The Nation Newspaper

Category: Soji Omotunde

  • APC: Really, what’s in a name?

    Rather than focus on tackling the plentiful challenges pinning down Nigeria, it is depressing that politicians are now making acronym of political parties to become the nation’s prime issue two years ahead of the 2015 election. The altercation has been between the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the merging opposition, All Progressives Congress (APC).

    On February 6, three major opposition parties (Action Congress of Nigeria, All Nigeria Peoples Party and Congress for Progressive Change), along with a faction of All Progressive Grand Alliance came together to declare a merger. Many saw it as an astute and smart move to dislodge the non-performing party in power. Few weeks after, the mega party released its logo and slogan, expressing determination to effect change of the miserable state of the nation. Of course, PDP that earlier openly welcomed the merger put its real inner anxiety to work. Its precedence to just hold on to power became clear.

    Suddenly, a proxy African Peoples Congress emerged with an emergency letter of intent to be registered as a party with contraction APC title and rushed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office without any interaction with the commission’s officials and without requisite information. The apparent purpose was to frustrate the registration of the mega party with APC acronym.

    As the controversy was overwhelming serious challenges of the nation, another ‘APC’ tagged All Patriotic Citizens was brought up.

    Although the personalities of All Progressives Congress had earlier been made known, until last week, the list of representatives of the other intended APCs, their board of trustees, the address of its headquarters in Abuja and the list of its offices in the states were not disclosed – not even the promoters. And since INEC claimed it cannot shut its doors to any group seeking to register as a political party, the hullabaloo on the issue of which of the parties should hold APC acronym has now become media headlines.

    It has been a deliberately engineered distractive uproar. From its arrival, it was clear that the mega APC has political adversaries, equipped with bamboozling political weapons and foxes being garnered to blemish the vine. While PDP was quick to state it was not bothered by the coming together of the progressive forces, it has become apparent that it has surely been having sleepless nights and working round the clock to devise measures to sabotage powerful opposition unification capable of sweeping it off the throne it boasted to occupy for 50 years. The parties’ inclusion was to be discouraged and extricated with the emergency creation of another so-called APC through foul and smelly means.

    In truth, acronym “APC” is nobody’s birthright. But the tricky machination of the hidden motivator of the surrogate APCs is a further indication of disingenuous purpose of holding on to power for self-augmentation and enrichment rather than performance essential service to the people. This is why I agree that merging of the opposition that could enable it take power legitimately from PDP should be more of devotion to serving the people. Convincing Nigerians on how to turn the battered country around from its present squalor of poverty and insecurity to the consigned land of greatness must be focal point far above a war on acronym. And this is why the authentic APC should not loose any sleep because of this scam of the political fraudsters. It should rather make merger better-built and stronger.

    This is to say that with the failing situation in the country today, the merged APC can decide to supplant the fake APC and its mentor and turn the circumstance to advantage by picking on its plan B. Mere change of name can rattle the fraudsters to their roots. Afterall, when God changed the names of Abram to Abraham, Sarai to Sarah and Jacob to Israel in the Bible, their lives being hassled by the devil ended up in fulfillment.

    How many years has PDP been in power with nothing to show for its stewardship other than corruption, insecurity and decay of infrastructures? Sometimes ago at the 60th National Executive Council meeting of the PDP, President Goodluck Jonathan as the party leader himself admitted the failure of the party to perform. He conceded that it was found intricate to deliver on campaign promises on the excuse that his administration was being distracted by security challenges, especially the threat posed by the Islamist sect, Boko Haram, which has claimed responsibility for bombings in the North. Thousands have died in the terrorism attacks which have largely been targeted at churches and other public places.

    Recounting insecurity as the most fundamental issue his administration is wrestling with, the President added that the challenges have stood in the way of delivering on the ruling party’s campaign promises. He listed job creation and power supply as priority areas that were meant to be addressed seriously in sincerity but which have been overshadowed by insecurity.

    But Mr. President did not get it right. Insecurity is not peculiar to Nigeria.  To use it as excuse for non-performance stunned many faithful Nigerians. Is it insecurity that is responsible for massive corruption for which politicians and leaders are involved?  Could the activities of Boko Haram be the issue affecting some of the states being governed by PDP in the South East, South-South and most parts of the North where terrorism was not afflicting? It was as if he was unconscious of the fact that people might because of his failure be preparing to vote with their conscience come 2015 for leaders who will be steadfast to hold responsibilities of challenges of their offices.

    It has been repeated over and over: Boko Haram is by-product of corruption in the high places. Or was there any Boko Haram 14 years ago when PDP was enthroned? Yet, those in power have squandered every scrap of public goodwill and the country has turned into an underworld with political and business cabals creaming from the top, and the masses being robbed and blown up on the floor.

    The biggest threat to Nigeria as a nation is not Boko Haram; it is the current ruling class and their voracious desire for self-enrichment, no matter the cost to the nation state. Nigeria is being wrecked and ruled by corrupt tyrants wearing the facade of democracy. Let it be known that it is either we change course, or we will further plunge headlong into global oblivion the day oil fails to bring in the cheap revenue that is unfortunately dragging the nation down.

    We should not expect any good from evil. As long as we decide not to know what PDP stands for, the dilemma remains ours. The fact is it is PDP at the centre that is collapsing the country. Those who see nothing wrong in the nation’s continuing decline might support the party as long it is still in power where they too can partake and benefit in its unrighteousness.

    Impactful change for the better will come when the main focus of the opposition parties is to make the PDP drown in its election rigging, manipulations, support for corruption (note the on-going presidential error of the pardon granted Chief Diepriye Alamieyeseigha and others?) and non-performance. The nation would only move forward when peoples’ wills are permitted and elections are not rigged to continue to steal public fund. This is why genuine alternatives to failure must get prepared for a big fight as political thieves will not give in easily.

    Yet, for the opposition to succeed come 2015, notwithstanding the approved chosen name, it will take the kind of stance Governor Adams Oshiomhole gave them in Edo State to remove the PDP from power: excellent performance that will naturally compel people’s followership.

  • Listen to the wise

    Listen to the wise

    FORMER United States President Bill Clinton was in Nigeria few weeks ago and spoke the truth boldly. To him, this nation has failed to properly use her rich natural resources. “You have not done well with your oil money,’ he declared unequivocally.

    One of our editorials last week demanded to know from the nation’s leaders “why oil that has been a blessing to many endowed countries has turned to a curse for Nigeria.” It affirmed that oil producing countries such as Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates have significantly deployed their oil proceeds to good use for the betterment of their country’s populace and to global approbation, but “due to greed, oil has remained a problem to Nigeria when it ought to be a blessing.”

    It was not the first time that this country would be reminded by knowledgeable minds why the nation should not be in the slump of poverty and retrogression where it is today. British Prime Minister David Cameron, Baroness Lynda Chalker, Mrs.

    Clinton among several foreign personages had similarly been to the country to point out our leadership’s mismanagement of revenues from the massive resources. They all disclosed the realities, but because their views are ignored by those in power, the nation keeps dragging since the lost glories would not be recovered.

    Like others, ex-President Clinton who impacted positively on his nation declared Nigeria would have done better were her resources well managed and reinvested in meaningful ways by the leadership. Recounting the nation’s great potentials, he challenged those in privileged positions to imbibe wisdom and create opportunities for the majority of the citizens. “You have to somehow bring economic opportunities to people who don’t have,” he was quoted as saying at the 18th Thisday Newspaper Award ceremony held in Abeokuta.

