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THE ONE BILLION NAIRA DONATION TO THE AREWA CONSULTATIVE FORUM BY GEN.TY DANJUMMA

Published

6 days ago

November 24, 2025

During the launch of an endowment fund to mark the Arewa Consultative Forum’s (ACF) silver jubilee, General T. Y. Danjuma donated a hefty sum of one billion naira. The gesture by the Takum-born general has rekindled what could be described as a “T.Y. phenomenon,” and signals renewed prospects for unity in the North and, indeed, Nigeria. T.Y., as he is fondly called, represents different things to different people: a consummate general, business titan, opinion leader, and large-hearted philanthropist.

To others, he remains an enigma — a recluse of few but weighty words, a patriot who took enormous risks in shaping Nigeria. Above all, he is viewed as a man of uncommon balance, especially in the delicate realm of Nigeria’s military politics. He was the one who allegedly relinquished an opportunity to become Head of State in the aftermath of the 1976 coup d’état — all in the interest of fairness and national balance.

After Murtala Muhammed’s assassination, Olusegun Obasanjo, then second-in-command, was to take over. Danjuma felt it proper and just to retain that arrangement. He also ceded the position of Chief of Staff, Supreme Headquarters, to a junior colleague, Shehu Musa Yar’Adua, who was then a Lt.Colonel, to ensure the top hierarchy reflected the country’s ethno-religious diversity. He maintained his role as Chief of Army Staff until the regime exited in 1979. It was during this period that he delivered his now-famous terse instruction to Ibrahim Babangida during the Dimka-led coup attempt: “Go and flush him out. I didn’t ask you to negotiate.” This came when IBB attempted to explain certain issues to him.

He was also alleged to have exhibited similar decisiveness during the counter-coup by northern officers — the so-called “rematch” — that toppled the Balewa government in July 1966. T.Y.’s last major public service role was as Minister of Defence under President Olusegun Obasanjo between 1999 and 2003 — a government he helped bring about as part of national healing after the annulment of the June 12 election believed to be won by M. K. O. Abiola.

Afterwards, T.Y. transitioned fully into private business and excelled. Today, he ranks among the biggest players in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry and has consistently featured among Forbes’ wealthiest Nigerians. His NAL-Comet Group, a shipping enterprise, and South Atlantic Petroleum Limited remain influential in the private sector. As part of his corporate social responsibility and personal philosophy of giving back, the T.Y. Danjuma Foundation was established. It has since become a major philanthropic force, providing grants and assistance to thousands of less privileged Nigerians.

At 86 (born in 1938), T.Y. has seen it all — veni, vidi, vici: he came, he saw, and he conquered. After a tumultuous military career, he entered the business world seamlessly. Today, he stands as an elder statesman whose voice carries enormous weight. His periodic interventions on national issues — especially security — are blunt, prophetic, and often vindicated by unfolding events.

As far back as 2012, he described the activities of Boko Haram, then mainly restricted to Borno and Yobe, as “war.” Authorities in those states refuted him. Younger voices mocked him. The revered General Mamman Shuwa — his contemporary — was even persuaded to publicly rebut Danjuma’s claims. Ironically, it was Boko Haram that later assassinated Shuwa on 2 November 2012 in Maiduguri.

A few years later, T.Y. assessed the escalating armed herder–farmer conflict in Taraba and the wider Middle Belt and warned communities to defend themselves, including by procuring arms — just as terrorists were doing. He alleged collusion within the security forces and warned of an unfolding anarchy. That was in 2018. The government and military high command issued strong rebuttals. Yet, his predictions have materialised almost exactly as he feared.

Today, several states in the Northwest — including Sokoto, Zamfara, Kebbi, Katsina, and parts of Kaduna and Niger — are forming and equipping vigilante volunteers to fight terrorists. The Federal Government has directed states to establish “forest rangers.” Results have been mixed. Some communities have even entered “peace agreements” with bandits to survive — with limited success. It is believed that in Katsina, about 20 of the 34 LGAs remain under severe threat. Numerous states have been forced to shut schools owing to renewed abductions. Again, T.Y.’s warnings stand vindicated.

