FGM experience and how her younger sister died from female circumcision during her childhood days in her home state of  Ebonyi. She revealed that she has fought moves so far to circumcise her four daughters.

Kingsley Obom-Egbulem, an author, youth mentor and public health advocate who was also a speaker at the event, said the reproductive health, mental health and general well-being of women and girls are impacted by FGM.  “No human part should be cut. FGM implies that humans are playing God, questioning why He created the clitoris.’’ He added that men should support the fight against FGM so that the national campaign could gain momentum.

Also, a leading advocate against FGM, Mrs. Margaret Onah of Safehaven Development Initiative, noted that FGM is a global practice which must be stopped. She also tasked the relevant authorities to implement the various laws that have been enacted and which criminalise the practice, including the 2015 VAPP Act.

Founder of Women’s Rights and Health Project (WRAHP), leading women’s rights activists, Mrs. Bose Ironsi, quoted the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Nigeria’s statistics which estimates that in 2023, more than 4.3 million girls are at risk of FGM, with the number being projected to reach 4.6 million by 2030.

Mrs. Ironsi, a retired nurse, said the reasons for female circumcision are mostly false. “There are no biological or medical reasons for FGM; it is all about the need to control women’s bodies. Women should not accept female circumcision as a norm,’ she said. According to her, while the male circumcision is to enhance maximum sexual pleasure for males (besides some health benefits), the opposite is the case for women, which she termed a gross violation of the human rights of women.

Earlier in her opening remarks, Betty Abah, CEE-HOPE’s Founder, emphasized the need for FGM-related issues to be put on public burners because it is a life-and-death matter because many innocent women and girls have had their lives cut short because of the practice while some others continue to live with invisible yet painful scars.

“We need to keep encouraging women and girls to speak up against FGM, and this can be achieved when the government enforces the law and metes out punishment to those carrying out the practice or encouraging it at any level,” Abah added.

Ms. Anne Rüffer, founder of the partner organization, Hearts100s, stressed the need for the Nigerian government to address issues around Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) by creating awareness about the issues and implementing existing laws.

She said, “there is a need to pressurize lawmakers to activate the relevant laws to protect women and girls even as we work to scale up our efforts in providing protection for women threatened by SGBV via our shelter (Hearts of Hope) as well as providing economic empowerment for these and other vulnerable women across Nigeria via psychosocial support, skills training, business grants and others.”

The seminar also witnessed screenings of several multimedia productions by CEE-HOPE and Hearts100 on the FGM campaign, namely interviews including that of Ms Debbie Ariyo, Founder of AFRUCA-UK and also those of survivors including Ms Fatima Dawud from Borno State.

Report by bonewssng

• Read full text of the letter

Chairman of the NBA-SPIDEL, John Aikpokpo-Martins, Esq. has made a disclosure over how the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Mr. Yakubu C. Maikyau, SAN hampered a number of public interest actions the committee attempted to undertake.

Aikpokpo-Martins in his response to the Bar President’s letter suspending SPIDEL activities and including strategic lawsuits for allegedly “undermining” his office, gave a blow by blow account of how the senior advocate frustrated many spirited effort to carry out their constitutional mandate without any effort to tackle them by himself or through his office.

Some of the Bar President’s curious actions include his retort that the Edo State Governor reserves the discretion as to when to swear in the judges when the lingering issue of the non-swearing-in of the judges-designate was brought to the attention of the National Executive Council (NEC).

On SPIDEL suit against NYSC, Hannatu Musa Musawa & Kenny Ogungbe,”You immediately flew into a rage and threatened to deal with me and with SPIDEL, noting that you have been inundated with calls on the lawsuit. I requested that you point out specifically what SPIDEL has done wrong, assuring you that I would promptly apologize if necessary. You asked whether what SPIDEL was doing was right; I responded that, to the best of my knowledge, SPIDEL has merely been discharging its mandate within the confines of the NBA Constitution and in pursuit of NBA objectives and the public interest. You again repeated your threat to “deal with SPIDEL.”

Read the entire letter below.

9th February, 2024

Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, OON, SAN
President,
Nigerian Bar Association,
NBA House, Plot 1101, Mohammadu Buhari Way,
Central Business District, Abuja.

Dear Mr. President,

RE: THE ACTIVITIES OF SPIDEL UNDER YOUR LEADERSHIP

We refer to your letter on the above subject dated 31st January 2024.

You would recall that upon receipt of the letter which was delivered via email, I promptly replied on 1st February 2024 and urged your understanding for me to provide a more detailed response in writing. Suffice it to say that your letter, having been published by at least one news blog even before we received the hard copy, became available to the public at large and especially to our members. This compelled the SPIDEL Executive Committee to summon an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) under Article XIX(b) of the Uniform Bye-Laws of the NBA Constitution 2015 (as amended in 2021).

