For decades, as a public intellectual/commentator on national affairs and economic matters, Utomi has consistently shared his views on the world and on how Nigeria’s political economy should be constructed. Like Peter Obi, his newfound comrade-in-arms, Utomi copiously cites examples from South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and Chile, among others. While there is no doubt about the quantum of economic theories Utomi has memorised, there is always a limit to book knowledge when the realities of the real world show up.

In the furnace of the real world, Utomi has been tried, tested and allowed to demonstrate the applicability and practicality of his ideas. While he has had the opportunity at many fora to defend his own record, the verdict remains that he did not cover himself in glory as  Managing Director/Chief Executive of the defunct Volkswagen of Nigeria and as the Vice Chairman of BankPHB of equally blessed memory.

From the sordid details revealed in court after forensic investigators visited, Utomi essentially presided over a bank where depositors’ funds were converted into private pockets in the most primitive way. Alas, the enterprises that would have been a showpiece or foretaste of what Utomi is capable of doing at a higher level of public leadership went down under his “brilliant” watch.

At BankPHB, there was also a massive shareholder value erosion and insider abuse. Francis Atuche, the bank’s Chief Executive, is serving a jail term for the mismanagement of a bank in which Utomi served on its Board of Directors. Were Utomi really capable of any sense of propriety, he ought to be in self-seclusion over the unravelling of BankPHB and not continue his often annoying career of sophistry and peddling of untested economic doctrines.

The other side of Utomi was also exposed when Senator Ibikunle Amosun claimed an NGO controlled by the self-styled political economist had offered him an unsolicited award, ostensibly to influence him to approve an unfair consideration in a disputed property case before him while he was Ogun State Governor. So much for a moral crusader!

Overall, there is a pattern to Utomi’s intellectual arrogance. Every four years, he comes out to mount a moral high horse on who should lead Nigeria. He touts himself as a political strategist with an uncanny ability to cobble victory at the polls for whoever he backs. Yet, time and again, he has failed. But rather than accept loss with humility and introspect as an intellectual should do, he will rather raise a storm. That was what he did in 2023, using his social media platform to mislead the gullible at a critical time, proclaiming his candidate’s victory before the election results were announced.

As another election season is upon us, Utomi has again taken to shooting from the hip, even when facts and logic are not on his side, attempting to discredit President Bola Tinubu’s leadership of Nigeria and to describe his reform agenda in unflattering terms.

As another election season is upon us, Utomi has again taken to shooting from the hip, even when facts and logic are not on his side, attempting to discredit President Bola Tinubu’s leadership of Nigeria and to describe his reform agenda in unflattering terms.

Feeling over the moon immediately after the convention of his own faction of ADC in Abuja, Utomi was on television, pouring invectives on President Tinubu and the governing APC. He also took out a ThisDay newspaper back page where he labelled the ongoing economic reform programme as “ridiculous”,  dismissing it as a “Ponzi scheme.” Here is a man who, out of political convenience, is attacking the same free-market economic offerings and prescriptions he built his public acclaim on.

For far too long, Utomi and those of his ilk have held themselves up as the moral arc of society and their economic prescriptions as canon.

Once any administration refuses to lean on them and their personal economic and political interests do not find immediate accommodation, personal frustration is then packaged and presented as national outrage. Yet, when he was finding favour in Asiwaju’s eyes, Utomi used to frequent his Bourdillon home, extolling his generous host to the high heavens as “visionary”. In fact, a viral video shows Utomi dancing ecstatically to “Sakara” music in a casual shirt and trousers behind Asiwaju Tinubu at his Bourdillon residence, moments after the APC was declared the winner of the 2015 polls.

He was among those who courted Tinubu to advance their own political ascendancy. If Tinubu had supported and funded his ambition to be Delta State governor in 2019, as he wanted, Utomi would be dancing to a different drumbeat today. While for decades, Utomi has told us many things that are wrong with Nigeria, even if he has failed at the micro level to demonstrate how to put things right, it is now time for him to take a back seat from his selective outrage.

*Ajayi is Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Media and Publicity.

READ ALSO:

Pat Utomi: Time to take a back seat, By Temitope Ajayi

Trump says Iran war should end ‘soon’, both sides may meet at weekend  

Hijab: JAMB warns ad-hoc staff against discrimination

Tinubu assures Nigerians: I won’t let you down

NHA threatens shutdown of unregistered hotels in Nigeria

FCCPC regulation: MTN suspends airtime, data lending services

Police confirm abduction of JAMB candidates in Benue

Court issues arrest warrant against former minister, one other

Police foil bomb attempt, arrest six suspects in Ondo

2.2m candidates sit for 2026 UTME nationwide

Ondo: Police deploy adequate security to JAMB CTB centres

UCL: Arsenal edge Sporting, set up Atlético Madrid semi-final clash

Ike-Mounso to deliver the 10th Bullion Lecture

The post Pat Utomi: Time to take a back seat, By Temitope Ajayi appeared first on Frontpageng.

Bwala, speaking during the popular monthly interview discourse, Boiling Point Arena, held on Sunday night,  acknowledged the growing public discontent, stressing that democracy thrived on freedom of expression, even when such opinions were critical of those in power.

The presidential aide, Bwala, featured as a guest over a two-hour duration, alongside a respected political economist, Prof Pat Utomi, on the programme anchored by a veteran media professional and public relations strategist, Dr Ayo Arowojolu.

The once-in-a-month programme, now in its 42nd edition, was transmitted via Zoom and broadcast live on seven partner radio stations in Lagos, Ogun and Delta states.

