By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged African nations to embrace a new generation of leaders, arguing that individuals between the ages of 25 and 50 are better equipped to withstand the pressures of modern governance.

Jonathan made the remarks on Thursday in Abuja during the International Memorial Lecture and Leadership Conference held to mark the 50th anniversary of the assassination of former Head of State, General Murtala Ramat Muhammed.

Drawing from his experience in office, the former president highlighted the intense physical and mental demands of leadership, revealing that he sometimes slept for less than two hours a day while serving.

“Why do we assume that leadership must come at old age?” he asked, stressing that governance requires exceptional stamina and resilience.

According to him, younger leaders are more likely to cope with the stress associated with running a country. “If you subject an older person to that level of stress, the health implications can be significant,” he said.

Jonathan reiterated support for Nigeria’s “Not Too Young To Run” campaign, which seeks to lower constitutional age limits for elective offices and broaden youth participation in politics.

“If Africa is serious about progress, we must consciously open up leadership spaces for younger, vibrant and mentally agile citizens,” he said.

He also expressed concern over what he described as the excessive foreign travels and prolonged absences of some public office holders, questioning how governance can be effective when leaders spend substantial time away from their jurisdictions.

“Leadership requires presence, discipline and commitment. Governance cannot be outsourced,” he added.

Reflecting on the legacy of General Murtala Muhammed, Jonathan said the late leader’s short but impactful tenure demonstrated that age is not a prerequisite for transformative leadership. Muhammed became Head of State at 38 and, despite serving for only 200 days, left enduring reforms.

He also cited General Yakubu Gowon, who assumed office at 32 and steered the country through the civil war before introducing the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), as an example of effective youthful leadership.

While advocating generational change, Jonathan cautioned that youthfulness alone is insufficient. He emphasised the need for strong democratic institutions, discipline and adherence to the rule of law.

“Democracy thrives on institutions, not personalities. It demands vision, persuasion and respect for the people’s will,” he said.

Jonathan concluded by urging both leaders and aspiring politicians to regard public office as a platform for service rather than entitlement, insisting that leadership should ultimately be measured by its impact on society.

The Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) has officially launched a self-service kiosk aimed at transforming customer interactions, improving convenience, and strengthening revenue assurance. The unveiling ceremony, held in Kano, represents a major step in the company’s broader digital transformation strategy and its commitment to customer-centric innovation.

Delivering his keynote remarks, Dr. Abubakar Shuaibu Jimeta, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of KEDCO, described the initiative as a landmark achievement that reflects the company’s vision of digitizing its operations and placing customers at the heart of its services.

“Whatever we do, customers come first. We are here to launch something that is part of our vision – bringing digitization into our business. Convenience is what sails,” Dr. Jimeta said.

He stressed that every strategy and partnership pursued by KEDCO is designed to directly benefit customers. According to him, once customer satisfaction is achieved, “everything else falls into place.” Dr. Jimeta further revealed that the company plans to expand the kiosks across all franchise areas, underscoring KEDCO’s openness to partnerships and collaborations that align with its vision.

Speaking on the financial implications, Alkasim Othman, Chief Finance Officer of KEDCO, explained that the power sector often grapples with liquidity and efficiency challenges. He noted that the kiosk system is a practical response to these issues.

“In the power sector, we often ask: can they do it quickly? Today’s launch is a response to that experience. It improves customer experience and revenue assurance. Innovation does not replace people – it empowers them,” Othman stated.

He emphasized that the kiosks would not only ease customer transactions but also strengthen KEDCO’s financial sustainability by ensuring timely payments and reducing revenue leakages.

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The launch was made possible through collaboration with FUCIL Datatech Limited, KEDCO’s technology partner. Its Chief Executive Officer, Chioma Iwuagwu, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to delivering secure, scalable, and customer-focused digital solutions.

“We are proud to support KEDCO in building robust digital infrastructure. Our relationship with KEDCO has been long and impactful. Together, we will sustain revenue assurance and show commitment to digital transformation,” Iwuagwu said.

She added that the partnership is geared toward building a technologically advanced electricity distribution system that ensures ease of payment and convenience for customers, while also supporting Nigeria’s broader digital economy goals.

The self-service kiosk is expected to significantly reduce queues, streamline bill payments, and provide customers with faster access to services. By embedding technology into its operations, KEDCO is positioning itself as a forward-looking utility company capable of meeting the evolving demands of modern consumers.

The unveiling ceremony reaffirms  KEDCO’s vision to leverage innovation, strategic partnerships, and customer-focused strategies to transform electricity distribution across its franchise areas. Stakeholders expressed optimism that the initiative would set a new benchmark for service delivery in Nigeria’s power sector.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has fixed February 20, 2027, for the conduct of the Presidential and National Assembly elections, with governorship and State Houses of Assembly polls scheduled for March 6, 2027.

INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, announced the dates at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, formally unveiling the commission’s timetable and schedule of activities for the 2027 general elections.

The announcement comes against the backdrop of concerns over the delayed passage of the amended Electoral Act currently before the National Assembly. Stakeholders have expressed apprehension that uncertainty surrounding the legal framework could complicate preparations for the next electoral cycle.

INEC had earlier, on February 4, disclosed that it had concluded work on the election timetable despite the pending amendment. The commission said it had forwarded the proposed schedule to lawmakers to guide legislative considerations.

However, the electoral body cautioned that certain activities outlined in the timetable may be subject to adjustment depending on when the amended Electoral Act is eventually passed and assented to.

The release of the dates signals the formal commencement of preparations for the 2027 polls, providing political parties, aspirants and other stakeholders with a clearer framework for planning, even as attention remains focused on the evolving legal landscape that will govern the elections.