Ordinarily, the General should be held in the highest esteem across the North — and he is, to a large extent. Yet he has not been spared the region’s ethno-religious tensions. The relationship between followers of Islam and Christianity in Northern Nigeria has long been fraught. As a Christian, T.Y. has been accused by some of not playing the unifying role that destiny appears to have placed upon him, especially in his later years.

He is suspected by some of quietly supporting certain divisive positions of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) — much in the same way some Muslim elites support their own sectarian groups. Others point to his alleged closeness to aspects of the Middle Belt Forum’s agenda that may be perceived as unfavourable to northern cohesion. For some sections of the North, these stances fall below his towering national stature.

The “disappointment” many express arises from reverence. To them, his perceived tilt toward ethno-religious politics diminishes the prestige of his ancient Kwararrafah heritage. The Kwararrafah Confederacy was one of the great indigenous polities of the Nigerian savannah — rivalling the Hausa city-states and Kanem-Bornu in the 14th century.

In modern Nigeria, no ethnic group is more broadly Nigerian — or more inherently northern — than the Kwararrafah and its famous son, Danjumma. Naturally, the North should have been T.Y.’s cultural and historical home, ahead of many others. His one-billion-naira gesture to the ACF would not only dispels many of the suspicions once cast upon him but to re-cement his place as one of the profound and bonafide Northern voices.

Many others may have made similar donations and even more, but the General’s own carries greater symbolism and significance.It affirms that he has both the North, a region currently under serious stress, and Nigeria, at heart. The T.Y. phenomenon is back — and in grand style. May the General live long.
A. G. Abubakar
agbarewa@gmail.com

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TAU reaffirms commitment to globally competitive learning

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

Our Reporter

As 16 graduands make First Class

Stephen Olufemi Oni, Ilorin

The Thomas Adewumi University (TAU), Oko-Irese, in the Irepodun local government area of Kwara State, has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening quality education, innovation, and globally competitive learning.

Speaking at the institution’s 2nd Convocation ceremony in Oko-Irese, the Vice Chancellor of the University, Professor Francisca Onaolapo Oladipo, said TAU is living up to its ranking as the fastest growing institution in Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine, and Innovation (STEM-i) ecosystem by surpassing more than 100 percent in its number of graduating students at the second convocation.

She said: “TAU emerged on April 8, 2021, as Nigeria’s fastest-growing Science, Technology, Engineering, Medicine and Innovations (STEM-i) ecosystem. Today, we rank 1st among the 20 private universities that were licensed in
2021, 4th among the 14 Universities in Kwara State, 5th among Nigeria’s over 170 private Universities and 50th nationally, an impressive rise reflecting our unwavering commitment to excellence.

”What a Moment of Extraordinary Significance today, we stand at a crossroads far more significant than words can adequately capture. Exactly one year ago, we gathered at this very Auditorium to celebrate our inaugural Convocation, a ceremony that marked the graduation of 26 pioneering students who dared to believe in a vision when others saw only impossibility. Those 26 trailblazers proved that Thomas Adewumi University was not just a dream, but a reality rooted in excellence. Today, as we honour 63 outstanding graduates, we witness something far more profound than numerical growth.

“This 142% increase in our graduating class is not merely a statistic to be recorded in annual reports, it is a declaration that Thomas Adewumi University has transcended the realm of promise and entered the domain of proof.

“We have moved from potential to performance, from aspiration to achievement, from vision to velocity.
This year, 63 graduands from 4 Faculties and 11 academic programmes are being conferred. It is noteworthy that we have 16 First Class graduates, 40 in Second Class Upper Division, and 7 in Second Class Lower Division. These results reflect the quality of training and mentorship provided at Thomas Adewumi University, and we are proud to contribute these innovators to both the Nigerian and global workforce, confident that they will make a meaningful
impact.