“The Constitution has blessed every Nigerian with the right to express themselves. Even if what is expressed does not make sense, it is still a fundamental right,” Bwala said, underscoring that citizens must not be denied the space to air their grievances.

He noted that public anger directed at President Tinubu is neither unusual nor entirely representative of all Nigerians, describing reactions to the government’s policies as “relative” and shaped by individual experiences.

“There are people who are angry, perhaps even a majority, but there are also those whose lives have improved under this administration,” he explained.

Bwala, however, admitted that the economic reforms introduced by the Tinubu government were never expected to be painless.

According to him, the administration had foreseen a period of “temporary hardship,” a reality he said is now playing out across the country.

While debates continue over whether the sacrifices demanded of Nigerians are justified, the presidential spokesman urged patience, pointing to structural limitations facing the nation’s economy.

With a population exceeding 230 million and an annual budget hovering around $35–$36 billion, Bwala argued that Nigeria lacked the fiscal strength required for rapid transformation.

He cited projections suggesting that for the country to compete globally, it would need to invest between $30 billion and $100 billion annually in infrastructure over the next three decades — a target he described as currently out of reach.

“What we are doing is with the little that we have,” he said, adding that meaningful impact from ongoing reforms would take time to trickle down to the majority of citizens.

He further explained that government interventions aimed at cushioning the effects of hardship remained limited by available resources, noting that authorities were constrained in their ability to reach the vast population requiring support.

The Boiling Point Arena discourse, which has become a notable platform for policy debates and civic engagement, once again provided a stage for frank exchanges on the state of the nation, reflecting both the tension and resilience within Nigeria’s democratic space.

As economic pressure persists, Bwala’s remarks signal an acknowledgment within government circles of the depth of public frustration — even as officials continue to defend the long-term benefits of the reforms.

A well publicized discourse, the Boiling Point Arena session, chaired by the Olota of Ota and Paramount ruler of Aworiland, Oba Prof Adeyemi Obalanlege, was  broadcast live on WASH 94.9FM, Sweet 107.1FM, Roots 97.1FM, Erimbe 94.7FM, Women Radio 91.7FM and Kruzz 92.9FM, Asaba, and Opera Tune 106.3FM as well as a cable television, NSTV on GoTV channel 316.

READ ALSO:

2,102 PhD candidates jostle for PTDF overseas scholarship

Police arrest 188 suspects, rescue 12 kidnap victims in Katsina

Police arrest two security guards over alleged murder of traveller

Stock market gains N443bn

Good habits are not accidental

Yayi declared Ogun APC guber candidate (+How he emerged)

Kwara church attack: Police arrest 33 suspected terrorists

CAPA applauds Tinubu’s crackdown on 92 terror financiers

No request from ADC to use Eagle Square for convention –Wike

World Sambo Cup: Sanwo-Olu applauds Suleimon for winning gold

W’Bank advice will drag Nigeria back into fuel import trap –Experts

2026 UTME: JAMB adjusts arrival time for candidates

Troops intercept medical supplies, foil attacks, rescue abductees

The post Nigerians reserve right to be angry over hardship under Tinubu’s govt —Bwala appeared first on Frontpageng.

The discourse, scheduled for 8 p.m. tonight, will focus on the theme: “Tinubu’s Reforms: Economic Game-Changer, Necessary Evil or Endless Suffering for Nigerians?”

The once-in-a-month current affairs programme, now in its 42nd edition, is to be transmitted via Zoom and broadcast live on seven partner radio stations across Lagos, Ogun and Delta states.

With an incredibly large online following and wide listenership base, Boiling Point Arena is anchored by a media professional and public relations strategist, Dr Ayo Arowojolu.

Foremost traditional ruler, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Prof Saka Adelola Matemilola, is the Keynote Speaker and chair to herald the debate over a two-hour duration.

With Nigerians grappling with the realities of subsidy removal, currency fluctuations, and rising cost of living, tonight’s conversation is expected to provide clarity, provoke thought, and ignite nationwide engagement.

On one side of the debate is Prof. Utomi, a respected political economist known for his critical stance on governance and economic direction.

He is expected to interrogate the structure, implementation, and human impact of the current reforms.

Facing him is Bwala, a vocal public affairs analyst and Special Adviser to the President on Media and Policy Communication, is poised to argue that the reforms, though painful, are necessary steps toward long-term national stability and prosperity.

Boiling Point Arena, renowned for its robust and no-holds-barred conversations, has built a reputation as a credible hybrid discourse platform where ideas clash and perspectives are sharpened.

Tonight’s edition is widely tipped to be one of its most explosive yet.

Observers believe the Utomi-Bwala face-off could significantly shape public perception, especially among undecided Nigerians seeking to understand whether the current administration’s policies truly represent renewed hope or deepening hardship.

As the clock ticks toward showtime, expectations are high for a debate that will not only inform but also challenge assumptions and stimulate meaningful national dialogue.

Nigerians across the globe are encouraged to tune in and be part of what promises to be a defining conversation on the nation’s economic trajectory.

In the recent past, several leading political actors and eminent economic and thought leaders have featured as guests among which are former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, Prof Toyin Fálọlá, Prof Wande Abímbọ́lá, Bishop Mathew kukah, Akogun Tola Adeniyi, Pastor Femi Emmanuel and Prof Farooq Kperogi.

A well-publicized discourse, Boiling Point Arena, will be broadcast live on WASH 94.9FM, Sweet 107.1FM, Roots 97.1FM, Erimbe 94.7FM, Women Radio 91.7FM, Opera Tune 106.3FM, and Kruzz 92.9FM as well as a cable television, NSTV on GoTV channel 316.

