By Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Ajia,

As we celebrate the 60th birthday anniversary of my dearest ‘mum’ Ms. Arunma Oteh, I am overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude and admiration for a woman whose life has been a beacon of Hope, Excellence, Resilience and Integrity .To the world, she is a trailblazer in global finance, an advocate for economic reform, and a leader of profound impact. To me, she is much more—a mother, a teacher , a mentor, and a guide whose influence has profoundly shaped my journey and that of countless others.

Ms. Arunma Oteh’s life is a testament to what can be achieved through hard work, vision, and resilience.

Born in Kano Nigeria, her academic journey began with a first-class honours degree in Computer Science from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. She then scaled the heights of education, earning an MBA from the prestigious Harvard Business School. These were the stepping stones to a career that would leave indelible marks on Nigeria, Africa, and the world.

Her illustrious career spans decades of service at institutions like the African Development Bank (AfDB), the World Bank, and FSD Africa. At AfDB, she rose through the ranks, assuming pivotal roles, including that of Treasurer and Vice President for Corporate Management. Her expertise and leadership turned challenges into opportunities, paving the way for sustainable financial growth across the continent.

In 2009, Ms. Oteh was entrusted with the monumental task of leading the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as its Director-General. It was a turbulent time for Nigeria’s capital market, but she embraced the challenge with unmatched determination. Her reforms eradicated entrenched abuses, restored investor confidence, and laid a solid foundation for sustainable growth.

Her leadership was not without resistance, as she confronted powerful interests that sought to undermine progress. Yet, with resolute commitment, focus, integrity, and the support of reform-minded leaders, she navigated these challenges, leaving behind a reformed and revitalized capital market.

Ms. Oteh’s appointment as Vice President and Treasurer of the World Bank in 2015 underscored her global stature. Managing a $200 billion debt portfolio and advising Sovereign Wealth Funds, Central Banks, and Pension Funds, she exemplified financial expertise at the highest level. Beyond her technical brilliance, she championed inclusive economic policies that benefited emerging markets and underserved populations.

Her legacy at the World Bank extends beyond numbers; it is a story of transformational leadership and unwavering commitment to empowering others.

While her professional accolades are monumental, what sets Ms. Oteh apart is her personal touch. To me and many others, she has been a mother—providing guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support. Her mentorship has been a compass in my life, teaching me the values of integrity, hard work, and service.

Her ability to nurture talent and inspire excellence is unparalleled. Through her mentorship, she has raised a generation of leaders who are now making meaningful contributions in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond.

Ms. Oteh’s story resonates with people from all walks of life. She embodies the principle that our background does not define our future, but our choices do. Her life is a beacon of hope for those striving to overcome challenges and achieve greatness.

As an Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON), a recipient of the “Distinction In Public Service” award, and one of Forbes’ “Africa’s 50 Most Powerful Women,” Ms. Oteh is celebrated not only for her achievements but also for the values she represents—integrity, resilience, and Excellence in service . Now a leading best seller on Amazon for her new book ‘All hand on deck’

On this special occasion of her 60th birthday, I celebrate Ms. Arunma Oteh for her unquantifiable contributions to Nigeria, Africa, and the global world. I honour her for the lives she has touched, the systems she has transformed, and the legacy she continues to build.

Ms. Oteh, your life is an inspiration, your achievements are a testament to excellence, and your mentorship is a gift to us all. As you celebrate this milestone, I pray for continued blessings, good health, and strength to keep shining your light on the world.

With deepest gratitude and love Ajia, is the President/CEO, Funab Group of Companies Ltd, a Security expert and a Politician.

Reaching the most vulnerable in Nigeria: Our Humanitarian Roadmap 2025

By Mohamed Malick Fall

On 23 January 2025, we will launch the 2025 Nigeria Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP). The plan targets 3.6 million of the most vulnerable people in Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe (BAY) states, requiring $910.2 million in funding. It underscores the urgent need for lifesaving interventions while laying the groundwork for resilience and recovery. It is a result of extensive consultations with affected people, Government authorities, and partners, ensuring that our response is evidence-based and needs-driven.

