EDIFY NIGERIA AND EDU-LOAN

EDIFY NIGERIA
AND EDU-LOAN
--A Test of Integrity
By Prof. Ben Onyeukwu

In recent time, the Association for Formidable Educational Development (AFED), was ushered into a real time blessing, when it came in contact with Edify Nigeria, which really transformed the fortunes of its proprietors, who are managers of low income schools. In fact, Edify Nigeria was awesome in the training and educational programmes, which it rendered to these cited private school owners. Without mincing words, the five-star hotel Venues slated for the training periods, and the unforgettable sumptuous meals enjoyed by participants during each training session, will remain evergreen in the memories of those who were privileged to be part of the training.
   However, the attention of these hallowed education partners needs to be drawn to what may have been imported by unscrupulous elements, which seems to have thrown a dent on the reputation of Edify Nigeria. Having said this, the writer wishes to point out what may be deemed an omission, or a misleading piece of advice which may not have been part of the original plan. For instance, some folks who participated in the Edify's lofty programmes talk of GRANT, not LOAN, as what the Edify organization promised them in the process of the training, and so, are surprised to notice a change after the training. Equally, they express concern over policy shifts, which moved from GRANT to soft LOAN, from soft LOAN to one digit LOAN, from one digit LOAN, to now stringent conditions before the LOAN can be obtained. They express the fact that, LOAN is not help, but bandage, It is, as well not a relief, but a burden. Also, LOAN is a business of the creditor, which yields interest as profit, and can never be referred to as help. Furthermore, the impression of the Edify Staff who visited AFED schools, which indicates that, "school proprietors who successfully implement what was learnt during Edify training may not need a loan", may be suggestive that, loan should not be expected. All the above, point to ethical question, which Edify Nigeria needs to clarify.
   Finally, Edify Nigeria should reconsider its present stance, if it has beforehand made a promise to offer GRANT after training, as any change from the original promise, will definitely cast a shadow of doubt on the integrity of this internationally acclaimed Christian organization, known for its lofty ethical standards. And, by way of conclusion, the writer and every stakeholder, sincerely thank the Edify group, for becoming a blessing to the low income school proprietors in Nigeria. Shalom!

Prof Ben Onyeukwu NIGERIA AND THE POLITICS OF EFCC

NIGERIA AND THE POLITICS OF EFCC:

   The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Nigeria was established in 2003 by President Olusegun Obasanjo's administration, specifically through the EFCC Act of 2002, which was signed into law on December 13, 2002, and became effective in 2003.

   The commission was established to combat financial crimes, corruption, and money laundering. It's primary purposes include, Investigating financial crimes, probing cases of corruption, embezzlement, and other financial offenses.

It equally has the mandate of prosecuting offenders: bringing perpetrators to justice and recovering stolen assets. 

   The institution was also established to prevent corruption,  educating the public and promoting transparency in government dealings, as well as has the mandate of recovering stolen assets, retrieving looted funds and assets hidden abroad, with the aims to promote economic stability, good governance, and trust in institutions.

   But, since inception, there have been allegations of political witch-hunt levelled against the EFCC, as Critics often refer to the institution as government tool for selective justice, which targets the opposition politicians, but ignores corruption cases involving party members. Critics equally cite lack of transparency, often manipulated in apaque investigations and persecutions, leading to concerns about witch-hunting.

   Nevertheless, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has achieved significant milestones in combating corruption and financial crimes in Nigeria. According to Meta Artificial Intelligence platform, the organization has secured over 13,000 convictions since its establishment in 2003, with 4,111 convictions in 2024 alone. The commission has recovered over N853 billion and approximately $105 million in assets. It has investigated and prosecuted high-profile cases, including the detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai over an alleged N432 billion corruption probe. 

   Yes, the commission's efforts have contributed to strengthening Nigeria's anti-corruption framework. Yet, the present day observers still allege that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may also be guilty of using the EFCC against the opposition party members, with the objective of securing political victory for the ruling party. This is an allegation that Nigerian citizens definitely require urgent clarification from the government.

Prof. Ben Onyeukwu NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT AND THE POLITICS OF EFCC

NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT 

AND THE POLITICS OF EFCC:

   The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Nigeria was established in 2003 by President Olusegun Obasanjo's administration, specifically through the EFCC Act of 2002, which was signed into law on December 13, 2002, and became effective in 2003.

   The commission was established to combat financial crimes, corruption, and money laundering. It's primary purposes include, Investigating financial crimes, probing cases of corruption, embezzlement, and other financial offenses.