Boiling Point is a news and general interest group comprising of eminent personalities including over 300 professors, media professionals, technocrats, industry leaders, high court justices, traditional rulers, security top shots and several others.

READ ALSO: 

Nwosu emerges chairman as ADC holds congress in Anambra 

Police unseal PDP secretariat as factions trade blame

Jos killings: Between President Tinubu and Governor Mutfwang…

The insecurity triad: Money, land and mind — The capstone

Again, LIRS extends deadline for filing of individual annual income tax returns

Police launch manhunt for killers of Imo traditional ruler

MTN expands media programme to 25 fellows, opens applications

Video: Police probe allegation of misconduct against officers

US, Iran teams in Pakistan for peace talks amid doubts over Lebanon, sanctions

The post Boiling Point: Utomi, Bwala dissect Tinubu’s reform policies tonight appeared first on Frontpageng.

The topic for the edition — Tinubu’s Reforms: Economic Game-Changer, Necessary Evil or Endless Suffering for Nigerians? — is expected to ignite a lively and insightful debate on one of the most contentious issues in Nigeria today.

Prominent political economist and public affairs commentator, Prof. Pat Utomi, and presidential spokesman, Daniel Bwala, are set for the high-stakes encounter holding via Zoom and to be broadcast live on seven radio stations across Lagos, Ogun and Delta States.

Boiling Point Arena is hosted by a seasoned media professional and public relations strategist, Dr Ayo Arowojolu.

The highly anticipated discourse platform will focus on the topic: Tinubu’s Reforms: Economic Game-Changer, Necessary Evil or Endless Suffering for Nigerians?

With the nation sharply divided over the impact of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s economic reforms, the upcoming edition is expected to ignite a robust national conversation as Utomi and Bwala bring opposing insights, perspectives and ideological interpretations to one of the most contentious issues in Nigeria today.

As one of Nigeria’s most respected voices on governance, economics and public policy, Prof. Pat Utomi is widely expected to offer a critical and analytical assessment of the administration’s reform trajectory, especially against the backdrop of worsening economic hardship, spiralling inflation, rising transport costs, and deepening pressure on households across the country.

On the other side of the conversation, Daniel Bwala, a key voice within the presidency and one of the administration’s notable public defenders, is expected to present the government’s argument that the reforms, though painful in the short term, are necessary corrective measures designed to rescue the economy from long-standing structural distortions and place Nigeria on the path of sustainable recovery.

Since the removal of fuel subsidy and the liberalisation of the foreign exchange regime, Tinubu’s reform agenda has remained one of the most polarising subjects in the country, drawing both commendation and condemnation from economists, labour groups, civil society organisations, opposition figures and ordinary Nigerians who continue to grapple with the daily realities of rising living costs.

Against this tense national backdrop, Boiling Point Arena is poised to provide a compelling platform for serious public interrogation of whether the reforms are indeed a bold economic reset, an unavoidable but painful policy transition, or a prolonged era of suffering for millions of Nigerians.

Known for its no-holds-barred format and issue-driven engagement, Boiling Point Arena has steadily built a reputation as a leading hybrid media discourse platform where topical national issues are subjected to rigorous debate, informed perspectives and civic-minded analysis.

With Utomi and Bwala bringing both intellectual depth and political edge to the conversation, the forthcoming edition is already being projected as one of the most explosive and consequential episodes in the series so far.

Viewers, analysts, policymakers, students, professionals and concerned citizens are expected to tune in massively for what may well become another defining national conversation on the true cost — and possible promise — of Tinubu’s reform agenda.

In the recent past, several leading political actors and eminent economic and thought leaders have featured as guests among which were former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, Prof Toyin Fálọlá, Prof Wande Abímbọ́lá, Bishop Mathew kukah, Akogun Tola Adeniyi, Pastor Femi Emmanuel and Prof Farooq Kperogi.

A well-publicized discourse, Boiling Point Arena, will be broadcast live on seven radio stations including WASH 94.9FM, Sweet 107.1FM, Roots 97.1FM, Erimbe 94.7FM, Women Radio 91.7FM, Opera Tune 106.3FM, Kruzz 92.9FM as well as a cable television, NSTV, on GoTV channel 316.

READ ALSO: 

Our investment, reforms are for the benefit of citizens -Tinubu

Police arrest suspected bandit in Kwara

Troops sustain operations, neutralise terrorists, rescue victims

Army denies attack on Catholic Cathedral, Bishop Kukah’s house

EXTRA: Something for Easter, By Bamidele Johnson

Atiku felicitates with Christians on Easter, tasks govt on security

Sanwo-Olu launches advanced e-learning platform, free academic tools

LASTMA investigates alleged N100,000 extortion on coastal road

Gombe: Two killed, 10 injured in lone crash —FRSC

Plateau: APC national chair, Yilwatda, visits victims, donates N15m

Fanti Carnival: Lagos announces closure of roads

The post Boiling Point: Utomi, Bwala to debate Tinubu’s reforms next Sunday appeared first on Frontpageng.

At a time when many Nigerians are contending with rising living costs, inflationary pressure and deepening social strain, the forthcoming conversation is expected to interrogate whether the administration’s reform agenda represents a credible path to long-term recovery or an extended season of pain for already burdened citizens.

Sunday April 12, 2026 is the date for the potentially explosive encounter via Zoom and live broadcast on multiple partner radio stations in Lagos, Ogun and Delta States. Time is 8pm.

Bringing together two influential voices with sharply contrasting perspectives, the Utomi-Bwala face-off is already generating keen interest among followers of governance, policy and public affairs, with expectations of a robust and insightful exchange on one of the nation’s most contentious issues.