At the Extraordinary General Meeting held on Sunday, 4th February 2024, the General Meeting mandated me to respond to your letter as appropriate. Permit me therefore to address the issues raised in your letter seriatim:

You stated in paragraph 1 of your letter as follows: “I have had cause on several occasions to draw your attention to statements and publications issued at the instance of SPIDEL, with you as Chairman. I have also spoken to you about the need to respect the sanctity of our Constitution and to maintain order and decorum in the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA). You have remained adamant and proceeded as though SPIDEL exists all by itself, independent of the NBA and its structures.”
Response:

This is not quite correct, Mr. President. Aside from our discussion on Sunday, 28th January 2024, the only other time we spoke on this issue was sometime in August 2023 when you frowned at SPIDEL’s involvement in the Kano Election Petition Tribunal Bribery Allegations upon the publication of the Section’s press statement of 16th August 2023. I recall that you were very angry, claiming that I made you look incompetent. I sought to assuage your angst while pledging my unalloyed support and loyalty at all times.

Sometime in September 2023, I had cause to inform you of a planned visit to the University of Calabar to interrogate the sexual assault allegations against Prof. Cyril Ndifon, the now-suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law. This followed a SPIDEL press statement on 13th September 2023. You said SPIDEL should steer clear of the matter, saying you would rather send the NBA’s 1st Vice President to investigate the matter. Indeed, you wondered if I would have allowed anyone to take the shine off me when I was the 1st Vice President of the Association. In deference to you, SPIDEL steered clear of both the Kano Election Petition Tribunal Bribery and Prof. Cyril Ndifon’s matter to date.

On 21st January 2024, you sent me a blog post titled “NBA-SPIDEL Investigates Allegations by Justice Flora Azinge of Attempted Bribery by Unnamed Senior Advocate Nigeria [SAN].” You did not accompany the said blog post with any comment or otherwise. Accordingly, I was at a loss as to the intent of the message.

More importantly, this issue had been dealt with by us in August 2023, before the pre-conference National Executive Council Meeting and the Annual General Meeting in Abuja. It is, therefore, rather uncharitable to suggest that SPIDEL made a press statement in January 2024 on an issue that happened in August 2023. The blog post that you forwarded to me was published on 17th August 2023 and NOT in January 2024.

This is six (6) months after. We are at a loss why you are resurrecting this issue.

It is also not the case that you had made any statement or taken any action on the Kano Election Tribunal matter before SPIDEL issued its Press Statement on 16th August 2023. It is, therefore, untenable to suggest that we issue our statement in disregard of any alleged actions you had taken on the issue at the relevant time.

On 19th January 2024, you again sent me a blog post titled “NBA SPIDEL boss Aikpokpo-Martins reiterates call on Edo Government to swear in 8 Edo Judges designate.” Again, you did not accompany the said blog post with any comment.

Indeed, you would recall that the lingering issue of the non-swearing-in of the judges-designate was brought to the attention of the National Executive Council (NEC) at its last meeting vide my report to NEC as the Chairman of SPIDEL. Permit me to refer you to pages 88 and 89 of the December 2023 NEC Bundle. It was after I rendered my report that you remarked that the Edo State Governor reserves the discretion as to when to swear in the judges. The issue was not discussed, and NEC never took a position on it. Truly, I was in Benin City but on the invitation of some NBA branch chairmen and Bar leaders who sought for me to accompany them on visits to the Edo State Chief Judge and Edo State Attorney-General respectively to advocate on this issue. I then had the privilege of being interviewed by the press on the issue and other matters during my said visit.

On Sunday, 28 January 2024, you forwarded the press statement issued by the Publicity Secretary of SPIDEL titled “NBA-SPIDEL FILES SUIT AGAINST NYSC, HANNATU MUSA MUSAWA & KENNY OGUNGBE.” Characteristically, you did not accompany the blog post with any comment or otherwise. Indeed, you forwarded the message to me at 4:25 pm. At exactly 5:50 pm, you telephoned me and queried why I did not respond to your message. I explained that you merely forwarded to me a SPIDEL press statement without more. You immediately flew into a rage and threatened to deal with me and with SPIDEL, noting that you have been inundated with calls on the lawsuit. I requested that you point out specifically what SPIDEL has done wrong, assuring you that I would promptly apologize if necessary. You asked whether what SPIDEL was doing was right; I responded that, to the best of my knowledge, SPIDEL has merely been discharging its mandate within the confines of the NBA Constitution and in pursuit of NBA objectives and the public interest. You again repeated your threat to “deal with SPIDEL.”

Suffice it to note that, being a matter of public concern, Mr. President may be inundated with telephone calls, the identity of the callers notwithstanding. SPIDEL also does not have control over how news outlets cast their headlines. What is clear, however, is that the lawsuit was NOT instituted in the name of the Association.

