The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Nigerians

  • Nigerians, we must believe again

    SIR: As 2015 is gone behind us, the future remains either blank or filled with uncertainties; a fear our stomach have come to register at ever o’clock news and the mental processing of the immediate economy of our family, society, state and country. Too many of us wonder where the restoration is going to come from, and hope the cross-over prayers at the eve of new-year are answered. Someone us have pencilled down the numerous prophecies for the year, to serve as a light to our activities; yet within our sub-consciousness lies that shy scare. Media chats from the President, news headlines from economic regulatory authorities and global breaking news continually put us on edge. Reports, evidences, facts and figures all point to the fact that things may not be getting any better very soon, if we continue to put our hopes in the wrong places and refuse to believe and accept our own potentials and roles as individuals and states.

    We must give ourselves no choice other than break free from yesterday’s abuse, pity, shame and servitude.  We must disentangle ourselves from the chains of self-doubt, self-pity, and self-destructive tendencies. We must as an entity love ourselves more; believe in our power, dreams and aspirations; because only then can we truly cause the change we desire for and in Nigeria.

    Our economy may be heading for a collapse; naira may likely continue to loss its value; the battle against corruption may never have a public declaration of victory; unemployment may continue to be on the high and state governments may continue to be irresponsible, unable to generate enough internal revenue independent of federal oil sharing. However, these existing facts, we can change the tides to ensure they do not become the established truth. We can come together to defend our nation and take pride in what is our own. We can choose to consume made in Nigeria products; thereby improving naira value; expanding local businesses and increasing employment opportunities for our brothers and sisters. We can choose to engage via advocacy visit, letter writing and mails to our public and political servants to ensure they are held accountable for good governance. We can provide and present solutions to our governments at various levels, knowing that they cannot remedy Nigeria on their own.

    We must choose to be sensitive and courageous enough to report all suspected crime, domestic abuse and corrupt practices. We must as a matter of moral demand, pay our taxes and ensure they are duly remitted.  We must be courageous to be heroes and heroines, bold enough to speak out for the weak, oppressed and marginalised. We must choose to be vessels of good news; message of love, hope and truth, rather than carriers of horror, pains and gossips. We must be bold enough to take those business and professional risk; unafraid to try out those ideas; cause only then can we become relevant; legends, icons and marks in our families, businesses, offices, industry, society, community, nation, generation and time.

    Just as we defend our existence like every other animal, we must fill our hearts with enough love and consciousness, big enough to extend to our environment; the air we breath, the soil that produces our food, the plants and trees, the animals, and waters.

    We must care so much and try to do that which is right for ourselves, our environment, our nation and most of all our children. We must give our children not only wealth, a good name, morals and reputation to inherit, but also a prosperous Nigeria; one healthy and reach with the abundance of natural resources.

    We must believe again, cause only then can we truly love and protect ourselves, our families and nation. We cannot continue fail ourselves.

    • Donald Ikenna Ofoegbu,

    Abuja.

     

  • Balogun to Nigerians: Pray for Buhari, not criticism

    Balogun to Nigerians: Pray for Buhari, not criticism

    The Asiwaju Omoba of Ijebuland and the chairman of the First Monument Bank, (FCMB) Chief Subomi Balogun Tuesday urged Nigerians to continue Praying for President Muhamudu Buhari and other politicians in Nigeria for betterment of the country.

    ‎He also admonished Nigerians to pray that God should touched the heart of those who wants to cause confusion or hardship to Nigerians.

    ‎He noted that Nigerians need to learn how to live together as a nation, therefore needs to pray for God to protect and guide us in the right way to live as a community.

    ‎The octogenarian, who stated this during 2016 annual prayer organised in conjunction with the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in his Ijebu-Ode country home, said it is the duties of all Nigerians to make Nigeria great again and now is not time to criticise government activities.

    According to him, Nigeria leaders and the country need prayer at this critical time.