    But in reality, do we need Clinton or foreign leaders to tell us that we are where we are because we have been wasting our oil money? Many Nigerians have been saying this for years but those in position of authority will not listen. Just because of self-centeredness, greed and the tendency to steal from public treasury, leaders will not pay attention to logical reasonings. This is why the world is making mockery of Nigeria today.

    He further counseled that the nation’s intellectuals who were scattered all over the world must be brought back home to assist in developing their fatherland instead of using their talents to further enhance the progress of the already developed nations. “There has to be a way to take the staggering intellectual and organizational ability that Nigerians exhibit in every country in the world in which they are immigrant and bring it to bear here so that the country as a whole can rise.”

    For me, this is a sensible advocacy. Any trip made abroad will divulge more and more Nigeria’s enormous talented human resources adding value to nations of value. Many Andrews were forced to check out due to frustrating leadership stances that continually drag the nation down. Corruption that is drowning the nation could not be subjugated when people themselves would not have a change of attitude by playing their own roles as committed citizens who are devoted to report wrongdoings, demonstrate and even fight against injustices in high and low places. Not only are the leaders corrupt now that Corruption has become a burden from head to toe. It has flowed down to the base of the nation.

    As repeatedly stated, people struggle for power to scoop the commonwealth to private pockets rather than serve the people. As former Foreign Affairs Minister Professor Bolaji Akinyemi recently disclosed, there is hardly any billionaire in Nigeria today who is not a thief. Nobody could dare stand out to challenge him because he spoke the truth. The consequences have been poverty of the masses, infrastructural degeneration, joblessness, criminality and insecurity. For the land to be genuinely transformed, let me repeat it that there must be change of peoples’ mindset to live upright and honest life.

    Clinton could see the deficiency in the land as the main driver of the terrorist attacks by Boko Haram. He calculated poverty rate in the North three times higher than the situation in Lagos. In the same sense, Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka also declared last week when receiving Awolowo Leadership Award that insecurity has brought some regions in the country to their knees simply because of the weakness of leadership in those troubled parts. This must be why Clinton believes the nation’s afflictions could be tackled by strong local, states and national government policies that work together.

    Whenever our leaders begin to listen to the counsel of the wise and do the essentials, this nation will become truly transformed without desperation to occupy political offices for self actualization but for service to the people.

  • Nigeria’s telecom system crashing

    Nigeria’s telecom system crashing

    ONCE upon a time, telecommunication sector was about the most exciting of Nigeria’s economy. It can be taken as the viable performance landmark under the Obasanjo administration. With more than half of the population connected via mobile phones across the land, communication became consolatory to the devastating poverty. Even if artisans, market women, drivers and farmers had nothing, they would hold functioning mobile phones to show their still being part of the dwindling community.

    Unarguably, the telecommunication facilities in Nigeria went through very rapid change and explosive growth bringing forth economic growth potentials for the economy. A research indicated that at independence in 1960, with a population of about 40 million people, the country only had about 18,724 phone lines for use. This translated to a teledensity of about 0.5 telephone lines per 1,000 people.

    The installed switching capacity at the end of 1985 was about 200,000 lines as against the planned target of about 460,000. All the exchanges were analogue. Telephone penetration remained poor, equaling one telephone line to 440 inhabitants, well below the target of one telephone line to 100 inhabitants recommended by ITU for developing countries. At this time, the telephone system was unreliable, congested, expensive and customer unfriendly.

    In the early 2000s, the Nigerian Telecommunication Plc (NITEL) had roughly half a million lines available to over 100 million Nigerians. NITEL, the only national carrier, had a monopoly on the sector and was synonymous with epileptic services and bad management.

    But with the emergence of GSM, telecoms became an integral and essential part of the culture and life of Nigerians. It also created countless opportunities for small and medium businesses in franchises, dealerships, retailerships and value added services within the GSM market. Jobless youths became sellers of recharge cards.

    It grew to the level that few years ago, the Nigerian telecom sector received global acclaim as one of the fastest growing mobile market s in the world. Between 2000 and 2004, the total subscriber base for connected fixed and mobile lines rose at an average growth rate of 125% annually. In 2005, the NCC reported that private investment into the Nigerian telecoms sector has grown to over US$6 billion, from US$50 million in 2001, with the sector becoming the largest generator of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) after the Oil and Gas Industry. Today, many millions of new telephone lines have been taken up to an exceptional increase of about 250%.

    But what is the standard performance today? Network failures, dropped calls, unsolicited text messages and arbitrary deductions across virtually all telecommunication networks have now been restored into the system. Evidently, people are experiencing network malfunction and deterioration in the quality of service without the operators taking any meaningful steps to avert the situation.

    Unlike the early years when GSM emerged in Nigeria and people enjoyed functioning services, the same cannot be said of what is now being experienced. It is becoming increasingly difficult to make calls especially to other networks. We are even now battling with frequent cases of either dropped or unclear calls on which credits are deducted. To get service in some areas, you might have to move around shouting “hello, hello…” like the days of old. You might have to send a text message more than once before it is delivered to the recipient.

    It is as if the operators are imbibing poor services due to capacity problems facing the sector. Little wonder that MTN Nigeria’s recently announced profit dropped by 6.2% because of its worsening services.

    The telecom operators will argue that the industry is still plagued with some problems: Poor public power supply; Poor security such that infrastructures are often vandalized; High import duty as duties on telecoms equipment ranges between 30 to 70%; Anti-competitive practices, with some operators alleged to be forming cartels to frustrate the natural interplay of market forces; The type and quantum of funds needed by operators to expand operations is scarce locally and high operational costs.

    But is the official regulator, the Nigeria Communications Commission performing its mandated duty? Or has corruption nailed it down the Nigeria way?

  • If I were President Jonathan

    If I were President Jonathan

    The Almighty God who created heaven and earth surely has purpose for all that He created. This is to say nothing, or nobody, was brought into this world without Divine rationale.

    Destinies that are ordained from the beginning might have to pass through narrow and rough roads to fulfillment. But whatever and whoever align with the purpose of the Creator, no matter the challenges and obstacles on the path, must end the journey of life gloriously. Unarguably, failure is not of God but of the devil. Many fail to end well when things of the world are made preference to rule.

    Today, Nigeria that was once on the path of greatness has been downgraded. Rather than being lifted up, varied distractions are being ingrained to further tie down the glory of the nation. Leadership after leadership has been emerging; yet seeking and implementing solutions to challenges confronting the people hardly becomes priority.

    Being in power over the massive millions of population, either under military dictatorship or civil democracy was a privilege. Those who manipulated their emergence to the throne or destined to ascend had the opportunity to excel and be glorified but could not attain the moment they started seeing their position as their right and being occupied by their power and authority. Instead of serving the people, they serve self interest. And this was why the length of years in office notwithstanding, legacies of value are found wanting today.

    Whether we admit it or not, Nigeria is continually being relegated because of unrighteousness that is allowed to be reigning and ruling over the affairs of the land. All what are naturally bestowed on the nation should by now be making the glory to shine. But the devil has implanted all sorts of atrocities – corruption, fraudulence, kidnapping, robbery, killing, cheating, selfishness, deceitfulness and many others.

