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Tag: BUHARI

  • Buhari: New dawn, new expectations

    Buhari: New dawn, new expectations

    The curtain was drawn on the 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) rule at the weekend. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU examines the importance of the democratic transition and people’s expectations about the new dawn.

    It was a colourful ceremony in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The attention of the world was on Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country. It was a historic moment for the opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), which became the ruling party. It was a defining moment for the masses, who had voted for change on March 28. For President Muhammadu Buhari, the inauguration marked the fulfillment of a latent desire to bounce back to power, 31 years after he was ousted in a coup.

    The ceremony underscored the strategic importance of Nigeria to the world. The country re-connected with the international community as over 50 statesmen from across the globe witnessed the historic event. United States Secretary of State John Kerry, his British counterpart, Philip Hammono, South African President Jacob Zuma and President Eduardo Dos Santos of Angola congratulated Nigerians for the new dawn and urged the country to maintained its abiding faith in the sub-region, Africa and the world.

    Former Nigerian leaders — Gen. Yakubu Gowon, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo, Alhaji Shehu Shagari, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, Chief Ernest Shonekan and Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar — were in a reflective mood. So were outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan, Vice President Namadi Sambo, Senate President David Mark, Deputy Speaker of House of Representatives Emeka Ihedioha, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, Gen. Oladipo Diya and former Commonwealth Secretary-General Chief Emeka Anyaoku.

    It was a day of joy for APC leaders such as Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Chief Bisi Akande, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, Chief Audu Ogbeh, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Mr. Segun Oni, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, his Edo counterpart, Comrade Adams Oshiomhole, Dr. Kayode Fayemi, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and other compatriots who weathered the storm.

    Many Nigerians were glued to television sets at home and relaxation centres. Civil servants who have not received salaries for months, restless graduate youths seeking for jobs, pensioners who have been deprived, artisans who cannot work because of recurrent power outage and ordinary Nigerians who cannot afford three square meals put their hope on the new government.  They expressed optimism that their problems will be solved by the new leader without delay.

    Buhari was the tallest man at Eagle Square last Saturday, not only in height, but also in responsibility. He was accompanied by his delectable wife, Aisha. Around 10.47, he took the oath of office before Chief Justice Mamund Mohammed, assisted by the Chief Registrar of the Supreme Court, Ahmed Gambo Saleh. But, as former President Goodluck Jonathan presented to him the symbolic flag of authority, the burden of leadership was transferred to the General. On that note, he took custodian of the assets and liabilities of a country that has been submerged by years of misrule and leadership failure.

    Few minutes before the presidential oath was administered, Buhari’s deputy, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), accompanied by his wife, Dolapo, the granddaughter of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, took the oath of allegiance and the oath of office.

    The audience hailed the President and the Vice President as a blend of old age and youthful vigour, united by similarity of ideas, vision and strength of character, a sense of incorruptibility and collective hope for a glorious dawn, positive change and progress. Observers contend that the cordial relations of Shagari and Ekwueme Presidency may be re-enacted, in contrast with the cold war between Obasanjo and  Atiku Abubakar. Since there is much work to be done, the Vice President cannot be idle, despite certain constitutional impediments.

    Buhari was not new to the festivities — a 21-gun salute, cheers, banters and diplomatic courtesies. He had savoured them as a military governor, minister, military commander and Head of State three decades ago when Nigeria was still relatively easier to govern. The task before him is huge. Thus, the ex-soldier, administrator and statesman was not carried away. The new President knew that, henceforth, governance cannot be a tea party, if he is to make a difference from the sordid past. But, unlike his tough speech of 1984, when he took power forcefully, Buhari, the new symbol of democracy, laid out some of his plans to Nigerians, in utter sensitivity to the democratic mood. He was less combative and more reconciliatory.

    Yet, he spoke as a man of valour. To demonstrate that he will be in charge and wade off manipulations of the political elite, the President declared: “I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody.” The statement was cheered by a section of the audience. Others were confused. But, when he gave soldiers the marching order to Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, to wage a more effective war on Boko Haram insurgency, the venue erupted in jubilation.

    Buhari condemned the sect’s activities, emphasising that they have no bearing with religion. However, he quickly recognised the futility of fighting insurgents without probing their motivation for undermining the national sovereignty. To unravel the circumstances surrounding the persistent rebellion, he promised to commence a sociological study of the objective of the dreadful set, their grievances and their demands. He thanked Chad, Niger and Cameroun for lending support to the fight against terror. To the joy of anxious Chibok parents, the President said he will rescue the abducted girls.

    The inaugural speech also focused on public expectations. The new government, he said, will not tolerate corruption, adding that he will preside over a regime of accountability. Buhari lamented that the billions of naira expended on the power sector since 1999 went down the drain. He promised a new lease of life for the sector.

    Buhari said he will uphold the doctrine of separation of powers. The executive will not encroach on the duties of the legislature and the judiciary, he said. This posture underscores, in part, his refusal to intervene in the hot contest for the Senate President between to party members-Senators Bukola Saraki and Ahmad Lawan. However, he pointed out that the judiciary needed reforms to clean itself of its past.

