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February 13th 2026 made it Fifty years after late General Murtala Muhammed was assassinated, yet, General Murtala Muhammed has continued to be portrayed as a saviour of Nigeria. However, behind what many describe as his heroic posture lay what an elder statesman Sen. Femi Okunroumu once referred to as a pretentious façade, masking a man he described as a Northern hegermonist.

In a bid to better understand the much-praised General Murtala Muhammed and his administration, Yusuf Adeleke of FortressNews sought deeper insights into his legacy. What emerged is a shocking revelation.

Question: Who was Murtala Muhammed, and why does his legacy still matter fifty years later?

I hope I will not disappoint you, because right from your introduction, you confirmed what I have always believed: that Murtala Muhammed was a highly overrated Head of State. His image has been exaggerated far beyond his actual achievements and legacy.
You talk about fighting corruption. Certainly, if one examines his record during the civil war, it does not portray him as a man opposed to corruption—particularly during the capture of Benin. In fact, his wartime record is replete with allegations of corrupt practices.

What about civil service reform?

It must be stated on record that the destruction of Nigeria’s civil service began under his tenure through what can only be described as misguided reforms based on his personal notions. Before then, Nigeria had one of the best and most efficient civil services in Africa. Under Murtala, however, the service began to degenerate, especially as mass dismissals were carried out indiscriminately—people were fired left, right, and centre.

As a result, morale within the civil service collapsed. Officers lost hope in any meaningful future, which in turn encouraged corruption. People began to take whatever they could, believing there was no future worth waiting for.

Above all, the most troubling attribute of Muritala Muhammed was his Northern hegermanist ideology. People understand what is meant by Northern Germanism. He laid the foundation for the permanent domination of Nigeria by the North—an issue the country has struggled with ever since.

Recall that it was under his administration that Nigeria moved from twelve (12) states to nineteen (19) states. Prior to this, there was relative equity—six (6) states in the North and six (6) in the South. Under Murtala, that balance was deliberately altered in favour of the North.

So, what is your narrative about the man we are discussing General Murtala Muhammed?

That is exactly what I am saying. He was a Northern hegermonist who laid the groundwork for Northern political domination, fostering the belief that it is the North’s divine right to rule Nigeria indefinitely. This mindset has continued to shape Nigeria’s political struggles.
I have already given examples to support this claim. First, he altered the state structure from a balanced six-six arrangement to ten (10) states in the North and nine (9) in the South. Secondly, during his era, alongside Obasanjo the federal government began creating local governments in a manner that further tilted the balance of power in favour of the North. Considering the later political use of local governments, this shift was deliberate.

Furthermore, it was under Murtala Muhammed that the Committee of Forty-Nine Wise Men was inaugurated to draft a new constitution for Nigeria in 1975, chaired by Chief Rotimi Williams. However, perceptive observers knew that the committee was not given a free hand. The outcome was largely dictated.

In his inaugural speech at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs in Lagos, Murtala explicitly stated that the Supreme Military Council had already decided that a presidential system was best for Nigeria and charged the committee merely to consider it. Once such a decision had been made, what freedom did the committee truly have?

Okunroumu  argued that the presidential system remains one of Nigeria’s greatest problems. It effectively produces dictator-presidents who control everything. Once elected, a president can dominate the legislature, judiciary, civil service—indeed, every arm of government. In a corrupt environment like Nigeria, checks and balances become meaningless because loyalty can easily be bought.

With enough money, legislators can be compromised, judges influenced, and public institutions weakened, allowing unrestricted access to the treasury. While we complain about these issues today, they all trace their roots back to Murtala’s era.

Even though the 1999 Constitution attracts the most criticism, its most objectionable provisions were inherited from the 1979 Constitution. Thus, the current struggle for restructuring is essentially a struggle to dismantle the structures planted by Murtala Muhammed.

Even Obasanjo, who served as his deputy, was largely a figurehead, compelled to comply with Northern hegemonic interests under threats to his life. This explains why he could not deviate from the foundations laid by Murtala after his assassination.

When Obasanjo eventually handed over power in 1979, he reportedly returned to Abeokuta to celebrate his survival. This fear also explains why he insisted that a Northerner must succeed him, famously stating that the best candidate would not win a reference to the contest between Awolowo and Shagari.

These Northern hegemonic principles, laid down by Murtala Muhammed, have persisted ever since. In my personal opinion, Murtala Muhammed was grossly overrated and played a significant role in laying the foundation for the destruction of democracy in Nigeria.

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Yusuf Adeleke

https://fortressnews.com.ng

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In a time when public service is often measured by visibility, Prince Abimbola Onabanjo represents a different model of leadership; one defined not by noise, but by results. Across Ijebu-Ode, his name is increasingly associated with tangible progress, steady compassion, and a form of service that places community needs above personal acclaim.

For years, Prince Onabanjo has worked largely outside the spotlight, supporting families, rehabilitating infrastructure, and strengthening educational institutions.

His impact is not announced with fanfare; it is felt in improved roads, better-equipped schools, and households that receive timely support when it matters most. Residents describe his approach as deliberate and sincere focused on outcomes rather than recognition. What distinguishes Prince Onabanjo’s humanitarian work is its inclusiveness.

