News
Lawmaker, 6 Others Bag PhD, MSc In Public Governance and Leadership
Joel Ajayi
The Abuja Leadership Centre (ALC), at the Yakubu Gowon University, formerly the University of Abuja, on Tuesday awarded Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees to six of its students and a Master’s Degree to another student in Public Governance and Leadership.
Notable recipients of the Doctoral Degree include Rt. Hon. (Barr.) Otobong Effiong Bob, the House Leader of the Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly and representative of the Nsit-Ubium State Constituency, and Samson Imoni, a senior public servant at the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).
The other PhD graduates are Skari Margaret Dimax, Unuyu Asuquo Eyo, Bernard Akpa, and Alhassan Adamu. While Okutepa Usman Danladi bagged a Master’s Degree in the same field.
According to Professor Philip Dahida, the Director of the Centre, these academic achievements were awarded after the candidates successfully met all requirements, including the defense of their theses and dissertations on August 26, 2025.
Professor Dahida commended the university’s School of Postgraduate Studies and the
examiner for the display of professionalism, knowledge transfer, and passion in evaluating the doctoral and master’s candidates.
He however tasked the recipients to apply their research work to improve the Nigerian society at large, while acknowledging and lauding their resilience and efforts in pursuing knowledge.
In his reaction, Rt. Hon. Otobong Effiong Bob described the doctoral award as a great academic milestone, while revealing that his research work which dwelt on the nature and challenges of the shareholding system in Nigeria can help address the problems and bridge the existing gaps.
The lawmaker commended the Center for providing the enabling environment for knowledge acquisition and “proper tutoring” of master’s and doctoral candidates.
“Today is a significant day for me as a person, and for my family because coincidentally this will be the first PhD in my family. It’s a significant day because it marks a great academic milestone.
“I’m eternally grateful to God. I’m also very grateful to the management of the University of Abuja, most especially the Director of the Abuja Leadership Centre, Professor Dahida.
“There’s a lot of dedication, there’s a lot of academic skill that is needed for you to be able to get to this level. So I thank the Centre again and all the lecturers that we’ve come in contact with because they’ve impacted greatly in my life and on my academic pursuit. So I’m really grateful.
“My research topic is on the nature and challenges of the shareholding system in Nigeria. And from my research we were able to identify gaps in the already existing literature. It would help strengthen the regulatory functions of the regulatory bodies within the shareholding system in Nigeria.
“So, we look forward to the work contributing to protecting shareholders in the way they should actually be protected to help avoid them losing the money they invest in shares.
“I eventually would like to see this research work published and I hope at that point that those in the position of power and those that have the opportunity and ability to be able to push such reforms would refer to this particular piece of work to be able to make meaningful change in this particular sector,” Otobong stated.
On his part, Samson Imoni, a staff of TETFund, described the academic award as a -noble feat that will propel him to see how he can midwife change in the affairs of the larger society, While decrying the impact of poor quality of leaders in the country, he urged for a deliberate training of people in leadership positions in public governance and leadership.
“The attainment of this noble feat will propel me to see how I can midwife a change in the affairs of the larger society because it’s all about public governance and leadership. If you look around, you will see that there is generally a leadership deficit in our country, even the followers may not be performing excellently well in terms of followership, hence there is need for the leadership to be on the driver’s seat so that the followers can naturally follow.
“There should be deliberate effort in getting leaders to acquire the kind of knowledge available at the Abuja Leadership Centre because the buck stops on the leader’s table. So, there is every need for us to enlighten them on what exactly they should do in order to transform the society because any mistake from them can be chaotic,” Imoni asserted.
The Abuja Leadership Centre at the University of Abuja is a TETFUND Centre of Excellence for Public Governance and Leadership, dedicated to enhancing public governance and leadership both in Nigeria and beyond.
News
Nigeria at 66: ‘We Must Not Lose Faith in Nigeria’ — FCC Boss Omidiran
Joel Ajayi
The Executive Chairman of the Federal Character Commission (FCC), Honorable Hulayat Motunrayo Omidiran, has called on Nigerians to use the occasion of the nation’s 66th Independence Anniversary to renew their faith in Nigeria, strengthen national unity and recommit themselves to building a more inclusive and prosperous country.
In her 66th Independence Day message, Hon. Omidiran described October 1 as more than a celebration of freedom, saying the anniversary provides an opportunity for Nigerians to reflect on the country’s journey, acknowledge its progress and challenges, and renew the collective determination to build a nation where every citizen has a sense of belonging.
According to the FCC Executive Chairman, the Federal Character Principle remains particularly important to the quest for national cohesion because equitable representation promotes a sense of ownership and confidence in the Nigerian project.
“Nigeria is a nation of great diversity and
enormous potential. Our responsibility is to ensure that this diversity becomes a bridge that connects us rather than a barrier that separates us. Every Nigerian deserves to feel that he or she belongs to this country and has a role to play in its development,” Omidiran said.
The FCC boss called on government institutions at all levels to remain committed to fairness, equity, accountability and inclusive governance, while urging citizens to support efforts aimed at strengthening national institutions and promoting peaceful coexistence.
“We must not lose faith in Nigeria. The challenges before us are real, but so are the opportunities and the enormous human and natural resources available to us. Every citizen has a responsibility to contribute his or her own quota to building the Nigeria we desire,” she stated.
The FCC Executive Chairman also urged young Nigerians to remain committed to acquiring knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship, innovation, sports and other productive ventures, describing the youth as critical stakeholders in the country’s future.
“As we celebrate 66 years of independence, let us remember that the Nigeria we want cannot be built by government alone. It requires the commitment of all of us – leaders and citizens, young and old, from every part of the federation. Together, we can build a Nigeria where justice, fairness, opportunity and peace are available to all,” she said.
Omidiran reaffirmed the FCC’s commitment to the effective discharge of its constitutional mandate and to supporting efforts that promote equitable representation and inclusive national development across the federation.
The former lawmaker wished Nigerians at home and abroad a peaceful and memorable 66th Independence Anniversary, praying for continued peace, stability, prosperity and progress for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Our differences should never be greater than our common identity as Nigerians. Let us continue to choose unity over division, service over self-interest and hope over despair. The Nigeria of our dreams is possible if we all play our part,” Omidiran said.
“On behalf of the Federal Character Commission, I congratulate all Nigerians on this 66th Independence Anniversary. May this occasion renew our patriotism, strengthen our unity and inspire us to work together for a stronger, more equitable and prosperous Nigeria. May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she added.
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