    Buhari was silent on the strategies for achieving these policies. In the weeks ahead, the direction of his government will be clearer when he begins to make the appointments. Two challenges will face his young government. The APC is a young ruling party and many have pointed out that the resolution of the battle for the Senate has implications for unity and cohesion. The weakness of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presage the downfall of the PDP government. Also, the struggle for ministerial slots must be carefully managed.

    The APC National Chairman, Odigie-Oyegun, said the President and other party leaders are conscious of these challenges. He hinted that the next cabinet will be a mixed grill; a blend of competent politicians and technocrats. “We have a group of diligent, committed Nigerians to drive the new vision. The APC has goals and manifestos. We are ready for business. We will begin to see changes and the changes will build up,” he added.

    He assured that the President will not let the country down. Describing him as a tested and trusted statesman, he said he endured many obstacles before obtaining the crown. “Three times the people turned him down. But, the entire nation turned to him because they rediscovered his exemplary character. He will return the nation to respectability,” he stressed.

    Buhari’s mate in secondary school, Alhaji Ibrahim Commasie, former Inspector-General of Police, urged Nigerians to support the President. But, he also advised the President to fufill his promises to Nigerians. He also urged the people to defend democratic consolidation. “It is a very inspiring moment; a moment of happiness. We are having a change of government, from civilian to civilian. The opposition party defeated the ruling party and the President conceded defeat. Nigeria should support Buhari. He will curb corruption. Buhari should also keep his words,” Commasie added.

    In Senator Barnabas Gemade’s view, Nigeria is lucky to have the duo of Buhari and Osinbajo at the helm of affairs. Lauding the power shift, he said it is a worthwhile experience for him to be part of the old and new governments. The chieftain said, although expectations are high, the challenges are surmountable. “Buhari is a man of integrity; very honest and dedicated. He does not have tolerance for corruption. Buhari and Osinbajo are a perfect combination. They will work for a better Nigeria,” he said.

    A politician, Chief Victor Okorie, said gone were the days of business as usual. But, he cautioned that Nigerians should not perceive the President as a magician who will solve all their problems in a day. “But, he will be a model because he operates in a high moral pedestal,” he said.

    Another politician, Chief Don Etiebet, former Minister of Petroleum, said “this type of transition is unprecedented. The greatest problem that will face Buhari, he said, is security. But, he noted that the challenge is not peculiar to Nigeria, stressing that it a challenge confronting humanity as a whole. Etiebet said that Buharo will however, succeed because he is a disciplinarian. “He will bring discipline to bear on governance. He will uphold the rule of law. He will not allow impunity,” he added.

    To Amaechi, the new dawn is worth celebrating because it is a transition from one party to another. He said the only way to justify the power shift is for the new administration to make a difference, despite the dwindling resources. “I hope in the process of governance, there will be an improvement. Nigerians expect good governance, improvement in power, education. But, don’t forget, there is no money,” he stressed.

    The APC Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who attributed the orderly and constitutional change of government to divine intervention, noted that democracy has come to stay in Nigeria. He urged leaders to make sacrifices in the national interest, stressing that there is much work to be done.

    “Nigerians have recovered their rights to choose a rightful leader. The people out there, the masses, will determine whether we will have a second term. Money politics will fade out. The expectation is high. We will deliver our electoral promises. It will be very tough. But, we will make sacrifices. We will continue to engage Nigerians as we engaged them during the elections,” Mohammed added.

    Human right activist, Clement Nwankwo, who set an agenda for the government, said Buhari will need competent aides, ministers and advisers to drive his vision. In his view, national economic survival must be a priority. “There are other problems. States cannot pay salaries,” he pointed out. Lauding the President’s speech, which he said was sharp, he however, observed that it was not detailed.

    The right activist said appointments into the cabinet should be carefully made, adding that it must be based on competence. “The team (cabinet) should be able to rebuild the economy that has been collapsing in the last seven years,” Nwankwo said.

    Former United States ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs. Renis Sanders, urged the President to seek foreign assistance to deal with some urgent matters. Noting that Nigeria is important to the world, he said people across the globe are interested in the country. Buhari, she said, can make a headway in the fight against terror, if he seeks foreign assistance to tackle Boko Haram.

    Also, Hammond, said Britain can assist Nigeria in the training of armed personnel to fight the sect. He said Britain has investment interest in Nigeria cutting across critical sectors.

  • Buhari, smile at our children

    It is a sweet coincidence that the International Children’s Day fell within two days of change of government in Nigeria. It is even sweeter that this change of government is not just another sonorous self-succession scheme but a new person at the helms of power and screaming the message of a much-needed change. Yet it will be sweetest if President Mohammadu Buhari can shed his stern stance and just for a moment, smile at our children.

    Children in Nigeria, one of the most endangered species in the world, need this pain-effacing smile. It may be understandable if the General’s unsmilingliness increases in light of the Augean stables that must be cleansed, of mountains that must be moved and of sacred cows that must be tied up so that Nigeria can be whipped into line again and so that the shame of a nation can end. It will be a hard time for political criminals and executive pen robbers if Buhari remains true to his name, yet, in all of these, he must remember to smile at our children.