It is a fact that SPIDEL authored the letters addressed to the Inspector-General of Police, Director General of the Directorate of State Services (DSS) and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) titled, “The UNLAWFUL PRACTICE OF CONFISCATING THE PHONES OF LEGAL PRACTITIONERS VISITING DSS OFFICES THE PERFORMANCE OF THEIR PROFESSIONAL DUTIES: A DEMAND FOR IMMEDIATE CESSATION OF UNLAWFUL AND DISCRIMINATORY PRACTICE.” For the records, the letters were dated 10th January 2024 and delivered on 26th January 2024. Mr. President had indicated in your letter that “these actions may not be bad in themselves ….” If we may then ask, what is wrong with the letters which are intended primarily to protect the interest and dignity of lawyers?

Most respectfully, Mr. President, we find it rather incongruous that, following the unfortunate kidnap of a lawyer, your “intervention was almost rebuffed on account of that letter.” Does it mean that the lives and safety of citizens are now dictated by how public entities feel about steps taken to safeguard citizens’ rights? Further, we do not agree with the view that SPIDEL is encroaching on the duties of the NBA Security Agencies Relations Committee (SARC). While Mr. President is at liberty to create sundry committees to tackle certain issues. It is imperative to note that, as a Section, the mandate and objectives of SPIDEL are protected by the NBA Constitution. Specifically, Section 17(1) of the NBA Constitution provides as follows: “There shall be for the Association such Sections as the National Executive Council of the Association shall establish to advance the aims and objects of the Association.” It may well be the case that it is the NBA committees that veer into areas expected to be dealt with by SPIDEL. Again, while some entities affected by our public interest interventions may view the same as “confrontational,” it becomes doubly worrisome and discouraging when Mr. President also shares this untenable perception.

On its part, SPIDEL has a primary mandate to protect the public interest. Consistent with this mandate, SPIDEL wrote the letter titled “RE: ISSUANCE OF CENTRAL MOTOR REGISTRY INFORMATION SYSTEM (CMRIS) BY THE NIGERIA POLICE FORCE: A DEMAND FOR THE IMMEDIATE STOPPAGE OF SAME.” The letter was dated 29th January 2024 and delivered to the Inspector General of Police the same day.

A. PRIOR APPROVAL FROM THE NBA PRESIDENT FOR SPIDEL’S ACTIVITIES
Mr. President, in your letter under reference, you accused SPIDEL of “ignoring our Rules and Procedures of dealing with matters of this nature.” Suffice it to note that you did not state the specific “Rules and Procedure” that were breached by SPIDEL. Perhaps as a clue, you indicated “Like the previous posts, I did not know about this, and there was no approval for it, and those other actions being taken by SPIDEL.” Again, in purportedly banning the activities of SPIDEL, you stated that “henceforth, you shall not undertake any engagement with any third party without prior consultation and permission from me as President with the approval of the National Executive Council of the NBA.” It would therefore seem that Mr. President is under the mistaken perception that SPIDEL must obtain “permission” or “approval” from him before embarking on any of its activities. We do not, with respect, think that the drafters of the NBA Constitution envisaged that NBA Sections would be micro-managed by the NBA President. Indeed, the NBA Constitution does NOT support such approvals or permission. This fact is borne out by the relevant provisions of the NBA Constitution and the Uniform Bye-Laws for Sections. Permit me to set out a few of these provisions for ease of reference.

• ART. XI(c) of the Uniform Bye-Laws provides as follows: “Duties: The Executive Committee of the Section shall have general supervision and control of the affairs of the Section, subject to:
any restrictions which the National Executive Council of the Association may, from time to time, impose;
any decision duly taken at the General Meeting of the Section and
These Bye-Laws:
X

• ART XI(h) of the Uniform Bye-Laws provides as follows: “ General Authority: The Executive Committee of the Section may act on behalf of the Section concerning all matters relevant to the Section during intervals between their General Meetings.”

From the foregoing provisions, it is clear that the NBA Constitution has not accorded Mr. President any role howsoever in the management, control, and supervision of SPIDEL in particular and NBA Sections in general. It bears repeating that no provision in the NBA Constitution mandates SPIDEL to seek “permission” or “approval” from Mr. President before carrying out its activities. Indeed, Article XXI of the Uniform Bye-Laws provides that “ The Section shall design their activities, subject to the approval of its (sic) Executive Committee of the Section.”

For the avoidance of doubt, the only constitutional role given to the NBA President about Sections is the appointment of a Liaison Officer. Article X(b) of the Uniform Bye-Laws for Sections provides that “The President of the Association shall appoint any senior Staff of the Association as a liaison Officer to the Section.” Article X(c) of the Uniform Bye-Laws also provides that “The Liaison Officer shall report to the President of the Association as well as provide where required of him or her information required by officers of the Section in support of their duties.” It is instructive that aside from the fact Mr. President has duly appointed a Liaison Officer for the Section, SPIDEL has been working in harmony with the Liaison Officer.

