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Tag: politicians

  • Leave positive legacies, cleric tell politicians

    The Acting Chairman of Conference, Qua Iboe Church, Nigeria, Rev. Victor Philip, has advised political leaders to live right and work towards leaving positive legacies.

    He spoke last Thursday in Uyo while announcing the death and burial ceremony of the immediate past chairman of conference, Qua Iboe Church, Nigeria, Late Rev. Sunday Essien.

    The Acting Conference Chairman noted that death was no respecter of persons and advised all human beings to prepare ahead of time for their exit by worshipping God and leading good lives.

    He regretted that some persons were living as if they were not accountable to the creator and would not die.

    “My advice to everyone created by God is that he should be prepared ahead of time because death will come one day,” Philip said.

    The cleric announced that his predecessor, Late Rev. Sunday Essien died on Nov. 8, 2015 at 67.

    The Acting Conference Chairman said that the deceased would be buried on March 11, 2016 in his home town, Ikot Akpan Ukam in Mkpat Enin local government area.

    The cleric described the deceased as a gifted preacher, a pastor by God’s grace, a Bible teacher, a great evangelist and a choirmaster.

    “As a daring Christian explorer, he accepted the challenge to serve as a missionary in Bassa field, Nassarawa State in spite of the obvious difficulties associated with ministry work there.

    “As a man committed to hard work, perseverance, and love, he worked progressively and ardently in the church ministry,” Philip said.

    Philip listed some areas that the deceased had done pastoral work to include Abuja, Port Harcourt, Rumumasi, Toto Kanyeho, Bassa, Mbioto and the National Headquarters of Qua Iboe Church, Uyo.

  • Our elite and politicians

    Our elite and politicians

    Since President Muhammadu Buhari got to office in May last year and declared a fierce war on corruption, it has been revelations galore on a daily basis. We all knew that things were very bad, quite well, but what we probably didn’t know was the degree of rot that had pervaded the system. In truth, from the revelations so far, which, I am sure, is still just a tip of the iceberg, the system reeks of an offensive odour that could make any sane person easily throw up. The figures being reeled out are frightening and the methodology employed by these crooks to fleece the treasury is cheap and unbelievable. Companies are incorporated overnight, bank accounts are opened within the twinkle of an eye and before you can say Jack Robinson, the accounts begin to overflow with huge, mouth-watering cash. The implication is that the system appears too porous and vulnerable to abuse as if there are no safety nets. But safety nets or not, Nigerians are just incredibly criminally intelligent. From the messengers in the ministries to the small, medium and big “ogas at the top”, it is a close-knit web of conspiracy and bare-faced stealing all the way.

    It is now clear to Nigerians that the real enemies of the country are the elite. It is the elite who have stolen the country blind that are responsible for our myriad of problems – economic backwardness, lack of infrastructure, appalling health care system, poor educational standard, terrorism, insecurity et al. The reason for this is that the money meant for sustainable development in the country has been embezzled by these smart Alecs. This is not to say that it is everybody up there that is a thief, but the preponderance of our so-called elite is engaged in one shady deal or another. There are those who are involved in the actual stealing, while many more profit from the proceeds of crime and criminality in one way or another.

    Now that it seems that there is no more hiding place for these thieves, quite a good number of them are getting increasingly uncomfortable because of the fear of the unknown. That brings us to the recent widely circulated statement credited to one of Nigeria’s former leaders, Olusegun Obasanjo, who was at the helm of affairs as President from 1999 to 2007. The former President recently accused the political class, especially the National Assembly members, of being very corrupt, self-centred and greedy. As usual, his assertion has not gone down well with many people. One of them is Bukola Saraki, the embattled Senate President who is currently enmeshed in a battle for his life at the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT. Only last Friday, his bid to stave off his trial over certain discrepancies in his assets declaration way back while he was a state governor, was rebuffed by the Supreme Court who ordered him to keep a date with the CCT.