As we launch the Nigeria 2025 HNRP, we are reminded of the escalating challenges and the profound resilience of Nigerians facing one of the largest and most complex humanitarian crises in the world. From conflict-induced displacement to climate shocks, food insecurity, and disease outbreaks, Nigeria continues to grapple with overlapping emergencies that strain resources and test the limits of our humanitarian response. Yet, these challenges present an opportunity to rethink, reform, and realign our efforts for more efficient, impactful and sustainable outcomes.

The Nigeria 2025 HNRP is a strategic blueprint aimed at addressing these multifaceted crises. With an estimated 33 million Nigerians facing food insecurity, 1.8 million children at risk of severe malnutrition, and millions displaced across the country, the stakes are higher than ever.

Humanitarian needs extend far beyond the BAY states, affecting communities nationwide. The United Nations acknowledges these challenges and the urgency to address them. However, limited resources and capacity constraints necessitate careful prioritization to ensure the most effective use of available resources. Outside of the BAY states, a model is being developed that will jointly address humanitarian, development and peacebuilding needs. This with emphasis on development interventions addressing the underlying causes of vulnerability, reducing overall humanitarian needs.

Recognizing that the approach used in the BAY states may not be suitable for all other regions, efforts outside these areas will focus on a coordinated response with development actors to address underlying vulnerabilities. This strategy will be led by the government, leveraging national leadership and resources to ensure sustainability. A new model of coordination and response is being developed to achieve this goal.

The crises in Nigeria are rooted in a complex interplay of conflict, economic instability, and climate change. The BAY states remain the epicenter, with 7.8 million people in need, including displaced individuals and host communities. Conflict continues to drive displacement, disrupt livelihoods, and erode access to basic services. At the same time, climate-related disasters, such as the devastating floods of 2024, have exacerbated vulnerabilities, destroying homes, farmland, and critical infrastructure.

These challenges are compounded by systemic inequities. Women and children face heightened risks, from gender-based violence to malnutrition and lack of access to education. Girls and women are also often excluded from access to health care, livelihoods and decision-making processes. People with disabilities report feeling overlooked in aid distribution, highlighting the need for inclusive and equitable approaches. These disparities demand targeted interventions that prioritize the most marginalized.

Recognizing the need for transformative action, the 2025 HNRP introduces key reforms to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of humanitarian responses. First, we aim to reduce transaction costs by localizing aid delivery, channeling more resources through national and local organizations that better understand community dynamics. Empowering these organizations not only enhances local acceptance but also ensures faster, more trusted responses.

Second, it promotes a shift from reactive to anticipatory and proactive approaches to humanitarian action. By investing in early warning systems and pre-agreed trigger mechanisms, we can respond swiftly to predictable shocks such as floods and disease outbreaks. Allocating 5% of the budget to anticipatory action is a step toward minimizing human suffering and resource wastage.

Third, we are committed to leveraging partnerships with development actors and the Government to address the root causes of vulnerability. By integrating humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding efforts, we can create durable solutions that reduce reliance on aid and promote long-term stability.

Finally, the plan seeks to diversify funding sources. Traditional funding mechanisms are no longer sufficient to meet growing needs. Innovative approaches, including private sector engagement and government-led initiatives, are essential to bridging the gap.

The success of the 2025 HNRP depends on the collective efforts of all stakeholders. Humanitarian actors must collaborate closely with the government, civil society, and affected communities to ensure that assistance is tailored, inclusive, and effective. Donors are called upon to sustain their commitment, recognizing that their support is vital to driving the necessary reforms and innovations.

More than anything, we must challenge our perceptions of humanitarian assistance. It is not a standalone solution but a critical component of a broader strategy that includes development and peacebuilding. By aligning our actions with these principles, we can address immediate needs while paving the way for resilience and empowerment.

As we embark on this journey, let us draw inspiration from the resilience of those we serve. Their courage and determination remind us of the profound impact we can achieve through collective action.

I call upon all stakeholders to support the 2025 HNRP. Together, let us invest in humanity and leave no one behind.

Mohamed Malick Fall is the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Nigeria.

By Haruna Mohammed Salisu 

Tribute to My Mother_ The Moral Compass That Guided Me to Truthful Journalism

This week is the 13th week since I lost my beloved mother Hajara Mohammed. I have tried several times to write this tribute but failed. I found myself struggling—unable to muster the emotional stability to pen down my thoughts. I am never the same again after her death, and there isn’t one bit of her life I could share. She wasn’t just my mom – she was my hero, the basis of all that I stand for as a person and a journalist.

