₦airaland Forum

By Valentine Ozigbo

There is a video of me in 2018, when I first chaired Unusual Praise in Lagos — long before my foray into politics.

That year, our leadership chose to dedicate the project to raising awareness and support for our brothers and sisters in Benue State, who had become victims of relentless attacks by armed militias, or whatever names they are called.

Tragically, those same patterns of violence have since spread across our country.

Today, as I reflect on Nigeria’s current situation — and the recent decision by United States’ President Donald Trump to intervene — I feel compelled to speak as both a citizen and a believer in this nation's promise.

1. The Courage to Confront the Truth

Our first responsibility as a nation is honesty. We must admit that we have a problem — one that runs deep into the very fabric of governance, justice, and moral leadership.

We cannot heal what we refuse to confront.

Nigeria must be reimagined on the pillars of truth, equity, and the rule of law — with accountability for every action, at every level.

No amount of public relations or diplomatic spin can replace the sincerity of purpose. If we want peace, we must build justice. If we desire unity, we must earn trust.

2. The Urgency of Diplomatic Leadership

The recent actions and statements from the United States should have triggered an immediate, coordinated diplomatic response from our government.

It was an opportunity for strategic engagement — to open constructive channels, clarify concerns, and affirm the Federal Government's commitment to protecting the lives of its citizens.

I expected President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to have swiftly activated a high-level diplomatic mission to Washington, aligning Nigeria’s position with both national dignity and global partnership. Some of the official reactions we’ve heard so far, unfortunately, have been unhelpful, even counterproductive.

This was not the moment for defensiveness or rhetoric. We must remember that diplomacy is not submission — it is strategy. A strong and dignified foreign policy does not react emotionally; it acts responsibly.

3. The Pathway to Renewal

Nigeria, as currently constituted, is not sustainable. Even what works can be improved — even more so for what does not.

That is why I sincerely urge my party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), and the leadership of President Tinubu, to take full responsibility for both past and present failings.

Let us show humility, apologise where necessary, and commit to genuine repentance.

The place to begin is the rule of law — ensuring an independent and accountable judiciary, and fixing our broken electoral system.

This means implementing electronic voting, ensuring the real-time transmission of results, and allowing independent candidacy, with clear legislation and timelines for each reform.

These reforms are not political luxuries — they are moral imperatives. A nation’s destiny cannot rise higher than the credibility of its elections.

4. A Call for National Dialogue and Restructuring

More fundamentally, Nigeria needs an honest, structured conversation about its future.

I strongly recommend bringing together the leadership of The Patriots, the Fatherland Group (which advocates the Orange Union Model), and the Federal Government’s representatives to identify specific priorities, assign responsibilities, and set clear deadlines for key steps in restructuring our federation.

A credible working document for this dialogue remains the 2014 National Conference Report — a blueprint born of consensus and national goodwill.

Our diversity should be a source of strength, not suspicion. True federalism, balanced devolution of powers, and regional autonomy within a united framework can unlock Nigeria’s full potential.

5. Restoring Hope and Order

Beyond political reforms, we must renew our collective moral compass.

The state must reclaim its moral authority by eliminating criminality from our forests, highways, and communities — not through arbitrary force, but through justice and intelligence.

Sponsors and perpetrators of violence must face the full weight of the law.

Security is not only about the absence of war; it is the presence of justice.

And when that justice stands firm, peace will follow.

6. A Vision Worth Fighting For

If these actions are taken in good faith — grounded in courage and humility — Nigeria will rise again.

History will remember President Tinubu not for the crises he inherited, but for the courage he showed in transforming them — from chaos to concord, pain to purpose, despair to direction.

Let us act decisively—taking responsibility, initiating needed reforms, and leading by example.

Now is the time to pursue reform and restoration for our nation.

Lead with empathy, listen actively, and embrace real change together.