    After Obasanjo or Obj’s statement went viral, Saraki quickly replied that “all Nigerian leaders from 1999 were corrupt”. That insinuation means that Obj was also corrupt and that he equally presided over one of the most corrupt governments the nation has ever had. Saraki’s words: “We’ve all been here since 1999 up to the recent past when things were not done right. We are all part of it. I was there, you were there, every other political office holder in different capacities were there as well”. Of course, many Nigerians cannot agree less with Saraki.

    In the first instance, from what we all know now, it appears that the lure of public office in Nigeria is not to render anything close to selfless service, but an opportunity to dip one’s fingers into the public till. Perhaps, that is why it is almost impossible to see anybody who has passed through the corridors of power in Nigeria at whatever level and remained poor. If some exist, they may be too infinitesimal to make any difference in a country where people are aggressively desperate to make money even if it means that some other people  lose their limbs or lives altogether. Who cares?

    After all, those who are involved in the scandalous bazaar now known as armsgate knew quite well that one of the direct consequences of their actions is death and destruction to lives and property in the North-east. But that was not enough to deter them from misappropriating the money meant for procuring arms and ammunition to confront the senseless terrorists and human butchers prowling the North-east. What those people have done is tantamount to committing grievous war crimes which could be visited with death by firing squad. Yet, you still find some people talking about human rights and all that.

    Regrettably, the irony of the whole situation is that the human rights that so easily allow these people to steal and create untold hardship in the society, is the first thing they invoke as a defence mechanism when the chips are down. You now have a situation where somebody stole so much and he is manacled and some people are crying to the roofs about presumption of innocence until found guilty. Whereas a common man steals just pepper or some tubers of yam and he is chained hands and feet and dumped in jail. So, that one has no human right? Abi.

    It is a good thing that Buhari and his team are desirous to get to the bottom of the rot in this country, but they should know that it is never going to be a tea party. Like the cliché: “When you fight corruption, corruption will certainly fight back,” a statement credited to the Presidency last week indicated that the government had been under severe pressure from some members of the Nigerian elite urging him to take it easy. These people, the statement added, “cut across all tribes and religious differences”. This is not strange at all. It is quite expected. In actual fact, the heat is certainly on and things cannot be the same again.

    Nigeria harbours many hypocrites parading as leaders. Tales abound at our police stations especially the Special Anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, and the State Criminal Investigation Department, SCID, formations, of how these same elite, including highly-placed traditional rulers, religious leaders, present and past political office holders and others in that bracket, mount pressure on officers and men of the formations every now and then to let go of hardened criminals in police net. These people shamelessly go to the stations with their regalia and paraphernalia of office to stand bail for armed robbers, murderers, rapists and all such dangerous felons. That is the depth of the rot in the society.

    So, ordinarily it is no news that pressure is being mounted on the government to slow down the anti-corruption war. It is because more and more of these so-called elite who are nothing more than common criminals, are daily being dislodged from their comfort zones. The government should continue to appraise its strategy to rid the country of this endemic corruption while also ignoring those interceding on behalf of their thieving friends and relations because this war must be taken to its logical conclusion.

    However, my fear is that those who are coming cap-in- hand now to beg for leniency could resort to some sinister plots if all their entreaties fail. In that case, there is need for eternal vigilance. The public too, must help the government to win this war. The bottom line is that Nigerians don’t want all these to end up as circuit shows. They want to see these white-collar thieves in jail. However, what is worrisome is: If Buhari cannot do this conclusively, who else will clean the Augean stables?

  • Rivers rerun: Politicians arming criminals, says Army

    Rivers rerun: Politicians arming criminals, says Army

    •‘Suspected patrons, sponsors closely monitored’

    The 2 Brigade in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has accused politicians of arming criminals.

    It said any criminal arrested would be prosecuted to serve as a deterrent to others.