    ‎In his words; “Let us be prayerful that the good lord will guard and protect our president. We should pray for Nigeria particularly our president and other politicians to be successful. We need to pray for God to motivate our leaders to do their best for Nigeria.

    “We should also pray for those who are community leaders. We should ask God to infuse the spirit of aspiration to make Nigeria a better place for their followers to live in them. All what we aspire in life is God’s given, and we can only beg Him to give us.

    “The generality of Nigerians should continue to be prayerful for greatness of this country. But we should not forget to thank God that he has spared our life till date. Above that, our country needs prayers. Our president needs prayer. We should pray for him that the good God should assist him ‎to bring us out of this unfortunate mess we found ourselves.

    “Pray for you president. Pray for those who are in position of governing the country. Pray for all the politicians. Pray for the God to imbibe in them the spirit to make this country a better place for people to live than they met it. Let us be prayerful. Let us believe that there is a superhuman person that is conducting all our lives and showing us direction. Let us pray to find solace in Him. Let us pray to be protected and guided in the right way to live as a community.

    “We should also pray that the good lord should enter those who want to cause confusion or hardship to other people. Let’s make God our cornerstone.”

  • APC won’t let Nigerians down, says party spokesman Igbokwe

    APC won’t let Nigerians down, says party spokesman Igbokwe

    The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress had a message of hope for Nigerians at the weekend – despite the bleak global economic prospects, they will be reached by the change programmes of the party.

    In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Joe Igbokwe, it assured that the party freely voted into power by millions of Nigerians was prepared to tackle the nation’s economic woes in the New Year.

    According to the party, the party has launched a rescue mission with the introduction of unprecedented economic recovery policies, despite the farcical wreckage the government inherited and the tumbling crude oil prices at the international market.

    The statement reads: By the end of 2016, Nigerians will have cause to applaud the right political choice they made in 2015 as the country painstakingly saved from imminent collapse by the coming of the APC government.

    “We wish the good people of Lagos a prosperous and more fulfilling new year, as we look eagerly to more fruitful governance in Lagos as the present government in the state continues the rapid development of the state deite hitting economic realities.

    “We want to assure Lagosians that the state will get better as the APC government adds immensely to the rich culture of good and accountable, result-oriented governance Lagosians have immensely benefitted from since 1998.

    “We want to reassure the people that the state will continue to witness tremendous growth and progress as it positions to drive Nigeria’s recovery from the past of corrupt dependence on oil.

    “We want to assure Lagosians that the state will witness massive infrastructural development, huge job creation, great boosts in security and enormous investments as the present state government continues to aggressively pursue the goals of a huge mega-city where millions of Nigerians continue to fall back for succor following the global economic downturn and the immoral mismanagement of the country by the past PDP federal government.

  • WHO’s book to improve Nigerians’ health

    WHO’s book to improve Nigerians’ health

    How can Nigerians enjoy good health in 2016? It is by adopting the World Health Organisation (WHO) template, report OYEYEMI GBENGA-MUSTAPHA and WALE ADEPOJU. 

    The World Health Organisation (WHO) is the global policeman  for health matters. It has a template for member-countries in healthcare delivery.

    According to the WHO, the right to the highest attainable standard of health  requires a set of social criteria that are  conducive to the health of all people.

    In addition, the availability of health services, safe working conditions, adequate housing and nutritious foods is non-negotiable. This is because achieving the right to health is closely related to that of other human rights- the right to food, housing, work, education, non-discrimination, access to information, and participation.

    Nigerians do not enjoy optimum healthcare. Some do not even have access to.

    To WHO,  the right to health includes both freedoms and entitlements:

    Freedoms include the right to control one’s health and body (e.g. sexual and reproductive rights) and to be free from interference (e.g. freedom from torture and from non-consensual medical treatment and experimentation).

    Entitlements include the right to a system of health protection that gives everyone an equal opportunity to enjoy the highest attainable level of health.