    The genuine and unadulterated hands that ought to be upholding and propping up the nation are being withered instead of being strengthened. Those privileged to be aligned to power hardly see nothing wrong in stinking immorality and indecency as long as they are positioned to benefit from the loots of the land. Many struggle to remain in power more for self-enrichment rather than serving the people for the development and promotion of the country. Things are failing to work fundamentally and the nation is not moving forward because of self-centeredness.

    Yet, those in government would still step forward pretending to be defending the president by saying what they know is not true. They are refusing to see the senselessness in the assertion by some so-called international rating agencies upgrading the country’s economic standing when the reality of the penury in the land is practically visible.

    Events pouring out from the ruling authorities in the last few weeks are becoming more discouraging. Politics to satisfy self-interest is overwhelming focus on resolving the nation’s afflictions. People who know what is right are choosing to hang on to what is evidently erroneous. It is as if they see Nigerians as ignorant and senseless of their parlous situations.

    Midway to tenureship, there is now diversion from assessing and consolidating whatever has been attained (if any) to how positions in office will be retained. Even as a purported “good governance” ministerial tour is having fun across the nation, it is as if those in power are not getting genuine feedback from the populace. And this is where Dr. Goodluck Ebele Azikiwe Jonathan comes in.

    That Dr. Jonathan is the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria today is not by his power. He has acknowledged severally how the grace of God has moved him from being a shoeless kid to becoming the number one citizen. This is to say that he was ordained from his mother’s womb in remote Otuoke to wearing the crown in the presidential villa. His story has not been an automatic easy pathway to the top. Challenges confronting others were the ones lifting him up. So, he is what he is today not by the error of God.

    But let us imbibe wisdom to learn vital lessons from the lives of others. The scripture has it how the likes of Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar and Herod were rulers over the world, yet failed at points of their reigns. What happened in the ancient days is still being repeated over and over in contemporary times. Close to us in Africa, the stories of Egypt’s deposed President Hosni Mubarak, Libya’s butchered Muammer Gaddafi and South Africa’s glorified Nelson Mandela are classical local realities that it is not how long one stays in office that matters, but how well. It is possible to end disastrously and also probable to hands off gloriously. The choice is made available by the Maker.

    It is the duty of patriots to pray continually for the leadership of the nation because if the will of God is allowed to manifest, they too will become beneficiaries of the good of the land. But is our president responding to the counsel of those who truly love him or is he succumbing to the selfish advocacy of those around him who care less seeing him impact positively on the people? Is the president being encouraged to inspire all those in position of authority to be committed and be devoted to pull the nation out of stagnancy?

    Let’s put partisanship aside and face reality. Has the ruling party been moving the nation forward since 1999? Can a party that just wants to hold on to power for the sake of control be of needful significance to a challenged nation? The depressing thing is that the internal battle going on now is not in the interest of Nigeria but aimed at achieving personal desires. The on-going struggle in the Governors’ Forum is a distraction that cannot bring forth meaningful progress through the ruling party.

    If the opposition is merging to present a formidable alternative, so be it. It is essential that a party in power be enforced to perform on its campaign promises if it is made to know that the people must have a choice at the next election. An attack from the opponent ought to inspire the serious-minded to aspire to go higher. An eagle would not hit back on the obstacle on its path, but would just flap its wings and soar higher. Afterall, our national football team, the Super Eagles had numerous challenges ahead of the last AFCON in South Africa. The team was condemned and ruled out of success. And indeed, it started sluggishly and barely struggled to qualify from its group. But with a determined spirit and focus on its purpose, the team moved up step-by-step and ended up victoriously as the winner.

    If I were President Jonathan, I will pick a crucial lesson from the Super Eagles under Stephen Keshi. I will not let my personal aspiration, even when still not publicly declared, divert my attention from impactful performances capable of truly transforming the life of the people. I will not be shaken by governors working on their political aspirations or opponents condemning me. I will not be afraid even if it is true that the legislative arms are laying landmines for me. I will not sweat to restore a Mr. Fixer without political integrity, looking unto him to re-install me into the office he did not create me to occupy.

    Was I to be privileged to be Mr. President, I will prefer to look up to my creator whose grace has made me to become who I am because I know He can give the vision of my mission. Listening to Him and not to deceitful politicians and selfish advisers would mean pursuing His will that would ensure excellent performance to meet the desire of the people.

    If I were President Jonathan, I will always talk to the people I am serving in humility and not in arrogance and annoyance. Afterall, if not for them, I will not be where I am. I will work to fulfill all my promises and will always put my ears to their chest to hear from them and not from the unfaithful liars the enemy has placed to surround me to satisfy their personal interests.

    May the Lord visit our president and empower him to implement the actual agenda that will transform and lift this nation out of the miry clay of retrogression.

  • Will party merger become solution?

    With the emergence of All Progressives Congress (APC) as a mega party, democracy in Nigeria might be on the pathway of becoming deepened. As it were, since 1999 when Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) emerged as winner of the presidential election of the new republic, the nation has in reality been nailed to operating more like a single-party state.

    Under the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, opposition was weakened and many idle people desperate for survival chose being part of the ruling party, even when it was perceptible that it was not meeting the needs of the nation. It was only at the approach of elections where opportunities for options had been hindered by the authority in power that the weak opponents would attempt coalition which never worked.

    Now that the next general elections is still two years further on, a long overdue merger to establish a formidable opposition is timely for its workability. This is so because the story of Nigeria has not changed for good in the almost one and a half decades of PDP monopoly reign. And since many deprived Nigerians are increasingly becoming passionate for alternative choice in power, the new platform of opposition comprising Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress of Progressive Change (CPC), All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) must be welcomed by genuine democrats.

    When last the governors of the amalgamation parties met in Abuja, they pronounced the merger initiative as credible process aimed at not only ensuring good governance, but also deepening democracy in Nigeria. Nassarawa State Governor Tanko Al-Makura who read out a statement on behalf of his colleagues stated that “given the desire of Nigerians for change, our party (APC) will undertake to facilitate radical social, economic and political transformation of the country.” He further disclosed that the programme priorities of the party will be agricultural development, jobs creation, free education, affordable healthcare, infrastructural development, adequate power supply, eradication of poverty and corruption and rapid technological advancement and industrialization.

    “We shall pride ourselves as social democrats that are committed to organizing our society based on the values of justice for all and individual freedom where everyone’s basic needs are fulfilled,” the new party’s governors asserted encouragingly.

    Coming together to achieve a common goal is inspirational. It is motivating to unite to politically combat a PDP that has been boasting of just retaining power for 50 years without assurance of making positive impact on the life of the people. Ask an average Nigerian to compare his life 15 years ago under the military dictatorship to what it is today under a supposed democratic politics, hardly would there be many other than the shady who would admit a fulfilled existence. Apart from the privileged few scooping public resources, most Nigerians today are lamenting in frustration of a nation where nothing seems to be working except in few states. For many, it has been more of the harder they labour, the poorer they become.

    This is why it is therefore logical and patriotic for an opposition to clueless governance to decide to fuse together for authentic transformation of the depreciating nation, above personal or sectional interest. It is also reasonable that the merging is coming well ahead of the next general elections as there would be enough time to resolve differentiations and disparities.