    The Assistant Director, Army Public Relations of 2 Brigade, Capt. Eli Lazarus, spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt.

    He said: “Some politicians are arming these groups and encouraging them with inciting comments to breach the public peace. No one should be in doubt of the capacity of the military to deal with such persons. Persons caught breaching public peace, particularly during the elections, will have themselves to blame. Some suspected patrons and sponsors of these criminal groups are closely monitored by security agencies.”

    Capt. Lazarus advised parents and guardians to warn their children or wards against any form of association with criminal groups/sponsors.

    He added: “In the early hours of Sunday, February 7, 2016, pipeline vandals destroyed a gas facility at Akala Olu village in Oshie community, Ahoada West Local Government Area of Rivers State, thereby disrupting the production activities of the Nigerian Agip Oil Company (NAOC). The vandals threatened to carry out further acts of vandalism, unless their demands are met.

    “The vandals are suspected members of Icelander cult group. The group demanded the release of a detained suspect, Emmanuel Odum, undergoing interrogation in connection with pipeline vandalism and cult-related activities.

    ‘’The 2 Brigade will not be cowed into doing the bidding of any criminal group. For the avoidance of doubt, anyone caught vandalising critical national assets will be severely dealt with, in accordance with the law.”

     

  • Beware of politicians, cheerleaders lest you be led astray, Awujale advises Ooni

    Beware of politicians, cheerleaders lest you be led astray, Awujale advises Ooni

    The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, yesterday advised the newly crowned Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi, to be wary of politicians, sycophants and cheerleaders lest they lead him astray.

    The Awujale gave the advice at his Ijebu – Ode palace, Ogun State, when the Ooni paid him a historical visit.

    Oba Adetona noted that Oba Ogunwusi’s resolve since his ascension to the Ife throne to work for the unity and progress of Yorubaland, is a worthy cause but counseled him to be cautious in dealings with the nation’s politicians and their tendencies for division.

    Adetona said: “If we are united, we can achieve a lot for our people. But if we allow politicians to infiltrate and divide us, they will spoil everything.We should not as traditional rulers sell ourselves out because of pecuniary gains. That had happened in the past and caused disunity in Yorubaland. We should not be partial. The interest of our people should matter most to us.”

    In his remark, Oba Ogunwusi called for the replication of the cooperation and harmony that existed amongst traditional rulers in Yorubaland up till 1941 when the Obas in the area met.

    The Ooni said the rapid socio – economic development of Yorubaland and her people could be achieved if there is greater unity among the traditional rulers, adding that he

    was in Ijebuland to draw strength and wisdom from Awujale who providence has preserved for 56 years on the throne.

    According to him, he would move closer to the Ijebu monarch so as to foster better cooperation and unity amongst Yoruba traditional rulers.

    “The position God has put me today is not because of my power or might. It has pleased God to make me the Ooni in my youth. Therefore, I have resolved to come closer to the Awujale because since 1941 when Yoruba traditional rulers last met, we have not had any other joint meeting. This should not be so.

    “It is our culture to respect the elders and there is nothing better than that before God. God loves the Yoruba people so much that He gave us everything. But if we are not united, we won’t know our worth. God has blessed all of us in Yorubaland but it is through cooperation that we can achieve the best,” Ogunwusi said.

  • Politicians brew terrorism for selfish reasons – Islamic Cleric

    Politicians brew terrorism for selfish reasons – Islamic Cleric

    The National Amir Ahmadiyya Muslim Juma’at in Nigeria, Dr Mashood Aderinle Fashola Friday in Kano described terrorism as a struggle for political power in which politicians use to perpetrate themselves into relevance.

    Fashola, who is a renowned Islamic Scholar said this in Kano, during his inspection tour Ahmadiyya facilities, said that Nigerians should be wary of the antics of politicians, whose stock in trade is to deceive the masses.

    According to him, “politicians are fond of deceiving the people if they want to loot the treasury, as you notice them coming together, but if some of them fall by the way side, you see they are employing religious sentiments to curry favour from the public.”

