• Home
  • Anti-Corruption
  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
  • National
    • Government
  • Security
  • Features
  • State
  • Event
    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Search
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
Sign in
Welcome! Log into your account
Forgot your password? Get help
Password recovery
Recover your password
A password will be e-mailed to you.
PRNIGERIA PRNigeria News
PRNIGERIA PRNIGERIA
  • Home
  • Anti-Corruption
    • Chinese nationals jailed in Lagos

      Court Jails Nine Chinese Nationals for Cybercrime in Lagos

      ASUU

      Tackle Corruption, Institutional Decay – ASUU Charges FG

      EFCC Arraigns Bauchi Accountant General Over N8bn Fraud as Court Sentences…

      PRNigeria logo fearured image

      EFCC Arraigns Ex-Convict, Other for Naira Abuse in Lagos

      EFCC Arrests 37 Suspected Internet Fraudsters in Ilorin

  • Fact-Check
  • Economy
    • Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

      Nigeria Customs, ICPC and the Audit of Conscience

      Customs Diplomacy: Nigeria, Saudi Arabia Ink Mutual Assistance Deal

      Comptroller General Nigerian Customs Bashir Adewale

      Nigeria, Belarus Forge Alliance to Combat Smuggling, Facilitate Trade

      President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and CG Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi

      Tinubu Hails Customs Boss Wale Adeniyi on Historic Election as WCO…

      WTO Lauds Nigeria Customs for Embracing Global Trade Standards

  • National
    • NCoS inmates

      58 Inmates in Kano Sit for 2025 NECO Exams, Thanks to…

      Tinubu conference centre generates N700m in 3 weeks – Wike

      Police Arrest 43 Illegal Immigrants, Human Traffickers, Rescue Victim

      Multichoice logo

      NDPC Fines MultiChoice ₦766m for Data Protection Breach in Nigeria

      Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada

      Customs Debunks Fake CBT Recruitment Shortlist Circulating Online

    • Government
      • Tinubu conference centre generates N700m in 3 weeks – Wike

        Soldiers

        Soldiers, forest guards to tackle insecurity in Kwara State

        MUSWEN Muslim Ummah of South West

        MUSWEN Renews Call for Shariah Courts to Regulate Affairs of Muslims

        Corporate Affairs Commission

        CAC Unveils AI-Powered Registration Portal to Revolutionize Business Registration in Nigeria