    Health policies and programmes have the ability to either promote or violate human rights, including the right to health, depending on the way they are designed or implemented. Taking steps to respect and protect human rights upholds the health sector’s responsibility to address everyone’s health.

    Disadvantaged populations and the right to health

    According to WHO, vulnerable and marginalised groups in societies are often less likely to enjoy the right to health. Three of the world’s most fatal communicable diseases – malaria, HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis – disproportionately affect the world’s poorest populations, placing a tremendous burden on the economies of developing countries. Conversely the burden of non-communicable disease – most often perceived as affecting high-income countries is now increasing disproportionately among lower income countries and populations.

    Within countries, some populations, such as indigenous communities are exposed to greater rates of ill-health and face significant obstacles to accessing quality and affordable healthcare. This population has substantially higher mortality and morbidity rates, due to non communicable diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and chronic respiratory diseases, than the general public. People who are particularly vulnerable to HIV infection, including young women, men who have sex with men, and injecting drug users, are often characterised by social and economic disadvantage and discrimination. These vulnerable populations may be the subject of laws and policies that further compound this marginalisation and make it harder to access prevention and care services. Nigeria can do well by looking into this.

    Violations of human rights

     in the health sphere

    Violations or lack of attention to human rights can have serious health consequences. Overt or implicit discrimination in the delivery of health services violates fundamental human rights.Many people with mental disorders are kept in mental institutions against their will, despite having the capacity to make decisions regarding their future. On the other hand, when there are shortages of hospital beds, it is often members of this population that are discharged prematurely, which can lead to high readmission rates and sometimes even death, and also constitutes a violation of their right to receive treatment.

    Similarly, women are frequently denied access to sexual and reproductive healthcare and services in developing and developed countries. This is a human rights violation that is deeply engrained in societal values about women’s sexuality. In addition to denial of care, women in certain societies are sometimes forced into procedures, such as sterilisation, abortions or virginity examinations.

    Human rights-based approaches

    A human rights-based approach to health provides strategies and solutions to address and rectify inequalities, discriminatory practices and unjust power relations, which are often at the heart of inequitable health outcomes.

    The goal of a human rights-based approach is that all health policies, strategies and programmes are designed with the objective of progressively improving the enjoyment of all people to the right to health. Interventions to reach this objective adhere to rigorous principles and standards, including:

    Non-discrimination: The principle of non-discrimination seeks to guarantee that human rights are exercised without discrimination of any kind based on race, colour, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status such as disability, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation’.

    Availability: A sufficient quantity of functioning public health and healthcare facilities, goods and services, as well as programmes.

    Accessibility: Health facilities, goods and services accessible to everyone. Accessibility has four overlapping dimensions: Non-discrimination; physical accessibility; economical accessibility (affordability); and information accessibility.

    Acceptability: All health facilities, goods and services must be respectful of medical ethics and culturally appropriate as well as sensitive to gender and life-cycle requirements.

    Quality: Health facilities, goods and services must be scientifically and medically appropriate and of good quality.

    Accountability: States and other duty-bearers are answerable for the observance of human rights.

    Universality: Human rights are universal and inalienable. All people everywhere in the world are entitled to them.

    Policies and programmes must be designed to be responsive to the needs of the population as a result of established accountability. A human rights based-approach identifies relationships in order to empower people to claim their rights and encourage policy makers and service providers to meet their obligations in creating more responsive health systems.

    Federal and state ministries of health expected response

    WHO has made a commitment to mainstream human rights into healthcare programmes and policies on both national and regional levels, by looking at underlying determinants of health as part of a comprehensive approach to health and human rights. In addition, WHO has been actively strengthening its role in providing technical, intellectual and political leadership on the right to health including the following, which Federal and state ministries of health can adapt:

    • Strengthening the capacity of WHO and its Member-states to integrate a human rights-based approach to health;
    • Advancing the right to health in international law and international development processes; and
    • Advocating health-related human rights, including the right to health.