    He further noted that, “the insecurity we are witnessing in the country today is the handiwork of politicians, who brew terrorism, to achieve their selfish political ambition, resulting in the ongoing insurgency.”

    Dr Fashola said that lack of moral discipline, selfish interest, and religious intolerance has been the major bane of the country, pointing that those, who claim to be Christians and Muslim leaders, only crave for wealth against fighting for humanity.

    The Islamic Scholar called on Nigerians to support and pray for the success of President Buhari’s anti—corruption crusade, pointing out that the only snag of this country is the lack of sincerity of purpose of believing in the sincerity of purpose of our leaders to pilot the country to another level.

    He also accused politicians of creating the hardship people are currently experiencing, adding that if Nigerians imbibe religious tolerance, “we will be able to fight politicians, who want to destroy the nation.”

     

  • MOSOP seeks unity among Ogoni politicians

    MOSOP seeks unity among Ogoni politicians

    The Legborsi Saro Pyagbara-led faction of the Movement for the Survival of Ogoni People (MOSOP) has urged politicians of Ogoni extraction to speak with one voice.

    In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Fegalo Nsuke in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital yesterday, the group said: “Building peace and oneness among Ogonis, in our opinion, cannot be achieved through inflammable statements, which would end up deepening the problem instead of providing answers.

    “It is for this reason that we call on Ogoni political leaders to be mindful of their utterances and actions to avoid igniting crisis in the area and risking alienation.

    “To us, the task of organising the Ogoni society for the actualisation of the common dream is enormous and requires our collective response, rather than the resort to worthless and shameful distractions as experienced in the past one week.

    “However, we are deeply concerned that at a time when Ogonis have decried and warned against further appalling attempts at dividing us, some local politicians are fanning the embers of division in the area.”

  • British invasion: ‘Beware of desperate politicians’

    There is a twist in the controversy surrounding the British invasion of Benin Kingdom in 1897.

    A great, great-grandson of Oba Ovonramwen N’Ogbaisi, Prince Samwonyi Ovonramwen, has cautioned the Bini of Edo State to beware of desperate politicians who would not define the issues confronting them as a people.

    Ovonramwen said: “some politicians only hide behind patronage or mercantilist politics of the wasted years to benefit their selfish ends. They are caught by cold, fear and trepidation at the sight of well-rounded contenders for the same office. For God’s sake, leave our great great-grandfather out of the murky waters of politics. Let politicians play politics.”

    He added: “My family line is the only one still bearing the name Ovonramwen and this has ensured that his good name has not been erased from the consciousness of the people. That underscores how proud and honoured we are to be associated with our root.

    “How easy it is to pursue selfish political interest under the pretext of public good! Apart from little known Ovonramwen Street, no other monument of importance immortalises Oba Ovonranmwen in Benin City. I wish deserving effort is directed at correcting this.

    “In 1897, the British invaded Benin Empire, conquered it and carted away its most priced assets. The motive for the invasion was purely economic and political. As earlier correspondences have shown, the invasion and subjugation of the empire was inevitable and only a matter of time.

    “The role of the key actors, including nobles, courtiers and ordinary citizens, were contingent upon the dynamics and exigencies of the time. It can only be understood and appreciated therefrom. And we know for a fact that the character, mood and temperament of 1897 were not captured by anyone and cannot be resurrected with accuracy more than a century after.

    “Over the years, there have been speculations and tell-tales with regard to the role played by some key leaders and participants. The British conquerors wrote from their angle but nobody recorded the views of the Edo participants in the unfortunate episode.

    “However, what can be reconstructed with the tools of research has been accomplished by the most celebrated historian on the subject – Prof. Phillips Igbafe. Let those who seek genuine knowledge submit themselves to the discipline of reading published works.