”Preparing Globally Competitive Graduates, these 63 graduands are not merely degree holders, they are comprehensively prepared global professionals equipped with exceptional advantages that set them apart from their peers nationwide. Through our international partnerships, these graduates have obtained additional microcredentials from MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Columbia, Berkeley, and Yale, world-class certifications from Alison, UK, RUDN professional University, Russia, World Bank’s Saylor Academy, Google, ICAN, and the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development initiatives in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence.

“Our Coursera collaboration provided them with additional industry certifications, while partnerships with Microsoft, IBM SkillsBuild, and MIT OpenCourseWare through our Global Campus initiative democratize access to cutting-edge knowledge. They are thus fully equipped to embark on meaningful and innovative careers in today’s technology-driven world.”

Earlier in his Convocation Lecture, titled “Crowdfunding Opportunities forstartups: Equiping Nigerian graduates for a sustainable future”, Dr. Bayo Williams Olugbemi charged the graduads on the mindset of job creation, saying “as a graduate, your future is not defined by what Nigeria gives you, but by what you create. The idea of crowdfunding is the idea of hope. It is proof that when people come together, ideas once impossible become achievable.

“I urge you not to think only about searching for jobs. Instead, think about creating value, and if capital is a barrier, remember: “The crowd can be your first investor.”

In his goodwill message, the Executive Secretary of the National University Commission, Professor Abdullahi Ribadu, represented by Esther I. Eyo, Esq commended the resilience of TAU management said “NUC acknowledges TAU sustained progress in advancing quality teaching, impactful research, innovation, and community engagement, all of which align with our national aspiration for a globally competitive and knowledge-driven university system.

“It would interest you to know that, in the accreditation exercise conducted in 2023, Thomas Adewumi University achieved a 100% Full Accreditation status across all programmes assessed a laudable feat that reflects the University’s strong commitment to maintaining high academic standards.”

Also speaking, the Founder/Chancellor of the institution, Dr. (Engr) Johnson Adewumi, urged the graduands to be good ambassadors of the University, adding: “Remember that your degree is not an end but a beginning, go forth with courage, humility, and a sense of responsibility. Strive to illuminate whatever space you occupy with the light of integrity, excellence and service.”

Highlight of the event was the conferment of an honorary doctorate degree on two distinguished personalities; Engr Oluseyi Afolabi and Pastor Oladokun Olatunde.

End

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photo

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

Our Reporter

L-r Speaker, House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas; President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio and Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during the dinner for members of the National Assembly by the First Lady yesterday. Photo: Senate President’s Office.

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JUST IN: Even Tinubu moves with too many police escorts – Senator Ndume

Published

1 day ago

November 29, 2025

Our Reporter

By Hassan Taiye

Senator Ali Ndume has criticised what he described as the excessive use of security convoys by top government officials, including President Bola Tinubu, warning that the practice leaves ordinary citizens exposed and vulnerable.

Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Thursday, Ndume said many public office holders move with security details that are unnecessarily large, even when their positions do not warrant such heavy protection.

He recalled visiting the residence of a colleague and finding “more than 10 policemen” attached to him, despite the lawmaker being junior to him in the National Assembly.

Ndume further argued that the presidential convoy itself is excessively large, stressing that security efforts should be focused on protecting the overall environment rather than individual personalities.

He said: “I went to one of my colleagues’ house for dinner. And I saw more than 10 policemen. He is even my junior in the National Assembly. Some of them, if you see them coming, you will pull back thinking that maybe it’s the President or the Vice President that is coming.
“

You can see even the president, the convoy that the president goes about with is too much. Secure the place and when the president goes, you withdraw. Secure Abuja and the president can even drive out, you know, himself.

But when you secure personalities, and this is what is happening in Nigeria, then others, common people, as we call them, become vulnerable, and we don’t care. So if you secure Abuja, then you can drive at night. And let me tell you, this is what is happening in most countries”.

The lawmaker’s comments come just days after President Tinubu ordered the withdrawal of police officers from VIP escort and guard duties.

In a statement, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the directive was aimed at redeploying police manpower to core law enforcement responsibilities.