  • Nigerians told to care for the sick

    A non-Governmental organisation, Blessed Hands Ministry (BHM), has urged Nigerians to show concern for the sick.

    Its President, Elfreda Akintewe, who spoke when the organisation visited the Children’s Ward C and D at the National Orthopaedic Hospital in Igbobi, Lagos, said the sick should not be forgotten.

    According to her, the government and well-meaning people in the society should play their roles to help poor patients, especially children.

    “I feel this is what God wants people to be doing. If He blesses you, then you should be a blessing to others. We are doing this in the spirit of Christmas and the season, which symbolises giving,” she said.

    Mrs Akintewe enjoined doctors and nurses to continue to support the children so that they caan recover quickly.

    She described them as the future, saying they deserve care and support.

    Mrs Akintewe said times are hard, adding that it takes people with a good heart to want to help the needy.

    She said her organisation has been lending a hand to the indigent since 2011 in villages but opted to visit the hospital instead to put smiles on the children’s faces.

    “We do not expect any recognition but heavenly reward,” she added.

    The team prayed for the sick quick recovery and presented gifts to them.

  • COMMENTS

    For Olatunji Dare

    The lesson in today’s insightful article is that bad things can happen to bad people too! Nigerians must know that no one is immune to retribution, no matter how fat their political war chest. Those absconding felons and certified reprobates still among us should at least know that the real change for good governance is in place. From Adegoke O.O. Ikhin, Edo State. 

    Whoever is behind arms procurement scam should be brought to book to deter others who may engage the same act of looting the treasury in future. From Nnorom

    The infringement on the freedom of movement of Nigerian soldiers by Zakzaky followers which brought about the recent crisis in Kaduna should be condemned in very strong terms by every well-meaning Nigerian.There should be no pandering of any kind to such unruly conduct. Nigeria is a sovereign nation and can’t allow another republic that may want to emerge under whatever cover within its territory. Religious sects or whatever groups in the country can be free to practise what they believe (as aproved by the law of the land) in whichever way they would ONLY within the confine of their encirclements but must adhere strictly to what the nation’s constitution allows for such groups or sects when in public. The soldiers may have overreacted but the Zakzaky group has no right whatsover to restrict their movement or that of any law-abiding Nigerian for that matter, in the first place – Emmanuel Egwu.

    The issue of N250 million claimed to have been collected by one of the legislative houses need to be probed. This is to prevent the insinuation that the on going probe is selective. From Ishola M Abdulsalaam (Ilorin).

    Your ‘Obtainer Unlimited’ was very revealing. Jonathan though loving the country was really out to do his best for Nigerians, was at a point appeared confused with the type of strange problems thrown up in his government from all over the place and being desperate for solutions became vulnerable to dubious manouvring of some of his functionaries who,understanding his predicaments, quickly cashed in to line their pockets hence the Dasukigate, etc.And by this, one is simply reminded of what hapened during Shagari era when the former head of state was merely contented being the president of the country while some officials of his govt such as Akinloye,Umaru Dikko, Uba Ahmed and Joseph Wayas determined what happend in that administration. But even so, could it be possible that Jonathan would approve of such huge amount of money for the procurement of arms and at the same time authorise its diverson to such manner of frivolous settlements?  From Emmanuel Egwu.

    On “Annals of obtainement”. I agree entirely with your write-up on the above subject except where you wrote that “is it possible for 20 educated and intelligent adults could agree on every important issue unless none thinks very much” ? I beg to disagree entirely with this statement. The Dasukigate was perpetrated by more than a thousand intelligent and educated adults, (some displaying adult delinquency and some displaying senile dementia. All of them agreed with one thing, “share the loot”. May your ink never dry. From Dr Tunde Obaoye, Lagos. 

    Jankara journalism must also include the type that uses its opinion column to speak for a “veteran” aka criminal receipient of stolen public funds, who, the writer asserts, “was minding his own business when they brought him $230k”. The ‘journalist’ went on to claim, on behalf of the grand larcenist, that “… they didnt tell him the source. They didnt tell him what it was for. Jankara everywhere. Poor Nigeria! Anonymous.

