news

Opinion

Followers

Showing posts with label Opinion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Opinion. Show all posts

Nigeria needs strategy overhaul!

Nigeria needs strategy overhaul!

By

abiodun KOMOLAFE



As of today, the basic problem with Nigeria on the war against terrorism is that she is following a defective strategic front. This is what the situation is and it is very sad! All the empirical evidence in the last ten or so years have shown that Nigeria has been following a wrong policy in her counterterrorism warfare and all eyes can see it. The problem is that we are fighting unconventional warfare in which our security forces are not trained in terms of equipment, strategy and mindset. To get things right, the reboot must start from the military academy and the method of recruitment, for the people who are recruited to fight unconventional warfare might not be exactly the same as those who are recruited to fight conventional warfare. In other words, it is a multidimensional problem which must start from the military and its structure.


For Nigeria, her problem with terrorism dates back to the Maitatsine Riots of the early 1980s, during the Shehu Shagari era. A Judicial Enquiry was set up and its Report was prophetic. For example, it saw the plans being developed and suggested ways of ameliorating the social crisis which was bound to get deeper. Had the Judicial Report on the Maitatsine Risings been taken seriously and implemented, starting from the time of Shagari, Nigeria would most certainly not have gotten to where she is at the moment, if not nipped in the bud. It’s not possible! But the political will, even the interest, was not showing. That’s why we are now spending about 20% of our national budget on something that was preventable. Regrettable, there is no end in sight! It is now inevitable for Nigeria to go back to the Maitatsine Report if she must find a solution. It is important dear fatherland learns from other places about how to prevent a never-ending war by engendering an effective Defence Budget.


In 1959, General Dwight Eisenhower in his last major speech as President of the United States of America warned about the entrenchment of a military industrial complex. Of course, Eisenhower’s warnings foretold the future. Unfortunately, Nigeria is among the countries that are currently bearing the brunt of not taking his forebodings about the future seriously. The fact of the matter is that the military industrial complex, once entrenched, becomes self-perpetuating, leading to ever-increasing Defence Budgets and never-ending wars. President John. F. Kennedy, who succeeded Eisenhower, took the warning seriously by appointing Robert McNamara, the then Chief Executive Officer of one of the world’s largest corporations, Ford Motors, as his Defence Secretary. McNamara’s job was to devise and implement _Planning, Programming, Budgeting Systems_ (PPBS) in order to streamline the Defence Budgeting System, eliminate waste and duplication and make it more effective.


In 1983, President Shagari, in his 2nd Term, brought in the late Omowaye Kuye as Director of Budget to work out a PPBS across the board, not just for the military but also Housing, Health, Roads and other sectors. Sadly, that regime did not last 100 days! Basically, if Nigeria is to avoid the trap of a never-ending terror war, it’s time she devised her PPBS in order to have a more cost-effective Defence Budget which will at the same time robustly tackle terrorism. There is no alternative! The PPBS should also be applied to all the internal security mechanisms: Military, Police, Civil Defence, Intelligence Agency, even Customs Service.


That 287 innocent schoolchildren could be kidnapped from a school and Nigerians are moving on as if nothing has happened is not only surprising but also infuriating. So, where are the Emirs and why are they keeping silent in the face of a deep cavity in their region’s future? For God’s sake, is there something the suffering masses need to know which successive governments have been keeping away from us? By the way, who says Kuriga cannot happen to the Southwest and who says Ekiti cannot resurrect, especially in the region’s low-hanging states? In rebooting therefore, it’s better for other regions to learn fast and get fully prepared. Since it may not be politically expedient to hire mercenaries, Nigeria must develop and equip Special Forces with the fierce urgency of now even as technology such as sensors, drones, aerial surveillance systems, magnetics and artificial intelligence must not only be incorporated but also be at the heart of the reevaluation of the Defence package. Data scientists and forensic experts such as industrial chemists, biochemists and others in that mould must also be incorporated into the heart of the new strategic framework.


Nigeria has to start anew as she has already fallen into a trap. Those in authority are well-advised to move into the realm of critical thinking and take more than a cursory look at the magnificent works of the past such as the former Commander of the British Land Forces, Lt. General Frank Edward Kitson’s path-breaking ‘low intensity operations’. Originally published in 1979, about 17 contemptuous chapters of Kitson’s work are still not published and that’s on the orders of successive British governments, for it gives a valuable insight into the nature and strategies of the anti-insurgency warfare.


Throughout history, once policy is not separated from procurement, a never-ending war becomes an option because some people are bound to benefit from the spoils of a failed system. Tragically too, the more out-of-school children the country produces, the more it continues to feed the war machine because those untrained and uncatered-for children are ready recruits. Since counterinsurgency war in Nigeria has become as big a business as the Ministry of Works, the country must reevaluate its spending pattern if it must make headway. Feeding the procurement machine without working out the strategic imperative can only be likened to moving amiss. So, Nigeria must embrace a collective sense of responsibility and countermeasure devoid of ethnic and other primordial sentiments if she is to make any gains in the onslaught on the blood money merchants.


One advantage that Nigeria has today is that she has as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces a man who came into office from the managerial background. So, President Bola Tinubu must see the current war against terrorism and banditry as a crisis of project management and strategy. Thus, Nigerians expect Tinubu as a proven manager of men and resources to deploy his proven managerial skills which he demonstrated as governor of Lagos State into the war against terrorism and let the madness come to an end now.


Well, yours sincerely has never been an apostle of the declaration of a state of emergency because its usefulness has not been felt in Nigeria. The more reason the presidents has Tinubu also has to up his game for Nigerians will be disappointed if he goes the Muhammadu Buhari way. At a time like this, Nigerians need clarity on some burning issues and the national government needs to communicate to Nigerians but it seems as if the president’s men are not looking in that direction. The notorious truth is that we can’t keep talking about attacking insecurity in Nigeria without building trust and this is where sincerity of purpose on the part of the government is most useful. So, the president has to recalibrate his plans. He also needs to change his style, if need be. Tinubu will do well by suspending other not-so-important engagements for decisive decisions that will make his regime different from his predecessors. Nigeria is burning and the president needs to reassure Nigerians that he is up to the task. In sane climes, the police and army chiefs would have long relocated to the forests to rescue the victims.


May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria!


 _●[email protected]

 _●08098614418 - SMS only_

By

abiodun KOMOLAFE



As of today, the basic problem with Nigeria on the war against terrorism is that she is following a defective strategic front. This is what the situation is and it is very sad! All the empirical evidence in the last ten or so years have shown that Nigeria has been following a wrong policy in her counterterrorism warfare and all eyes can see it. The problem is that we are fighting unconventional warfare in which our security forces are not trained in terms of equipment, strategy and mindset. To get things right, the reboot must start from the military academy and the method of recruitment, for the people who are recruited to fight unconventional warfare might not be exactly the same as those who are recruited to fight conventional warfare. In other words, it is a multidimensional problem which must start from the military and its structure.


For Nigeria, her problem with terrorism dates back to the Maitatsine Riots of the early 1980s, during the Shehu Shagari era. A Judicial Enquiry was set up and its Report was prophetic. For example, it saw the plans being developed and suggested ways of ameliorating the social crisis which was bound to get deeper. Had the Judicial Report on the Maitatsine Risings been taken seriously and implemented, starting from the time of Shagari, Nigeria would most certainly not have gotten to where she is at the moment, if not nipped in the bud. It’s not possible! But the political will, even the interest, was not showing. That’s why we are now spending about 20% of our national budget on something that was preventable. Regrettable, there is no end in sight! It is now inevitable for Nigeria to go back to the Maitatsine Report if she must find a solution. It is important dear fatherland learns from other places about how to prevent a never-ending war by engendering an effective Defence Budget.


In 1959, General Dwight Eisenhower in his last major speech as President of the United States of America warned about the entrenchment of a military industrial complex. Of course, Eisenhower’s warnings foretold the future. Unfortunately, Nigeria is among the countries that are currently bearing the brunt of not taking his forebodings about the future seriously. The fact of the matter is that the military industrial complex, once entrenched, becomes self-perpetuating, leading to ever-increasing Defence Budgets and never-ending wars. President John. F. Kennedy, who succeeded Eisenhower, took the warning seriously by appointing Robert McNamara, the then Chief Executive Officer of one of the world’s largest corporations, Ford Motors, as his Defence Secretary. McNamara’s job was to devise and implement _Planning, Programming, Budgeting Systems_ (PPBS) in order to streamline the Defence Budgeting System, eliminate waste and duplication and make it more effective.


In 1983, President Shagari, in his 2nd Term, brought in the late Omowaye Kuye as Director of Budget to work out a PPBS across the board, not just for the military but also Housing, Health, Roads and other sectors. Sadly, that regime did not last 100 days! Basically, if Nigeria is to avoid the trap of a never-ending terror war, it’s time she devised her PPBS in order to have a more cost-effective Defence Budget which will at the same time robustly tackle terrorism. There is no alternative! The PPBS should also be applied to all the internal security mechanisms: Military, Police, Civil Defence, Intelligence Agency, even Customs Service.


That 287 innocent schoolchildren could be kidnapped from a school and Nigerians are moving on as if nothing has happened is not only surprising but also infuriating. So, where are the Emirs and why are they keeping silent in the face of a deep cavity in their region’s future? For God’s sake, is there something the suffering masses need to know which successive governments have been keeping away from us? By the way, who says Kuriga cannot happen to the Southwest and who says Ekiti cannot resurrect, especially in the region’s low-hanging states? In rebooting therefore, it’s better for other regions to learn fast and get fully prepared. Since it may not be politically expedient to hire mercenaries, Nigeria must develop and equip Special Forces with the fierce urgency of now even as technology such as sensors, drones, aerial surveillance systems, magnetics and artificial intelligence must not only be incorporated but also be at the heart of the reevaluation of the Defence package. Data scientists and forensic experts such as industrial chemists, biochemists and others in that mould must also be incorporated into the heart of the new strategic framework.


Nigeria has to start anew as she has already fallen into a trap. Those in authority are well-advised to move into the realm of critical thinking and take more than a cursory look at the magnificent works of the past such as the former Commander of the British Land Forces, Lt. General Frank Edward Kitson’s path-breaking ‘low intensity operations’. Originally published in 1979, about 17 contemptuous chapters of Kitson’s work are still not published and that’s on the orders of successive British governments, for it gives a valuable insight into the nature and strategies of the anti-insurgency warfare.


Throughout history, once policy is not separated from procurement, a never-ending war becomes an option because some people are bound to benefit from the spoils of a failed system. Tragically too, the more out-of-school children the country produces, the more it continues to feed the war machine because those untrained and uncatered-for children are ready recruits. Since counterinsurgency war in Nigeria has become as big a business as the Ministry of Works, the country must reevaluate its spending pattern if it must make headway. Feeding the procurement machine without working out the strategic imperative can only be likened to moving amiss. So, Nigeria must embrace a collective sense of responsibility and countermeasure devoid of ethnic and other primordial sentiments if she is to make any gains in the onslaught on the blood money merchants.


One advantage that Nigeria has today is that she has as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces a man who came into office from the managerial background. So, President Bola Tinubu must see the current war against terrorism and banditry as a crisis of project management and strategy. Thus, Nigerians expect Tinubu as a proven manager of men and resources to deploy his proven managerial skills which he demonstrated as governor of Lagos State into the war against terrorism and let the madness come to an end now.


Well, yours sincerely has never been an apostle of the declaration of a state of emergency because its usefulness has not been felt in Nigeria. The more reason the presidents has Tinubu also has to up his game for Nigerians will be disappointed if he goes the Muhammadu Buhari way. At a time like this, Nigerians need clarity on some burning issues and the national government needs to communicate to Nigerians but it seems as if the president’s men are not looking in that direction. The notorious truth is that we can’t keep talking about attacking insecurity in Nigeria without building trust and this is where sincerity of purpose on the part of the government is most useful. So, the president has to recalibrate his plans. He also needs to change his style, if need be. Tinubu will do well by suspending other not-so-important engagements for decisive decisions that will make his regime different from his predecessors. Nigeria is burning and the president needs to reassure Nigerians that he is up to the task. In sane climes, the police and army chiefs would have long relocated to the forests to rescue the victims.


May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria!


 _●[email protected]

 _●08098614418 - SMS only_

Russia/Ukraine War: West will walk away from Ukraine after destroying it

Russia/Ukraine War: West will walk away from Ukraine after destroying it

Kolawole Odetola




The west will not relent in their proxy war with Russia until the whole of Ukraine is destroyed. The latest mendacious cry faithfully echoed across the media and commentariat is that Russia is advancing because the west is not supplying Kiev with enough ammunition. So as long as enough ammo can be magicked up the tide of battle could turn against Moscow. It is another lie.


 Remember this time last year the very same people were predicting the Ukranian army would sweep Russia into the sea of Azov as they were brimming with the most advanced western arms and tons of ammunition. The much hyped counter offensive was comprehensively defeated by the Russian army killing tens of thousands of Ukranian soldiers, which is the real problem. Ukraine is not just running out of ammunition, the west is running out of Ukranians to die for their crusade to break Russia.


 Almost a million ukranian soldiers have been killed or injured since 2022.


This was always going to be the case. While they have fought bravely Ukraine was never going to match the Russian army. Russia is far bigger, richer, more populous and more industrialised than Ukraine and in multiples.


The Russian army is also better trained, better equipped and better led than the Ukranian military. The Russians learn from their mistakes, the Ukrainians repeat theirs. When the Russians face challenging realities they retreat and regroup as they did in Kharkov and Kherson in the fall of 2022. When the Ukrainians face difficult military situations they dig in and get wiped out as they were in Marioupal in 2022, Bakhmut in 2023 and Adieevka in 2024. The Russians are fighting to win on the battlefield, the Ukranians are fighting to win on CNN.


A ceasefire now is the only realistic way out of this mess. The pipe dream of Ukraine besting Russia has been exposed as the ludicrous fantasy it always was. But the west still wants to escalate until the entire project collapses. Then they will walk away as they walked away from Iraq, walked away from Syria, walked away from Libya and walked away fron Afghanistan four nations they have totally wrecked in the last 20 years of a futile and failing crusade to reassert America's disintegrating global supremacy. 


They will walk away from Ukraine after destroying it and their mendacious media will simply stop talking about it as they stopped talking about Iraq, Libya, Syria and Afghanistan. It never happened. Then they will walk on to the next project.

Kolawole Odetola




The west will not relent in their proxy war with Russia until the whole of Ukraine is destroyed. The latest mendacious cry faithfully echoed across the media and commentariat is that Russia is advancing because the west is not supplying Kiev with enough ammunition. So as long as enough ammo can be magicked up the tide of battle could turn against Moscow. It is another lie.


 Remember this time last year the very same people were predicting the Ukranian army would sweep Russia into the sea of Azov as they were brimming with the most advanced western arms and tons of ammunition. The much hyped counter offensive was comprehensively defeated by the Russian army killing tens of thousands of Ukranian soldiers, which is the real problem. Ukraine is not just running out of ammunition, the west is running out of Ukranians to die for their crusade to break Russia.


 Almost a million ukranian soldiers have been killed or injured since 2022.


This was always going to be the case. While they have fought bravely Ukraine was never going to match the Russian army. Russia is far bigger, richer, more populous and more industrialised than Ukraine and in multiples.


The Russian army is also better trained, better equipped and better led than the Ukranian military. The Russians learn from their mistakes, the Ukrainians repeat theirs. When the Russians face challenging realities they retreat and regroup as they did in Kharkov and Kherson in the fall of 2022. When the Ukrainians face difficult military situations they dig in and get wiped out as they were in Marioupal in 2022, Bakhmut in 2023 and Adieevka in 2024. The Russians are fighting to win on the battlefield, the Ukranians are fighting to win on CNN.


A ceasefire now is the only realistic way out of this mess. The pipe dream of Ukraine besting Russia has been exposed as the ludicrous fantasy it always was. But the west still wants to escalate until the entire project collapses. Then they will walk away as they walked away from Iraq, walked away from Syria, walked away from Libya and walked away fron Afghanistan four nations they have totally wrecked in the last 20 years of a futile and failing crusade to reassert America's disintegrating global supremacy. 


They will walk away from Ukraine after destroying it and their mendacious media will simply stop talking about it as they stopped talking about Iraq, Libya, Syria and Afghanistan. It never happened. Then they will walk on to the next project.

Bola Ahmed Tinubu: "Emi lokan and Sons" Nigeria Limited

Bola Ahmed Tinubu: "Emi lokan and Sons" Nigeria Limited

By Bolaji O. Akinyemi.