    “It is barbaric, unjustifiable and pointless to hound anyone or scion of any of the families today on account of the purported role played by his great, great-grandfather. If all of us were to look back into remote history and the role played by our various great, great-grandfathers, Benin City and Edo land would be immersed with vile, hatred, bad blood and vindictiveness.

    “Let us beware of desperate politicians who can hardly define the issues confronting us only to hide behind patronage or mercantilist politics of the wasted years.”

  • Yewa monarchs, politicians strategise for 2019

    Yewa monarchs, politicians strategise for 2019

    Yewa monarchs, led by the Olu of Ilaro, Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, and top politicians from the old Egbado Division have renewed their agitation for power shift to Ogun West Senatorial District, ahead of the 2019 polls, reports Correspondent ERNEST NWOKOLO.

    The next governorship election will hold in Ogun State in 2019. Ahead of the poll, the people of Yewaland, Ogun West Senatorial District, are re-grouping and strategising.

    The primary target, as was the case in the past, is to produce a governor for the Gateway State.

    The area comprises of five Local Governments – Yewa South, Yewa North, Ipokia, Ado/Odo/Ota and Imeko-Afon and for those not conversant with their political plights in the state, they may be tempted to interrogate the propriety of the seemingly hasty schemings and preparations for the 2019 governorship election that is at least three years away.

    However, for others accustomed to witnessing how often the number one seat has continued to elude the Yewas over the years at the altar of the legendary internal crisis and lack of cohession among them, no time is too early to hit the ground running or start beating the drum of unity for the Oke-Mosan Governor’s Office.

    Ogun, the home state of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, late philantropist and politician, Chief Moshood Abiola and the Afenifere Leader,  the late Pa Abraham Adesanya, will be 40 years old next month.

    Although, it has three in Senatorial districts – Ogun East (Ijebu and Remo), Ogun Central (Egba) and Ogun West (Yewa), but in what appears baffling to not a few persons in the state, the Egbas and Ijebu/Remo have produced governors – Chief Olusegun Osoba (Egba), the incumbent Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun (Egba), the late Chief Olabisi Onabanjo (Ijebu) and Gbenga Daniel (Ijebu/Remo), Yewa has not enjoyed the slot.

    Attempts were made in the past by prominent politicians from the area such as late Prof. Olabimtan and the late Dr. Tunji Otegbeye, to govern the state but such attempt turned out to be a feeble one in the face of more organised, united and robust political onslaughts by opponent – politicians from Egba and Ijebu/Remo zones of the state.

    The highest elective positions the district has enjoyed are deputy governor for eight years  and the Speaker of the House of Assembly Alhaja Salmot Makanjuola Badru served as deputy governor under the Gbenga Daniel administration and Prince Suraj Adekunbi as Speakder.

    However, in the last 16 years, there were renewed efforts by politicians from Yewa to occupy the seat, but the office is still an elusive and a forlorn hope.

    The first time the zone came close to making it was in 2011. The wind of power shift blew in their favour, but they missed it, having suffered internal strife and division, which culminated in the clash of ambitions between former military administrator of old Oyo state and ECOMOG Commander during the Liberian civil war, General Tunji Olurin, and ex – Group Managing Director, Gateway Holdings, Prince Gboyega Isiaka. Both stood against Senator Ibikunle Amosun from Egba during the April 26, 2011 elections.

    The chief promoter of Olurin on the ticket of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) was Obasanjo, who described him as the best man for the job among the Yewas while the former governor, Daniel was Isiaka rooting for the arrowhead in the push for Isiaka’s governorship agenda on the platform of the Peoples Party of Nigeria(PPN).

    Olurin was said to be trusted, experienced, credible and with global exposure, but ambition led to division among Yewa people, kept his people acrimoniously divided among themselves over who should go for the job between him and the more celebral and also younger Isiaka.