B. OVERSIGHT OF SPIDEL
The NBA Constitution is clear as to the entity that has a supervisory role over SPIDEL. Accordingly, Article XXII of the Uniform Bye-Laws provides as follows: “Supervision/Report: The Section shall be under the supervision of the National Executive Council, and as such each Section shall present Annual Report at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Association.” It is therefore clear that Mr. President has no supervisory role whatsoever over SPIDEL or NBA Sections. To attempt to do so is to usurp the powers duly vested in the National Executive Council by the NBA Constitution.

C. SECTION 17(4) OF THE CONSTITUTION OF THE NBA 2015 (AS AMENDED IN 2021)
In your letter, you drew our attention to Section 17(4) of the NBA Constitution 2015 (as amended in 2021) and alleged as follows: “Needless to say, your actions have in several respects breached this, and other provisions of the Constitution.” We note that the facts do not bear out this conclusion.
Section 17(4) of the NBA Constitution provides: “No Section, Section Committee or any of their officers or other representatives, shall represent the Association or hold themselves out as representing the Association in any respect, or take any action in the name of the Association except as authorized by the National Executive Council or the Bye-Law.”

It is noteworthy that SPIDEL has never held itself out as representing the Association either in press statements or in cases instituted in court. All press statements were duly issued in the name of the Section while all the cases instituted by SPIDEL were done in our names as follows: “John Aikpokpo-Martins; Funmi Adeogun; chairman and secretary respectively, for themselves and on behalf of members of NBA-SPIDEL”. SPIDEL has not in any way breached the aforesaid section of the NBA Constitution. This is even though Mr. President conceded that SPIDEL’s “actions may not be bad in themselves.”

CONSULTATIONS AND TRUNCATION OF SPIDEL’S INITIATIVES
Scuttled Conference on Religious Tolerance.
You will recall that sometime after the killing of Usman Buda in Sokoto in June 2023 for alleged blasphemy, I informed you vide a telephone call on 1st July 2023 of SPIDEL’s plan to organize a conference on religious tolerance. I noted that I had made contact with the Muslim Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN) through its President, among others. It was to be the first major program following my election as SPIDEL Chairman. You said you would prefer the Association to take up the initiative. I deferred to you. I thereafter called you to follow up on the planned dialogue. To date, nothing has been done about the program.

Yearly Renewal of Proof of Ownership.
You may recall that on 24th July 2023, I was in your office at the National Secretariat to brief you on our meeting with SYC Technologies Limited on the yearly renewal of Proof of Ownership certificates at a mandatory fee of N1,000. We intended to sue the company, the Federal Government, and the Lagos State Government, given the additional hardship the scheme will wreak on citizens. You requested that I arrange another meeting with the company. The meeting was eventually fixed for 2nd August 2023 in your office. While we all assembled in your office on the said date, you never turned up for the meeting. I called you to follow up, but you neither answered nor returned my calls.

Again, on 9th September 2023, I sent you a WhatsApp text message that I wanted to discuss some urgent SPIDEL matters, but you did not respond.

On 11th September 2023, at exactly 5 pm, I forwarded the draft processes of the proof of ownership case we intended to file for your information. I also sought your approval to sue in the name of the Association. You never responded. Having not received your permission, SPIDEL opted to file the lawsuit (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1285/2023) in the name of its chairman, secretary, and another member, and for and on behalf of SPIDEL members.

Re: Case of Chief Judge of Federal Capital Territory
You may also recall that around 1 pm on 2nd August 2023, you telephoned me and directed that SPIDEL cease all actions on its letter dated 24th August 2023 titled “A HUMBLE REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION ON THE ALLEGED RELEASE OF MR. CHUMA NZERIBE FROM THE KUJE CORRECTIONAL CENTER ABUJA.” As you are aware, we had written to the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory to clarify the allegation that the Honourable Chief Judge – under the guise of a prison visit on 24th May 2023 -unlawfully released from the Kuje Correctional Centre, Hon. Chuma Nzeribe, a convict who was on 24th May 2022, sentenced to a 7 (seven) year jail term by Hon. Justice Yusuf Halilu of FCT High Court 14 sitting in Wuse. You had assured us that you would revert to us on the issue. To date, SPIDEL has yet to hear from you on this serious matter, which has grave implications for Nigeria’s criminal justice administration. It is noteworthy that this matter was discussed at the SPIDEL General Meeting held on 31st August 2023 on the sidelines of the 2023 Annual General Conference. The minutes of the meeting will bear this out. The issue was also highlighted in the SPIDEL Report to the Pre-Conference NEC Meeting in August 2023, particularly on page 221 of the NEC bundle.

OTHER MATTERS.
On 24th August 2023, I sought your approval vide a WhatsApp message sent at 9:18 am. for SPIDEL to observe the Edo State Local Government Election to be held on 2nd September 2023. Mr. President did not respond to the request.