The overbearing influence of Seyi Tinubu over state affairs was first noticed prior to the Lekki Toll gate massacre of Nigerian youths who were out on a peaceful protest against police brutality. Seyi's company is alleged to hold the monopoly of right to the lighting and the camera system at the facility. Though, his role, or of the company was hidden from the prying eyes of the public but its effect set the stage for what will become the worse state onslaught against peaceful and unarmed civilians in human history. They set the stage for what was to follow by switching off the lights before the military opened fire on the citizens, sending countless to early grave. Till date, lack of public transparency still trails the tragedy.


The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces at that time was Muhammadu Buhari, who by implication is responsible for ordering the shoot at sight of the peaceful protesters.


The worst human puppet in the history of national leadership, once you can find a narrative to appeal to his ego you have pulled the string to get the puppet to dance to your sound. Buhari will later confess what the narrative that got the order out was; "the young people want to overthrow my Government"!


Who pulled the string on the President?


Though unseen, Seyi and Father's hands can't be exonerated from the deaths at the toll gate, while the yoke remains Buhari's burden to bear. Truth has never been buried successfully, if time doesn't reveal it, characters will! 


Our King had hardly been crowned when the first son of Pastor Remi Tinubu for the President, Oluwaseyifunmi Tinubu , the Crown Prince of Lagos State and the Olu-Omo of Nigeria showed us their families mission to power. He showed up in the chamber of the state house pacing up and down needlessly during the Federal Executive Council meeting. The rudeness of his conduct not even his father could keep his pretence of. He was forced as it looks now, against his will to openly rebuke his son. Seyi according to Mr. President has no business being in the chamber during the FEC meeting.


Please, what business then does he have to be on the entourage to Qatar?


Tinubu said he will cut the cost of governance by limiting his entourage on foreign trips to 20 persons after the national outcry that greeted the trip to the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates where over 1400 delegates were alleged to have made the trip, and about 590 of them were sponsored by the government at an alleged cost of #885 million to taxpayers.


"Emi lokan"; seems to be clearly defined, "Emi lokan and Sons" Nigeria Limited!


The entourage to Qatar included 3 members of the Tinubu immediate and extended family, 35 members of the main body who arrived in 2 separate jets and an advance team estimated at 40 persons who also flew in a separate jet. 


In all, 3 jets from the presidential fleet landed in Qatar, with about 70 persons, excluding flight crew of 15 persons for 3 aircraft.


The Presidency' s ear is lost. It is one which is not ready to be corrected . He has successfully surrounded himself with YES men; sycophants and hypocrites?


No man of conscience should spare Tinubu and sons on this! 


I read a friend of mine who is an APC chieftain on the WhatsApp Platform of my Media friends and I was sorry for the President and his family. He wrote; 


"This eyesore and hideous incident is another low for Tinubu as a leader. I was appalled and disgusted because this is coming when Nigerians are in pain, despair, hungry and angry about how they are being governed.

One can just imagine how the Qatari officials will be thinking when the President's sons who are not government officials or known investors could be there to talk less of being introduced before the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

I wish one could hear how Tinubu introduced his two sons. 


Would he say: 



"Meet Oluwaseyifunmi Tinubu my son, the first son of the Federal Republic of Nigeria". 


And again: 


"This is Oluwayinka Tinubu, the Second Son of The Federal Republic of Nigeria".



I'm just wondering what will be going through the mind of the Qataris.



This is impunity taken to the highest level. It is highly provocative and nauseating. It is disrespectful to all Nigerians. Tinubu is democratically elected as President and not as a King in a Monarchical country. It is high time people who are close to this president talked some senses into his head. He should cease from insulting and disrespecting us.


There is a thick cloud over this country. No one knows the straw that will break the carmel's back".


If my friend was angry with the President and his sons, I would not! My anger is with men who failed to lift up their heads when it matters, led by the Honourable? Can we in all honesty still retain any honour for men who couldn't stand up for their own honours? 


Qatar's order of protocol is the most dishonouring one I have seen in my 57 years of life. Next to Tinubu and sons in order of protocol were, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, the Foreign Affairs Minister . The Minister was joined on the line of shame by the elected Governors of Borno and Kaduna, their Excellencies Babagana Zulum and Uba Sani. The Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, made the line with Dele Alake, Minister for Solid Minerals, same for Nuhu Ribadu Defence Adviser, Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, and the parrot at the Villa Ajuri Ngalele completed the line of "Iwofas"(serfs) who filed behind Oluwaseyifunmi and Oluwayimika Tinubu. 


Church Ministries like public Ministries are held in trust for the people. Many don't understand it when we demand succession transparency and accountability for leaders of Churches. This conduct is not different from what the attitude of our church leaders are.


I assumed they managed the situation by not walking away from that line of protocol. I have waited to see a resignation by any of the appointees and a media chiding of what the elected Governors were subjected to by the sons of Tinubu but I seem to be waiting in vain to see if any iota of honour is still left with these men that should compell them to resign for breach of protocol and gross disrespect to their offices upon their return to Nigeria.


Dr Reuben Abati, who studied protocol for four years, who wrote and passed exams according to him, asked; “Are the sons of the President not gainfully employed?”. 


And I also want to remind Sade, Seyi and Yinka that they are adults and not dependants of the President. 


They should focus on their own careers".


What seems to be a rumour before 2023 that the President Bola Tinubu wanted Seyi Tinubu as the Governorship candidate for Lagos State seems to be adding up. I think we should be prepared for Seyi in Lagos as Governor in 2027. Mummy back to the Senate for senate Presidency and Oluwayimika can make do with the Chief of staff to his father. Please, don't dare say it is not possible! What have you done to the embarrassing impossibility that has become our reality in Qatar?


The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamid, after his warm embrace of PBAT was led in hand by the President to the most senior official of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on his entourage without official Portfolio! Mr Oluwaseyifunmi Tinubu followed in order of seniority of protocol by Oluwayimika Tinubu!


Many Nigerians had risen in defence of this indefensible!


What have you seen in the media against this Institutional nepotism by Tinubu? Buhari was no where near this, when crumbs seeking South West Media descended on him. Where are they now? They are shut up by Awa lokan! If not for the Arise Team that raised this, it probably would have gone unnoticed!


Tinubu has exceeded Buhari in nepotism with the appointment of his son-in-law as DG FHA, his brother as a Minister, now his sons were presented to the world as the most senior officials from Nigeria after their father; even though they were banned from attending FEC meeting!


A pity, if Nigerians can't see this "Emi lokan and Sons" Nigeria Limited coming and rise against it!



Dr Bolaji O. Akinyemi is an Apostle and Nation Builder. He's also President Voice of His Word Ministries and Convener Apostolic Round Table.


email:[email protected]


Facebook: Bolaji Akinyemi.


X: Bolaji O Akinyemi.


Instagram: bolajioakinyemi.


Phone: +2348033041236

By Bolaji O. Akinyemi.



The overbearing influence of Seyi Tinubu over state affairs was first noticed prior to the Lekki Toll gate massacre of Nigerian youths who were out on a peaceful protest against police brutality. Seyi's company is alleged to hold the monopoly of right to the lighting and the camera system at the facility. Though, his role, or of the company was hidden from the prying eyes of the public but its effect set the stage for what will become the worse state onslaught against peaceful and unarmed civilians in human history. They set the stage for what was to follow by switching off the lights before the military opened fire on the citizens, sending countless to early grave. Till date, lack of public transparency still trails the tragedy.


The President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces at that time was Muhammadu Buhari, who by implication is responsible for ordering the shoot at sight of the peaceful protesters.


The worst human puppet in the history of national leadership, once you can find a narrative to appeal to his ego you have pulled the string to get the puppet to dance to your sound. Buhari will later confess what the narrative that got the order out was; "the young people want to overthrow my Government"!


Who pulled the string on the President?


Though unseen, Seyi and Father's hands can't be exonerated from the deaths at the toll gate, while the yoke remains Buhari's burden to bear. Truth has never been buried successfully, if time doesn't reveal it, characters will! 


Our King had hardly been crowned when the first son of Pastor Remi Tinubu for the President, Oluwaseyifunmi Tinubu , the Crown Prince of Lagos State and the Olu-Omo of Nigeria showed us their families mission to power. He showed up in the chamber of the state house pacing up and down needlessly during the Federal Executive Council meeting. The rudeness of his conduct not even his father could keep his pretence of. He was forced as it looks now, against his will to openly rebuke his son. Seyi according to Mr. President has no business being in the chamber during the FEC meeting.


Please, what business then does he have to be on the entourage to Qatar?


Tinubu said he will cut the cost of governance by limiting his entourage on foreign trips to 20 persons after the national outcry that greeted the trip to the COP28 UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates where over 1400 delegates were alleged to have made the trip, and about 590 of them were sponsored by the government at an alleged cost of #885 million to taxpayers.


"Emi lokan"; seems to be clearly defined, "Emi lokan and Sons" Nigeria Limited!


The entourage to Qatar included 3 members of the Tinubu immediate and extended family, 35 members of the main body who arrived in 2 separate jets and an advance team estimated at 40 persons who also flew in a separate jet. 


In all, 3 jets from the presidential fleet landed in Qatar, with about 70 persons, excluding flight crew of 15 persons for 3 aircraft.


The Presidency' s ear is lost. It is one which is not ready to be corrected . He has successfully surrounded himself with YES men; sycophants and hypocrites?


No man of conscience should spare Tinubu and sons on this! 


I read a friend of mine who is an APC chieftain on the WhatsApp Platform of my Media friends and I was sorry for the President and his family. He wrote; 


"This eyesore and hideous incident is another low for Tinubu as a leader. I was appalled and disgusted because this is coming when Nigerians are in pain, despair, hungry and angry about how they are being governed.

One can just imagine how the Qatari officials will be thinking when the President's sons who are not government officials or known investors could be there to talk less of being introduced before the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

I wish one could hear how Tinubu introduced his two sons. 


Would he say: 



"Meet Oluwaseyifunmi Tinubu my son, the first son of the Federal Republic of Nigeria". 


And again: 


"This is Oluwayinka Tinubu, the Second Son of The Federal Republic of Nigeria".



I'm just wondering what will be going through the mind of the Qataris.



This is impunity taken to the highest level. It is highly provocative and nauseating. It is disrespectful to all Nigerians. Tinubu is democratically elected as President and not as a King in a Monarchical country. It is high time people who are close to this president talked some senses into his head. He should cease from insulting and disrespecting us.


There is a thick cloud over this country. No one knows the straw that will break the carmel's back".


If my friend was angry with the President and his sons, I would not! My anger is with men who failed to lift up their heads when it matters, led by the Honourable? Can we in all honesty still retain any honour for men who couldn't stand up for their own honours? 


Qatar's order of protocol is the most dishonouring one I have seen in my 57 years of life. Next to Tinubu and sons in order of protocol were, Ambassador Yusuf Maitama Tuggar, the Foreign Affairs Minister . The Minister was joined on the line of shame by the elected Governors of Borno and Kaduna, their Excellencies Babagana Zulum and Uba Sani. The Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr Wale Edun, made the line with Dele Alake, Minister for Solid Minerals, same for Nuhu Ribadu Defence Adviser, Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited, and the parrot at the Villa Ajuri Ngalele completed the line of "Iwofas"(serfs) who filed behind Oluwaseyifunmi and Oluwayimika Tinubu. 


Church Ministries like public Ministries are held in trust for the people. Many don't understand it when we demand succession transparency and accountability for leaders of Churches. This conduct is not different from what the attitude of our church leaders are.


I assumed they managed the situation by not walking away from that line of protocol. I have waited to see a resignation by any of the appointees and a media chiding of what the elected Governors were subjected to by the sons of Tinubu but I seem to be waiting in vain to see if any iota of honour is still left with these men that should compell them to resign for breach of protocol and gross disrespect to their offices upon their return to Nigeria.


Dr Reuben Abati, who studied protocol for four years, who wrote and passed exams according to him, asked; “Are the sons of the President not gainfully employed?”. 


And I also want to remind Sade, Seyi and Yinka that they are adults and not dependants of the President. 


They should focus on their own careers".


What seems to be a rumour before 2023 that the President Bola Tinubu wanted Seyi Tinubu as the Governorship candidate for Lagos State seems to be adding up. I think we should be prepared for Seyi in Lagos as Governor in 2027. Mummy back to the Senate for senate Presidency and Oluwayimika can make do with the Chief of staff to his father. Please, don't dare say it is not possible! What have you done to the embarrassing impossibility that has become our reality in Qatar?


The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamid, after his warm embrace of PBAT was led in hand by the President to the most senior official of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on his entourage without official Portfolio! Mr Oluwaseyifunmi Tinubu followed in order of seniority of protocol by Oluwayimika Tinubu!


Many Nigerians had risen in defence of this indefensible!


What have you seen in the media against this Institutional nepotism by Tinubu? Buhari was no where near this, when crumbs seeking South West Media descended on him. Where are they now? They are shut up by Awa lokan! If not for the Arise Team that raised this, it probably would have gone unnoticed!


Tinubu has exceeded Buhari in nepotism with the appointment of his son-in-law as DG FHA, his brother as a Minister, now his sons were presented to the world as the most senior officials from Nigeria after their father; even though they were banned from attending FEC meeting!


A pity, if Nigerians can't see this "Emi lokan and Sons" Nigeria Limited coming and rise against it!



Dr Bolaji O. Akinyemi is an Apostle and Nation Builder. He's also President Voice of His Word Ministries and Convener Apostolic Round Table.


email:[email protected]


Facebook: Bolaji Akinyemi.


X: Bolaji O Akinyemi.


Instagram: bolajioakinyemi.


Phone: +2348033041236

OPINION: Tinubu and the creation of a new society

OPINION: Tinubu and the creation of a new society

By

abiodun KOMOLAFE



Nigeria is at a critical juncture; and in such a context, it is _“cometh the moment, cometh the man”._ For President Bola Tinubu, this adversity should be turned into a historic advantage which should propel him to be the creator of a new society and his place in history will be assured, not for all time but forever. Men who took advantage of their opportunity include Park Chung Hee of South Korea, Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil. Take it or leave it, Nigeria is in it already but this is a historic task for Tinubu to right the wrongs; and it must not be long.


In life, every day counts! Tinubu has already spent more than 20% of his four-year tenure. By May 28, 2024, he will have used 25% of his tenure as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. So, the clock is ticking and time waits for no one! Reinventing the wheel shouldn’t be an option!


It is a historic turning point for Nigeria and Tinubu has a historic opportunity to position himself as the creator of a new political economy and the builder of a new Nigeria. If he gets it right, especially by reconstructing an economy that was hitherto based on parasitic activities, the country will never look back. If he is able to midwife a production, export-led economy, the changes brought will be irreversible and Tinubu will become the equivalent of Hee, Yew, and da Silva. Then he should forget about the next election as his place in history as the creator of a new Nigeria will have been assured and cemented. It will have been signed, sealed and delivered!


According to Karl Marx, _“men make their own history, but they do not make it as they please; they do not make it under self-selected circumstances but under circumstances existing already, given and transmitted from the past …”_ In a word, Tinubu is asked to make history but not in ways that he would have chosen or wanted but he still has to make that history in a positive manner. In order to attract more support from the masses therefore, what is expected from our president is to understand that sermons will not quench thirst and hunger even as change is not expected to be in a day but a daily process. He must understand that dispensational factors are expected to play notable roles in the fulfillment of his agenda for the Nigeria of his vision and that the opposition and those benefiting from the afflictions confronting Nigerians are not relenting. Since they are condemned to the monstrous conventions of politics, they aren’t going to sleep either. But if the president asked not to be pitied, Nigerians are seriously asking for his pity.


Tinubu is expected to represent the progressive currents that have passed through the Nigerian space, going back to the foundation of _‘Egbe Omo Oduduwa’, Northern Elements Progressive Union_ (NEPU) and others. So, the president must return to the basic tenets of social democracy – the German-type social market and shared prosperity.


But why are his ministers not functioning and why are they not talking to Nigerians about what their respective ministries are bringing to the table to help Nigeria out of this socioeconomic morass? For reasons best known to most of them, there’s no functional, mobile and serious in-house media to help coordinate their media outlets other than the usual _‘kick-and-start’_ creation of bureaucracy. There is no meeting of minds and it’s as if our ministers are scared of taking bullets for the president, which, of course, is one of their central functions as presidential aides.