    Also, the feud between Obasanjo and Daniel during that period did not help matter for either Olurin or Isiaka, as their people became polarised. The opportunity for block votes  was forfeited and the battle was eventually lost to Amosun, who enjoyed the unity and numerical strength of his Egba kinsmen.

    As if the zone is in capable of profitting from experience, the avoidable mistakes of 2011 were repeated in 2015 when two persons – Akin Odunsi, who was elected as senator for Ogun West (Yewa) on the ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) entered the April 11, 2015 governorship race on the platform of the Social Democratic Party(SDP) along with Gboyega Isiaka (PDP) to confront  Amosun on the field.

    As expected, the Yewa people could not agree on a single candidate from the zone in 2015, and not surprisingly

    Amosun, the candidate of the APC, again defeated Isiaka and Odunsi to return to Oke Mosan Governor’s Office for a second term.

    Ahead of 2019, Yewa is now re-strategising.

    The Paramount ruler of Yewaland and Olu of Ilaro,  Oba Kehinde Olugbenle, appeared to have subtly set the tone for them when he called on his people during the last Orona Cultural Festival to work selflessly for the unity and progress of Yewaland.

    Oba Olugbenle followed this up with another  call on the sons and daughters, particularly the politicians,  on December 26 last year,  urging them to take a critical appraisal of their fate in Ogun state since its creation.

    The monarch advised them to forget the acrimony arising from their unsuccessful attempts to produce a governor in the past, chart the best way forward and focus on the task ahead of them with the hope of breaking the jinx in 2019.

    Olugbenle said: “We should reflect more on what the future holds for us in Yewaland almost 40 years after the creation of Ogun State. Let us forget about the past and with optimism, positively look into the greatness ahead of our land. Where we are going as a division in Ogun State is more important than where we are coming from.”

    The monarch spoke during a civic reception organised by him  and over 40 royal fathers from Yewaland for past and serving government functioneries, politicians, distinguished sons and daughters.

    At the ceremony, were the Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Prof. Rahmon Bello; Second Republic Minister of National Planning, Mrs. Ebun Oyagbola,  General Tunji Olurin; the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Prince Gboyega Nasir Isiaka (GNI); Senator Solomon Adeola representing Lagos West in the National Assembly; and Speaker Ishola.

    Others are three members of the House of Representatives, Hon. Jimoh Ojugbele, Hon. Kayode Oladele and Hon. Adekunle Akinlade; the Rector of the Ogun State Institute of Technology, Igbesa, Dr. Olufunke Akinkurolere; two commissioners of police, Mr. Rasheed Akintunde and Mr. Olusola Amore; Professor Emeritus, Anthony Asiwaju.

    Also, the Olubara of Ibaraland, Oba Jacob Omolade, emphasised the import of power shift.

    Oba Omolade said the time has come for the Yewa people to occupy Oke-Mosan Governor’s Office, adding that the opportunity should not be allowed to slip off again.

    The monarch said Obasanjo, has always been well disposed towards the emergence of a Yewa person as a governor, saying that informed why he backed the candidacy of  Olurin from Ilaro during the 2011 general polls.

    He also pointed out that unknown to many, the traditional rulers in Yewaland had already started working towards ensuring that the highest office does not elude them in 2019.

    He argued that other zones – Egba(Ogun Central) and Ogun East(Ijebu and Remo) which had produced governors in turns, are also watching to see how the Yewa people could make use of the auspicious forthcoming political climate to actualise their long held dream of producing a Governor.

    The monarch charged his kinsmen to forge a united front with the ultimate aim of making one of their own the governor of the state and quickly suggested that Oba Olugbenle, should set up a Committee of Veteran Politicians from Yewaland.

    Omolade said the committee when formed, would be charged with the task of resolving any dispute or crisis that may arise among sons and daughters of the area who would be aspiring to contest the governorship seat  of the state in 2019.

    He said the setting – up of  the committee had become imperative to forestall a repeat of the situations where multiple candidates from different political parties emerged from the zone in 2011 and 2015.

