The Trumpet Newspaper Issue 643 (February 19 - March 4 2025)

TheTrumpet
Africans now have a voice... Founded in 1995
V O L 31 N O 643 F E B R U A R Y 19 - MARCH 4 2025
Family of dad
shot dead
appeals for
witnesses
Hanif Redwood
Imam Muhsin Hendricks
Murder of gay
South African
imam Muhsin
Hendricks
reignites queer
Muslim debate
By Amanullah De Sondy, University College Cork
Continued on Page 3>
The family of an innocent man who
was fatally shot outside a birthday
party have appealed for the public’s
help to get justice. Hanif Redwood, a 32-
year-old father of two, was attacked in
Linton Road, Barking in the early hours of
Sunday, 13 October.
He had been attending a party at the
Factory 15 venue and was stood outside
when, at around 04:33hrs, he was fatally
shot by the gunman. He died at the scene.
Four months on from his murder,
Hanif’s family and the officers leading the
investigation are appealing for any
information that could lead to the arrest,
charge and prosecution of those
responsible.
In an appeal for information, Hanif’s
family said: “Hanif was a bright spark
whose light has been dimmed far too soon.
He was an innocent, hardworking and
loving father of two, and it is heartbreaking
to think that he has been taken away from
us.
“As his family, we are imploring
anyone with information to make their
voices heard, and to help us get justice for
our beloved Hanif.
“To those who may know or may have
seen or heard what took place on that
horrific night, any information you have
will be of great value to us to help the
authorities apprehend those that carried out
such a dreadful act.”
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers,
who is leading the investigation, said:
“Hanif was an innocent man. His death has
devastated his family and friends, as well as
many in the local community.
“We have continued to support Hanif’s
family and update them at every point
possible. While we have made significant
progress with our enquiries, we are yet to
secure a conviction and get the justice that
they deserve.
“I’m appealing for anyone who has any
information to come forward. Were you out
in Barking on that Saturday night? Perhaps
you had also been at the birthday party at
Factory 15 or at another event nearby? Did
you see or hear the shooting or anything
else that struck you as being unusual?
“Someone must have seen or heard
something, or must know why this shooting
took place. No piece of information is too
Continued on Page 4<

Page2 TheTrumpet FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 4 2025
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News
FEBRUARY
19 - MARCH 4 2025
TheTrumpet
Murder of gay South African imam
Muhsin Hendricks reignites queer
Page3
Muslim debate
Continued from Page 1<
Dubbed the “world’s first openly gay
Imam”, South African religious leader
Muhsin Hendricks was gunned down on
15 February 2025 in an attack that many believe
was targeted. Tributes have poured in across the
world, but so have online comments that his death
was justified.
His passing intensifies a global debate about
whether queer Muslims belong in the faith.
Amanullah De Sondy was a friend of his and is a
scholar of Muslim sexuality and masculinity,
including the contributions of Hendricks. He pays
tribute and discusses the bigger issues.
Who was Imam Muhsin Hendricks?
Muhsin Hendricks was born in 1967 in Cape
Town and raised in a Muslim household. He
married and started a family with a woman before
coming out as gay in 1996. He would later marry
a Hindu man. His marriage touched on two
complex issues for many Muslims: that it was
between two men, and that it was with someone of
a different faith.
Muhsin Hendricks was a learned scholar of
Islam who had become a globally renowned
religious leader. He created and managed large
queer Muslim organisations in South Africa that
brought people together from Karachi to London.
He worked first as an Arabic language teacher
and fashion designer before studying globally, in
particular at a religious seminary in Pakistan. He
trained as an Imam and he led congregations at
mosques.
He was fired from his teaching position at a
Cape Town mosque when he came out.
At pivotal moments in his life, Hendricks
spoke of his time praying and fasting to arrive at
his reconciliation between faith and sexuality.
Ultimately he believed that there could be many
different colours to Islam.
Continued on Page 4<