The two performing ministries in times of Balance of Payment crises ought to be Solid Minerals and Blue Economy. In the 1960s, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) alone provided not less than 42% of the Federal Government Budget, up to the end of the First Republic. Impliedly, the Marine and Blue Economy under Gboyega Oyetola should be prepared to give about 18% of Nigeria’s Budget with ease. Whether we like it or not, Nigeria has to export her way up out of the wahala in which she’s currently immersed. To respond to the Balance of Trade and currency crises, the economic strategy is to export in order to import with a view to balancing its payments.


One of the reasons the world continues to remember former Prime Minister Tony Blair and former President Bill Clinton is that, immediately after they assumed office, they set up what could be referred to as public sector targets with fixed timelines for every minister. Because they did that, the ministers were very effective, not just because they were brilliant. It’s because they had targets that were eventually met; and that’s why the two leaders ended well. In Nigeria, how do we appraise performance without targets and timelines? Therefore, Tinubu should give every minister public-sector targets with fixed timelines as it’s done in sane climes. This is very important because every hour counts! The performance evaluation team put in place by the president also has to give a dispassionate report on the ministers because Nigerians expect more from them.


If truth be told, those who have been assuring Nigerians that all would be well are not telling us something new. As we speak, the hypocrisy of the dollar remains unsurpassed even as the inflation rate is 29.9%. Yes, that terrible record is the highest in 28 years. The more reason Tinubu needs our prayers! Here’s a man who said that nobody should pity him because he asked for the job, that the current pains were products of his tough policies geared towards revamping the economy and that the situation would soon begin to smile. However, laudable as these promises may be, it is perhaps because most Nigerians see the president as being above their level that his messages seem not to be resonating with them. They don’t see him as speaking the same language with them, coming down to dance their dance or taking their brand of tea. Should the president continue this way, his reforms may become wounded and, his legacy, troubled.


As a Yoruba leader of the _Afenifere_ bent, Tinubu’s cardinal focus should be the creation of state police, restructuring and better life for all. God forbid, should he miss this rare opportunity, then there may be no hope again for the progressives and Yoruba race will be worse for it. Yes, he might have come at the wrong time but the satisfying truth is that he remains the right man for the job. He is a pro-democracy fighter and an advocate for human dignity. He has promoted self-rule with all his might and fought oligarchy and shallowness of thought in governance. He has led many situations perceived to be for the good of all and spearheaded measures aimed at restoring values and a new beginning.


So, what practical things does Tinubu want to do in practical ways that will bring practical succor to the people? If it is a four-lane road that he’s going to construct from Ijebu-Jesa, my Native Nazareth in Osun State, through Fenwa Community in Oyo State, to Daura in Katsina State, the president should let us know! If it is power, he should give instructions to Adebayo _‘Penkelemesi’_ Adelabu on how to move beyond cruising in the unmatched comfort of wattages of darkness to truly deliver on his mandate. Nigerians are no longer interested in excuses that do not edify prosperity. What Nigerians want going forward is result.


May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria!


 _●[email protected];_ 

 _●08098614418 - SMS only._

By

abiodun KOMOLAFE



Nigeria is at a critical juncture; and in such a context, it is _“cometh the moment, cometh the man”._ For President Bola Tinubu, this adversity should be turned into a historic advantage which should propel him to be the creator of a new society and his place in history will be assured, not for all time but forever. Men who took advantage of their opportunity include Park Chung Hee of South Korea, Lee Kuan Yew of Singapore, Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil. Take it or leave it, Nigeria is in it already but this is a historic task for Tinubu to right the wrongs; and it must not be long.


In life, every day counts! Tinubu has already spent more than 20% of his four-year tenure. By May 28, 2024, he will have used 25% of his tenure as President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. So, the clock is ticking and time waits for no one! Reinventing the wheel shouldn’t be an option!


It is a historic turning point for Nigeria and Tinubu has a historic opportunity to position himself as the creator of a new political economy and the builder of a new Nigeria. If he gets it right, especially by reconstructing an economy that was hitherto based on parasitic activities, the country will never look back. If he is able to midwife a production, export-led economy, the changes brought will be irreversible and Tinubu will become the equivalent of Hee, Yew, and da Silva. Then he should forget about the next election as his place in history as the creator of a new Nigeria will have been assured and cemented. It will have been signed, sealed and delivered!


According to Karl Marx, _“men make their own history, but they do not make it as they please; they do not make it under self-selected circumstances but under circumstances existing already, given and transmitted from the past …”_ In a word, Tinubu is asked to make history but not in ways that he would have chosen or wanted but he still has to make that history in a positive manner. In order to attract more support from the masses therefore, what is expected from our president is to understand that sermons will not quench thirst and hunger even as change is not expected to be in a day but a daily process. He must understand that dispensational factors are expected to play notable roles in the fulfillment of his agenda for the Nigeria of his vision and that the opposition and those benefiting from the afflictions confronting Nigerians are not relenting. Since they are condemned to the monstrous conventions of politics, they aren’t going to sleep either. But if the president asked not to be pitied, Nigerians are seriously asking for his pity.


Tinubu is expected to represent the progressive currents that have passed through the Nigerian space, going back to the foundation of _‘Egbe Omo Oduduwa’, Northern Elements Progressive Union_ (NEPU) and others. So, the president must return to the basic tenets of social democracy – the German-type social market and shared prosperity.


But why are his ministers not functioning and why are they not talking to Nigerians about what their respective ministries are bringing to the table to help Nigeria out of this socioeconomic morass? For reasons best known to most of them, there’s no functional, mobile and serious in-house media to help coordinate their media outlets other than the usual _‘kick-and-start’_ creation of bureaucracy. There is no meeting of minds and it’s as if our ministers are scared of taking bullets for the president, which, of course, is one of their central functions as presidential aides.


The two performing ministries in times of Balance of Payment crises ought to be Solid Minerals and Blue Economy. In the 1960s, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) alone provided not less than 42% of the Federal Government Budget, up to the end of the First Republic. Impliedly, the Marine and Blue Economy under Gboyega Oyetola should be prepared to give about 18% of Nigeria’s Budget with ease. Whether we like it or not, Nigeria has to export her way up out of the wahala in which she’s currently immersed. To respond to the Balance of Trade and currency crises, the economic strategy is to export in order to import with a view to balancing its payments.


One of the reasons the world continues to remember former Prime Minister Tony Blair and former President Bill Clinton is that, immediately after they assumed office, they set up what could be referred to as public sector targets with fixed timelines for every minister. Because they did that, the ministers were very effective, not just because they were brilliant. It’s because they had targets that were eventually met; and that’s why the two leaders ended well. In Nigeria, how do we appraise performance without targets and timelines? Therefore, Tinubu should give every minister public-sector targets with fixed timelines as it’s done in sane climes. This is very important because every hour counts! The performance evaluation team put in place by the president also has to give a dispassionate report on the ministers because Nigerians expect more from them.


If truth be told, those who have been assuring Nigerians that all would be well are not telling us something new. As we speak, the hypocrisy of the dollar remains unsurpassed even as the inflation rate is 29.9%. Yes, that terrible record is the highest in 28 years. The more reason Tinubu needs our prayers! Here’s a man who said that nobody should pity him because he asked for the job, that the current pains were products of his tough policies geared towards revamping the economy and that the situation would soon begin to smile. However, laudable as these promises may be, it is perhaps because most Nigerians see the president as being above their level that his messages seem not to be resonating with them. They don’t see him as speaking the same language with them, coming down to dance their dance or taking their brand of tea. Should the president continue this way, his reforms may become wounded and, his legacy, troubled.


As a Yoruba leader of the _Afenifere_ bent, Tinubu’s cardinal focus should be the creation of state police, restructuring and better life for all. God forbid, should he miss this rare opportunity, then there may be no hope again for the progressives and Yoruba race will be worse for it. Yes, he might have come at the wrong time but the satisfying truth is that he remains the right man for the job. He is a pro-democracy fighter and an advocate for human dignity. He has promoted self-rule with all his might and fought oligarchy and shallowness of thought in governance. He has led many situations perceived to be for the good of all and spearheaded measures aimed at restoring values and a new beginning.


So, what practical things does Tinubu want to do in practical ways that will bring practical succor to the people? If it is a four-lane road that he’s going to construct from Ijebu-Jesa, my Native Nazareth in Osun State, through Fenwa Community in Oyo State, to Daura in Katsina State, the president should let us know! If it is power, he should give instructions to Adebayo _‘Penkelemesi’_ Adelabu on how to move beyond cruising in the unmatched comfort of wattages of darkness to truly deliver on his mandate. Nigerians are no longer interested in excuses that do not edify prosperity. What Nigerians want going forward is result.


May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Nigeria!


 _●[email protected];_ 

 _●08098614418 - SMS only._

Economic crisis: Tinubu spotlights Osun APC's cluelessness

Economic crisis: Tinubu spotlights Osun APC's cluelessness

By Sarafa Ibrahim







Sarafa


President Bola Tinubu made a stunning submissions on the things that should be done to get Nigeria out of the current economic challenges. During a meeting with the 36 Governors, the FCT Minister and top security officials, President Tinubu outlined mechanisms that offers the most brightest chance for the country to turn the corner of the current economic woes and generates a refreshing experience. 


One of the positions of the president's interests me a lot. And that was where, according to Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu's special adviser on Information & Strategy, the president "pleaded with Governors to ensure all salary arrears to workers, gratuities to workers and pensioners are cleared as a way to put money into the hands of the people since states are now getting more monthly FAAC revenue." Speaking further, Mr. Onanuga quoted President Tinubu as urging Governors to "Spend the money, don't spend the people."


Wait a minutes. The above highlighted position of the president has been the mantra of Governor Ademola Adeleke in Osun since assuming office in November 2022. Yet, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal and Chief Kola Olabisi of the APC have continued to promote the bizarre argument that the Governor's approach is wrong and lacking any real effect. They suggest that a solution will be to spend money and not on what it is spent on.


If Lawal and Olabisi are actually projecting the reasoning of the Osun APC on navigating economic crisis, then the opposition party is worse than one can imagine. Of course, the Osun APC is bad with the economy and the people still bear the ripple effect of the many wrong financial choices that defined its 12 years rule in the state.


A renowned American financial host, Lawrence Kudlow, cautioned that "Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results when, in fact, the results never change, is one definition of insanity. That goes for economies, too." The soaring inflation is just one of the trigger for the tough economic conditions that Nigerians, including Osun people are battling with at the moment.


The purchasing power of Nigerians is embarrassingly low when compared with, let us say Egypt, which is facing identical shortage of weak currency, soaring inflation and capital flight as Nigeria. With this striking reality, Governor Adeleke prioritize the welfare of the people to put money in the hands of the people. He departed from the lackadaisical attitude of the past that significantly wean the spending power of civil servants and pensioners, thereby, heightening their miseries. 


In February in 2023, Governor Adeleke commenced the payment of half salary owed by the previous government and has so far, paid five months out of the 30 months debt. Between November 2022 and now, the Adeleke administration has expended nearly N28 billion to clearing the load of pension liabilities inherited. This is more than what the immediate administration spent on the same purpose throughout its four years. 


And again, Governor Adeleke implemented the financial implication of the promotion given to workers by the Gboyega Oyetola administration, bringing an end the wait of civil servants to the financial benefits of their work statuses. Beginning from December, Governor Adeleke is paying wage awards to active workers and pensioners in the state.


As a party with a bad record on welfare in Osun state, the Osun APC could be forgiven for not knowing what drives the economy. However, it should be able to read between the lines from the position of President Tinubu that it is wrong. While it is not in doubt that spending money in a time of economic crisis is expected, but the question that is apparently lost on the Osun APC is, what are you spending on.


The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in an October 2014 study finds a link between investment in public infrastructures and economic growth. The study, which used a combination of empirical analysis and model simulations, submitted that "increased public infrastructure investment can have a powerful effects on the macroeconomy. It raises output in the short term by boosting demand and in the long term by raising the economy’s productive capacity."


In October last year, Governor Adeleke unveiled an ambitious multi-billion infrastructure plan for the state. The infrastructure is robust and captivating because at least, five overhead bridges in different locations across the state will be constructed in addition to no less than 45km of internal roads across the 30 local government areas while a noticeable investments will be made on upgrading the infrastructures of public schools and primary healthcare centres across the state. 


All of these investments goes beyond just the face value of the projects but have a direct bearing on the state's economy and its people. Besides the jobs and economic activities that the projects will generate, it will meet most of the basic needs of the people. A better road access will eases the pains of users and facilitate movements of goods and services while significantly saving motorists of cost on maintaining vehicles as against bad roads. The same thing goes for a wholly rehabilitated PHCs and public schools, enhancing access to qualitative healthcare and education for the people.


In January this year, Governor Adeleke recently released N1 billion to cooperative societies in Osun state to boost macroeconomic activities. And just days ago, he distributed over N580m to at least 19,000 vulnerable citizens in a bid to ease the economic impact on them and reflate the economy of the state. In short, Governor Adeleke is doing a lot to lessen the impact of the current harsh economic crisis in Nigeria but the Osun APC may seem clueless about it because it has no real understanding on handling an economy in a crisis. And good enough, President Tinubu helped spotlight this deficiency of the Osun APC and I hope they will listen.


• Sarafa Ibrahim is a Special Assistant to the Osun State Governor and writes from Osogbo.

By Sarafa Ibrahim







Sarafa


President Bola Tinubu made a stunning submissions on the things that should be done to get Nigeria out of the current economic challenges. During a meeting with the 36 Governors, the FCT Minister and top security officials, President Tinubu outlined mechanisms that offers the most brightest chance for the country to turn the corner of the current economic woes and generates a refreshing experience. 


One of the positions of the president's interests me a lot. And that was where, according to Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu's special adviser on Information & Strategy, the president "pleaded with Governors to ensure all salary arrears to workers, gratuities to workers and pensioners are cleared as a way to put money into the hands of the people since states are now getting more monthly FAAC revenue." Speaking further, Mr. Onanuga quoted President Tinubu as urging Governors to "Spend the money, don't spend the people."


Wait a minutes. The above highlighted position of the president has been the mantra of Governor Ademola Adeleke in Osun since assuming office in November 2022. Yet, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal and Chief Kola Olabisi of the APC have continued to promote the bizarre argument that the Governor's approach is wrong and lacking any real effect. They suggest that a solution will be to spend money and not on what it is spent on.


If Lawal and Olabisi are actually projecting the reasoning of the Osun APC on navigating economic crisis, then the opposition party is worse than one can imagine. Of course, the Osun APC is bad with the economy and the people still bear the ripple effect of the many wrong financial choices that defined its 12 years rule in the state.


A renowned American financial host, Lawrence Kudlow, cautioned that "Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results when, in fact, the results never change, is one definition of insanity. That goes for economies, too." The soaring inflation is just one of the trigger for the tough economic conditions that Nigerians, including Osun people are battling with at the moment.


The purchasing power of Nigerians is embarrassingly low when compared with, let us say Egypt, which is facing identical shortage of weak currency, soaring inflation and capital flight as Nigeria. With this striking reality, Governor Adeleke prioritize the welfare of the people to put money in the hands of the people. He departed from the lackadaisical attitude of the past that significantly wean the spending power of civil servants and pensioners, thereby, heightening their miseries. 


In February in 2023, Governor Adeleke commenced the payment of half salary owed by the previous government and has so far, paid five months out of the 30 months debt. Between November 2022 and now, the Adeleke administration has expended nearly N28 billion to clearing the load of pension liabilities inherited. This is more than what the immediate administration spent on the same purpose throughout its four years. 


And again, Governor Adeleke implemented the financial implication of the promotion given to workers by the Gboyega Oyetola administration, bringing an end the wait of civil servants to the financial benefits of their work statuses. Beginning from December, Governor Adeleke is paying wage awards to active workers and pensioners in the state.


As a party with a bad record on welfare in Osun state, the Osun APC could be forgiven for not knowing what drives the economy. However, it should be able to read between the lines from the position of President Tinubu that it is wrong. While it is not in doubt that spending money in a time of economic crisis is expected, but the question that is apparently lost on the Osun APC is, what are you spending on.


The International Monetary Fund (IMF) in an October 2014 study finds a link between investment in public infrastructures and economic growth. The study, which used a combination of empirical analysis and model simulations, submitted that "increased public infrastructure investment can have a powerful effects on the macroeconomy. It raises output in the short term by boosting demand and in the long term by raising the economy’s productive capacity."