    The last 14 years in power has ratified a PDP without focus. Education keeps degenerating. A look at WAEC, NECO and JAMB results in the last decade is deplorable. After all, when neighbouring Ghana was in economic coma, the country’s education standard remained sustained. Today, many Nigerians prefer to send their children to school in Ghana than to the flooding private institutions here where money is more of the principal target.

    It is no news that our nation of about 150 million people is being stressed with barely 4,000MW of electricity power, whereas South Africa with 50 million population handles no less than 40,000MW. Indeed, it sells electricity to neighbouring Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe – representing about three percent of total energy produced.

    The power sector would not work in Nigeria because of corruption that has been endemically implanted. Between 1999 and 2007 when the Obasanjo administration exited office, a conservative public expenditure profile of $16 billion was said to have been incurred on the power plants to increase power production, stabilise power supply and promote economic activities. Much more might have been spent by his successors from the same political party. Yet, the nation remains in darkness, only now still hoping that the sale of PHCN might make the situation better.

    For light to shine upon this nation, there is definitely need for alternative choice to a party that imbibes corruption and renders impotent the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission which it established. Dr. Oby Ezekwesili bounced back few weeks ago to lash the presidency with a query on the consumption of the quantum foreign reserve left by the administration where she served. The present administration fired back with the unresolved allegation of unaccountable N300 billion voted for the Works Ministry under the same Anthony Anenih that is now being manipulated to be restored as Chairman of PDP Board of Trustees. It has been a chronicle of corruption versus corruption.

    As financial resources are being wasted, so also are human resources because of poor management of the affairs of the divinely blessed country. Today, many valuable Nigerians are functioning productively outside the boundary. I was in far away Australia recently and found that most Nigerians there are professionals, largely medical practitioners of worth adding value to an already developed nation. Back home are mainly those without the opportunity to “check out” like the dramatic Andrew of old.

    This is not to say that the merging opposition is perfect. No. In APGA, Governor Rochas Okorocha admits there is APGA-APGA just as there is also APGA-PDP. It has also been reported too that PDP is now working the same factionalisation to have ANPP-PDP out of ANPP-ANPP as well. Of course, as Lai Mohammed, ACN’s spokesman acknowledged, moles are likely to be set against leaders of the merger, but the antics would be subdued if APC leadership could come up with wisdom and commitment with the right focus to accomplish the will of the people.

    What is of essence is the eventual workability of a strong and viable progressive party just like it occurs in the United States, United Kingdom and India developed democracies where there are two major parties to be chosen from. In Nigeria, June 12, 1993 elections became outstanding based on the two parties that contested. This is to say that it is when there is a strong alternative to a party in power which fails to perform to peoples’ satisfaction, that a rewarding democracy would be established.

    Let retired Pope Benedict be a model

    Catholic dominion Pope Benedict XVI has decided to retire from Papacy because of his advanced age and growing inability to keep up with the physical and mental demand of the office.

    Catholic Bishop of Ekiti, Most Rev. Felix Ajakaye’s reaction to the shocking retirement makes good sense. He urged Nigerian leaders, both in politics and religion to learn a lesson from the Pope’s resignation, by quitting office when they could no longer perform optimally – not only by old age but by whatever circumstance that may be hindering their fulfilling functionality.

    Instead of seeking for tenure elongation, the Pope, feeling fulfilled just like Jesus Christ and Apostle Paul after successfully performing the assignments given to them, has decided to live a quiet life that would still be functional to the growth of the work of God.

    Are people listening?

  • Sanusi, are you killing the banking sector?

    Sanusi, are you killing the banking sector?

    SO far, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has emerged as the most controversial Governor the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ever had. More than any of his predecessors, he seems to have been demonstrating supremacy that suits his will beyond the purpose of his office and the benefit of the citizenry.

    Last week, it was reported that CBN has set new deposit limits for all categories of account holders and introduced three-tier Know Your Customer (KYC) requirements for banks. The new policy is creating three levels of depositors and what would be allowed as deposits. It nails the newly-created Low Value Account to a maximum single deposit of N20,000 and maximum cumulative balance of N200,000. For its tagged Medium Value Account which is on Level Two, N50,000 will be the maximum single deposit while the maximum cumulative balance would not be permitted to go beyond N400,000. But for the wealthy who would be operating the Level Three High Value Account, the cumulative account would be unlimited – no ceiling for what could be deposited.

    Talk of controversial banking policies, Sanusi’s administration has been terrific. As soon as he assumed office, in his bid to reform the banking sector, he knocked out some hitherto seemingly flourishing top bankers, especially his perceived adversaries. Many hailed him then for the daring steps. But today, the positive impact of his banking reformation on the nation’s economy remains debatable.

    Before long, Sanusi pronounced his intention to integrate Islamic banking into the nation’s system. After a prolonged roar, the policy became dormant, and still remains sleeping till date. Soon, he came up with cashless policy, with Lagos as starting point. Today, the workability of the guiding principle can hardly be branded as remarkable accomplishment. Not long ago, it was his pushed idea of N5,000 currency note and coins that started rocking the already battered nation. Many regarded it as elitist policy that would further ruin the long devastated naira. The presidency had to step in to suspend the distracting controversy. It still remains shelved even after it was believed contracts for printing the constitutionally unapproved currency note had been awarded.

    As if Sanusi was appointed to stir controversies in all forms, one day he came into his corporate office in his traditional chieftaincy regalia, showcasing his dream to replace the incumbent alive and well Emir of Kano who was attacked by terrorists few weeks ago. Shortly before the heartrending incident that has now taken the Emir and his injured princes out of the country, the CBN boss openly advocated the outlaw of notable religious and regional groups like CAN, JNI, ACF, Afenifere and so on. How such ban would transform the baking sector he is heading remains inexplicable and puzzling.

    As if all these diversionary tendencies of the contentious banker were not enough, he has now again brought forth a horrific policy at the wrong time when the people are groaning in penury. First, why should bank customers be categorized based on their savings? Is he working to widen the already diversified class gap and create a new class war? Why limiting only the low and medium value customers, leaving the high value category where he belongs unlimited? Did Sanusi think many are earning his level of fat salaries and allowances? How many non-corrupt civil servants will have N200,000 as cumulative? This is a blatant discrimination against the poor.

    To the average Nigerian, this complicating policy is hard to comprehend and amounts to nothing as it would only make more people keep their monies at home in contention with the same administration’s yet-unworking cashless policy. The argument that the proposed deposit limits will reduce the risk of money laundering and financing of terrorism is hollow and dismal. The reality is that the common Nigerian will continue to suffer incalculable hardship in banking operations which will favour only those who become big as beneficiaries of the nation’s flapping corruption.

    It is obvious that it is only the moneybag politicians, public servants and business tycoons that have money to launder. A truly devoted CBN administration ought not to think of widening the gap between the idle rich and the maneuvered poor. It should focus more on rational policies that will improve the standard of living of the people. Actualising CBN’s position that small scale enterprises should not benefit financial support from banks because of the nation’s poor infrastructure will only tie the economy down the miry valley. Rather than help to re-build the nation’s economy, coming up with weird and outlandish economic theories and policies amount to protecting self interest, leaving the masses to continue suffering in the midst of plenty.

    Since Sanusi is not the Finance, National Planning or Trade and Investment Minister, he should be counseled to pay more attention to his obliged official responsibilities without propelling unrewarding controversies. He should not be allowed to kill the weakened banking sector by discouraging customers and his own cashless policy. If he knows things would not work his own unconventional way, let him relinquish the banking chair and sit back to await his aspiration to becoming the Emir of Kano.

