Uncategorized

South Africa’s Reported Ultimatum: A Test of African Unity and Mutual Respect

Published

4 weeks ago

June 23, 2026

By Sampson Ikemitang

As reports continue to hit the airwaves about a possible South African ultimatum directing Nigerians and other African nationals to leave the country by June 30, 2026, the development has sparked grave concern across the continent. For millions of Africans who believe in the ideals of unity, cooperation, and shared prosperity, such a move would represent more than an immigration policy –it would symbolise a troubling departure from the spirit of Pan-Africanism.

Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation and one of its largest economies, has long championed the cause of African liberation and integration. From supporting anti-colonial struggles to contributing troops and resources to peacekeeping missions across the continent, Nigeria has consistently invested in the vision of an Africa united by common purpose than divided by borders.

Therefore, it is difficult to reconcile that history with any suggestion that Nigeria –alongside citizens of other African nations could be subjected to a blanket directive requiring their departure from a fellow African State. The rainbow nation must as a matter of necessity have a rethink.
Indeed, no responsible observer disputes South Africa’s sovereign right to regulate immigration, protect national security and address domestic economic challenges. As a matter of fact, every government owes its citizens effective governance and secured borders. Yet, there is a profound difference between enforcing immigration laws and adopting measures that appear to single out entire nationalities or communities.

The danger lies not merely in the policy itself but in the message it sends. Across Africa, millions of citizens live, work, study and invest outside their countries of origin. They are entrepreneurs, professionals, academics, artisans, and workers who contribute to local economies while strengthening cultural and commercial ties between nations. To portray these communities as a problem to be removed rather than partners in development, risks undermining decades of progress toward continental integration.
For Nigerians in particular, the issue resonates deeply because of the country’s historical commitment to South Africa’s freedom. For instance, during the darkest years of apartheid, the Southern African Relief Fund was set up in 1976 by the Nigerian authority. The fund was used to alleviate the plight of the victims and refugees of apartheid oppression. This was aimed at promoting their educational and general welfare.

The Nigerian Government made compulsory deductions from public servants’ earnings. In fact, Government’s employees had to pay directly from their monthly salaries what was commonly known as “Mandela Tax.” Moreover, the then military administration of Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo apparently contributed 3.7m dollars to the fund. According to an article published by the South African Institute of International Affairs, by the end of apartheid, Nigeria had contributed an estimated 61 billion dollars to the anti-apartheid effort. Ultimately, “the scourge of apartheid” was defeated in 1994. Such a generosity must be recognised and appreciated not only by the present generation of South Africans but even generations yet unborn.
It cannot be gainsaid that the Nigerian government consistently stood on the side of justice, often at considerable cost. Sometimes, even sailed against the whims and caprices of super powers. It is worth noting that the solidarity was never transactional, but rooted in the belief that African nations rise together. Today, that same principle should guide relations between Africa’s leading nations; in the spirit of one people, same continent and shared destiny.

Besides, Nigeria has been one of the Africa’s largest contributors to UN peacekeeping missions in Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo (DR C), Sudan, South Sudan, Mali, Rwanda, Liberia and Somalia, amongst others. Indeed, Nigeria has borne a substantial share of the cost of regional peace operations by funding peacekeeping missions, providing military equipment and transportation, offering training facilities for peacekeepers, and supporting humanitarian and reconstruction efforts in post-conflict States. As such, Nigeria’s seemingly kind gesture and “big brotherly role” in the affairs of the continent must be commended by all and sundry within the African soil.

It is common knowledge that South Africa and Nigeria are not rivals destined for confrontation. They are strategic partners whose cooperation is essential to the continent’s future. Together, they account for a substantial share of Africa’s economic output, diplomatic influence, and intellectual capital. When these two nations work together, Africa advances. Conversely, when tensions grow between them, the entire continent feels the impact.

The reported ultimatum also raises broader questions about the future of African integration. How can the continent fully realise the promise of regional trade, investment and mobility if citizens increasingly face suspicion simply because they come from another African country? How can Africa compete globally while simultaneously erecting barriers against its own people?

No doubt, the solution is not open borders without rules, nor is it mass exclusion. The solution is smarter migration management, stronger law enforcement against criminal elements regardless of nationality, expanded economic opportunities and policies that distinguish between lawful residents and those who violate immigration regulations. Most importantly, to dialogue African challenges require African solutions built on consultation, mutual respect, and shared responsibility.

In fact, the South African Government must resist the temptation to convert economic frustrations into hostility toward fellow Africans. History teaches that such approaches rarely solve underlying problems and often create new divisions.
As the continent navigates an increasingly complex global landscape, Africa needs more unity, not less. Nigerians and South Africans share far more in common than what separates them. Both people aspire to economic opportunities, security, dignity, and a better future for the next generation.