In October last year, Governor Adeleke unveiled an ambitious multi-billion infrastructure plan for the state. The infrastructure is robust and captivating because at least, five overhead bridges in different locations across the state will be constructed in addition to no less than 45km of internal roads across the 30 local government areas while a noticeable investments will be made on upgrading the infrastructures of public schools and primary healthcare centres across the state. 


All of these investments goes beyond just the face value of the projects but have a direct bearing on the state's economy and its people. Besides the jobs and economic activities that the projects will generate, it will meet most of the basic needs of the people. A better road access will eases the pains of users and facilitate movements of goods and services while significantly saving motorists of cost on maintaining vehicles as against bad roads. The same thing goes for a wholly rehabilitated PHCs and public schools, enhancing access to qualitative healthcare and education for the people.


In January this year, Governor Adeleke recently released N1 billion to cooperative societies in Osun state to boost macroeconomic activities. And just days ago, he distributed over N580m to at least 19,000 vulnerable citizens in a bid to ease the economic impact on them and reflate the economy of the state. In short, Governor Adeleke is doing a lot to lessen the impact of the current harsh economic crisis in Nigeria but the Osun APC may seem clueless about it because it has no real understanding on handling an economy in a crisis. And good enough, President Tinubu helped spotlight this deficiency of the Osun APC and I hope they will listen.


• Sarafa Ibrahim is a Special Assistant to the Osun State Governor and writes from Osogbo.

Addressing Nigeria's Economic Crisis: The Imperative for Immediate Government Intervention

Addressing Nigeria's Economic Crisis: The Imperative for Immediate Government Intervention

Awotayo Olagoke 





Awotayo
Nigeria is currently facing an alarming economic crisis, with various factors contributing to the deteriorating situation. Rising inflation rates, increased food prices, removal of subsidies, and a hike in foreign currency exchange rates have compounded the challenges faced by the Nigerian people. Urgent action is required from the government to address these issues before public frustration reaches a boiling point the red light is blinking and danger is overing, as extreme poverty, insecurity, and corporate corruption continue to plague the country. One of the primary concerns in Nigeria's economic landscape is rapid inflation and the subsequent increase in food prices. In recent years, inflation rates have risen steadily, eroding the purchasing power of the common citizen. This has had a crippling effect on the average Nigerian's ability to afford basic necessities. Government intervention is essential to implement policies that stabilize inflation and support the agricultural sector to enhance food production and distribution. This can help to alleviate the burden on the vulnerable populations who are disproportionately affected by these escalating prices.

The removal of subsidies has further exacerbated the economic situation in Nigeria. The withdrawal of subsidies on essential commodities such as fuel and electricity has directly impacted the cost of living of Nigerians. The sudden surge in fuel prices, for instance, has led to increased transportation costs and subsequently affected the prices of goods and services in the market. The Federal Government must reassess the impact of subsidy removal decisions on the people and carefully evaluate alternative measures that can mitigate the burden on the average Nigerian failure which potend danger for peace in the country. Foreign currency exchange rates play a crucial role in Nigeria's economic stability. However, the recent sharp increase in exchange rates has greatly affected trade, investments, and the overall economic health of the nation. The depreciating value of the Nigerian currency has proven detrimental to imports, making essential goods more expensive. Urgent action is required to stabilize the exchange rates through strategic policies, such as diversifying the economy and attracting foreign investments. 


The economic challenges faced by Nigeria are not only affecting individuals but also posing a threat to social and political stability. The extreme poverty situation, coupled with a lack of purchasing power, has created a climate of desperation among citizens. Insecurity continues to escalate, making it imperative for the government to alleviate the economic burden on the populace promptly. Swift and concrete measures are needed to combat widespread corruption, address income inequality, and provide essential services to the most vulnerable. 


Nigeria's economic situation requires urgent and decisive action from the government to prevent a potential social and political crisis that is knocking. By stabilizing inflation, tackling the issue of rising food prices, reconsidering subsidy removal, and actively addressing the hike in foreign currency exchange rates, the government can help restore confidence in the economy and provide relief to the struggling populace. It is crucial for all stakeholders to come together and find sustainable solutions that alleviate the suffering of the Nigerian people and pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future.

Awotayo Olagoke 





Awotayo
Nigeria is currently facing an alarming economic crisis, with various factors contributing to the deteriorating situation. Rising inflation rates, increased food prices, removal of subsidies, and a hike in foreign currency exchange rates have compounded the challenges faced by the Nigerian people. Urgent action is required from the government to address these issues before public frustration reaches a boiling point the red light is blinking and danger is overing, as extreme poverty, insecurity, and corporate corruption continue to plague the country. One of the primary concerns in Nigeria's economic landscape is rapid inflation and the subsequent increase in food prices. In recent years, inflation rates have risen steadily, eroding the purchasing power of the common citizen. This has had a crippling effect on the average Nigerian's ability to afford basic necessities. Government intervention is essential to implement policies that stabilize inflation and support the agricultural sector to enhance food production and distribution. This can help to alleviate the burden on the vulnerable populations who are disproportionately affected by these escalating prices.

The removal of subsidies has further exacerbated the economic situation in Nigeria. The withdrawal of subsidies on essential commodities such as fuel and electricity has directly impacted the cost of living of Nigerians. The sudden surge in fuel prices, for instance, has led to increased transportation costs and subsequently affected the prices of goods and services in the market. The Federal Government must reassess the impact of subsidy removal decisions on the people and carefully evaluate alternative measures that can mitigate the burden on the average Nigerian failure which potend danger for peace in the country. Foreign currency exchange rates play a crucial role in Nigeria's economic stability. However, the recent sharp increase in exchange rates has greatly affected trade, investments, and the overall economic health of the nation. The depreciating value of the Nigerian currency has proven detrimental to imports, making essential goods more expensive. Urgent action is required to stabilize the exchange rates through strategic policies, such as diversifying the economy and attracting foreign investments. 


The economic challenges faced by Nigeria are not only affecting individuals but also posing a threat to social and political stability. The extreme poverty situation, coupled with a lack of purchasing power, has created a climate of desperation among citizens. Insecurity continues to escalate, making it imperative for the government to alleviate the economic burden on the populace promptly. Swift and concrete measures are needed to combat widespread corruption, address income inequality, and provide essential services to the most vulnerable. 


Nigeria's economic situation requires urgent and decisive action from the government to prevent a potential social and political crisis that is knocking. By stabilizing inflation, tackling the issue of rising food prices, reconsidering subsidy removal, and actively addressing the hike in foreign currency exchange rates, the government can help restore confidence in the economy and provide relief to the struggling populace. It is crucial for all stakeholders to come together and find sustainable solutions that alleviate the suffering of the Nigerian people and pave the way for a brighter and more prosperous future.

Excruciating Hardship: Nigerians as the Proverbial Toad

Excruciating Hardship: Nigerians as the Proverbial Toad


By Chidiebere Nwobodo



There is this school of thought that suggests that the best way to kill a toad is to do it slowly, applying pain gradually until the animal becomes too weak to withstand it—and it dies. If you heat up, let say a bucket of water without a cover to boiling point, and throw a live toad into the hot water, the instinctive and survivalist reaction will be to immediately jump out of the bucket.


Do the experiment again with different approach. Now, don't bother to heat the water first. Throw the toad inside a bucket of cold water, while the toad is getting use to the new ecosystem, start applying heat under the bucket.


This time the toad won't jump out but will rather begin to adjust to the new temperature as it increases. The toad's survivalist strategy here is to keep absorbing the heat hoping that the temperature will suddenly subside. Unfortunately for the toad, the bucket will keep getting hotter to a boiling point where the toad can no longer take it again—it suffocates and dies, albeit quitely and agonisingly.


 The most astonishing aspect of this death process is that the toad will not protest or fight back because it erroneously assume that one way or the other, miracle will happen and it will outlast the hot temperature by absorbing it quitely. 


Unknowingly for the beleaguered toad, the heat keeps increasing because of the toad's inability to question the source of his pain and pressure—rather, it continues to rationalize the reason for the increasing temperature of the bucket hoping that this "new increase in temperature will favour it and its family". Did you get my drift now?


Yes! Majority of Nigerians are that proverbial toad. Events in the last few years have proved beyond doubt that majority of Nigerians share the idiosyncrasies of a toad. No apology. And our empathy bankrupt leaders understand this aspect of the masses and have been using it against us. 


In the last eight years, cost of living has skyrocketed astronomical to an alarming rate as a result of government cluelessness and inefficiency, without corresponding push back from the masses. It has degenerated from bad to worse in the past few months, yet the proverbial toad keeps taking in pressure at the breaking point of exhaustion. 


And this is what the ruling political class loves so much—an indolent, subservient and gullible masses. As a result, the masses, like the proverbial toad, have been reacting to every harsh government policy by simply adjusting to the new temperature of suffering and hardship. Government has resorted to solving every economic challenge by increasing the pain on the overburdened masses.


Subsidy on petrol was removed without corresponding palliatives to cushion the pain on the vulnerable poor. Naira depreciating at the speed of light. Prices of foodstuffs and basic commodities are going up on hourly bases, and Government is asking the hapless poor people to make sacrifices without leading by example.


The presidency still has about nine jets in the presidential fleet. Occupants of Aso Rock still travel abroad on medical tourism. Billions of naira are still being budgeted for foods and drinks consumed in the Villa. N500m approved for a committee to sit and discuss minimum wage. 


National Assembly members still collecting humongous salaries and allowances unbecoming of leaders of a nation whose economy is bleeding profusely. Nigerians, it is time to hit the street. It is either now or never.


It is either one dies by hunger or bullet—this is becoming the only two options left. It is either we collectively perish as heroes fighting for survival or die as conquered cowards as a result of unbearable hardship in the land. It is time to confront our oppressors.


By Chidiebere Nwobodo



There is this school of thought that suggests that the best way to kill a toad is to do it slowly, applying pain gradually until the animal becomes too weak to withstand it—and it dies. If you heat up, let say a bucket of water without a cover to boiling point, and throw a live toad into the hot water, the instinctive and survivalist reaction will be to immediately jump out of the bucket.


Do the experiment again with different approach. Now, don't bother to heat the water first. Throw the toad inside a bucket of cold water, while the toad is getting use to the new ecosystem, start applying heat under the bucket.


This time the toad won't jump out but will rather begin to adjust to the new temperature as it increases. The toad's survivalist strategy here is to keep absorbing the heat hoping that the temperature will suddenly subside. Unfortunately for the toad, the bucket will keep getting hotter to a boiling point where the toad can no longer take it again—it suffocates and dies, albeit quitely and agonisingly.


 The most astonishing aspect of this death process is that the toad will not protest or fight back because it erroneously assume that one way or the other, miracle will happen and it will outlast the hot temperature by absorbing it quitely. 


Unknowingly for the beleaguered toad, the heat keeps increasing because of the toad's inability to question the source of his pain and pressure—rather, it continues to rationalize the reason for the increasing temperature of the bucket hoping that this "new increase in temperature will favour it and its family". Did you get my drift now?


Yes! Majority of Nigerians are that proverbial toad. Events in the last few years have proved beyond doubt that majority of Nigerians share the idiosyncrasies of a toad. No apology. And our empathy bankrupt leaders understand this aspect of the masses and have been using it against us. 


In the last eight years, cost of living has skyrocketed astronomical to an alarming rate as a result of government cluelessness and inefficiency, without corresponding push back from the masses. It has degenerated from bad to worse in the past few months, yet the proverbial toad keeps taking in pressure at the breaking point of exhaustion. 


And this is what the ruling political class loves so much—an indolent, subservient and gullible masses. As a result, the masses, like the proverbial toad, have been reacting to every harsh government policy by simply adjusting to the new temperature of suffering and hardship. Government has resorted to solving every economic challenge by increasing the pain on the overburdened masses.


Subsidy on petrol was removed without corresponding palliatives to cushion the pain on the vulnerable poor. Naira depreciating at the speed of light. Prices of foodstuffs and basic commodities are going up on hourly bases, and Government is asking the hapless poor people to make sacrifices without leading by example.


The presidency still has about nine jets in the presidential fleet. Occupants of Aso Rock still travel abroad on medical tourism. Billions of naira are still being budgeted for foods and drinks consumed in the Villa. N500m approved for a committee to sit and discuss minimum wage. 


National Assembly members still collecting humongous salaries and allowances unbecoming of leaders of a nation whose economy is bleeding profusely. Nigerians, it is time to hit the street. It is either now or never.


It is either one dies by hunger or bullet—this is becoming the only two options left. It is either we collectively perish as heroes fighting for survival or die as conquered cowards as a result of unbearable hardship in the land. It is time to confront our oppressors.

2024: Let’s pray for Nigeria! ours looks like a country afflicted

2024: Let’s pray for Nigeria! ours looks like a country afflicted


By

abiodun KOMOLAFE


Since Nigeria is a star gold medal winner in prayers and celebrated spirituality, I think this intervention should be a special focus on the rational prayers for Nigeria. In trying to take up this special task however, my attention was drawn to a verse in the Christian Holy Book: ‘You ask and receive not, because you asked amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts’ (James 4:3). Thus, the first prayer is that Nigerians would not continue to pray amiss.


First and foremost, it appears as if Nigerians are no longer interested in whether or not there are saboteurs or how many there are in Bola Tinubu’s government. They do not pray for a repeat of the Muhammadu Buhari era in which, even as a military General, his government was ‘hijacked by a cabal.’ In their view, that ought to have ended on May 28, 2023. So, it behooves the president to not wait until faulty impressions are formed about his government before proving that he means well for the country. Tinubu shouldn’t be seen as lacking in empathy, or having lost empathy with the people. Already, that impression is gaining traction and he needs to wake up before it snowballs into something else.


With the current situation of things, ours looks like a country afflicted, with weak institutions as one of its settled political imperatives. There is bleeding in every sector, with the economy suffering a lot of leakages. The country is gradually becoming unlivable, with poverty becoming not only a new normal but also making life miserable for the people. The tragedy of our economic theories is that they work in contrast to economic realities. Or what type of economic policy is it that the only option left for the poor is suicide?


When the naira redesign policy gave birth to unlooked-for effects and widespread chaos some months back, with the scarcity of naira notes as one of its many consequences, Nigerians were quick to heap the blame – and, rightly, too – on Godwin Emefiele who at the time was the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Now, Emefiele is out of the loop but the problem seems to have resurfaced even in a more threatening form.


Not long after this government came on board, Vice President Kashim Shettima vowed that insecurity would soon become a thing of the past because “President Tinubu, in the next couple of weeks, will unveil the ‘Fulaku’ solution, which will address the grievances and the exclusion of our Fulani cousins in the North West.” That was on July 16, 2023. Today is January 6, 2024. ‘Fulaku Solution’ is yet to be unveiled. So, nothing has changed. As a matter of fact, Nigerians are of the view that the situation is gradually getting out of control. Only on Christmas Eve, Fulani militia attack on some communities in Plateau State left no fewer than 200 people dead, with the terrorists vowing to return. So, if Fulaku is taking too long to feature, why can’t the president come up with a temporary strategy that can, in the least, make Nigerians sleep with their eyes half-closed? Isn’t the situation, as it is, killing?


The 3rd American president, Thomas Jefferson, once said: “I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it” On a day like this, Dear God, we remember our leaders, help them to know that their purposes are to be leaders, and not bosses. Give them the sense of reasoning to know that they need not keep disturbing the Hosts of Heaven to come down to do those things You have already empowered them to do. In this New Year 2024, grant our lawful weapon handlers the wisdom to understand that the major function of their weapons is for legitimate defence, not to become exploiters and licensed terrorists.


Our Father in heaven, Nigerians are eagerly waiting for the time the price of the premium motor spirit, pms, will smile on them. Even when our border posts remain temptingly porous and the same set of Nigerians continue to man them, bless our beloved president with the wisdom to listen more to the mass of the people than those whose voices have already been heard and save our land from the conflict merchants who recklessly expand our national frontlines for political and economic benefits.


Mere clappers don’t engage in serious political activities. If at all they do, it is just for the peculiarities, the conspiracies and the complexities of filling their stomachs; and once that’s achieved, status quo ante bellum returns! From Lagos to Cross River, and from Ekiti to Adamawa, arise and grant our leaders the wisdom to know that poverty fuels rumours, and that rumours are harbingers of violence and unrest.


Mighty Creator, we also remember Your influence on the life of Joseph. On a single day, his name changed. His story changed. His status changed. Even his friends changed. We beseech Thee, O Lord, let there be no more fruitless efforts! Let there be no more labour loss! And let there be no more epileptic glory in our lives! In their stead, deepen our blessings beyond the capacity of our storehouses. Blot out emptiness from our lives and let the glory that’s on the wheelchair begin to speak out so that the world can glorify Your name through us!