    Why the urgent need to smile at our children? Sir, in case you do not know, the global guffaw is on us as to the bleak statistics on the state of Nigerian children. I believe you are aware that our country currently has the highest number of out-of-school children in the world, standing at 10.5 million since 2013, according to UNESCO. With upheavals in the North especially in the last few years, your esteemed guess is as good as that of my humble self. And to add, Save Our Children also rates us as having one of the highest rates of maternal mortality, and infancy deaths, ranking in the leagues of war-torn countries such as Congo, Afghanistan and Sudan. We also have, according to UNICEF’s statistics, one of the highest rates of girl-child marriage in the world, particularly in the North, where VVF, a major threat to sustainable development is widespread. We can’t discountenance these reports – the evidence is everywhere. Or, you want to talk of skyrocketing incidences of rape without consequences, sale of babies (baby factories), child-trafficking and other woes befalling our hapless children and with hardly any respite?

    And of course, you may know that we also have one of the highest figures of displaced persons, including thousands of children. Just the other day, we saw that more than 500 of the persons rescued from the Boko Haram Sambisa hell were children and young girls. Many died on the way back to ‘life’. Not long after, many more trooped in, tired, hungry and dying from refugee camps in Niger Republic. Many holed up in Cameroon and Chad will soon troop back and with many children dying of starvation along the way. Internally, we have 1.5 Million people who are displaced, according to the United Nations Humanitarian Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). But we do not even need those statistics. The horrendous truth stares us in the face on street corners and school compounds of Maiduguri, Yola, Damaturu, Potiskum, Kano, Abuja and elsewhere. These humanitarian crises, these great human suffering, these deaths and the shame were quite avoidable if we had a pro-active, stick-wielding and at the same time, child-friendly government in place. We won’t wail over spilled milk now, but we will ask you to smile.

    Sir, let the unforgiveable indifference of the past government move you into child-friendly action. Think of the children of the infamous Dogo Nahawa massacre, 500 lying still, extinguished by the sides of the cold Plateau hills; think of the 58 school boys of Buni-Yadi murdered in cold blood after which the government joyously embarked on a senseless Centenary celebration; think of the Potiskum school kids put out so brutally; think of the bloodbath in Nyanya after which the immediate past president, leader of the nation, went on a shoki dance in Kano; think of the abducted teenagers of Chibok and all that was done by the Federal Government to sweep it under the carpet, more than 200 of people’s children! Think of the fact that in all of these, the Ministry of Women Affairs which should be the vanguard of protecting these vulnerable young people was deeply engrossed in organising rallies for the First Lady. It took international outcries, as you know, for the government to even respond. And now the world views us as ugly monsters that care not for their young. Think deeply, sir of the lack of empathy and be resolved to make a smile-inducing difference. The world must now see our children smile. Simile, sir, smile at the survivors and future leaders, but first, frown and say ‘Never Again’.

    History, I trust, will smile at you if in light of these tear-inducing realities, you make the overall welfare of Nigerian children one of the cornerstones of your administration’s policies. If you ensure efficient rehabilitation, resettlement and reintegration programme for families and children displaced by Boko Haram and the various ethno-religious crises and without bias, and rescue those still in captivity. You know that without tackling this squarely, especially for the young and impressionable, we can’t say the insurgency battle is over. We must stop breeding monsters, consciously or otherwise; if you ensure the effective enforcement of child-friendly policies littering government offices across the country; if violators of children’s rights face the law squarely as against what obtains now; if we have much better and more affordable healthcare and  strict child safeguard policies, free universal basic education and take the life-enhancing light of literacy to children on city street corners and rural hamlets; if education is subsidized to ensure the intellectual development of EVERY Nigerian child notwithstanding his or her religion, tribe or  background so that he/she turns out as contributor and not minus, to national growth, then we can truly say you had smiled. Again, we await you to say Never Again will extremist forces capitalise on the mass illiteracy of our children to turn them to brainwashed little devils. Kindly say it with a fatherly smile.

    Sir, you know of course that governments world over which display, allow or accommodate cruelty, in any form, to children are no longer deemed the mightiest; great powers show their prowess by the care and compassion they extend to the most vulnerable in society. We will hold you up to those global standards. We expect that while you must show your unsmiling face at defaulting adults, please ensure you beam a loving face at our children. We can’t sit down and expect our children to turn out humane when all we mete to them is harm. A thinking, forward-looking nation’s resources and assets must be used for the comfort and protection of its young. You are now the father of the nation, their father, and they mustn’t know the sledgehammer of governmental irresponsibility anymore.

    Maybe, just maybe, if you would make our children smile from ear-to-ear, make them feel safe, genuinely loved and proud to be Nigerians once again, this may just be your most enduring legacy in this second chance given you by God to serve our bruised fatherland.

    • Mrs Abah is Lagos-based journalist and Executive Director of a child’s rights NGO.