Page4
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News
Murder of gay South African
imam Muhsin Hendricks
reignites queer Muslim debate
Continued from Page 3<
What were his contributions to the
pluralism debate?
There is a perception that the estimated two
billion Muslims in the world are all the same,
united in their belief and practice.
This in reality is not true.
Islam is lived differently in different locations
and among different denominations. There are no
two Muslims alike. They share a central creed of
belief but the diversity of living that out is very
different. For example, Islam in South Africa is
very different to Islam in Islamabad or in
Singapore.
I have argued that gender and sexuality,
especially notions of masculinity, are causing a
crisis in the Muslim world today. Through his
teaching, his religious leadership, his
organisations and his activism, Hendricks was an
emblem of these complexities, difficulties and
tensions that exist in making sure that people don’t
stuff Muslims into one box. He never sat in just
one box. He was open and vocal that he was both
Muslim and queer.
Hendricks didn’t seek affirmation from those
who would never agree with him. The quote often
cited is that Islam says homosexuality is a sin.
There have been renewed statements against
aligning Islam with homosexuality globally.
Hendricks moved beyond convincing fellow
Muslims that he believed that there was space to
be queer and Muslim. He aimed to promote
pluralism amongst Muslims – that there was more
than one way to live Islam. He wanted to support
other Muslims who were battling with the
conundrum of being wholly queer and wholly
Muslim. He nurtured spaces where an opportunity
was given to reflect, heal and strengthen.
Can you tell us more about his work?
Hendricks’ organisation The Inner Circle did
research and movement building work, but he was
working on many levels. He was creating a safe
space amongst Muslims but also working at an
interfaith level, at the intra level – trying to build
bridges with very conservative streams of Islam –
in South Africa and globally.
At the very least, the organisation wanted to
empower queer Muslims to accept who they were.
Studies have shown that LGBTIQ+ young people
are twice as likely to contemplate suicide.
Hendricks said that he was driven in his work to
help stop them from killing themselves.
Hendricks had a vision to see the training of
the next generation of leaders and Imams. He
made sure to create organisations that were
training and learning centres with a focus on
Islamic studies and for recruits to then implement
those teachings in an inclusive and loving way.
He also created the Al-Ghurbaah Foundation
to create a space for psychological and spiritual
support.
He was a target of conservative Muslim anger
because of the impact of this work. He was very
public about his sexuality where many religious
leaders and other Muslims are not. There remains
a very strong culture of “don’t ask and don’t tell”
when it comes to sexual practices amongst
Muslims globally.
Why is this such a divisive issue?
The intellectual arguments about queer
Muslims have been made for well over a decade
now. Hendricks was almost always included in
these kinds of academic studies.
He also took part in an important 2007
documentary A Jihad for Love. Made by Parvez
Imam Muhsin Hendricks
Sharma, it follows the lives of queer Muslims and
the threats they face around the world. There’s a
conversation in that documentary where he sits
with a conservative Islamic scholar, who says to
him that he’s interpreting the text incorrectly,
reprimands him by telling him that he is out of the
fold of Islam, that he would not be buried in a
Muslim graveyard and that no Muslim should
pray at his funeral. Hendricks listened quietly and
remained strong in his belief.
The conservative Islamic view on gender and
sexuality upholds the traditional roles of men and
women – namely the role of being a husband, a
wife, marriage and procreation, having children.
Hendricks was among others globally who
started a conversation asking: can we reinterpret
some of these passages that claim Islam is
heterosexual, that they are not necessarily
homophobic? Is there space for queer Islam?
He highlighted that there may never be full
consensus on these issues amongst Muslims. His
life showed that Islam is diverse.
Many Muslims in the world would disagree
that the killing of the Imam is the Islamic way of
living. An important list of Muslims condemning
homophobia has already started circulating in
response to his death. Yet there are some who are
small. It could be the crucial clue that leads us to
identify Hanif’s murderer.”
Anyone with information is urged to call
101 or message @MetCC on X, giving the
reference 1295/13OCT. Information, including
photos or videos, can also be easily uploaded to
our dedicated appeal page.
To provide information anonymously, call
Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. They are an
independent charity, separate from the police.
They won’t ask for your name and can’t trace
your call.
Two men who were arrested on suspicion of
murder, were subsequently released on bail. A
further 7 people have since been arrested in
connection with the murder and either released
posting comments on social media saying that he
deserved it, that Islam says he should be killed.
Whoever killed him, it has become clear in the
hours and days after his shooting that his death has
once again raised the difficult questions facing
Muslims all over the world on sexuality.
How do you remember him?
Hendricks was born into a country where the
liberation theology of some church leaders,
including Imams, formed part of the fight against
systemic racism. He continued this history of
activism.
His life was a masterclass on how different
forms of discrimination can intersect. He was a
Muslim, a person of colour and a sexual minority.
In his life he faced both homophobia and
Islamophobia.
He knew that the threat to his life was very
real but he reportedly refused bodyguards because
he wanted to live his life authentically.
He was a formidable communicator,
including his use of social media. In his TikTok
and Instagram accounts you’ll see he started
moving in a direction of miming to very popular
Bollywood songs and doing a little dance to them.
I think he’d be delighted that these are now being
shared as a tribute.
Hendricks had a way of capturing many
people’s minds at different levels. His reach was
challenging. He wanted Muslims to embrace
differences within and beyond the letters of
Islamic law and theology. Hendricks offered a
fully embodied way of living Islam that he
believed had room for something more inclusive
and queer.
Amanullah De Sondy is a Senior Lecturer in
Contemporary Islam and Head of Department at
University College Cork.
This article is republished from The
Conversation under a Creative Commons license.
Read the original article at:
https://theconversation.com/murder-of-gay-southafrican-imam-muhsin-hendricks-reignites-queermuslim-debate-250087.
Family of dad shot dead
appeals for witnesses
Continued from Page 1<
Hanif Redwood

