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The Case for Regional Federalism, Effective Leadership, and Youth Empowerment in Nigeria

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1 year ago

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In Nigeria, the call for regional federalism, effective leadership, and job creation opportunities for the youthful population has gained momentum in recent years. The convergence of these factors presents a unique opportunity to address the pressing issues of governance, economic development, and youth empowerment in the country. Senator Orji Uzor Kalu rightly pointed out the need for a clear political direction and defined responsibilities among the various tiers of government to effectively tackle societal challenges. By embracing regional federalism, fostering effective leadership, and prioritizing job creation, Nigeria can unlock the potential of its youthful population and pave the way for sustainable nation-building.

Through this contribution, the highly effective and efficient Senator Orji Uzor Kalu offers a valuable perspective to the ongoing debate on the optimal form of governance that Nigeria should consider revisiting. In his insightful piece, he emphasizes the importance of revisiting the discourse on regional federalism, highlighting its potential to address the numerous challenges facing Nigeria and resolve tensions that emerge during times of unrest. By advocating for a regional approach to governance, Senator Kalu suggests that we can drive progress towards fostering inclusivity and integration within the country. Over the years, I have actively engaged in advocating for these crucial issues, recognizing the significance of regional federalism as a pathway to a more cohesive and prosperous Nigeria.
To successfully advocate for a return to regional federalism, it is essential to engage in critical thought processes that focus on how this governance structure can promote unity and address the diverse needs of the various regions. By emphasizing the importance of inclusivity and seeking solutions that benefit all Nigerians, we can pave the way for a more harmonious and prosperous future.
Regional federalism offers a valid and successful pathway for addressing Nigeria’s myriad of challenges in several key ways:
1. Efficient Resource Allocation: Regional federalism allows for the distribution of resources based on the specific needs of each region. This ensures that resources are allocated more efficiently and effectively, addressing the disparities in development and infrastructure across the country.
2. Localized Decision-Making: By giving each region more autonomy in decision-making, regional federalism enables policies and initiatives to be tailored to the unique needs and preferences of the local population. This can lead to more responsive governance and better outcomes for communities.
3. Enhanced Accountability: With regional governments responsible for managing their own affairs, there is greater accountability and transparency in governance. Citizens can hold their regional leaders accountable for decisions and policies that directly impact their lives, fostering good governance practices.
4. Conflict Resolution: Regional federalism can help address the underlying causes of conflicts and tensions between different ethnic, religious, and cultural groups in Nigeria. By decentralizing power and resources, regions can address grievances and promote greater unity and understanding.
5. Economic Development: Regional federalism can spur economic growth by allowing regions to focus on their strengths and develop competitive advantages. This can attract investment, create jobs, and improve standards of living for the population.
In sum, Regional federalism offers a valid and successful pathway for addressing Nigeria’s myriad of challenges by allowing for more tailored and responsive governance at the regional level. This system enables regions to have greater autonomy in decision-making, which can lead to more effective and efficient solutions to local issues. Additionally, regional federalism promotes a sense of ownership and accountability among local leaders, fostering a stronger commitment to addressing the specific needs of their communities. By decentralizing power and resources, regional federalism also has the potential to reduce the disparities between different regions in terms of development and resource allocation. Ultimately, by embracing regional federalism, Nigeria can work towards creating a more inclusive and integrated nation that is better equipped to navigate its complex challenges.
Some questions could arise: How do the advocacy for regional federalism and the potential future leadership synergies in the evolving landscape of work intersect within the context of nation-building? Do the proposed regional governance structures align with the changing dynamics of work and leadership in a rapidly evolving society? How can regional federalism contribute to shaping a more cohesive and effective approach to leadership development and workforce management within the broader framework of nation-building endeavours?
Yes, there are thoughtful nexuses between the advocacy for regional federalism and the future of work leadership synergies in nation-building. Here are some key connections:
1. Decentralization of Power and Decision-Making: Regional federalism involves decentralizing power and decision-making to the regional level. This approach aligns with the changing nature of work leadership, which increasingly values decentralized and participatory decision-making processes. Empowering regional leaders to make decisions that affect their communities can enhance leadership synergies and promote more agile and responsive governance.
2. Customized Solutions for Local Challenges: The future of work leadership emphasizes the importance of customization and flexibility in addressing complex challenges. Regional federalism allows for tailored solutions to local issues, enabling leaders to adapt policies and strategies to the specific needs of each region. This approach fosters innovation, creativity, and adaptive leadership practices in nation-building efforts.
3. Collaborative and Inclusive Leadership Models: The future of work leadership emphasizes collaboration, inclusivity, and diversity in decision-making processes. Regional federalism encourages collaboration between regional governments, fostering partnerships and collective problem-solving approaches. By promoting inclusive leadership models that engage diverse stakeholders, regional federalism can build consensus and unity in nation-building efforts.