May God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Author's Bio:
*Valentine Ozigbo* is a multiple-award-winning global CEO and the Immediate Past President & Group CEO of Transcorp Plc. A recent recipient of the prestigious Seven Stars Leadership & Governance Excellence Medal, he is the Founder of The Valiant Movement, which champions moral leadership, youth empowerment, and the transformation of Nigeria’s political culture. Join him on X/Twitter @valentineozigbo | Instagram @valyntino.

https://naijavoicenews.com/2025/11/10/nigeria-and-trumps-intervention-a-time-for-truth-and-renewal/

We don't need any intervention from USA or any other country. We are capable of solving our problems

Salewa97:
We don't need any intervention from USA or any other country. We are capable of solving our problems

Which one have your party the APC solved in over 12 years? APC is the worst political party on earth.

There's a guy that's always shouting "no foreign interference" lately on this forum. It's time for him to come and do his job.

Sheik Gumi Abubakar Ahmed has fled to turkey 🦃. Hand go soon touch am 😂🤣😅

Cluelessness and power drunkeness will not allow them see reasons to be more proactive in handling this very glearing demon eating deep into the nation...
The most painful aspect of it is that those commoners that are feeling the heat more are the same people defending these same government...

Any one rejecting the support from USA to wipe our these terrorist or bandit is atomatically an enemy within... until we face these demons and call them out we are not yet ready to move on..

Our problem is curently not the slave masters, the chains neither is it the cage but our refusal to take of the chains from our legs even when the keys is in hands....

Bob marleys words" emacipate your selves from mental slavery"

Salewa97:
We don't need any intervention from USA or any other country. We are capable of solving our problems

No worry your self data boy

Nigerians have never had it this bad, local government negotiating with Islamabads .
Tinubu will give them all out.
Meanwhile, the Bill on Nigerian Islamabads is in process and about to be passed in the Capitol, USA.
Democrats and republicans are working tirelessly 📌💯

Salewa97:
We don't need any intervention from USA or any other country. We are capable of solving our problems

If not for fear of ban I for tell you watin you no go fit sleep for night

Salewa97:
We don't need any intervention from USA or any other country. We are capable of solving our problems

Only terrorists think like this.

God wants to free His people from the blood thirst of the religion of peace.

Christian Genocide is real and Trump is coming to stop it

Val Ozigbo, you lost the admiration i had for you when you joined the Association of past criminals (APC).
Your views is at variance with the position of your new found party.

Simply just tell us what you are getting in returns and what we are getting Simple

Salewa97:
We don't need any intervention from USA or any other country. We are capable of solving our problems

The Fact that Trump invited Buhari to white house to express concern about xtain killings and 9years after the massacre as escalated under the watch of Apc govt is strong indication We need help

The fact that Governors are now going to negotiate with terrorist and bandit is not only an abysmal but a clear indication we are " Helpless"

The fact that bandits are now on social media, show acquired ransoms and taking pictures with children in conquered community with consequences is enough proof Military/FG have failed us as a nation

If we can beg america for financial supports, then we are not above military support,. if america money $ is good to collect, then their intervention is good as well

Salewa97:
We don't need any intervention from USA or any other country. We are capable of solving our problems

You are one of the problems we have in this country...
Have you bothered to find out how much have been wasted on the fight to stop these terrorist? Billions that could have transformed the nation have gone with nothing to show over the years in terms of stopping them instead to are gaining more teritories and recruiting more armies because the business of banditry is becoming very lucrative and less dangerous for them...

Oga wake up on time so that these people will not catchup with you or one of your family member...
When work tire person he go ask for help..
At this point with how far we have gone ... Nigeria needs foriegn help to stop these enemies of the state.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu has successfully turned Nigeria into a laughing stock among nations.
The politheifcians are just trying all possibilities means changing the narrative. The USA can invade any country they feel they're stronger than. Just like Russia invaded Ukraine without the UN security council approval. The USA invaded Iran and bombed their nuclear program without permission from the UN. The only deterrent to invasion is if you project power or you're aligned to a super power and you're of strategic interest to the aligned super power. Israel has invaded Iran, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Egypt and Qatar without the UN approval but the USA approval because they're aligned to a superb power and they also reject power.