News
FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 4 2025
IA Foundation holds 6 th Annual
Charity Gala on April 26
TheTrumpet
Page5
In its quest to mitigate the worrying
situation where Nigeria has over 18.3
million children out of school - the
highest number globally, according to
UNICEF; UK Charity - IA-Foundation holds
its 6th Annual Charity Gala on April 26,
2025, at DoubleTree by Hilton, Docklands
Riverside, London.
The Foundation has warned that “this
alarming statistic is more than just a number,
it is a silent emergency threatening the very
fabric of Nigeria’s security, economic
growth, and future stability.”
Founder of the IA-Foundation – Mrs.
Ibironke Adeagbo has cautioned that “Every
child denied access to education faces greater
risks of poverty, exploitation, and
involvement in crime,”
She warned that “this crisis erodes our
human capital, stifles innovation, and
deepens insecurity. If we do not act now, the
consequences will be catastrophic.”
Through targeted interventions such as
scholarships, educational resources, and
advocacy campaigns, the UK Charity is
committed to keeping vulnerable children in
school. So far, IA-Foundation has enrolled
over 100 children back in school through its
Street to School programme; distributed
5,000+ educational materials to underserved
communities; and conducted 6 advocacy
campaigns aimed at raising awareness about
the crisis. Furthermore, the Foundation has
provided access to clean water for 4,000+
students through borehole installations in
schools.
“This is more than a statistic; it’s a
national emergency,” said Laura Ede - CEO
of IA Foundation. “Every child we fail to
educate is a future we compromise. At IA
Foundation, we believe that every child
deserves the right to learn, grow, and
contribute meaningfully to society.”
The Charity Gala is expected to unite
change makers dedicated to raising funds and
awareness to combat Nigeria’s out-of-school
crisis. With early bird tickets priced at £90
until February 28, and £100 thereafter,
attendees will have the chance to contribute
directly to this vital cause.
The Gala aims to raise essential funds to
expand educational programmes and reach
more children across Nigeria. Attendees can
expect compelling stories from programme
beneficiaries, keynote speeches from
education advocates, live entertainment, and
an exclusive auction. This is a unique
opportunity for philanthropists, corporate
leaders, and concerned citizens to come
together and make a lasting impact.
“Education transforms lives and
communities,” added Ede. “We are calling
on individuals and organizations to stand
with us. Together, we can rewrite the story
for millions of Nigerian children.”
For sponsorship opportunities, ticket
purchases, or more information, please visit
Travel enthusiast who had her bra
removed in Ghana seeks justice
which shows her being rough-handled, she
also stated that despite her report to a
nearby Police Station, no serious attempt to
arrest the assaulter was made.
She has sought the intervention of the
Embassy of Israel in Accra, Ghana in her
quest for justice.
In 2021, Coco Girl who describes
herself as “a bush woman from Israel,” sold
all her belongings to embark on a journey
after her heart – travelling the world.
Chen Micha a.k.a Coco Girl
Digital Creator and Travel
Enthusiast - Chen Micha, better
known as Coco Girl, is seeking
justice over an alleged assault while
currently visiting Ghana.
The Israeli-born YouTuber alleged that
her assaulter “took my bra off...” and “I
was humiliated in Ghana.”
In her video recording of the incident
Israel Ambassador to Ghana, Liberia and Sierra
Leone - Roey Gilad

Page6 TheTrumpet FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 4 2025
Opinion
Good news from Ekiti State
By Michael Abiola
Governor Biodun Abayomi
Oyebanji’s selection as
‘Governor of the Year
2024’ comes as no surprise, given
his strategic vision for Ekiti State.
One worth mentioning is the
construction of a world-class Agro-
Allied International Cargo Airport
in the State. This is not just for the
immediate but also laying the
foundations for a modern industrial
economy.
Oyebanji’s recent commitment to
reviving commodity boards and
strengthening cooperative
movements for which Western
Nigeria was well-renowned and
made very significant strides in the
past is noteworthy. Without doubt,
this effort will complement the
agro-industrial airport, creating a
synergy that links the airport to
modernized agriculture in Ekiti
State. This, in turn, will ensure food
security and pave the way for an
export-oriented agro-industrial
economy.
The World Bank’s approval of an
agribusiness hub in Ekiti State is
also timely, more so as the hub is
bound to propel economic growth,
improve farmers’ livelihoods, and
serve as a one-stop-shop for
farmers, processors and other
stakeholders. It will provide easy
access to finance, markets and
technology, ultimately boosting
farmers’ productivity, produce
quality, and competitiveness in the
market. That the State government
has also established storage
facilities to buy and store farm
produce, ensuring food sufficiency
and regulating prices during scarcity
is also commendable.
In order to enhance the
capabilities of security agencies in
Ekiti State, Oyebanji has invested
heavily in security infrastructure,
including patrol vehicles, ballistic
helmets, and fragment jackets. He
has also deployed cutting-edge
technology, such as trackers, the
Early Warning and Early Response
System (EWERS), and the Safe City
Project, to ensure proper monitoring
across Local Government Areas.
To protect farmers’ investments,
the Governor established the Agro
Task Force (ATF) and inaugurated
the Farmers/Herders Peace
Committee to promote peaceful
coexistence among farmers, herders,
and host communities. He has also
has mobilized various groups,
including Amotekun and Peace
Corps to, among other functions,
gather local intelligence for the
police and other State security
agencies, while Agro Marshalls
protect palaces and farm
settlements.
Oyebanji’s prioritization of
security can be viewed through the
lens of social contract theory, which
asserts that “governments derive
their authority from the consent of
the governed.” By focusing on
security, the Governor is fulfilling
his obligation to protect Ekiti State’s
citizens, thereby “honouring the
principles of the social contract.”
This approach reinforces the idea
that the government’s authority is
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Ekiti State Governor - Mr Biodun Oyebanji
ATOL 9179
rooted in the trust and consent of its
people.
The construction of roads,
particularly in rural areas, will have
a significant multiplier effect on
employment and income generation.
This effort is part of a broader
strategy to build a strong agroindustrial
economic base, a
foundational structural realignment
that will drive sustainable
development. Oyebanji deserves
commendation for this approach, as
it differs from the typical
infrastructural projects in Nigeria,
which often lack strategic linkages
for sustainable development.
Ekiti under Oyebanji has
improved electricity supply and
construction of access roads to boost
industrial development in the State.
His efforts have been complimented
by his wife, Olayemi, through her
pet project, the Widows, Aged and
Orphans Hope (WAOH) Support
Foundation. Is it therefore any
wonder that the Governor described
2025 as the Year of Accelerated
Growth in the State’s journey
towards shared prosperity?
It is also worthy of note that the
Governor has demonstrated
commendable restraint and
commitment to the Constitution’s
ethos by avoiding the recent
unnecessary diversion into religious
issues. His dedication to Nigeria’s
secular State and aversion to
adopting a State religion is
exemplary. This approach is
particularly important in the
Southwest, known for its rich
diversity and traditional tolerance,
and serves as a model for others to
follow.
Finally, the awards won by
Governor Oyebanji reflect the fact
that those judging performance for
awards are doing so based on
critical thinking and analysis of
performance indices that are
objective, measurable, and aligned
with the State’s development goals.
Hearty congratulations to the
deserving Governor, and greater
efforts anticipated in the future.
Abiola wrote from Ilesa, Osun
State.

FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 4 2025 TheTrumpet
Page7

Page8 TheTrumpet FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 4 2025
Opinion
Ekiti State and the shifting
security landscape
By HC Ade
Security is the inalienable right
from any fear or threat.
Security, they also say, is a
stage of being free from danger or
threat while insecurity is the obvious
presence of either or both the danger
and the threat.
Insecurity is a global phenomenon
of which Nigeria and the subnational
are having their shares. The genesis
of Nigeria’s insecurity challenges is
complex and multifaceted. It is
traceable to our pre-colonial, colonial
era and global effects.
Nigeria of over 250 ethnic groups
and a roughly equal split between
Muslims and Christians, the religious
tensions and tribal conflicts on the one
side along with the colonial legacy of
our colonial masters through the
dubious marriage of inconvenience
further divided, even created artificial
boundaries and fostering competition
among Nigeria ethnic groups leading
to obvious insecurity.
Nigeria’s post-Colonial era came
with the Civil War (between 1967 and
1970), decades of military incursion
and the hydra-headed almighty
corruption. The emergence of Boko
Haram insurgency from the early
2009 when the extremist group began
its campaign of violence which further
snowballed to herder-farmer conflicts,
banditry and kidnapping, the
economic hardship, unemployment
and lack of opportunities have driven
some individuals to crime.
Ineffective leadership, corruption
and lack of accountability, which have
hitherto undermined trust in
institutions and perpetuated insecurity
along with external influences, subtle
promotion of global extremist
networks, smuggling and human
trafficking have also contributed to
Nigeria’s insecurity challenges.
Regional and global instability in the
Sahel region and global terrorism
through Nigeria’s fledging and porous
democracy make the country a part of
the global phenomenon of terrorism,
extremism and organized crime, of
which Ekiti State is having its own
share.
The fundamental duty of every
responsible and responsive
administration is no doubt the
provision of security. In other words,
good governance is all about the
security of lives and property of the
citizenry before any other things. The
success or otherwise of any
administration is measured on good
governance benchmark of the
assurance and presence of security
within the sub-national. Specifically,
the Constitution of the Federal
Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as
amended) provides for the right to
security as a fundamental human
right. So far so good, the bedrock of
any prosperous democracy is the
presence of peace and tranquility As a
matter of fact, Section 14(2)(b) of the
Constitution expressly stated the
security and welfare of the people as
the primary purpose of government.
Impliedly, with peace and safety of
life and property, development can be
seamlessly achieved.
Within the last two years of this
present administration, especially
from the moment Governor Biodun
Abayomi Oyebanji of Ekiti State
mandated the Chairmen of Local
Government and Local Council
Development Areas (LCDAs) in the
State to start holding security council
meetings as part of efforts to tackle
insecurity headlong in their various
domains, definitely, the era of
‘business as usual’ had taken flight.
Not stopping there, the Governor also
tasked the Office of his Special
Adviser on Security Matters on the
burning need for quarterly meetings
with all the Chairmen of all the Local
Governments/LCDAs to regularly
review the security challenges in their
domains.
With the administration’s donation
of improved operational vehicles to all
the security agencies, and the
administrative motivation of the
Amotekun Corps in Ekiti State, the
administration showing the desired
commitment of safety of everybody
and this is no doubt sending a strong
signal to all the nooks and crannies of
the State, especially the farmers.
Another intervention worthy of note
is the passionate handling of the
challenges arising from pockets of
deliberately or orchestrated security
hiccups bearing in mind that a serene
and peaceful environment is the
bedrock of any people-oriented
democracy.
The success story of the
administration includes curbing the
activities of criminal gangs operating
Governor Abiodun Oyebanji
on motorcycles by properly regulating
the operation of private and
commercial motorcyclists in the State,
forged a working synergy between the
conventional security agencies
operating in the State including the
Nigerian Army, the Police, the
Department of State Services and non-
State actors such as the Ekiti State
Peace Corps, the Amotekun Corps
and Agro Marshalls that has led to
effective joint patrol of all parts of the
State, including the State farm
settlements, forest reserves, free areas
as well as communities along the State
boundaries.
As a matter of fact, since the
creation of Ekiti State from the old
Ondo State on October 1, 1996, and
the advent of our democratic
experience since 1999, the present
administration stands shoulder high
with the ways and manners of
approach to mitigating security
challenges so far in the State
compared to other previous
administrations at this time of their
administrations. This is why
opposition political parties are still in
a state of disbelief of an
administration of close to three years
without any record of political
assassination, killing, thuggery,
maiming, and destruction of
properties. A move round the State
today and feeling of the people’s pulse
is fast giving positive results, Ekiti
State is fast beginning to attract
investors, and the confidence of the
people to returning to farming is fast
growing.
However, as much as there are
noticeable improvements in the State
security, more still needs to be done,
especially as we move closer to the
2026 Governorship election in the
State. At a time like this, complacency
on the part of the State and other
critical stakeholders can be too
dangerous. Essentially therefore,
there’s an urgent need for vigilance
even as the security agencies need to
up their game, because the closer we
get to the moment of decisionmaking,
the more uncomfortable the
people’s enemies become. The
needless religious brouhaha that’s
rearing its ugly head in the State must
be nipped in the bud in view of our
peaceful homogeneity co-existence.
As a member of the global and
national community, insecurity is a
global phenomenon that we all share
in. The menace of banditry and
herdsmen is yet to abate. This is why
the administration must wake up, and
do more! It will be in the interest of
the Executive, the Judiciary and the
Legislature to be more proactive.
They must re-focus and re-channel
more energy to collaboration with the
security agencies, especially in the
areas of intelligence gathering. A
legislative review of the Ekiti State
Security Network Agency Law 2020
and other existing laws may be
imperative in bringing them up to
date.
As of today, dear State is indeed
one of the safest States in Nigeria.
That must never be allowed to slip off
our tips! The current investors’
confidence, the conscious policy
direction towards food security and
the agriculture value chains are also a
welcome development. But Ekiti must
aim for higher grounds!
HC Ade wrote from Ado-Ekiti,
Ekiti State

FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 4 2025 TheTrumpet
Page9

Page10 TheTrumpet FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 4 2025
Opinion
El-Rufai, Amaechi and the loose
cannons of Nigeria’s politics
By Abiodun Komolafe
BY ABIODUN
KOMOLAFE
Nasir Ahmad el-Rufai and
Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi,
two influential figures in
Nigerian politics, have been making
headlines with their bold comments
and actions. Their unconventional
approach has sparked debate about
whether they’re reckless loose
cannons or calculated strategists. As
Nigeria navigates its intricate
political landscape, El-Rufai,
Amaechi, and other key players will
undoubtedly influence the country’s
future.
El-Rufai and Amaechi recent
actions suggest opportunistic
tendencies, raising important
questions. With the government
barely two years old, their
intervention seems premature.
Rather than a midterm review, their
actions lack critical thinking and
strategic analysis. As former
Governors and Federal Ministers,
they are expected to offer a viable
alternative solution and a roadmap to
address Nigeria’s socioeconomic
challenges.
It’s a paradox that El-Rufai and
Amaechi personify the
contradictions of the Nigerian State,
a fact that speaks volumes about the
country’s complexities. Take, for
instance, as gentlemen of significant
means, they can afford to engage
research assistants, pay consultants,
or even establish think tanks. That
they have failed to do so is not only
an injustice to the country but also
diminishes their own standing. Even
in the best of times - and we are
clearly not in the best of times –
critical thinking and in-depth
analysis are essential for guiding and
guarding any government. This is
what seasoned players like the
former British Prime Minister
Gordon Brown, former Presidents
Barack Obama of the United States
of America and Nelson Mandela of
South Africa,, among others, in
many countries of the world, are
doing.
Sadly, the state of our political
discourse today is reflected in the
petulance of El-Rufai and Amaechi.
They exemplify a diminished polity
where vituperation and divisive
rhetoric have supplanted thoughtful
analysis and in-depth evaluation.
This is certainly unhelpful in view of
the ongoing trade wars unleashed by
the actions of President Donald
Trump. The world is now in very
turbulent waters and Nigerians have
to navigate the unfolding drama.
Scenario planning has to be done on
Rotimi Amaechi
the effects of what is going on
beyond our shores and the Nigerian
economy.
Chief Obafemi Awolowo,
Anthony Enahoro, Maitama Sule
and Aminu Kano provided
insightful, dissenting views that
enriched public discourse during
their time. Unfortunately, today’s
political landscape is marred by the
petulant outbursts of the likes of El-
Rufai and Amaechi, which have
replaced thoughtful analysis with
vitriolic attacks. This trend is
particularly concerning amidst the
global economic uncertainty sparked
by President Donald Trump’s trade
wars. As the world navigates these
turbulent times, Nigeria must
develop strategic plans to mitigate
the impact of external factors on its
economy. Unfortunately, El-Rufai
and Amaechi’s self-indulgence is
unhelpful and must be discouraged.
El-Rufai in particular has a
history of making bold and
sometimes divisive comments. For
instance, his 2012 tweet threatened
anyone who challenged the Fulani,
an ethnic group, and his 2019
statement warned election observers
who interfered with Nigeria’s
election would be sent back in “body
bags”, sparking outrage. Given his
tendency to speak his mind, it’s
surprising that El-Rufai accepted the
President’s offer of a Ministerial
appointment. This raises questions
about his true intentions: did he
genuinely support Tinubu’s
government, or would he have
resigned if his nomination had been
confirmed?
Amaechi’s candid admission that
the fear of poverty motivated him to
join politics after graduating in 1987,
and has kept him in the game, offers
a revealing insight into the drivers of
those in power. This revelation is
particularly concerning, as it
underscores the deep-seated
dysfunction within Nigeria’s
political system. In reality, politics
should be a vocation, not a career.
However, in Nigeria, politics has
become a career path due to the
country’s limited opportunities for
economic advancement. This stunted
political economy has led to a
situation where individuals view
politics as a means of personal gain
rather than a calling to serve.
Consequently, those who approach
politics as a career often have limited
expertise and a narrow perspective,
which can hinder their effectiveness
as administrators.
The first generation of politicians,
including Awolowo, Bode Thomas,
Fani Kayode, Drs. M.A.
Majekodunmi, Omotayo Omitowoju
and Michael I. Oparah, brought a
unique perspective to politics,
having established themselves in
their respective professions before
entering public service. This
background was evident in their
thoughtful approach and impactful
contributions.
On the contrary, the 1966 coup
marked a turning point, as many
politicians returned to their pre-
Continued on Page 11<

