By George Mgbeleke

HUMAN RIGHTS WRITERS ASSOCIATION OF NIGERIA (HURIWA) has criticised the decision of the president and commander-in-chief of the Armed forces of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu to proceed with the flamboyant tour of the United Kingdom to honour the invitation for a state visit by the King of England, Charles 111, arguing that a Commander-in-Chief of an Armed forces waging a major war on terror and for him going away at the time that dozens of soldiers and civilians are killed, maimed and housing assets of ordinary citizens worth several billions of Naira, doesn’t make any sense.

In a statement by the National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Emmanuel Nnadozie Onwubiko,HURIWA said: ” Mr. President, it is insensitive and unacceptable that you continued with your ‘joyful’ and entertaining trip to visit the palatial mansions of the English monarchy at this time of weeping, wailing, gnashing of teeth by many of our citizens caught up unfortunately in the bombing campaigns by the same terrorists that your government has failed spectacularly to rein in but your administration has continued to carry out the unconstitutional reintegration and Rehabilitation of the so-called repentant terrorists.

“MR. PRESIDENT, you are aware that just Yesterday, the entire Borno State and Maiduguri particularly which is as big as France, was thrown into mourning by terrorists who killed dozens including a breastfeeding woman and her baby. Yet the president and commander-in-chief of the Armed forces of Nigeria has jumped into the presidential jet to go and have sessions of dining and wining with the richest monarch in Europe. Where is the African cultural value and sense of empathy and caring for one another that the head of state of a Nigeria that is in war would happily continue with this sort of joyful and entertainment filled royal hosting by the King and Queen of England? Sir, this is intolerable and absolutely appalling. How a Father abandoned his wounded and killed citizens to travel to England for a mere state visit that bears no relevance to the wellbeing and welfare of millions of citizens facing crushing poverty and buffeted by bloody violent attacks by terrorists, kidnappers, bandits and armed non state actors?

“All around the globe, global media networks are reporting that bombs exploded in at least three locations in northeastern Nigeria’s Borno state Monday night, killing and injuring scores of people, the emergency services told The Associated Press, citing possible suicide bombings.

“Explosions were heard in Maiduguri, the Borno state capital, where Nigeria’s homegrown jihadi Boko Haram extremists have waged an insurgency for more than a decade.

“The blasts occurred at the entrance of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital and two local markets, known as Post Office and the Monday Market, according to Sirajo Abdullahi, head of operations at Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency, or NEMA, in Maiduguri.

“There are casualties and they are still managing the causalities at the hospital,” Abdullahi said. “We can’t give the actual figure until we count.”

Besides, the Nigerian military that has of late suffered multiple ambushes by terrorists of ISWAP and Boko haram terrorists said in a statement earlier it had repelled attacks by suspected Islamic militants in the early hours of Monday on the outskirts of Maiduguri.

“HURIWA agrees that for years, Nigeria has been battling a complex security crisis from different armed groups, especially in the northern part of the country.
Jihadi extremist groups, including Boko Haram and one of its factions, have been blamed for intensified attacks targeting Nigeria’s military bases in the northeast of the country this month. But attacks in Maiduguri in Borno state, which is the epicenter of Nigeria’s 17-year struggle with extremist armed groups, have been rare in recent years after military operations.

HURIWA quoted the media as stating that Bagoni Alkali, an eyewitness to the blast, told The Associated Press he brought wounded people to the hospital for emergency treatment.

HURIWA theb continued: “The question on the lips of empathetic Nigerians from far and wide is why at this mourning period is our President and his wife travelling to be hosted by the King and Queen of England? Did we elect Tinubu to embark on meaningless globetrotting gambit for personal enjoyment? Couldn’t our president have excused himself from this unworthy trip so he takes strong steps and measures to battle the terrorists threatening to wipe off thousands of citizens of the map of the world and face of the earth?

HURIWA lamented that an eye witness aforementioned even said that “Right now, over 200 people have been injured and are receiving care in the accident and emergency department,” but yet the President deems it fit to go to England for merry making? Mr. President, is this a great decision? Will the Kingbof England visit Nigeria if a terrorist group bombs any part of the UK?”

HURIWA expressed disappointment that the President embarked on the journey to England which absolutely is all about dining and wining with the Royal family in England and would definitely not be about crushing the phenomenal rise in bloody attacks targeting Nigerians.

By George Mgbeleke

The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has announced the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Dr. Adebowale Adedokun, as the winner of its 2026 Human Rights Award in the category of Good Governance, following what the group described as an overwhelming and unanimous nomination by over 12,000 members of the association across the world.

In a press statement issued in Abuja, the rights advocacy group said the decision to confer the award on Adedokun was reached after a thorough internal nomination process in which members cited his longstanding contributions to transparency, accountability, and reform in Nigeria’s public procurement system.

HURIWA stated that Adedokun emerged unopposed in the Good Governance category after members overwhelmingly endorsed his leadership credentials and decades of professional work aimed at strengthening integrity in the management of public funds.

The association noted that since his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement, Adedokun has demonstrated a clear commitment to repositioning the agency through reforms anchored on digital transformation, transparency, institutional efficiency, and strict adherence to due process in government procurement.

HURIWA said the nomination also reflects Adedokun’s extensive professional background spanning over two decades in public procurement reforms, policy development, and institutional capacity building.

According to the group, Adedokun’s career trajectory within the Bureau, including his previous role as Director of Research, Training and Strategic Planning, positioned him as a technocrat with deep institutional knowledge and practical experience required to drive reforms in the procurement sector.