On the same day, 24th August 2023 at exactly 5:21 pm, I forwarded to you a news report by CITY LAWYER news blog titled “FAMILY BLAMES LASUTH, EVERCARE HOSPITAL OVER DEATH OF LAGOS LAWYER” (available at https://citylawyermag.com/family-blames-lasuth-evercare-hospital-over-death-of-lagos-lawyer/). I accompanied the same with the following note: “NBA-SPIDEL is interested in taking up this matter with the view of bringing the medical institutions involved to book. I thought it fit to inform you, seeing that the victim is a lawyer.” You have not responded to date.

We invited Mr. President to our SPIDEL Leaders’ Reunion Dinner initially scheduled to be held on the 1st floor of NBA House on 28th August 2023 on the sidelines of the Annual General Conference. Not only did you fail to dignify us with a response; you went a step further to lock us out and bar us from use of the NBA hall on the day of the scheduled dinner. Needless to say, this action occasioned grave inconvenience to SPIDEL and our invited Bar Leaders, more as the venue had long been advertised. We scrambled to deploy another venue at very short notice and at great cost to the Section.

CONCLUSION
Mr. President, arising from the foregoing, it is our firm belief that SPIDEL has never undermined your office. On the contrary, it would seem that Mr. President has – wittingly or otherwise – impeded many laudable SPIDEL initiatives aimed at promoting NBA objectives, the rule of law, and the public interest. Indeed, SPIDEL would have been rendered comatose had it relied solely on your “permission” or “approval” to carry out its activities, seeing that it has virtually received none after several efforts. Instructively, you have made the saying, “the legal practitioner lives for the direction of his people and the advancement of the cause of his Country” (Sir Christopher Alexander Sapara Williams) your core mantra. Again, in your statement to mark the 2023 INTERNATIONAL HUMAN RIGHTS DAY, you stated “We have a critical role to play in society and that is not something to be treated with levity or taken lightly. We must work daily to uphold the rights of Nigerians because human rights are the catalyst for the development we seek.” This is all that SPIDEL has consistently striven to do.
Suffice it to state that any fair-minded observer will come to the inescapable conclusion that all SPIDEL activities have been guided by the provisions of the NBA Constitution and the Uniform Bye-Laws for Sections. The Section has consistently made reports of its activities to NEC under Article XXII of the Uniform Bye-Laws for Sections. These activities have been conducted in a manner as to promote the aims and objectives of the Association. While it is true that our actions are deliberate, it is untenable to contend that such actions are aimed “to serve other motives other than the interest of the Bar.”

RESOLUTIONS OF SPIDEL EXTRAORDINARY GENERAL MEETING OF 4TH FEBRUARY, 2024
Mr. President, as stated earlier, under the howbeit curious publication of your letter to the whole world, the Executive Committee of SPIDEL convened an Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to deliberate on the issues raised. This is more when you directed the leadership of the Section to “suspend all actions presently being undertaken by SPIDEL, particularly the matters stated above, until the scheduled meeting and further directives as may be approved by the National Executive Council.” You further directed SPIDEL “not undertake any engagement with any third party without prior consultation and permission from me as President with the approval of the National Executive Council of the NBA.”

Upon an extensive deliberation on your letter, the Extraordinary General Meeting RESOLVED as follows: That SPIDEL views as highly worrisome and the publication of your letter even before the same was delivered to the Section;
By the said publication, Mr. President may have exposed SPIDEL’s Chairman, Mr. John Aikpokpo-Martins, to harm’s way, given the apparent disclaimer issued regarding SPIDEL’s activities and especially as it concerns the security agencies;
SPIDEL views your ‘directives’ suspending its activities as null, void, and of no effect whatsoever, given that such directives are ultra vires your powers as NBA President and amount to a breach of the provisions of the constitution of the Association. For the avoidance of doubt, the meeting directed the Executive Committee to continue to implement programs aimed at promoting public interest and hamstringing official impunity.

SPIDEL restates its solemn commitment to the promotion of the rule of law. Accordingly, SPIDEL will continue to make its best efforts to work with Mr. President towards fostering the aims and objectives of the Association, even as it shall firmly defend the NBA Constitution and the public interest no matter whose ox is gored.

Please accept the assurances of our highest consideration and esteem.

Yours Respectfully,

John Aikpokpo-Martins, Esq.
Chairman, NBA-SPIDEL

Copy to:
All National Officers.
NBA Trustees
Past NBA Presidents
NBA NEC Members
Chairmen of Sections

The suspended Dean of the Faculty of Law, University of Calabar, Prof. Cyril Ndifon and his lawyer, Sunny Anyanwu has been granted bail by a Federal High Court, Abuja.

The duo arraigned by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), are standing trial on amended four counts of alleged sexual harassment and an attempt to perverse the cause of justice.