His interventions cut across ethnic, cultural, and religious boundaries, reflecting a deep belief in shared humanity. From Yoruba to Hausa, Igbo, and others, beneficiaries speak of a man whose generosity is guided by need, not identity. In a diverse community, his actions quietly reinforce unity and mutual respect.

At the grassroots level, his support is both consistent and practical. Monthly food relief, cash assistance, and the distribution of school supplies reach families who are often overlooked. Rather than symbolic gestures, these efforts are designed to preserve dignity and create sustainable relief, ensuring help reaches those who need it most.

Education stands at the centre of Prince Onabanjo’s vision for long-term development. In a landmark initiative, he committed N25 million to support 25 schools across Ijebu-Ode, allocating N1million to each institution.

The program spanned both primary and secondary education, with 15 primary schools and 10 secondary schools benefiting—an intentional strategy to support students at critical stages of learning.

Beyond financial contributions, the initiative delivered direct support to students. Each beneficiary school received 150 school bags fully equipped with essential writing materials, removing basic barriers to learning and reinforcing his hands-on approach to educational development.

Infrastructure improvement is another area where his impact is clearly visible. Prince Onabanjo personally funded and oversaw the rehabilitation of several key roads, including Borogun Court, Ojushagbola Avenue, Abusalawu Street, and sections of Taiwo Osipitan Road.

These projects have improved mobility, accessibility, and daily living conditions for residents, reinforcing the link between infrastructure and quality of life.

Taken together, these efforts paint the picture of a leader deeply rooted in service one who understands that lasting change is built through consistency, empathy, and action. In Ijebu-Ode, Prince Abimbola Onabanjo’s legacy is not written in speeches, but in the everyday lives quietly improved by his commitment to community and progress.

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Fortressnews

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Barely two weeks after the Ogun government offered free lead tests for Ogijo residents over alleged lead poisoning caused by seven used lead-acid battery (ULAB) recycling industries, a team of Nigerian researchers, Olaniyi Popoola, Olusola Ogundele, Abayomi Ladapo, and Samson Senbor, made groundbreaking findings that have given a leadway on how heavy metal contamination disrupts soil microbial communities, offering urgent insight into the environmental and public-health dangers unfolding in Ogijo, Ogun State, where lead poisoning from industrial battery operations has triggered widespread concern.

Their research, published in the book, “Soil Microbiome in Green Technology for Sustainability”, provides one of the clearest scientific explanations yet for how heavy metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, chromium, zinc, and nickel affect both soil quality and human well-being.

From Soil to People: The Hidden Path of Contamination

Heavy metals are persistent pollutants, primarily originating from industrial waste and poorly regulated recycling operations. In Ogijo, battery-smelting sites have released hazardous lead particles into the soil and the surrounding environment. While visible contamination has sparked local alarm, the researchers caution that the real danger runs much deeper.

According to them, the first victims of heavy metal pollution are the microbial communities that form the foundation of healthy soil.

These microorganisms drive nutrient cycling, break down organic matter, support crop growth, and maintain soil structure. When heavy metals accumulate, they interfere with microbial biological processes, reducing biomass, crippling enzyme activity, and destabilising metabolic functions.

“These disruptions are not isolated environmental events—they cascade into the human population,” the authors explain.

As soil loses its microbial integrity, crops absorb contaminants more easily, dust becomes more toxic, and exposure among residents—especially children and pregnant women—rises sharply.

Lead, in particular, is linked to neurological impairment, developmental delays, 88hypertension, kidney dysfunction, and long-term cognitive damage.

Human Health at the Forefront:

While much of this research initially examined microbial changes, the team emphasises that the most pressing concern is human health. Lead and other heavy metals persist in the environment, contaminating soil, water, and food. The contamination is insidious: metals accumulate gradually, entering the food chain through crops and livestock or via dust inhalation, making exposure difficult to detect until severe health effects appear. Chronic lead exposure can have lifelong consequences, affecting intelligence, behaviour, and cardiovascular health.

“Our work goes beyond the soil itself,” says Abayomi Ladapo. “It is a wake-up call for public health authorities. Protecting communities in Ogijo requires urgent interventions that address both environmental contamination and direct human exposure.”

Scientific Solutions and Policy Guidance

The research highlights advanced technologies and multidisciplinary approaches that allow scientists to detect, map, and monitor heavy metal contamination in real time. By tracking contamination and identifying early biological indicators, policymakers and health agencies can design targeted strategies to prevent further poisoning, improve food and water safety, and protect vulnerable populations.

Although soil microbial disruption was a primary focus, the study underscores a critical connection: the deterioration of soil ecosystems amplifies human exposure. Healthy microbial communities act as natural buffers, breaking down contaminants and preventing metals like lead from accumulating in the environment. Their loss increases human risk, linking environmental degradation directly to public health.

A Roadmap Forward

The work of Popoola, Ogundele, Ladapo, and Senbore provides critical guidance for both environmental management and public health interventions. By bridging scientific research and actionable solutions, the team illuminates a pathway to:
• Reduce heavy metal exposure in affected communities
• Protect vulnerable populations, particularly children and pregnant women
• Restore environmental health in Ogijo and similar industrial regions
• Inform policy and regulatory frameworks to prevent future contamination

As Ogijo continues to grapple with the aftermath of industrial pollution, this research stands out as a vital contribution, offering evidence-based solutions to a problem that is as much about human lives as it is about the environment.

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