If the reports prove accurate, wisdom should prevail before deadlines and ultimatum define the conversation. The relationship between Nigeria and South Africa is too important to be reduced to disputes over nationality. It should instead serve as a model of how Africa’s leading nations can resolve differences while preserving the bonds of solidarity that have shaped the continent’s modern history.

The future of Africa will not be built through exclusion. Rather, it will be built through partnership, respect, and a renewed commitment to the ideals that inspired generations of Africans to dream of a united continent.

Ikemitang writes from Federal Ministry of Information and National Orientation, Abuja.

Uncategorized

Julius Berger champions sustainable construction at Future Cities Summit 2026

Published

5 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Dr Austin maho

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable urban development and environmentally responsible construction through its participation in the Future Cities Summit 2026, organized by the Green Building Council Nigeria (GBCN) in Lagos.

Held under the theme, Building the Future: Scaling Sustainability for Greener Cities, the summit brought together leading stakeholders from across the built environment sector to explore innovative and practical solutions for advancing sustainable construction, enhancing urban resilience, and accelerating the transition to greener cities.

On the second and final day of the summit, Julius Berger’s Regional Manager, Engr. Thomas Christl, participated as a panellist in the plenary session titled “Materials, Methods, and Margins: Low Carbon Construction Constraints and Opportunities.” Also representing the company at the event was Chief Risk Officer, Mrs. Shakira Mustapha.

The panel featured prominent industry experts, including General Manager, Saint-Gobain Nigeria; Mr. Tope Ilusanmi, Sustainable Finance Consultant, Alitheia Capital; Miss Ruby Uche, and Sustainability and Green Building Consultant, Enflor, Ariyike Maama Adeshina, who served as moderator.

Speaking during the session, Engr. Christl identified the high upfront investment required for low-carbon construction as one of the major barriers to wider adoption. However, he emphasized that sustainable buildings provide significant long-term value through reduced maintenance costs, improved operational efficiency, and lower energy consumption.

“Sustainable construction should be viewed from a lifecycle perspective,” Christl stated even as he added, “while initial investments may be higher, the long-term economic and environmental benefits far outweigh the costs, delivering value for owners, occupants, and society as a whole.

Highlighting practical pathways to reducing the industry’s carbon footprint, Engr. Christl underscored the importance of recycled concrete as a viable and sustainable construction material. According to him, the reuse of concrete from demolished structures can substantially reduce carbon emissions while minimizing dependence on newly manufactured materials.

He further called for stronger collaboration among academic institutions, construction companies, material manufacturers, and regulators to establish clear standards and regulatory frameworks that support the adoption of recycled concrete in Nigeria.

“Greater industry collaboration is essential to unlocking the full potential of sustainable construction. By working together, stakeholders can accelerate knowledge transfer, innovation, and the development of practical solutions that can be integrated into projects from the earliest design stages,” Christl noted.

Addressing the industry’s preparedness for sustainable construction, the Regional Manager observed that the challenge is not the availability of technical expertise but ensuring that research findings and emerging innovations are effectively communicated across the construction value chain. He stressed the need for designers, engineers, procurement professionals, contractors, and clients to remain informed about advancements such as greener concrete alternatives and other sustainable building technologies.

The panel discussion highlighted the critical role of partnerships among government agencies, academia, financial institutions, and private-sector organizations in overcoming the financial, technical, and regulatory challenges associated with low-carbon construction. Participants agreed that such collaboration is vital to accelerating Nigeria’s transition toward more sustainable, resource-efficient, and resilient urban centres.

Julius Berger Nigeria Plc commended the Green Building Council Nigeria for providing a valuable platform for constructive dialogue and knowledge-sharing on sustainable urban develop

Uncategorized

HURIWA Backs DSS Appeal, Condemns ‘Disturbingly Lenient’ Life Sentence for Convicted Ansaru Terror Chiefs

Published

5 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Dr Austin maho

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) strongly condemns what it considers a disturbingly lenient sentence imposed on two convicted senior commanders of the Ansaru terrorist organisation and wholeheartedly endorses the decision of the Department of State Services (DSS) to challenge the judgment before the Court of Appeal.

The life imprisonment handed to Mahmud Usman, also known as Abu Bara’a, Abbas and Mukhtar, and his deputy, Abubakar Abba, alias Mahmud al-Nigeri (Malam Mamuda), after they pleaded guilty to a 32-count terrorism charge, has raised profound questions about whether the punishment adequately reflects the scale of the atrocities linked to the terrorist network they led.

For HURIWA, this case goes far beyond the fate of two convicted terrorists. It is about justice for thousands of Nigerian families whose lives have been shattered by terrorism. It is about the countless citizens murdered in cold blood, communities devastated by insurgent violence, and brave members of the armed forces and other security agencies who paid the ultimate sacrifice defending the nation.

The position of HURIWA is reinforced by the disclosures made by the DSS that kidnappers who abducted pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State reportedly demanded the release of these same Ansaru commanders as a condition for freeing their victims. According to the service, two teachers were allegedly murdered during the ordeal in an attempt to force the government’s hand.