4. Economic Development and Job Creation: The future of work is characterized by dynamic changes in the economy, driven by technological advancements and globalization. Regional federalism can facilitate targeted investments in regional economic development initiatives, creating new opportunities for job creation and skills development. Effective leadership in leveraging regional strengths and resources can drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable economic growth.
Essentially, the advocacy for regional federalism aligns with the principles of future work leadership by promoting decentralized decision-making, customized solutions, collaborative leadership models, and economic development strategies. By embracing these synergies, Nigeria can build a more inclusive, resilient, and adaptive nation-building framework that embraces the challenges and opportunities of the future of work.
Intriguingly, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu’s perspective aligns with the notion that a lack of clearly defined political direction and division of responsibilities among different levels of government can lead to challenges such as those highlighted during protests. This lack of clarity can result in inefficiencies, finger-pointing, and a failure to address pressing issues effectively.
Regional federalism offers a potential solution to this problem by clearly delineating the roles and responsibilities of each level of government. By empowering regional governments to take charge of local issues and initiatives, there is a greater likelihood of accountability, efficiency, and responsiveness to the needs of citizens. Regional leaders can work collaboratively with federal authorities to address challenges, leveraging their understanding of local contexts and priorities.
Through a decentralized governance structure, regions can assume greater ownership of their development agendas, infrastructure projects, and social welfare programs. This approach can reduce dependency on the federal government for all solutions and create a more balanced distribution of resources and decision-making authority.
By advocating for regional federalism, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu is emphasizing the importance of clarifying political roles and responsibilities, fostering collaboration among different tiers of government, and promoting effective governance mechanisms. This redefined political direction can help address the root causes of societal issues and enhance the overall effectiveness of governance in Nigeria.
Further, the interconnections between advocating for regional federalism, fostering effective leadership, and creating job opportunities for Nigeria’s youthful population are increasingly evident and crucial in shaping the country’s future trajectory. Considering the potential benefits of regional governance structures in addressing the nation’s challenges, particularly in the context of leadership development and workforce opportunities, Nigeria must initiate the process without delay.
Consequently, the call for regional federalism, effective leadership, and job creation opportunities are deeply interconnected and can have a significant impact on the youthful population of Nigeria. Here are some key nexuses between these factors:
1. Regional Federalism and Job Creation: Implementing regional federalism can create opportunities for more localized economic development initiatives. Regional governments can design policies and programs tailored to the specific needs and strengths of their areas, leading to job creation in sectors that are most relevant and impactful for each region. This decentralized approach can also foster entrepreneurship and innovation at the local level, providing more diverse and sustainable employment opportunities for the youth.
2. Effective Leadership and Job Creation: Strong and visionary leadership is essential for driving economic growth and job creation. Leaders who prioritize investment in education, skills training, and infrastructure development can create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive and expand, leading to increased employment opportunities. Effective leadership also involves creating policies that support job creation, attract investment, and promote inclusive economic growth, which is essential for addressing the high youth unemployment rate in Nigeria.
3. Regional Federalism, Effective Leadership, and Youth Empowerment: By combining regional federalism with effective leadership, policymakers can tailor development strategies to the unique needs and aspirations of the youth population. Regional governments can partner with local industries, educational institutions, and community organizations to design youth-focused programs that equip young people with the skills, training, and resources needed to succeed in the job market. This approach not only creates job opportunities but also empowers youth to actively participate in the economic, social, and political development of their regions.
In light of these nexuses, initiating the process of regional federalism in Nigeria can provide a platform for effective leadership, job creation, and youth empowerment. By decentralizing decision-making, fostering innovation, and promoting inclusive growth, regional federalism can unlock the potential of Nigeria’s youthful population and contribute to sustainable development across the country. Policymakers must prioritise this transition and take proactive steps to implement regional federalism to address the challenges and opportunities facing the nation.
Conclusively, the nexus between regional federalism, effective leadership, and job creation opportunities represents a multifaceted approach to addressing the complex socio-economic challenges facing Nigeria today. By implementing regional federalism, policymakers can empower local governments to drive economic growth, create jobs, and generate opportunities that cater to the specific needs of each region. Effective leadership at all levels is essential for translating policy decisions into tangible outcomes that benefit the youth population and society at large. As we navigate the path towards a more inclusive and prosperous future, Nigeria must seize the moment and kickstart the process of regional federalism to harness the full potential of its youthful population and build a more resilient and dynamic nation for generations to come.