Hosted on Zoom and amplified across multiple radio stations and digital platforms, Boiling Point Arena has continued to earn a reputation as a credible marketplace of ideas where critical national conversations are driven with depth, balance and intellectual rigour.

As the countdown begins in earnest, the upcoming encounter is widely seen as one that could help shape public understanding of the difficult choices, hard questions and policy consequences surrounding Tinubu’s reforms.

Hosted by a seasoned media professional and public relations strategist, Dr Ayo Arowojolu, Boiling Point Arena is currently in its 42nd monthly edition since debuting in November 2022.

The topic of discourse is: “Tinubu’s Reforms: Economic Game Changer, Necessary Evil or Endless Suffering for Nigerians.”

Foremost traditional ruler, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Prof. Saka Matemilola is the Keynote Speaker and Chair to herald the debate over a two-hour duration.

Prof. Pat Utomi, a respected political economist and public policy advocate, and Mr Daniel Bwala, a notable lawyer and Presidential Adviser on Policy Communication, are expected to bring sharp perspectives from opposing ends of the debate, even as viewers and listeners can anticipate a rich, insightful and intellectually stimulating conversation.

The discourse will provide a robust platform for critical interrogation of the Tinubu Administration’s policy direction, its intended benefits, and the harsh realities many Nigerians are grappling with daily.

Key among the reforms are the removal of fuel subsidy, exchange rate liberalization, tax reforms and other sweeping economic policy measures.

While supporters of the reforms argue that the policies are bold, inevitable and capable of repositioning Nigeria’s economy for long-term stability, critics insist that the burden on ordinary citizens has become unbearable, with rising inflation, worsening cost of living, and increasing social anxiety.

Against this backdrop, Boiling Point Arena is once again setting the stage for a thought-provoking exchange that will not only dissect the economic and political implications of the reforms, but also help citizens better understand the difficult choices confronting the nation at this defining moment.

As always, Boiling Point Arena, a hybrid discourse platform infusing conventional radio and digital channels, continues to distinguish itself as a credible marketplace of ideas where national issues are examined with depth, courage and clarity.

This edition is widely anticipated to be one of the biggest and most talked-about conversations yet on the platform.

In the recent past, several leading political actors and eminent economic and thought leaders have featured as Guests among which were former President Olusegun Obasanjo; former Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu; Prof Toyin Fálọlá; Prof Wande Abímbọ́lá; Bishop Mathew kukah; Akogun Tola Adeniyi; Pastor Femi Emmanuel and Prof Farooq Kperogi.

A well-publicised discourse, Boiling Point Arena, will be broadcast live on seven radio stations including WASH 94.9FM, Sweet 107.1FM, Roots 97.1FM, Erimbe 94.7FM, Women Radio 91.7FM and Kruzz 92.9FM as well as a cable television, NSTV, on GoTV channel 316.

Boiling Point is a news and general interest group comprising of eminent personalities including over 300 professors, media professionals, technocrats, industry leaders, high court justices, traditional rulers, security top shots and several others.

READ ALSO:

Yemen’s Houthis enter Iran war with attacks on Israel, while US Marines arrive in region

Troops repel ISWAP attack, neutralise 38 insurgents in Borno

NGX weekly turnover falls as market indices dip

FCT records 16,000 TB cases as treatment success hits 94%

Turaki-led PDP’s appeal at Supreme Court baseless –Wike

Osolo stool: I voted for Jimmy-Goloba, kingmaker tells court

Diaspora, diplomacy and the danger of ethnic projection

Tinubu affirms belief in credible opposition at APC convention

APC: Yilwatda re-elected as national chairman, speaks on mission

Abduction: Amotekun rescues three health workers, two others

Tinubu commiserates with El-Rufai on the death of his mother

The post Boiling Point: Utomi-Bwala face-off on Tinubu’s reforms for April 12 appeared first on Frontpageng.

Two prominent voices in Nigeria’s political space, Prof. Pat Utomi and Presidential Adviser, Mr Daniel Bwala, are to engage in what promises to be a high-voltage conversation on one of the nation’s most contentious issues.

The focus of the discourse is President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reform agenda, which has continued to generate intense reactions across the country since the removal of fuel subsidy, exchange rate liberalisation, and other sweeping economic policy measures.

Titled “Tinubu’s Reforms: Game Changer, Necessary Pain or Endless Suffering for Nigerians?”, the discourse is billed to hold on Sunday April 12, 2026 at 8pm.

The once-in-a-month current affairs programme, now in its 42nd edition, is to be transmitted via Zoom and broadcast live on seven partner radio stations across Lagos, Ogun and Delta states.

With an incredibly large online following and wide listenership base, Boiling Point Arena is anchored by a media professional and public relations strategist, Dr Ayo Arowojolu.

Foremost traditional ruler, the Olowu of Owu Kingdom, Oba Prof Saka Matemilola is the Keynote Speaker and Chair to herald the debate over a two-hour duration.

Prof. Pat Utomi, a respected political economist and public policy advocate, and Mr Daniel Bwala, a notable lawyer and Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Policy Communication, are expected to bring sharp perspectives from opposing ends of the debate, even as viewers and listeners can anticipate a rich, insightful and intellectually stimulating conversation.

The discourse will provide a robust platform for critical interrogation of the Tinubu Administration’s policy direction, its intended benefits, and the harsh realities many Nigerians are grappling with daily.

While supporters of the reforms argue that the policies are bold, inevitable and capable of repositioning Nigeria’s economy for long-term stability, critics insist that the burden on ordinary citizens has become unbearable, with rising inflation, worsening cost of living, and increasing social anxiety.