    “He apparently assumed that it was for old times sake, or for business as usual, not knowing that it was stolen money”Anonymous

    Nigeria will be doing itself a lot of service if the duo of Olisa Metuh and Ayodele Fayose are sent to the quarantine for proper observation. They are not just what they are but they are possessed by some unexplained demons which are far above their control. They need deliverance. From Bayo.

    I salute your courage and respect your opinion. But are the JUDGES not going to frustrate this effort against corruption? Niyi, Ijebu Ode.

    Re:Annals of obtainment: A poscript. On his first fist to Africa as a President, Obama went to nearby Ghana instead of Nigeria, the dysfunctional”Giant of Africa”. Obama’s given reason then was because ‘no nnstitution was judged functional in the country. Instead of self-examimation, a dysfunctional but lucky President was enthroned, and it became an ‘Annal of Obtain the Obtainable’. Hence, the advent of some dysfunctional Professor of Journalism writing controversial pieces as columnist as “Jankara journalism”. This qualifies them to be recommended to ‘obtain’ from Dasukigate. Or probably targetting the post of Minister of Communication/Information had Jonathan been successfully rigged in for the second term. Our controversial Professor of journalism surely has some “obtainment” as target. He has failed and needs to be pitied. From Elder L .O David; Efon Alaaye, Ekiti State.   

    Having got so pained and disgusted about the appalling way our commonwealth was bestially looted via obtainment, I have further limited my newspaper reading to a few logical, honest and devoid of ‘Jankara’ journalists and Alzheimeric Professors who have gravely and shamelessly compromised their filthy conscience to utter betrayal of their fatherland. From Chief Ade A.Omiata, Ijanikin-Lagos.

     

    For Gbenga Omotoso

    On Prodigal Country- Nigeria is very prodigal in that she imports everything for her use. Nigeria is a consuming, not a manufacturing nation. Until our leaders realise this fact we shall cöntinue to be importing all useles and needless goods. The Minister of Solid Minerals should turn the fortune of this country round by embarking on the excavation of our numerous hidden minerals to finished products,while the CBN shouldn’t grant foreign exchange for finished products. Enough of foreign mentality. From Pastor Odunmbaku.   

    It’s merry CHRISTmas and not merry Xmas.

    Let us eat moderately at this festivity period to avoid illness after festivity season. Good health is better than wealth. From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia. 

    I read your piece titled – A staple’s apotheosis with rapt attention. It is a matter of grave concern that one of the variables to have emerged after 16 years of our uninterrupted democracy in the fourth republic is the transformation of a vast majority of the electorate into rice rats. Using bad leadership as a model, the political elites have inflicted incalculable poverty on the average Nigerian citizen. Faced with wanton poverty, rice has metamorphosed into an “electoral weapon that never fails to deliver the votes” as you rightly put it. Even at the end of 2015, rice remains a political game changer when it should largely be one of the staple crops that can be consumed as food by the average Nigerian if only the country’s leadership had an action plan for food security. It is now left to Audu Ogbeh, the Agriculture Minister to release the rice grip the political class has on the common people in our country. The thing to do is to develop a simple food production policy that can guarantee massive food production that would help citizens to achieve the physiological need for food and demystify the privilege of rice as a knight in golden armour used in dehumanizing the same citizens who ironically look up to the political class for succor. From Dr. West-Idahosa.

    For Segun Gbadegesin

    I am sorry that you are retiring from The Nation newspapers but reassured that you will continue to be heard from time to time on issues of national interest. While we will miss your column that has endeared you to our heart, we will like to wish you a happy and wonderful retirement into the loving care of your dear wife. Have a wonderful time. From Iyabo Fagbulu.

    Compliments of the christmas season. I want a copy of your book: “All the way”. Please assist on how I could a get a copy including cost, the freight and delivery. I am in Ikere in Ekiti. Anonymous.