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Anthony Obi Ogbo

When Air Power Becomes a Christmas Performance: The Illusion of Success in Trump’s Nigerian Strike

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2 weeks ago

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December 28, 2025

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“Bombs alone do not defeat ideology. Precision without intelligence is noise.“ —Anthony Obi Ogbo

When President Trump announced his authorized United States air strike against ISIL (ISIS) fighters in northwest Nigeria on Christmas Day, there was an immediate burst of celebration on Nigerian social media. For a country exhausted by years of kidnappings, massacres, and territorial insecurity, the announcement sounded like long-awaited international support. Memes circulated, praise poured in, and some Nigerians hailed Trump as a decisive global sheriff finally willing to act where others hesitated.

But after the initial euphoria settled, a sobering assessment emerged: the strike appeared less like a strategic military intervention and more like a made-for-television spectacle designed to burnish Trump’s international strongman image.

This was not the first time the United States has launched air strikes in Africa or the Sahel under the banner of counterterrorism. From Libya to Somalia, from Syria to Yemen, U.S. “precision strikes” have often been announced with confidence and celebrated with press briefings—only for the targeted groups to regroup, mutate, and, in some cases, expand their reach. In Nigeria itself, years of foreign-backed security assistance have failed to decisively neutralize Boko Haram or its ISIS-affiliated offshoots. Instead, violence has fragmented, spread, and grown more complex.

No verifiable evidence has been produced to confirm high-value ISIS targets were eliminated

The Nigerian strike followed a familiar pattern. U.S. officials framed it as a blow against ISIS-West Africa Province (ISWAP), a group aligned with the global ISIS network. Trump’s language suggested a decisive intervention—an act of muscular diplomacy signaling that America still projects power where it chooses. Yet no verifiable evidence has been produced to confirm high-value ISIS targets were eliminated, leadership structures dismantled, or operational capacity degraded.

What followed was a digital smokescreen. Social media accounts, many anonymous and unverified, began circulating gruesome images of dead bodies and destroyed villages—photos long associated with banditry in Nigeria’s northwest. These images were quickly repurposed to “prove” the success of Trump’s strike. However, this is where the narrative falls apart under scrutiny.

Trump’s mission, as publicly stated, was to target ISIS. Not bandits. Not kidnappers. Not rural criminal gangs. ISIS is a transnational terrorist organization with ideological, financial, and operational links across continents. Bandits, by contrast, are primarily armed criminal groups—motivated by ransom, cattle theft, and territorial control, not global jihad. Conflating the two may be politically convenient, but it is analytically dishonest.

Killing or displacing bandits does not equate to dismantling ISIS. In fact, indiscriminate or poorly targeted air strikes often worsen the situation, pushing criminal groups to radicalize, splinter, or align with extremist factions for protection and legitimacy. This pattern has been observed repeatedly in conflict zones where military force substitutes for intelligence-driven strategy.

A truly successful counterterrorism raid is not measured by dramatic announcements or viral images. It is measured by clear, verifiable outcomes, including the confirmed elimination of high-ranking commanders, disruption of recruitment and financing networks, seizure of weapons caches, and—most importantly—sustained reductions in civilian attacks. None of these benchmarks has been credibly demonstrated in the aftermath of Trump’s Nigerian air strike.

Instead, Nigeria wakes up to the same grim reality: villages remain vulnerable, highways unsafe, and communities terrorized. The strike did not change the security equation. It did not empower Nigerian forces. It did not restore civilian confidence. And it certainly did not neutralize ISIS as a strategic threat.

This air strike offered Nigerians symbolism, not security.

In that sense, the air strike was not merely ineffective—it was a failure dressed in the language of strength, executed for optics, and amplified for political gain. It offered Nigerians symbolism, not security.

If the goal is truly to eliminate ISIS and its affiliates in West Africa, the path is neither theatrical nor unilateral. It requires robust intelligence sharing, sustained training, and real-time coordination with Nigerian and regional forces. It demands targeted arms assistance, logistical support, and investments in surveillance capabilities that allow local militaries to act decisively and lawfully. Above all, it requires a long-term commitment to strengthening state capacity—not fleeting air shows announced from afar.