The rights body highlighted several milestones that influenced the decision of its global membership, including his work as a National Consultant on procurement reforms for the United Nations Development Programme, his representation of Nigeria in the International Research Study on Public Procurement, and his role as a World Bank resource person on sustainable procurement practices.

HURIWA further noted that Adedokun has contributed significantly to capacity development within Nigeria’s procurement ecosystem, having trained over 4,000 procurement professionals across federal and state government institutions, thereby strengthening institutional compliance with procurement regulations and international best practices.

The association also commended his involvement in international development programmes, including his role as focal point officer for the UN Women initiative on women’s empowerment in procurement and his work as Project Coordinator for the SPESSE–World Bank Project, which aims to deepen expertise in procurement and public financial management.

HURIWA stated that Adedokun’s reform agenda at the Bureau—particularly his plans to deploy advanced electronic procurement systems, data-driven procurement monitoring mechanisms, and transparent bidding frameworks—aligns strongly with the principles of good governance and accountability which the organisation seeks to promote through its annual awards.

The group added that his policy direction encouraging open competition in government contracting, strengthened regulatory oversight, promotion of local content, and integration of sustainability principles in procurement decisions represents a significant step toward ensuring value for money in the utilisation of public resources.

HURIWA further said that Adedokun’s commitment to institutional development within the Bureau, including capacity building for staff and inclusive policies for women, youth, and persons with disabilities, also influenced the decision of its members to endorse him for the honour.

The organisation disclosed that the award will be formally presented during the 2026 National Human Rights Lecture, scheduled to take place on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, which is the last Wednesday of June, marking the 18th edition of the annual lecture series organised by the association.

According to HURIWA, the event will bring together professors, human rights advocates, lawmakers, and senior government officials, who will deliver keynote addresses and sub-lectures on governance, accountability, and the protection of civil liberties in Nigeria.

The group noted that in addition to the Good Governance award category won by Adedokun, the organisation will confer six distinguished human rights awards on individuals from both the public and private sectors who have demonstrated exceptional commitment to justice, transparency, and social responsibility.

HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the annual lecture and awards ceremony remains one of the organisation’s most important platforms for recognising leaders whose actions promote democratic governance and respect for the rule of law.

Onwubiko stated that the unanimous nomination of Adedokun by the association’s global membership underscores the widespread confidence in his leadership and reform-driven agenda at the Bureau of Public Procurement.

He added that HURIWA believes Adedokun’s stewardship of the procurement regulatory agency will further strengthen public trust in government contracting processes and reinforce transparency in the management of national resources.

The association congratulated the BPP Director-General and encouraged him to sustain the reform momentum aimed at transforming the Bureau into a globally respected procurement institution that advances good governance and economic development in Nigeria.

By George Mgbeleke
A major legal battle is unfolding in Nigeria’s media and political landscape after Senator Jimoh Ibrahim filed a ₦50 billion defamation suit against Punch Newspapers and veteran columnist Sonala Olumhense over a sharply critical opinion article questioning his suitability for diplomatic office. The lawsuit follows the publication on March 15, 2026 of Olumhense’s column titled “Jimoh Ibrahim, in broad daylight,” which examined the senator’s record shortly after his appointment as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The column, written in Olumhense’s characteristic accountability style, revisited a series of controversies surrounding Ibrahim’s business career, arguing that such matters were of legitimate public interest given the international scrutiny attached to Nigeria’s UN representation. Among the issues highlighted were the acquisition and eventual collapse of ventures such as NICON Airways and Air Nigeria, with references to longstanding allegations that employees of the former were left without salaries and pensions for years despite court awards. The article also mentioned disputes linked to NICON Insurance and raised questions about Ibrahim’s broader financial dealings.

Olumhense’s piece further referenced regulatory and financial controversies that have trailed the senator over the years, including the 2020 seizure of multiple properties by the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria over a reported ₦69.4 billion debt. It also cited past investigations by agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Federal Inland Revenue Service, including allegations relating to tax obligations and documentation issues. The columnist framed the discussion as a necessary review of publicly documented matters, arguing that diplomats posted to the United Nations inevitably face scrutiny from international media and policy observers.

However, Ibrahim’s legal team, led by prominent advocate Adeniyi Akintola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, has strongly rejected the article’s characterisation of the senator’s record. According to the lawyers, the column contains what they describe as deliberate distortions of court rulings and a misleading presentation of legal disputes that the senator claims to have successfully defended in court. They point in particular to Supreme Court judgments and a high-profile case involving Union Bank of Nigeria, where Ibrahim has previously stated that the courts awarded him a judgment exceeding ₦400 billion.

The legal action, which is expected to be formally filed beginning March 16, seeks ₦50 billion in damages for reputational harm and what Ibrahim’s lawyers describe as a coordinated smear campaign intended to undermine his credibility as a public official. Early reports of the impending suit were circulated by regional platform Ondo Events, though major national outlets had yet to provide extensive coverage at the time the news began spreading. As of Monday, Punch had not issued an official response to the legal threat.

The dispute places at the centre a familiar tension in Nigeria’s public life: the balance between the right of public officials to defend their reputation and the media’s role in scrutinising those who hold or seek positions of national representation. With Ibrahim preparing to take up a highly visible diplomatic role, the outcome of the case could become an important test of the boundaries between defamation law and press freedom in Nigeria’s evolving democratic landscape.

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