Opinion
FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 4 2025
TheTrumpet
El-Rufai, Amaechi and the loose
cannons of Nigeria’s politics
Page11
Continued from Page 10<
politics careers. Unfortunately,
today’s political landscape is
dominated by one-dimensional
politicians lacking diverse career
experiences and management
expertise, with their policies and
decisions twisting and turning like a
barber’s chair, which is detrimental
to Nigeria’s progress.
Life, as the saying goes, is a
complex chemistry experiment, and
humans are the lab rats, constantly
seeking the right mix of ingredients
for a stable and fulfilling existence.
In this laboratory, the ruling elite act
as master chemists, manipulating
power, privilege and ideology to
maintain their grip on the State. They
use propaganda, repression and
allied wrong channels or tactics to
preserve the status quo. The tragedy
of Nigerian politics lies in the fact
their statements often come across as
provocative and overly broad. This
approach can be alienating and
unhelpful in finding solutions to the
country’s challenges. Furthermore, it
has led a situation where most of
those who claim to be leading us
“misappropriate, misapply, mislead
and misdirect the electorate”.
So, what’s the alternative
chemistry of life? It’s a mixture of
active citizenship and collective
action. It’s a formula that recognizes
the inherent value of every human
being, regardless of his or her
background, identity or
socioeconomic status. It’s a
chemistry that’s messy,
unpredictable and sometimes
explosive – but it’s also the only way
to create a truly just and equitable
society.
Well, a time like this demands
advice for the Bola Tinubu-led
administration. To foster growth, the
government should consult widely
with individuals outside its echo
chamber. This approach is
reminiscent of former US President
Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s
strategy during the New Deal era in
the 1930s. When the New Deal
wasn’t yielding the desired results,
Roosevelt sought multiple lenses,
bringing in contrarians and
individuals with opposing views.
Although their insights were
sometimes disagreeable, they proved
Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai
invaluable and refreshing.
A notable example of innovative
policymaking is the establishment of
the Small Businesses
Administration, which inspired our
own Small and Medium Enterprises
Development Agency of Nigeria
(SMEDAN). Interestingly, the idea
for this game-changing initiative
originated from a Letter to the Editor
published in The Washington Post,
written by an unknown lawyer from
a small town. The letter highlighted
the devastating impact of economic
policies on small businesses
nationwide. Recognizing the merit of
the suggestions, the administration
acted upon them, earning widespread
acclaim and support for the
government.
The Tinubu administration can
draw valuable lessons from the
experience of Konrad Adenauer,
Germany’s post-war Chancellor.
Adenauer’s approach of actively
seeking out contrarian views helped
shape Germany’s remarkable
economic recovery after World War
II and transformed the country into
Europe’s largest and most stable
economic success story. Similarly,
the Tinubu administration would do
well to avoid the pitfalls of
groupthink and a variety of
viewpoints, rather than risking
“imprisonment in an echo chamber”
that can stifle progress.
Effective time management and
planning are also essential qualities
of successful leaders. Again, Lee
Kuan Yew’s ability to prioritize and
implement policies drove
Singapore’s success, while
Mandela’s skillful time management
enabled him to achieve great things
despite adversity. In contrast, the
failures of Saddam Hussein and
Robert Mugabe to prioritize their
countries’ needs and manage their
time effectively led to widespread
suffering and ultimately, their
downfall.
May the Lamb of God, who takes
away the sin of the world, grant us
peace in Nigeria!
*Komolafe wrote from Ijebu-
Jesa, Osun State, Nigeria
(ijebujesa@yahoo.co.uk)

Page12 TheTrumpet FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 4 2025

Opinion
FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 4 2025
From Trump to Grammy Blues
TheTrumpet
Page13
“How are you doing?”
“I am good”
“I am now convinced beyond any
iota of doubt that this your
Republican friend called Donald
Trump has something wrong with
him.”
“There is nothing wrong with
him. Be careful what you say,
otherwise we will ban you from ever
entering the United States from
generation to generation, and even
your children who are living in the
United States will be deported or
sent to Guantanamo Bay, Gitmo, for
life. Please try and respect
constituted authority. When you
mention the name Trump, please do
so with respect and reverence. He is
the most powerful man in the world
today, and you can see he is not
joking about it.”
“What is your own in this
matter? I am trying to have a decent
conversation, you are saying we
will, we will. Are you now a
member of Trump’s cabinet? Are
you an American? You Nigerians
are sick. This is how some members
of Corporate Nigeria organized
events in 2008 to support Obama. In
the last election, some of you started
rooting for Trump even when you
all knew you had no vote in the
election. When he won, one fellow
in Northern Nigeria organized a
victory rally. Too many Nigerians
are crazy about American politics
but they are so terribly illiterate
about politics in their own country.
Many of you celebrated when
Trump won, now the same Trump is
deporting your own people.”
“I don’t care about Nigerian
leaders. They only think of
themselves. President Trump is
thinking about the American people.
He wants to make American people
great by putting American interest
first. Which African leader thinks
about us the people? For me, it is a
matter of principle. Any leader that
says his people’s interest is his
primary objective, I will praise him.
African leaders must learn from the
example of Trump. Learn to think
about your people.”
“So, how does that principle
justify Trump making enemies over
the weekend with America’s major
trading partners? Annually, Mexico,
Canada and China account for over
$1.6 trillion of trade with the US and
more than 40% of imports into the
US. Canada supplies 61% of
American crude oil. And now
Trump says he is imposing 25%
tariff on all imports from Canada
and Mexico and an additional 10%
on goods from China. That is an
open declaration of a global trade
war that will not help anybody”
“So? Trump made a campaign
promise about immigration and the
importation of drugs into the United
States. He is keeping his election
promise. He is forcing the world
including the European Union to
renegotiate with America. This is
his second coming. He has a better
understanding than he had in his
first term. He is standing up for the
American people.”
“He is reversing everything that
America stood for before his second
coming. American exceptionalism
should not mean American
isolationism nor should it translate
into expansionism which has never
been a pillar of the American
foreign policy process.”
“Theory. Textbook analysis. We
are talking politics, you are
BY REUBEN ABATI
parroting some dead authors.”
“But I like the way other
countries are standing up to him.
Mexican President Claudia
Sheinbaum says Mexico will
retaliate with tariff and non-tariff
measures and that America is guilty
of slander by trying to link Mexico
with criminal organizations. She
thinks the option on the table should
be dialogue not tariff. Now see how
immediately Trump has paused the
tariffs on Mexico. President
Sheinbaum knows exactly how to
deal with a bully.”
Continued on Page 14 >

