Congratulations to Victor Osimhen
I want to join other fans in congratulating one of Nigeria’s many talented exports, Victor Osimhen, for successfully leading Galatasaray S.K. to the Turkish Süper Lig title with a brilliant performance, scoring twice in the decisive victory that sealed the championship.
Your resilience, discipline, and talent continue to inspire millions of young Nigerians to believe in the power of hard work, dedication, and excellence. You have remained a proud ambassador of Nigeria on the global stage, bringing honour to our nation through your achievements and conduct. Nigerians are immensely proud of you and your continued success.
I have often spoken about the transformative power of sports and the immense opportunities it offers to young people. This is why the persistent neglect of the sector in our country is deeply regrettable. The truth is that Nigeria is blessed with countless talents like Osimhen, waiting for the right leadership, support, and environment to rise, excel, and bring glory to the nation.
I reiterate that a new Nigeria, where all sectors develop simultaneously for the balanced growth and health of the nation is POssible.
I wish @victorosimhen9 even greater success in the years ahead. -PO
Our #AmericanExcellence spotlight for the week is Nigerian-American innovator Oluseun Taiwo (@taiwo_oluseun), founder of @Solideonusa, who is advancing aerospace and robotics with cutting-edge manufacturing and machine learning. Featured on the 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30 list, his work strengthens U.S. leadership in future tech.
Innovation. Resilience. Excellence. 🇺🇸
A powerful moment in Rome, at the Vatican, as the Prayer of the Faithful was offered in Igbo during the Pope’s Christmas Vigil Mass.
Is Igbo becoming a global language of worship?
The Farouk Controversy and the Question of Public Responsibility
One of the most talked-about public controersies in recent times is the allegation surrounding Farouk Ahmed. Alhaji Aliko Dangote, President of the Dangote Group, alleged that Mr. Farouk, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), spent about $5 million on the secondary school education of his four children in Switzerland. He called for a full investigation and public explanation.
At current exchange rates, $5 million is approximately ₦7.5 billion. In a country with over 18 million out-of-school children — the highest number in the world — this revelation inevitably raises questions of proportionality, public trust, and moral responsibility.
Education is one of the greatest legacies a parent can give a child. No reasonable person begrudges parents for investing in their children’s future. Plato, in The Republic, reminds us that “education and upbringing are what make good human beings,” warning that neglect of education harms not just individuals but the entire constitution of society.
The issue here, therefore, is not education itself, but scale, context, and moral consequence, especially when such spending is attributed to a public official in a country with extreme inequality.
What ₦7.5 Billion Could Do at Home
With ₦7.5 billion, it would be possible to build 25 school blocks, at ₦35 million per block, fully covering construction, furnishing, and basic learning infrastructure. This amounts to ₦875 million in capital expenditure.
Each block contains 6 classrooms.Each classroom accommodates 40 students.
That means:
240 students per block
25 blocks × 240 students = 6,000 students educated every year
Each block would employ 18 teachers, giving a total of 450 teachers. At a monthly salary of ₦125,000, each teacher earns ₦1.5 million per year, bringing the total annual wage bill to ₦675 million. After construction (₦875 million) and one full year of teacher salaries (₦675 million), total expenditure is ₦1.55 billion. This leaves ₦5.95 billion from the original ₦7.5 billion.
Making the System Self-Sustaining
If the remaining ₦5.95 billion is invested in Nigerian government bonds at 19%, it would yield approximately ₦1.13 billion annually.
From this yield, allocating ₦10 million per school block per year for libraries, laboratories, utilities, learning materials, meals, and maintenance would cost:
₦250 million annually (₦10m × 25 blocks)This still leaves ₦880 million per year. From this balance:
₦675 million comfortably pays teachers’ salaries every year
Over ₦200 million remains as surplus, ensuring reserves, expansion, and long-term stability
In effect, the system becomes permanently self-funding, without touching the original capital.
A Moral Contrast (Corrected)
In simple terms, the amount allegedly spent on the education of four children could establish a self-sustaining education ecosystem that:
Educates 6,000 Nigerian children every year
Employs 450 teachers.
Ironically, Nigerian children educated abroad would benefit even more if those who remain at home were educated to comparable standards to work for them and with them when they return. An educated society produces better governance, safer communities, stronger institutions, and a more dignified nation. It is a win-win.
The Larger Question Nigeria has a population of about 240 million people. In a system described by former British Prime Minister David Cameron as “fantastically corrupt,” and by the U.S. President Donald Trump as “a now disgraced country,” it is reasonable to assume that there are at least 2,400 individuals - just 0.0001% of the population - who, like the Farouks, have access to extraordinary resources largely derived from public office.
If 2,400 individuals each sacrificed $5 million, it will achieve the following:
Nigerians WAKE UP!
President Trump & The Department of War have rained fire on the Radical Islamic terrorists attacking innocent Nigerians in the North West, especially the Christians. Merry Christmas to all the ISIS scumbags & all their sympathizers.
America gave you enough warnings. 🚀🚀🔥
Alex Otti is proof that no one needs 4yrs to make a change. He promised to finish & step aside. No senate, no presidential ambition. He will fix Abia for his people, & his name & fame will last forever. That’s legacy; something those drunk with power at 80+ will never understand.
Happy to be in the village for Xmas. And a nice surprise to join HE Governor Alex Otti to commission the first set of electric buses for Abia State. Abia is working hard to go Green and contribute to lowering Green house gas emissions in its urban centers! Congratulations to Gov Otti and his team!
140 Years of Catholicism in Eastern Nigeria
After returning from overseas today, I travelled to Onitsha to join the Catholic faithful in celebrating 140 years of Catholicism in Eastern Nigeria.
It was a profound moment of gratitude and hope as we marked this historic milestone at the Basilica of the Most Holy Trinity's Field.
The Mass was presided over by the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Michael Crotty, and concelebrated by Francis Cardinal Arinze, along with bishops and clergy from the province. They reminded us of the legacy left by early missionaries whose sacrifices laid the foundation of the Church in this region.
We honoured pioneers such as Rev. Fr. Joseph Lutz, Bishop Joseph Ignatius Shanahan, and Archbishop Charles Heerey, whose devotion planted seeds of faith that continue to flourish today.
I also celebrated the contributions of the successive leaders of the Onitsha Archdiocese: Francis Cardinal Arinze, Archbishops Stephen Ezeanya and Albert Obiefuna, and the current Archbishop Valerian Okeke. Their leadership has strengthened education, healthcare, and social development in the community.
As the largest provider of social services in Nigeria after the government, the Church continues to impact lives through its schools and hospitals. Being a proud product of Catholic education, I carry the values of discipline, integrity, and service with me as lifelong guiding principles.
I extend my congratulations to the Archbishop, clergy, religious, and lay faithful of the Archdiocese. May God continue to bless their work. -PO