Bombs alone do not defeat ideology. Precision without intelligence is noise. And celebration without results is self-deception. Trump’s Nigerian air strike may have produced headlines, but history will remember it for what it was: a failed mission masquerading as success.

♦ Publisher of the Guardian News, Professor Anthony Obi Ogbo, Ph.D., is on the Editorial Board of the West African Pilot News. He is the author of the Influence of Leadership (2015)  and the Maxims of Political Leadership (2019). Contact: anthony@guardiannews.us

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Trump’s Nigeria Strike: Bombs, Boasts, and the Illusion of Victory

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2 weeks ago

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December 26, 2025

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“With Obama, Al-Qaeda was not eliminated by noise; it was suffocated by intelligence.“ —Anthony Obi Ogbo

It has now been confirmed that the United States acted in collaboration with Nigeria in the recent strike on Islamic State elements in northwest Nigeria. That cooperation deserves recognition. Intelligence-sharing between Washington and Abuja is necessary, overdue, and welcome. Terrorism is transnational; defeating it requires allies, not isolation.

But let us be clear: bombs alone do not defeat terror. And Donald Trump’s strike—trumpeted loudly on social media before facts, casualties, or strategy were disclosed—was less a turning point than a performance.

Trump’s announcement was a classic spectacle: “powerful,” “deadly,” “perfect strikes.” No numbers. No clarity. No accountability. Just noise. It was the same choreography America has deployed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Syria, Libya, Yemen, and Somalia—places where U.S. airpower landed hard, headlines screamed victory, and instability deepened afterward. Violence escalated. Militancy adapted. Civilians paid the price.

History is unkind to airstrikes sold as solutions.

Nigeria knows this better than anyone. Long before Trump’s tweet, the Nigerian military had already conducted multiple operations in the same terror corridor. At least five major strikes and offensives stand out:

  • First, Operation Hadarin Daji, launched to dismantle bandit and terror camps across Zamfara, Katsina, and Sokoto, involving sustained air and ground assaults.
  • Second, Operation Tsaftan Daji, which targeted terrorist hideouts in the Kamuku and Sububu forests—precisely the terrain now in the headlines.
  • Third, repeated Nigerian Air Force precision strikes in the Zurmi–Shinkafi axis, neutralizing commanders and destroying logistics hubs.
  • Fourth, joint operations with Nigerien forces, disrupting cross-border supply routes used by ISIS-linked groups.
  • Fifth, recent coordinated offensives involving intelligence-led raids, special forces insertions, and follow-up ground clearing in the northwest.

These were not symbolic gestures. They were Nigerian-led, Nigerian-funded, Nigerian-executed. And yet, there were no fireworks on social media. No flag-waving hysteria. No intoxicated praise of Nigerian commanders as saviors of civilization.

Why? Because there is a dangerous segment of Nigerians who suffer from what can only be called the American Wonder mentality—a colonial hangover that applauds anything louder simply because it comes from Washington. The same Nigerians who ignore their own soldiers dying in silence suddenly abandon Christmas meals to celebrate Trump’s tweets, typing incoherent praise, mangling grammar, and mistaking spectacle for substance.

It is embarrassing. And it is intellectually lazy.

Terrorism is not defeated by volume or virality. It is defeated by intelligence—quiet, patient, unglamorous work. The United States knows this. Barack Obama understood it. Al-Qaeda was not dismantled through social media theatrics or chest-thumping declarations. It was weakened through intelligence fusion, financial disruption, targeted operations, local partnerships, and relentless pressure on leadership networks—mostly without fanfare.

Obama did not tweet. He acted. So what actually works against groups like ISIS in Nigeria?

First, intelligence supremacy. Human intelligence from local communities, defectors, and infiltrators matters more than bombs. Terror groups survive on secrecy. Break that, and they collapse.

Second, financial and logistical strangulation. Terrorists run on money, fuel, arms, and food. Cut access to smuggling routes, illicit mining, ransom flows, and cross-border trade, and their operational capacity withers.

Third, community stabilization and governance. Terrorism thrives where the state is absent. Roads, schools, policing, and justice systems matter. People who trust the state do not shelter terrorists.

Fourth, regional coordination, not episodic strikes. Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Burkina Faso must sustain joint pressure, not reactive operations driven by headlines.

Airstrikes can support these strategies—but only as tools, never as substitutes.

Trump’s strike may have killed militants. It may have disrupted camps. That is commendable. But it is not a solution. It is a moment. And moments, without strategy, fade.