    He said: “Obasanjo has always supported our cause. He brought out Olurin. We tried for Olurin to be governor but we did not succeed. Also, Gboyega Nasir Isiaka then came out at the same time. But we thank God because if it was our time, one of them would have won. But our time has now come.

    “The Yewa royal fathers have started working. So, I would also enjoin our people to rise to the occasion. May God help us. I urge the paramount ruler to set up a committee of veteran politicians so that in 2019, the kind of crisis, division and disunity we experienced in 2011 would not occur again.

    “We tried our best then, but failed. But if we allow our elders, only one candidate would be presented. We are not talking about party here. The Egba, the Remo and Ijebu are expecting us to do something. But when we are not united, how do we do that?

    “So, whoever emerges as the governorship candidate, we should all support him. You politicians, I want you to talk to yourselves because we find it difficult to control you. If I could come all the way from Abeokuta to talk to us like this, you should know that this is a serious matter.”

    The  indigenes and political actors appeared to have started giving heed to their traditional rulers’ call for unity.

    Perhaps, it has dawned on them collectively, that should they continue to proceed in the pursuit of the prime office with the fate of a divided house, the more united and focused zones like the Egba and Ijebu-Remo would keep rotating the seat between Ogun Central and Ogun East while the Yewas of Ogun West inevitably would take their self – assigned spectators’ role.

    Senator Solomon Adeola, said his kinsmen are resolute about 2019.

    “It is the time Yewa is looking on to its people and God to have ultimate prize come 2019. The unity simply indicate an indivisible entity. It is when we come together and be under one umbrella that we can bring this to pass.

    “Now that we have resolved and are resolute,  this will tell the whole world that Yewa is ready more than ever before, so that 2019 can be a reality.

    “I believe, with the right step in the right direction that has been taken by our traditional rulers and the leaders, it is possible to have a consensus candidate, because all we are after is for us to see that come 2019, we have a man in the help of affairs which is a Yewa man,” Adeola said.

    Also, Gboyega Isiaka who has been a direct victim, electorally, of the Yewa’s lack of cohession, expressed the optimism that it is possible for the zone to have a consensus candidate regardless of the political parties unlike what obtained in 2011 and 2015.

    “I have a direct experience of lack of unity in us and I know that if we are united it will sow a good result and it is also not impossible to have a single candidate in 2019 to represent the whole of Yewa land,” he said.

    For Adekunbi, the support and cooperation of the people of other zones are also pivotal to the success of Yewa 2019 agenda.

    According to Adekunbi, the alliances outside Yewaland should also be courted while the rights every of any Ogun state indigene to aspire for the position of a Governor be accomodated.

    “Politics is a game of numbers and I want to believe that aside from the present occupant of the exhalted position of the state, all good people of ogun state and all citizen of Ogun are bonifide candidate for the position.

    “ I want to believe nothing is impossible but we should not see it as a matter of do or die affair,  all we should ensure is that people are given a sense of belonging and we should also know that even if a single  Yewa candidate  emerges, we can not do it all alone, we should always carry (other) people along in our activities,” Adekunbi.

    The Speaker’s pisition tallied with the notion earlier advocated by former Deputy Governor Rafiu Ogunleye.

    Ogunleye, who was one the governorship aspirants on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) told reporters at his Ijebu countryhome, that the Ogun East and Ogun Central should resolve to support the Yewa people(Ogun West) to actualize the dream of a Yewa son or daughter becoming a Governor in Ogun State.

    He noted that since the Ogun East and Ogun Central naturally enjoy  numerical strength, it is imperative that the Yewa people court their political alliance in their quest for number one Office in the state.

    However, it is worthy of note that the Yewa monarchs and their subjects have started working early enough for the actualization of the Yewa Governorship Agenda in 2019 but will they get it right when the election year eventually beckons?