The news of her passing reached me when I was in London for the ACOS Alliance Workshop, where more than 120 journalists and media organisations from across the globe had been meeting. It was great to be able to talk about the journey of WikkiTimes, and the challenges accountability journalists faced in Nigeria.

Hajara Mohammed was born on October 25, 1954, and died on October 25, 2024, at the age of 70. This bittersweet symmetry echoed her life: one of integrity, endless kindness, and commitment to justice.

My mom was an example when she was young of the values she later passed down to her children. As she used to say, “Give to someone, and it will return to you.” This wasn’t merely an example of giving; it was her method of teaching her children how to live a life based on justice and kindness.

Her kindness knew no bounds. She used to sneak out at night to feed desperate neighbours, and she thought charity was something to be offered in quiet, altruistic ways. She told us to give back what we had and, “If you are well-off, do what you can for your family and siblings.” She’d always say to me, “If you’re rich, do what you can for your family and siblings.”

My mother’s passing was not just a personal loss; it was a damning reflection of the systemic failures in Nigeria’s healthcare system—a system we at WikkiTimes have worked tirelessly to expose.

When she fell ill, my family sent her to a private clinic as the government hospitals were always so full and overcrowded. The best Nigerian doctors can be found in public hospitals, unfortunately, public hospitals are poorly equipped, inadequately staffed and plagued by a dismal doctor-patient ratio. And by the time we found a trained doctor for her, the damage was already done. She died not because her illness was incurable but because the system failed her, as it has many millions.

It is the same healthcare system marred by corruption and systemic failures we have exposed at WikkiTimes that led to her hurtful death. But the tragedy of her passing gives me the confidence to continue to push and fight for the masses. No family should ever have to lose a family member because of a broken system.

As I reflect on my mother’s life, I realize how much of my career is rooted in the values she instilled in me. She was my biggest supporter and, at times, my fiercest critic. As a journalist practising accountability reporting in a country where speaking truth to power is fraught with risks, I have faced arbitrary arrests, detentions, and relentless persecution.

My mother would call first when I got in trouble or was released. She spoke in a voice that, between tension and joy, reminded me of the cost of my work to her. She once complained, frustrated, “Perhaps it’s your journalism that will prematurely send me to my grave.”

She never told me to quit work, no matter how paranoid she was. Rather, she told me to stay true. “The truth may not make you friends,” she would say, “but it will give you peace.” Her words have been a constant reminder of why I chose this path and why I must persevere, no matter the challenges.

Not having to attend my mother’s funeral is the one regret I have. I had to flee Nigeria in April 2024 due to growing threats and persecution by Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed and his minions. The violence in Bauchi was too much for me to carry on working, and so I fled abroad.

I’m always comforted by the fact that my mother’s story is one of integrity and empathy. She had no prejudices whatsoever and was benevolent far beyond our immediate family. Friends, neighbours, and even strangers have told stories about her kindness and generosity.

The utmost integrity with which she cared for us and our neighbours represents her love for justice. She taught us never to give up what is right, even if it means doing so at our peril. This love of the poor also became part of the culture of journalism we all have at WikkiTimes.

All the stories we tell, all the injustices we expose…symbolize what my mother stood for. As she used to say: “Only you can fight and stand for the truth.”

These words have inspired me to believe that I should use journalism to hold leaders accountable and make the voices of the downtrodden heard.

While my mother’s death is devastating, I am relieved remembering the good virtues she represented in her lifetime. It lives in the lessons she taught her children, in the millions of lives she changed, and in what we do in her name.

As I write this tribute, I remember the countless nights my mother stayed up to care for us, the quiet acts of kindness she performed for others, and the wisdom she shared with us daily. She may no longer be here in person, but her spirit guides me every day.

Rest in peace, my beloved mother. Your life was a beacon of light, and your values remain eternal. You’re gone but you’ll continue to push me and so many more to be courageous, compassionate and ethical.

Haruna Mohammed Salisu is a journalist and graduate Student at the Media School, Indiana University, USA. He founded WikkiTimes, an investigative news outlet reporting in the news desert areas of northern Nigeria.