    How much is a copy of your book All The Way: Serving with conscience. From Feyi Akeeb Kareem, Change Makers, Ogwashi-Ukwu, Delta State.

    Re-All the way: Serving with conscience. Sir, are copies of the book ready? Are they on shelves? Where can we buy? Thanks. From Lanre Oseni.

  • Is something fundamentally wrong with Nigeria(ns)?

    Some years ago, I got an article titled ‘Blacks Don’t Read’ that had been circulating on the Internet. The most provocative part of that article reads: ‘If you want to hide something from a black person, put it in books.’ This statement has been iterated so many times that it takes many forms. Sometimes the ‘black people’ is changed to ‘Africans,’ and the method for hiding is sometimes conceived as ‘writing it down.’ This provocative statement is founded on an enduring racial stereotype of the black, or specifically the African, as being a creature of orality rather than writing. Another dimension to this stereotype is that blacks are more materialistic than reflective. In other words, we think more of the belly than of tomorrow. We are creatures of the now rather than the future. And so, in the racially demented white mind, blacks are still slaves despite the best of their freedom rhetoric. And the best methods of containment are ‘Ignorance, Greed and Selfishness.’

    Recently, Donald Trump, the Republican top contender for presidency of the United States, is alleged to have remarked that Africans are lazy fools who are only good at eating, lovemaking and thuggery. Well, the message here is clearly from a racial perspective: Something is considered to be fundamentally wrong with blacks and Africans. And these are not just scattered opinions of a few insane personalities; on the contrary, it is actually an ingrained perception that has endured for a long time. Everything seems to be wrong with Africans: Africa is the hungry continent; it is the poorest; it is the least developing; it is the least democratic; it has an enormous leadership deficit; and it is the very Dark Continent par excellence!

    However, beyond the Western gaze which we may accuse of a racial ordering of the African self, Africans themselves have deployed a very critical realism that questions Africa and her predicament. I have a long-standing example in mind: Areoye Oyebola’s Black Man’s Dilemma (1976). There are three serious issues which Oyebola lamented about the continent. First, contrary to the anger we collectively felt about colonialism, Africa participated actively in her own decimation and domination, especially through the Trans-Atlantic slave tragedy. Two, African countries have failed to make any significant incursion into modernity. And third, and the most controversial: Africa has not made any significant contribution to world civilisations. Of course, Oyebola’s book generated the expected debates (with most scholars dismissing his realism about the African predicament). But then, he has also contributed his quota to the issue. And the question remains: Is something fundamentally wrong with us?

    Close to 60 years ago, there was a mighty euphoria all over Africa as we celebrated what was called the African year of independence. In that year alone, 17 countries became independent from colonial servitude—Cameroon, Togo, Nigeria, Madagascar, Somalia, DR Congo, Benin, Niger, Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Ivory Coast, Republic of Congo, Gabon, Senegal, Mali, Mauretania. More than 50 years after independence, reality has burst the euphoria of regaining freedom from colonial domination; the decolonization process has been stalled and development is arrested. All we need do is simply consider the 17 countries, and we see critical similarities that cut across Africa itself—wars, refugees and IDPs, infrastructural dysfunction, democratic deficit, and the protracted leadership predicament. The paradox of the continent is terrifying: Mandela and Mugabe; Botswana and DR Congo, African Renaissance and African underdevelopment, democratisation and Boko Haram, religiosity and criminality.

    I doubt if there is any university curriculum in Africa that teaches Oyebola’s Black Man’s Dilemma, but one is forced to ask whether, other things considered, his Afro-realism was not pointed in the right direction. In recent years, there has been an optimistic reportage of consistent economic progress in Africa. The catchphrase of ‘Africa Rising’ is meant to stand as a counterpoint to the many years of progressive underdevelopment on the continent. Thus, scholars, intellectuals and economists have been brimming with hope founded on Africa’s economic resilience in the face of global financial crisis as well as the slow but steady economic growth. But then, economics has been considered as a dismal science. In this case, economic statistics do not match sociological reality on the continent.