        Employment: ICPC Secures Conviction of FAAN Staff

  • Security
    • Police Officer

      Security Forces Nab 2 Suspected ESN/IPOB Terrorists in Enugu

      NCoS inmates

      58 Inmates in Kano Sit for 2025 NECO Exams, Thanks to…

      Police Officer

      Police rescue 19 Ghanaians from human traffickers in Oyo

      Soldiers

      Soldiers, forest guards to tackle insecurity in Kwara State

      Police Officer

      Anambra Police Arrest Man with Human Breast; Rescue Abducted Driver, Recover…

  • Features
    • From SDP to ADA to ADC: Can the New Opposition Coalition…

      Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR

      Adeniyi: Lifting Nigeria to the Pinnacle of Global Customs Authority

      Nigeria’s Growth Numbers Tell Only Half the Story By Umar Farouk…

      NYSC Corps Members in Camp

      The Burden Too Many Nigerian Youths Bear Alone

      Combating Deepfake Videos: A Fight for Nigeria’s Soul By Mukhtar Ya’u…

  • State
    • Police Officer

      Security Forces Nab 2 Suspected ESN/IPOB Terrorists in Enugu

      NCoS inmates

      58 Inmates in Kano Sit for 2025 NECO Exams, Thanks to…

      Police Officer

      Police rescue 19 Ghanaians from human traffickers in Oyo

      Soldiers

      Soldiers, forest guards to tackle insecurity in Kwara State

      NDLEA Logo

      NDLEA Intercepts UK, Saudi-Bond Cocaine Hidden in Lipsticks in Lagos, Arrests…

  • Event
    • NCoS inmates

      58 Inmates in Kano Sit for 2025 NECO Exams, Thanks to…

      Troops of the Nigerian Army giving a salute

      162nd Anniversary: Tinubu Salutes Nigerian Army, Hails Troops as Guardians of…

      President & Chairman of Governing Council, Dr. Ike Neliaku

      NIPR Lauds Nigerian PR Firms for Outstanding Performances at 2025 SABRE…

      SCN NGO signs partnership with PRNIGERIA

      SCN NGO Seals Partnership with PRNigeria to Amplify its Humanitarian Projects

      NELFUND

      NELFUND Warns Students Against Fake Loan Application Portal

    • PR Nigeria Award
  • E-Paper
Home Features Word for Babachir Lawal By Femi Fani-Kayode
  • Features
  • General
  • Government

Word for Babachir Lawal By Femi Fani-Kayode

By
Femi-fani Kayode
-
May 21, 2025
Ex-SGF Babachir Lawal
Ex-SGF Babachir Lawal

Word for Babachir Lawal By Femi Fani-Kayode

At a time when the entire nation is celebrating and expressing pride over President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s historic two-day visit to Rome to attend the inaugural Mass of the newly installed Pope Leo XIV, it is deeply disappointing that Babachir Lawal, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, has described the President’s attendance as a “non-event,” further alleging that it was only made possible through the work of lobbyists.

I have always respected Babachir and regarded him as a friend. However, I am constrained to ask: has he lost all sense of reason?

He has blatantly refused to acknowledge the fact that, as I rightly noted on X (formerly Twitter) on the day of the President’s visit, no Nigerian Head of State has ever honoured the Vatican or the Pope in this way. Neither has any Nigerian President been granted such an honour by the Vatican—to attend, in person, such a momentous occasion.

That President Tinubu chose to go, despite being a practising Muslim, speaks volumes about his character and leadership. It reflects positively on Nigeria as a nation committed to religious tolerance and unity. It is a clear indication that, even with both a Muslim President and Vice President, the Christian community is treated with the utmost dignity and respect.

This is precisely what I expected. Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of the Catholic Church publicly commended President Tinubu for the visit, as did millions of Christians across Nigeria. Is Babachir more knowledgeable or discerning than all of them? Who exactly does he think he is?

It is worth noting that individuals like Babachir had once peddled the narrative that Christians would be sidelined under this administration. Yet, the reverse has been the case. Under the Tinubu/Shettima presidency, Christians have not only been treated fairly but have been given pride of place—far more than what can be said of the administration Babachir once served.

Read Also:

  • Security Forces Nab 2 Suspected ESN/IPOB Terrorists in Enugu
  • 58 Inmates in Kano Sit for 2025 NECO Exams, Thanks to State Government
  • Tinubu conference centre generates N700m in 3 weeks – Wike

Having a Christian Vice President, as symbolic as that might seem, is not what guarantees religious inclusion. What matters is having leaders—regardless of their faith—who are genuinely committed to equity, justice, and fairness for all Nigerians.

During President Buhari’s administration, despite having a Christian Vice President in Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Christians were massacred across the North. Worse still, the entire leadership of our military and security agencies was dominated exclusively by Northern Muslims. That imbalance was a national disgrace.

Yet, under President Tinubu, this anomaly has been corrected. The current structure of our Armed Forces and security agencies reflects inclusivity and fairness. Babachir should be the last person complaining about religious marginalization. If anything, he ought to repent from his own past failures and bitterness and seek healing from the resentment he so often projects.

He does not speak for the Christian community and must stop viewing every issue of national governance through a narrow religious lens.

Most recently, Babachir’s disparaging and disrespectful description of Vice President Kashim Shettima as a “flat spare tyre” did not go unnoticed. I am not the Vice President’s spokesperson, and I know he is more than capable of defending himself. Still, one would expect a man of Babachir’s age and former stature to exhibit greater decorum.

Instead, he has exposed himself as both uncouth and petty. If he must look for “flat spare tyres” or even “chicken-hearted ice cream sellers,” he would do well to reflect on the Vice President under whom he happily served—not on Kashim Shettima, who has so far demonstrated strength, loyalty, and remarkable competence.