Against this backdrop, Boiling Point Arena is once again setting the stage for a thought-provoking exchange that will not only dissect the economic and political implications of the reforms, but also help citizens better understand the difficult choices confronting the nation at this defining moment.

As always, Boiling Point Arena, a hybrid discourse platform hosted on Zoom and amplified across multiple radio stations and digital channels, continues to distinguish itself as a credible marketplace of ideas where national issues are examined with depth, courage and clarity.

This edition is widely anticipated to be one of the biggest and most talked-about conversations yet on the platform.

In the recent past, several leading political actors and eminent economic and thought leaders have featured as guests among which are former President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu, Prof Toyin Fálọlá, Prof Wande Abímbọ́lá, Bishop Mathew Kukah, Akogun Tola Adeniyi, Pastor Femi Emmanuel and Prof Farooq Kperogi.

A well publicized discourse, Boiling Point Arena, will be broadcast live on WASH 94.9FM, Sweet 107.1FM, Roots 97.1FM, Erimbe 94.7FM, Women Radio 91.7FM and Kruzz 92.9FM as well as a cable television, NSTV on GoTV channel 316.

Boiling Point is a news and general interest group comprising of eminent personalities including over 300 Professors, media professionals, technocrats, industry leaders, high court justices, traditional rulers, security top shots and several others.

READ ALSO: 

Why pay rent endlessly when you can own your dream home now?

We’ll not allow insecurity to overshadow our efforts at helping the vulnerable –Tinubu

Man City win League Cup final against Arsenal

NPFL: Kano Pillars edge Enyimba 2-0 in Kano

Cricket: Nigeria crush Ghana by 136 runs in Kambarami Cup clash

Ondo: Police arrest 21 year-old for raping, killing elderly woman

Gas explosion victims now 60

Alake advocates regional hubs to power Africa’s mining industry

Gunmen attack church, abduct eight worshippers in Kwara

Dangote Cement graduates 40 in fish farming, entrepreneurship

The insecurity triad (I): How kidnapping became Nigeria’s multi-billion Naira ransom industry

The post Boiling Point: Utomi, Bwala to debate Tinubu’s reforms appeared first on Frontpageng.

Attendees celebrated his decades-long influence on Nigeria’s intellectual, political, and civic life, hailing him as a fearless voice of reason, a teacher of generations, and a moral compass in the nation’s public affairs.

Dr. Marcel Mbamalu, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Prime Business Africa, said Utomi’s greatness lies not only in his achievements but in his character. He described him as humble, approachable, and deeply committed to ethical leadership and public value, noting that in a society where many bend rules to get ahead, Utomi has remained firm in his principles, even when it attracts resistance. Mbamalu said this moral consistency is what makes Utomi deserving of the honour.

Delivering the keynote, Professor Abiodun Adeniyi recalled his days as a reporter covering Utomi at The Guardian, noting that almost everything Utomi said made the news because he commanded attention. He added that Utomi became socially influential in his early twenties, making it unsurprising that many still find it hard to believe he is 70.

Adeniyi highlighted Utomi’s extensive writings on politics and governance, especially his work on state capture, which exposes how narrow elite take control of public institutions and ensure that the resources of the state are used for their own selfish ends.

He recommended Utomi’s definition of leadership as “a type of behaviour or relationship that is people-centred,” urging Nigerian leaders to adopt it in order to leave a lasting legacy.

He added that Utomi’s ability to connect theory with practice and unite town and gown has made him a major contributor to political economy and national development thinking.

According to Bongo Adi, Professor of Economics at Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, Utomi is a colossus whose writings have shaped a generation of young scholars. He recalled how many people grew up reading Utomi’s newspaper columns, often studying and memorising his words in order to imitate him. Adi said that although Utomi is an economist, he communicates like a seasoned literary writer.

Furthermore, he identified three qualities that define Utomi: aesthetics, truth, and ethics. He also recalled Utomi’s role in promoting Lagos Business School and noted his involvement in the Obedient Movement, saying Utomi’s capacity and depth of knowledge make him well suited for leadership.

Professor of Mass Communication, Chinyere Okunna, said Utomi’s long-held argument that Nigeria faces a crisis of ethics remains central to the country’s problems. She recalled his bold public support for Peter Obi during the Labour Party defection in Asaba as an example of his commitment to people-centred leadership. Okunna added that Nigeria would remain underdeveloped unless leaders who share Utomi’s ideals are given the chance to govern, urging him not to relent as young Nigerians continue to look up to him.

Dr. Okey Ikechukwu described Utomi as a man of deep conviction whose integrity is genuine rather than performative. He said Utomi does not seek praise, making every tribute an honest reflection of his impact. Ikechukwu added that Utomi’s achievements are the product of hard work and integrity, not abuse of office, and described him as a natural leader whose ideas will endure long after his lifetime.

Osita Chidoka, former Minister of Aviation, said Professor Pat Utomi has been a lasting source of inspiration to him, particularly for his consistency in contributing to national development even outside public office.

He noted that while many of Utomi’s contemporaries in government have faded from public relevance, Utomi has remained a steady and respected voice of reason. Chidoka said Utomi has continued to influence public debate through his books, newspaper writings, and civic engagements on Nigeria’s development trajectory, adding that this enduring intellectual presence has made him more impactful than many who have held political office.

He also observed that Nigeria often pursues interventions without sufficient data and knowledge, and warned against a growing suspicion of intelligence in public life. According to Chidoka, Utomi represents the kind of thoughtful and informed leadership Nigeria needs, calling for a shift toward greater respect for competence and ideas in governance.