Page14 TheTrumpet FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 4 2025
Opinion
From Trump to Grammy Blues
Continued from Page 13<
“Which Mexican President?
Who is Sheinbaum compared to
Trump? When Gustavo Petro, the
President of Colombia started
protesting that Colombians should
not be treated like criminals, or
shipped back to Colombia in a
military aircraft, didn’t the same
Petro eventually eat his words?
America is talking, you are talking.”
“Every country has a sovereign
right and I expect every leader to
stand up like President Sheinbaum
and refuse to be bullied by Donald
Trump. Canada for example was
also swift and decisive in retaliating.
The same day Trump imposed
tariffs on Canada, Prime Minister
Justin Trudeau responded with a
declaration of ad valorem tariffs of
$155 billion on US goods, $30
billion to take effect on Tuesday and
another $125 billion in 21 days. It is
called tit for tat, reciprocity. Nobody
has a monopoly of madness in
international relations. Even the EU
has threatened that if Trump tries
anything funny, they too will fight
back. China has filed a suit with the
World Trade Organization to
complain about America’s wrongful
practice.”
“Na today? China can go to the
WTO. The EU can hem and haw. A
Daniel has come to judgment in the
United States. Before Trump, every
knee shall bow. Are you not aware
that he has even threatened that
anybody that confronts the US will
only have the tariffs expanded or
increased in scope?”
“Are you also not aware that the
point has been made that there are
no winners in a trade war? Trump
can increase tariffs which would be
a destabilizing moment for world
trade from Canada to Asia and
Africa, but it will also affect the
markets in America, drive up
inflation and cause an earthquake in
America’s relations with the world.
The people in Canada may suffer,
but Americans will suffer as well.”
“You are quoting Trudeau. What
does he know? When he leaves
office, he would also probably end
up as an immigrant in the US”
“That is an unfair thing to say”
“Trump is using power. He is
forcing the world to negotiate with
him and the US.”
“He is a bull in a China shop.”
“Okay, go and challenge him”
US President Donald Trump
“President Cyril Ramaphosa of
South Africa has challenged him
over his statement about land policy
in his country. I like Ramaphosa. He
is also standing up for his country,
since you say you like a President
who stands up for his people.”
“Ramaphosa. Let me see? South
African President? Against Trump?
It is even bad enough that South
Africa is a member of BRICS. Hey.
Hey. Hey. Has anyone told
President Ramaphosa what
Professor Bola Akinyemi, Nigeria’s
former Foreign Affairs Minister and
Chairman of Nigeria’s Institute of
International Affairs (NIIA) said
about how it can be risky to provoke
or confront Trump? President
Ramaphosa should tread carefully.
Trump has threatened to call off all
future funding to South Africa, if the
country continues to seize white
people’s land without
compensation.”
“African countries do not need
aid. What we need is partnership.
Vice President Kashim Shettima of
Nigeria said that much in January at
the World Economic Forum (WEF)
in Davos. Besides, Professor
Akinyemi was advising President
Tinubu of Nigeria, not President
Ramaphosa of South Africa.”
“What is the difference? You
think Trump cares whether you are
from South Africa or Nigeria? But I
know President Tinubu. He would
not behave like these other
Presidents. He will not confront
Donald Trump. And if America
stops aid to Africa and other parts of
the world, or refuses to fund
Nigeria’s HIV/AIDS programme, is
it our money? It is American
taxpayer’s money. Nobody can tell
America how to spend its money.”
“America has a responsibility to
protect the world.”
“America has a responsibility to
protect America and its citizens.
How is that so difficult for anyone
to understand? “
“I don’t like the Republicans.”
“You don’t have to like them.
Americans voted for Trump
overwhelmingly. It was a landslide
victory in November 2024.”
“We’d see. We’d see where
Trump leads the rest of the world.
By the way, did you watch the 67 th
Grammys awards?”
“I did. I did. I am excited by the
fact that our own Tems, Temilade
Openiyi, won her second Grammy
in the Best African Music
Performance category, the first
Nigerian to win two Grammy
awards. History made. I was rooting
for Yemi Alade but when Tems
won, I was happy for her and her
Mum. Sweet reward for hardwork
and commitment. It was even her
Mum’s birthday the following day
and she deservedly dedicated the
award to her and her team.
Parenting matters. Train your child
so she can make you proud.”
“That is really something. Her
market value is going to shoot up.
With a Grammy Award, she is
made, with two, she is up there. In
total, she has had eight nominations
at the Grammy Awards in her
career. She does not need anybody’s
validation. So blessed. So young.”
“All the other Nigerians who
made it to the nomination are
winners too. Asake, Wizkid,
Davido, Burna Boy, Lojay, Yemi
Alade, just really happy for them all.
Wizkid and Bloody Civilian are also
contributors to the Best Reggae
Album: Wizkid with One Love,
Bloody Civilian with Natural
Mystic. Brilliant. These are great
ambassadors.”
“I loved Tems’ acceptance
speech. But I think it was a big
oversight on that stage not to have
mentioned Seyi Shodimu and
Shaffy Bello, who originally sang
the winning song Love me Jeje,
Love Me Tender, 28 years ago in
1997. Music for Future Generations
now remixed by Tems and turned
into Grammy Gold.”
“Hmm. You are right. Love me
Jeje, Love me Tender. Who would
ever have thought that that song will
make it to Grammy glory? But the
bigger question is: does anybody
still make music for future
generations anymore? Most of what
you hear out there, despite the
Continued on Page 15>