While the law Professor was granted bail in the sum of N250m with two sureties, Anyanwu was granted N50m bail with two sureties as well. 

The court had on January 8 remanded Prof. Ndifon in prison custody.

Ndifon was then granted a temporary bail on January 10 to enable him to undergo eye surgery.

Anyanwu was joined in the amended charge filed by the ICPC on January 22 over an allegation by the prosecution counsel that he threatened the star witness of the commission on the phone while trial had commenced on the matter.

At the proceedings on January 26, the trial judge James Omotoso ordered the remand of Anyanwu alongside Ndifon.

Justice Omotoso had since then declined to hear their bail applications, citing the need to protect the ICPC’s star witness.

Ruling on their bail application on Friday, the trial judge, Justice James Omotoso, said, “Bail is granted to the first defendant in the sum of N250m with two sureties who own properties within FCT with a minimum valuation of N150m.

“The first defendant and his two sureties must submit their bank statements.

“The first defendants must submit his International passport to the court.

For Anyanwu, Omotoso granted him bail in the region of N50m with two sureties.

“The second defendant is granted bail in the sum of N50m with two sureties who will submit their bank statements.

“The defendants must file an undertaking not to interfere with the case, readiness to attend trial and not to cause delay.”

The matter has been adjourned to Monday for continuation of hearing.

A serving member of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC), identified as Samuel, slumped and died during the penalty shootouts of the match between Nigeria and South Africa on Wednesday evening.

According to the Nigerian Tribune, an eyewitness said that the corps member serving in Adamawa State died before the last shootout that progressed Nigeria to the final of the 2023 African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

“We lost one Nigerian a few minutes ago during our victory celebration over South Africa today at our Sports Viewing Center (SVC) here in Numan,” the witness said. 

“The Corps member who is serving in numan from Kaduna has fainted before the kick-off of the winning goal.

“He died before they could reach the hospital in Numan, may his soul rest in peace.”

Similarly, a former former member of the House of Representatives under the All Progressive Congress (APC) also slumped and died during the penalty shootouts.

Ojougboh, who represented the Ika federal constituency of Delta State, reportedly slumped as soon as a penalty was awarded against Nigeria at the Wednesday African Cup of Nations (AFCON) semi-final.

The one-time executive director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) reportedly collapsed and died immediately after South Africa scored the equalizer.

Meanwhile, the NYSC Coordinator in Adamawa state, Mr. Jingi Dennis, has confirmed the sad incident of the Corps member demise.

“l have received the news of his death last night, I hope to have more details today,” he said. 

“According to his colleagues who went with him to watch the match, the late corps member told them that he doesn’t like watching penalty shootout, he then bowed his head and all of a sudden he collapsed.”

“He was confirmed dead at the General Hospital in Numan by the Doctor.” 

After his country’s defeat on Wednesday in the AFCON semi-final game, a South African man has gone on X to pour his lamentations.

At the end of the February 7 match, South Africans on X joined the X Spaces to discuss the match.

A man was heard complaining bitterly about the defeat said: “My heart is broken because we had chances. You know, we should have won the game. Nigeria were lucky. We were poor in finishing, you know. 

“You know, this game, I really wanted to win it because a Nigerian guy took my girl, you know. Now he took my joy as well. I have nothing left. Amanpiano belongs to Nigeria now. All the girls belong to Nigeria. They took everything. We are naked right now, the South Africans, we got nothing, you know.”

His speech ends with him sobbing.

Listen to the conversation below.

B

THE CURRENT SUCCESS OF THE SUPER EAGLES; DATA ANALYSIS OF TEAM COMPOSITION: PATRIOTISM OVER PAROCHIALISM

FACTS:

• 12 Igbos out of 25 players
• 22 Christians out of 3 Muslims
• 21 Southerners out of 4 Northerners
• 12 states, Imo, Edo, Abia, Kogi, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Benue, Enugu, Anambra, Kebbi, Kano, Borno out of 36 States
• 12 Igbos, 5 Yorubas, 3 Binis, 3 Hausa Fulani, 1 Ibibio, 1 Idoma, 1 Bakor (Cross River).

I carried out a prescriptive and a diagnostic data analysis on the Super Eagles and the findings might shock some of you. The Descriptive analysis has turned out raw numbers into information that has made it easy for me to interpret the composition of the squad. While the diagnostic analysis has enabled me discover the reason behind our current success in the ongoing AFCON campaign. But let’s be very clear, each player had to be the best in his craft to make it into the national team but many times in Nigeria we have sacrificed skills for self, competence for corruption. But not in this case.

This is what the analysis showed. Out of 25 players, 12 players are of Igbo parentage. That means players of Igbo origin make up almost half of the entire squad, the highest ethnic group in the team. And here is what is interesting, players of Yoruba parentage come second with 5 players.

What about religion? Out of the 25 member squad , 21 are Christians, while 3 are Moslems.