Moderating the session, Mr. Jahman Anikulapo described Utomi as “an elephant” in every field he has ventured into, noting that the wide range of people celebrating him reflected the depth of his impact. He said Utomi’s influence cuts across academia, civic engagement, and public life, adding that whether through books, media appearances, lectures, or conferences, Utomi remains a teacher from whom there is always something to learn. Anikulapo also recalled Utomi’s long record of speaking truth to power and his consistent effort to resist elite capture of the Nigerian state.

In his reflections, Professor Utomi traced the roots of his life philosophy to the discipline, values, and guidance he received from books, mentors, and providence. He said he had no regrets about the path he had taken over the past 70 years, stressing that delayed gratification and strong values had guided his choices.

Utomi described the relationships he had built over the years as a blessing, thanking God for a life marked by goodwill and favour. Drawing on a conversation with a priest who likened his experience to that of Socrates, Utomi expressed confidence that ideas rejected in one generation can later shape societies, adding that he remained hopeful about Nigeria’s future even if it is not built solely on his own ideals.

The webinar ended with a collective affirmation of Professor Utomi’s legacy as a principled intellectual, a teacher of generations, and a relentless advocate for a more ethical and just Nigeria. Utomi also serves as the Board Chairman of Prime Business Africa.

READ ALSO: 

Beyond the compulsory real-time transmission of results

Sanwo-Olu launches Lagos International Financial Centre phase 1 report

Gowon, Jonathan hail BSN for shaping Nigeria moral foundation

NGX: Market cap hits N110trn as investors gain N1.1trn

Naira ends week slightly lower at official market

JOHESU suspends 84-day nationwide strike, gives reason

Gunmen kill commercial motorcyclist, snatch motorcycle in Ondo

Expert to Tinubu: Demand strategic communication plans on 3m bopd target

‘Tears for Enebi’ to showcase at Miami beach film festival

Landlady arrested for allegedly poisoning tenant’s 3 year-old child

Press freedom, intelligence power, and Nigeria’s democratic signal to West Africa

The post Utomi at 70: Speakers at webinar hail his ethics, ideas, leadership appeared first on Frontpageng.

In my over 40 years of existence, I’ve on several occasions watched and witnessed as a ‘no’ eventually yielded its position to a ‘yes.’ As a matter of fact, that’s actually one of the most profound lessons that life has taught me.

See, the world has made me to understand that heaven has a way of conspiring to grant our heart desires. Or like my boss, Mr. Kunle Bakare, used to say, ‘The world steps aside for the man who knows where he’s headed.’

A memorable example, if you permit me, will suffice here. It was my encounter with the hugely venerated former Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom and one-time Chairman of Cadbury, Dr. Christopher Kolade, who just went to be with the Lord.

As the editor of Encomium Weekly, one of the persons I really, really wanted to interview was Kolade. And the reason is simple: all the top people I had interviewed then, from Prof. Pat Utomi to Mr. Tunde Lemo and so on, kept mentioning him as their role model. In fact, it was while taking my leave after one of those interviews that it occurred to me that an interview with ‘this mentor to many’ won’t be a bad idea, after all.

So, I set the machinery in motion. I was still juggling how to crack and accomplish that mission when days later I opened one of the dailies and saw an advert announcing that Kolade would be going to the Goldengate Restaurant, in Ikoyi, Lagos, to give a lecture and I immediately filed it in both my memory and diary.

READ ALSO: Christopher Kolade: BON mourns death of founding father

On the day of the lecture, and without any invitation, I arrived at the venue very early; about an hour to the announced time, and of course well dressed. By the way, serious people rarely arrive events late. They are also mindful of their looks. But I digress.

About 30 minutes to kick off time, and from where I was sitting inside my car, I saw Kolade sauntering in, clutching what looked like a file, and unaccompanied. Instantly, I jumped down from my car, leveled up with him but despite repeated attempts to assist him with the file, as we made our way to the lift en route to the hall, he politely refused.

Now inside the hall, and as he was looking for the engineer in charge to cue his paper and confirm that everything was okay, I unmasked my identity. Looking calm and collected, and in his always perfect diction, he said to me: ‘Young man, I’m here for a lecture and not to have an interview…’

As I tried to explain, he turned and faced the engineer who was engrossed and battling to get his lecture ready. Of course, I refused to leave. In fact, I just stood ‘kampe’ behind him. And when they were through, after nearly 15 minutes, he asked where he could wash his hands and I volunteered immediately to direct him the place.

Done with that, he came out again and met me still standing, arms akimbo, at the entrance. Wearing what looked like a smile, for the first time since I started ‘troubling’ him and shaking his head, he said to me, again in a soothing voice: ‘This young man that will not take no for an answer, yes, what exactly do you say you want from me?’

I stammered: ‘An interview…very short… ten or fifteen minutes would be okay.’ And then he said: ‘No…only five minutes…I’m here for something else, but your persistence is making me change my mind…’

Dear friends, the long and short of this story, like we say in Nigeria, is that the much sought-after interview finally held. Dr. Kolade’s ‘no’ eventually became ‘yes.’ But more than that, instead of the five minutes the great man had allocated to me, we ended up talking for about 30 minutes! Yes, most of the other guests arrived late and I couldn’t help maximizing that opportunity as well.

My persistence and perseverance paid off in the end. Indeed, everything is possible for those that believe. And, of course, with God!

May his soul rest in peace.