    Two stark facts contradict the optimism of ‘Africa Rising.’ First, Africa is considered the most youthful continent because of an accelerating youth bulge. This simply implies that the youth population, ranging from 15 to 24 years old, is growing faster than any other continent. And there are roughly 200 million youths in this category. This demographic fact signals a source of tremendous hope for participation in labour markets, as well as being a budding resource for innovation and governance. Unfortunately, close to 60% of the 200 million youth are unemployed or unemployable. Thus, the youth which by their very name signals hope are themselves caught in the terrible cycle of deprivation; the African crisis that has been reproduced from one generation to the other. The second fact is that of poverty. Bessie Head, the South African writer sums up the situation: ‘Poverty has a home in Africa—like a quiet second skin. It may be the only place on earth where it is worn with unconscious dignity.’ I am not sure how long such a dignity will last. This is because protracted unemployment is a further insult that makes poverty a threat; poverty and unemployment are two sociological facts that portend a possible African Spring.

    On another level, and since I read the ‘Blacks Don’t Read’ article, I have never stopped ruminating about the three elements of self-containment: ‘Ignorance, Greed and Selfishness.’ When we manage to overcome the high emotion induced by racial slur on the African image instigated by the article in question, maybe we can then return to a more sobering and realistic assessment. If these sociological elements are not fundamental to our predicament, what else is? Let us begin with ignorance. In Africa alone, 182 million adults are illiterate; they are joined in this category by 48 million youths. Presently, the adult literacy rate is 63%. The 70% of youth literacy rate in sub-Saharan Africa is the lowest in the world. But whatever hope we might want to entertain is snuffed out by a further consideration—what is the content that the literate youth consume? How many of today’s African youths are intelligent readers? How many youths are even historically aware of Africa’s past and present? How many have heard of Fanon, Nkrumah, the Nigerian Civil War, the great civilizations in Africa or even Africa’s economic dilemma? If the African youth is ignorant, are we not all ignorant?

    Greed and selfishness are Siamese concepts in my view. And there can be no other terrible combination to explain how stagnant we have become in terms of socio-political dynamics of elite activities that undermine any progressive initiatives in Africa. John Maynard Keynes could have been talking about Africa when he remarked profoundly that ‘The moral problem of our age is concerned with the love of money.’ In Nigeria presently, the populace is being treated to an alarming reportage of corruption of such an alarming proportion that its very thought deadens one’s consciousness.

    • Dr. Olaopa is a retired Permanent Secretary
  • Adeboye to Nigerians: help law enforcement agents to defeat terrorists

    Adeboye to Nigerians: help law enforcement agents to defeat terrorists

    The General Overseer of The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye, has urged Nigerians to support  and cooperate with law enforcement agents to ensure lasting peace.

    Pastor Adeboye spoke yesterday at the ‘Let’s Go a fishing’ programme organised by the RCCG, Region One held at the CMD field, Magodo, Lagos mainland.

    The programme brought together thousands of Christian faithful from across Lagos. It featured thanksgiving, bible teaching and prophetic ministration.

    According to him, the success achieved by the military in tackling insurgency in part of the country is commendable and can be sustained through intelligence gathering mechanism put in place by security operatives .

    Pastor Adeboye said  Boko Haram insurgency was an internal insecurity problem that can be curtailed through a transparent partnership arrangement between the local people and the security operative.

    He said: “Let us do our best to cooperate with law enforcement agencies  by volunteering vital information that would be investigated upon and crime and any form of criminality will be reduce in our society”.

    He urged Nigerians to “harmonise our cultural, tribal and religious differences and ensure adequate security of lives and properties is very germane for our wellbeing”.

    Pastor Adeboye, who spoke through the Provincial Pastor of Lagos Province 12, Pastor Ola Adejubee, asserted that peace is the desire of any good citizens in any nation, but can be sustained through the channel of the holy ghost, repentance from evil and pleasing God at all times.