It equally has the mandate of prosecuting offenders: bringing perpetrators to justice and recovering stolen assets. 

   The institution was also established to prevent corruption,  educating the public and promoting transparency in government dealings, as well as has the mandate of recovering stolen assets, retrieving looted funds and assets hidden abroad, with the aims to promote economic stability, good governance, and trust in institutions.

   But, since inception, there have been allegations of political witch-hunt levelled against the EFCC, as Critics often refer to the institution as government tool for selective justice, which targets the opposition politicians, but ignores corruption cases involving party members. Critics equally cite lack of transparency, often manipulated in apaque investigations and persecutions, leading to concerns about witch-hunting.

   Nevertheless, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has achieved significant milestones in combating corruption and financial crimes in Nigeria. According to Meta Artificial Intelligence platform, the organization has secured over 13,000 convictions since its establishment in 2003, with 4,111 convictions in 2024 alone. The commission has recovered over N853 billion and approximately $105 million in assets. It has investigated and prosecuted high-profile cases, including the detention of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai over an alleged N432 billion corruption probe. 

   Yes, the commission's efforts have contributed to strengthening Nigeria's anti-corruption framework. Yet, the present day observers still allege that the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu may also be guilty of using the EFCC against the opposition party members, with the objective of securing political victory for the ruling party. This is an allegation that Nigerian citizens definitely require urgent clarification from the government.

Prof Ben Onyeukwu NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT AND UNGODLY GOVERNANCE

NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT
AND UNGODLY GOVERNANCE:
Good governance is always a product of legitimate government, inspired by principles of godliness in godly politicians, as well as formed through legitimate means, devoid of rigging and political manoeuvring. This is the only type of government that carries the imprint and approval of the LORD GOD of heaven and earth.     In keeping with this DIVINE standards, the Holy Scripture  instructs every citizen to be loyal to civil authorities, noting that, there is no authority except from GOD, and that, those which exist, are by GOD'S appointment, and so one who resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
   By way of definition, political governance is a specific way by which a political system is ruled. This implies that, godly governance could hold sway in government administered by godly people, whereas ungodly governance is likely to reign in the government of ungodly persons. For your information, the basic evidence of ungodly governance, is the absence of the rule-of-law in any political administration. Here, the Nigerian Government is specifically portrayed, if the allegations variously levelled against it, in recent times become positive. For instance, if the allegation that Nigerian Government is secretly sponsoring terrorism, or any genocidal movement, aimed at eliminating Christians in the country by those who are in power, then ungodly governance is established in the Nigerian State. Again, if the Nigerian State has deliberately deleted the Igbo history in its school curriculum as a way of subjugating the Igbo race, it becomes publishable that, the government of Nigeria carries the emblem of ungodly governance. Furthermore, if the allegation of the Nigerian Government trying to bribe the United States Congress, to cover up the alleged Christian genocide in the country becomes real, then the reputation of the country becomes destroyed by ungodly governance. Also, if the allegations that the Nigerian Government bribed the Finnish Government, as well as the Nigerian Judiciary, to imprison Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Simon Ekpa, turn out to be true, it becomes obvious the Nigeria is taking a global lead, in ungodly governance.
   Having cited the above, it becomes timely to state that, in spite of the fact that GOD tells the citizens of every country to be subject to civil authorities, there is no rule that canvasses for such obedience, in absence of good governance. Rather, the Holy Scripture, also admonishes that, in the absence of the rule-of- law, "we ought to obey GOD rather than men". (See Acts 5:29 and Romans 13:1-7).

Prof Ben Onyeukwu NIGERIA AND UNGODLY GOVERNANCE

NIGERIA AND 

UNGODLY GOVERNANCE:

   Good governance is always a product of legitimate government, inspired by principles of godliness in godly politicians, as well as formed through legitimate means, devoid of rigging and political manoeuvring. This is the only type of government that carries the imprint and approval of the LORD GOD of heaven and earth.     In keeping with this DIVINE standards, the Holy Scripture  instructs every citizen to be loyal to civil authorities, noting that, there is no authority except from GOD, and that, those which exist, are by GOD'S appointment, and so one who resists the power, resists the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.