Jehovah Nissi, You didn’t create us to be independent but to be dependent on You for our daily bread, protection and the fulfillment of Your purpose and vision. Even as we continue to fight over the distribution of two loaves and five fishes, unaware of the turn of events globally, help us to break the yoke of the life of struggle. Rescue every injured destiny and bring to limelight every hidden fortune! When trouble comes, give us strength to have Heaven on our side and command all the crooked places to be straightened. Show us our purpose and take us up out of every valley of deceit and defeat. You, who own all of the creation, are too consistent to leave us hanging or stranded. In all things, let Your angels of war engage every principality and power and bring down the kingdom of the rulers of darkness in our nation. We pray for the vision that has the capacity, resilience and determination that’ll make us not only trailblazers but also dream-achievers for Your world and Your people.


A man who has no reason to live will not fear how to die! Jehovah Elohim, teach us to know that You are not interested in giving us huge punishments for our behavior. Had You wanted it that way, You’d not have given Christ to the world to be killed; and there’d have been nobody to question Your authority because You’re God Almighty. So, give Your humble peasants the ability to exercise the powers of our fingers to vote out any agent of affliction from the top to the bottom, and not to be manipulated by two Derica of rice and one or two days’ pot of soup.


At a time like this, we want to use Leah Sharibu and the over-100 Chibok girls as points of contact for others who are still languishing in the terrorists’ den. Our Lord, the Helper of the helpless, rekindle their parents’ hope in You. Bring their children back alive and Nigerians will glorify Your name!


Finally, as days turn into weeks, and weeks into months, let the life and times of Obed-Edom the Gittite (1 Chronicles 13: 12-14) be a source of hope for determined minds.


May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant them peace in Nigeria!


 _*[email protected]

 _*08098614418 - SMS only_


By

abiodun KOMOLAFE


Since Nigeria is a star gold medal winner in prayers and celebrated spirituality, I think this intervention should be a special focus on the rational prayers for Nigeria. In trying to take up this special task however, my attention was drawn to a verse in the Christian Holy Book: ‘You ask and receive not, because you asked amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts’ (James 4:3). Thus, the first prayer is that Nigerians would not continue to pray amiss.


First and foremost, it appears as if Nigerians are no longer interested in whether or not there are saboteurs or how many there are in Bola Tinubu’s government. They do not pray for a repeat of the Muhammadu Buhari era in which, even as a military General, his government was ‘hijacked by a cabal.’ In their view, that ought to have ended on May 28, 2023. So, it behooves the president to not wait until faulty impressions are formed about his government before proving that he means well for the country. Tinubu shouldn’t be seen as lacking in empathy, or having lost empathy with the people. Already, that impression is gaining traction and he needs to wake up before it snowballs into something else.


With the current situation of things, ours looks like a country afflicted, with weak institutions as one of its settled political imperatives. There is bleeding in every sector, with the economy suffering a lot of leakages. The country is gradually becoming unlivable, with poverty becoming not only a new normal but also making life miserable for the people. The tragedy of our economic theories is that they work in contrast to economic realities. Or what type of economic policy is it that the only option left for the poor is suicide?


When the naira redesign policy gave birth to unlooked-for effects and widespread chaos some months back, with the scarcity of naira notes as one of its many consequences, Nigerians were quick to heap the blame – and, rightly, too – on Godwin Emefiele who at the time was the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Now, Emefiele is out of the loop but the problem seems to have resurfaced even in a more threatening form.


Not long after this government came on board, Vice President Kashim Shettima vowed that insecurity would soon become a thing of the past because “President Tinubu, in the next couple of weeks, will unveil the ‘Fulaku’ solution, which will address the grievances and the exclusion of our Fulani cousins in the North West.” That was on July 16, 2023. Today is January 6, 2024. ‘Fulaku Solution’ is yet to be unveiled. So, nothing has changed. As a matter of fact, Nigerians are of the view that the situation is gradually getting out of control. Only on Christmas Eve, Fulani militia attack on some communities in Plateau State left no fewer than 200 people dead, with the terrorists vowing to return. So, if Fulaku is taking too long to feature, why can’t the president come up with a temporary strategy that can, in the least, make Nigerians sleep with their eyes half-closed? Isn’t the situation, as it is, killing?


The 3rd American president, Thomas Jefferson, once said: “I am a great believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it” On a day like this, Dear God, we remember our leaders, help them to know that their purposes are to be leaders, and not bosses. Give them the sense of reasoning to know that they need not keep disturbing the Hosts of Heaven to come down to do those things You have already empowered them to do. In this New Year 2024, grant our lawful weapon handlers the wisdom to understand that the major function of their weapons is for legitimate defence, not to become exploiters and licensed terrorists.


Our Father in heaven, Nigerians are eagerly waiting for the time the price of the premium motor spirit, pms, will smile on them. Even when our border posts remain temptingly porous and the same set of Nigerians continue to man them, bless our beloved president with the wisdom to listen more to the mass of the people than those whose voices have already been heard and save our land from the conflict merchants who recklessly expand our national frontlines for political and economic benefits.


Mere clappers don’t engage in serious political activities. If at all they do, it is just for the peculiarities, the conspiracies and the complexities of filling their stomachs; and once that’s achieved, status quo ante bellum returns! From Lagos to Cross River, and from Ekiti to Adamawa, arise and grant our leaders the wisdom to know that poverty fuels rumours, and that rumours are harbingers of violence and unrest.


Mighty Creator, we also remember Your influence on the life of Joseph. On a single day, his name changed. His story changed. His status changed. Even his friends changed. We beseech Thee, O Lord, let there be no more fruitless efforts! Let there be no more labour loss! And let there be no more epileptic glory in our lives! In their stead, deepen our blessings beyond the capacity of our storehouses. Blot out emptiness from our lives and let the glory that’s on the wheelchair begin to speak out so that the world can glorify Your name through us!


Jehovah Nissi, You didn’t create us to be independent but to be dependent on You for our daily bread, protection and the fulfillment of Your purpose and vision. Even as we continue to fight over the distribution of two loaves and five fishes, unaware of the turn of events globally, help us to break the yoke of the life of struggle. Rescue every injured destiny and bring to limelight every hidden fortune! When trouble comes, give us strength to have Heaven on our side and command all the crooked places to be straightened. Show us our purpose and take us up out of every valley of deceit and defeat. You, who own all of the creation, are too consistent to leave us hanging or stranded. In all things, let Your angels of war engage every principality and power and bring down the kingdom of the rulers of darkness in our nation. We pray for the vision that has the capacity, resilience and determination that’ll make us not only trailblazers but also dream-achievers for Your world and Your people.


A man who has no reason to live will not fear how to die! Jehovah Elohim, teach us to know that You are not interested in giving us huge punishments for our behavior. Had You wanted it that way, You’d not have given Christ to the world to be killed; and there’d have been nobody to question Your authority because You’re God Almighty. So, give Your humble peasants the ability to exercise the powers of our fingers to vote out any agent of affliction from the top to the bottom, and not to be manipulated by two Derica of rice and one or two days’ pot of soup.


At a time like this, we want to use Leah Sharibu and the over-100 Chibok girls as points of contact for others who are still languishing in the terrorists’ den. Our Lord, the Helper of the helpless, rekindle their parents’ hope in You. Bring their children back alive and Nigerians will glorify Your name!


Finally, as days turn into weeks, and weeks into months, let the life and times of Obed-Edom the Gittite (1 Chronicles 13: 12-14) be a source of hope for determined minds.


May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant them peace in Nigeria!


 _*[email protected]

 _*08098614418 - SMS only_

Aiyedatiwa!

Aiyedatiwa!


By

abiodun KOMOLAFE 






Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu is dead! May God repose his soul! Since nature abhors a vacuum, his Deputy, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has now been sworn-in as the substantive governor of the state. May God order his steps in the onerous tasks ahead!


By the way, if Aiyedatiwa could become the governor despite the intimidations from those whose hearts were made of rocks, nothing is impossible on earth. But then, this is just the beginning of what to expect in the foreseeable future, especially if the Obe-Nla, Ondo State-born politician is eyeing Alagbaka as its Chief Tenant, post-February 23, 2025. Interestingly, the governor’s many battles and subsequent triumph must have exposed him to the politics of Abuja. He can only build on this rare feat. Again, this is where playing politics through the party structures in the state comes in.


Isaac Kekemeke! Olusola Oke! Jimoh Ibrahim! Agboola Ajayi! Yele Omogunwa! ‘Bourdillon Boy’ Adewale Akinterinwa! Lucky Aiyedatiwa! But where did Ondo State miss it? For those who have refused to give hope to their people when it’s badly needed only to start scheming for the soul of the state invites an obvious question of development. Take, for instance, at least four Local Governments in the Ondo South Senatorial District of the state (Irele, Okitipupa, Ilaje and Ese-Odo) have been subjected to uninterrupted darkness since 2014. But, rather than rally to solve the problem, its leaders have always been candidates for _“to your tent, O Israel”,_ until elections beckon.


As an oil-bearing community, Ilajeland statutorily produces Commissioners for the _Niger Delta Development Corporation_ (NDDC). Otito Atikase, who currently serves as Ondo State Representative on the NDDC Governing Board, is from Ugbo Kingdom. On his part, IfeOluwa Oyedele, the current Executive Director (Engineering and Technical Services) at the _Niger Delta Power Holding Company_ (NDPHC), is from Igodan-Lisa in Okitipupa. Besides, Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Governments supply the Chairman, Secretary and two other members to the _Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission_ (OSOPADEC); and that’s a permanent feature. Discreet investigations also revealed a special derivation budgetary provision which accords the Senatorial District special attention.


But why can’t these leaders learn from the Akoko cultural sub-group of the state? When a similar challenge befell Akokoland some years back, the late Pastor T. B. Joshua was reportedly contacted and he promptly rose to the occasion. He committed a huge sum of his personal resources to it, and, within three months, Akoko North East, Akoko North West, Akoko South East and Akoko South West Local Governments were reconnected to the national grid. Other donors showed up only after _‘Emmanuel’_ had already saved the day. The dangerous truth is that Ondo South is blessed with sons and daughters, some of whom are even wealthier than T.B. Joshua but whose wealth has not impacted their people. Well, that’s a story for another day!


With his death, Akeredolu now belongs in the past and there’s nothing anybody can do about it. So, as the world is now Aiyedatiwa’s, let it be noted that the worst is yet to happen to the _‘Sunshine State’,_ especially as political activities are expected to heat up in the coming days. Typical of Nigerians, those who lost out in past battles won’t want to let go of fate. The defeated will be expected to return to the trenches to devise new ways and means. But only for a while, they’ll return with deadlier plots to undermine the governor’s position, with one primary aim: prevent him from securing the party’s ticket to contest the next Ondo governorship election, slated for November 16, 2024. So, it is a matter of who blinks first. For luck to keep smiling on Aiyedatiwa depends on how seriously he takes the mantle handed over to him by providence. It is what will define the shape, size and trend of things to come. Therefore, the governor needs to beware of banana peels on his path to success. If his ambition is to retain the seat of power, he needs to do more.


Aiyedatiwa needs to study the body language of Abuja before jumping into the governorship race. Otherwise, it may amount to daring the lion in its den and the resultant _‘roforofo’_ will be a burden too heavy to bear for a state that’s already lacking in good governance. Twice or thrice in Nigeria’s recent history, Bola Tinubu has sponsored candidates for the governorship position in Ondo State; twice or thrice, he has lost out. But that was then! The music has changed: power has smiled on the _‘Jagaban of Borgu’_ and Tinubu is now the President of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, with all the principalities and powers of that exalted office answerable to him. If the president wants, this is the time to exact his pound of flesh and right-thinking Nigerians needn’t take its likely implications for granted.


Yes, time may be no more on Aiyedatiwa’s side. However, those who think that he will take it cool or play by the rules are likely to be living in fool’s paradise. Similarly, those with the notion that the now-wounded _‘Aketi Boys’_ and other interested parties in the political game will shy away from spoiling the show for the governor are yet to wake up from slumber. According to Femi Afolabi-Peters, a United Kingdom-based International Security and Intelligence Consultant, _“all the events of the past months were nothing but politics of succession, especially, by those who believed they had brighter chances than the governor.”_ 


In the words of the Specialist in Clandestine Security Operations, _“power is not served ‘a la carte’. You gotta have a solid plan of action and seamless execution trajectory. Aiyedatiwa’s becoming the governor would bestow on him more powers and that’s bad news for those who professed love for Akeredolu but, in reality, they’re after self-interests anchored on survival instincts. Deep down their hearts, they’re only capitalizing on the late governor’s health situation to covertly advance their personal political agenda”_ 


I also share Afolabi-Peter’s views. Now that Aiyedatiwa’s head has paved the way for him, the onus is on him to wield it responsibly, lest his traducers pee on him. Going forward, he needs to embark on surreptitious political loyalty operations, all with a view to separating the whiff from the chaff because saboteurs abound within every structure. Many more will align with the governor in the coming days, of course, with the sole purpose of killing him gradually from within. Who says Betty, Akeredolu’s wife, Babajide, his son, and other perfect storms of the Aketi political tendency won’t attempt to extend an olive branch to him? Who says the governor shouldn’t accept that open-heartedly, at least for some political advantages? Who says Aiyedatiwa shouldn’t be circumspect and be as wise as a fox? Besides, hasn’t the Wike-Fubara feud again shown that Nigeria’s political model is devoid of morals and that one can only triumph if he plays the game like _‘professional bastards’?_ Surely certainly, one who thinks otherwise had better enroll in the seminary and quit this _‘evil vocation’._ 


Lastly, a cross-section of Nigerians is reportedly of the opinion that Aiyedatiwa is scant in giving and that he has no political base. It also insists that, although the governor is a child of circumstance who only survived molestation from the _‘Aketi Boys’_ by some dint of luck, he is lacking in goodwill. As such, he is the least person that can be presented by his people. Of course, these are weighty remarks, especially in a democracy like ours. But then, it is not too late for Aiyedatiwa to overcome these rather messy calibrations. He only needs to learn at the feet of President Tinubu.


May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant them peace in Ondo State!


 _*KOMOLAFE wrote in from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State, Nigeria ([email protected]; 08098614418 - SMS only)_


By

abiodun KOMOLAFE 






Ondo State Governor, Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu is dead! May God repose his soul! Since nature abhors a vacuum, his Deputy, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa has now been sworn-in as the substantive governor of the state. May God order his steps in the onerous tasks ahead!


By the way, if Aiyedatiwa could become the governor despite the intimidations from those whose hearts were made of rocks, nothing is impossible on earth. But then, this is just the beginning of what to expect in the foreseeable future, especially if the Obe-Nla, Ondo State-born politician is eyeing Alagbaka as its Chief Tenant, post-February 23, 2025. Interestingly, the governor’s many battles and subsequent triumph must have exposed him to the politics of Abuja. He can only build on this rare feat. Again, this is where playing politics through the party structures in the state comes in.


Isaac Kekemeke! Olusola Oke! Jimoh Ibrahim! Agboola Ajayi! Yele Omogunwa! ‘Bourdillon Boy’ Adewale Akinterinwa! Lucky Aiyedatiwa! But where did Ondo State miss it? For those who have refused to give hope to their people when it’s badly needed only to start scheming for the soul of the state invites an obvious question of development. Take, for instance, at least four Local Governments in the Ondo South Senatorial District of the state (Irele, Okitipupa, Ilaje and Ese-Odo) have been subjected to uninterrupted darkness since 2014. But, rather than rally to solve the problem, its leaders have always been candidates for _“to your tent, O Israel”,_ until elections beckon.


As an oil-bearing community, Ilajeland statutorily produces Commissioners for the _Niger Delta Development Corporation_ (NDDC). Otito Atikase, who currently serves as Ondo State Representative on the NDDC Governing Board, is from Ugbo Kingdom. On his part, IfeOluwa Oyedele, the current Executive Director (Engineering and Technical Services) at the _Niger Delta Power Holding Company_ (NDPHC), is from Igodan-Lisa in Okitipupa. Besides, Ilaje and Ese-Odo Local Governments supply the Chairman, Secretary and two other members to the _Ondo State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission_ (OSOPADEC); and that’s a permanent feature. Discreet investigations also revealed a special derivation budgetary provision which accords the Senatorial District special attention.


