Good morning, Big Brains. I am so excited it’s Friday, not because I have some grand plans, but because I will finally get to rest a little; it’s been a hell of a week. I hope you get to rest too.
- Chigozie
Word count: ~ 1,000
Reading time ~ 5 mins
Let’s get into today’s edition:
Tinubu might revoke some of his questionable pardons
Sign language will be taught in Nigerian schools soon
The Big Deal
Tinubu might revoke some of his questionable pardons
If anyone ever tells you you’re wasting your time dragging the Nigerian government about something, just laugh in their faces because it works like mad— After a week of constant dragging, President Tinubu is going to do something about the despicable pardons he recently granted.
On Thursday, October 16, the The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice released a statement saying that none of the convicts who were granted pardons have been released because the list is still under review.
This review, according to the statement, is the final administrative stage of the process, involving a thorough examination, to ensure the recommendations are in line with legal requirements and for possible final tweaks.
“This stage affords an opportunity for a final look at the list for remedial purposes, if any, before the instrument is forwarded to the Controller-General of Corrections for necessary action,” the statement read in part.
To end the statement, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi mentioned the dragging that Tinubu had received over the past week, thanking the public for it, even. According to him, “it demonstrates that Nigerians care deeply about justice and good governance.”
Why is this a big deal?
On Thursday, October 9, President Tinubu sent the country into a rage when the list of his questionable presidential pardons were made public.
While he made some sensible ones such as the pardon of one of Nigeria’s founding fathers, Herbert Macaulay and The Ogoni Nine, he also pardoned some despicable individuals and Nigerans were not having it at all.
Everyone, from public figures to regular Joes heavily criticized this, and for good reasons too: One of the convicts, Maryam Sanda is famous for the gruesome murder of her husband over suspected infidelity, another one Kelvin Oniarah, a ruthless high-profile kidnapper who was so notorious, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army had to tag-team to take him down.
Another one, Ife Yusuf was a human trafficker who trafficked underage girls. The list goes on and on; there was no reason to approve or even consider many of these people for pardons and clemency, yet, they made it to President Tinubu’s list.
What Tinubu’s recent pardon list says about him is a topic for another day, but perhaps the most important thing here is that Nigerians held him by his shirt and refused to let go until he listened.
Now, The Office of the Attorney-General of The Federation has not only acknowledged this, it has also hinted that the list would undergo a bit of editing before anything is made final and before any one is released.
They say a win is a win, and this announcement from the AGF is one.
Sign Language will be taught in Nigerian schools soon
Since we are speaking of small wins today, we’ll talk about another win— the introduction of sign language to Nigerian schools.
On Thursday, October 16, Executive Secretary of Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Aisha Garba said that the Federal Government has created a policy which will institutionalize sign language teaching in basic education schools across the country.
Garba, made this statement at an event commemorating the International Day of the Girl Child, so she did not exactly expand on the specific ways the government intends to do this or when it would officially kick-off, but she did reassure Nigerians that FG is committed more than ever to inclusive education which would ensure that no Nigerian child is left behind.
We really hope the UBEC chairman was not just telling us what we want to hear because everything she said was hitting the spot. For instance, her comment, about inclusive education being a right, not a courtesy was so spot on and kind of a personal shade because the Nigerian government has never acted like it knows this.
This decision to introduce sign language to basic schools is long overdue but like we say, a win is a win.
People With Disabilities (PWDs) have never had it easy in Nigeria, even though there are laws put in place to ensure they have an easy life. It’s in the obvious things like the absence of ramps in public buildings, exclusion of PWDs in electioneering processes, and more.
We’re not giving the government a cookie for this latest announcement; we just want to see more of it.
Your next big read
→5 Nigerian Mothers, 1 Question: Was Your Husband There For You After Childbirth: Pregnancy is full of beautiful and challenging moments, but the days and weeks after delivery can be some of the most physically and emotionally demanding times in a woman’s life. For many new mothers, a supportive partner can make all the difference, from running errands and cooking to simply holding their hand through late-night feedings. In this story, five Nigerian women share how their husbands showed up for them after childbirth
→5 Nigerians On The Friendship Breakups That Broke Them: Nothing prepares you for how bad a friendship breakup can hurt. For some, the pain can cut deeper than any romantic breakup could have done. One day, you’re inseparable, like siblings and the next, you’re strangers. Sometimes, the people we trust the most are the ones who end up breaking our hearts the hardest.
These Nigerians open up about the friendship breakups that changed how they see loyalty, and friendship forever.
The Big Picks
LP crisis: Factional spokesman laments neglect, alleges sabotage: The internal wrangling within the Labour Party took a fresh twist this week after Prince Tony Akeni, the factional National Publicity Secretary loyal to Peter Obi and Abia State Governor Alex Otti, accused top officials of neglect, sabotage, and deliberate attempts to frustrate the party’s national convention.
Fubara Revokes N134bn Rivers Secretariat Contract, Orders CCECC to Refund N20bn: Governor Fubara of Rivers State has canceled the N134bn CCECC contract awarded by the controversial Emergencey Rule administration. He has also demanded N20bn refund, ordered new bidding, job creation, ICT, and flood actions.
This Week’s Big Question
“Do you think the Tinubu administration should amp up taxes or slow it down?”
Chima’s response - “Does it make any difference what I say?”
You can also share your response here, and if it’s as interesting as Chima’s, we’ll feature it in the next edition.
Take a quiz before you leave
What’s Your Hidden Superpower? Share your results and tag us on social media.
A win is truly a win. I can't wait to hear the update on the presidential pardon after the review
i really appreciate the daily updates, i look forward to your mails. I was wondering why it was late but thank God it is here....