*Azuh Arinze is the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of YES INTERNATIONAL! Magazine and author of important books like The CEO’s Bible 1 and 2, Success Is Not Served A La Carte, Anything and Everything Journalism, Conversations With Showbiz Stars, Encounters: Lessons From My Journalism Career, My Story of Many Colours, etc.

The post EXTRA: My unforgettable encounter with Dr. Christopher Kolade appeared first on Frontpageng.

African Stories Untold, producers of the thriller, made this known on its official Instagram page,@ africanstoriesuntold.

The star-studded film is directed by ace filmmaker Paul Utomi and co-produced by Chiamaka  Ebochue, Joshua Enakarhir and Lani Aisida, who is also the writer of the story.

The ensemble  cast include Oiza Abu, Meyi Abu, Baaj Adebule, Mike Afolarin, Toni Tetuila, Evaezi, Eve Bankong, Eva ibiam, Folaremi Agunbiade and  Olakunle Fawole, amongst others.

“Say Who Die?!” mirrors the reality many people face today, pressures from family, the pull of migration dreams, betrayals and the fragile nature of life itself.

The plot is the tale of a set of twins whose bond is tested by secrets, family dysfunction, and choices that spiral into chaos.

The intrigues of chaos, laughter heartbreak and struggles that follow is what made the highly anticipated “Say Who Die?!”  a must-watch for Nollywood lovers.

Source: NAN

The post Nollywood film ‘Say Who Die?!’ set to premiere appeared first on Frontpageng.

Professor Pat Utomi, man of many parts but better known these days as a political activist and relentless critic of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu presidency, has announced the formation of what he has described as a “shadow government” whose purpose, ostensibly, is to hold the feet of the Tinubu administration to the fire for the purpose of safeguarding the good health of our renascent democracy, ensuring good governance, and the delivery of the much-vaunted dividends of democracy to the mercilessly-abused and long-suffering Nigerian people.

My suspicion is that many Nigerians will consider the Utomi move a welcome development, especially with the rag-tag opposition parties that exist only in name and appearance and not in contents and substance.

A gale of defections has hit the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which is the largest opposition party, running it ragged; the next party after it, the Labour Party, is in disarray, with multiple factions laying claim to its leadership, while the former governor of Kaduna state, Nasir el-Rufai’s defection into the Social Democratic Party (SDP) appears a non-starter. Serial presidential candidate and ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar’s talk of a merger or coalition that will give Tinubu and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) a run for their money in 2027 holds no promise but jeers. The National Assembly is seen by many as rubber-stamp; the judiciary is looked at suspiciously as compromised while Labour at best is a caricature of its former vibrant self. Student unionism that once stood as a beacon of hope for national redemption has itself fallen into the cesspit of corruption that epitomises the country’s political landscape. Any hope, renewed or rehashed, appears forlorn. And in the absence of nothing, anything goes.

Story of the Tortoise

Nature abhors a vacuum; hence the void that Utomi seeks to fill with his shadow government, which appears more at home in a parliamentary system of government than in the presidential system that we operate here. An enemy more powerful than the Tortoise one day invaded Tortoise’s home and bound him hand and foot, ready to cart him away into slavery, but Tortoise made a last plea: That he be let loose and set on his feet again just for a moment. Wondering what magic he would perform, his captor obliged. Tortoise then scratched the ground with his hands and legs and said, “Let it be recorded for posterity that I protested and gave a good fight before being carried away into slavery”! If all Utomi’s shadow government achieves is for history to record that some people scratched the ground with their hands and legs when, in their view, the country was turning the corner into a perceived one-party state, let posterity judge!

Why “shadow government”?

An online medium reported Utomi’s endeavour thus: “Economist and political advocate, Professor Pat Utomi, has unveiled a shadow government established to serve as a credible opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s administration. The initiative, which he described as a ‘national emergency response’, was launched virtually under the banner of Big Tent Coalition Shadow Government. Utomi said the body was created in response to what he described as worsening economic and security conditions under President Bola Tinubu’s government.

If the problem is in the name or nomenclature adopted by Utomi, then, we may have to search for a less “provocative” name, but no one should tell us that our democracy does not need a vibrant opposition or that the institutions in place at the moment are up to the task.

“According to him, the new body draws its membership from a cross-section of Nigeria’s opposition parties and is tasked with regularly scrutinising government actions, identifying policy failures, and proposing alternative solutions in key areas, including the economy, education, healthcare, infrastructure, law and order, and constitutional reform. He said, ‘The recent spate of defections to the All Progressives Congress provides further evidence that all is not well with democracy in Nigeria. The imperative is that if a genuine opposition does not courageously identify the performance failures of incumbents, offer options and influence culture in a counter direction, it will be complicit in subverting the will of the people.’

“He explained that the group would meet weekly to review public policies, offer alternatives, and push for reforms in key areas, emphasising the importance of focusing on integrity and transparency, which he said are sorely lacking under the current administration. ‘This shadow team must also address issues of ethics, transparency, and integrity, which continue to challenge this government at every turn. Nothing is more urgent than tackling the rising poverty across the country. Multinationals are shutting down, and millions are unemployed…’, he said.

“Utomi further noted that the immediate priorities would include stimulating local production, decentralising security, and promoting inclusive governance. ‘Today, I bring to this pioneer body the desperate cries of a people troubled by how their reality seems bound for serfdom. I challenge you to awaken these people who wrongly believe that everything is fine as long as they can manage a share of what little still trickles down from crude oil sales’, he said.

“Utomi also criticised the economic direction of the current administration, especially its handling of the petroleum subsidy removal. He accused the government of using broad consensus among politicians as a cover for poor planning, saying, ‘Making propaganda of most leaders being in agreement on removing the petroleum subsidy was to cover up policy errors of how to remove it without further structural damage to the economy.’