But why can’t these leaders learn from the Akoko cultural sub-group of the state? When a similar challenge befell Akokoland some years back, the late Pastor T. B. Joshua was reportedly contacted and he promptly rose to the occasion. He committed a huge sum of his personal resources to it, and, within three months, Akoko North East, Akoko North West, Akoko South East and Akoko South West Local Governments were reconnected to the national grid. Other donors showed up only after _‘Emmanuel’_ had already saved the day. The dangerous truth is that Ondo South is blessed with sons and daughters, some of whom are even wealthier than T.B. Joshua but whose wealth has not impacted their people. Well, that’s a story for another day!


With his death, Akeredolu now belongs in the past and there’s nothing anybody can do about it. So, as the world is now Aiyedatiwa’s, let it be noted that the worst is yet to happen to the _‘Sunshine State’,_ especially as political activities are expected to heat up in the coming days. Typical of Nigerians, those who lost out in past battles won’t want to let go of fate. The defeated will be expected to return to the trenches to devise new ways and means. But only for a while, they’ll return with deadlier plots to undermine the governor’s position, with one primary aim: prevent him from securing the party’s ticket to contest the next Ondo governorship election, slated for November 16, 2024. So, it is a matter of who blinks first. For luck to keep smiling on Aiyedatiwa depends on how seriously he takes the mantle handed over to him by providence. It is what will define the shape, size and trend of things to come. Therefore, the governor needs to beware of banana peels on his path to success. If his ambition is to retain the seat of power, he needs to do more.


Aiyedatiwa needs to study the body language of Abuja before jumping into the governorship race. Otherwise, it may amount to daring the lion in its den and the resultant _‘roforofo’_ will be a burden too heavy to bear for a state that’s already lacking in good governance. Twice or thrice in Nigeria’s recent history, Bola Tinubu has sponsored candidates for the governorship position in Ondo State; twice or thrice, he has lost out. But that was then! The music has changed: power has smiled on the _‘Jagaban of Borgu’_ and Tinubu is now the President of Nigeria and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, with all the principalities and powers of that exalted office answerable to him. If the president wants, this is the time to exact his pound of flesh and right-thinking Nigerians needn’t take its likely implications for granted.


Yes, time may be no more on Aiyedatiwa’s side. However, those who think that he will take it cool or play by the rules are likely to be living in fool’s paradise. Similarly, those with the notion that the now-wounded _‘Aketi Boys’_ and other interested parties in the political game will shy away from spoiling the show for the governor are yet to wake up from slumber. According to Femi Afolabi-Peters, a United Kingdom-based International Security and Intelligence Consultant, _“all the events of the past months were nothing but politics of succession, especially, by those who believed they had brighter chances than the governor.”_ 


In the words of the Specialist in Clandestine Security Operations, _“power is not served ‘a la carte’. You gotta have a solid plan of action and seamless execution trajectory. Aiyedatiwa’s becoming the governor would bestow on him more powers and that’s bad news for those who professed love for Akeredolu but, in reality, they’re after self-interests anchored on survival instincts. Deep down their hearts, they’re only capitalizing on the late governor’s health situation to covertly advance their personal political agenda”_ 


I also share Afolabi-Peter’s views. Now that Aiyedatiwa’s head has paved the way for him, the onus is on him to wield it responsibly, lest his traducers pee on him. Going forward, he needs to embark on surreptitious political loyalty operations, all with a view to separating the whiff from the chaff because saboteurs abound within every structure. Many more will align with the governor in the coming days, of course, with the sole purpose of killing him gradually from within. Who says Betty, Akeredolu’s wife, Babajide, his son, and other perfect storms of the Aketi political tendency won’t attempt to extend an olive branch to him? Who says the governor shouldn’t accept that open-heartedly, at least for some political advantages? Who says Aiyedatiwa shouldn’t be circumspect and be as wise as a fox? Besides, hasn’t the Wike-Fubara feud again shown that Nigeria’s political model is devoid of morals and that one can only triumph if he plays the game like _‘professional bastards’?_ Surely certainly, one who thinks otherwise had better enroll in the seminary and quit this _‘evil vocation’._ 


Lastly, a cross-section of Nigerians is reportedly of the opinion that Aiyedatiwa is scant in giving and that he has no political base. It also insists that, although the governor is a child of circumstance who only survived molestation from the _‘Aketi Boys’_ by some dint of luck, he is lacking in goodwill. As such, he is the least person that can be presented by his people. Of course, these are weighty remarks, especially in a democracy like ours. But then, it is not too late for Aiyedatiwa to overcome these rather messy calibrations. He only needs to learn at the feet of President Tinubu.


May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant them peace in Ondo State!


 _*KOMOLAFE wrote in from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State, Nigeria ([email protected]; 08098614418 - SMS only)_

BOURDILLON, ALMAJIRIS AND POVERTY IN YORUBALAND

BOURDILLON, ALMAJIRIS AND POVERTY IN YORUBALAND

The Politics of Collective Immiseratio


Moses Oludele Ido


"There are only two families in the world, the Haves and Have-Nots

       - Miguel de Cervante










Tinubu


"A man may imagine things that are false, but he can only understand things that are true

     - Isaac Newto


The large crowd I saw at Bourdillon, in front of the house of Bola Tinubu, President of Nigeria and one of the leading politicians who have heavily profited from politics in this political dispensation, made me sad and caused my heart to sink. The long line of crowds of multitudes waiting for crumbs from one of the biggest political profiteers of this era is a reality to what I have been saying for a long time. Poverty is real in the land. But this is not the issue; the real issue is, if nothing is done to arrest this drift, if nothing is done to redirect the economic program and policies in more progressive and practical ways, poverty will envelope everyone soon, - except the very ric

    I have been told and have seen it firsthand myself the truth of what many are saying that this is the worst Christmas in living memory. There is poverty everywhere

  "But there has always been poverty in Nigeria and Jesus said, 'The poor you will always have with you' ", some wiseacre who are poor in theology would say. Yes, there has always been poverty in Nigeria; but it is poverty that can be managed. Poverty that most often could be hidden. But now poverty is visible and no one can hide it

  Some well- dressed men gatecrashed to a christening ceremony of a child and begged the woman in charge of food to just give them soup, out of the leftovers. She should not even bother with meat but just only soup which they would take home to make garri. This is not in Hausa or Igboland, it happens here in Yorubaland, and they are Yorubas - land of culture and honour, now under siege of poverty, extreme poverty as a result of gross misrule by pseudo- progressives of APC

  A northern politician once said something that Yorubas ought to ponder seriously about if we are still a thinking people. He said if Bola Ahmed Tinubu had come before Obafemi Awolowo, most Yorubas would be almajiris today

  Did you hear that? I never heard a word so true from the mouth of a politician of the Fourth Republic. If destiny had pushed this man ahead and he was the first then most people in this Yoruba land will be beggars by now. Because everything will be priced out of the reach of the poor: housing, market, schools, colleges, universities... With scholarships only for children of those who are ready to 'ranka dede' him and lick the boot of his aides and foot soldiers

   All over Yoruba land and even Nigeria the reports coming are not good. Poverty, institutional, multi-level, multi- dimensional poverty is on the march and Nigerians are shrinking and shrinking into their holes and shells

   That poverty is on the march is not the issue. That is not the problem. Even as bad as things are they can be turned around. Poverty is not the issue. The real issue, the real trouble that I see now is that there is no political will and no intellectual capacity and moral sagacity to understand the real trouble bedeviling the economy, to arrest and address what Professor Eskor Toyo calls "Nigeria's basic economic deformities" and set this nation on the path of progress. And unless this is done, unless the economic war is won poverty will continue to spread and deepen

  It is not about prayer or confessing positive things. Often times we muddle these things because we neither understand true Religion or Theology and Logic. Theology is compatible with Reason, in point of fact, it is built on it. This is why the more Nigerians pray the poorer they become; because both leaders and followers are operating outside of Reason

   Can I be honest with you? Poverty will be worse in 2024 than even 2023 that people are crying about. Because there is nothing in place to avert recurrence, to arrest the march of poverty, to put people back to jobs, to put industries back in motion. Now Nigeria is on fast pace to de-industrialization. As the currency continues to weaken and more money required to purchase raw materials the prospect of survival will become narrower and foreign investors will begin to leave amidst other uncertainties

 The same ruinous policies that Buhari pursued for 8 years - borrowing, printing money ( ways and means), doling out N20,000 to imaginary beneficiaries and numbers and party members..., these are the same policies being pursued by this dumb government. Poverty will continue. Poverty does not end because someone wishes it or prays about it. This is where Nigerians miss it and why they suffer so much. Poverty is arrested by deliberate programs of attack, calculated schemes of intellectual, industrial, moral and financial empowerment, social stability and collective engagement. It requires an assortment of weapons to kill and defeat this hydra- headed enemy of man

It is war. Poverty must be fought and defeated. Else, we will all lose. I shall come to this at the end

 The more debts increase the lower the quality of currency will be and the more will be required to service existing debts that are matured. Governors who are largely economic illiterates have mapped out strategies to borrow another 2-3 trillions in the new year. They have lost it. The federal government now shells out billions to states on palliative and the states too shell out to those they wish. That is what the largest community of black in the world has become: from hand to mouth. Just borrowing and sharing. An economy based on such transaction is an economy of doom for everyone. It is collective Immiseration

  In a way it serves the political class for people to be poor because it gives them leverage. An economically- empowered and liberated person cannot be told who to vote for. He cannot be pushed to do the bidding of politicians. Because he doesn't need them. Politicians fear and hate such category of persons. They are dangerous, too dangerous to their survival. They possess independent minds and Nigerian politicians dont like people with independent minds

   That is why democracy is actually designed and can only function best among people who are economically empowered and politically literate. Those two things: economic empowerment and political literacy are crucial

  Poverty serves the interest of Nigerian politicians. The crowds of have- nots thronging their houses and queueing on their streets gives them a sense of empowerment and self- assurance. It boosts their ego, that these "slaves" depend on them for survival and need their favour.

  That is why they prefer to dole out cash, crumbs to crowds rather than govern well and wipe out poverty among the masses.

   We have known cases where as crowds struggle to collect pittance lives were lost. It happened a couple of time in Kwara State during the era of Bukola Saraki where on each occasion as many as 30 people died. Over pittance

  I ask the man who shared the Bourdillon video whether the crowds got anything? Nothing, he told me. They got nothing

  They would trek back the long distance home on empty stomachs.

  They have no need of them now. Elections are over and no election is in sight or coming till another four years.  This people are cruel. They have no mercy. They don't care about people as they pretend to be

  Nigerians deserve their fate. Everyone gets what he deserves with leadership

   However, there is something dangerous about this which everyone needs to watch out for. If poverty is not tamed or arrested everyone will lose at the end. Even the rich will also cry. If nothing is done to arrest this rampaging poverty that is spreading all over the land; then there could be a boomerang effect. I don't know what it would be. When a river course is blocked and it is not allowed its natural flow, it will cut out another channel elsewhere and return with vengeance

  These children who are crying to sleep now because of hunger will grow up one day and may join the army or somewhere else. The teenager who is dropping out of university today because his parents could not afford the new fees won't forget and will not forgive. Nigeria is taking a big risk

Who knows where a Jehu or Hitler or Rawlings may spring or come from

  Now there is hunger in the land. That much is certain. Soon hunger will turn to anger and anger will crystallize into popular action, and action to..


It is really amazing that Nigerians have to come to this sorry state under civilians. What excuse will politicians give now for the state of things? That the military spoiled everything and destroyed everything... And 25 years are not enough to undo what the military "destroyed"? Everything of value today that Nigeria has was built by the military - national hospital, Third Mainland Bridge, Aso Rock, Alscon etc. And they never sold oil for the fraction that is now selling today or in the last 24 year

   What is the excuse that poverty has deepened in the same period when oil sold for a hundred dollars per barrel under the politicians for a substantial period of time

  Pay day does come. Yes, there shall be a payday. I don't know how but I know eternal principles that cannot fail. Seedtime and harvest wont cease. The one who sows must also reap. Politicians will reap in full and with compound interest what they have sown in the last 25 years to Nigeria


©️ Moses Oludele Ido

       December 26, 202

    All Rights Reserved

The Politics of Collective Immiseratio


Moses Oludele Ido


"There are only two families in the world, the Haves and Have-Nots

       - Miguel de Cervante










Tinubu


"A man may imagine things that are false, but he can only understand things that are true

     - Isaac Newto


The large crowd I saw at Bourdillon, in front of the house of Bola Tinubu, President of Nigeria and one of the leading politicians who have heavily profited from politics in this political dispensation, made me sad and caused my heart to sink. The long line of crowds of multitudes waiting for crumbs from one of the biggest political profiteers of this era is a reality to what I have been saying for a long time. Poverty is real in the land. But this is not the issue; the real issue is, if nothing is done to arrest this drift, if nothing is done to redirect the economic program and policies in more progressive and practical ways, poverty will envelope everyone soon, - except the very ric

    I have been told and have seen it firsthand myself the truth of what many are saying that this is the worst Christmas in living memory. There is poverty everywhere

  "But there has always been poverty in Nigeria and Jesus said, 'The poor you will always have with you' ", some wiseacre who are poor in theology would say. Yes, there has always been poverty in Nigeria; but it is poverty that can be managed. Poverty that most often could be hidden. But now poverty is visible and no one can hide it

  Some well- dressed men gatecrashed to a christening ceremony of a child and begged the woman in charge of food to just give them soup, out of the leftovers. She should not even bother with meat but just only soup which they would take home to make garri. This is not in Hausa or Igboland, it happens here in Yorubaland, and they are Yorubas - land of culture and honour, now under siege of poverty, extreme poverty as a result of gross misrule by pseudo- progressives of APC

  A northern politician once said something that Yorubas ought to ponder seriously about if we are still a thinking people. He said if Bola Ahmed Tinubu had come before Obafemi Awolowo, most Yorubas would be almajiris today

  Did you hear that? I never heard a word so true from the mouth of a politician of the Fourth Republic. If destiny had pushed this man ahead and he was the first then most people in this Yoruba land will be beggars by now. Because everything will be priced out of the reach of the poor: housing, market, schools, colleges, universities... With scholarships only for children of those who are ready to 'ranka dede' him and lick the boot of his aides and foot soldiers

   All over Yoruba land and even Nigeria the reports coming are not good. Poverty, institutional, multi-level, multi- dimensional poverty is on the march and Nigerians are shrinking and shrinking into their holes and shells

   That poverty is on the march is not the issue. That is not the problem. Even as bad as things are they can be turned around. Poverty is not the issue. The real issue, the real trouble that I see now is that there is no political will and no intellectual capacity and moral sagacity to understand the real trouble bedeviling the economy, to arrest and address what Professor Eskor Toyo calls "Nigeria's basic economic deformities" and set this nation on the path of progress. And unless this is done, unless the economic war is won poverty will continue to spread and deepen

  It is not about prayer or confessing positive things. Often times we muddle these things because we neither understand true Religion or Theology and Logic. Theology is compatible with Reason, in point of fact, it is built on it. This is why the more Nigerians pray the poorer they become; because both leaders and followers are operating outside of Reason

   Can I be honest with you? Poverty will be worse in 2024 than even 2023 that people are crying about. Because there is nothing in place to avert recurrence, to arrest the march of poverty, to put people back to jobs, to put industries back in motion. Now Nigeria is on fast pace to de-industrialization. As the currency continues to weaken and more money required to purchase raw materials the prospect of survival will become narrower and foreign investors will begin to leave amidst other uncertainties

 The same ruinous policies that Buhari pursued for 8 years - borrowing, printing money ( ways and means), doling out N20,000 to imaginary beneficiaries and numbers and party members..., these are the same policies being pursued by this dumb government. Poverty will continue. Poverty does not end because someone wishes it or prays about it. This is where Nigerians miss it and why they suffer so much. Poverty is arrested by deliberate programs of attack, calculated schemes of intellectual, industrial, moral and financial empowerment, social stability and collective engagement. It requires an assortment of weapons to kill and defeat this hydra- headed enemy of man

It is war. Poverty must be fought and defeated. Else, we will all lose. I shall come to this at the end

 The more debts increase the lower the quality of currency will be and the more will be required to service existing debts that are matured. Governors who are largely economic illiterates have mapped out strategies to borrow another 2-3 trillions in the new year. They have lost it. The federal government now shells out billions to states on palliative and the states too shell out to those they wish. That is what the largest community of black in the world has become: from hand to mouth. Just borrowing and sharing. An economy based on such transaction is an economy of doom for everyone. It is collective Immiseration

  In a way it serves the political class for people to be poor because it gives them leverage. An economically- empowered and liberated person cannot be told who to vote for. He cannot be pushed to do the bidding of politicians. Because he doesn't need them. Politicians fear and hate such category of persons. They are dangerous, too dangerous to their survival. They possess independent minds and Nigerian politicians dont like people with independent minds

   That is why democracy is actually designed and can only function best among people who are economically empowered and politically literate. Those two things: economic empowerment and political literacy are crucial

  Poverty serves the interest of Nigerian politicians. The crowds of have- nots thronging their houses and queueing on their streets gives them a sense of empowerment and self- assurance. It boosts their ego, that these "slaves" depend on them for survival and need their favour.

