By Engr Ikenna Okonkwo FNSE, FNIEE, FNIMMME

As Nigeria battles rising insecurity, unemployment, and a worrying surge in criminal activities, the critical question remains: how can we better engage the nation’s youth to steer them away from dangerous paths and towards meaningful, productive lives?

This question hit home during a routine drive along the busy Kubwa Expressway in Abuja, a route I traverse almost daily.

Amid the hum of traffic and the bustle of construction around the Katampe axis, where a new flyover is taking shape, a striking scene unfolds.

Groups of able young men and women, many of whom appear to be graduates from their posture and bearing, spend their days idling by the roadside, brimming with energy yet starved of opportunity.

These youths are not engaged in crime, nor are they part of the troubling narratives of kidnapping, cyber fraud, or other vices that often dominate headlines. Yet, society seems to turn a blind eye to their plight.

The irony is glaring. While we urge young Nigerians to shun criminal activities and embrace lawful means of livelihood, we do little to create spaces for them to thrive.

The question, then, demands urgent attention: are we, as a nation, encouraging or discouraging the youth who choose to stay away from vices?

The visible frustration among these young Nigerians points to a deeper failure of policy and support structures.

Their restless energy, if properly harnessed, could become a formidable force for national development rather than a brewing storm of disillusionment.

As leaders and policymakers commendably push infrastructure development projects like the ongoing works at Katampe, equal urgency must be placed on developing human capital.

Our young people need more than roads and flyovers; they need avenues for skills acquisition, entrepreneurship support, and meaningful employment.

The conversation must shift from simply condemning youth involvement in crime to actively providing alternatives that are accessible and attractive.

If we do not engage their potential, we risk losing an entire generation to despair.

Nigeria stands at a pivotal moment. The future of our nation hinges on how we treat our youth today.

The energy of our young men and women should not be wasted by the roadside but channeled into building the prosperous Nigeria we all desire.

Engr Ikenna Okonkwo FNSE, FNIEE, FNIMMME is a Public Affairs Analyst, marriage counselor and writer.

By Ifeoluwa Odunayo

Football, the world’s most popular sport, operates under a complex rulebook that extends beyond goals, offside calls, and fouls.

While millions of fans passionately debate refereeing decisions, certain lesser-known rules continue to surprise even seasoned supporters and professional players.

A recent incident involving Julián Álvarez in the UEFA Champions League highlighted the importance of understanding these intricate regulations.

Here are some lesser-known rules that often go unnoticed:

Double Touch on a Penalty Kick

A player taking a penalty cannot touch the ball twice before another player makes contact.

If the taker accidentally hits the ball onto their standing foot before scoring, the goal is disallowed. This exact scenario cost Julián Álvarez a crucial penalty.

Dropped Ball Must Be Uncontested

In the past, dropped ball situations were often fiercely contested. However, under revised laws, referees now return possession to the team that last controlled the ball before play was stopped, ensuring a fair and conflict-free restart.

Offside from a Goal Kick

Unlike standard offside rules, a player receiving the ball directly from a goal kick cannot be penalized for offside, regardless of their positioning. This exemption also applies to throw-ins and corner kicks.

Penalty Kick Must Move Forward

A penalty kick must travel forward upon being struck. If the ball is played backward—intentionally or by mistake—the kick is immediately ruled invalid, and the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick.

Deliberate Handball to Pass to the Goalkeeper

A player cannot deliberately pass the ball to their goalkeeper using their hands, even from a legal situation such as a throw-in.

If the keeper picks up a thrown-in ball from a teammate, the opposing team is awarded an indirect free kick.

While these rules may not come into play often, their enforcement can instantly alter the course of a match.

As seen with Álvarez’s penalty blunder, understanding even the most obscure regulations can mean the difference between victory and heartbreak.

By Ade Iyamoye

In Nigeria, power is more than authority; it is a prize, a privilege, and, for many, an obsession.1

The relentless pursuit of leadership positions, whether in politics, business, or even religious circles, reveals a deep-seated cultural reality: power is not just sought after. It is fought for—at any cost.

From local government offices to the presidency, from corporate boardrooms to community leadership, the battle for power is fierce. Election seasons turn into battlegrounds.

Friendships are sacrificed, loyalties are bought, and principles are abandoned, all in a desperate bid to secure a position.

Political aspirants promise heaven and earth, spinning grand visions of progress and transformation. But once they grasp power, the urgency to serve often fades. It is replaced by a tight grip on control and an unwillingness to let go.

Power at All Costs

For many Nigerians, power is not just a responsibility; it is a means to wealth, influence, and untouchable status.

The desperation to secure a position has created a culture where rigging, manipulation, betrayal, and even violence become acceptable tools in the struggle for dominance.

Political offices, for instance, are seen not as platforms for service but as personal empires to be built and protected.

Leaders often surround themselves with loyalists who shield them from accountability, ensuring that their reign is prolonged, even at the expense of the people they were elected to serve. Holding onto power, rather than delivering on promises, becomes the ultimate goal.

In workplaces, the same struggle plays out. Employees vie for promotions with cutthroat tactics, some going as far as sabotaging colleagues.

In religious institutions, leadership tussles are common, with factions forming around who controls donations, influence, and decision-making.

Even in student unions, the race for leadership mirrors national politics, complete with allegations of corruption and power struggles.

When Power is Won

Once power is secured, a different attitude emerges. The humility and urgency of the campaign phase give way to arrogance, detachment, and, in many cases, a blatant disregard for the people.

Public officials who once promised an open-door policy become inaccessible, traveling with heavy security convoys and addressing citizens only through official statements.

In many cases, leaders become consumed with self-preservation rather than public service.

They shift focus from problem-solving to maintaining their grip on power. They change constitutions, silence opposition, and distribute favors to loyalists who will defend their rule.

The hunger for power does not fade. It only evolves into a desperate attempt to retain it indefinitely.

Those who once fought to “change the system” often become the very embodiment of the problems they claimed to fix.

Breaking the Cycle

The obsession with power in Nigeria is deeply rooted in a system that rewards position more than performance.

Until leadership is truly seen as a responsibility rather than an entitlement, the cycle will continue.

A shift in mindset is needed—one that prioritizes service over self-interest, impact over influence, and legacy over longevity in office.

For Nigeria to progress, power must be earned through competence, exercised with humility, and relinquished with grace.

The real test of leadership is not in how fiercely one fights to gain power but in how well one uses it and how willingly one lets go when the time comes.