  • Buhari: Rejuvenating a disenchanted nation

    SIR: The general consensus among Nigerians at the moment is that it can no longer be business as usual. Therefore, drastic and urgent measures must be taken to save the nation from obstacles to national growth and development. First, the remuneration of political office holders, financial profligacy, the size and cost of running the government which are disturbing concerns in governance structure need to be frontally addressed by the new administration. This government should sincerely embrace a cost effective and efficient administration built on prudent management of available resources.

    Ministerial positions and the number of aides to political office holders should be pruned beginning with the president and governors. It is common in Nigerian democratic parlance to find positions like Senior Special Adviser and Special Adviser to one man. One wonders where the difference lies if not only in the nomenclature.

    When one looks at the fleet of cars in the president’s, governors,’ ministers,’ senators and other elected officers convoys, one begins to wonder the huge cost of maintenance and fuelling of those vehicles. Will it diminish the office of the president, governor or any elected officer for that matter if they have less vehicles attached to their offices?

    Example they say is better than precepts. Beginning from the president himself, some perks of office should be slashed or out rightly removed. Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Commission which is charged with the responsibility of fixing the salaries of public office holders should begin a downward review of the total emolument of political office holders. Public office is designed fundamentally for service to humanity; not for luxury or enrichment of the occupier.

    The incongruity in allowing the annual budgetary recurrent expenditure to constantly outweigh the capital expenditure should be addressed. It is paradoxical for a nation desirous of development to encourage this budgetary misnomer. In simple arithmetic, it means, the nation expends far more on payment of salaries than developmental projects.

    The nation can no longer afford to be an oil producing nation but ironically lacking same and have no working refineries. In the face of the nation’s dwindling economy occasioned by one monolithic product of crude oil, the Buhari administration has no option than to urgently move to reactivate other sectors of the economy beginning with power, manufacturing, agriculture, solid minerals etc.

    The responsibilities of some ministries and parastatals are practically intertwined or rather duplicated. Those with semblance of duties should be fused together for efficiency and effectiveness. This administration should take a cursory look at Steve Orosanye’s Committee on Restructuring and Rationalisation of ministries, parastatals and agencies to bring an end to this duplication without undue effect on the workforce.

    The cost of running the National Assembly alone is too exorbitant to say the least. The 2015 budgetary allocation for the National Assembly stands at N150 billion. From 2003 till date, it was reported that the National Assembly has gulped N 600 billion in budgetary allocation. It will not be out of place to say that the cost of running the National Assembly for these years can build more than two power generation stations of 400 MW capacity and refineries respectively. The bills in both the National and in some state Houses of Assembly which gave undue life severance or retirement benefits to former governors and leaders of State Houses of Assembly were end of tenure scams which should be repealed immediately.

    Finally, government should provide an enabling environment for the production and manufacturing sectors of the economy to thrive. The power and energy sectors must be up and running. The expected outcome is confidence building, peace and exponential rise in employment opportunities for the army of unemployed citizenry. No government can succeed in isolation of a patriotic, law abiding and orderly citizenry. Therefore, the intangible behavioural attitudes such as truth, obedience, tolerance, selflessness, punctuality, discipline etc., and reorientation of the society must align with the expectations of the new government for the good of all.

     

    • Sunday Onyemaechi Eze,

    Kaduna Electricity Distribution Company, Kaduna.

  • Adesina, Shehu named Buhari’s spokesmen

    Adesina, Shehu named Buhari’s spokesmen

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday evening, named Mr Femi Adesina and Mallam Garba Shehu as his spokesmen.
    Femi Adesina will serve as Special Adviser (Media and Publicity) while Garba Shehu will be the new Senior Special Assistant (Media and Publicity).
    The President has also approved the appointment of Mal. Lawal Abdullahi Kazaure as the State Chief of Protocol (SCOP).
    Mr Adesina is the current President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) and serves as the Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief of The Sun newspapers.
    Garba Shehu served as the Director, Media and Publicity of the APC Presidential Campaign Council. He is also a former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors.
    Abdullahi Kazaure is a career Foreign Service official and currently serves in Aso Rock Villa as a Special Assistant (Presidential Matters).

  • Buhari, Osinbajo declare assets

    Buhari, Osinbajo declare assets

    •VP says President’s election is divine intervention in Nigeria’s affairs
    •Don’t allow corrupt people around you, Bishop Oke warns VP

    President Muham-madu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo have declared their assets in line with provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

    Their declaration forms were submitted to the Code of Conduct Bureau on Thursday, 24 hours before they were sworn- in at Abuja.

    The Head of the  Buhari Media Team, Mallam Garba Shehu confirmed the development yesterday, saying the Bureau Chairman, Sam Saba acknowledged receipt of the  assets declaration forms.

    Details of the declared assets were not made available.

    “President Buhari’s Declarant ID was given as: ‘President: 000001/2015’,” Garba said.

    He added: “The Nigerian Constitution states in Chapter VI Section 140, that a person elected to the office of President shall not begin to perform the functions of that office until he has declared his assets and liabilities as prescribed in the Constitution.”

    He said that by declaring their assets, President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo have not only fulfilled the requirements of the Constitution, but also fulfilled the first of their many campaign promises.

    And speaking at the Inaugural Thanksgiving at the national Christian Centre, Abuja yesterday, Osinbajo said the victory of President Buhari in the March 28 election was a clear testimony of divine intervention in Nigeria’s affairs.