Opinion
From Trump to Grammy Blues
FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 4 2025
TheTrumpet
Page15
Continued from Page 14<
commercial success and
international attention, these days, is
just synthetic music, a lot of sound
and very little sense.”
“I won’t be so dismissive. I think
the younger generation is doing
really well. Every generation finds
and defines its own path. Public
taste in art as in everything changes,
new patterns evolve and humanity
adapts. There is also the element of
luck. Stardom falls upon those that
the elements smile upon. There is
also a mystery in everything. I am
just happy for the young lady. For
the first time, I saw her standing
straight, not bending to the side like
a Tower of Pisa. So that her waist
can stand erect?”
“Stop. She is still a child. Act
your age. Focus on her talent. Not
her waist.”
“I liked her dress.”
“The designer did a good job.
But did you see other Grammy Red
Carpet looks? What was that Jaden
and Willow Smith were wearing?
And was Kanye West Ye’s partner
Bianca Censori, naked or in a
bathing suit or a dress.? I think there
must be a dress code for these
awards. I support Trump but I don’t
support indecency, nudity, or
stupidity on the red carpet.”
“That Censori was practically
naked. She should have been
censored and asked to leave the
event. And look at Julia Fox and
that see-through whatever that she
was wearing. Censori even wore
something more scandalous to the
after-party.”
“It is the end of times. It is the
worst of times.”
“I hope the day will never come
when a Nigerian girl, any of our
daughters will dress like that and
flaunt it in public.”
“I think you don’t know what is
going on. You are old school. The
truth is that many of our own girls
dress worse than that. There is a
booming, lucrative, flourishing
market in the sale of flesh. They
bare it all. They taunt men these
days and it is not necessarily
because of poverty as you may
think. Most of these girls that you
see have turned their bodies into
pure theatre. If you know, you
know. It is part of the code in the
entertainment world. They stretch
the imagination.”
“I don’t want to know. I believe
very strongly that society must have
a moral core. It is one of the reasons
Grammy Awards winning Tems
why I have a soft spot for Trump. I
do not believe in this new age of
amorality.”
“These are Americans though. It
probably means nothing to them.”
“I like other aspects of the event
though. Beyonce winning her 35th
Grammy, Best Country Album and
the Album of the Year, and seeing
her on stage with Taylor Swift.
Really memorable. Kendrick Lamar
winning five awards. Wow!
President Jimmy Carter, five weeks
after his death receiving a
posthumous honour for his
audiobook. Cynthia Erivo
performing Frank Sinatra’s Fly me
to the Moon in a tribute to the late
Quincy Jones, and the fact that the
event was held in Los Angeles,
against the background of the recent
wildfires and the man versus nature
devastation in Southern California.
Man’s capacity to defy danger and
despair is awesome.”
“Please, let’s leave America
alone for a moment. There is going
to be trouble in Paradise on
Tuesday, February 4, when the
Nigeria Labour Congress and its
affiliates troop out to protest the
proposed 50% hike in
telecommunications tariffs.”
“You mean more trouble in Hell,
because I don’t know what Paradise
you are talking about. It cannot be
worse than this. We pay so much for
petrol and diesel, we are now being
told that we are going to pay 50%
more to make phone calls and send
messages or use data, and that this
will increase gradually, and I hear
some people are saying electricity
tariff will soon increase by 65% to
reflect cost. Hell cannot be worse
than this.”
“NLC is going to fight for us.
Organized Labour must fight for
us.”
“I don’t know which Labour you
are talking about. Some NLC
affiliates have already said that they
will not be part of any protest.”
“The National Association of
Nigerian Students (NANS). Are
those ones part of NLC? Those are
students doing aluta. What do they
know? I am talking about organized
labour, you are referring to singers
and placard carriers.”
“Students unionism has a
distinguished history. It is just the
way things are these days. There is
also another group called the Private
Telecommunications and
Communications Senior Staff
Association of Nigeria
(PTECSSAN). They have also
rejected the protest.”
“What do you expect those ones
to say? To protest against the same
companies where they work and
eat? What will shock you is that
even NLC leaders will meet with
government officials and before you
know it, you will hear that after due
consultations, the strike has been
called off to give room for further
negotiations. That is how we will
end up paying the tariffs.”
“And is that how they intend to
bring down inflation from 35% to
15%?”
“I don’t know. Maybe they
expect us to adjust the way we make
phone calls, particularly Yoruba
people. You people can greet in
excess. Instead of saying hello and
making your point, you will greet
for five minutes. Some of you even
prostrate while making a phone call.
That attitude has to stop for pure
economic reasons.”
“It is culture”
“Fine. Wait and see. Your pocket
will soon define your culture.”

Page16 TheTrumpet FEBRUARY 19 - MARCH 4 2025
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