“On the issue of security reform, Utomi called for decentralised policing, arguing that communities should be empowered to maintain their own security infrastructure through a layered approach involving local forces, state police, and a Federal National Guard… We will travel farther if we get the communities to have their own armed and well-trained police forces, which will be layered with state police and the Federal National Guard,” he said, adding that corruption and centralisation have contributed to the resistance against such reforms.

“Speaking on the makeup of the shadow cabinet, Utomi noted that it includes a range of professionals and public figures drawn from across the opposition. He said the team would operate not only as a think-tank but also as a policy watchdog, offering credible alternatives to government decisions.

“Among those appointed is human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi, who will lead the Ombudsman and Good Governance portfolio. Farotimi joins other prominent voices such as Oghene Momoh, Cheta Nwanze, Daniel Ikuonobe, Halima Ahmed, David Okonkwo, and Obi Ajuga on the policy delivery unit.

“The broader shadow cabinet includes a diverse line-up of experts and professionals: Dr. Adefolusade Adebayo, Dr. Peter Agadah, Dr. Sadiq Gombe, Chibuzor Nwachukwu, Salvation Alibor, Bilkisu Magoro, Dr. Victor Tubo, Charles Odibo, Dr. Otive Igbuzor, Eunice Atuejide, Gbenga Ajayi, Dr. Mani Ahmad, Peter Oyewole, and Dr. Omano Edigheji. Additional members include Sidi Ali, Ibrahim Abdulkarim, Adenike Oriola, Promise Adewusi, Prof. Ukachukwu Awuzie, Ambrose Obimma, Rwang Pam, Dr. Kingsley Anedo, Prof. Auwal Aliyu, Dr. Ghazali Ado, Nana Kazaure, Aisha Yusuf, Dr. Charles Gilbert, and Olujimi Akiboh.”

Caveat emptor!

I do not think there are many Nigerians who would say that the problems itemised here by Utomi are not real or that they do not need confrontation; not even the government can say that because itself has not only similarly identified the problems but President Tinubu himself has said now and again that he is confronting them head-on. How successfully, effectively, and efficiently, however, remains the bone of contention. Now that Utomi’s shadow government is poised to present alternatives, Nigerians will be in a better position to determine which option is better – the government’s or Utomi’s.

My suspicion, however, is that no government in power where the system of shadow government is alien will not tend to see any other “government” not recognised by law as subversive and treading the dangerous path of treason. Therefore, there must be understanding and caution on both sides. The APC government must understand that vibrant opposition is the fulcrum of democracy. It must also not forget that just a few years back, the APC was in the opposition. If it had been clubbed to death at the time by the ruling party, it would not be in power today.

It is in this respect that the Federal Government’s response to Utomi’s shadow government is ominous. The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, was reported to have criticised the initiative, describing it as unconstitutional and unsuitable for Nigeria’s presidential system. Said he: “At a time when our nation is set to celebrate 26 unbroken years of presidential democracy, the idea of a so-called ‘shadow government’ is an aberration. Nigeria is not a parliamentary system where such a system is practised, and there is no provision for such in our statute books. While opposition politics is a central feature of democracy, it must be practised at all times within the bounds of propriety. This idea of a shadow government sadly does not pass that test. Our bicameral legislature amply features members of the opposition, and it should be the right place to contest meaningful ideas for nation-building.”

READ ALSO: ‘Seven Doors’ sweeps 11th AMVCA’s top honours

If the problem is in the name or nomenclature adopted by Utomi, then, we may have to search for a less “provocative” name, but no one should tell us that our democracy does not need a vibrant opposition or that the institutions in place at the moment are up to the task. They are not! If the opposition parties, legislators, judiciary, Labour, etc are already doing the needful, there would have been no use for Utomi and his co-travellers. It is the failure of those institutions that now necessitates the emergence of Utomi’s “shadow government” or whatever else we may choose to call it.

Win-win situation

By the way, what is a shadow government? In the context here, a shadow government has been defined as “a government that is prepared to take control in response to certain events, especially one made up of the leadership of the largest opposition party in parliament, which would assume control should the ruling party be displaced in elections”. Usually, a shadow government is composed of a shadow cabinet, albeit with no executive powers, with portfolios assigned to respective senior members of the opposition party whose duty it is to scrutinise the policies and actions of the government as well as offer alternative policies. In short, it is government-in-waiting, as we have it in the United Kingdom.

Can we, then, appropriately refer to what Utomi has cobbled together as a shadow government? I do not think so. Think-tank, maybe! Pressure group, fittingly! Shadow government? No! Who elected them our leaders? Who made them rulers and judges over us? That, I think, is the point the Minister of Information was trying to make before he himself overshot the tarmac – like Utomi did!

Apart from the reservations that I have about the composition of Utomi’s think-tank, I also do not think its task should be limited to only identifying the “performance failures” of the government. Utomi and company should be honest enough to give credit, and applause, where it is due. Otherwise, it will not be long before they begin to sing like a broken record and sound like brass and tinkling cymbals.

*Bolawole (turnpot@gmail.com 0807 552 5533), former Editor of PUNCH newspapers, Chairman of its Editorial Board and Deputy Editor-in-chief, was also the Managing Director/ Editor-in-chief of the Westerner newsmagazine. He writes the “ON THE LORD’S DAY” column in the Sunday Tribune and “TREASURES” column in the New Telegraph newspapers. He is also a public affairs analyst on radio and television.

The post Much ado about Utomi’s shadow government appeared first on Frontpageng.