Geopolitically the data showed, there are 22 players from Southern Nigeria, while 4 players are from the North.

Here is something else that was quite interesting. There are 20 players from 12 states in the team. What this shows, 24 states out of 36 States in the Federation do not have indigenes in the squad. Note: I was unable to identify the State of origin of 3 players.

But here is what is most shocking. It’s not the findings or results of my data analysis that surprised me. It was the attitude of Nigerians. Nigerians that are pathologically sensitive about ethnicity, suddenly were not bothered about who is Igbo or Fulani; it is all about WINNING!

Nobody is complaining. No petition has been filed against the NFA alleging tribalism in favour of the Igbos, Yorubas and Binis. No complaints, why Imo and Edo states seem to have the highest number of players in the squad.

Three sets of Nigerians will react to my findings. You will find those who will say – I can see marginalisation and ethnic politics in the squad. Why do I see only 3 or 4 tribes. These are Nigerians who are openly biased.

Then you have the second set of Nigerians who will read my analysis get irritated and say, “Please let us concentrate on winning this trophy we don’t need this analysis now, it is distracting”. These are Nigerians who are secretly tribalised and biased.

The 3rd set are true Patriots who will read the language of Patriotism in this write up. And who will celebrate competence over sentiment.

It is important I make it clear that my data analysis is not about the Super Eagles winning the AFCON Cup. AFCON will come and go. But I am looking at something much deeper. Something that will outlast this competition. The biggest prize yet. Our PATRIOTISM! It is no secret that inspite of our diversity, with our over 300 ethnic groups, Nigerians are able to display a unique and uncommon type of Patriotism not seen in other nations, not even in England. There is no Kanuri, Ijaw, Igbo or Fulani. No North nor South. How is this possible? And how can we use this Patriotism to impact our leaders and the masses, to make Nigeria truly the giant of Africa!

From the glory days of the Mighty Green Eagles up to the Super Eagles today, international football is the only national enterprise – that unites us as a nation and milks out of us the purest form of Patriotism any people can give a nation. Not even England can match Nigeria’s level of patriotism.

There is something hallowed and untouchable about international football in Nigeria. Our Eagles are like priests on the field as they salute the dreams and aspirations of every Nigerian to soar high as they open their mouths and sing, “Arise O Compatriots Nigeria’s call obey, To serve our Fatherland with love and strength and faith, The labours of our heroes past shall never be in vain, To serve with heart and might, One nation bound in freedom, Peace and Unity”.
Ready to go to war. For pride and country. These Eagle priests are decked in our national colours, the, “Deep Green Grass – Peace White – Fertility Green – flag; it’s more than a symbol, it is more than a colour. It’s the rich green blood that flows through this ancient land. The green blood that flows and irrigates the veins and the inland waterways that nourishes our Cocoa, Oil Palm, Cotton, Rubber, Groundnut and Cassava fields.

Many might disagree with what I am about to say now – but I don’t think there is any nation on earth that can match the Patriotism of Nigerians at international competitions. Not even mighty England whose clubs and English players we bow down to in absolute devotion. Have you ever heard a Nigerian miss a penalty or goal and we blamed his ethnicity or religion? Never! But do you know in the English national team if a black player misses a penalty kick – abuses, curses and insults by white English fans flood social media. In 2020 Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were treated as, “just black” rather than English once they missed penalties in the Euro 2020. The racial slur was so bad the Prime Minister had to come out and apologise to Black British residents. Discrimination is not part of football in Nigeria. There are no Igbos, Hausas or Biroms players – we are all one tribe – one Nigeria! We are better than the English.

But guess what – just supposing members of the Super Eagles were suddenly made political appointees, what do you think would happen? I can tell you for free. Confusion of cataclysmic proportions would engulf the team and the nation. Competence, professionalism and experience would be relegated in favour of ethnicity, regionalism and religion. We would all want representation in the national team. Even my village Afaha Offiong would demand our very own world class goalkeeper Ikrang Ubek gets a spot in the national team. Since 2012 no ball has gone pass Ikrang’s legs at our inter-village matches in Nsit nation.

As for the Igbos their numbers would immediately be depleted as each state and tribe fields its own indigenes. And if William Troost-Ekong is the team captain at AFCON today – at the 2026 World Cup the captaincy would have to rotate to the North. Turn by turn. Not turn by competence.

Now, it is clear that Nigeria’s inability to move forward as a great nation is not corruption, tribalism or religion – those are mere symptoms. The real disease is the complete absence of that Patriotic zeal and Nationalistic fervour, the same selfless Patriotism we are witnessing today in our squad and among us the citizens as we hope for AFCON glory in our corporate Patriotic support. It’s such selfless passion that builds great nations. The same Patriotism that turned nations that we were on the same level with in 1960 – China, Brazil and even India into world powers today. Rather what we have in Nigeria is a primordial political desire to take ownership of the nation from our individual ethnic blocs. This is what has robbed Nigerians from moving as One Patriotic cohesive bloc. But in international football these divisions melt away, win or lose, we stand as one tribe called Nigeria.