   By way of definition, political governance is a specific way by which a political system is ruled. This implies that, godly governance could hold sway in government administered by godly people, whereas ungodly governance is likely to reign in the government of ungodly persons. For your information, the basic evidence of ungodly governance, is the absence of the rule-of-law in any political administration. Here, the Nigerian Government is specifically portrayed, if the allegations variously levelled against it, in recent times become positive. For instance, if the allegation that Nigerian Government is secretly sponsoring terrorism, or any genocidal movement, aimed at eliminating Christians in the country by those who are in power, then ungodly governance is established in the Nigerian State. Again, if the Nigerian State has deliberately deleted the Igbo history in its school curriculum as a way of subjugating the Igbo race, it becomes publishable that, the government of Nigeria carries the emblem of ungodly governance. Furthermore, if the allegation of the Nigerian Government trying to bribe the United States Congress, to cover up the alleged Christian genocide in the country becomes real, then the reputation of the country becomes destroyed by ungodly governance. Also, if the allegations that the Nigerian Government bribed the Finnish Government, as well as the Nigerian Judiciary, to imprison Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and Simon Ekpa, turn out to be true, it becomes obvious the Nigeria is taking a global lead, in ungodly governance.

   Having cited the above, it becomes timely to state that, in spite of the fact that GOD tells the citizens of every country to be subject to civil authorities, there is no rule that canvasses for such obedience, in absence of good governance. Rather, the Holy Scripture, also admonishes that, in the absence of the rule-of- law, "we ought to obey GOD rather than men". (See Acts 5:29 and Romans 13:1-7).

Prof Ben Onyeukwu DESTROYED UNITY

DESTROYED UNITY:

The unity of Nigeria would have been formidable, if those who received power from the colonial masters, at independence, adhered to the concept of, "in brotherhood we stand", as enshrined in the Nigeria's independence national anthem. But, instead of keeping faith with the tenets of the principles of brotherhood, design to have held the country together, they rather chose the path that destroyed the foundation of the proposed unity. 

   It is alleged that the same region of the Nigerian State, who today, chant the indivisibility of the country, were the people that played the inglorious role that enforced the failure of the 1966 ad hoc national conference, designed to discuss Nigeria's political future. Also, the Aburi Conference of 1967, which recommended a confederation structure for the nation was equally dropped by the same people, in favour of the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, which massacred millions of people from both sides.

   Furthermore, the 2005 National Political Reform Conference (NPRC), convened by President Olusegun Obasanjo's administration to discuss constitutional reforms and address issues affecting the country, as well as the 2014 National Conference, inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan on March 17, 2014, to discuss Nigeria's future and address issues like power devolution, national security, and economic development, were all allegedly downplayed by the region under review. Recently, there has been a call for a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) to tackle marginalization and disunity, by a notable advocate. To this end, the Chief Afe Babalola's call for a SNC in January 2026 to address the country's problems, is outstanding, but may have come too late, since it came at highest point of the wounds of the high-handedness of the same people who have deliberately refused to adhere to the principles of unity since independence.

   Definitely, with the high level of the alleged Islamic agenda, which prompts the concept of christian genocide, as well as the stern agitations of Oduduwa and Biafran Republics, it becomes too hard to raise hope for Nigeria's continued unity.

Prof. Ben Onyeukwu DESTROYED UNITY

DESTROYED UNITY:

The unity of Nigeria would have been formidable, if those who received power from the colonial masters, at independence, adhered to the concept of, "in brotherhood we stand", as enshrined in the Nigeria's independence national anthem. But, instead of keeping faith with the tenets of the principles of brotherhood, designed to have held the country together, they rather chose the path that destroyed the foundation of the proposed unity. 

   It is alleged that the same region of the Nigerian State, who today, chant the indivisibility of the country, were the people that played the inglorious role that enforced the failure of the 1966 ad hoc national conference, designed to discuss Nigeria's political future. Also, the Aburi Conference of 1967, which recommended a confederation structure for the nation was equally dropped by the same people, in favour of the Nigeria-Biafra civil war, which massacred millions of people from both sides.

   Furthermore, the 2005 National Political Reform Conference (NPRC), convened by President Olusegun Obasanjo's administration to discuss constitutional reforms and address issues affecting the country, as well as the 2014 National Conference, inaugurated by President Goodluck Jonathan on March 17, 2014, to discuss Nigeria's future and address issues like power devolution, national security, and economic development, were all allegedly downplayed by the region under review. Recently, there has been a call for a Sovereign National Conference (SNC) to tackle marginalization and disunity, by a notable advocate. To this end, the Chief Afe Babalola's call for a SNC in January 2026 to address the country's problems, is outstanding, but may have come too late, since it came at highest point of the wounds of the high-handedness of the same people who have deliberately refused to adhere to the principles of unity since independence.

   Definitely, with the high level of the alleged Islamic agenda, which prompts the concept of christian genocide, as well as the stern agitations of Oduduwa and Biafran Republics, it becomes too hard to raise hope for Nigeria's continued unity.