    Yes, please fight demons and cabals

    PROFESSOR Chinedu Nebo, former Vice Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka says he is ready to go into spiritual war against the many demons and cabal sabotaging the nation’s power sector. This was the assurance he gave the Senate as a nominated minister, preferably to take charge of the Power Ministry where Prof. Barth Nnaji was recently flushed out. He declared he would launch spiritual warfare against those frustrating the essential power sector that keeps dragging the nation and the economy down.

    Prof. Nebo did not sound as a greenhorn. Aware of the challenge facing the nation, he was quoted: “In this country, some highly placed people are believed to be witches responsible for the problems in our power sector; I believe God will give me the power to chase out these demons.” First was his recognition of the banana peels that swept of Prof. Nnaji in spite of his commendable professionalism; second was also that the sector is not working because of the exasperating selfish interest of some people called “highly placed.”

    Significantly was his spiritual trust in God’s ability to overcome the demonic activity being manipulated against the glory of a nation originally destined for greatness. Demons are lovers of darkness. It is in it that they hide to destroy the good of the land. The “highly placed” witches Nebo referred to are the prime corrupt leaders in and out of government, using their positions and links to scoop the nation’s treasury. Failure of the power sector that has kept the nation’s economy depressed has been source of wealth to the business and government witches – which is why they manipulate sustenance of the people in destitution. It is encouraging that he knows he needs Divine support to flush them out.

    Nebo was wise by not hastily assuring, like others before him, uninterrupted power supply, if appointed as power minister. He asserted the need to first have full knowledge of what is on ground in the sector before making proclamation of when light would begin to shine upon the darkened nation. Recall the tenureship of late Chief Bola Ige who, with his determined heart, was unable to make any meaningful impact in the power sector under Obasanjo administration.

    Beyond fighting the power cabal, Nebo’s optimism is that the power reform programme of the Jonathan administration would only turn around the sector if implemented to a logical conclusion. To him, “we need the political will to do so.”

    Truly, if President Goodluck Jonathan could just make the power sector his focus and ensure the accomplishment of bringing uninterrupted light across the nation to the level of what was being enjoyed in neighbouring Ghana since more than two decades, he might need less sweat in his campaign for re-election. This is what could give practical meaning to his transformation agenda.

    Aftrall, we now know that Nigerians appreciate impactful efforts of whosoever performs well while in power.

  • Today, they shout Hosanna…

    Today, they shout Hosanna…

    The declared re-election of Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko does not mean peoples’ pragmatic rejection of the declared losers. After all, when Dr. Olusegun Agagu was declared winner of the 2007 Ondo governorship election, a set of fake jubilants hailed him and his party for being victorious over Mimiko and others. But when the election tribunal sitting in Benin-City eventually reversed INEC’s wrong declaration, the same set of jubilants turned around to hail Iroko as the truly ordained winner.

    Such is the tale of our people, akin to the Scriptural story where those who were shouting “Hosanna” when Jesus Christ triumphantly rode on donkey into Jerusalem became the same group that screamed “crucify Him” few days later.

    Let Mimiko know that those hailing him today are not doing so because they love him. Rather, it is because they hope to receive something back from whosoever is on the throne beyond good performance. And of course, since he is skilful at ditching, the reward of disloyalty is awaiting the disingenuous hearts. Or why is the Peoples Democratic Party leadership at the national and state levels divided over him instead of supporting their own candidate in unity?

    In any contest, there is bound to be a winner and a loser. If Mimiko’s victory which a newspaper unprofessionally hollered as “Mimiko landslide” is so much overwhelming as hailers are deceitfully declaring, that means the larger percentage of Ondo’s voters who did not vote for him are being reduced to nothing.

    The Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) in a release last week claimed there was voters’ apathy as less than one sixth of the voting population in the state voted for Mimiko who secured only 260,199 out of the 1,638950 registered voters – meaning Mimiko is sitting on a thin mandate.

    In the word of the group, “the number of persons who actually participated in determination of who should manage the affairs of the state was only slightly above a third of the registered voters; in the final event, the declared winner of the election, incumbent Governor Olusegun Mimiko secured victory on the basis of just 260,199 votes, 41.67% of valid votes, and less than one sixth of the registered voters.”

    A so-called Afenifere’s prediction of death of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in South-west because its candidate was declared a loser shows dearth of wisdom and love for the people. In the regional group’s congratulatory letter to Mimiko, it averred that the poll’s outcome in Ondo State illustrated that Yoruba people were tired of the ACN. Yet, this is a party which had never been in power in that state.

    The rejoicing group stated: “We need to remind you (Mimiko) that this victory, among other things, is victory over god-fatherism, a rejection of political imposition and slavery from outside the state and the people’s hope of a better deal to come.”

    Yes, it is comprehensible some of the expired politicians are fighting ACN leadership; but they are wrongly focused. A purposeful struggle would not have been on hegemonic interest, but rather on what could truly work for the good of the people. If indeed the elders still say they are Awoists, then they are denouncing the god-fatherism model of late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Or have they forgotten the underpinning of 1983 political battle between Chief Adekunle Ajasin and Chief Segun Omoboriowo in that same Akure? If they are now functioning against ACN because they do not want the party to take total control of the South-west – which they see as the interest of its leadership, that means they were only pretending to be supporters of Awolowo’s political ideals and philosophies.

    Let anyone criticize or abuse Asiwaju Bola Tinubu. That is the sacrifice a true leader must be ready to absorb. Though he might not be in perfection, his political leadership is undeniable. After all, Awolowo with all his legendary feats that lifted the region to developmental front burner had political conflicts with regional challengers and adversaries. Late Chief Ladoke Akintola fought him till the very end. The likes of Chief Richard Akinjide became the twelve-two-third tool used to frustrate his political fulfilment. Yet, Awolowo was not put to shame even when he was declared loser at presidential elections to the advantage of the erroneous elements that ended dragging the nation down the valley. Today, many years after, Papa Awo remains glorified.

    Thinking deeper, the Lord Jesus Christ was hated by his enemies just because they never wanted him to fulfil his purpose of leaving the throne of Heaven and coming into the world for Divine reconciliation. He was vilified, denied, betrayed, tortured and eventually crucified on the cross of Calvary. He died and went down, only to come up on the third day victoriously with the key of life. Forever He has remained glorified, given a name that is above all names – a reward greater than the sacrifice. If indeed so, must a loser today then be seen as an everlasting failure?

    The Alliance for Democracy (AD) that was supposed to be the Afenifere’s political platform was in full control of the South-west region following 1999 general elections. But at the same time was a made-up Yoruba man craftily enthroned as Nigeria’s President by powers that were – and are still, against the progress of the hitherto forefront region. The same Afenifere group that backed up its own Chief Olu Falae was made to fail woefully and could only cry foul without push.

    Of course the Afenifere leadership was alive to see how much the Yoruba nation was frustrated under the eight-year unproductive reign of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo who swept their party out of power and enforced those he thought were his own faithful – the god-father way. Since history remains there for record, it was only Lagos State under Tinubu that survived Obasanjo’s political annihilation – because of his refusal to align with his disparaging manoeuvrings and intrigues.