The time for restructuring is now.

Salewa97:
We don't need any intervention from USA or any other country. We are capable of solving our problems

Don't be naive we need the intervention and support of country like USA to help us put an end to christians killings, terrorism and banditry in Nigeria,even Russia the so called super power received assistant from North Korea and Iran in its fight against Ukraine.

Yeye man. Hhhjjjjjjjjjjnn

megamank:
Cluelessness and power drunkeness will not allow them see reasons to be more proactive in handling this very glearing demon eating deep into the nation...
The most painful aspect of it is that those commoners that are feeling the heat more are the same people defending these same government...

Any one rejecting the support from USA to wipe our these terrorist or bandit is atomatically an enemy within... until we face these demons and call them out we are not yet ready to move on..

Our problem is curently not the slave masters, the chains neither is it the cage but our refusal to take of the chains from our legs even when the keys is in hands....

Bob marleys words" emacipate your selves from mental slavery"

whether it xtain genocide or killings of muslims, have you have seen the prominient Muslims distance islam from the jihadist, have you seen any condemn terrorisn in clearly words that it not allah will ... they all keep quiet, they dare not talk or they will die a painfull death by their muslim brothers hand


whether it xtain or muslim getting killed the Fact remain we share a "common enemy" ... if Trump wants to go with assumption it xtain genocide why should matter ..... so far the common enemies are alienated.
if terrorist cease to exist, is only xtains that will feel safe and travel freely,. do not let politicians like Tinubu toy with your brains because all that man care about his political interest

Sonofgod1990:
If not for fear of ban I for tell you watin you no go fit sleep for night

Nairaland with their yeye bias selective ban..even this my comment sef go chop ban, that i am sure of, these BOTs need to collect wotowotoporously aje

Funny how we are now hearing from the SE about restructuring instead of their usual secessionist drivel.

Nibo latun jasi bayii.
Mr .trump

Salewa97:
We don't need any intervention from USA or any other country. We are capable of solving our problems

But you borrow money on a daily basis.

Rather than confront the truth they ( northern Muslims ) are busy crying wolf that mr trump is coming to attack Islam or muslims. Them no even thank GOD first say somebody don offer to assist in fighting terrorists, rather na religion be their main concern. Whether people dey die dat one no concern dem sha no touch our religion

Salewa97:
We don't need any intervention from USA or any other country. We are capable of solving our problems

Talking like this is a sign of a weak man, this issues didn't start now ,at least they have about 10years ago to solve this

Salewa97:
We don't need any intervention from USA or any other country. We are capable of solving our problems

You no use those bots to boost your likes and shares this time around?

Why na?

HgAkpobomeEr:
The time for restructuring is now.

Noooo abeg, let Trump finish what he started first...there's undisputed wisdom in restructuring but lets deal with what's in the front burner 🙄
Wisdom is profitable to direct otherwise this can be hijacked and it will snow ball into another ethno-religious war...
The terrorists, their sponsors and sympathisers will begin to use tjis as opportunity for full blown "let's kuku declare war"

Anytime I try to reply him and his cohorts my comments are always hidden and I get a few hour's ban. Very frustrating. This liars have so much impunity

Sonofgod1990:
If not for fear of ban I for tell you watin you no go fit sleep for night

No foreign interference allowed. We will sort ourselves out.

chidiokay:
whether it xtain genocide or killings of muslims, have you have seen the prominient Muslims distance islam from the jihadist, have you seen any condemn terrorisn in clearly words that it not allah will ... they all keep quiet, they dare not talk or they will die a painfull death by their muslim brothers hand


whether it xtain or muslim getting killed the Fact remain we share a "common enemy" ... if Trump wants to go with assumption it xtain genocide why should matter ..... so far the common enemies are alienated.
if terrorist cease to exist, is only xtains that will feel safe and travel freely,. do not let politicians like Tinubu toy with your brains because all that man care about his political interest

You just nailed it on point.. all we care about is just for these evil elements to be smoked out of our ways...