    “After three failed attempts, God made Muhhamadu Buhari win his fourth attempt at becoming Nigeria’s president because it is the time for God to heal this nation,” he said.

    “God’s plan is to make Nigeria a nation that will be admired and respected among the nations of the earth; and this he (Buhari) intends to do by establishing truth and integrity, ensuring that corruption is eradicated, and resources meant for all are not cornered by few but used according to law, justice and equity to the benefit of all.

    “The Lord wants a nation ruled only in accordance to law and justice, where the guilty are punished and the good are rewarded.

    “Listening to President Buhari deliver his inaugural speech, I am sure you will agree that he emphasized these three clear desires of God.”

    Osinbajo said he himself was divinely chosen to assist Buhari transform the country.

    He said: “The great and mighty God who has chosen me at this time by Himself to assist the President of this nation.”

    In a sermon at the service, Bishop Wale Oke, said that anyone who honours God must be honoured by God.

    Stressing that the thanksgiving service was about honouring God, he warned the Vice President not to allow corrupt people around him.

    He said that the Vice President’s career and reputation built over the years could go up in flames within seconds should he condone corruption.

    He said: “If you are corrupt, you cannot be a friend of God. We pray that you will enjoy the manifest of God all the days of your life.

    “When others don’t have an answer to a situation, God will reveal it to you. He will make you the Joseph of this administration.

    “God will reveal the secret of the problems of Nigeria to you like Joseph and Daniel in the Holy Bible. Your Excellency, choose the way of Abraham and not that of Eli. With that, I believe generations unborn will celebrate you.

    “The nation has a brilliant hope in the combination of you and Buhari, who is known for his uprightness.”

    Dignitaries at the service included former Head of State, General  Yakubu Gowon and his wife, Victoria, national chairman of the  All Progressives Congress (APC),Chief  John Odigie-Oyegun and his wife, representative of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Joseph Obayemi, Governor  Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State, the immediate past governor of River State Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, three former governors of Ekiti State, Engineer  Segun Oni, Otunba  Niyi Adebayo and  Dr. Kayode Fayemi and former governor of Abia State, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu.

    Also at the service were the Head of Service of the Federation, Mr. Danladi Kifasi, Senator Olorunmibe Mamora, the VP’s father-in-law, Mr. Tayo Shoyode and members of the diplomatic corps.

    The Vice President directed that offering collected at  the service be remitted to all the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in the country.

     

  • BUHARI…so much unlike his predecessors

    This indeed, is a turning point in the history of this 54-year old nation. For the first time we have a leader who came to office fully prepared and really contesting for the position. In this respect, he is very much unlike all his predecessors.

    How> The first leader was the late Alhaji Abubakar Tafawa-Balewa. He had been holding the position before independence in unelected capacity. It was known to all that the strings were in Kaduna where the late Sir Ahmadu Bello held court as Premier of the Northern Region and leader of the Northern Peoples Congress. It was thus clear that the Prime Minister both in 1957 when he first assumed the office under British suzerainty, and after independence, was an agent of a principal located elsewhere. When issues got so tough, people knew it was the Northern Premier who had the last say. Not the Prime Minister. He died in January 1966 not quite fully showing the stuff he was made of.

    Then, after thirteen years of military rule, the civilians had the opportunity of staging a comeback. Those who offered their services to pilot affairs included Chief Obafemi Awolowo who founded the Unity Party of Nigeria, Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim who established the Nigerian Peoples Party as a national political party but was soon shoved aside when the more charismatic Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe stepped on the dais. Waziri then added Great to the NPP and became the standard bearer. Mallam Aminu Kano found his bearing a little later after he had been disappointed by the National Party of Nigeria. He thus came up with the Peoples Redemption Party. He was the leader and flag bearer. Then, in addition to Zik who took over the NPP, there was the National Party of Nigeria that metamorphosed from the National Movement formed during the Constituent Assembly. The party had no single leader but men like the late Chief J.S. Tarka, Chief Tony Enahoro, Alhaji Maitama Sule, the late Makaman BIda and Dr. Olusola Saraki were very prominent in the ranks. Then came the crucial moment of choosing the first President and Chief Executive. Alhaji Shehu Shagari who had succeeded Chief Awolowo as Finance Minister in the Gowon cabinet and was a junior member of the Balewa administration was goaded into contesting in the party primary. The man had a modest ambition of going to the Senate, but the powers that be felt more comfortable having him as leader of the country. Reluctantly, the man agreed. It was the bane of a country that floundered under his leadership.

    Again, partly owing to Shagari’s lackluster leadership, the military could only tolerate the Second Republic for four years. In December 1983, another military government head by General Muhamadu Buhari was installed.

    The first real attempt by a civilian who nursed the ambition to lead Nigeria and had a manifesto he believed sold to the people was in 1993 when the late Chief Moshood Abiola made an attempt. He fought all the way. Came up with the Farewell to Poverty package and was elected in his own right. But, alas, he was prevented from assuming the office. He died in prison instead of the palace.