    Had the Afenifere elders not become expired politicians, they could have managed their damaged AD party and restore it as AG/UPN’s regional model. But where is the party today? If they do not want ACN as a platform just because of one person and not for the functionality of the party, then what is their alternative? Could it be PDP where there are still an OBJ and the Akinjides who failed the region all over? Or a President Goodluck Jonathan whose administration hardly has space for the best of the Yorubas? Or the Labour Party that could not win half of Ondo State in spite of its candidate’s acclaimed popularity?

    PDP reigned in South-west for several years with nothing tangible on the ground to show today. Across the nation, it has entrenched corruption such that most Nigerians are today living in penury in the midst of evidently viable abundance. At least, the latest news from the Nuhu Ribadu panel’s report has it that about N86.65 billion oil money earned through NNPC in 10 years is missing, likely to some private pockets. That is just a small bit of the wide fraud now afflicting the nation. Going by the tradition of PDP governance, the panel’s recommendation that NNPC should be reorganized or scrapped would eventually be swept under the corruption-ridden carpet.

    The truth is that ACN governors inherited decayed states from PDP. States like Osun, Oyo and Ogun were on the verge of collapse such that promised turn-around could not be expected to come up in a jiffy. There are non-contentious challenges in fixing fundamental errors of the past. It is easier to pull down than to rebuild. The regional-based tagged ACN that did well in Akwa Ibom, Benue and Adamawa states in the last gubernatorial elections is seen as threat to the poorly-functioning ruling party whose priority is more on tenureship and zoning of political posts than in actualization of the peoples’ meaningful desires.

    Rather than waste efforts fighting Asiwaju Tinubu, let the opposition wrestle issues that would be of benefit to the people. If indeed people are sincere in motive and crave for progress and vital development, it is work that should speak for leadership instead of party affiliation.

    Governors Babatunde Fashola and Adams Oshiomhole’s overwhelming re-election victory in Lagos and Edo states were on the basis of their remarkable state-wide tangible performances. To succeed means keying in into the same wisdom in action, notwithstanding the contrary schemes of political foes. When people on ground in states and localities see practical evidences of performance, opposition would only come to contend and lie just for the sake of antagonism.

    Hence, unless a group like Afenifere begins to live up to its name, we can ever be sure that those shouting “Hossana” today would be the same to turn around to shout “crucify Him” when they begin to see reality.

  • Let a dying nation come alive

    Let a dying nation come alive

    CAN it be truly said that because Nigerians know where they are coming from, they know where they are heading to? Can we really see clearly as a people the downward slump the nation keeps sprawling into with daily occurrences? Have we as citizens of this nation become walking corpses?

    Reggae music legend Bob Marley’s popular album, Exodus remains in line with Scriptural leaning about the movement of people. In the title song, he asked essentially: “Look within, are you satisfied with the life you are living?” This is a fundamental question for the Nigerians of today in view of what is going on in the country.

    Life is becoming meaningless. Stories of mindless killings, whether by bombings, shootings or mob attacks have become habitual episode being sidetracked to national pattern. Justice is turning out to commodity in the market of buying and selling. Avoidable disasters of all manners are being absorbed as part of global phenomenon. Many more now die before their times in ways God would not be asserted blame for the errors. Rather, they are more of signs of the end-time.

    I watched the video of the barbaric slaughter of the four UNIPORT students online. My heart sank seeing the level of depression of the spirit of the common man wasting innocent lives. Let’s even assume that it was true that the young undergraduates stole laptop and blackberry handset. Must they be the ones receiving the ultimate judgment from a mob? What about those scooping the nation’s resources in billions of cash into private purses? Ironically, those are the ones being hailed as society’s big men and honoured as success – with justice being turned upside down.

    Before this was prevalence of iniquitous manslaughters of the future generation across the nation. Go to Mubi in Adamawa State, scores of students of the Federal Polytechnic were either shot or macheted by suspected colleagues for no justification. The sad case of Nassarawa State University postgraduate student Cynthia Ozukogu, brutalized, chained and put to death by her Facebook social media friends remains a distressing and depressing story. Many more of such inhumanity filling the pages of newspapers.

    More than any other time in the history of this nation, kidnapping has become an order of the day. Just the same way, armed robbery keeps harassing the peace and security of the society without practicable solution. Many tales are being told of arrests of kidnappers and armed robbers, but records of judgment upon the culprit remain miserably scanty. This means the sustainability of criminality as there is hardly a precautionary trend to dissuade perpetrators.

    Same has been the chronicle of Boko Haram terrorism. The sect has shaken the north eastern part of the country and the federal capital with suicide bombings and shootings for a while. Several hundreds of innocent lives have been wasted alongside properties of value. Till date, prosecution of the arrested many of the terrorists remains hanging.

    What a nation? What a people? Unrighteousness has enveloped the land with afflictions. Natural disasters are taking over as recompense. There is what scientists with the wisdom of man now label as global warming. Yet, not all nations of the world are being afflicted. But Nigeria is experiencing overwhelming flooding in several parts today, rendering many homeless. The disaster is plainly being linked to global warming. Yes, it may be so. But going deeper should make one understand the catastrophe as compensation for the consequence of reigning intrigues and atrocities in the land.

    Beyond the tales of adversities, what else do we have to be glorified as a nation? Not only a prostrate, distraught and strangulated territory, but a realm saddled with levels of most corrupt and apathetic populace. As the much endowed resources flowing in are being pocketed by the advantaged few, the country is dwindling to wretchedness and penury, straining the unprivileged majority to be pressured to make it also at all cost. While those in power and their connections are enmeshed in corruption and fraud, those outside power are getting trapped in assorted criminalities. This is to say, since the head has become rotten, the bulk is decomposing and decaying.

    The slump is manifesting all around. Yearly budgets are no more than mere formalities. Federal legislators are presently combating the authorities over pitiable performance of the existing budget and yet presenting a bulkier one for the coming year – with barely anything on the ground to show for performance. In the Nigeria of today, government hospitals are becoming consigned mortuaries; sales of failed public properties – like NITEL and lately PHCN, are hardly done with purity; the poor desiring to eat from dustbins and decomposing waste-heaps are getting frustrated by the day as such sources of livelihood hardly offer anything anymore.

    If there is any contentment by the downtrodden, it must perhaps be because the oppressed has not suffered enough to the point of death. The reality is that the only category pretending to be enjoying the good of the land today are the kleptomaniacs, fraudsters in and out of government and the growing dupers of varied hues.

    Why are we where we are without making progress? Let’s go back to the dawn of December 31, 1983. The civilian administration under Alhaji Shehu Shagari was then being sacked by the military junta hungry for a return to power. By the grace of history, we can recollect the major actors who eventually became rulers that further dragged the nation down to the valley.

    But first, let’s hear the voice of Gen. Sani Abacha on that dawn of military take-over:

    “You are all living witnesses to the grave economic predicaments and uncertainty which an inept and corrupt leadership has imposed on our beloved nation. I am referring to the harsh and intolerable conditions under which we are now living.

    “Our economy has been hopelessly mismanaged. We have become a debtor and beggar nation. There is inadequacy of food at reasonable price for our people who are now fed up with endless announcement of importation of foodstuffs. Health services are in shambles as our hospitals are reduced to mere consulting clinics without drug, water and equipment.

    “Our educational system is deteriorating at an alarming rate. Unemployment figures, including the graduates, have reached embarrassing and unacceptable proportions. In some states, workers rae being owed salaries and there are threats of salary cuts. Yet our leaders revel in squandermania and corruption; and indiscipline continues to be the bane of the nation’s proliferated public appointment in complete disregard for our stark economic realities.”