Politically we don’t appear to be One Nigeria. Because we are deeply divided into blocs of ethnic Political, Economic and Religious interests. But in international football on the field, by some miracle all our parochial tendencies all seem to disappear, our One Nigerianess is celebrated. There is no Igbo, Yoruba, Annang, Idoma or Hausa. There is no Christian or Moslem. Only competence on the highway of GLORY. When a Nigerian or group of Nigerians aim for Glory, I have noticed there is no tribe or tongue. Nigerians are a people that thirst for GLORY. Because deep down we know we are the leaders and undisputed kings of the black race on the planet. Did you know 1 out of every 5 black person on earth is a Nigerian? Nigeria is the Moses of the Black race. There is a huge weight of responsibility to showcase the very best of the black race to the world. Excellence comes naturally to us. And all other black nations, black people and the world look up to us. We crave to be the best in everything that we do. This is why we are – Apolitical, excuse my language; Tribeless and Religionless when it comes to our national team. This is the sort of Patriotism that can propel Nigeria build the first Black rocket to the Moon.

The question therefore is – if our National team and International football brings out such Uncommon Patriotism from Nigerians – how can the Federal Government invest and sustain this Spirit of Patriotic cohesiveness inside and outside the pitch?

But perhaps the much bigger question is this – seeing that the national team draws us together, blinds and deafens our eyes and ears from the endemic parochialism which has crippled us over the years, can the Federal Government invest massively in the national team without politics sprouting from the wings of the Super Eagles? Is there a way of converting the velocity of this Patriotic zeal into other areas of nation building especially our economy? I
I am sure we can.

In conclusion from the prescriptive data one can say the current success of Nigeria is not because there are 12 Igbos out of 25 players, 22 Christians out of 3 Muslims, 21 Southerners out of 4 Northerners, 12 States out of 36 States. No! Diagnostically our current success can be attributed to the purest form of Patriotism exhibited by both players and the nation, you and I. Where tribe and tongue may differ in brotherhood we stand. In a land where Patriotism is defeating parochialism.

Finally I commend President Tinubu for the speedy and noiseless release of funds to the Super Eagles without any of the embarrassing money headlines.

Nigeria Can!

Let me re-echo the words of Senator Akpabio, the Senate President, “Bring home the trophy”.
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DATA:

GOAL KEEPERS

1. Stanley Nwabili – IGBO; Christian; LGA Ogba–Egbema–Ndoni Rivers State
2. Francis Uzoho – IGBO; Christian; LGA Nwangele Imo State, Nigeria.
3. Olorunleke Ojo -YORUBA (Okun tribe)Christian, LGA Edumo, Kabba-Bunu, Kogi State

DEFENDERS

4. William Troost Ekong – IBIBIO; Christian; LGA Etinan Akwa Ibom State
5. Bright Osayi-Samuel’s – BINI ; Christian; LGA Benin City Edo State
6. Ola Aina – YORUBA; Bio Unknown; Born in UK
7. Zaidu Sanusi – HAUSA FULANI; Moslem; Jega Local Government Kebbi state
8. Bruno Onyemaechi – IGBO; Christian; born in Owerri LGA (may not be his hometown), Imo State
9. Semi Ajayi – YORUBA; Christian; pob UK; State – Mother’s family in Lagos.
10. Calvin Bassey – IGBO; Christian; Pob Italy, State: Anambra; LGA: Umunnamehi Ihiala; Mother: Ebere Bassey Etim; Father: Kingsley Ikenna Ughelimba.
11. Chidozie Awaziem – IGBO; Christian; Enugu State.
12. Kenneth Omuero – IGBO; Christian; Abia State (Likely)
13. Frank Onyeka – IGBO; Christian; State: Unknown; Pob: Benin City, Edo State
14. Joseph Temitope Aribo: YORUBA; Christian; Pob: UK
15. Alex Iwobi; IGBO; Christian; State Anambra State; LGA: Onitsha
16. Raphael Onyedika; IGBO; Christian; Imo State;
17. Alhassan Yusuf: HAUSA or FULANI; Moslem; Kano State
18. Kelechi Iheanacho: IGBO; Christian; Imo State (Likely)
19. Victor Oshimen: BINI; Christian; Edo State
20. Terem Igobor Moffi: BAKOR; Christian; Cross River
21. Samuel Chukwueze: IGBO; Christian; Abia State
22. Ademola Lookman: YORUBA; Christian
23. Moses Simon: IDOMA; Christian; Benue State
24. Paul Onuachu: IGBO; Christian; Anambra State
25. Ahmed Musa: HAUSA OR FULANI; Moslem; Maiduguri, Borno State