  That is why they prefer to dole out cash, crumbs to crowds rather than govern well and wipe out poverty among the masses.

   We have known cases where as crowds struggle to collect pittance lives were lost. It happened a couple of time in Kwara State during the era of Bukola Saraki where on each occasion as many as 30 people died. Over pittance

  I ask the man who shared the Bourdillon video whether the crowds got anything? Nothing, he told me. They got nothing

  They would trek back the long distance home on empty stomachs.

  They have no need of them now. Elections are over and no election is in sight or coming till another four years.  This people are cruel. They have no mercy. They don't care about people as they pretend to be

  Nigerians deserve their fate. Everyone gets what he deserves with leadership

   However, there is something dangerous about this which everyone needs to watch out for. If poverty is not tamed or arrested everyone will lose at the end. Even the rich will also cry. If nothing is done to arrest this rampaging poverty that is spreading all over the land; then there could be a boomerang effect. I don't know what it would be. When a river course is blocked and it is not allowed its natural flow, it will cut out another channel elsewhere and return with vengeance

  These children who are crying to sleep now because of hunger will grow up one day and may join the army or somewhere else. The teenager who is dropping out of university today because his parents could not afford the new fees won't forget and will not forgive. Nigeria is taking a big risk

Who knows where a Jehu or Hitler or Rawlings may spring or come from

  Now there is hunger in the land. That much is certain. Soon hunger will turn to anger and anger will crystallize into popular action, and action to..


It is really amazing that Nigerians have to come to this sorry state under civilians. What excuse will politicians give now for the state of things? That the military spoiled everything and destroyed everything... And 25 years are not enough to undo what the military "destroyed"? Everything of value today that Nigeria has was built by the military - national hospital, Third Mainland Bridge, Aso Rock, Alscon etc. And they never sold oil for the fraction that is now selling today or in the last 24 year

   What is the excuse that poverty has deepened in the same period when oil sold for a hundred dollars per barrel under the politicians for a substantial period of time

  Pay day does come. Yes, there shall be a payday. I don't know how but I know eternal principles that cannot fail. Seedtime and harvest wont cease. The one who sows must also reap. Politicians will reap in full and with compound interest what they have sown in the last 25 years to Nigeria


©️ Moses Oludele Ido

       December 26, 202

    All Rights Reserved

THE TRAGEDY OF THE CAPTURED AFRICAN MIND

THE TRAGEDY OF THE CAPTURED AFRICAN MIND





For us to know how colonized and miseducated we are as Africans, when you speak with a Lawyer, a Senior Advocate for that matter and you ask him or her, what is the name of the woman holding a scale and a balance which symbolizes Justice, Equity and Truth for the Judiciary? He or she simply tells you, “she’s the Lady of justice”. Many don’t know her name is Ma’at, the black goddess of Egypt who introduced the 42 laws or principles of Maat, over 2000 years before Moses and his 10 commandments were born.


 The 42 laws were what African Kings and Queens used to govern the world including Europe for 700 years. But today that same Black goddess is whitewash to be a white woman without reference to her as the Mother of Justice, just because she’s a back woman.


Ask any African Medical Doctor, who is the father of medicine? He will tell you is Hippocrates; the Greek physician but they have refused to research further to know that Imhotep, an African is the founder and father of medicine. He was the first in human history to cure over 200 diseases. Hippocrates came to Egypt to be tutored by Imhotep but today no medical student is taught about this great African who was so venerated during his time that he was worshipped like a god. 


If you ask an African Bishop or Pastor who originated the worship of one god? He will tell you is the Europeans that’s why their Jesus and Mary is white but the truth is that the first person that introduced monotheism or worship of one god which was then called the sun god or Aten, was an Egyptian Pharaoh named Akhenaten, a black man who brought about religious and political revolution in the world. Go and read about Akhenaten. It’s because of the introduction of sun god that Africans were called the Children of the Sun. It was after Akhenaten had introduced the sun god that the Germans introduced the word Gott and the English Oxford translated Gott to God in the 6th Century. So what this means is that the word God was man’s creation and everything about the so called Holy Book of the Enslavers religion whether Christain or Islam, were written by men for the purpose of control.


Unfortunately, Africans are so sick that they kill in defense of something that is man’s creation, I mean a religion created by their erstwhile Enslavers; a religion alien to their Ancestors.

Africans must wake up.


They said Christopher Columbus discovered America but went silence on the African king of Mali Empire in the person of Abu Bakr Mansa II who left his throne for his younger brother Mansa Musa and went voyaging with 200 ships with his men and discovered America, 180 years before Christopher Columbus set his foot on American soil. (the book “They Came Before Columbus by Van Sertima) and other accounts gave credence to this report about King Abubakar Mansa II. His successor King Mansa Musa later became the richest man that ever lived on Earth and his riches today is estimated to be 400 billion dollars.


May I remind us that the European tribe plagiarized everything introduced and done by the Black man, they lied about everything yet my African brothers and sisters continue to kowtow to their dictates.


How many of us know that it was Africans that taught Europeans how to take their baths? 

How many of us know that Africans built the first 600 toilets ever witnessed by Europeans in Europe. 

When Africans where giants in Architecture, Agriculture, Mathematics and Medicine, Europeans were living in caves.

Africans led the world before, Africans will lead the world again.

It's high time young Africans knows about their history. African Youths Leadership and Culture Summit (AYLCUS 2024) is beckoning! Be part of it...






For us to know how colonized and miseducated we are as Africans, when you speak with a Lawyer, a Senior Advocate for that matter and you ask him or her, what is the name of the woman holding a scale and a balance which symbolizes Justice, Equity and Truth for the Judiciary? He or she simply tells you, “she’s the Lady of justice”. Many don’t know her name is Ma’at, the black goddess of Egypt who introduced the 42 laws or principles of Maat, over 2000 years before Moses and his 10 commandments were born.


 The 42 laws were what African Kings and Queens used to govern the world including Europe for 700 years. But today that same Black goddess is whitewash to be a white woman without reference to her as the Mother of Justice, just because she’s a back woman.


Ask any African Medical Doctor, who is the father of medicine? He will tell you is Hippocrates; the Greek physician but they have refused to research further to know that Imhotep, an African is the founder and father of medicine. He was the first in human history to cure over 200 diseases. Hippocrates came to Egypt to be tutored by Imhotep but today no medical student is taught about this great African who was so venerated during his time that he was worshipped like a god. 


If you ask an African Bishop or Pastor who originated the worship of one god? He will tell you is the Europeans that’s why their Jesus and Mary is white but the truth is that the first person that introduced monotheism or worship of one god which was then called the sun god or Aten, was an Egyptian Pharaoh named Akhenaten, a black man who brought about religious and political revolution in the world. Go and read about Akhenaten. It’s because of the introduction of sun god that Africans were called the Children of the Sun. It was after Akhenaten had introduced the sun god that the Germans introduced the word Gott and the English Oxford translated Gott to God in the 6th Century. So what this means is that the word God was man’s creation and everything about the so called Holy Book of the Enslavers religion whether Christain or Islam, were written by men for the purpose of control.


Unfortunately, Africans are so sick that they kill in defense of something that is man’s creation, I mean a religion created by their erstwhile Enslavers; a religion alien to their Ancestors.

Africans must wake up.


They said Christopher Columbus discovered America but went silence on the African king of Mali Empire in the person of Abu Bakr Mansa II who left his throne for his younger brother Mansa Musa and went voyaging with 200 ships with his men and discovered America, 180 years before Christopher Columbus set his foot on American soil. (the book “They Came Before Columbus by Van Sertima) and other accounts gave credence to this report about King Abubakar Mansa II. His successor King Mansa Musa later became the richest man that ever lived on Earth and his riches today is estimated to be 400 billion dollars.


May I remind us that the European tribe plagiarized everything introduced and done by the Black man, they lied about everything yet my African brothers and sisters continue to kowtow to their dictates.


How many of us know that it was Africans that taught Europeans how to take their baths? 

How many of us know that Africans built the first 600 toilets ever witnessed by Europeans in Europe. 

When Africans where giants in Architecture, Agriculture, Mathematics and Medicine, Europeans were living in caves.

Africans led the world before, Africans will lead the world again.

It's high time young Africans knows about their history. African Youths Leadership and Culture Summit (AYLCUS 2024) is beckoning! Be part of it...


Osun APC and some hard home truths (2): who will help save Osun APC from Osun APC?

Osun APC and some hard home truths (2): who will help save Osun APC from Osun APC?

By

abiodun KOMOLAFE 


Oyetola

As of July 16, 2022, Iyiola Omisore, a Prince of Ife and a celebrated political strategist and master of the game, was the party’s National Secretary. Still, APC lost very badly in Ifeland. Incidentally, that’s where Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, the party’s current State Chairman, was also born. Lawal was at the time its Vice State Chairman. Most, if not all those who pretended to be Big Boys from Ifeland who served in the Oyetola-led government lost even their polling units. Was that also caused by Aregbesola? Again, why did APC contentedly slip into its familiar routine in Oriade and Obokun Local Governments? Why did it end up soaking in the enthusiasm of defeat in Iree in Boripe Local Government, despite what the former governor planted in the ancient town?


For Osun APC to have lost 28 out of 30 Local Governments and 1 Area Office, 25 out of 26 members in the State House of Assembly, and all the National Assembly seats, that speaks volume! But, rather than address the whys and wherefores that broke its heart, among which were greed, indiscipline, uncontrolled lust for privileges and the love of pelf, blame game took over. Osun APC surrendered to the superior firepower of betrayal from the people in power, failure to connect with the people, lack of sense of purpose, lack of shared vision and lofty ideals, lack of cohesion in the party and lack of control, and it was as if the gods were angry.


Whither the roles of the opposition in democracy and why is Osun APC not delivering on its newly-acquired mandate? Take, for instance, reports have it that Adeleke has for over a year been living in his sister’s house but unfortunately, the opposition is not seen to have been hard on an issue which in Yoruba culture amounts to a taboo. Well, while it’s not unusual for governors to live in their private residences while serving (as Lateef Jakande lived in his personal house, even rode in his famous Toyota Crown car as Governor of Lagos State, which of course could be attributed to his known simplicity and frugality), Nigerians hold the notion that Adeleke opted for that path so that the real masquerades who’re behind the scene can manage him and his excesses, and shield him from those who might wish to exploit his naivety in governance.


Although the governor has his personal house in Ede, he hardly ever stays there, and it is believed that he runs Osun State with the counsel and input from her sister who has her imprimatur on every appointment in the state. She’s even believed to be the de facto Commissioner for Works, a portfolio the governor withheld to himself. So, anyone who cannot cringe in their court had better forget getting anything from the government. Is it any wonder that, in Osun, the fear of _‘Yeye’_ is the beginning of wisdom?


When Oyetola was to lose power in 2022, an uninformed cross-section of the public asked that power be taken away from _‘alakowe’_ and given to _‘alakori’._ In their opinion, if the former could not do it well, why not hand over the destiny of dear state to the latter? Not unsurprisingly, _‘Imole Osun’_ has now come to town and … _‘the difference is clear.’_ Amidst a litany of avoidable gaffes, the State Chief Judge would have long been removed from office and the governor’s vuvuzelas would have stood up and clapped for the king, were it not for the timely intervention of the _National Judicial Council,_ NJC.


Again, who will help save Osun APC from Osun APC? Well, I have argued elsewhere that opposition roles are very difficult, especially in a democracy like ours. Not even in a situation where the ruling party has many advantages to its bidding: a monstrously rich dynasty, power which it knows how to effectively deploy, resources sufficient enough to play around with, and the sympathy of the electorate which, for obvious reasons, the ruling party currently enjoys.


I have also had the privilege of raising the issue of contact persons or rallying points in some of the localities in the state. For instance, I’ve cited the case of High Chief Dele Faseru, a respected PDP chieftain in Ijebu-Jesa who, for a very long time, has been the face of the PDP in Oriade Local Government and its environs; and the colourful politician has been delivering on that mandate. How many Dele Faserus are available to Osun APC and how many of them are accessible in the real sense of the word?


Like him or hate him, Oyetola is a fine gentleman and a true reflection of himself. He is not a pretender. Some Nigerians even accused the former governor of being accountable to the last penny at the expense of those who worked for him. In their view, it was accountability taken too far when he left N14 billion in Osun government coffers while the arrears of modulated salaries owed workers as well as November 2022 salaries of political functionaries in the state remained unsorted. Back to the substance of the situation, it needs to be noted that taking Osun APC back on the path of honour demands that Oyetola rethink strategies that can open the gate of hope. To get policies right, politics has to be alive. So, he needs to increase his efforts. He also needs to dig deeper into what variance of illness is actually attacking the party. He needs to look beyond the pathetic admonitions of the swallowers, time-servers and transactional politicians whose personal interests are at variance with the party’s overall interest. In a word, unless the party is prepared to let past troubles ignite positive opportunities, things will only get worse; and that will be bad for opposition politics.


Politics isn’t a funny game; it’s just that some of its practitioners are simply heartless and exceptionally selfish. Since ages, sycophancy has also been a big problem in politics. So, the onus is on Oyetola to rise above the deceit of the men-pleasers because money may manipulate the people but it doesn’t actually deceive the enemies. Since all politics is local, it behooves the leadership to instill a sense of trust in the followership and the followership to believe in the leadership, if the battle ahead is to be won. Who even knows if God allowed July 16, 2022 to happen to Osun APC so that He can use Oyetola to change the course of progressive politics in Nigeria, beginning with Osun State? So, it is up to the current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to see to it that this House does not fall, for this, not the office he now occupies in Abuja, will define his legacy. While current efforts in that direction are a welcome development, public opinions favour something deeper than the ongoing sensitization ritual. Most importantly, the poor reward system and selection process, which contributed significantly to the party’s dismal outings in the past, must also be reviewed with a view to righting past wrongs.


In all, just as we expect in public administration, that ‘one person cannot know it all’; and, in democracy, that ‘one party cannot be omnipotent’, let there be ‘room for admissibility of divergent opinions’. Let ideas be transformed or updated ‘in line with dispensations’. Above all, let those working with Oyetola in this task of repositioning Osun APC bear in mind that politics is not a cult and that what defines it is not always about one geography against another but inclusive winning streaks that will help return the party to its past glory.


May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Osun State!


•Concluded.


 _*KOMOLAFE wrote in from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State, Nigeria ([email protected]; 08098614418 - SMS only)_



Osun APC and some hard home truths (1)

By

abiodun KOMOLAFE



 _(Published on Saturday, December 16, 2023)_ 



Olajumoke Ogunkeyede is a leader of the _All Progressives Congress_ (APC) in Osun State. JMK, as Ogunkeyede is popularly called, was also a chieftain of the now-rested _National Democratic Coalition_ (NADECO). He participated actively in putting an end to military rule and the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria.


In a chance encounter with yours sincerely recently, JMK has these to say on the state of Osun APC:


 “I am not a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and I try not to dabble into the running of Osun PDP. But, with the current situation of things, there’s no doubting the fact that we need to rejig the opposition APC in the state if we are going to challenge the current government. We must create structures that will help put our house in order. Politically, our house is not in order. If we are going to challenge PDP in the next Osun governorship election, we should be doing more than what we are doing presently.


 “The fact that a lot of people are running after former Governor (Gboyega) Oyetola does not resolve the quagmire into which we have fallen in Osun. Charity is said to begin at home. The leadership should do its best to make sure that we are not just sitting on the fence. Whether we like it or not, (Ademola) Adeleke’s government is there and we will just keep complaining, unless we are able to get our house in order.