    And, in 1999, it was time again for the military to step down. The military and civilian wings of the national ruling class settled for General Olusegun Obasanjo who was in prison at the time. He was brought out, polished and packaged for the position. He was prostrate at the time and in no position to contend for power. He lacked all the resources required-economic, moral, political, structural and the confidence. But, he was elected nonetheless. He later made attempts to assert himself in office. the inorganic nature of the resultant administration put the strain on governance and the state bore the brunt.

    At the behest of Obasanjo, Alhaji Unaru Yar’Adua who was already planning to take a rest from politics and take more interest in his health was prodded up and the General’s successor in 2007. He had hardly settled in office when his health gave way, succumbing eventually to the cold intervention of death. And, another reluctant President, Goodluck Jonathan succeeded him. The office was apparently too high for him to manage.

    Now, the man of history has taken over. The first time General Buhari took interest in running the nation as a civilian elected leader was in 2003 when he had to confront his former boss in the military, Obasanjo, at the poll. He lost. The same happened in 2007 and 2011 when those more favoured by the establishment effortlessly triumphed.

    The fourth time, he is singing a new song. Buhari has shown doggedness. He fought every inch and must have been prepared through the years. He did not win because the establishment wanted him. He was always in the opposition and refused to blink when all appeared to have conspired against him. General Buhari is the new occupant of Aso Villa. It is a new reality…a new experience.

    So, what do we expect? A man who had taken time to study the country and is familiar with what should be done. One who has been wizened by age and has the clout and will to do what is needed to fix the country. We want to see a President who is an ally of the people.

    May God help him all the way.

  • Buhari: Four matters arising

    President Muhammadu Buhari started on a good note after his swearing in on Friday with his well thought out inaugural speech. Here is my take on four of the major issues he raised in the address.

    I belong to everybody and I belong to nobody

    Considering the divisive nature of the presidential campaign and the animosity generated by the outcome, especially the part of supporters, President Buhari needs to assure Nigerians that he would serve as President for all Nigerians and not the candidate of any party.

    Much as he cannot completely ignore his party and those who played major roles in his election, the interest of the country has to be more paramount in taking decisions and implementing his policies. Those who did not vote for him as he rightly noted contributed to making our democratic culture truly competitive, strong and definitive and should not be denied whatever they are entitled to.

    He should not allow himself to become prisoner of any group; political, religious and ethnic in the discharge of his duties. Those who think they own him will not be dissuaded by this statement; it is left to him to prove that he is a man of his own conviction based on the national interest of the country.

    We can fix our problems

    The problems confronting the country at this point in our history are indeed enormous but not insurmountable if the new government has the political will to do what is needed.

    Issues of insecurity, corruption, power shortage, unemployment and many more require urgent attention which Buhari has promised to tackle headlong. The problems are the outcome of years of maladministration which requires the right policy direction to fix them.

    Nigerians are expectant of a major change in the administration of the country through the fixing of the problems.  President Buhari and his team cannot afford not to live up to the expectations of the people.

    We have both human and material resources which should be appropriately deployed.  The right and capable persons should be given appointments instead of appointments based on political considerations only.

    I am ready to listen to grievances of my fellow Nigerians

    If there is any section of the country that should feel a sense of personal loss in the defeat of former President Goodluck Jonathan, it is the Niger Delta where he hails from. There were initial fears that the militants from the area who are worried about the end of the amnesty programme in December may return to the creeks and engage in ‘economic sabotage’ like they have done in the past.

    Promising to listen to their grievances and invest heavily in on-going projects and programmes areas is a good way to indicate that he has not taken them for granted and would be open to suggestions on how to address the problems in the area.

    We cannot claim to have defeated Boko Haram without rescuing Chibok girls and other hostages

    The battle against Boko Haram is far from being over despite the recent successes recorded by the Nigerian military forces. For all we know they may have retreated to launch back in a more devastating way. What is needed is that they are totally subdued like Buhari stated with the rescue of the girls and other hostages. Being a soldier himself, Buhari should know better on how to fight this kind of war.

    If relocating the command and control centre of the military onslaught to Maiduguri will ensure total victory so be it.

  • ‘I have no doubt Buhari will deliver’

    ‘I have no doubt Buhari will deliver’

    The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South West region, Archbishop Magnus Atilade, played very prominent roles during the electioneering campaigns that ushered in the new administration. He spoke with Sunday Oguntola on how the new government can deliver good governance.

    A few hours ago, we had a new president. What do you make of the new political order?

    I feel it is the hands of God rewriting the history of Nigeria. I believe He has decided to listen to the intercession of Nigerians for peaceful election and transition. Our desire for change has been granted and we have to thank God for that a lot.

    The inauguration means Nigeria has an opportunity for a fresh start. What we need now is to continue supporting this new administration with prayers. I believe with the leaders we have, especially at the federal level, our desires for good governance and democratic dividends will come to pass at last.

    But it is believed with the economy in shambles and security at the lowest ebb, the new government is coming on board at the toughest moment of the nation. Do you see the new administration turning the fortunes of the nation around?