    He lamented that many people are religious but they live their lives at variance with God’s words and expect to have peace, said “we must play our part by repenting of our sines and live a life that pleases God”.

    He cited King Solomon who throughout his kingship never fought a battle, “Jesus is the prince of peace and he has the ability to reinforce peace when we do his will,” he said.

    The wife of the Regional Pastor of Lagos Province 1 of RCCG, Pastor Rachel Odesola, appealed to individuals being persecuted for their faith to take solace in Christ “who is our rock, defender buckler and shield”.

  • Obasanjo urge Nigerians to develop their communities

    Obasanjo urge Nigerians to develop their communities

    Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has urged Nigerians residing in towns and city centres to develop their rural communities.

    He advised tham against waiting endlessly for the government to develop their communities.

    Obasanjo said in his ancestral village, Ibogun,  in Ifo Local Government Area of Ogun State, there was neither a single toilet nor clinic for the villagers in his growing-up era, urging the people to embark on “village renewal” projects.

    The ex -president spoke  at the weekend in his message at the 2015 edition of the Ibogun-Olaogun Day.

    He noted that the government alone cannot be expected to satisfy all the infrastructural needs of the rural folks.

    According to him, the physical, social and educational development of the rural dwellers largely dependent on whatever contributions members that were born and brought up there could facilitate to such communities.

    He expressed the joy that Ibogun village can now boast of a Primary Health Clinic (PHC), modern toilets, good road network as well as modern structure for the primary school all of which were products of communal efforts.

    Obasanjo said: “As responsible people to our respective rural areas, we should not wait for the governments. When I was growing up in this community, there was no latrine, no bath room and a clinic.

    “Today, there are over a dozen of people who would have died if the clinic we constructed through the community’s self-effort had not being in existence.

    “Each of us can encourage village renewal; we don’t need to wait for government if we don’t want to tarry for too long. The need to raise fund for our community secondary school, is borne out of the need that, we can not wait for government to do it us.

    “We have to carry our load by ourselves before we say government should come to our aide. That is the reality today.

    “We don’t need to wait for government before developing our communities, particularly some of us who were raised from the village.

    “We should not wait for any ‘government ticket. Let us think of what we can do for ourselves and our communities; what can we do for ourselves to make the village communities more habitable for us.

    Also speaking at the event, former Oyo State Deputy Governor Taofeek Arapaja  said rural development  would curb youths’ rural-urban migration in search of the non-existence “white-collar” jobs.

    Arapaja urged the rich to fraternise with the rural communities and establish industries in those there.

    “If Baba Obasanjo could be championing the call for rural development, there is nothing stoping us the younger ones to take to his call and go back to our respective rural areas to bring development,” Arapaja said.

     

  • Jonathan urges Nigerians to work, pray for nation

    Jonathan urges Nigerians to work, pray for nation

    Former President Goodluck Jonathan has urged Nigerians to pray and work for the good of the country.

    He said God will see the nation through its period of hardship.

    Jonathan spoke at the Word Illumination Ministry in Gwarimpa, Abuja, where he dedicated his first grandchild in company of his wife, Dame Patience, as well as well-wishers.

    The former President’s daughter, Mrs Faith Edwards, and her hubby, Prince Godswill Edwards, welcomed their first child, a girl, Princess Eliana Godswill Edwards, last September.

    Jonathan noted that every country has its high and low periods, adding that with dedication and hard work, nations overcome their problems.

    The former President advised Nigerians to protect and

    give their best to the country at all times.

    He said: “I will just thank God for all He has been doing for our country. I also thank you all for the prayers, for the good of our country. Whenever I am talking to Christians and other believers, depending on their faith, I always urge them to pray for the country. Every nation has to go through two periods: adversity and joy.

    “For Christians, if you read the Old Testament, you sometime think that the whole world was going to end. But God has a reason for everything’’.