    This is almost 29 years after. There have been successive administrations. How much has changed? The man who lamented on air then later forced his way in to reign and rule after his co-coup plotter, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida who collaboratively annulled the people’s choice ten years later was forced to “step aside.”

    Ponder again on Bob Marley’s cry: “Look within; are you satisfied with the life you are living?” Indeed, is your life better off than what it was in 1983? The concept of transformation might sound positive. But the veracity of it is what it impacts on the people’s sensibilities and lives. It must go beyond partisanship.

    Any leadership working for self will never move the people out of the miry clay. Rather than serving public interest, personal enhancement through elongated tenureship becomes prioritized. This is why those contented with the inglorious happenings in the land are the ones contending with the concept of a Sovereign National Conference that would have made Nigerians to speak out their minds and work out restoration of lost glories on the pathway to their destinies.

    But since nothing seems to be working other than atrocities and mayhem, now the National Assembly is considering the review of the militarily-enforced constitution. But would the populace see this as another opportunity opening up for a meaningful turn-around? Will there be sincerity and true love for the people in the heart of those at the helm?

    Devoted thought cannot be for retention of position of power or to benefit from the suffering of the masses. It is only in righteousness that the broken walls of this nation can be rebuilt. It is then that the hope and aspiration of true greatness can be restored and the glory we once had rejuvenated.

    Let it be known that tough time will not last for ever only if tough people are devoted to goodness and righteousness.

     

  • Ondo: Why Aketi should cut down Iroko

    Ondo: Why Aketi should cut down Iroko

    ALTHOUGH three political parties appear dominant in Ondo State ahead the October 20, 2012 governorship contest, it will be a strait electoral battle between Dr. Olusegun Mimiko and Chief Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN). They know each other inside out.

    I recall the mid-seventies when I joined the two of them as student of the then University of Ife and both were in to campus politics. Our Great Ife generation will forever recollect one significant accomplishment of the Student Union executive of 1975/76 session which was the immediate successor of Ayo Olukotun’s active tenure. Akeredolu was then the Vice President while Mimiko was in the students’ parliament. I can recount their respective performances and impacts. Yes, Mimiko as a medical student was articulately lively, but Akeredolu being also the officer in charge of welfare was impactful.

    Then we were being served cups of tea or coffee by the cafeteria staff. The limitation of what was obtained on long queues was unpleasing to students. Akeredolu stepped in and fought it out that we should be allowed to serve ourselves from various pot points. He won. And he was hailed by all. This made unlimited tea and coffee available, and even those who could not afford the then 10kobo worth breakfast would step in and drink tea – free of charge! It was a legacy Aketi left behind in Ife until the Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo junta’s cost increase disrupted students’ comfort on campuses. Ali-Must-Go nationwide uprising was the response.

    Today, the two friends are confronting each other politically to rule over their state. Mimiko as incumbent Governor wants a second term. Akeredolu desires to step in to make impact. Akeredolu touched me beyond partisanship when he recently quoted in an interview that “the issue transcends whether Mimiko is formidable or not. It is about whether he has delivered to the people of Ondo State or not.”

    There is much of propaganda in the land. Most in power dwell much on intentions than actualizations. They know the essential needs of the people but they prioritise personal interests. This is why the populace is largely not benefiting what are meant to be dividends of democracy. Claiming to have performed runs contrary to the reality on ground. In the midst of the nation’s abundance, standard of living of the masses keeps dwindling with underdevelopment and poverty reigning.

    Wherever genuine change is taking place, the end product becomes non debatable. It will go beyond politics and would be more of what are of benefit to the people. In Lagos, I go through Oshodi to the office daily. The condition of Oshodi about four years ago compared to what it is today needs no contention. Even the sternest opposition would bow to the transformation.

    Similarly, for several days early this year, I travelled through Benin City to parts of Edo State for my in-law’s funeral. Seeing quality road work, reformed schools and worthy infrastructural developments, I came back delighted that Governor Adams Oshiomhole needed no campaign for his re-election as good work would work for him.

    In my Ekiti State, I observed the road to Afao Ekiti, Ayo Fayose’s town. It was one of the works Fayose boasted to have done well. But the worsening of the road barely a year after was as if it had never been touched before. I passed through that same road few weeks ago, and I saw quality performance – evidently perceptible to rationalize why the Governor of the state truly deserved recent Leadership Governor of the Year honour. Again, this is not politics but reality of devotional execution of promises to the electorate.

    Now, the Ondo State is in focus. Mimiko’s trendy claim has been that of good performance. With the loud hype, those outside the state might key in to the assertion. But what of the people in the state? Two weeks ago, I was in the state, first in Akure. I saw Oba Adesida Road and the fountain at night time and was carried away with the beauty and splendor. That alone almost authenticated Mimiko’s self-declaration as a performer. The following day, I moved inside the city before heading to Akoko area of the state. Later, I had to go through several other places, including Mimiko’s Ondo township. My early perception instantly altered. It became clear that beyond the capital city, Ondo State, with all the huge resources has not much to showcase in development in the last four years.

    Away from Akure, what are the benefits of the enormous multi billion naira revenue allocations to an oil producing state, and the huge loans obtained? Where are the newly-constructed roads in the last four years? Of what value are the built markets where there is hardly business? How many of the jobless have been innovatively engaged in the last four years? How deep has the creative Abiye project gone? All these and more are what a truly committed governor should have addressed to convince the people.

    The news was even flowing around of the huge public funds that were dished out with no project to show for it. It is also talk of the town that Mimiko is a governor running his administration alone as his executive members are there in name only. Could this be why many have preferred to opt out of his government to pitch with the opposition?

    In my school days, I lived in Akure till my father retired from public service. My affiliation with our neighbours plainly established the correspondence in nature with my Ekiti people who know what they want and cherish a life of integrity. Eyes are forced to open to determine the tested spirit and soul of who should be preferred to lead to worthy higher ground. For a people that are eager to move forward with the opportunity of enhanced resources, what is being said should be weighed against what is being done.

    Were political leanings to become an issue, then Akeredolu should be having a fundamental edge that would result in vital advantage to the people of the state. Progressivism was what gave the region now tagged South West the elemental development advantage over others in the days of Action Group (AG) and later the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). The cardinal principles of the parties were the disciplined focus that enhanced noteworthy performances that Chief Obafemi Awolowo left as lasting legacies. The copious oil money that is today the despicable income diversely leading the nation to underdevelopment and penury was not obtainable then. Revenue internally generated largely from agriculture gave the united region quality advancement that today still remains verifiable.

    The same region, minus only Ondo State is now under one party, the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN). The South West that was compelled to eight years of indisputable developmental downturn under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is today seeing light at the end of the dark tunnel through a focused guiding principle of regional integration. ACN is out with a developmental blueprint similar to the rewarding ideology of Papa Awo. The party might not be perfect, but states under its control are already being reformed for authentic change. But if Ondo State, notwithstanding its great potentials is allowed to remain under a clueless party, would be left out of the restoration of the glory of the region.

    This is my worry. Those living in Ondo State know the truth on ground in their respective localities. It was no error that about 30 personalities came out aspiring to lead the state under one party that was once in virtual non-existence. Of course, some were moles and infiltrators planted among the multitude to explode the party. But by stronger strength too are also several of the aspirants with commitment to serve their people on a plausible political platform.