    I am happy with that question because it is said that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. I believe we have men like President Muhammadu Buhari and Prof. Yemi Osinbajo at the helms of affair for such a time like this. I believe they have what it takes to take the nation to the next level.

    With all due respect, we have not been having the requisite, experienced leaders in this country. This is why we have remained in the woods. I am saying this very cautiously, especially with the last regime. People went there with one purpose in mind: to serve themselves and their families.

    That was why corruption rose to the zenith with them. There are three qualities that leaders must possess to move any nation ahead. They include knowledge, skills and wisdom.

    I don’t want to be critical but you can see the last administration was lacking on all of these fronts. I believe former President Goodluck Jonathan was ordained by God to fight corruption. But when he refused to do that, instead allowing the notorious atmosphere of corruption to persist, God had to find another man for the job.

    I believe President Buhari will deliver. He is experienced and equipped for the tasks ahead. He’s disciplined and is a known corruption fighter. With his antecedents, you are sure he will deliver. Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has the technical know-how of good governance. Their combination, as far as I am concerned, will take us to the Promised Land.

    With them over there and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu offering them technical support, you will find out there would be new ideas that will shock all of us. I think Tinubu should be head of government, not necessarily in an official capacity but on the sidelines for his experiences in governance. Even his detractors and critics acknowledge that he is a man of ideas. Through his ideas, he made Lagos State the benchmark of good governance.

    He stood with the opposition, nurtured it and made sure the party became the focal point. He’s unlike many other politicians who have been defecting to the new ruling party. I think we will benefit a great deal from his wealth of experience.

    You endorsed Governor Akinwunmi Ambode during the campaign and also supported President Buhari. People have accused you of being a sympathiser of the All Progressives Congress (APC). How do you react to that?  

    I have a divine assignment to serve as Servant of the Most High God. My assignment is very precarious, which set me many times to take unpopular positions. When we said publicly that we should not allow the position of Lagos governor to be taken by another Muslim, we were heavily criticised.

    We commended the Muslims that have occupied the post but said a Christian should emerge this time to give us a sense of belonging. It was very unpopular then. Many so-called Christian leaders came and said I was bringing religion into politics. But I am happy the party’s leadership realised we didn’t mean any harm but were concerned by the imbalance.

    They listened and chose a Christian, who is now the governor. That was an unpopular position I took then that set me against many people. But I was reacting based on God’s leadership.

    I am referring to this instance so that you can understand the basis of some of my unpopular stances. To answer your question directly, I’d say that I have a commission to support the masses and the welfare of God’s people. I had a revelation where God said ‘feed my people’ just like he told Peter.

    I am all for welfarism. I am a welfarist. With my background as a socialist, I am bound to stand with the people. I have considered all the parties in the country and feel the APC comes closest to what welfare orientation. I am not a card-carrying member but I can’t say I don’t have sympathies for the party.

    Meaning you always support the party?

    If you have followed me closely, you will realise I support government where necessary. But I don’t fail to call them to order and attention when I notice things are amiss. If the party goes against welfarism, I will be the first to speak out. But if it is all for welfarism, I stand with them. I am neither for nor against but to be a voice in the governance of God’s people. I stand with the people of God all the times.

    If you were standing before the President, what will be your advice to him?

     I will tell him that God has bought him back to the position for a purpose. He has tried three times before he made it this time. He should know that he is not there on his own and by his power. God does not want any man to share his glory with anyone. I am sure he’s wondering if he is dreaming himself being on the seat now.

    Now that he’s there, he should realise he has a purpose to be the president of the largest country in Africa and the nation with most black people on earth. He should redirect the movement of the country. The first thing he should do is to bring corruption to a halt.

    He should start an agency to prevent corruption. This agency should prevent corruption before it happens. The EFCC and ICPC are to prosecute after commission of offences. As a matter of fact, I believe both agencies should be merged to become more efficient and effective.

    All our agencies should be made to report their activities not more than 100 days publicly. Many of them have been forgotten because they do not do anything. We should be able to look closely at their activities and balance sheets; if they go for over a year without reports, we all lose track of what they do. It is within the confines of that secrecy that corruption thrives. If they report to the public, there would be accountability and openness in government.

    Which would you consider the three most important priority areas for him? 

    For me, I would say health should be a major area. Health is wealth. Nigerians are dying daily at alarming rate. Our medical practitioners are perpetually on strike. The healthcare system has been under captivity. I believe President Buhari should create more space for alternative healthcare system. We need alternative medicines and treatment so that Nigerians can access better health.

    We need complimentary alternative and herbal medicine to fill the gap. Western medicine and drug therapy have been the only things in this country. Herbal medicine should have their separate council to regulate training and practices of practitioners. The training institutions we had before in Abuja and Lagos have been closed. If government recognises that branch of medicine, we would have a healthier nation.

    We also have to consider traditional medicine. There was a way we were treating ourselves before the colonialists came. They even acknowledged we were studious and strong people, which was why they forced us to provide manpower for their industries through slave trade.

    Then, education is also critical to any nation. The government has to realise that an educated soul is better a rich nation. Our institutions should be funded and teachers trained and trained until we have a literate nation. Moral instructions have to be reintroduced because we have lost our moral compass as a nation. Nigerians prefer materialism to honesty and it is all because of our moral decadence. There should be more funding for primary and tertiary education with provision of teaching aids.