“With the way Osun APC is going about resolving its internal dynamics, it’s like we are feeling that, because Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is in Abuja, we will win. No! Tinubu will only do his best for the party. But his responsibility is to the whole nation and whatever he is able to do will be minuscule, compared to what he would do were he not to be the president of Nigeria. To this end, we should begin to get our people ready so that in the next election, we are fully prepared because, from the look of things, we are not yet prepared. As things stand, the falcon doesn’t seem to hear the falconer. In Osun APC, the centre is not holding. And we are complacent, thinking that it will be good. Of course, that’s the concept of miracle. We can’t fold our arms, thinking that manna will fall from heaven. We can sit down under a make-believe canopy of ‘it’s done’. The way things stand, nothing is done.


“Yes, President Tinubu is known to be a strategist. But he needs that strategy for the nation. He would have done a lot to push the nation up and that may have a positive effect on the electioneering processes in 2026 but, according to an adage, ‘it is a child that raises his hand that will be picked up’. We cannot depend on him doing it alone. It will be a huge joke if we are expecting him to do it for us at all costs. Already, he is doing it for us by being the president. Or do we expect him to move Aso Rock to Osogbo because his party is contesting an election? The more reason we must struggle hard to complement his efforts. If the election is in 2026; and this is 2023, what are we waiting for? We have not done much to reposition our people. We have not done anything in the area of empowerment. Yes, we are criticizing the ruling party, but it should be more than that. For now, we are an empty mouth, just clanging and making noise. There should be substance to the noise-making. If we focus too much on what the PDP is doing, that’s good. But that won’t help the APC. Rather, the opposition should have its strategy to counter and subdue the antics of the ruling party before, during, even after the election.


“Truth be told, Osun APC is not yet ready for the next election. Otherwise, one is never ready by word of mouth. Empowerment should begin right now to be able to face the tedious challenges of electioneering, instead of hoping that, from Ile-Ogbo to Ila-Orangun, and from Orile-Owu to Ilase-Ijesa, we would win.


“In 2022, Osun PDP caught the then party in power by surprise. Though what’s done cannot be undone again, the way out is adequate preparation. PDP had never had it so good like the 2022 governorship election. Although the enemy within made it possible for that to happen, the fear I have now is that we still have some members of the PDP who are diabolical and may still infiltrate our party. I was looking at the list of those that were suspended or expelled. Some names were still missing there. So, we should shine our eyes and make sure that we are prepared for the election.” 


JMK has said it all; and a word is enough for the wise!


Surely certainly, politics as a vocation has a way of mesmerizing its adherents. While one is not attempting to be adventurous as to how Osun APC decides its destiny, that there’s an urgent need for political retooling or reengineering is no longer news. To get the party back to the market, there should be a commitment to seeking the cause in order to prevent reoccurrence. Of course, this is no time to engage in the trappings of politics or dirge of self-pity. Instead, a moment like this calls for a reappraisal of how the party got to this pass. So, let those in need of penance establish a framework for it with penitent hearts and let those who think no one else matters in the affairs of the party pursue a critical political thinking that’s consistent with the dynamic changes in the world we live in.


In the light of truth, nobody is an island. No one is also blameless. Therefore, a recalibration of the party’s politics and needs is a viable option. Those who have no direction shouldn’t delight in elevating peculiar interests over and above everybody. Those who ate all the honey and have relocated to Abuja, struggling to be attached to somewhere must be made to account for the roles they played or failed to play while the honeymoon lasted.


If you ask Nigerians, heaping the loss of the 2022 governorship election solely at the doorstep of Rauf Aregbesola is a tale long stale. Yes, Aregbesola’s factor might have done a lot to July 16, 2022, but it’s time the gladiators invoked critical, self-introspection to find out why their treasured party missed the mark. For instance, was Aregbesola responsible for the party’s loss in Boluwaduro, a Local Government with only 10 Wards but having the immediate past state chairman and more than 20 other high-ranking leaders and first-rate political appointees in its kitty? Was it Aregbesola who made it lose in Ila-Orangun where Bisi Akande and other party bigwigs came from? What about the shallow and hollow fries who pretended to be big birds: those who were adequately mobilized for the election but ended up losing even their Polling Units? Should we start mentioning the names of those who were pursuing vanity and pride which eventually left the party in torments? Have they been sanctioned for their unprofitable adventure?


Let’s face the truth, to say that Aregbesola was the reason APC lost the Osun governorship election in all the three Senatorial Districts is to say that _‘Ogbeni’_ was the most powerful person in the party and that, without him, nothing could be done. Unknown to Osun APC, the political strength and influence that the former governor himself may never possess have already been ascribed to him, freely.


 _*Read part 2 above*


 _*KOMOLAFE wrote in from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State, Nigeria ([email protected]; 08098614418 - SMS only)_

By

abiodun KOMOLAFE 


Oyetola

As of July 16, 2022, Iyiola Omisore, a Prince of Ife and a celebrated political strategist and master of the game, was the party’s National Secretary. Still, APC lost very badly in Ifeland. Incidentally, that’s where Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, the party’s current State Chairman, was also born. Lawal was at the time its Vice State Chairman. Most, if not all those who pretended to be Big Boys from Ifeland who served in the Oyetola-led government lost even their polling units. Was that also caused by Aregbesola? Again, why did APC contentedly slip into its familiar routine in Oriade and Obokun Local Governments? Why did it end up soaking in the enthusiasm of defeat in Iree in Boripe Local Government, despite what the former governor planted in the ancient town?


For Osun APC to have lost 28 out of 30 Local Governments and 1 Area Office, 25 out of 26 members in the State House of Assembly, and all the National Assembly seats, that speaks volume! But, rather than address the whys and wherefores that broke its heart, among which were greed, indiscipline, uncontrolled lust for privileges and the love of pelf, blame game took over. Osun APC surrendered to the superior firepower of betrayal from the people in power, failure to connect with the people, lack of sense of purpose, lack of shared vision and lofty ideals, lack of cohesion in the party and lack of control, and it was as if the gods were angry.


Whither the roles of the opposition in democracy and why is Osun APC not delivering on its newly-acquired mandate? Take, for instance, reports have it that Adeleke has for over a year been living in his sister’s house but unfortunately, the opposition is not seen to have been hard on an issue which in Yoruba culture amounts to a taboo. Well, while it’s not unusual for governors to live in their private residences while serving (as Lateef Jakande lived in his personal house, even rode in his famous Toyota Crown car as Governor of Lagos State, which of course could be attributed to his known simplicity and frugality), Nigerians hold the notion that Adeleke opted for that path so that the real masquerades who’re behind the scene can manage him and his excesses, and shield him from those who might wish to exploit his naivety in governance.


Although the governor has his personal house in Ede, he hardly ever stays there, and it is believed that he runs Osun State with the counsel and input from her sister who has her imprimatur on every appointment in the state. She’s even believed to be the de facto Commissioner for Works, a portfolio the governor withheld to himself. So, anyone who cannot cringe in their court had better forget getting anything from the government. Is it any wonder that, in Osun, the fear of _‘Yeye’_ is the beginning of wisdom?


When Oyetola was to lose power in 2022, an uninformed cross-section of the public asked that power be taken away from _‘alakowe’_ and given to _‘alakori’._ In their opinion, if the former could not do it well, why not hand over the destiny of dear state to the latter? Not unsurprisingly, _‘Imole Osun’_ has now come to town and … _‘the difference is clear.’_ Amidst a litany of avoidable gaffes, the State Chief Judge would have long been removed from office and the governor’s vuvuzelas would have stood up and clapped for the king, were it not for the timely intervention of the _National Judicial Council,_ NJC.


Again, who will help save Osun APC from Osun APC? Well, I have argued elsewhere that opposition roles are very difficult, especially in a democracy like ours. Not even in a situation where the ruling party has many advantages to its bidding: a monstrously rich dynasty, power which it knows how to effectively deploy, resources sufficient enough to play around with, and the sympathy of the electorate which, for obvious reasons, the ruling party currently enjoys.


I have also had the privilege of raising the issue of contact persons or rallying points in some of the localities in the state. For instance, I’ve cited the case of High Chief Dele Faseru, a respected PDP chieftain in Ijebu-Jesa who, for a very long time, has been the face of the PDP in Oriade Local Government and its environs; and the colourful politician has been delivering on that mandate. How many Dele Faserus are available to Osun APC and how many of them are accessible in the real sense of the word?


Like him or hate him, Oyetola is a fine gentleman and a true reflection of himself. He is not a pretender. Some Nigerians even accused the former governor of being accountable to the last penny at the expense of those who worked for him. In their view, it was accountability taken too far when he left N14 billion in Osun government coffers while the arrears of modulated salaries owed workers as well as November 2022 salaries of political functionaries in the state remained unsorted. Back to the substance of the situation, it needs to be noted that taking Osun APC back on the path of honour demands that Oyetola rethink strategies that can open the gate of hope. To get policies right, politics has to be alive. So, he needs to increase his efforts. He also needs to dig deeper into what variance of illness is actually attacking the party. He needs to look beyond the pathetic admonitions of the swallowers, time-servers and transactional politicians whose personal interests are at variance with the party’s overall interest. In a word, unless the party is prepared to let past troubles ignite positive opportunities, things will only get worse; and that will be bad for opposition politics.


Politics isn’t a funny game; it’s just that some of its practitioners are simply heartless and exceptionally selfish. Since ages, sycophancy has also been a big problem in politics. So, the onus is on Oyetola to rise above the deceit of the men-pleasers because money may manipulate the people but it doesn’t actually deceive the enemies. Since all politics is local, it behooves the leadership to instill a sense of trust in the followership and the followership to believe in the leadership, if the battle ahead is to be won. Who even knows if God allowed July 16, 2022 to happen to Osun APC so that He can use Oyetola to change the course of progressive politics in Nigeria, beginning with Osun State? So, it is up to the current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to see to it that this House does not fall, for this, not the office he now occupies in Abuja, will define his legacy. While current efforts in that direction are a welcome development, public opinions favour something deeper than the ongoing sensitization ritual. Most importantly, the poor reward system and selection process, which contributed significantly to the party’s dismal outings in the past, must also be reviewed with a view to righting past wrongs.


In all, just as we expect in public administration, that ‘one person cannot know it all’; and, in democracy, that ‘one party cannot be omnipotent’, let there be ‘room for admissibility of divergent opinions’. Let ideas be transformed or updated ‘in line with dispensations’. Above all, let those working with Oyetola in this task of repositioning Osun APC bear in mind that politics is not a cult and that what defines it is not always about one geography against another but inclusive winning streaks that will help return the party to its past glory.


May the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace in Osun State!


•Concluded.


 _*KOMOLAFE wrote in from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State, Nigeria ([email protected]; 08098614418 - SMS only)_



Osun APC and some hard home truths (1)

By

abiodun KOMOLAFE



 _(Published on Saturday, December 16, 2023)_ 



Olajumoke Ogunkeyede is a leader of the _All Progressives Congress_ (APC) in Osun State. JMK, as Ogunkeyede is popularly called, was also a chieftain of the now-rested _National Democratic Coalition_ (NADECO). He participated actively in putting an end to military rule and the enthronement of democracy in Nigeria.


In a chance encounter with yours sincerely recently, JMK has these to say on the state of Osun APC:


 “I am not a member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and I try not to dabble into the running of Osun PDP. But, with the current situation of things, there’s no doubting the fact that we need to rejig the opposition APC in the state if we are going to challenge the current government. We must create structures that will help put our house in order. Politically, our house is not in order. If we are going to challenge PDP in the next Osun governorship election, we should be doing more than what we are doing presently.


 “The fact that a lot of people are running after former Governor (Gboyega) Oyetola does not resolve the quagmire into which we have fallen in Osun. Charity is said to begin at home. The leadership should do its best to make sure that we are not just sitting on the fence. Whether we like it or not, (Ademola) Adeleke’s government is there and we will just keep complaining, unless we are able to get our house in order.


“With the way Osun APC is going about resolving its internal dynamics, it’s like we are feeling that, because Asiwaju Bola Tinubu is in Abuja, we will win. No! Tinubu will only do his best for the party. But his responsibility is to the whole nation and whatever he is able to do will be minuscule, compared to what he would do were he not to be the president of Nigeria. To this end, we should begin to get our people ready so that in the next election, we are fully prepared because, from the look of things, we are not yet prepared. As things stand, the falcon doesn’t seem to hear the falconer. In Osun APC, the centre is not holding. And we are complacent, thinking that it will be good. Of course, that’s the concept of miracle. We can’t fold our arms, thinking that manna will fall from heaven. We can sit down under a make-believe canopy of ‘it’s done’. The way things stand, nothing is done.


“Yes, President Tinubu is known to be a strategist. But he needs that strategy for the nation. He would have done a lot to push the nation up and that may have a positive effect on the electioneering processes in 2026 but, according to an adage, ‘it is a child that raises his hand that will be picked up’. We cannot depend on him doing it alone. It will be a huge joke if we are expecting him to do it for us at all costs. Already, he is doing it for us by being the president. Or do we expect him to move Aso Rock to Osogbo because his party is contesting an election? The more reason we must struggle hard to complement his efforts. If the election is in 2026; and this is 2023, what are we waiting for? We have not done much to reposition our people. We have not done anything in the area of empowerment. Yes, we are criticizing the ruling party, but it should be more than that. For now, we are an empty mouth, just clanging and making noise. There should be substance to the noise-making. If we focus too much on what the PDP is doing, that’s good. But that won’t help the APC. Rather, the opposition should have its strategy to counter and subdue the antics of the ruling party before, during, even after the election.


“Truth be told, Osun APC is not yet ready for the next election. Otherwise, one is never ready by word of mouth. Empowerment should begin right now to be able to face the tedious challenges of electioneering, instead of hoping that, from Ile-Ogbo to Ila-Orangun, and from Orile-Owu to Ilase-Ijesa, we would win.


“In 2022, Osun PDP caught the then party in power by surprise. Though what’s done cannot be undone again, the way out is adequate preparation. PDP had never had it so good like the 2022 governorship election. Although the enemy within made it possible for that to happen, the fear I have now is that we still have some members of the PDP who are diabolical and may still infiltrate our party. I was looking at the list of those that were suspended or expelled. Some names were still missing there. So, we should shine our eyes and make sure that we are prepared for the election.” 


JMK has said it all; and a word is enough for the wise!


Surely certainly, politics as a vocation has a way of mesmerizing its adherents. While one is not attempting to be adventurous as to how Osun APC decides its destiny, that there’s an urgent need for political retooling or reengineering is no longer news. To get the party back to the market, there should be a commitment to seeking the cause in order to prevent reoccurrence. Of course, this is no time to engage in the trappings of politics or dirge of self-pity. Instead, a moment like this calls for a reappraisal of how the party got to this pass. So, let those in need of penance establish a framework for it with penitent hearts and let those who think no one else matters in the affairs of the party pursue a critical political thinking that’s consistent with the dynamic changes in the world we live in.


In the light of truth, nobody is an island. No one is also blameless. Therefore, a recalibration of the party’s politics and needs is a viable option. Those who have no direction shouldn’t delight in elevating peculiar interests over and above everybody. Those who ate all the honey and have relocated to Abuja, struggling to be attached to somewhere must be made to account for the roles they played or failed to play while the honeymoon lasted.


If you ask Nigerians, heaping the loss of the 2022 governorship election solely at the doorstep of Rauf Aregbesola is a tale long stale. Yes, Aregbesola’s factor might have done a lot to July 16, 2022, but it’s time the gladiators invoked critical, self-introspection to find out why their treasured party missed the mark. For instance, was Aregbesola responsible for the party’s loss in Boluwaduro, a Local Government with only 10 Wards but having the immediate past state chairman and more than 20 other high-ranking leaders and first-rate political appointees in its kitty? Was it Aregbesola who made it lose in Ila-Orangun where Bisi Akande and other party bigwigs came from? What about the shallow and hollow fries who pretended to be big birds: those who were adequately mobilized for the election but ended up losing even their Polling Units? Should we start mentioning the names of those who were pursuing vanity and pride which eventually left the party in torments? Have they been sanctioned for their unprofitable adventure?


Let’s face the truth, to say that Aregbesola was the reason APC lost the Osun governorship election in all the three Senatorial Districts is to say that _‘Ogbeni’_ was the most powerful person in the party and that, without him, nothing could be done. Unknown to Osun APC, the political strength and influence that the former governor himself may never possess have already been ascribed to him, freely.


 _*Read part 2 above*


 _*KOMOLAFE wrote in from Ijebu-Jesa, Osun State, Nigeria ([email protected]; 08098614418 - SMS only)_

Poster Speaks

Poster Speaks/box

Trending

randomposts