    To the enlightened people of South West, there must have been wisdom in replacing the imposed PDP with a more formidable political party, that was made to successfully dislodge an Akalamagbo from Oyo, shamed Agidiomo out of Ogun, dethroned a lack lustre unsweetened Oyin from the throne of Osun and chose an intellectual to restore Ekiti to the Fountain of Knowledge. So, if Ondo people implanted what they thought was a genuine Iroko but has focused on cosmetics instead of doing the needful, the time might have now come for uprooting a fruitless mighty tree so that the Yoruba integrity can be replanted for the good purpose of doing the will of the people.

    If the governors in South West chosen above the non-productive rules of man are outstanding in performance and are working to lift up the glory of the region again, that means wisdom of leadership was used to the benefit of the people. Likewise, the leadership choice of Akeredolu as a privileged candidate with pedigree and commitment to give back to the society and the people of Ondo State, is also bound to actualize good sense above sentimentalism, self-centeredness and deceitfulness in governance.

    The option now remains in the hand of the electorate. Their votes should be of value, deployed on the basis of reliability and trustworthiness, with readiness to defend their choice.

  • Nigeria? All must be well

    Nigeria? All must be well

    For a while now, season of independence anniversary in Nigeria has hardly qualified to be moment of celebration. Rather, it’s been more of a period for frustrated citizens’ lamentation of the lost glories of a nation destined for greatness. Every year now, we have been saying the same thing just because the country’s level of rot continues to get deepened by day.

    Over the years, the recompense of the devastation of Nigeria’s opportunities and potentials has been a journey the downward way. The story has been that of a nation that ought to be going up higher but is being pulled down into the valley of miry clay by crass self-centeredness, gross corruption and inane unrighteousness. We have been experiencing increasing sophistication of crimes and criminalities at all levels.

    As times and tide are universally changing, the impact is also reflecting on the local realms. While some countries like China, India, Malaysia and Indonesia that were formerly on the same crawling level with Nigeria are now sprouting and becoming globally relevant, situations and circumstances keep declining here with light hardly gleaming at the end of the dark channel.

    The sterner stuff which Nigerians were supposedly typically made continues to wear out. Once upon a time, a classic Nigerian would confidently brag that this country is not a banana republic. The reality today would hardly compel a true patriot to stand on that platform. It is now being realized that quality could hardly emerge from unrefined heaps of dirt. The continuing emergence of unworthy leadership through making of wrong choice has transformed to the peoples’ complacency, reversing the masses to eating from dustbins.

    Today at 52, rather than addressing issues that are panacea to nation building, economic development and social progress that would impact positively on peoples’ lives, we now expend much energy contesting unproductive self-inflicted challenges that ordinarily would not have been contentious if fundamental leadership principles and procedures were followed. From the garrison politics to politics of cabals, we now contend more with tenureship and internal terrorism that are driving off meaningful investments from a rapidly declining socio-economic profile. Pains and afflictions are being prolonged simply because violence and terrorism are being overtly endorsed due to the authority’s non-punitive actions, with security machineries being overwhelmed by imposed sacred cows.

    There is hardly candour in the land anymore; morality and earnestness have diminished. To the outsider, 419 has become the second name of Nigeria. At home, corruption, treachery and leadership mediocrity are being institutionalized, glorified and rewarded above integrity, true patriotism and diligence.

    Of course, it is becoming easier to see why things are not working. Sadly, vital laws and traditional ethics of the land are being bastardized and abused with impunity. The once-cherished rule of law is being debased in progression – just as justice itself is being purchased and mortgaged.

    The militarily-imposed constitution ruling Nigeria today is far from being the true will and consensus of “we, the people.” Intended changes are not even being allowed to be the genuine will of the people. Whenever the issue of National Sovereign Conference where the country’s integrity could be restored is raised, enemies of progress will arise in pretence of love for the sustenance of unworking system.

    Yet, in all these, this is certain: today might be rough. It might only be a passage to the nation’s true greatness beyond political propaganda. This is because those God created as Nigerians cannot be bottled up forever. The potential to foam and bubble is implanted in the people. And if care is not taken, they could eventually erupt when driven to a tight corner where there seems to be no escape route. And if that is allowed to happen, automatic disruption might be the consequence.

    Few weeks ago, Gen. Alani Akinrinade (rtd) in an interview said that as much as he is for the oneness of this country, disintegration is also not impossible. About a week ago, The Redeemed Christian Church of God organized a nationwide programme and declared a national day for praise and prayer. During the session at our provincial level, a prayer point was raised for the destruction of those working for the disunity of Nigeria. I told the minister by my side of my reluctance to respond to such prayer. My motivation: if separation is the will of God for Nigeria, so be it. Afterall, the 1914 amalgamation was more with human motive to achieve colonial divide-and-rule stratagem. My mind explicated that the wipe-off of socialism and disintegration of erstwhile empires like USSR, Yugoslavia and Czechoslovakia has not ruined the people but has instead fortified them. Therefore, for our own country to remain one nation that will get out of its current darkness would be for the will of God to be done.

    Pretenders of nationalism might not agree, especially as long as they are promoters and beneficiaries of the nation’s malfunctions and failures. Diversion of resources meant for the good of the people to the private pockets of the few privileged few would only be hailed by the unrighteous. But the truth is that God will not be on the side of those channeling His investment into unproductive asset. Why? His word says in Proverbs 14:34 that it is only righteousness that can exalt a nation as sin will remain “a reproach to any people.”

    The unity of Nigeria could only become meaningful when visionary and committed leadership is enthroned beyond ethnic or zoning considerations that have been enthroning mediocres upon a land blessed with enormous valuable human resources. The fact is that with all the wondrous God-given potentials, lack of good leadership has been crippling the nation and rendering the people to continue to suffer in the midst of plenty.

    The journey to greatness and fulfillment might be long. But as long as God is still in control, with His people intervening, all will surely turn well as the nation will still reach the destined height. The times may be tough and rough, the main consolation one cannot discountenance is the verity that hardship in the land is turning more Nigerians to God. And if only for the sake of the grace over the few righteous Nigerians, the lost glories of the nation is bound to resurface to shine again.

    It does not matter whether we admit or not, only those who surrender their lives to their maker will fulfill the purpose of their existence here on earth. The unrighteous that are wickedly and immorally draining the goodness of the land persistently and appears to be shining now will end the same way Biblical Pharaoh got drowned because it is only the blessing of God that will not be accompanied with sorrow.

    Let those who smuggled their ways to leadership position see their lifting as a result of grace and not through qualification by their own power or wisdom. Let them also know that the grace which one is not qualified for can only abound when one is living in uprightness and dedication to responsibility granted by opportunity.

    A determined leader need not wait to depend on the people instead of focusing on the Almighty who promotes and enthrones. Hence, instead of passing blames of failure on opposition, a serious administration must be ready to carry the cans and be devoted to serving the people. Concentrating on issues that divert would only expand diversion and lead to further downturn.

    The same way my revered General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye prayed in the popular ringtone, I align and proclaim on this occasion of solemn flag independence celebration that “Nigeria, evil men shall never rule you again.” May God implant His fear in the heart of those in authority today and grant them wisdom for genuine transformation of this beleaguered nation.