    Lastly, I believe welfare is another area government has to look into. There must be incentives that will keep people busy and corruption unattractive. Part of welfare is to provide mass transportation that will make movement of people and good very fast, cheap and convenient. If the government focuses on this, I have no doubt that it will make a success of this new mandate.

  • A letter to President Buhari

    Dear Father,

    My Nigerian sisters and I congratulate you on the occasion of your inauguration and wish you all the very best. However, we are saddened by the ridiculously low number of our mothers in the National Assembly. If there are only 8 women out of 109 members of the Senate and 14 women out of 360 members of the Federal House of Representatives, how can our voices be heard?

    It is high time; the female folk stopped being treated like toys and second-hand goods. During campaigns you see a lot of women gaily dressed and swaying their backside in excitement in the hot sun for their candidates most of whom are males and what do we get in return? First Class marginalization in elective and appointive posts. I would never preach gender equality because it is against divine order but the female is the mother who builds the home and the home is the bedrock of the society! As long as we continue to have a poor participation of women in politics, we can never have enough role models for the girls who would determine the fate of the future Nigeria. No wonder an average Nigerian girl doesn’t know Malala Yousafzai the Pakistani activist for female education and the youngest-ever Nobel Prize laureate  but know Kim Kardashian, a social media personality and model and her likes so well. You may please go to town and ask even girls who have the privilege of attending private schools and hear their response.

    Why can’t our girls who have been brought up in so much hardship become global champions? You will agree with me that hardship is a must to climb the ladder of greatness. The pain these girls feel when their parents can’t meet their needs should make them dream, dream and dream big. But unfortunately, an average Nigerian girl believes she has to pay with her body to meet even her basic necessities. Even their mothers encourage them to “sell their bodies.” I know a 14 year old girl who has to sleep with her uncle-her jobless father’s immediate younger brother before he gives her #1500 weekly allowance. A lot of girls are pushed into prostitution because of poverty arising from their parents’ unemployment and they are surrounded by people who lack moral dignity who encourage them to use what they have to get what they want.

    Can you imagine the type of children they would bring to the world? Grand High Harlots and thieves of course. Sad, very sad! How can corruption ever be stamped out? A dirty vessel produces nothing but filth. If these girls are not re-orientated, there’ll be greater corruption in future!

    Due to this madness of the flesh, girls now bring children into the world indiscriminately through unwanted pregnancies and end up becoming single mothers who can’t fend for themselves least of all their kids and then continue sleeping around just to have food to eat. Can we ever have a stable and morally-upright society with street kids? How would corruption ever come to an end?

    Daddy, a lot of girls who were destined to be world-changers, solution providers and environmental transformers have been badly damaged and had their glorious destinies diverted due to lack of basic necessities and the right upbringing. God knows why He made you president and would give you the grace to make an effective change in Nigeria that would last till eternity.

    While thanking you in anticipation of a total freedom of our sisters from the bondage of Boko-Haram and a complete cleansing of Nigeria from such evil, we also expect the following from you.

    1. More appointive and elective positions for women so they can represent the women and girls, look after them adequately and be an encouragement for young girls to aspire to be.

    2. Encouragement of moral rearmament and instructions in schools including campaigns for chastity.

    3. Encourage the National Assembly to come out with a legislation that will bring an end to girl-child marriage.

    4. A legislation to make education for girls in all parts of Nigeria compulsory.

    5. Create an enabling environment for parents to work. Create enough jobs so girls can get jobs when they graduate. And of course their husbands-to-be need jobs as well.

    6. “Conference material” penchant among government officials should be stopped. During conferences, female secondary school and university students are usually mobilized to warm the beds of interested government officials.

    7. Stringent measures must be taken against sexual harassment in tertiary institutions and work places.

    8. Female hostels should be built for homeless girls in all the States.

       There’s so much more but please start with these and you’ll be wiping the tears of so many girls who wish they were never born. May your era become Nigeria’s golden era and may you live long in Jesus name. AMEN!

    Yours sincerely,

    Barrister (Miss) Temilolu Okeowo

  • Boko Haram attacks will be over soon, says Buhari

    Boko Haram attacks will be over soon, says Buhari

    President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned Friday’s terrorist attack on Maiduguri, warning that his new administration won’t tolerate wanton and willful destruction of life by criminal elements that are bent on anarchy.

    Reacting to the attack, which left scores of people dead, injured and maimed, President Buhari said in a statement issued by his Head of Media Team, Garba Shehu, that his administration meant business in its determination to tackle terrorist violence with all the resources available to his government.

    He described terrorists as cowardly murderers that target innocent people.

    President Buhari explained that as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, he has sworn to protect the security of Nigerians everywhere.

    The President while calling for increased vigilance by local communities, assured that his administration would give security close attention, and that his government was committed to boosting the morale of our armed forces by effectively funding them and attending to their welfare.

    He condoled the families of the victims of the latest terrorist attack on Maiduguri and assured them that the worst days of these criminal elements will be over soon.