    Will the unity song raised by Oba Olugbenle and chorused by his subjects towards the attainment of an emerged Governor of Ogun state from Yewa extraction be sustained till 2019? Analysts say only time will tell as the rest of Ogun people watch the unfolding deft political moves with keen interest.

     

  • Politicians manipulate youths, minister alleges

    Politicians manipulate youths, minister alleges

    Minister of Youths and Sports Mr. Solomon Dalung has said the Federal Government will no longer waste tax payers’ money to fund the Nigerian Youth Council (NYC) because the body is under serious manipulation by politicians and other stakeholders.

    The reason not to fund any youth group, according to the minister, is as a result of the leadership squabble rocking it, adding that over six persons are claiming the leadership of the NYC with several pending court cases.

    He stated this in Abuja during the-end-of-the-year ceremony of the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) whose theme was “The Role of Youth Organisation in the Promotion of Social Change: The Future of the Nigerian State.”

    The minister promised that by next year, a committee will be set up to register youth organisations.

    Dalung urged youths to shun violence and embrace peace, adding that under the leadership of President Muhammadu Buhari; it is no longer business as usual.

    His words: “If the Nigerian youths are yearning for change and now the change has come, they should behave themselves.

    “One of the problems of the Nigerian youths today is that they are divided among themselves. They are divided over the question of leadership and I keep repeating without fear or favour that they have allowed us ‘politicians’ to continue to manipulate them.

    “They are under serious manipulation and they operate under the instructions of those that manipulate them. This informed why I found it difficult to take sides when I assumed duty as a minister.

    As a minister, I have withdrawn that right that there is no youth organisation recognised by the Ministry of Youths and Sports. As a government, we will not do any business with them.

    “We will not use the tax payers’ money and waste it on those that are fighting.

    “In the New Year, we are going to set up a committee that will register youth organisations. But for now, we will not spend a ‘kobo’ on briefcase youth organisations and the law requires them to have offices in not less than 24 states in Nigeria. We cannot endorse fraud.

    “We are willing to redefine ourselves to support the youth to ensure that we provide job for them so that they can be gainfully employed so as to be leaders of this great country.

    “I congratulate the Peace Corps for wonderful work it’s doing for the youth of this country. Without peace, Nigeria cannot achieve anything.”

    The National Commandant of the PCN, Mr. Dickson Akoh commended the National Assembly for taking serious the PCN bill which he said has scaled through second reading.

    Akoh advised youths to key into President Buhari’s agenda and also shun violence.

    He admonished politicians not to use youths to achieve their negative goals.

  • Minister caution youths against being used by Politicians

    Minister caution youths against being used by Politicians

    The Minister of Youth and Sport Development, Solomon Dalung has cautioned Nigerian youths against being used as cheap objects by Politicians.

    Dalung who said this Thursday at the inauguration of the third session of the Nigerian Youth Parliament in Abuja also said that if those who manipulate them believe in their future they should invest in them and not manipulate them.

    He said a deal of N1 million can do miracle in a rural area than giving somebody to go and mobilise people or using it to buy arms to cause trouble.

    “After the inauguration today you all must purge yourself from the act of manipulations and come back to your senses.

    “If I have collected money back in our days I doubt if I would have been given the opportunity to be Minister of Youth today and I challenge all youth leaders gathered here that after this session they should go back and reorganize themselves and I am ready to be part of them,” he said.

    He further said it is very sad that the Youth have also taken part in the drama of embarrassment and are now active participant in bringing shame and disgrace to Nigerian.

    “I challenged this August body that has resisted the temptation of not giving up due to much tension not to vote anybody who has given them money last night because such is buying you and if anybody has given you money to buy you, the person is not working for the Youth but the person who has sponsored him. We don’t want to inaugurate anyone into politics of money.”

    The outgoing speaker Youth Parliament Abba Waziri called on the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari to deliver their campaign promises for the Youth as they keep pushing for the betterment of Nigerian Youth.