Equally compelling are the public remarks by former Assistant Director of the Department of State Services, Dennis Amachree, who described the convicted men as senior members of a terrorist organisation allegedly responsible for some of the most barbaric acts committed in Nigeria’s recent history. According to Amachree, the group filmed the killing of a teacher and circulated the footage to terrorise Nigerians. He further alleged that the same terrorist network was responsible for deadly attacks that claimed the lives of senior Nigerian military officers, including generals engaged in the defence of the country.

If these allegations formed part of the factual basis underlying the convictions, they portray crimes of exceptional cruelty and calculated terror directed at both civilians and security personnel. Such acts strike at the very foundation of the Nigerian state and offend every principle of humanity.

HURIWA therefore believes that the appeal announced by the DSS is not only legally justified but morally imperative. The appellate courts now have a solemn responsibility to determine whether the sentence imposed truly reflects the enormity of the offences for which the convicts accepted responsibility and whether it sufficiently serves the objectives of justice, accountability, deterrence and protection of society.

A nation fighting a relentless terrorist insurgency cannot afford to project ambiguity in its response to those found guilty, after due process, of participating in acts designed to spread fear through mass violence and murder. The justice system must send a clear and unmistakable message that terrorism attracts the full consequences prescribed by law.

HURIWA wishes to emphasise that this position is not driven by vengeance but by an unwavering commitment to justice under the Constitution and Nigeria’s anti-terrorism laws. Respect for due process requires that those convicted after a fair trial receive punishments that are proportionate to the gravity of their crimes. Anything less risks diminishing public confidence in the administration of justice and compounds the anguish of victims’ families.

The organisation urges the Court of Appeal to give expedited consideration to the DSS appeal in the overriding public interest. Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be commensurate with the devastating consequences of terrorism on innocent Nigerians and on the nation’s collective security.

Signed: Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie OnwubikoNational Coordinator

Uncategorized

Court Rejects Sowore’s bid to tender uncertified documents in trial for alleged defamation of Tinubu

Published

5 hours ago

July 22, 2026

Dr Austin maho

Justice Mohammed Garuba Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja has rejected the bid by online publisher and presidential candidate of the of the African Alliance Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, to tender uncertified documents in his trial for allegedly defaming President Bola Tinubu.

The Judge on Wednesday refused the bid when Sowore’s lead counsel, Olumide Fusika, SAN, applied to tender some uncertified documents through another lawyer, Barrister Wayne Chikezie Elijah,

The documents are summary of proceedings in the testimony of a witness codenamed XYZ, along with other letters,

Midway into the day’s proceedings, Fusika, SAN, called Barrister Elijah as his third witness in the defence of the activist for the purpose of tendering the documents.

Trouble started shortly after the Court’s Registrar announced that those to testify in the matter for the defence should leave the court room and go out of hearing. The lawyer ignored announcement.

When, therefore, he was called into the witness box as the second witness for the day, DSS lawyer, Akinlolu Kehinde SAN asked him to confirm his presence in court when the first witness of the day, Uwen Davis was testifying.

Sensing the implications of his presence in the courtroom against the Registrar’s directive, the legal practitioner informed Justice Mohammed Garuba Umar that he was inside and outside the courtroom when the first witness was giving evidence.

DSS proceeded to object to the tendering of the documents on the ground that they were public documents and ought to be certified before being admitted as exhibits,

Kehinde, SAN, urged the Judge to reject admitting the documents and mark them as rejected on the ground that the bid offended the Evidence Act,

Sowore’s counsel, Olumide Fusika, SAN, however countered the DSS lawyer, arguing that the documents came from court records and needed no certification.

Ruling on the application, Justice Umar held that the documents came from the custody of a counsel who claimed had earlier been a counsel in the matter.

“The reason for certification is to be sure the document has not been tampered with. Having been in the custody of the said counsel, how is the court sure that the document has not been tampered with?” quizzed the judge.

Justice Umar subsequently rejected the documents and marked them as rejected.

“The document is rejected and marked as such,” he declared.

Earlier, Uwen Davis, a Principal Officer, General Services in the DSS testified that he authored a letter dated September 7, 2025, and delivered same to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of “X Corporation” requesting him to delete the post where Sowore allegedly called President Bola Tinubu a criminal.

He admitted that part of the letter was that Tinubu’s supporters were becoming furious and that the offending post could lead to a breakdown of law and order.

In response to a question, the witness said he could not specifically name the Tinubu’s supporters that were becoming furious, adding that he authored the letter based on directive to do so by his superior officer.

Meanwhile, the continuation of the defence has been adjourned to July 28.

It will be recalled that Justice Umar at the July 16 proceedings, issued a final warning to Sowore to resume his defence in the defamation of President Bola Tinubu charges filed against him by the DSS, or be foreclosed.