Unlike the VP Babachir served, Shettima has not turned a blind eye or remained silent in the face of mass killings of both Christians and Muslims. He did not hide under the bed during the dark days of unpunished terrorism under the last regime.

Babachir has every right to criticize the current administration if he so wishes. That is democracy. But he should not do so under the guise of defending Christianity. That, in itself, is a greater insult to the faith.

He would be wise to stop before he provokes a more vigorous and pointed response.

Femi Fani-Kayode (FFK), a former Aviation Minister is APC chieftan

VISIT OUR OTHER WEBSITES
PRNigeria.com EconomicConfidential.com PRNigeria.com/Hausa/
EmergencyDigest.com PoliticsDigest.ng TechDigest.ng
HealthDigest.ng SpokesPersonsdigest.com TeensDigest.ng
ArewaAgenda.com Hausa.ArewaAgenda.com YAShuaib.com
  • TAGS
  • Babachir lawal
  • President Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Previous articleWhy Are Southern Youths Abandoning The Army? By Tahir Ahmad
Next articleDelegation from Algeria War College visits Army War College Nigeria on Study Tour
Femi-fani Kayode
Femi-fani Kayode

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR

Police Officer

Security Forces Nab 2 Suspected ESN/IPOB Terrorists in Enugu

Tinubu conference centre generates N700m in 3 weeks – Wike

Police Officer

Police rescue 19 Ghanaians from human traffickers in Oyo

Soldiers

Soldiers, forest guards to tackle insecurity in Kwara State

Police Arrest 43 Illegal Immigrants, Human Traffickers, Rescue Victim

Multichoice logo

NDPC Fines MultiChoice ₦766m for Data Protection Breach in Nigeria

Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada

Customs Debunks Fake CBT Recruitment Shortlist Circulating Online

From SDP to ADA to ADC: Can the New Opposition Coalition Unseat Tinubu in 2027?

Retired AIG Liman Shettima

IGP Egbetokun Mourns Retired AIG Liman Shettima

Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR

Adeniyi: Lifting Nigeria to the Pinnacle of Global Customs Authority

MUSWEN Muslim Ummah of South West

MUSWEN Renews Call for Shariah Courts to Regulate Affairs of Muslims

Police Officer

Police Foil Bandit Attacks in Katsina, Rescue Victims as Traditional Leader Abducted

Recent Posts

  • Security Forces Nab 2 Suspected ESN/IPOB Terrorists in Enugu
  • 58 Inmates in Kano Sit for 2025 NECO Exams, Thanks to State Government
  • Tinubu conference centre generates N700m in 3 weeks – Wike
  • Police rescue 19 Ghanaians from human traffickers in Oyo
  • Soldiers, forest guards to tackle insecurity in Kwara State
  • Home
  • About
  • Adverts
  • Contact
© 2020 PRNigeria. All Rights Reserved.
Latest News
Security Forces Nab 2 Suspected ESN/IPOB Terrorists in Enugu58 Inmates in Kano Sit for 2025 NECO Exams, Thanks to State GovernmentTinubu conference centre generates N700m in 3 weeks – WikePolice rescue 19 Ghanaians from human traffickers in OyoSoldiers, forest guards to tackle insecurity in Kwara StateAnambra Police Arrest Man with Human Breast; Rescue Abducted Driver, Recover Goods Worth N9.5mPolice Arrest 43 Illegal Immigrants, Human Traffickers, Rescue VictimNDPC Fines MultiChoice ₦766m for Data Protection Breach in NigeriaCustoms Debunks Fake CBT Recruitment Shortlist Circulating OnlineNDLEA Intercepts UK, Saudi-Bond Cocaine Hidden in Lipsticks in Lagos, Arrests Other SuspectsFrom SDP to ADA to ADC: Can the New Opposition Coalition Unseat Tinubu in 2027?IGP Egbetokun Mourns Retired AIG Liman ShettimaNAF Hosts Nationwide Parley to Honour Veterans’ Courage, SacrificeCybercrime Allegation: PRNigeria Petitions Police Against NIPSS Officials‎FACT-CHECK: Was a Man Trapped in Ceiling after Trying to Hack FCMB Bank?
X whatsapp