If Nigerians truly want terror defeated, they should stop worshiping foreign loudness and start demanding disciplined intelligence, consistent policy, and respect for the men and women already fighting on the ground.

Real victories are quiet. Real security is built, not tweeted.

♦ Publisher of the Guardian News, Professor Anthony Obi Ogbo, Ph.D., is on the Editorial Board of the West African Pilot News. He is the author of the Influence of Leadership (2015)  and the Maxims of Political Leadership (2019). Contact: anthony@guardiannews.us

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Texas’ 18th Congressional District Runoff: Amanda Edwards Deserves This Seat

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3 weeks ago

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December 18, 2025

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“Her persistence and long-term investment make a clear case: she has earned this opportunity.“ —Anthony Obi Ogbo

In the special election to fill Texas’s 18th Congressional District, no candidate won a majority on November 4, 2025, leading to a January 31, 2026, runoff between Democratic frontrunners Christian Menefee and Amanda Edwards. Menefee, Harris County Attorney, led the field with roughly 29% of the vote, while former Houston City Council member Edwards finished second with about 26%. Both are vying to represent a district left vacant after the death of U.S. Rep. Sylvester Turner.

The 18th Congressional District is far more than a geographic area. Anchored in Houston’s historic Black communities, it is a political and cultural stronghold shaped by civil rights history, faith institutions, and grassroots activism. Sheila Jackson Lee represented this district for nearly three decades (1995–2024), becoming more than a legislator—she was a constant presence at churches, funerals, protests, and community milestones. For residents, her leadership carried spiritual weight, reflecting stewardship, protection, and a deep, almost pastoral guardianship of the district. Her tenure symbolized continuity, cultural pride, and a profound connection with the people she served.

Houstonians watched as Jackson Lee entered the 2023 Houston mayoral race, attempting to transition from Congress to city leadership. Despite high-profile endorsements, including outgoing Mayor Sylvester Turner and national Democratic figures, she lost the December 9, 2023, runoff to State Senator John Whitmire by a wide margin. Following that defeat, Jackson Lee filed to run for re-election to her U.S. House seat, even as Edwards—who had briefly joined the mayoral race before withdrawing—remained in the congressional primary.

At that time, Jackson Lee’s health was visibly declining, yet voters still supported her, honoring decades of service. She defeated Edwards in the 2024 Democratic primary before announcing her battle with pancreatic cancer. Her passing in July 2024 left the seat vacant.

Edwards, already a candidate, sought to fill the seat, but timing and party rules intervened. Because Jackson Lee died too late for a regular primary, Harris County Democratic Party precinct chairs selected a replacement nominee. Former Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, a retired but widely respected figure, narrowly edged out Edwards for the nomination, effectively blocking her despite her prior campaigning efforts. Turner won the general election but died in March 2025, triggering a special election in 2025, in which Edwards advanced to a runoff.

The January 31, 2026, runoff will hinge on turnout, coalition-building, and key endorsements. Both candidates led a crowded November field but fell short of a majority, with Menefee narrowly ahead. Endorsements such as State Rep. Jolanda Jones’ support for Edwards could consolidate key Democratic blocs, particularly among Black women and progressive voters. In a heavily Democratic district where voter confusion and turnout patterns have been inconsistent, the candidate who best mobilizes supporters and unites constituencies is likely to prevail.

Amanda Edwards’ case is compelling. Although both candidates share similar values and qualifications, her claim rests on dedication, consistency, and timing that have been repeatedly denied. She pursued this seat with focus and purpose, maintaining a steady commitment to the district and its future. Her path was interrupted by the prolonged political ambitions of Jackson Lee and Turner—figures whose stature reshaped the race but delayed generational transition. Edwards did not step aside; she remained visible, engaged, and prepared. In a moment demanding both continuity and renewal, her persistence and long-term investment make a clear case: she has earned this opportunity.

This race comes down to trust, perseverance, and demonstrated commitment. Amanda Edwards has consistently shown up for the district, even when political circumstances repeatedly delayed her chance. Her dedication reflects readiness, respect for the electorate, and an unwavering commitment to service. Voting for Amanda Edwards is not only justified—it is the right choice for Houston’s 18th Congressional District.

♦Publisher of the Guardian News, Professor Anthony Obi Ogbo, Ph.D., is on the Editorial Board of the West African Pilot News. He is the author of the Influence of Leadership (2015)  and the Maxims of Political Leadership (2019). Contact: anthony@guardiannews.us

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